Hey sorry this update has taken a while, school is just taking up so much time. Zoe and I had to write parts apart from one another so it has been a little harder for us to get the chapter together. Hope you guys like it :D
R&R
The lightning endured long into the night. Gandalf ushered the hobbits inside, well aware of the evil the thing portended. So heavy was the malice of the ghostly light that Gandalf could feel it in his bones. Such malevolence would overwhelm the little ones within minutes. They fell into their beds and were asleep within minutes. Gandalf however was restless, so he stayed up, mulling over the day's events. It was plain Denethor would not call for aid, regardless of how dire the need of his city was. So either he must be forced or aid had to be called for him….
Celandine heard a soft whispering, running through her dream like water through rock. It was calling for her to wake. She ignored it, falling deeper into sleep instead. She was shaken, gently at first then harder. Still she resisted, clinging to sleep like a life-line. There was a brief pause than a sudden gush of icy cold water, smacking into her like wet punch in the face. She jolted awake, sitting up and spluttering in shock and anger. As she gasped and stammered in rage, she caught sight of Gandalf, standing over her, holding a dripping pitcher.
"Whart the blethin hell do ya tink yur doin?" She spat, wiping water off her face.
"Morning has come and I have a task for you and Pippin. You would not awaken so I took the necessary measures. Get up and get dressed. We are wasting time"
Grumbling and swearing to herself, Celandine complied. Beside her, Pippin was already awake and dressed, regarding her with thinly veiled amusement. She scowled at him. Once she was dressed she and Pippin left their sleeping quarters and followed Gandalf through Minas Tirith's labyrinthine streets. Celandine noticed with annoyance that morning had only just broken and no one else was awake. Finally they came to the end of their wandering. Gandalf looked around suspiciously, dropping to his knees to whisper to them both.
"There is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for the Shire-folk to prove their great worth."
Coming closer, he explained his plan. "You must not fail me." He urged them. They nodded, showing they understood the seriousness of this undertaking.
Moving swiftly and silently, the two hobbits evaded the guard with ease. Celandine gave Pippin a boost onto the tower and, one after the other, they began to scale it. Soon they reached the top, stepping nervously onto the precarious perch. Reaching hesitantly for the lamp, Pippin pulled too hard, making the rope holding the pot of oil broke, causing it to spill all over the wood.
"Nice goo-ing murun!" Celandine said, batting him lightly over the head.
Pippin shushed her "C'mon! We haven't got much time!" he reached up, clutching for the lamp. It hung just out of reach.
"Get on your hands and knees" he said to Celandine
"Whurt?"
"I need to stand on top of you!"
Ar yoo cra-zee?"
"C'mon!" Pippin urged. The soldiers could look up and see them at any moment. Grumbling, Celandine did as he suggested. Pippin planted one foot on her back and jumped. This time he was well high enough and unhooked the lamp easily. Celandine scuttled out of the way and Pippin flung the lamp down onto the wood. Flame spurted up, spreading quickly. The two hobbits grinned triumphantly at each other… until they realized where they were standing. They hurriedly clambered down, leaving the fire to grow and increase. Soon the whole pyre was alit. Gandalf looked up at the bright blaze smiling in victory. They had done it. In the distance, another fire was lit, a small tongue of flame flickering on the on the horizon. The signal was carrying.
"Amon Din" he said to himself. Others began to notice also. A guard down below cried "The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!"
"Hope is rekindled" Gandalf said. He was now certain help was coming to Gondor.
Back on the plains of Rohan in the city of Edoras all was quiet. The King found himself in council with his trusted advisors, while Aragorn stood, not far off from the hall looking out into the distance. He had decided that he needed some time to think, so had left his companions in their sleeping quarters to rest. It was by luck that he looked up just in time to see a great fire light high upon the snow covered mountain. Without a second thought Aragorn leapt into action, taking off running the direction of the hall. He bounded up the steps with great haste. It took him mere moments to make it through the Hall doors making his presence known. "The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit!" he announced continuing to run through the hall towards the King, coming to stop just before him. "Gondor calls for aid!" he said breathlessly. The hall was silent for a moment before the king replied "And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim!"
Aragorn needed little more encouragement and ran through the hall to wake his sleeping companions. Gimli was the first he saw sleeping as he leant against the far wall, snoring rather loudly it was a wonder the room was not shaking. Merry was sitting on a small stool, a look of deep thought upon his face. Aragorn turned his attention to the pair of elves Legolas was sat cross legged as stiff as a board, eyes wide open staring straight ahead, lost in elven sleep. While Bee had sprawled herself over not only her own sleeping mat, but also what had once been Aragorn's. That was part of the reason Aragorn had gone out to think, because Bee had been kicking him in her sleep. Merry looked up upon hearing the door open. "They've been like this ever since you left" he told him, pointedly glancing at Bee. "To be honest Legolas' staring scares me" he admitted. Aragorn nodded in understanding. "Wake Gimli, the beacons have been lit" "Right" Merry stood to go and wake the snoring dwarf. Aragorn moved past the hobbit lightly tapping Legolas on the shoulder to wake him, before moving towards the she-elf who seemed perfectly comfortable where she was. He sighed. He had a feeling this would not be easy.
"Bee… Beriadanwen you must rise" he told her, kneeling down to shake her shoulder slightly; Bee groaned loudly rolling over muttering "What?" "The beacons have been lit" "Bacon? Great! I'll have mine in bed" "Not bacon, Beacon" "Beacon what type of beacon? I don't want one of those" she muttered nonsensically, trying to roll away from the man interrupting her sleep. Aragorn rolled his eyes "Bee. Up. Now!" he said forcefully, standing and quickly exiting the room but not before giving the others a signal to hurry up. By the time Bee had finally fully woken and sat up, everyone else was up and ready to go. "What…What's going on?" "The beacon of Gondor has been lit, Gondor is calling for aid" Gimli spoke up gripping his axe tightly, as he tried to stretch out his tight muscles. Upon hearing the news clearly for the first time Bee got to her feet, beginning to gather her scattered belongings. Why did everything important that happened have to interrupt her sleep?
By the time Bee made it out of the hall everything was in full swing. The Hall was full of soldiers running left and right, preparing to march. Looking around her eyes, landed on the young hobbit that was kneeling before the King of Rohan. Curious, she drew a little closer. "I offer you my service, Théoden King." Merry was saying. Théoden glanced down at the hobbit before him, admiring the bravery in Merry's eyes. Bending down the King helped to hobbit to his feet, a slight smile on his aged face. "And gladly I accept it. You shall be Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan." With that Merry took off running a wide smile upon his face. Bee looked back over the to the King who still stood in the same spot, their eyes locked for merely moment before Théoden looked away turning to face his city. Bee smiled to herself, turning away to find the others. She walked until she came across Legolas and Gimli, who both already sat upon their horse, Bee was surprised to see her horse standing alongside theirs already saddled. Nodding her greeting Bee took her time in mounting and getting herself comfortable, it felt strange to be upon a horse without the feel of a smaller body seated behind her. A pang sliced through her, she missed Celandine "Horsemen, Hmmph! I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy." Gimli growled in discontent. Bee rose her eyebrows, fully agreeing with the statement of Dwarves being filthy.
"Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already marches on their own lands." Legolas said trying to peer back at the dwarf behind him. Bee found herself missing the she-hobbit again, the pang growing stronger. She had not known not having her nearby would affect her so much. She should never have allowed that old wizard to take her with him. The very place Gandalf had taken her, the place that Gandalf had guaranteed she would be safe, was the country that had just called for aid because war was marching upon it.
Riders had taken to their horses now ready and waiting for their orders. There was an uneasy silence. Bee realised that this must be hard for the riders of Rohan, it had been but a few days since their victory in Helms Deep. And now they were to ride once more not knowing whether they would return home to their families or perish in the land of Gondor far from their homes and their loved ones. They were going from one battle to the next with barely a breath in between. Éomer looked over his men proudly "Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfil them all! For Lord and Land!" His voice echoed around the village square, these were the last words spoken in Edoras as the riders set out; they rang out in the plains, following the soldiers into battle. Bee was silent as they continued to ride across the plains. The thought of going into battle without her oldest companion felt wrong, it had been a long time since she had felt this alone and she hated it.
Celandine's eyes were clenched close, just as her fists and mouth were. She sat this way partly to keep from screaming and partly to keep from vomiting. She, Gandalf and Pippin had ridden off the meet the soldiers of Gondor merely minutes ago and the horror of what they had seen was still fresh in her head. They had been retreating from horrid winged beasts, black as ink stains against the blue sky. They had dropped like vultures, taking out both horse and rider. As they rode closer to the slaughter Gandalf lifted his staff above his head sending off a bright white light into the sky, pushing back the dark clouds that were approaching the city walls. As the darkness began to disappear so did the Nazgûl's, hiding from the bright that burned their eyes. Seeing that his job had been fulfilled Gandalf swiftly turned, joining the ranks of Gondorian men, as they rode back towards the safety of the walls of the Great White City.
The Great gates opened quickly allowing the horsemen access into the city. "Mithrandir!" a voice called out" Gandalf turned to see who spoke "They broke our defences. They've taken the bridge and the West bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the river." The voice belonged to Faramir son of the Steward of Gondor, a pupil of Gandalf's. Another horseman stopped beside them, quickly dismounting "It is as Lord Denethor predicted!" He declared "Long has he foreseen this doom!" "Foreseen and done nothing!" Gandalf snapped at turning his horse around. Faramir looked down at the two hobbits, a look of surprise so cold it was almost morbid. "Faramir? These are not the first halfling's to have crossed your path?" Gandalf asked, dismounting and pulling them both forward to stand in front of him for Faramir to get a better look at. "No." "You've seen Frodo and Sam!" Pippin asked excitedly. "Where? When?" Gandalf asked urgently "In Ithilien, not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale." A look of concern crossed his face as he gave the wizard the news. "And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol." "Wert's goin ern, werts wrong?" Celandine questioned, seeing a look of confusion on Pippin's face. Gandalf ignored her completely focusing all his attention on the man before him. "Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know."