Solatiri nibbled on her supper as she watched Pippin go through his new possessions. True to his word, Pippin was now offering his service to Denethor. They looked at Gandalf beginning to cough as he stood on the balcony smoking his pipe.

"So I imagine this is just a ceremonial possession?" Pippin asked looking at chainmail shirt and the sword that laid with his service clothes. "I mean, they don't expect me to do any fighting…do they?"

"You're in the service of the steward now", Gandalf said. "You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, guard of the Citadel."

Gandalf continued coughing as he smoked. Pippin took a pitcher of water and poured it into a cup for Gandalf.

"You'll get used to it", Solatiri said. "The only time you'll be called to fight is if the city is threatened by an attack. I will be right there with you. Denethor wants to keep an eye on me and the baby."

Pippin looked up at her and gently patted her arm trying to comfort her. She smiled as she stepped outside on the balcony with him and Gandalf. Pippin handed him the cup of water and frowned as he looked up at the sky.

"There's no more stars", he said. "Is it him?"

"Yes…"

Solatiri put her hand on her shoulders as she looked up at the sky. Sure enough, there were no stars shining in the sky. There was nothing but dark clouds and shadows across the sky. Pippin sighed as he rested his head on the balcony railing.

"It's so quiet."

"It always is", Solatiri said.

"It's the deep breath before the plunge", Gandalf said.

"I don't want to be in a battle", Pippin said. "But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse."

Solatiri leaned on the railing next to him.

"I know it can be frightening", she said. "But fighting is the only way to face your fears. You fight so you can live, Pippin. That's what Boromir taught me."

Pippin smiled sadly before turning to Gandalf.

"Is there any hope, Gandalf? For Frodo and Sam?"

"There never was much hope", Gandalf said. "Just a fool's hope."

The three of them turned and looked ahead to the mountains covering Mordor from their view. They could hear Mount Doom rumbling and see the glow from behind the mountains.

"Our enemy is ready", Gandalf said. "His full strength's gathered. Not only Orcs, but Men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone."

"Oh, Faramir", Solatiri sighed worried as she looked out to Osgiliath. "Faramir, please be safe."

"Faramir?" Pippin asked.

"He's Boromir's brother", she said. "He's supposed to be the lookout for Osgiliath. I hope he's alright. If we lose him as we lost Boromir, I do not know what will happen. Faramir is the strongest fighter in this city."

"We've got the White Wizard", Pippin said reassuringly. "That's got to count for something."

Solatiri and Gandalf looked down not saying a word.

"Gandalf?"

"Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war, the one they say no living man can kill. The Witchking of Angmar. You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop."

Solatiri and Pippin looked at his shocked and frightened.

"He is the lord of the Nazgul…the greatest of the nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."

Solatiri rubbed her belly as she looked out to the night.

"I pray Frodo will come through his journey alive", she said. "He is our only hope for victory in this war."

"He's got Sam to help", Pippin said. "I know they will not let us down."

Everyone looked ahead to Mordor as they heard loud rumbling. Lightning struck throughout the sky. Out of nowhere, a huge green light rose from behind the mountains to the sky. Pippin looked up at Gandalf and Solatiri looking frightened. Solatiri wrapped her arms around Pippin trying to comfort him. In the levels below them, they could see the guards, soldiers, almost all of Minas Tirith gathered to see what was happening in Mordor.

"We come to it at last", Gandalf said. "The great battle of our time."

Solatiri looked at him as the light faded and disappeared.

"The board is set…the pieces are moving."