Solatiri was pulled inside as Denethor brought his servants and Faramir inside as the entire city went into battle. She held Pippin's hand as they rushed into the throne room. Denethor stopped as he looked at Pippin.
"You", he said pointing at him. "You are a guard of the Citadel. You shouldn't be here. Get out there and fight."
"Stop it", Solatiri said glaring. "I'm already scared enough. Do not send him out there."
Denethor glared back at her as she kept her composure. Everyone gasped as they heard a loud smack echo through the hallway. Solatiri fell to the floor as she gently touched the red mark on her cheek.
"I do not understand what Boromir ever saw in you", Denethor said. "I don't think I ever will. I have always said you were a disgrace. If my son was still alive, I would never welcome you into my family."
Pippin helped Solatiri to her feet as she stared at Denethor.
"You despicable man", she murmured.
She turned away and walked toward the door with Pippin following her.
"Where are you going?" Denethor yelled.
"Where do you think?" she answered. "Pippin cannot fight alone. I am going to help."
"But you cannot fight in your condition", Pippin said looking up at her.
"We need every able hand that can fight. You need to have a little faith, my friend. A little faith can go a long way."
Solatiri smiled as she picked up her bow and strapped her arrows to her back. She took his hand and led her out where the battle was taking place between the men of Gondor and the Orcs of Mordor. They ran out looking for Gandalf who was leading the fight.
"Peregrin Took! Solatiri!"
They looked up to see Gandalf fighting off Orcs who were making their way into the city. Trolls pushed towers ,carrying more Orcs to the city. Pippin gasped at all the death. It was more than a Hobbit had ever seen. Hobbits had no experiences in battles.
"Go back to the Citadel!"
"They called us out to fight", Pippin said.
"Gandalf!" Solatiri yelled preparing her bow and arrow.
The towers reached the city walls. Orcs came pouring into the city with destruction and death on their minds. Solatiri fired her arrow joining the fight. Pippin stood frightened as Gandalf frowned at him and Solatiri.
"This is no place for a Hobbit and an expecting mother!" he said.
"I don't care!" Solatiri said. "I can still fight!"
She fired another arrow at an Orc coming their way. Gandalf joined the fight as he killed with both his sword and his staff. Pippin gasped as he saw an Orc approach Gandalf from behind. Gandalf turned just as Pippin stabbed the Orc with no one noticing. Solatiri and Gandalf couldn't help but smile.
"Guard of the Citadel indeed!" Gandalf said proudly. "Now back up the hill quickly. Quick!"
Solatiri looked around. More and more Orcs were coming and she was running out of arrows. She couldn't risk fighting up close with a sword. She would either be killed or she would harm her child. Solatiri sighed and nodded.
"Come, Pippin", she said turning back to the Citadel.
Darkness began to fall as Solatiri and Pippin reached the top level. They frowned in confusion as Denethor led a group of his servants across the courtyard. They carried Faramir on a stretcher, but not in a helping manner. It was almost like a funeral march.
"I am steward of the house of Anárion", Denethor said. "Thus have I walked, and thus now I will sleep."
Pippin and Solatiri followed them wondering what Denethor was doing. Had he lost his mind completely?
"Gondor is lost. There is no hope for men."
He looked over the city to see it burning in the midst of battle.
"Why do the fools fly? Better to die sooner than late. For die we must."
Denethor opened a door leading to the tomb of past kings.
"No tomb for Denethor and Faramir", he said. "No long slow sleep of death embalmed. We shall burn like the heathen Kings of old."
He turned to his servants with a straight face.
"Bring wood and oil."