Chapter 27

Boundaries

I woke up in the middle of the night. Legolas was fast asleep at my side. I smiled and quietly rose from the bed. I wandered out into the hall. There I saw my father…and Eowyn. He was covering her so she would not grow cold, but she woke and took his hand and he tried to leave. This did not sit well with me.

"I dreamed I saw a great wave…" she began. "I stood upon the brink. A light shone behind me, but I could not turn. I could only stand there waiting."

"Night changes many thoughts. Sleep Eowyn….while you can."

She held onto his hands but he pulled them away. He stood up and saw me leaning in the doorway. I raised my eyebrow at him. He motioned for me to follow. I walked over to him.

"I must go back to Legolas. And you must tell Eowyn that she must stop!" I said firmly.

I did not allow him to further the conversation. I walked back to Legolas and sat down across the room. If my father did not speak to Eowyn…..I would!

I had only been sitting for about a minute or so when I heard cries for help. I took off through the halls and into the room most of the men slept. Pippin was holding something and it was hurting him. I did not think, I ran forward and took it from his hands and I felt pain surge through me and I fell to the ground.

"Gilraen!"

Some grabbed my arms and held me up.

"Fool of a Took!" said Gandalf.

I sat up and looked over at Pippin. He was just lying there, his eyes open in fear.

"Pip?" I asked.

Gandalf rushed over and pushed Merry aside. He uttered something I could not hear and Pippin started to shake.

"Gandalf…..forgive me!"

"Look at me! What did you see?"

At first his voice was harsh, but it grew gentler.

"A tree….yes! There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead! The city was burning!"

"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?" asked the wizard.

"I saw…..I saw HIM!"

I knew he spoke of Sauron. I bit my bottom lip.

"He asked me my name. I did not answer. He hurt me!" Pippin said.

"What did you tell him of Frodo and the ring?!" Gandalf asked.

Pippin revealed nothing to Sauron of Frodo and the ring. He spoke the truth.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool…..but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the ring." Gimli sighed in relief. "We have been strangely fortunate, for in the Palantir Pippin saw a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith."

I looked up and then over to my father. His eyes remained on the ground.

"His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. And that he too has an heir that poses a threat to him. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still. Strength enough, perhaps, to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King or Queen return to the throne of men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit Rohan must be ready for war." Gandalf said.

"Tell me! Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?" Théoden said.

I looked up in disbelief and anger.

"What do we owe Gondor?"

"If I am not mistaken my lord…..you would send no messengers to Gondor! Or anywhere for that matter!" I snarled.

Gandalf put a hand on my shoulder and I looked at him. He shook his head.

"I will go." father said.

"NO!" protested the wizard.

"Then I will go!" I said.

"Absolutely not!"

"They must be warned." Father continued.

"They will be…."

He walked close to my father and I. He spoke in a low voice so that none but us would hear his words.

"You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river. Look to the black ships." he turned away from us. "Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith" now he looked to Pippin. "and I wont be going alone."

It was still very early in the morning. The sun had not yet come up, so I walked back to Legolas' room. On the way I found Eowyn. She was staring at my father. I grabbed her roughly and pushed her up against the wall.

"Gilraen what….."

"Stay away from my father!"

She looked surprised at first then she gave me a look of confusion.

"I know not of what you speak."

This only caused my anger to rise and my frustration to get worse.

"Do you think me a fool!? I was there when you spoke of your dream! I have seen the way you look upon him! You are a dear friend Eowyn…but my mother awaits my father to return to her! You know not how long she waited to see him. The next time I catch you eyeing him like Gimli eyes a piece of pork…I will not have the patience and respect I have now." I warned.

I let her go and continued to Legolas' room.