This is a sort of short chapter but I just really wanted to update with something that's actually new! This area in the books is a bit of a stretch for me but once we hit Dunharrow it should get a lot easier to write. Thank you SO much to anyone who is still reading this and hopefully you're still enjoying it!
Aragorn ran his hand over his face wearily as a cool breeze ruffled his hair. It was several hours past midnight and the festivities had finally died down. He was standing before the entrance to Meduseld, having left the Fellowship's sleeping chamber to get some air. The empty plains stretched eternally before him, dotted here and there with small hills and depressions. Looking to his left, he spied two cloaked figures standing next to a brazier and made his way over to them.
The elves were silent as he approached and Legolas gave him a nod. Eredhel was looking out over the dark mountains in the distance, rubbing the burn on her wrist absentmindedly. Aragorn frowned and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure one of Théoden's healers or myself could see to that for you," he said. The elleth started at his voice and turned to him, quickly offering a smile.
"No, it's fine, really. I'm sure they have far more grevious injuries to deal with. My mind is simply restless, something is stirring yet I cannot say exactly what it is," she explained.
"I feel it as well," added Legolas. "This evening should be merry yet there is a heaviness to the air."
"Well none of us are truly safe yet, Sauron will not let this victory go unanswered," said Aragorn.
"The only reason he has not yet acted is because he has been forced to deal with the treason of Isengard. Given enough time he will gather the forces of both Orthanc and Mordor. He wishes to tear the world up by its roots and fashion it in his grim visage," said Eredhel blackly.
"Aye, and yet this victory does not count for nothing. We have shown that there is still some strength in men, we have given them hope." Aragorn's last word was barely more than a whisper, as if he was afraid to utter such a frail word. Hope was so fragile, while it had the strength to move mountains it could also be lost at the slightest turn of tides.
Eredhel shifted her weight and turned away, rubbing her temples in slow circles. Her mind was agitated, she could feel a presence she had not felt since the Fellowship had broken. The Ring was far away, she could not understand why she could hear it in her mind.
"Guruthos glingo or-le (the shadow of death hangs over you), they will all die, the world will burn and the oceans will rage."
"Stop," Eredhel muttered, closing her eyes in concentration. Her two companions looked over at her worredly.
"Eredhel?" inquired Aragorn hesitantly, noticing that Legolas also seemed to be troubled.
"The rivers will run red, metal will shatter bone, THE WORLD WILL BURN!" At the same moment, both the elves' heads shot up, looking towards the Golden Hall.
"He is here!" exclaimed Legolas, his eyes darting left and right.
"The Palantír!" hissed Eredhel. They ran for the door and raced through the hallway towards the Fellowship's room. They could see a bright light coming from beneath the door. Aragorn threw his shoulder against it and it gave way, opening inwards. Pippin was writhing on the floor, the fiery orb in his hands. Merry was kneeling beside him, trying to get his friend under control.
"Gandalf!" yelled Eredhel as the glass ball dropped from the hobbit's grasp and rolled towards the door. "Aragorn, no!" She lunged towards the man as he reached out to stop it from escaping into the hall. Eredhel pulled him back, the Palantír just missing his fingertips. She lost her balance and fell backwards, colliding with Legolas behind her.
Finally Gandalf awakened and upon seeing the orb rolling on the floor, grabbed his cloak and threw it over it. It stopped rolling and Gandalf gathered it up before setting it beneath his bed. "You fool of a Took! It's curiosity that kills the cats you know!" he said angrily. Pippin however said nothing, his face white and his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Gandalf's face softened and he bent over the hobbit, muttering in elvish as he assessed Pippin's condition.
Aragorn offered a hand to Eredhel and pulled her to her feet, relieving Legolas of her weight. She turned to the other elf and chuckled as he rubbed his tender ribs. "My apologies," she grinned.
Suddenly Pippin stirred and they all gathered around as Gandalf placed his hands on his shoulders. "What did you see?" he asked gently but firmly. Pippin shuddered and tried to pull himself together.
"Th-there was a dark chamber, there was a black throne and torches on the walls." At his words Eredhel felt her pulse quicken, she had been in that room, she had felt the heat, smelled the metal and smoke, heard the rumbling and marching of orcs below. Somehow Sauron could make the palentír work in reverse, so that not only could transport his gaze to the opposite location but he could force whoever held the orb to see the inside of Barad-dur. "He was there, he asked me questions and when I didn't answer h-he," Pippin once again shuddered and shook his head.
"What did he ask you?" questioned Aragorn, his gaze intent on the hobbit.
"I saw things, there was a white tree, it was on fire, I could hear a battle raging. Then, I saw him, he came towards me but I couldn't run away! He asked me my name, if I was the one called Baggins. He also asked about the Ring, I told him I didn't know where it was. I swear Gandalf I didn't tell him anything!" explained Pippin, growing frantic as he looked at the wizard.
"I believe you," said Gandalf. "But this will teach you not to go meddling with the tools of wizards! Now go back to sleep, if you can, I have much thinking to do!" Merry and Pippin returned to their beds, Pippin shaking like a leaf. Gimli also soon dozed back to sleep but the others remained awake, their eyes often flicking to the bundle beneath Gandalf's mattress. "Eredhel," said the wizard, "I need to ask you about what happened when Saruman forced you to use the seeing stone."
The elf looked at him warily, "Very well, I'll tell you what I can, what do you want to know?"
"When you saw him, what did he do? What did he say?" asked Gandalf. Aragorn and Legolas looked at her expectantly, she had not told them exactly what had happened.
"He asked about the Ring, where it was. He tried to get me to tell him, he offered me... things. I told him he would never see it again and when I did he became angry, said everyone would die and if I would only tell him where the Ring was that I wouldn't have to see it happen," she said, her voice lacking emotion.
"Is there any way he could've read your mind?" asked Gandalf sharply.
"No, no. It is impossible, though he and Saruman could put things in, they could never manage to get anything out. Even Sauron does not have the power to break into one's conscience, the mind is the one refuge that cannot be taken away."
"That is what I had hoped. This means that as long as Pippin was truthful we need not fear that the Enemy has learned of Frodo's location or our intentions for the Ring. None the less, Pippin has set in motion something that cannot be undone, I fear I may have to change my course of action."
"The white tree, it could only have been the Tree of Gondor. Sauron will make a move on the city," realized Eredhel. Her words stirred Gandalf from his train of thought and his eyes widened.
"Indeed, it would be a logical move. Now that he has failed to overcome Rohan it would make sense to try and conquer the great city. Gondor is the only thing standing between the rest of Middle Earth and the forces of Mordor. If it was overcome it would only be a matter of time before the rest of the world fell," agreed Aragorn.
"Yes, that is where he will next strike. For the moment I know not what we should do. Hopefully Théoden will honor the ancient alliance between Rohan and Gondor, but times are dark and I cannot foresee what his decision will be. I must think, we will decide when the sun rises." He removed from the palantír from beneath the bed and exited the room. The remaining three companions found seats in the corner and Eredhel pulled out her silver necklace. She had regained it from Legolas shortly after catching him in the East Wing. She rubbed her thumb along the ridged edge as they spoke in low tones of the assault on Gondor and what Gandalf could possibly be planning.
The morning dawned bright and warm and the sky was a cloudless blue. Gimli and the hobbits had just woken when Gandalf came bustling into the room, his staff and his blue hat in his hands. "Up, get up! There is no time for slumbering, there are decisions to be made and we haven't much time!" In five minutes time they were gathered in the main hall with Théoden and Éomer, the latter looking rather tired after the previous evening's festivities. Eredhel leaned her back against a thick pillar and settled in for what she was sure would be a spirited debate. "Now," said Gandalf, "Everyone is aware of the events of last night and we must decide our course of action. I do believe that Sauron has not gained much of importance and though Peregrin's actions are to be chastised we have gained a valuable insight. Sauron will attack the White City. Of that there can be no doubt. He will do it soon, quite soon. They will not be expecting such an onslaught, he will want to catch them unawares. Will you help them?" The wizard turned towards the King. Théoden remained silent, his gaze hard.
"Tell me, where was Gondor when were in need? No banners came flying to aid us in Helm's Deep, when the wrath of Isengard was on our doorstep we had no word from the White City. Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?"
"Because this battle will determine far more than the survival of Gondor, it will decide the survival of all Middle Earth," said Eredhel, her eyes narrowing.
"I believe you overestimate the influence of Gondor, we have endured the wrath of Sauron and Saruman. If the White City should fall we shall continue to do so. I will not risk the future of my people for an alliance that has not been honored in hundreds of years."
"Then they must be warned!" urged Aragorn, his voice strained. Eredhel could tell he feared for the city. It was his rightful home, it held the throne that only he had the right to claim.
"Yes they will. It is a several days' ride to Gondor. The messenger will have to be swift and descrete for even now many enemies roam the land," explained Gandalf.
"Very well, I can send one of my messengers," offered Théoden, his face pensive.
"No, I will go, I am use to traveling swiftly and then Rohan will not be to blame if I am intercepted," said Aragorn.
"Neither will do," stated Gandalf. "A messenger could easily be attacked by wandering orcs. It is no use risking your life to deliver a simple message," he muttered gruffly to Aragorn. The man was about to object when Eredhel's mental voice stopped him.
"He will not say it now but Gandalf needs you to remain here. If Théoden can be persuaded to aid the White City it would be well for you to be here to lead the men. They have faith in you, it might give them the incentive they need to know that they are allying with the future king," she explained. They fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. A moment later she pushed away from the column, drawing the attention of Legolas from beside her.
"Send me," she said firmly. The eyes of those in the room turned towards her and she could feel Legolas' gaze burning into her back. "It makes sense Gandalf, I can go with speed and also avoid any attacks. I know the land well and am familiar with a few men in Gondor, including the steward's son."
"No." Eredhel whipped around to face the blond elf behind her. A look of determination was set in his face but his eyes were clouded, hiding some emotion she could not guess. "I don't care if Eru himself declares it, you're not going to Gondor alone."
"Don't be ridiculous, it's the easiest solution!" Eredhel argued.
"It doesn't matter," interjected Gandalf. "I have just decided. I will ride, with Shadowfax bearing me I will reach the city faster than any of you. Also, I will not be going alone." His gaze fell on Pippin and the hobbit gulped nervously. "Sauron will most likely assume that young Pippin is the Ringbearer, he knows that up until recently the palantír was in Saruman's tower and that means he knows our approximate location. Pippin cannot stay here, it will only endanger everyone."
"You mean, you mean to say that Sauron is looking for ME?" squeaked Pippin, his voice going abnormally high. A hand gripped his shoulder tightly and he looked up to see Eredhel standing behind him.
"Very well," agreed the King. As he and Gandalf started to discuss the wizard's plan Pippin felt the hand on his shoulder tighten and he followed Eredhel as she guided him down a deserted side corridor. When Eredhel looked down at him she saw that his face had gone slightly white and she felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in year: pity.
"Eredhel, I do not want to leave you all behind! I wish I had never looked at that dratted stone, then none of this would have happened!"
"Sh, Pippin, I know. But there's nothing to be done about that now. Lis-"
"I don't want to go to battle, I have never fought with a sword in my life! The only training I've had was with Boromir. He was trying to save us when he died, if we had just ran he might still be alive!"
"Pippin, stop." Eredhel wouldn't let him do it, wouldn't let him place that burden on his shoulders. "There was nothing you could've done, we were taken by surprise, it is not your fault. Listen to me, I wanted to speak with you. Here," from the small pouch on her belt she removed the mallorn leaf he had dropped from his cloak. "Aragorn gave it to me, I figured you might want it back. You four hobbits were probably the first ones outside of the elves to recieve a cloak of the Galadhrim." Pippin's eyes brightened as he removed the makeshift pin he had been using and fastened the leaf at his neck. "In Lothlórien they give these cloaks only to their most skilled warriors, those of the Marchwarden. Do not be afraid Pippin, you will find courage."
"Will I see any of you again?" he asked.
"I do not think this will be our last meeting, I do believe you shall see us again. It's hardly possible to keep you and Merry apart for long." The hobbit looked up at Eredhel sadly before embracing her tightly. She staggered, somewhat stunned. After a moment she patted him on the head and chuckled. "Now, I do believe Gandalf is awaiting us at the stables." They walked together, back out through the main hall and down the steps into the center of Edoras. As they approached the long, low building they could see the rest of their friends grouped around Shadowfax and Gandalf.
"Ah! Finally, there you are! We must be getting on Peregrin!" He hoisted Pippin up onto the horse before climbing up himself. Merry approached them and tapped his friend on the knee.
"Here," he handed Pippin a leather pouch. "Something for the road. It's the last of the Longbottom Leaf from Isengard." Pippin took it wordlessly and the two friends stared at one another, both wondering when and if they would see each other again.
"Onward Shadowfax, make haste!" murmured Gandalf. The horse surged forward and galloped through the doors, continuing down the hill and out of Edoras onto the plains. Merry ran towards the watchtower, scrambling up the steps to watch his friend ride away. Aragorn ran after him, taking the steps two at a time. He stopped at the top and stood next to the hobbit silently. They watched the horse and riders get farther and farther away until they were lost on the horizon.