Chapter 2
The celebration of their victory lasted long into the night. Merry and Pippin had provided some excellent entertainment by dancing on one of the tables and singing. Aragorn heard that Legolas and Gimli had a drinking game…and that Legolas won. That did not really surprise him, for some reason, though possibly it should have.
But now he could barely keep his eyes open. With all that had been happening the Ranger had not had much time to rest. Quickly he shook out his bedroll, collapsed onto it, and was asleep in a matter of seconds.
~o~o~
The silence was shattered by a single, piercing cry. Aragorn started awake and looked around. It was hard to see anything in the darkened room, but a glimmer of white caught his attention.
Gandalf knelt over Pippin, questioning him—and the shiny black globe lay on the floor beside them. When he finished he came over.
"How is Pippin?" Aragorn asked, now fully awake.
"We have had a narrow escape, but I think all will be well now." The wizard replied. "Pippin had handled that which he should not have touched but has learned his lesson—I hope."
Then Gandalf turned to him. "Will you, Aragorn, take the Orthanc-stone and guard it? It is a dangerous charge."
"Dangerous indeed," he said, "but not to all. There is one who may claim it by right. Now that my hour draws near I will take it."
To everyone's surprise Gandalf bowed as he handed the palantír to Isildur's heir, saying: "Receive it, lord, in earnest of other things that shall be given back. But if I may counsel you, do not use it–yet. Be wary!"
Aragorn smiled at Gandalf. "When have I been hasty or unwary," he questioned, "who have waited and prepared for so many long years?"
"Never yet." Gandalf answered. "But at the least keep this thing secret."
With that Gandalf, taking Pippin and few belongings with him, rode away on Shadowfax.
Not long after they had left Théoden's company continued on their way to the Hornburg.