They came back to the Gap of Rohan where there was a great feast in celebration of the victory of Helm's Deep, Stefan made careful note to open with a toast to those who had lost their lives in that horrid battle. Grumpy challenged Robin Hood to a drinking contest to see who could hold their liquor longer which Robin Hood managed to win, while Grumpy ended up collapsing on the floor at the end. Piglet and Gopher were allowed to entertain a number of the soldiers by singing a few songs.
At one point during the festivities Aladdin approached Merlin looking rather somber.
"Do you think that our friends Mickey and Donald are still alive, do you think there's a chance that they're doing alright?" he asked the wizard. Merlin closed his eyes as if in deep concentration.
"Mickey's alive, I am sure of it," he replied. Later (much later) that night many of the partygoers went to sleep. Piglet and Gopher had to make do with some sleeping bags that were provided to them from the royal guard.
"How long has it been since we had a bed?" asked Piglet.
"Well, if you must know that, you'll have to count the days since we left Lorien, as for me at this point, anything will do. Here, we are safe, granted we were safe with Eeyore and the rest of the Ents but this is a definite upgrade from sleeping outside, and we are definitely not with the goblins anymore," replied Gopher.
"True, but something else is itching at my mind, what was that large sphere Jafar had that Merlin was rather insistent upon taking?" Piglet inquired further.
"Best leave it alone, now if you don't mind, I'm going to sleep," replied Gopher who then closed his eyes. But of course, Piglet couldn't leave it alone, his mind just couldn't get the image of that sphere out of his head or how insistent Merlin was at taking custody of it.
Now, it must be distinctly understood that Piglet and Gopher were sharing a room with Merlin, Grumpy and a few other animals from Sherwood Forest. Robin Hood and Aladdin were amongst those taking the night guard duty. Abu was sleeping on a perch high in the room, silly monkey had probably too much fun at the festivities. Piglet got up and slowly walked over to where Merlin lay sleeping peacefully.
Even though Merlin had clearly wrapped it up in some blankets, Piglet could tell that he was sleeping with that strange sphere under his arm. Taking a nearby jug, Piglet carefully removed the sphere and then replaced it with the jug. One might almost commend him for both his skill and his strength in this endeavor as he was just a small animal. He unwrapped the sphere and holding it, he looked into its depths. What he saw there he would never forget. He managed to let out a horrified yelp which woke up a number of his roommates. Aladdin and Robin Hood rushed into the room. Quick as he was Aladdin was able to wrench the thing from Piglet's grip and roll it across the room. Merlin was quick to cover it up once again. Gopher tried to make sure his friend was alright but Merlin pushed him away and gripped Piglet by his shoulders.
"What did you see?" he demanded in a tone that was almost not belonging to him.
"I saw a tree it appeared dead, and was surrounded by fire. Then I saw a Great Eye that was seemingly made of fire. Oh d-d-d-dear, I heard a voice inside my head," exclaimed Piglet, he was clearly shaken up.
"Did you tell him anything? Did you tell him about Mickey?" Piglet paused before answering. A little later, Merlin held counsel with Phoebus, King Stefan, Eilonwy, Aladdin and Robin Hood.
"We have been saved by sheer luck. Piglet may be a bit of a fool, but at least he's an honest one," he told them.
"What do you mean?" asked Eilonwy.
"There was no lie in his eye, he had enough sense not to reveal the one that actually carried the One Ring. But the vision he saw, I believe I must go back to Minas Tirith where I will have an audience with Ector. I may have to send word back here before too long, you must ride to the aid of Gondor," he told them.
"We will await," agreed Stefan.
"Shall we come with you?" asked Aladdin.
"As much as I understand you wish to go, I must ask that you wait here awhile, your destiny is on a slightly different path. No, I will be bringing only Piglet with me, and will ride Shadowfax again, I have grown fond of Tod but speed is what I require once again," replied Merlin gravely. The rest of those in council nodded in understanding.
The next morning, Gopher and Piglet accompanied Merlin to the stables.
"Why on Earth did you do that Piglet? You're normally the last one to jump into anything?" Gohper asked his friend.
"I d-d-d-don't know, I just got overwhelmed with curiosity. Like something about that thing was calling to me," answered Piglet, he was upset mostly with himself.
"Piglet, don't you understand? The Enemy now thinks you have the Ring, he'll be looking for you now," Gopher told him. They approached Shadowfax, Merlin bent down at the horses's wound and rubbed some ointment on it.
"My friend, this may be the last time we ride together, I know you are still recovering, but now you must give us the meaning of speed, the fate of many may depend on it," he told the horse gently stroking the creature's mane. That's when Tod the fox came up to him.
"Oh, looks like someone doesn't want to be left behind, well alright," said Merlin who bent down to the fox and gently placed a hand on Tod's forehead.
"I grant you the knowledge on how to find Minas Tirith, and the wisdom to find me when you arrive," he said softly. He then got back up, picked up Piglet and placed the little guy on Shadowfax before getting on the horse himself and then galloped off. Tod managed to move at his own pace and start off in that general direction. Gopher ran up to a point where he could get a better view to see Merlin carrying off his friend. It felt strange, Piglet was the only friend he had from the Hundred Acre Wood, and he had looked after him, the two of them had not been separated on this quest until this moment, now he felt truly alone.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Aladdin.
"Don't worry, Merlin will look after Piglet, come we must see what is to happen next," he told the furry creature.