Piglet was now dressed in a child-size armor of Gondor; he was given an extra dagger in addition to the one he already carried. Taran looked upon him proudly.
"That befits you little fella, it once belonged to a young lad who spent many a day slaying imaginary dragons," he told Piglet. The way he smiled; Piglet knew who that young lad he spoke of was. Gurgi left his master's side and walked over to Piglet.
"Gurgi will help little Piglet, teach Piglet everything needed about Gondor and wars!" he said, offering a hand in friendship. Merlin then entered the room.
"Taran, your father has requested your presence," he said clearly trying to stay calm. Taran walked out with a nervous look on his face.
"Oh, d-d-d-dear, he's not in trouble, is he?" asked Piglet.
"Well, after the report he has given his adopted father, I can't imagine Ector is going to be overly happy. I'm sure that like Kay, he would have liked to have had the Ring for his own usage in protecting Gondor, but as was discussed at the Council, that would have fallen ill," said Merlin. Gurgi moved over to the wizard.
"Little Gurgi, do you know where the beacon of Minas Tirith is I presume?" Merlin asked the furry little creature.
"Oh yes, Gurgi knows!" Gurgi replied happily.
"Excellent, will you please lead Piglet there, preferably in a way where there is a lower chance of being spotted. We must call to aid to Rohan, considering the danger we are about to be in, but I cannot imagine Ector will appreciate it," Merlin requested.
"If it will help this city, Gurgi will do it, come Piglet!" Gurgi replied. The two little guys left, Gurgi took Piglet on the paths, and they had to climb up a tower in order to avoid being stopped by the guards who ensured that nobody without the proper authority got near it. Luckily, there were torches at the ready when the two of them arrived and they lit the thing. Sentries around saw the beacon and their beacons were lit all the way to the one that was in view of Rohan where King Stefan and those with him could see it.
"It appears that Gondor calls for aid," observed Aladdin.
"And Rohan shall answer!" Stefan replied and the necessary arrangements were made for the army of Rohan to ride to war.
In the midst of preparations, Gopher approached King Stefan and offered him his services.
"If there is anything I can do to be of service, then I want to be of assistance, all my friends are about to fight and I refuse to be left behind!" he announced. King Stefan nodded understandingly and arranged for Gopher to be given some smaller armor.
Meanwhile, Mickey, Donald, Archimedes and Creeper were doing their very best to sneak around Minas Morgul. There seemed to be a great to do in the dark city. They did their best to keep to the shadows hiding behind rocks, fallen trees and anything else that could give some sort of cover from the trail that they feared could be filled with a legion of goblin soldiers at any moment.
"Comes now, we must goes up the stairs now!" the Creeper hissed at them. They did come to the stairs and began their climb. They all knew Archimedes probably could have flown to the top, but he remained steadfastly loyal to his companions that he had set out from Rivendell with. He would fly a little way up and wait for them to catch up before going higher. For Creeper, he had no loyalty.
They were a good distance high when they heard a mighty horn and then saw more than a fourscore of the Enemy's forces march out of Minas Morgul.
"I think I know where they might be headed," whispered Donald.
"Well, let's just keep climbing and hope they don't look up, everyone keep quiet," Mickey replied in a hushed voice. That's when they saw a horrifying winged beast in the sky. They could just about make out the Rider. The sight caused poor Mickey grab at his shoulder in pain.
Back with the Army of Rohan, they were now camped near some shadowy mountains. Phoebus approached King Stefan.
"The men are nervous, and so are the horses, I think they fear that pass," he said pointing to a pass that nobody in the camp dared approach, it looked winding going into the mountains. The remaining individuals who had set out from Rivendell looked over at the pass, for they were nearby when Phoebus pointed out the trail.
"That is the Dwimmordelf, the Path of the Dead. In the first War of the Ring they offered to help Gondor but didn't fulfill their promise for in a darker time, they had essentially worshipped the Horned King. Now their spirits haunt that terrible path," explained Robin Hood, he had read about these stories.
"I am afraid that is where my path leads, I must convince the King of the Dead to join our cause, but I will not ask anyone to join me, if I am lucky, I will meet you all at Minas Tirith," said Aladdin gravely.
"If that is what you must do, we must continue on our way to Minas Tirith, but at least allow us to prepare you for your dark journey," offered Stefan. Aladdin accepted.
Aladdin was making ready to leave for the dreaded Paths of the Dead, having left his monkey with Little John, Abu would be more of a hindrance on his little journey, and after Moria, he felt his little friend had seen enough terrors underground. When he saw Robin Hood and Grumpy waiting for him at the Path's entrance.
"We're coming with you laddie," said Grumpy.
"We followed you across the Gap of Rohan and we have stood by you since you took leadership in Moria, I see no reason why we should stop now. Abu and Gopher should be safe with my friends and the Army of Rohan," pointed out Robin Hood. Aladdin smiled at the fact he wouldn't have to travel alone after all.