Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Here's a little gift from me.

The group arrived back at Edoras a few days later. Amy and the Hobbits looked around with interest as the others led them up the steps, where Eowyn was waiting for them, a relieved smile on her face.

"Gather everyone in the Grand Hall," Théoden told her not unkindly as he returned.

"Of course, Uncle," Eowyn said as he headed inside.

"Well, he seems like a charming fellow," Pippin said as Eowyn turned towards them, noticing the Hobbits and Amy.

"I do not believe we've met," Eowyn said curiously.

"I'm Amy," Amy introduced herself, holding a hand out to Eowyn, who looked at her curiously.

"She's…with me," Rory said as he reached down and Amy grabbed his head, sharing a look that left no doubt to their intentions.

And Eowyn smiled, remembering Rory's story about the woman he loved, happy he had found her again.

"It's very nice to meet you, Lady Amy. Come, my Uncle will want you all inside," Eowyn said as they all entered the hall.

Later that day, a celebration was held for the defeat of Saruman. Eowyn handed Théoden a goblet and he accepted it before getting to his feet.

"Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!"

"Hail!"

Everyone echoed, raising their own goblets before they all took a drink.

Next to River, The Doctor gagged on his ale as River watched in amusement as she sipped her drink.

"Something wrong, Sweetie?" River asked cheekily.

"Oh shut up," The Doctor said halfheartedly, causing her to giggle.

Later, Eomer put three mugs of ale in front of Gimli, Legolas and River.

"No pauses. No spills," Eomer explained as some men surrounded the group.

"And no regurgitation," Gimli added as some soldiers around them laughed.

"So it's a drinking game?" Legolas inquired.

"Last one standing wins," Gimli said gleefully before he began chugging a mug of ale.

"Get started, Legolas. You don't want to be left in the dust," River said cheekily before she began drinking from her mug as well.

Legolas looked down at his own mug cautiously before slowly bringing it to his lips, beginning to drink.

A short distance away, Rory was walking the halls before he ran into Eowyn.

"Lady Eowyn, I was wondering, have you seen Amy?" Rory inquired and she smiled.

"Yes, she is over there," Eowyn said, pointing to where Amy sat alone, drinking from a goblet as she watched the festivities.

"Thank you," Rory said, beginning to head over to Amy when Eowyn spoke.

"I am happy for you, that you found her," she said and Rory turned back to her.

"Thank you, my Lady," Rory said, the two sharing a smile.

Rory then made his way over to Amy, who had been watching the exchange.

"What was that about?" Amy asked.

"Long story," Rory said before noticing Amy seemed displeased by this. "Are you jealous?"

"No, of course not," Amy dismissed immediately before pausing. "Do I need to be?"

Unable to help himself, Rory laughed at the ridiculous question, causing Amy to glare at him.

"I'm sorry, it's just…Amy, don't you see by now that no one else even compares to you? I only ever wanted one thing in my life: you," Rory told her and Amy had softened as he spoke, looking at him lovingly.

"I don't deserve you."

"I know," Rory joked.

She laughed, playfully slapping his shoulder before him pulling into a kiss, which Rory was more than happy to return.

The drinking game was still going on, Gimli, Legolas and River still continuing to drown mugs of ale.

"Here, here. It's the Dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy women," Gimli laughed before consuming another mug.

"I feel something," Legolas said as he looked at his fingers oddly. "A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me."

"What did I say? He can't hold his liquor," Gimli said before falling back, out cold.

"Well, he's out," River said, drowning another mug, able to feel she was a bit buzzed but not willing to admit defeat just yet.

The Doctor, Gandalf, Aragorn and Boromir were watching in amusement as Merry and Pippin danced on a table while singing a song, a drunken crowd of men watching as they laughed and clapped. The Doctor noticed Gandalf had frowned, something Pippin seemed to notice as well, as he stopped for a moment to watch Gandalf before Merry forced him back into the song.

"Is everything all right, Gandalf?" The Doctor asked as he walked up to the wizard.

Gandalf didn't answer for a moment before Aragorn walked up to them.

"No news of Frodo?"

"No word, nothing," Gandalf said grimly as The Doctor looked at him in understanding.

"Don't give up on them yet. They get closer to succeeding every day," The Doctor told him.

"Do we know that?" Gandalf asked.

"I believe so. These Hobbits are extraordinary creatures," The Doctor said with a glance back at Merry and Pippin.

"What does your heart tell you?" Aragorn asked and Gandalf paused.

"That Frodo is alive," Gandalf said with a slight smile. "Yes. Yes, he's alive."

They all smiled before The Doctor saw something over his shoulder.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to go take care of something."

Aragorn and Gandalf looked confused as The Doctor walked away, making his way over to where Gimli, Legolas and River had been having their drinking contest. While Gimli was still out, Legolas looked at River smirking as she seemed slumped down, having dropped her cup and was looking quite drunk.

"I think that's enough, Dr. Song," The Doctor said softly, gently prying the mug from River's hand and helping her up.

"Doctor!" she giggled, throwing her arms around his neck. "I have to tell you something very important. I love you!"

"I know, River," The Doctor said with a slight smile. "Let's get you somewhere where you can sleep this off."

"Game's over," Legolas noted as The Doctor led River away.

Later that night, The Doctor was tending to the fire, most of the guests dozing in the hall. The Doctor looked across the hall, where Amy and Rory slept right next to each other, covered by one blanket. The Doctor smiled slightly when he heard someone else enter the hall. Looking up, he saw it was Aragorn.

"Can't sleep?" The Doctor inquired and Aragorn smiled tightly.

"No. How can I, when all our fates may soon be changed?" Aragorn inquired and The Doctor nodded his understanding. "And yourself?"

"Time Lords don't sleep that often. I sleep one, maybe two days a week," The Doctor explained and Aragorn raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

"I was about to join Legolas on lookout. Care to join me?" Aragorn said and The Doctor shrugged, having nothing better to do.

With a look back at Amy and Rory, who were still asleep, covered by their blanket, The Doctor got to his feet and joined Aragorn as they walked out of the hall.

They made their way to where Legolas was watching the darkened skies outside the Golden Hall.

"The stars are veiled," Legolas said in greeting. "Something stirs in the east. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving."

Merry woke up to see Pippin walking passed the sleeping guests, over to the corner of the hall.

"What are you doing?"

Pippin turned around to see Merry was awake before continuing on his way.

"Pippin? Pippin?!" Merry shout-whispered to his cousin as Merry reached the sleeping Gandalf.

Pippin paused as he saw Gandalf with his eyes open but, after waving his hands in front of Gandalf's face, Pippin realized Gandalf slept with his eyes open.

"Pippin," Merry called out pleadingly.

Pippin ignored him, picking up a round vase and reaching to take the Palantir when Gandalf mumbled something. Pippin froze but realized Gandalf was merely dreaming. Pippin swapped the vase with the Palantir, putting the vase in Gandalf's arms.

"Pippin! What, are you mad?" Merry asked as Pippin walked over.

"I just want to look at it," Pippin said as he unwrapped it "Just one more time."

"Put it back," Merry warned as Pippin touched it with a smile. "Pippin."

As Pippin gazed into the Palantir, he saw what at first seemed to be fire before, to Pippin's horror; it turned into the Eye of Sauron.

"No," Merry said horrified Pippin shook violently, unable to let go. "Pippin!"

"He is here," Legolas said, horrified as he turned to Aragorn and The Doctor.

"I see you," Pippin heard someone say.

He realized it was the voice of Sauron before Pippin got to his feet, opening his mouth in a silent scream of agony before he was thrown to the floor by an invisible force, thrashing around as Merry shouted.

"Help! Gandalf, help! Someone help him! Pippin!"

Gandalf woke at the sounds of his voice, as did Boromir, Gimli and River (who had been sleeping off the ale) while the door opened and Aragorn, The Doctor and Legolas burst into the room.

The Doctor quickly grabbed the Palantir from Pippin but then became overwhelmed, almost dropping to his knees as he heard Sauron's voice in his head.

"You think you can defeat me, Time Lord? You could not even save your own people from themselves."

With a cry of pain, The Doctor fell to his knees dropping the Palantir. It rolled across the room as Gandalf grabbed a blanket and quickly covered it, Sauron's presence contained once more.

"Doctor, are you all right?" River asked as she knelt by his side.

"Yes. I think so," The Doctor said although she could tell he was shaken by what happened.

"Fool of a Took!"

Gandalf whirled on Pippin but froze for a moment, seeing Pippin staring without seeing. They all turned towards Pippin, horrified as Gandalf rushed over, pushing Merry aside. Gandalf placed a hand over Pippin's hand, saying something none of them could hear. Running a hand down the side of Pippin's face, Gandalf's eyes opened as Pippin let out a sharp breathe and Amy and Rory burst into the room, having heard the commotion.

"What's going on?" Rory asked as they took in the room but were ignored.

"Look at me," Gandalf told Pippin kindly but firmly and he opened his eyes.

"Gandalf. Forgive me," Pippin almost whimpered.

"Look at me," Gandalf said sharply. "What did you see?"

"A tree. There was a white tree, in a courtyard of stone. It was dead," Pippin whispered as Boromir looked at him in horror. "The city was burning."

"Minas Tirith?! Is that what you saw?" Gandalf asked urgently

"I saw...I saw him. I could hear his voice in my head," Pippin said softly.

"And what did you tell him? Speak!" Gandalf almost shouted and Pippin winced.

"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me," Pippin said softly.

"And what did you tell him of Frodo and the Ring?" Gandalf demanded and Pippin merely looked at him, the answer clear on his face.

"Hey, hey," The Doctor walked over to Pippin, placing a hand on the Hobbit's shoulder. "It's okay. You made a mistake. But you didn't sell Frodo out. That's more than most could say."

"Boromir, tell Théoden King we must hold a council. There are developments they must know about," Gandalf said, his face grim.

A short chapter I know, but hope you guys enjoyed it anyway.