TALE OF LEGOLAS AND RAENASLEE (LOTR STORY)

THE PALANTIR

CHAPTER 23

THE PALANTIR

“I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me.” 

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Finally, the celebration was over. Everyone was sleeping but Legolas and Raenaslee remained at the balcony looking at the horizon. Aragorn then joined them.

“The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East, a sleepless malice, the eye of the enemy is moving.” Legolas said as he looked at Aragorn through his raised hood.

Then they looked at Raenaslee whose Morneven shined like a star of the night, she didn’t say a word but deep inside, she was saying something, something like, “I know, the time is upon me.” and with these thoughts her Morneven began to glow more light.

A few minutes later,

“He’s here” Legolas said as he could feel the presence of the eye. Then, Raenaslee could feel who was in trouble, “Pippin!”

So they rushed inside and found Pippin struggling as he was holding the Palantir. Aragorn grabbed the Palantir from Pippin and he was the next struggling with it while Legolas was holding his shoulders. Aragorn then let go the Palantir because of the hands of Raenaslee, who was then that struggled as she heard her name from the enemy: Raenaslee Elflove!

Aragorn and Legolas then helped her. The Palantir rolled away from them just then Gandalf ran after it and threw a blanket over the Palantir. He looked at the paralyzed Pippin as he shouted: “Fool of a Took!”

Gandalf rushed to his side and placed his hand on Pippin’s forehead and took his other hand, grasping Pippin’s hand. Raenaslee on the other hand, was breathing heavily since she started holding the Palantir and said her name. Legolas came to her side, wrapping his arms around her and rested her head on his chest, “Are you fine?” he asked very concerned. Raenaslee motioned her head as a yes as she breathed on her normal stage.

Gandalf started muttering something under his breath. Pippin’s body jerked awake and he looked around.

“Look at me.” Gandalf said.

“Gandalf, forgive me!” Pippin cried and closed his eyes again.

“Look at me! What did you see?” Gandalf questioned.

“A tree, there was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning.” Pippin said as he laid on the floor looking up at Gandalf.

“Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?”

“I saw…I saw him. I could hear his voice in my head.” Pippin said shakily, Gandalf’s eyes widen.

“And what did you tell him? Speak!” Gandalf said urgently.

“He asked me my name. I didn’t answer. He hurt me!” Pippin cried out.

“What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?” Gandalf asked worriedly. Pippin just looked at Gandalf.

“There was no lie in Pippin’s eyes. A fool but an honest fool he remains.” Gandalf said to Théoden, “He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring.” Gimli sighed in relief.

“We’ve been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy’s plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm’s Deep showed our enemy one thing, He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. And the so called Elflove has become stronger.” He said and looked at Aragorn and Raenaslee.

“Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still. Strength enough, perhaps, to challenge him, Sauron fears this, and will utterly send forth the Dark Elf to destroy the tranquility of the nation. He will not risk the peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men and the Elflove bring them to deliverance. If the beacons of Gondor are lit Rohan must be ready for war.” Gandalf said as he looked to Théoden.

“Tell me! Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?” Théoden asked the room.

"I will go," Aragorn said coldly, looking at Théoden.

"No!" Gandalf said.

"They must be warned!" he argued.

"They will be." Gandalf replied as he approached the Ranger. His voice was low. "You must come to Minas Tirith by the boat. Follow the River. Look to the Black Ships."

He turned to everyone else, "Understand this," he said, "Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith," he paused and looked at Pippin, "And I won’t be going alone." Pippin nodded and without another word to anyone Gandalf left the hall.