Her Sun, His Moon

11.

We were all gathered in the golden hall to talk about the night before, Pippin and Merry cling to me for comfort.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes; a fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring." Gandalf explained and turned to Theoden.

"We've been strangely fortunate. What Pippin saw in the Palantir was a glimpse of our enemy's plan."

Gandalf looks around to all of us.

"Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. The heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still – strength enough left to challenge him. And it has shown him just how powerful Luna is and he will want her more now."

A shiver goes down my spine as the memory of last night fills my thoughts, when he spoke to me it felt like fingers were being dragged down my body, making me bleed. The hall is silent until Gandalf speaks again.

"If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war!"

Theoden holds Gandalf's gaze.

"Tell me. Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

Aragorn stands, "I will go!"

"No!" says Gandalf.

"they must be warned!" argued Aragorn.

"they will be" he said and leaned into Aragorn whispering something to him.

"I ride for Minas Tirith! And I won't be going alone!" Gandalf says as he looks at Pippin who is holding my hand

......

Gandalf rushes to the stables with Pippin, Merry and myself following close behind.

"Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst. Hurry, hurry!" shouts Gandalf.

"where are we going?" asked Pippin, my heart clenched in sadness.

"why did you look? why did you always have to look?" says Merry as we hurry along.

"I don't know....I cant help it"

"you never can" stated Merry.

"I'm sorry, alright? I won't do it again."

"Don't you understand... the Enemy thinks you have the Ring... he's going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of here!"

I can hear the pain in Merry's voice.

"And you. You're coming with me...Merry?" asks Pippin.

"come on" Merry grumbles.

We follow Gandalf into the stables and Pippin is dumped unceremoniously onto the back of Shadowfax as Gandalf hurriedly prepares to leave. 

"How far is Minas Tirith?" asks Pippin.

"Three days ride as the Nazgul flies and you'd better hope we don't have one of those on our tail." replies Gandalf.

Merry reaches up and hands Pippin a pouch.

"here, something for the road."

"the last of the longbottom leaf?"

"I know you've run out... you smoke too much, Pip."

"But we'll see each other soon?"

I glanced at Gandalf, worriedly.

"wont we?"

"I don't know... I don't know what's going to happen." Merry says voice shaky.

"Merry?"