Aragorn's little sister

24

"So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position." Pippin unsheathed a sword, night having fallen, and the group of three had been escorted to a bedroom chamber. "I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting. Do they?"

"You're in the service of the steward now. You'll have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took." Gandalf told him, beginning to cough as he smoked his pipe.

"You have really got to stop smoking, Gandalf." Diana chided.

"Ridiculous Hobbit." Gandalf muttered as Pippin poured water into a cup for him. "Guard of the Citadel."

"There's no more stars." Pippin whispered looking up at the sky. "Is it time?"

"Yes."

"It's so quiet."

"It's the deep breath before the plunge." Gandalf told him.

"I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse." Pippin confessed.

"It is nerve-wracking, yes, but it's the ending that we fight for. Lovers, family, friendships. Knowing that they're alright, is the best feeling in the world." Diana sighed.

Pippin smiled up at Diana as she joined him on the balcony before looking over to Gandalf.

"Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?"

"There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope." Gandalf looked back toward Mordor. "Our enemy is ready. His full strength's gathered. Not only orcs, but Men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Morodor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls the last defense of this city will be gone."

"But we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something." Pippin tried to counter. "Gandalf?"

"Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant...the one who will lead Mordor's armies in war. The one they say no living man can kill. The Witch-king of Angmar. You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop."

"That was him?" Diana asked in surprised, remembering that fateful day.

"He is the lord of the Nazgul, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."

□□□

"A thousand years this city has stood." Gandalf barged out as the doors opened, Pippin at his heels. "Now, at the whim of a madman, it will fall." the doors closed again, as the three walked away. "And the White Tree, the tree of the king...will never bloom again."

"It has to. Aragorn has to take up the throne." Diana looked at the White Tree sadly.

"Why are they still guarding it?" Pippin asks.

"They guard it because they have hope. A faint and fading hope that one day it will flower. That a king will come and this city will be as it once was...before it fell into decay. The old wisdom borne out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living...and counted the old names of their descent...dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls, musing on heraldry...or in high, cold towers, asking questions of the stars. And so the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of kings failed. The White Tree withered. The rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men."

"Gondor is a beautiful city, yes and good too. But, it can become even more if the rightful king sits on the throne." Diana sighed as the three looked around them at the sights. "If Aragorn could only see sense. That he won't be like Isildor. That he's the rightful king to the throne."

They fell into a heavy silence as Pippin's eyes wandered to the dark land in front of them.

"Mordor." he whispers.

"Yes, there it lies. This city has dwelt ever in the sight of its shadow." Gandalf answered, thunder rolling in the background.

"A storm is coming."

"This is not the weather of the world. This is a device of Sauron's making. A broil of fume he sends ahead of his host. The Orcs of Mordor have no love of daylight so he covers the face of the sun to ease their passage along the road to war. When the shadow of Mordor reaches this city it will begin."

"Well..." Pippin swallowed. "Minas Tirith..."

Gandalf's eyes narrowed at him.

"Very impressive. So where are we off to next?"

"Oh, it's too late for that, Peregrin. There's no leaving this city. Help must come to us."

□□□

"Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task that needs to be done." Gandalf announced as the trio rushed through the streets of Gondor. "Another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth. You must not fail me."

Pippin didn't say anything. After taking a quick moment, he rushed off.

Gandalf and Diana followed, taking a different path that overlooked the watch tower of Gondor.

Silently and trying not to draw attention to themselves, Gandalf and Diana watched as Pippin, who was slightly camouflaged with his surroundings, climbed the watchtower without being spotted.

As the guards shared food and drinks with each other, Pippin climbed on top of the stack of wood, reaching for the candle that was just above his reach.

Diana bit her lip, holding her breath as a rope broke and oil spilled out of the big bucket just above the firewood.

Together, the wizard and girl watched as Pippin took a moment, making sure that no one was watching before he grabbed the fire, tossing it on the stack of wood.

Peregrin let himself have a proud smile before realizing he was still standing on the pile of wood that was now burning.

Quickly and safely, Pippin was able to start making his climb back down without being seen.

Soon enough, the guards stood up, confused as to why the wood was burning.

Gandalf and Diana exchanged a glance and quickly rushed off down a hallway.

"Amon Din." Gandalf whispered.

"The beacon!" A guard next to the duo shouted. "The beacon of Anon Din is lit."

"Hope is kindled."

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to vote and comment, and remember to take care of yourself. Have a great rest of your day!