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CHAPTER 7 As the morning sun slanted in through the wide windowed doors to the In the way hobbits had, they slept huddled together. Although at home in the Shire they would have beds to themselves, Gandalf knew that for hobbits, sleeping alone was a relatively recent development, and in any time of stress hobbits naturally reverted to the older behavior. They slept with the most vulnerable on the inside, the protectors on the Gandalf smiled, thinking of how very well his little "fool of a Took" had That last was a quality Merry had always had. From the first time he had met the young Brandybuck, a sturdy seven-year-old, and Frodo's devoted shadow, he had seen that in him. Merry's love was deep and fierce, with the But this quest had been hard on Merry. Gandalf could see that the Shadow had not been wholly dissipated by Aragorn's skill. It lurked about him still, Sam stirred briefly, and then subsided. The wizard looked at him fondly. Frodo. The wizard looked at him sadly. That hint of transparency, first The brief stirrings as the four reached towards wakefulness increased. He Frodo sat up apprehensively. "Gandalf? Is something wrong?" "No, Frodo, nothing is wrong. But I do not believe you can attribute your "Whatever do you mean, Gandalf?" Frodo asked, irritation and perplexity on Merry sat up. "Yes, please do explain, Gandalf. I have a lot to do today, The wizard sighed. "I know that the four of you thought that your pleasant Four pairs of astonished eyes locked onto the wizard's face. More or less simultaneously, Frodo said, "I should have known it was too "As to that, Frodo, I am afraid you are right. And Meriadoc, you are also Pippin nodded. "I suppose he meant well." "He did, and he does. He has told me that the offer stands to continue doing Merry gave a snort of laughter. "What--indefinitely?" Gandalf smiled. "No, but for the rest of your lives if you will so have it." Now any lingering hint of anger the hobbits might have had over Legolas' "Any future wives we might have might have something to say about that," Frodo shook his head, amused. "It does paint an odd picture in the mind. Did he propose to come live with us in the Shire?" Gandalf smiled. He had not been certain whether amusement or anger would be the reaction. He was glad for Legolas' sake that amusement had won out. "He really does mean it, you know. He would have gladly watched over the four of you for the next sixty or seventy years of your lives, and thought it time well spent--it's a brief enough while for an Elf anyway. He is very fond of you, and it tears his heart to see you suffer." Frodo sobered. "I understand, and his intentions were good. It's actually "I think perhaps, that it might do well to come from you directly, that he "Well, that's settled, then," said Pippin briskly. "Gandalf, I hope you don't
After the door shut behind him, the four scrambled from the bed and began to get dressed for the day. They were still chuckling, until Merry said, "Well, I suppose tonight we will go back to having those lovely nightmares again." "We've had a nice respite," said Frodo, "and perhaps we shall be lucky, and Merry shook his head ruefully. "No, but I'm almost sorry Gandalf told us." "Well, I'm not. It would have been very embarrassing to wake up and catch Sam shook his head. "I can't get over he'd offer to watch us the rest of our Frodo smiled. "Well, he's very fond of us, to be sure, but we can't allow "Of course not!" Sam exclaimed. Merry gave a yawn and began to collect his armor. "I don't have time to discuss this now. I must meet my King at the stables right after first breakfast." The others looked at one another. They knew only too well the reasons for his brusqueness. Pippin looked at Merry's shadowed face. "I'm sorry I cannot come with you, "Would you like Sam and I to come along, Merry?" asked Frodo, concerned. He knew that this particular duty was going to be a very sad one for his Merry shook his head. "No, this is my duty as a Knight of Rohan, and as There were no ponies in Minas Tirith. Merry would ride with Éomer as they left the City. On his return he would walk back with the Riders who were remaining as part of the honor guard. Éowyn smiled at him from her seat on Windfola, riding alongside her brother. "Very different from your ride here with 'Dernhelm', is it not, Merry?" "Very different indeed, my lady." Merry blushed. He still found it embarrassing that he had not realized who "Dernhelm" was, though apparently most of the other Riders in their vicinity *had* guessed. Soon they were all in formation and ready to ride out. The sons of Lord Elrond, who were leaving with them, rode at the front, just behind the banner bearer. Only the members of Éomer's personal éored had been staying with him in the City. Between the losses on the Pelennor and the Morannon due to injury and death, those who had been reassigned to replace lost commanders among the other Riders, and those who had already been sent back to Rohan, that number had dwindled to four-score and eight, plus one hobbit. There had also been a great loss of horses, and Merry was not the only one riding pillion to the place where they would meet the remaining Riders outside the Gate. He and five other Riders would be returning on foot to the Citadel The six of them would be taking it in turns, along with six Citadel Guards, two at a time, standing each day around the clock as a guard of honor by Théoden's bier. Merry was proud of being chosen for the honor, but the part of him that was most hobbity dreaded the duty. Standing by a body from dawn to dusk every third day was bound to engender gloomy thoughts. Thank goodness that Gandalf, in a rare display of magic, had placed an enchantment of preservation upon Théoden's remains, that he not suffer the indignities of decay until he was well and truly buried at his home. Merry sighed and tried to sit straighter, and fight the urge to lean into Éomer. He was very conscious of his dignity riding with his liege, but a glance across to Éowyn's pale and sad face made him wish he were riding with his sword-sister. They could have been of some comfort to one another. Comfort. He shook his head at the thought of Gandalf's revelation that morning. Legolas had been trying to comfort them. Part of him was furious at the invasion of their privacy, part of him loved Legolas even more for the effort, and a good large part of him was greatly disappointed that their respite had been temporary. It was simply one more reminder that however dearly they loved them--Legolas, Gimli, Strider, even Gandalf--were not hobbits. But they *were* family. He glanced over again at Éowyn, and she gave him a sad smile. She and Éomer were his family too, now, by oath and by the shared experience of battle. Théoden, too; he wished that the old King could have met his da. They would have got on well. The thought really made him tear up, and he blinked angrily. He was *not* going to cry and disgrace his King. He gave a mighty sniff. "Holdwine?" Éomer's concerned voice was soft. Merry looked up to see the young King gazing back at him, tears flowing freely. "Oh!" he exclaimed softly. He leaned forward to lend what comfort he could. Something he sometimes forgot: his King was very young, younger even, than his Pippin. Even as he gently patted the large back in front of him, he wondered briefly at the mysterious last minute business which prevented King Elessar and the Steward from riding with them to say farewell as had been planned, and kept his cousin by their side. Pippin had gone directly to the room King Elessar used as an office. The Guardsman at the door admitted him at once, as he was expected. Faramir was there, and Menelcar, and Legolas and Gimli, and two Men whom Pippin thought looked vaguely familiar. Gandalf sat in a corner, an unreadable glitter in his dark eyes. In the seat behind the table, however, was no sign of the majestic King Elessar; instead, there sat a Ranger, looking as disreputable as ever he had at the Inn in Bree. "Strider!" Pippin grinned cheekily. "Mr. Took." Strider grinned back just as cheekily. He then sobered. "Pippin, Pippin sobered as well. "I do. It's not right for someone to be taking Aragorn nodded. "Very well. Peregrin, I'd like you to meet Eldacar and Tarondor. They are the two Guardsmen who have been keeping watch over the miscreants for us." The two men stepped forward, and bowed slightly to Pippin. He blushed. He just could not get used to that. "Please, gentlemen, tell us what you have overheard and observed over the past day or so. The one called Eldacar spoke first. "The three rascals are called 'Arv,' 'Tel' and 'Min'. Min appears to be their leader. He seems somewhat more intelligent than the other two. I have overheard them speaking of some of their past 'scams' as they call them, boasting of the way in which they have cozened people of their money. They have heard about the four of you, and how high you are in the favor of the King, moreover, the way in which you and Sir Meriadoc distributed alms the day of the coronation caught their attention. It made them think of you pheriannath as very soft-hearted. They have been observing all of you as much as they could, ever since." Then the one called Tarondor spoke. "Yesterday I was able to overhear them talking in a tavern. They are hoping to be able to accost either you, Sir Peregrin, or Lord Samwise. They seem to be a bit afraid of Sir Meriadoc--his feat of taking on the Lord of the Ringwraiths is well-attested, and they are also a bit in awe of the Ringbearer--they do not seem to think he will be deceived by them. They do not really believe that you slew a troll, and they know that you are the youngest of the four, and think your position in the Guard simply ceremonial; Lord Samwise they believe to be merely a servant. They feel that the two of you will be the easiest to deceive." Pippin flushed, but all he said was, "Well, they are right about Frodo, anyway--he's never been an easy one to tell a falsehood to, and they are also right to be afraid of Merry. He's nobody's fool, and would be fairly angry with anyone trying to make him out one. But I hope to convince them in the end that Sam and I would not be such easy prey, either." "Their plan," said Eldacar, "is to accost either you or Lord Samwise as soon as you are found alone, with a tale of woe so pitiful that you will freely offer coin. They are hoping to get a goodly sum from you, and perhaps also to get you to ask the King for more."
Pippin nodded solemnly. "Now go to the buttery, and have your luncheon early. Return to the house from there." "I will." He had a very determined look on his face. The others began to file out of the small room. As Pippin turned to leave, he felt Gandalf's hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked up. Gandalf looked down at him, and smiled. "You will do. And be careful, my lad." "Thank you, Gandalf. I will." |
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