Summary: In the spring of 2012, four American children find themselves thrust into an unfamiliar world and part of an unexpected adventure.  This story is AU, and blends Lord of the Rings book-verse and movie-verse.  This story also contains a lot of spiritual and religious content as a part of the AU elements.

Disclaimer: The world of Middle-earth and all its peoples belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien; the three films of The Lord of the Rings​ belongs to New Line Cinema and to Peter Jackson.  This story is not for profit, but is a gift for the enjoyment of those who read it.

Citations: In most chapters, there will be some quotations directly from both the books and/or the movies.  Quotations from Tolkien's books are in italics, and quotations from the movies are underlined.  Occasional quotations from other sources as well as silent dialogue, words spoken in emphasis, and passages from the Bible will also be in italics, and those citations will be footnoted at the end of each chapter in which they occur. We will also footnote research sources and credit the ideas of other people.

Thanks: We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help of our beta, Linda Hoyland, another well-known and prolific LotR fanwriter, whose many wonderful stories also grace this site.

A/N:  One of the things that KG asked me (DF), when we were going to partner in this story, was that we try to include my OC, Menelcar, who appears in my story “Chance Encounter”.  I agreed.  Therefore, you may see bits of that story quoted here and there in the next few chapters.  Those are from my own story, so be assured that if you see something you recognize, it is not plagiarized.  Thank you.  DF and KG.

Chapter 107: Show Yourself

Joey was sleeping so deeply that he wasn't even dreaming when he was awakened by a persistent hand shaking his shoulder gently but persistently.

"Master Joey, it is time to rise," said the low voice of Boromir's personal servant, Labadal.  "Remember that you and Lord Boromir are to accompany the King of Rohan and his sister as they depart the City this morning."

With a nod, yawning and stretching, Joey sat up and glanced at Boromir's luxurious bed on the far side of the room.  His liege was still snoring soundly.  He jumped from his bed, ready to scurry to the washstand and wash his face before getting into his good livery.

"Sir Pippin has other duties this morning for the King, so he will not be here this morning," Labadal told him.  "I will help you ready the Captain-General for the day."  Joey nodded.  Pippin usually helped with Boromir's armour, but the hobbit had already mentioned to Joey about having to ride out of the City at the party the night before.

Joey was quickly dressed and ready by the time Labadal had laid out Boromir's clothes for the day.  Joey went to the wardrobe and fetched out the newly repaired boots that he had brought back from the cobbler the day before.  Then he went over to the armour stand to make sure everything was ready.

By the time Labadal had gone over to the huge bed and was drawing back the bed hangings, Boromir was already awake and sitting up in his bed.  "Good morning, Labadal," the Captain-General said.  "And to you also, Joey.  I see you are already prepared for our solemn duty this morning."

Joey nodded.  "I hope I’ll be able to cheer Merry up, like the King wants me to do."

Boromir ruffled Joey’s hair, which he'd not had the chance to comb yet.  "I have no doubt in your ability to cheer Merry, Joey.  You have a good heart."

Blushing at the praise, Joey was relieved at the knock on the door.  He hoped it was breakfast, a sentiment his master echoed.

"Ah, breakfast!" said Boromir.  "In spite of the hobbit feast last night, I am famished!"

Joey grinned.  “It sure was good, wasn’t it?”

Boromir’s eyes twinkled, and he grinned back.  “It certainly was.  Hobbits are excellent cooks.  Remember how well Samwise fed us on our long trek South?”

With a smile, Joey nodded his agreement, and then the servant from the kitchen rolled in a table that was laden with porridge, fresh bread, and fruit, as well as a steaming teapot and all that was needed to eat the meal with.  They sat down together, after facing West (while Joey silently prayed, By Your hands, we are fed.  Thank You for our daily bread.).

They ate silently and quickly.  They had planned to meet the Rohirrim at the stables before the first bell rang, signalling the sunrise.

-oo000oo-

Jennifer told Firieth all about the party as the two of them made their way to the low building that was part of the House of Healing.  This was, like the rest of the buildings, made of white marble, and there was a long colonnade held up by pillars, lined with marble benches. There was a young man seated on one bench, and an elderly woman with a girl not much younger than Jennifer and Firieth seated on another.  It was not so large as some of the other buildings, but it had wide windows.  The shutters were wide open to the light summer breeze, as they entered the double doors to the large room inside. 

Inside the ward, they were pleased to see Healer Adenel, and a young man with her.  She greeted the girls warmly as they approached her.  That ward was a place where those whose illness or injury yet did not likely warrant a stay in the Houses, but did need the care of a Healer, if only briefly.

"Firieth and Jennifer, this is Healer Thorongil,” Healer Adenel said, nodding toward the young man beside her.  “He has recently completed his apprenticeship."  He greeted the girls with a nod and a smile. 

"Thorongil, this is Lady Jennifer, who comes to us from the far land of Or Egon, and this is Firieth of Dol Amroth."

"We shall open the doors to our patients in just a few minutes," Thorongil said.  "We get all sorts of cases.”

“Sometimes there is an emergency that actually needs to go up to the surgery or the wards for a longer stay, but most of the time, we are able to treat the illness or injury here and send them back to their home," Healer Adenel added, and Thorongil nodded.

She showed the girls where the large cabinet where the bandages, salves, and other medicine were kept, and explained where to put soiled bandages.  "It will be your job at the end of your duty to take the basket to the laundry."  

The senior healer swept an arm to indicate the last two walls.  There were folded screens dividing twelve stations, each with a cot and two chairs.  "Those are the stations where we serve the patients.  We need to open the screens before we let the patients in.  Not all of them, though; it is early, so we shall just open four of them for now."

The girls nodded.  "Yes, Healer Adenel," they chorused, with a bow of their heads.  Both were familiar with the privacy screens, for they were used elsewhere in the Houses of Healing.  They went to them and unfolded each one at a time; it took both of them to pull each screen into position so that it would shield the area to the front and part of the sides.  The screens were not heavy, but they were large enough to be awkward for just one person to do.

There was a large white table in the centre of the room, and the two healers were busy setting out their tools and supplies.

When four of the screens had been opened, Jennifer asked, "What do we do next?"

Adenel smiled at them.  "Go and invite our guests in.  If more have arrived than I saw the last time I looked—I believe there were three people, two of whom appeared to be together—allow in four only at a time."

Stepping out onto the veranda where patients waited for their turns, Jennifer saw that the only new arrival on the benches was a young woman with a child of about three or four years old, who was seated on her lap.  She and Firieth pushed the wide doors open, and Jennifer went out and cleared her throat.  Raising her voice slightly, she said to all of them, "We are open now; you may come in."

As they filed in, Jennifer could see that the teenage girl was the one leading the older woman, who shuffled along, with a confused look in her eyes.  Does the old woman have Alzheimer’s or some other type of dementia? Jennifer silently wondered.  The young man had a tightly tied piece of blood-soaked cloth wrapped around his hand, and the little girl seemed to have some kind of pain in her stomach, as she was clutching her middle while her mother carried her in.

Healer Adenel took the young man to the first screened cubicle.  As Healer Thorongil started to lead the old woman and the girl to the next one, he turned to ask Firieth to accompany him.  "Would you show our other guests to the next station?" he said to Jennifer.  It was clearly an order, even though phrased as a request.

“Yes, sir.”  With a nod, Jennifer led the mother and child to the next spot.  She smiled at the little girl.  "I have a little sister your age," she said.  "Her name is Megan.  What’s your name?"

"Elloth," she whispered.  "I have a tummy ache, an'...an' I cannot go."  Her little face went red, and tears sprang to her eyes.

"Oh, that sounds bad.  Does it hurt a lot?"  Elloth nodded.

Jennifer looked at her mother, who bit her lower lip as she looked at her daughter, troubled.  "I am Thilia, wife of Meldil.  He is in the Watch.  I have tried all of the usual things, but it has been three days now, and it seems to be more painful now."

Jennifer nodded.  "Well, let's make her comfortable on the cot, and I’m sure that one of the healers will be with us as soon as they finish with their current patient."

Jennifer helped the mother make her daughter comfortable on the cot, and then to sit in one of the chairs.  She sat down next to the mother and began to ask her questions that might help the healer when the time came.

"Has she had this problem before?" she asked.

"Not often," said the mother, reaching over to smooth Elioth's hair.  "And never for this long…"  Her voice trailed off.

Jennifer nodded.  "One of the doc…uh, healers will be over in a minute or so."  She smiled kindly at Elioth, who kept moaning in pain.  “Having a tummy ache is no fun, I know, Elioth.  But the healer will know what to do about your tummy ache, and she’ll fix you right up.”

It was not long at all when Healer Adenel came over, and Jennifer pulled the screen out to give them privacy.  "Jennifer, if you would stay for a moment, in case I need you to fetch something?"

Jennifer nodded and, relinquishing her chair by the cot to the healer, stood behind her to be ready for any orders.

-oo000oo-

Joey was riding in front of Boromir as the solemn company set out down the winding streets of Minas Tirth.  The two of them were riding abreast of Éomer King, and the White Lady, Éowyn, rode on the other side.  Merry was riding right behind the young king.

Éowyn smiled briefly at Joey from her seat on Windfola, and he smiled back and gave a little nod to show he had noticed her.

There were no ponies in Minas Tirith, so Merry was riding Éomer as they left the City.  On his return, he would ride back with the Riders who were remaining as part of the honour 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?" she called out to the hobbit, who blushed.

"Very different, indeed, my lady."  He shook his head ruefully.  "It was very embarrassing that I didn't know you were a lady, at first."

“You quickly discovered that I was that evening, when we went off to get water,” she reminded him, and he nodded, still blushing.

Joey tried to hide his smile at Merry's blush.  He wondered if he would have noticed, either.

Soon they were all in formation and ready to ride out.  The sons of Lord Elrond, who were leaving Minas Tirith with them, were going to ride at the front, just behind the banner bearer.  Joey wondered why they were going back to Rivendell now, but they hadn't said anything about it that he knew of.

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.  There had also been a great loss of horses, and Joey and Merry were not the only ones who were going to ride pillion to the place where they would meet the remaining Riders outside the Gate.  

Joey watched Merry with concern as he sat on the horse, waiting for the signal to ride out.  He knew that his hobbit friend had been very sad at Théoden's death, and that Merry was taking it hard.  He wished he knew some way to cheer him up; after all, that's what he had been sent to do.  Pippin would have been so much better at it than Joey was.  But right now, no one was carrying on a conversation.  Maybe on the way back?

Joey spoke to Boromir.  "Uh, my Lord, why did they leave the King back in Minas Tirith?  If this is for his funeral, I mean?"

Boromir turned his head, so that Joey could hear his answer.  "There is much to do there first.  Although Éomer is already styled king by his warriors, he will need to be crowned and presented to his subjects in Rohan when he arrives there.  And a tomb will need to be readied for Théoden before his funeral can be held.  But thanks to Gandalf, who has placed an enchantment of preservation upon Théoden's remains, his body will not suffer the indignities of decay until he is well and truly buried at his home."

Joey breathed a sigh of relief.  He hadn't really thought about it, but it would be dreadful otherwise.  I hope King Théoden—uh, Théoden King’s in Heaven with God!

At the signal, they all started to ride.  Minutes after they had left the city gates, Joey glanced over at Merry, and noticed him sitting up very straight and dignified.  Merry seems so grown-up now, Joey thought.  I know he is a grown-up, and not a kid like me, but sometimes I forget because he's so fun most of the time, and we’re about the same size.  But since the war, he’s been much more grown-up than he used to be.  Joey noticed that he was looking especially sad.

"Holdwine?"  Éomer's concerned voice was soft.  Joey noticed that Éomer had just called Merry by his Rohirric nickname.

At that moment, Joey noticed that the king was crying.  And then he noticed Merry leaning into Éomer's back with both arms and gently patting the King's back.

Boromir also noticed, and he spoke softly to Joey.  "Only a hobbit could be so free to comfort a king in such a fashion.”

Joey nodded as they rode on.  Good thing that Merry is so free, because Éomer King really does need some comforting, he thought.  Lots of it, in fact!  After all, that was his uncle who died.  It was going to be a long ride over the Pelennor through Anórien to the Rammas Echor, where they would say their farewell to the Rohirrim for the time being.  And it would be a long ride back.

-oo000oo-

Steve was ready to meet Master Hallas, as they would be marking out the streets for the upcoming Fair.  He had hoped Kevin would be able to help, but Kevin was on duty today, so he would have to help on another day.  Mainly, they would be figuring out what areas would be best for different activities.  Menelcar was also going to join them, as he would be deciding where the entertainers would be located.

"I don't know how long we will take today, Gail," he told her.

"That's all right, dear.  I'll be out and about in a while, but I’ll be meeting Princess Linderiel and her daughter here before that.  We do have a few little details to work through before we go out."

Nodding, Steve gave her a kiss, and then he gave a peck on each of the foreheads for Kaylee and Megan, who were still dawdling at their breakfast.  They were both still in their nightgowns.  "Be good for your mommy and for Mairen today," he added as he ruffled their hair, before he left.

"We will, Daddy," said Kaylee, as Megan nodded, since she had a mouthful of porridge.

As Steve left, Megan swallowed her bite.  "I'm all full, Mommy.  I don't think I can eat it all."

Gail smiled and nodded, after a glance at the bowl to make sure that the porridge was at least mostly gone.  "You don't have to finish it all, sweetie.  Are you finished, too, Kaylee?"

Kaylee nodded as she swallowed the bite she had in her own mouth.  "Uh-huh."

"Well, go see if Mairen is ready for you, then."  

The girls scurried to their room, where Mairen was ready to get them dressed.  She was going to take them to the kennels to see Lucy so that Gail could concentrate on the business she had concerning the street fair.

It was only a few moments after the girls had left with Mairen that there was a knock at the door.  Gail opened it, to see not only the Princesses Lindiriel and Lothiriel, Master Ondahir, and Dame Meg (who was overseeing the orphanage for now, and whom Gail had expected), but another older lady whom she had yet to meet.

"Lady Ivriniel,”* said Ondahir, "may I present Mistress Gail McCloud?  The Street Fair was the idea of Mistress Gail."  Then he turned to Gail.  "Mistress Gail, Lady Ivriniel is the sister of Lord Denethor, and the Regent of Ethring for her young grandson, Lord Narumir.  She arrived in Minas Tirith only last night, and when her brother and nephew told her of your endeavours on behalf of the orphans, she expressed an interest in helping.”

Smiling, Gail gave Lady Ivriniel a curtsey and a nod.  "I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Ivriniel.  I’ll be very glad of any help you would care to give us."

Soon they were all seated around the room, discussing the progress that had been made so far.

-oo000oo-

Kevin was once more partnered with Beregond as they ghosted Pippin through the streets of Minas Tirith.  Pippin was clearly headed towards the spot where he had first made contact with the fellow that called himself "Minastir, son of Castamir".  Kevin wasn’t sure if that was the crook’s real name or not, but he was also keeping his eyes open for him as well.

It didn't take very long until Kevin spotted the fellow, and he could tell that Pippin had spotted him as well.

He saw them come together, as Pippin handed over a nicely weighted leather pouch.  "I hope this will be enough for you to be able to solve your problems and reunite your family.”

"I am sure that will be enough to take care of everything, my lord."  The Man sounded humble and sincere.

"Well," Pippin said, holding out the pouch and showing him the silver, "here is this.  Give it to the merchant.  I'm glad to help you get what you deserve."

Kevin and Beregond exchanged glances, and the two of them moved apart slightly.  Kevin pretended to be interested in a shop that sold leather goods that was right across the street.  He wasn't sure, but he thought he spotted Aragorn in his Strider guise leaning against that same building.

He could see the Steward not far away with some other guardsmen who were in full uniform, making his way from behind the con man, who couldn't resist looking at all that money.  He was grinning at it.

"My thanks, Sir Peregrin!  The reunion with my family will be quite a sight!"

"Yes, it would be," said another voice, "especially, Minastir son of Castamir, as you have neither chick nor child, nor even wife nor sister in Lossarnach or anywhere else."

Startled, the Man turned to see the Steward approaching, and behind him several Guardsmen with Tel and Arv in their midst, bound and gagged.  As he stared, the shabby figure leaning against the wall across the street threw back his hood and straightened up.  The shock on that Man’s face was priceless, Kevin thought.  He had clearly recognised the King himself!

"I do not wonder that you did not wish to trouble the King.  It is a shame that you thought to trouble his friends," said Strider.  Kevin thought the grim smile was definitely Strider, and not so much the King.  It reminded him of the kind of smile the king got when the man was thinking of his enemies.

In a fury, the Man glanced down to see Pippin grinning up at him.  "Not quite such a fool as I look," the hobbit said.

Suddenly, with a snarl and a curse, he snatched Pippin off the ground, and holding him up before him as a shield, he drew forth a long, glittering knife.

Kevin froze, staring in horror, as the Man glared.  "You will not stop me–"  

But he got no further.  Pippin gave a mighty wriggle, sinking his teeth into Minastir's arm, while at the same time aiming a furious kick at the Man’s groin with his tough hairy foot.  With a yell, the Man dropped both halfling and knife and crashed to the street with a moan.  Pippin landed nimbly and, snatching up the fallen knife, bent over the writhing Man and held it to his throat.  Minastir suddenly went still.

"Sire," said Pippin, without taking his eyes off the fallen Man's eyes, as the latter lay crumpled sideways on the street, moaning in agony, "could you please take charge of this wretch who thought hobbits were simple and helpless?"

Kevin and Beregond walked over to join the other guardsmen, as Aragorn crossed the street in a few quick strides and hauled the still groaning villain to his feet.  As he did so, he spoke softly, but still loud enough for the guards to hear as well, "You are quite lucky that my young knight did not have his sword.  Trollsbane is its name, and Sir Peregrin, Troll-Slayer, its wielder."  Minastir stared in horror at Pippin, blanching as he realised the tales were true.  Faramir signalled the Guardsmen, who came forward to take charge of the prisoner.

"Well done, Pippin," said Aragorn.  "I am sorry that you had to do that."

"Boromir will be proud, when he learns of this," said Faramir.

 Pippin blushed at the praise.  "I’m looking forward to telling him of this when we get back to the Citadel.  Boromir always said a hard enough kick there could cripple the largest of foes.  I am glad to find it worked."

The hobbit stood next to the King, as they watched the three swindlers being led off in manacles.  Then he looked up at Aragorn, troubled, as Kevin joined them.  "I'm sorry to say, Strider,” Pippin said, “but if I'd not been warned, I think I might have believed his sad story.  I suppose I am rather a fool."

"Nay, Pippin.  A sympathetic and large heart is never foolish.  Rather the fool is one who would value gain over all else."

"What will happen to them?"  Pippin asked, with a somewhat apprehensive look on his face.

Aragorn sighed.  "His two confederates will probably serve a term of hard labour for the City, but Minastir laid violent hands upon you. His life is forfeit."

Pippin shook his head firmly.  "Frodo wouldn't like that.  No more do I."  There was a brief moment of silence, and Kevin thought Pippin looked very much like Frodo when he said that.

Aragorn looked grim, but with a sigh, said, "Very well, Pippin, your mercy has purchased his life."   

Kevin and Beregond were going to follow Pippin back to the Citadel, but first, Kevin bent over his smaller friend.  "Are you okay, Pippin?  I was scared to death when he pulled that knife on you."

Pippin smiled, and patted Kevin's hand.  "Thanks, Kevin.  I was rather scared when I felt his knife pointed at me, but my training from Boromir and Aragorn took hold.  You'd do the same, I think."

Kevin shook his head.  "I don't know.  Maybe."

The hobbit grinned.  “No 'maybe' about it.  You were trained just like Merry and I were.  You'd be surprised how quickly you’d recall it in a pinch."

Kevin chuckled.  "Well, I'm glad you have so much confidence in me, Pippin.  Thanks."  Boromir trained Joey, too, he thought.  I wonder, would my little brother be just as quick to remember his training in a pinch as Pippin was?  I hope so.  I also hope he’ll never have to find out!

They turned and quickly followed the other Guardsmen, who were beginning to get ahead of the two.  Beregond had turned to look and beckoned to them.  With the King (still looking like Strider) and Faramir in the lead, and the three rather bedraggled criminals in the midst of their guards, and with Kevin, Beregond, and Pippin in the rear, they all made a rather curious sight.

They hadn't gone far, when suddenly, Kevin heard a familiar voice calling his name.  "Kevin?"

Uh-oh!  Kevin feigned not to hear.  He was still on duty.  But that was definitely his father's voice. His dad would wonder why he wasn't in uniform.  Thankfully, this was all over now, so maybe he would be allowed to tell his parents what he'd been up to, the last couple of days.  I’ll have to ask the King if I can, now that it's all over with.

-oo000oo-

A/N: *Lady Ivriniel can be found in my story, "The Poem," a part of Dreamflower's series, "The Archive Incidents", and can be found on this site.  She is the older sister of Prince Imrahil and Lady Finduilas.  DF.