After serving Denethor for hours Pippin was released of his duties on the Dawnless Day. "It was the sunset-hour, but the great pall had now stretched far into the West, and only as it sank at last into the Sea did the Sun escape to send out a brief farewell gleam before the night, even as Frodo saw it at the Cross-roads touching the head of the fallen king" (p. 81, The Return of the King). Looking for food Pippin met up with Beregond. They chatted about the gloom over the land and wondered where Faramir was. Pippin noted that Gandalf had been anxious for Faramir's return as well. Suddenly they were frozen with fear; with great effort Beregond peered over the walls to see the the Black Riders of the air far below over the plains of Pelennor. Pippin saw the Riders were swooping after horsed riders on the ground. They heard a trumpet sounding.
"'Faramir! The Lord Faramir! It is his call!' cried Beregond. 'Brave heart! But how can he win the Gate, if these foul hell-hawks have other weapons than fear?'" (p. 82, The Return of the King). They watched the Men of Gondor ride and falter; Faramir doubling back to aid his comrades, and then Beregond ran for the gates far below. Pippin peering over the wall saw a flash of light coming forth. "'Gandalf!' he cried. 'Gandalf! He always turns up when things are darkest. Go on! Go on, White Rider! Gandalf, Gandalf!'" (p. 83, The Return of the King). The Wizard dismayed the Nazgul and they returned to Mordor in the East. Pippin rushed down to the gate below to see what was happening. He arrived as Gandalf, with fire smoldering in his eyes, and a weary man clad in green entered the City. Pippin cried out Faramir's name as everyone else did and immediately he turned. He did not recognize the voice and was astonished to see a Halfling in the City. Gandalf cut Faramir short saying it was not the time to discuss.
After Faramir was refreshed he sat before Denethor and Gandalf recalling his tales. Pippin was there to serve and even forgot his own hunger because he was listening so intently. After telling of the battle Faramir turned matters to the Halfling, for he revealed it was not the first he had seen. "At that Gandalf sat up and gripped the arms of his chair; but he said nothing, and with a look stopped the exclamation on Pippin's lips, Denethor looked at their faces and nodded his head, as though in sign that he had read much there was before it was spoken" (p. 84, The Return of the King). "As his story unfolded of his meeting with Frodo and his servant and the events of Henneth Annun, Pippin became aware that Gandalf's hands were trembling as they clutched the carven wood. White they seemed now and very old, and as he looked at them, suddenly with a shrill of fear Pippin knew that Gandalf, Gandalf himself, was troubled, even afraid" (p. 85, The Return of the King).
Gandalf questioned Faramir concerning the events. They realized the darkness had set in before Frodo and Sam could have reached Minas Morgul; therefore it was a planned stroke of the Enemy and not due to Frodo's capture. Faramir asked Denethor if he had done ill and received an unkind response accusing his son of being the Wizard's pupil. Faramir pointed out that he had been given no counsel of what to do in this situation. Denethor answered: "'You still would have done just so, I deem. I know you well. Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, gracious, gentle. That may well befit one of high race, if he sits in power and peace. But in desperate hours gentleness may be repaid with death'" (p. 86, The Return of the King).
The exchange between father and son grew more heated with Denethor essentially blaming the demise of himself and Gondor on Faramir; he went so far as to say he wished Faramir and Boromir's places had been switched. "'For Boromir was loyal to me and no wizard's pupil. He would have remembered his father's need, and would not have squandered what fortune gave. He would have brought me a mighty gift'" (p. 86, The Return of the King). Gandalf interceded on Faramir's behalf telling Denethor that Boromir would not have yielded the Ring to him. Denethor did not believe it and claimed he would have kept it safe and hidden only to be used in the uttermost need. He claimed that he could endure any temptation the Ring may give. Gandalf replied: "'I do not trust myself in this, and I refused this thing, even as a freely given gift. You are strong and can in some matters govern yourself, Denethor; yet if you had received this thing, it would have overthrown you'" (p. 87, The Return of the King).
Denethor and Gandalf stared one another down before the Steward moved on to military matters in Osgiliath. He bid Faramir to Captain the forces at Osgiliath where the first assault would land. However, being weary from his encounter with the Ringwraiths Faramir was first commanded to rest. All left the presence of the Steward. Pippin and Gandalf retired to their room. There is some sweet imagery here where the hobbit takes hold of the wizard's hand and the wizard places his hand on the hobbits head. Pippin wondered if there was hope. Gandalf admitted that the name Cirith Ungol almost stopped his heart; however, it was clear that Sauron began the war before capturing Frodo. This meant that the Enemies eye would be abroad many places and less concerned with his own borders.
Gandalf reflected on some of the events that had befallen including Pippin's look into the Seeing Stone. Perhaps that set Sauron in motion or perhaps it was Aragorn. "'He may have used the Stone and shown himself to the Enemy, challenging him, for this very purpose'" (p. 88, The Return of the King). Pippin had more questions but Gandalf would only allow one before they rested; so the hobbit asked why Frodo would follow Gollum. Gandalf revealed he thought the two would meet before the end and the way of Cirith Ungol (which he would not speak of) was the treachery of Gollum. Still, for good or for evil Gollum would play a part in Frodo's tale.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 10th
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 80-89
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