Denethor recognized the sword knowing it had been wrought by his ancestors in the North many years earlier. Pippin revealed it came from the Barrow Downs but would tell no tales of that adventure. Gandalf urged Pippin to take the sword hilt should he be resolved to give his service to Denethor. Pippin did so and repeated after Denethor: "'Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, and to the Lord and Steward of the realm, to speak and to be silent, to do and to let be, to come and to go, in need or plenty, in peace or war, in living or dying, from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death take me, or the world end. So say I, Peregrin son of Paladin of the Shire of the Halflings.' 'And this I do hear, Denethor son of Ecthelion, Lord of Gondor, Steward of the High King, and I will not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is give: fealty with love, valour with honour, oath-breaking with vengeance'" (p. 28, The Return of the King). Denethor's first order to Pippin was to sit with him for an hour and tell his advenures, particularly all things concerning Boromir.
Gandalf grew impatient saying he had news of Saruman's defeat and Rohan's call to arms but Denethor claimed he knew enough that those things could wait. Gandalf and Denethor locked eyes and stared at one another. Pippin now saw the similarities in the two men, both old and wise. Denethor looked the older and wiser and yet Pippin perceived it was indeed Gandalf who was both old and full of wisdom even though it was cloaked. "'How much older?' he wondered, and then he thought how odd it was that he had never thought about it before. Treebeard had said something about wizards, but even then he had not thought of Gandalf as one of them. What was Gandalf? In what far time and place did he come into the world, and when would he leave it?'" (p. 29, The Return of the King). Denethor looked away first saying that even though the Stones were lost the Lords of Gondor had keen sight. It seemed to Pippin that as Denethor mentioned the Seeing Stones he glanced ever so slightly towards the hobbit.
For an hour Pippin told his tale with many questions posed by Denethor and Gandalf watching ever so closely in case Pippin revealed too much. When the time was up Denethor called for his servants to lead Gandalf and Pippin to a room. He asked Gandalf to forgive an old man's folly for wasting time learning about his son. Gandalf knew better: "Do you think I do not understand your purpose in questioning for an hour one who knows the least, while I sit by?'" (p. 30, The Return of the King). Denethor, had invited Gandalf back to take counsel with him later, assured the Wizard that his only goal was the good of Gondor reminding that the rule of Gondor was his alone unless the King returned. Gandalf reminded Denethor that it was indeed his task to save a kingdom should that unlooked for event happen and he had come to aid that task. "'But I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?'" (p. 30-31, The Return of the King).
That is an awesome line by Gandalf. He has, as I have journeyed though Middle-earth, definitely become one of my favorite characters. In Christianity the term steward is used and it's tough in this day and age to gain a picture of what that looks like. #1 it means I am not the King; Jesus is. #2 It means that I am to represent the King and steward His Kingdom well until He returns. If I struggle with what that means for practical application this Gandalf passage is helpful. To guard all worthy things in peril as this world now stands; that is my care.
Gandalf and Pippin left Denethor's presence and went to their room. As Pippin looked out the window he asked if Gandalf was mad at him. Gandalf laughed and put his hands on Pippin's shoulders assuring him he did well. Pippin was surprised to hear such merry laughter and looked at Gandalf. "Yet in the wizard's face he saw at first only lines of care and sorrow; though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy: a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth" (p. 31, The Return of the King). Gandalf was pleased with Pippin's answers but even as guarded as Pippin had been Denethor clearly noted that Boromir did not lead the Fellowship once Gandalf fell. Plus, the one who did lead carried a famous sword.
Gandalf warned Pippin to be cautious: now being in Denethor's service he may be called upon again. On the plus side he could now roam free in Minis Tirith while off-duty and Gandalf asked him to check on Shadowfax while the Wizard was away. Alas, Gandalf lamented that now all the pieces were in place and Sauron was almost ready to move. One piece, however, that Gandalf had not yet found but greatly desired to was Faramir, now heir to Denethor. Gandalf assumed he was not in the City and was off to gather what news he could.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 9th
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 26-32
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