Gandalf attended a council with Denethor and Pippin was by himself. He was very hungry and decided to see what he could scrounge to eat. As he set out he noticed someone approaching. The man introduced himself as Beregond. He was sent to find Pippin and show him the city as well as teach him the passwords. Beregond was very excited to do this: as rumor of a Halfling warrior prince who had gained favor with the Steward and friendship of Mithrandir had spread all through Minis Tirith. Beregond asked several questions curious to know all about Pippin but he realized his first duty was to serve the Halfling. He allowed Pippin to start the questioning. Of course Pippin asked about food. "Beregond looked at him gravely, 'An old campaigner, I see,' he said. 'They say that men who go warring afield look ever to the next hope of food and drink; though I am not a travelled man myself'" (p. 33, The Return of the King). That made me laugh, Beregond does not yet know Hobbits well.
Pippin remembered Shadowfax and bid Beregond to take him to see Gandalf's horse. They found Shadowfax well attended and well fed. Even though he had journeyed many leagues with much haste the horse was still proud. Still, he let Beregond to stroke his head gently as he marveled at the beast. Pippin assured Shadowfax that Gandalf would come when he could and that battle was near. The horse let out a triumphant neigh as they left the manger. Beregond then led Pippin to the storehouse where they gathered the last of the winter-stored apples, cheese, bread and butter, and some ale. They sat near a wall where they could look down on the city and across the Pelennor. There they ate and spoke. Beregond confessed that Pippin looked no more than child to Men's eyes and was truly amazed at what the hobbit had endured.
Looking over the land Pippin saw people, in great wains, leaving the Pelennor. Beregond told him that all, save the fighting men, were being evacuated. Minis Tirith was inhabited only by men and a few boys who would not be parted, Beregond's own son being one. Pippin asked about the city he saw in the distance and Beregond told him about Osgiliath, once the chief city of the realm. It had been lost to the Enemy and then regained in the days of Denethor's youth until the Fell Riders came. Pippin asked if they were Black Riders and it was clear to Beregond that Pippin knew of them though he had not mentioned them in his stories. Pippin refused to talk about them especially being so near to the Enemy's land. Mordor. Beregond explained: "'And the Fell Riders, less than a year ago they won back the crossings, and many of our best men were slain. Boromir it was that drove the enemy at last back from this western shore, and we hold still the near half of Osgiliath'" (p. 37, The Return of the King).
Beregond felt they would not hold it long when the Enemy decided to strike. He told Pippin that Denethor was far seeing, and it was said that he strove with Sauron in will and knew, somewhat, of his plans. Pippin commented that things seemed to be at a stand still. "'Only because everything is now ready,' said Beregond. 'It is but the deep breath before the plunge'" (p. 37, The Return of the King). Beregond explained the beacons had been lit to call for aid before Sauron struck as news had reached Minis Tirith that the Corsairs of Umbar were coming up the Anduin and this would draw away much of the help that would come to Minis Tirith. This is why the call for aid went to Rohan. There was also news of the Enemy's movements in Mirkwood and farther North. As Pippin looked over the land the sun was blotted out and a faint but fear inducing cry was heard that sent him shuddering and he knew it was a Fell Rider in the air.
As the fear passed Pippin regained his hope for he had seen Gandalf fall and return and with him they would stand. All the same Pippin did not enjoy waiting on the edge of battle. Beregond found hope in his Captain, Faramir, thinking things may change when he returned to the city. As lunchtime approached Beregond invited Pippin to sup with his comrades: the Third Company of the Citadel. Pippin found himself very popular and had to dispel the rumors that he was bringing 5,000 small but doughty warriors to the aid of Gondor. He also found it difficult not to reveal too much of his journey as Gandalf had warned him. After eating Beregond had to go on duty but he told Pippin where to find his son if the hobbit wished to see more of the city. After taking Shadowfax some food Pippin went off to find him.
Pippin soon found his way to the lodging where several boys were staying. One boy in particular greeted him and asked who he was. The boy could hardly believe that Pippin was 29 and a man of Gondor, after all he was 5 feet tall and the stranger only 4. Indeed, the boy figured he could lay Pippin on his back. Pippin said he knew many wrestling tricks and he was known to be very tough in his homeland and not to be easily taken. "Pippin pulled such a grim face that the boy stepped back a pace, but at once he returned with clenched fists and the light of battle in his eye" (p. 42, The Return of the King). Another keen insight by Tolkien: boys are born with a warrior inside of them. Pippin laughed and asked the boys name. "'I am Bergil son of Beregond of the Guards,' he said" (p. 42, The Return of the King). Pippin relayed the message from Beregond for Bergil to lead him around the city and the boy was eager to obey.
Indeed as they walked together Pippin felt Bergil to be the best company he had had since he parted with Merry. People were gathering near the Great Gate and that's where the two went. "There Pippin went up much in the esteem of Bergil, for when he spoke his name and the pass-word the guard saluted him and let him pass through; and what was more, he allowed him to take his companion with him" (p. 42, The Return of the King). The Captains of the Outlands were entering Minis Tirith from the South and they had front row seats. First was Forlong the Fat from Lossarnarch leading some two-hundred men. They were met with cheers but also whispers for many thought the numbers too few. They came from Ringlo Vale, Morthond, Anfalas, Lamedon, Ethir, Pinnath Gelin, and lastly Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. Some came well armed and others leaderless. The Company from Dol Amroth was the strongest at seven-hundred men. Less than three-thousand had come.
It was now near dusk and the Great Gate was about to close; time for Pippin and Bergil to go back in. "Hand in hand they went back into the City..." (p. 44, The Return of the King). That's just a sweet picture. They parted ways and Bergil hoped they would meet again. Pippin found his way to Beregond and told him of his adventures with Bergil. Beregond told Pippin that he would be summoned by Denethor in the morning. Pippin decided to go back to his empty room. Later in the evening he awoke to find Gandalf there. The Wizard was pacing and had been pouring over some scrolls. He bid Pippin to rest. "'At sunrise I shall take you to the Lord Denethor again. No, when the summons comes, not at sunrise. The Darkness has begun. There will be no dawn'" (p. 45, The Return of the King).
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 9th
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 32-45
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