Lyrd Of The Ryngs - The Homies

[EarthBound]

Merry eagerly grabbed his McGondor Happy Meal, noticing immediately that the regularly included ‘Toy’ figurine was missing…

Merry narrows his eyes at Pippin. “Ahem, did you get your toy figurine, Pip?”

“Oh, well sure. It’s the new Head Lawyer figure with Karate Action button.” Pip then begins to press the back button on his new toy and pretends to let it chop his McGondor fries in half.

Everyone continues to eat their lunch until Merry notices that Pip’s Head Lawyer has been joined by a Legalos action figure. Pip notices that Merry is watching him and clears his throat to explain…”Errrr, this is from yesterday’s meal, Merry. Uh, look! Leggy’s legs do a high kick when I press the action button!”

“Looks more like a Line-dancing move to me.” Grumbled Merry.

[Grey_Wolf]

Pippin, Merry and Gandalf ate their fill from the McGondorese fast food.

"that was good!" said Merry. "Then I would like supper first, and after that a pipe." At that his face clouded. "No, not a pipe. I don't think I'll smoke again."
"Why not?" said Pippin.
"Well," answered Merry slowly. "He is dead. It has brought it all back to me. He said he was sorry he had never had a chance of talking herb-lore with me. Almost the last thing he ever said. I shan't ever be able to smoke again without thinking of him, and that day, Pippin, when he rode up to Isengard and was so polite."
"Smoke then, and think of him!" said Aragorn. "For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning. Though your service to him was brief, it should be a memory glad and honourable to the end of your days."

[Grey_Wolf]

"Well, if Mr Aragorn will provide the necessary means then I'll smoke and reminisce. I had some of Saruman's best tobacco in my pouch during the battle but what became of it I don't know."

"Mr Took, if you think that I've passed through the mountains and fields of Gondor to bring a careless solder his gear, you are mistaken. If your pack has not been found, ask Pippin to go to the nearest Tobacconist for a couple of packs. Because I have not eaten or slept since we left Dunharrow."

"I frightfully sorry." he said."Send Pippin at once to a shop and go yourself to a restroom."

[Grey_Wolf]

"I know that well, or I would not deal with you in the same way " said Aragorn. "May the Shire live for ever unwithered!" And kissing Merry he went out, and Gandalf went with him.

Pippin remained behind. "Was there ever any one like him?" he said. "Except Gandalf, of course. I think they must be related. My dear ass, your pack is lying by your bed, and you had it on your back when I met you. He saw it all the time, of course. And anyway I have some stuff of my own. Come on now! Longbottom Leaf it is. Fill up while I run and see about some food. And then let's be easy for a bit. Dear me! We Tooks and Brandybucks, we can't live long on the heights."
"No," said Merry. "I can't. Not yet, at any rate. But at least, Pippin, we can now see them, and honour them. It is best to love first what you are fitted to love, I suppose: you must start somewhere and have some roots, and the soil of the Shire is deep. Still there are things deeper and higher; and not a gaffer could tend his garden in what he calls peace but for them, whether he knows about them or not. I am glad that I know about them, a little. But I don't know why I am talking like this. Where is that leaf? And get my pipe out of my pack, if it isn't broken."

Aragorn and Gandalf went now to the Information Desk to have a talk with the orderly, and they counselled him that Faramir and Éowyn should remain there and still be tended with care for many days.
"The Lady Éowyn," said Aragorn, "will wish soon to rise and depart; but she should not be permitted to do so, if you can in any way restrain her, until at least ten days be passed."
"As for Faramir," said Gandalf, "he must soon learn that his father is dead. But the full tale of the madness of Denethor should not be told to him, until he is quite healed and has duties to do. See that Beregond and the perian who were present do not speak to him of these things yet!"

And the other perian Meriadoc who is under my care, what of him?" said the orderly.
"It is likely that he will be fit to arise tomorrow, for a short while," said Aragorn. "Let him do so, if he wishes. He may walk a little in the care of his friends."
"They are a remarkable race," said the Warden, nodding his head. "Very tough in the fibre, I deem."

At the entrance of the ER many were already gathered to see Aragorn, and they followed after him; and when at last he had supped, men came and prayed that he would heal their kinsmen or their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt or wound, or who lay under the influence of the Bad Breath . And Aragorn arose and went out, and he sent for the sons of Elrond, and together they laboured far into the night. And word went through the City: "The King is come again indeed." And they named him Elfstone, because of the green stone that he wore, and so the name which it was foretold at his birth that he should bear was chosen for him by his own people.

And when he could labour no more, he cast his cloak about him, and slipped out of the City, and went to his tent just ere dawn and slept for a little. And in the morning the banner of Dol Amroth, a white ship like a swan upon blue water, floated from the Tower, and men looked up and wondered if the coming of the King had been but a dream.

[Grey_Wolf]

Book 5.9: The Last Debate

Legless and Gimli was up early the morning after the battle, and asked leave to go up in the City to see Merry, who was still in his ward in the 3rd Level ER resting after his treatment, and Pippin who was with him.

"It's good to know they're alive after the long and arduous journey through Rohan and I wouldn't have such an effort wasted." said Gimli.

Together the Elf and the Dwarf entered Minas Tirith, and folk that saw them pass marvelled to see such companions; for Legolas was fair of face beyond the measure of Men, and he sang an elven-song in a clear voice as he walked in the morning; but Gimli stalked beside him, stroking his beard and staring about him.

[Grey_Wolf]

"There is some good stone-work here," he said as he looked at the walls; "but also some that is less good, and the streets could be better contrived. When Aragorn comes into his own, I shall offer him the service of stonewrights of the Mountain, and we will make this a town to be proud of."
"They need more gardens," said Legolas. "The houses are dead, and there is too little here that grows and is glad. If Aragorn comes into his own, the people of the Wood shall bring him birds that sing and trees that do not die."

[Grey_Wolf]

Soon they arrived at the entrance of the Third Level ER where Prince Imrahil stood, leaning against the wall, having quiet smoke, it not being allowed inside.

[Grey_Wolf]

Legless immediately saw that this man was of elven descent.

"Hail, lord!" he said. "It is long since the people of Nimrodel left the woodlands of Lórien, and yet still one may see that not all sailed from Amroth's haven west over water."

"So it is said in the lore of my land," said the Prince; "yet never has one of the fair folk been seen there for years beyond count. And I marvel to see one here now in the midst of sorrow and war. What do you seek?"

"I am one of the Nine Homies who set out with Mithrandir from Imladris." said Legolas." and with this Dwarf, my friend, I came with the Lord Aragorn. But now we wish to see our friends. Meriadoc and Peregrin, who are in your keeping, we are told."

[Grey_Wolf]

"They're in the rearmost ward of this ER. Follow me."

"It is enough if you let a orderly guide us to the ward." said Legolas.

At that moment Imrahil's cell phone beeped."Oh, well, it seems that I'm needed on the field. Aragorn does not wish to enter the City again in disguise. There needs to be a meeting with the captains and he wishes that I and Eomer come down to his encampment by the walls. Gandalf is already there."

"Well goodbye for now, Lord Imrahil. Until our next meeting." Legolas and Gimli said.

"That is a fair lord and a great captain of men," said Legolas. "If Gondor has such men still in these days of fading, great must have been its glory in the days of its rising."

And after that they continued their discussion about the doings of men.

"And doubtless the good stone-work is the older and was wrought in the first building," said Gimli. "It is ever so with the things that Men begin: there is a frost in Spring, or a blight in Summer, and they fail of their promise."
"Yet seldom do they fail of their seed," said Legolas. "And that will lie in the dust and rot to spring up again in times and places unlooked-for. The deeds of Men will outlast us, Gimli."
"And yet come to naught in the end but might-have-beens, I guess," said the Dwarf.
"To that the Elves know not the answer," said Legolas.

[Grey_Wolf]

And thus there came an orderly to escort the two to their friends recuperating in the rearmost ward.

[Grey_Wolf]

And this was a merry meeting. For a while they sat and talked, rejoicing for a brief space. Then when Merry became weary, they went and sat upon the wall; and away southward before them was the Anduin glittering in the sun, as it flowed away, out of the sight even of Legolas, into the wide flats and green haze of Lebennin and South Ithilien.

[Grey_Wolf]

And now Legolas fell silent, while the others talked, and he looked out against the sun, and as he gazed he saw white sea-birds beating up the River.
"Look!" he cried. "Gulls! They are flying far inland. A wonder they are to me and a trouble to my heart. Never in all my life had I met them, until we came to Pelargir, and there I heard them crying in the air as we rode to the battle of the ships. Then I stood still, forgetting war in Middle-earth; for their wailing voices spoke to me of the Sea. The Sea! Alas! I have not yet beheld it. But deep in the hearts of all my kindred lies the sea-longing, which it is perilous to stir. Alas! for the gulls. No peace shall I have again under beech or under elm."

"Say not so!" said Gimli. "There are countless things still to see in Middle-earth, and great works to do. But if all the fair folk take to the Havens, it will be a duller world for those who are doomed to stay."

[Grey_Wolf]

"Don't be so gloomy!" cried Pippin. "The Sun is shining, and here we are together for a day or two at least. I want to hear more about you all. Come, Gimli! You and Legolas have mentioned your strange journey with Strider about a dozen times already this morning. But you haven't told me anything about it."
"The Sun may shine here," said Gimli, "but there are memories of that road that I do not wish to recall out of the darkness. Had I known what was before me, I think that not for any friendship would I have taken the Paths of the Dead."

"The Paths of the Dead?" said Pippin. "I heard Aragorn say that and I wondered what he could mean. Won't you tell us some more?"
"Not willingly," said Gimli. "For upon that road I was put to shame: Gimli Glóin's son, who had deemed himself more tough than Men, and hardier under earth than any Elf. But neither did I prove; and I was held to the road only by the will of Aragorn."

"And by the love of him also," said Legolas. "For all those who come to know him come to love him after his own fashion, even the cold Biker Chick Bride of the Rohirrim. It was at early morn of the day ere you came there, Merry, that we left Dunharrow, and such a fear was on all the folk that none would look on our going, save the Lady Éowyn, who lies now hurt in the ER behind us. There was grief at that parting, and I was grieved to behold it."
"Alas! I had heart only for myself," said Gimli. "Nay! I will not speak of that journey."

[Grey_Wolf]

"Well, I will." said Legless. Swiftly he told them of the passage through the ancient mall of the "Dead". How even though the shops had been closed for centuries they appeared to be kept clean and just about to open for business.

"The oathbreaking caretakers of the Mall of the Dead followed us all through the long tunnels until we reached the ancient Parking lot on the other side of the Mall. And Aragorn spoke to the Oathbreakers, and said onto them "Why have ye come?" and they answered "We have come to forfil our oath and find peace."

[Grey_Wolf]

"Four nights and into the fifth we drove from the Parking lot of the Dead Mall." he said."And lo! in the darkness of Mordor my hope rose; for in that gloom the Shadow Mallkeeper Host seemed to grow stronger and more terrible to look upon. Some I saw riding dirtbikes, some driving ancient hummers and some were plain infantry, yet all moving with the same great speed. Silent they were, but there was a gleam in their eyes. In the uplands of Lamedon they overtook our vehicles, and swept round us, and would have passed us by, if Aragorn had not forbidden them. At his command they fell back. 'Even the shades of Men are obedient to his will'. I thought.'They may serve his needs yet!'"

"One day of light we drove, and then came the day without dawn, and still we drove on, and Ciril and Ringló we crossed; and on the third day we came to Linhir above the mouth of Gilrain. And there mechanized forces of Lamedon contested the fords with mercenary marine infantry of Umbar and Harad who had sailed up the river. But defenders and foes alike gave up the battle and fled when we came, crying out that the Head Shopkeeper of the Dead was upon them. Only Angbor, Lord of Lamedon, had the heart to abide us; and Aragorn bade him gather his folk and come behind, if they dared, when the Grey Merchant Army had passed.

" "At Pelargir the Heir of Isildur will have need of you," he said.
"Thus we crossed over Gilrain, driving the allies of Mordor in rout before us; and then we rested a while. But soon Aragorn arose, saying: "Lo! already Minas Tirith is assailed. I fear that it will fall ere we come to its aid." So we got into our vehicles again before night had passed and went on driving hard over the plains of Lebennin."

[Grey_Wolf]

Legolas paused and sighed, and turning his eyes southward softly he sang:

Silver flow the streams from Celos to Erui
In the green fields of Lebennin!
Tall grows the grass there. In the wind from the Sea
The white lilies sway,
And the golden bells are shaken of mallos and alfirin
In the green fields of Lebennin,
In the wind from the Sea!

"Green are those fields in the songs of my people; but they were dark then, grey wastes in the blackness before us. And over the wide land, trampling unheeded the grass and the flowers, we hunted our foes through a day and a night, until we came at the bitter end to the Great River at last.
"Then I thought in my heart that we drew near to the Sea; for wide was the water in the darkness, and sea-birds innumerable cried on its, shores. Alas for the wailing of the gulls! Did not the Lady tell me to beware of them? And now I cannot forget them."
"For my part I heeded them not," said Gimli; "for we came then at last upon battle in earnest. There at Pelargir lay the main fleet of Umbar, fifty great ships and smaller vessels beyond count. Many of those that we pursued had reached the havens before us, and brought their fear with them; and some of the trawlers had put off, seeking to escape down the River or to reach the far shore; and many of the smaller craft were ablaze. But the Haradrim, being now driven to the brink, turned at bay, and they were fierce in despair; and they laughed when they looked on us, for they were a great army still.
"But Aragorn halted and cried with a great voice: "Now come! By the Black Stone I call you! " And suddenly the Shadow Host of the Mall that had hung back at the last came up like a grey tide, sweeping all away before it. Faint cries I heard, and dim horns blowing, and a murmur as of countless far voices: it was like the echo of some forgotten battle in the Dark Years long ago. Pale m-16's were shouldered; but I know not whether their bullets would still bite, for the Dead needed no longer any weapon but fear. None would withstand them.
"To every trawler they came that was drawn up, and then they passed over the water to those that were anchored; and all the mariners were filled with a madness of terror and leaped overboard, save the slaves kept in the holds of the ships. Reckless we drove among our fleeing foes, pushing them like leaves, until we came to the shore. And then to each of the great trawlers that remained Aragorn sent one of the Dúnedain, and they comforted the captives that were aboard, and bade them put aside fear and be free.
"Ere that dark day ended none of the enemy were left to resist us all were drowned, or were flying south in the hope to find their own lands upon foot. Strange and wonderful I thought it that the designs of Mordor should be overthrown by such wraiths of fear and darkness. With its own weapons was it worsted!"
"Strange indeed," said Legolas. "In that hour I looked on Aragorn and thought how great and terrible a Lord he might have become in the strength of his will, had he taken the Package to himself. Not for naught does Mordor fear him. But nobler is his spirit than the understanding of Sauron; for is he not of the children of Lúthien? Never shall that line fail, though the years may lengthen beyond count."
"Beyond the eyes of the Dwarves are such foretellings," said Gimli. "But mighty indeed was Aragorn that day. Lo! all the black fishing fleet was in his hands; and he chose the greatest trawler to be his own, and he went up into it. Then he let sound the fog horn of the ship ; and the Shadow Host of the Mall withdrew to the shore. There they stood silent, hardly to be seen, save for a red gleam in their eyes that caught the glare of the trawlers that were burning. And Aragorn spoke in a loud voice to the Dead Men, crying:
" "Hear now the words of the Heir of Isildur! Your oath is fulfilled. Go back and trouble not the valleys ever again! Depart and be at rest! "
"And thereupon the Head Merchant of the Dead Mall stood out before the host and broke his assault rifle and cast it down. Then he bowed low and turned away; and swiftly the whole grey host drew off and vanished like a mist that is driven back by a sudden wind; and it seemed to me that I awoke from a dream.
"That night we rested while others laboured. For there were many captives set free, and many slaves released who had been folk of Gondor taken in raids; and soon also there was a great gathering of men out of Lebennin and the Ethir, and Angbor of Lamedon came up with all the forces that he could muster. Now that the fear of the Dead was removed they came to aid us and to look on the Heir of Isildur; for the rumour of that name had run like fire in the dark.
"And that is near the end of our tale. For during that evening and night many trawlers were made ready and manned; and in the morning the fleet set forth. Long past it now seems, yet it was but the morn of the day ere yesterday, the sixth since we drove from Dunharrow. But still Aragorn was driven by fear that time was too short.
" "It is forty leagues and two from Pelargir to the landings at the Harlond," he said. "Yet to the Harlond we must come tomorrow or fail utterly."
"The engines of the trawlers were now handled by free men, and manfully they laboured; yet slowly we passed up the Great River, for we strove against its stream, and though that is not swift down in the South. Heavy would my heart have been, for all our victory at the havens, if Legolas had not laughed suddenly.
" "Up with your beard, Durin's son! " he said. "For thus is it spoken: Oft hope is born, when all is forlorn." But what hope he saw from afar he would not tell. When night came it did but deepen the darkness, and our hearts were hot, for away in the North we saw a red glow under the cloud, and Aragorn said: "Minas Tirith is burning."
"But at midnight hope was indeed born anew. Sea-crafty men of the Ethir gazing southward spoke of a change coming with a fresh wind from the Sea. Long ere day the trawlers had a helping following wind; and our speed grew, until dawn whitened the foam at our prows. And so it was, as you know, that we came in the third hour of the morning with a fair wind and the Sun unveiled, and we unfurled the great standard in battle. It was a great day and a great hour, whatever may come after."
"Follow what may, great deeds are not lessened in worth," said Legolas. "Great deed was the riding of the Mall of the Dead, and great it shall remain, though none be left in Gondor to sing of it in the days that are to come."
"And that may well befall," said Gimli. "For the faces of Aragorn and Gandalf are grave. Much I wonder what counsels they are taking in the tents there below. For my part, like Merry, I wish that with our victory the war was now over. Yet whatever is still to do, I hope to have a part in it, for the honour of the folk of the Lonely Skyscraper."
"And I for the folk of the Great Wood," said Legolas, "and for the love of the Lord of the White Tree."

Then the companions fell silent, but a while they sat there in the high place, each busy with his own thoughts, while the Captains debated.

[Thain Peregrin Took I]

"Aw, man!" Pippin said. "All the shops were closed there? That's so not fair! I love shopping, don't you?"
Everyone stared at him like he was weird.
"Come on, I was just kidding."
"I should hope so!" cried Aragorn.
"Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll give Merry a little visit."
"Go right ahead."
So, Pippin walked over to the Third Level Emergency Room and went over to Merry.
"Guess what, I found at the bottom of your bag, Merry?" said Pippin. "The last of the questionably shaped carrots!"
Merry started at him. "And I care because?"
"Gandalf loved these things. So, I thought maybe he would like to know that we still have one left."
"Okay. Then why are you telling me?"
Pippin went quiet and looked around awkwardly. "Umm... no reason."

[Grey_Wolf]

When the Prince Imrahil had parted from Legolas and Gimli, at once he sent for Éomer; and he went down with him from the City, and they came to the tents of Aragorn that were set up on the field not far from the place where King Théoden had fallen. And there they took counsel together with Gandalf and Aragorn and the sons of Elrond.

[Grey_Wolf]

"My lords," said Gandalf, "listen to the words of the Chief Architect of Gondor before he died: You may triumph on the fields of the Pelennor for a day, but against the Power that has now arisen there is no victory. I do not bid you despair, as he did, but to ponder the truth in these words.
"The Palanitir Datapads do not lie, and not even the Lord of Barad-dûr can make them do so. He can, maybe, by his will choose what things shall be seen by weaker minds, or cause them to mistake the meaning of what they see. Nonetheless it cannot be doubted that when Denethor saw great forces arrayed against him in Mordor, and more still being gathered, he saw that which truly is.
"Hardly has our strength sufficed to beat off the first great assault. The next will be greater. This war then is without final hope, as Denethor perceived. Victory cannot be achieved by arms, whether you sit here to endure siege after siege, or march out to be overwhelmed beyond the River. You have only a choice of evils; and prudence would counsel you to strengthen such strong places as you have, and there await the onset; for so shall the time before your end be made a little longer."

[Grey_Wolf]

"Then you would have us retreat to Minas Tirith, or Dol Amroth, or to Dunharrow, and there sit like children on sand-castles when the tide is flowing?" said Imrahil.
"That would be no new counsel," said Gandalf. "Have you not done this and little more in all the days of Denethor? But no! I said this would be prudent. I do not counsel prudence. I said victory could not be achieved by arms. I still hope for victory, but not by arms. For into the midst of all these policies comes the Package of Power, the foundation of Barad-dûr, and the hope of Sauron."