Banished

"How far will we ride tonight, Gandalf?" asked Luna.

"We will ride for a few hours, gently, until we come to the end of this valley. Tomorrow we must ride faster though," answered the old wizard.

"What's the plan now?" asked Harry, nudging Haldad to keep up next to Shadowfax.

"Messengers have gone ahead to Helm's Deep," Luna pulled out a map of Middle-Earth referencing and showing Harry as Gandalf spoke, "to warn them of the King's return tomorrow. He will ride from there with many men to Dunharrow by paths among the hills. From now on, no more than two or three together are to go openly over land, by day or night, when it can be avoided."

"Your desire for secrecy is great," stated Harry.

"Yes, we have merely won the first battle, and that only increases our danger. There was some link between Isengard and Mordor, which I have not yet understood. How they exchanged news I am not sure; but they did so. The Eye of the Enemy was looking impatiently towards Orthanc and toward Rohan. The less it sees the better," explained Gandalf in a concerned tone.

"I can allay your wonderings already Gandalf," said Harry darkly.

"Oh."

"The glass orb that Wormtongue threw at us, have you looked at it? Do you know what it is?" asked Harry.

"No, I have not had the opportunity. My mind has been elsewhere, especially since the dealing with Saruman," answered Gandalf sheepishly.

"When I caught it and held it for the briefest of moments I had a terrible vision from it, only now when you referred to the Eye of the Enemy do I understand it. The vision I had was the most fearsome, and terrifying one I have ever felt, and coming from me, that's saying something. It was of a huge eye, lidless, wreathed in flame, initially I thought it was a wheel of fire," Harry shuddered.

Gandalf did not reply, he looked almost startled for a moment: "I shall think on it, and from what you say Harold, I had best hurry. Peril is closing in on us, I can feel it."

The road passed slowly, winding down the valley. Night came down from the mountains. All the mists were gone. A chill wind blew. The waxing round moon filled the eastern sky with a pale cold sheen. The shoulders of the mountain to their right sloped down to bare hills. The wide plains opened gray before them.

Then the Company turned aside, leaving the Highway and taking the sweet upland turf again. Going westward a mile they came to a dale. It opened southward, leaning back into the slope of round Dol Baran, the last hill of the northern ranges. The sides of the glen were covered in tight curled fronds of spring, which were thrusting through the sweet-scented earth. This is where they halted. A fire was lit in a hollow, down among the roots of spreading an old hawthorn tree. Guards were set, two at a watch. The rest wrapped themselves in a cloak and blanket and slept after they had eaten.

Harry lay down and wrapped Luna in his arms, as she in turn wrapped the blankets around them. She snuggled into him and sighed contentedly.

"Good night," murmured Harry softly and they kissed briefly before he let sleep take him.

*

A piercing cry that rent the air startled Harry out of his sleep. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Guards leap down from the banks, running to whatever threat they perceived. He gently shook Luna awake.

"What's the matter?" she asked sleepily.

"Something's wrong," was all he could answer, "We should see what it is."

Luna sighed dreamily and claimed his mouth for a passionate kiss first.

"Now we can see," she stated as they both untangled themselves from each other and stood with staff's at the ready.

At the corner of the dale, near some bracken a small crowd was gathering. Harry clasped Luna's hand in his own and they walked over to the scene of the commotion. One of the hobbits, Pippin, was lying on his back, rigid, staring up at the sky with unseeing eyes. Near his hands lay the glass orb that was flung from Orthanc. Gandalf was kneeling next to the hobbit and threw a cloak to cover the orb.

"So this is the thief," said Gandalf, "but you Pippin! This is a grievous turn of things. What mischief has he done - to himself and all of us?"

"Has he looked into the orb?" asked Harry incredulously.

"It appears so," murmured Gandalf. The old wizard took Pippin's hand and bent over his face, listening for breath, then he laid his hands upon his brow. The hobbit shuddered. He suddenly cried out; and sat up, staring in bewilderment at all the faces round him.

"It is not for you Saruman!" cried the hobbit in a shrill voice that made Harry cringe. "I will send for it at once. Do you understand? Say just that!"

The hobbit struggled to stand up and escape, but Gandalf held him gently and firmly down.

"Peregrin Took!" shouted Gandalf, "come back!"

The hobbit relaxed and fell back, clinging to the old wizard's hand.

"Gandalf! Forgive me!" cried Pippin, cringing to the ground in shame.

"Forgive you? Tell me first what you have done?" said the old wizard.

"I took the ball and looked at it," stammered Pippin, "and I saw things that frightened me. And I wanted to go away, but I couldn't. And then he came and questioned me; and looked at me, and, and, that is all I remember."

"That won't do," said Harry sternly, "what did you see, and what did you say?"

Pippin shut his eyes and shivered, but said nothing. Harry loathed doing this but imbued his voice with a full-blown Imperious Curse. "Speak!" ordered Harry. In a hesitating voice Pippin started to answer.

"I saw a dark sky and tall battlements and tiny stars. It seemed very far away and long ago, yet hard and clear. Then the stars went in and out - things with wings cut them off. Very big; but in the glass they looked like bats wheeling around the tower. There were nine of them. One flew straight towards me. I tried to get away, because I thought it would fly out; but when it had covered the entire globe, it disappeared. Then he came. He did not speak. He just looked and I understood," reported Pippin in a wavering voice.

" 'So you have come back? Why have you neglected to report for so long.'"

"I did not answer. He said: 'Who are you?' I still did not answer, but it hurt me horribly; and he pressed me, so I said: 'A hobbit.'"

"Then suddenly he seemed to see me, and he laughed at me. It was cruel. It was like being stabbed with knives. I struggled. But he said: 'wait a moment! We shall meet again soon. Tell Saruman that this dainty is not for him. I shall send for it at once. Do you understand? Say just that.'"

"Then he gloated over me. I felt I was falling to pieces. No, no! I can't say anymore. I don't remember anything else."

With a sigh Harry cancelled the Curse and turned to Gandalf. All three mages exchanged dark significant looks.

"Look at me!" said Gandalf to Pippin. The hobbit looked straight into Gandalf's eyes and the gaze was held for a moment. The old wizard's face grew gentler and a smile appeared.

"All right," said Gandalf, "there is no lie in your eyes. But he did not speak long with you. A fool, but an honest fool, you remain, Peregrin Took. Wiser ones might have done worse. But remember, you and your friends have been saved by good fortune. You cannot count on that a second time. If he had questioned you purposefully, you would have told all that you know, to the ruin of us all. He did not want information only, he wanted you, quickly, so he could deal with you in the Dark Tower, slowly."

Pippin shuddered at the thought.

"Don't shudder," said Luna, "if you will meddle in the affairs of wizards, you must be prepared to think of such things."

"Don't worry Pippin, I forgive you. Things have not turned out as evilly as they might have," said Gandalf. The wizard lifted the hobbit gently and carried him back to his bed. Merry followed and sat down beside him. Gandalf laughed: "If you feel an itch in your palms again, tell me of it. Such things can be cured. But anyway, my dear hobbit, don't put a lump of rock under my elbow again!"

*

With that Gandalf, Harry and Luna returned to the others, who were still standing around the covered Orthanc-stone in troubled thought.

"Peril comes when it is least expected, we have had a narrow escape," said Gandalf.

"How is Pippin?" asked Aragorn

"He will be all right, he was not held long under Sauron's gaze and he has amazing powers of recovery. The horror of it will fade quickly," said Gandalf, "too quickly perhaps. Will you Aragorn take the Orthanc stone and guard it? It is perilous."

"Dangerous yes, but not to all. There is one who might claim its possession and use by right. For this orb is definitely the palantir of Orthanc from the treasury of Elendil, set here by the Kings of Gondor. I will take it," declared Aragorn.

Harry frowned at the Ranger. Aragorn was therefore implying that he was a King, or at least an heir to the throne of Gondor. He wondered why Aragorn was not hailed as such. Theoden called him a Lord of sorts. In this way, Aragorn was an interesting mystery of sorts.

Gandalf looked at Aragorn, and lifted the covered Stone, and bowed as he presented it.

"Receive it lord! But if I may counsel you, do not use it yet! Be careful!" said Gandalf.

"When have I been hasty or unwary, who have waited and prepared for so many long years?" asked Aragorn rhetorically.

"Gandalf speaks wisely Aragorn," said Luna, "I can feel the emanations from that thing, even though it is covered, evil will and malice pours from it, it can only be Sauron himself. A grave test you will face if you attempt to use it."

"Take Luna the Eye's counsel on this Aragorn," said Gandalf, "she is very familiar with such farseeing devices, but she does not need them, for she can achieve the same through using only her mind. At the very least keep this thing secret. Pippin above all should not know where it is kept. The evil fit may come on him again. He has handled it and looked in it as should never have happened. I curse myself for not guessing the nature of the Stone sooner, for I was too weary and my mind was bent on Saruman. Now I know."

"Yes, at last we know the link between Isengard and Mordor, and how it worked. Much is explained," stated Aragorn.

"Strange powers have our enemies, and strange weaknesses!" said Theoden

"Yes, but we have been strangely fortunate," frowned Gandalf, "perhaps I have been saved from an awful blunder by Pippin's mischief. I had considered probing the Stone myself to find its nature and uses. Had I done so I would have revealed myself to Sauron, and I am not ready for such a trial. But even if I had succeeded, all secrecy and surprise would be lost."

"Surely, that time has passed already, I think," said Aragorn.

"No, there remains a short while of doubt which we must use. The Enemy thought that the stone was in Orthanc when Pippin looked in it, and that he was a captive there, driven to look in the glass by the torment of Saruman," explained Gandalf, "Sauron's mind will be filled now with the voice and face of a hobbit and with expectation: it may take some time before he learns his error. We must use that time. We must move now. I will ride ahead at once with Pippin and my two kin."

"I will keep Eomer and ten Riders," said the king, "they shall ride with me at dawn. The rest may go with Aragorn and ride as soon as they have mind."

"As you wish," said Gandalf, "but make all the speed you can to the cover of the hills."

It was at that moment that Harry felt a familiar cold shivering feeling creeping up his back. He could hear the voices, soft at first and then louder, his mother pleading for Voldemort to spare him. He could hear the last duel his godfather fought. Harry knew there were no dementors, so it could be only one thing. He snarled in anger and raised his staff to the sky. The moonlight was suddenly cut off. Harry shut his mind with an Occlumency barrier and the effect of them was gone. Luna also raised her staff and her eyes were now fixed in concentration as she also repelled the effect from her mind.

Several riders cried out and crouched, holding their arms above their heads as if warding off a blow from above: a blind fear and a deadly cold fell on them.

Harry saw a vast wing shape pass over the moon like a black cloud as it swooped over their position. He focused.

"Expecto Patronum!" cried both Harry and Luna. A huge silvery stag erupted from his staff and charged upward into the sky, in its wake trailed an iridescent raven.

"Nazgul!" shouted Gandalf, "the messenger of Mordor. The storm is coming. The Nazgul have crossed the River! Ride, ride! Do not wait for dawn! Ride!"

The Patronuses charged down the foul winged Nazgul and started to herd and repel it away from them, Harry's stag crashed with antlers first into the Black Rider and it screamed in agony. Meanwhile Harry and Luna were already mounted on Haldad as Gandalf mounted Shadowfax, carrying Pippin in his arms.

"You shall come with me this time," said Gandalf to the startled hobbit, "Shadowfax shall show you his paces."

Everyone was scurrying about, mounting horses and hastily stuffing their sleeping bags back in saddle.

"Come my friends, we have a long way to ride," said Gandalf, "Away, Shadowfax!"

The great horse tossed his head. His flowing tail flickered in the moonlight. Then he leapt forward, spurning the earth, and was gone like the north wind from the mountains, Haldad following in his wake.

*

Over the plains Shadowfax and Haldad was flying. It was obvious that Shadowfax was the faster horse, but the great horse paced himself for his kin, allowing Haldad to run next to him. Less than an hour had passed, and they had reached the Fords of Isen and crossed them.

"That's odd," exclaimed Luna over the noise of the rushing wind passing them as the two horses galloped alongside.

"What is that?" asked Harry tightening his hands on the reigns.

"Gandalf is riding bareback," she said incredulously.

"Yes, he told me Shadowfax will have no harness. You do not ride Shadowfax: he is willing to carry you or not. If he is willing it's enough. It's then his business to see that you remain on his back, unless you jump off into the air," chuckled Harry.

"That palantir intrigues me," confessed Luna in a faraway voice.

"I guessed that it would, I must admit that it's also quite fascinating, to imbue the gift of farsight and telepathy in any device is amazing, and dangerous in the wrong hands of course," sighed Harry.

"But how can Sauron converse with it, does he have such gifts as well?" asked Luna.

"I doubt it, but Gandalf told me that the stone that Aragorn now claims and keeps is but one of seven similar stones. Through the use of the stones, the realm of Gondor was long united and guarded, as they were placed at all the corners of the realm. The ruling stone was in Osgilliath. But Gandalf says the wizard council has not had time to consider what happened to the stones of Gondor during the ruinous wars it fought long ago. It seems certain therefore that Sauron must have one of them, the Minas Ithil stone most likely," explained Harry.

"So Saruman kept the fact that he had a stone from the rest of the council, and most likely used it himself to peer across Middle-Earth. And it proved his ruin, if Sauron had a stone as well, he would have captured Saruman as he gazed into Mordor. Saruman fell into Sauron's deceptions and spells," Luna sighed and shook her head.

"The appearance of a Nazgul also worries me," said Harry, "its logical to assume that Saruman was forced to report of events at Helm's Deep as he perceived them, but I highly doubt that the traitor could have kept his mind closed to Sauron. It was rather easy for me to Legilimence into Saruman's mind in the battle. I think it's safe to assume that Sauron knows I am here as a result. The appearance of an unknown wizard must be very intriguing and worrying to Sauron."

"I would have thought we would still have surprise up our sleeves, it is something valuable to have lost," said Luna.

"On the contrary, I think it is good that Sauron knows I am here," smiled Harry.

"What!?"

"Yes, our job Luna, and Gandalf's and Aragorn's and every single Rohirrim and Gondorians, is to keep the roving eye of Sauron turned outward and away from his own land of Mordor, to keep him busy. Every day the Ringbearer Frodo draws closer to Mordor, Sauron must believe his peril to come from afar, to allow his true danger to slip right under his nose," explained Harry.

"I see, Ron would be proud of this strategy," smirked Luna.

"Indeed he would, still," said Harry, "I wonder what will happen to Saruman, that Nazgul was but a messenger to see what was happening at Isengard. And now that the traitor cannot answer his summons from the stone, Sauron will send another Black Rider to see why. They will both see Isengard in ruins but Orthanc in tact. Saruman appears a rebel now even if he tells them the truth, they will think he is keeping the hobbit Pippin and refusing to let him go, Sauron still thinks Pippin has the Ring."

"I do not hold much hope for Saruman's life in that case, but Orthanc looks pretty impenetrable even to a wizard, so I doubt a Nazgul can do much to him if he barricades himself in. He may even try to kill them," opinioned Luna.

"Gandalf!" cried Harry, "where exactly are we going?"

"To Minas Tirith, my dear Harold, before the seas of war surround it," said Gandalf.

"How far?" asked Harry.

"Three hundred and fifty miles by land," came the answer.

"That is very far," said Luna dreamily, with a trace of irony.

"We shall ride now till daybreak, and that is some hours away, Then even Shadowfax must rest, in some hollow of the hills: at Edoras I hope. Sleep, if you can, Luna the Eye! You may see the first glimmer of dawn upon the golden roof of the house of Eorl. And in two days you shall see the purple shadow of Mount Mindolluin and the walls of the tower of Denethor white in the morning," said Gandalf.

"Away now, Shadowfax! Run, greatheart, run as you have never run before! Run now! Hope is in speed!"

The two horses neighed in answer and sprang forward.

*

For Harry the journey this night came at a terrible speed without a halt. He envied Luna in her sleep, in between his arms, because his back was seriously starting to protest from the long period of seating. Even though Haldad kept the ride as smooth as possible, Harry had eventually decided to put a Cushioning Charm on the saddle and on his chest, to give Luna some comfort.

Harry was a person who could definitely say he was used to frighteningly high speeds, thanks to his Firebolt broomstick, but he had never spent so long on it. A horse was much slower than a broomstick, but the proximity of the ground totally changed the experience. By the dawn, Harry was sure he would spew his stomach soon at the queasy feelings he was getting from it.

As the light of day touched Middle-Earth the three travelers approached Edoras, the house of Eorl, where the King Theoden made his residence.

At last Gandalf called a halt and both horses slowly came to a stop. Luna awoke contently and Harry hugged her tightly. He gave her a brief chaste kiss.

"Good morning," she murmured and looked forward again, "are we there?"

"Look," instructed the Gandalf.

Harry lifted his tired eyes and before him stood the mountains of the South: white-tipped and streaked with black. The grasslands rolled against the hills that clustered at their feet, and flowed up into many valleys still dim and dark, untouched by the light of dawn, winding their way into the heart of the great mountains. Immediately before him the widest of these glens opened like a long gulf among the hills. Far inward they glimpsed a tumbled mountain mass with one tall peak, at the mouth of the vale there stood like a sentinel a lonely height. At its feet flowed, like a thread of silver, a stream that originated from the dale; upon its peak still far away he saw a glimmer of gold.

Around the green hill, a dike and mighty wall and thorny fence encircled it. Within it there were the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there stood a great hall. As they drew nearer, Harry could see that it was the hall's roof that was thatched with gold. The light glittered far over the land.

"A beautiful place it is," said Luna.

"This place could not withstand an attack of any sort, yet the Rohan's flat plains are the Rohirrim's kingdom and city, I suppose. The lay of the land is in its favor though," said Harry.

"Indeed Harold, but if cities and streets are more to your liking than open sky, then have but patience, Minas Tirith is a great city of Men, that gleams as white as pearl in the sun," said Gandalf.

They urged the two horses forward at a more leisurely pace and eventually reached the gate of Edoras, where guards parted the doors for them. Harry followed Gandalf's lead in stabling the horses, but there was no shortage of labor and men at Edoras. The King's summons had by now reached far into the Kingdom of Rohan and able bodied and fighting men arrived by the hour from all corners, bringing their horses.

Harry left Haldad with an eager stable boy who had accompanied his father from the far western reaches of Rohan.

Gandalf led them to the doors of the great hall. The people were staring in wonder at the three mages and halfling as lore and legend that sprang to life out of the poems and the songs of old.

Guards on either side of the doors swung them slowly inwards, and they grumbled on their great hinges. Inside it seemed dark and warm after the clear air upon the hill. The hall was long and wide and filled with shadows and half-lights; huge pillars upheld its superior roof. Here and there bright sunbeams fell in glimmering shafts from the eastern windows, high under the deep attic.

Through the louver in the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing smoke, the sky showed pale and blue. As Harry's eyes grew accustomed to the level of light, he perceived that the floor was paved with stones of many tints; branching runes and strange devices intertwined beneath their feet. He saw now that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and half-seen colors. Many woven cloths were hung upon the walls, and on them were embroidered figures of ancient legend, some were dim with age, other was new as if sown just yesterday. One cloth was mounted in prominence and sunlight fell on it: a young man upon a white horse. He was blowing a great horn, and his yellow hair was flying in the wind. The horse's head was lifted, and its nostrils were wide and red as it neighed, smelling battle afar. Foaming water, green and white, rushed and curled about its knees.

"Behold Eorl the Young!" said Gandalf, "thus he rode out of the North to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant."

Gandalf led them from the hall interior into an adjoining corridor with doors on either side. He gestured to the nearest door and it opened slowly.

"Take rest here Harold, be ready to ride at twilight," said Gandalf and nodded at them both and walked back to the hall. Luna who warded the door behind them helped Harry inside. The room was adequate, a double bed of the fashion of Middle-Earth was the most prominent feature; it had all sorts of animal skins and cloths for covers and there were actually puffy pillows at the head. The high window provided ample light and air circulation while maintaining privacy. The walls were adorned with the same finery present in the main hall as well.

Harry could not do much at the moment; he was as tired as Haldad. He stood at the foot of the bed his head hung down, chin on his chest. Luna sighed exasperatedly at him and took his staff and placed it next to hers at the head of the bed. It was then that she started her favorite personal hobby, undressing Harry. She unclasped his cloak and let it drop to the floor. Next came the robe's fastenings. By the time she was about to drop his drawers he could no longer pretend to be a manikin. He opened his eyes and held her gaze, which was mischievous and dark with desire.

"Luna," he half-moaned and complained, "I am a red-blooded male, but even at the promise of becoming one with you, I still need my sleep."

She had a feral grin: "Oh, you'll sleep, but don't expect mercy when you wake."

Harry could not muster the energy to play along as she started to divest herself of her own clothes. The sight of her beautiful naked frame would have wiped the tiredness from his bones in an instant on any other day but this was not such a day. She stepped forward and removed his boxers and led him into bed, where she spooned behind him and pulled the coverings over them. Her arms snaked around him and her hands settled on his very sensitive lower abdomen. Luna pressed herself fully against him, the feel of so much skin on skin made him flinch.

It took a long while to relax as he finally managed to slip into a restful slumber.

*

Harry awoke groggily the next morning. The first of his senses to register anything was his hearing. He could hear the sounds of many horses and people in the bustle of preparing for facing another day. It reminded him that they still had a long journey ahead of themselves. He opened his eyes and chuckled at what he saw.

Luna was wide-awake and staring at him with her head leaning on her bent arm. Her eyes held a dark burning passion, and he was sure that his eyes were mirroring the expression. It was then that Harry felt an explosion of desire within him. He reached out and pulled her close in a fierce hug and they shared a soul-searing kiss in which their tongues tried to swap places.

In the embrace he started to caress her back. They both moaned at the sheer delight of the experience they were giving each other. Harry broke the kiss for some much needed air and started to move his lips to just below her left ear, a spot that he knew was extremely sensitive. Luna herself was by no means a passive participant; her hands caressed and fondled exactly where she knew his 'buttons' to be. Time had no meaning for them anymore, so it was an inestimable time later that Luna threw off the covers and crawled over him.

She took him with her hand and started to give him a thorough lesson with her mouth. A delirious Harry noted that she had purposefully placed her thighs over his head. He needed no further hints as he grabbed her buttocks with his hands and started to lavish her inner thighs with caresses, fondling and kissing. Harry blew softly into her most sensitive part and she had to pause in her own ministrations to gasp in pleasure. That was his cue as he let his tongue lavish her. Her breathing was becoming very heavy. She sat up and lowered her thighs to give him more access.

Harry was slowly being overwhelmed by the musky scent that was pervading his every sense. He stopped and slid out from underneath her. He wrapped her in his arms and lay down behind her in a spooning position. With his right arm he bent her right leg, allowing him to insinuate his own right leg between her legs. He paused at this point though. He softly turned her head to partially face him and locked eyes with the love of his life. She smiled at him, and he slowly thrust upwards and entered her.

"Oh Harry," she moaned. It was a bit awkward to kiss at this angle but that did not stop them. His right hand snaked over and fondled her breasts as he rhythmically continued thrusting. It did not take much of this before Luna cried out in the release of an orgasm, Harry himself was a moment away and about to pull out.

She must have had a sense what he was going to do and her arms shot backwards to latch on to him.

"No, I want you," she gasped. This sent his own passion soaring to a new level and he was in no position to deny her as his own orgasm followed and he felt himself pulse with the release inside her. Every muscle in his body strained and clutched to her desperately and his breathing was coming in heavy gasps. Harry and Luna did not move for a long time afterwards, since the feeling of their unity was simply such bliss that neither could fathom how they could separate from each other.

*

It was at midday that Harry and Luna emerged into the Golden Hall of Edoras. People were bustling everywhere, Captains were holding conference with their men and issuing orders, women were stocking provision.

"I should have brought the Hogwarts House-elf army with me, they could have had this campaign stocked in no time flat," murmured Luna.

"Indeed, just don't let Hermione hear you say that," chuckled Harry.

"Harold!" beckoned a female voice, which Harry recognized. She was standing near the King's throne and waved.

"Come, let me introduce you to a very dangerous woman," grinned Harry and linked his hand with Luna's as they walked across the Hall.

Lady Eowyn was dressed in a fair white gown, and her belt was tied loosely, accentuating her hips beautifully. Her long sword was also sheathed there. The sword was almost a replica of his own Rohan sword, which was sheathed around his waist as well. Luna had politely declined the offer of a sword, saying that she could not even hope to wield such a weapon, her staff was infinitely more dangerous anyway.

"Lady Eowyn, allow me to introduce my betrothed, Luna the Eye, she managed to find her way to follow me," stated Harry.

"It's truly an honor to meet you, Luna the Eye," Eowyn bowed her head slightly. Luna stepped forward, eyeing the Lady oddly with a smile, and hugged her. Eowyn was clearly surprised at the gesture.

"No, Lady Eowyn, the honor is mine, I see destiny has wrapped its cloak tight around you. Never resist the stirring of your heart and soul, Lady. Then you will surely pierce the heart of the Shadow," stated Luna in an absent voice and stepped back to Harry, where he embraced her from behind.

"Take heed of her words, Lady Eowyn, never has she let anyone astray with her Sight," said Harry seriously.

"I will surely do so," stated Eowyn nervously.

"But come, there is enough darkness to overwhelm us, so let us not brood on it," said Harry. They went over to a dining table and spoke for a long time. The conversation was primarily between Luna and Eowyn, as they were talking of the shared female experiences in both worlds. Harry offered the occasional input but was content to simply gaze at Luna while she talked.

Gandalf finally reappeared late in the afternoon with Pippin in tow and approached the comfortably talking group.

"Sorry to disturb," said Gandalf.

"Not at all Mithrandir, do you wish some refreshment?" asked Eowyn.

"Trouble not Lady, I have availed myself already, but thanks for the offer. The King and his company has returned and soon the Rohirrim will ride to the muster at Dunharrow. But I fear that my kin and I must be at Minas Tirith much sooner, if we are to avert disaster," said Gandalf.

"When do we leave?" asked Harry.

"As soon as possible, we must make all haste," replied Gandalf.

Harry and Luna stood grabbing their staffs and bade a swift farewell and apologies to the Lady and followed Gandalf to the stables. Haldad was waiting dutifully next to Shadowfax as the group of four mounted their rides.

"Shadowfax will show us the meaning of haste," stated Gandalf and beckoned the great horse forward with Haldad following close behind. The horses shot out of Edoras and turned along the eastward road and disappeared in the distance.

*

Harry squinted into the wind. It was night and the dark world was rushing by and the wind sang loudly in his ears. He could see nothing but the wheeling stars, and away to his right vast shadows against the sky where the mountains of the South marched past. Harry tried to reckon the times and stages of their journey, but his memory were uncertain.

There had been a first ride at terrible speed without a halt. They rode and rode in the night. This was the third night since Pippin had looked in the Palantir and prompted the whole journey in the first place.

Eventually a light was kindled in the sky, a blaze of yellow fire behind dark barriers. Harry rubbed his eyes and saw that it was the moon rising above the eastern shadows, now almost at the full. It made him wonder if there werewolves in Middle-Earth, which in turn moved his thoughts to his father's best friend Remus Lupin. Luna had told him that Remus had come out of the Battle of Little Hangleton with a nothing but a silver scar on his right arm, courtesy of Wormtail, but not before Remus had sent a Killing Curse at the traitorous rat. Harry could not help but feel the satisfaction of revenge, but immediately remonstrated himself for it.

So the night was not yet old and the dark journey would go on for hours yet.

"Where are we Gandalf?" asked Harry.

"We have now entered the realm of Gondor," the wizard answered, "the land of Anorien is passing us by."

There was silence again for a while. And then Harry spotted something far off in the distance atop the mountains. It was fire beacons, which were slowly being set alight in sequence.

"What is that?" cried Harry.

"The beacons of Gondor are alight, calling for aid. War is kindled. See there is the fire on Amon Din, and flame on Eilenach; and there they go speeding west: Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad, and the Halifirien on the borders of Rohan," answered Gandalf, "On Shadowfax! We must hasten. Time is short."

But Shadowfax and Haldad paused in their stride, slowing to a walk, and then they lifted up their heads and neighed. And out of the darkness the answering neigh of other horses came; and presently the thudding of hoofs were heard and three riders swept up and passed like flying ghosts in the moon and vanished into the West. Then Shadowfax and Haldad gathered themselves together and sprang away, and the night flowed over them like a roaring wind.

Gandalf told Harry of the customs of Gondor, and how the Lord of the City had beacons built on the tops of outlying hills along the both borders of the great range, and maintained posts at these points where fresh horses were always in readiness to bear his errand-riders to Rohan in the North, or to Belfalas in the South.

"It is long since the beacons of the North were lit," said Gandalf, "and in the ancient days of Gondor they were not needed, for they had the Seven Palintiri. We are going to Minas Tirith, a safer place you cannot find in Middle-Earth in these days."

Harry wondered where Frodo was, and if he was already in Mordor, or if he was dead, and had failed in his quest. Truly did the fate of Middle-Earth lie in the hands of two hobbits.

*

Another day of hiding and a night of journey had fleeted by. It was twilight: the cold dawn was at hand again and chill gray mists were about them. Shadowfax and Haldad stood steaming with sweat, but they held their necks proudly and showed no sign of weariness. Many tall men heavily cloaked stood around them, and behind them in the mist loomed a wall of stone. Partly ruinous it seemed , but already before the night was passed the sound of hurried labor could be heard: beat of hammers, clink of trowels, and the creak of wheels. Torches and flares glowed dully here and there in the fog.

Gandalf had instructed Harry and Luna to do let him do all the talking and only answer when the Captain of this company asked them a direct question.

"Yea truly, we know you, Mirthrandir," said the leader of the men, "and you know the passwords of the Seven Gates and are free to go forward. But we do not know your companions. Two of them are surely wizards such as yourself and must be your kin, and their presence is most welcome if they bring aid of skill similar to yours. But who rides second on your horse? What is he? A dwarf out of the mountains in the North? We wish for no strangers in the land at this time, unless they be mighty men of arms in whose faith and help we can trust."

"I will vouch for him before the seat of Denethor," said Gandalf, "and as for valour, that cannot be computed by stature. He has passed through more battles and perils than you have Ingold, though you be twice his height; and he comes now from the storming of Isengard, of which we bear tidings, and great weariness is on him, or I would wake him. His name is Peregrin, a very valiant man."

"Man?" said Ingold dubiously; Harry and Luna could not suppress their laughter, nor could the other men.

"Man!" cried Pippin, now thoroughly roused, "man! Indeed not! I am a hobbit and no more valiant than I am a man, save perhaps now and again by necessity. Do not let Gandalf deceive you!"

"Many a doer of great deeds might say no more," said Ingold, " but what is a hobbit?"

"A Halfling," answered Gandalf, "no, not the one that was spoken of," he added seeing the wonder in the men's faces.

"Not he, yet one of his kindred," said Harry.

"Yes, and one who journeyed with him," said Pippin, "and Boromir of your City was with us, and he saved me from the snows of the North, and at the last he was slain defending me from many foes."

"Peace," said Gandalf, "the news of that grief should have been told first to the father."

"It has been guessed already, for there have been many strange portents here of late. But pass now quickly! For the Lord of Minas Tirith will be eager to see any that bear the latest tidings of his son, be he man or..."

"Hobbit," said Pippin, "little service can I offer your lord, but what I can do, I would do, remembering Boromir the brave."

"Fare you well," said Ingold, and the men made way for Shadowfax and Haldad to pass through a narrow gate in the wall. "May you bring good counsel to Denethor in need, and to us all, Mithrandir! But you come with tidings of grief and danger, as is your wont, they say."

"Because I seldom come, but when my help is needed," answered Gandalf.

"Ingold," prompted Harry, "if you want counsel, I would say you are late in repairing the wall of Pelennor. Courage will now be your best defense against the storm. Leave your trowels and sharpen your swords!"

"The work will be finished this evening, this is the last portion of the wall to be put in defense: the least open to attack, for it looks towards our friends of Rohan. Do you know aught of them? Will they answer the summons?" asked Ingold.

"Yes, they will come," said Harry, "but they have fought many battles at your back. No road looks towards safety anymore. Constant Vigilance! But for Gandalf Stormcrow you would have seen a host of foes coming out of Anorien and no Riders of Rohan. And you may yet. Farewell and sleep not!"

*

They passed now into the wide land beyond the Rammas Echor. So the men of Gondor called the outer wall they had built with great labor, after Ithilien fell under the shadow of the Enemy. For ten leagues it ran from the mountains feet and back again, enclosing in its fence the fields of Pelennor: fair and fertile townlands on the long slopes and terraces falling to the deep levels of the Anduin. At its furthest point from the Great Gate of the City, north-eastward, the wall was four leagues distant, and there from a frowning bank it overlooked the long flats beside the river, and men had made it high and strong; for at that point, upon a walled causeway, the road came in from the fords and bridges of Osgiliath and passed through a guarded gate between embattled towers. At its nearest point the wall was little more than one league from the City, and that was southeastward.

There Anduin, going in wide knee about the hills of Emyn Arnen in South Ithilien, bent sharply west, and the outer wall rose upon its very brink; and beneath it lay the quays and landings of the Harlond for craft that came upstream from the southern fiefs.

The townlands were rich, with wide tilth and many orchards, and homesteads there were. Yet the herdsmen and husbandmen that dwelt there were not many, and the most part of the people of Gondor lived in the seven circles of the City, or in the high vales of the mountain borders, in Lossarnach or further south in Lebennin.

But beyond, in the great fief of Belfalas, dwelt Prince Imrahil in his castle of Dol Amroth by the sea, and he was of high blood, and his folk also, tall men and proud with sea-green eyes.

Now after they had ridden for some time the light of day grew in the sky and Luna roused herself in his arms and looked up. To her left lay a sea of mist, rising to a bleak shadow in the East; but to her right great mountains reared their heads, ranging from the West to a steep and sudden end, as if in the making of the land the River had burst through a great barrier, carving out a mighty valley to be a land of battle and debate in times to come. And there where the White Mountains of Ered Nimrais came to their end she saw the dark mass of Mount Mindolluin, the deep purple shadows of its high glens, and its tall face whitening in the rising day. And upon its out-thrust knee was the Guarded City, with its seven walls of stone so strong and old that it seemed to have been not builded but carven by giants out of the bones of the earth.

Even as she gazed in wonder the walls passed from looming gray to white, blushing faintly in the dawn; and suddenly the sun climbed over the eastern shadow and sent forth a shaft that smote the face of the City.

"Impressive, isn't it?" asked Harry with a smile.

"Wow!" cried Luna.

The Tower of Etchellion, standing high within the topmost wall, shone out against the sky, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver, tall and fair and shapely, and its pinnacle glittered as if it were wrought of crystals; white banners broke and fluttered from the battlements in the morning breeze, and high and far she heard a clear ringing as of silver trumpets.

"This makes Hogwarts looks like a tower house," stated Luna in awe.

"That is the power of craft, the men of Numenor had in this world," said Harry, recalling his lessons on Middle-Earth history from Gandalf.

So they rode to the Great Gate of the Men of Gondor at the rising of the sun, and its iron doors rolled back before them.

"Mithrandir! Mithrandir!" cried men. "Now we know the storm is indeed nigh! Look! He brings more of his kindred in need! Times are very dire if that is the portents of war!"

"War is upon you," said Gandalf. "I have ridden on its wings. Let us pass! We must come to your Lord Denethor, while his stewardship lasts. Whatever betide, you have come to the end of Gondor that you have known. Let us Pass!"

The men fell back before the command of his voice and questioned him no further, though they gazed in wonder at the hobbit that sat before him, and the witch and wizard that followed, and the horses that bore them. For people of the City used horses very little and they were seldom seen in their streets, save only those ridden by the errand-riders of their lord.

Harry heard the people say: "Surely those are the great steeds of the King of Rohan? Maybe the Rohirrim will come soon to strengthen us."

But Shadowfax and Haldad walked proudly up the long winding road.