Part 12 of "Chance Encounter"

[dreamflower]

We return once again to Pippin, Merry, Faramir, Eowyn and Menelcar...


They approached the Citadel not by way of the Court of the White Tree, but on the side where there was a smaller private entrance. This time of day, there only one guard stood there.

Pippin darted up the steps ahead of his companions. “Hullo, Borondir!”

The guard’s eyes twinkled at the sight of his small comrade-in-arms, but he was on duty, and so contented himself with a nod and a formal address. “Sir Peregrin.” He glanced up as the rest of the party approached. “My Lord Steward, my Lady of Rohan, Sir Meriadoc.” He cast a quizzical look at the fifth member of the party.

“Borondir, this is my good friend, Master Menelcar the Minstrel. You must let everyone know that if he comes to see me, he should be allowed to come in.”

Borondir’s eyes flew briefly to the Steward’s face, and at Faramir’s slight nod, he said, “Certainly, Sir Peregrin.” He looked at the minstrel carefully, imprinting his description in his mind. “Master Menelcar.” He gave another nod of greeting.

Merry spoke up. “Have you seen any of our companions today? The other Walkers, I mean?”

“Yes, Sir Meriadoc. Prince Legolas and Lord Gimli left early this morning, and have yet to return. The Wizard Mithrandir and Lord Samwise went out shortly after, and they have not returned, either. The Ringbearer was closeted with the King earlier, but I believe he has now returned to his chambers.”

Merry looked at Pippin and grinned. “Sam’s still out!”

Pippin grinned back. “Good!” He looked up at Menelcar. “Let’s go see Frodo! He’s going to be so pleased to see you again!”

Faramir and Éowyn exchanged a glance, and then Faramir said “I need to speak to the King.”

Éowyn smiled. “And I am going to find my brother.” She bent down and gave Merry a kiss on top of his head, and brushing her hand against Faramir’s, she went into the Citadel. The others went in as well, Faramir turned off into a corridor, a thoughtful expression on his face. Merry and Pippin led Menelcar up a nearby staircase.

Comments

[isil-elensar.livejournal.com]

Yes, Sir Meriadoc. Prince Legolas and Lord Gimli left early this morning, and have yet to return.

I absolutely LOVE the fact that someone else recognizes Legolas as Prince! ;-) :-D

Éowyn smiled. “And I am going to find my brother.” She bent down and gave Merry a kiss on top of his head, and brushing her hand against Faramir’s, she went into the Citadel. The others went in as well, Faramir turned off into a corridor, a thoughtful expression on his face. Merry and Pippin led Menelcar up a nearby staircase.

Yay! Eowyn and Eomer!! I can't help it, I'm partial. Probably more so because they re-added the scene where he finds her on the field... my heart just broke. And we get to see the Steward and the King! Yay! Wish they would have had something with those two in the movie... And three of the fab four hobbits with a minstrel in tow... Yay! Color me happy...

*feeds the bunnies more* *eg* ;-)

[bodkin-ra.livejournal.com]

I just love your icon. It might make you feel rather unwell, but to me it is another view of my Bride of Legolas.

[bodkin-ra.livejournal.com]

Do you know, coming across bits of this unexpectedly is delightful. I loved seeing the guard check with the Steward about Menelcar before agreeing. And that he knows where everyone is. I'm looking forward to finding out about the need to keep Sam out of the Citadel.

Eowyn seems to find it very easy to be affectionate towards Merry - that is a hobbit in his late thirties you're kissing there, young lady. (And you're only brushing your hand against Faramir's!) Do you think that the Men had a bit of a problem recognising the hobbits as adults because of their size? Or because they were a different race?

I hope you've got lots more sections to go.

[dreamflower]

Well, Legolas tried to keep it pretty much a secret, but I'm thinking those at the Citadel would have been aware of it.

Yes, Eowyn and Eomer. That particular bunny is just twitching his little nose at me. I think I see my way clear on that, but not quite yet.

Keep on feeding them; maybe they will get too fat to run off, and I can catch a couple more of the little boogers...

[dreamflower]

Well, Sir Peregrin is his comrade in the Third Company, and as a Knight outranks a man-at-arms, but I can't see one of the Citadel guards taking an order like that without some confirmation from the Steward or the King. And he's at the exit and entrance used by those who are actually staying at the Citadel, so he would be privy to the comings and goings.

We'll soon find out why they are keeping things from Sam. *grin*

My take on Eowyn and Merry is that they have developed a bit of a brother-sister relationship. In fact, my Merry often refers to her as "my sister". But, yes, I do think that there was a bit of tendency for many Men to think of them as childlike because of their size and the fact that they show their emotions more. On the other hand, my hobbits sometimes think of many of the Men as younger than they are, because of their age.

Merry, for example, thinks of Eowyn as a young tweenager--she's younger than Pippin, for goodness' sake, LOL! And Eomer is only a tweenager, too. Must give him an interesting perspective. He thinks of her as a "little" sister, and she thinks of him as a "little" brother. *grin*

As for the brushing hands thing, I think it is a way to make contact when a more open PDA might be out of place. It's kind of a way of saying, "later"...

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

I somehow think that doesn't make her feel unwell...

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, we're getting closer to what is really up for Sam. While you're at it maybe Menelcar should perform some for whatever is in store for Sam. After all Legolas and Gimil seemed to be looking for musical instruments sized for hobbits. Sounds like a party to me! Gee, I'm going to have to go look at a calendar and see if it's something like a birthday in there.

Faramir, poor soul, still seems a tad wary about Menelcar. IT's good he worries about his new friends though.

Sharonb

[melilot-hill.livejournal.com]

Seems like Pip is friends with everybody :)

[dreamflower]

I didn't get to respond to this before I put Ch. 13 up, but I suppose it's just as well, since you are such a good guesser! But the calendar won't help; only Frodo and Bilbo have official JRRT-sanctioned birthdays, the others are author's call.

Faramir has begun to accept Menelcar at Pippin's evaluation, or he'd not have confirmed Menelcar's access to the Citadel. But that's a long way from trusting him on his own account. And he is still worried about other Big Folk trying to take advantage.

[dreamflower]

Yes, Pippin has a big heart, and he wants to like everybody and for everybody to like him. There are a very few exceptions--the S.B.s and so forth, but not very darn many.