Chance Encounter, part 36
May. 19th, 2005 09:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamflowerTook me longer than I thought it would to get this part typed in. It's a bit longer than I thought.
In which Pippin plays his part in a trap...
PART 36
Pippin had gone directly to the room King Elessar used as an office. The guardsman at the door admitted him at once, as he was expected. Faramir was there, and Menelcar, and Legolas and Gimli, and two Men whom Pippin thought looked vaguely familiar. Gandalf sat in a corner, an unreadable glitter in his dark eyes. In the seat behind the table, however, was no sign of the majestic King Elessar; instead, there sat a Ranger, looking as disreputable as ever he had at the Inn in Bree.
“Strider!” Pippin grinned cheekily.
“Mr. Took.” Strider grinned back just as cheekily. He then sobered. “Pippin, are you sure you want to do this?”
Pippin sobered as well. “I do. It’s not right for someone to be taking advantage of people like that.”
Aragorn nodded. “Very well. Peregrin, I’d like you to meet Eldacar and Tarondor. They are the two guardsmen who have been keeping watch over the miscreants for us.”
The two men stepped forward, and bowed slightly to Pippin. He blushed. He just could not get used to that.
“Please, gentlemen, tell us what you have overheard and observed over the past few days.”
The one called Eldacar spoke first. “The three rascals are called ‘Arv,’ ‘Tel’ and ‘Min’. Min appears to be their leader. He seems somewhat more intelligent than the other two. I have overheard them speaking of some of their past ‘scams’ as they call them, boasting of the way in which they have cozened people of their money. They have heard about the four of you, and how high you are in the favor of the King, moreover, the way in which you and Sir Meriadoc distributed alms the day of the coronation caught their attention. It made them think of you pheriannath as very soft-hearted. They have been observing all of you as much as they could, ever since.”
Then the one called Tarondor spoke. “Yesterday I was able to overhear them talking in a tavern. They are hoping to be able to accost either you, Sir Peregrin, or Lord Samwise. They seem to be a bit afraid of Sir Meriadoc--his feat of taking on the Lord of the Ringwraiths is well-attested, and they are also a bit in awe of the Ringbearer--they do not seem to think he will be deceived by them. They do not really believe that you slew a troll, and they know that you are the youngest of the four; Lord Samwise they believe to be merely a servant. They feel that the two of you will be the easiest to deceive.”
Pippin flushed, but all he said was “Well, they are right about Frodo, anyway--he’s never been an easy one to lie to, and they are also right to be afraid of Merry. He’s nobody’s fool, and would be fairly angry at anyone trying to make him out one. But I hope to convince them in the end that Sam and I would not be such easy prey, either.”
“Their plan,” said Eldacar, “is to accost either you or Samwise as soon as you are found alone, with a tale of woe so pitiful that you will freely offer coin. They are hoping to get a goodly sum from you, and perhaps also to get you to ask the King for more.”
Now Aragorn spoke up. “In order to draw them into acting upon you, Legolas and Gimli are going to take Sam and Frodo out into the City with them. You will then return to the guesthouse, as if you are off duty, and change out of your livery. Go back out, as if you are planning to spend a day sightseeing on your own. They will be watching you; and several of us will be watching them.” He held out a pouch, a rather heavy one. “Use this coin today. When the villains have taken it in hand, we will take them.”
Pippin nodded solemnly.
“Now go to the buttery, and have your luncheon early. Return to the house from there.”
“I will.” He had a very determined look on his face.
The others began to file out of the small room.
As Pippin turned to leave, he felt Gandalf’s hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked up.
Gandalf looked down at him, and smiled. “You will do. And be careful, my lad.”
“Thank you, Gandalf. I will.”
__________________________________________________
Hands in his pockets, Pippin strolled through the streets. He was on the fourth circle, where there were many merchants of the slightly less prosperous sort. It felt very strange. This was the first time that he had been abroad like this in the City: alone, without anyone, and apparently no errand, not dressed in his livery. He had, of course, often had errands to run in the course of his duties, but then he was dressed in livery and hurried from the Citadel to wherever he was needed to go and back. The few occasions he had been in civilian clothing, he had been with others--his cousins, his friends, and they also had most often some specific destination in mind. But today he had been told to simply amble along as though he had no particular reason for being out. He felt himself wishing it could be true, though of course it would be nicer with Merry along.
He was keeping his eyes open though, with the description of the scoundrels clear in his mind. Just as he turned a corner, he thought he saw Strider out of the corner of his eye. They must be near, he thought, and he felt his heart race a bit. This was a slightly different sort of excitement and fear than that engendered by battle. It reminded him a little of the pleasurable thrill he and Merry would get, when embarked on a particularly hazardous prank, or intent on a raid on Maggot’s mushrooms--yet there was a thread of serious purpose beneath it as well.
The street was fairly deserted. A shabby and disreputable looking figure leaned against a wall, seemingly lost in thought. Across the street from there, two Men were talking. As he began to approach their voices rose so that he could not help but hear.
“I am very sorry,” said the shorter of the two figures, in a whiny sort of voice. “But if you wish to have the employment, you must start right away. I need workers I can depend on--not someone who will take off at the drop of a hat.”
“But it is just for a brief while, sir. My poor children need to be brought home.” The other person, slightly taller, sounded pitiful.
“You will be there, or I’ll find someone else to do the job.” The first figure walked away.
Pippin stopped briefly, wondering. They fit the description, but there had only been two of them. As he pondered, pretending to look about him at the buildings, another Man, this one rather a large fellow, approached the Man who remained.
“Well, Minastir, have you the money?” he asked roughly.
“Not all of it, I am afraid. And I am not certain if I can accompany you to Lossarnach. My new employer is reluctant to give me leave.”
The new Man sneered. “Well,” he said loudly, “you need all the money I asked for, and then some, if you want me to bring your family back without you along. I have told you I am no nursemaid, and I‘ll have to hire one if I do this for you.” This he declaimed in a rather wooden voice, and Pippin was no longer in least bit uncertain. The first two had been rather good actors, but not this one.
“I am leaving in two days time. You will let me know before then if you have the money.” He walked off with a swagger. He came in Pippin’s direction, and as he passed the hobbit, he glanced at him briefly. There was an unpleasant smile on his face, and then he was gone.
Now the taller Man was standing alone, the picture of dejection. He brought his hands up to his face and began to weep. He staggered along, and also came in Pippin’s direction, bumping into him.
Pippin had been prepared for something like this.
“I’m sorry, child!” he exclaimed, “I didn’t see you.”
“That’s all right, sir,” Pippin replied politely, putting out a hand as if to steady him.
The Man looked at him and feigned amazement. “Why, you are no young boy! You are one of the pheriannath!”
Pippin nodded. “Peregrin Took at your service and your family’s”, he replied.
“Sir Peregrin? The Ernil i Pheriannath?”
“The very same. And you are?”
“Minastir, son of Castamir,” he replied sadly, “the unhappiest of Men.”
“Why, whatever is the matter?” Pippin asked curiously. He really was curious to see what sort of story this Man had concocted.
“Alas, it is a long and sad tale,” was the reply.
“Please tell me. Perhaps I can help.” Pippin found himself feeling as though he really did want to help this unhappy person. He was a very good actor indeed. He was going to have to brush up his toes, and remember that this really was a scoundrel he was speaking with.
“I am a carpenter, not a warrior, but when the City was threatened, I thought I should remain to be of what help I could. I sent my four little children, and my wife, who was expecting our fifth, in the wains of refugees to Lossarnach, where they could stay with my widowed sister and her family. I miss them very much, but was expecting word any day now that they were returning. My former employer was slain in the siege, and so I sought a new job, and was just two days ago engaged. I am to start tomorrow. But yesterday, I received word that my poor wife died delivering our new little daughter, and my sister cannot keep the children much longer, as she has mouths of her own to feed. I wished to go and fetch them, and a merchant was willing to take me there with him for a fee. But now my new employer says I *must* start work or lose my position. And if I do not go myself, the merchant has increased the fee, as he says he is not a nursemaid. I have only a very little money, and I simply do not know what to do. If I do not take the job I am offered, I will have no way to keep the children when I get them here. Alas, my poor little ones! I do not know what is to become of them.”
Pippin shook his head, his face sad and sympathetic. Knowing what he knew, he could tell there were a number of holes in the story. The King had delegated people to see to the return of refugees, for one thing. For another, the timing of the messages did not sound right. Yet, if he had not been warned, he might very well have felt sorry enough for this wretch to be taken in. Out loud, he said “I am so sorry to hear of this, Minastir. But perhaps I can be of help, if it is only a matter of money. How much do you think you might need?”
The Man looked at him, with an expression of dawning hope. “Why, originally, I was to pay fifty silver pennies. But now the merchant has doubled that.”
Pippin smiled. “Why, as to that, the King gave me a hundred pence when I was knighted. I have it right here, as no one ever seems to take my money for anything around here.” This was disingenuous, as Aragorn had actually given him more than that; however, this was not his own money but the money that was given him this morning for “bait” as he thought of if. And it was quite true that no one seemed to take the hobbits’ money, and so he never carried any, anymore anyway. But if there were any doubt at all in Pippin’s mind, he would have known by the sheer amount of money the Man was asking for that it could not be right. “I would be happy to know that I could help your poor children be with you again. There is nothing worse than children with no family to look after them.” He gave a quite genuine shudder at the thought. Among hobbits such a thing was unthinkable, and even now he felt moved to tears at the thought of the many orphans in Gondor, left alone by the War. It hardened his determination to take down this villain, who would *use* that fact to garner money.
“You are certain then,” he continued, “that this money will enable you to bring your children home to you?”
“Oh, Sir Peregrin! They will bless your name forever!”
“Because, you know, I could ask the King for more…”
The Man’s eyes glittered briefly, before he schooled himself to a more somber expression.
“Well,” he said slowly, “for the same amount again, I could also send for my widowed sister and her family. Then my poor motherless babes would have someone to care for them as I worked.” He looked at Pippin out of the corners of his eyes.
Pippin nodded. “That’s true,” he said sympathetically, while privately marveling at his cunning. He brightened. “I’ve an idea!” he said chirpily. “Why don’t I just ask the King to send for your family. Then it would not cost you a thing!”
Pippin had the satisfaction of seeing him look briefly alarmed.
“No, no, that’s not necessary. I would not wish to trouble him so far. I am sure that the money is adequate. I do not like to think the King would be troubled by my little family.”
“So then, do you think you might need anything more?”
Minastir gave him a sharp look, and narrowed his eyes.
Pippin schooled his face into its sweetest and most innocent expression, the one that had convinced the cooks that he could not possibly know anything about missing pies.
“Well,” Pippin said, holding out the pouch and showing him the silver, “here is this. Give it to the merchant, and tomorrow I will bring the same amount again, for your poor sister, on the morrow. And you can tell me if there is anything else you might need.”
The Man could not resist looking at all that money. He felt uncommonly lucky, for they had not expected the halfling to be carrying that amount around with him, and had thought it would be necessary to wait for it. Perhaps he could think of something else before tomorrow. “My thanks, Sir Peregrin! The re-union with my family will be quite a sight!”
“Yes, it would,” said another voice, “especially, Minastir son of Castamir, as you have neither chick nor child, nor even wife nor sister in Lossarnach or anywhere else.”
Startled, he turned to see the Steward approaching, behind him several guardsmen, Tel and Arv in their midst, bound. As he stared, the shabby figure leaning against the wall across the street threw back his hood and straightened up.
“I do not wonder that you did not wish to trouble the King. It is a shame you thought to trouble his friends.”
In a fury, the Man glanced down to see Pippin grinning up at him. “Not quite such a fool as I look.”
Suddenly, with a snarl and a curse, he snatched Pippin off the ground, and holding him up in front as a shield, he drew forth a knife.
Everyone froze, staring in horror, as the Man glared. “You will not stop me--”
But he got no further. The hobbit in his grasp gave a mighty wriggle, sinking his teeth into Minastir’s arm, while at the same time aiming a furious kick to his groin. With a yell, the Man dropped both hobbit and knife. Pippin landed nimbly and snatching up the fallen knife, bent over the writhing Man and held it to his throat. Minastir suddenly went still.
“Sire,” said Pippin, without taking his eyes off the fallen Man’s, “could you please take charge of this wretch who thought hobbits were simple and helpless?”
Aragorn crossed the street in a few quick strides and hauled the still groaning villain to his feet. Faramir signaled the guardsmen who came forward to take charge of the prisoner.
“Well done, Pippin,” said Aragorn. “I am sorry that you had to do that.”
“Boromir would have been proud,” said Faramir.
Pippin blushed at the praise. “Boromir always said a hard enough kick there could cripple the largest of foes. I am glad to find it worked.”
He stood next to the King, as they watched the three swindlers being led off. Then he looked up at Aragorn, troubled. “I’m sorry to say, Strider, but if I’d not been warned, I think I might have believed his sad story. I suppose I am rather a fool.”
“Nay, Pippin. A sympathetic and large heart is never foolish. Rather the fool is one who would value gain over all else.”
“What will happen to them?”
Aragorn sighed. “His two confederates will probably serve a term of hard labor for the City, but Minastir laid violent hands upon you. His life is forfeit.”
Pippin shook his head firmly. “Frodo wouldn’t like that. No more do I.”
There was a brief moment of silence.
“Very well, Pippin, your mercy has purchased his life.” And that was not at all surprising either.
_________________________________________________________
And that is as far as it goes for now...
Where will the bunny go next?
In which Pippin plays his part in a trap...
PART 36
Pippin had gone directly to the room King Elessar used as an office. The guardsman at the door admitted him at once, as he was expected. Faramir was there, and Menelcar, and Legolas and Gimli, and two Men whom Pippin thought looked vaguely familiar. Gandalf sat in a corner, an unreadable glitter in his dark eyes. In the seat behind the table, however, was no sign of the majestic King Elessar; instead, there sat a Ranger, looking as disreputable as ever he had at the Inn in Bree.
“Strider!” Pippin grinned cheekily.
“Mr. Took.” Strider grinned back just as cheekily. He then sobered. “Pippin, are you sure you want to do this?”
Pippin sobered as well. “I do. It’s not right for someone to be taking advantage of people like that.”
Aragorn nodded. “Very well. Peregrin, I’d like you to meet Eldacar and Tarondor. They are the two guardsmen who have been keeping watch over the miscreants for us.”
The two men stepped forward, and bowed slightly to Pippin. He blushed. He just could not get used to that.
“Please, gentlemen, tell us what you have overheard and observed over the past few days.”
The one called Eldacar spoke first. “The three rascals are called ‘Arv,’ ‘Tel’ and ‘Min’. Min appears to be their leader. He seems somewhat more intelligent than the other two. I have overheard them speaking of some of their past ‘scams’ as they call them, boasting of the way in which they have cozened people of their money. They have heard about the four of you, and how high you are in the favor of the King, moreover, the way in which you and Sir Meriadoc distributed alms the day of the coronation caught their attention. It made them think of you pheriannath as very soft-hearted. They have been observing all of you as much as they could, ever since.”
Then the one called Tarondor spoke. “Yesterday I was able to overhear them talking in a tavern. They are hoping to be able to accost either you, Sir Peregrin, or Lord Samwise. They seem to be a bit afraid of Sir Meriadoc--his feat of taking on the Lord of the Ringwraiths is well-attested, and they are also a bit in awe of the Ringbearer--they do not seem to think he will be deceived by them. They do not really believe that you slew a troll, and they know that you are the youngest of the four; Lord Samwise they believe to be merely a servant. They feel that the two of you will be the easiest to deceive.”
Pippin flushed, but all he said was “Well, they are right about Frodo, anyway--he’s never been an easy one to lie to, and they are also right to be afraid of Merry. He’s nobody’s fool, and would be fairly angry at anyone trying to make him out one. But I hope to convince them in the end that Sam and I would not be such easy prey, either.”
“Their plan,” said Eldacar, “is to accost either you or Samwise as soon as you are found alone, with a tale of woe so pitiful that you will freely offer coin. They are hoping to get a goodly sum from you, and perhaps also to get you to ask the King for more.”
Now Aragorn spoke up. “In order to draw them into acting upon you, Legolas and Gimli are going to take Sam and Frodo out into the City with them. You will then return to the guesthouse, as if you are off duty, and change out of your livery. Go back out, as if you are planning to spend a day sightseeing on your own. They will be watching you; and several of us will be watching them.” He held out a pouch, a rather heavy one. “Use this coin today. When the villains have taken it in hand, we will take them.”
Pippin nodded solemnly.
“Now go to the buttery, and have your luncheon early. Return to the house from there.”
“I will.” He had a very determined look on his face.
The others began to file out of the small room.
As Pippin turned to leave, he felt Gandalf’s hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked up.
Gandalf looked down at him, and smiled. “You will do. And be careful, my lad.”
“Thank you, Gandalf. I will.”
__________________________________________________
Hands in his pockets, Pippin strolled through the streets. He was on the fourth circle, where there were many merchants of the slightly less prosperous sort. It felt very strange. This was the first time that he had been abroad like this in the City: alone, without anyone, and apparently no errand, not dressed in his livery. He had, of course, often had errands to run in the course of his duties, but then he was dressed in livery and hurried from the Citadel to wherever he was needed to go and back. The few occasions he had been in civilian clothing, he had been with others--his cousins, his friends, and they also had most often some specific destination in mind. But today he had been told to simply amble along as though he had no particular reason for being out. He felt himself wishing it could be true, though of course it would be nicer with Merry along.
He was keeping his eyes open though, with the description of the scoundrels clear in his mind. Just as he turned a corner, he thought he saw Strider out of the corner of his eye. They must be near, he thought, and he felt his heart race a bit. This was a slightly different sort of excitement and fear than that engendered by battle. It reminded him a little of the pleasurable thrill he and Merry would get, when embarked on a particularly hazardous prank, or intent on a raid on Maggot’s mushrooms--yet there was a thread of serious purpose beneath it as well.
The street was fairly deserted. A shabby and disreputable looking figure leaned against a wall, seemingly lost in thought. Across the street from there, two Men were talking. As he began to approach their voices rose so that he could not help but hear.
“I am very sorry,” said the shorter of the two figures, in a whiny sort of voice. “But if you wish to have the employment, you must start right away. I need workers I can depend on--not someone who will take off at the drop of a hat.”
“But it is just for a brief while, sir. My poor children need to be brought home.” The other person, slightly taller, sounded pitiful.
“You will be there, or I’ll find someone else to do the job.” The first figure walked away.
Pippin stopped briefly, wondering. They fit the description, but there had only been two of them. As he pondered, pretending to look about him at the buildings, another Man, this one rather a large fellow, approached the Man who remained.
“Well, Minastir, have you the money?” he asked roughly.
“Not all of it, I am afraid. And I am not certain if I can accompany you to Lossarnach. My new employer is reluctant to give me leave.”
The new Man sneered. “Well,” he said loudly, “you need all the money I asked for, and then some, if you want me to bring your family back without you along. I have told you I am no nursemaid, and I‘ll have to hire one if I do this for you.” This he declaimed in a rather wooden voice, and Pippin was no longer in least bit uncertain. The first two had been rather good actors, but not this one.
“I am leaving in two days time. You will let me know before then if you have the money.” He walked off with a swagger. He came in Pippin’s direction, and as he passed the hobbit, he glanced at him briefly. There was an unpleasant smile on his face, and then he was gone.
Now the taller Man was standing alone, the picture of dejection. He brought his hands up to his face and began to weep. He staggered along, and also came in Pippin’s direction, bumping into him.
Pippin had been prepared for something like this.
“I’m sorry, child!” he exclaimed, “I didn’t see you.”
“That’s all right, sir,” Pippin replied politely, putting out a hand as if to steady him.
The Man looked at him and feigned amazement. “Why, you are no young boy! You are one of the pheriannath!”
Pippin nodded. “Peregrin Took at your service and your family’s”, he replied.
“Sir Peregrin? The Ernil i Pheriannath?”
“The very same. And you are?”
“Minastir, son of Castamir,” he replied sadly, “the unhappiest of Men.”
“Why, whatever is the matter?” Pippin asked curiously. He really was curious to see what sort of story this Man had concocted.
“Alas, it is a long and sad tale,” was the reply.
“Please tell me. Perhaps I can help.” Pippin found himself feeling as though he really did want to help this unhappy person. He was a very good actor indeed. He was going to have to brush up his toes, and remember that this really was a scoundrel he was speaking with.
“I am a carpenter, not a warrior, but when the City was threatened, I thought I should remain to be of what help I could. I sent my four little children, and my wife, who was expecting our fifth, in the wains of refugees to Lossarnach, where they could stay with my widowed sister and her family. I miss them very much, but was expecting word any day now that they were returning. My former employer was slain in the siege, and so I sought a new job, and was just two days ago engaged. I am to start tomorrow. But yesterday, I received word that my poor wife died delivering our new little daughter, and my sister cannot keep the children much longer, as she has mouths of her own to feed. I wished to go and fetch them, and a merchant was willing to take me there with him for a fee. But now my new employer says I *must* start work or lose my position. And if I do not go myself, the merchant has increased the fee, as he says he is not a nursemaid. I have only a very little money, and I simply do not know what to do. If I do not take the job I am offered, I will have no way to keep the children when I get them here. Alas, my poor little ones! I do not know what is to become of them.”
Pippin shook his head, his face sad and sympathetic. Knowing what he knew, he could tell there were a number of holes in the story. The King had delegated people to see to the return of refugees, for one thing. For another, the timing of the messages did not sound right. Yet, if he had not been warned, he might very well have felt sorry enough for this wretch to be taken in. Out loud, he said “I am so sorry to hear of this, Minastir. But perhaps I can be of help, if it is only a matter of money. How much do you think you might need?”
The Man looked at him, with an expression of dawning hope. “Why, originally, I was to pay fifty silver pennies. But now the merchant has doubled that.”
Pippin smiled. “Why, as to that, the King gave me a hundred pence when I was knighted. I have it right here, as no one ever seems to take my money for anything around here.” This was disingenuous, as Aragorn had actually given him more than that; however, this was not his own money but the money that was given him this morning for “bait” as he thought of if. And it was quite true that no one seemed to take the hobbits’ money, and so he never carried any, anymore anyway. But if there were any doubt at all in Pippin’s mind, he would have known by the sheer amount of money the Man was asking for that it could not be right. “I would be happy to know that I could help your poor children be with you again. There is nothing worse than children with no family to look after them.” He gave a quite genuine shudder at the thought. Among hobbits such a thing was unthinkable, and even now he felt moved to tears at the thought of the many orphans in Gondor, left alone by the War. It hardened his determination to take down this villain, who would *use* that fact to garner money.
“You are certain then,” he continued, “that this money will enable you to bring your children home to you?”
“Oh, Sir Peregrin! They will bless your name forever!”
“Because, you know, I could ask the King for more…”
The Man’s eyes glittered briefly, before he schooled himself to a more somber expression.
“Well,” he said slowly, “for the same amount again, I could also send for my widowed sister and her family. Then my poor motherless babes would have someone to care for them as I worked.” He looked at Pippin out of the corners of his eyes.
Pippin nodded. “That’s true,” he said sympathetically, while privately marveling at his cunning. He brightened. “I’ve an idea!” he said chirpily. “Why don’t I just ask the King to send for your family. Then it would not cost you a thing!”
Pippin had the satisfaction of seeing him look briefly alarmed.
“No, no, that’s not necessary. I would not wish to trouble him so far. I am sure that the money is adequate. I do not like to think the King would be troubled by my little family.”
“So then, do you think you might need anything more?”
Minastir gave him a sharp look, and narrowed his eyes.
Pippin schooled his face into its sweetest and most innocent expression, the one that had convinced the cooks that he could not possibly know anything about missing pies.
“Well,” Pippin said, holding out the pouch and showing him the silver, “here is this. Give it to the merchant, and tomorrow I will bring the same amount again, for your poor sister, on the morrow. And you can tell me if there is anything else you might need.”
The Man could not resist looking at all that money. He felt uncommonly lucky, for they had not expected the halfling to be carrying that amount around with him, and had thought it would be necessary to wait for it. Perhaps he could think of something else before tomorrow. “My thanks, Sir Peregrin! The re-union with my family will be quite a sight!”
“Yes, it would,” said another voice, “especially, Minastir son of Castamir, as you have neither chick nor child, nor even wife nor sister in Lossarnach or anywhere else.”
Startled, he turned to see the Steward approaching, behind him several guardsmen, Tel and Arv in their midst, bound. As he stared, the shabby figure leaning against the wall across the street threw back his hood and straightened up.
“I do not wonder that you did not wish to trouble the King. It is a shame you thought to trouble his friends.”
In a fury, the Man glanced down to see Pippin grinning up at him. “Not quite such a fool as I look.”
Suddenly, with a snarl and a curse, he snatched Pippin off the ground, and holding him up in front as a shield, he drew forth a knife.
Everyone froze, staring in horror, as the Man glared. “You will not stop me--”
But he got no further. The hobbit in his grasp gave a mighty wriggle, sinking his teeth into Minastir’s arm, while at the same time aiming a furious kick to his groin. With a yell, the Man dropped both hobbit and knife. Pippin landed nimbly and snatching up the fallen knife, bent over the writhing Man and held it to his throat. Minastir suddenly went still.
“Sire,” said Pippin, without taking his eyes off the fallen Man’s, “could you please take charge of this wretch who thought hobbits were simple and helpless?”
Aragorn crossed the street in a few quick strides and hauled the still groaning villain to his feet. Faramir signaled the guardsmen who came forward to take charge of the prisoner.
“Well done, Pippin,” said Aragorn. “I am sorry that you had to do that.”
“Boromir would have been proud,” said Faramir.
Pippin blushed at the praise. “Boromir always said a hard enough kick there could cripple the largest of foes. I am glad to find it worked.”
He stood next to the King, as they watched the three swindlers being led off. Then he looked up at Aragorn, troubled. “I’m sorry to say, Strider, but if I’d not been warned, I think I might have believed his sad story. I suppose I am rather a fool.”
“Nay, Pippin. A sympathetic and large heart is never foolish. Rather the fool is one who would value gain over all else.”
“What will happen to them?”
Aragorn sighed. “His two confederates will probably serve a term of hard labor for the City, but Minastir laid violent hands upon you. His life is forfeit.”
Pippin shook his head firmly. “Frodo wouldn’t like that. No more do I.”
There was a brief moment of silence.
“Very well, Pippin, your mercy has purchased his life.” And that was not at all surprising either.
_________________________________________________________
And that is as far as it goes for now...
Where will the bunny go next?
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Date: 2005-05-18 06:24 pm (UTC)I was glad, too, to see that Pippin's mercy spared the rogue the death penalty; and thought it was very interesting and well done, the portrayal of how he couldn't help being softhearted, even when he knew full well the situation was a ruse and was angry about it.
Where to hop next...back to Menelcar and more hobbit interaction with the minstrel? Or to Merry's ride with the Rohirrim?
no subject
Date: 2005-05-18 06:45 pm (UTC)Pippin is just a very large-hearted hobbit, and the idea of poor abandoned children had to tug at his heartstrings even when he knew he was being manipulated. For, of course, he knew that even though the situation the swindler described was not true, there were still bound to be real children in a similar situation somewhere.
Well, I *think* if you'll recall, Legolas and Gimli were supposed to be getting Sam and Frodo out of the way for the afternoon...