Rivendell_librarian
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This chapter could be called Mr Pippin goes to Minas Tirith as our wide-eyed hero reacts to the strange wonders of the capital of Gondor. We get brief glimpses of the ride of Shadowfax from Isengard with a brief stopover at Edoras - rather like being in an overnight sleeper and waking up drowsily when the train stops at stations.
Minas Tirith is getting ready for war big time with walls being repaired and women, children and the old leaving on carts (wains) for the hinterland away from Mordor. The beacons are also seen to be lit. Gandalf is in much haste and saying little in public, and trying to restrain the more loquacious Pippin. Minas Tirith is described as impressively beautiful. Originally it was the fortress fall back for Osgiliath as the main city: a similar set up to Helm's Deep and Edoras. With the mass exodus, the city seems empty. Gandalf and Pippin are ushered into the presence of the Steward, Denethor who is holding Boromir's broken horn. Clearly Boromir was the favourite of his father but we learn from the Gondorians that he was regarded as brave but reckless: how many men did they lose regaining the western half of Osgiliath under Boromir's command. There is further confirmation that Faramir is a scholar as well as a soldier, and that he had spent time with Gandalf. Pippin is subjected to a long conversation=interrogation by Denethor and, though he gives away that a man called Aragorn was with their group, he does not say anything about Frodo and the Ring.
The throne hall is all cold stone unlike the wood and tapestries of Meduseld. Comparisons are made with Rome in decline and the barbarians at the gate, but given that Rohan is so Anglo-Saxon isn't Norman architecture a more appropriate comparison? Pippin offers his service to Denethor in gratitude of Boromir's sacrifice on his behalf but even this is done formally and coldly by Denethor. The real interaction is between Gandalf and Denethor. Busy Gandalf leaves Pippin in the hands of the guard Beregond after they were shown their spartan quarters. After checking on Shadowfax and taking every opportunity to feed the inner man, Pippin finds he is something of a celebrity. there is a hope of five thousand hobbit swords riding with the Rohirrim. Beregond and others are pessimistic about the battle to come.
Beregond leaves Pippin with his son Bergil to show him round the city. They go to the main gate to see groups of outland warriors come in, but fewer than hoped for. After the gate is closed at sunset, a tired Pippin heads back to the citadel for supper with Beregond and other guards, and then returns to their room. It is dark and Gandalf has not returned. When he does he urges Pippin to get some sleep while he may while he paces around wondering when Faramir will return. Does Gandalf seek news of Frodo and Sam?
Pippin is a grown up adult hobbit now and is acting like one. But he is feeling lonely as he is missing Merry sorely. An anxious night in Minas Tirith for all.
Minas Tirith is getting ready for war big time with walls being repaired and women, children and the old leaving on carts (wains) for the hinterland away from Mordor. The beacons are also seen to be lit. Gandalf is in much haste and saying little in public, and trying to restrain the more loquacious Pippin. Minas Tirith is described as impressively beautiful. Originally it was the fortress fall back for Osgiliath as the main city: a similar set up to Helm's Deep and Edoras. With the mass exodus, the city seems empty. Gandalf and Pippin are ushered into the presence of the Steward, Denethor who is holding Boromir's broken horn. Clearly Boromir was the favourite of his father but we learn from the Gondorians that he was regarded as brave but reckless: how many men did they lose regaining the western half of Osgiliath under Boromir's command. There is further confirmation that Faramir is a scholar as well as a soldier, and that he had spent time with Gandalf. Pippin is subjected to a long conversation=interrogation by Denethor and, though he gives away that a man called Aragorn was with their group, he does not say anything about Frodo and the Ring.
The throne hall is all cold stone unlike the wood and tapestries of Meduseld. Comparisons are made with Rome in decline and the barbarians at the gate, but given that Rohan is so Anglo-Saxon isn't Norman architecture a more appropriate comparison? Pippin offers his service to Denethor in gratitude of Boromir's sacrifice on his behalf but even this is done formally and coldly by Denethor. The real interaction is between Gandalf and Denethor. Busy Gandalf leaves Pippin in the hands of the guard Beregond after they were shown their spartan quarters. After checking on Shadowfax and taking every opportunity to feed the inner man, Pippin finds he is something of a celebrity. there is a hope of five thousand hobbit swords riding with the Rohirrim. Beregond and others are pessimistic about the battle to come.
Beregond leaves Pippin with his son Bergil to show him round the city. They go to the main gate to see groups of outland warriors come in, but fewer than hoped for. After the gate is closed at sunset, a tired Pippin heads back to the citadel for supper with Beregond and other guards, and then returns to their room. It is dark and Gandalf has not returned. When he does he urges Pippin to get some sleep while he may while he paces around wondering when Faramir will return. Does Gandalf seek news of Frodo and Sam?
Pippin is a grown up adult hobbit now and is acting like one. But he is feeling lonely as he is missing Merry sorely. An anxious night in Minas Tirith for all.
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