Confused about last chapters of ROTK, regarding role of Pippin

[grubalo]

Hi,

After the last battle, and after the ring was destroyed, in the chapter "The Field of Cormallen" we read about the celebration in Ithilien, There, we read that, of course, Frodo and Samare there, but also Pippin and Merry. But, in the next chapter, "The Steward and the King", we read about Gondor and how they are waiting for news about the war. There we read about Faramir, who is healing, and how Pippin is sent to talk to him. But, how come Pippin was there? Wasnt he at the celebration in the previous chapter? or, did all of this chapter happen before the previous chapter? Im just confused about that....

Thanks for any insights,

Karl

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

did all of this chapter happen before the previous chapter?

In part. The Ring was destroyed on March 25th; the feast on the Field of Cormallen took place on the 7th of April (or 8th, depending on which calendar you're using).

"The Steward and the King" narrative returns to an earlier point, and begins on March 20, "When the Captains were but two days gone".

It was Merry who remained in Minas Tirith, in the Houses of Healing, due to the illness suffered from stabbing the Witch-king. After Sauron's fall,

Merry was summoned and rode away with the wains that took store of goods to Osgiliath and thence by ship to Cair Andros;

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[LaurelinBearsFruit]

Indeed, Pippin was the only representative of the Captains of the West when they went to challenge the Black Gate. Merry had succombed not only to the injuries of stabbing the Witch King but also was influenced by the Black Breath.

He was only narrowly saved (though perhaps not as narrowly as Faramir) by Aragorn Elessar in the houses of healing and so needed to stay behind to recover.