The City Of Shadow
Toothless had flown through many dark storm clouds in his time. There was something very twisted and wrong about these clouds: they flew low to the ground and were dark but without any rain.
The dark clouds seemed to fly the highest into the sky in the far southeast. Even the air and the wind felt warmer and drier than they should be. It was as though the clouds did nothing except block out the sunlight.
He, Hiccup, and Moonbeam had stopped earlier to rest and talk about their destination. Hiccup had taken out his map and showed him and Moonbeam where they were flying. One detail which Hiccup specifically pointed out was that this flight would take them closer to the Mordor place where the Enemy lived.
He growled at the thought of that place.
Is that where these bad clouds are coming from? I hope not. Some dragons can make smoke-clouds to hide in, but they cannot make anything like this.
The clouds eventually became so thick that they could not be seen through from above. That forced him and Moonbeam to fly lower and stay under the layer of clouds.
The mountains and the lands down below were covered in shadow.
The three of them curled up together on the northern slope of the White Mountains. Toothless lay in the middle with Hiccup and Moonbeam under a wing on each side of him. He remained awake while the other two slept.
There was no clear nightfall; the skies simply grew darker about when he thought it should be night. A flash, as if of green light, got his attention and then faded.
What?
He stared up at the still, floating layer of clouds that did nothing except hover and ensure an oppressive darkness. Nothing else happened. Maybe that flash was a strange flash of lightning.
There are no stars or moon flying now...
He snorted at the sky and then held a paw to his pendant. The jewel was once again faintly shining with light. He and Hiccup had agreed that wearing it now and keeping it on for the foreseeable future would help make a better impression once they got to Minas Tirith.
I have a star with me always even after my name!
Then he chuckled and nuzzled Moonbeam's neck as she slept.
And moonlight also...
Everything that Hiccup could see in the East was green and lush, which was rather different in appearance from Rohan. Rohan had no true forests. However, there were still grasslands and plains here also in northern Gondor. The Anduin, the great river in East Rohan, flowed southeast, more of less tracking their flight. The White Mountains on their right were still snowcapped and beautiful, though they were not as large as the Misty Mountains.
We should be there soon...
The White Mountains took a turn directly for the south. He could also barely see another range of mountains far off in the East, perhaps twenty miles away. He remembered well what those must be and what was on the other side of those mountains: the realm of Mordor.
Toothless stared off into the East while growling softly at that distant sky. There was something about the faint orange and red glow on the horizon which was not warming at all. It was also barely familiar, though he was unsure how.
Where have I seen that before...
A very faint echo floating on the wind. That echo was something he had felt once before in a summons to a gathering beyond the horizon. A nudging pull that whispered to him to fly there because that place was where he belonged.
It also reminded him of the Monster's nest in which he had been born and abandoned through no fault of his parents.
That Monster controlled other dragons' thoughts, hoarded the dragons, and used them to feed itself by preying on humans, other animals, and even the dragons themselves if needed. The smell of that bad nest, a mix of rotted meat and dead eggs which was actually just the foul smell from piles of yellow rocks, was so bad and familiar now... the same scent lingering in the cloud and...
A flash of clarity struck him.
"The nest Monster was from Middle-earth!" he suddenly shouted.
"Woah, what is going on?" Hiccup exclaimed.
He eagerly glanced over his shoulder at Hiccup and slowed to a glide.
"The nest Monster, the big one that you never saw, must be from Middle-earth! It, or its kind, was lost in the big fight long ago just as many dragons were!"
Hiccup held a paw to his chin, deep in thought until his eyes went wider.
"You know, you might be right about that. You said it could control dragons' thoughts and that it was very big. That fits with what we know of the ancient dragons here in Middle-earth. Question, why didn't the big ones, the Monster and other Alphas, come here also? They must have heard the call like you did."
"Yes, they would have," Toothless grumbled, "but maybe they did not listen. The old dragons of Middle-earth did what they wanted, not always what the Enemy wanted them to do."
Hiccup nodded.
"Yeah, Gandalf and Elrond said something like that about Glaurung. So... they heard Sauron's call and ignored it for their own reasons. They also kept all their dragons from flying here also. But... you Furies were not so easily controlled by them, which meant you heard the call more easily?" Hiccup reasoned.
"Maybe so. Dragons that do not bow to a controlling Alpha would probably hear and... want to fly here. I still..."
Toothless then gasped as he realized something else that was very obvious, now that he thought about it.
"What if all dragons are from Middle-earth? We know that Night Furies were here long ago and that the Enemy... made us dragons be."
Hiccup looked similarly amazed at the idea.
"That... could be also. I don't know enough history to be able to say. My old tribe didn't really keep records from before they got to Berk. But, if this world is where dragons are originally from, I guess we're back home now!"
Moonbeam winged closer to them and gently batted Hiccup's head with a wingtip. Her doing that made Hiccup crouch very low on his back for protection.
"Save me!"
"What are you twisted ones hissing about?" she barked.
"Dragons that could twist our thinking!" Toothless answered.
"The fate of dragons!" Hiccup shouted.
She rolled her eyes and winged away while muttering something they could not hear. She looked bemused though.
Moonbeam, flying a bit ahead of Toothless, flew out past a rocky ledge from where she could see farther into the south. Oddly, she then pulled up and began hovering in place; she was clearly startled or surprised. Toothless followed after her and flew out past the ledge.
They all beheld what lay ahead in the massive valley between the mountains.
Hiccup stared in complete awe.
What looked like the ruins of an old city, Osgiliath, lay on the Anduin river. Most of the land around the river was a flat grassland and open plain interspersed with visible farms and fields. But what was most awe-inspiring was the city or fortress built up against the eastern base of the White Mountains.
It was a truly massive place which almost shined with a white glow even in the pervasive gloom. Massive walls of stone and towers ringed the city like it was a fortress. Several distinct levels were visible and filled with what were certainly homes, gathering halls, armaments, and supply rooms. The fortress was built around an enormous spur of white rock that jutted out from the mountain and which stood well over half a mile above the rest of the city. A glimmering silver tower and grey Citadel stood on the highest level on the outcropping while large banners whipped in the wind.
Minas Tirith.
"That is a very big nest-city!" Toothless barked in amazement.
"No kidding. That's got to be the biggest city ever."
And it wasn't even their main city...
"It looks different from Edoras. I see more rocks-dens here," Toothless added.
"Yeah, different people built it long ago. Let's go!"
They resumed flying along the mountains, swiftly approaching the city. Several companies of people were going about various activities outside the city.
Minas Tirith's scale only grew larger as they neared it, and seeing how large it was left Hiccup breathless. This place and the craftsmanship on display far surpassed anything he had ever seen before. Even the honorary statues carved back on Berk were tiny by comparison.
Okay, where to go first? Aragorn said something about the Citadel up on top. Probably there. Hopefully Gandalf told them about us...
"Let's land up on top! That's probably where we should go first."
Toothless nodded in agreement and angled his flight higher.
Now that they were closer there were more visible details about the city. Countless people in silver armor were on patrol or active within the walls. Other people in normal attire were running about while carrying crates or moving supplies. The streets and seven different levels of the city had fountains and trees throughout. Towers and catapults dominated the walls on each level of the city.
It was as though the city was filled with warriors and an army, which it probably was.
They flew higher toward the upper level on top of the white spur that jutted out from the mountain.
Gods this is high up...
The level on top of the outcropping had a courtyard of grass, several more guards standing at attention around a pool, a Citadel and other similar buildings, and a tall white tower that rose like a needle into the sky. Massive banners floated from the tower in the wind.
Alright, that is some amazing engineering! Rohan has nothing like this...
They glided down and landed halfway down the courtyard.
Hiccup dismounted as the two Furies stretched and folded away their wings. The elevation was so great that the air felt noticeably cooler chill, and there was a near-constant wind that fluttered his robes and whipped his hair after he took off his helmet.
"All good, bro?"
"Yes, it was a long flight," Toothless groaned.
"Moonbeam?"
She grumbled while staring toward the Citadel.
"Edoras I know and feel safe in, but these humans are different. I do not know these ones..." she said.
Hiccup followed her gaze; there were indeed several guards, the same ones he had seen standing around a pool, now lined up facing them. The guards were standing in front of a withered, white tree and were bearing silver shields and armor, spear-pikes, long black cloaks, and helms with wings like those of sea-birds.
Alright, they know we're here! One of them can probably take a message for us.
"Let's go give them the good news."
They began approaching the four guards, all of whom remained motionless. Toothless and Moonbeam walked closely behind him.
Something about the guards' gaze and bearing was unnerving. It only got worse when the four men moved in unison, holding their shields and pikes out and pointing them in their direction. The guards were clearly wary of the two dragons, and both Toothless and Moonbeam shuffled on their paws.
I can't blame these guards, really...
"Greetings! I bring news from Rohan!"
The guards said nothing and did not move at all.
"We come in peace."
Nothing. No reply.
Okay, this is awkward...
Another man clad in silver armor came running from the Citadel.
"Halt! Stay there!"
No problem with that...
The new man stepped around the guards and fearlessly approached, his eyes wide in evident awe.
"So it is true what Mithrandir and Master Peregrin told us..."
"Was it about dragons?" he asked.
"Yes, that they are kindly beasts, as difficult as that is to imagine," the man answered.
"Not beasts, kindly or otherwise," Hiccup crossed his arms and frowned.
Toothless nodded.
"No, we are not."
Apparently surprised, the man bowed his head.
"My apologies, old habits are most difficult to break. I am Beregond of the Citadel Guard."
"I am... Master Haddock. These two dragons are... Burning-Star and Moonbeam."
"Well met, all of you."
Curious about the guards and the white tree, Hiccup gestured at the motionless guards around the tree.
"Speaking of guards, what is with these ones? We are not doing anything to them."
The four guards had remained motionless and silent with their weapons drawn and pointed at them all throughout the meeting.
"They are the Guards of the Tree. They are trained to defend the Tree and this courtyard with their lives against any foes," Beregond explained.
"There are no foes here," Hiccup grumbled.
"No, but they will see dragons as a danger unless the Steward himself were to name them as welcome here."
"Pardon my saying so, but the tree is dead. Why guard it?" Toothless objected.
Beregond directly addressed him in response.
"We guard it, good dragon, because we hope that it might flower and live again. If you three would follow me, we might put some distance between ourselves and these guards here..."
They followed Beregond as he led them around the fountain and tree. The four tree guards followed them while staying in formation.
Hiccup thought the four guards' rigid dedication was both admirable and also frustrating.
Stubbornness was good, but could also be very problematic... such as now.
"Are all of you in Gondor like those tree guards?"
Beregond frowned.
"No, these guards have one job only. The rest of us have our various duties. Even so, I can understand that sometimes following orders alone is not enough, should a greater evil follow from blind obedience."
They finally put enough distance between themselves and the tree that the tree guards put away their weapons and retook formation. Their cloaks swayed in the constant breeze.
"Now, may I ask why you are here?" Beregond inquired.
"Certainly. We flew from Edoras and we have news from King Theoden."
"You flew from Rohan! Excellent! Lord Denethor, at Mithrandir's insistence, lit the beacons to send for aid not two days hence. You must tell the Steward at once."
"I will. Where is the Steward?"
"He is in the Citadel. Follow me."
They followed Beregond across the grassy courtyard until they approached the massive Citadel. Another company of guards stood at attention outside the Citadel's front door of polished metal, and they blocked the entrance.
"If you would follow me, Master Haddock. The dragons must stay outside," Beregond explained.
"What? Why? It doesn't look too small for all of us."
"No animals are allowed inside the Citadel Keep."
Hiccup took a very deep breath and mentally counted to ten. He knew that he could ignore this insult and enter on his own, or he could be stubborn and make a point. That made for an easy choice.
"No animals are allowed inside the Citadel? Okay. That excludes me then."
"What?" Beregond looked confused.
"I am an animal. Humans are animals just like dragons are. If they are not allowed inside the Citadel, I am not entering either. Denethor can come outside to talk if he wants to hear the news, though I wonder how he is allowed in there. Is he not a human?"
Beregond stood stunned and not sure what to say.
"You would have the Steward leave his chambers and the Citadel so as to hear a message from Rohan? Are you serious?"
Hiccup crossed his arms and held his head high.
"Yes."
"Very well. I shall inform the Steward."
Beregond departed from them and entered the Citadel. Hiccup turned away from the building and, fuming, strode over to the Furies' side.
"You did not need to do that," Moonbeam said.
"No, but it felt like the right thing to do. I can't have them mistreating us or thinking about dragons the wrong way."
"Why do these humans not like us?" Toothless grumbled.
Hiccup shrugged, already guessing much of why Gondor would not be so welcoming.
"They do not know us since they didn't see the pack fighting at Helm's Deep. These people have been at war longer too. That probably makes them more suspicious of us. Maybe more like Berk in some ways."
Toothless grumbled.
"True, they are more like fighters, even if their enemy is not dragons."
They waited outside on the grass, silently staring into the East toward the faint glow on the horizon.
Motion at the front door finally drew their attention as a group of Citadel guards approached. A lone man at the fore of the procession was definitely someone of status.
He had dark deep eyes that gazed forever into the distance and a noble face with proud bones and a long nose. His hair was long and fell down in curls to his shoulders. He wore a dark fur cloak. Something about his appearance, even given that he was lacking a beard, made him look like a great and proud wizard.
The man's courage was confirmed when he lifted a hand and waved off his guards, though they stood nearby and very alert. Denethor strode up before the three of them without any delay or display of fear.
"This is the one I have heard whispers of: the dragon master," Denethor mildly said.
"You have heard wrong. I am no master."
"Indeed. You have seen far too few winters to have earned such a title. And yet, here you stand in the courtyard of the Tree whilest you would have the Steward of Gondor leave the Citadel so that he may hear the news you bring him."
Denethor's eyes blazed with hidden fire and strength, almost in the same way that he remembered Gothi's or Gandalf's eyes. It felt as though Denethor was looking through him with every glance and every word.
He would once have quailed at such an imposing person.
"I... am not yet eighteen, true. But I have done more than most of your men have done in their lifetimes."
"Is that so?"
"I have seen the waterfalls of Imladris, the woods of Lothlorien, the Dwarven realm of Erebor, and the emptiness of the Northern Waste. I call a dragon my brother and have been adopted into a dragon family. I will not ask for pardon for refusing to enter a place where my brother and his mate are not allowed."
"No? Is it customary for the messengers of Rohan to be so impertinent? Has the courtesy of Theoden's court been so lessened?"
"No. I am not a messenger of Rohan or King Theoden's court."
That surprised Denethor because the man blinked.
"You are here on your own account then?"
"Not exactly. I represent a pack of dragons who are living in peace with the people of Rohan, as I am sure you know. Burning-Star is a Night Fury, and Moonbeam is a Light Fury. We flew here to let you and Gandalf know that Theoden and the Rohirrim will answer the summons."
Denethor stared at him for a long time in silence.
"Will he? That is... reassuring, if it happens not too late for us. Mithrandir convinced me to light the beacons and send for aid, for all the good that will do now against the shadow that spreads over the land."
Hiccup slowly nodded.
"King Theoden said they would rally everyone they could in two days and then they would ride for this city. Not only are they riding here, but there are other dragons, more Night Furies, who will also come here to help in the battle."
Denethor gazed at Toothless and Moonbeam as they reclined on the grass a few paces away. Then the Steward turned away and stared off at the distant eastern horizon.
"Some say that the eyes of the White Tower are blind, but I have seen more than even the Wizard would deem possible. You say that these other dragons fly to our aid?"
"Yes, they already did so for Rohan at..."
Denethor interrupted him with a dismissive handwave.
"At Helm's Deep, I know of it. I have heard whispers of your dragon's deeds even when you lived in the ruins of Arnor. Yet, in these fell and dark days, it is difficult to know where one can place trust. For I have seen and dreamed of dragons like these ones swarming about this city and filling the streets with fire and death."
Toothless grumbled.
"That will not happen. The pack will fly here to help protect you from the Enemy. We hate Sauron also."
Denethor frowned and put a hand to his hip on which there was something like a horn hanging from his belt.
"So you do. Why should I doubt that? Do I doubt what I see and hear now or what I saw and heard before, night after night?" he muttered.
"You should judge us for what we do. Not what we are," Toothless answered him.
Oddly, Denethor nodded while he stared off into the distance. His eyes also filled with a cold, hard gaze.
"I understand that. Everyone should be judged for their... quality and ability to do as they should according to their position."
Hiccup could tell that something was amiss there; Denethor sounded bitter about something, but it was not his place to ask.
"Perhaps you could properly introduce me to these two good dragons..." Denethor then said, seemingly getting himself under control.
Hiccup gestured to them.
"They can introduce themselves."
Both Furies stepped forward and sat down directly before them.
"My name is Burning-Star."
"Mine is Moonbeam."
Denethor barely inclined his head toward them. Hiccup thought his doing so was probably the most respectful thing he had done yet.
What is his problem? Maybe he is just a very proud and stubborn person; it seems like he is.
"I shall have word sent that you are both... welcome here and may go where you wish, within reason."
Denethor then gestured to Hiccup.
"Would you be so kind as to follow me... Master Haddock?"
"Certainly, Steward Denethor."
He followed Denethor out along the ramparts of the open level past the courtyard. Toothless and Moonbeam followed closely behind, and Denethor did not look at all afraid of them or call for his personal guards to follow him. The uppermost level on the spur of rock was flattened and paved past the fountain, grassy courtyard, and the tunnel that looked like the main entrance to this level. The wide cliff narrowed the farther out from the Citadel they walked. The dry wind whipped his robes all throughout as he hugged the wall to see as much as he could.
The cliff narrowed up to the bare precipice where only one man could stand.
He was not afraid of heights, so he walked straight up to the edge and stood there with his robes flowing in the wind.
The temptation was too great, so he leaned forward and looked straight down. The spur fell vertically all the way down to near the main gate at the first level of the city.
His jaw fell open in awe.
There was something humbling to see how high up he truly was and how massive the city was. The open fields, farmland, and grassland of the Pelennor stretched out miles in all directions before the city. He could also see that the mountains far off in the east were painted with a faintly red, flickering glow from beyond the horizon.
Gods, I wouldn't want to fall from up here. On the other hand, gliding down could be fun. I should do that as a test flight!
His actual wingsuit was still in the supplies right now.
"Impressive. I can see that you have no great fear of heights," Denethor observed while leaning against the wall.
"It's an occupational hazard of living with dragons."
"Now that we are away from my attendants, we can speak more plainly, Master Haddock. I heard enough of your story from Mithrandir and the Halfling. I also know of the mission of the Fellowship. Were you there when... Boromir fell?"
"No, we were not with the Fellowship at all until well after that. I heard that he was shot with many arrows."
Denethor's eyes flashed.
"So I have heard also. These are such dark days that the greater fall while the weaker linger. But on that I must drink the cup that I have poured for myself."
Huh? What does that mean?
"Do you know where the Ring lies now?" Denethor added.
"I don't know."
Denethor sneered and gazed to the eastern horizon.
"I know that the weapon of the Enemy is being taken to Mordor to be destroyed. Foolishness. It should have been brought here and kept here in the city, hidden deep in our vaults for safekeeping and not used... except in the greatest of need."
Hiccup frowned and glanced at Toothless.
"I don't think we can use it at all. It corrupts everyone; I should know..."
"What do you mean by that?"
Hiccup stared away off to the horizon, remembering the Council and all that had followed from it.
"I had the Ring for a few seconds. I held it. It almost destroyed everything I love," he whispered.
Denethor waved a hand in his direction.
"You are not a man of Gondor. I know the corrupting power of the Ring on those who are weaker. Few indeed can struggle with the mind of the Enemy. But sending the Ring into the land of the Enemy is madness!"
Toothless grumbled and answered him.
"I am stronger than a man of Gondor, and I do not trust myself around the Ring. Even Gandalf does not trust himself with it."
Denethor mostly ignored him, took a deep breath, and stared out toward the ruins of Osgiliath.
"It matters not. The Ring is lost to us, gone beyond stretch of our hand, and we must make our defense with what little strength we do have. Osgiliath holds for now, but it will fall. Will we endure the siege here until aid arrives? Why would we resist against such a mighty foe? That the House of Stewards fail and my line come to an end when even he dies here and there is nothing that can withstand the shadow that reaches out to us when stubborn defiance is in vain..."
Hiccup glanced at Toothless with a confused look which the Fury returned.
Then Denethor sighed, held a hand to his temple, and turned away from the Pelennor. His eyes, filled with a frantic glare, calmed as the wildness faded and as he waved a hand before his head, as if swatting away bugs.
"But let come what must be. We have kept watch, very closely, on the evil in the Mordor for generations. We have not given in before now, and still maybe there is some hope left. Maybe the tree will bloom, maybe the Enemy will fall, maybe a King will return to take the throne again. All that we can do is wait for our doom now."
"With respect, Lord Denethor, we can also fight," Hiccup said.
"Fight? Yes, we can and we do. This whole city is a fortress, and we shall stand defiant while we can. And I shall be there fighting alongside my men in the siege that shall follow. I have not forgotten how to wield a blade."
Denethor's hand went to his scabbard and sword that Hiccup had not noticed until just then. The man was actually wearing a full coat of mail under his fur robes, as though he was always prepared for battle.
I can understand and respect that. Maybe I should do that with the wingsuit from now on.
Always being ready to fly felt like a prudent measure to take. Being stuck on the ground was wrong, especially with the city having such changes in elevation.
Toothless huffed and stepped forward.
"Do you have a den where we could rest? It was a long flight to fly here."
"Yes, I could find accommodations for the three of you. Beregond will see to your needs. You plan to stay here with us even as the storm breaks?" Denethor asked.
Hiccup nodded.
"We have a flair for the dramatic, so yes, we will be staying here to help you. I'll also help your people learn to trust these dragons and the others once they arrive."
"These are much bigger dens than those in Rohan," Toothless observed.
"And definitely compared to your old one in the Shire," Hiccup added.
"You slept in one of these dens? That is twisted," Moonbeam grumbled.
Toothless laughed and pranced inside the stable, spinning in place as he settled down on the fresh straw. Moonbeam huffed and bounded inside after him, settling down at his side. They started nuzzling each other and licking each other's neck.
"Do I need to close the door and leave now?" Hiccup teased.
"No, we are not doing that. This is only bonding and rest," Toothless grumbled.
"You may join us," Moonbeam purred.
"Well, if you insist..."
He hauled the supplies inside, went over to them, and sat down with a sigh at her side. She lay a white wing partially over him.
"So, Denethor has problems," he said.
"His thinking is twisted," Toothless said.
"I agree. He feels sad or lost, almost like he doesn't have hope," Hiccup agreed.
"He needs more stubbornness. Like you have."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"You both do," Moonbeam grumbled.
"Did I tell either of you the story about how my first father tried to break a rock by hitting his head against it?" Hiccup chuckled.
"Did he break his head?" Toothless chuckled.
"Maybe. He gave himself a lot of headaches. His father wanted him to become stronger, so he did that to prove himself."
Moonbeam chuffed.
"Humans are twisted..."
"I know."
Toothless yawned, and Moonbeam yawned seconds later.
"Here, let me get that saddle off."
Hiccup took the saddle off Toothless and then began unpacking some of the supplies in a corner of the room. He didn't know if he would be staying in this stable with them all the time, but at least it was a place to store the stuff.
While the stable they had been given was large and comfortable, it was also up on a circle of the city where many of the guards and soldiers ventured for supplies or to retrieve horses from other stables.
A crowd of men in armor began to gather in the wide street outside the stable. Their gazes were a mixture of alarm, suspicion, and surprise. Boys and girls similarly gathered behind the men and stared into the stable.
"Demons?" "Shadowspawn?" "Daddy, are those fellbeasts?" "Are they tamed?" "What are those monsters?" "Avert your eyes!" "Why are they here?" "Is the Steward mad?"
Toothless's ears fell as he listened to everything being said about him and Moonbeam. None of it warmed his soul-fire.
"They do not like us," Toothless muttered.
"No, they think we are monsters..." Moonbeam hissed.
Hiccup frowned and leaned against her side, gently scratching her neck in reassurance.
"They don't know you, and they didn't see you all fly to defend everyone in Rohan. It will take time for them to trust you. Want to meet any of them?"
"Sure," Toothless answered.
Hiccup got up and walked out to meet the soldiers of Gondor and their gathered kids. He held his posture and tried to be as confident as possible before them.
"Hello everyone! These are good dragons! They are here to help defend the city! Anyone want to meet them?"
Silence and awkward stares followed.
No one moved.
"Anyone?"
"We do not bite!" Toothless smiled a toothless smile.
One lad made to step forward, but a man grabbed him and pulled him back.
What's their problem? Can't they see what's right before them?
Their reaction was almost what he expected while also being infuriating. But on the other hand, that they had a lot of progress still to make meant that he had work to do and a purpose to see to with them. He could help them change in time.
Further, the arrival of the Night Furies to help defend the city would help a lot to build good will, just as it had at Helm's Deep.
"What's going on here?" a new, familiar voice cried out.
The crowd of armored men parted from behind as a small figure and a lone man stepped forward.
Pippin and Beregond of the Citadel Guard emerged from the crowd. Both were clad in armor displaying a white tree and seven stars against a dark and silver background.
What is he doing in Gondor armor now? Hobbits...
"There they are! My favorite dragons in the world, except for your little brother; he's closer to my size!" Pippin laughed.
Pippin strode straight up to Toothless and gave him a hug which Toothless returned.
"Good to see you too, silly Hobbit!" Toothless purred.
Pippin then respectfully greeted Moonbeam, letting her gently ruffle his hair.
Hiccup glanced around at the audience and was amused to see all the expressions of shock, disbelief, and amazement.
Bet that showed them up. A Hobbit willing to go say hello to dragons whereas brave, big warriors hang back.
Beregond stood before him and addressed him.
"Master Haddock, I was bidden to bring you and the... dragons to meet Mithrandir. There will be food for all."
"Food!" Toothless spun on him as Moonbeam's ears lifted also.
"Thinking with your belly, bro?" Hiccup laughed.
"Hey, I approve of this also! It's about time for elevensies anyway!" Pippin cheerfully explained.
Gandalf was put up in a very fine abode on the sixth circle of the city. The house made of white stone had its own bathroom, something Hiccup found an amazing feat of design, a large balcony that overlooked the entire Pelennor, and a small grassy courtyard next door.
Gandalf almost flew out the building in his haste to greet them.
"Master Haddock, Toothless, Moonbeam! What a pleasant surprise! You have news for us, yes?"
Hiccup nodded.
"Yes, we do. Theoden's riders will come."
Gandalf visibly sighed in relief.
"Good. Very good. When?"
"They are meeting at a place called Dunharrow and will leave from there in... two days from now."
Gandalf leaned on his staff and stared into the distance.
"Dunharrow, perfect, that makes Aragorn's task much easier. So they ride and should arrive... yes, yes, we should be able to hold until then."
"This city is amazing. I doubt anything could break it," Hiccup agreed.
Oddly, Gandalf frowned and grumbled.
"Not all of the Enemy's deadliest powers have been fully revealed yet."
Gandalf went back inside his house, and Hiccup wondered what he meant by that.
Beregond coughed to get his attention.
"Excuse me, Master Haddock, Burning-Star, where do you want the food for the dragons? We have ample supplies of salted pork."
"Over here is good," Toothless answered.
Toothless and Moonbeam bounded over and lay down on the grass by the house. Beregond took the bag of salted pork over to them.
"And what would you want, Master Haddock?" Beregond then asked.
"Just some bread and cheese, thank you."
"I will see it done," Beregond bowed and departed.
Hiccup then followed Pippin inside the house. There were few possessions inside save for Gandalf's and Pippin's traveling bags and clothing.
Gandalf was smoking pipe-weed while standing on the outer balcony and staring into the distance. Hiccup and Pippin went over to join him and leaned against the railing. Neither of them said anything for a long time until curiosity got the better of him as he stared up at the sky.
"What is with this cloud? I've never seen anything like this before."
"Yeah, it's so dark, and I can't see the stars," Pippin agreed.
"This cloud," Gandalf grumbled, "is a device of the Enemy. It comes from Orodruin, from Mount Doom. He uses the shadow for secrecy and also to aid his armies' passing. Orcs and even the Nazgul are pained by sunlight, so he covers all the land in shadow. We are already in the Dawnless Days now."
Yikes, days without dawn? That's discouraging. But...
"Well, it's a good thing that Toothless and most of the rest of the pack are Night Furies then!"
"Rest of the pack? What?" Gandalf asked.
"Oh yes, I forgot to mention that several others are going to fly here also to help defend the city."
"Will they? That is good also. Having wings of our own in the sky will be very welcome."
"Of our own?" Pippin innocently asked.
"Yes, have you have heard of the fellbeasts before?"
Hiccup nodded, remembering those things being mentioned several times, though he had never seen one himself.
"Yeah, what are those?"
Gandalf looked away into the distance toward Osgiliath.
"They are... almost like Night Furies in appearance except they are truly beasts, have much longer necks, do not breathe fire, have only two legs..."
That's not so bad...
"...and they are mounts for the Nazgul," Gandalf finished.
Oh, right. I forgot. Yeah, that's bad!
"Wraiths on wings?" Pippin gasped.
"Indeed. Where Sauron found such beasts, I cannot know. But he was breeding them, keeping them in secret to be used at the key moment in the war. That moment is upon us. The pieces are moving."
"What about the Eagles? Why don't they join in the fight here?" Hiccup wondered.
"They are not idle; they have their own aeries to defend. The Elves will also come under attack, if they have not already. The hammerstroke will fall greatest on us though. Osgiliath is already under heavy siege."
Now that Hiccup looked closer, there were columns of smoke rising from the ruins of the distant city.
"Denethor said that it would fall soon," Hiccup muttered.
Gandalf spun on him in apparent surprise.
"You have met with the Steward? Yes, you must have. What did you think of him?"
Proud, great, stubborn, sad about something...
"He is definitely a great man, but he felt... did something bad happen to him?"
Gandalf looked away with a flash of annoyance.
"Steward Denethor is Boromir's father."
Hiccup understood with that terrible news what must have been happening. Denethor was a grieving father who still had to be a leader for his people. He was not so different from what Theoden was for Rohan or... what his own father had to be long ago when his mother was taken. And yet they all remained as strong as possible for the good of their people.
"That explains a lot. What will happen next?"
Gandalf resumed puffing his pipe while staring across the plains and fields.
"Faramir will let Osgiliath fall when he must. He will soon fall back to this city, and then we must endure the siege until Rohan and other aid arrives."
"We'll hold. Nothing can break that gate," Hiccup pointed out.
"Yeah, we have the White Wizard. No more hidden Balrogs out there either," Pippin added.
Gandalf said nothing for a long time.
"Did you know that Gondor's lost capital city of Osgiliath had two fortresses? Minas Tirith here, and Minas Ithil among the far mountains of shadow," Gandalf finally asked.
"No, what is that other place?" Hiccup asked.
"It is better known now as Minas Morgul."
The chill wind flowed around them, ruffling their robes. The sounds of the city faded.
"That place, the dead city, is where the Lord of the Nazgul abides: the Witch-King of Angmar."
The wind gusted with a cold bite and a faint whisper which made Hiccup shiver. A creeping fear was slinking through the shadows, a screeching cry echoing from...
Gandalf held a hand up before them; a faint warmth or flash of fire flowed through the air and vanquished the chill. Gandalf then lowered his hand.
"Who is that?" Hiccup whispered into the silence.
"He is the greatest of the Nine Nazgul, a fallen Numenorian whom Sauron has given much of his power. He is a sorcerer. You have met him before; he stabbed Frodo with a Morgul Blade on Weathertop."
Pippin winced, and Hiccup also remembered that terrible, sickly wound. He also shivered at the memory of how that Nazgul had been different and wielded especially terrifying power.
"Even so, he wasn't hard to stop. He's still a Nazgul and weak to fire, true?" Hiccup warily asked.
"Maybe he was then, but he has grown mightier as Sauron's power has waxed. I do not know how strong he is now... possibly even as great as the Balrog was. He is the only foe in all Middle-earth whom I fear to face, short of Sauron himself."
"Alright," Pippin groaned, "that's ominous."
Gandalf nodded.
"It is said that not by the hand of man shall he meet his end."
"But you're a Wizard! You can take him!" Pippin clamored.
"Yeah, it sounds like you're here for that. The two greatest Wizards on both sides facing each other..." Hiccup offered.
Gandalf drew a breath while holding his staff.
"Perhaps, or he may meet his end in some way we cannot foresee. It is frequently so with prophecies. Regardless, courage is the best defense this city has now."
"What are we against other than orcs?" Pippin asked.
"Legions of Haradrim, Mumakil, trolls, mercenaries and corsairs, and the Nazgul in the air. All together... a hundred thousand strong at least."
Gandalf turned to them and must have seen something of their grim expressions because he smiled.
"But do not give in to fear. We can indeed hold the city and the gate until Rohan arrives. Between the thousands who will defend Minas Tirith from within, all the riders Theoden will bring, the Furies who will help defend, and my own considerable strength, we stand a very good chance."
Hiccup stared out toward the plains and fields and the smoking ruins of Osgiliath. Then he left to go see to Toothless and Moonbeam and to tell them everything he knew.
They were sitting together on the grass and nibbling at the salted pork Beregond brought for them.
"That bag has food for you," Toothless nodded at a satchel.
The bag had bread, cheese, a few pieces of fruit, and a canteen of water, all of which he started working on.
"So, bro, Moonbeam, what do you think of the city so far?"
Moonbeam softly hummed as she stared out over the Pelennor.
"This is the biggest human nest-city I have ever seen. It is amazing what humans can make with their paws."
"I wish that they trusted us more. Their soul-fires are cold," Toothless grumbled.
Hiccup nodded.
"I know. They've been living under the shadow of Mordor for a long time, and that makes them more suspicious. But think about everyone in Rohan; they learned after they saw us fighting for them at Helm's Deep. This will be no different. We will fight to protect them, and they will learn that we are not monsters."
"Yes, they will," Toothless agreed.
Toothless then chuckled at something.
"What's funny?" Hiccup asked.
"You are calling yourself a dragon now."
Hiccup grinned and nodded toward the saddlepack and all the supplies within.
"Well, why not? I have wings of my own, have dark armor, live in a Fury pack, am part of a dragon family, and I can shoot fire, in my own way."
Toothless huffed.
"I like you as a human."
Moonbeam rolled her eyes.
"You are both tail-twisted."
"I know." "Yep, we are."
Hiccup then turned to Toothless, something far more serious on his mind.
"Do you remember how there was one of those Nazgul that was different from the others: the one that spoke to us up there on Weathertop?"
"Yes," Toothless hissed.
"Yeah, that one is a special leader among the Nazgul. It might be the leader of the attack on this city."
"So we flame it."
"Maybe it's that simple. I hope so."
Everything settled down after that as they all ate their food and rested. The warm wind swirled about their quarters. The sounds and cries of people working and preparing for the inevitable siege carried on the wind.
Their gazes were frequently drawn out into the distance, toward the faintly flickering glow far off beyond the horizon. All while the dark clouds swirled above and covered the Pelennor and the city itself in shadow.