"Walking trees?"

"Sounds a bit like Old Man Willow, if he remembered he could walk."

"Imagine such a cranky old fellow walking about."

"I would rather not."

"I would not describe Treebeard as ill-natured in the least. It is a pity you could not have met him. I am certain you would have enjoyed each others' company."

Seated atop the steps to Meduseld, Gandalf mulled over all Legolas had shared with the hobbits as they digested their second breakfast, which was provided after a few well-placed hints. The following meal had turned into a veritable feast. Once more in their element, the hobbits had held court, regaling all present with their tales.

Now sitting with Legolas, newly released from the infirmary, the hobbits had attempted to draw out every detail of the elf's time in Orthanc and in Fangorn, though he had not been forthcoming enough for their tastes. Gandalf found even he knew little of the elf's tale. The hobbits were no match for Legolas's cleverness and stubbornness, however, and had learned only what he had cared to share.

Except on the subject of Ents, on which he had endeavored to answer all of the hobbits' questions patiently and fully. Gandalf had almost admonished Pippin for his rigorous inquiry, but saw that the hobbits had done much to bring Legolas out of his reticence.

Some deeper wounds had yet to heal, however. Gandalf was grieved by the lack of conversation between Legolas and Gimli. Since freeing Gimli of his cuffs and joining the others on the terrace, dwarf had sat beside wizard on the steps, silently observing the sunny plains of Rohan and the approaching dark from the East, while the elf had paid him no heed.

The rift made the hobbits nervous, but they were likely at a loss as to what to do, and simply ignored it. Gandalf still had faith the two would approach each other before long. He would leave this to the two of them—for the moment. The loss of their friendship would be a severe blow to the entire Fellowship, fragile as it now was.

The doors to the Great Hall opened and released Aragorn out onto the terrace, looking a bit less weary, if not less hungry. The Ranger had opted for sleep rather than a second meal.

At the top of the broad steps, Aragorn stared out into the distance. What he saw he did not share, but the morning surely weighed on his mind. Gandalf wondered whether the last weeks weighed heavier.

"Strider!" Pippin rose to greet the man.

"Strider, you missed a wonderful meal. Aren't you hungry?"

"You really ought to eat," Pippin said, ever the man's caretaker.

"I found I was more weary than hungry. It was good to sleep and not dream."

"I am told you have much to consider regarding your coming days," Legolas said, rising to join them. "Have you made your decision? Or did you leave that to your dreams?"

Aragorn grew quiet and looked out to the plains once more. "I have made my decision."

Gandalf was not surprised. Aragorn was not one to take long to choose his course. That he had not announced his judgment upon hearing Elrond's message might have been another measure of the man's weariness. When Gandalf sought Aragorn's eye, however, he saw more than fatigue. He found doubt, something he had not seen in the man in many years. If Aragorn harbored doubts over his choice, why proclaim it made?

"You take the Paths of the Dead, do you not?" Gimli said, speaking for the first time, resignation lacing his words. Once Aragorn made his decision he would not be swayed.

"Aye. I will pass through the Gate of Dunharrow with the morrow's dawn. It was Elrond's intention that I remember the words of Malbeth, and so there is a reason, even if I cannot see it.

"I believe the time is come to strike a new path from Edoras," he said, looking at them in turn. "Tomorrow, I call the Sleepless Dead to fulfill their oaths and fight against Sauron. A treacherous path, I agree, but one I must take. We have the need of which the seer spoke." He looked at his each of his companions. "It is a path of death and fear and so I ask few to accompany me and only if they be willing. But those who be willing, I welcome to ride with me."

Gimli grumbled. "We do not have the uruk-hai of Saruman to fight for us, so Aragorn turns to the cursed dead." He looked to Gandalf as he stood and climbed to the top step.

"He follows the wisdom of Elrond. It is not a poor choice," Gandalf said, wondering what this decision would do to the Company. Gimli clearly disapproved, but Gandalf suspected the dwarf would follow Aragorn in the end.

"Strider," Pippin said as if hearing the wizard's thoughts, "I don't understand all this about Sleeping Dead needing to be woken up, but if it's so dangerous, can't you find another way?"

Aragorn smiled ruefully. "Pippin, your concern is not unwarranted. But I now follow the counsel of Elrond that this is the best way. We may not yet see the path, and so I go by my trust in him."

Pippin's mouth puckered. "Well, then, if you insist on going on such a preposterous journey, I will have to go with you. You will not look after yourself properly, I am sure, so I will have to do it for you."

Gandalf gaped at Pippin, as did Aragorn. The wizard had not expected Pippin's protective nature to extend so far. The hobbit would not take kindly to Gandalf's news then.

"Pippin," Aragorn started, "I am grateful for your concern, but you need not look after me any longer. And this road I take is fraught with peril and death. I would not wish such for you, so soon after the horrors you have suffered."

Gandalf cleared his throat as Pippin began his new protest. "It is good that you feel no need of a caretaker, Aragorn, for you will have none on this journey. Pippin cannot travel with you."

"Gandalf! How can you say such a thing!" Pippin's shock turned to indignation. "I know best what Strider has suffered. I know better than the healers whether he is fit—"

"Peace, Pippin," Gandalf said. "I mean no offense. I merely mean to say you have another journey ahead of you."

Pippin made to continue his objections, but stopped when his mind caught up with his mouth. "I do?"

"My new path for the morrow will take me to the city of Minas Tirith," Gandalf said, glancing at the others. "I must speak with the Lord Denethor immediately, for he is a volatile piece on this board. He will have concerns regarding Rohan and I must assure that he looks to Mordor.

"I must also assure him that what he saw in the palantír is not a cause for concern. I do not wish him to think we are hiding Pippin's identity. For he knows of the words read at the Council that speak of a halfling and the Ring." He took a step toward the hobbit. "He will begin to think more of you, Pippin, than there is to know. And so, you will accompany me to Minas Tirith. Denethor is far more likely to trust me if he sees you as no threat."

Pippin looked at Gandalf, then Aragorn, then again at Gandalf, for a moment speechless. "Minas Tirith? Is... that very far?"

"It will require a few days' journey to reach the city."

"Couldn't I meet this Lord Denethor later? I could accompany Strider, then go to Minas Tirith."

"There is no time, Pippin," said Gandalf crossly, trying to squelch his impatience with Pippin's stubbornness. "Besides, the Paths of the Dead are not fit even for Men. I cannot say I would consider it wise for a hobbit to walk that road."

"Why not?" Merry spoke up now. "We have fought and bested orcs and goblins, Gandalf. And if Pippin cannot look after Strider, perhaps I can do the looking after for him. That is, if Gimli comes along. I must keep an eye on him, too." Merry glanced at his cousin before turning back to Gandalf. "But truthfully, my first choice is to be at my cousin's side. If you must take Pippin, might I ride with you as well? It matters not where I go if he and I are together."

Gandalf scowled. "And where would you ride—on your cousin's shoulders? Or perhaps in the saddlebags?" He saw then Merry's sincerity and hope, and pity softened his face. "There is only room for two on Shadowfax, Merry." As the hobbit's hope transformed into a scowl, Gandalf sighed deeply. Hobbits.

"Merry," Gimli added, "I need no looking after! And there is certainly no need for you throw yourself into a new peril, when you have just gotten out of one."

"Why would you wish to put yourself back in danger so quickly?" Merry frowned deeply. "Did I free you so you could walk into a place no one's ever come out of? And if you do go, why should not I go as well?"

To Gandalf's surprise, Gimli laughed, but it was without humor. "Merry, I sincerely appreciate your concern. But we have never truly been out of danger. I am simply deciding what sort of danger I face next. That does not require that you face the same, especially such a path of death."

"My friends," Aragorn said, interrupting their argument, "please, you must think of your own fate as well as others. I would have no one accompany me for misplaced motives." Aragorn looked to Merry and Pippin. "When I enter the Gate of Dunharrow on the morrow, I know not what I shall face nor if I shall see the other side. Were any to follow me, I would have them do so because they believe it is their path, not for the sake of another."

He turned to Gimli. "I welcome you, Gimli, but you must be sure of your choice. We know not what we shall meet on the road." After a short pause, he added more firmly, "And there shall be no alternative course." Gimli sighed and frowned in thought.

Merry turned his protest to Aragorn. "You think I shouldn't go. You believe I'm too small, that I cannot wield a weapon."

Aragorn looked at Merry sadly. "No, Merry. I do not doubt your skill. You have proved yourself with the orcs of Isengard. And you have served the Company well, especially in freeing Gimli. To best serve the Company now, you must consider yourself." Merry's brow furrowed, and Aragorn crouched before him. "We each have our part to play, in the Company, in the quest, in the war that is to come. Think on what should be your part, Merry. You must take the step that is on your path, not that of another."

A stormy look gathered on Merry's brow. "And what is my part on this quest, Aragorn? As extra baggage?"

Aragorn stood, sighing deeply. Gandalf understood that sigh. It was the sound of one trying to win an argument with a hobbit. "You have never been extra baggage, Meriadoc Brandybuck. You must know that. Where would Gimli be without you? But remember this: if my fate is to walk through the Gate of Dunharrow but not to emerge from the mountain, I shall be lost to the Company. Any who walk beside me shall be lost with me.

"If all those not riding to Minas Tirith walk with me, and are lost to the Paths of the Dead, only Gandalf and Pippin shall remain of the Company to aid Frodo and Sam in whatever way they may. If you take another path, a path of your own, you shall also remain, for the Company and for Frodo." Merry looked unconvinced, but Aragorn's resolve seemed to harden rather than crumble.

"Merry, in truth, on the morrow I see myself walking through the Gate of Dunharrow, if my foresight has returned to me." Gandalf frowned. The Company had indeed suffered much while he was away. "That is my path," Aragorn continued, "and I shall trust it. But Merry, I do not see you by my side. I do not believe that is your path."

Pippin shot a sharp glance to Aragorn, and then to Merry. "You don't see him with you? Where do you see him?"

"I know not, Pippin." He returned to Merry. "You have a path and a purpose on this quest. You may have yet to accomplish your greatest act, Merry. But you must allow the path to unfold, and not dictate your next step by the paths of others, whose fate you may not share."

Gandalf admired Aragorn's efforts to help Merry make his own decision, but it took no foresight to see the error in allowing Merry to walk through the Gate at Dunharrow. It was terribly wrong. He wished he could simply say that hobbits did not walk such paths. But Gandalf knew better than to underestimate hobbits. And yet, he could not shake the feeling of wrongness in the notion of a hobbit walking that haunted road. The Ranger might mistrust his foresight, but Gandalf would always trust his own.

"Don't you see yourself coming out the other side?" Pippin asked.

Aragorn laid a hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "That far I cannot see."