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is green。'
'All the same； I wish it was over for good or ill。' said Pippin。 'I am no warrior at all and dislike
any thought of battle； but waiting on the edge of one that I can't escape is worst of all。 What a long
day it seems already！ I should be happier； if we were not obliged to stand and watch； making no
move； striking nowhere first。 No stroke would have been struck in Rohan； I think； but for Gandalf。'
'Ah； there you lay your finger on the sore that many feel！' said Beregond。 'But things may
change when Faramir returns。 He is bold； more bold than many deem； for in these days men are
slow to believe that a captain can be wise and learned in the scrolls of lore and song； as he is； and
yet a man of hardihood and swift judgement in the field。 But such is Faramir。 Less reckless and
eager than Boromir； but not less resolute。 Yet what indeed can he do？ We cannot assault the
mountains of – of yonder realm。 Our reach is shortened； and we cannot strike till some foe es
within it。 Then our hand must be heavy！' He smote the hilt of his sword。
Pippin looked at him： tall and proud and noble； as all the men that he had yet seen in that land；
and with a glitter in his eye as he thought of the battle。 'Alas！ my own hand feels as light as a
feather；' he thought； but he said nothing。 'A pawn did Gandalf say？ Perhaps but on the wrong
chessboard。'
So they talked until the sun reached its height； and suddenly the noon…bells were rung； and there
was a stir in the citadel； for all save the watchmen were going to their meal。
'Will you e with me？' said Beregond。 'You may join my mess for this day。 I do not know to
what pany you will be assigned； or the Lord may hold you at his own mand。 But you will
be wele。 And it will be well to meet as many men as you may； while there is yet time。'
'I shall be glad to e；' said Pippin。 'I am lonely； to tell you the truth。 I left my best friend
behind in Rohan； and I have had no one to talk to or jest with。 Perhaps I could really join your
pany？ Are you the captain？ If so； you could take me on； or speak for me？'
'Nay； nay；' Beregond laughed； 'I am no captain。 Neither office nor rank nor lordship have I；
being but a plain man of arms of the Third pany of the Citadel。 Yet； Master Peregrin； to be
only a man of arms of the Guard of the Tower of Gondor is held worthy in the City； and such men
have honour in the land。'
'Then it is far beyond me；' said Pippin。 'Take me back to our room； and if Gandalf is not there； I
will go where you like – as your guest。'
Gandalf was not in the lodging and had sent no message； so Pippin went with Beregond and was
made known to the men of the Third pany。 And it seemed that Beregond got as much honour
from it as his guest； for Pippin was very wele。 There had already been much talk in the citadel
about Mithrandir's panion and his long closeting with the Lord； and rumour declared that a
Prince of the Halflings had e out of the North to offer allegiance to Gondor and five thousand
swords。 And some said that when the Riders came from Rohan each would bring behind him a
halfling warrior； small maybe； but doughty。
Though Pippin had regretfully to destroy this hopeful tale； he could not be rid of his new rank；
only fitting； men thought； to one befriended by Boromir and honoured by the Lord Denethor； and
they thanked him for ing among them； and hung on his words and stories of the outlands； and
gave him as much food and ale as he could wish。 Indeed his only trouble was to be 'wary' according
to the counsel of Gandalf； and not to let his tongue wag freely after the manner of a hobbit among
friends。
At length Beregond rose。 'Farewell for this time！' he said。 'I have duty now till sundown； as have
all the others here； I think。 But if you are lonely； as you say； maybe you would like a merry guide
about the City。 My son would go with you gladly。 A good lad； I may say。 If that pleases you； go
down to the lowest circle and ask for the Old Guesthouse in the Rath Celerdain； the Lampwrights'
Street。 You will find him there with other lads that are remaining in the City。 There may be things
worth seeing down at the Great Gate ere the closing。'
He went out； and soon after all the others followed。 The day was still fine； though it was
growing hazy； and it was hot for March； even so far southwards。 Pippin felt sleepy； but the lodging
seemed cheerless； and he decided to go down and explore the City。 He took a few morsels that he
had saved to Shadowfax； and they were graciously accepted； though the horse seemed to have no
lack。 Then he walked on down many winding ways。
People stared much as he passed。 To his face men were gravely courteous； saluting him after the
manner of Gondor with bowed head and hands upon the breast； but behind him he heard many calls；
as those out of doors cried to others within to e and see the Prince of the Halflings； the
panion of Mithrandir。 Many used some other tongue than the mon Speech； but it was not
long before he learned at least what was meant by _Ernil i Pheriannath_ and knew that his title had
gone down before him into the City。
He came at last by arched streets and many fair alleys and pavements to the lowest and widest
circle； and there he was directed to the Lampwrights' Street； a broad way running towards the Great
Gate。 In it he found the Old Guesthouse； a large building of grey weathered stone with two wings
running back from the street； and between them a narrow greensward； behind which was the many…
windowed house； fronted along its whole width by a pillared porch and a flight of steps down on to
the grass。 Boys were playing among the pillars； the only children that Pippin had seen in Minas
Tirith； and he stopped to look at them。 Presently one of them caught sight of him； and with a shout
he sprang across the grass and came into the street； followed by several others。 There he stood in
front of Pippin； looking him up and down。
'Greetings！' said the lad。 'Where do you e from？ You are a stranger in the City。'
'I was；' said Pippin； 'but they say I have bee a man