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Chapter 4
THE SIEGE OF GONDOR
Pippin was roused by Gandalf. Candles were lit in their
chamber, for only a dim twilight came through the windows;
the air was heavy as with approaching thunder.
‘What is the time?’ said Pippin yawning.
‘Past the second hour,’ said Gandalf. ‘Time to get up and
make yourself presentable. You are summoned to the Lord
of the City to learn your new duties.’
‘And will he provide breakfast?’
‘No! I have provided it: all that you will get till noon. Food
is now doled out by order.’
Pippin looked ruefully at the small loaf and (he thought)
very inadequate pat of butter which was set out for him,
beside a cup of thin milk. ‘Why did you bring me here?’ he
said.
‘You know quite well,’ said Gandalf. ‘To keep you out of
mischief; and if you do not like being here, you can remember
that you brought it on yourself.’ Pippin said no more.
Before long he was walking with Gandalf once more
down the cold corridor to the door of the Tower Hall. There
Denethor sat in a grey gloom, like an old patient spider,
Pippin thought; he did not seem to have moved since the day
before. He beckoned Gandalf to a seat, but Pippin was left
for a while standing unheeded. Presently the old man turned
to him:
‘Well, Master Peregrin, I hope that you used yesterday to
your profit, and to your liking? Though I fear that the board
is barer in this city than you could wish.’
Pippin had an uncomfortable feeling that most of what he
had said or done was somehow known to the Lord of the