The Palantir

Summary

Pippin is extremely inquisitive about the glass ball that Wormtongue threw at Gandalf. Finally, curiosity overcomes him and he can stand it no longer. He goes to where Gandalf is and steals the globe. His conscience tells him not to meddle in the affairs of wizards, but he cannot bring himself to stop. He gazes into the palantir and screams. Gandalf revives Pippin, asking him what he has done and seen.

Pippin then tells Gandalf that when he looked into the globe he saw a tower, around which nine huge bat-like things were flying. One of them came up close and he saw Sauron. Sauron saw Pippin and imagined that Sarumon had captured him. Sauron told Sarumon to bring him the Hobbits.

Pippin does not understand this, but Gandalf does. Sauron wants the Hobbits, thinking they can lead him to the ring. Sauron does not yet know that the palantir is in GandalfÂ’s possession. Gandalf forgives Pippin because he knows that if he had looked into the palantir, Sauron would have realized what transpired.

Just as he is about to leave, a Nazgul flies over head. Gandalf and Pippin leave. Gandalf tells Pippin that Sauron must be close. He has sent one of his servants to find Saruman. Since the seeing stone is no longer in Sarumon's possession, he will not be able to answer SauronÂ’s summons. The Dark Lord will think Sarumon has betrayed him.

Suspense deepens as one danger is defeated and a greater one rears its head. Gandalf and Pippin are separated from the others and must make their way alone.

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