Book 5, Chapter 1 Summary

Pippin and Gandalf ride to Minas Tirith and, as they do, they pass by warriors of Gondor repairing the wall of Pelennor. Seeing them approach, the men are worried because Gandalf, the bearer of bad news, has arrived. However, he presses on toward Minas Tirith.

They enter the gate to the city and ride through the seven tiers up to the hall of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. Finally coming to the doors to Denethor's hall, Gandalf warns Pippin to be careful what he says. In response to Denethor's questions about Boromir, Pippin tells Denethor how Boromir died in the fight against the orcs. Because of his debt to Boromir, Pippin offers his services to Denethor as a knight of Gondor. Hearing this, Denethor accepts his service as a knight of Gondor and assigns him to the Tower Guard.

After asking...