Washed Away
Disclaimer: I do not own anything taken from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, nor anything taken from the movies.
This story is written by T'Karish.
Author's Note: This takes place when the Ents are flooding Isengard, and Merry and Pippin are on the tower. Special thanks go to Elf-Vulcan, who helped edit.
"Merry? What's this?"
Merry looked up from the sack he was shuffling through at the object Pippin was holding. "It's a book, Pip."
"I know that. Read it," Pippin said, handing it to him.
Merry took the small, leather book and began to read…
Baregand, son of Aragand
To whomever may find this,
I write this in hopes that this may find it's way to hands of one who may stop this foulness in Isengard. I am Baregand. I, and a party of ten men, were hunting a band of Orcs when we were taken by surprise by the very Orcs we were searching for.. They bound us and brought us to Isengard, where Saruman resides. Saruman had 5 men taken to another place and left the rest of us here. He brought back one. The man, Anaran, has not spoken since. We have heard of such things. Men disappearing, and showing up again, unable to speak of whatever horrors they were put through. It is suspected that Saruman is breeding Orcs with men. I believe that was the purpose that Saruman has taken us for.
Atharian, son of Aragand
My brother, Baregand, gave this to me so that I may continue to chronicle what is happening. Baregand was taken away and has not been returned. Two more of the men are back. There is no doubt in my mind that Saruman is using us to experiment with the Orcs. But I hear Saruman coming now. I must pass this on to someone else for chronicalling.
Arana, sister of my lord, Baregand
I was not meant to come here, but this is my fate nonetheless. I am a healer. I came with our party, for hunting Orcs is not something to be done without someone who is skilled in healing. I have been tending to the men that were taken, and most of them were unable to survive another hour. But my brothers are strong, and Atharian was able to tell me something of what happened, but I will not write it here for it is too awful. But now I must pass this on..
Bellnatar
Those of us who have not been taken already have been moved. There are only three of us left out of the ten who left. I cannot speak of the terror that has been tearing at us. We know what fate awaits us. It is only a matter of time now. But I hear footsteps. It is now my turn to pass this on.
I do not recall my name anymore
We have been locked in here for weeks on end. Saruman came and was angry. His work was foiled by something. He has left us here for a while. But we heard him yesterday, talking to the Orc guard. He is going to start up the experiments once more. There has been nothing but darkness for us, and nothing to record. Now I hear footsteps coming, coming for me. It is now my turn.
Arana, sister of Atharian
Baregand has died. The rest have been released, to die, wandering in the wilderness. And I am dying of starvation. Saruman has left me here, alone. I must hide this, for I cannot bring it out of this accursed tower on my own. So I am hiding this in a loose stone in the wall. I can only hope that someone reads this before it is too late to stop this.
"Merry? What do we do with it?" Pippin asked after Merry finished reading.
Merry looked at the small book, and then at the waters washing away Isengard. And he had an idea.
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Merry and Pippin watched solemnly as the book floated away in the water. A fitting end. Memories of darkness, washed away with the evilness of Isengard.