There are many ways to approach a problem, and generally there is more than one way to reach the correct answer. Some ways may be more difficult than others and other may have more chances of where one could make a wrong turn, but should the original path fail, there is always another, even if it is more treacherous. It was this path that was running circles through the White Wizard's mind. He stood at the entrance to Rohan's great hall puffing his famous smoke rings into the rustling breeze. It had been to long a time since he had last seen or felt Frodo, and his worries grew as the little hobbit pasted into shadow. The future of the Ring was uncertain. It pained Gandalf, but he realized that he could no longer simply trust in his beloved hobbit, a new path must be taken to end the tyranny of Sauron. These thoughts swirled around the wizard til dusk fell upon the newly freed lands of the horse riders.
Just as the glowing sun dipped beneath the horizon Aragon strode up to Gandalf. The two stood side by side watching the last rays of the sun fade into shadow as a cold wind blew up from the east.
"You appear to be unsatisfied with the outcome of our battle? Or is it something else that troubles your great mind?"
"The latter." replied Gandalf, "I fear that our time is waning, we must take a different path to defeat the evil that now lies by Gondor."
"Then Frodo and Sam have fallen?!" cried Aragon dismayed.
"No, but I can no longer see them. Their fate I do not know, for the darkness has hidden them from me." Gandalf turned to face his companion. "I will hold a meeting in the woods with the company of the ents, elves, dwarves, men, and a good many other allies. There is a new course of action we must take to ensure that Middle Earth does not fall into the darkness that has been plaguing these lands for so long."
"But what of the hobbits? What of Frodo and Sam?" Aragon implored, "Do we leave them to face the walls of Mordor alone?"
"Do not think I have given up on our dear friends Aragon son of Arathorn, we will help them yet, but as usual there are things that need attending. Besides, would it not be a good idea to have a plan should Frodo and Sam fall?" smiling gently Gandalf put his hand on Aragon's shoulder.
"The time is dire, I will ride at sunrise to gather our council. Meet me with King Théoden in two days time in Fanghorn Forest." smiled Gandalf.
Aragon nodded, he did not yet know what to think of Gandalf's sudden change in plans. He himself was hoping to ride to Gondor soon, the White City called, stirring his heart in a way he had not felt before. But the wizard had never led him astray and his trust in the man was unwavering.
"There's a good lad," Gandalf murmured, "Now I believe some sleep is in order, I am not as young as I once was you know."
And with that the wizard left Aragon to his thoughts, and not an hour later Aragon also retired to his bedchamber.
The first rays of sun hit Rohan and the fields shone with golden light and the house of the king sparkled with brilliance, but only Legolas, who stood atop the watchtower, was there to witness the golden halls shine, and only he witnessed the departure of Gandalf. But Legolas did not question the wizard, for wizards have their own ways of doing things and many things need their attendance.
As the sun began to creep higher and higher, Edoras came to life. People bustled around trying to restore their lives after the battle at Helm's Deep. Men left, men came, Legolas did not understand the hurry for he had lived for thousands of years and would continue to live, however he did not wish for Middle Earth to succumb to the evil of the east so perhaps, he thought, time was actually what they needed most. With that thought the elf bounded down the steps and gracefully whisked through the wooden doors and inside the great hall of King Theoden.
Inside Aragon, Eomer, and the King were deep in conversation. And crouching behind a pillar were two hobbits, Mary and Pippin were once again eavesdropping on conversations.
"Gandalf bids us to join him in council deep in Fanghorn Forest, he says that this meeting may alter to future of men and of Middle Earth." reported Aragon.
"Such is the time to have a council, it is now the calm before the storm and I have a firm heart and mind that my people will remain safe without my presence for a time." agreed King Theoden, "I ask Eomer to accompany us and I will leave Eowyn in charge."
"But of what business is this meeting Aragon?" asked Eomer.
"I do not know," replied Aragon, "but I trust Gandalf, he would not call us if the situation was not dire."
"May I speak with him then?" asked the King.
"He has left," interrupted Legolas striding closer to the men, "He left as the first rays of sun touched your lands King Theoden."
"Left?!" cried Mary and Pippin in unison as they sprung from their hiding spot behind the hall's great pillars, "To where?!"
" To gather our council of course," Aragon replied with a laugh, for the sight of a hobbit is never a reason to frown, "Do you not think that more beings than ourselves will attend a meeting that Gandalf holds in such importance?"
"Oh, well, yes of course that makes sense," burst Pippin, "Anyhow is there any more food? It seems that there is no such thing as second breakfast here either, let alone tea time, it is something of an outrage really."
"Of course there is food Master Pippin, we are in the halls of a king, here food is plentiful." laughed Eomer, "Here, I will accompany you to our dining halls little folk."
Gleefully the two hobbits stumbled after Eomer through a side door. King Theoden laugher heartily, "two such delightful little creatures are they not, their worries are of what people should worry, not of war, death, and despair."
"Aye," said Aragon, "A wise wizard once said that it is the little things that have power, the everyday kindness and good deeds are what make this world go on."
The two men and the elf continued to talk about the great things that have happened in the past and present, sharing great stories and memories with one another. Just another sign of hope for the future of Middle Earth.