Isengard Adventure
by Sauron Gorthaur

A/N: This was one of my very first LOTR fanfics, written before I even knew there was such a thing as fanfiction websites where you could share your stories :) I was around 14 when I wrote it, now over ten years ago. Even though I've thankfully improved a great deal since the writing of this particular story, I've left it up on the website, virtually untouched and unrevised by my older self, for several reasons. One, because I was proud of it back when I wrote it and I think it does hold value, even if I would write it differently today. Two, because it tells a lot about who I was as a writer and an LOTR fan back when I was 14, barely a year after I'd first read the trilogy. Third, because anyone who has read some of my more recent work may be amused to see the sort of story I came up with over ten years ago. Fourth, because, hopefully, this will be a testimony that writers DO improve over time if they keep at it :) If you read further, I hope you enjoy this offering of my younger self. Cheers! - SG (12/15/14)

Chapter 1: Visitors to Helm's Deep

It was raining. Everything was sheeted in grey and the pitter-patter of small drops hitting the rocky ground was everywhere. The Ered Nimrais looked drearier than ever. The mountains looked cold and hazy, surrounded as they were with the low hanging clouds. The grass was the only thing that did not look dull. It was green and glistening, wet with the rain.

Helm's Deep, pride of the Rohirrim, was dark, and water rivulets ran down its high, proud walls. It looked sad and lonely, for all except the few guards had gone inside to escape the downpour. The guards stood, some leaning lazily against spears, others, trying desperately to keep the rain out of their eyes by holding their cloaks over their heads.

There were two guards by the gates. One was holding his shield, bearing the white horse of Rohan, over his head. Rain water ran off the edges, dripping onto his boots. His hair was fair and long, though matted and heavy with water at the present. He was younger than his companion, who had a grey beard and grey streaks in his golden hair. The older man wore a helmet which kept most of the water out of his eyes. Every once in a while, he would shake his head, tossing his sodden hair out of his face. But the strong wind would immediately blow it back again. Both looked dispirited and tired as if they greatly desired to join their companions in the Hornburg. Each scanned the horizon as if searching for something.

Finally the younger of the two spoke, "Gamling, what time would you say it is?"

Gamling again shook his hair out of his eyes. "You know as well as I, Elfhelm. The sun is the only way to tell time and the sun is veiled. I would say that it was late in the afternoon, but there is no way of knowing the truth."

Elfhelm sighed. "If your guess is close to the mark, as indeed it doubtlessly is, I would say that we are wasting our time out here. There is no sight of them, and it is probable that they stopped at one of the mountain villages when the rain began. They will most likely not start until the rain is stopped, by which time it will probably be dark. Then they will wait till morning."

"It is hard to say what they will do," said Gamling, "though I think what you have said is likely. But it is our duty to await them. What should happen if we went in and they arrived? There would be no one at the gate to open it and they would be left to soak in the rain."

"You are right," grunted Elfhelm as water from the edge of his shield went down his boots. "We must wait."

They stood for a while longer, looking out over the plains towards the east. Suddenly Elfhelm straightened and stared harder. "I do believe that my eyes cheat me," he cried. "Is it my mind playing tricks or is there a column of horsemen coming our way?"

Gamling strained his eyes. "Nay, Elfhelm, your eyes do not cheat you unless mine do as well. There is indeed a number of horsemen coming swiftly our way."

And indeed there was. There were eleven in all, all with horses. They were riding as swiftly as possible, heading straight for Helm's Deep. In the lead were two men on white horses, followed closely by a man in full armor and a man with a dark cloak thrown up over his head. Behind them rode an elf and a dwarf, both on the same horse. Then came two men who looked like those who come from Gondor. Then came a lady in white and at her side two small figures on ponies. Of all present these two seemed to be the only ones who were enjoying the downpour, They had their heads thrown back and their mouths open as they caught rain drops in their mouths.

Elfhelm and Gamling opened the gates and the sodden company rode in. Then everyone, including the two guards, made a dash for the door. Once inside, they slammed the doors against the rain and leaned against the wall, panting and dripping water. Elfhelm squeezed excess water from his long hair. Turning to one of the older men, he said, "Well, my lord, it's a fine day you've chosen to come for a visit. We had thought that you were staying in one of the mountain villages until the storm had passed."

The man laughed, "Well, Elfhelm, I know now that I may trust you. You will wait even if you believe that you are waiting for nothing. A king never had a better watchman. And you as well, Gamling, my old friend."

The two Gondorians were standing by, looking about at the huge hall they stood in and talking in low voices. The king called over to them. "I fear that your first sight of Helm's Deep is rather dreary. Fear not! Most of the time it is a fortress of great splendor. When the rain passes, you shall doubtlessly like it better."

The older one smiled, "I have no doubt that I shall like it better, King Théoden. In fact, I see even now that it is a place of great magnificence. It is a fine fortress, perhaps even stronger than Minas Tirith, for Minas Tirith was not built to be solely a place of war, but also a place where men might dwell in times of peace. This place has the feeling of strength and courage."

Elfhelm stepped forward. "My lords, and lady, please come this way and we will find you garments that are not sodden. Perhaps we can find some small tunics to fit the halflings," he said, looking at the two child-sized people.

Later the company met in the great hall of the Hornburg, all sufficiently dried and garbed in dry clothes. "Well," said one of the men, "I feel like I've been fighting in a battle all day, I'm so tired. I'm all for bed."

"But we haven't had supper, Strider," said one of the halflings.

"Yes, Aragorn," said the other. "We shall starve if we go another hour with nothing to eat. Gandalf said that you were to watch over us and that includes giving us something decent to eat."

Aragorn gave a mock groan. "Gandalf said that I was to watch you until we got to Helm' Deep. We are at Helm's Deep and therefore I no longer am in charge of you. If you are hungry, go bother Gandalf about it. As for me… where are the beds in this place, Éomer?"

As Éomer, another one of the company, led Aragorn to the bed chamber, the hobbits ran over to Gandalf, who was talking to Théoden and the two Gondorians. The wizard turned as the hobbits pulled at his cloak. "Yes, Merry and Pippin. It had better be important."

"It is," said Merry. "In fact, it's a matter of life and death. If we do not get something in our bellies before long, we'll turn into wraiths or skeletons."

Gandalf smiled through his long white beard. "Of course, I had forgotten that hobbits can barely go an hour without food, and you have not eaten for at least three. Come, we will find something to stop you from becoming wraiths. In fact, we could all do with something. Come Boromir and Faramir, doubtlessly you, who have ridden furthest, are in need of nourishment."

Compared to the meals at Edoras, it was a meager affair, but to the tired and hungry travelers, it was a feast. There was a thick vegetable stew with rye bread and meat of various grouses and pheasants, which was very tasty. To drink there was wine, ale, cordials, and water. For dessert they were served with sweet white cakes about the size of a man's palm, which were flat and tasted excellent.

The dwarf, Gimli, leaned over to Legolas the elf, "Look you, Legolas. Never had I imagined that such small folk as halflings could eat so much at a sitting."

Legolas turned and watched Merry and Pippin who were gorging themselves and talking all the while. "Indeed, Gimli, these are wondrous folk. I have no doubt that at a contest of eating they could beat even you, my friend."

Gimli smiled. "No doubt they could, and I shall not try my luck."

Merry looked up while stuffing one of the cakes into his mouth. He nudged Pippin. "Look, I thought we might be seeing him again." Pippin turned to see Aragorn walking rather sleepily towards them. The halfling called out, "I see your stomach has overcome your weariness, Strider. The food is really good."

Aragorn sat down next to them. "As soon as I lay down, my stomach began to gurgle something dreadful and I simply could not sleep. I have come down to eat something and then I will return to my bed."

After satisfying their hunger, they all went to bed, though Merry and Pippin were so excited that Aragorn and then Gandalf had to tell them to be quiet more than once. Finally the hobbits snuggled down, and after muttering good night to each other as quietly as possible, they too fell asleep.