Gandalf's Secret
Chapter 1 · Nightmares in Gondor
Gandalf the White lay upon the soft, downy bed in a restless sleep. He grimaced in emotional pain, as the dream he knew only to well, began to unfold within his grief-stricken mind.
"No! No please! Take me! No! Not Alainna! Please! Anything but that!" cried an anguished woman. Her face was Elvin. She possessed vibrant red hair, a pale complex, intense green eyes, and a voice as musical as the harp. To her people, she was a gift from Valar, and to her father, Oropher, king of the Sindarin elves, and her brother, Thranduil, she was everything and more. The young woman clutched a tiny baby to her, while she wept and pleaded. A figure wreathed in flame mockingly laughed at her. The figure wore entirely black, from its hooded face, down to its black armored body, and all that could be seen of it face were thin red slits for eyes. Nothing but those dreadful eyes could be seen, but they were enough to drive many valiant men to their graves. The awful being stretched out a gauntleted hand and as if by command, the tiny baby was wrenched from the mother's clinging arms. "Nooo!" she cried helplessly.
Suddenly a man with shoulder-length hair flew into the picture, armed with naught but a wooden staff. He lunged, catching the poor child in his arms just before it reached the being's hand.
Enraged at the intrusion, the being narrowed it eyes even more, and extended a beckoning limb once more. This time, however, the man pointedly thrust his staff at the figure. The being stumbled but a step, then quickly regained itself and laughed. "Fool!" the terrifying voice taunted in a whisper. Then it turned to the woman and pulled her toward him, no matter how hard her will fought it. She did not scream, for she did not care what happened to her, as long as her baby was safe.
The man stood horrorstruck, cradling the baby in one arm, and holding his staff ready in the other. The being's vile voice thundered, "Give me the child! or the lovely lady dies!"
"No, don't surrender! Don't give Alainna to him!" the woman cried desperately.
The man stood idle, not knowing what to do. The two people he loved best's lives hung in the balance, and he was supposed to choose who was to live and who was to die? No. He could never choose.
"My patience is all but none! Choose! Who shall it be? Your wife? or your daughter?" the being roared.
The man hesitated, and then shouted, "Neither!" He attempted to deal another blow but from his staff, but with a wave of the enemy's hand, he and the baby flew backwards, landing with a painful thud.
The being pulled from the depths of its cloak, a long black sword hemmed in flame, and shouted, "That is not a choice!" And with that, it drove the sword into the woman's abdomen and mercilessly wrenched it out, sheathing it.
The woman let out a faint cry of pain, then fell to the floor in agony. With a blazing burst of flame, the being triumphantly departed. The man, carrying the baby, rushed to his wife's side. Her precious blood was everywhere.
She turned her head slightly, grasping her husband's hand, and whispered, "Take care of Alainna. Don't ever let anything happen to her." She choked and it was clear she was fading fast. "I love you." She told her husband.
"I love you too." The man said softly. "Now, we're going to get you out of here, you here me?"
She ignored his encouragements. "Tell, my father and my brother I love them.Good-bye my love." The woman froze in her husband's arms, and her grip on his hand was released. Her eyes stared blankly up at him.
"Kalora! Kalora, no! Don't do this! Don't go!" he choked as racking sobs overtook him.
A voice whispered sinisterly all about him, "I'll be back for her! I shall return! And then, your daughter will be mine." The voice broke off in a malignant cackle.
The man threw back his head in anguish and shouted to the heavens, "NOOOO-
OOOO!" A hand gently shook Gandalf awake. "Gandalf? Gandalf! Wake up old man!" A voice laughed.
Gandalf blinked dazedly, and in seeing Aragorn at his side, he sighed. "Oh, you gave me quite a scare my friend! What's the meaning of waking an old man in his peaceful sleep?" he smiled.
"Peaceful! I came in to see what all the hullabaloo was about! You scared several of the maids half to death!" the king exclaimed, "Why and when they sent for me, I thought you were being murdered from the way you shouted!"
"I? Shouting in my sleep? Are you sure?"
"Quite." He nodded. "What were you dreaming of in any case to make you shout so, my friend?"
Gandalf stood and walked to the window, for he had been so exhausted before he'd fallen asleep, that he had neglected changing out of his cloak. He said nothing in response to his friend's query.
"Gandalf? Are you feeling alright? You've been acting so strangely, even for you." Aragorn replied with a slightly worried tone.
"I'm fine." He responded vaguely
"Are you sure?"
There was a brief pause.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Gandalf, what sort of fool do you take me for?" Aragorn stood. "I know something has been troubling you-why won't you tell me?"
Gandalf turned to face the King of Gondor. "Aragorn, I would very much like to tell you, but there are some things one must deal with on their own. Besides, you have enough to worry about with running the city without my problems."
"You know I would help you no matter what the circumstance. I am sorry you feel this way, but if you deem it best, then I have no choice but to trust you, and I do." Aragorn said as he made for the door. "But keep this in mind, my friend; everyone can do something, but no one can do everything." And with that, he departed.
Gandalf sat down upon the bed, staring out into space. He wanted to tell Aragorn, but it was just such a difficult matter to speak of. Why did all these dreams come back to haunt him now? There was more to it all than just reoccurring nightmares-that much he knew. Perhaps a warning? A warning against what?
"Maybe it is time." he mused. "Yes,.but only for the warning in my heart will I go through with it."
Later that evening, when Gandalf emerged from the confines of his accommodations in Gondor's magnificent palace, it was clear to him that his friends had just been speaking of him. They all sat in a great room, where a roaring fire blazed in a fireplace that even he could walk into without any trouble. Large chairs were placed throughout the room; in the largest one sat Aragorn, with Arwen sitting on the arm by his side, Faramir sat on a chair with Éowyn seated upon the footstool, Éomer and Gimli sat in two others, and as always Legolas stood leaning up against the side of the fireplace.
Every head turned anxiously toward Gandalf as he made his presence known. He nodded with brief smile to them all. No one said a word. All watched his movements intently.
"Good evening." said Gandalf. "Are there any new tidings or stories to share today?"
"I believe there is only one topic attracting anyone's interest of late." said the King after a moment.
Gandalf grunted. "Of course." There was an awkward pause.
"Why so secretive my dear wizard? Does your secret have anything do to with any of us?" said Gimli, who had sunk so far down into the chair that it had begun to look like he had no neck, and barely any torso.
"I think it would affect you very little, master dwarf, and the same to the rest of you. My worries are my own."
"I believe that we have become accustomed to worry whenever you become worried, Mithrandir, for you never agonize over a thing that is not worthy of being agonized over." said Legolas quietly. His eyes of sapphire blue sparked.
Gandalf lowered his gaze. They knew him too well. Was that a fortunate or ruinous thing? He sat in an empty chair that faced the fireplace, but it still allowed all a view of his face.
"I will reveal my secret," he said finally, "but I must know if this room is secure of unwanted ears."
"Foul things dare not entire Gondor while I remain King. That I assure you." said Aragorn.
"It may not necessarily be evil ears that may listen. Innocent, but curious ears have been known to eavesdrop before." said Arwen.
"Then in that case, I suggest someone check outside the door," spoke up Éowyn with a faint smile, "for I saw many a maid mill about the door after we all began to arrive. Poor curious dears." Faramir smiled at her, and the maiden of Rohan reddened slightly.
"I'll check." offered Legolas, striding lightly to the door. With fleetness, the elf whipped the door open to reveal several humiliated maids on the other side. They squealed and scurried away, each running a different direction.
Laughter emitted from every body in the room, except Gandalf. Seeing that he was cross, the group's laughter died prematurely.
"Make sure they don't return, Legolas." he barked.
"Legolas' cheery face fell a little, and he nodded, "Yes, Mithrandir."
"Oh come on Gandalf!" chortled Gimli. "Don't be cantankerous! What could a few maids have done?"
"Just because it is not intentional, does not mean they cannot do harm. If the enemies' spies got any information, which would not be difficult if you've ever heard the gossip in the kitchens, then all my efforts for secrecy would be futile. If you'll all remember Master Peregrin Took and the palantír, then I'm sure you'll understand my motive for caution."
"Now as for my tale," began the wizard slowly, "I-I may have some- difficulty- telling it, for it happened so long ago, when I first came to this Middle Earth, and it wears on my heart so."
The others began to understand that this was no mere worry, but a lifelong plague to their dear friend. They exchanged apprehensive glances.
"It is a long tale to tell, but indeed if you are all willing to fatigue your hearing with my sorrowful words then I shall."
"We should strangle you if you were to stop now." said Aragorn. The others nodded.
So, Gandalf told his long, disheartening tale, but I shall not tell it to you yet, for if I did, then I would take all the fun out of not knowing. Besides, I am rather fond of secrets, so long as I am the one who keeps them. And in this case I am the one, so a secret I shall keep, but not for long if you wish to continue.
When Gandalf finished his tragic tale, his friends sat or stood speechless and flabbergasted. "And that is my tale. I'm sorry I have kept this hidden from you all for so long."
"Oh, Gandalf!" cried Lord Aragorn. "I-I do not know what there is to say! What pain you must endure!"
"Gandalf, it is high time you ended your sorrow." said Arwen.
(Hey! I hope everyone liked it! This is my first fanfic, so sorry if there's a lot of grammar errors and all that. If you can put down your comments without actually e-mailing me, I would appreciate it a lot! I can't do e-mail because this is my dad's work laptop. Thank you! )
Chapter 1 · Nightmares in Gondor
Gandalf the White lay upon the soft, downy bed in a restless sleep. He grimaced in emotional pain, as the dream he knew only to well, began to unfold within his grief-stricken mind.
"No! No please! Take me! No! Not Alainna! Please! Anything but that!" cried an anguished woman. Her face was Elvin. She possessed vibrant red hair, a pale complex, intense green eyes, and a voice as musical as the harp. To her people, she was a gift from Valar, and to her father, Oropher, king of the Sindarin elves, and her brother, Thranduil, she was everything and more. The young woman clutched a tiny baby to her, while she wept and pleaded. A figure wreathed in flame mockingly laughed at her. The figure wore entirely black, from its hooded face, down to its black armored body, and all that could be seen of it face were thin red slits for eyes. Nothing but those dreadful eyes could be seen, but they were enough to drive many valiant men to their graves. The awful being stretched out a gauntleted hand and as if by command, the tiny baby was wrenched from the mother's clinging arms. "Nooo!" she cried helplessly.
Suddenly a man with shoulder-length hair flew into the picture, armed with naught but a wooden staff. He lunged, catching the poor child in his arms just before it reached the being's hand.
Enraged at the intrusion, the being narrowed it eyes even more, and extended a beckoning limb once more. This time, however, the man pointedly thrust his staff at the figure. The being stumbled but a step, then quickly regained itself and laughed. "Fool!" the terrifying voice taunted in a whisper. Then it turned to the woman and pulled her toward him, no matter how hard her will fought it. She did not scream, for she did not care what happened to her, as long as her baby was safe.
The man stood horrorstruck, cradling the baby in one arm, and holding his staff ready in the other. The being's vile voice thundered, "Give me the child! or the lovely lady dies!"
"No, don't surrender! Don't give Alainna to him!" the woman cried desperately.
The man stood idle, not knowing what to do. The two people he loved best's lives hung in the balance, and he was supposed to choose who was to live and who was to die? No. He could never choose.
"My patience is all but none! Choose! Who shall it be? Your wife? or your daughter?" the being roared.
The man hesitated, and then shouted, "Neither!" He attempted to deal another blow but from his staff, but with a wave of the enemy's hand, he and the baby flew backwards, landing with a painful thud.
The being pulled from the depths of its cloak, a long black sword hemmed in flame, and shouted, "That is not a choice!" And with that, it drove the sword into the woman's abdomen and mercilessly wrenched it out, sheathing it.
The woman let out a faint cry of pain, then fell to the floor in agony. With a blazing burst of flame, the being triumphantly departed. The man, carrying the baby, rushed to his wife's side. Her precious blood was everywhere.
She turned her head slightly, grasping her husband's hand, and whispered, "Take care of Alainna. Don't ever let anything happen to her." She choked and it was clear she was fading fast. "I love you." She told her husband.
"I love you too." The man said softly. "Now, we're going to get you out of here, you here me?"
She ignored his encouragements. "Tell, my father and my brother I love them.Good-bye my love." The woman froze in her husband's arms, and her grip on his hand was released. Her eyes stared blankly up at him.
"Kalora! Kalora, no! Don't do this! Don't go!" he choked as racking sobs overtook him.
A voice whispered sinisterly all about him, "I'll be back for her! I shall return! And then, your daughter will be mine." The voice broke off in a malignant cackle.
The man threw back his head in anguish and shouted to the heavens, "NOOOO-
OOOO!" A hand gently shook Gandalf awake. "Gandalf? Gandalf! Wake up old man!" A voice laughed.
Gandalf blinked dazedly, and in seeing Aragorn at his side, he sighed. "Oh, you gave me quite a scare my friend! What's the meaning of waking an old man in his peaceful sleep?" he smiled.
"Peaceful! I came in to see what all the hullabaloo was about! You scared several of the maids half to death!" the king exclaimed, "Why and when they sent for me, I thought you were being murdered from the way you shouted!"
"I? Shouting in my sleep? Are you sure?"
"Quite." He nodded. "What were you dreaming of in any case to make you shout so, my friend?"
Gandalf stood and walked to the window, for he had been so exhausted before he'd fallen asleep, that he had neglected changing out of his cloak. He said nothing in response to his friend's query.
"Gandalf? Are you feeling alright? You've been acting so strangely, even for you." Aragorn replied with a slightly worried tone.
"I'm fine." He responded vaguely
"Are you sure?"
There was a brief pause.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Gandalf, what sort of fool do you take me for?" Aragorn stood. "I know something has been troubling you-why won't you tell me?"
Gandalf turned to face the King of Gondor. "Aragorn, I would very much like to tell you, but there are some things one must deal with on their own. Besides, you have enough to worry about with running the city without my problems."
"You know I would help you no matter what the circumstance. I am sorry you feel this way, but if you deem it best, then I have no choice but to trust you, and I do." Aragorn said as he made for the door. "But keep this in mind, my friend; everyone can do something, but no one can do everything." And with that, he departed.
Gandalf sat down upon the bed, staring out into space. He wanted to tell Aragorn, but it was just such a difficult matter to speak of. Why did all these dreams come back to haunt him now? There was more to it all than just reoccurring nightmares-that much he knew. Perhaps a warning? A warning against what?
"Maybe it is time." he mused. "Yes,.but only for the warning in my heart will I go through with it."
Later that evening, when Gandalf emerged from the confines of his accommodations in Gondor's magnificent palace, it was clear to him that his friends had just been speaking of him. They all sat in a great room, where a roaring fire blazed in a fireplace that even he could walk into without any trouble. Large chairs were placed throughout the room; in the largest one sat Aragorn, with Arwen sitting on the arm by his side, Faramir sat on a chair with Éowyn seated upon the footstool, Éomer and Gimli sat in two others, and as always Legolas stood leaning up against the side of the fireplace.
Every head turned anxiously toward Gandalf as he made his presence known. He nodded with brief smile to them all. No one said a word. All watched his movements intently.
"Good evening." said Gandalf. "Are there any new tidings or stories to share today?"
"I believe there is only one topic attracting anyone's interest of late." said the King after a moment.
Gandalf grunted. "Of course." There was an awkward pause.
"Why so secretive my dear wizard? Does your secret have anything do to with any of us?" said Gimli, who had sunk so far down into the chair that it had begun to look like he had no neck, and barely any torso.
"I think it would affect you very little, master dwarf, and the same to the rest of you. My worries are my own."
"I believe that we have become accustomed to worry whenever you become worried, Mithrandir, for you never agonize over a thing that is not worthy of being agonized over." said Legolas quietly. His eyes of sapphire blue sparked.
Gandalf lowered his gaze. They knew him too well. Was that a fortunate or ruinous thing? He sat in an empty chair that faced the fireplace, but it still allowed all a view of his face.
"I will reveal my secret," he said finally, "but I must know if this room is secure of unwanted ears."
"Foul things dare not entire Gondor while I remain King. That I assure you." said Aragorn.
"It may not necessarily be evil ears that may listen. Innocent, but curious ears have been known to eavesdrop before." said Arwen.
"Then in that case, I suggest someone check outside the door," spoke up Éowyn with a faint smile, "for I saw many a maid mill about the door after we all began to arrive. Poor curious dears." Faramir smiled at her, and the maiden of Rohan reddened slightly.
"I'll check." offered Legolas, striding lightly to the door. With fleetness, the elf whipped the door open to reveal several humiliated maids on the other side. They squealed and scurried away, each running a different direction.
Laughter emitted from every body in the room, except Gandalf. Seeing that he was cross, the group's laughter died prematurely.
"Make sure they don't return, Legolas." he barked.
"Legolas' cheery face fell a little, and he nodded, "Yes, Mithrandir."
"Oh come on Gandalf!" chortled Gimli. "Don't be cantankerous! What could a few maids have done?"
"Just because it is not intentional, does not mean they cannot do harm. If the enemies' spies got any information, which would not be difficult if you've ever heard the gossip in the kitchens, then all my efforts for secrecy would be futile. If you'll all remember Master Peregrin Took and the palantír, then I'm sure you'll understand my motive for caution."
"Now as for my tale," began the wizard slowly, "I-I may have some- difficulty- telling it, for it happened so long ago, when I first came to this Middle Earth, and it wears on my heart so."
The others began to understand that this was no mere worry, but a lifelong plague to their dear friend. They exchanged apprehensive glances.
"It is a long tale to tell, but indeed if you are all willing to fatigue your hearing with my sorrowful words then I shall."
"We should strangle you if you were to stop now." said Aragorn. The others nodded.
So, Gandalf told his long, disheartening tale, but I shall not tell it to you yet, for if I did, then I would take all the fun out of not knowing. Besides, I am rather fond of secrets, so long as I am the one who keeps them. And in this case I am the one, so a secret I shall keep, but not for long if you wish to continue.
When Gandalf finished his tragic tale, his friends sat or stood speechless and flabbergasted. "And that is my tale. I'm sorry I have kept this hidden from you all for so long."
"Oh, Gandalf!" cried Lord Aragorn. "I-I do not know what there is to say! What pain you must endure!"
"Gandalf, it is high time you ended your sorrow." said Arwen.
(Hey! I hope everyone liked it! This is my first fanfic, so sorry if there's a lot of grammar errors and all that. If you can put down your comments without actually e-mailing me, I would appreciate it a lot! I can't do e-mail because this is my dad's work laptop. Thank you! )