Chapter 1:

Of Fangorn Forest and an Unexpected Visitor

Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and Darsul rode fast towards Fangorn Forest. During the three day ride, Darsul tried to recall all she had ever heard about Fangorn. She remembered Haldîr singing a tale to her as a child...He had called it ''Losing the Entwives''. Darsul vaugly was aware of Legolas whispering a tale of the Ents into her ear as as she slowly drifted into sleep on the rythmic beat that Haleth pounded out with his hooves.

''We awoke them...the trees. We taught them to speak...to move. They are named the Ents. However...The ents differed greatly from the Entwives, both in mind and spirit. The Ents loved the trickling forest streams and the trees. While the Entwives preferred to grow fruits and flowers in gardens across on the other side of the Entwash River. As Saurons power grew, he burnt the Entwives gardens to the ground...they are now known as the brown lands. The Entwives fled, and the Ents haven't been able to find them...and so they wait in the darkness of Fangorn...always waiting...always...hoping.''

A single tear rolled down Darsuls cheek. A lament, a tribute to the Entwives. Legolas whispered soothing words and nearly leapt in delight as she completely relaxed against him and put her head back on his chest. Aragorn looked over at them and coughed loudly before Gimli could see them. They did nothing. Aragorn smiled, elves were proud creatures. He missed Arwen terribly, but was glad his friends had finally acknowledged their feelings. He looked forwards again.

''Fangorn!''He shouted pointing to a shadowy blob on the horizon. They urged the horses on faster and made swift progress. Soon, just as night fell, they arrived at the borders of Fangorn. Darsul was the first to dismount. She felt inexplicably drawn to the trees. She tentatively reached out and ran her hand over the rough bark of the Elm tree.

Darsul for a moment thought she could feel a thumping like a heartbeat coming from the core of the tree. She thought deeply for a moment and allowed her consciense to envelop them all. Darsul sensed an angry soul deep, locked in the tree. As she expanded her mind even more, she found a worried Gimli, a contented Aragorn and...an infatuated Legolas... She pulled away from the tree and felt the connection snap like a twig. Darsul turned to look at the company.

Suddenly Gimli shouted and pointed towards a spot some 20 yards. A mound of Uruk bodies lay there. They ran over and began to search. Darsul fell to her knees as Gimli picked up one of their small daggers that he had unearthed in the pile of bodies. Aragorn began to weep and Legolas whispered to the Valar and murmured

''We failed them...''Aragorn looked at the ground...But then he saw something...He knelt and began crawling on the ground. The others walked over to him, fearing that he had lost his mind...then they heard him muttering

''A Hobbit lay here...and the other...Their hands were bound. There bonds were cut! The tracks lead away from the battle!...Into Fangorn Forest!''

Once more the company mounted their horses. This time however, they were riding into Fangorn. None of them had been there before so all they could do was track the Hobbits through the forest. Every so often Darsul would place her hands on the bark of a tree, willing it to tell her which way the Hobbits had gone. Eventually they reached the center of the forest. Legolas and Darsul both immediately sensed that they were not alone.

''The white wizard approaches!''He whispered. Aragorn and Darsul loosened there swords in their scabbards. Gimli hefted his ax and Legolas tenderly brushed an arrow to his bow.

''We must be quick...''Aragorn muttered softly.''Do not let him speak...He will put a spell on us...''

A shining white light suddenly appeared behind them. With a shout, Gimli heaved his ax at the figure cloaked in white. He swung his staff and made it disintegrate. Legolas loosed an arrow at his heart, but it was swept away like a leaf. Aragorn's sword heated like wildfire in his hands, he dropped it with a yell of pain. Darsul did not strike, but stumbled forwards and asked in amazement

''Who are you?''

The light suddenly began to dim and the figures face came into view. It was Gandalf, but his gray beard and hair had turned pure white. The others yelled in shock and fell to their knees in remorse.

''Gandalf...''murmured Legolas.''Forgive Me!''

''Come, My friends...stand and rejoice in my coming!''Gandalf cried out. He pulled them to his feet and smiled at each of them in turn. After a moment of silent joy, Gandalf turned and shouted out to them

''Come, We ride for Edoras! There is trouble with the King!''

''We heard somethings from Eomer...''Said Aragorn as they ran after Gandalf, pulling the horses behind them. Gandalf somehow led them out of the forest in minutes! He stood majestically upon a small hillock and whistled a long, piercing note.

A loud whinny was heard, and a horse whiter than snow galloped up over the hills towards Gandalf. Darsul instantly recognized the horse. As the horse slowed and neared them, she walked forwards and held out her hand. The gorgeous horse stopped completely and tentatively whiffed her palm. He finally nickered and Darsul hugged him around the neck. She turned and explained quickly

''Shadowfax! Lord of the Mearas and sire of Haleth!''

They turned to look at Gandalf who nodded and rubbed Shadowfaxes neck softly.

''Yes, He is Shadowfax and he has been my friend through many dangers...''

Darsul reintroduced Haleth to Shadowfax. To her delight they huffed at each other for a moment then neighed and rubbed heads. The same procedure followed with Aragorn horse, whom he affectionately named Hafusel. Once again they mounted their horses. Gandalf took them in the direction of Edoras,...The Capital of Rohan.