Disclaimer: Well, here it is, folks. Another chapter. And I also DON'T own LoTR and I don't intend to... or do I? MWUHAHAHAHA! 'cough, splutter!'

As Saruman's forces grew, the messengers returned to Gondor, with those who had answered the call. As soon as they arrived they were taken to Minas Tirith's throne room, which had been set up for a council. Twelve white marble chairs were placed in a circle around Aragorn and Arwen's thrones. When everyone arrived the council began without a moment's rest beforehand. Aragorn and Arwen sat at the head. Gandalf sat on Aragorn's right, followed by Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gimli and his two attendants, Faramir, Éomer, Legolas and his attendants, then back to Arwen. When everyone was seated Aragorn rose.

"Welcome my friends," he said. "I thank you for coming on such short notice during this problem that has arisen. However I won't spend too long on welcomes, I am afraid there isn't time. Let me all tell you why you have been summoned: one of our old enemies has returned. He played a key part in our war against the Dark Lord, though he would've been on our side if he hadn't been corrupted. My friends, Saruman the White has returned."

A stir shook throughout the whole council. Everyone had grim expressions.

"How is this possible?" Éomer burst out.

"That answer must fall to Gandalf." Aragorn sat down and Gandalf rose.

"Thank you Lord Aragorn. I understand that you may not acknowledge this at first, so I shall be as brief and simple as possible. There are many ways of sorcery in this world that most cannot comprehend, and our enemy has returned through these means."

He then explained the power of the Palantír and Saruman's essence, and how he has returned. When he finished everyone looked more frightened than before. Then Éomer rose from his chair.

"I received several reports," he began, "just before I set out here. They said there were disturbances near the mountains north of Helm's Deep."

"What sort of disturbances?" inquired Gandalf.

"The scouts spoke of smoke. It was rising in huge columns. It was near Isengard, and also in the area of Fangorn. They didn't go closer to see what was causing it, for when it was sighted a great fear overcame them. I assume they thought of what we now know."

He sat down again, while Gandalf's expression worsened. "This is bad," he said gravely. "Saruman has begun his plans sooner than I expected. No doubt he has repaired his forgeries and is building an army."

"Uruk-Hai?" exclaimed Aragorn.

"Yes, I'm afraid so, along with other things we may not wish to speak about. If my knowledge about the Palantír is correct, he'll be driven by a motive, and it is probably revenge. The first thing he'll do is attack Rohan."

It took a while for all this to sink in, as it was hard to accept. But Éomer, driven to protect his people like his uncle, once again spoke. "What must we do?"

"We must prepare Middle-Earth. All of you must send word to every friend you have. Tell them to take up arms and be ready for anything. We must be as fast as Saruman. We must fight back."

"Return to your realms and prepare your people," said Aragorn. "Keep sending messages to us and reports of anything unusual or troublesome. We will look at the matter in much greater depth as it progresses, but for now, prepare your people." Everyone left the room to return to the matter the next day.

And so, over the next few days they continued the council. They made preparations and plans. They then returned to their lands to prepare for battle.

Meanwhile, back in Isengard, a new weapon was being made, one of the most powerful things the world has ever seen. It will be hard to defeat Saruman when he wields it in battle. But by the time it is discovered, will it be too late.

Will it? Won't it? Have I left you in a condition of suspense so serious you're crashing your computer to build a time machine? Probably not. Sorry this chapter kind of sucked, it was just really to 'fill a gap' so to speak. But if you're a fan of Mordor and magic you'll hopefully like the next one. It also has the first fighting scene, YAY, even though it's a bit small. But if you want to find out, you must... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I really wanted to milk that!