Chapter 4 - The Servants of Saruman
Rohan, Sept 19
Worm Tongue
But before they caught up with him, they overtook a traveler making his way to Edoras. They questioned him and learned he was the chief of Saruman's servants. He knew most of what went on in Isengard. More important, he'd overheard talk between the White and the Grey Wizards.
They pressed him hard. He lay on the ground, terrified, and told them all he knew.
They learned several things. First, the White Wizard lied to them when he told them he didn't know where the Shire was. His servant told them Saruman had regular business dealings there, and while he'd never been there himself, he knew where it was and how to get there.
They also learned the White Wizard didn't know where the Ring was. His servant overheard him pressing the Grey Wizard for information, but didn't learn anything.
The Witch King pressed him hard, and he finally yielded up his deepest secret of all. The White Wizard used the Palantir to talk to the Dark Lord. But since the Witch King was sometimes in the room with their Master when he used the Ithil stone, he already knew about it.
When they could get no more out of him, he wept and begged for his life.
"Shall I kill him for you?" Uvatha asked helpfully, pulling out a dagger.
"Leave him be. He won't talk." said Angmar.
They left him on the ground, sobbing but unhurt.
As they drew close to the ford, there was grumbling in the ranks. This would be the third time they crossed the Isen in two days. Except for the three Númenorians, who were seafaring people, most of the Nazgûl had trouble crossing running water. Of all of them, Khamûl feared it the most.
Don't think about it, don't think about it, thought Khamûl.
The Squint Eyed Stranger
Once they all reached the other bank, Angmar ordered them to split up into pairs. He thought the large group of nine horsemen would attract attention. Khamûl rode with Adûnaphel, Dwar with Ren, Hoarmurath with Akhorahil, and Angmar rode with the swiftest pair, Uvatha and Indur.
After a few hours, Khamûl and Adûnaphel caught up with Angmar and his group. Angmar was bent over another traveler who was lying prostrate on the ground, begging them not to hurt him. Uvatha emptied his satchel on the ground.
"These are maps of the Shire." said Uvatha. He handed one to Angmar. Angmar studied it for a minute, and slapped his forehead.
"I know the Shire. It's near the Witch Realm of Angmar. In the battle of Fornost, the forces of Cardolan were supported by halfling archers. I didn't make the connection until now."
"There's something else here, lists of names. Here's a Sackville-Baggins." said Khamûl.
"Those are people Sharkey does business with. Sharkey buys leaf from him." the man said, shaking.
Angmar gripped his throat and pulled him right up to his face. In a whispered hiss, he said, "From now on, you are in the service of Mordor. You will do whatever I bid you. And if you tell anyone else, I will find out, and I will kill you. Do you understand?"
He nodded mutely, far more times than necessary to say yes.