Chapter 4

The White Rider

They entered into Fangorn forest. Gimli fingered a dark stain on a leaf and brought it to his mouth. "Orc blood," Gimli said, spitting it back out.

"These are strange tracks," Éowyn said looking down.

"The air is so close in here," Gimli said.

"This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory... and anger," Legolas said looking around. Groans vibrated through the forest and Gimli raised his axe. Éowyn's hand clutched the hilt of her sword. "The trees are speaking to each other!"

"Gimli!" Aragorn whispered.

"Huh?" Gimli asked startled.

"Lower your axe," Aragorn said gesturing. Gimli lowered his axe slowly.

"They have feelings my friend. The Elves began it; waking up the trees, teaching them to speak," Legolas said.

"Talking trees, what do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings?" Gimli asked.

"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" Legolas said. (Aragorn, something's out there!)

"Man cenich?" Aragorn asked. (What do you see?)

"The White Wizard approaches."

"Do not let him speak. He will surly put a spell on us," Éowyn said. She drew a knife and had her other hand still on Dolendaug's hilt

Aragorn wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword, Gimli tightened his hold on his axes, and Legolas notched an arrow to his bow.

"We must be quick," Aragorn said.

With a yell, they swung round to attack. Gimli's axe, Éowyn's knife, and Legolas' arrow were deflected. Éowyn drew her sword then felt it ripped from her hand by magic, Aragorn dropped his sword as it became red hot in his grasp. They shielded their eyes with their hands from the bright light emanating from the White Wizard.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits," the wizard said.

"Where are they?" Éowyn asked.

"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" the wizard asked.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn said. The bright light dimmed, revealing Gandalf, dressed all in white. The four were astounded.

"It cannot be," Aragorn said quietly.

"Forgive me!" Legolas said as he, Gimli, and Éowyn bowed. "I mistook you for Saruman."

"I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been."

"You fell?" Aragorn said.

"Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done," Gandalf said.

"Gandalf!" Aragorn sighed.

"Gandalf? Yes... That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." Gandalf smiled.

"Gandalf!" Gimli said happily.

"I am Gandalf the White," Gandalf said with a twinkle in his eye. Legolas smiled. "And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."

They walked through the forest, with Gandalf leading the way, now wearing a gray Elven cloak over his white robes.

"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."

"Edoras? That is no short distance!" Gimli said.

"We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king," Aragorn said.

"Yes, and it will not be easily cured," Gandalf said.

"Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank, tree-infested-" Once more the angry groans of the trees reverberated through the forest. Gimli then said, "I mean, charming, quite charming forest."

"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains."

"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend," Aragorn said to Gandalf. "You still speak in riddles." They both laughed.

"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up ... and find that they are strong."

"Strong?" Gimli asked as he heard the trees groan. "Oh, that's good."

"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be," Gandalf said.

"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one," Gimli muttered to himself.

Outside the forest, Gandalf whistled piercingly. Soon an answering neigh was heard and a white horse appeared from the plain, answering the call. Awe filled Éowyn's eyes and a smile was upon her face.

"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," Legolas said also awestruck. The horse came round to stop in front of Gandalf. Gimli bowed his head also amazed.

"Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers," Gandalf said petting the horse's nose.

The four and Gandalf rode across the plains to Edoras. Gandalf suggested they stop when Éowyn's stitching popped and her old wounds started bleeding. Éowyn insisted that they continued but Gandalf won out in the end.

After Legolas stitched her up Gandalf privately talked to her. "Your injuries from Moria have not healed?" She nodded. "That is not good, couldn't the Elves have helped you?"

"They did all they could for me, but it is not a poison Lady Galadriel knew. She did her best to help but no one is sure if I am cured." Éowyn sighed. This concerned Gandalf, if the wisest could not help no one could.