AN: So, if anyone's interested, the reason it took so long is a) my computer's problem was that the hard drive was dying and needed to be replaced, and b) since my drive died I lost all of my programs and files including Microsoft Word and my chapters (luckily I already had most everything on my previously lost USB- which I have now found.)… Everything's back up and running finally, knock on wood, and I can finally stop fighting with my computer and write another chapter. On a side note, I have been working on a HP fanfic that I'm very excited about but won't be publishing until I've finished writing this. Anyways, THANK YOU to all my voters I have another POLL dealing with Alice and Jasper so PLEASE VOTE, and THANK YOU to my reviews; Kittyinaz, PurpleFairy11, Carla Mikaelson, ccgnme, angel897, twilightfan1717, YunaNeko, Purple 'N' Blue Wings, sailingsuperstar2016, RoselineCromwell, Black-Autumn-Rose, and NicNick. I apologize to you all for not updating sooner.

~DragonsChild.96, fighting a headache and a cold but still determined to update.

Chapter 6: Darkness and Light, Both Terribly Deceiving

(Bella's POV)

As we reached the smoking mass of smouldering carcasses situated on a small knoll, the wind suddenly shifted and gave us all a lungful of the rank smoke. I gagged, making my way off Leofric into Legolas' waiting arms, letting him take most of my weight in order to not stress my side. I sighed in dismay at my injured status. "So," My voice was hoarse, "it is possible for them to smell worse." I shuddered, thinking of my all-too-recent experience with the Uruk stench.

The rest of the group shook their head in exasperation and amusement at my comment, but the influence of Merry and Pippin's fate wore heavily on us. It was obvious through the tight faces and set shoulders carrying throughout the group, that humour and sarcasm would not be the cure.

I closed my eyes, my thoughts revolving around those last few moments I had seen the Hobbits- their terrified yet determined eyes. I heard movement and shifting to my side. My eyes were blurry when I opened them, tears clouding my vision for a moment before I blinked and forced my emotions down and pulling on my centuries of practice to keep them locked deep within my mind. Crying would solve nothing.

Boromir and Gimli were shifting through the pile of smoking flesh, and I grimaced in disgust as I moved closer in order to help them with their search. Before I was able to reach them however, Gimli gave a short exclamation of despair mixed in with shock, and I rushed to him. He turned around to face us, lifting his hand in which he was holding a charred shape, "It's one of their wee belts." He clarified, he eyes filled with sadness. I now saw that the object was a burned belt and dagger sheath I last remembered attached to Pippin. My tears threatened to re-emerge, but I held them back- my brother wasn't so stoic.

Aragorn gave a war cry in defiance and lost hope, kicking a fallen helmet and falling to his knees on the edge of the knoll. I heart went out to him, he had known the Hobbits longer than any of us, and the weight on his shoulders was heavier than any other of us. He no doubt felt guilt for Pippin and Merry's kidnapping, even though there was nothing he could have done.

"May they find peace…" My husband whispered the prayer, obviously unwilling to finish it and acknowledge the Hobbits' fates, "in death." I put my hand on his shoulder, giving him a short burst of comfort and support through my touch. He reached around and pulled me into his arms, placing his head on mine. I could feel his shoulders shaking in barely suppressed despair, I was doing no better control-wise- my own body shaking just as much if not more.

"We failed them." Despite the quiet volume of Gimli's words, they reverberated through the air. The sentence shook my resolve, and I couldn't help myself as I threw my arms around my husband and tucked myself into his strong chest, trying to escape the unintended accusation. Legolas' arms felt like a vice around my torso, and I felt the sharp pain from the pressure on my wound. I dismissed the physical pain and focused on the emotional, allowing myself to take the comfort Legolas offered me in his embrace.

Even the wind seemed silenced by the group's distress, so the sound of my brother speaking startled everyone, "A Hobbit lay here, and the other." I stepped away from my husband, walking to my brother and kneeling beside him, I touched the depression in the grass where the two had lain.

"I was on my knees most of the time." I supplied, "I remember Merry and Pippin crawling away and one of the Uruks trying to kill us, but then something struck me from behind, and I lost consciousness. But, I remember yelling for Merry and Pippin to get to the forest. Apparently they didn't make it."

Aragorn gestured in thanks at my words, trailing me as I path to where I had last seen the Hobbits, "Or perhaps they did." He whispered lowly, bending down to touch something in the grass. He pulled up two cut ropes, and held them out to me. I took them from him, trying not to let my hopes reach too high. He stood and walked away, tracking the passage of the Hobbits' feet, "They ran over here." He pointed to a spot on the ground, "They were followed." My mind went to soldier who had tortured me- but I thought he had died, killed by one of the Rohirrim? "The tracks lead away from the battle… and into Fangorn forest." I sighed in relief, happy they had escaped, but still fearing their fates.

"Fangorn? What madness drove them in there?" Gimli wondered aloud. I threw a glare over my shoulder towards the Dwarf at his oblivious words, didn't he understand it was their best chance of survival?

"Friend…" Boromir's tone held an obvious warning, "I do not think the Lady appreciated your words." I snorted derisively, both in agreement and disbelief.

"Come on." I urged, " We need to hurry if we are to find Merry and Pippin." I started back to the horses, planning on leading them into the forest.


(Jacob's POV)

He lost them!

He couldn't believe he'd lost them! Aura was going to kill him! No, not kill him- she would torture him slowly… for a very long time… He shuddered in fear.

He pressed his nose to the ground, tracing the path in front of him, trying to find some evidence of the Hobbits' passing. He hadn't found anything in the last few hours, and he was starting to fear he wouldn't find anything despite his extreme efforts. He had managed to trace them to the edge of the marsh, but he had lost the scent at the beginning of the water. He had tried to track a dry path, but he had eventually lost his way and fallen into the water. He would always remember the ghostly figure trying to pull him down to the muddy depths. He barely managed to escape.

He shook his head, refocusing on his mission. He gazed off into the distance, trying to figure out where Sam and Frodo had gone off to, and wondering what the awful smell was that was with their scents. He couldn't make out anything through the thick fog covering the marsh, despite his great eyesight. He huffed in frustration. He decided to give in to the inevitable, and began the long trek around the around the water. He hoped they were heading to the other side, as opposed to some weird secret passage in the middle of the swamp… and he had seen waaay too much Indiana Jones, good to know!


(Jasper's POV)

We stepped lightly though the dark trees making up Fangorn Forest. I wasn't scared easily, but this place was disturbing in many ways- including how the trees seemed to creak in unison as we passed them. I wasn't the only one on edge, as I watched both Boromir and Gimli tense with each noise. Even though it was roughly midday, the area held a gloomy darkness that sunlight seemed unable to penetrate.

Gimli stalked over to a nearby bush, pulling a leaf off of it and licking it. Disgust flew across his face, and he quickly spit out whatever he had tasted, "Orc blood." He stated, tossing the leaf to the ground.

We continued on our way, Aragorn continuing to lead the group, "These are strange tracks." He commented, pausing to examine several depressions in the leaf strewn mud crossing the path. I followed his gaze, looking at the odd circular prints, trying to determine if I had ever seen the like- I hadn't.

"The air is so close in here." Gimli proclaimed out of the blue, crouching slightly and gripping his axe tightly. I put my hand on my sword and tensed- if the Dwarf was worried, so was I.

Bella turned to me, appearing at ease, and smiled slightly. "This forest is old." Legolas said from beside me, "Very old… Full of memory… and anger." Despite his words, he looked as relaxed as Bella, his face showing awe instead of the fear in everyone else's. The trees shifted suddenly, the sounds growing in volume. Gimli and Boromir raised their respective weapons, I soon followed them. "The trees are speaking to each other!" Legolas explained quickly, his body starting to tense in anticipation.

"Gimli, Boromir, Jasper!" Aragorn called, drawing our attention to him, "Lower your weapons!" He instructed, using his hands to emphasis his words. We glanced at each other in sheepish reluctance, before giving in and dropping our hands… though I noticed none of us actually put the objects away. Edward gave me a disparaging look from beside Carlisle, his lips pursed and eyebrows raised. I couldn't help it, I stuck out my tongue.

Legolas shook his head at our antics, "They have feelings my friends." He continued to explain, "The Elves began it; waking the trees, teaching them to speak."

Gimli snorted derisively, "Talking trees, what do trees have to talk about?" He questioned loudly, "Except the consistency of squirrel droppings?" I chuckled at his words, as they lightened the atmosphere slightly.

Bella stepped a short distance off the path, reaching out to touch the trunk of a tree, "I worry something has caused them harm, their anger is unnatural." She whispered, "I only wish we had time to help." Legolas walked over and grasped he shoulder, gently pulling her back to the group, seeming spooked by something.

Legolas glanced around, his eyes narrowed in his determined search, "Aragorn," He called, "there's something out there."

Aragorn followed him, peering over his shoulder to the surrounding area, "What is it?" He questioned, his voice low.

"The White Wizard approaches." Was all the Ellon said in response.

The entire group tensed and drew their various weapons, I noticed Bella holding an Elvish bow- notched but facing towards the ground. Aragorn spoke softly, "Do not let him speak." His words held worry and anger, "He will put a spell on us." I heard the crunching of leaves from behind us, made by some sort of creature travelling over the debris littering the ground. My hand tightened around my sword hilt, grasping the metal closely and ensuring my grip. "We must be quick." Aragorn insisted, before yelling and turning around to attack. We all followed his lead, whipping around to defend ourselves from the famous wizard, who now stood before us encompassed in a blinding light. Bella and Legolas both released their arrows toward the centre of the light, but each disintegrated with a wave of the figures hand. I stepped forward to attack, but was forced to stop by my sword suddenly growing incredibly hot. I noticed briefly the same had happened to everyone else with a metal weapon.

The figure stopped, poised on a small outcropping before us. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." His voice was strong and seemed to echo over us all.

"Where are they?" Aragorn demanded, I was impressed his voice held no fear.

The wizard seemed to consider the question for a moment, "They passed this way." He finally answered, "The day before yesterday… They met someone they did not expect." His words held an air of smugness about them, "Does that comfort you?"

Aragorn ignored the jabs, "Who are you?" He asked, nearly shouting, "Show yourself!" The bright light faded slowly, finally revealing the entire body of the figure- an old man, dressed in whites and clasping a staff of the same colour. He had a long beard and hair that nearly blended into his clothes. I glanced around, trying to figure out if anyone recognized the man- apparently everyone but my father and I knew who it was as they all seemed astounded by his appearance.

"It cannot be." Aragorn's tone was harsh with disbelief and hope, clashing against one another.

The group made its way to our knees, Carlisle and I hesitating shortly before following suit. "Forgive me." Legolas requested, "I mistook you for Saruman." Legolas and Bella's eyes held pure awe as they gazed at the man, seeming to accept his appearance in a heartbeat.

"I am Saruman." The man replied, his voice still holding the same power and strength, "Or rather, Saruman as he should have been."

Aragorn stood, making his way over to stand in front of the man, " You fell." He seemed determined to crush any false hope. I wondered who the man could be that he would be so important as I made my way to a standing position.

"Through fire and water." The man agreed, "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." He paused for a moment and I took the time to try to translate his words to modern English, "Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead, and every day was as long as a life-age of the Earth." His tone was tired, and he was obviously reliving the memory, "But that was not the end, I felt life in me again." He looked over us all, as if he was measuring us, "I have been sent back until my task is done."

"Gandalf?" Aragorn's question made me wonder about the man's sanity- I remembered very well everyone's despair over his death, and people didn't just suddenly come back to life.

The man turned to Aragorn, a confused look on his face, "Gandalf?" He asked, before nodding slowly, "Yes… That was what they used to call me, Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." He- Gandalf, though I was still questioning the insanity of the group- smiled.

"Gandalf!" Gimli cried joyfully, his proclamation echoed by the rest of the group.

Gandalf turned, a mischevious twinkle in his eye, "I am Gandalf the White." He stated, before letting his voice grow more serious, "And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."

AN: No, neither Carlisle or Jasper realize Bella and Aura are the same person. They're too surprised by Bella's reappearance. I should be able to update soon, but REVIEWS will help me find the time to write.