AN: fixed the duplicate ch.5, Ch. 6 featuring Joffrey is now available. If you missed it due to the error this chapter is probably going to be a little confusing, you should probably go back and check it out.

X.
Saruman the Wise

Saruman had rarely traveled in the latter days of his time in Middle Earth. After the first thousand years he had seen enough of the great cities and enough of the great men that they no longer interested him except as tools and puppets. Even the first born, those elven Kings and their magical realms, were pale imitations of what Saruman knew lay over the sea, and they grew paler with each passing year. He had often scoffed at Olórin, called Gandalf in most parts of the West and Mithrandir in others, who never tired of their small struggles, what was there left in Middle Earth that could surprise a wizard?

This had been before a new race of men, no, not just a new race an entire new kingdom, had appeared seemingly out of nowhere… a sudden disruption and a new verse he'd never heard before. He'd clothed himself in simple robes, white still, though somewhat ragged, and set forth on foot through Rohan and towards these new lands. Few took notice of a solitary old man save for a few men of Dunland who were warded off by his voice and the white hand sigil… plans had already been made with the chieftains of Dunland, and though they were secret his reputation was such that they had offered him food and camp with them for a night before parting ways. In this manner he'd quickly reached Enedwaith.

He remembered a time when Middle Earth was new to him and these lands were populated by farmers and even a few towns, but after the plagues and the wars with the Dark Lord and his servants it was now empty save for a few stone piles that might've been buildings at one time. He'd found a faded outline in the grasses that might've been a road at one point and followed it south.

On the fifth day as the sun began to draw low he encountered one of Middle Earth's few remaining surprises, a pair of travelers heading North out of the wastes of Enedwaith. The first was a big man, at least as big as a man of Gondor, wearing black armor. As he drew closer Saruman could see half of his face was twisted and terrible, burns perhaps? The second he could see now was just a boy, with fair blonde hair like the Rohirrim. From the way he carried himself Saruman could tell he was not accustomed to the plain leathers he now wore, nor the dirt that covered his face and hands. In spite of this the crossbow slung across the boys back looked polished and well maintained.

Once the pair reached him they all slowly stopped. Saruman could see the calculation in the big man's eyes, and something close to contempt in the boy's. Tired of the silence Saruman decided to speak first, "well met travelers, the sun sets soon and men are scarce in these lands. Would you suffer to keep camp with an old man like me for one night?"

"We've little food, or anything else for that matter," the boy spoke sharply.

The wizard raised an eyebrow looking at the big man who sighed and responded, "I'm afraid my… squire is correct, our supplies are low and there is little game here even though there's not a damned soul for miles."

Saruman smiled and withdrew a skinned and salted rabbit from his travel sack, the Dunlendings had generously given him a satchel of dried meats after their encounter, "Perhaps it is fortunate that we have met then." Seeing the rabbit the big man's eyes lit up and his hand quickly went to his sword pommel. Before he could draw his weapon the Wizard spoke again and allowed a little of the Voice to enter his tone, "now now friend, surely there is enough for all of us?"

The boy seemed to feel the effects more than the man, "Yes, yes I think there is." The man growled in response, but moved his hand away from the blade.

"Squire, gather firewood," the scarred man pointed to a copse of small trees a few hundred feet from the ruined road.

The boy looked indignant and started to say something but the big man slapped the back of his head, "When a knight gives a squire orders the squire obeys without question." The man had an amused smile on his face and the Wizard thought it odd that he enjoyed ordering the young man about so. The boy glowered at him and dismounted to walk towards the trees in question.

For his part the big man dropped off his horse and began gathering stones for the fire ring. Saruman moved towards the horse to examine the pair's gear, seeing this the man warned him, "Stranger bites, I'd stay away unless you don't mind giving him a finger."

Saruman nodded, "A war beast then, the men of Rohan breed many such fine animals… is your business perhaps with them?"

The man seemed to think for a moment, "Our business is our own, what's an old man doing alone in a place like this anyways?"

Saruman shrugged, "I had heard that a new land had appeared south of here with a great kingdom of men populating it. I'm an old man with few years left, I thought that perhaps I would see this wonder before I pass on." He pretended to stumble a bit feebly as he sat on a nearby log, "perhaps you could tell me if you have come from these… Westerlands?"

The man stopped gathering stones and stood up, towering over Saruman. He could see the burns clearer now, cracked and black skin oozed a watery red liquid as the man's lips curled into a sneer, "less questions would be better old man."

Saruman frowned, this man held a secret… was it worth his time to dig it out?

His voice became soothing and yet powerful at the same time, "Surely you can at least tell me from whence you came?"

"We came from the Westerlands, along the coast past the Banefort," the boy said, Saruman turned his head and saw the blond youth drop a scarce gathering of twigs and small branches.

The combination of this revelation and the boy's poor attempt at gathering wood seemed to shake the man free of any hold Saruman's voice had, "Yes… I'm a hedge knight… Ser Jacob Hill, this is my squire… Jonas." He paused a moment, "if you must know there is no work for men such as us in the Westerlands at this time and we decided to seek out work in the new lands to the North." Now he tried to make a friendly smile which just made his scarred face more hideous, "Perhaps you have heard of a place called the Shool?

"The Shire you oaf!" the boy cut in.

Saruman raised an eyebrow, Gandalf had often been interested in the Shire… and two travelers from the new land searching for it? Too much of a coincidence. He decided to make his play, "You two are holding a secret from me, it is fair for I hold a secret from you as well…"

This annoyed the boy, "unless it's that you know where to find the Shire we don't care."

Saruman chuckled, "I propose an agreement, I shall reveal my secret, and if you judge it worthy you will reveal yours in turn."

The big man chuckled and uncapped a wineskin, "The old man's gone soft, it could be good for a laugh if nothing else."

The boy crossed his arms and nodded his head, "Very well, what secret is this?"

Saruman smiled warmly and stood up, grasping his staff in hand and walking towards the small ring of stones the man had prepared. "My secret is my true identity, I am the wizard Saruman the White, guardian of Orthanc and head of the Council of the Wise." He tapped his staff down inside the stones and a blue flame erupted creating a roaring fire.

The boy gasped and the big man fell backwards in shock before quickly drawing his sword, "sorcery! You grace get behind me!"

The boy was quicker to recover, "of course it's sorcery dog, he said himself he's a wizard!" He suddenly smiled, "A true man of magic, not a maester with a few tricks."

Saruman bowed his head slightly, "you flatter me, but perhaps you could honor our bargain?"

"Your grace I don't think we should-" the big man started

"Silence dog," the boy cut him off, "I am King Joffrey Baratheon, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the seven Kingdoms, including the Westerlands." He gestured to the scarred man, who had reluctantly sheathed his blade, "This is Ser Sandor Clegane, a member of the Kingsguard and my bodyguard for this journey."

Saruman thought this over, he could tell that the boy was telling the truth… or at least he thought he was, and the man's subservience seemed to indicate it wasn't a delusion. "And what brings such a great lord so far outside of his kingdom?"

The boy grinned, something about it unnerved even one such as Saruman, "I have been shown a pathway to glory and power in a vision, I need only complete a quest."

Alarm bells went off in Saruman's head, "I see… and what quest would that be?"

Now suddenly the boy's eyes narrowed, "I must return something to one who lost it"

Saruman suddenly let all of his power into his voice, "What Joffrey Baratheon? What must you return?"

Against such an onslaught the boy spoke without hesitation, "a ring, the ring… it will bring me all I desire."

It would bring one such as you an early grave the Wizard thought, "Ahhh, yes… I know of this ring, I too have sought it so that it may be… returned to it's rightful owner." I shall be it's rightful owner. He pushed the thought from his mind for a moment, If Sauron truly guides the boy he will know my presence…"Perhaps we could be of use to one another?"

Joffrey nodded, "Yes a Wizard would be a fine addition to my court, perhaps you shall serve on my small council."

The wizard started to speak and then stopped a moment, Small council? Is this fool attempting to offer me… employment? The concept was simply too much, he allowed himself a chuckle. "I am afraid my duties are likely too great to properly serve your grace at this time," he said, "I refer to the matter of this ring."

Joffrey was puzzled, "What matter? Clegane and I shall find this Shire and once we have the ring we shall return it. We have had little trouble so far…"

The boy truly is an idiot, he thought, "Oh there are far more peopled lands awaiting you, your journey shall not be so easy from here on out your grace." He smiled, "I would gladly outfit you with supplies and accompany you on your journey East."

The boy nodded, "this seems agreeable and I shall reward you greatly, Saruman the White. Where can we find you?"

Saruman smiled, Perhaps Olorin has concealed something from me there… if Isildur's bane does reside in the Shire perhaps these two shall bring it to me… I shall soon have more reliable pawns in the Shire in any case. "Find me at the Tower of Orthanc, in Isenguard, east near the Gap of Rohan. I shall tell my servants to watch for your arrival."

Joffrey grinned, the fire now burning low and causing obscene shadows to race across his face, "Providence, this is providence that we should meet here." He paused looking more serious and a little wistful, "The world shall behold me and tremble…"

Saruman nodded and smiled with false warmth, "yes your grace…" he stared into the flames, thinking of things to come.