CHAPTER IX

The Goblins of the Towers of Mist

Here they set out from the now silent city of Imladris, and took forth upon the road southward from the valley. Their course was to make for the Gap of Rohan; the only open pass into the east of Middle-Earth, emerging into the great vast plains of the Kingdom of Rohan. Since the triumph during the War of the Ring, the Gap was restored, and their was no threat about save for a number of goblins still prowling within the Mountains, although none now dared to lurk upon the road, or to stray anywhere near Isengard or the dense forest of Fangorn. Although they may not be willing to linger close to the passage, the slinking creatures may yet still taint the desolate lands of Eregion; where the company must pass in order to reach the safety of the Gap and advance into the allied lands.

. . .

The Hobbits were grateful to the fact that they had no need to reenact the scenes from their previous adventure: scaling the steep peak of Caradhas or journeying through the gloomy mines of Moria. Instead, they were out upon the highlands, but were to pass the desolate rigid lands of Eregion, where their previous journey also took a halt. However, the Wizard still seemed anxious, and he didn't keep his hopes up too high about the passes of Eregion being secure. As the afternoon approached, the company made a small encampment at the same area that they had rested before. As they fried their food upon the open fire, Pippin's mind wandered off in memory.

'It feels as though I'm reliving the days we nine set out from Rivendell all those years ago,' he said, smiling. 'Remember when we were here the last time?'

'Yes, I remember,' nodded Merry. 'Remember when we were searched for by crows?'

Then his smile dropped. 'Oh yes,' he said languidly. 'And then we had to climb the pass of Caradhas.'

'But we couldn't so we had to pass through the Mines of Moria,' continued Merry, somewhat casually. 'Wasn't that just a lot of fun?' his sarcasm made Pippin roll his eyes, and then he gazed out into the open lands. As Merry was cooking the meal, he saw Gandalf stand firmly a few meters away, acting like a sentinel with watchful eyes. 'Are you okay?' he asked.

'You can never be too careful,' said the Wizard. 'Unfortunately Goblins still prowl at the feet of the Misty Mountains.'

'They do?' asked Pippin, snapping out of his reverie.

'Yes,' nodded Gandalf. 'They do.'

'Do you think they'd know that we're here?' asked Merry then, regretting building a fire in the open.

'Who knows?' said the wizard, and he came then to join them as he sat upon a rock. As he did, Merry looked up at him.

'Taters?'

'Yes, please,' answered the wizard, and the hobbit progressed to cook some potatoes in the wizard's meal. As a moment's waning had passed, Pippin sighed as though lost in a yearning memory.

'O, How much I'd give for one sip of ale,' he said.

'I'd doubt you'd find any out in these lands,' said Merry. 'But perhaps when we stop at Edoras we may enjoy a treat or two.'

'I hope so,' said the Hobbit, and he drifted back into thought.

. . .

The distant silhouettes of the Misty Mountains darkened as the shadows of twilight fell upon their summits. The colours of the fading sun scorched the sky with watercolour rainbows, and the burning shades of red and yellow ignited the purples and blues of the approaching night. Amidst the creeping darkness the trio's campfire fended off the hungry shadows, and the three rested silently after their supper.

The Hobbits quietly whispered to one another whilst the Wizard wandered the limits of their camp. The ponies and Shadowfax were close and secure, and enjoyed the warmth of the flames. However, Gandalf was restless; for the ambiance beyond the borders of the camp seemed disturbed by some unfriendly presence. This did not stop the Wizard from wishing to wander away from the safety of the encampment however, and although his robes seemed pale grey amongst the darkness he feared not to see to that the areas around where they rested were guarded and tranquil.

Here he looked back towards the two Hobbits chattering away carelessly as though there were no peril about them; as though back home in the Shire. This made the Wizard seem mingled with feelings of content, but alas also vexation. They were unprepared; their weapons laid out upon the floor and their helmets and armour tucked away in their packs. Their laughing rang across the rigid terrain and upon the feet of the mountain range, and this did not please the Wizard one bit.

'Peregrin, Meriadoc,' he called quietly, 'do keep the volume down to a minimal level; I fear there may be a malice walking about the camp.'

'Then do you wish for us to quench the fire?' asked Pippin, ready to extinguish the flames.

Gandalf shook his head. 'Not necessary,' he said, 'I would like to know that you are both in a secure area. I am to wander just around this encampment to determine this area is safe, so there be no threat to us.'

'Okay, Gandalf,' said Merry. 'We'll be quiet.'

'Good,' said the Wizard, and he left out into the darkness.

. . .

Like a wraith he passed silently upon the ground and through the tangled weeds and withering plantation. The terrain was unstable, and the loose rocky floor cracked and broke off smaller pebbles that rolled and bounced upon the ground. Although he remained quiet, as though only a fox was passing by.

He wandered east of the grounds nearest to the Mountains, for rumour had it that the Goblin horde that dwelt within the caverns of the Towers of Mist and the forsaken and dreaded Mines of Moria still prowled the highlands. The Goblin horde's numbers were but a few, but even though the Might of Sauron was ended, the malice and lust for the great caves delved into the Mountains was greater now than it had been then. Yet the quest for recolonizing Khazad-Dûm was far into the future, they hoped yet even by the strength of King Elessar that the remaining Goblins and Orcs will disperse and diminish into ruin.

Here Gandalf wandered like a pale ghost across the rolling ridges of the mountains, and the light of the campfire had passed behind the hills, and then he knew that he was away from the security of the camp, but despite that knowledge he continued forth in search for the creeping malice eying the company.

As he wandered through the darkness he deemed then that the peril had passed on and had returned from whence it came, and that the area was secure once again. But once he turned to return towards the camp he heard a strange and cackling sound northwards from where he stood. Alert and cautious he silently crept towards the source of the disturbance, and as he passed by large rocks and boulders he caught sight of a minute group - five specifically - of devilish Goblins clad in jagged armour and grasping harsh weaponry. He remained calm and watchful, and he hid himself behind a boulder and listened intently to their vulgar words:

'You saw a light upon the west?' snarled the First. 'You're eyes are playing tricks again. It's probably just star.'

'Would a star linger upon the ground?' retorted the Second. 'I know what I saw and I want to know what it is.'

'O, shut yourself!' barked the Third. 'Uzug going to send a patrol down to see.'

'It's probably Men,' hissed the Fourth, 'we should go forth and take them down by surprise while they're unprepared.'

'It may be Men but it could be an army of them,' warned the Fifth, 'and that army could be aiming to ambush us at any moment.'

'Then we must see to it that they are taken care of,' said the Second. 'We have enough lads to take on whatever threat they pose. I doubt it'd be Elves; they've wandered back into the West to their accursed lands. Although Gorbug said that some Elves still abide in the Woods eastward of Khazad-dûm.'

'The Woods of Lothlórien?' said the First. 'A few of the lads went down there about a year ago to attempt to fight them but even though their numbers are few and the Lord and Lady have departed they're still fierce, as always.'

'Argh, I hate Elves!' cried the Fifth. 'I curse that race with utmost detest,' and then he spat onto the ground in rage.

'Men are our greatest threat now,' said the Third. 'Since the Throne of Gondor has been reclaimed the hope of Men has increased and they are determined to wipe the lot of us out.'

'Then we gather all forces together and fight the White City,' hissed the Fourth.

The others gasped and then laughed. 'Are you serious?' cackled the Third. 'You idiot! Look at what happened to the Army of Mordor! They never managed to break the siege of that city. The City on the River, yes, but that has been reclaimed also. The remaining Orcs of Mordor are few, and all they can do now is cower in their lands until Gondor comes to wipe them all out and see to it that Mordor is under their dominion.'

The others fell silent for a moment, and then the Fifth Goblin spoke with a hint of hope and wicked pleasure within his cold voice. 'I almost forgot to say,' he began: 'The rumours of the East have come true!'

'Rumours of the East?' said the Second. 'I thought that was but horror tales to tell to the peoples of Middle-earth.'

'It is no longer,' said the Fifth. 'It has been awoken. Perhaps the Fall of Men will come ere the passing of the year.'

'But does it not move gradually?' asked the Third. 'The pace it creeps is slower; its coming to Middle-earth will be longer, it will not come within this year.'

'But when it comes,' said the Fifth with mirth, 'we may be spared from its destruction, although all the other races shall perish forever.' The group laughed and cheered in the hoping of a Man-free future. 'The Fall of Man is nigh,' he snarled. 'The Revolution has begun!' And with that the group continued towards the Misty Mountains, cackling and rooting as they left.

. . .

Here Gandalf stood silent and uneasy by their conversation, and then he remembered one of the earlier things that they had mentioned: a patrol was to be sent to see to the light in the West. His eyes widened, and he hoped greatly that the patrol had not reached the camp and that the Hobbits were safe and in peace.

As quick and stealthy as before he set off in such a pace across the uneven terrain of Eregion, returning towards the camp. Once the warm light of the fire was in sight upon the horizon, the light flickered as though restless shadows strove past it constantly within the minutes, and the faint sounds of cries were carried upon the wind towards him. The Wizard's stomach dropped like an anchor, and a weight crushed his heart. Please be in one piece, he hoped, and he rushed with great speed back towards the camp.

Once he approached the camp, he took out Glamdring from its scabbard and readied for an attack. With a cry he rushed into the light of the campfire, and to his eyes he saw the opposite of what he had feared. The Hobbits glanced at him blankly and in a state of confusion, and then Peregrin smiled.

'The equipment caught fire,' he said. 'But we managed to quench the flames.'

Here a wave of relief flew through the Wizard, and air returned to his lungs. He smiled, but faintly. 'Well, that is unfortunate,' he said, withdrawing Glamdring into its scabbard. Then his face turned grim. 'But we cannot linger here.'

'Why not?' asked Meriadoc.

'I feared that the passes of Eregion were not yet safe, and its residents still prowl amidst the feet of the Mountains of Mist. We had best continue to a safer place, and there we can make camp once again.'

'But it's dark,' moaned Pippin; 'The ponies won't be able to see where they're going.'

The anxiety of the patrol advancing and assaulting the camp was high, but the Wizard knew that they were right. He sighed. 'Very well; we shall stay. But the fire must now be quenched.'

The Hobbits nodded, and together they extinguished the fire. As the shadows enveloped them, Gandalf let out from the tip of his staff a faint and earthly glow; hardly noticeable from afar, and it illuminated only a small section, which aided the Halflings to see what they were doing before they rested and slept into a peaceful night sleep; unaware of any peril circling their camp, or watching the blackness where they lay from atop a hill not far away.

But as the hours passed, and the darkness deepened, to Gandalf's relief no Goblins had come to the camp. After sitting restless and sleepless listening with acute hearing to the world around him, he deemed it was now safe to sleep, and so, even though anxious and uneasy to whether the Goblins may or may not come, he drifted into sleep, but dreamed of nightmares of a dead future and the wrath of the creeping Shadow.