The war of the ring continues, all of the companions who came to middle earth are now together, save for Ben who is evil and Alex who is as of yet unaccounted for, will they be able to help save middle earth and get home? Keep reading and reviewing to find out.
The following day we woke to find the mounds we had created of the slain were gone. The trees that had mysteriously appeared to the south were also gone; no doubt the two were connected. The wild men that had survived were given full pardons by Théoden against Clark's protests. It appeared that Sauruman had deceived them, telling them "horrible tales" about how the rohirrim sought to enslave them. Once they were healed the wild men returned to their lands, swearing never to enter Rohan while bearing a weapon again.
I awoke from my sleep; I had spent the night in the main hall of the Hornburg, along with Liz and Clark, Gandalf was standing over me.
"Come quickly Dunedan!" he whispered loudly. "Bring your friends."
I quickly roused Liz and Clark from their slumbers; we followed Gandalf to the outer wall, where Théoden and Aragorn awaited us.
"What is this about Gandalf?" Théoden asked.
"We must ride to Isengard."
"What? But we are not enough, even if all the rohirrim gathered would we have not enough to assault the fortress of Sauruman!" Théoden stated
"Nevertheless we must go, and I would like Dunedan and his friends to accompany us, there may be some for them to learn. Take only those who can ride, for we leave at dawn."
"You guys up for it?" I asked after Théoden and the others had gone to prepare for the trip."
"Please," Clark said, trying to act tough. "I rode all the way here from Rivendale didn't I? This'll be a cakewalk."
"We gotta stick together right?" Liz said, placing her hand out in front of her. Clark and I smiled, stacking our hands on top of each others.
"As long as were together, nothing can stop us," I said, raising my fist in the air in excitement.
Much to my disappointment Liz was given her own horse for the trip, I myself rode atop Lightfoot once again.
I told Clark of the fate that befell Ben since our coming here, more than ever he swore to accompany us anyplace where we might meet up with and have a chance to cure him.
Along with King Théoden, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Eomer, a dozen rohirrim soldiers were suited for the trip and joined us on our journey south. The trip to Isengard was eerily calm, not a single sign of man, orc, or uruk the whole was to the fords of Isen.
When we finally came upon the ring surrounding Isengard we found that we had been beaten to the battle. The ring was full of breaches and holes, as if a missile had blown through them; the area surrounding Isengard had been flooded.
The tower itself was massive; reaching far into the sky I could scarcely see the top. It seemed mystical somehow and very old, yet the black stone of which it was made from gave me the chills, Clark agreed with me.
As we approached the tower I could make out two small shapes sitting atop a pile of rubble, as we got closer I realized who it was.
"Merry! Pippin!" I shouted, waving as we approached the two hobbits, Merry was puffing some rings of smoke from his pipe, while Pippin continued dining on some apples.
"Welcome," began Merry, standing upright and trying to deepen his voice. "Welcome, my lords, to Isengard."
"And has Sauruman given you the duty as door stewards?" asked Gandalf, though I could tell he was joking.
"Nope, we are under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard."
"And where is he now?" I asked quickly, hoping desperately to see an Ent close up.
"He's down at the river, said he needed to get the smell of orc off of em, he should be back in a few minutes."
Merry regaled us with the tale of how the two had escaped into Fangorn Forest during the rohirrims battle with the orcs that had captured them. Once inside they ran into Treebeard, one of the oldest of the ents. Apparently whilst we had been fighting at the Hornburg the ents had marched to war. The ents had single-handedly defeated Sauruman, destroying Isengards defenses while the bulk of his army was away. As Merry wrapped up the tale Treebeard approached.
"Ah young master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come," his gaze then fell upon me.
Treebeared was indeed tall as all Ents were, he was a good five or six times taller than the tallest person I'd ever known. He seemed so tree-like, and yet so human.
"Ah old Derek, it is good to see you again."
"What?" I asked, shocked at the ents words, everyone around me joined in on my confusion.
"How can you know him?" Aragorn asked. "He only arrived here ere several months ago."
"Really?" Treebeard asked, leaning towards me for a closer look. "O master Derek, you seem just the same as when I last saw you, but how long ago was that?" Treebeard gazed up at the sky, as if lost in thought.
"We can discuss this later," Gandalf finally said. "What of Sauruman?"
"Ah, a tricky devil he is, he has locked himself within Orthanc and will not come down. Wood and water, stalk and stone I can master, but managing a wizard is a difficult task indeed."
Gandalf approached the tower, pointing up at a high up window he shouted.
"Sauruman, approach and seek judgment."
As if on command an old man appeared on the ledge, holding a black staff with a white orb within it. He seemed as old as Gandalf, though at first glance he appeared to be a harmless old man; the knowledge of what he had done to the people of Rohan filled me with anger towards him. He began to speak to us, for a moment I completely forgot about his wrongdoings, for his voice sounded as innocent and old as Gandalf's had when I first met him.
"You have won many wars and slain many men Théoden king, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take council as we once did? Can we not have peace?"
Théoden seemed peaceful at first, as if he was going to give the monster a chance. "We shall have peace," however this demeanor changed as he came to his senses. "We shall have peace when you pay for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there. When Hama, and all those soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead at the gates of the Hornburg are avenged. When you hang from a gibbet, for the sport of your own vile crows, we shall have peace."
I smiled as I saw Sauruman's peaceful demeanor disappear as an evil frown appeared on his face. "What do you want of me Gandalf, the key or Orthanc? Or perhaps the key to Bara'dur itself?" His voice continued into madness as he ranted on. "How about the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards?!"
"Sauruman," Gandalf said, approaching the tower as he spoke. "You were deep in the enemy's council; we need to know what you know."
"So you want information? I have some for you," Sauruman replied, holding up a black crystal I mistaken it at first glance for a bowling ball.
Red fire swirled around within it; eventually forming into the shape of the great eye of Sauron, my hand instinctively fell upon my sword hilt.
"The dark lord has gathered his full strength to the black gates Greybeard," Sauruman said, an eerie smile forming on his face. "All his forces prepare to march; even now he presses his advantage. He has even discovered a new general, whose prowess in battle surpasses that of even the combined might of the nine nazgul!"
Everyone save Gandalf and I were shocked by this new, I approached the tower, shouting. "Is this new general Gothmog?"
Sauruman glared down at me, the smile remained on his face. "Indeed it is, though I know as well as you do that is not his true name."
I had figured that Sauruman would know his name was really Ben, after all he and Sauron had been working together for quite some time.
"How was he swayed to serve Sauron?"
"Ah, so he was a friend of yours," the fallen wizard stated. "Then you must be one as well…."
"Sauruman!" Gandalf interrupted. "Come down, tell us what you know, and your life shall be spared."
"Save your pity and you mercy," Sauruman shouted, he wicked smile replaced by pure anger. "I have no use for it!" As he finished he fired a pair of fireballs at Gandalf and I.
The first fireball struck Gandalf, however his magic was far superior to Sauruman's now and it disintegrated as it attempted to consume him, leaving him unharmed.
The second one headed towards me, I covered my face with my hands in a futile defense. As I glanced up at the incoming fireball it instantly vanished, mere inches before it would have killed me.
"Thanks for the save Gandalf," I said, relieved to be alive.
"It was not I who did that son," he replied, amazement was in his eyes.
Sauruman, angered by his failed attack, turned to head back into Orthanc; however Gandalf's voice halted him.
"Sauruman! Your staff is broken." As he spoke Sauruman's staff exploded in his hands, crumpling into tinder at his feet. "And I hereby expel you from the white council.
Angry beyond all reason Sauruman fled back within Orthanc, but not before tossing the crystal orb in his hands over the railing. He would later meet his end at the knife of Grima Wormtongue in the shire, but that tale is not apart of this story.
As we began to walk off Pippin leapt from Aragorn's horse, rummaging around in the several feet of water that had settled around Isengard.
"Pippin?" Aragorn asked.
He got his response when Pippin produced the crystal ball Sauruman had tossed over the side. He seemed to stare at it for a prolonged time; I slowly approached him, knowing of the urge to gaze into it that he would have.
However Gandalf beat me to him, Pippin handed him the orb hesitantly as Gandalf stuffed it under his cloak, and out of sight.
With Sauruman under the watch of old Treebeard we began our march back to Edoras, with the crystal orb…the Palantir in tow.
We approached Edoras as the sun was falling down behind the Misty Mountains, as we got closer I pulled Lightfoot alongside Gandalf.
"What did Treebeard mean by he knew me?"
"Ah, that is a tale as old as the ent," Gandalf began. "You see, ents were once trees, but were awoken by the elves when they came to these lands. Treebeard has told me tales of his life before he was an ent."
I listened intently, ents were as old as time itself in middle earth, I had no idea how one could know me, much less know me thousands of years ago.
"He told me long ago of how he once stood in a meadow, not so great but it was home, surrounded by flat stone. He said that a man came often, passing him by whenever he could…that man was you Derek." His voice became a whisper as he spoke my name.
"Me?" I shouted, loud enough to claim the brief attention of several rohirrim soldiers who had heard me. "But this would've had to have happened thousands of years ago! Do I look several thousand years old to you?"
Gandalf gave a loud chuckle, "of course not, but can you honestly say you have never passed a tree often in your life?"
I pondered what Gandalf said, finally coming to my senses.
The oak tree
"There was an oak tree outside my house!" I exclaimed, trying to put two and two together. I would pass it everyday, I passed it the day I came to middle earth!" (The same tree briefly mentioned in Chapter 1)
"And what does that tell you?" Gandalf asked, before riding onward to enter Edoras.
It tells me…, I thought in my head. That…
My eyes widened as I discovered what Gandalf had known all along.
I hadn't come to a different dimension, I had time traveled…. middle earth was the future.
We entered Edoras, receiving a mountain of praise from the townspeople, a great feast was held in the golden hall to commemorate our victory.
The hall had been swiftly decorated by the guards Gandalf had sent back to protect Edoras in our absence. Golden fabric hung from the walls, the symbol of Rohan, a mighty steed, was etched upon them.
I had decided to think about my discovery after the party; after all, this was a time for celebration.
I stood around a table, dozens of ale mugs had been placed upon them. Legolas had been challenged by Gimli to a drinking contest. Clark and I abstained from the match, for neither of us drank alcohol, Liz was nowhere to be found.
In no time flat almost every mug was drained, Gimli was swaying back and forth, while Legolas appeared his normal stoic self.
"I'm feeling something," Legolas said at last. "A slight tingling in my fingers, it may be starting to affect me."
Gimli laughed, burping as he spoke. "You see that, just like elves, ye can't hold yer liquor."
Gimli then promptly passed out.
"Game over," Legolas said, everyone around was laughing at Gimli's misfortune, Clark and I joined in.
As I made my way through the party I felt a tap on my shoulder, I glanced behind to see who it was.
I was forced to do a double take as I realized it was Liz, she was adorned in a rohirrim gown. It was snow white with gold sparkles scattered across it, she seemed to glow as she spoke. She wore a circlet of gold intertwined with silver among her raven hair.
"Um…Dunedan, are you ok?"
It took me several seconds to realize I was staring; I quickly regained my composure and tried to relieve my embarrassment.
"That's a lovely dress you have."
"You think so?" she asked, spinning around once to show me the whole thing. "Eowyn gave it to me, said it seemed right for me."
I walked with Liz as we spoke with others at the party.
"How are the festivities Dunedan?" Came King Théoden, walking up to us, Eowyn at his side.
"Wonderful my king," I said, bowing accordingly. "And well deserved, great honor was won in the defeat of Sauruman."
Théoden's gaze seemed to falter. "Théoden was not the one who led our people to victory at the Hornburg," he said solemnly.
My smile weakened, I felt guilty, reminding him that Aragorn had been the one to lead the troops on the frontlines, I could think of no words to comfort him.
"But my king," Liz said, shattering the silence between the four of us. "Was it not you who proposed to retreat to Helms Deep? Had it not been for that course of action we would never have won. And besides, Aragorn's presence at the battle was not what gave the people hope, but the presence of their king, who never lost faith in their chance to win."
Eowyn smiled approvingly at Liz as Théoden's spirits rose.
"Once again," he began. "One of your brave company has removed my thoughts from darkness." Surprisingly Théoden bowed before us slightly, before moving on to speak with Eomer and Erkenbrand, who were busy discussing Gimli's defeat at the drinking match.
Clark was enjoying himself as well, he was adorned in his elvish clothes I had seen him in at Rivendale, apparently he had brought them with him.
"How's the lovely couple doing this evening?" he asked, seeing the two of us walking up.
"Clark!" Liz and I both said, annoyance in our voices.
Clark threw his hands up, obviously outnumbered, "ok ok I'm sorry, how are you both doing?"
"We're doing find Clark," I said, having forgiven him for his comment. "What's it like being away from the elves?"
"Louder, that's for sure," he chuckled. "They never had celebrations like this at Rivendale, the most excitement I had was when Bilbo fell off his chair while describing how he had aided in the downfall of Smaug."
We all joined him in laughing at this, though the thought of what Ben was enduring while we celebrated still graded at our minds, and Alex was still unaccounted for.
As we enjoyed the music, Merry and Pippin hopped up onto a nearby table and began to sing and dance what I thought sounded a lot like an Irish jig.
You can search far and wide
You can drink the whole town dry
But you'll never find a beer so brown
As the one we drink in our home town
You can drink your fancy ales
You can drink them by the flagon
But the only brew for the brave and true
Comes from the Green Dragon!
Liz and I laughed and applauded as they continued to dance and sing atop the tables, violin-like instruments were being played to the tune of their song
Turning to Liz I extended my hand.
"Care to dance milady?" I asked, my courage faltering as I spoke.
She smiled, "I'd love to," she said, taking my hand.
We began to dance to the tune, I had taken dance lessons when I was younger, praying they had paid off. I attempted to go with the song, desperately trying to keep up with Liz who was dancing at a fast pace.
The two of us lit up the floor; it wasn't long before the entire crowd had joined in.
I scarcely took my eyes off Liz as we danced, however I glanced around to see who else was dancing every now and then.
Théoden had started off dancing with Eowyn; however she had switched off and began dancing with Legolas, who was quite light on his feet. After partners were switched again she found herself dancing with Aragorn.
Gimli sat grumbling in the corner, still embarrassed at his loss to Legolas; however a rohirrim maid pulled him off his seat and onto the dance floor.
Laughter filled the room as we danced for hours; surprisingly Gimli was one of the last to call it a night.
The hall and surrounding corridors were used as sleeping quarters for those who didn't have a home in Edoras to return to once the party had ended.
Legolas stood outside, gazing into the east; Gimli was sound asleep inside, snoring loudly.
Eowyn lay upon a couch; a huge animal skin was over her as a blanket. Merry and Pippin slept not far from Gandalf in the main hall. Clark had chosen to sleep upon the floor; however he had eventually become stretched out across a great distance, his arms and legs laid atop the nearby sleepers, his blanket forgotten in the shuffling.
Liz and I lay against the wall in an adjoining room, sharing a rather large blanket as we leaned up against each other, fast asleep.
That was the best nights sleep I had had since my arrival in Middle earth.
The sound of soft footfalls awoke me; I silently inched out from under the blanket, making sure not to disturb Liz. Upon entering the next room I saw a small hobbit clutching the sack Gandalf had placed the Palantir inside.
Pippin!
The Hobbit was clutching the Palantir; he staggered back and forth as if in great pain.
"Pippin!" I shouted.
My shout startled the hobbit even in his dazed state, he dropped the orb and it rolled across the floor, landing on my foot.
It only touched me for a split second, but that was as long as it needed, I felt a surge of pain rush through me as images filled my head
I was standing atop a tower; flames were about me as I looked around. In the distance I could see Mount Doom, only much closer, I was in Mordor.
As I turned I saw a black shape approach me, it seemed monstrous, standing a good two to three times my height above me, glaring down at me.
"What is your name?" it asked, however it was not speaking, and I could hear its voice in my head.
I didn't answer; angered by my silence the approached me, reaching out to grab my throat.
As its foul hand touched me a blinding flash of light erupted from my body, burning the black shape's hand and knocking it backwards.
"You…" it hissed, before rushing towards me again, I closed my eyes as hard as I could.
Before it could attack me again I awoke, realizing I was on my back, lying on the floor of the golden hall once again. My head was being cradled by Gandalf; it seemed that the entire hall had been awoken by the noise we had made, however I was thankful it appeared that Liz hadn't awoken.
"What….what happened?" I asked weakly. "How is Pippin?"
"Pippin is alright," Gandalf replied, sighing in relief. "What did you see?"
'I…I saw the mountain of fire," I said, recounting the images. "I saw a black shape, he asked me my name, had you not have awakened me I might have answered him."
"Did you tell him anything? About Frodo or the ring?"
"No, I didn't."
"What was this black shape?" Gandalf asked fearfully.
"I…I think it was…him."
Sauron, Lord of Mordor.
We sat gathered in the great hall, the sleepers had been moved to other rooms while we discussed the ramifications of this night.
"We have been strangely fortunate this night," Gandalf began, walking around the main table within the great hall, around which everyone was gathered. "Not one, but two of us gazed upon the dark lord yet revealed to him nothing," he glanced over at Pippin and myself.
Why does something bad happen to me every time I try to save Pippin? I thought to myself, remembering the event in Moria as well.
Clark stood up, "Get the point please Gandalf, what does this mean?"
"Derek somehow repelled Sauron's gaze and thus saw nothing of his mind, yet Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plans, Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith."
The eyes of everyone in the room became as large as dinner plates at the mention of this.
"When the beacons are lit Rohan must prepare to ride to war Théoden king."
"Tell me," Théoden began, getting to his feet. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours, what do we owe Gondor?"
I stood up as well, perturbed at what Théoden was saying.
"With all due respect my king, what do you think will happen once Gondor falls? Alone neither Rohan nor Gondor are a match for the forces of Mordor, only unified do we stand a chance. They must be warned of the attack."
"They will be," said Gandalf, laying a hand on my shoulder. He proceeded to whisper something to Aragorn nearby, though I didn't hear it. "I ride for Minas Tirith, and I will not be going alone."
As Merry argued with Pippin over why he always has to look at things he shouldn't I walked with Gandalf as he made his way to Shadowfax.
"Shouldn't someone else come with you Gandalf?" I asked, worried about what might happen at Gondor.
"That is very brave of you Dunedan, but no horse could keep up with Shadowfax on the road."
"Lightfoot could," I stated. "He is faster than any horse save Shadowfax."
"Nay, you must remain here, help rally the Rohirrim for war when the time comes. I have a feeling you shall be needed here more than there for the time being."
"Then let me go," came a voice from the shadows.
As my eyes attempted to adjust to the darkened light around us I noticed as a figure stepped out of the shadows, it was Clark.
"I am much lighter than you Dunedan," he said. "And I know how to speak to horses, if Lightfoot is as swift as you say I shall be able to keep up with Gandalf the whole way to Gondor."
"But Clark I…" I was silenced by his raising hand.
"Dere…Dunedan, we are all trapped here not just you. I will do what I can to help, just take care of Liz while I'm gone."
I smiled, giving him a high five as he made his way to the stables, I made my way up the walls surrounding Edoras, Merry had already gotten there to watch Pippin ride off with Gandalf as well.
"I'm going to miss him," Merry said on the verge of tears. "Pippin would always be getting me in a heap of trouble, but he'd always be right there to help me get out of it."
"Yea," I said as Shadowfax and Lightfoot rode off out of sight range. "Clark was the exact same way.
I hope you liked the party scene, I just had to have a chapter where they got to rest for a change, even if for a short time. The next chapter shall start switching POV between Clark at Minas Tirith and Dunedan at Edoras, stay tuned and review.