Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I am going to try to have another chapter out soon since it is winter break and I actually have the time be able to write.
Our company begins to ride towards Isengard in hope that Merry and Pippin might be there, safe and unharmed. Also to deal with Saruman and what might be left of his army. While on the ride there the atmosphere was very… serious. "Gimli," I call out to him. "Congratulations on winning whatever game you were playing earlier." Gimli him a wink he laughs and looks over at Legolas with a smug grin. "The lass even sees that it was me, little princeling." Legolas chooses to ignore him which causes both of us to laugh.
"That necklace you were wearing, the one you gave the boy" Legolas says softly. "It looks very familiar. Where was it that you found it?" I give him a quizzical look as I try to think back to where. Before long I remember that it was in Moria when I saw that vision of what the glory days must have been like. It was so beautiful that it is saddening that it is no longer such. Though for me a dark cloud will always hang over those last few days. 'That seems so long ago..' I ponder, a tinge of sadness enters my mind. I hear someone clear their throat causing me look up and see that it is Gandalf. My eyes widen as I see the great fortress of Isengard, the home of Saruman. The tower itself was more than daunting, it seemed to hold a great evil inside that should not see the light of day. The way that the tower seems to rise with no end in sight. Looking around I notice that this place must have been very beautiful and peaceful, though those days seem long gone as the stench of rot and decay fill the air. As my eyes continue to roam this desolate place I soon take notice that not to far off in the distance are the two hobbits that we have been chasing for many days. Letting out a sigh of relief I practically jump off the horse and race towards them. At the sight of me I see their faces light up and they smile and wave.
"You two are very hard to find once lost," I say as I pull myself up onto a broken wall and sit next to them. "So what is it today?" They both look at me rather dubiously. They quickly get over and begin to puff on their pipes. "This is good. Definitely from the Shire. Longbottom Leaf." Merry explains to me with a slight look of reminisce. Pippin looks at both of us as he leans back and says, "I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon. A mug of ale in my hand. Putting my feet up on a settle after a hard day's work." Merry barks out a laugh as he retorts, "Only, you've never done a hard day's work." Hearing this I laugh along side them. "From what I remember Sam telling me once, you two would get into.. oh what was his name.. right Farmer Maggots crops. That must have been a hard days work for you," I put in, causing their laughter to escalate.
Those sounds of hooves sloshing through the water draws my attention back to my companions. Seeing this as well Merry stands up and addresses everyone. "Welcome, my lord, to Isengard!" He then points up at the tower where a small figure can be seen from one of the windows. "You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you, feasting and… smoking!" Gimli says rather frustrated. "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good." Pippin replies as he continues to smoke his pipe.
"We're under orders, from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard," Merry says rather proudly. Gandalf only nods his head and motions for them to get on a horse. Jumping down from the wall I leisurely walk over to the horse I was riding with Legolas and swing back on. Lightly I wrap my arms around his waist as the sudden movement of the horse jolts me in my seat. Once I have righted myself I let go, not even taking the time to look up at him knowing that if I did surely he would see me blush. Though thankfully he does not seem to take any notice at all.
After a few minutes we see a huge tree that is moving… and talking. The tree, I would have to guess that this is Treebeard, looks our ways. "Young Master Gandalf," I try not to chuckle at hearing someone call Gandalf young, "I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a Wizard to manage here, locked in his tower." Treebeards says slowly. Hearing a hushed voice of one of my companions I look over and see that it is Aragorn. I was unable to make much of it out as my attention is very much occupied by the great fortress before us. "Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf warns us but looks to Aragorn.
"Well, let's just have his head and be done with it," Gimli declares brashly. Gandalf immediately discredits his remark. "No. We need him alive. We need him to talk.." Once said a voice is heard but it is from none of us. "You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King," Saruman's is the voice we were hearing and finally he shows himself on the top of the tower. "and made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?" The almost sweet way Saruman says this is sickening to hear but I can't seem to look away from him.
This seems to anger Théoden as he almost growls out, "We shall have peace. We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace."
"Gibbets and crows? Dotard! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dur itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!" Saruman says vehemently. One could almost feel his glares, hot as steel and cold as death. Gandalf keeps his gaze on Sauman as he replies, "Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are at risk. But you can save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel." Upon hearing this Saruman scoffs and says, "So you have come here for information. I have some for you," at this Saruman lifts up his Palantír and gazes into it. Many eyes widen at the sight of this orb. "Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it." He proceeds to put the orb down. "Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die."
My heart begins to race as I hear those words. Within seconds my vision blurs and I am taken back to my city, I smile as I take in all the familiar sights. Though for some reason my eyes keep going back to the white tree. Even without flowers it has a different kind of beauty to it. Though that soon changes as everything blurs and before I know it I see the tree burning, along with the rest of my city. The cries of panic and help are overbearing. The sounds of children crying out for their parents, the sounds of wives grieving for their fallen husbands and children. The sounds of thousands of orcs marching through and destroying everything in their path. A tear trickles down my face as I am brought back to the presence. Swiftly I wipe it away before anyone else can notice. Taking in my surroundings once more I notice that Gandalf is even closer to the tower.
"But you know this, don't you, Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Then of this supposed lady of Gondor, do you not see that she shall become something far worse than her brother before her. She will take the Ring from the Halfling, with the intent of using it to save her already defeated, crumbling city. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death." Saruman says dubiously.
"I've heard enough!" Gimli whispers to Legolas. "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob." Hearing this Legolas readies his bow, waiting to strike when the moment is right. Gandalf gives Gimli a quick look but draws his attention back to Saruman. "No. Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared."
"Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it!" Saruman replies. Saruman proceeds to send down a giant fire-ball towards Gandalf. A giant flame surrounds where Gandalf is. My eyes widen with shock and horror as I pray that this is all just an illusion of the mind. When we are finally able to see Gandalf is now surrounded by a shield as the flames die down. Letting out a sigh of relief I notice that my hand was gripped tightly around Legolas' arm. "I am so sorry," I mutter before looking back at Gandalf with awe. "Saruman, your staff is broken." Gandalf says as Saruman's staff breaks in his hands into many pieces. Grima shows up behind Saruman rather suddenly and it takes me a moment to tell that it really is him.
"Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan. Come down," Théoden calls out to him. Saruman scoffs at this and replies, "A Man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Théoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires." Despite his words Théoden continues to call out to Grima. "Grima, come down. Be free of him." A conversation between Grima and Saruman occurs, ending with Saruman striking Grima to the ground.
"Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!" Gandalf calls out. Saruman instantly replies. "You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here." Before my eyes I see Grima pounce on Saruman and stab him several times. Legolas then releases the arrow he had ready, and hit Grima. Grima winces in pain and falls back off the tower, making Saruman also plummet off the tower and towards the ground. He lands on top of a spear on one of his own devices. Disgust falls over the faces of several of the riders and myself. 'To think, a Wizard that was supposed to be good would do all this and create so much hate and evil in the world.'
Gandalf does not miss a beat as he orders, "Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike." Hearing the wheel spin I look over and see Saruman sinking into the waters. The Palantír that was in his robe falls out and into the water with a silent splash.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees." Treebeard says softly as he watches the body disappear. My attention is turned when I heard someone dismount and splash in the water. Looking over I see that it is Pippin and it seems that something has caught his eye in the water. "Peregrin Took! I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now." Gandalf commands. Pippin hands what looks to be the Palantír to Gandalf, who quickly wraps it in his robe and looks around as if to see if anyone else noticed him do it.
So next chapter will be when Pippin looks into the Palantir and is forced to go with Gandalf to Minas Tirith. I am thinking about having Araella go along with them so that way there can be some action going on between her and her family. Well tell me what you think or if you have any suggestions.
As always,
Read & Review
-Kiro