A/N Hey guys! Sorry for the long delay, but school is hectic, and I got sick. -.- I know right, it SUCKS! This chapter was really hard for me, mainly because my muse ditched me. Anyways, we're really close to one hundred reviews! How about this, the one hundredth reviewer gets to add in a character of their choice, and I'll add their character in! I might have to change it a little bit though. Review!
Disclaimer- If I really was Tolkien, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction, I would be making tons of money! And sadly, I'm not. Lotr doesn't, and will never belong to me.
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Chapter 21- The White Wizard
The tall ancient trees rose up all around them, their branches creaking and swaying ominously. Alex looked around uneasily, the back of her neck tingling. As an Elf, she could sense certain warmth from these trees, but something darker shrouded that warmth. Alex didn't understand how she knew, but the trees were angry.
They had been travelling for some time now, and still did not know where the Hobbits are. Everyone was getting slightly desperate and frustrated, the gloominess affecting them all.
As Alexandra walked past a particularly large tree, her fingers brushed lightly against its rough bark. Instantly, a man's face appeared in her mind. His eyes were dark brown, almost black. He had a pale face, with lanky black hair falling to his shoulders. He had the same nose and lips of Alexandra, and his eyes were hauntingly familiar. Just as her fingers lost contact with the wood, the picture slipped away. She stared at the tree, dumbstruck.
What is happening to me? she thought.
Twice, when she touched one of the trees here, that man's face appeared. It was a puzzle that Alexandra struggled to put together, but each time she managed to grasp the answer, it slipped away, like water through a sieve.
Suddenly, she heard whispering all around her? Her eyes roamed restlessly over the forest and over at her companions. She noticed that Legolas was looking slightly uneasy too, and as he looked around, their eyes met. She crooked an eyebrow at him, silently asking him if he heard them too. He gave a slight nod.
"The trees….They are speaking." Legolas said warily.
"Humph!" Gimli snorted. "And what do trees have to talk about? The consistency of squirrel droppings?"
Alex smiled slightly at Gimli, before listening more intently.
"They say….The White Wizard approaches."
As if on cue, a blinding white light appeared before them. Instantly, Legolas drew his bow and rapidly fired two arrows at it, only to have them ricochet back. Gimli roared an impressive battle cry, and leapt at the light, swinging his battle ax over his head. The moment he came within two feet of the light, he was thrown back, and landed heavily on his back. Aragorn drew his sword, but the metal grew red how, and seared his hands, causing him to drop it.
Alexandra however, didn't try to do anything. While the light was incredibly bright, she didn't feel threatened. It was as if she could just tell that it was friendly.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits." A deep voice boomed.
" Where are they?" Aragorn growled.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" the voice asked again.
"Who are you? Show yourself!"
The light dimmed, and then disappeared completely, revealing who was behind it. Everyone stared, dumbstruck, as Gandalf walked towards them.
"Mithrandir…" Legolas breathed, kneeling before him, and following his cue, everyone else did too.
"Gandalf." Aragorn said warmly, clasping the old man's arm.
Alex walked up to Gandalf, and crossed her arms.
"You're late." she said, frowning.
"Nonsense!" he snorted. "A wizard is never late! He arrives exactly where and when he is needed at exactly the right time!"
They stared at each other for some time, before they hugged each other tightly, grins across their faces.
"I missed you." Alex said softly.
"Oh, I missed you too my dear."
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"Aaaaah, finally! A clear view of what we're walking into!" Alex said.
The plain that stretched before them was hot, dry, and windy. A hot breeze blew across the plain, ruffling Alex's bangs.
Gandalf let out a piercing whistle that travelled across the plain, far into the distance. Soon, the sound of drumming of hooves came near and nearer.
"Shadowfax." Gandalf said fondly, patting the pure white horse.
"And it seems that he brought some friends!" Gimli said, chuckling as he fondled Arod. Aragorn jumped onto Hasufel, and beckoned Alex to join him. But her attention was elsewhere.
A black dot appeared in the distance, and came closer and closer. Soon, everyone was able to make out what it was.
"Wow." Alex breathed.
Standing before them, was a night black stallion, with eyes of gold. Powerful muscles rippled across the horse's abdomen, and he held himself proudly.
"He's beautiful!" Alex breathed, eyes a wonder.
"Alexandra, stand back!" growled Gandalf, approaching the stallion.
The stallion reared, and almost kicked Gandalf.
"Back, you foul beast!" he bellowed, brandishing his staff.
"Don't hurt him!" Alexandra snapped, pushing Gandalf behind her.
The stallion pranced away a little when Alexandra approached, but it soon calmed, soothed, by her voice.
Alex didn't know why she wanted this stallion; he just gave her…a sense of home. A home which she can't remember.
"Sssssh, it's alright boy." she said, bringing up her hand to stroke his silky muzzle.
"I'll call you…Gunsmoke." she said, smiling slightly. She lightly swung herself onto Gunsmoke's back, and held on to his mane. She glanced back, slightly amused at everyone's slightly dumbstruck faces.
"Come on!" she said grinning, before she touched her heels lightly on Gunsmoke's flanks.
"That girl will never cease to amaze me." Gandalf grumbled, before spurring Shadowfax after them.
Both Aragorn and Legolas gave each other amused looks before following.
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As they rode past the gates of Edoras, everything was quiet. Many of the people dressed entirely in black, and had somber looks on their faces.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." muttered Gimli.
They climbed a flight of stairs, reaching a massive oak door, and were stopped by a guard with a shock of red hair.
"I cannot allow you before Théoden-King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Gríma Wormtongue." he announced.
Gandalf only nodded, and gestured to the others to relinquish their weapons.
"Your staff." He says.
"Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?" he says innocently.
Gandalf winked at Alexandra, and she hid a small smile.
The guard shrugged, and gestured for them to enter into the dark hall of Theoden.
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A/N The review offer still stands! Be the 100th reviewer, create a character, and I'll add it in! I'll PM you if you win! Review! Won't update until I get at least 8 reviews!
Glory Bee- lol, yes. And sorry, but I decided that getting faster updates with shorter chapters would be a good compromise.
Lady Zena- Thanks! And yes, If I Die Young is awesome. Review!
Guest- Aaw, I'm sorry to hear that! I hope that whatever you're going through gets better!
Eloquence Deceptive- Lol, tks for reviewing almost every single one of my chapters! It really means a lot to me when someone likes my stories!