Meeting again

The shadow of Orthanc made the air feel cool despite the sun that had emerged from the mist. Loose rocks fell from the piles of rubble that lay all around, the only thing breaking the silence apart from the clop of horse hooves. However, despite the debris and destruction the distinct smell of pipe smoke wafted through the air, accompanied by the sound of two hobbits laughing.

"Welcome my lords, to Isengard!" Merry exclaimed, ignoring our company and focusing on the kings. "We are the doorwardens. I am Meriadoc son of Sardoc, also known as Merry; and my companion, who alas is overcome with weariness" a squawk of pain erupted from Pippin as Merry kicked him "is Peregrin son of Paladin, also known as Pippin and is from the house of Took. We live far in the north, but that is of no matter. The lord Saruman is inside, but is not here to welcome such honourable guests." Laughter rose from the Rohirrim at that. The faint smell of bacon wafted over. Hobbits.

"And what of your companions you young rascals!" Gimli shouted at them. "What of Legolas, Darke and myself? You woolly footed truants! A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you feasting- and smoking!" The Rohirrim and Gandalf chortled at his outburst. "We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well earned comforts! The salted pork is particularly good." Pippin said joyfully.

"Salted pork" Gimli exclaimed both in anger and hunger. It brought a wry smile on my face. "I think Gimli speaks for me." Legolas said calmly before an argument escalated. "But I would sooner know where you came by the wine." This earned another burst of laughter from the hobbits. "And what of you Darke?" They asked me "What of our mysterious companion?" I rolled my eyes. "I am not sure whether I want to sigh in relief or stab you." I replied. "You've caused us a great deal of trouble and pain you have." I smiled, bemused. Pippin sniffed. "Well I guess you don't want any pork then."

"I don't eat Pippin, has it been that long? Anyways, I was joking." The hobbits gave false gasps of amazement. "Darke the grim, cracking a joke! What is the world coming to?" I raised an eyebrow. "Honestly."

The riders laughed, more at the antics of the hobbits than anything truly funny. "I believe we are witnessing the meeting of dear friends," said Theoden. "So these are the lost ones of your company Gandalf. The days are filled with marvels, for now before my eyes stand another folk of legend; are these the halflings, that some of us call Holbytlan?"

"Hobbits if you please my lord."

"Hobbits? Your tongue is strangely changed; but the name isn't unfitting. Now I can report that what I have heard is the truth."

I think Merry and Pippin both bowed. "You are gracious lord- never have I ever come across a people who knew any story of hobbits."

Theoden launched into talking about how his people came from the north, while I zoned out. He then remarked on how they made smoke rings and such. "I have never heard of hobbits spouting smoke from their mouths." He said.

"That is not surprising," answered Merry "for it is an art we have practised for generations. It was Tobold Hornblower, of Longbottom in the Southfarthing, who first grew the true pipe-weed in his gardens, about the year 1070 according to our reckoning. How old Toby came by the plant.."

Merry continued to drabble. "You do not know your danger Theoden." Interrupted Gandalf. "These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, and the unimportant doings of their fathers, grandfathers, remote cousins and more: if you encourage them with patience. Some other time would be more fitting for the history of smoking." Merry shut up. "I'll have you know that those are my relatives Gandalf." He said "But if you wish to get to 'important' matters, Isengard has been taken over management by Treebeard. He left a message for you."

Gandalf grumbled. "Then what is it my lad!"

"I was coming to it, but I was hindered by other questions. I was to say that if you ride to the northern wall you will find Treebeard there, and he will welcome you. I'll also add that you will find the best food there, discovered and selected by your humble servants."

Gandalf laughed. "That is better! Well Theoden, let us ride to meet Treebeard, it is not far. When you see him you will learn much, for he is Fangorn, eldest and chief of the ents, and when speaking to him you speak to the oldest of all living things." I would have paid to see the surprise on Theoden's face. They bid their goodbyes and were off, the kings company following their wake. "So that's the king of Rohan." Pippin said, sliding off the rocks. "A fine old fellow. Very polite."

We stayed behind and let our horses wander. Arod and Hasufel went to seek grass, my horse following slowly. I hadn't bothered to find its name and hoped never to ride again. "Well!" exclaimed Aragorn "The hunt is over and we meet again, were we never thought we'd come." Legolas added "now perhaps we can discuss matters; we tracked you as far as the forest, but there are many things we'd still like to know."

"And we'd like to know what happened to you!" Merry said "We learnt a few things from Treebeard, but no enough."

"We were the hunters, so you should give us your account first."

"Or second." said Gimli. "It would go better after a meal. My head is sore and it is past noon. You truants can make amends by finding the plunder you spoke of. It would help pay off my score against you."

I gave a wry smile. Dwarves. The hobbits led the way, going up stairs into a chamber with a fire crackling in a grate. "I lit a fire." Pippin explained. "It cheered us up in the fog. And we can toast you some bread, it's a few days old." We sat ourselves down at a table, while the hobbits plundered cupboards, returning with the smell of pork and bread. "Sorry there's no green stuff," they apologised to Arargorn and Legolas "the deliveries have been interrupted." So they sat down plates in front of us, and for a few minutes there wasn't a sound but that of chewing. "De sore iz muck redused." Gimli mumbled through a mouthful of toast. "You are full of courtesy this morning." Legolas laughed as the hobbits ate for a second time, insisting they keep their guests company. "But if we hadn't arrived I think you would keep each other company."

"Why not!" Pippin said ever cheerful. "We had a foul time with orcs and little before. It seems a while since we could eat!"

"It does not seem to have done you any harm." Aragorn swallowed "You look in the bloom of health!"

"Aye you do indeed." Gimli replied, setting down his mug. "Why your hair looks twice as thick than when we parted; and I swear you almost have beards if that's possible. Treebeard certainly didn't starve you." I didn't comment, having not noticed a thing. "He hasn't" Merry replied "But Ents only drink, and water is not enough to fill. His draughts may be nourishing but you feel the need for something solid."

"You drunk Ent water did you?" Legolas asked. "Our eyes don't deceive us. Strange things are sung about Fangorn draughts."

"They're not that strange, if imbued with a little magic of the earth. They contain minerals from the springs which they come from." I told them.

"You've had them?"

"You wonder why I'm so tall?" I replied raising an eyebrow. They laughed and I allowed a half smile. "When I escaped Beleriand, Ents practically raised me. They taught me how to survive."

"That explains why you're so mysterious!" Merry exclaimed. "Just like an Ent, if there ever was!" The afternoon stretched on, us all exchanging stories. Pippin produced a bag of tabacco and passed it around. He gave Gimli his spare pipe as well, finally settling the score between them. The pipe smoke floated around the room, Legolas and I politely declining. I didn't imagine smoke was too good for the lungs. We exchanged more jokes and stories as the temperature began to drop and the room became stuffy. I took a deep breath in sighing in content, a lungful of smoke going in with it. I winced in pain as my side twinged, and I began coughing and cacking. I covered my mouth with my hand, feeling a bit of spittle and blood fly onto it. Merry's small hand pounded my back. "You all right Darke?" He asked concerned. "You don't look too good."

"I'm fine," I replied. "I just need some fresh air." I coughed again and walked to the door. Legolas followed me, saying that 'he needed to feel the wind on his face.'

We emerged onto the pile of stones the hobbits had sat on before. "Are you sure you're okay?" Legolas asked, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You went pale for a moment." I took deep breaths, making no move to remove his hand. I needed the feel of company now. "Yes." I said. "Now I am. I think it's this blasted injury. It's destroying my breathing."

"You may have to be patient. I have seen many soldiers come back with such wounds, and they are troublesome at first. But after a few weeks they fade and they are soon able to function normally again. I hope this is like that."

I appreciated the sweet attempt to console me, I did. But it didn't. No matter how much I hoped that it would fade to nothing but a scar, I knew that it was a false hope. I was no elf. I may heal fast, but I hadn't the same healing abilities. The tissue would knit together wrong. But I laid a hand back on his shoulder. "I hope so too."

The others then decided to join us in the fresh air, and we began to relax in dying sun. Aragorn sang softly to himself and the hobbits pointed out shapes in the clouds. If only they knew they weren't warm and fluffy but cold and wet. "Come!" Aragorn addressed the hobbits at last. "Time is wearing on, and we have not yet heard your tale! What happened to you whilst we were gone?"

After being informed that it had just been nine days ago that they had been taken, Pippin launched into their tale. "It seems like a year since we had been caught!" He began "Although half of it seemed like a bad dream.." Nine days ago. In just nine days I had completely changed my life. Before Borimer's death, I had thought that we would go to Mordor, get through the monsters, and defeat Sauron before he had the chance to grow strong. Then I would go back to living my old life, isolated and unknown. But in this time I had played a major role in battle, let people get to know me, formed unbreakable bonds, smiled and laughed. For the first time since birth I wasn't in the company of those infinitely older than me, despite my age, and I felt lonely quite easily. I had even experienced unknown emotions that I couldn't place my finger on, but that didn't matter to me: though at one point it would have been the main thing on my mind. Now though, I was just glad to have my friends, alive and well. More than I could say of myself.

Pippin had just finished his account of the journey, us all having nodded our heads at various points when our guesses fitted. "Here are some treasures you let fall." Aragorn said once their narrative was completed "You will be glad to have them back." He handed them their elf knives from Lothlorien. They cried out in joy at the sight of them. "I thought Ugluk took them from us!" exclaimed Merry "But then I suppose he did through them away like they burned him." I gave way to a small smirk.

Aragorn then gave Pippin his brooch back. I wondered where he had got everything from, I didn't recall him keeping them on his person. "It's a precious thing," he told Pippin "I thought you would want it back."

"Yes, it was certainly wrenching to let it go, but what else could I do?"

"You gave us a pretty riddle, that's what." Legolas said. "I wondered if you had grown wings!"

"Unfortunately not." Merry answered "The only person with wings here sits next to me. But many a time we wished we were you Darke, wings would have been useful in that situation."

Despite myself, a smile widened across my face, a proper one. "So you wish you were women?" This made laughter erupt from Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas, but I could feel the hobbits eyes boring into me. I reckon they were slack jawed as well. "What?"

"Did you just.." Merry began "smile?" Pippin finished. "Indeed you did my lads," Gandalf said, popping out of nowhere. He certainly hadn't approached us. "And you should be honoured. I've known her for millennia and I haven't seen her do such a thing!" I could tell Gandalf was a bit shocked as well by the way he acted. He then began to slowly clap, the others joining in. Soon an applause rose to me. "Thank-you, thank-you." I told them "Believe it or not, I am capable of forming a simple facial expression. We might like to continue your tale now?" I suggested to the hobbits.

Thankfully they began their tale again, so I didn't have to wait out another embarrassing applause. They talked about the Ents now, how they went to Entmoot, the decision to go to war, and their marching song. I was tempted to gape at how much they had learnt of them in such a short period of time. They then talked of how the Ents attacked Isengard, in which I took great interest. It had been almost 6000 years since I last recalled Ents marching to war, and my memories were fading. They talked of how they flew into a rage, Quickbeam going as far as to chase Saruman around the gates until he fled to Orthanc and Quickbeam could follow him no more. I would congratulate him next time I saw him. Then they spoke of how the Ents went grim and quiet after the maiming of Beechbone: at this I was angered. Beechbone had been the first to find me when I escaped Utumno, Melkors stronghold. But I didn't show reaction. They continued the story until they spoke of Gandalf coming to them. I finally had my answer for where he had been during the battle, and why the trees had been so quiet afterward. They continued their tale more with the breaking of the dams and the others laughed at how Saruman probably sat choking at what had happened. "It seems almost peaceful now after the turmoil!" Merry finally concluded. They had gone into great detail. "But what of Wormtongue?' Gimli asked after refilling his pipe. And we were given the amusing account of how Treebeard had made him swim through the floods if he wanted to get to his master. And at that, the story was finally over.

Now we had to tell ours. This would make for a long evening.

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