DISCLAIMER: I do not own Batman nor do I own Lord of the Rings. They are the sole property of DC Comics and JRR Tolkien.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As always thanks for all the reviews. Please keep them coming.
Chapter 28
Forgiveness Divine
As requested by Gandalf only a small company of people was chosen to travel to Isengard. To ride with him, Théoden choose Éomer and twenty of his finest soldiers. Gandalf of course choose that Aragorn, Legolas, Robin, Batgirl and Gimli to join them as well. Haldir and the remaining members of the Elven Host that came to help with the battle of Helm's Deep had agreed to travel with the Company until they arrived at Isengard. Afterwards they would need to turn west and return to Lothlórien, for surely Sauron would know about the Elves involvement in protecting Rohan and his revenge against the Elves would be swift and cruel.
Yet the company would not be leaving until nightfall of that day, for most were weary from the great battle and were in need of sleep, food and medical care.
Robin had attempted to get some rest for himself, but had found it near impossible. He was far too wired from the day's events not to mention his mind was heavy with thoughts of Cassandra. After Gandalf had explained the plans for Isengard, she had disappeared, and Tim knew that it would be pointless to go looking for her. Instead Robin had used his time to help Aragorn, Legolas and Éomer prepare their horses and supplies for their trip. Gimli had also been with them, but was soon found snoring loudly on top of an old stone bench.
"Apparently that forty-third Orc took a lot out of him," Legolas had said, a bit too cheeky than normal for an Elf.
"Don't sulk, Legolas," Robin sighed, with a half-smile. "What would King Thranduil says?"
"I am not sulking," Legolas defended.
"Uh-Huh…" Robin nodded in an overly patronizing manner as he traded a smirk with Aragorn, who had been brushing down Brego's mane.
As they worked, Aragorn and Legolas had told Robin more about what had happened to them over the past eight days. But when it came to Robin's tale, the Boy Wonder had become suddenly tight lipped. Far more so that was usual for the young detective.
"Um… I'll tell you about later, okay guy?" he said evasively. "You know… when Batgirl is here. So I don't have to tell the story twice." Both Ranger and Elf were confused by the suddenly change in attitude, but didn't push further.
Hearing the sounds of footsteps on top of the stone ground, Robin and the others looked up too see Éomer and the Lady Éowyn walk through a broken stone archway. Looking at the pair, he could defiantly see the family resemblance. And it wasn't just the blond hair and blue eyes. They stood with the air of warriors, proud and commanding. Robin hadn't officially met the Lady, but Éomer had spoken highly of her during their journey. The pride of a brother most likely, but there was nothing wrong with that.
A hint of sadness befell Robin as he thought about his own 'siblings'. Although he was born an only child, Tim had gained a brother and sister in his fellow crime fighters Nightwing and Oracle. Dick Grayson had been Tim's hero since the age of 3 years old, when they met at Halley Circus, the night that Dick's parents were murdered. When Tim became Robin, Dick had taken him under his wing and had quickly become the older brother that he never had.
Tim had been Robin roughly for a year before had met his surrogate sister Oracle and it was another six months before he had actually met the woman behind the electronic-voice and digital mask, face to face. But he had quickly warmed up to the former-Batgirl turned computer wizard, and she to him. They had quickly developed the playful and yet protective sibling relationship. It also helped that they both were big into computers.
As the brother and sister walked towards them, Éowyn's face seemed to light up at the sight of Aragorn, yet this action had gone unnoticed by the others. "Friends," Éomer greeted brightly. "Is all well with the preparations for Isengard?"
Aragorn nodded, looking from Éomer. "Yes. We shall be ready for departure by the time your Uncle has awoken from his sleep. How went the burial preparation?"
Éomer's face fell slight and sighed. "They go well, yet there are so many that fell in battle." Éowyn placed a hand on her brother's shoulder. They had both known and actually grown up amongst many of those who had died.
Aragorn nodded in agreement, and looked from Éomer to Éowyn. "I am certain that your heart is glad to be reunited with your family."
Éowyn's face blushed furiously, but again her brother seemed oblivious to it. Holding her hand tightly the Horse Marshal nodded. "That I am. I was most worried for her well being after Wormtongue had me and my men banished." Looking over Aragorn's shoulder, Éomer noticed Robin and indicated that he come over.
"Hey Éomer," Robin greeted. "What's happening?"
Éowyn's brow furrowed in what had become a common gesture amongst people who listened to Robin talk. But Éomer who had grown a bit more used to Robin's slang merely nodded and smiled. "Simply enjoying a walk, my friend. Please allow me to introduce you to my dear sister, the Lady Éowyn. Sister, this is Robin."
The Shield Maiden held out her hand, and Robin shook it gently. "Its nice to finally meet you, Éowyn" Robin smiled.
"And you, Master Robin," she replied. "You friends had spoken of you often, and I must admit that I was surprised to learn that you were alive, much less traveling with my brother."
"Yeah, you and everyone else," Robin said, unconsciously rubbing the bruise on his face. The siblings exchanged uneasy side-glances. Although Éowyn hadn't witnessed the 'reunion' of Batgirl and Robin, the others had told her about it. She could not understand why Cassandra would hit Robin, after thinking him dead. And she had not been able to ask her friend since Cassandra had pulled what Gimli called 'her disappearing act' once again. "So are you coming with us to Isengard, Éowyn?"
Éomer tensed, and an unhappy/slightly pissed scowl came over Éowyn's own face. "No, my Uncle would rather I lead our people back to Edoras."
'Insert foot A into mouth B,' Tim thought.
Setting down his brush, Aragorn decided that it might be best to change topics. "Robin, I have been meaning to ask you: what has happened to the rest of you costume? You do not seem right without it."
Robin nodded at the Ranger in gratitude for the last second save and looked down at the slightly baggy Rohirrim uniform he was wearing, though sans the armored chest plate. He still was decked out with his cape, boots, gloves, and utility belt and of course the green domino mask but it just didn't look right without the redbreast tunic and green tights.
"It should be on the way the junk heap," he replied, reaching for his sack and pulling out the familiar dirt covered red and green tunic. "Blood, dirt, and lord knows what else…" Tim replied holding up the costume.
"It does not appear completely to waste," Aragorn said, examining the Kevlar. "Perhaps it can still be salvaged and parts of it replaced." Aragorn's eyes met with Éowyn's, who had forgotten her anger at being left behind again and nodded in agreement.
"If you would leave it in my keeping," the Shield Maiden said to Robin. "I might be able to have a seamstress clean and repair you garments for when you return from Isengard." Robin looked at the beaten costume and shrugged half-heartedly. He wasn't sure what kind of repairs they could do.
"I guess you can try," Robin said handing the tunic and tights to Éowyn. "But I don't know what good it will do."
Éowyn took the clothes and much like Legolas had been was in awe of the fabric. Despite the rips and caked blood and mud, she could not recall such an unusual cloth. The red tunic was hard as leather, but made from an unknown material. The green under shirt and tights were still smooth and lighter than anything she could ever recall holding. She looked up at from the costume at a moment and flashed a smile at Aragorn who nodded in thanks.
Turning about, the Ranger then went to give Gimli a gentle shake. The dwarf snorted and grunted, before opening a blurry eye at the others.
"I wasn't sleep," he said instantly, "Resting my eyes, is all."
"Of course," Aragorn said in a slightly patronizing tone, "but I was actually going to suggest that we eat a bit before we leave. According to Gandalf, we shall not be stopping until late tonight it would be best we not leave on empty stomachs." Legolas and Gimli nodded and began to follow Aragorn back towards the Keep, but paused when they noticed Robin still behind. "Aren't you coming Tim?"
"I'll catch up guys," Robin replied. "I'm just going to get some water for Redd first." The others nodded and continued back, but Éowyn held back and placed he hand gently on his shoulder.
"Give her time," she said in her soft and yet strong voice. Giving his shoulder a squeeze, Éowyn went to rejoin the others. Robin watched her retreating back with a wan smile before sighing heavily and reaching down for the wooden water bucket. He had heard the same advise from Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf and even Haldir. And although he knew that was the best thing to do, it still wasn't easy for him.
Trying to push the thoughts aside, Tim went towards a small flight of stone stairs that went down into an old stone courtyard. Standing in the center of said courtyard stood an old stone well that had thankfully survived the Orc.
Looking down at his reflection in the well water, Robin gentle brushed the bruise on his cheek with his fingertips. Cassandra certainly hadn't lost her touch that was for certain. He hadn't even seen the fist coming, and he had been looking right at her. Thankfully she had been holding back. If Cassandra had wanted to really hurt him, he wouldn't have been able to stand up for a month if ever again.
It was at times like this that Tim realized how truly confounding Cassandra Cain could be. Ever since they had met Cassandra had always been blunt and to the point. After all, she had never been trained in the art of subtlety. Yet at the same time she was distant and recluse.
'Just like Bruce…' Tim thought to himself.
"I'm sorry I hit you."
Robin almost yelped as the voice cut through his thoughts like a chainsaw. Spinning about his mouth gaped open, the Boy Wonder found Batgirl standing before him, as if she had simple appeared out of thin air. Taking a moment to gain his composure, Tim looked into the area of her charcoal colored mask where her eyes would be. "So are you going to tell me what happened back there?"
Robin's words weren't so much harsh, but they did have an edge to them. Yet Batgirl didn't' let the sting show, as she remained complete still. "We thought… that you died. Aragorn and I… We found you're throwing star. You fell… I thought I lost you…"
"And so of course, when you find out I'm not dead, you tried to rectify that?" Robin asked, half joking half confused.
"Don't. Its not funny," Cassie said.
"I never said it was," Tim took a step forward, but his fellow vigilante took an equal stepped back from him. "Cassie… Seriously: Why did you hit me?"
"I was angry," Cassie snapped while still avoiding his eyes. Tim could tell she was doing her best to keep a strong stone cold expression and thanks to all the training that she had received, she was doing a remarkable job at it. "I was… angry and sad and… Gandalf, he knew…. He knew you were alive. He… didn't tell me. I don't understand why he didn't tell me."
Tim nodded. "Did you ask him why he didn't tell you?"
"Yes. He didn't' want to give me… false hope. It was stupid answer."
"Not the smartest of moves on his part, I'll admit," Robin replied. "But you can't blame Gandalf for wanting to protect you. I mean, there WERE times when I might not have made it Cass. I'm not saying what he did was right, but…" Batgirl though had apparently stopped listening as she had now turned from him and was staring back towards the damaged remains of Helm's Deep. "Gandalf wasn't the only reason you hit me, was it?" Robin asked. Batgirl turned her head slightly as if to acknowledge the question.
"Tim… I don't know what to do. I've never been…" Cassandra bowed her head sadly. How was she supposed to explain this? "Cain… father… never let me touch him… hold him… Just fighting… and hurting… I never learn anything else. So when I see you… alive…"
"You did the only thing that came natural to you," Robin finished. "You fought."
"Yes."
Tim bowed his head slightly and his mind flew back to when Batgirl and Batman had both inhaled Doctor Death's drug 'Soul'. The two had fought furiously across Gotham until they had both nearly died on the Sprang Bridge. While to everyone else it had seemed that the two Bats had gone… well batty. But to them it all made perfect sense. To them it had been a sort of screwed up therapy session. Even after all the time with Oracle, Batman and the others, and all the progress she made, fighting would always be her language.
It was the core of her being…
…Of her soul…
"I… I understand if you don't…" But before the words could fully escape her lips, Robin walked close enough to Cassandra and pulled off her cowl, allowing her long black locks of her to fall down her face and onto her shoulders. Slowly she opened her eyes, which were now brimming over with tears. Using his thumb, Tim wiped them away and slowly leaned in. He ever so gently brushed his lips against her own, and Cassandra's eyes closed again. Both were taken back to their first kiss in the Mines of Moria. This one was softer than that had been; yet the same feeling was there. A feeling that they both had found something neither of them had been looking for.
"Cassie," he whispered pulling back from the kiss. "Do you know what it was that kept me going all this time? Why I walked halfway across Middle-Earth, by my self and didn't just give up? It was you. It's always been you. I love you Cassie. The only thing that ever surprised me was long I took to realize it. And I don't want to lose you again."
Batgirl looked at Robin and felt her heart want to burst. How could anyone be so forgiving? How could Tim be so willing to look past the violence and pain that she brought everyone? "I-I…" Cassandra took a deep breath. "I love you too," Cass whispered in return.
Tim's gloved hand stroked her cheek lightly. "Just promise you aren't going to hit me every time we see each," he winced dramatically. "I don't think my poor face can take that." Cassandra titled her head so that to kiss Tim once again, only more deeply.
"I try," she replied. "Can't promise."
It was late in the afternoon and the sun was already falling in the west, when at last Théoden, Gandalf and their companions rode down from the Keep of Helm's Deep. Behind them gathered the people of Westfold, old and young all to bid safe journey to their King and the heroes of the Hornburg. After a bit, the people stopped, not wishing to go and further near the frightful woodland that had appeared overnight.
Everyone was grateful to see that Batgirl and Robin were once again speaking to one another without the sudden acts of unexpected violence. Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli were especially happy that the pair was reunited and back on good terms. Cassandra's attitude seemed lighter since they reconciled.
The Riders came down to the wood and halted, feeling uneasy to continue though. The trees were dark and menacing and there was an intimidating mist about. The roots of the tree were archaic and lifted out of the ground in a Tim Burton sort of movie fashion. Gandalf paid this no mind though as he rode on, leading the company through the wood as he would a Sunday stroll.
"Sauron's Wrath will be terrible," Gandalf said looking over the forest. "His retribution swift. The battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-Earth is about to begin." The others tensed at the foreboding words spoken by the Wizard. "All our hopes now lie with two little Hobbits somewhere in the Wilderness."
"Frodo… Sam…" Cassandra whispered softly. Robin moved his horse over near enough to Batgirl so that he could place his hand on her own.
"Don't worry about them," he whispered to her. "Those guys are tough. They can handle some jerk like Sauron." Cassandra allowed a small smile, though she couldn't' help wonder what could be happening to the two Hobbits who literally carried the fate of Middle-Earth and perhaps all of existence on their small shoulders.
The trees around the group hummed with satisfaction; Haldir had recognized the emotion not long after he had first passed under the branches. Satisfaction of what he couldn't know, though he had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with the billows of steam rising from the ring of Isengard he and his kin had spied not two days ago. The forest had a fresh feel to it, as if it were new-born though the trees themselves could undoubtedly give even him a run for his money in the age department; it was almost as if the trees had up and moved just recently and the excitement of the travel was still being sung. An exchanged glance with Legolas told him that his kinsman was sensing the same things as he would stare about in absolute fascination of the forest and would even stop to listen to the 'voices' of the trees. Of course if Gimli would allow it. As always, since Gimli and horses were an unsafe combination, the Dwarf shared the use of Legolas' horse, Hasufel.
"These are the strangest trees that ever I saw," Legolas said, his blue eyes scanning all about. "And I have seen many an oak grown from acorn to ruinous age. I wish that there were leisure now to walk among them: they have voices, and in time I might come to understand their thoughts."
"NO, NO!" Gimli shouted. "Let us leave them! I guess their thought already: hatred of all that go on two legs; and their speed is of crushing and strangling."
"If Poison Ivy were here, then I might agree with you," Robin said. Both Batgirl and he stopped their horses Nadia and Redd next to Hasufel. "But I think you're just being paranoid right now, Gimli. If the trees wanted us dead, we already would be."
Legolas nodded. "It is Orcs that they hate. For they do not belong here and they know little of Elves and Men. Far away are the valleys where they sprang. From the deep dales of Fangorn, Gimli, that is where they come, I guess."
"Feels like Fangorn," Batgirl added looking about studiously. "Dark and angry. Think there… Ents here?"
"Ents?" Robin asked. "What's an Ent? Some kind of bird?"
"The Tree Shepards of lore," Gandalf answered, signaling to Shadowfax to stop, and turning to look back at the others. "Guardians of the forest and woodland, though many think them to be legend."
"Are they not?" Éomer asked. "I was told tales of the Tree people as a child, but surely they are not real."
"Oh, they are quite real Master Éomer as you all shall soon see and discover for yourselves."
Legolas and Gimli soon fell into a long debate about caves and stone versus forest and trees. Everyone else's attention had been drawn from the frightening forest as they listened to the pair of unusual friends debate back and forth. It was a nice diversion and it was really amazing how Gimli spoke long about the true beauty that could be seen within a cave if one were simply to look.
"You move me, Gimli," said Legolas. "I have never heard you speak like this before. Almost you make me regret that I have not seen these cave. Come! Let us make this bargain – if we both return safe out of the perils that await us, we will journey for a while together. You shall visit Fangorn with me, and then I will come with you to properly see Helm's Deep."
Gimli grimaced at the thought of returning to the cursed Forest, but nodded. "That would not be the way of return that I should choose. But I will endure Fangorn, if I have you promise to come back to the caves and share their wonder with me."
"You have my promise," Legolas agreed.
Onward the company rode on through the day, and stopping once that evening so that to rest and eat. It was just after midnight, Batgirl was awakened by a strange sound. It almost sounded like a stampede, which startled her. Her eyes shot open to see that and Aragorn were also standing ready, weapons in hand. As the noise grew louder, indicating that whatever was making it was drawing near, all three of them prepared to fight.
"Sheath your weapons," Gandalf yelled before they had the chance to do more than raise their swords. "They will not harm us."
The men followed Gandalf's orders without question, sheathing their swords quickly. Batgirl and Robin, who was not only more suspicious but also more skeptical about the crashing noises being harmless. Too many times they had been attacked by living plants and weren't anxious for a Middle-Earth repeat. Robin's hand rested on his sword, while Batgirl was in a fighting stance barely noticeable with her cape blocking her body.
Because of the dark it was very hard to distinguish the source of the noise, even as it approached and began passing them. The group calmed a little more as they saw that the horses, while growing skittish, showed no signs of panicking. As Robin's tensed muscles began to relax, he brought his finger up the button on the side of his mask, initiating his starlight night-vision lenses, peering into the forest surrounding them. He could quickly discern the source of the strange sounds as she realized that the shapes she was seeing were Tree people. Real life honest to god tree people. Not people with plant features but rather trees with human features, herd the trees by their clearing. Hopefully everything was like Gandalf said and they weren't like one of Poison Ivy's creations and who were always designed to kill them. He hoped.
After the noise had died away into the night everyone returned to their bedrolls. Batgirl was surprised to see that Gimli had actually slept through all the excitement. A small snort escaped her and then she shook her head.
Several hours later, the company was back on the road and upon the next morning they finally cleared the woodlands and turning towards the Ford. The road itself began to dip between rising turf-banks, carving its way through the terraces to the river's edge, and up again upon the other side. The riders looked down upon the crossing and it seemed strange to them; for the Fords had ever been a place full of rush and chatter of water upon stones; but was now silent. They turned onto a stone paved road that could have once been considered quite lovely, had its care been kept. They followed the path until at last they could see a tall tower looming up before them. It was black; and set upon it was a forked design. Surrounding the tower was clouds of smoke and steam.
"Isengard," Robin whispered, looking at the tower in slight awe. It reminded him ever so slightly of Wayne Tower back in Gotham and a pang of homesickness was felt in his heart.
"Yes," Gandalf stated, "And the gates are not far now."
And sure enough they could soon see it. The massive doors had been ripped from their hinges and lay broken and twisted on the ground. Great piles of stone rubble could be seen through the archway. The thick wall that had surrounded Isengard was full of cracks and in some places had been torn down entirely. Just on the other side of the tunnel that passed through the wall the inner ring of Isengard was flooded with steaming water. Wreckage floated upon its bubbling surface. However, in the midst of all this the tower of Orthanc still stood.
The Riders sat silent on their horses struck by the awesome sight before them. Saruman had been dealt a grievous blow but none knew how this had come to be. A sudden movement from a heap of rubble that sat just before the archway caused Robin to turn his own eyes from the destruction before them, and just in time to hear…
"Welcome, my lords… to Isengard!"
TO BE CONTINUED…
