Thennil walked among the dead, both friend and foe, with a heavy heart. She was weary, both physically and emotionally. There were so many dead. So many that were to young to join Mandos in his halls. She had helped the men pile the Uruk bodies up into huge mounds, though one of them had told her to go rest when he saw her wince when her shoulder was pulled at an odd angle. And so, she had gone out looking for her people. She had found a good number wounded, and unconscious, but their numbers had grown considerably smaller. Legolas along with Aragorn and herself had collected the remains of her people, placing them in a long line across the stones. She knew that there was not much time to prepare a proper burial mound, but with the help of Eomer's men, they chose a spot not far from where the trees of Faghorn had come, upon a hill that over looked the valley and the trees. Using as many hands as possible, they dug a large pit, several feet deep, and many more wide. It took them nearly all that day and through the next, stopping to sleep for a few hours.
The women had emerged from the caves, and there was many shouts of joy, but just as many shouts of sorrow among them all. Eowyn had cried out louder than the rest at the sight of her brother, whom she had not seen in over a month since his banishment from Theoden's Halls under Grima's orders. The greeted each other heartily, Eowyn touching him with her hand or brushing him with her arm while he talked to their Uncle about what had happened. Once she was certain that he was truly there and unharmed, she had turned to the women, plans forming in her head. She began to take stock of their larders, and the healing herbs that were being used to take care of the wounded. She organized groups of riders to hunt upon the hills for the wild sheep and goats, others to search the surrounding farm fields for any leftover grain from the trampled harvests.
It was when they had paused in their work to look at the trees, Theoden and Gandalf among them, that they turned with questioning eyes to the old man. Some glanced darkly at the wood, which had not moved in the many hours and days that they had been working, passing their hands over their brows, as if they still thought their eyes saw otherwise.
Gandalf laughed long and merrily. "The tress?' he said. 'Nay, I see the wood as plainly as do you. But that is no deed of mine. It is a thing beyond the counsel of the wise. Better than my design, and better even than my hope the even has proved."
"Then if not yours, whose is the wizardry?' said Theoden. 'Not Saruman's, that is plain.' he looked over at Thennil, of whom he had seen the great blinding light during the battle.
"It was not my doing either, though I wonder..." she said, looking curiously into the dark trees.
"Then is there some mightier sage, of whom we have yet to learn?"
"It is not wizardry, but power far older,' said Gandalf: 'a power that walked the earth, ere elf sand or hammer rang.
Ere iron was found or tree was hewn,
When young was mountain under moon;
Ere ring was made, or wrought was woe,
It walked the forests long ago."
"And what may be the answer to your riddle?" asked the king, puzzled by the wizard as always.
"If you wish to learn that, I would suggest coming with me to Isengard,' answered the wizard.
"To Isengard?" cried the king, looking out over the plains.
"Yes,' said Gandalf, 'I shall return to Isengard, and those who will may come with me. There we may see strange things."
"But there are not men enough in the Mark, not if they were all gathered together and healed of wounds and weariness, to assault the stronghold of Saruman,' said Theoden, angered.
"Perhaps we shall not need them,' Thennil said from her resting spot upon one of the chairs that resided close to the window. Her long hair was tied back in a tight braid that trailed down her back, and where her skin had been paler than the moon, color had returned.
The king shook his head.
"Nevertheless to Isengard I go,' said Gandalf. "I shall not stay there long. My way lies now eastward. Look for me in Edoras, ere the waning of the moon!"
"Nay!' cried the king. 'In the dark hour before dawn I doubted, but we will not part now. I will come with you, if that is your counsel."
"I wish to speak with Saruman, as soon as may be now,' said the wizard, 'and since he has done you great injury, it would be fitting if you were there. But how soon and how swiftly will you ride?"
"My men are weary with battle,' said the King; 'and I am weary also. For we have ridden far, fought much, and slept little. Alas! My old age is not feigned nor due only to the whisperings of Wormtongue. It is an ill that no leech can wholly cure not even Gandalf."
Thennil looked up, her own weariness had not abated, in fact it had seemed to grow, but she had begun to wall it up within her mind. She stood, and put a hand on the kings arm, where his skin was bare. Within a few seconds, he was looking stronger, and more rested, if that were possible. Across the room Aragorn glared at her from under dark eyebrows, worry pinching his features.
"Then let all who are to ride with me rest now,' said Gandalf. 'We will journey under the shadow of evening. It is as well; for it is my counsel that all our comings and goings should be as secret as may be, henceforth. But do not command many men to go with you, Theoden. We go to a parley not to a fight."
It was then that the King chose men that were unhurt and had swift horses, and he sent them forth with tidings of their victory into every vale of the Mark; and they bore his summons also, bidding all men, young and old, to come in haste to Edoras. He had decided that there he would hold an assembly of all that could bear arms, on the third day after the full moon. To ride with him to Isengard the King chose Eomer and twenty men of his household, cousins, second cousins, and further distant relations. With Gandalf would go Aragorn, the two elves, Legolas and Thennil, and Gimli. In spite of their hurt, both Thennil and the dwarf refused to stay behind.
The dwarf argued with Aragorn gesturing to his head, 'It was only a feeble blow and the cap turned it."
Thennil knew that it could also be that he was hoping to change the 'scores' between Legolas and himself, which they had counted up during the battle.
"Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves,' grumbled the ranger, glancing over to Thennil pointedly, 'You wouldn't sit and wait for anything."
The dwarf chuckled.
"Much like his father,' Thennil stated, slapping the dwarf roughly on the shoulder. He winced.
"I will tend it, while you rest,' said Aragorn.
That night as she was preparing for bed, Thennil checked her own wound. She had cleaned it after the battle, washing it in lavender water, pouring a wine used for wounds over it alternately. Using her fingers, she probed the wound gently, wincing when she found a tender spot. It had begun to heal rather nicely after she had stitched it up one-handed. Another scar to add to her collection of white marks. She had just pulled her loose undershirt over her head when the door burst open.
A feminine gasp echoed through the room as the door slammed shut. Whipping around, covering herself, being only in scantly clad undergarments. Eowyn stood in shock, back pressed up against the door, hands covering her mouth. Thennil was sure that she had never seen the shield maiden look so combobulated.
"You-you-you're...
"Covered in scars?" she provided.
"Nay, you're beautiful!" gasped the woman, causing Thennil's mouth to drop open.
"What?"
Eowyen hurried on, rushing through her words. "Under all your layers I couldn't quite tell that you were female, you looked quite like Lord Legolas, flat as a board."
Thennil laughed, "You had better not say anything like that around him. He has worked ever so hard to build up his muscle."
"Then it must be lean muscle, not brawny like my brothers,' laughed Eowyn in return.
Their laughter died, and Thennil went to pull on the nightgown that Eowyn had lent her. She could feel the woman eyes on her chest and shoulders, going over the long, puckered scar that resided there.
"I know you're probably wondering where I got it from,' she stated, pulling the gown over her head, it covered her from the neck down to just above her ankles, she was taller than the woman.
Eowyn blushed, turning away. "I didn't want to intrude-
"The Witch King gave it to me,' she said, her hand tracing over the scar before reaching up to her eye.
Eowyn remained silent, but turned to look back at Thennil. Her eyes grew wide as she looked over the woman's face in confusion.
"Your eye? It looked normal a second ago? What-
Thennil chuckled, though it was without humor. "Magic, young one. Magic."
Eowyn growled, her eyes narrowing. "Why must you hide it? It is a mark of honor, and only adds to your beauty."
Thennil smiled, shaking her head. "While it is a mark of honor among the warriors of any people, among the women of my kindred it is seen as distasteful, disgusting. Though women are allowed to be warriors, it is not very common. Women are known for their arts, weaving, spinning, jewelry making, or as scholars. I am a strange phenomenon."
"Among my people, any who bare a battle scar are held in high honor. In one of Brego's sayings, he said 'Our scars tell a story, they are proof you survived. They are marks of strength, resilience, and perseverance. They remind us that when life tried to break us, but we overcame.'" Eowyn, looked up into Thennil's eyes, strength sparking in their depths. "Wear them with pride."
Tears threatened to flood down her cheeks, and her eyes became glassy while her throat tightened, 'Thank you, Eowyn." she choked out.
The slight woman pulled her into a hug, "Think nothing of it, my friend."
They held one another tightly, enjoying the warmth of another person who understood.
That night the king returned to the Hornburg, and slept, such a sleep of quiet as he had not known for many years, and the remainder of his chosen company rested also. But while the king and his company lay sleeping, others who were not hurt or wounded, began a great labour, for those who had fallen were buried, but their enemy still lay dead upon the field or in the Deep.
No Orcs remained alive; their bodies were uncounted. But a great many of the hillmen had given themselves up rather than chance the anger of the trees; and they were sore afraid, and cried for mercy.
The Men of the Mark took their weapons from them, and set them to work under the moon.
"Help now to repair the evil which you have joined,' said Erkenbrand, one of the Kings trusted advisors, and a great warrior; 'and afterwards you shall take an oath never again to pass the Fords of Isen in arms, nor to march with the enemies of Men; and then you shall go free back to your land. For you have been deluded by Saruman. Many of you have got death as the reward of your trust in him; but had you conquered, little better would your wages have been."
The men of Dunland were amazed; for Saruman had told them that the men of Rohan were cruel and burned their captives alive.
In the midst of the field before the Hornburg two mounds were raised, and beneath them were laid all the Riders of the Mark who fell in the defense, those of the East Dales upon one side, and those of Westfold upon the other. The families had bidden their dead farewell, wishing them safe travels to their Maker's halls with many tears and weeping. Those that had perished from among the men of Dunland were set apart in a mound below the Dike. In a grave alone under the shadow of the Hornhurg they lay Hama, who had failen on their journey to the Deep, captain of the King's guard.
The Orcs and Uruk's were piled in great heaps, away from the mounds of Men and that of the Elves, not far from the eaves of the forest. And the people were troubled in their minds; for the heaps of carrion were to great for burial or for burning, so great was their number. They had little wood for firing, and none would have dared take an axe to the strange trees, even if Gandalf had not warned them to hurt neither bark nor bough at their great peril.
"Let the Orcs and Uruk-hai lie,' the wizard told them. 'The morning may bring new counsel."
In the afternoon of the next day the King's company prepared to depart. The work of the burial of the men ws but beginning; and Theoden mourned for the loss of Hama, his captain and cast the first earth upon his grave. "Great injury indeed has Saruman done to me and all this land,' he said; 'and I will remember it when we meet."
Thennil stood next to the many boys she had saved, only one of them had perished, Arion, an orc cutting him down from behind. They mourned those that they had lost as their families hung onto them, weeping. It pained her to see such young children given the responsibility of caring for their families, watching over and protecting them in the years to come. She had experienced death so much in her long life, had watched so many good men fade from the world because of the evil that dwelled within it.
The sun was already nearing the hills upon the west of the Coomb, when at last Theoden and Gandalf and their companions rode down from the Dike. Behind them were gathered a great host, both of the Riders and those of the Elves who had recovered from their wounds, Haldir numbered among them. It was not only the men that went out with them, but the people of the Westfold, old and young, women and children, who had come out from the caves. A song of victory they sang with clear voices, the elves singing their own version in their language, the notes echoing off of the stones; and then they fell silent, wondering what would chance, for their eyes were on the trees and they feared them.
Gandalf gazed over the land rolling away in front of them, concern written across his wrinkled face, "Sauron's wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift. The battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little hobbits..."
The Riders came to the wood, and they halted; horse and man, they were unwilling to pass in. The trees were a pasty grey and menacing, and a shadow or a mist was about them. The ends of their long, heavy boughs hung down like searching fingers, their roots stood up from the ground like the limbs of strange monsters, and dark caverns opened beneath them. But Gandalf and the elves went forward, leading the company, and where the road from the Hornburg met the trees they saw now an opening like an arched gate under mighty boughs; and through it they passed, the elves looking up and around them in wonder at the ancient wood that passed them. Then to their amazement they found that the road ran on, and the Deeping-stream beside it; and the sky was open above and full of golden light that seemed to flicker here and there through the trees like stars in their shadows.
On either side of the path the trees were already wrapped in dusk, stretching away into impenetrable shadows; and there they heard the creaking and groaning of boughs, and far cries, and a rumor of wordless voices, murmuring angrily. No Orc or other living creature could be seen.
Thennil and the other elves rode closer to the trees, listening to their voices with interest, and humming in response. Legolas and Gimli rode together upon one horse; and they kept close beside Gandalf, for Gimli was afraid of the wood.
"It is hot in here,' said Legolas to Gandalf. 'I feel a great wrath about me. Do you not feel the air throb in your ears?"
"Yes,' replied the wizard, looking about them. 'But there is also joy at seeing their younger companions again."
"What has become of the miserable Uruk-hai?" said Legolas.
"That, I think, no one will ever know,' said Gandalf.
They rode in silence for a while; but Thennil was ever glancing from side to side, and would often have halted to listen to the sound of wood, if she had not wanted to keep up with Aragorn as he rode. The ranger seemed very wary of the woods, but his eyes were not only filled with fear, but a small inkling of awe.
"These are the strangest trees that I have ever seen,' she said; 'and I have seen more than one oak grown from acorn to ruinous age. I wish that there were leisure now to walk among them: they have voices, and I have heard a few things that I recognize, and their thought is not so different from other woods that I have walked."
From beside her where Legolas and the dwarf rode, Gimli spoke: "No, no! Let us leave them! I guess their thought already: hatred of all that goes on two legs; and their speech is of crushing and strangling."
"Not of all that goes on two legs,' Legolas said down to Gimli. 'There I think you are wrong. It is Orcs that they hate. For they do not belong here and know little of Elves and Men. Far away are the valleys where they sprang. From the deep dales of Fangorn, Gimli, that is from whence they came, I guess."
"Then that is the most perilous wood in Middle-earth,' declared the dwarf, looking about them. 'I should be grateful for the part they have played, but I do not love them. You and Legolas may think them wonderful, Thennil, but I have seen a greater wonder in this land, more beautiful than any grove or glade that ever grew: my heart is still full of it.
'Strange are the ways of Men, Legolas!' said the dwarf, speaking now only to his mount-mate, 'Here they have one of the marvels of the Northern World, and what do they say of it? Caves, they say! Caves! Holes to fly to in time of war, to store fodder in! My good Legolas, do you know that the caverns of Helm's Deep are vast and beautiful? There would be an endless pilgrimage of Dwarves, merely to gaze at them, if such things were known to be. Aye indeed, they would pay pure gold for a brief glance!"
Thennil chuckled softly, 'Only a dwarf who knew his stone would marvel so at the walls of the caverns deep within the Deep."
Aragorn smirked.
"And I would give gold to be excused,' replied the elf, shuddering at the thought of the caves; 'and double to let out, if I strayed in!"
"You have not seen, so I forgive your jest,' huffed Gimli. 'But you speak like a fool. Do you think those halls are fair, where your King dwells under the hill in Mrikwood, and Dwarves helped in their making long ago? They are but hovels compared with the caverns that I have seen here: immeasurable halls, filled with an everlasting music of water that tinkles into pools, as fair as Kheled-zaram in the starlight."
The dwarf went on into detailed description of the caverns, from the walls to the jewels, to the veins of gold and silver. He spoke passionately about the natural beauty that lay beneath the mountain. On and on he went, speaking of what the dwarves would do with such amazing stones, his voice filled with awe. The colors so vibrant and fresh, the twinkling of a thousand crystals upon the walls like stars in the sky. Legolas listened intently, and his distaste seemed to fade from his face as he leaned his ear down to the dwarf to hear better.
"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 caves. Come! Let us make this bargain-if we both return safe out of the perils that await us, we will journey for w while together. You shall visit Fangorn with me, and then I will come with you to see Helm's Deep."
"That would not be the way of return that I should choose,' said Gimli, looking out into the woods around them. 'But I will endure Fangorn, if I have your promise to come back to the caves and share their wonder with me."
"You have my promise,' said the elf. 'But alas! now we must leave behind both cave and wood for a while."
They rode through the night, and as the sun was rising in the east, they travelled along an ancient highway that ran down from Isengard to the crossings. For some way it took them through the land, following the river as it bended east and north. They entered the woods yet again, Gandalf in the lead as their path turned towards Isengard. They came to the feet of the Misty Mountains, and the long arms of Nan Curunir stretched down to meet them. Dark lay the vale before them, for the moon had passed into the West, and its light was hidden by the hills. But out of the deep shadow of the dale rose a vast spire of smoke and vapour; as it mounted, it caught the rays of the sinking moon, and spread in shimmering billows, black and silver, over the starry sky.
"What do you think of that, Gandalf?' asked Aragorn.
Thennil watched the smoke closely, eyes squinting as the tried to get past the plums. "One would say that all the Wizard's Vale was burning."
"There is ever a fume above that valley in these days,' said Gamling, 'but I have never seen aught like this before. These are steams rather than smokes. Saruman is brewing some devilry to greet us. Maybe he is boiling all the waters of Isen, and that is why the river runs dry."
"Maybe he is,' said Gandalf. 'Today we shall learn what he is doing. Now let us go."
The light came grey and pale, and they did not see the rising of the sun until it was far over head, the light barely making it's way through the trees. The air above was heavy with fog, and a reek lay on the land about them. They went slowly, riding now upon the crooked path. Dimly through the mists they could descry the long arm of the mountains rising on their left. They passed into Nan Curunir, the Wizard's Vale. That was a sheltered valley, open only to the South. Once it had been fair and green, and through it the Isen flowed, already deep and strong before it found the plains; for it was fed by many springs and lesser streams among the rain-washed hills, and all about it there had lain a pleasant, fertile land.
It was not so now.
Exiting from the twisted trees, they came upon a curious sight. Sitting atop the smashed wall were two small figures. They lounged upon the broken stones like they were at a banquet, pipes in hand as they blew smoke rings up into the sky. Platers and plates filled with all sorts of things littered the rocks about them as if they had just eaten a large meal, and now rested from their labour. One seemed to be quite asleep, lazing across the stones with his arm thrown over his eyes, and a smoking pipe dangling from his fingers; the other, with crossed legs and arms behind his head, leaned back against a broken rock and sent from his mouth long wisps and little rings of thin blue smoke. Upon seeing the group emerging from the woods, they jumped up from their seats in jubilation. Smiles broke out on the faces of all present as the hobbits short figures bowed low before them.
"Welcome, my Lords, to Isengard." stated Merry, arms thrown wide. 'We are the door wardens. Meriadoc, son of Sradoc is my name; and my companion'- he elbowed his friend-'is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the House of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted within his dark tower, doubtless he would be here to welcome such honorable guests if he so chose."
Theoden and his men looked on in amazed wonder. Amid all the wreck of Isengard this seemed to be quite the strangest sight that they had seen that day. but before the king could speak, Gimli beat him to the punch.
"You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you, feasting and smoking!" accused Gimli.
Pippin and Merry searched the group with their eyes, Pippin shoving food into his mouth and chewing loudly. He lifted his nose in the air.
"We are sitting on a field of victory,' he motioned to the land around them. 'enjoying a few well-earned comforts.'
Gimli looked at them eagerly as Merry puffed on his pipe.
"The salted pork is particularly good."
"Salted pork?" asked the dwarf, suddenly very interested.
"Hobbits." muttered the wizard, shaking his head.
Thennil rolled her eyes at his dismissal, she knew he was just as excited to see the halflings as they were.
"We're under orders, from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard. He commanded me to welcome the Lord of Rohan with fitting words. I have done my best."
"And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me?' cried Gimli, unable to contain himself. 'Where did you come by the weed, you villains? Hammer and tongs! I am so torn between rage and joy, that if I do not burst, it will be a marvel!"
"You speak for me, Gimli,' laughed Legolas. 'Though I would sooner learn how they came by the wine sitting there."
Theoden looked over the halflings in awe, looking them up and down. "So these are the lost ones of your company, Gandalf? The days are fated to be filled with marvels. Already I have seen many since I left me house; and now here before my eyes stand yet another of the folk of legend. Are these not the Halflings, that some among us call the Holbytlan?"
"Hobbits, if you please, lord,' said Pippin, stretching his small frame taller.
"Hobbits?' said Theoden. 'Your tongue is strangely changed; but the name sounds not unfitting so. Hobbits! No report that I have heard does justice to the truth."
Pippin chuckled, hanging on to Merry.
"For on thing,' said Theoden, 'I had not heard that they spouted smoke from their mouths."
"That is not surprising,' answered Merry, ever the historian of the duo; 'for it is an art which we have not practiced for more than a few generations. It was Kobold 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..."
"You do not know the danger, Theoden,' interrupted Gandalf. 'These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, or the small doing of their fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers, and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue patience. Some other time would be more fitting for the history of smoking. Where is Treebeard, Merry?"
"Away on the north side, I believe. I shall show you where, for it is quite a mess within the walls,' and so saying Merry hurried to the edge of the stones as the group began to trot towards them through the opening in the ring. Suddenly there was a shout from the hobbits, causing all to whip around to see what the commotion was about.
"Nelly!" the darlings shouted, leaping from their perch atop the stone rubble and into her open arms. She held them tightly, breathing in their fresh earthy sent, though they were in desperate need of a bath. They somehow situated themselves in front of her chatting up a storm about what they had seen and done, and how much they had missed her and the others. She smiled as they directed Gandalf and the others through the mirky waters of what was left of Isengard.
The king and all his company sat silently on their horses, marveling, perceiving that the power of Saruman was overthrown; but how they could not entirely guess. Pippin and Merry inserted comments here and there as they sloshed through the mud, but were not altogether forthcoming with any news that was of great interest. The water bubbled around them like a cauldron, in which there heaved and floated a wreckage of beams and spars, chests and casks and broken gear. Twisted and leaning pillars reared their splintered heads above the flood, but all the roads were drowned. Far off, it seemed, half field in a winding cloud, there loomed the island rock. Still dark and tall, unbroken by the storm that surrounded it, the tower of Orthanc stood.
A great Ent began to walk towards them, nodding to Gandalf as he did so. The others shrank away as he approach, their eyes growing wide with fear.
"Burarum...Young Master Gandalf. I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone, I can master, but there's a Wizard to be managed here...locked away in his tower."
And so we end our journey for today at the doors of Isengard and that of the enemy, Saruman.
Thanks for reading my lovelies! Have a Happy New Year!
Robin
