Weaving a Song
Chapter 49
c. 2851 TA
Gandalf entered the council chambers where Saruman, Galadriel, Círdan, Elrond, and a few others waited on him. "Mithrandir," Galadriel said, "We were wondering if you would arrive."
"We all know he is never on time." Elrond said smiling.
"I am never late, nor early," Gandalf said "I arrive precisely when I mean too." He said quite definitively. Saruman did not seem as amused as the Elves did, but he said nothing (this could possibly be due to the fact that it was something Gandalf said almost every time he showed up anywhere, because he was, indeed, never on time).
The Council opened with smaller matters, matters that probably would not be the end of the world if left unsaid. Until, that is, Gandalf brought up the matter of Dol Guldur. "I have examined the stronghold myself." He said. "It is none other than Sauron that resides there. I believe we should attack it as soon as possible."
"What proof have you of that?" Saruman asked.
"Three prisoners word as well as my own and that of one other." Gandalf said.
"Not Radagast again," Saruman said.
"No, not Radagast, but I will leave Galadriel and Elrond both to vouch for their own people." Gandalf said. Saruman looked questioningly at two of the Elves in attendance.
"Indeed," Elrond said, "One of the prisoners was an Elf from Imladris long thought dead. He was restored to health and now can testify to the fact that it was indeed Sauron who has been his tormentor."
"The same with the Elf from my realm." Galadriel said.
"A Necromancer, a sorcerer, would have the power to bewitch his prisoners into thinking such thoughts." Saruman said, "But who was the third prisoner? And this other?"
"The prisoner was the King Under the Mountain." Gandalf said.
"Thráin?" Saruman asked incredulous.
"The same, he died shortly after, but before he did he confirmed it as well. He was sane enough to speak of his son and Erebor."
"Proof of nothing," Saruman said, "Do you have any that can be accountable?"
"Yes," Gandalf said, "King Thranduil and his people all have said much the same, and they live close in proximity to this Necromancer."
"Ha, they live in ever encroaching darkness. Who says they are sane? They spend all their time in trees and feasts and strong wine, not much for a reliable people. Besides, were they not considered mad for closing their borders?"
"They are Elves," Galadriel said strangely defensive, "And filled with as much wisdom as they can be. They are deadlier, yes, because they are forced to live in guerrilla warfare with Orcs on a daily basis. Their King, Prince, and Princess have proven themselves wise many times over and I should think they knew a Nazgûl when they saw one. The Nazgûl was even better proof that it is indeed Sauron."
"Nazgûl? The attack on the Queen?" Saruman laughed. "I highly doubt that was actually a Nazgûl. Orcs are well taught in the art of poison, it was only the weakness of the household that caused their Queen to fall." When the other three remained uncomfortably silent, he frowned. Everyone else was watching confused, and slightly scared to intervene. "You really believe a Ringwraith dared attack what you say is a wise Elven realm?"
"I do," Elrond said. "For I treated the Queen myself. I could not rid her of the poison with my power, nor could her sickness be defeated with light. It was an illness of pure darkness and it was that that killed the beloved Queen. Nor do I think Thranduil is easily spied upon as you seem to think. His borders are well guarded and his household is strong, stronger than most because of the imminent darkness." Saruman considered their words.
"Even so, we all know the Witch-King was acting on his own behalf before. What is to say he was not doing the same this time? What if he has taken the name of the Necromancer?"
"I felt darkness in Mirkwood, Saruman, darkness greater than just what the Witch-King could sow. I saw the Necromancer, and I am sure it is none other than Annatar."
"You saw him?"
"I went to Mirkwood, and got close to Dol Guldur, perhaps too close. He saw me, and I saw him."
Saruman's black eyes glittered at him. "The Dark Lord it may be, but action against him now is unwise. What if he were to learn our secrets because we got too close to him? Say someone invaded his stronghold, would that not only show him how to defend himself?" Saruman looked meaningfully at Gandalf.
Gandalf had actually been wondering the same lately. He was not sure how wise it had been to get the Princess into Sauron's gaze and mark her as both target and one who could fight against him. Sauron knew who she was now, and the Witch-King had probably told him that she caused him pain. It might have made all their efforts to keep her gift a secret moot. For that was why they had told no one else of her gift, so the Enemy would not know. Now it seems it was his fault if Thranduil lost another because of his expedition.
You fear for her life because of your expedition. Galadriel seemed her normal self.
Yes, what if it is my fault she dies? I could never even bear to bring myself to Mirkwood again.
Whatever happens, it will be her choice, not yours. It was her decision to go. You warned her. You heard what she said after she saw the vision.
Can you imagine what Thranduil will be like if she does die?
I try not to think about it. Was Galadriel's answer.
Saruman exited the chamber where the council was held still wondering about who this other was that Gandalf had spoken of. Gandalf had implied it was Thranduil, but Saruman thought rather that it was one of Thranduil's subjects. Perhaps before he started searching the Gladden Fields, he would inquire of who this "other" was.
Thranduil was again holding council within his throne room when a border patrolman walked in. "Sire," he said quickly bowing, "I bring a report from the border." Thranduil motioned for him to continue. "It seems that the White Wizard has entered our borders and is heading here to speak with you." Thranduil's eyes darkened but other than that he remained passive.
"When will he arrive?"
"Late tonight, or perhaps tomorrow morning. He was not riding fast when we saw him, but he may have gained speed since I left." Thranduil seemed to be thinking hard, but he said nothing.
"Thank you, you may return to your post."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The border patrolman said, bowed his head once more, and exited the room. Thranduil motioned for the Elves who had been speaking to continue, which they did, but Thranduil wondered what this Wizard could possibly want from him.
Legolas, remember, he does not know of Almiel's ability. Try to stress to your sister to keep him from finding out.
You do not trust him? Legolas asked.
No, and if Mithrandir and Elrond both did not find it pertinent to tell him of Almiel then I shan't either.
As you wish. Legolas said. He turned to his sister who was sitting by a stream that ran off the river. "Saruman is coming." He told her. She looked at him curiously but remained silent. "Adar wishes for you to remain silent about your ability, and for you to not give him any hint as to what it is."
"Why not? Is he not in the Council of the Wise as well?"
"He is, but none of them have spoken of you, so Adar thinks it wise to remain silent. He also does not trust the Istarí. Why, I know not, but it remains true. I suppose Círdan does not know about you either. Though quite honestly I do not know why he would care, nor any of the others in the Council."
Almiel remained silent for a minute before she spoke. "Then I shall do as he wishes, at least for now."
Legolas smiled at her. "I am surprised at you, but I am glad of it. Here I was preparing this speech in my mind and it was unneeded."
"I respect Ada, surely you know that. I have not gone against him yet." Legolas crossed his arms. "He was the one who let me go to Dol Guldur, and I admit I may have spoken against him after the incident but that was a personal matter. I would not deliberately do something like that for no reason." Legolas sighed.
"Good enough," he said, "But I have only seen those two interact once before, and it was an experience I was keen to forget. Tread carefully." He advised. "Saruman is more arrogant than Ada."
"Tread carefully indeed," Almiel commented.
"Besides," Legolas added, "His tongue is like honey. I have heard his voice only once, and I would prefer not to ever hear it again."
"Why not?"
"I do not know, but when you hear it perhaps you will. For me, well, when I first hear it a warning seems to echo through my mind, but then it is like his voice soothes the warning, and you are inclined to listen to whatever he says without reason."
"And yet Ada did not listen before?"
"Ada… well, he felt it too, but Ada can also harden his mind against the effects of the Black Tongue, when others might tremble or worse. Most Elves hear the Tongue and their minds shut down and their soul shudders. Ada learned long ago to control his mind against it, but that was because his leader wanted him to know how to speak it. In either case, it is probably the same when it comes to Saruman's voice. At first, he did not know what was happening, but when he realized what it was, he immediately hardened his mind. Besides all that, who does Ada trust?"
Almiel grunted in agreement. "Hardly anyone." Then she paused. "Do you know why he is coming?"
"Nay, and I think that is an even better reason to tread carefully. One can never be completely sure of his motives. Perhaps not even the other Council members are."
"Tis a frightful thought." Almiel said quietly, contemplating the idea. Little did they know how much they were right, and how much the Council would regret everything they ever did because they listened to the White Wizard.
A/N: The date given is the date for one of the meetings of the White Council, after which Saruman apparently intended to search for the Ring. He did this but could not find it (Gollum had found it by now). Hope you enjoy!
