The Shards of Sorrow

by D.R. Swiridovic

The Deathly Hallows had cursed Heather Potter and sundered her from the Gift of Men. To call her the Master of Death was too kind and too cruel for a creature as pitiful as she had become. In pursuit of breaking this curse and finding Death, instead, she finds Life.

28. A Reunion of Friends

Author Note: Inspired by "Steady is the Hand" by rhosinthorn. Thank you for everyone who has read and reviewed my story.

Life got real in the last few days. Updates may be a great deal more sporadic. I hope to finish this story but, just as a warning, it may be delayed or go on hiatus for a short while depending on circumstances.

The Shards of Sorrow

Review: Branwen is slain in battle and comes to the Realm in Between and finds Gilraen there. Gilraen tells Branwen what she already knows—that Branwen must Know herself to Know the Shards of Sorrow. Once she does, they would no longer be the Shards of Sorrow and instead the Jewels of Bliss. The Shards of Sorrow had been forged because of sorrow but had been crafted in hope. Gilraen also takes the opportunity to scold Branwen as well for denying both her thoughts and her feelings. Branwen is afraid as she admits that she had been struck with madness since before coming to Middle Earth.

Branwen comes back to her body and, before her nerve breaks, Sees into herself once more. She finds that, beneath the scarring of her Heart, there exists Memory and so she Sees her entire life as she journeys deeper and begins to understand more of how she came to be who she was. Beneath Memory, she came to the Core of her Heart and found Boundless Love within her. Finally, she came to her Soul and beheld the Shards of Sorrow and Knew them as the Ruby of Valorous Flames, the Diamond of Exquisite Waters, and the Sapphire of Graceful Winds all bound in their forms by the Strength of Vigorous Earth. Knowing them, her bond between them was formed and finalized so that she came back into her strength, even greater than before, before departing to meet the others.

Aragorn stood looking out over the Host of Isengard to see the Morningstar and the dawn in the East while the Uruks harass him from below. He returns down to ride out with Théoden, Legolas, and the other Riders of Rohan. As they prepare to charge, Branwen appears and reveals the fullness of herself. Unknown to Aragorn, her form is now perfected with the bond between her and the Jewels of Bliss. She breaks down the Gates of the Hornburg with blue flames, flies up and warns away the host of Isengard, before calling down a storm of lightning that explodes with azure fire where it struck. She comes back down and mounts behind Aragorn before commanding the charge. They charge and drive the host back out of the valley as Gandalf appears with Erkenbrand and his men. Gandalf and Branwen mesh their Light together and drive the host into the trees of Fangorn that came down in the night.

All are overjoyed by their victory as Aragorn takes Branwen into his arms in happiness that she is alive and well. Gandalf remarks of Branwen coming into her own. Branwen shares with Éomer, Legolas, and Gimli as she rides with Aragorn of the Shards of Sorrow, now the Jewels of Bliss, and how she died but came back.

Aragorn struggles with himself a bit as he feels guilt that Branwen suffered because of him and also because others have seen the truth of his feelings for her despite not saying them aloud. Éomer councils him to keep his focus on the enemies before them and Aragorn takes that to heart.

Branwen marvels at the strength that has come back to her when she awakened and, after dressing in her new clothes and repaired armor, she goes out to clear away the remains of the Orcs down near the tree line. When she returns to the Hornburg, she finds Gandalf and they speak a bit of how Branwen now can use the Wyld because the Jewels have bound her essence to it and that she has fully transitioned into an Elf. Branwen confirms that there is nothing Gandalf knows that he has not told her, that would put any of them in danger, before confirming that they would be departing to Isengard soon for a parley with Saruman.

Chapter Twenty-Seven – A Reunion of Friends

The Third Age – March 4th, 3019 – Late Afternoon

Branwen watched as Théoden threw the first handful of loose dirt into the grave and onto the still body of Háma, wrapped in a white shroud. The burial site had been dug just outside the Hornburg itself and many had gathered. The aged king appeared to be wearing every one of his years at that moment and, though his face was still and somber, his eyes were glassy with grief. Before the gathered Men of Rohan and their party, he had said some words of Háma including his loyalty and skill with the sword and spear. Théoden finished his eulogy with, "Great injury, indeed, has Saruman done to me and all this land, and I will remember it, when we meet."

With those final words, men of the king's household began to fill in the grave themselves. Théoden and Éomer watched for a short while before they turned and went back into the Hornburg.

Branwen followed with Aragorn and the rest of their party back inside. Their horses were awaiting them there, saddled and ready to go. It was time to depart to Isengard and have this "parley" with Saruman. Branwen was ready for a fight though. Putting down Dark Lords was her business, after all, and she felt inclined to continue.

Mounting Fléotig, she was ready to go. Gandalf sat upon Shadowfax next to Théoden on Snowmane and the rest of their caravan was soon mounted as well. Théoden gave a nudge to Snowmane without a word and soon they were off.

They passed men, women, and children on their way out and, though there was sadness for the many that had died, this was still a victory and so there were shouts and cries of happiness and even some singing praises. They passed the Dike and headed straight for the new forest, guided by Gandalf. Branwen certainly hoped that he had some trick here. The Wyld of Fangorn had seemed to like Gandalf before and maybe he might be safe in there, but Branwen was not so optimistic to think that might be the case with the rest of them.

They halted when they came to the tree line and Branwen Saw again the untamed wrath and unwelcomeness of these trees. It was so potent, it was visible in the Seen and appeared as a mist to mundane eyes. Then, she Saw movement through the mist even though there was barely a whisper of creaking sound to accompany it. Branwen imagined that she would not have even been able to see that with Elf-eyes and only observed it because of her Sight.

Through the mist, the trees were parting and creating an archway.

Branwen shivered before Gandalf led them to the tunnel through the trees. The mist began to thin there and it seemed the others now only just began to notice it as Gandalf led them to it. Passing into the forest, Branwen sighed with trepidation. The dusky sky above was just visible through arching boughs but the Fog of Animosity hung like an obscuring cloak on each side of the road. In the distance ahead, she could just barely See through the Fog that the road was still being opened before them.

None of the men spoke, seeming to sense the hostility of the woods about them, but Legolas commented to Gandalf, "It is hot in here. I feel a great wrath about me. Do you not feel the air throb in your ears?"

Gandalf answered plainly, "Yes."

Legolas asked with some morbid curiosity, "What has become of the miserable Orcs?"

Gandalf seemed to pause before he spoke slowly, "That…I think no will ever know."

Branwen Knew, but she was content to ride in silence. The Living Earth spoke to her of broken bodies slowly dying in the silence of inescapable strangulation within the roots beneath them, then wrung dry off all their blood for thirsty trunks and limbs, and the newly dead being passed through the earth between trees towards some pit that had been dug by roots. The Living Earth communicated to her far more than she could See—these were *wAlKiNg* trees of Fangorn and they hated Orcs above all. The *wAlKiNg* trees did not care for *fLeSh cReAtUrEs* but would leave their company be so long as they passed through without raising axe to their bark.

How the Living Earth spoke to her was odd, especially when it tried to communicate concepts that she did not herself know of—like these "walking" trees—but it was clear enough that she understood.

There was something that prickled at her senses behind her and she glanced back to See that, far back behind them now, the path had closed and the Fog of Animosity was reasserting itself. It appeared their only route now was forward. She wondered if the forest did so to avoid any others wandering inside out of curiosity or to avoid any escape from those Orcs that might still wander through the forest.

Branwen snorted at that thought as soon as she had it—there was nothing alive in this forest now except their company, trees, and those few that still clung to Life in the clutches of tree roots, and those would be dead before the night was old.

Aragorn must have heard her snort next to him as he asked, "What is it?"

She answered in Sindarin to avoid scaring the men, "The way is closed behind us now. Thankfully, these…'walking trees' of Fangorn have little interest in us so long as we mind our manners. I do not envy the Orcs that have come into this place."

Legolas looked back and asked, "So, do you know of what has happened to them?"

Branwen glanced at Gandalf, but he did not look back, before she replied, "…Best not to know if you don't have to…"

Legolas looked a bit disappointed but nodded. Aragorn said, his voice in a low whisper, "So you do know?"

Branwen nodded, "I stand by what I have said—ancient forests are just as dangerous as deep caverns."

Silence returned for a while as they continued passing through the trees. Gimli rode with Legolas this time and, at length, they began to speak. Their voices provided a nice distraction for the men to listen to. Branwen was far more concerned with keeping an eye on the trees, but still, some snippets came through.

Legolas was greatly interested in these trees and of walking among them. Branwen could See that, while the men were being treated with great wariness by the Wyld here, the Elf did seem more welcome…but still not overtly so.

Gimli was much more interested in the caves of Helm's Deep. From what he described, they sounded like caves that were full of crystals and geological formations. Gimli was adamant of about returning and waxed on poetically of their beauty, "…gems and crystals and veins of precious ore glint in the polished walls, and the light glows through folded marbles, shell-like, translucent as the living hands of Queen Galadriel! There are columns of white and saffron and dawn-rose, Legolas, fluted and twisted into dreamlike forms.

They spring up from many-colored floors to meet the glistening pendants of the roof—wings, ropes, curtains fine as frozen clouds, spears, banners, pinnacles of suspended palaces! Still lakes mirror them—a glimmering world looks up from dark pools covered with clear glass; cities, such as the mind of Durin could scare have imagined in his sleep, stretch on through avenues and pillar courts, on into the dark recesses where no light can come.

And plink! A silver drop falls and the round wrinkles in the glass make all the towers bend and waver like weeds and corals in a grotto of the sea! Then evening comes—they fade and twinkle out, the torches pass on into another chamber and another dream. There chamber after chamber, Legolas—hall opening out of hall, dome after dome, stair beyond stair, and still the winding paths lead on into the mountains' heart. Caves! The Caverns of Helm's Deep! Happy was the chance that drove me there! It makes me weep to leave them!"

Branwen could admit that it sounded like she had missed a spectacular sight. She would most certainly like to look upon these caves at some point. The conversation between Legolas and Gimli continued and Gimli spoke of how the Dwarves would not mine these caves but cultivate them with delicate care like the Elves did flowers and trees.

She almost laughed as they came to an agreement to travel Middle Earth together should they both make it through the trials ahead to see what the other was so enraptured by. It seemed there was yet hope that Elves and Dwarves could make amends over their ages-long antagonism.

Branwen Saw the trees were coming to an end as they approached the opening of the valley out onto the plains again. As they approached the edge, Branwen Saw three tall creatures that were utterly still but observing them. They were like trees themselves and, if not for her Sight, she would have missed them altogether. The Living Earth spoke of caretakers and shepherds of the forest and Branwen realized they were Ents. Suddenly, how these trees had come here made a great deal of sense. She wondered if it had been the Ents commanding the trees to part for them. The Ents she could See appeared wholesome and good and they stood out among the trees simply because they did not carry cruelty with them like the trees—they were angry, it felt, but not malicious.

Legolas lamented to Gimli, "Now, we must leave behind both cave and wood for a while. See, we are coming to the end of the trees. How far is it to Isengard, Gandalf?"

Gandalf answered, "About forty-five miles, as the crows of Saruman make it—fifteen from the mouth of Deeping-coomb to the Fords, and thirty more from there to the Gates of Isengard. But we shall not ride all the way this night."

Gimli asked, "And when we come there, what shall we see? You may know, but I cannot guess."

Branwen wondered if Isengard would be full of trees like these ones, surrounded by a bloodthirsty flock and their shepherds. She could hardly imagine that the trees of Fangorn would travel all this way but not strike directly at the source.

Gandalf hummed, "I do not know myself for certain. I was there at nightfall yesterday, but much may have happened since. Yet, I think that you will not say that the journey was in vain—not though the Glittering Caves of Aglarond be left behind."

Branwen breathed a sigh with some relief as they exited the trees finally. They had come through without incident and there seemed to be no further concern. The Ents had remained in their stillness around this edge of the forest, though she could see a pair of bright green eyes threaded with brown from a facsimile of a humanoid face. She did not think any others had noticed, as the Fog so clouded the vision, but she thought Gandalf might know the Ents were there as well.

They came out onto the Road, a few dozen yards from the tree line, and they had just started to turn North towards the Fords of Isen when Legolas shouted with awe and amazement, "There are eyes! Eyes looking out from the shadows of the boughs! I never saw such eyes before!"

Everyone came to a halt and Branwen twisted her head back to See the Ents had come to the very edge of the forest to watch them go. The Fog was not able to obscure them any longer and Legolas, in his curiosity and awe of trees, urged Arod back quickly. Gimli yelled, "No, no! Do as you please in your madness but let me first get down from this horse! I wish to see no eyes!"

Branwen, not wishing to see her friends become pulped if the walking trees or Ents proved not so hospitable to a return, commanded, "Arod, halt!"

The Mearas stopped short and Legolas looked surprised and regarded her with great confusion before Gandalf said, "Stay, Legolas Greenleaf! Do not go back into the wood, not yet! Now is not your time!"

The three Ents then came out of the wood and Branwen observed them with mundane eyes—they looked like gargantuan rough wooden puppets that were grown rather than carved and each had a crown of leafy boughs from shoulders and heads. They appeared almost armored in bark and each was no less than twelve feet tall. They seemed rather…stiff as well, as they walked out. However, Branwen noticed their eyes were no longer on their company and were now looking North.

The Living Earth whispered of shepherds from the North as the Ents before them let out a call that sounded much like pipe organs—as if their voices were massive woodwind instruments. She looked North and saw that there were indeed four more coming at great speed by virtue of their long stride. They answered the call of the others and the Men of Rohan began reaching for their swords.

Branwen had almost forgotten about the men in her fascination of the Ents but Gandalf calmed the men, his Voice soothing, "You need no weapons. These are but herdsmen. They are not enemies, indeed, they are not concerned with us at all."

Théoden looked flabbergasted, "Herdsmen!? Where are their flocks? What are they, Gandalf? For it is plain that to you, at any rate, they are not strange!"

Gandalf answered, "They are the shepherds of the trees. Is it so long since you listened to tales by the fireside? There are children in your land who, out of the twisted threads of story, could pick the answer to your question. You have seen Ents, Théoden King—Ents out of Fangorn Forest, which in your tongue you call the Entwood. Did you think that the name was given only in idle fancy? No, Théoden, it is otherwise—to them, you are but the passing tale. All the years from Eorl the Young to Théoden the Old are of little count to them and all the deeds of your house a small matter."

Branwen turned away from the conversation and instead moved next to Legolas. He and Gimli were staring in awe of the Ents. Branwen said, "My apologies, Legolas. I meant no insult by stopping you—I had simply worried of what may happen if you were to approach them. They have been watching us within the trees for some time."

Gimli replied before Legolas could, "Well, I am thankful to you, my lady!"

Legolas gave her a smile, so she knew all was forgiven. He said, "I understand. Truly, they are marvelous and I feel young again simply looking at them! Though I must ask, are you not curious of these trees? I have a strong desire to see the valleys where they have come from in Fangorn Forest now; especially if Orodrim tend to them there."

Branwen grimaced a bit, dropping her voice so that it did not carry, "I have a suspicion that it was only the Ents influenced that stayed these trees from attacking us. The earth tells me they are not fond of creatures of flesh. We passed thousands of Orcs and Wild Men in our journey through the woods that had fled within—they are, even now, having the life and blood being squeezed from their broken bodies beneath the earth by roots."

Gimli looked green and Legolas seemed somber as well. The Elf said, "I had dared to think that…but I find my curiosity still present."

Branwen nodded, "I understand. For now though, I think it best to let these trees be. Maybe, after all is said and done and they have returned to their old home—as I cannot imagine them staying here—they will go back to sleep and be safer to walk amongst…so long as the Master Dwarf remembers to stay his axe."

She finished with some light teasing to hopefully bring some levity to the conversation. It appeared to work as Legolas chuckled and even Gimli gained a wry smile. They watched as the Ents joined together and then returned back under the dark boughs.

Gandalf's voice was suddenly raised, "Let us now go on with the journey we have begun!"

Branwen turned Fléotig around and said, speaking to Arod, "My apologies for speaking so harshly to you, my friend."

Arod let out a snort and Legolas patted the beast and reported, "I do not think he holds it against you. I'm afraid he agreed with you as well!"

Branwen laughed a bit and nudged Fléotig back forward to ride next to Aragorn and Hasufel. Aragorn favored her with a smile, "No concerns?"

Branwen shook her head, "No. For now, the only concern is a Dark Wizard that needs to be dealt with."

Aragorn nodded, "Indeed."

The company started again Northward towards the Fords of Isen. The stars were already coming out in the East and only the remains of sunlight were left in the West—the sun already having disappeared below the horizon. The skies over the Fords of Isen were thick with black birds, but these were no spies. They were there for something far more natural to their purposes.

Éomer remarked darkly, "The carrion-fowl have been busy about the battlefield."

Gandalf did not seem interested in driving their company at a terribly strong clip and it was near four hours before they came to near the Fords. Branwen grimaced as she heard wolf howls from the North as they came upon the gentle slopes leading down into the Isen. She was disturbed to find the River Isen was dry and the riverbed was now sun-cracked mud.

Éomer's voice came through the darkness of the night, "This is become a dreary place. What sickness has befallen the river? Many fair things Saruman has destroyed—has he devoured the springs of Isen too?"

Branwen disputed that, "I find that hard to believe. The strength of the waters that come from the Misty Mountains are strong and powerful. He has likely either diverted it or dammed it, for whatever reason. With luck, hopefully, Gandalf and I might be able to restore it."

Gandalf replied, "We go to parley with Saruman, not fight him."

Branwen rebutted, "You go to parley with Saruman. I have no doubts of the vileness of him. If he does not bow to our whims, whatever those may be, after his army has been destroyed and he attempts to fight us, I will be more than happy to test myself against him."

The others looked on with wide-eyed concern as it was now clear there was some dispute regarding their methods between Wizard and Witch. Gandalf frowned, "Branwen, we must tread carefully with Saruman. He is not so weak as to be struck down with ease and Orthanc is a powerful fortress. Also, it would behoove us to show mercy."

Branwen answered, "I will show mercy to those I believe deserve it. Our 'friend' that had followed out party after entering the delvings of the Dwarves tried a few times to murder Frodo after you fell. Aragorn and myself stayed our blades out of respect for your wished, but I regret not ending the little bastard when I had the chance and I can only hope they lost him when they separated from us.

Wormtongue has shown exactly what he thought of the mercy given to him by traveling with a company of Orcs straight back to his master. Mercy for the irredeemable is cruelty for those that they will hurt in the future."

Gandalf sighed, "I suppose that we have reached an impasse."

Branwen shrugged, "I will follow your lead, Gandalf, so there is no fear that I will disrupt your talks. Just know, that I am not content to declare things settled when he is responsible for all the men that lie dead now in the graves of the Hornburg in addition to all the others he has tormented and killed as he spread his influence."

Gandalf bowed his head, "When you speak of that, I do understand where your heart is. For me, it is difficult as I can still remember the many long years where Saruman was my friend and confidant."

Théoden then spoke, "I find myself agreeing with, Lady Branwen, Gandalf. I will heed your counsel as you give it, but I will not forget the many lives lost and land scorched either—including my son. Even now, we must pass this way, where the carrion-beasts devour so many good Riders of the Mark."

Gandalf nodded, "…Yes, I do understand, my friend. In any case, grievous is the fall of your men, but you shall see that, at least, the wolves of the mountains do not devour them. It is with their friends, the Orcs, that they hold their feast—such indeed is the friendship of their kind. Come!"

Branwen felt good with her pronouncement and assured with her decided course. She had noticed the others around her, including Aragorn and Gimli, seemed to be nodding along with her words. She respected Gandalf greatly for his wisdom and power, but she was not content to accept his word for gospel truth. Being wise did not make one infallible, as she well knew already. And now, feeling confident with her old and new strength at her fingertips again, Branwen wanted her voice to be heard once more—she had been the most powerful magician of Earth before she departed as she dared to think that she may be now in the running for the most powerful Witch on Middle Earth as well.

They continued North, up towards Isengard, and came upon the Wolves feasting upon Orc corpses left to rot. These were just regular Wolves though, no Wargs to be found. Before their party and hers and Gandalf's presences, they fled like the simple animals they were.

After a short while, they came upon a small island that rose up in the middle of the dried up Isen. On it was a large burial mound encircled by a forest of spears with points sticking outward to ward of any Wolves that might be tempted to dig it up.

Gandalf pointed to it, "Look! Friends have labored here. Here lie all the Men of the Mark that fell near this place."

There seemed visible relief and thanks on the faces of all the Men of Rohan among them and Éomer declared with an emotional voice, "Here let them rest! And when their spears are rotted and rusted, long still may their mound stand and guard the Fords of Isen!"

Théoden asked, gratitude clear, "Is this your work also, Gandalf, my friend? You accomplished much in an evening and a night!"

Branwen could appreciate the effort necessary and how much this meant to the Rohirrim, but she did wonder the same for different reasons. Would time have not been better spent rushing to Helm's Deep to spare more lives from being lost? She did not voice this though, as it would do little them little favor to make the men question Gandalf now.

Gandalf answered Théoden, "With the help of Shadowfax and others. I rode fast and far. But here, beside the mound, I will say this for your comfort—many fell in the battles of the Fords, but fewer than rumor made them. More were scattered than were slain. I gathered together all that I could find. Some men I sent with Grimbold of Westfold to join Erkenbrand. Some I set to make this burial. They have now followed your marshal, Elfhelm. I sent him with many Riders to Edoras.

Saruman, I knew, had dispatched his full strength against you and his servants had turned aside from all other errands and gone to Helm's Deep. The lands seemed empty of enemies, yet I feared that Warg-riders and plunderers might ride, nonetheless, to Meduseld while it was undefended. But now, I think you need not fear—you will find your house to welcome your return."

Branwen felt her doubts fade as Gandalf shared his movements and actions. Théoden replied, "And glad shall I be to see it again, though brief, I believe, shall be my abiding there."

Branwen muttered to herself, "A greater threat now comes from the East."

Aragorn must have heard her as he responded in a low voice, "Indeed. Our swords shall see much use, I think."

They crossed the dry river there, to the mound itself, and Rohirrim all seemed to take a few moments to pay their respects at the mound. After all were finished, they finished crossing to the Western bank before they were on their way again. An old highway ran next to the Isen for a while before it turned straight Northward to Isengard itself. Gandalf pressed them harder now and the Mearas ate up the miles beneath their powerful hooves.

In all, they had traveled some thirty miles that night—fifteen from Helm's Deep to the Fords of Isen, not including coming out of the valley, and another fifteen North from the Fords to Isengard—before they called a rest for the night. Only fifteen miles lay between them and the Gates of Isengard. They were nearly at the mouth of Nan Curunír—the vale that encompassed Isengard.

Branwen frowned as she looked up and saw the great smoke rising in the distance from it. The Shadow of Saruman looked in near tatters, even from this close, and…that smoke looked more like steam. The Living Earth seemed to rumble faintly of some great happening, but Branwen was not yet well-versed enough to understand the murmurings of distant events. Maybe, with time, she would be better about it, but it was not so intuitive as her Sight had been.

The Sapphire of Exquisite Waters within her seemed to hum though as the Living Earth rumbled nonsensically to her.

Aragorn asked, nodding to the vapor and smoke, "What do you think of that, Gandalf? One would say that all the Wizard's Vale was burning."

Éomer seemed to agree, "There is ever a fume above that valley in these days, but I have never seen anything 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."

Branwen commented, "I cannot tell… The earth tells me that something is happening, but I'm not so apt to understand its murmurings yet."

Gandalf did not seem to know exactly what either as he shrugged, "Maybe Saruman is boiling up the Isen then or if there is some other happening at work… Tomorrow, we shall learn what he is doing. Now, let us rest for a while, if we can."

Even as he said that, Branwen found little need for sleep. Something about the stars above invigorated her and she felt hardly a need to sleep. Rather, she might rest simply by sitting and looking up at them. Aragorn and Gimli went to sleep but that was exactly what she and Legolas did, sitting near them, admire the stars together.

As they sat, Legolas commented, "…I have noticed over the day, my lady, that you appeared far more Elf-like than Man-like now."

Branwen did not turn away from the stars and replied, "Yes, I believe my ordeal and my Knowing of the Jewels of Bliss have completed my transformation."

"I am curious of these things that you speak of. What are they then and why have you never spoken of them before?"

Branwen shrugged, "I did not wish to speak of them nor was there need. Before coming to Imladris last autumn, none were left living that knew of the Shards of Sorrow besides myself. I have lived in anonymity and secret for the last many decades under the plain face of woman. My tale is long and one that I have no desire to relive… Maybe someday, I may share it or you can ask Aragorn of it.

Of the Shards of Sorrow though, I still feel that I know very little. They granted me the Knowing in my Sight, the Power in my Voice, and the Unknowing of my Veil that I have used freely for many years now and even while we were traveling together. Now though, the Jewels of Bliss are so much more and I struggle to understand them completely—the Power of Valorous Flames, the Knowing of Graceful Winds, and the Unknowing of Exquisite Waters; all bound by the Strength of Vigorous Earth. I can now Hear the Living Earth beneath me and it is unlike anything that I have ever felt before. I feel as if the whole of the world now embraces me.

I had thought the Shards of Sorrow had sundered me from Death but, now, I understand that it is the Jewels of Bliss that would not have me sundered from Life. I think, once all this matter is settled, I might take a great deal of time to learn more of these Jewels and also of the magic of Middle Earth now that it is so welcoming to me now.

I have not felt so alive with magic for many long years."

Legolas laughed, "It sounds of a great blessing indeed! It heartens me to hear you speak of our struggles as if there is little doubt that we will succeed!"

Branwen smiled, "Well, I have killed many dark sorcerers before… You must pardon me as well. It is difficult to explain how this feels to me, like as if I have suddenly been filled with the strength to bear the entire world on my shoulders with not much difficulty—exacerbated by my completed transformation, I think. That is the best way I might explain it. Give me some time to settle into my old and new strength and come to terms with the vigor and grace of an Elf, and I shall come back to my senses."

Legolas chuckled, "I do not think I can understand what you mean, but, I will say this, you feel much like Gandalf and Galadriel to me. You feel as if, within you, there is a great star or small sun that is only just contained by your skin. I can only imagine how one might feel with such power within yourself."

Branwen bowed her head, "It can become intoxicating and that is why it is important to have rules that you follow and do not bend or break to protect yourself and others. When you begin breaking your set rules and violating others, especially those who you are supposed to trust and who are to trust you, that is how you slip down like Saruman."

Branwen looked at Legolas and he seemed to be regarding her with respect as he said, "You are wise, indeed. For that reason, I imagine that there shall be no concerns for you doing the same."

Branwen let out a bark of amusement, "Thank you, I suppose."

As the watched the stars, Branwen became aware of a whisper from the Living Earth coming up from the South. It became louder and more urgent and she looked South and her mouth became dry. The Wyld of Fangorn was fast approaching them and she heard the Earth whisper of *wAlKiNg* trees.

She jumped to her feet as Legolas looked South and his eyes had gone wide. Branwen ran to Gandalf and shook him awake, "Gandalf! Up! Now!"

Gandalf came awake in an instant, as did many men at her loud voice. He sat up and seemed immediately aware of what was coming for them as he looked South at the fast-approaching blackness. He ordered loudly, "Come together here! Draw no weapons! It will pass us by!"

The men all huddled together in fear as she stood with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Gimli looked confused of what was happening as Aragorn asked her, "What is happening!?"

Branwen said, "The trees of Fangorn are walking again."

Far faster than it should be possible, there was a great shadow that came into view and swept over them with the speed of a flood on both sides of the dried up Isen. It parted around them and they were blanketed in the Fog within. It was black beneath the boughs and the sound of air moving through leaves, constant creaking of wood, and churning of earth made it sound almost like a rushing river would. She summoned a bit of Witchlight to hover over their company and Branwen was not sure if the darkness full of movement was more unnerving or observing the endless march of trees cloaked in mist.

In her Sight, it appeared that these trees could cloak themselves in shadow as well as mist.

As before, they seemed to have little interest in them. No one spoke as they passed and, finally, it seemed they were gone as they headed North and straight into the open arms of Nan Curunír. Branwen felt very sure that there would be no Orcs or Wolves waiting for them in Isengard tomorrow. She wondered if there were even any Orc corpses or Wolves left behind them either.

Théoden asked Gandalf in a low voice that carried, "Was that the magic of the Ents, Gandalf? To make entire forests walk as if they were Men?"

Gandalf hummed, "…I will admit that I do not readily know. The Ents are far older and their magic is not like that of Elves or Men. It is deeper… For now, let us continue to rest."

Though he spoke of rest, no one slept the rest of that night.

It was now difficult to see with mundane eyes as the trees had left a lingering mist that did not seem willing to part. A while later, Branwen felt the Sapphire within her stirring before the sound of a flood reached her ears. She Saw the Isen had been freed from whatever was holding it. Saruman's Shadow seemed near evaporated now and the Isen flowed freely with the power of the Misty Mountains, but there was no influence of the Wizard within its waters. Thankfully, they were far enough removed from the river that the flooding that came over the bank did not reach them. The mist seemed to grow much heavier though, as if the river carried it to them.

She felt some anticipation for tomorrow—maybe Saruman would be dead before they even got there.

҉

The Third Age – March 5th, 3019

Branwen had fallen into a waking dream for a short while but came back to her senses with the dawn. The men began moving about and they all seemed relieved to have the light of day back, even though fog hung thick in the air.

Their company ate a quick meal of rations then mounted up shortly and began to ride up the last fifteen miles in the Gates of Isengard. Due to the mist, they went much slower than they had the previous night, but Gandalf seemed rather unconcerned.

Out of the fog, the mouth into Nan Curunír suddenly was upon them and they passed through into the vale. They could only barely take in the closest parts of the valley before them due to the mist.

Branwen grimaced as she beheld it. It was brown and ragged as the land dipped up and down in rolling hills. The Isen now poured out of the mouth of the valley, as it should, but it was clear that it had been blocked up or diverted for some time as the vale was filled with pools of still water in the hollows of the hills. There were a great many stumps and it appeared that Saruman had had all the trees of the valley felled for whatever purpose—likely to fuel his war machine.

The road within the vale was now much better maintained and, as they came up it, just before the Gates of Isengard, it was so perfectly smooth and laid with massive flagstones that there was not a single green thing poking through it. It appeared as if it had recently been thoroughly washed with water.

There had been a great ring of black stone, in the center of which was a massive black tower with a four-pointed crown of like fangs cresting. It looked like a much grander version of the Fornbarad of the North she had seen many years before, as she had heard it as such. The broken protective magics of the ring wall and the still powerful magics of the tower were evident in her Sight. The ring wall was in shambles with many great parts of it broken and leveled.

Finally, they came to the Gates of Isengard—a pair of massive iron doors riveted into the black stone. However, they had been clearly torn away from the wall and were broken. Branwen imagined that they once opened into a long and smooth tunnel that ran through the black ring wall, but now that tunnel was now ruptured open through the roof. The hooves of their horses clattered loudly in the ruined tunnel until they came out, a second pair of great metal doors ripped away, into Isengard itself at just around midday.

Isengard was circular and bowl-shaped, at least a mile across in each direction, with the Tower of Orthanc in the center. The earth here was as brown and dead as it had been in the rest of the vale where it was not dug deep into great pits or mounds leading underground that Branwen imagined out both Wolves, Orcs, and refineries—vapor issued from some of the gaping wounds in the earth. It appeared that, for whatever reason, Saruman had had great pillar of various metals and stones erected and all connected with thick chains throughout the valley. Some were standing alone and…appeared to be trees. No, Ents! They had come here!

The grounds appeared akin to a great and massive graveyard that had been desecrated. In the mountainsides behind and around Orthanc, great hollows had been carved into the rock and crude dwellings were obvious—likely for Orcs.

It was clear how Saruman had housed an army of ten-thousand and, it appeared, that he could have and planned to house even more if he had had the opportunity.

Branwen felt sad seeing Orthanc like this. She could See and sense that the magic of it was for the protection of the Free Peoples and in defense against servants of the Shadow. It appeared Saruman had perverted it greatly in his quest for his own personal power. So was the case with Dark Lords and aspirants—they cared nothing for sanctity and only on what they could gain from destroying it.

The grounds of Isengard were now flooded and under water.

Branwen doubted very much that there was anything living, except fish, down in the hollows beneath the earth. The water came up to Fléotig's ankles and they were still on the rim of the shallow bowl of Isengard. Much rubbish and debris floated in the sunlight just starting to come through the clouds and the Shadow of Saruman hung as little more than a wispy sheet here.

Only Orthanc stood unmarred by the Floodwater of the Isen. The Men of Rohan stared in open-mouthed awe and wonder.

Something drew her attention to the side and she saw a great pile of debris, as if many people had come through and gathered it together in one place. Branwen wondered for a moment if the Ents had done so but her thoughts were quickly interrupted because atop of the pile were two figures in grey cloaks, lounging in the sun surrounded by many plates and jugs as if they had just had themselves a grand feast. Pippin laid to one side, appearing sound asleep, while Merry was puffing away a pipe with great delight.

Branwen found the words coming out before she could moderate them, "Those little shits…"

That seemed to catch the attention of the company around her as they turned to look at the Hobbits and that caught Merry's attention. With great flamboyance, he jumped to his feet, looking at Théoden and Éomer, "Welcome, my lords, to Isengard! We are the doorwardens. Meriadoc son of Saradoc is my name, and my companion, who is overcome with weariness, is Peregrin son of Paladin of the House of Took!"

Merry planted his foot in Pippin's stomach to rouse him even as he continued to speak, "Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within, but, at the moment, he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honorable guests."

Branwen could only shake her head as Gandalf laughed, "Doubtless, he would! And was it Saruman that ordered you to guard his damaged doors and watch for the arrival of guests, when your attention could be spared from plate and bottle?"

Merry seemed unsurprised to be addressed by Gandalf and answered, as if he were in grief, "No, good sir, the matter escaped him. He has been much occupied! Our orders came from Treebeard, who has taken over the management of Isengard. He commanded me to welcome the Lord of Rohan with fitting words. I have done my best!"

Branwen snarked, a great mixture of happiness, exasperation, and annoyance in her voice, "I have half a mind to climb up there and string you both up by the hair on your feet! Sitting there, as happy as can be, after all the trouble we went through!"

Gimli yelled with a face so red it matched his beard, "Yes, you rascals! You woolly-footed and wool-pated truants! A fine hunt you have led myself, Legolas, Lady Branwen, and Aragorn on! Six-hundred miles, through fen and forest, battle and death, to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and idling—and smoking! SMOKING! Where did you come by the leaf, you villains! Hammer and tongs, I am so torn between rage and joy that if I do not burst, it will be a marvel!"

Aragorn and Legolas seemed a great deal more amused than anything as Legolas laughed, "Gimli and Lady Branwen speak for me! Though I would sooner learn how you came by the wine!"

Pippin stretched luxuriously, "One thing you have not found in your hunting is brighter wits! Here you find us sitting on a field of victory, amid the plunder of armies, and you wonder how we came by a few well-earned comforts!"

Gimli erupted, "Well-earned!? I cannot believe that!"

Branwen threatened, "Peregrin Took, how often must you be reminded not to antagonize a Witch! My little staff problem is resolved and I have my full powers back! I'll heave-ho you right off the peak of that tower there! Wit!? You can hardly open your mouth without placing your foot in it!"

Pippin gaped and bowed quickly, "My deepest apologies!"

Branwen nodded, "That's better!"

There was much laughter from the company of men around them and Théoden remarked with great amusement, "It cannot be doubted that we witness the meeting of dear friends. 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 my house and now, here before my eyes, stand yet another of the folk of legend. Are not these the Halflings, that some among us call the Holbytlan?"

Pippin, ever quick with a response, said, "Hobbits, if you please, lord!"

Théoden chuckled, "Hobbits? Your tongue is strangely changed but the name sounds not unfitting. Hobbits! No report that I have heard does justice to the truth."

Branwen cut off the Hobbits and said, "All you need to know, concerning Hobbits, Théoden King is this—they can eat and drink more than two full-sized men can in a day, are utterly concerned with all things mundane and agriculture, are completely uninterested in anything outside their communities, most Hobbits hold rabble-rousers and adventurers of any sort with near contempt, and they dig burrows in hills that they then richly furnish!"

Pippin remarked, "You've said nothing of our bravery or our arts of smokecraft with pipe-weed!"

Théoden said, "Yes, I had not heard tales of smoke spouting from the mouths of Hobbits."

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

Gandalf raised his voice to quiet the Hobbits, "You do not know your danger, Théoden! As Branwen hinted at, these Hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, or the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if your encourage them with undue patience! Some other time would be more fitting for the history of smoking. Where is Treebeard, Merry?"

Merry pointed to the opposite side of Isengard, "Away on the North side, I believe. He went to get a drink of clean water. Most of the other Ents are with him, still busy at their work—over there."

Branwen was suddenly aware of sounds like pipe-organs and realized she was hearing Ent-voices.

Gandalf asked, "And is Orthanc then left unguarded?"

Merry remarked, "There is the water, but Quickbeam and some others are watching it. Not all those posts and pillars in the plain are of Saruman's planting. Quickbeam, I think, is by the rock, near the foot of the stair."

Branwen glanced and Saw that it was true. The Ents here were just simply standing in place and silent. Legolas reported, "Yes, a tall grey Ent is there, but his arms are at his sides and he stands as still as a door-tree."

Gandalf spoke to the Hobbit again, "It is past noon and we, at any rate, have not eaten since early morning. Yet, I wish to see Treebeard as soon as may be. Did he leave me no message or has plate and bottle driven it from your mind?"

Merry nodded, "He left a message and I was coming to it, but I have been hindered my many other questions! I was to say that, if the Lord of the Mark and Gandalf will ride to the Northern wall, they will find Treebeard there and he will welcome them! I may add that they will also find the best food there, discovered and selected by your humble servants!"

Merry finished with a bow as Gandalf laughed aloud, "That is better! Well, Théoden, will you ride with me to find Treebeard? We must go around, but it is not far. When you see Treebeard, you will learn much. For Treebeard is Fangorn and the eldest and chief of the Ents. When you speak with him, you will hear the speech of the oldest of all living things!"

Théoden nodded, "I will come with you. Farewell, my Hobbits! May we meet again in my house! There, you shall sit beside me and tell me all that your hearts' desire—the deeds of your grandsires, as far as your can reckon, and we will speak of Tobold the Old and his herb-lore. Farewell!"

The two Hobbits bowed as the Gandalf led Théoden and the Men of Rohan away. By unspoken agreement, Branwen, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were staying to speak with the Hobbits now. By that virtue, Branwen heard Pippin say to Merry while they bowed, "So that is the King of Rohan! A fine old fellow! Very polite."

Branwen nudged Fléotig to move closer to the large pile of rubble. Once she was beside it, she came to her feet on the saddle in a crouch and leapt up onto the top with ease. Merry and Pippin looked at her with some surprise. Pippin commented, "I don't think you could do that before…"

Branwen grabbed each of them in headlock and they began yelling and demanding to be let go as Aragorn and Gimli began to climb up. Legolas followed her example and simply alighted onto the rubble from Arod's back.

Branwen berated, "You little shits have the audacity to sit here drinking wine, smoking, and mouthing off after we ran from Tol Brandir on foot all the way to Fangorn tracking you, rode day and night from Fangorn to Edoras and then to Helm's Deep, where we just waded through and routed ten-thousand Great Orcs and Wild Men just the day before! At least have the courtesy to offer some of your wine!"

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli laughed and nodded along with amusement before she released Merry and Pippin. They skipped away from her once released before she smiled, "Also, I'm glad your safe and well. I count all ten fingers and toes for you both and you appear in good spirits. We've missed you, lip and all!"

They appeared suddenly bashful and Merry said with a blush, "We missed you as well. Truly! It means a lot to hear that you all were so determined to find us."

Aragorn said, "Well, the hunt is over and we meet again at least, where none of us ever thought to come."

Legolas spoke right after, "And now that the great ones have gone to discuss high matters, the Hunters can perhaps learn the answers to their own small riddles. As Lady Branwen said, we tracked you as far as the forest, but there are still many things that I should like to know the truth of."

Merry nodded, "And there is a great deal, too, that we want to know about you. We have learnt a few things through Treebeard, the Old Ent, but that is not nearly enough."

Branwen declared, "First, you'll tell us all that happened to you. Were you not listening to what I said we've been through? I think we've earned to have our questions answered first."

Gimli added, "Or let conversation be second, I would prefer! A tale would go better after a meal. I have a sore head and it is past midday. You truants might make amends by finding us some of the plunder that you spoke of. Food and drink would pay off some of my score against you."

Branwen conceded that food did sound exceptional. Pippin said with an agreeable expression, "Then you shall have it! Will you have it here or in more comfort in what's left of Saruman's guardhouse—over there under the arch? We had to picnic out here, so as to keep an eye on the road."

Gimli harrumphed, "Less than an eye! But I will not go into any Orc-house nor touch Orcs' meat or anything that they have mauled!"

Merry replied easily, "We wouldn't ask you to. We have had enough of Orcs ourselves to last a lifetime. But there were many other folk in Isengard. Saruman kept enough wisdom not to trust his Orcs. He had Men to guard his gates—some of his most faithful servants, I suppose. Anyway, they were favored and got good provisions."

That made a good deal of sense to Branwen and she dearly hoped that they had some decent wine left. Gimli asked with some excitement suddenly, "And pipe-weed?"

Branwen wrinkled her nose. She did not understand the fascination with smoking here in Middle Earth. Merry only cackled as bit, "No, I don't think so, but that is another story which can wait until after lunch."

Gimli nodded, "Well, let us go and have lunch then!"

They all clambered back down and the Hobbits led them up and through the arch they had pointed out in the ruined ring wall next to the gates. They were led up a set of stairs, out of the shallow water, and to a door at the top. It appeared like guard quarters with a large central common room and many smaller dorms carved directly out of the stone. It would have been dark but its roof had not been spared the wrath of the Isen or Ents or whoever had torn the ceiling off the tunnel through the wall.

They all sat down at a table in the commons and Merry and Pippin ducked through a door off to the side. They soon came back and began to serve up various preserved and sweet fruits, smoked and salted meats, bread, butter, and cheeses with all appropriate plates, flatware, and goblets.

Pippin commented, "Storeroom is in there and above the floods, luckily."

Merry chimed, "And you need not turn up your nose at the provender, Gimli! This is not Orc-stuff, but Man-food, as Treebeard calls it. Will you have wine or beer? There's a barrel inside there—very passable! And this is first-rate salted pork. Or I can cut you some rashers of bacon and broil them, if you like. My apologies, but there is no green stuff—the deliveries have been rather interrupted in the last few days, I'm sure you understand! I cannot offer you anything to follow but butter and honey for your bread. Are you content?"

Gimli sighed happily, "Indeed, yes! The score is much reduced."

Branwen said, "I'll feel the same as soon as there's a carafe of wine on the table. It could be near vinegar and I would likely drink it."

Soon, everyone was served and tucking in with their preferred beverages as well. The Hobbits, of course, joined them for another round of food and drink. Branwen snorted, "Hobbits! How you can eat and drink so much and yet be so small is greater magic than I will ever know!"

This got some chuckles from the other three Hunters but Pippin defended, "We must keep our guests company!"

Legolas teased, "You are full of courtesy this morning! But, maybe, if we had not arrived, you would already have been keeping one another company again?"

Pippin shrugged, "Maybe and why not? We had foul fare with the Orcs and little enough for days before that. It seems a long while since we could eat to our heart's content."

Aragorn commented after a mouthful of pork, "It does not seem to have done you any harm. Indeed, you look in the bloom of health!"

Gimli remarked, "Aye, you do indeed. Why, your hair is twice as thick and curly as when we parted and I would swear that you have both grown somewhat, if that is possible for Hobbits of your age. This Treebeard, at any rate, has not starved you."

Once Gimli had said that, Branwen took a moment to look at the Hobbits. Now that she was searching for it, she did See that there appeared to be some residuals of magic in them. What had these Hobbits gotten into?

Merry replied, "Treebeard has not. But Ents only drink and drink is not enough for content. Treebeard's draughts may be nourishing, but one feels the need of something solid. And even lembas is none the worse for a change."

Legolas looked awed, "You have drunk of the waters of the Ents, have you? Ah, then I think it is likely that Gimli's eyes do not deceive him. Strange songs have been sung of the draughts of Fangorn."

Branwen teased with just an undertone of seriousness, "Drinking strange potions from walking trees? That sounds like a recipe of disaster waiting to happen. Shall I prepare myself to begin trimming leaves and pruning you when you both grow roots? I caution any soul drinking elixirs meant for other species. It can…bear strange fruit."

Merry and Pippin looked a bit green but Aragorn said, "I think, so long as you abstain from any further indulgence, you both should be fine. In any case, many strange tales have been told about Fangorn. I have never entered it properly. Come, tell me about it and about the Ents!"

Pippin hummed in consideration, "Hmm… Ents. Ents are…well, Ents are all different for one thing. But their eyes now, their eyes are very odd… Well…you have seen some at a distance already; they saw you at any rate and reported that you were on the way and you will see many others, I expect, before you leave here. You must form your own ideas."

Branwen wanted to snort. That was a lot of words to say nothing at all about Ents. Gimli interrupted though, "Now, now! We are beginning the story in the middle. I should like a tale in the right order, starting from that strange day when our Fellowship was broken."

Merry replied, "You shall have it if there is time. But first, if you have finished eating, you shall fill your pipes and light up. And then, for a little while, we can pretend that we are all back safe at Bree again or in Rivendell."

Branwen remarked, "Rivendell, if you please. I shall not be playing the part of barmaid any longer."

Merry laughed in response before he pulled out a small leather pouch and opened it to show tobacco. He said, "We have heaps of it! And you can all pack as much as you wish when we go. We did some salvage work this morning, Pippin and I. There are lots of things floating about. It was Pippin who found two small barrels, washed up out of some cellar or storehouse, I suppose. When we opened them, we found they were filled with this—as fine a pipe-weed as you could wish for and quite unspoiled!"

Branwen could admit the smell of the tobacco leaves was pleasant, it reminding her a bit of Aragorn's scent, but she had never cared for smoking or the smell of the smoke either. A hold over of growing up during a time when smoking was considered a poor health choice and unattractive. Gimli had taken a pinch and was breathing in the dried tobacco deeply, "It feels good and smells good."

Merry exclaimed, "It is good! My dear Gimli, it is Longbottom Leaf! There were the Hornblower brandmarks on the barrels, as plain as day! How it came here, I can't imagine. For Saruman's private use, I fancy. I never knew it went so far abroad. But it comes in handy now!"

Branwen quietly laughed to herself. Whenever she had heard Hobbits speaking of their famous Longbottom Leaf, she always imagined a Hobbit Neville Longbottom happily tending his tobacco fields. She imagined Neville would have made a good Hobbit considering his propensity for agriculture.

Gimli seemed a bit forlorn, "It would come in handy if I had a pipe to go with it. Regrettably, I lost mine in Moria…or before that, maybe, when Lady Branwen scattered that pack of Wargs with an explosion. Is there no pipe in your plunder?"

Merry laughed, "Now, don't blame Lady Branwen for such things! We have not found any pipes, not even here in the guardrooms. Saruman kept this little dainty to himself, it seems. And I don't imagine it would be any use knocking on the doors of Orthanc to beg a pipe of him! We shall have to share pipes as good friends must in a pinch!"

Pippin then began groping in his breast pocket and withdrew a small leather pouch, "Half a moment! I keep a treasure or two near my skin, as precious as Rings to me. Here's one—my old wooden pipe. And here's another—an unused one! I have carried it a long way, though I don't know why. I never really expected to find any pipe-weed on the journey when my own ran out. But now, it has become useful after all!"

Pippin produced a short pipe and handed it to Gimli. The Dwarf looked delighted before the Hobbit asked, "Does that settle the score between us?"

Gimli let out a great laugh, "Settle it!? Most noble Hobbit, it leaves me deep in your debt!"

Legolas said, "Well, I am going back into the open air, to see what the wind and sky are doing."

Branwen understood that to mean the Elf disliked tobacco smoke as she did. Branwen stood up with him and said, "I shall come along as well."

Aragorn declared, "We will all come with you both."

They went back outside to the large pile of rubble and scaled it quickly to bask in the sun. The morning fog had been scorched away and the vale was laid out before them. The Ents standing at attention, still as trees, were much more apparent now. Hobbits, Dwarf, and Man were soon packing their pipes and Branwen gave them all some lighthearted grief when they begged her to catch the leaves with some flame so that they could partake without fumbling with flint.

Soon, they were all stretched out and Aragorn sighed with pleasure from close beside Branwen. The breeze was carrying the smoking away from her and, now with free access to her magic, it was simple to keep it coaxed that way. The Ranger said, "Now, let us take our ease here for a little! We will sit on the edge of ruin and talk, as Gandalf says, while he is busy elsewhere. I feel a weariness such as I have seldom felt before."

Pippin laughed, "Look! Strider the Ranger has come back!"

Branwen looked to her side. With his cloak wrapped about him, long legs stretched out with ankles crossed, and his pipe issuing some little bit of blue smoke as more came from his lips and nose, Aragorn certainly looked far more reminiscent of the lounging Ranger in the common room of the Prancing Pony than the Heir of Elendil.

Aragorn retorted, "He has never been away! I am Strider and Dúnadan too and I belong both to Gondor and the North."

Branwen, for the first time in a while, felt no rush. After so many days of running, rushing, and all matters of urgency, it felt nice to simply rest. Legolas though, did not seem so interested in waiting, and said, "Come now! Time wears on and the mists are blowing away or would if you strange folk did not wreathe yourselves in smoke. What of the tale?"

Pippin took another puff, almost in lazy defiance, and replied, "Well, my tale begins with waking up in the dark and finding myself all strung up in an Orc camp. Let me see…what is today?"

Aragorn let out his own puff of smoke, "The fifth of March in the Shire reckoning."

Pippin then began muttering as he started counting on his fingers. He exclaimed with some surprise, "Only nine days ago!"

Branwen thought back. Had that been it? It felt so much longer. Pippin continued, "It seems a year since we were caught. Well, though half of it was like a bad dream, I reckon that three horrible days followed. Merry will correct me if I forget anything important, but I will not go into detail—the whips and the filth and stench and all that…it does bear remembering."

Branwen listened in silence as Pippin recalled what had happened. Merry did not seem interested in contributing at all.

Pippin and Merry had run off into the forest around Amon Hen in search of Frodo and nearly collided right into a group of Orcs. The Orcs yelled and suddenly it seemed dozens came pouring out of the woods. The Hobbits had drawn their blades but the Orcs were far more interested in getting a hold of them even though Merry had taken off some fingers and hands. Then Boromir came leaping out of trees and killed more than dozen before the Orcs fled. Shortly after, they were back with near a hundred of them and began shooting arrows at Boromir. Boromir used his horn and the Orcs fell back again for a moment but then returned even more aggressive when no one came to his aid. The last thing Pippin remembered was Boromir pinned to the tree.

Branwen felt a twinge of guilt again for the death of Boromir.

When Pippin came to again, they were in the cleft between two ridges, it was growing dark, and he was bound. Merry was next to him, bound as well, with a dirty rag around his head where he had been struck during their struggles. It seemed the Orcs were having some disagreement between them of what to do. There was some conflict between the Orcs of Moria, Isengard, and Mordor. However, of Isengard and Mordor, they had been ordered to take the Hobbits alive and not to search them. Branwen wanted to snort with how well Aragorn had surmised that little bit while on the hunt.

The Orcs then fought and some were killed. One of them fell over Merry's unconscious body and his knife fell besides Pippin. With it, Pippin cut the bonds around his wrists and then retied them so that he could have his hands free if the opportunity arose. Afterward, the Orcs moved out in the darkness and Pippin and Merry were hauled off like luggage before Pippin slipped out of waking thought again.

He came back when he was thrown on the ground on the ridge overlooking the plains of Rohan. The Orcs had not been happy because a horseman had seen them and then galloped away. From there, the Isengard Orc leader, Uglúk, said they need to move faster. For that reason, they cut Pippin's and Merry's bonds around their ankles to run with the Orcs. Uglúk put some strange Orc medicine on Merry's head wound and it was healed quickly.

Branwen saw that Merry indeed had a large brown scar on his forehead that showed the crudeness of the medicine—effective but not gentle. Uglúk then forced some Orc liquor down their throats and Pippin described it like liquid fire that burned away all hurts and filled him with a quivering strength. Merry at least had come back to wakefulness as well and they then descended down to the plains. Uglúk ordered the Orc host to begin running and that they would run through the daylight. It was only a short while later that Pippin had thought of trying to leave some of his own unspoiled tracks when they came upon soft earth in case Aragorn was following them. Pippin broke away from his guards for just a moment and cast off his cloak broach to leave some sign. Pippin escaped too strong of a punishment only because the Orcs needed him to run but Uglúk had promised that Pippin would pay for his act of defiance later.

The Orcs made them run until the Hobbits could run no more and collapsed. The Orc liquor had run its course. The Orcs did not stop though and only scooped them up like luggage and Pippin fell into dark dreams again. He did not come awake until he was thrown onto the ground again some time later. The Orcs had come to a stop for a moment before dawn. The Hobbits were given some terrible Orc bread to eat and then plied again with more Orc liquor.

The Orcs were arguing again before Uglúk told the Misty Mountain Orcs to run to the forest if they were scared of the Men coming after them now. About a hundred Orcs broke away to run but there were still some eighty Isengard Uruk-hai, as they called themselves, and some Great Orcs from the mountains that remained. They were rejoined then by some of the Mordor Orcs that had gone off at some point. Uglúk and the Mordor leader, Grishnákh, began arguing and going back and forth before the Isengard Orcs picked the Hobbits up again and were off with them. Rohirrim were behind them, apparently. They were running for Fangorn and, in the afternoon, they overtook the mountain Orcs that had fled earlier. The Isengard and Mordor Orcs then picked up their pace to escape the Rohirrim riding on their heels.

The Rohirrim picked off the Orcs at a distance with bows and herded them along the river but did not engage them before night fell. Instead, the horsemen had corralled and encircled them just outside the line of Fangorn. Uglúk had Pippin's and Merry's ankles bound again so that they could not run and ordered them untouched unless the horsemen broke through; in which case, they were supposed to be killed. Pippin and Merry ended up next to each other for the first time since they had started the journey. The horsemen seemed to be waiting for the dawn and Uglúk was waiting for reinforcements that were supposed to come out of the forest.

Pippin's voice came to a halt and he seemed to have fallen into thought. Branwen remarked, "Well, you two certainly had an ordeal."

Aragorn withdrew the two Elven blades that the Hobbits had been given from his cloak and said, "Here are some treasures that you let fall. You will be glad to have them back."

Merry took his knife with a smile, "Well! I never expected to see these again! I marked a few Orcs with mine but Uglúk took them from us. How he glared! At first, I thought he was going to stab me, but he threw the things away as if they burned him."

Aragorn then withdrew another item, "And here also is your broach, Pippin. I have kept it safe, for it is a precious thing."

Pippin looked touched and remarked, "I know. It was near painful to let it go, but what else could I do?"

Aragorn reassured him, "Nothing else. One who cannot cast away a treasure at need is in fetters. You did rightly."

Gimli complimented, "The cutting of the bands on your wrists, that was smart work! Luck served you there, but you seized your chance with both hands, one might say."

Legolas chortled, "And set us a pretty riddle! I wondered if you had grown wings!"

Pippin responded with a humorless chuckle, "Unfortunately, not… But you did not know about Grishnákh."

Pippin seemed reluctant to speak of the Mordor Orc again so Merry spoke this time of the cruel and maniacal Uruk. Merry told that that the belief that the Rohirrim were waiting for dawn soon proved to be not quite correct. The horsemen began cutting away at the Orcs on one edge of the group before slipping away again. The Isengard Orc guards looking over them ran to assist and that was when Grishnákh appeared and began trying to search them. Grishnákh appeared to know about the Ring but Pippin and Merry tricked him into taking them and making a run for it.

Fortunately, Grishnákh was caught by a horseman that had been hidden in the darkness and was slain as Pippin and Merry laid in the grass. Their cloaks seemed to keep them hidden and, thankfully, they were not trampled by the horse that the Rohirrim rode.

The Orc reinforcements from the forest then arrived and the Rohirrim drew their circle in closer as some of their number drove off the reinforcements. Merry and Pippin had escaped outside the circle of horsemen without having moved by luck. Pippin threw off the bonds on his wrists and he and Merry ate some lembas to regain some strength before Pippin used Grishnákh's knife to cuts their bonds completely. The Hobbits crawled away towards the forest, avoiding the watch-fires of the Rohirrim. They watched for a short while from a distance as they let the feeling coming back to their feet and then left towards the forest. At dawn, the Rohirrim attacked and they watched them again for a little while longer from the tree line before, fearing recapture should the Orcs escape, ran deeper into the woods.

Aragorn hummed in consideration, "All this about the Orcs of Barad-dûr, Lugbúrz as they call it, makes me uneasy. The Dark Lord already knew too much and his servants also. Grishnákh evidently sent some message across the River after the quarrel. The Red Eye will be looking towards Isengard. But Saruman, at any rate, is in a cleft stick of his own cutting."

Merry happily said, "Yes, whichever side wins, his outlook is poor. Things began to go all wrong for him the moment his Orcs set foot in Rohan."

Gimli remarked, "We caught a glimpse of the old villain on the edge of the forest…"

Branwen snorted, "If only I had recovered my strength then, I might have put the old bastard in the grave there…or at least injured him greatly."

Pippin asked, "When was that?"

Aragorn answered, "Five nights ago."

Merry folded his arms, "Let me see…five nights ago. Now we come to a part of the story you know nothing about. We met Treebeard that morning after the battle and, that night, we were at Wellinghall, one of his Ent-houses. The next morning, we went to Entmoot, that is a gathering of the Ents and the queerest things I have ever seen in my life. It lasted all day and the next and we spent the nights with an Ent named Quickbeam. And then late in the afternoon in the third day of the moot, the Ents suddenly blew up.

It was amazing! The forest had felt as tense as if a thunderstorm were brewing inside it and then, all at one, it exploded! I wish you could have heard their song as they marched."

Pippin laughed, "If Saruman had heard it, he would be a hundred miles away by now, even if he had had to run on his own legs!

Though Isengard

Be strong and hard,

As cold as stone

And bare as bone,

We go, we go, we go to war,

To hew the stone and break the door!

There was very much more. A great deal of song had no words and was like a music of horns and drums. It was very exciting! But I thought it was only marching music and no more, just a song…until I got here. I know better now."

Merry picked back up, "We came down over the last ridge of Nan Curunír after night had fallen. It was then that I first had the feeling that the forest itself was moving behind us. I thought I was dreaming an Entish dream, but Pippin noticed it too. We were both frightened, but we did not find out more about it until later.

It was the Huorns, so the Ents call them in 'short language'. Treebeard won't say much about them, but I think they are Ents that have become almost like trees, at least to look at. They stand here and there in the wood or under its eaves, silent, watching endlessly over the trees—but deep in the darkest dales there are hundreds and hundreds of them, I believe.

There is a great power in them and they seem able to wrap themselves in shadow. It is difficult to see them moving…but they do. They can move very quickly, if they are angry. You stand still looking at the weather, maybe, or listening to the rustling of the wind and then suddenly you find you are in the middle of a wood with great groping trees all around you. They still have voices and can speak with the Ents—that is why they are called Huorns, Treebeard says—but they have become queer and wild. Dangerous. I should be terrified of meeting them, if there were no true Ents about to look after them."

'Huorns…' Branwen thought. Yes, that is what the Living Earth was speaking of. They were not trees but also not Ents. Branwen gave a dark chuckle, "Whether they were Ents that became as trees or trees that have become more like Ents, I could not say, but they are most certainly not Ents any longer. They are dangerous indeed. They came South to our battle. I did not speak of it to our company as we were passing through the forest of these…Huorns and only told Legolas and Gimli, but they had killed some few thousand of the army that we had repelled. As part of coming into my full strength, I can now Hear what the Living Earth is willing to share with me and I Knew that, while we rode through the silence of the Huorns, many Orcs and some Men were being slowly strangled and wrung dry of all their blood in the darkness of the roots beneath the earth."

The Hobbits looked horrified and Pippin said, "Yes, I shall fancy never to be alone with a Huorn if it can be avoided."

Merry continued and spoke of how they came to a gorge in the evening on the North of the vale with the Ents leading the Huorns. It was like a forest had sprung up around the North side of the walls into Isengard. It was completely dark though and the sky was covered clouds. They watched in undetected silence as Saruman emptied Isengard and the host of ten-thousand marched away.

The Ents did not stop, impede, or pursue them as Treebeard declared their business was with Isengard and Saruman. However, Merry had noticed that the Huorns must have thought different as they began to move some time later Southward as a Huorn-shadow began to pursue the army.

After the army had left, Treebeard went to the Gates of Isengard and began calling for Saruman and pounding on the Gates but Saruman did not come and the remaining servants in Isengard could do little but shot ineffective arrows at the Ent. Little could harm Ents except heavy axes and hot flames, apparently. Treebeard then called for more Ents and they began their assault.

Merry shivered, "An angry Ent is terrifying. Their fingers and toes just freeze on rock and they tear it up like breadcrust. It was like watching the work of great tree roots in a hundred years all packed into a few moments! They pushed, pulled, tore, shook, and hammered and clang-bang, crash-crack, in five minutes, they had these huge gates just lying in ruin. Some were already beginning to eat into the walls, like rabbits in a sandpit. I don't know what Saruman thought was happening, but anyway, he did not know how to deal with it. His Wizardry may have been falling off lately, but I think he had not much grit—not much plain courage alone in a tight place without a lot of slaves and machines and things, if you know what I mean. Very different from old Gandalf and you, Lady Branwen. I wonder if his fame was not all along mainly due to his cleverness in settling at Isengard."

Branwen shook her head, "No, Saruman is very strong. He had cast a Shadow over a great majority of Rohan that both empowered his servants and sapped the strength of his enemies. He did this by claiming the Land of Rohan as his and, I believe, did so by poisoning the mind and body of the King of Rohan through his Shadow by way of a servant. Do not doubt Saruman's strength. If anything, I believe that he had likely expended too much of it trying to maintain his grip over the land when Gandalf freed the King of Rohan from his clutches and Saruman's claim over the land was suddenly and greatly weakened. He had sent out his Shadow over his great host and, I imagine, doing so without a firm claim over Rohan was far more taxing than you can imagine."

Aragorn supported her and said, "Once, Saruman was as great as his fame made him. His knowledge is deep, his thought is subtle, his hands marvelously skilled, and he has an insidious power of the minds of others. The wise, he could persuade, and the smaller folk, he could daunt. That power, he certainly still keeps. There are not many in Middle Earth that I should say are safe, if they were left alone to talk with him, even now when he has suffered a defeat. Gandalf, Elrond, Glorfindel, Branwen, and Galadriel, perhaps, now that his wickedness has been laid bare, but very few others."

Branwen felt some warmth grow in her heart as Aragorn's faith. Pippin responded, "The Ents are safe. He seems, at one time, to have got around them, but never again. And anyway, he did not understand them and he made the great mistake of leaving them out of his calculations. He had not plan for them and there was no time to make any, once they set to work."

Pippin explained how the Ents had captured all the Men that fled from Isengard, as the giants broke open the ring wall surrounding Isengard, and questioned the Men at length before releasing them. No Orcs escaped and, if they did, the Huorns that surrounded Isengard dealt with them. At one point, Saruman had apparently tried to escape as well before Quickbeam had spotted him and the Wizard fled back inside Orthanc.

Back inside and safe, Saruman was able to set some of the machines beneath the earth to work and fire and smoke began to issue out of the ground. Branwen imagined wondered if the Wizard had bound some of the apparatuses to his will below. That was more advanced technomancy than what she expected from a realm like Middle Earth but imagined a Maia might not be so constrained.

Some of the Ents were injured in the effort and it made them even angrier and they tried to rip down Orthanc as well but the tower was much too strong. Saruman then laughed so loudly from his tower that all the Ents heard it and the Ents became cold and quiet. Treebeard then took them and some of the Ents were set to watch the tower while all the others disappeared with their leader North.

It was near a full day before Treebeard returned, it appearing as if the Ents and Huorns were digging pits, trenches, and dams. He had then told the Hobbits to seek some shelter as the Isen would be released.

Gandalf then came to Isengard and they were shocked to see him. Treebeard came and spoke with him and they spoke only for a short while before Gandalf was gone again. Treebeard then left as well to get to work, as the Ent said. Merry and Pippin simply sat on a pile of stone and waited in the night as they heard a great storm in the South. Then, sometime around midnight, the dam burst and the Isen came rushing into Isengard and flooded all the holes and breaches in the earth to quench the fires and fumes.

The Hobbits said that the great mist and fog was actually a result of the water being boiled before everything was quenched finally. Aragorn commented that they had seen it the previous night and had thought it might be Saruman's doing and Branwen felt some amusement as Pippin laughed and said Saruman had likely been fuming in his tower. After Isengard was thoroughly flooded, the Ents and Huorns finally reset the river's course and the waters have since begun to lower somewhat.

The Hobbits fell silent and they all seemed to be lost in thought. Branwen found herself quite deep in ruminations of what she had Heard from the Living Earth that she could not understand the previous evening and what she knew now. It was rare opportunities like this that would allow her to become more familiar with how to understand this new form of Knowing. With practice, she might soon be able to Hear voices and events carried on the Breath of Winds or in the Murmurings of Waters instead of just in the Rumblings of Earth.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Gimli, with slow movements as he refilled his pipe and lit it, said, "There is one thing I wonder about—Wormtongue. You told Théoden he was with Saruman. How did he get there?"

Branwen smiled cruelly, "Yes, indeed. I had almost forgotten about our slimy friend. How did he get in there? I would have preferred he drowned instead."

Pippin mused, "Yes…I had forgotten about it too. He did not get here until this morning. We had just lit the fire and had some breakfast when Treebeard appeared again. We heard him hooming and calling our names outside."

Pippin related how Wormtongue appeared just after Treebeard had shared the news that Isengard was cleared and that Théoden's company was coming up from the South, according to the Huorns. Wormtongue came out of the mist on a horse and saw the ruin of Isengard and tried to run upon seeing Treebeard. Treebeard scooped him up and Wormtongue had claimed to be the friend and counselor of Théoden sent with an important message for Saruman.

Pippin said that Gandalf said something to Treebeard about Wormtongue as Treebeard told the wretched man that Gandalf had instructed Treebeard to 'Put all the rats in one trap'. Treebeard then ushered Wormtongue into Isengard and made Wormtongue swim across to Orthanc. Treebeard waded in after Wormtongue and then told the Hobbits upon returning that Wormtongue had been pulled into Orthanc by a quick hand through the doors before the tower was closed again.

Treebeard then charged the Hobbits with keeping a watch on the gate and welcoming Théoden and all that came with him while Treebeard and most of the Ents went to wash and drink in the Isen. He also asked them to find food for the company as well. Pippin then asked, "I should like to know who this Wormtongue is. Was he really the king's counselor?"

Branwen answered, "Yes. It was through him that Saruman had poisoned the king's mind and body with his Shadow."

Aragorn followed that with, "Fate has not been kinder to Wormtongue than he deserves. The sight of the ruin of all that he thought so strong and magnificent must have been almost punishment enough. But I fear worse awaits him."

His eyes went to her and Branwen only gave him a wicked smile in return. He chuckled as Merry then related that Ents then came to collect food for twenty-six. Apparently, it was expected the four of them were supposed to go with the rest, but the Ents had declined any drink but the water of the Isen so the Hunters had gotten the better end of the deal.

Branwen listened as Aragorn then thought aloud how there might be a servant of Saruman in the Shire considering that Longbottom Leaf had come so far South when there was no trade route established between the North and South any longer.

Aragorn sighed, "Ah, well… Whatever evil was afoot is over now, I hope, or it is beyond our reach at present, in any case. Yet, I think, I shall mention to Gandalf, small matter though it may seem among his great affairs."

Merry hummed, "I wonder what he is doing… The afternoon is getting on. Let us go and look around! You can enter Isengard now, at any rate, Strider, if you want to. But it is not a very cheerful sight."