While I personally am not really into "Lord Of The Rings", I have had some interesting discussions about it with my good friend and fellow author here Aragorn_II_Elessar and recently an idea came to me involving Oliver receiving assistance from Gandalf in regards to erasing the pre-Crisis dystopian future we saw in the "Arrow" Season 7 flash-forwards. It sounded like a pretty fun one and I've decided to try it out.
Hopefully you'll all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I don't own "Arrow" or "Lord Of The Rings".
Arrow Cave
Oliver was currently in the middle of ranting and raging, letting out a series of curses as he stormed the Arrow Cave and smashed equipment while tossing weapons and other accessories all over the place.
"Dagnabitt! Of all the outrageous things that had to happen to me! What a load of SithSpit. Crackshavit and mother freaking nonsense! Argggg!" Oliver ranted, which included a colorful string of curses from the "Star Wars" franchise, as he threw baseballs against the wall and slammed his bow onto one of the tables repeatedly.
As his tantrum progressed, a swirling portal opened inside of the cave and none other than the famed sorcerer Gandalf emerged.
"Whatever may be the matter my young friend?" he questioned the archer worriedly, his thick eyebrows raised.
Gandalf had met not only Oliver but also Barry and their teammates, allies, and fellow heroes from Earth Prime when the former group had accidentally been transported to another dimension which they'd come to learn was Middle Earth and had joined forces with Gandalf, Aragorn, and Arwen, and the former three's own friends and allies to free a nearby kingdom, one next to Aragorn and Arwen's kingdom.
The pertaining kingdom had been overrun and taken over by one of the late Sauron's most monstrous and diabolical followers as part of a nefarious plan of his to continue his former master's plans to conquer Middle Earth.
Thankfully all of the heroes managed to thwart the enemy and save that kingdom, along with Middle Earth as a whole once more and it led to a strong friendship between that realm's heroes and Earth Prime's heroes. And while the latter group soon returned to their world, both groups managed to find a way to travel between their respective worlds and made multiple visits to each other.
Currently Gandalf had decided to pay a visit to Oliver to see how things were going for him currently but based upon what he was observed, it appeared the younger man was having a terrible time of things.
Oliver on his part turned and saw the sorcerer, his cheeks colored in embarrassment due to someone witnessing what appeared to be a childish tantrum.
"Oh, hey Gandalf," how's it going?" Oliver greeted his friend pleasantly though the anger did not leave his eyes.
"Oh it's going well not really anything to worry about. Although you appear to be having a time of it based upon the looks of things," the other man replied with an amused smile and then added in observation.
Oliver groaned while running one of his hands through his hair.
"That's good to hear and I'm sorry you caught me acting this way. I have a justified reason though and you'd understand if you knew," Oliver explained while pacing around the cave.
Gandalf was intrigued by the explanation.
"Might I enquire as to what is currently weighing upon your mind then? Perhaps I could be of assistance," he offered him, wanting to do whatever he could to ease the burdens of his currently troubled friend.
A part of the archer wanted to just forget the whole thing because it was too unpleasant to go through all over again but on the other hand Gandalf was a trusted friend and someone he knew he could count on.
"It would seem that I had just gotten out of bed at mine and Sara's loft and prepared myself a delicious stack of buttermilk pancakes drenched in warm maple syrup and scrumptious berries and was about to consume it when someone delivered a package to my door," Oliver began as he explained what had happened.
"Intrigued, I opened it and there was a disc which was interestingly enough labeled "The Future". Curious as to its contents I placed the disc into my DVD player and pressed 'play'. As I watched what was broadcast I could not believe what I was seeing. For there was my precious city being blasted by multiple bombs and at the hands of a maniac named Grant Wilson, apparently the son of my former enemy Slade Wilson who'd once laid siege to my city though we were thankfully able to make peace and regain our past friendship.
"His son however clearly decided to follow his father's villainous steps and replicate the siege on a wider scale, turning my city into an almost barren wasteland. Afterwards I had to be subjected to watching the rest of the video showing this horrifying dystopian future years after those events in which this city was a shell of what it once was and controlled by Grant's thugs and his successor who took control after him, alongside corrupt cops.
"And worse than that but apparently unknown to them, a terrorist organization known as Eden Corps arrives and lays plans to completely level the city with far more destructive bombs that would wipe it off of the map as though it never existed.
"All the work I put into trying to save this city, to honor my father's memory, it all went down the drain and it's as though all of it was for nothing! And it's just making me so frustrated and furious and gahh! I'm sorry Gandalf but it's just not fair at all and that's why I was throwing a tantrum while figuring that the cave was the best place to do it."
Gandalf sat back and listened to the entire explanation and once he was through, the magician sighed and shook his head. Hearing this also caused a wave of fury to wash over and burn within him for Oliver's sake. How dare this poor fellow's city be wasted and made as though everything the latter had given for it, including costs way too high and that no man should pay for, would be for naught. No wonder the archer had thrown a temper tantrum and as far as Gandalf was concerned, the former was more than justified.
"I'm terribly sorry my child. What you've just shared with me is most inexcusable and more than disastrous," he replied to him in firm solidarity while resting his hand gently onto Oliver's shoulder. "However it should be noted that it might be a blessing since you are now armed with what's to come and can therefore take measures to ensure this never happens. Maybe whoever sent this into your possession was gifting you with 'tis most precious knowledge on purpose to prepare you so that your labor would not be in vain."
Oliver had been so caught up in his righteous anger that he had not stopped to think as to why he was given this knowledge but after hearing his friend's words of wisdom, he realized that the bearded sorcerer was absolutely correct.
"You're right my friend. I have been given a gift and it's something that needs to be taken advantage of before my city is torn asunder," Oliver agreed smiling and starting to feel a little better.
"That's the spirit my boy," Gandalf smiled back and patted his shoulder when inspiration struck him, leaving a determined look upon his face.
"Actually you won't have to do anything whatsoever. I will rectify this matter for you," he said to Oliver, straightening his shoulders and activating another portal.
"What do you mean? What are you talking about and where are you going?" Oliver questioned the wizard, wondering what the latter was up to.
"Now don't you worry lad. Just hang on tight and old Gandalf is going to take care of everything," he reassured the archer and before Oliver could question him further he stepped into the portal which closed behind him and then vanished from sight, leaving a bewildered Oliver staring after it.
Grant's Base
It would take some time and plenty of careful research and navigation, but Gandalf was finally able to ascertain the location of Grant's lair and upon arrival, saw that the aforementioned villain and a large crowd of his men for gathering together a mass supply of weapons, Deathstroke masks, and powerful explosive devises, devises which Gandalf surmised were the bombs Grant intended to use to bring down the city. The sorcerer sighed quietly and shook his head over the young man who'd decided to squander the gift of life which had been bestowed to him and use it to perform dastardly deeds like what he was currently planning.
No matter. He was about to end Grant's plans before they could begin.
That settled, Gandalf let out a loud whistle, causing the entire Deathstroke gang to whirl around and face him.
"Who on Earth are you?!" Grant questioned in a strong Australian sounding accent, sounding both suspicious and annoyed. When the mysterious figure before him didn't answer, Grant chuckled then turned towards his men.
"I see our strange guest is one of the silent type. Go and open his mouth, by force if need be," he ordered his men who quickly put on their masks, grabbed their swords, and charged towards him. At the moment they were about to reach him, Gandalf placed both of his hand around his staff and lifted it into the air.
"You, shall, not, pass!" he proclaimed and then slammed it to the ground causing a blinding white light which blinded the Deathstroke gang followed by a blast which knocked them all into unconsciousness. Afterwards he activated the portal between Earth-1 and Middle Earth that would transport himself, Grant, and his entire gang to the latter realm and to the palace where the kingdom's reigning monarchs presided.
Middle Earth: Palace Throne Room
Aragorn and Arwen were currently seated on their thrones and surrounded by their entourage when a portal opened before them and Gandalf and his cargo of unknown, to them at least, individuals emerged from it.
"Greetings Gandalf. What brings you here and who are these strange men who've accompanied you?" Aragorn questioned with a bright smile upon seeing his close friend but mixed with curiosity over his presence and especially the presence of the strangers by the former's side. Though their manner of clothing reminded both him and Arwen a bit of the manner of attire worn by the inhabitants of Earth-1.
"Greetings to you both as well my beloved king and queen and friends. I'm here because these gentlemen lying unconscious around me meant to bring great harm to our noble ally and friend Oliver Queen, those he cares for, and his entire city. And what they intended would've brought terrible, terrible harm to his city and trampled upon all he'd worked to achieve for it," the wizard explained to them while gesturing towards his prisoners.
"And so I made it my business to neutralize this threat as it and, if I may persuade once more upon your kindness, to furthermore bring these individuals for you both to deal with as you see fit for his sake."
Aragorn and Arwen listened to his explanation while nodding in understanding, grave looks briefly appearing upon their faces due to the situation facing one of their closest Earth-1 allied and feeling angered that someone had tried to dismantle Oliver's work and legacy.
"Of course my wonderful and loyal friend. Oliver is as you know one our closest allies, both him and his friends, and any enemy or enemies of his are enemies of ours. Therefore my husband along with myself will take the necessary steps to ensure this threat against him is neutralized forever," Arwen promised with a reassuring smile.
"What my beloved wife and queen has just said. And please reassure Oliver that all will hopefully be well now and that we hope he and his fellow heroes will make yet another of their many visits to us here on Middle Earth for we'd love to enjoy the pleasure of their company. And also that we and our allies besides yourself also can find the time to visit them on Earth-1 once more," Aragorn continued from where Arwen had left off, in full agreement with her.
Gandalf bowed to them both.
"Much obliged my king and queen. And I will pass the message along to him," he thanked then promised them after which he turned away and returned to Earth-1 to convey their message to Oliver while the beloved king and queen of Middle Earth had Grant and his men taken to a place in which there was no escape and ensured their permanent captivity. Grant would of course demand, after he awakened from his unconsciousness, that he be brought back to his own home but his repeated pleas would fall upon deaf ears.
Arrow Cave
Gandalf arrived back at Oliver's cave and found that he was not alone this time for Sara was currently with him and the two of them were sparring with his escrima sticks. The wizard stood by and decided to observe the couple's talents in this intriguing art when they both eventually sensed his presence and turned to face him.
"I'm certain you will both be pleased to hear the enormous threat that Grant fellow posed to your city has been decisively dealt with," he happily informed them while casually leaning on his staff. "In fact, our mutual friends and their majesties Aragorn and Arwen are handling them as we speak.
Oliver and Sara were surprised to hear this news though Oliver now realized what Gandalf meant about taking care of things for him. Earlier Sara had come over to the cave while Gandalf was away and had come across the mess her boyfriend had made, surprised and wondering as to what had brought this on until he'd explained everything, leaving her just as furious as himself. And so she'd suggested a round of sparring between them to work off some steam and ease both of their frustrations and that's what they were doing when Gandalf returned.
Hearing their friend's reassuring words however made them both feel as though a massive weight had been lifted off of their shoulders.
"You're absolute certain that Grant is no longer a problem?" Oliver questioned the sorcerer, wanting to be certain it was indeed true and that the horrible information he'd been given was now obsolete.
"I'm more than certain my good man. They have been transported to a certain place on Middle Earth were they can never harm anyone ever again," Gandalf assured them. "Oh, and their majesties also hope the two of you and your fellow heroes here will come visit them again whenever you are all in a position to and they hope to do the same."
Oliver and Sara both sighed deeply in relief.
"Thank you so much Gandalf. You didn't have to do any of that but it means a lot to us and has taken a heavy burden off of our shoulders," Sara thanked him gratefully and with an emotional smile.
"Thanks to you my work no longer feels meaningless and that dystopian timeline can go down the drain. And please thank King Aragorn and Queen Arlen for their assistance as well and that we will most certainly visit them again whenever they opportunity arrives," Oliver continued where she'd left off, also smiling.
"Of course of course. And I will most assuredly relay your message to them. And now I must take my leave," Gandalf replied smiling and then turned to go.
"Wait a minute. You already came all this way to come and visit. Why not come to our place and we can all share those pancakes I told you about? After I reheat them at least since they're probably cold by now," Oliver invited him.
Gandalf nodded his head in interest.
"I'd be most obliged my good fellow," he agreed, feeling a bit hungry and pancakes being one of the most delicious delicacies he enjoyed from this world.
"Well then that settles it. Let's go ahead and get some good old pancakes," Sara agreed happily and the three of them headed to Oliver and Sara's loft to do exactly that while beyond grateful that all was now well in the world for them and with the latter couple even more so to the good Gandalf for ensuring this. He was truly a strong and loyal friend and they could not jave hoped for better friends such as himself, Aragorn, and Arwen along with the other heroes of Middle Earth.
The End
A/N And so this time Gandalf is the one to erase that dystopian timeline in pre-Crisis "Arrow". Please let me know how I did with it if you want.
Have a great day.