" It cannot be..." Aragorn inquired in shock as he looked at the White newcomer. "Forgive me… I mistook you for Saruman..." Legolas remarked softy as he knelled down while Gimli lowered his axe down before bowing respectfully. Kopa and Vitani, for their parts were too stunned to follow their example : how could this be possible ?!
The last time they saw the Wizard, he was falling down the abyss in the Mines of Moria ! Of course, it didn't change the fact that they were happy to see him again… They watched their friend closely and they couldn't blame Legolas for his error : instead of his usual Grey clothes, Gandalf was now completely white from head to toes. Even his staff was white.
"I am Saruman…Or rather Saruman as he should have been..." The White Wizard calmly responded until Kopa asked with shock still present on his face " How can you be here ?" "You fell !" Aragorn added with the same look of surprise on his own face. The Wizard stepped off the rock he was on, the light dying down as he approached the group of five who all watched him expectantly.
As he stood in front of Aragorn, Gandalf calmly responded to their question "Through fire... And water… From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth… Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside… Darkness took me….And I strayed out of thought and time… But it was not the end. I felt light in me again… I've been sent back until my task is done !"
Kopa and Vitani shared a look of disbelief until the Brown Maned Lion said with a grin "A man with nine lives..." Vitani snorted in amusement , playfully punching him on the shoulder. But then they attention turned to Gandalf when he said those words "Gandalf? Oh yes... That's what they used to call me... Gandalf the Grey...That was my name..."
"Gandalf !" Gimli said with a joyous look on his bearded face "I am Gandalf the White..." The Wizard inquired as everyone smiled at seeing their comrade again. "Its good to see you again Gandalf ! " Kopa inquired as he stepped closer along with his mate who added "We missed you old Man..." The White Wizard smiled at them before nodding his head in thankfulness. But then he looked at the others with a serious look " And I come back to you now, at the turn of the tide !"
With that said, the group turned around and walked back through the forest. Some times later, Gandalf was wearing a grey cloak over his white clothes saying in a alarming tone " One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed !" " Edoras ? That is no short distance !" Gimli remarked in a surprised tone.
"Sorry to interrupt but what is Edoras ?" Kopa asked his comrade before his mate added " and What is important about this place ?"
Aragorn was the one who responded "Edoras is where the King of Rohan resides ! And our next destination..." then he looked back at the Wizard adding " We hear of trouble in Rohan... It goes ill with the King !"
"Yes, and it will not be easily cured..." Gandalf said back glancing at Isildur's heir. Gimli then remarked with a bit of annoyance "Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested…" but then he was interrupted by a familiar loud moan who echoed through the forest which caused the Dwarf to look worried while the others were still walking.
"I mean charming, quite charming forest !" Gimli quickly added and the moans lessened a bit. The Lions looked at him with a smirk but then Vitani's head turned toward Gandalf "He is right ! Are we just going to leave Merry and Pippin behind ?!" Gandalf glanced back at her before responding calmly as he stopped in his tracks " It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn... A great power has been sleeping here for many long years... The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains..."
"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend..." Aragorn began to say which caused the Wizard to hum in wonder " You still speak in riddles !" At those words the two of them laughed in amusement quickly followed by Kopa and Vitani who had heard everything. Then Gandalf re-became serious as he said in a grave tone " A thing is about to happen here that has not happened since the Elder Days... The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong..."
"Strong? Oh, that's good !" Gimli shouted softy as he looked around, worried. "So stop your fretting Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe !" The Wizard said as he turned around to resume the walk through Fangorn but then he paused before adding "In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be !" Then he walked away along with Aragorn and Legolas.
The other three staid behind for a moment looking at the ground. "This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one..." the Dwarf remarked to himself as he quickly went after them. Vitani , for her part, was looking at her paws, her fangs clenched in anger. Kopa , who had taken a few step forward, looked back at her her worriedly " Love ?"
The Beige Lioness slowly raised her head to look at his turquoise eyes as he said in a gentle "None of us like to leave Merry and Pippin behind but if what Gandalf said is true then they are safe… The Old Man would never led us astray and I doubt he would start now..." Vitani looked unsure and staid still when Kopa pressed his head against hers, purring. "I know they are but its just… I miss them..." "I know love… but we will see them again I'm sure of it… sooner or later…"
Zira's daughter smiled as she rubbed her head against her mate's brown mane whispering "You are right… They are strong… they will success..." Kopa smiled at her before saying "I think we should go after the others don't you think ?" She nodded in response and the two felines ran after their comrades as Vitani's fears were no longer present in her heart.
After some time, the group stepped out of the forest before Gandalf letted out a whistle which seemed to echo out for miles while behind him, the others were waiting near the horses. Suddenly, a loud neigh was heard in response of the whistle as a shiny white horse appeared from a hill , galloping toward them.
The White Wizard smiled when his eyes landed on the majestic creature while his comrades were looking at the horse with awe "That is one of the Mearas...unless my eyes are cheated by some spell..." Legolas commented as the horse was coming closer and closer.
Kopa and Vitani were looking at the creature with awe : they had heard about Mearas. Those breed of Wild Horses who surpassed normal horses with their intelligence, speed and strength. Those majestic creatures usually lived in the northern part of Middle-Earth. The Shiny Horse stopped in front of Gandalf " Shadowfax… He's the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers..."
Kopa bowed his head respectfully at the Lord Horse who bowed back at him in equal respect. Then it looked at Vitani and did the same which she returned. Then Gandalf, Aragorn , Legolas and Gimli mounted the horse before running toward their next destination , Edoras, followed by Vitani and Kopa.
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Deep in the Fangorn Forest, Treebeard walked through the dark woods, carrying Merry and Pippin with him.
" Oh rowan mine I saw you shine upon a summer's day.
Upon your head how golden-red the crown you bore alof "
the Ent was singing and Merry yawned after hearing him finish the verse "Such a beautiful verse..." Treebeard commented to himself before the Hobbit asked " It is much further ?"
"Bru-ra-hroom. Don't be hasty. You might call it far perhaps. My home lies deep in the forest near the roots of the mountain. I told Gandalf I would keep you safe and, safe is where I'll keep you. I believe you will enjoy this next one. It is one of my own compositions. Right, ahem" The Ent responded before clearing his throat to resume his singing. Pippin, for his part, seemed to have trouble to sleep as he closed his eyes before re-opening them.
" Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves and the dreams of trees unfold
When woodland halls are green and cool, and the wind is in the west
Come back to me. Come back to me, And say my land is best"
Treebeard , when finishing his song, turned his head to see the Hobbits sleeping.
It was the night and the Ent gently and carefully putted the sleeping Hobbits down " Oh, oh. Sleep little Shirelings. Heed no nightly noise. Sleep 'til morning light..." Treebeard then slowly walked away adding "I have business in the forest... There are many to call… Many that must come... The shadow lies on Fangorn... The withering of all woods is drawing near... The trees have grown wild and dangerous... Anger festers in their hearts...They will harm you if they can. There are too few of us now. Too few of us left to manage them "
At the same time, Kopa, Vitani and the rest of their group were laying on the ground , sleeping. Most of them at least. The Beige Lioness was pressed against her mate's side as his head was laying on his forepaws, his eyes closed. However he wasn't totally sleeping. Because he opened an eye to look at Aragorn who was talking with Gandalf who ,like Isildur's heir, was still awake.
The White Wizard was watching the horizon and particularly at Mordor as its orange light brightened the dark sky for miles. As the two began talking, Kopa was too far to hear something except some words like 'Barad-Dur', 'Numenor', "King Theoden' , 'Sauron', 'Saruman', 'Mount Doom' etc… The Brown Maned Lion wanted to join the conversation but he was far too tired to get up. After all, it was their first race since the capture of Merry and Pippin and his body ached painfully. Yawning one more time, he closed his eyes before falling asleep just as Aragorn announced to Gandalf that Sam went with Frodo.
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Meanwhile, miles away from there…
Sam and Frodo were climbing some rocks before grabbing the edge of the cliff. Then the two pulled themselves up and quickly turned around when Gollum announced with a whisper " The Black Gate of Mordor !" Sam and Frodo looked upon a massive gate that stood as the only entrance into Mordor Territory. The Gate in question was entirely dark in color (true to its name its seems) and setted between two high mountain walls that surrounded the Mordor. There were also two towers on the lower parts of the mountains and connected by walkways coming from it.
"Oh save us..." Sam muttered in slight fear at the sight in front of him just as Gollum cringed in terror , whimpering. The Hobbits stayed low to the ground, crawling forward to get a better look at the gigantic structure before them. "My old Gaffer would have a thing or two to say if he saw this..." Sam inquired loud enough for the other two to hear him but then Gollum crawled behind them.
"Master says show him the way into Mordor, so good Sméagol does, master says so !" The thin creature said as he looked at them. "I did..." Frodo said back as he looked at the scene before him with a look of shock and fear. From their place, the trio could see many armed Orcs with bows, arrows, and pikes on top of the walls surely on guard duty.
"That's it then. We cannot get past them !" Sam inquired with defeat as he looked at the Ring-bearer but then something caught their attention. Below, a large column of armored men , could be seen. One of the soldiers yelled out something in another language that no one in the group heard before : "Za dashu snaku Zigur, Durbgu nazgshu, Durbgu dashshu !(Hail, Sauron, Lord of the Ring, Lord of the Earth ! )" Gollum turned around and cringed again in terror.
A command was heard from the top of the Gate and a horn could be heard echoing in the air. Then , the gates started to open slowly " Look! The gate, it's opening !" Sam remarked in surprise as he climbed further onto a nearby rock "I can see a way down..." Unfortunately for him, the rock he was on gave away and went tumbling down the side along with him "Sam! No!" Frodo yelled out but not loud enough for the Armored Men to hear as he jumped after his comrade leaving Gollum behind.
"Master !" The thin creature cried out in fear as he could only watch them going down. As if it wasn't enough, two soldiers from the column saw the streams of dust coming down the cliff left by the Hobbits and moved away to investigate. Frodo rushed out from behind and slided over to Sam who had his body half-buried into the dirt and small rocks. The Ring-Bearer then grabbed his friend's left arm and tried to pull him out to no avail.
Frodo looked forward and saw the two men coming closer and threw his elvish cloak over himself and Sam. The soldiers stopped walking and were standing directly in front of the Hobbits who tried to not make a sound. The two men looked around before turning away and returning to the column.
A few seconds passed until Frodo threw off his cloak before pulling Sam out by digging around him. Then the two rushed toward a nearby rock before peeking out to look at the soldiers who were walking through the Black Gate. " I do not ask you to come with me, Sam" the Ring-bearer said as he glanced at his fellow Hobbit who responded calmly "I know, Mister Frodo. I doubt even these Elvish cloaks will help us in there..."
The two of them were readying themselves to make a mad run toward the gate "Now !" Frodo said but then suddenly found himself being pulled back " No ! No ! No Master ! They'd catch you ! They'd catch you ! Don't take it to Him ! " Gollum cried out as he pulled Frodo toward him. Frodo tried to make another dash but he was again pulled back by Smeagol.
"He wants the Precious… Always he's looking for it. And the Precious is wanting to go back to him…" Gollum explained seriously but Frodo ignored him as he tried to make another rush toward the gate. Like before, Gollum stopped him by pulling him back "No! There is another way. More secret, and dark way…" the thin creature inquired as he looked at the two Hobbits.
Sam then angrily looked back at him shouting furiously " Why haven't you spoke of this before ?!" "Because Master did not ask !" " He's up to something !" Sam said as he looked at Frodo with distrust in his eyes. Sadly, the Ring-bearer ignored him as he looked at Gollum with wide eyes "Are you saying that there is another way to Mordor ?" he asked him calmly but still with a surprised look on his face.
Gollum nodded his head with a pleading look on his eyes "Yes. There's a path, and some stairs and then a tunnel..." he said as he stroked Frodo's arm before burying his face in the cloak. Frodo looked back to see the gate slowly closing and he fell back on the rocks before leaning against it. "He's led us this far Sam..." he said to his companion who was glaring at Gollum with full distrust.
"Mister Frodo no !" Sam said shaking his head " He's been true to his word..." "No..." Sam said again but the Ring-Bearer ignored him to look at Gollum before saying in a calm tone " Lead the way Sméagol..." "Good Sméagol always helps !" Gollum said as he hopped away from the two. Sam looked at Frodo in disbelief while the Ring-bearer looked at the ground.
(To be continued…)
I decided to cut the Merry and Pippin scene hope you won't hate me for that…