We were in a wasteland barred with dead trees and no animals. In this greenless area, sharp high mountains pointed up to the sky and ,inside a small cave, were Sam and Frodo. The first was sleeping peacefully while the Ring-Bearer harbored an uneasy look on his face as he quietly reached his shirt to pull out the Ring of Sauron.
The Hobbit just stared at the tiny Golden Object, slowly turning it around and as he looked like he was in transe. Nothing seemed to matter at the moment except for what he was holding in his hands. However, he quickly regained his composure when he heard someone coming which made him quickly put the Ring out of sigh as Gollum suddenly appeared from the entrance, looking down at them.
"Wake up !" The thin creature called out from his spot and when he received not response, he approached a still sleeping Sam before shaking him "Wake up ! Wake up sleepies ! We must go, yes... We must go at once !" then he crawled away. Samwise Gamgee groaned in displeasure at being woken up but then he looked at Frodo who had a weary look on his face " Haven't you had any sleep, Mister Frodo ?"
The Ring-Bearer shook his head meaning 'no' " I've gone an' had too much…. Must be getting late..." Sam remarked as he stood up to which Frodo replied by saying "No… It isn't... It isn't midday yet... The days are growing darker..." He just barely finished talking when suddenly, the ground began to shake violently. Gollum, who was ahead, looking toward Mordor with a worried expression on his face before rushing back toward them.
" Come on ! Must go, no time !" Sméagol told them hurriedly but Sam protested by saying in a stern tone "Not before Mister Frodo's had something to eat !" Gollum, still harboring the same worried look, became more frantic "No time to lose, silly !" However, Sam ignored him as he opened his pack to pick some lembas bread before handing it to the Ring-Bearer "Here..." Frodo grabbed it and while he unwrapped the leaf around the bread , he looked at his comrade before asking "What about you ?"
"Oh no, I'm not hungry. Leastwise not for Lembas bread…." was the Hobbit's answer. Frodo frowned as he understood it was just an act and was worried for his loyal friend "Sam..." Mr. Gamgee sighed in defeat as he knew Frodo would never eat if he didn't "All right, we don't have that much left... We have to be careful, or we're goin' to run out... You go ahead and eat that, Mister Frodo... I've rationed it..."
Frodo nodded and took a bite of the bread while Sam was checking the ration. But then the Ring-Bearer heard his comrade saying in a soft tone "There should be enough..." "For what ?" Frodo asked him questioningly. "The journey home..." At those words, the Ring-Bearer smiled, as if he was amused by his friend's optimism. Deep down, he doubted that they would return home after this quest but chose to remain silent.
When their break was done, the duo followed Gollum who was leading them through the wasteland " Come, Hobbitses ! Very close now ! Very close to Mordor ! No safe places here...Hurry !" The thin creature urged them as the group walked through dead trees where the ground beneath them looked like it was burning.
Far ahead of them, was their final destination and the reason of their quest : Mount Doom.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Meanwhile, at Fangorn Forest, a large group of riders were riding through the woods with Gandalf at the lead. Behind him was the King of Rohan Theoden and following them in a single line were none other than Aragorn (Isildur's heir), Legolas, Gimli (he and the Elf shared the same horse), Kopa , Vitani , Eomer and Gamling. The Two Lions were walking side by side just behind Aragorn. Riding on Vitani's back was a familiar brown haired girl with sky blue eyes who looked around in awe. She was Ioreth. An orphan girl was took a liking to the two large Cats.
The group were heading toward Isengard to confront Saruman once and for all. While their comrades were looking around with wary expression on their faces, Kopa was gazing at Ioreth and Vitani with pure warmth in his turquoise-colored eyes. Right now, the little human girl was hugging the Lioness's neck and the gesture earned a soft purr from the say Lioness.
Kopa knew that Vitani could be cold and stern for most of the time but also knew that deep down, she could be gentle and caring. Not as much as his mother or Kiara but close. Thinking about his family made him sad because he missed and was wondering how were things in the Pridelands : Were there still Orcs entering their home ? How were they ?
The Brown Maned Lion shook his head to get rid of those thoughts when the group reached their destination and was surprised by what they saw : what was once the Great Fortress of Saruman was now reduced to rubble and water as only Orthanc remained , mostly, untouched. All around it was nothing but water, debris… along with an army of Ents.
Seeing the creatures-like trees walking around shocked the two Lions deeply and glanced at each other for a second before shrugging. They had seen many things and walking trees ? Well… its wasn't the worse things they saw so far. As they watched the place, laughs were heard and Kopa's ears twitched when he heard it and glanced at his mate who looked relieved as if she had heard the laugh as well.
Then two familiars voices echoed " It's good... Definately from the Shire !" It was Merry's voice. Then another voice, Pippin's, echoed as he responded to his comrade and friend " Longbottom Leaf, eh ?" The two looked at each other with a grin. In fact the Hobbits were currently sitting on top of Isengard's storeroom, feasting and smoking joyously.
As Merry took a bite of some bread and hums, Pippin couldn't help but remarking calmly "I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon…" "Green Dragon..." Merry muttered with his mouth full.
"A mug of ale in my hand, putting my feet up on a settle after a hard day's work..." Pippin said still calm and almost haughtily to which Merry responded by saying playfully " Only, you've never done a hard day's work !"
Pippin mumbled something while shaking his head, still having is pipe in his mouth, before the two laughed again. Then they heard something that caused the two of them to look forward… What they saw caused their faces to brighten greatly : it was Gandalf and the rest of their friends ! Along with some men they didn't know.
Pippin cried out in laughter, raising his mug at the arrivals of their comrades and friends just as Merry pushed himself up to greet them happily "Welcome, my Lords… to Isengard !" Aragorn grinned at them along with Legolas , Kopa and Vitani who were happy to see the two again.
The Brown Maned Lion glanced at his mate before saying teasingly "It seems they didn't needed our help after all huh ?" Vitani grinned back at him and couldn't help but chuckle as it was indeed true. However, Gimli couldn't retain himself ans said what he had in mind much to the amusement of the others "You young rascals ! A merry chase you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and… and smoking !"
"We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts !" Pippin began to say just as Merry chewed something with his mouth open, letting some smoke out in the process. The Dwarf seemed to be draw by this and completely became interested when Pippin added "The salted pork is particularly good !"
"Salted pork ?" Gimli asked in intrigue as he looked at the Two Feasting Hobbits. "Hobbits..." Gandalf muttered under his breath in exasperation but also in amusement as he looked at the two with disbelief clear on his face. "We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard !" Merry then announced as he looked at everyone.
However before the group could go on, a certain Brown Maned Lion looked at the two Hobbits "Do you have some Pork left ?" Kopa asked the two with pure hunger… until he received a punch on the shoulder. "Ow ! Why did you do that ?!" He asked in pain as he looked at Vitani who was glaring at him. Ioreth , for her part, was giggling in amusement as she was still riding on the Lioness's back.
"Its not the time to eat ! We will later but first..." she then turned her attention to Merry and Pippin who gulped in fear when they saw the anger in her eyes "I need to talk with these two…" Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Kopa winced when they heard this but they were not as scared as the two Hobbits who looked like they were about to wet themselves.
Thankfully they were saved by Gandalf who inquired in a stern tone "We don't have time for this childishness ! We have more important things to do !" Vitani glared at the Wizard for a moment before sighing in defeat, mumbling to herself "Fine..." then she looked back at Merry and Pippin "Good to see you again… but we will talk later understood ?" The two Hobbits quickly nodded quickly , no wanting to anger her more.
Ioreth then looked back at Vitani with concern and gently hugged the Lioness's neck much to her pleasure "Thank you little one~" Zira's daughter whispered to the brown haired girl who smiled back at her before whispering softy "You're welcome Auntie Tani !" Merry and Pippin, who were each climbing on a horse (Merry on Eomer's and Pippin on Aragorn's), looked at the two with a questioning frown on their faces but before they could ask, Kopa stopped them "If I were you I would stay silent guys..."
The Two Hobbits, despise their curiosity, chose to follow this advice and said nothing. The group was now making its way through the remains of Isengard toward Orthanc where they met Treebeard who greeted them " Young master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come... Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a Wizard to manage here, locked in his tower..."
The group looked at the tower, uncomfortable. "Show yourself !" Aragorn said quietly which earned a warning from Gandalf "Be careful; even in defeat Saruman is dangerous..." "Then let's just have his head and be done with it !" Gimli inquired from his behind Legolas "We second that !" The Two Lions said in perfect synchronization while glaring at the Tower with pure loather.
" No...we need him alive…We need him to talk..." The White Wizard replied back without turning his head away from Orthanc. Then suddenly "You have fought many wars and slain many men Théoden king, and made peace afterwards…" a strong voice echoed in the hair and everyone looked up to see Saruman standing at the top of the Tower , looking down at them.
"Can we not take council together, as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I ?" Saruman questioned the King of Rohan. It was the first time for Kopa and Vitani to meet Saruman and the two of them were glaring at him with nothing but pure hatred for what he had done. After all, he was the one who sent his Uruks to capture their friends and kill them all. Because of this despicable man , Boromir was dead… Many people were dead and many others were grieving.
Everyone looked at Theoden who was taking his time to answer before he looked back at the treacherous Wizard with nothing but anger clear in his eyes "We shall have peace… when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there ! We shall have peace, when the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged ! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows… we shall have peace !"
At those words, Saruman became more enraged as he glared down at them " Gibbets and crows? Dotard !" then he turned his attention to Gandalf before yelling out " What do you want Gandalf Greyhame ? Let me guess: the key of Orthanc...or perhaps the key of Barad-dûr itself... along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards !"
Gandalf, however, staid calm as he said those words "Your treachery has already cost many lives...Thousands more are now at risk, but you could save them Saruman... You were deep in the enemy's council !" Hearing this, Saruman looked down at them but this time not in anger… but in amusement "So you have come here for information. I have some for you..."
From his robes, the treacherous Wizard whipsped out his Palantír, before staring at it raptly while harboring a sinister grin on his face "Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth...Something that you have failed to see... But the Great Eye has seen it... Even now he presses his advantage…His attack will come soon..."
Gandalf moved his mount forward still looking up at the one he saw once as a friend "You're all going to die… But you know this don't you, Gandalf ?" then Saruma looked at Aragorn with a sneer on his face "You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor ! This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned King !"
Aragorn,for his part, seemed unaffected by the treacherous Wizard's words. "And do you really think having Lions will help you like last time ?" Saruman demanded as he then turned his attention to Kopa and Vitani who glared back at him defiantly. " Those pathetic animals are nothing but disgusting beasts… barely worth enough to be enslaved ! They may have went this far but they are nothing against Sauron !"
"Big talk for someone who is locking himself in his tower ! If you are that strong , then come down there and fight you pathetic coward !" Kopa roared out furiously and Vitani snarled out in agreement , sending Saruman a glare that could melt ice if it was possible. Around them, their comrades and allies were looking at the two with astonishment : Saruman was still a powerful Wizard and yet, these two still dared to insult him.
However, Saruman ignored the Lions to look back at Gandalf "Gandalf does not hesistate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love... Tell me… what words of confort did you give the halfling before you sent him to his doom ?" Gandalf sighed deeply as he lowered his head down to the ground "The path that you have set him on can only lead to death !"
"I've heard enough !" Gimli shouted loudly before looking at Legolas "Shoot him...Stick an arrow in his gob !" The Blond Elf was reaching out for his bow when he was stopped by Gandalf "NO !" then the White Wizard looked up at Saruman again before inquiring calmly "Come down Saruman, and your live will be spared..." "Save your pity and your mercy; I have no use for it !" Saruman yelled back as he raised his staff to shot a fireball which went straight to Gandalf in an incredible speed. The flames engulfed the White Wizard and his mount , much to everyone's horror but then , miraculously, the fire died out, revealing an unharmed Gandalf and Shadowfax, much to Saruman's shock.
"Saruman, your staff is broken…" Gandalf said calmly and then Saruman saw his staff shattering in his hands, leaving him defenseless. The Treacherous Wizard was completely shocked by what happened when a familiar figure appeared behind him. Vitani growled in pure anger when she recognized the man : he was the one who dared to spit on Aragorn after he saved him from being executed !
"You !" Kopa yelled out as he glared at the dark haired man who glanced at him with fear. Theoden's calm voice then caught the Lions' attention " Gríma, you need not follow him….You were not always as you are now... You were once a man of Rohan! Come down !" Grima started to bow to his King when Saruman's voice caused him to turn around " A man of Rohan ? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and rats roll on the floor with the dogs ? Victory at helms deep does not belong to you, Théoden, horsemaster ! You are a lesser son of greater Sires !"
Theoden seemed hurt by Saruman's words as he looked away for a moment before turning his head back to look at his old advisor "Gríma, come down... Be free of him !" "Free? He will never be free !" Saruman said as he looked down at the King of Rohan. Grima ,however, was shaking his head whispering "No..."
Saruma sadly heard him and turned around to look at the dark haired man in anger "Get down, cur !" then he slapped Grima, sending him on the ground. "Saruman ! You were deep in the enemy's council. Tell us what you know !" Gandalf yelled out as he looked at his old friend sternly. His voice caught the attention of Saruman who looked away from Grima who just draw a small dagger out of nowhere as he stared at the treacherous Wizard with nothing but pure anger and hate.
"You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where you doom will be decided...I will not be held prisoner here !" Saruman said still unaware of Grima who was now pushing himself back up. Then to everyone's shock, the dark haired man lunged forward toward Saruman before stabbing him twice but his dagger. The treacherous Wizard gasped in shock and pain as his 'ally' was stabbing him.
Gandalf silently gasped at the scene before him and clenched his teeth just as Legolas shot an arrow which strike Grima below his heart much to his surprise as he cried out in pain. Theoden had a shocked expression on his face when he saw Grima falling on his back. Saruman, for his part, began to turn around, tipping backwards. Then because of this, he fell from the edge of Orthanc , his body constantly spinning around until he crashed right onto a large wooden spiked-wheel. A loud cracking sound was heard when Saruman's body crashed against the wheel, impaling himself .
Merry winced at the sight on his face while Pippin looked at Saruman's impaled body in pure shock. Around them, everyone were also as shocked as the two by the sudden death of the Wizard who gave them so much trouble. "Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free... The enemy moves against us... We need to know where he will strike..." Gandalf said after a moment of stunned silence just as the wheel turned again, sliding Saruman's dead body underwater.
Vitani looked at the Wizard's dead corpse with disgust as she muttered loud enough for everyone to hear "Good riddance !" Kopa huffed in agreement but couldn't help but feeling a bit disappointed to not be the one to end Saruman. But then all attentions turned toward Treebeard who faced them before saying " The filth of Saruman is washing away….Trees will come back to live here…Young trees, wild trees..."
As the old Ent talking, Pippin saw a glowing orb in the water and quickly dismount Aragorn's horse to take a closer look. Kopa , seeing this, frowned and stepped closer just as Aragorn's voice called out for the curious Hobbit "Pippin !" Everyone looked at Peregrin Toucque even Treebeard as he picked up the Palantir that Saruman held earlier.
Then he looked at it as Gandalf approached him from behind with his horse " Bless my bark !" Treebeard said in shock at seeing the Round Object. "Peregrin Took !" Gandalf called for the Hobbit who stopped staring at the Palantir to look at him "I'll take that, my lad... Quickly now !"
Reluctantly, the Hobbit handed the round Orb to the Wizard who quickly grabbed it before covering it with his clothes. Then he looked back down to look at Pippin who instantly looked away. The Shadowfax walked forward as his rider turned him back forward , unaware that Pippin was looking at him.
The rest of the group rode toward their next destination : Edoras where the rest of the Rohirrim were waiting for them. However, three of them were staying behind. Ioreth had her face pressed against Vitani's neck, whimpering. Zira's daughter , seeing this became concerned "Are you alright little one ?" the human girl whimpered again , pressed her head further into the Lioness's neck .
Kopa frowned when he looked at the girl before realization entered his mind "Ioreth… Saruman deserved to die… Because of him many people suffered… but now he won't hurt anyone ever again…" Ioreth raised her head to look at him with tearful eyes "Really ?" The Brown Maned Lion , in response, pressed his nose against her tiny cheek, purring comfortingly.
Ioreth instantly calmed down before wrapping her tiny arms around his muzzle whispering "Thank you Uncle Kopa..." "Anytome little one… Now…Let's go !" Vitani nodded in agreement and licked the child's face gently before trotting alongside her mate as ahead, their comrades were waiting for them. And when they finally reached them, the group resumed their trip toward Edoras, eager to leave Isengard behind and happy to not have to deal with Saruman any longer.
(To be continued…)