"They are the Nine, servants of the Lord of Mordor. Many years ago, when the world was much younger, they were great kings of Men. That is until the Dark Lord Sauron gave them each a ring of power. They were blinded by their lust for power, for the hearts of Men are the easiest to fall prey to evil. The rings, tainted by the evil of Sauron, enslaved them and they became the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths, destined to do the Dark Lord's bidding for all eternity." Saruman paused, for he noted that Ithildin had become quite still.
"These…These creatures who seek me…They are servants of the Dark Lord?" Ithildin gasped.
"Yes, and it is very fortunate that you escaped them before they could find you."
"They are not the only servants, are they? I was attacked by wolves at the Ford of Isen and my instincts told me that they too were there at the bidding of the Lord of Mordor."
"He has many spies and many servants. The Ringwraiths are one; these wolves that you speak of—wargs—are another. His army is made up of Orcs: fallen Elves that were tortured and mutilated and then bred by the thousands in their ruined forms. Right now, the Dark Lord is gathering as much information as he can. He has not yet taken physical shape, but each day, his power grows and his Eye searches for that which he lost centuries ago: The One Ring that could enslave all of Middle-Earth. He knows not what happened to it, but his spies will find out soon. My heart forebodes that his power will be greater than any others' in Middle-Earth: more powerful than the Elves, than the strength of Men, more powerful even than the Istari. I fear that those who oppose him will fall in their defiance."
A strange glint came into Saruman's eyes when he said this and Ithildin was struck by a sense of warning. There was more to this wizard than he was letting on. A feeling of unease had begun to grow in her when she stepped into Orthanc, but now it intensified. She should not be here. Suddenly, a thought flashed in her mind: 'He is not what he seems. You have walked into a trap. Saruman is on his side' and Ithildin knew it to be true.
She stood up. "I thank you for your help. My questions have been answered and I am indebted with gratitude."
But she could not escape so easily. Saruman stood up as well and when she had almost left the study, he spoke again in her mind. 'But you seek more than just these answers. Do you not, after all, wish to know your past? I can tell you everything and then you will know all there is to know about yourself.'
She hesitated. Her curiosity had been piqued. She had lied to Galadriel when she told her that her past did not concern her. It did. She had wanted for so long to know who her parents were, how she came to be and where her real home was. Was that not, after all, why she had undertaken this journey? Curiosity overcame fear and she turned back to Saruman.
"Can you really tell me all this?" she asked.
Saruman nodded. "Come with me," he said and he led her out the study. They walked down the passage and then, into a chamber with many doors that led to other halls. In the center of the chamber was a pedestal and the top of it was covered with a black cloth. Yet, there was something underneath the cloth, something round with a sphere-like shape. Ithildin stood at the doorway, but Saruman went ahead and walked towards the pedestal. He removed the black cloth and underneath was a brilliant black ball. It looked to be made of crystal, or glass, and it glowed with a pale light from within.
"This is a palantír," said Saruman. "It may reveal anything, all of which are true. Look into it and you shall find all your questions answered."