They rode fast and hard, the shadows of Fangorn arising towards them in the distance. Aria frowned as they continued their journey, for alongside the road and all among the grasses, lay huge numbers of Orcs, arrows stuck in their throats and backs. They came into the first eaves of the forest as night began to fall, and it was there that the travelers saw the fire that the Riders had spoken of, the wisps of smoke still billowing in the air. They dismounted and tied their horses to stakes in the ground and began to search the field of battle. But by the time night was upon them, they had found nothing, no trace of Merry or Pippin. "We can do no more Aragorn. It is more than likely that the bones of the hobbits are among those of the Orcs." Gimli said sadly. "This will be sad new for Frodo to hear, if he lives, and also for the old hobbit waiting in Rivendell." Legolas murmured quietly, his eyes roving about the place. "Elrond was against their coming!" Gimli said suddenly, loudly. "But Gandalf was not." Legolas said patiently. "But Gandalf came himself and he was the first to be lost! His foresight failed him." Gimli protested. "Do not speak such words of Mithrandir." Came a soft voice from the shadows. Legolas and Gimli turned to look at Aria. She leaned against a tree, her eyes unfocused and staring. But as they looked, she raised her eyes to theirs. "Mithrandir's counsel was not founded on his foresight of safety, for us or the others. You should not speak such words." Aria repeated, her voice soft. "I shall not depart from this place as of yet. We will wait till the morning." Aragorn said, eyeing the stone face of Aria as she stared into the ashes of the fire that the Riders had made.
They made their camp in that place and wrapped blankets around themselves for warmth. Gimli muttered under his breath as he rubbed his hands together before he spoke out loud. "Let us make a fire! I care no longer for the danger!" He said. Legolas nodded and turned to Aragorn. "If the hobbits are lost in the woods, the light may draw them here." He said hopefully. "It may also draw more than Orcs or hobbits. We are too near to Saruman, and it is said that it is dangerous to touch the wood of Fangorn." Aragorn countered quietly. "But the Rohirrim were here and cut down trees for wood for their fire! And they passed through without peril!" Gimli protested. "That is a completely different matter Gimli." Aria said quietly. "Aria is right. The Rohirrim were many and they do not heed the wrath of Fangorn because they do not come here often and they do not go under the trees. But our path leads us deep into the forest. Cut no living wood!" Aragorn said.
Gimli muttered but said nothing more as he picked up dead wood chips that had been left by the Rohirrim. Before he began to arrange the woodchips, he suddenly looked up at Aria. She looked at him expectantly as he eyed her, chewing his lip. "What is it friend Gimli?" Aria asked, smiling at his hesitation. "Its just that, you are a sorceress. Could you not start a fire for us without having to use wood?" He asked. "We must not use magic for such trivial things. But for the important things." Legolas said, seating himself beside Aria. "And this isn't important?" Gimli asked. "Not as important as using magic upon our enemies." Legolas insisted. Before Gimli or Legolas could begin another fight, Aria stepped in. "Friend Gimli, I would be glad to make a fire, but I fear I cannot do this without wood." She said gently. She lifted her finger to touch a stray woodchip. A small flame rose from the chip and Gimli hurried to transfer it to his small pile of chips.
Finally he got a small blaze growing and the companions warmed their hands by it. Finally though, weariness got the better of the companions. Gimli was chosen to stand watch and as the others slipped into sleep, Aragorn called out, "Remember Gimli, do not cut any living wood and do not search far for dead wood. Let the fire die rather." He mumbled. Gimli nodded and stroked his axe as he stared into the fire. Legolas lay back on the ground, his eyes open, but his mind slipping gently into sleep as elves do. He had forgotten about Aria, and for this she was grateful. She did not want to trouble her companions any further than they had been troubled. Sleep did not come so easy, and she sat up against a tree near Legolas and Aragorn, her blanket drawn about her shoulders, her eyes wide open, her heart weary and worried.
Sleep had almost overcome her, but she snapped to attention as she heard a cry from Gimli. Gimli jumped to his feet in surprise, his eyes staring in the distance. Aria did so as well as she saw the figure that stood before them: and old man, his body leaning on a staff, wrapped in a great cloak, his wide-brimmed hat pulled over his eyes. Legolas and Aragorn, roused by Gimli's sudden motion, leapt to their feet as well. "Come father, if you are cold, warm yourself." Aragorn called out. But he soon realized he was speaking to the wind, as the old man had disappeared in the darkness. Aria suddenly cocked her ears and whirled around to face Legolas. He looked at her grimly. "The horses." He said as they both took off into the clearing where the horses where kept. They were gone. They had dragged their pickets and disappeared.
Aria shook her head as she stared at the scene, the others running up behind them and staring in shock. "Well, they are gone. We cannot catch them. They must return to us. So we shall continue on foot. That is how we began, and that is how we will continue if we must." Aragorn said firmly. "Yes, but we cannot eat our feet as well as walk on them." Gimli grumbled, tossing some twigs into the fire and watching the flames lick at them. Legolas laughed as he watched Gimli's slumped form. "Only a few hours ago you were unwilling to sit on a horse! We shall make a rider of you yet." He said with a smile. "It looks as though I won't have the chance. But you know what I think? I think the old man was Saruman. Who else would it be? After all, Eomer did say that he went about like an old man, hooded and cloaked. And he has taken our horses as well." Gimli said reasonably. "Yes, but he had a hat, not a hood. But still, your words make sense. There is peril here, but there is nothing we can do but rest and watch. I will take over the watch now Gimli. I do not think I can rest tonight." Aragorn said, taking his place by the fire.
Aria turned and sat back against the tree, drawing the blanket around her shoulders. As she did, her fingers bumped the clasp of the green leaf-brooch that had been given to her and her companions on her departure from Lothlorien. She did not smile at the memory, but simply undid the clasp and held it in her fingers, her fingertips running over the smooth green surface. "Will you not rest?" Legolas' smooth voice startled her, as it whispered right beside her ear. She turned to face him, his back against the tree she rested against, his face turned towards her. "I will find no rest here. My soul is troubled." She whispered. Legolas frowned and pulled his blanket around him. "Why is your soul troubled?" He asked. Aria shrugged and focused on the brooch in her hands. "I know not. I am troubled about many things. About Saruman, who has obviously visited us, about the horses, Pippin and Merry, the Ring, Sam, Frodo, and, and Gollum." She whispered, her eyebrows raising as the figure's face came into her mind.
"Gollum?" Legolas whispered, his tone filled with disgust. "Yes, Gollum. He has something to do with Sam and Frodo. He has returned, but I know not what has happened. He haunts my dreams, his voice ever shouting for his Precious. I fear that he has more to do with this journey than we think." Aria murmured, her face crumpling at the memory as she remembered the hideous creature's face and haunting words. "I will find no rest here." She whispered once more, holding the brooch to her chest and looking out into the darkness. Legolas stared at her face, this woman, this queen, and thought deeply, trying to discern the thoughts of his heart.
The next morning saw the company already awoken and searching the grounds once more for signs of the hobbits. "I wish that old man had left a boot-print." Gimli muttered as he searched the ground. "Why is that?" Legolas asked, scanning the grasses. "Because then I could be at ease knowing that he was no more than he seemed to be." Gimli replied. "Perhaps, but even a heavy boot might not make a print here, for the grass is deep and springy." Legolas countered. "Yes, but still, it would not puzzle Aragorn. He can discern many things we cannot. But even he I do not expect will find any traces of our mysterious visitor. It was Saruman and no mistake." Gimli said firmly. "Yes, but there is the puzzle of the horses." Aria spoke out. Aragorn nodded and took up the subject. "Gimli, you said that you suspected that the horses had been scared away. Legolas, did they sound like beasts crying out in terror to you?" Aragorn asked, turning to the Elf. "No actually. They sounded as beast happy to receive an old friend." Legolas said, confusion overtaking his tone. Aragorn nodded and ran his hands along his sword. "It is a greater puzzle then. One I cannot discern. But we must move on. As we go, we will search for the hobbits, for they are our first priority." Aragorn spoke this, and they moved on, moving deeper into the forest.
Aragorn ran ahead of the others and looked about intently. Then all of a sudden, he dropped to the ground, calling to the others. They ran to him and looked upon the scene. "Here is a mallorn-leaf of Lorien, and small crumbs on it, and a few more crumbs in the grass. At last we find a clue." Aragorn said happily. "And look! Some pieces of cut cord over here." Aria called out. "And here is the knife that did the job. It was an Orc-weapon." Gimli said, looking at the knife with disgust. "This is entirely strange. Even more strange than the other things we have encountered. A bound prisoner escapes from the Orcs and the Riders, then stops, cuts his bonds with an Orc-knife. But how did he walk? And if his arms were tied, how did he use the knife? And if neither were tied, why did he cut the cords at all? Then he sat down and ate some waybread! That at least shows that he was a hobbit, even without the mallorn-leaf." Legolas said, shaking his head. "And then I suppose he grew wings and flew into the trees!" Gimli scoffed. "What do you say Aragorn?" He asked.
"I say that Legolas' description is accurate for the most part. I agree that he was a hobbit and must have had either legs or hands free when he came here. But I think it was hadns, because he was carried to this point by an Orc. Orc-blood lies a little way away, along with deep hoof-prints. The Orc was slain by the horsemen and hauled to the fire. But the hobbit was not seen. Later, he cut his bonds, ate some lembas and crept away. At least we know that one of them was alive. I hope though, that both of them were here together and both are safe. Now, either they were carried into the forest, or they ran away, this I do not know." Aragorn said. "I don't know what daunts me more: the Fangorn or the long road through Rohan." Gimli murmured. "Then we shall go through the forest." Aragorn decided.
It was not long before they found fresh signs. Hobbit foot-prints surrounded a small area. Aragorn smiled with satisfaction at his success as Legolas peered into the trees. "This place, it is so old. So very old. So old that I almost feel young again. I could have been happy here, had I come during a time of peace." Legolas murmured, his palm resting on the trunk of a tree. Aria smiled as Gimli snorted. "I dare-say you could! After all, you are a Wood-Elf, the two of you! But Elves of ANY kind are strange folk. But you comfort me for some reason. Let us go." Gimli murmured, his voice growing softly as he spoke. Legolas gave Aria a knowing smile as they watched the Dwarf soften visibly in front of their eyes. "Two sets of footprints. This is good but they are at least two days old." Aragorn said, shaking his head. "We could have arrived here all safe together had we left a few days earlier. But no one can see all ends." Aria said sadly. "Yes but we did not originally wish to come to Fangorn." Gimly protested. Gimli squinted at Legolas' face as it suddenly sobered and he leapt to the ground from the treebranch that he occupied. "And yet here we are, and caught as well. Look." He whispered.
The entire company peered into the trees that Legolas pointed towards. "What? I have not Elf-eyes Legolas!" Gimli protested. "Shh. Do you not see him? He moves from tree to tree." Legolas whispered. Aria followed his gaze and saw the thing, indeed moving from tree to tree, an old man, his grey rags fluttering in the dank wind. "Yes I see him now! Did I not warn you Aragorn? The old man has followed us!" Gimli hissed. Aragorn searched into the forest and finally saw the old man enter the open, getting closer to them step by step. "Gimli, calm yourself. Now is not the time for panic." Aria murmured. "Your bow Legolas! Get it ready! You too Aria! It is Saruman! Do not let him speak! Unless you want him to cast a spell on you!" Gimli bellowed.
Legolas and Aria both lifted their bows and an arrow, but did not fit the string. They simply stared at the old man. Gimli looked up at them in shock. "What are you waiting for! Shoot!" He hissed. "No, we must not. Not without giving him a fair warning." Aragorn said. The group waited for the old man, who to their surprise, quickened his pace, till he stood right in front of them. His face they could not see, as it was covered by a hood and a hat. There was silence for a long time, till the old man spoke. "Well met indeed, my friends. I wish to speak with you." He said softly, stepping closer to them. "Now! Stop him Legolas or we'll be killed!" Gimli cried. "Did I not say that I wished to speak with you? Put your bows away Elves!" The man uttered. Aria and Legolas' hands fell limp at their sides. "And you Master Dwarf, take your hand from your axe until I am up! You will not need such arguements." The man muttered as he climbed the hill.
When he finally reached the top of the hill, he came towards them. "Well met, I say again. And what may you be doing in these parts? A Man, a Dwarf, and two Elves, all clad in Elvish fashion. No doubt your tale is worth hearing, as such things are not seen often." The old man said. "You speak as if you know Fangorn well. Am I right?" Aragorn asked. "Oh no, I come here once in a while." The man said, raising his hand. "Might we know your name and what you have to say to us?" Aragorn ventured again. "As for what I would say, I have said it. What may you be doing and what is your tale. As for my name," The old man began to laugh loudly. Aria raised her eyebrows and looked to Legolas. He stared intently at the laughing old man. "My name! Have you not guessed it already? You have heard it before. Yes you have. But what of your tale?"
The companions were silent and unmoving. The old man chuckled. "One would guess that your story is not worth telling, but none the less, I will tell it if you will not. You search for your friends, Halflings, or hobbits as you call them. Yes hobbits. Of course I know what they are. They climbed here the day before yesterday and met someone they didn't expect. Does that comfort you? I suppose you would like to know where they were taken. But why do we stand. Obviously your journey is not as urgent as you thought." The old man finished, seating himself on a flat stone. Gimli's hand went once more to his axe and Aria and Legolas' hands to their bows. The old man took no notice, but spread apart his cloak, showing his garments' color: a pure white.
Gimli picked up his axe and ran towards him with a roar. "Saruman! Tell us where our friends are or I'll make such a dent in your hat that even you will have difficulty getting it out!" He yelled. The old man leapt to his feet and stood towering above them, his white garments shining. There was something familiar in that figure, in the way he stood, something that struck Aria. He raised his staff, and Gimli's axe fell to the ground. Aragorn's sword burst into flame. Legolas raised his eyebrows in alarm and shot his arrow in the sky as it burst into flame. Aria and Legolas knew then without a doubt, who this man was, and his true purpose. Legolas and Aria ran towards him, Legolas calling joyfully, "Mithrandir! Oh Mithrandir!" Aria rushed to him, unsure of whether or not to even touch him, or caress his hand as she had done in the old days, but her eyes shone with gladness.
Gandalf chuckled as the Elves rushed to him. "Well met, I say again Legolas." He said with a smile, winking at the elf, who stared in wide-eyed joy. As his deep blue gaze came across her face, Aria saw in the depths, the permission to do what she wished. Instantly, her hand was on the old, wrinkled one, her fingers clasped between his own gently. "Gandalf, it is good to see you again! And you return to us when our need is so great!" Aragorn said happily, finally walking over to Gandalf. Gandalf smiled and glanced at Gimli. "Get up my good Gimli! No blame to you and no harm done to me. Indeed my friends none of you has any weapon that could hurt me. Be happy, for we meet again at the turning of the tide." Gandalf said with a smile.
"Gandalf! You are all in white!" Gimli cried out. "Yes I am in white now. Indeed I AM Saruman as he should have been. But now tell me what has happened. Tell me of yourselves." Gandalf said urgently as the other sat down beside him, almost like children around a father. Aragorn started the tale from whence they had left Khazad-Dum, then finished at the present time. Gandalf was silent for a time, then rewarded the company by telling them of Saruman and what had transpired for him since they had last left him, ending with his journey to Lothlorien on the back of the Windlord Gwaihir. "And the Lady bid me to give you all messages. To Aragorn, I was told to say this:
Where now are the Dunedain, Elessar, Elessar?
Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?
Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth,
And the Grey Company ride from the North.
But dark is the path appointed for thee:
The Dead watch the road that leads to the Sea.
And to Legolas, she sent this:
Legolas Greenleaf long under tree,
In joy thou has lived. Beware of the Sea!
If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more."
Then Gandalf fell silent and shut his eyes. Aria looked to Legolas, his face full of trouble. He finally turned to her, questions in his eyes. "What does she mean Aria? What does she mean?" He whispered. Aria's eyes were filled to the brim with worry, for she knew the meaning of the words, but she dared not to say them to him. "Then she sent me no message?" Gimli's quiet voice asked softly. "Dark are her words, and little do they mean to those that receive them." Legolas said quietly. "That is no comfort." Gimli protested. "What then? Would you have her speak openly to you of your death?" Legolas asked. "Yes, if she had nothing else to say." Gimli countered. "Your pardon, Gimli! I was pondering the messages. But she indeed sent words to you, but they are neither dark nor sad.
To Gimli son of Gloin,
Give his Lady's greetings.
Lockbearer, wherever thou goest,
My thought goes with thee.
But have a care to lay thine axe to the right tree!"
Gimli grinned broadly and thanked Gandalf. "It is a good time that you have returned Gandalf! Welcome are your words!" He said happily. Aria stood off to the side, smiling at the dwarf's happiness before Gandalf turned to her. "The Lady also gave words to you my Lady, if you would hear them." He said quietly. "I would Gandalf." She said quietly. Gandalf frowned as he began to speak, and as he did, all eyes fell upon Aria and the wizard.
Aria of Lorien, go where you will,
But remember my protection is with you still.
The road will divide in two separate ways,
The road you shall travel goes many days.
Be wary of danger, a darkness so deep,
Of wickedness and a figure from whom evil seeps.
His voice so sweet and gentle, it lies.
The evil can all be revealed in eyes.
Most of all, distrust the color gold and the secrets it holds,
For its luster soon burns, fades, and grows cold."
Even as Gandalf spoke, Galadriel's voice echoed the same words inside Aria's mind. She knew not what her sister spoke of, but she kept it in memory to be used in time. Legolas cocked his head as he watched Aria's reaction. She did not speak, but merely glanced up at Gandalf and nodded. "Come, we must go. There is need of haste." Gandalf said, standing, wrapping himself in his cloak. They all walked down the hills till they made their way back to the grasses beyond the Fangorn. "The horses have not yet returned. It shall be a weary walk." Legolas said, shaking his head. "I shall not walk. Time presses." Gandalf said, lifting his head and giving a long whistle. He whistled three more times, then the sound of hoofs came to the companion's ears. Four horses rode up from the distance, one they recognized as Hasufel, the other Arod, and the last, the white Noron. But the one that lead them, they did not recognize. "What a magnficent horse. I have never seen his like before." Legolas murmured. "Nor will you ever again. He is Shadowfax and never has a greater horse been seen anywhere. We are going to battle together." Gandalf said lovingly.
"It is a long way from Rivendell, my friend. But you are wise and swift and come at a time of great need. Far let us ride together and never be separated again in this world." He whispered as the horse's nose came up on his neck. "We must go at once to Meduseld, the house of your master, Theoden." Gandalf said, addressing the horses gravely. The horses bowed their heads at the sound of his voice. "We shall ride now friends. Hasufel shall bear Aragorn, and Arod Legolas. I will set Gimli before me and we shall ride on. Time is pressing." Gandalf said, helping the dwarf on Shadowfax and rising up himself. "Now I understand a part of the riddle last night! Whether the horses fled from fear or not, they met Shadowfax, their leader and greeted him with joy. Is that not right Gandalf?" Legolas asked, rising upon Arod. "Yes, it is. I bid him to make haste, swiftly may he bear me now." Gandalf said. The others rose upon their horses, but only Aria lingered momentarily on the ground. Gandalf spoke to Shadowfax and the horse set off. "Come Aria! We must go!" Legolas called from the back of Arod. Aria blinked and looked at Legolas as if she had awoken from a dream, then rose upon Noron and caught up with the others.
They rode a fair distance before Gandalf pulled Shadowfax to a stop, the others doing the same. "There lies the Gap of Rohan. It is now almost due west of us. That way lies Isengard." He called out. "I see smoke. What might that be?" Legolas asked. "Battle and war! Ride on!" Gandalf called out, urging Shadowfax on. Aria stayed Noron a moment, her eyes studying the Gap for a long time, the words of her sister ringing in her head,
The road will divide in two separate ways,
The road you shall travel goes many days.
Be wary of danger, a darkness so deep,
Of wickedness and a figure from whom evil seeps.