A/N: My week away ended much faster than I hoped, but I'm back again. Oh, joy, I hear you shout, followed by muttering voices saying get on with the story already.
CHAPTER SIX: ISENGARD
"Shopping's done," Malcolm called out, as he put the last boxes in the wagon.
"Where are we going now?" Dewey asked, as he tried on his new boots.
"South, again," Malcolm said as he threw his new cloak over his shoulder.
I had to get one. It's not as good as that elvin cloak but I still look good.
"I met a guy who put a down payment on the rest of the barrels. His boss is some bigwig. All we have to do is drop the rest of the stuff off and we're home free."
"Does that mean we can do whatever we want?" Reese asked.
"Exactly. I've figured it out," Malcolm told his brothers. "This pipeweed is a goldmine. We still have six barrels, and we already have enough gold to buy another horse and wagon."
"Gold?" a voice said from behind them. "Would you care to share it? Gold can buy you protection on a long trip."
Malcolm looked at the man, who made a hand movement, a sign that Strider had taught him. "I'll be back shortly, guys," he said as he walked away from the wagon with the stranger.
"Malcolm is playing Junior Ranger again," Reese said, and both boys laughed.
"Is that like Boy Scouts?" Dewey asked.
"I don't know," Reese said with a puzzled look, while Dewey watched the clouds form his name.
*
"There is trouble this far south, young one," the Ranger told Malcolm. "Where do you head from here?"
"We were planning on going further south. We have six barrels to deliver. We're making a killing."
"Dark forces are on the move. You have been very lucky, and I have been watching, but I must leave. I wanted to warn you of great danger."
"We'll be fine," Malcolm assured the Ranger, "our next stop is Isengard."
"You are fool enough for you and your brothers," the Ranger hissed. "Isengard is why all these people are fleeing north, or hadn't you noticed?"
Uh, no I haven't. I got used to seeing people wandering around.
"Mister, we don't have much choice. Some guy came by and put a down payment on what we have left. We'll try and go in and get out just as quickly, but we have to go."
"And you will keep your eyes open?" the Ranger mused.
"I promised Strider," Malcolm said cautiously. "Where do you think we should go from there?"
"I am heading south myself," the Ranger told him, "I was not planning on going by Isengard but perhaps I should join you after all. It could prove to be an interesting trip."
"We have room in the wagon, I guess."
"I have a horse," the Ranger mused.
"My name's Malcolm."
"Well met, Malcolm, and I am Radagast."
*
"It's hard, Stevie," Pippin said into the phone. "I feel like I'm the cause."
"Don't . . . be sad," Stevie told him, sharing his grief. "Gandalf did . . . what he . . . had to do. He . . . was fighting . . . for the . . . greater good. It was . . . fated . . . to happen."
"And my fate?" Pippin said bitterly.
"The same . . . as his, . . . to fight . . . for . . . the greater good."
Pippin nodded his head even though Stevie could not see. "You're right, Stevie. I have to keep trying, or Gandalf would have died for nothing." Consoled, he put the phone away, and looked at Merry. "I'll still miss him, Merry."
"We all will. But Stevie was right, we have to go on, for Gandalf's sake."
Meanwhile, in a distant world, a young black boy in a wheelchair was crying for no reason. It was all a story in a book before this, but talking with Merry and Pippin made it feel real. Stevie knew that Gandalf would return but that did not ease the pain. He would have to wait until he could share in his friends' joy.
*
"I'm sorry, Francis," Eric told his roommate.
"I'll tell them next time I talk to them," Francis said, "but it's weird. I can't feel sad about it. I mean, this guy stood in the way of an actual monster to save everybody else. They should write books about what he did."
"You're right," Eric said in awe. "What a way to go."
*
"What's wrong, Radagast?" Malcolm asked his new friend.
"There has been a disturbance in the Force, my young friend."
He didn't just say that?
"Excuse me?"
Radagast laughed slightly. "Dewey has been sharing his fantasies with me. I thought that phrase had an interesting sound to it." In a serious tone, he added, "One of my brothers has slipped behind the veil. I can no longer see him with my inner eye."
"Do you mean he's dead?"
"Not dead. I had two brothers die a long time ago, but this feels different. He was taken out of this world but not by death. Nor has he faded from my sight as does my remaining brother. He is gone, but I do not think he will stay away."
"Mister Radagast, you are just a ranger, aren't you?"
"Only a ranger, dear Malcolm, but I am very close to my family."
"I believe you," Malcolm lied.
*
Galadriel of Lothlorien watched as the hobbit and his companions slept. Frodo Baggins did not like the visions he saw in her mirror. As she stood there, the phone began to ring. The elf quickly removed the device from the travel bag and pressed the appropriate button. She smiled, thinking it fortunate she could see into the minds of mortals.
"Merry, It's Francis. I'm sorry to bother you, but the guys insisted I let you know how we feel."
"Your thoughts will be a comfort to your friend, Francis. I will give him your message. He and his companions are sleeping now, and will recover their strength."
"Thank you, Miss? . . ."
"I am called Galadriel, young man. It may amuse you to know that I am an elf and a leader of my people, but you had best turn around and tell the lady behind you that she has beautiful eyes."
"You lost me on that. What am I supposed to do?"
"Turn around, Francis." Galadriel smiled to herself and pressed the button to disconnect the call.
"That was weird," Francis said as he hung up the phone.
"That's `cause your friends are all freaks, College Boy," Lavernia yelled. "Now help with the customers."
Francis turned around and saw a young girl his age standing there, looking totally annoyed. "You have beautiful eyes."
The girl fumed at him. "You keep me waiting fifteen minutes while you run your mouth, and then you come out with that load of bull."
"What load of bull," Francis yelled back. "You do have beautiful eyes. In fact you have the most beautiful eyes I ever saw."
"You tell 'er, kid."
"Thanks, Pete." Francis turned back to the girl and said in a soft tone. "I'm sorry. I was having a weird conversation, and then I turned around and saw you. The words just blurted out. My name is Francis, Ma'am. How may I help you?"
"My name is Piama. Tell me more about my eyes."
*
"Malcolm, is Radagast a wizard?" Dewey asked.
"How would I know? I don't know what a wizard is anyway. I only saw one and he was laughing at us."
"Well, he talks to the horses like he understands them. And I saw him talking to birds, too."
"There's your answer, then. He's what they have for a veterinarian."
"Like Doctor Dolittle?"
"Exactly?"
"Can I drive the wagon after lunch?"
*
"So what's it like being a wizard?"
"Am I that obvious, Reese?"
"If I can figure it out, you must be, but I guess you want to keep it a secret."
"Not really, but I do not want it bandied about. Saruman at Isengard is my brother wizard. He will know me if I appear, but I need to know how much he has changed. That is why I wormed my way into sharing your journey. I do have one advantage over my brother, though. He has always deemed me simple."
Reese smiled knowingly. "I do that all the time. It does make things easier, but sometimes I forget to think."
Radagast laughed. "Sometimes it is not worth it to think about anything."
Reese joined in the laughter, then asked, "You talk to the horses. What do they think?"
"They like the warmer weather as we move south. They also like you and your brothers. You take much better care of them than their former master. I should warn you, they didn't like it when you made Dewey go barefoot, even if it has been an unseasonably warm winter."
"We bought new boots as soon as we made enough money," Reese said defensively, looking nervously at the horses.
"I explained it to them," Radagast assured the much relieved boy. "I believe your brothers are ready. Shall we continue our journey?"
*
"We will travel light," Aragorn told Legolas and Gimli. "We will do our best to save Merry and Pippin, but I fear we shall avenge them."
"We are ready," Gimli said. "I would only wish to know if our quest is in vain."
"You speak for all of us my friend," Legolas said. "This has been an ill-fated day, but we may yet hope."
As they began to leave, a ringing noise came from one of the hobbits' packs. Aragorn reached into the pack and pulled out the phone but it had stopped ringing by that time. "Youngling," he said to the air, "you should take better care of your things. I am amazed that you would lose this, yet more amazed that our hobbit friends could keep it a secret."
"That is Malcolm's device," Legolas said as he looked at the phone in the ranger's hand. "He has a friend . . ."
"Stevie," Aragorn said. "I've talked with him. He will know if our quest is in vain."
"Is this Stevie a wizard? Where is he?" Gimli asked.
"He is a wizard by my reckoning, but he is very far away. He talked with me by means of this device, but I do not know how to use it to communicate with him."
"I do," Legolas said, "On my journey to Rivendell, I watched our young foundling as he called his friend, and his brother." Legolas pressed from memory the buttons that Malcolm had pushed, then handed the phone to Aragorn as the phone began to ring.
"Hello, Kenarban residence," a lady answered.
"Well met, my lady. Might we speak with Stevie?" Aragorn said.
"Who are you?" Mrs. Kenarban said in a suspicious tone.
Aragorn looked confused. "Did you press the correct buttons, Legolas?"
"I think I understand," Legolas said, remembering his conversations with Malcolm and his brothers. He gestured for the phone, and prayed that his perfect memory was exactly that. "Mrs. Kenarban, this is Mr. Legolas. I'm calling to discuss a literary project Stevie is doing for the school. Is he there by any chance?"
Aragorn and Gimli were doing their best to stifle their laughter at an elf acting so unelflike.
"Yes he is," the lady said, "but who was that other man?"
"Oh, that was Mr. . . . Strider, my associate. He has poor communications skills, but he has excellent attributes in other areas. I apologize if he disturbed you."
"I only want to know what you said," Gimli told the elf.
"I said that I wanted to talk to her son, that it was related to a book he was reading, and that our good friend Aragorn does not know how to use a phone."
"That . . . was funny . . . but who . . . are you?"
"You must be Stevie. Mae Govannen. I am Legolas Greenleaf. I am told that you know of me."
"You're . . . an elf," Stevie said with excitement.
"Indeed, and I must now ask you to speak to someone you have talked with before."
"Well met, Stevie," Aragorn said into the phone. "We took the time to try to reach you because we have an important question."
"Where . . . are you?"
"Amon Hen."
"Is . . . Frodo there?"
"He and Sam are already across the river and heading for Mordor. I need to ask about Merry and Pippin. Will we find them alive or dead? Do we hunt or pursue?"
"Uh . . . uh . . . pursue," Stevie said with trepidation.
"I will ask no more of you, my friend, but this I did need to know. Our task will be easier as there is indeed hope."
"Strider . . . did you . . . hear from . . . Malcolm?"
Aragorn let out a friendly laugh. "I have perhaps good news. The Lady Galadriel told me that he and his brothers are in the west. They have a cart and a horse and they have become merchants of sorts."
"They're . . . working . . . together?" Stevie asked in surprise. He was laughing when he hung up the phone.
"What we thought is true then," Legolas said.
"We may have to run all the way to Isengard, but we will rescue them," Aragorn said cheerfully.
The three companions broke camp. Free of all doubt, they raced in quick pursuit of the Urak Hai.
*
"Doesn't look like much," Dewey said as they came in view of the tower of Orthanc.
"It looked nicer in the old days," Radagast said. "That was when it was surrounded by woods and gardens."
"It looks like a factory town," Malcolm said. "But what would they make here?"
"War," Radagast said. "Shall we visit my brother?"
"I have to ask why we're doing this. It doesn't seem like a good idea."
It used to, when we were miles away and thinking only about the money.
"I need to know if my brother has been lost forever. That is why I go. You go because of honor and need. Together, I think we both will be able to leave. Do you trust me, Malcolm?"
I hate this. But he is right. This guy made a down payment. If we can get the rest of the money from him, we can go anywhere. Well, anywhere safe. I don't know what honor has to do with it.
"Sure."
"Reese, Dewey, I have to ask you the same question."
Reese smiled. "You're so much like my brother Francis. I trust you."
"Me, too," Dewey said. "After all, Clip and Clop trust you."
I'm not joking. That's what he calls the horses. And get this, they answer to their names.
"Then let us ride into the viper's den."
Radagast rode in front, with Reese, Malcolm and Dewey following with the wagon. As they passed into Isengard numerous orcs would stop to stare at them, uncertain how to act toward these intruders. As they neared Orthanc, a tall man with multicolored robes descended the tower.
"Well, brother," Radagast said to Saruman, "You have taken war to heart. I would never have thought of need for all of this. But look. I met these merchants and led them here. They have business with you."
"The pipeweed," Saruman said with a smile as he looked at the boys. "How many barrels do you have?"
"Six," Malcolm said as he handed over the invoice.
We were lucky. We speak the same language but we write differently. All I had to do was figure out what letters went where. It was easy.
"Such a price," Saruman said as he looked at the bill. "But well worth it. I suppose I should pay you. My servant will show you where to store five barrels, then he will lead you to me with the sixth. I will have your gold waiting for you." He turned back to Radagast and said, "Let me show you what I have been doing, old friend. I hope you can appreciate it."
"Follow me," a short skinny orc told the brothers and led them to a storage shed. "On the second floor," he told them and stood by looking at the horses while Reese and Malcolm struggled with the barrels.
"Do you like your job?" Dewey asked. "Do you get paid much? You don't have a dental plan. I can tell. Do you get a vacation?"
"I do what the master tells me," the orc said. "If he tells me to kill you I kill you. If he tells me to let you live, then . . ."
"That's not much of a life. Did you ever consider changing jobs? I've found retail to be a very good occupation although it involves a lot of travel."
"Do you think so? I don't have many skills. I can kill. I can follow orders. I have great endurance. I can kill."
"You might try a related field. I know a lot of places could use a security guard, especially someone who can present a tough guy image. But you got to remember this. You're the boss when you're on the job. Don't settle for being a minimum wager."
"Security? You may be on to something. I have a cousin in Mirkwood . . ."
"Where's the ugly guy?" Reese asked as he and Malcolm finished with the fifth barrel.
"He decided he hated his job. He quit," Dewey explained.
Malcolm wiped the sweat off his brow. "Great. How do we know where to take the last barrel?"
"I asked him. You just go up those steps and turn left. You can't miss it."
"Those steps?" Malcolm yelled, "That's like twelve flights up in a single run. We're going to be dead by the time we get up there."
"Let's go," Reese grumbled. "Let's get it over with."
*
"Do you see, brother? We must bow to the higher power. We must submit to Sauron."
"I understand," Radagast said, giving a clever wink, "I will follow your lead." He winked again, much to the annoyance of Saruman, once the White, now the Many-Coloured.
"I appreciate your sentiments," Saruman said with irritation.
"Just tell me what you want me to do," Radagast said eagerly. "I can go anywhere. Wait, I know. I can go with those merchant boys. It will be a great disguise."
"How clever you are," Saruman said in delight at the thought of getting rid of his dim-witted associate. He would pay those boys after all and usher them out of the tower as soon as possible.
"Watch out Dewey. You're in the way." Reese yelled from the doorway.
"I'm helping."
"No, you're not," Malcolm yelled. "You're standing in front of the door."
"I'm holding it open."
"It was open already."
Dewey let go of the door which promptly closed.
Saruman listened as he heard Malcolm say from the other side, "Open the door, Dewey."
"I told you so," Dewey replied.
"There," Saruman pointed when the boys entered, and the boys placed the barrel in the corner of the room. He handed Malcolm a small pouch. "That should be more than enough. Thank you. I believe you know the way out. Radagast will show you. After all, he will be traveling with you."
"He will?" Malcolm said.
"I will," Radagast said happily, "I will explain it to you on the way. Lord Saruman is VERY busy." He turned back and winked, while Saruman smiled weakly.
As the door closed behind them, Saruman muttered to himself, "He is a most irritating person. I pity you boys." He then laughed and added, "better you than me."
*
"You were an inspiration," Reese said once they were safely away and heading west. "I have seen and done a lot of things but that was pure art. You had him hating you just enough. He was glad to get you to leave."
"It involved taking the three of you with me," Radagast said, "which is why you are here as well."
"He's that bad?"
"He would have killed me if he did not think I was of some use. You were an excuse to get me to leave."
"There's no hope for him, then?" Malcolm asked
"I see none. His end will come soon however. My friends have already told me that much. And now I must leave you. I have my own work to do."
"We'll miss you," Dewey said, wiping his eyes.
"And I will miss the five of you as well."
He would include the horses.
Radagast pointed out the trail to the boys. "This will lead to a road when you reach the bottom of this hill. From there you may want to head north. You could head back to the Shire or Bree when the road forks, or head further west and try your luck. Pirates are abroad in the South, so do not go that way, although that is where I am bound. And do not stay here any longer than you have to."
With a final glimpse at desolate Isengard, Radagast rode south. The boys began to leave as well when Dewey pointed back at the tower. "Guys, look at the trees."
"What about them," Reese said as he looked across the valley from their vantage point.
"They're getting closer."
"He's right," Malcolm said. "You can tell by looking at the edges of the forest. Those trees are moving."
"Let's go," Reese said nervously. "We should really be going."
"Great idea," Dewey said before Malcolm could, and all three boys scrambled into the wagon. They were already on the road heading north by the time the first Ents reached the Tower.
Two nights later, the three boys huddled by the fire. Clip and Clop were set free to roam for forage. The horses had already proven they would be back and ready to go by the time the sun rose. Malcolm was preparing the meal when a shriek was heard overhead.
"Quick, dose the fire," he called out.
A harsh voice spoke out of the shadows. "It is too late for that. We have already found you. The Master will want to know what has happened."
"Where? What?" Reese stuttered. "We don't know anything."
"The smell of Isengard is still on you," the voice hissed. "You will come."
Screeching sounds came again as three pairs of reptilian claws grabbed the three boys and carried them up into the air. The dark rider who spoke to the boys turned and mounted his own beast, and followed his fellow Nazgul in their flight east.
*
Clip and Clop wandered back into camp just before dawn, only to find it empty. They looked around briefly, then spotted some clover. They did not worry until several days later when there was no longer any clover nearby. Only then did they wander off.
