Chapter 14, Secret Place
By: SilverRose82
alexz
Callisto Star : Yup, it's a very interesting book, there's another one out there, I believe is just elvish but it's like $40. I'll check out that page, more sources to make sure everything checks out. Elves sadly don't seem to like pipe-weed..... check out In the Hall of the Wood Elf King by TreeHugger to find the humorous reason why.... It's in my Fave Story list.
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Bluejello : If you could believe, I was going to make her stay in Isengard, short..... It's been souped up greatly. The battle scene is probably one of my greatest accomplishments in this story.
Lady LightBenRG : That entire chapter was one of the hardest to work on, but I love how it turned out. That post battle outburst of Ren's I wasn't sure I was going to use it, I had written it around Chapter 4. Why was Ren chosen.... I believe that will be brought up in the chapters to come.
Comechatcha : Umm, I thought about bring her in, she may still appear, we'll have to see.
3/12
Erm, beside the fact that I had a lot of papers to write and a lot of tests to worry about. Along with not being able to sit down and just type. I was really sick last week so that is the reason's as to why this chapter had taken a grand total of three some odd weeks to write. Now on spring break I'm able to get the time to just sit an write. Even is this time of worry and in some cases fear. I don't fear what is happening, I don't care for it, but I will suppose the soldiers over there. That's all that we can do, pray that this war will end soon and the US soldiers can come home safely.
3/20
I'm once again sick, but at least I know my parents don't care. Say they'll get me food and come back with nothing. Gotta love them for forgetting about me. Haven't eaten since this morning, Micky Dee's Breakfast Burritos. Erm, what else. Enjoy. Sorry about the long wait.
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There was a thunderous noise beating against the sky, glancing around her Ren studied cobalt, wisps of clouds wafting, drifting. Standing on a rock cropping in the middle of deserted hills of green grass she could see nothing and she could see everything. No creature scampered over those hills, but something hunted her, her senses told her that much. Trying to glance into her foresight she could see nothing to answer her question of what creature called for her.
Pivoting once more on the grey stone, she decided to continue her trek, nothing bothered the golden green hills. The steady beating continued to drum on as she stayed on her course, she walked in silence listening to the steady drumming. Closing her eyes she allowed the wind to rush over her giving her word of the armies, Sauron was building. Rubbing her hand against her neck she thought back to days when she did not have to worry about constant armies of darkness. Days when she had been a carefree girl, though riddled with duty there had been normality in those days.
Transforming into Cosmos she unsheathed the Sword of Artemis, glaring into the hills she could see a pinprick of black a league away from her current position. That black speck rode fast against the wind as it drove to fall upon her, spinning the sword in a wide arc she let it disappear before calling for her speed.
A loud whinny could be heard over the drums as the ever needed white stallion appeared on a nearby hill crest. Smiling, Cosmos made her way to Helios grabbing the reins she pulled herself into the black leather saddle. Gazing at the black shadow that continued to make its way towards them she turned Helios to the north. Nudging the guardian horse forward the pair sprinted off into the grassy plains. She was not fearful, for she understood this invitation, that ever small piece of Chaos wanted her, wanted to rule Middle Earth. The balance would be broken should she appear, the delicate balance of light and darkness would tip in favor of light, if a battle was to rage between she and Sauron.
Once certain that their distance was great enough, she slowed Helios down not wanting to tire her friend out when his speed may need to rise at sudden notice. Gazing back into the south she could no longer see the black shadow that searched for her, had been searching for her since she past through Moria. Since she had gazed into the eyes of the Morgoth, the fiery demon spawn from Chaos him self.
"I did not believe that they would catch up with me this quickly." Ren mused silently as she and Helios continued their ride northeast, heading back toward the lands Isengard. Helios nickered softly as he continued to fly over the scape of green grass and blue cloud dotted skies. They stopped suddenly when the drums vanished, no longer looming in the distance, stopping Helios in mid stride the two turned to face the southern horizon. Ren gazed across the hill covered landscape, no shadow lurked in the distance. They had been called back, it was not time.
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Ren gazed upon Isengard from her perch on one of the mountains that surrounded the black tower. Barren muddy lands lay in the once glorious valley, deep chasms, with black grey columns of giant smoke towers, billowing out into the early morning sky. She could feel the pain of the trees of Fangorn as they cried out for lost friends, the huorns moving about, giant forests moving from one place to the next. Turning to gaze into the cloudless sky she could only pray that all would end well.
Her steady gaze once again landed on the black tower, days before she had felt electricity pulsate off the black tower. A strong force, a strength that she had only felt one other time in her life, it was not an evil power, but one to be cautious of but not fearful of. A groaning war cry brought the hardened soldier out of her musing, turning to gaze at the new mouth of Fangorn she could see dozens of Ents pouring out of the old wild forest. The tall shepherds cried out their pain and anguish as they saw the desolation that had befallen their cousins and friends. She could just make out the small forms of Merry and Pippin among the tall stunning Ents. She spotted Treebeard among the others; he was taller, older looking, leading the Ents to destroy Isengard.
"Strength, my old friend, you do not need. Guidance, you need naught, yet I shall watch as you tear into the black tower." Ren whispered as she watched dozens of Ents attack the outer walls of the Orthanc, the home of the white wizard, the betrayer of his order. For that she should have stripped him of his power, being the one who allowed him to gain his power of elemental magick. But better plans, plans that would humiliate the white wizard even more than her stripping him of his title, his power would ever cause him, made her not. Humiliation for a man who had brought shame onto an honourable title of wizard would make him realize that insulting his given title would not be taken lightly in the order.
A low roar made her turn once again, to gaze upon the Ents as they tore into the dam, the dam that kept the waters of Isen from flowing into Isengard. Boards groaned and creaked as pressure began to build up against them, threatening to break them into splinters if they did not loosen from the planks holding them into place. More boulders and large wooden boards were being tossed aside as the Ents worked to break the dam, free the water it held back. There was a silence, as the deafening roar of water rushed from its confines. The white wave of power surged once free, water spread out as it began to cover the grounds, falling into chasms like great waterfalls burning out fires and drowning the remaining creatures within.
The chasms that had once had great columns of black smoke and scolding heat lifting into the skies were now great giant combs of steam billowing out of slowly filling gorges. Black smoke was being replaced with billows of grey columns that surrounded Orthanc, the black tower of the white wizard was hidden by great tides of swirling grey mass, hiding the moon and stars from view of any that looked into the sky over Isengard. Gazing around she could just make out Merry and Pippin as they sat on the arch of the guard house, smiling silently she disappeared.
"Lonely you appear and weary." Ren whispered as she appeared before the two of them. Merry and Pippin jumped as they were startled out of their daze by their friend. "Sleep."
She lay the two down, covering them with cloaks and furs from her subspace pocket. Lowering herself onto the stone floor of the arch she pulled her legs up so her arms wrapped around her knees, laying her cheek against her knee cap she let her gaze linger on the hobbits. Turning to watch the waters flood the mud plains of Isengard, she closed her eyes, the torrent of muddy water was slowly coming to a halt, the rushing crash was slowly dying down leaving the night in silence. Turning to gaze up into the black carpet of space she could no longer see the moon, the steam clouds were wrapping around Orthanc hiding it and everything behind it. Listening silently she could hear the huorns, coming back from destroying the orcs and goblins that had injured their forest.
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Morning came soon for those wanting to feel the gentle rays of the sun, Isengard lay in destruction, waters flooded the land surrounding Orthanc. No one save Wormtongue and Saruman remained in Isengard that had previously lived in the valley. Silence rang over the group as Treebeard begin to wake the other Ents. Their trumpet like voices stirred the hobbits from their sleep. Merry and Pippin looked up to gaze at Ren, the elven woman was staring at Orthanc, nothing else seemed to pass through her. Nothing bothered her as she kept her silent vigil over the black tower, gazing into hidden windows searching, searching for someone who knew to stay hidden.
"Morning." Ren smiled as she turned to face the hobbits, crossing her arms over her chest she turned once more to watch Treebeard and Quickbeam make their way over to where they were. Standing in silence on the arch to one of the watch houses. Ren smiled as she studied the two Shepherds, had this not been a dire situation Ren was sure that she would have taken a nice stroll through Fangorn with some of the Ents. Visiting them, talking to some that were becoming Treeish as Treebeard liked to call it.
"There are words of riders around Isen." Treebeard spoke as he gazed at three, turning to the hobbits he belayed to them a message that they needed to give to Théoden and Gandalf when they arrived. Murmuring about finding clean water to drink, the two Ents slowly made their way to where clean water would be. Nodding at this, Ren gazed around the landscape, drifting boxes bobbed in the waters as they slowly past in the soft current. Watching this Ren shook her head, the waters were receding, gazing around she spotted where the chasms would have been, to the far south low clouds covered the ground, a fog was beginning to roll in.
"Should go look for some food." Merry muttered as he thought about everything that would needed to be done to host the king with grand food. Pippin nodded as they slowly began to climb down from the roof of the guard house. Ren followed a bit more slowly as they made their way around dry patches, climbing onto a bolder that had been thrown into Isengard by an Ent she watched Merry and Pippin sort through the drifting boxes. Pippin cried out in glee as he pulled two boxes out of the water and onto some soggy but dry land. Pulling open the lid of one of the two boxes he pulled out some dry pipe weed. Ren smiled as she watched him dance around in joy before closing the lid of the box and dragging them into the guard house Merry had been searching.
After searching the drift for about an hour the two hobbits nestled down beside Ren, bellies full of what food they could find, cups full of wine and ale beside them. Ren holding her own small glass of sweet white wine was studying the landscape once more, the riders that Treebeard had spoke of should arrive soon. However, the fog was probably keeping them from making too much ground. Fearing what could be, should they ride off the traveled path an into the surrounding forest.
The sound of beating hooves made them glance up, seeing nothing in the still silver mass of cover. Merry stirred from his midmorning nap, Pippin still sleeping at his side. Ren had vanished into the rock cliff behind them, her star staff gripped tightly in her hands as she leaned against the glass for support. The fog appeared to split before them as the riders of Rohan appeared from the gloomy mass. Merry nudged Pippin awake as he stood, gazing at the riders that appeared before them.
"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!" Merry called out as he greeted them, politely as any hobbit would be. "We are the doorwardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, is overcome with weariness here is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable guests."
Gandalf laughed at the matters at hand as he spoke to Merry about the why they were guarding Saruman's door. There were sullen words between the two as Pippin fidgeted under the gaze of those around him. Drawing in a deep breath of pipe weed he glanced around, he saw Gimli and Legolas upon Artemis, the white stallion pawed at the ground below onyx hooves. Turning around, he could just make out Ren, standing rigid before the black walls of Orthanc, her staff gleaming with internal light.
"Treebeard, has taken rule over Isengard, I am to welcome the Lord of Rohan with fitting words." Merry spoke up as he glanced up at Gandalf, the wizard sat proudly upon Shadowfax's back, the gleaming white meara nodded his head as he stood silently, his onyx eyes looking past them.
"And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me? You rascals, you woolly-footed and wool-pated truants! A fine hunt you have led us! Two hundred leagues, and we find you feasting and idling and smoking! Where did you come by the weed, you villains? I am torn between rage and joy!" Gimli cried out as he glared at the two, Merry and Pippin only glanced at each other before taking a deep breath from their pipes. Smiling at Gimli's outburst they only shook their heads before Pippin glanced behind him once again. Bright azure orbs stared back at him calmly, he could just make out the star staff before turning back around to listen to Legolas and Gimli continue to speak.
"One thing you have not found in your hunting, and that's brighter wits," Pippin laughed as he watched Gimli glared at him halfheartedly. "Here you find us sitting on a field of victory, amid the plunder of armies, and you wonder how we came by a few well earned comforts!"
"Well earned?" Gimli cried out as he stared hard at the hobbits before him, plates and cups discarded around them. There was laughter among the riders as they watched the four meet up again after many days and worry. Théoden studied the hobbits in earnest never before believe that the legends were true. There was a clicking of glass against stone many of the riders glanced up at the noise as the Lady Ren made an appearance to the crowd. Smiling at the hobbits below her she curtsied low, before jumping off the rock platform to stand beside Merry and Pippin.
"Ah, the Lady has made it to Isengard even before we are able to set foot in the barren waste land of the once glorious home of the white wizard Saruman." Gandalf greeted her with a nod of his head. Ren did not even turn to listen to him as she let the wind speak to her, nodding her head she turned to look at the king of Rohan. "Where is Treebeard, Merry?"
"On the north side, I believe. He went to get a drink, of clean water. Most of the other Ents are with him." Merry looked less interested in giving away the location of the Ents that he did speaking of hobbit ways. Glancing over his shoulder he watched the steam waft off the lakes that had formed when water was brought into Isengard once more. The language of the Ents were heard loudly even with the distance between the two groups.
"It is past noon, and we at any rate have not eaten since early morning. Yet, I wish to see Treebeard as soon as may be. Did he leave me no message, or has plate and bottle driven it from your mind?" Gandalf spoke as he glanced at the two hobbits standing before him, Merry looked up at Gandalf and nodded as he glanced around the group silently, biding his time before answering the question.
"If the Lord of the Mark and Gandalf ride to the northern wall they will find Treebeard there. I may add that they will also find food of the best there." Merry told them with a deep bow, glancing over at Ren he saw her amused smile on all that was taking place before her.
"Théoden, will you ride with me to find Treebeard?" Gandalf asked as he turned to the king of Rohan, Théoden turned and smiled nodding his consent the two left to head for the north wall where Treebeard would be waiting.
"A fine old fellow, very polite." Pippin smiled as he turned to make his way over to where Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were still standing. The riders that had come with them leaving to rest their horses or find food and a place to sit for their selves before anything truly was to began.
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"Why they search for a soul who can kill them with no more than a mere thought, confuses me. They have no chance of capturing me. Soul less creatures that were easily swayed by the power of the rings they were given. You do not have the power of the soldiers, yet you have the foresight that rivals next to mine. We shall never truly see eye to eye for our souls shall always clash. Even now the future of Middle Earth is changing. Many who were to die will not and have not, the lies told to me by Fate and Destiny have waned and severed. However, this quest is to far into its path for me to change."
"We walk a narrow path, any sudden move can break it and make it crumble. There is a simple choice one which will forever change the courses set by the divines. One which has too fallen into a severed path. Of which you know I speak."
Ren turned gazing into the shadows that surrounded her, leaving the small bed room she had closed herself within she smiled softly as she watched the hunters enjoy a well earned meal. Placing a hand on Merry's shoulder, she nodded thanks to the hobbit before leaving the guard house. As she past through the door she grabbed her cloak, with a wave in Pippin's direction she disappeared out of the house and into the fog. Vanished from sight with each step she made, being covered by the swirling mist of grey mass that had rolled into Isengard that morning. She listened for sound, hearing none she knew that the Ents were off watching, guarding other parts of Isengard.
Shaking her head, she slowly started to make her way to where the horses had been tied, not wanting them to run off within the fog and never be seen again. Making her way down the line of horses she past by many, all quietly waiting for their riders to need their assistance once again. She past Artemis, the old advisor looked agitated as he continued to pull at the tether tying him to the post. Glaring at him for his impatience and behavior she grabbed onto the rope, her hand began to glow a navy gold with hints of forest green swirling within. Shaking his head, Artemis lowered his eyes to watch as the energy slowly traveled the length of the leather lead. Lowering his head in defeat, knowing now that there was no way for him to break the rope that help him.
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There was a silence as they slowly made their way to Orthanc, Ren followed behind the others, wary of what awaited them at the end of their path. She could make out the herds men as they past out of view into the cover of forestry shadow. Surrounding Orthanc, watching from afar in hopes that Saruman would leave the confines of his black tower. Her gaze never leaving the ground they walked upon, studying each stone and soil that they neared.
Looking up she glanced at the riders before them, looking past them she gazed up at Orthanc, even with the attack made by the Ents the night before nothing but splinters showed for their anger upon the wizard who had destroyed their land, people, and friends. She watched as Gandalf rode up, paying little attention to the wizard as he spoke to the others. She searched the windows, small windows, hidden well within the black stone walls. Brought out of her search by the movement of her companions she followed silently not needing to go any father then the stairs at the base of Orthanc. She need not speak, nor see the wizard Gandalf and Théoden left to speak with.
Sitting down next to Merry and Pippin she kept a close eye on the riders. They were fearful as they sat, watching their lord stand before the doors of Orthanc. Turning to listen to the hobbits, she knew that she could no longer truly call them hobbits, should they meet again with Frodo and Sam they would stand taller. Non of the four would truly ever be hobbits again, this quest stripping them of what made them hobbit folk. She had only heard the last of Pippin's question to Merry, frowning she turned to gaze at the rail. Saruman would come speak soon, the riders would be swayed. She watched silently as the wizard appeared at the rail, taller than Gandalf he was, leaner, but his looks were shrouded by an aura of dark greed and power, his eyes, black diamonds against a bed of snow.
"Two of you I know by name. Gandalf I know too well to have much hope that he seeks help or counsel here. But you, Théoden Lord of the Mark of Rohan, why have you not come before, as a friend? Much have I desired to see you, to save you from the unwise and evil counsels that beset you! Is it yet too late?" Saruman spoke softly, lulling the men under his spell, turning their thoughts around to go against Gandalf. Believing that the wizard standing on the rail above them was true in his speech and his kind words. Ren stood silent as she continued to peer from Saruman to the others standing below him. She watched as Théoden seemed to once again be taken by his words and power, Gandalf however, made no move to halt Saruman's words.
"In the language of Orthanc help means ruin, and saving means slaying." Gimli cried out as he broke the silence that Saruman had placed the people in. His outcry angered the wizard standing above him, making him loose the front he had been playing to allow the riders to see him and not the lie he played for them.
"I say, Théoden King: shall we have peace and friendship, you and I? It is ours to command?" Eomer spoke to his lord, gazing at Théoden, not knowing how his lord would react. Would the old king be swayed once more by Saruman's sugar coated lies. Théoden stood quietly looking as though he wished to speak but not knowing what words he needed to form to reply.
"We will have peace," Théoden cried out as he gazed solemnly at Saruman, his men cried out behind him but he paid no mind as he locked his gaze on Saruman alone. "We will have peace, when you and all your works have perished. You are a liar, and a corrupter of men's hearts. I fear your voice has lost its charm."
The riders were startled by their kings words, words the began to shake them from the hold that Saruman held on them. Many more were awaken to Saruman's anger as he was turned down by a mortal man. A mortal man who he had not been able to corrupt once again to bend to his will. His eyes left the company standing below him to those standing at the court before the stair case. His eyes flickered as he saw the silver soldier, her eyes dark with hatred and disappointment, turning his gaze to Gandalf. The wizard standing proudly next to Théoden continued to stare straight ahead, at the doors before him whether that up at Saruman.
Standing behind Merry and Pippin she listened to the two wizards speak, Saruman's kind gentle words were now becoming twisted with anger as he and Gandalf continued their talk. Saruman still believing Gandalf to be below him, still not able to see the truth hidden behind closed doors. She could hear the straining of Saruman's voice as he tried to keep calm in a situation that was turning worse, for him. Gandalf he could never be able to sway, the will power he held alone was strong enough to rebuttal Saruman's tries.
"Surrender to me the Key of Orthanc, and your staff. Then you shall be free to leave." Gandalf called up to Saruman, the older wizard grew angered by these words, giving up the items the made him strong and channeled his power and control. Items on which he would not release to another's care no matter it be to some stronger than he. Saruman turned no longer wanting to stand in the company of those who were no use to him tried to go back into Orthanc. Ren smiled, the betrayer was to get his sentence, one she was gladly not having to hand out.
"I did not give you leave to go," Gandalf called out as everyone watched, more shocked than others that Saruman did do as Gandalf commanded. Against his will the white wizard once again moved to stand behind the rail gazing at Gandalf. Saruman looked tired, his fate looked uncertain as he gazed at Ren, she stood tall, her eyes never lingering from the platform he stood upon. Gandalf let his cloak fall from his shoulders allow for Saruman to see the robes that he was now garbed in. No longer was he the grey wizard that Saruman had tried to turn, and now Saruman was to learn that, he had been trying to trick a wizard that was stronger than he. "I am not Gandalf the Grey. I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no colour now, and I cast you from the order and from the Council. Saruman, your staff is broken."
In the silence that surrounded Gandalf's words, a loud crack was heard, echoing thought the land as the black staff that Saruman held split between his grasp. The wooden staff lay on the ground, where Saruman had once stood, the banished man fleeing into Orthanc. No one dared to move as a spherical object fell from where Saruman had been, everything that it hit seemed to crack under its power. Rolling down the steps Ren studied the black crystal sphere, fire seemed to glow within its core. It continued to roll down the stairs, stopping just before tapping the toe of her boot. Bending down she picked the globe up, studying it, she tossing the crystal sphere into the air before moving up the stairs to give it to Gandalf. The wizard took the globe without hesitance and wrapped it within his cloak so no others would be able to gaze into the stone.
Her gaze was knowing, as she turned from the wizard and made her way down the stairs, no sound was made by her step. She stopped beside Merry and Pippin, once more, before making her way through the riders and towards the gate. The others followed slowly after her, any rider that had not over come Saruman's words had been freed of his hold when the staff had broken. There was an outraging cry within the upper holds of Orthanc as they left to pass through the gates once more. Before them, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas were left in wonder as they first lay eyes upon the Ents. Treebeard stood in the front speaking in hushed tones to Ren.
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Sorry about the month long wait for this chapter to get out. I've not had the best three/four weeks of my life. The only enjoyment of sorts was when I found out my friend was better of what ever had caused her to go into the hospital for the last five months.
There sadly will be a three month or so break in this story, as I work through the last three months of school, the hardest three months of school. Stories have a back burner to my school work. But I will come back with a vengeance and more than likely have the remaining chapters written and ready to upload.
Review, Thanks, and Goodnight:
~*~ SilverRose82 ~*~