Lady of Gondor Ch 19 - Ride Now, to Ruin!
(Warning: Mentions but does not describe canon character death)
3-6 March, 3018; Isengard
-----------------------------------------
Those next two days were paradise for Mellamir, or at least as close to paradise as she could hope for with a war raging. Pippin distrusted her at first, but after Merry reminded him that a future thain should show a bit of respect for the sister of the man who saved his life, Pippin at last began to let down his guard. Because Pippin was, of course, a hobbit, letting down his guard meant loosing his tongue, and Mellamir provided a ready audience. She knew the little bits Gandalf had told her, that these halflings liked neat gardens, long walks under the trees, and parties; but beyond that, she couldn't tell a Bracegirdle from a Breelander, and she was ready to learn.
Far away at Helm's Deep, however, the men of Rohan had significantly less time for idle talk. After Gandalf left them Théoden led his men toward the far-off hills, and when the sun set not long after they rode on. As they approached Helm's Deep Gimli looked at the great rock and was glad of it. There they fought a terrible battle. Théoden had naught more than two thousand men and he fought as best he could through the night, but the Orcs and Uruks of Saruman outnumbered them five to one. Saruman had also sent wildmen, Dunlanders, who hated the Rohirrim. They were not many, but these wildmen held an ancient grudge against the Rohirrim and would not stop fighting until either they or the king of Rohan was dead.
They fought through the night, and at last the morning sun broke through the hills. As the first light broke a sound that had not been heard for a century came forth from the hills: the sound of Helm Hammerhand, the great horn of Helm's Deep, echoing out of the recesses. The Orcs and Uruks were amazed, and when Théoden, Éomer, Aragorn, and many other great warriors rode out to meet them, they backed away. Yet they did not back far, for they were hemmed in by a mysterious wood. And then Gandalf came at last, and with him many of Erkenbrand's lost company. The remaining army fled into the trees, and none were ever seen again.
That next afternoon Gandalf rode to Isengard. With him rode Théoden and Éomer and twenty of his royal guard, and also Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Théoden at first was sceptical why they should ride to Isengard with so few, and so Gandalf explained: Isengard had fallen and Orthanc was guarded by the Ents, who had sent these mysterious trees.
"Ents," Théoden said, almost to himself. "Then there is truth in the old legends?"
"There is more truth in old stories than in much men deem wisdom. But come, let us ride!"
~*~
While the men of Rohan fought Saruman's armies, Mellamir spent a day and a half listening to the halflings' tales (Merry had a few of his own, when Pippin let him get a word in edgewise). At last she asked, "So how did you come to Fangorn? The way Treebeard talked, I didn't think anyone ever went there, from east or west."
Merry took a deep puff on his pipe. "That may be near the truth," he said at last. "At least he seemed rather surprised to see us." Something about that made Merry laugh. "You remember that, Pip? 'Hoh-biht? Never heard of a hoh-biht!'"
"Aye, that was nearly the death of us, that was!" Pippin laughed. "I thought Treebeard was going to squeeze me into jelly. Would have been better for Bilbo to come through there instead of Mirkwood. Less dangerous, too --"
"Bilbo, Bilbo ... I've heard that name before, Bilbo ... where've I heard it?"
"He's a cousin of ours," Pippin answered. "Went off on an adventure with Dwarves, if half his stories're true."
"And he went through Mirkwood? But that's where Sauron --"
"Yes," Merry said, "he lived there a while ago. At least that's what Bilbo told me, and I trust him. Most of what old Bilbo learned, he learned from the Elves, or else from Gandalf himself. But Sauron, he's been in Mordor, out of Mirkwood, for a long time now."
"That's when it all started, isn't it?" Mellamir asked.
"Where, in Mirkwood? No, Bilbo had found the ring earlier, in the Misty Mountains. Won it in a riddle game from Gollum. Sméagol, they used to call him. Gandalf thinks he's some kind of a hobbit, but I can't believe it. He lived many a century past his kin, whatever he was, in a cave in the Misty Mountains. Bilbo found him there when he got separated from the Dwarves and won the Ring from him. Gollum left his cave to follow Bilbo and the Ring. Found out Bilbo was from the Shire, and found it, but never got in; I'm not really sure why. He sure enough followed us -- to Lothlórien, and down the Great River."
"He's still chasing the ring?" Mellamir asked.
"Him and the rest of Mordor," Merry answered.
As fascinated as she was by the hobbits, though, Mellamir really wanted to see Treebeard. So when Pippin dozed off after elevenses and Merry pulled out his pipe Mellamir excused herself and wandered off. After walking through the scorched landscape along the edge of the putrid pond for some time she found a lone cluster of trees -- probably the only trees left in all Isengard, she thought. As she approached the branches opened up, letting her through. These weren't ordinary trees but huorns, Mellamir realized; and where Huorns were, Ents were never far away, and that meant Treebeard.
"I wondered when you would come," a voice rumbled.
She ran forward and hugged him around his trunk. "Those halflings... they're a sight, that's for sure. But I've missed you." They talked about all that had happened since she had left Fangorn years ago and were deep in talk about how best to heal this part of the forest when they heard hoofs far off. Many hoofs, and approaching quickly.
They paused, a few dismounted, and then the rest rode on. Mellamir saw it was a great company, twenty-six strong, including Gandalf. Théoden, and Éomer.
"Treebeard," Gandalf said as he dismounted. "We return, at last."
Treebeard led them over to a table, laid with fresh fruit from Fangorn, roasted meats from the guards' shack, and spring water -- the hobbits had successfully raided Saruman's stores and chosen the best of what Treebeard called "man-food," but Treebeard had refused the ale they'd found. The company began to sit down, but Mellamir looked at Gandalf. "Where are the others?"
"Over with Merry and Pippin. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli tracked those two truants across Emyn Muil and Rohan all the way to Fangorn -- no small task, I assure you -- and they've just now found them sleeping and smoking pipes with Isengard crumbled at their feet!" He laughed. "They're fine. A bit put off, perhaps, but physically fine."
"But not all, Gandalf," said Théoden. "Many fell; Háma, for instance."
"Háma?"
"Yes," Éomer said. "He fell valiantly in battle." He looked out at the lake as he hungrily devoured the chicken in front of him. "Remember what you said? Sacrificing, if that is the only way to win?"
"Sacrificing," Mellamir repeated slowly to herself.
"He died valiantly," Théoden said, reaching his arm out to the guest who had become as a daughter to him. "If we had not fought, he would have died anyway. But men die in war. You know that."
Mellamir nodded coldly but said nothing.
Éomer looked around at the wasted land around him. "But it looks like ours was not the only battle yester-night."
"Never forget that," said Gandalf. "Even if it doesn't look like you have any allies, remember Sauron's war has many fronts. The Golden Lady's folk in Lothlórien are always fighting the Orcs on their borders, and the Mirkwood Elves have been fighting Sauron for years; at one time he lived there, and their land has still not recovered. And Glóin's folk are also constantly tormented, for many years now. You are looking at Saruman's ruin -- done by the Ents, living legends. You are not alone."
They sat around talking about the recent goings-on, about the Huorns and Helm's Deep and all that had gone on there, the great deeds of Aragorn, Éomer, Legolas and Gimli, and of the final charge of King Théoden and his men that finished off their foes; and Treebeard also told of the storming of Isengard. He, however, got increasingly frustrated as he would get out half a sentence and Éomer or Théoden would ask him a question and never allow him to finish his thought. Finally he grumbled, exasperated, "My, aren't you a hasty folk!"
"Yes, and with good cause," said Gandalf, "for we are pressed for time." He turned to Théoden. "Come, it is time. Who will come with me to face Saruman?"
They decided that Gandalf, Théoden, Éomer, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimi would go forward to represent the free peoples of Middle-earth. Gandalf, Théoden, and Éomer walked off to fetch the others while Treebeard and Mellamir carried the dishes over to a near-by spring and began to wash. While they washed they sang, or Treebeard sang and Mellamir listened. He sang of the Elder Days, of Yavanna and the coming of the first darkness. The deep songs wafted through the air until at last Saruman stormed out to his window. "Will you two stop --"
But Gandalf stood there, not far from the base of Orthanc, and Saruman saw him, and he was sore afraid, though he did not show it. He talked to the emissaries, each in their turn: first to Théoden, then to Gimli, and at last to Aragorn before Gandalf interrupted. And Mellamir away at the creak heard a mighty crack, and a few seconds later a great thud. Treebeard scooped her up and with great Ent-strides crossed Isengard to where Gandalf was taking a great rock from Pippin, who had been watching the scene a little ways back.
"A palantír!" Mellamir exclaimed as she climbed quickly down Treebeard and ran over. "But they were destroyed ages ago, at least all of them except the one in Minas Tirith."
"Hardly," Gandalf replied. "Gondor lost control of most of them as her influence waned, but many survived. Saruman had one, though I did not guess it. Ah, now I understand how he talked with Sauron so many leagues away, and how he knew my every move from Rivendell to Moria!"
"Gandalf, what happened?" Mellamir asked.
"Saruman is fallen. I cast him down, and I broke his staff. Treebeard, I need you to guard him. Do not kill him, but don't let him escape."
"Do not worry, Gandalf," Treebeard replied. "The Ents and Huorns will guard him well. He has killed trees."
"Good," Gandalf said quickly, turning to Mellamir. "I must go on to Minas Tirith. Denethor's situation is dangerous. Too dangerous for you. I want you to go back to Rohan with Théoden. But we will ride together at least as far as Helm's Deep."
"Gandalf, no. I want to go with you. One of my brothers is dead, and the other will be soon, if half of what you say is true."
"All the more reason for you to stay alive. We must prepare for every possibility, for success and for failure. If Gondor survives, but Faramir dies, you must live so that you can lead your people."
"I'm tired of being safe," she snapped. "Everyone always tells me to stay behind like a good little girl, then comes for me when the world seems safe again. But nowhere is safe. Saruman probably thought Isengard was safe, but look at it, it lies in ruins! When I went to Rohan it was safe, but not any more. If Sauron's arm is so long that he can strike me down wherever I sleep, then let me ride to battle so that my death will do some good."
"Mellamir, I understand what you are saying. Believe me, I do. I've known this war was coming for a long time now, but I had to wait until its time came. But trust me: you can fight in more ways than on a battlefield. You are destined to have a death, and a life, that means something." He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. "I want you to return to Éowyn. She needs you now more than ever."
Éomer stepped forward. "My lady, if you will ride with me, I would gladly carry you safely to my sister.
Mellamir looked at him and smiled. "You needn't carry me that far; just take me to Helm's Deep, and I'll ride Rimsul from there."
(Warning: Mentions but does not describe canon character death)
3-6 March, 3018; Isengard
-----------------------------------------
Those next two days were paradise for Mellamir, or at least as close to paradise as she could hope for with a war raging. Pippin distrusted her at first, but after Merry reminded him that a future thain should show a bit of respect for the sister of the man who saved his life, Pippin at last began to let down his guard. Because Pippin was, of course, a hobbit, letting down his guard meant loosing his tongue, and Mellamir provided a ready audience. She knew the little bits Gandalf had told her, that these halflings liked neat gardens, long walks under the trees, and parties; but beyond that, she couldn't tell a Bracegirdle from a Breelander, and she was ready to learn.
Far away at Helm's Deep, however, the men of Rohan had significantly less time for idle talk. After Gandalf left them Théoden led his men toward the far-off hills, and when the sun set not long after they rode on. As they approached Helm's Deep Gimli looked at the great rock and was glad of it. There they fought a terrible battle. Théoden had naught more than two thousand men and he fought as best he could through the night, but the Orcs and Uruks of Saruman outnumbered them five to one. Saruman had also sent wildmen, Dunlanders, who hated the Rohirrim. They were not many, but these wildmen held an ancient grudge against the Rohirrim and would not stop fighting until either they or the king of Rohan was dead.
They fought through the night, and at last the morning sun broke through the hills. As the first light broke a sound that had not been heard for a century came forth from the hills: the sound of Helm Hammerhand, the great horn of Helm's Deep, echoing out of the recesses. The Orcs and Uruks were amazed, and when Théoden, Éomer, Aragorn, and many other great warriors rode out to meet them, they backed away. Yet they did not back far, for they were hemmed in by a mysterious wood. And then Gandalf came at last, and with him many of Erkenbrand's lost company. The remaining army fled into the trees, and none were ever seen again.
That next afternoon Gandalf rode to Isengard. With him rode Théoden and Éomer and twenty of his royal guard, and also Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Théoden at first was sceptical why they should ride to Isengard with so few, and so Gandalf explained: Isengard had fallen and Orthanc was guarded by the Ents, who had sent these mysterious trees.
"Ents," Théoden said, almost to himself. "Then there is truth in the old legends?"
"There is more truth in old stories than in much men deem wisdom. But come, let us ride!"
~*~
While the men of Rohan fought Saruman's armies, Mellamir spent a day and a half listening to the halflings' tales (Merry had a few of his own, when Pippin let him get a word in edgewise). At last she asked, "So how did you come to Fangorn? The way Treebeard talked, I didn't think anyone ever went there, from east or west."
Merry took a deep puff on his pipe. "That may be near the truth," he said at last. "At least he seemed rather surprised to see us." Something about that made Merry laugh. "You remember that, Pip? 'Hoh-biht? Never heard of a hoh-biht!'"
"Aye, that was nearly the death of us, that was!" Pippin laughed. "I thought Treebeard was going to squeeze me into jelly. Would have been better for Bilbo to come through there instead of Mirkwood. Less dangerous, too --"
"Bilbo, Bilbo ... I've heard that name before, Bilbo ... where've I heard it?"
"He's a cousin of ours," Pippin answered. "Went off on an adventure with Dwarves, if half his stories're true."
"And he went through Mirkwood? But that's where Sauron --"
"Yes," Merry said, "he lived there a while ago. At least that's what Bilbo told me, and I trust him. Most of what old Bilbo learned, he learned from the Elves, or else from Gandalf himself. But Sauron, he's been in Mordor, out of Mirkwood, for a long time now."
"That's when it all started, isn't it?" Mellamir asked.
"Where, in Mirkwood? No, Bilbo had found the ring earlier, in the Misty Mountains. Won it in a riddle game from Gollum. Sméagol, they used to call him. Gandalf thinks he's some kind of a hobbit, but I can't believe it. He lived many a century past his kin, whatever he was, in a cave in the Misty Mountains. Bilbo found him there when he got separated from the Dwarves and won the Ring from him. Gollum left his cave to follow Bilbo and the Ring. Found out Bilbo was from the Shire, and found it, but never got in; I'm not really sure why. He sure enough followed us -- to Lothlórien, and down the Great River."
"He's still chasing the ring?" Mellamir asked.
"Him and the rest of Mordor," Merry answered.
As fascinated as she was by the hobbits, though, Mellamir really wanted to see Treebeard. So when Pippin dozed off after elevenses and Merry pulled out his pipe Mellamir excused herself and wandered off. After walking through the scorched landscape along the edge of the putrid pond for some time she found a lone cluster of trees -- probably the only trees left in all Isengard, she thought. As she approached the branches opened up, letting her through. These weren't ordinary trees but huorns, Mellamir realized; and where Huorns were, Ents were never far away, and that meant Treebeard.
"I wondered when you would come," a voice rumbled.
She ran forward and hugged him around his trunk. "Those halflings... they're a sight, that's for sure. But I've missed you." They talked about all that had happened since she had left Fangorn years ago and were deep in talk about how best to heal this part of the forest when they heard hoofs far off. Many hoofs, and approaching quickly.
They paused, a few dismounted, and then the rest rode on. Mellamir saw it was a great company, twenty-six strong, including Gandalf. Théoden, and Éomer.
"Treebeard," Gandalf said as he dismounted. "We return, at last."
Treebeard led them over to a table, laid with fresh fruit from Fangorn, roasted meats from the guards' shack, and spring water -- the hobbits had successfully raided Saruman's stores and chosen the best of what Treebeard called "man-food," but Treebeard had refused the ale they'd found. The company began to sit down, but Mellamir looked at Gandalf. "Where are the others?"
"Over with Merry and Pippin. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli tracked those two truants across Emyn Muil and Rohan all the way to Fangorn -- no small task, I assure you -- and they've just now found them sleeping and smoking pipes with Isengard crumbled at their feet!" He laughed. "They're fine. A bit put off, perhaps, but physically fine."
"But not all, Gandalf," said Théoden. "Many fell; Háma, for instance."
"Háma?"
"Yes," Éomer said. "He fell valiantly in battle." He looked out at the lake as he hungrily devoured the chicken in front of him. "Remember what you said? Sacrificing, if that is the only way to win?"
"Sacrificing," Mellamir repeated slowly to herself.
"He died valiantly," Théoden said, reaching his arm out to the guest who had become as a daughter to him. "If we had not fought, he would have died anyway. But men die in war. You know that."
Mellamir nodded coldly but said nothing.
Éomer looked around at the wasted land around him. "But it looks like ours was not the only battle yester-night."
"Never forget that," said Gandalf. "Even if it doesn't look like you have any allies, remember Sauron's war has many fronts. The Golden Lady's folk in Lothlórien are always fighting the Orcs on their borders, and the Mirkwood Elves have been fighting Sauron for years; at one time he lived there, and their land has still not recovered. And Glóin's folk are also constantly tormented, for many years now. You are looking at Saruman's ruin -- done by the Ents, living legends. You are not alone."
They sat around talking about the recent goings-on, about the Huorns and Helm's Deep and all that had gone on there, the great deeds of Aragorn, Éomer, Legolas and Gimli, and of the final charge of King Théoden and his men that finished off their foes; and Treebeard also told of the storming of Isengard. He, however, got increasingly frustrated as he would get out half a sentence and Éomer or Théoden would ask him a question and never allow him to finish his thought. Finally he grumbled, exasperated, "My, aren't you a hasty folk!"
"Yes, and with good cause," said Gandalf, "for we are pressed for time." He turned to Théoden. "Come, it is time. Who will come with me to face Saruman?"
They decided that Gandalf, Théoden, Éomer, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimi would go forward to represent the free peoples of Middle-earth. Gandalf, Théoden, and Éomer walked off to fetch the others while Treebeard and Mellamir carried the dishes over to a near-by spring and began to wash. While they washed they sang, or Treebeard sang and Mellamir listened. He sang of the Elder Days, of Yavanna and the coming of the first darkness. The deep songs wafted through the air until at last Saruman stormed out to his window. "Will you two stop --"
But Gandalf stood there, not far from the base of Orthanc, and Saruman saw him, and he was sore afraid, though he did not show it. He talked to the emissaries, each in their turn: first to Théoden, then to Gimli, and at last to Aragorn before Gandalf interrupted. And Mellamir away at the creak heard a mighty crack, and a few seconds later a great thud. Treebeard scooped her up and with great Ent-strides crossed Isengard to where Gandalf was taking a great rock from Pippin, who had been watching the scene a little ways back.
"A palantír!" Mellamir exclaimed as she climbed quickly down Treebeard and ran over. "But they were destroyed ages ago, at least all of them except the one in Minas Tirith."
"Hardly," Gandalf replied. "Gondor lost control of most of them as her influence waned, but many survived. Saruman had one, though I did not guess it. Ah, now I understand how he talked with Sauron so many leagues away, and how he knew my every move from Rivendell to Moria!"
"Gandalf, what happened?" Mellamir asked.
"Saruman is fallen. I cast him down, and I broke his staff. Treebeard, I need you to guard him. Do not kill him, but don't let him escape."
"Do not worry, Gandalf," Treebeard replied. "The Ents and Huorns will guard him well. He has killed trees."
"Good," Gandalf said quickly, turning to Mellamir. "I must go on to Minas Tirith. Denethor's situation is dangerous. Too dangerous for you. I want you to go back to Rohan with Théoden. But we will ride together at least as far as Helm's Deep."
"Gandalf, no. I want to go with you. One of my brothers is dead, and the other will be soon, if half of what you say is true."
"All the more reason for you to stay alive. We must prepare for every possibility, for success and for failure. If Gondor survives, but Faramir dies, you must live so that you can lead your people."
"I'm tired of being safe," she snapped. "Everyone always tells me to stay behind like a good little girl, then comes for me when the world seems safe again. But nowhere is safe. Saruman probably thought Isengard was safe, but look at it, it lies in ruins! When I went to Rohan it was safe, but not any more. If Sauron's arm is so long that he can strike me down wherever I sleep, then let me ride to battle so that my death will do some good."
"Mellamir, I understand what you are saying. Believe me, I do. I've known this war was coming for a long time now, but I had to wait until its time came. But trust me: you can fight in more ways than on a battlefield. You are destined to have a death, and a life, that means something." He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. "I want you to return to Éowyn. She needs you now more than ever."
Éomer stepped forward. "My lady, if you will ride with me, I would gladly carry you safely to my sister.
Mellamir looked at him and smiled. "You needn't carry me that far; just take me to Helm's Deep, and I'll ride Rimsul from there."