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The Doors of Isengard

Buffy waved a hand experimentally in front of her face. Her fingers caught in the thick mist that surrounded the company of riders. The cool, moist air caressed her hand for a moment before swirling away. Her eyes narrowed a little. Could be this be some trickery of Saruman's?

Just ahead Gandalf came to an abrupt halt. Before him the thick mist suddenly cleared and pale sunlight shone down upon them. They had come to the doors of Isengard.

Buffy felt her heartbeat increase and then her eyes widened in surprise. The massive doors had been ripped from their hinges and lay broken and twisted on the ground. Great piles of stone rubble could be seen through the archway. The thick wall that had surrounded Isengard was full of cracks and in some places had been torn down entirely. Just on the other side of the tunnel that passed through the wall the inner ring of Isengard was flooded with steaming water. Wreckage floated upon its bubbling surface. However, in the midst of all this the tower of Orthanc still stood.

The Riders sat silent on their horses struck by the awesome sight before them. Saruman had been dealt a grievous blow but none knew how this had come to be. A sudden movement from a heap of rubble that sat just before the archway caused Buffy to turn her eyes from the destruction of Isengard. Two small figures lay on the mound with cups and bowls scattered about them. One appeared to be asleep while the other lay back serenely smoking a pipe.

"Merry!" Buffy cried in delighted surprise. She was off her horse in a flash as she made her way to the Hobbit.

"Buffy!" The Hobbit said causing the other small figure to sit up and rub his eyes.

"Pippin!"

Buffy hugged Merry and then turned to embrace Pippin.

"Mmmmph," Pippin grunted before feebly tapping Buffy's shoulders. "Can't . . . breathe . . ."

"Oh!" Buffy released him immediately and watched abashed as he caught his breath. "I'm sorry, I got carried away."

"No harm," Pippin brushed his cloak off. "Hobbits are sturdy creatures."

"You rascals!" Gimli roared. "You wooly-footed truants! A fine hunt you have led us!"

For several minutes the sounds of a joyous reunion could be heard as the Hobbits met their friends again. Theoden was much amused by the presence of the little ones and could not help but smile as hugs were exchanged around the group.

"We are the doorwardens," Merry announced proudly. "Welcome to Isengard! Lord Saruman is closeted

with Wormtongue or else he would be present to welcome such distinguished guests."

"And is it Saruman that placed you here to guard the doors?" Gandalf inquired amused.

"Our orders come from Treebeard," Merry stated, "who has recently taken over the management of Isengard."

"Treebeard!" Eomer exclaimed.

"Yes," Pippin answered. "He is the Ent in charge."

Buffy suddenly remembered the large figures that had been all around her in her dream. It made sense now, they had been Ents. If her dream had been right about that what other events that took place in it would prove true? She just hoped she would be able to figure it out in time.

"So it was the Ents that wrought this destruction," Aragorn said impressed.

"Yes," said Merry, "and a fine tale it is to."

"I, for one, cannot wait to hear it," Legolas said.

"Unfortunately we have not the time for tales," Gandalf said. "Tell me Merry, where is Treebeard?"

"Oh," the Hobbit said vexed with himself. "I forgot he left a message. I was to say that if the Lord of the Mark and Gandalf will ride to the northern wall they will meet Treebeard there, and he will welcome them."

"Well, Theoden will you ride with me to meet Treebeard?" Gandalf asked.

"I will," he answered motioning for his Riders.

"Can't we stay here?" Buffy asked the wizard. Now that they had found Merry and Pippin again Buffy was not eager to be separated so soon.

"Certainly," the wizard answered. "We only ride around the outer ring. We should be back shortly."

Buffy turned back to the Hobbits with a grin. After the bleakness of the past weeks it was wonderful to find a happy moment. Saruman could wait a while.

* * *

Buffy followed Pippin and Merry as the two Hobbits led their friends into the tunnel that passed through the thick outer wall of Isengard. Hidden inside the wall of the tunnel was a wooden door that Merry swung open with a loud crash.

"Come," said the Hobbit. "We have plenty of food here. I know you must all be hungry."

"And after we eat," Pippin said, "we shall all have a good smoke. Treebeard came across some excellent Shire weed."

Thunk.

"Buffy?" Pippin turned around and looked at the Slayer. "Did you just run into the door?"

Buffy glared at the offending door jamb and rubbed her injured nose.

"I was surprised is all," she explained. "I thought I heard you say you had some weed."

"We do," answered Merry.

"I for one will love a good smoke," Gimli said sitting down at the wooden table in the middle of the room.

Buffy regarded the Dwarf and the Hobbits thoughtfully.

"This actually explains a lot," she said.

"A lot of what?" Pippin asked while piling food onto to the table.

"Um . . . never mind," Buffy shook her head as if to clear it and sat down next to Gimli. Her stomach growled loudly.

Legolas and Aragorn looked at her in shock. It seemed an awfully loud noise to come from one so small.

"What?" Buffy asked. "I'm hungry."

Soon everyone became involved in filling their empty stomachs and for awhile the small room was fairly quiet. After everyone had finished Merry and Pippin gave an exciting account of their capture and escape from the Uruk-Hai. They also described in vivid detail the Ents attack on Isengard and Buffy found herself completely absorbed in the tale. To have actually been here during the attack . . . She would have loved to have seen Saruman's face as the water flooded in.

She watched dubiously as Merry, Pippin, Gimli, and Aragorn lit their pipes and puffed quietly. Both Buffy and Legolas passed when the Hobbits offered their pipe weed. Thin, grey smoke soon rose from the pipes and Buffy was a little relieved as the smell of burning tobacco filled the air. At least it wasn't that kind of weed, she thought. The small room quickly filled with smoke and Buffy felt her eyes begin to sting.

"Must - get - air," she coughed waving her hand.

"I'll go with you," Legolas said following her out.

Buffy drew deep, grateful breaths of air as she passed through the doorway. She heard Legolas's soft footsteps behind her as she made her way out of the tunnel.

"Stupid second hand smoke," she muttered turning to face Legolas. The Elf was studying her face intently and before she knew it he had backed her up against the wall and was kissing her senseless. Her first thought was to protest but then she couldn't think at all. He was so warm and it was so wonderful to be close up against him. Several moments passed before he finally drew back and rested his forehead against hers.

Buffy slowly opened her eyes to find her arms wrapped tightly around Legolas's neck. How had they gotten up there?

"Buffy?" Legolas said softly.

"Mmm . . ?"

"Look at me."

Buffy's green eyes met the deep blue of Legolas's and they stayed that way for a minute. Just staring at each other.

"Please don't go after Saruman," Legolas said breaking the silence.

Buffy immediately stiffened and then pulled away.

"You know I have to," she said.

"No, you don't have to." Legolas stated. "You are going to get yourself killed."

"I can take care of myself!" Buffy said angrily.

"Not against a wizard! It is madness!"

"So now I'm crazy?!" Buffy crossed her arms stiffly.

"If you go after Saruman alone then, yes, you are!"

"Buffy! Legolas!"

Aragorn came striding out of the tunnel looking concerned.

"What is this? We could hear you all the way inside."

"We are having a difference of opinion," Buffy said.

"You are fighting with each other," Aragorn stated.

"She thinks to go after Saruman alone!" Legolas cried.

"You tattle-tale!" Buffy accused the Elf angrily.

"Buffy," Aragorn said, "we are not here for another battle. Gandalf only wants to speak to Saruman."

"If you think that I am going to be this close to Saruman and not go after him then you are the ones who are crazy! He is responsible for Boromir's death!"

"And you are not the only one who wishes revenge on Saruman!" Aragorn said. "His defeat is not up to you,

Buffy. We must trust Gandalf and he is not here to fight."

"Well, I am." Buffy glared at both Aragorn and Legolas. She didn't know how to make them understand. There was something she was supposed to do here. Her dreams had told her that much. She had to face Saruman.

Suddenly Legolas cocked his head to one side as if he heard something.

"Gandalf and Theoden return," he said.

"I'll go get Gimli, Merry, and Pippin," Buffy said stiffly. She spun on her heel and headed back towards the tunnel.

"Buffy!" Aragorn called.

"Let her go," Legolas said softly. "She is set on this course and will not altar it because of anything we say."

* * *

"They are coming," Saruman said grimly. The wizard sat in a dark corner and stared at the floor while hugging himself.

Grima Wormtongue stared at his master in confusion for a moment before crossing the chamber and stepping out onto the balcony. Cautiously crossing the flooded grounds of Isengard was a large company of riders accompanied by Treebeard. He drew in a sharp breath as he recognized the riders at the head of the company. It was Theoden. And Gandalf. Cold shivers of fear passed through his body at the thought of being confronted by his enemies. Saruman would protect him, he told himself. At least he thought the wizard would. Grima had to be honest, ever since the Ents had attacked Saruman had been acting very strangely. The wizard would sit silent in the corner and mutter to himself after spending hours gazing into the palantir.

"Yes," Saruman would say. "Look. See. Yes, he will take care of it . . ."

Grima hadn't a clue what Saruman was talking about. It had been days since the wizard had said anything coherent he had begun to wonder for Saruman's sanity.

A deep chuckle echoed off the stone walls of the chamber and Wormtongue turned to face his master.

"She is coming."