Tolkien owns everything except for Buffy who is the property of Joss Whedon
This was a hard chapter to write! Sorry it took so long and I hope everyone enjoys it. Once again, thanks for all the reviews!
Buffy vs. Saruman
A sharp, chill wind blew across the devastated grounds of Isengard. Buffy felt her cloak swirl around her legs and she fought to straighten it for a moment. The cloth swung free and she continued her climb up the steps of Orthanc. Gandalf and Theoden were just ahead of her while Merry and Pippin remained behind with Treebeard. Buffy glanced to her left and grimaced. She was stuck between Legolas and Aragorn. They had taken it upon themselves to ensure she did not go after Saruman by keeping her placed safely between them. From the moment she first saw the Black Tower she had felt it pulling her closer. She had to get inside. It looked exactly as it had her dreams, right down to the balcony that hung over the large entrance doors. Inside there would be a staircase cut out of the same slick black stone that the tower was made of and at the top of the stairs . . .
Thump, Thump, Thump
Buffy snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of Gandalf rapping his staff on the tower doors. When no answer immediately came Theoden attempted to open the doors but they were locked.
"Beware the voice of Saruman," warned Gandalf grimly before knocking upon the door again. "Saruman! Saruman come forth!"
"Who is it?" a voice said.
Buffy recognized the voice's owner immediately. Wormtongue. Legolas must have recognized it as well for his whole body went tense and Buffy thought she might have to hold him back. She moved to put a comforting hand on the Elf's arm but quickly pulled it back when she remembered she was mad at him.
"Go and fetch your master Wormtongue," Gandalf ordered.
"Well?" came a soft, melodious voice from above them. "Why do you disturb my rest?"
Buffy looked up to see a tall figure robed in white standing at the balcony above them. It was Saruman. In the flesh. She felt the wizard's eyes run over her sending a bitter cold shiver down her spine. The feeling was quickly replaced as the fire that had burned within her ever since Boromir's death suddenly flared with new life. She took a step towards the door but was held back by Legolas and Aragorn. She frowned at them and spitefully pinched Aragorn's arm.
"But come now," Saruman continued, "Two of you I know by name. Gandalf and King Theoden Lord of the Mark of Rohan."
The wizard stood almost directly over the company making it difficult for Buffy and the others to see him. They backed cautiously down the steep staircase until they had a better view.
"Why have you not come before Lord of the Mark?" Saruman was saying in his smooth, cajoling voice. "I have desired to see you for some time. Theoden, strongest leader of the western lands, allow me to give you counsel in these dark times. I could deliver you from harm and ruin if only you would turn from your current path."
Theoden remained silent though he often glanced at Gandalf who stood rigid before the tower. The Rohirrim began to mutter sounds of approval for Saruman as the wizard's spell started to work its way throughout the riders. Gimli burst forward and warned everyone of the wizard's trickery. Soon discussion abounded on the wizard's wickedness. Saruman rebuffed these verbal attacks with smooth, honeyed words. Suddenly, Theoden moved forward and spoke for the first time.
"We will have peace!" The King declared. "Peace will only come when all your works are destroyed Saruman! You lie and corrupt men's hearts. The lives of thousands of innocent people lay at your feet for which you will be repaid in kind one day. The hand you hold out to me to me is marked by the evil of Mordor and to take it would be to give myself and my people over to the dominion of Sauron. Take your hand back wizard for your voice had lost its charm!"
Buffy would have clapped if she had not been distracted by the look of anger on Saruman's face. The wizard began to spew forth violent insults at the King before ordering the Rohirrim to return to Rohan. Saruman was losing and he knew it. She saw the desperate gleam in the wizard's eyes as he tried to maintain control but failed.
" . . . For you are proud, Gandalf," Saruman continued, "Your eyes look deep and far. Will you refuse my counsel as well?"
"What have you to say that you did not say at our last meeting?" Gandalf replied. "Or perhaps you have things to unsay?"
Buffy began to feel restless. She was prepared for a fight not a conversation.
"Unsay?" Saruman answered. "I merely tried to offer you advice but you refused to listen. Too proud are you, Gandalf, and too in love with your own wisdom to heed mine. You misunderstood my intentions and I became impatient . . ."
Aragorn and Legolas stood seemingly enraptured at the war of words occurring between the two wizards. Buffy eyed them cautiously. They didn't seem to be paying any attention to her.
". . . friendship would benefit us both," Saruman continued. His eyes flicked momentarily to where Buffy stood. He was waiting for her, she realized.
". . . We must learn to understand one another. I am willing to reconcile for the common good of all so, will you not accept my counsel?" asked Saruman his attention back on Gandalf.
Blah, blah, blah, Buffy thought impatiently.
"Saruman!" Gandalf called. "You should have been a jester for your lies are very entertaining! Understand each other? You cannot comprehend what I am but I understand you very well. I remember . . ."
"To hell with this," Buffy muttered. She sprinted up the steps to the doors. Before she even laid a hand on the handle she was aware of the fact that although the doors had been locked against Theoden they would open for her. Giving the handle a vicious twist she wrenched the heavy doors open and slipped inside.
The door shut behind her with a clang and Buffy leaned against the wall for a moment breathing hard. She was inside the Black Tower.
* * *
The moment the heavy tower door closed Legolas felt his body released from the iron grip that had been holding him still. He ran up the stairs to the door with Aragorn right behind him.
"Buffy!" He pulled on the door with all his strength but it would not open. He pounded on its slick black surface but no response came from within.
"Legolas! Aragorn!" Gandalf called. "What is this? What are you doing?"
"It's Buffy," Aragorn answered. "She has gone inside!"
Gandalf whipped his head back towards the balcony where Saruman had been standing. It was empty.
* * *
Buffy slowly climbed the stone steps, her muscles tensed and her senses alert. It was cold in the tower causing her to pull her cloak closed. She reached the top of the stairs and took a deep breath. It was time. Passing down a short hallway she turned the corner only to be met by a pair of Orcs standing guard outside a wide doorway. Barely pausing to acknowledge them she pulled out her daggers. A hard kick sent one Orc crashing into the opposite wall while a flick of her wrist impaled the other on her dagger. She spun and sent her dagger flying with a precise throw. It landed with a sick thud in the throat of the remaining Orc.
"My dear," said a smooth voice from behind her. "You did not have to kill my guards. They were instructed to let you in."
Buffy slowly turned around to see Saruman standing in the doorway watching her closely.
"Come in," the wizard said walking back into the chamber. "I have been expecting you."
"I know," Buffy responded softly before stepping into the room.
It was exactly as she remembered. A circular chamber with slick, cold black walls and a high pedestal placed directly in the middle. And on top of the pedestal sat the palantir. Buffy felt her eyes immediately drawn to the stone and she stared blankly at it for a moment. Suddenly, she could hear Gandalf's voice in her head.
"It doesn't belong to him," he had said in her dream. "Take it."
That's why she was here, Buffy realized. Her dreams had been trying to tell her to take the palantir away from Saruman. If Saruman just happened to die a horrible violent death in the process. . . well, that was just an extra bonus.
"You!" hissed a dry voice.
She whipped her head to the right and found Wormtongue staring at her. The hard look in her eyes caused him to draw back in fear.
"Miss me?" Buffy asked.
Wormtongue drew in a sharp breath before turning and quickly disappearing into another room.
"Scaredy cat," Buffy said rolling her eyes.
"Have a seat," Saruman said motioning to a nearby chair.
"No thanks," Buffy replied pulling out her daggers. "I'm not here to chat."
"Put the weapon down," the wizard ordered.
"Uh . . . no," Buffy said taking a step forward. She felt her muscles freeze. Then she watched as her arm placed the dagger on the table. She frowned, she hadn't told herself to do that.
"Sit down," said Saruman.
Buffy sat down.
"Damn it," she muttered.
"How very brave of you to attempt to avenge your friend. You have failed, of course, but it is very commendable of you to try. So very heroic."
Buffy opened her mouth to respond but nothing came out.
"No interruptions, my dear." Saruman said.
Buffy felt her mouth close. She glared at the wizard.
"You have such potential," Saruman continued. "You could be great - You will be great with my guidance. By the time we are through having our little discussion I know you will see the wisdom of joining my side. A little convincing from myself and a nice long look inside the palantir is all it will take."
Buffy made a sound of disbelief.
"You are so close all ready . . . Slayer," he hissed the last word causing Buffy to start. "A creature of darkness is what you are. Why do you fight it? You hunt and kill in the dark yet you try to live in the light. I would make you my second in command and when the Ring comes to me - I mean Sauron - everyone would answer to you. Think of the power you could have."
She rolled her eyes at this while trying to look disinterested.
"You won't have to be alone anymore, Buffy."
Her gaze jerked up to Saruman's face before dropping to the floor.
"You are alone aren't you? They all leave you in the end. Your father, the demon with a soul, the soldier . . . There must be something wrong with you."
Buffy squeezed her eyes shut, as if by not seeing him she wouldn't have to listen. She could feel him digging around inside her head.
Saruman smiled at the look of pain on his victim's face. The first step in breaking a prisoner was to demoralize them and he had a feeling this would not be a difficult task. Her mind was ripe with doubts and insecurities. Once her mind was weak he would let her gaze into the seeing stone and Sauron would take of the rest.
"As a Slayer you fail as often as you succeed. You let your sister be taken by your enemy and your mother . . . well, you couldn't save her."
The image of her mother lying lifeless on the living room couch passed through Buffy's mind. She felt a lump rising her throat. Flinching against Saruman's intrusion in her thoughts and memories Buffy let herself take a deep breath. She had to get the wizard out of her mind, but how?
"You fight and fight and fight but you will never win, my dear. Because it never stops. It will never be over for you, not until your dead and maybe not even then."
Buffy could stand it no longer. To have your own fears and insecurities thrown in your face by your enemy was unbearable.
"It could be over now though," Saruman stated. "All you have to do is give in. No more pain, no more doubts. Think of it."
Her chest lifted as she took another deep, calming breath. She gathered her will and began building a mental wall around her thoughts.
"You still choose the path of defiance?" asked Saruman surprised. "Very disappointing."
The wall grew higher and thicker as Buffy concentrated on blocking him out. She started to push with her mind, trying to shove the wizard out of her head.
"What?! How?!" exclaimed Saruman.
Buffy opened her eyes and looked directly at her captor. Her whole body began to shake with effort but, with a final burst of inner strength she evicted Saruman from her mind and firmly closed the door behind him. He wouldn't be getting back in.
Saruman stumbled slightly from the force of Buffy's mental attack. She jumped up from her chair and before the wizard had a chance to regain his composure she sent a powerful kick right into his chest. He flew across the room and slammed into the stone wall. He lay stunned on the floor as Buffy grabbed her dagger off the table. She started to move towards Saruman's inert figure but she paused. She saw his eyes open and his fingers closed around his staff. He was already starting to come to and if she went after him she might not get her chance at nabbing the palantir. As much as she wanted to be the one to send the wizard to hell Buffy knew that wasn't why she was here. Reversing her direction she spun and ran to the pedestal.
"Grima," shouted Saruman as he began to pick himself up. "Get the stone! She mustn't take it!"
Wormtongue appeared and before Buffy could reach the pedestal he snatched up the palantir cloth and all. He turned and ran through a doorway with it cradled under his arm. She followed him into what looked like some sort of library. There were several tables with large, dusty books and scrolls piled on top. Wormtongue had stopped against the far wall with a set of narrow windows at his back.
"Give it up Wormy," Buffy ordered. "Don't make me take it by force."
His eyes widened and he recoiled in fear.
"On second thought, make me take it by force. I think I'd enjoy it."
Buffy leaped towards him and saw fear wash over his face. He tried to run but was trapped by large tables on either side and the wall behind him. Turning he saw the window and before Buffy could reach him he tossed the palantir out the window.
Buffy grinned.
"You fool!" Saruman's outraged voice came from the doorway. He stalked over to where Wormtongue stood shaking in fear.
"Why would you do such a thing?"
As Buffy backed carefully towards the exit she saw Grima throw his hands up.
"I panicked!" He cried turning his eyes to Buffy. She froze just inside the doorway.
"She frightens me," he whimpered pathetically.
"I will give you frightening you bumbling oaf! You have ruined everything!" Saruman yelled enraged.
Buffy stood watching Saruman's rampage with sick fascination. Poor Wormtongue.
Suddenly she felt a hand land on her shoulder causing her to jump in surprise. Before she could turn she was forcefully jerked out of the room and pulled into the hallway.