Toiling roads
They did not find out til just before they were about to leave that Háma, Théoden's captain was killed, and the king mourned his death. Demi too grieved the loss, though she had hardly known him. Hamilcar was there also, and he mourned, for Háma had first instructed him whence he began his duties, not long over five years ago. Demi comforted her new friend. After the earth was cast upon Háma's grave, and all was in order, the king gave the signal and the refreshed host were off again.
"Great injury indeed has Saruman done to me and all this land." The king said before they left. "And I will remember it, when we meet."
The sun was setting amongst the hills and had a great picturesque look about it. Like a breath of fresh air after being underwater for a short while. A revival. Never again would Demi take such things for granted.
The king and his men that accompanied him were a great number, for few would none their king to go off to certain death. Many had to be ordered to stay behind with Erkenbrand.
Soon they came down from the dike and were met by a great host of the people of the Westfold who had come out of the caves. They rejoiced and sung at the victory, yet when they saw the trees they fell silent. They feared them for a reason unknown to Demi. She thought it rather strange actually, but shrug it off.
When the company came to the wood, the men and horses halted. Neither wished to go through them. They were rather scary looking trees, but they were just trees. Thought Rhia. "Geez!" she said aloud, and didn't realise she did until it was too late. All looked to her at her sudden outburst. "They're just trees!" she said.
It was dark under the woods canopy. Dark and mysterious, yet something else was there, something Demi could not decipher. It was full of history, she could sense that much, but through the forest walked a life form, unbeknownst to her what it in fact was, and if it was evil or not. It was almost impossible to read that much. Still Gandalf led them through, and without thinking twice, Demi, Rhia and Aragorn followed.
"Come on! Legolas, Boromir, Gimli! Stop being a bunch of babies!" Rhia called back.
Legolas nodded and caught up with Gandalf and behind the elf rode Gimli again. Boromir rode on ahead more wary than ever. The men of Rohan followed their king into the forest, after their leader saw the courage shown by the girls. He did not want to be seen less than any maiden.
All rode in silence for a long while. Demi and Legolas' senses were at an all time high. They could feel anger around them and were constantly glancing around. "These are the strangest trees I have ever seen." Legolas muttered.
"Yeah, well that's saying something coming from a wood elf. But I have to agree. Never have I seen such even back on earth." Demi said.
"I wish I had the leisure to walk amongst them and know their thought. They have voices." The wood elf said, ignoring Demi's jest.
"No, no! Let us leave them! I know their thought already. Nothing but hatred for those that go about on two legs." Gimli said suddenly.
Demi laughed. Never would she think to have seen Gimli like this. And to think all over trees. 'Dwarves are weird.' She thought.
"Not all things that go on two legs." Said Legolas, gazing around. "They hate orcs, for neither do the fell things belong here, but they have caused this forest great hurt. They know little of elves, men and dwarves, here in Fangorn."
"Fangorn? We are in Fangorn? I did not think that the forest was so close. Now I understand why everyone was afraid to enter. Yet I do not fear it. I am starting to understand it." Demi said. She took a long breath and could hear the voices of the trees trying to communicate with her. Their voices were angry, hurt, and full of pain. She ignored what Legolas and Gimli were saying next to her. She could feel the essence of the wood and the magic about it, giving her strength. Life. Energy. Then she heard a voice in her head.
"Our Shepard's have left us for a while. We sense you, lady Vairarista, the elf-witch and acknowledge you and your power. You mean us no harm. Do not let your company harm us!" a whispering voice said. "Do not harm us!"
Demi gasped. Demi's eyes opened and widened. She glanced around frantically, receiving weird looks from Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Rhia and Boromir.
"What ails you Vaira?" Aragorn asked worriedly.
"No..nothing, I just, I heard something, or someone in my head!" Demi said.
"Sauron?" Boromir asked.
"No, no I don't think it was him. I think it was the trees!" she said, a little calmer.
Legolas smiled at her. "You heard them? What did they say?" he asked.
Demi then realised why she did not fear this place. It respected her, or feared what she could do to it. She smiled to herself. This was very empowering. "Something about Shepard's and they want me to protect them...or something." She said in an undertone. The men were looking at the elves as though they were insane. Aragorn thought to himself for a moment. Gandalf then ushered them on.
"We must make haste!" he said. "Keep up or go your own way."
They rode on for a short while. Gimli and Legolas made a promise that they would visit both Fangorn and the glittering caves when this was all over. If this was all over was more like it. But at least someone had hope. One stage of the battle was over another was yet to begin. One that would shape middle earth for good. Things didn't look too peachy.
They rode on for a longer time, and Legolas seemed to be on edge, almost about to fall off. He was constantly searching the trees. This part of the forest they had entered was particularly dense, dreary, and all in all, looked rather evil. Suddenly Legolas called out.
"There are eyes! Eyes looking out from the shadows of the boughs!" he cried. Everyone stopped in surprise, but Legolas began to ride back at once.
"No! NO! Do as you please in your madness, but let me down first! I do not wish to see such eyes!" cried Gimli. Rhia let out a snort of laughter and received a deadly glare from both Legolas and Gimli. She found it hilarious. Demi too was having a hard time containing her laughter, and was turning slowly redder.
"Stay Legolas! It is not your turn to disappear into the wood." Gandalf said. As he spoke, three tall figures came out of the trees, twelve feet tall, maybe more. They had strong bodies and were as corpulent as young trees. The creature's limbs were long, their hands and feet having many fingers and toes. All in all, you had to say; they looked rather like a tree, if not for the mobility factor.
Rhia screamed in surprise, falling off her horse and cowering on the ground. Demi's eyes grew wide in shock. She waited for Gandalf's signal to attack. Legolas grew pale and Gimli looked as though he was about to have a heart attack. Boromir and Aragorn were somewhat calmer, though, still in much surprise, which was nothing compared to the men of Rohan. They looked upon the beasts in question, as though sussing out if it were true or an illusion.
"You have no need for weapons. These are herdsmen. They are not our enemy's and having nothing to do with us. Let them go on their way." Gandalf said rather calmly, due to the situation, though, on most accounts, excluding the Balrog, he was rather calm.
"Herdsmen? Herdsmen!" screamed Rhia.
"Yes, Herdsmen, I heard that much correctly. But where are their flocks? Where are they, Gandalf? For it is plain to you, at any rate, that they are not strange." Théoden said.
"Herdsmen?" gasped Rhia still. She was in shock, and yes, she was a little melodramatic.
"Yes Aure, they are Ents. Shepard's of the forests." Gandalf said. The Ents continued of their way, worrying little for the men, if not considering shortly why they would march through their forest, but still though nothing more of them. Gandalf urged the company on again. Time was wasting away. He was a wizard on a mission, one used to doing things by himself.
They soon left the wood and were on the road towards the fords of Isen. Legolas was still jumpy. The sky was growing darker, but it was still red as the moon began to grow clearer. They had been ridding for around four hours when the howls of wolves were heard. They were still some way off from the group, but it did not ease Demi.
They came upon a bed of a river and Éomer asked no one in particular, "What ill thing has come to this place and robbed it of its water? Has Saruman now devoured the springs of Isen too?"
"So it would seem." Said Gandalf.
"I'd put my money on it any day." Rhia muttered to Demi who nodded.
They rode down to the river. The wolves' incessant howls had now ceased. "Look, friends have laboured here. The wizard said. Before them stood a mound surrounded by a ring of stones and spears. "This is where the men of the mark now rest."
"Then let them rest and be the guard of the fords of Isen." Said Eomer.
"Such a grievous loss is this. Is this not your work Gandalf?" Théoden said.
"It is not I alone who did this, but also Shadowfax and others. Now you need not fear King of Rohan. All is well for the while. Your house too is safe and will be welcoming on your return." Gandalf replied.
"I shall be happy to see it again, though now I do not think it shall be a long stay." Said the king.
The group followed a road, passing the Rohirrim's fallen comrades after a good-bye. The road followed the river east, then turning north and finally towards the gates of Isengard under the mountainside. The pace was quickened and by midnight they were five miles from the fords. They halted at this time for rest.
The girls, Hamilcar, Gimli and Legolas sat away from the main group, while Boromir, Aragorn and Gandalf sat with the king.
"I miss Merry and Pip." Rhia said, looking into the fire.
"As so I my friend, but we must have hope that they are well." Said Legolas.
"Aye! If I know those two rascals, they will find themselves out of harms way, no matter how close to it they are." Said Gimli brightly.
"I hope so." Rhia muttered.
"Who are Merry and Pip?" Hamilcar asked.
"Only the most notorious, uncanny, amazing hobbits ever." Gimli said.
"Hobbits?" Hamilcar asked further.
"Halflings of the Shire. Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. Both of respectable households and some of our closest friends and companions." Demi explained.
"Halflings? They are merely in our stories." Said Hamilcar.
"Oh, trust me, they're larger than life." Demi said.
They slept little that night, but Demi found it impossible. She sensed that Saruman was still in Isengard and it gave her the creeps. She sensed his power, his twisted mind. It plagued her all night long.
Cries were heard in the distance. It was the watchmen. All were now awake, scared by what devilry may be at hand. Demi rushed forward to Gandalf's side as she saw something black creep over the land towards them.
Stay where you are! It will pass you by! Draw no weapons!" Gandalf ordered. Mist gathered around them and Demi realised just what had happened.
AE: Well, thank you to all those who read and review. I hope you like this, even if you don't review.
Special thanks go to Raven Lee Knight: Thank you very much for your review. Maybe that will be on the cards, but then ago, a few surprises will be along the way, especially since Boromir has not died...
Also mega huge thanks to the loyal Levanna: Thanks so much for your support, it means so much.
Now, keep in mind that because I'm not getting any reviews, well a few at least, but it just gives me the impression no one is reading this. With that in mind, I may take the story off. There is no point wasting my time with this if nobody reads it.
Have a good one! AE