Hey guys! Sorry this took so long! I've had a lot of homework, but I'll try
to get these out faster, okay? Anyways, enjoy this next chapter!
********
After about an hour, Gandalf returned with the other riders of Rohan. Smiling happily, Legolas helped Gandalf dismount. Touching his arm lightly in thanks, Gandalf led the way to the foot of Isengard. As he passed Usagi, she stepped quietly out behind him.
"Will we finally get some answers about why I was kidnapped?" she whispered quietly.
"Perhaps. It may not be so simple." Gandalf replied. "I have considered your proposition, and believe that with the consent of the others, we may just be able to buy time."
"Why must we have their consent?" Usagi hissed, frustrated.
"If I agree to this, you must be protected or it will seem that you are not the bearer of the ring. The automatic danger could decimate all of us! We must protect Frodo, but at the same time, we must not risk you."
"I told you I would die if it would defend Frodo." Usagi stated quietly, the hurt evident in her tone.
"We shall discuss this later." Gandalf stated, his tone ending the conversation.
Theoden called for the Rohirrim to halt. "Who shall confront this man of treachery?"
"I will." Gandalf spoke. "And the Lady Usagi. I leave anyone else to your decision."
"Very well. The three of us?"
"We shall go, as well!" Legolas and Gimli interjected. "After all, we are the only representatives of our race here. And Aragorn should come as well."
"Very well." Gandalf nodded in consent.
As they mounted the steps to Orthanc, Gandalf cried out, "Saruman! Come out and parley with us! We know you are in there!"
For several moments, there was no response. Then, a voice replied, "My master is very busy!"
"I know that voice well." Theoden muttered. "And I rue the day I began to listen to it."
"Wormtongue, present your master to us!" Gandalf ordered.
But before Wormtongue could reply, a higher set of doors opened. Saruman stood, leaning heavily on his staff. "Have you not done enough, Gandalf the Grey?"
Gandalf smiled quietly. "Ah, but you see, I am no longer Gandalf the Grey. I am Gandalf the White." And with that, he threw his tattered cloak aside to reveal the shining color of the garments below.
Saruman reeled backwards in shock. Clutching his heart, he was looking anywhere other than Gandalf. His eyes landed on Usagi.
"You!" He shrieked, momentarily forgetting his surprise. "My Uruks failed to bring you to me!"
"I was wondering about that." Usagi replied, calmly. "Why would you wish to kidnap me?"
"Why? Why?" He asked incrediously. "I thought your precious Gandalf or aunt would have told you. No? Well then, I guess it falls to me. I convinced Galadriel to call you here! She did not even know you were living until I'd told her!"
"How did you know?" Usagi asked, a hint of anger in her words.
"I've watched you since you were reborn! Fighting with those pathetic humans.I watched as they failed to protect you time and time again! And then the perfect plan came to me. You see, I deeply lusted after your mother.and since she was dead, the only way I could fulfill myself was through her child."
"Enough!" Legolas cried, looking to Usagi. She had paled and her breathing was very shallow.
"Too hard for you to listen to, hm?" Saruman sounded highly amused. "Well, I guess you should be happy because my damned Uruks failed!"
Suddenly, Pippin leapt forward, and began cursing at Saruman with a vocabulary amazing for a Hobbit. As he continued to yell at the wizard, Merry attempted to stop him, though he looked quite angry as well.
"Ah! And here are two hobbits! Why not tell me about them, Theoden?" Saruman spat, changing the subject. "Do you not know of the quest of the fellowship of the ring?"
Theoden didn't reply. "You should join me! When the dark lord wins the final battle, we will be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams! And all will hail us as the heroes of the final coming of the ring!"
Theoden had begun to look troubled. Before Saruman could continue to poison his mind, Eomer mounted the stairs. "Uncle! Do not listen to this man! We have defeated his army and he looks only to cause disunion and strife among us!"
The king looked like he'd suddenly been brought out of a trance. As he realized what had been happening, fury filled his face. "Man of treachery, I shall never listen to you again! Stay in your tower and bother no man any longer!"
Saruman leaned back, as though he'd been struck. Not looking at all the part of a wizard, he shrieked,
"Then you shall not bother another again either!" And with that, a column of black energy came crashing toward Theoden.
"Uncle!" Eomer cried out as the column neared Earth. Just as Gandalf was preparing a counter attack, the column hit the ground, engulfing Theoden.
"Ai!" Legolas cried out. "Usagi is gone!"
"What?" Gandalf's attack dissipated. "Where is she?"
Saruman cackled, the sound grating on the eardrums of everyone in hearing distance. His cackles were cut short, as was the column of dark energy. Slowly, through the dust that had been lifted, Gandalf could make out a shield of sorts. Even as he saw this, it too began to fade away.
Everyone gasped. Usagi stood, glowing with energy. She was holding a scythe that was even taller than herself, and a purple symbol adorned her forehead. Theoden was kneeling on the ground, as though he'd been forced there.
"Usagi?" Aragorn whispered, almost afraid to speak.
She smiled slightly at him before turning her attention to Saruman. "You picked the wrong person to piss off, buddy."
But before she could leap up, Gandalf placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I shall attend to this problem, lady."
Nodding, she allowed her energy to dissipate. While all this had been going on, Saruman had slowly been backing away. Gandalf ordered him back, and he came back, but not of his free will.
"You have betrayed the order in the worst way possible, and you do not deserve to bear the name of an istari. I condemn you to living out your life as a mortal man."
As though there was invisible lightning, Saruman's staff was suddenly cleaved in two, and the top half fell down to Gandalf. Saruman ran back inside for a second time, and Gandalf didn't stop him.
As they turned to walk down the steps, they heard a sudden scream that had them whirling around to stare at the tower. "WORMTONGUE!!!"
And before anything else was said, an obsidian colored stone, no larger than Aragorn's had flew from the tower, and landed a good distance away. Gandalf's eyes danced in mirth. As he went to retrieve the stone, Pippin cried,
"I've got it!"
And suddenly, the laughter was out of Gandalf's eyes. "Give me the stone quickly, Pippin!"
Gulping, Pippin nodded and handed it to him. Nodding in satisfaction, Gandalf turned back to Legolas, who was supporting a somewhat sick-looking Usagi.
"Usagi?" His voice was unusually gentle.
"Was what he said true, Gandalf?" Her voice was soft, almost a whimper.
Sighing, Gandalf nodded. "We had hoped we'd never have to tell you. Your mother fell in love with your father and left Earth, but Saruman had always had an eye on her. It was one of the reasons Galadriel encouraged your mother to go."
"The lady of Lothlorien is a relative of Lady Usagi?" Eomer interjected.
"Yes." Legolas replied, picking Usagi up princess-style.
"But that is enough for now. Let us leave this place and hopefully never gaze upon it again!"
Everyone nodded. So they wheeled their horses around and galloped away from Orthanc.
********
They set up camp for the night near a tributary of the river flowing to Orthanc. Almost everyone had fallen asleep, but Usagi was unable to do so. Standing quietly, she moved towards the water, gently brushing Legolas' arm as she went by. 'Oh, mother. How could I have been so naïve?'
Sitting at the water's edge, she sighed quietly. Before her train of thoughts continued, she felt bile rising in her throat. Gagging, she retched quietly. Gasping quietly, she rinsed her mouth out with the water.
"Why did you not tell us something was wrong?" Legolas spoke in soft Elvish.
"I did not realize something was until just now." Usagi replied sarcastically. "Legolas, when did we leave Lothlorien?"
"About two months ago." Legolas replied easily. "Why?"
"Legolas." Usagi trailed off, as though searching for the right words. "I think that I'm with child."
"What?" He hissed, pulling her to stand next to him. "We must tell the others!"
"No!" Her quiet plea stopped him from moving. "Legolas, please! I wish to help save Frodo as well! Please, let me help."
"Not if what you say is true." Legolas replied.
"Just two more battles, please." She begged quietly.
"Why two more?"
"Because that is when the war will end." Usagi replied quietly. "Please, Legolas! I have never asked anything of you! Grant me the chance to help save Frodo."
Legolas sighed. "Ai Valar, how you test me! Usagi, I will grant your request on one condition."
"Oh?"
"You allow me to tell Aragorn." Legolas replied.
********
Well, how was that? What do you think Usagi will decide?
Again, sorry it took so long!
REVIEW!!!! (and I'll update by Wednesday) sigh I LOVE blackmail!
********
After about an hour, Gandalf returned with the other riders of Rohan. Smiling happily, Legolas helped Gandalf dismount. Touching his arm lightly in thanks, Gandalf led the way to the foot of Isengard. As he passed Usagi, she stepped quietly out behind him.
"Will we finally get some answers about why I was kidnapped?" she whispered quietly.
"Perhaps. It may not be so simple." Gandalf replied. "I have considered your proposition, and believe that with the consent of the others, we may just be able to buy time."
"Why must we have their consent?" Usagi hissed, frustrated.
"If I agree to this, you must be protected or it will seem that you are not the bearer of the ring. The automatic danger could decimate all of us! We must protect Frodo, but at the same time, we must not risk you."
"I told you I would die if it would defend Frodo." Usagi stated quietly, the hurt evident in her tone.
"We shall discuss this later." Gandalf stated, his tone ending the conversation.
Theoden called for the Rohirrim to halt. "Who shall confront this man of treachery?"
"I will." Gandalf spoke. "And the Lady Usagi. I leave anyone else to your decision."
"Very well. The three of us?"
"We shall go, as well!" Legolas and Gimli interjected. "After all, we are the only representatives of our race here. And Aragorn should come as well."
"Very well." Gandalf nodded in consent.
As they mounted the steps to Orthanc, Gandalf cried out, "Saruman! Come out and parley with us! We know you are in there!"
For several moments, there was no response. Then, a voice replied, "My master is very busy!"
"I know that voice well." Theoden muttered. "And I rue the day I began to listen to it."
"Wormtongue, present your master to us!" Gandalf ordered.
But before Wormtongue could reply, a higher set of doors opened. Saruman stood, leaning heavily on his staff. "Have you not done enough, Gandalf the Grey?"
Gandalf smiled quietly. "Ah, but you see, I am no longer Gandalf the Grey. I am Gandalf the White." And with that, he threw his tattered cloak aside to reveal the shining color of the garments below.
Saruman reeled backwards in shock. Clutching his heart, he was looking anywhere other than Gandalf. His eyes landed on Usagi.
"You!" He shrieked, momentarily forgetting his surprise. "My Uruks failed to bring you to me!"
"I was wondering about that." Usagi replied, calmly. "Why would you wish to kidnap me?"
"Why? Why?" He asked incrediously. "I thought your precious Gandalf or aunt would have told you. No? Well then, I guess it falls to me. I convinced Galadriel to call you here! She did not even know you were living until I'd told her!"
"How did you know?" Usagi asked, a hint of anger in her words.
"I've watched you since you were reborn! Fighting with those pathetic humans.I watched as they failed to protect you time and time again! And then the perfect plan came to me. You see, I deeply lusted after your mother.and since she was dead, the only way I could fulfill myself was through her child."
"Enough!" Legolas cried, looking to Usagi. She had paled and her breathing was very shallow.
"Too hard for you to listen to, hm?" Saruman sounded highly amused. "Well, I guess you should be happy because my damned Uruks failed!"
Suddenly, Pippin leapt forward, and began cursing at Saruman with a vocabulary amazing for a Hobbit. As he continued to yell at the wizard, Merry attempted to stop him, though he looked quite angry as well.
"Ah! And here are two hobbits! Why not tell me about them, Theoden?" Saruman spat, changing the subject. "Do you not know of the quest of the fellowship of the ring?"
Theoden didn't reply. "You should join me! When the dark lord wins the final battle, we will be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams! And all will hail us as the heroes of the final coming of the ring!"
Theoden had begun to look troubled. Before Saruman could continue to poison his mind, Eomer mounted the stairs. "Uncle! Do not listen to this man! We have defeated his army and he looks only to cause disunion and strife among us!"
The king looked like he'd suddenly been brought out of a trance. As he realized what had been happening, fury filled his face. "Man of treachery, I shall never listen to you again! Stay in your tower and bother no man any longer!"
Saruman leaned back, as though he'd been struck. Not looking at all the part of a wizard, he shrieked,
"Then you shall not bother another again either!" And with that, a column of black energy came crashing toward Theoden.
"Uncle!" Eomer cried out as the column neared Earth. Just as Gandalf was preparing a counter attack, the column hit the ground, engulfing Theoden.
"Ai!" Legolas cried out. "Usagi is gone!"
"What?" Gandalf's attack dissipated. "Where is she?"
Saruman cackled, the sound grating on the eardrums of everyone in hearing distance. His cackles were cut short, as was the column of dark energy. Slowly, through the dust that had been lifted, Gandalf could make out a shield of sorts. Even as he saw this, it too began to fade away.
Everyone gasped. Usagi stood, glowing with energy. She was holding a scythe that was even taller than herself, and a purple symbol adorned her forehead. Theoden was kneeling on the ground, as though he'd been forced there.
"Usagi?" Aragorn whispered, almost afraid to speak.
She smiled slightly at him before turning her attention to Saruman. "You picked the wrong person to piss off, buddy."
But before she could leap up, Gandalf placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I shall attend to this problem, lady."
Nodding, she allowed her energy to dissipate. While all this had been going on, Saruman had slowly been backing away. Gandalf ordered him back, and he came back, but not of his free will.
"You have betrayed the order in the worst way possible, and you do not deserve to bear the name of an istari. I condemn you to living out your life as a mortal man."
As though there was invisible lightning, Saruman's staff was suddenly cleaved in two, and the top half fell down to Gandalf. Saruman ran back inside for a second time, and Gandalf didn't stop him.
As they turned to walk down the steps, they heard a sudden scream that had them whirling around to stare at the tower. "WORMTONGUE!!!"
And before anything else was said, an obsidian colored stone, no larger than Aragorn's had flew from the tower, and landed a good distance away. Gandalf's eyes danced in mirth. As he went to retrieve the stone, Pippin cried,
"I've got it!"
And suddenly, the laughter was out of Gandalf's eyes. "Give me the stone quickly, Pippin!"
Gulping, Pippin nodded and handed it to him. Nodding in satisfaction, Gandalf turned back to Legolas, who was supporting a somewhat sick-looking Usagi.
"Usagi?" His voice was unusually gentle.
"Was what he said true, Gandalf?" Her voice was soft, almost a whimper.
Sighing, Gandalf nodded. "We had hoped we'd never have to tell you. Your mother fell in love with your father and left Earth, but Saruman had always had an eye on her. It was one of the reasons Galadriel encouraged your mother to go."
"The lady of Lothlorien is a relative of Lady Usagi?" Eomer interjected.
"Yes." Legolas replied, picking Usagi up princess-style.
"But that is enough for now. Let us leave this place and hopefully never gaze upon it again!"
Everyone nodded. So they wheeled their horses around and galloped away from Orthanc.
********
They set up camp for the night near a tributary of the river flowing to Orthanc. Almost everyone had fallen asleep, but Usagi was unable to do so. Standing quietly, she moved towards the water, gently brushing Legolas' arm as she went by. 'Oh, mother. How could I have been so naïve?'
Sitting at the water's edge, she sighed quietly. Before her train of thoughts continued, she felt bile rising in her throat. Gagging, she retched quietly. Gasping quietly, she rinsed her mouth out with the water.
"Why did you not tell us something was wrong?" Legolas spoke in soft Elvish.
"I did not realize something was until just now." Usagi replied sarcastically. "Legolas, when did we leave Lothlorien?"
"About two months ago." Legolas replied easily. "Why?"
"Legolas." Usagi trailed off, as though searching for the right words. "I think that I'm with child."
"What?" He hissed, pulling her to stand next to him. "We must tell the others!"
"No!" Her quiet plea stopped him from moving. "Legolas, please! I wish to help save Frodo as well! Please, let me help."
"Not if what you say is true." Legolas replied.
"Just two more battles, please." She begged quietly.
"Why two more?"
"Because that is when the war will end." Usagi replied quietly. "Please, Legolas! I have never asked anything of you! Grant me the chance to help save Frodo."
Legolas sighed. "Ai Valar, how you test me! Usagi, I will grant your request on one condition."
"Oh?"
"You allow me to tell Aragorn." Legolas replied.
********
Well, how was that? What do you think Usagi will decide?
Again, sorry it took so long!
REVIEW!!!! (and I'll update by Wednesday) sigh I LOVE blackmail!