Note: I honestly don't expect people to still be following this, but I'm going to finish it for myself if nothing else. This chapter draws on both the book and the movie for certain scenes, and is quite different from either. Certain parts have been moved around for the sake of writing flow, so hopefully it's not too confusing. This is going up in honor of Girl-chama-san, who has always encouraged me and provided much constructive criticism when I felt my stories were lacking in something.
Disclaimer: Anything owned by me will be duly noted. Until such a time, you may safely assume that everything belongs to someone else.
Warnings: Spoilers for The Two Towers. Usagi is NOT betrayed by any senshi. She does NOT realize "how the senshi really are", and will NEVER realize how wonderful they are. She does NOT dump Mamoru, and Mamoru does NOT dump her. She does NOT gain new powers. She does NOT go to another dimension. She does NOT run off into the Wild Blue Yonder with the Outer senshi. Come to think of it, she's not even in this. If you have a problem with this, then leave; otherwise your prerogative is furthermore inane.

The White Wizard

"My very bones are chilled," said Gimli, making a show of flapping his arms and stomping his feet. He blew on his hands and Legolas could not help but smile a little. Day had come at last. The companions had made such a breakfast as they were able; now in the dawning light they were preparing to search for Makoto and their hobbit friends.
"And do not forget that old man!" said Gimli. "I would be happier if I could see the print of a boot or two."
"Why would that make you happy?" said Legolas.
"Because an old man with feet that leave marks might be just an old man," answered the Dwarf.
"Maybe," said the Elf, and he nodded to show his acceptance of that point; "but even a very heavy boot might leave no prints here: the grass is deep and springy."
"That would not baffle a Ranger," said Gimli, "A bent blade of grass is enough for Aragorn to read. But I do not expect him to find any traces. It was an evil phantom of Saurman we saw last night. I am sure of it, even now under the light of day. His eyes are looking out on us from Fangorn now, maybe."
"It is likely enough. Or perhaps they are Makoto's eyes upon us," said Aragorn, "and yet I am not sure. I can't help but think of the horses. Last night you said they were scared away, Gimli, but I don't think they were. Did you hear them, Legolas? Did they sound like beasts that were terrified?"
"No," said Legolas. "I heard them clearly. If not for the darkness and our own fear I might have guessed they were beasts that were then wild with some sudden gladness. They spoke as horses do when they meet a friend they have missed for many years."
"That is as I thought," said Aragorn; "but I cannot say more unless they return. Come! The light is growing fast. Let us look first and guess later – we should begin here, near to our camping-ground and work our way up the slope into the forest. I do not know how we shall find Makoto's home, if she did not leave us a clear trail, otherwise."
"And what if she has left?" said Legolas suddenly. "I do not feel her presence near-by. Maybe there has been some great happening and now she and the hobbits have moved on to other grounds."
"To find the hobbits is our errand, whatever we may think of our night visitor or Makoto's promises," answered Aragorn, "If they are together and moved on, there must have been a reason, and we may find the answer in the forest or on these slopes. If some chance has forced them apart, then we must find our answers here anyway. If we find nothing between here and the eaves of the wood, we will make a last search among the ashes of the battle-field. But there is little hope there: the horsemen of Rohan did their work too well."
The companions searched for some time, crawling and groping on the ground. The tree stood mournfully above them, its dry leaves hanging limp and rattling in the eastern wind. Aragorn moved slowly away. He made his way to the ashes of their watch-fire near the river bank, and then began to retrace his way to the knoll where the battle had been fought. Suddenly he stopped and bent low, his face almost in the grass, then called excitedly to his companions. They came running.
"Here we find news! This is where our friend hobbits freed themselves to enter Fangorn Forest, likely having no where else to turn in the battle between Rohirrim and orc!" said Aragorn. He held up a broken leaf for them to see, a large leaf of a golden colour that was now faded and turning brown. "Here is a mallorn leaf from Lórien, and there are small crumbs still on it! And see! There are some pieces of cut cord lying here!"
"And here is the knife that cut them!" said Gimli. He stooped and drew the blade out of a depression, caused by a heavy foot stomping on the object. "It was an orc-weapon," he said, holding it before him gingerly, and looking with disgust at the carved handle. "I am well relieved to see this, though I should like to know how either came to have a free hand to cut their bonds."
"I can guess well enough," said Aragorn, smiling. "There are some signs here that you have not considered. Both hobbits were prisoners when they came here, so one must have had either hands or feet free. I guess that it was his hands, because this makes the riddle easier, and also because, as I read it, he was carried here by an Orc. The Orc was slain by horsemen and his body dragged to the great fire, from the orc-blood spilled here," he pointed, "and the signs of a heavy thing being dragged. But the hobbit was not noticed, for he was not 'out in the open' – it was night and he still wore his elven-cloak. Likely he was exhausted and hungry, and so it is not to be wondered that when he had cut his bonds he rested and ate some bread before creeping away. I know not which was the first to have freed himself, of course, but we know that both Merry and Pippin are safe with Makoto."
"Did I not say that Makoto would have them safely?" Legolas murmured to himself, hiding a smile of satisfaction. An Elf, even an Elfling, would never give false truths.
"Indeed we were wrong for doubting," Aragorn bowed his head in acknowledgment. "I still would like to see them before we return to Rohan – I would like to know that the old man has not come upon them to do them harm, and I would like to thank Makoto for all she has done. This is her home; we must not be daunted by Fangorn."
"I do not know which daunts me more: Fangorn, or the thought of the long road through Rohan on foot," said Gimli.
"Then let us go to the forest," said Legolas. "They are waiting."

"I do not think the wood feels evil," said Legolas sometime later, "whatever the tales may say." He stood under the eaves of the forest, stooping forward as if he were listening and peering into the shadows with wide eyes. "No, it is not evil; or what evil is in it is far away. I catch only the faintest echoes of darkness where the trees' hearts are black. There is no malice near us; but there is watchfulness, and anger."
"Well, it has no cause to be angry with me," said Gimli. "I have done it no harm."
"That is just as well," said Legolas, "But nonetheless it has suffered harm. Can you feel how tense it is? There is something happening inside, or going to happen. It takes my breath."
"I feel the air is stuffy," said the Dwarf, "This wood is lighter than Mirkwood, but it is musty and shabby. It is a wonder someone like Makoto lives here at all."
"It is old, very old," said the Elf. "So old that I almost feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. It is old and full of memory. I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of peace, and I can well understand that Makoto is – for it is likely she did come here then."
"I dare say you could," snorted Gimli. "You are a Wood-elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk. Yet you comfort me. Where you go, I will go. But keep your bow ready to hand, and I will keep my axe loose in my belt. Not for use on trees," he added hastily, looking up at the tree under which they stood. "I do not wish to meet that old man unawares without an argument ready to hand, that is all. Let us go!"
With that they plunged into the trees. Legolas and Gimli left the tracking to Aragorn, but there was little for him to see. The floor of the forest was dry and covered with a drift of leaves. He guessed that the two hobbits would have stayed close to the water before meeting Makoto, so he too stayed by it. So it was that he found where Merry and Pippin had stopped to drink and bathe their feet.
"This is where they were when Makoto first came upon them, I think," said Aragorn, "The marks here are near two days old, and this is where they left the water-side. But I am not sure that this is where they first met, for her footprints are not to be seen."
"Unless the Elfling met them from up in a tree," said Gimli.
"And that she would not do unless they had climbed up into one," Legolas retorted. "It is bad manners to greet someone from so high above them."
"Gentlemen," Aragorn interrupted, "we have still not found Makoto and our friends. Let us go on."
They came at length to Treebeard's Hill and it's steep, abrupt end, and looked up at the rock-wall. It's rough steps led up to a high shelf and gleams of sun were striking through the hurrying clouds. The forest looked less grey and dreary for it.
"Let's go up and have a look about us," said Legolas. "I still feel as though my breath is taken from me before I can get it; I should like to taste freer air."
The companions climbed up. Aragorn came last, moving much more slowly than either Legolas or Gimli: he was scanning the steps carefully. When they reached the top, he smiled.
"I am sure Merry and Pippin have been up here; there are their marks, and the marks of an Elfling joining them half way up these steps. She was indeed following them by tree, but did not make her appearance to them until they reached this shelf. I wonder if we can see anything from this ledge that will tell us which way they went next?"
He stood up and looked about, but could see nothing useful. The shelf faced both southward and eastward, but only on the eastern side was the view open. There he could see the tops of the trees descending towards the plain from which they had come. Legolas watched Aragorn a moment, having surveyed the same territory seconds earlier, and the look on his face was thoughtful.
"We have journeyed a long way round," he said. "We could have all come here safely together if we had left the Great River on the second or third day and moved West. ... Few can foresee whither their road will take them, however, until they come to its end."
"But we did not wish to come to Fangorn," said Gimli.
"And yet here we are – and nicely caught in its net," said Legolas. "Look!"
"Look at what?" asked the Dwarf.
"There in the trees."
"I have not elf eyes, Legolas. Where am I to look?"
"Quiet! Speak more softly! Look!" said Legolas pointing. "Down in the wood, back the way we have just come. Moving from tree to tree, can you not see him?"
"I see, I see him now!" hissed Gimli. "Look Aragorn! Did I not warn you? There is the old man. All in dirty grey rags: that is why I could not see him at first."
Aragorn looked and saw the bent figure his companions were watching. It was not far away and moving slowly, and Aragorn thought it looked like an old beggarman, walking wearily and leaning on a rough staff as he was. His head was bowed and he did not look towards them. The Ranger thought that, had they been on different lands, they would have greeted him with kind words; but now they stood silent, each feeling a strange expectancy: something was moving towards them that held a great, hidden power – or menace.
Gimli watched with wide eyes for a while, as the figure came nearer with each step. Then suddenly he was unable to contain himself and he burst out, "Your bow, Legolas! Bend it! Get ready! It is Saruman – do not let him speak or put a spell on us! Shoot first!"
Legolas took his bow and bent it, slowly, but it seemed as if some other will resisted him. He held an arrow loosely in his hand, but did not fit it to the string. He fancied that he saw Makoto shaking her head at him, warning him not to be hasty. Aragorn watched, his face intent, and stayed silent.
"Why are you waiting? What is the matter with you?" asked Gimli in an angry whisper.
"Legolas is right," said Aragorn quietly, "We may not shoot an old man like this, unaware and unchallenged, whatever fear may be upon us. Watch and wait!"

At that moment the old man quickened his pace, and came to the foot of the rock-wall with a surprising speed. Then suddenly he looked up, while they stayed motionless, looking down. No sound came. They could not see his face: he was hooded, and over his hood he wore a wide-brimmed hat, shadowing all his features but the end of his nose and his grey beard. And yet it seemed to Aragorn that he saw a glimpse of keen and bright eyes from within the shadows of the hooded brows.
At last the old man broke the oppressive silence. "Well met, my friends," he said in a soft voice. "I wish to speak to you. Will you come down, or must I come up?" But without waiting for an answer, he began to climb the steps.
"Now!" cried Gimli, "Stop him, Legolas!"
"Did I not say that I wished to speak with you?" said the old man, "Put away that bow, Master Elf!" The bow and arrow fell from Legolas' hands, and his arms hung at his sides. "And you, Master Dwarf, take your hand from your axe 'till I am up! You will not need it."
Gimli started and then stood still as if by some other will, staring at the old man as he climbed the rough steps nimbly. All weariness seemed to have left the old man. As he stepped onto the shelf to join the three companions there was a quick gleam of white – to brief for them to be certain – as if some garment, shrouded by the grey rags, had been revealed. Gimli breathed in sharply and loudly, and made a hissing sound.
"Well met, I say again!" said the old man, coming towards them. Keeping still, the companions let him walk towards them. He stepped up onto a large rock, and bent over his staff, peering at them from under the wide brim of his hat. "And what might you being doing in these parts? An Elf, a Man, and a Dwarf – and all clad in elven-cloaks! No doubt there is a great tale to be heard here. Such things are rarely seen here."
"You speak as one who knows Fangorn Forest well," said Aragorn. He wondered if he might be an acquaintance of Makoto's. "Is that so?"
"Not well," said the old man, "To know Fangorn 'well' would require the study of many lifetimes. But I come here now and again and I know some of the inhabitants well enough."
"Might we know your name, and hear what you have to say to us?" asked Aragorn, "Time passes and we have an errand that cannot wait."
The old man smiled, "I have said what I wished to say: What are you doing, and what is your tale? As for my name!" he broke off, laughing softly.
Aragorn felt a shudder run through him at the sound, a strange thrill. It was not fear or terror that he felt: rather it was like a cold rain waking an uneasy sleeper. He wondered how Legolas and Gimli held up to the sound, and a quick glance proved that at least the Dwarf felt the same shudder he had. Legolas seemed to be thinking on something else – Aragorn thought that the Elf might be thinking similarly that the old man knew Makoto.
"My name," said the old man again, "Have you not already guessed it? You have heard it before, I think: Yes, you have heard it many times. But come now, what of your tale?"
The three companions stood silent and gave no answer.
"There are some," said the old man genially, "who would begin to doubt that your errand is fit to tell. Happily I know something of it already. You are searching for two hobbits who are in the care of an Elfling. Now, don't stare as if you have never heard those names before. The two young hobbits climbed these very steps but four days ago when they were met by her, as promised, which she told you of herself. Does that comfort you? And now you would like to know where they have been taken? Did not your Elfling friend tell you? But maybe I can give you some news about that anyway. So you see that your errand is no longer so urgent. Indeed time passes, but it brings with it another errand for you."
The old man turned away and stepped off the rock. Immediately the others relaxed and could move again, as if some spell had been removed. Gimli's hand went to his axe, Aragorn drew his sword, and Legolas picked up his bow. The old man turned to face them once more, his cloak drawing apart enough for them to see that beneath it he was clothed all in white.
"Saruman!" cried Gimli, leaping towards the old man with his axe in hand. "Speak! What do you know of our friends and the Elfling? What have you done with them? Speak, or I will make a dent in your hat that even a wizard would find hard to deal with!"
The old man was too quick for Gimli. His cloak and hat were thrown aside and his garments shone a bright white. He lifted up his staff and Gimli's axe fell from his hands to the ground. Aragorn's sword, still motionless in his hand, blazed with a sudden fire so that the Ranger dropped it from the shock. Legolas cried out and shot an arrow high into the air: it disappeared in flames.
"Mithrandir!" he cried, "Mithrandir!"
"And well met I say again, Legolas," said the old man.
The companions gazed at him in wonder. Everything about the old man was white – his hair was white as snow in sunshine and his robes gleamed white even in the dark of Fangorn. His eyes were bright and piercing, like rays of sun. They stood, caught between wonder, joy, and fear, and could find nothing to say.
At last Aragorn stirred, "Gandalf! Beyond all hope you have returned to us!"
Gimli sunk to his knees, saying nothing and shielding his eyes.
"Gandalf ... " the old man repeated, as if trying to remember a long disused word, "Yes. That was my name. I was Gandalf." He stepped down from the rock and picked up his cloak, wrapping it about him, and his voice was that of their old friend and guide. "Get up, my good Gimli. No blame to you and no harm to me – none of you has any weapon that could hurt me. Be merry! We meet again, at the turning of the tide." He laid his hand on Gimli's head and the Dwarf looked up.
He laughed suddenly, "But Gandalf! You are all in white!"
"Yes. I am Gandalf the White now. Perhaps one would say I am Saruman; Saruman as he should have been. I have passed through fire and deep water since we parted in Moria. I have forgotten much that I thought I knew, though I have also relearned much. Quickly then, tell me of yourselves!"
And once again Aragorn was left to tell the tale. The Ranger did so, keeping it quite short and to the point. For the length of it Gandalf said nothing and asked no questions – though it seemed to Legolas that he smiled at the mention of the Elfling. When Aragorn spoke at last about Boromir and his last journey on the Great River, the old man sighed.
"You have not said all you know or guess, my friend. Poor Boromir ... it was a sore trail for such a man, such a warrior, to sanction the destruction of the Ring. I am glad it did not claim him in the end. There you see - it was not in vain that the Hobbits came with us, even if only for Boromir's sake. Unworldly little creatures. And now they have come to Fangorn and who would have foreseen it? It is like the falling of small stones that start an avalanche. Listen. You hear the rumblings. Oh yes, Saruman had best not be caught at home when the dam bursts."
"In this, at least, you haven't changed – you still speak in riddles," said Aragorn.
"In riddles?" asked Gandalf, "No, for I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person to speak to. The explanations required of the young are tiresome indeed."
"I am not so young anymore."
"What shall I say then?"
"The hobbits, and Makoto – where are they?" Gimli asked, unable to contain the question any longer.
"Ah, is that the name she gave you?" Gandalf asked, and a small smile played about his lips. He spoke again before any could comment on his words, "She and the Ents have them in their care."
"The Ents!" said Aragorn, "Then there is truth in the legends? Are there still Ents in the world? For I thought I had heard Makoto mention them once when we first met, but did not think on it. I thought they were only a memory of ancient days, if indeed they were ever more than a legend of Rohan."
"Legend of Rohan!" said Legolas, properly indignant, "Nay, every Elf in Wilderland has sung songs of the Onodrim and their sorrow. Yet even to us they are only a memory. If I met one I would indeed feel young again."
"I think, Legolas, that you may yet meet one. For Makoto has lived among them for a long time, they tell me. Even now she and the hobbits will be with Treebeard," said Gandalf.
"Treebeard!" cried the Dwarf, "She brought the hobbits to him? You speak of him as a friend, and yet I have heard that he is dangerous."
"Oh, he is dangerous. But so am I. Perhaps more dangerous than anything you will ever meet, unless you were brought alive before Sauron himself. Makoto also is dangerous, Aragorn is dangerous, and Legolas is dangerous. You are beset with dangers, Gimli, for you too are dangerous in your own fashion. Certainly the forest of Fangorn is perilous and Fangorn himself is perilous, and yet he is wise and kindly. Now his long, slow wrath is brimming over, and the forest is filling with it, but Makoto will not let harm come to Merry and Pippin. I have words for you from Makoto. She bid me say:Your friends rest well in the depths of Fangorn.No harm shall befall those places that cannot be found.Look forward – we shall meet when the horn sounds.A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days: the Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong."
"What will they do?" asked Legolas in astonishment.
"That I do not know," said Gandalf, and bowed his head in thought. At last he looked up and gazed at the sun. "The morning is wearing away. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."

OTHER NOTES
Just to stop confusion before it starts: There are reasons why Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli went on looking for Merry and Pippin even after Makoto told them they were in Fangorn.
1) She hadn't found them yet at that point.
2) Aragorn wanted to see them to know they really were safe because he still doesn't totally trust her.
3) How else were they going to meet up with Gandalf? Even I'm not going to change the book that much.