Chapter 4
Reunion
Elladan POV
We follow father as he leads us up the longest staircase I have ever seen. With my twin next to me we run, driven by the need to save our brother. It was at this moment I heard a terrifying scream. I recognized its owner to be Estel. Fueled by rage my brother, Ada and I sprinted towards the sound. When we arrived at the door, there were already elves, attempting to break down the door. I recognized one of them to be Glorifindel. With the three of us added as well the door finally gave way. All of us moved quickly through the door way and quickly disposed of the guard. My eyes glanced around the room and finally rested on the limp form of my little brother suspended by chains from the ceiling. I ran to him, while Ada held Estel both Elrohir and myself broke the chains, his eyelids fluttered open and I found myself staring into Estel's gray eyes, "Ada? Dan? Ro? Is that you? Were the only words he could manage before passing out in my father's arms.
Carrying Estel, Ada lead us out of the tower to which the sign of victory greeted us. The bodies of dead orcs greeted us and we saw Saruman the white straggling in chains. The image of my brother's treatment still fresh in my mind caused a stir of emotion within me and I began thinking of ways to get revenge on Saruman.
Saruman POV
No. Not now. Darn those elves. I was so close to perfecting my urk-hai. When I saw the banner of the Golden wood I knew that I would not be able to hold them off, so I ran. Running past the many doors that existed within my fortress. I was nearly there, reaching out my arms, I pulled the doors open. I stopped dead in by tracks. Starring into the eyes of Gandalf Greyhame, I tried to back away. His staff came out of no where, striking me across the face. His staff was the last thing I saw before sinking into oblivion.
The next thing I know, my hands were chained again the wall in a dungeon. Suddenly all the events of the previous week came back to me that brat. Oh I wish had never heard of him. It had all started with news that a human child was in Imladris. From that I had used the palantir to see him closer. His name was Estel. No one in their right mind would call their son ' Hope' unless it was the hope of men. I also saw in the palantir the ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil in Imladris. Through this information it was not hard to figure out that he was the heir of Isildur. The door banged open and Lord Elrond walked in. I have never seen the adopted son of Gil-Galad so infuriated before. 'For crimes against a prince of the Elven realms you are hereby found guilty and will face execution:. He told me barely containing his anger. On his hand Vilya gleam, as my eyes widened at the sight of the elvish ring. It was the last sight I ever saw before falling into death.
Estel POV (Aragorn)
The feel of warm sheets greeted me and I awake. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room. "Where am I?" Asked myself, not expecting to get a answer. "Home my son". I twisted my body and saw my father 'Ada'. I yelled trying to get to him. My father put a hand on my shoulder and pushed me back into the pillows. "Calm down Estel, we wouldn't want you to pull a stitch now would we?" The images of the orcs burned in my mind. Tears streamed down my face. I never wanted to see another orc again. "Don't worry Estel', soothed Ada, wiping away my tears, "Saruman is dead and he will never be able to hurt you again ion nin. Ada stood and left the room because the twins came barreling through the doors, so he had to leave to avoid being trampled. "Estel!" shouted Elrohir, "Move, how do you feel? Do you have a fever? Do your bandages need replacing?" questioned Elladan, shoving Elrohir out of the way. "I'm fine" replying to his multitude of questions. Typical, he always was a mother hen. Frowning slightly he said, 'alright but you better get some rest tithen pen.
Galadriel POV
The beauty of Imladris is lost on me. These halls were once graced with my daughter's laughter and once again Sauron has taken it from us. Just as he intends to take my youngest grandson. To my right stands Elrond, vilya on his finger and to the left Mithrandir stands holding narya. On my finger nenya gleams, its power rolling off in waves. "Are you sure this is the wisest course?" asks Mithrandir, clearly reluctant to invoke the power of the three rings. Elrond's face hardens at this comment. 'I will do what ever it takes to protect my son, Gandalf Grayhame". My daughter truly chose well in her choice in husbands. My son-in-law would protect Estel against Sauron's wrath, and he would not do it alone. "It is decided then, until Estel comes of age and takes bother the crown and throne, he will be protected by us, wielding Vilya, nenya and narya". As these words roll off my tongue both Mithrandir and Elrond look at me without argument. Nodding I add, "Well let's get to work".
Mithrandir POV
To be honest I did not want to invoke the ring that Cirdan had gifted me with. I understood the lengths of which Elrond was willing to go to in order to protect his son and Galadriel her Grandson. Now that is in the past and cannot be undone, however there is the matter of Bilbo's ring. He had put it on at his last party and had disappeared from sight. The rest of hobbiton had assumed it a mere parlor trick. I believe he left the ring with Frodo along with everything else when he decided to move to Rivendell. Come to think of it he should be arriving here tomorrow. After he arrived I would have to look into it's origin, I can only pray that it isn't what I think it could be. I felt no grief at Saraman's passing only relief that the threat was gone. I do however grieve for the man he was before he was seduced by the Dark Lord. The Istar were sent to help resist the return of Sauron and yet even the wisest of us all can fall into shadow. The day of the return of the king was fast approaching even if many did not know it. Soon Aragorn son of Arathorn would claim the throne of Gondor and Anor and maybe then there might be enough strength to destroy Mordor and Bara-dur.
Legolas POV
The Adan child that all elves loved, sat on my left stuffing himself with fruit and other desserts, the torture that he had undergone whilst under Saruman's capture had left a haunted look in his eyes. He smiled and acted happy but I could see through his façade and so could the rest of his family. Estel would never be the truly happy child once again. This was not our only concern as Sauron was gathering strength. The loss of Saruman and orthanc was a defeat but thousands of corsairs and hadarim are still willing to fight for him. The three rings are not strong enough to stop the encroaching darkness. Lord Elrond has told me that our future will involve the Halflings. The time has not come and therefore I must look to my own land. Mirkwood is on the verge of being consumed by the spiders when we withdrew our troops to fight against Isenguard they attacked. Fortunately no lives were lost but they can only hold out for so long. As I look upon this child hope just seems to spring out of the shadows. I swear by
Eru I will never leave this child to death. Smiling I reach over and stealing some of his food. I couldn't contain my laughter when I saw his face. Oh well Mirkwood could wait a few more minutes.
Thanks to DS about the idea for Saruman and everyone else for the reviews