A/N: Well, this will be my last chapter until Oct. 24. In fact, you guys may have to wait until Oct. 26 just because I'm going to be in Chicago at Moody for a few days to explore that college as one of my options. I promise, as soon as I can I'll update again, but I'm going to be putting my priorities in order. If I'm lucky, this story will be the only story I'll be working on when I decide to write again. :D

Chapter 5: Fangorn

Estellia led Pernn carefully through the forest, tracking the steps of the Orc that must have chase Merry, Pippin, and Sam in here. She knelt and touched the ground where strange marks were seen.

"Ents," she breathed, her eyes lighting up.

Few of the elven kind had seen an Ent since the Entwives had gone. Knowing that an Ent may have found Merry, Pippin, and Sam warmed her heart. An arrow suddenly shot past her, and she stood slowly. She examined the arrow as a group of three men came closer.

"You have been to Lothlorien?" she asked without looking toward the men. "Or you live there."

"Aye, we have been," one of them said. His voice was gruff and closer to the ground; she guessed he was a dwarf.

She turned and found a Man, a dwarf, and an elf regarding her with curious eyes. She bowed her head respectively. "Lord Aragorn, Prince Legolas…" She looked toward the dwarf. "I'm afraid I don't know the name of your shorter companion."

"What would it matter to you?" the dwarf growled.

"Simply that if I speak to you, I would like to call you by name. If you would like me to choose a name for you, I would gladly do so. I cannot guarantee a name you would like, however."

"You were one of the March Warden's of Lothlorien. I believe Haldir said your name was Estellia," Legolas said.

"Yes." She began to walk. "I know of you and the entire Fellowship. Indeed, I even know Gimli's name even if he would not grant it to me himself."

The dwarf growled but followed as Aragorn and Legolas walked with her. "What are you doing here in Fangorn?" Legolas asked.

"I was captured by the same Orcs that took the short men from the Fellowship. I believe their names are Merry, Pippin, and Sam?" She turned to Legolas who nodded in conformation. "I have been tracking them since the Rohirrim slaughtered the Orcs, and I believe an Ent found them."

"They will be safe then." Legolas glanced around. "Nad no ennas," he whispered suddenly, stopping. /Something is out there./

Estellia also stopped, taking a step back. Aragorn stepped up beside Legolas.

"Man cenich?" he asked. /What do you see/

"The White Wizard approaches," Estellia whispered, running her hand through Pernn's mane to calm the horse.

"Do not let him speak," Aragorn warned. "He will put a spell on us. We must be quick."

Estellia remained by her horse unmoving as the three moved to attack the wizard. A blinding light surrounded the wizard as Gimli threw his axe, and it was shattered. Legolas loosed an arrow, but it was deflected. Aragorn raised up his sword but was forced to drop it because the handle suddenly became red hot.

"You are tracking the footsteps of three young hobbits," the wizard said.

"Where are they?" Estellia asked, stepping forward. She held no fear of the wizard.

"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" the wizard continued.

"Who are you?" Aragorn demanded. "Show yourself!"

The white light receded, and Gandalf, cloaked in white, stood before them. Estellia gasped and bowed her head in respect. Legolas and Gimli stood in absolute amazement, but Aragorn stepped forward.

"It cannot be," Aragorn whispered. "You fell!"

"Through fire and water," Gandalf said. "From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead, and each day was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end; I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."

Aragorn stepped forward again. "Gandalf."

"Gandalf?" The wizard looked to Aragorn almost puzzled. "Oh, yes, that's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name."

"Gandalf!" Gimli stepped forward as well.

"I am Gandalf the White now, and I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."

A/N: All right, I'll write more about a month from now, okay? I'll see you all then! Please, don't try to fill my inbox with beggings and pleadings for me to update sooner, okay:D