A Tale of Mithrandir
A fan fiction piece by Charis Loke
All names and places were created by J.R.R Tolkien.
The following is meant to have taken place in Minas Tirith after King Elessar's crowning. In the days that followed the companions dwelt in the City, and in such time as they had they told and listened to each other's tales.
"We reached the peak of Zirak-zigil, ever in combat, and he sprang to the top before me, bursting into new flame. He was dark and terrible, perhaps more fell than anything else in Middle-Earth save Sauron and his wraiths. I was weary beyond all I had ever known, and I began to despair even then, for I knew he would not go down without a fight. But despair is for those who see their end beyond all doubt! At least in my death I may rid the world of this terror, I thought, and do some last service before Gandalf the Grey walks no more in these lands.
"So that was my goal. I strove to trick him, to make him take one wrong step, but he knew my mind and it was long before I managed to bring him to his knees on the brink of Durin's Peak. He was still fell and dangerous then, and as he went to his death he dealt me a parting blow that I will remember for the rest of my days – fire, and iron together in one deadly stroke.
"Casting myself on the snow-covered ground, I cared no longer whether he sought to pull me after him as before. For I knew what my fate was now; earlier I had hoped that things might have gone differently, but the stairs of Durin were shattered and from the icy pinnacle there was no escape now. If I had lived, sooner or later despair, hunger and cold would take me. That to me is a far worse death than dying in battle.
"So there I lay, what was left of my life ebbing away, alone and broken, and I looked back at all I had done – all those long journeys and deeds, and I laughed a little to think that all those might prove fruitless and worthless. But last of all I thought about the Quest, and I hoped that it would not fail. And with that I passed from Middle-Earth to the realm of the Valar.
"There I found gathered those who had sent me. Two choices I was given: to stay henceforth and forget all my cares in the Blessed Realm, and to return to Middle-Earth. It seemed to me that the first choice was fair, and I sorely longed for rest, but I chose the latter. My task was not yet finished. But I was warned that many grevious hurts I would see and bear. So it has been."
Here Gandalf fell silent and it seemed to Frodo that he gazed out of the window towards the West, remembering the days of his youth long past.
"Gandalf?"
The wizard watched him as he came to sit on the windowsill – he was no longer a simple hobbit but changed for life by the malevolent thing he once bore. "What is it, Frodo?" he asked quietly.
"I'm glad you came back," Frodo said, and then he saw Narya, though it was hidden from all men except the keepers of the rings and burned no longer with a bright flame but glowed like the embers of a dying fire. Gandalf followed his gaze. "Soon it will be time for the ring-bearers to pass over Sea", he said, "and you will find the rest you crave, as you come to the white shores of Aman and behold the swift sunrise over the fair green country. Till then, be glad, for many things in Middle-Earth still hold joy and wonder. I, for one, will miss the Shire." Then he would not say any more, but stood deep in thought.