Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings but I do own Tigerlily.
A/n: Most of this chapter is Tolkien and Tigerlily is going a bit Orlando on us.
Chapter 14
Road to Isengard
Tigerlily watched the trees with suspicion. She didn't know how they had got there. Gandalf rode ahead towards them. Where the road met the trees, an archway seemed to have formed from the branches. Gandalf passed through it, followed by the others. To her amazement, Tigerlily found that the road ran on beside it. The sky was open above them and full of golden light from the sunset. But on either side the great aisles of the wood were already wrapped in dusk, stretching into impenetrable shadows. The travelers heard the creaking and groaning of branches and far cries, and a rumor of wordless voices, murmuring angrily. No orc or living creature could be seen. Legolas felt Tigerlily cling to him like a lost child. The trees frightened her. He slowed the horse so as to listen more closely to the sounds of the trees. "Don't stop, Legolas," he heard her whisper, "Do not stop until we are out of this forest." Had it been anyone else, Legolas would not have listened but fear shook Tigerlily's voice so he carried on, following Gandalf closely. They passed through the trees and found them facing two roads. One went east to Edoras; the other went north to Isengard. Legolas halted and looked back over his shoulder. He gave a cry. "There are eyes!" he said, "Eyes looking out from the shadows of the trees. I never saw such eyes before." The others halted at his cry and turned too. Legolas began to ride back. Tigerlily began to panic. She let go of Legolas and threw herself off the horse. She winced in pain as she landed on a rock. "Stay Legolas Greenleaf!" called Gandalf, "Do not go back into the wood, not yet! Now is not your time." As he spoke, tall beings emerged from the woods. They appeared to be clad in bark and moss and were as tall as trolls. Theoden and Eomer reached for their swords. "Leave your weapons!" ordered Gandalf, "They are Ents, herdsmen of the forest." The company turned and followed the road that led north. The Ents strode on and soon disappeared into the darkness. Legolas rode back towards the company. He stopped by where Tigerlily was and got down. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes," said Tigerlily, rubbing her leg, "It's just a bruise." Legolas gently touched her leg. Tigerlily winced slightly. His touch stung where she was bruised but it still made her shiver. "Come on you two," said Aragorn, "We have to keep moving." Legolas stood up and helped Tigerlily to her feet. He got back on the horse and pulled her up. They rode on, long into the night, Shadowfax just visible in the moonlight. Gandalf stopped and the others copied. "We rest here tonight," said Gandalf, "We shall continue in the morning." Legolas got down from the horse and helped Tigerlily down. She was very sleepy. She hadn't had a proper night's sleep since Lothlorien. Legolas knew the best thing for Tigerlily would be a decent meal and a good nights rest in a proper bed. Unfortunately the circumstances they were in could not allow this. "Go sit down," he whispered to her. She nodded and went to sit beside Aragorn, yawning. Eomer went up to Legolas. "Legolas," he said, "I never had chance to apologise about the way I acted towards your dwarf-friend."
"I never apologized for threatening to kill you," said Legolas, "I ask your forgiveness."
"I give it," said Eomer, "and I give this." He handed a thick blanket to Legolas. "Make sure Tigerlily stays warm," said Eomer, patting Legolas on the shoulder. Legolas looked over at Tigerlily. She was struggling to keep her eyes open. He thanked Eomer and went and sat down beside Tigerlily. He wrapped the blanket around her. She lent onto him and sighed. One of her hands rested on his stomach. She snuggled into him. "I love you," she whispered so only he could hear it. Legolas threaded one arm around her and held her tightly to his side. He had to tell her soon, if he didn't she would feel betrayed by him but how could he tell her that… "Legolas," said Aragorn, interrupting Legolas' thoughts, "Are you alright, my friend? You've gone more pale than usual."
"I'm fine Aragorn," said Legolas. Tigerlily snuggled up to Legolas in her sleep.
The next morning, they continued their journey. She sat in front of Legolas as they rode through Fangorn Forest. Legolas could faintly hear hobbit's laughter. He let go of the rein and took hold of Tigerlily's hand as they emerged from the darkness of Fangorn and into the bright sunlight, which shone over Isengard. Two Hobbit's no one had seen for more than a week were sat on a ruined wall, laughing and smoking. Tigerlily smiled at the sight of Merry and Pippin. Pippin saw them and laughed. He raised his tankard and kicked his legs. Merry stood up, staggering slightly. "Welcome, my lords," he said, "to Isengard."
"You, young rascals!" cried Gimli, "A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you feasting and…and smoking!" The Hobbit's ignored Gimli's rant.
"We are sitting on a field of victory," said Pippin, "Enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good."
"Salted pork?" said Gimli.
"Hobbits," muttered Gandalf.
"We're under orders from Treebeard," said Merry, sounding a little drunk, "who's taken over management of Isengard."
"So what's been happening in the big world?" asked Pippin.
"A lot," said Gimli, "But why don't you ask Tigerlily and Legolas…oh I don't believe it! They acting like a bunch of human teenagers!" Merry and Pippin directed their gaze over to Tigerlily and Legolas. Legolas was kissing Tigerlily again. He had the feeling Gimli might make a comment on his relationship with Tigerlily. So as to avoid any awkward questions on what Gimli meant, he had chosen to show the Hobbits. Merry smiled, Frodo owed him a weeks round at the Green Dragon now. Pippin's jaw dropped. "Pippin, when we get home, Frodo's buying," said Merry. Tigerlily smiled up at Legolas. A tall Ent strode over to them. "Morning Treebeard," said Gandalf, as Merry and a still silent Pippin got onto horses. Merry with Theoden and Pippin with Aragorn. "Young master Gandalf," said Treebeard as they moved closer to Orthanc, "I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone, I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower."
"Show yourself," muttered Aragorn.
"Be careful," said Gandalf, "Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous."
"Well, lets just have his head and be done with it," said Gimli.
"No," said Gandalf, "We need him alive. We need him to talk." Tigerlily watched a figure clad in white appear at the top of Orthanc. She felt sick. She had always thought Saruman to be trustworthy but now she knew he was scum. "You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King," said Saruman, "And made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"
"We shall have peace," said Theoden, "We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows we shall have peace."
"Gibbets and crows!" spat Saruman, "Dotard! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The Key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dur itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards."
"Your treachery has already cost many lives," said Gandalf, "Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel."
"So you have come for information," said Saruman. "I have some for you." From his sleeve, he produced a purple-black orb. He held it up and looked into it. "Something festers in the very heart of Middle-Earth," he said, "Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon." Gandalf moved forward, still staring up at Saruman. "You're all going to die," continued Saruman, "But you know this, don't you, Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to your doom. The path that you have set him on can only lead to death. And the Solaris girl." Tigerlily looked up. She felt Legolas tighten his grip on her.
"You and the Lady Galadriel aren't the only ones who know what she is and what her future holds," said Saruman, "It was I who sent a hunting party to find her."
"Hunting party?" growled Aragorn, "You sent a hundred orcs to hunt down a seventeen-year-old girl who had and still has no idea why? She will not serve you or Sauron because of what she is!"
"She has a gift. Those who chose to exploit it, gain an advantage," snarled Saruman.
"I've heard enough," snapped Gimli, "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob." Legolas reached for an arrow. "No," said Gandalf, "Come down, Saruman and your life will be spared."
"Save your pity and your mercy," spat Saruman, "I have no use for it." From his staff, fire flew down to Gandalf and surrounded him. But something protected him. "Saruman," said Gandalf, "Your staff is broken." Saruman's staff cracked and splintered. Saruman stared at his empty hand in horror. Wormtongue's pale face appeared. "Grima," called Theoden, "You need not follow him. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down." Wormtongue didn't reply, he just bowed and disappeared from view. "A Man of Rohan," growled Saruman, "What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Theoden Horsemaster. You are a lesser son of greater sires." Theoden ignored Saruman. "Grima, come down," he called, "Be free of him."
"Free?" laughed Saruman, "He will never be free."
"No," said Wormtongue.
"Get down, cur!" shouted Saruman. He lashed out and hit Grima.
"Saruman!" called Gandalf, "You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!"
"You withdraw your guard," said Saruman, "and I will tell you where your doom shall be decided. I will not be held prisoner here." Wormtongue stood up and lunged forward at Saruman. He stabbed the traitorous wizard twice in the back. Legolas drew an arrow and fitted it to his bow. It flew from his bow and lodged itself in Grima's heart. Saruman fell from Orthanc and landed on a spike. Tigerlily closed her eyes. "Send word to all our allies and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free," said Gandalf, "The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike." The wheel on which Saruman was impaled began to turn. Saruman's corpse disappeared beneath the water. "The filth of Saruman is washing away," declared Treebeard, "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees." Tigerlily heard a splash as Pippin got down from Brego. "Wild trees," continued Treebeard. Pippin bent down and picked up the purple-black palantir. "Bless my bark!" exclaimed Treebeard.
"Peregrin Took!" said Gandalf, "I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now." He took the palantir from Pippin and covered it. He turned and rode away. Aragorn pulled Pippin back up onto Brego and followed Gandalf. Legolas and the others followed too. Tigerlily cast a glance back at Orthanc, wondering what Saruman had been talking about. She was confused. What gifts did she have and what did her future have to with it?
A/n: Tigerlily's family is going to show up in the next chapter. Please review me and let me know what you think/