Journey's End
Pairings: There are book pairings.
Events: This fiction is one that follows the path of Rohan through the end of the War of the Ring. Beyond the end of the story, there are chapters concerning the first few years of the Fourth Age, after the passing of the Ringbearers into the West.
Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns 'The Lord of the Rings' book series. Joss Whedon controls the world of Buffy. Peter Jackson and company own "The Lord of the Rings' films. We only own a part of the plot.
Summary: Buffy is summoned to fulfill an oath before she can rest in peace.
Gratitudes: This story has more than 100 reviews! I never thought I would get that many reviews, or quite that many positive ones! You made this fanfiction newcomer rather happy and in the 'jumping for joy' temperament tonight. Perhaps this is why I have chosen to post two sections, instead of just one. I do wish for this story to conclude, and to realize that it is a third-ways done is quite… sad. For those of you inquiring about a certain Buffy pairing, he was definitely one of the two we chose, considering there are few fictions featuring this pair. The other comes to pass rather soon. We had to introduce one before the other, you know. But, to answer a few questions from the reviewers… Russa – It was well established from the first chapter when Whistler tells her in no uncertain terms that she will never see her family again. That does not mean she will not, however, considering she does make a lot of sacrifices in the upcoming chapters and she may earn a glimpse into their lives… but that's for another discussion. I offer you all tantalizing sweets for being so generous with your time and kindness in reviews! It really makes a fanfiction author's night!
Chapter Summary: Gandalf faces Saruman… and Buffy learns she has new powers.
Chapter Warning: This is definitely from the books. I could not have it any other way. I forced Katrina to actually read through the scenes and add her own implementation. Hence, this is why the chapter appears as it is so. I did a few bits of editing with my own words, but this chapter is mainly hers.
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Chapter 11
Orthanc
By Katrina Claire
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Once they had gotten their horses, they rode back into the water, an experience in itself. Sador wasn't forthcoming in riding onward, and it was only following Gandalf did she get anywhere. The ground was very uneven, and hard to tread on, but the horses hurried forward.
Before they reached the Tower, they were joined by five walking through the water, led by the two Hobbits.
Gandalf rode forward to meet them, his charge ever by his side. She was looking fondly upon the Hobbits, even as the other three approached.
"Treebeard and I have made a few plans," Gandalf told the party of five as he and Buffy met them. "Now that we have all had some much-needed rest, we must be going again. I have one last task I must see to before we depart. I must pay Saruman a farewell visit, even as dangerous and useless as it may seem. Those of you who wish to come with me, let us go; beware, this is not the time to jest, for this is a hard task I ask of you."
"Sounds serious," Buffy said lightly. "But you already know my choice."
"I will come with you," Gimli the Dwarf said. "I wish to finally know whether or not he looks like you."
"Saruman will appear to resemble me in your eyes if you truly wish it," Gandalf said, his eyes twinkling. "There is much he will do to fool you."
"What's the danger?" one of the Hobbits asked. "Will he shoot at us and pour fire out of the windows; or can he put a spell on us from the distance?"
"The last is the most likely," Gandalf said in his grave voice. "But there is no knowing what he can do or what he may choose to try. And Saruman has powers you cannot begin to guess. Beware of his voice."
These were the words that many should have taken truly to heart.
The group now came to the foot of Orthanc. It was black and the rock gleamed in the reflection from the pond of water surrounding its vast base. On the eastern side, there was a set of stairs leading up to a door. They rose out of the water, the pool lightly splashing against the foundation. At the foot of the stairs, Gandalf and Théoden dismounted.
"I will go up," said Gandalf. "I have been in Orthanc and I know the perils that await me."
"And I too will go," Théoden replied. "I am old and fear no peril anymore. I wish to speak to the enemy who has wronged me so. Éomer shall come with me and see that I do not falter."
"And Aragorn will come with me," Gandalf said with a nod. "Let the others wait at the foot of the stairs. They will hear enough, if there is enough to hear."
"Legolas and I alone represent our kinds," Gimli said quickly. "We will also come behind."
"What of the Dagnir?" Legolas asked, spying the woman standing at the front of the column of Rohirrim next to the First Marshal. "She alone represents her own kind; will she not also come?"
"She has made the choice to remain behind," Gandalf said in his quiet voice that only they alone could hear. "She has not the patience to listen and understand and would rather see both the Wizard and his fork-tongued servant dead." Raising his voice, he lifted his staff and rotated on the base and began to slowly climb the stairs. "Come then!" The King and the rest of the company followed all the way to the door.
The Riders of Rohan sat uneasily upon their horses, glancing fearfully at the Tower. Buffy sat on Sador next to them, her eyes narrowed at the sight of the figures a full story above them. Slowly, she rode forward and dismounted on the foundation, joining the two little Hobbits sitting on the bottom step, looking morose.
"What did we come for? We are not wanted," muttered Pippin.
"Hey, now, what's with the bad attitude?" Buffy asked, sitting down on the other side of him. Both Hobbits looked at her in surprise; Aragorn had briefly explained who she was when they had asked, but he didn't really know her. She was a friend of Gandalf's, and she was powerful. This was basically the most they had gotten from him.
"We do not like being left behind," said the Hobbit most reminding her of Dawn. It had to be Merry, since he was the one who had greeted them when they'd first reached Isengard.
"I know how you feel," Buffy replied. From what Gandalf had told her of these Hobbits, they may be small, but they were older than she was. "I'm not a big fan of the whole getting-left-behind."
Above them, Gandalf beat his staff upon the door of Orthanc. "Saruman, Saruman!" he called in a loud, commanding voice. It was so deep it sounded throughout the flooded ruins of Isengard. "Saruman, come forth!"
For some time, there was no response. At last a window above the door opened and a voice filtered through. "Who is it?" it asked sneakily. "What are you doing here?"
It was the King who blinked uncertainly up at the window, his face reflecting the horror in his eyes. "I know that voice," he said. "I curse the day I first heard it."
Far below them, Buffy stood up suddenly, her jaw tightening in anger. She felt Wormtongue's presence, and it was the cold commanding nature of the Wizard that kept her from bursting down the door and attacking that bastard in the first place. She sat down again, feeling quite restless, her fists clenched. Both Hobbits noticed her stature, but chose wisely not to call her on it.
"Go and fetch Saruman!" Gandalf replied. "Do not waste our time!"
The window closed and they waited some more. When the voice first spoke, it was as sweet and melodious as the most enchanting melody. Those who heard the voice couldn't remember the words, just the sound. It was beyond hypnotizing. It was pure charm. The voice that spoke was wise and reasonable, and within those that listened there awoke a desire. Buffy watched as the Riders stared up with awe in their expressions. She was starting to doubt her own doubts, for this voice was far nicer than Gandalf's crabby old groveling. Blinking, she bit her lip and glanced up the stairs. The Hobbits next to her stirred.
"Well?" the voice asked. "Why must you disturb my rest? Will you give me no peace in this harsh light of day?" The voice was kind and beguiling, an older man asking for comforts that had been stripped away.
Buffy's eyes narrowed. After facing the First, she knew better than being attacked by a voice. There was a figure behind this, but this figure had no power anymore. There were two White Wizards, Gandalf had told her this much. This one had no power besides the sound of his voice.
The only question was if the others could reject his promises. He sounded as bad as the First disguised as herself.
A figure ascended at the rail, clothed in robes that were quite indistinguishable from his surroundings. He had a long face and sad, kindly eyes. His hair was as snow-white as Gandalf's, only there were bits of black about his mustache and his temples. He was quite tall and held in his hand a black staff. His eyes were narrowed as he surveyed the figures gathered on the stairway far below.
"Come now," he said, his voice still quite kind. "Two of you I do know by name. Gandalf I know too well to have much hope that he seeks my counsel here. But you, Théoden, Lord of the Mark, are declared by your nobility. Why have you not come before as a friend? I have long desired to see you and save you from the unwise and evil counsels that beset you. Is it too late? Despite the evil that you have done to me, I can indeed still save you and deliver you from the ruin ahead of you. Alas, I alone can counsel you now."
Buffy's eyes narrowed even further. This was almost ridiculous… and yet… the King wasn't responding. He just stared up at Saruman, his face an impeccable mask of fear and awe. She saw him glance at Gandalf and then hesitate. It took all of her willpower not to climb the stairs and throttle him back to his senses. The Riders next to her started murmuring their agreement to Saruman and Buffy gasped audibly and this time, she wasn't so patient.
"I see what this is," she said clearly, glaring up at the Wizard far above her. "I see what you're trying to do. Well, it doesn't work on me, you evil Wizard!"
"I do not speak to women," Saruman said, smirking slightly down at her. "No more than I should speak to a dog."
Her jaw fell open with indignation, but the Riders who had ridden with her at Helm's Deep were actually nodding in agreement! Turning astonished eyes to them, she heard Gimli speak above her. "We did not come here to beg," he said in his deep baritone.
"Peace," said Saruman, and for a brief moment, his eyes flashed. "I do not speak to you either, Gimli Glóins son. You are far away from home and should have no concern of the troubles of these lands. Allow me to first speak with my friend, the King of Rohan." Turning back to the King, he spoke again. "What do you say, Théoden King? Will you have peace with me? Shall we make our counsels together as in the days of old and grow stronger against such evil days?"
"Don't listen to him!" Buffy shouted. The King still hadn't answered and appeared to look transfixed. Buffy felt her heart start to falter and looked away until another voice sounded above them.
"Now we feel the peril we were aware of," Éomer spat. "Have we ridden forth to victory only to have it all be taken away by the sweet lies of this old fool? Will you make peace with this treachery and this murderer? Remember those who died! Their lives should not have been given in such vain!"
Dear Éomer… no matter how dark things got, he always managed to put things into such clear perspective.
"If you speak of poison, Éomer Éomund's son, speak of your own," Saruman said, and this time the anger in his eyes was evident. "To every man his part. Valor in arms is your own. Meddle not in politics that you do not understand, for in your small mind you slay the enemies your Lord commands you to. The friendship of Saruman and Orthanc must not be thrown aside so lightly were you to become King. You have no knowledge or interest in such dealings, and counsel with Orthanc will alone save you from the perils of darkness. You have won a battle, but not a war. There is a long road ahead and we must work together."
Saruman turned his attention back to the King. ""But, my Lord, am I to be called a murderer just because a few men fell in battle? Shall we have peace and friendship?"
All of the air around them seemed to be still, waiting for Théoden to respond.
At last, he opened his mouth. "We will have peace," he said, and the Riders below him cheered. He started a bit and lifted his hand to hold off the sounds below. "We will have peace," he repeated, his voice gaining confidence, "when you are dead and those in your service are wasted. You lie and you corrupt, Saruman, and for this I look upon you with anger. You bend your claw to Mordor and will use my people for your own twisted games. I am done with it. I am through with you and your lies."
Buffy gasped below, a grin breaking out across her face, relief crashing down like waves upon her.
"I fear that your voice has lost its charm," the King concluded, his eyes full of savage pride. The men below looked as though they'd been dunked in icy water, as though they had been startled from some dream. They looked at their King in dismay, but Théoden stood his ground.
Saruman, however, was not pleased to hear this. His eyes turned from their glistening color to a deep red, and his voice grew, more treacherous than ever. "I do not need you," he said, wielding his staff and holding it to the air. "Go back to your huts and your horses, consume your lands and live with the sacrifices many more will make. You are but children to my eyes and I need you not."
His eyes fell on the woman below and his frown intensified. Her eyes were quite strong and in them held a warning. "Go back to your hovel and crawl with the rest of the vagrants. You are beneath these horse-men and should it be their will, they would have you as dead as their fallen."
Buffy's eyes narrowed dangerously, but Saruman had already turned his attention back to Gandalf.
"But you, my friend, to you I bear no ill will." Even as he spoke, Buffy felt as though she were being shut out of this conversation, and could tell by the looks on the others faces that they saw themselves as unimportant as she felt at that very moment. It was really quite rude. "Will you not come and have counsel with me, for there is much to discuss. Let us understand one another, and dismiss these lesser folk. Will you not come up? Will you not take counsel?"
Gandalf's face was impassive for a few moments, and then suddenly he started laughing. "Saruman, Saruman, you have missed your true calling! A court's jester should you have been, begging for scraps with the other vagrants. I see you now for what you are, and you have misunderstood me. I will not seek counsel with you, for you have no counsel to give. You have been consumed by the darkness of Mordor and this I will not lower myself to." He paused a moment as he passed his staff before his face. "Will you not come down to me?"
Saruman nearly coiled over, his eyes full of rage, bitter laughter filling the air around them all. "Will I come down! Gandalf the Grey, you are quite condescending. You wish for me to leave Orthanc? Must I surrender the keys and my staff to you so that you may lord over all?"
"I have no desire to lord over this land or any land," Gandalf replied. "This is the only condition in which I will leave you. Speak now. Will you come down to me? You will be able to leave Orthanc."
"I trust you not," Saruman replied, his tone now chillingly livid. "Leave me now, and leave these rag-tag that falter at your feet. Such lesser beings will be more useful to me, but are considered fodder to you." With a last disgusted wave of his hand, the Wizard turned to leave, but Gandalf held firm.
"Saruman! Come back, Saruman!" he commanded.
The Wizard returned as though against his will. His staff was raised menacingly, and his eyes glittered with pure evil. Buffy shuddered down below and took a protective step towards the Hobbits, who looked terrified. Stepping in front of them, she glared upwards.
"What more have you to say to me, Gandalf? Go now, and die in the best way seemingly fit for a Wizard who wants more than he will ever achieve." Saruman lifted his staff as though it were a weapon. "You are all going to die."
There was a sharp blast as fire shot out from the end of the staff. Immediately, those closest to Gandalf backed away as the fire came upon the White Wizard.
"Gandalf!" Buffy cried, but could do nothing, since if she walked away now, she'd be leaving the Hobbits in grave danger. She turned angry eyes to Saruman. Gandalf had managed to dispel most of the flames, but his gaze was as livid as that of the woman in his service.
"I am so going to kick your ass," Buffy said gleefully. Saruman turned his staff towards her.
"She speaks of strength, yet she is as small as the Halfling," Saruman said, an unpleasant smile playing around the corners of his mouth. "Yet there is something about her…"
"Yeah, there's something about me," Buffy said delightedly. "I'm a Slayer, you moron."
Even though a moron was probably not within the Wizard's vocabulary, he saw the protective stance she had over the two Halflings and lifted his staff again. Just as he fired out another blast, Gandalf lifted his own hand into the air.
The fiery blast came down and Buffy put her hands out to protect herself. What happened then nearly surprised her. The fire had been blocked by a clear shield with her hands. She straightened as she saw whatever shield it was absorbing the fire until there was nothing left.
"Take that," she muttered.
"Saruman, too long have you stood with corruption on the Council! Too long have you listened to the beckons of Mordor! No more! I cast you from the Council! Your staff is broken, and your place gone. Go, and crawl back into the shadows," Gandalf said, finally lowered his own staff. The head from Saruman's fell off his staff and bounced far below, landing in the water.
As Saruman dropped to his knees and crawled back into his Tower, At that moment, an object came flying from the top window. It handed on the railing and smashed through it, bringing itself and debris downwards. Buffy had to duck out of the way as the object flew past her head and landed with a dull thud into the water.
"The murderous rogue!" Éomer shouted, glaring up at the Tower where moments before Saruman had been standing there, mocking them all. "He could have killed her."
"No," Gandalf said, turning around to face the others, who sat uneasily upon their rides. "No, that was not cast by Saruman or even at his bidding, I think. A parting shot from Wormtongue, ill-aimed but precisely shaped for the destruction he wished to cause."
"Perhaps he could not decide which he hated more, you or Saruman," Aragorn said quietly as they descended the stairs. Buffy moved aside, and the Hobbits followed. One cast a look into the water and saw a deeply pearly color shining from within. It was the size of a small globe and was very dark, except it kept emitting a beautiful bright golden color. Pippin darted into the water and reached down, clasping the object with his hands and lifting it above the water. It glowed a brilliant shade of flame-yellow, and as he carried it back to the stairs, he looked as though he were under tremendous strain. Gandalf, after mounting Shadowfax, rode over to where Pippin stood at the base of the steps, the ball still in his hand. He stared at it, as though it were something quite precious.
"I'll take that, Peregrin my lad," Gandalf said suddenly, as though he were keen to break the spell that had fallen over the young Hobbit. Glancing up, Pippin reluctantly handed the globe to Gandalf, who wrapped it in his cloak with a resounding "Hmph" and eyed Pippin carefully. "I did not ask you to carry this."
As Gandalf rode away, the other riders followed him. Putting her hand on the Hobbit's shoulder, Buffy said quietly, "Let's go," as she moved towards Sador who trotted up to her mistress, eager to be underway again.
Yet, as Orthanc disappeared into the distance, the Ents were circling the gates of Isengard, waiting for Gandalf and those in his company to come forward. Buffy managed to pull Sador up beside Shadowfax as Treebeard and the others looked down upon them. Behind, there was a loud shrieking noise and the sounds of wails coming from the abandoned Tower.
"So Saruman now knows what was taken from him," Gandalf said heavily. "He will not be keen to forgive Wormtongue."
"They both deserve to fry is my thinking," Buffy said angrily. "Does he even know how many men those super-demons of his killed? How many I watched die? I almost took him out myself."
"I had no doubt that you would not try, seeing as you are one to judge quickly and come to terms with consequence fairly enough," Gandalf said, once again speaking in some odd riddle. "I did not wish to take Isengard for myself, but as a gift for someone in the future, perhaps."
"It's kind of depressing," Buffy replied sadly, glancing at all of the debris floating around them. "I bet a little redecorating and some pumping wouldn't hurt though. Or you could fill this place up. It'd make a great lake."
"In the future, what becomes of Isengard has not yet been foretold," Gandalf told her quietly.
"Speaking of futures," Buffy said, eyeing the strange parcel cradled delicately in Gandalf's lap. "What's with the glowy orb? I think it's kind of pretty."
"What will become of this no man can tell," Gandalf replied. "As to what it could possibly be, I have not an idea. I will sleep on it when we camp tonight. For now, we must part with Isengard and return to Helm's Deep. Things are starting to move in motions that may not be able to come undone. You, my Dagnir, are one of them."
"Great. I'm a thing," Buffy said, wrinkling her nose in distaste as Treebeard spotted their company and moved towards them. "That's always good to know."
Behind them, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli gazed with wonder at the Ents.
"Here are three of my companions, Treebeard," said Gandalf, beckoning the others closer. "I have often spoken of them, but you have not yet seen them."
Treebeard eyed the three warily for a moment before turning to the Elf, his golden eyes softening slightly at the sight of one of the Mirkwood Elves that thrived in the trees. "You have come all the way from Mirkwood? A dear forest that used to be!"
"And it remains so," Legolas replied. "Yet those of us who dwell there never lose the yearning to seek new trees. Perhaps when this war is over, I should dearly love to journey into Fangorn. When we passed beneath it, I wanted to turn back."
Treebeard looked most pleased with this. "I hope that you may have your wish," the Ent replied.
"I will come if I will," Legolas told him. "A friend has told me that upon our survival, we will visit Fangorn together."
"Any Elf that comes with you is welcome within the forest," Treebeard replied in his deep baritone.
"This is not an Elf-friend I speak of," Legolas replied with a slight smile. He tilted his head back at the grumbling sound coming from the Dwarf sitting on the horse behind him. "I speak of Gimli, the Dwarf, wielder of an axe that has hewn the necks of forty two in battle."
"Forty two?" Treebeard asked, looking as astounded as he could for a large, talking tree. "Strange is this friendship, indeed!"
"I'll say," Buffy said, but she was smiling as she glanced back at the Dwarf, who gave her one of his patented disgruntled looks.
Treebeard turned to regard her. "Your place in this is stranger still," he said deeply.
"Spoken from the mouth of a tree," Buffy said dryly, although her hands were held up in a gesture of being one who was only kidding. "No offense, but we don't have talking trees where I come from."
"He is no tree," Legolas said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "He is but an Ent."
"I got that the first time around," Buffy replied snappishly.
"We must go," Gandalf said commandingly, cutting off Buffy's last retort. She cast an apologetic gaze at Gandalf before turning a triumphant smile at the Elf and his Dwarf companion. "And go now we will. Théoden has yearned for his own house since we set off for battle, and to his house we will return. Edoras awaits. Will you mind if we remove your gatekeepers from your service, for I fear they will have more use with us than standing for the mighty gates of Isengard."
"I mind not," Treebeard said, with a great Hoom Hoom. "But I shall miss them. We have become friends during our short while together that Ents will not soon forget that. Farewell, my gatekeepers."
"We will not forget you," said Pippin, who was riding behind Aragorn. Merry agreed from his own position behind one of the riders of Rohan.
"There is still much to be done here," Gandalf said quietly. "You know of what I speak."
"We know that there is much yet to do to make Isengard safe again and the Ents will see to it," Treebeard said, bowing his magnificent head. "Until we meet again, Master Gandalf, farewell."
As Gandalf passed under the broken archway, the others followed onto higher and dryer grounds. Sador tossed her glorious head and whinnied as they came to a stop again in the higher grasses. Glancing back, Buffy saw all of the Ents staring at the company of men somewhat mournfully. Both Merry and Pippin had returned to collect their things at the gate, and Gandalf had now taken Merry onto his steed while Pippin returned to his position behind Aragorn.
"I'm gonna miss them," Buffy said quietly to herself as Sador moved forward again, almost eager to start cantering across the fields.
"There may be a time when you will look upon them again, before the end," Gandalf assured her. Merry just looked at the woman, blinking uncertainly.
"Who are you?" he asked. Gandalf gave a short, sharp laugh.
"This is one tale best reserved for the road. Come! Let us go… we ride for Helm's Deep!"
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Despite the fact that the next section will be up and coming once I finish editing it through, it will contain a bit of seeing stones, more history and a little bit more drama.