I followed them into the forest. There was no sign of the two hobbits, but we came across some evidence that they had been there.
"These are strange tracks," Aragorn said as he studied the odd footprints.
"This forest is old. Very old. Full of memories...and anger. The trees are speaking to each other," Legolas said.
Legolas could understand trees? He and Cassie should get along perfectly. The trees seemed to move as if they had a life of their own.
"Gimli!" Aragorn whispered. "Lower your axe!"
"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" Legolas said.
"Man cenich?"
"The White Wizard approaches."
"Do not let him speak," Aragorn told us. "He will put a spell on us! We must be quick."
Aragorn gave the order and we turned to attack. I morphed to Tyrant and struck out with my bladed tail. I was thrown back as Gimli's axe and Legolas' arrow were deflected. Aragorn's sword became to hot for him to hold. We couldn't see due to the blinding white light surrounding the wizard.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," the wizard said.
"Where are they?" Aragorn demanded.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"
"Who are you? Show yourself!"
The light faded and my heart literally stopped. Gandalf stood before us, dressed in white. I wanted to say something but the words were caught in my throat.
"It cannot be! You fell!" Aragorn stammered.
"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."
"Gandalf."
"Gandalf? Oh yes. That's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name."
"Gandalf!" I ran forward and hugged the old man.
Gandalf looked at us and smiled. "I am Gandalf the White now. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide." He lead us through to the forest. "One stage of the journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."
Once we were out of the forest Gandalf whistled piercingly and was answered with a neigh. A white horse galloped into view.
"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," Legolas marveled.
"Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers."
Gandalf mounted the horse and we rode off. Gimli and Aragorn on one horse, Legolas and I on the other. We came to a kingdom that sat atop a hill.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown and Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong," Gandalf said. "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."
As we entered the city gates a banner from one of the flagpoles fell to the ground in front of us. Gandalf covered himself with a grey robe. The villagers were silent as we passed by.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli muttered.
"I've seen Visser One scowl less than them," I said.
Guards were at the entrance when we arrived. Gandalf smiled and greeted them.
"I cannot allow you before Théoden-king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame... By order of - Grima Wormtongue," the captain said.
Gandalf nodded and gestured to the others to disarm. Aragorn handed over his sword and dagger as Legolas gave them his knives and bow. Gimli was reluctant to part with his axe, but did so. The guard looked at me and saw that I was (to his knowledge) unarmed.
"Your staff," the captain said to Gandalf.
"Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his - walking stick."
The guard nodded and lead us into the main hall. I smiled as Gandalf leaned on his staff, pretending to be very old. An old man sat on a throne with another seated nearby. He whispered something in the king's ear.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden-King," Gandalf said to the king.
"He is not welcome," the man said.
I took this man to be the one called Grima Wormtongue.
The king looked at Gandalf. "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf - Stormcrow?"
Grima whispered again in the king's ear then approached Gandalf. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
"Silence! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth," Gandalf said "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" Gandalf pulled out his staff.
Grima looked at the captain. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
The guards attempted to attack us but we handled them without difficulty and without me needing to morph. Grima hid off to the side as Gandalf approached the king.
"Théoden, Son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in shadows. Hearken to me! I will release you from the spell."
Théoden laughed. "You have no powers here Gandalf the Grey."
Gandalf removed his cloak and the room was bathed in bright white light. "I shall draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound."
Théoden's voice changed. "If I go, Théoden dies."
"You did not kill me, you will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!"
Théoden lunged forward and Gandalf pushed him back with his staff. He collapsed in his seat and a woman rushed to his side, helping him sit up. His face changed as the years faded from his features. He grew younger in seconds. He spoke to the woman once he remembered who she was. He looked at Gandalf.
"Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, my friend."
Théoden had Grima thrown from the palace steps and he disappeared. The villagers celebrated the return of their king. Théoden asked the whereabouts of his son, only to discover he was killed in a battle against the Uruk-Hai. He left to bury his son, I sat at the table in the Golden Hall, as they called it, and drank a little ale. A few swallows and I was beginning to get a buzz. Legolas sat nearby.
"I hope Merry and Pippin are okay," I said.
"I am certain they are," he said. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm too shit-faced right now to really feel anything."
"You've never drank ale before?"
"Where I'm from I'd be too young to drink stuff like this. I can in the next two years though."
"You must miss your home."
"There are some things I do, and others I don't," I said, referring to the Yeerks and my now ex-boyfriend. "I'm not even sure if I'll make it back home. I don't even think my friends have a way of finding me."
"Don't give up hope," he told me.
I looked at the ring Galadriel gave me and smiled. "I won't."
The doors swung open and some guards rushed in with two children. One was passed out from exhaustion. They rested and were fed. Èowyn, the young woman I saw earlier spoke with them. Thier village had been attacked and burned by wildmen sent by Saruman. Gandalf told Théoden to fight and protect his people, but he was reluctant.
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak," Aragorn stated. "Èomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Èomer cannot help us," Théoden said. "I know what is that you want of me. But I would not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
"Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or not."
Théoden glared at Aragorn. "When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan."
"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf asked.
"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" Legolas said. ("Aragorn, something is out there!")
"Man cenich?" ("What do you see?")