Heys guys, I know it's been a while since the last update and I apologise for that. Hope you can forgive me. Not much from Faron in this chapter, but I've done what I can with it. I also apologise for how short this chapter is. The length of each chapter will differ depending on what I've got in each and where I think is a right moment to end each one.

Reviewers Responses;

Dinosaur Imperial Soldier – :D! The Hobbits, Saruman and Grima appear in this chapter. And, it is kinda gut wrenching isn't it with Haldir surviving and Thorin, Fili and Kili dying. But, after having gone through what she did when her father and brothers died, she wasn't about to stand back as another one die.

FizzWizz2011 – Here's the next update!

The Demise of Saruman

After leaving Helm's Deep, we spend the next few days riding to Isengard. Riding through Fangorn Forest, we look around warily, as the low sounds of lumbering trees are heard around us. Reaching the edge of the forest, we hear laughing from ahead. Looking up, we see Merry and Pippin sitting on a wall eating and smoking.

Merry stands on the wall. "Welcome, my Lords and Lady. . .to Isengard!"

Aragorn, Legolas and I grin at each other as Gimli starts grumbling.

"You young rascals! A merry chase you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and. . .and smoking!"

Slightly inebriated and touched by the leaf, Pipping starts talking; "We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good."

"Salted pork?" I smile at the longing in the voice.

"Hobbits." Gandalf mutters impatiently.

"We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard." Merry informs us.

As the Hobbits jump down from the wall, Aragorn lifts Pippin up behind him while I pull Merry to sit in front of me. I put my arm around him as I hold Haleth's rains with the other hand.

"I'm relieved to see you and Pippin safe, Merry." I say to him as we ride on.

Merry grins up at me. "As am I to see you safe, Faron."

I smile as we ride through water which has flooded the ground around Orthanc, the tower of Isengard. A tree, I assume Treebeard, approaches us.

"Young master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a Wizard to manage here, locked in his tower."

"Show yourself." Aragorn mumbles after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.

"Be careful; even in defeat Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf warns.

"Then let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli grumbles in agitation.

"No, we need him alive. We need him to talk."

A voice calls out from above, and Saruman comes into view, standing on the top of the tower.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden king, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take council together, as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"

"We shall have peace." I look to Théoden in surprise at first, before he continues shouting in anger. "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? Dotard! What do you want Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess: the key of Orthanc, or perhaps the key of Barad-dûr itself, along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards!"

"Your treachary has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk, but you could save them Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's council."

"So you have come here for information. I have some for you."

From his robes, Saruman whips out a dark orb which glows in the centre. I recognise it as one of the Palantir, a seeing orb. Saruman stares at it raptly.

"Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. 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 moves Shadowfax forward, closer to the tower.

"You're all going to die."

I hold Merry in comfort as I can feel his fear. He holds one of my arms as Saruman continue, sneering at Aragorn which causes me to glare at him.

"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 his doom?"

I look to Gandalf as he sighs. I know he feels guilty for allowing Frodo to venture on this quest.

"The path that you have set him on can only lead to death."

"I've heard enough!" Gimli exclaims before turning to Legolas. "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob."

Legolas reaches for his quiver but is stopped by Gandalf.

"No." he looks to Saruman. "Come down Saruman, and your live will be spared."

"Save your pity and your mercy; I have no use for it!"

I watch in horror as Saruman shoots a fireball from his staff. The flames engulf Gandalf and Shadowfax. Our horses pace about nervously as we hold up our arms to ward off the hear. I soon breathe a sigh of relief as the flames die out, revealing the unscathed pair, to Saruman's surprise.

"Saruman, your staff is broken."

Saruman's staff shatters in his hand. From behind Saruman, a hunched figure approaches: Gríma Wormtongue.

Théoden notices him. "Gríma, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan! Come down."

Gríma bows to Théoden and looks as if he's about to come down when Saurman speaks.

"A man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and rats roll on the floor with the dogs? Victory at helms deep does not belong to you, Théoden, horsemaster! You are a lesser son of greater sires."

Ignoring him, Théoden continues to speak to the man: "Gríma, come down. Be free of him."

"Free? He will never be free."

"No." Grim defies him.

"Get down, cur!" Saruman slaps Gríma and sends him falling down.

"Saruman, you were deep in the enemy's council. Tell us what you know."

"You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here."

I notice Gríma lunge towards Saruman, but before I can say anything Gríma stabs Saruman in the back. Legolas shoots and hits Gríma, who falls down, dead. Saruman falls off the tower and is impaled by the spoke of a large wheel. Gasping, Merry puts a hand to his mouth as he stares in horror. I just keep my arm around him.

Gandalf turns to Théoden. "Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike."

The wheel turns, sliding Saruman's body under the water.

Treebeard pipes up then. "The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees, wild trees."

"Pippin!" I suddenly hear Aragorn calling out.

Looking over, I see Pipping has jumped of Brego wand waded through the water to pick something up. Looking at the object, I see it is the Palantír Saruman had.

"Bless my bark!"

Gandalf rides to him. "Peregrin Took, I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now!"

Pippin reluctantly hands Gandalf the orb. Gandalf covers it up, and with a sidelong glance at Pippin, turns away.

Once Pippin is settled back on Brego, we leave Orthanc and ride back for Edoras.

There we have it. Celebration in the next chapter, and maybe for more than one reason for some. . .so stay tuned for that.