For Disclaimer View Chapter 1
Note to My Readers: I apologize for the shortness of the chapter. I am trying my best. I am in the middle of moving, and will be doing so for the next weeks. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thank you for reading. :o)
-Kersi-
You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits, I believe. Yes Hobbits. Don't stare as if you had never heard the strange name before. You have, and so have I. Well, they were here the day before yesterday, and they met someone they did not suspect, does that comfort you? And now you would like to know where they were taken? Well, well, maybe I can give you some news about that. But why are we standing? Your errand, you see, is no longer as urgent as you thought. Let us sit down and be more at ease.
Aurel looked at Aragorn's doubting face. Immediately she knew that he was trying to decipher if the old man was lying or telling the truth, but by the expression on his face it looked as if he could not tell. The old man turned around and went to look for a place to sit. All took the opportunity to strengthen their defenses once more. Aragorn and Aurel unsheathed their swords, Gimli once more took up his axe, and Legolas his bow. The old man paid no attention to them, sitting himself comfortably on a flat stone nearby, as he began to sit down, the grey cloak that covered him drew apart, and underneath his bright white clothing was seen.
yelled Gimli as he went for his attack. Speak! Tell us where you have hidden our friends! What have you done with them? Speak, or I will make a dent in your hat that even a wizard will find hard to deal with!
The old man suddenly jumped up, too quick for Gimli to catch, he threw off his old cloak and revealed a bright white light as he stood towering over the four. He took his staff and raised it high. Gimli's axe flew away from his hands and fell on the ground with a loud thump. Aurel dropped her sword, it had become hot and it meant to burn her hand. As she looked to her fallen sword she noticed Aragorn in the same state. Just as she was to look to Legolas, an arrow, apparently Legolas's, went flying into the air above them and then vanished in a flash of flame. Aurel looked to the old man.
cried Legolas,
Well met, I say to you again Legolas! said the old man. Everyone looked at them with their mouths open, they found no words to express how happy and content they truly were. Out of character, Aurel went to him and embraced. Happily Gandalf embraced her back.
"Gandalf!" said Aragorn in disbelief. "Beyond all hope you return to us in our need! What veil was over my sight! Gandalf!
Gandalf....Yes, that was the name. I was Gandalf. said Gandalf smiling. Aurel let go of him and took a step back, looking at him in question. Was he not Gandalf now? He bent down and picked up his cloak, covering his white garments once more. You may still call me Gandalf. At last the voice they heard became that of the wizard who had fallen in the dark caves of Moria, which brought up another question. Gandalf looked over to Gimli who had fallen to his knees in the blinding light he had created. Get up, my good Gimli! No blame to you, and no harm done to me. Indeed my friends, none of you has any weapon that could hurt me. Be merry! We meet again. At the turn of the tide. The great storm is coming, but the tide has returned.
Gimli looked up, like a child to Gandalf. He said laughing, But you are all in white!
Yes, I am in white now. Indeed, I am Saruman, one might almost say, Saruman as he should have been. But come now, tell me of yourselves!
What is it you would like to know? asked Aragorn. All that has happened since we parted on the bridge would be a long tale...
Aurel smiled, but she found his reappearance a little confusing. As if thinking the same thing she did, Legolas spoke.
You fell? said Legolas confused.
Gandalf nodded. Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak. I fought with the Balrog of Morgorth. He looked pensive, 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 everyday 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. Now sit by me and tell me the tale of your journey.
All sat on the ground around Gandalf and listened on as Aragorn began to retell what had happened since what happened in Moria. Aurel bowed her head in sadness in the recounting of Aragorn's tale. How things had changed. Gandalf looked distant when he was told of everything and ask no questions, just nodded his head in understanding. When told of the death of Boromir, he sighed sadly. You have not said all that you know or guess, my friend. He closed his eyes. Poor Boromir! I could not see what happened to him. It was a sore trial for such a man; a warrior and a lord of man. Galadriel told me that he was in peril. But he escaped in the end, and I am glad. It was not in vain that the young hobbits came with us, if only for Boromir's sake. It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains.
Aragorn grinned. In one thing you have not changed, dear friend.
You still speak in riddles.
They both shared a good laugh.
A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The ents are going to wake up ... and find that they are strong. said Gandalf.
exclaimed Gimli in disagreement, the rumbling began again.. Oh, that's good.
The hobbits... Insisted Legolas, We have come far to seek them. And you seem to know where they are. Where are they now?
With Treebeard, and the Ents. said Gandalf in all normality.
Aurel's eyes widened with excitement at hearing about Ents.
The Ents! exclaimed Aragorn. Then there is truth in the old legends about dwellers in the deep forests and the giant shepherds of the trees? Are there still Ents in the world? I thought they were only a memory of ancient days if indeed they were ever more than a legend of Rohan.
Who is this Treebeard? asked Legolas, confused.
Ah! Now you are asking much. said Gandalf, The little that I know of his long slow story would make a tale for which we have no time now.
I thought Fangorn was dangerous. said Gimli.
cried Gandalf, And so am I, very dangerous, more dangerous than anything you will ever meet, unless you are brought alive before the seat of the Dark Lord. And Aragorn is dangerous, and Legolas is dangerous, and Aurel is dangerous. He looked at Aurel as if she knew something that the others did not, he quickly looked again towards Gimli, You are beset with dangers, Gimli son of Gloin, for you are dangerous yourself, in your own fashion.
As if suddenly remembering, he began a slow speech, looking up about him to the tree tops as if he was retrieving messages from the clouds, Messages have I from Galadriel to you. To Aragorn she says.
Where now are the Dunedain, Elessar, Elessar?
Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?
Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth.
And the Grey company ride from the North.
But dark is the path appointed for thee.
The dead watch the road that leads to the sea.
To Legolas she sent this word.
Legolas Greenleaf long under the tree.
In joy thoust has lived. Beware of the sea.
If thou' hearest the cry of the gull on the shore
Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.
Lastly to you Aurel.
Aurel of mine heart, these words are for thee.
The path now before you will set your heart free .
The choice you will make for the better of all,
Aurel! In the end, Beware of the fall!
Gandalf fell silent and closed his eyes. For many moments, all sat there, wondering what the messages had meant. Aurel thought of the last time she spoke to her Grandmother, she had insisted that she stay in Lothlorien, and so had her Grandfather. She wondered if it was because they had seen something that she had not, she did not understand what was meant by her words. What choice was she speaking of?
Then she sent me no message? asked Gimli.
Dark are her words. said Legolas, And little do they mean to those who receive them.
That is no comfort.
What then? said Legolas angrily. Would you have her speak openly to you of your death?
Yes if she had naught else to say.
Gandalf then opened his eyes. What is that?... Yes I think I can guess what her words may mean. Your pardon, Gimli! I was pondering the messages once again. But indeed, she sent words to you, and neither dark nor sad. To Gimli son of Gloin...she said,
Give his Lady's greeting. Lockbearer, wherever thou goest my thoughts goes with thee. But have a care to lay thine axe to the right tree!
Gandalf rose and so did everybody else, walking with haste.
Aurel and Legolas walked behind the other three. Touching plants and the earth, the trees, as they slowly walked towards the edge. It is a shame we do not have more time here. There is something about this forest that captivates me. Thought Aurel.
Legolas nodded, feeling and hearing what the trees were talking about. They all walked to the edge of the forest and out.
Alas our horses left us and have not returned! said Legolas.
No, not gone. said Gandalf, using his lips to whistle, but not a normal whistle, an enchanted one that rang through the air. Galloping was heard coming forth, and Aurel felt the rumble of the earth underneath her light feet. She looked to the north and saw not two, but three horses approach.
There is more than one horse coming. said Aragorn, looking into the distance.
Certainly. We are too great a burden for one.
There are three. Said Legolas as he watched them gallop forth, See how they run! There is Hasufel, and there is my friend Arod, beside him! But there is another that strides ahead; a very great horse, I have not seen his like before.
Nor will you again. said Gandalf, That is Shadowfax. He is chief of the Mearas, lord of horses and not even Theoden, King of Rohan, has ever looked on a better. Does he not shine like silver, and run as smoothly as a swift stream? He has come for me, the horse of the White Rider. We are going to battle together.
The horses finally reached all five of them and Shadowfax went up to Gandalf and nuzzled him.
"We go to Meduseld, hall of Theoden. Time presses and so with your leave, my friends, we will ride." Gandalf addressed the horses, who listened to his instructions intently. Gimli rode with Gandalf, Legolas rode alone, and Aurel rode with Aragorn once more. They rode for hours along the long grass, and at times it looked as if they were swimming in a field of long green grass. Aurel would stretch her hands out and feel the grass under her hands, until at last they could see something in the distance. It was a great cloud of smoke.
I see a great smoke. said Legolas, What may that be?
Battle and War! said Gandalf, Ride on!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gandalf allowed them some rest when the sun had hidden itself away, as they were all weary. Gimli fell asleep right away, Aragorn only rested, laying flat on his back, staring at the stars. Gandalf stood, leaning on his staff, looking out into the horizon, listening for any sounds, any creatures, any life. Aurel only sat, though she was weary, and she played with a blade of grass, twirling it around her fingers. Legolas came up behind her, touching her shoulder. He said. He looked down at her. She looked up at him.
I cannot sleep. Not yet.
You do not not know when next you will be able to sleep. Take advantage of this time.
Do not worry. I can sense you are tired. Go, Gimli will get lonely with no one to rest next to.
Then you do not wish for my company?
My company will only keep you awake. You sleep now. Take your own advice. I have gone longer with no sleep.
Legolas stayed behind her for a few more seconds before he decided to go back to where Gimli had already fallen asleep. Aurel watched the horses, and for a while kept playing the blade of grass.
You should rest Aurel. said Gandalf.
She only stopped playing with the blade of grass, letting it fall from her fingers, and looked with wide-eyes at Gandalf looking past her. She cast her gaze over to see how her companions fared and noticed that Legolas and Gimli were sleeping, side by side. Then she looked for Aragorn, but only found that she could see the tips of the black boots he wore. She went over to where he was laying as sat beside him. Aurel. Did you not hear what Gandalf said? Rest, and leave me to my thoughts. said Aragorn.
She looked down at him, he looked distressed and she somehow understood that she had invaded his moment of solace. She excused his behavior, but not before making sure the he knew he would not speak to her in that manner once again. She stood and brushed the grass off of her clothing, letting the dirt and grass fall upon Aragorn's face. He raised his head, and went to scold her, but she had already walked away, and he only went back to gazing at the stars.
The night passed quickly and as the sun slowly rose, so did the companions.
