Part 2 of Walking the Path

Disclaimer: Just a reminder I do not own any part of JK Rowling's or JRR Tolkien's great works. This piece of fiction garners neither profit nor ownership.

A/N – Readers picked up some intermittent spelling errors in previous chapters – Isengard should be Isengard. My shameful error has now been fixed in this chapter. Thanks for the PM's pointing it out.

Last time:

Harry nodded his expression serious, "The attacks were against specific targets Arwen, Boromir and Faramir and Selene. I'd suggest that it if not Prince Théodred himself then it was probably one of his father's kin that was targeted."

Elrond leaned forward addressing all those at the table, "This Kale is a fool to provoke us so. What does he gain from this but enmity?"

"And why inform us of his guilt and his location?" asked Maglor.

"Why indeed?" agreed Harry.

Chapter 5 – Dark Powers Rising

Minas Tirith

Tirith flinched as the Healer poked and prodded his wounded side.

The Healer sighed loudly and tried to explain again. "You are making this harder than it needs to be Captain. I need to see how the wound is healing and more importantly see if any infection has taken hold."

"I'm fine," Tirith assured the Healer.

Lady Ivriniel, who had been silently, watching the examination rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Captain let the Healer finish his examination or I'll have two of your own men hold you down. This is no time for foolishness. It was a serious enough wound and you lost a lot of blood."

Tirith grumbled but let the Healer finish.

After washing his hands in a bowl of water the Healer, methodically dried them on a clean cloth. "The stitches are not too tight, good. Ah...yes the wound is healing well and there is no sign of infection. Still I suggest that you take it easy Captain. I'll leave some herbal infusions for you to drink. They will aid your body staving off any ill humors."

"I'll see to it that the good Captain follows your instructions," Ivriniel assured the Healer.

Tirith pulled his shirt on trying not to grimace as the stitches in his side pulled slightly. By the time he had pulled on his vest, the Healer had packed his equipment and left followed by the two guards. When he reached for his belt, he noticed Ivriniel was still standing by the door.

"I'm sorry my lady. Was there something I could help you with?"

"Captain…Tirith….I…the boys have been asking to see you."

Tirith smiled, "My lady I'll make sure to drop in on the boys today as long as his Highness has no duties for me."

Ivriniel smiled in return before stepping forward to take Tirith's right hand. "I know my brother will reward you, but I also wished to add my thanks. I am in your debt Captain."

Tirith looked uncomfortable standing silently with Ivriniel gently clutching his hand. "My lady I did my duty as would have any of the tower guards. I appreciate your thanks more than I can say, but I don't accept that you owe me anything."

Releasing his hand, Ivriniel smiled and stepped back shaking her head. "Regardless Captain I shall bespeak my brother about some suitable reward."

Before Tirith could think of anything to say Ivriniel turned and left the room. With a silent sigh, he buckled his sword on and was about to go and find the Prince. As he turned, he noticed an odd shadow on the floor. Looking at the window he saw a large black raven on the windowsill. The bird stared back at him with far too much intelligence. Moving unhurriedly he turned as if to leave before spinning back around pulling his sword. Suddenly seeming to sense the threat the bird spread its wings.

As his sword came up, Tirith yelled, "Stupefy."

As the Ravens feet left the sill it was struck by the red light of the stunning spell and sent flying out the window.

Sword in hand Tirith looked down at the courtyard far below. There was an unmoving mass of black feathers lying on the cobbles. Calling for a guard he ordered him to follow as he began running down the stairs two at a time.

oOoOoOo

Angmar

"Morduk has yet to report from Minas Tirith."

Kale leaned back in his chair and considered the man seated opposite him. Zannor was scowling back at him his meal untouched.

Kale took a sip of his wine before placing his glass back on the table. "You have something to say Zannor?"

"This is foolishness!"

Kale resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the outburst. "You will have to be more specific."

Zannor glared at Kale, "You have gotten more of our brothers killed provoking the enemy. What does this gain us?"

"Ah, Zannor you still don't see do you?"

"See what?"

Kale's expression became serious. "The Master is trapped in Mordor and we have been left to fend for ourselves surrounded by enemies. Combined they are more than capable of destroying us. Our safety lies in keeping them off balance. We will strike fear into them and keep them confused and unwilling to join forces against us. Because if we do not we are doomed."

"We should be looking at ways to free the master rather than…"

Kale leapt to his feet sending his chair clattering to the stone floor. Zannor flinched back from the anger radiating from the other sorcerer.

"And how shall we do that? Shall we make war with Gondor and hold off the cursed Istari for what, months or years? Don't act the fool. Already our spies report back that our strike has confused our foes."

Zannor looked as if he was going to protest but bit back whatever he had been going to say.

Kale gestured toward the mountain behind them. "Here we can build our strength while we weaken our enemies. I want you to take Anaz and Furok and recruit as many men as you can from the nearby tribes. We need to start thinking about our next steps. Set them to fortifying the walls. Oh and see that I am not disturbed."

The other sorcerer nodded and immediately left to carry out his orders. As his footsteps faded away, Kale's face transformed into a smirk. Let them rebuild the walls of this dismal city he needed he enemies to waste their strength attacking the city itself. The true prize was the mountain.

Oh, what he had told the others was true. Well true enough but in reality his greatest tool was buried deep within Mount Gundabad. All memory of it had been lost among men. Even the Elves considered it a memory of a darker time. But he knew better.

So he had abandoned his friends and entered into Sauron's service. Through guile and manipulation, he had managed to get assigned to the service of the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr. He had hidden his own power and served and served well. Biding his time he plotted, removing rivals and betraying his fellows and was soon considered the second most feared being in the tower.

Unquestioned by the fearful residents of the tower he had access to thousands of year's worth of hidden texts and dark lore. It had been in those early days that he had found a reference to the lost servants of Melkor.

When Melkor had been cast down by his immortal brethren, few of his powerful servants had escaped the wrath of the Valar. Sauron had been one, but there had been others. The whole reason for being here was a single device. A device considered to have been of unknown providence it had been hidden away in an ancient treasure trove. To those serving in the dark tower, its purpose was unknown. He knew better and he knew how to use it.

Kale held his hand out and a long twisted metal staff appeared. Grasping it he winced as the now familiar pain as he took hold of what had once been his to command. Summoning his will, he forced the staff to obey. With an intricate movement, he muttered a spell and with a flash a long black box of blackened wood appeared on the table. Another gesture and the box opened exposing the device known as the rod of Lungorthin. The rod itself was as thick as his thumb and nearly a foot in length. Made of silver it was capped with a single black crystal. It had been etched with strange runes and disturbing half melted images of faces. It served as a compass of sorts allowing him to seek out Maiar. No doubt the Balrog of Melkor had used it to search out the Valar's Maiar spies. Now it served his purposes.

Again he summoned his will. Closing his eyes and focused on the rod. After a moment, he smiled and opened his eyes. His prize was still in a place hidden far below the mountain, far away from the light.

"Soon your power shall be mine. Then I shall see to my former brothers."

oOoOoOo

Isengard

Harry was so engrossed in the map on the wall of the library that he didn't hear his wife enter. Despite the grim mode in the tower Luna had to smile at the look on her husband's face. Lost in deep thought he had the tip of his tongue protruding from between his lips.

"Harry?"

Harry made a vague noise of acknowledgement, "Hmmm."

Smiling Luna walked over and lightly caressed his shoulder, "Love it is three in the morning."

"Sorry I knew it was late but I didn't want to disturb you with this. At least one of us should get some sleep."

Luna studied the map for a few moments. It was an old map that showed the realm of Angmar. Considering its faded lines and archaic script it was probably from the period just before the war between Angmar and Dúnedain kingdom of Arthedain.

"Kale must have a reason for occupying Angmar. I just can't see it. From what Elrond has said there are scattered tribes of wild men still living there and the Dwarves insist that very few Goblins still dwell in the caves beneath Mount Gundabad after the battle of five armies. He gains nothing it telling us where he is."

Luna tapped the map where a mountain was indicated. "Gundabad was once a Dwarven kingdom. They consider it the birthplace of Durin father of the Dwarves. It was also a mine. Iron ore if I remember correctly. Perhaps that's what they are after."

Harry traced over the mountains with his finger. "Okay, that's one I hadn't considered. It still doesn't make sense though. There is Iron all through the mountains he could have set up somewhere and we would never know. So why is he advertising?"

Luna shrugged, "The obvious answer is that it is a trap."

"Surely he is not that arrogant. He must realise that he couldn't stand against our united strength."

"Unless he has some sort of ace up his sleeve."

With a frustrated shrug, Harry turned away from the map. "I just know that we are going to end up going there I just wish I knew more."

"Going may be the only way to know for sure. I've meditated and haven't seen even a glimpse of a vision. So it looks like the Valar are leaving this one up to us. I can attempt to scry the area but without something to focus on it will be difficult to find anything."

Harry took his wife into his arms and kissed her. "I know love and I also know I won't solve it tonight."

Luna smiled and relaxed into Harry's arms. "Well then to bed with you husband." Giggling she made a show of struggling as Harry picked her up and put her over his shoulder. "Hey, I didn't say I was ready for bed!"

"My Lord?"

Harry turned to see one of the guards Maglor now had patrolling the tower at night standing in the doorway. "Yes?"

"Lord Maglor has sent word from the gate requesting your presence my Lord."

Harry lowered Luna to the ground. "Very well I will be there shortly. Please awaken the others and instruct them to see to the defense of the tower."

Luna straightened and raised her hand summoning her staff. With a second gesture, her dress changed to a sturdy set of leather breeches and a gray shirt. Another gesture and her slippers became sturdy boots.

Harry copied her action and once he had his staff in hand he gestured transforming his comfortable robe into a padded jerkin and breeches. Another gesture and his Elven armor appeared followed by his sword. He turned to see that Luna was ready and took her hand. Raising his staff again, he apparated them both from the library to the gate.

The guard was out when they arrived.

"Up here," called Maglor.

Harry and Luna looked up to see Maglor waving from atop the gate tower.

Taking the stairs, they found Maglor conferring with a squad of archers.

"What is it?"

Maglor gestured out toward the ancient road leading to the gates. "There is a visitor approaching the gate. One of our outrider patrols saw a rider. They were about to offer an escort when one of the elves realised that our visitor was not human."

Luna closed her eyes as she connected to the wards. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and looked over at Harry. "He crossed the ward line without incident."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Right so we have a mysterious visitor that has no ill intent. I guess we wait till he reaches the gate."

"We don't have long to wait then." Luna pointed toward the shadows on the road and watched as the shadowy rider slowly approached. With a frown, she shifted her hold on her staff. "Something feels oddly familiar."

Harry nodded and walked over to where Maglor stood with the archers. "Luna's sensing something odd and to be honest so am I. We know the wards are vulnerable. Have the archers stand ready."

The rider continued to slowly approach the gate and there was now a growing sense of tension in the air. Several of the archers were shifting around nervously.

When the rider reached hailing distance, Harry stepped forward. "Who approaches Isengard?"

There was no answer, but the rider halted just outside the light of the torches. Atop the wall, the defenders could make out little save that the rider seemed to be dismounting.

Harry took a firm hold of his staff and called out again. "Who approaches Isengard?"

The shadow cloaked figure walked forward a few steps before halting. "Isengard….I am seeking Curumo."

Harry and Luna tensed at the figures answer. Curumo was better known to men as Saruman. Harry raised his staff and cast a light spell bathing the area before the gate in light. The hooded figure below was leaning on a heavy staff. Harry felt Luna stepping up beside him as he studied the figure below.

"Curumo has been cast down."

The hooded stranger reached up and threw back his hood revealing an elderly man with a close-cropped beard. "Really, I can live with that he was an arrogant ass."

Harry glanced over at Luna whose shoulders moved slightly in a subtle shrug. "May I ask why you were seeking out Curumo?"

The older man studied Harry's face for a few moments before nodding. "I seek to contact the Istari or the white council."

Luna stepped forward, "You are an Istari?"

The figure nodded again. "I am my Lady. Alatar is my name although in the East I am known by other names. In the north I believe I was once known as the blue wizard."

Luna turned and gestured toward Orthanc, "I'll summon Gandalf."

Harry watched his wife apparate away before turning to Maglor. "Open the gate."

oOoOoOo

Alatar made no comment about the escort. Nor did he attempt to converse rather he passed the time by glancing around at the town and the cultivated fields with apparent interest. By the time they reached the tower Luna and Gandalf were standing on the steps with Azanath, Ayrica and Brada arrayed behind them. When Alatar spotted Gandalf he simply nodded as an expression of relief flickered across his face.

Descending the steps Gandalf never took his eyes off Alatar as he walked to stand within touching distance of the mounted man.

Finally, Alatar smiled and slid from the saddle, "Aiya Olórin mainen linna aselye?"

Gandalf laughed and embraced Alatar, "Ah my brother I have missed your irreverence. But come you need to speak Westron as not all those gathered here are fluent in the elvish tongue."

Harry bowed low to the Istari, "Pardon our cautious welcome and let me formally welcome you to Isengard."

oOoOoOo

The gathering in the library had turned into a breakfast meeting. As refreshments appeared along with the rest of the towers inhabitants. Gandalf spent several minutes introducing the others to Alatar, who just raised his brow at the titles. Maglor received a long cold look. When Luna and Harry were introduced Alatar turned to look at Luna, "I sensed a powerful presence as I rode in. Was that your doing?"

Luna nodded.

Gandalf took a sip of his tea before gesturing to the large map on the world on the wall. "Harry and Luna have also warded Mordor allowing none of the evil trapped there to leave that benighted land."

Alatar nearly choked on his pastry. "By the blessed realm, the whole of Mordor…..how is that possible?"

Harry smiled as Gandalf pounded his friend on the back. "Luna and I have a different take on our powers. That is what we are teaching here."

Alatar waved Gandalf off and turned to study Harry. Then he turned his eyes toward Luna and subjected her to the same silent scrutiny. "You are both Maiar?"

Luna smiled gently. "Aye, we are although we were not born as such."

"What….how….you were mortal?"

Gandalf smiled at the stunned expression on Alatar's face. "It is a long story old friend, one I shall recount to you in full later. Let it suffice for now to say that they have been sent to aid our cause."

Gandalf went on to explain briefly how the White Council had reformed and how the races had begun to prepare for the day when they would have to face the might of Mordor once again. Harry then took over explaining their current problem with the Sorcerer Kale.

Alatar frowned at the name Kale. "Alas, I fear that the ill news I bring is perhaps too late. Olórin….Gandalf this Kale is no mere sorcerer. Before he turned his back on the light, he was Pallando."

To the others in the room, it was as if Gandalf was suddenly stricken with age. A mortal bent with some great grief. After a long moment of silence, Gandalf looked up and shook his head his expression changing from grief to resolve. "Alas, such treachery is an all too familiar story. First Curumo now Pallando power seems to have corrupted both their spirits."

Harry frowned as he considered Alatar's news. "This is just great. What else has this Pallando done?"

"That I don't know at least not in full. The last I saw of him was in the far east of Rhûn. We had been working to keep the light alive amongst those living in the shadow of Mordor. There are a number of peoples who still live free in the vast grasslands and forests. Well, as it was I hadn't seen Pallando for several years. I was living among the Avari in their ancient forest in Dorwinion when a message came from Pallando. He asked me to meet him in the Grey Mountains. He had long made his home there among a small clan of petty Dwarves that have dwelt there for untold ages.

Trusting my brother I undertook the journey. Alas, that it was a deceit. I found him gone. Where he had departed to the dwarves did not know. So fearing for him, I spent years searching. Then finally despairing of finding him I returned to the Dwarven stronghold only to find the Dwarves had gone."

"Gone?" asked Gandalf.

Alatar shook his head sadly. "Yes gone, they had been driven from their home. I fear they paid a bitter price for their trust. At that moment, I feared that Pallando had perished with them. It was with a heavy heart that I rode the path back to my forests. I was still in the mountains when I spotted a large host of Easterlings searching the foothills. I had heard rumours that Sauron had begun to stir once more so moving cautiously I shadowed them trying to discern their purpose. Their purpose became clear as they systematically searched the paths."

"They were looking for you weren't they?" Luna asked quietly.

Alatar nodded, "Aye they were and riding at their head was my old friend Pallando. Knowing I was betrayed, I fled the area. The only information I could glean was that 'Kale' had led the men. I needed information so ere I left I waylaid one of his outriders and questioned him. In my haste, I wasn't particularly gentle but I did find out that Pallando was now a lieutenant of the Black Tower. Knowing my fate if Pallando caught me I disposed of the guard and rode quickly west."

Gandalf sighed, "Pallando….ah I fear that I now have a good idea of where the sorcerer's gained some of their skills. He was deeply versed in the mysteries."

Harry looked around those seated at the table, "So what now? We have a renegade Maia loose in the west stirring up trouble."

Luna shook her head, "We still don't know why he chose Angmar."

Alatar shrugged, "Pallando was a scholar he could be after something he uncovered reference to in the mountains."

"Or that the Dwarves told him." Maglor offered.

Luna shook her head sadly, "I fear that we shall find out."

oOoOoOo

Caras Galadhon – Lothlórien

Galadriel poured a ewer of blessed spring water into her scrying pool and stood back patiently waiting for the surface to still. When the surface was once more motionless, she summoned her will and concentrated on her need for information. Her 'mirror' was not a simple thing and sometimes the images on the surface were clouded both in appearance and meaning.

A dark place…..anger and hatred burning in the darkness.

A shift and she was looking down on a sight she had seen many times before. A battle….the battle… the War of Wrath. The armies of the Valar had come and Morgroth was thrown down. A victory but not complete…Sauron free to spread his malice. Durin's Bane….a Balrog…..shift

Harry and Luna fighting to reach a figure fighting from the shadows….shift

A face peering into the dark a staff in his grasp as he chanted in a language familiar and terrible…..SHATTER

Galadriel staggered backwards a few steps before steadying herself on a tree.

One of her guards called out from the lip of the bower, "My Lady?"

Galadriel took a deep breath before replying. "I am well. Please summon my maids to me."

Once the guard had left, she closed her eyes and sent her thought to seek for a familiar mind.

Lady Galadriel, what is wrong?

I have seen something that I need to discuss with you.

Both of us all the full council?

Can you get Mithrandir as well?

I will. We shall see you soon.

oOoOoOo

Isengard

The residents of the tower were all waiting when Luna appeared in the library with Celeborn and Galadriel.

Celeborn nodded to the waiting wizards, "I'm not sure that I will even become accustomed to that."

Harry stepped forward bowed, "My Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim welcome to Isengard." Gesturing toward the large table he invited the others to take their seats. After a few sips of wine, Galadriel set aside her glass and turned to study Alatar for a long moment before speaking.

"As I understand you are an Istari that has dwelled in the south lands?"

Alatar inclined his head in respect to Galadriel. "That is correct Lady Alatáriel. I sort to preserve what could be preserved among the few free peoples of the East. Mainly I worked with the small tribes of Avari that dwell in the forests there."

Galadriel raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I am known as Galadriel in these lands."

Celeborn, however, was focused on Alatar's other revelation. "The Avari still dwell in the east?"

Alatar nodded, "Yes the Avari dwell still in Dorwinion."

Celeborn shook his head a look of wonder on his face, "Astonishing to think that they have survived all the upheavals that have befallen these lands. I remember when we left Beleriand. Many of the Avari were returning to the east because of the wars in the Elven kingdoms. When we have liberty, perhaps we can visit our kin."

Luna's lips quirked up into a smile, "I am sure we could arrange something."

Galadriel had raised an eyebrow at her husband's excitement. This was not that surprising considering that they were his close kin as their people reckoned such things. However, this was not the time to indulge in what was sure to be a complicated genealogical discussion. Clearing her throat she turned to Harry and Gandalf's end of the table. "I believe that I have seen some of these events whilst scrying, though I was not sure of their import when I beheld them."

Galadriel explained what she had seen to the others in the room. As she spoke, Alatar and Gandalf grew more and more grim.

Alatar finally broke the silence, "A Balrog…merciful Ilúvatar we cannot allow Pallando to do this thing."

oOoOoOo

Deep beneath Mount Gundabad

Kale finished drawing and stepped back from the wall. It had taken several hours of painstaking work, but the granite wall was now covered with an intricate pattern of glyphs. Aulë had mastered many crafts not least among them being mining. The work he had just completed was a perversion of Aulë's work. A piece of sorcery designed to shatter the rock face thus freeing the dark spirit contained in its imprisoning embrace. A dark spirit that had not stirred since its dark master was banished. He smiled grimly as he considered just how close he was to true power in these mortal lands.

A gesture summoned his staff to his hand. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and began to chant in the ancient tongue of the Ainur. It would be a long process, days perhaps but he would succeed.

oOoOoOo

Maglor frowned as he watched Harry strapping on his sword belt. "We have the arms to equip a token force to accompany you."

Harry shook his head, "No my friend not this time. We would just be exposing our people to needless risk. I do think that we should get the guard force up to full strength. I don't want Kale or his allies coming in the back gate as we ride out the front. Radagast should arrive tomorrow to help you and with luck we won't be far behind him." "

Harry finished with his last buckle when Luna walked in. She was once more wearing leather breeches and tunic. "We are ready love."

Maglor, Harry and Luna entered the Library to find Gandalf and Alatar standing ready. The rest of the Towers residents were gathered around Miriel who was holding a sleeping Selene. Luna took Selene in to her arms and kissed on the forehead before passing her to her husband. As he took her, she opened her eyes and smiled at him sleepily before drifting back to sleep. Reluctantly Harry handed her back to Miriel.

Miriel took Selene and Azanath stepped forward placing his hand on Miriel's shoulder. "Don't worry Master I shall protect her with my life."

Looking around the room Harry could see the others showing their agreement to Azanath's words. "Thank you. Be on your guard my friends."

Luna held up a long length of rope, "Gandalf has supplied the Portkey coordinates so we all need to hold on to the rope."

As Luna touched the rope with her staff, Maglor raised a hand in farewell. "May the Valar guide you,"

oOoOoOo

Carn Dûm Angmar

Thanks to Gandalf's selected location their arrival went apparently unnoticed. They had Portkeyed into the remains of a ruined building. According to Gandalf it had once served as a watch tower but had obviously fallen to ruins at some stage after the abandoning of Carn Dûm.

Alatar was closest to a gap in the remaining walls. "I fear that we need to revise our plans if we had hoped to find the city deserted."

From the tower, they had an excellent view of the force working to fortify the crumbling walls of the city. Men and goblins were tearing down houses and carting stones to the wall under the direction of several men in dark robes. Others were working hastily to repair the breaches in the walls.

Harry watched the movement below for several minutes before turning to the others. "Is it just me or is all the focus on the wall. Do any of you see any activity anywhere else?"

Gandalf stroked his beard as he peered down at the wall. "I agree it looks like they fear an attack, but that is just as unlikely. Who do they think will be attacking them? We lack the ability to attack so far from the more civilised realms."

"This is….Luna?" Harry started to reply when Luna took a sharp almost painful breath and clutched at her staff.

Luna blinked and seemed to come back to herself. "Pallando has nearly succeeded in his mad quest. We must hurry if we are to stop him."

"Where?" asked Harry.

Luna pointed toward the base of the mountain. "There, Pallando is deep under the mountain. We must go now."

Harry considered options for a few moments before turning to Gandalf and Alatar. "Okay, I have an idea. Luna I'm going to cast a spell a Reducio on each of us that will make us small enough for you to carry. When you get somewhere safe, drop us and be ready to cast Engorgio to end the spell if we need to."

Luna nodded and Harry quickly explained that he was going to shrink all three of them so that Luna could transform and carry them to the mountain. Alatar looked unconvinced but nodded.

Luna watched all three wizards shrink down till they could fit in the palm of her hand. "You look cute perhaps we'll have to do this again sometime for Selene."

Luna conjured a small leather satchel and laid it on the ground gesturing for the others to climb inside. Gandalf and Harry both started to climb in when they realised that Alatar was still standing looking up at Luna in shock. However, they quickly got him moving and soon all three were inside. Then she transformed into her animagus form. Launching herself into the air she picked up the satchel with her talons before quickly rising up into the air.

Expertly riding the thermals and swirling winds Luna kept as close to the rocks as she could relying on her colouration to hide their approach. After one pass, she spotted a large opening ahead. Circling around she swooped down entering the cave.

Carefully navigating the entrance Luna spotted the much smaller opening at the rear of the cave. It was much too narrow to risk flying so she landed as close to the rear of the cave as she could. Once down she looked around the room with her enhanced vision. Seeing no one she transformed and opened the satchel letting the three small figures out. Within moments, all three were back to their normal size.

"How many guards did you see?" Alatar asked as he looked warily around the cave.

Luna shook her head, "None, there wasn't even a guard at the entrance. I suspect Pallando wants no witnesses to what he is doing."

"Which way Luna?" asked Harry.

Luna looked around for a moment. "I have no idea, but it felt deep inside the mountain. Logically we need to make our way further in."

As quickly as they dared, the four of them followed the obviously man-made passage into the mountain. Initially, there was enough light from the entrance but after a few minutes Gandalf had to light the end of his staff.

For nearly an hour or as near as they could judge it they moved silently onwards deeper into the mountains. Soon the passage became more roughly hewn and even narrower.

Harry held up a hand and the others stopped. "Listen."

As they listened there came a faint sound. A distant voice echoing in the narrow stone passage.

Luna peered into the darkness, "We must hurry love he is almost complete."

Harry blurred in mid stride and transformed into a wolf. Almost noiseless he sped ahead into the dark.

Alatar watched Harry disappear into the darkness before turning to Luna and Gandalf, "What is he doing?"

It was Luna that answered, "Buying us the time we must run now."

oOoOoOo

He let his staff fall as his long incantation ended. It was nearly done.

Pallando the Maiar, one-time servant of Aulë would soon have the power to challenge Sauron for supremacy in Middle Earth. Soon the prison would shatter and the Dark Maiar within would be free. Then he could seek out the other surviving servants of the great darkness and rescue them from the shadows. A glorious empire of the Maiar let the Valar have Aman. They had made it clear that they would not fight a second war of wrath.

Soon his sorcery would finish its work on the prison. Concentrating he began gathering his power knowing that he would need it all to deal with his potential ally. Such beings respected power. He had just begun when he sensed something approaching.

Wolf Harry spotted the figure ahead. He didn't know what Pallando was doing so he decided the best way to distract him was to use his speed and weight. A few feet away he launched himself at the Rouge Maiar.

Pallando tried to turn when something plowed into him sending him crashing to the floor. Whatever had crashed into him was scrambling to its feet and was snarling. Somehow he had managed to maintain a hold of his staff so he lashed out at his attacker.

Harry regained his footing and danced away from the Maiar's strike. He needed to keep Pallando occupied as he waited for the others to arrive. So he snarled and lunged snapping at Pallando forcing him to defend himself.

Pallando thrust his staff toward the huge wolf and sent a burst of power through it. The strike sent the wolf tumbling and sliding across the floor.

Harry found himself tumbling across the floor and had to use some of his own power to slow himself before he slammed into the unforgiving stone walls.

Pallando frowned as he felt the burst of magic from the wolf. "You are no wolf. Ah….am I dealing with the Wizard of Isengard himself? I suppose I should feel honored."

Harry climbed to his feet transforming back to his human form as he did, "Kale or should it be Pallando?"

Pallando looked taken back for a moment before he shrugged dismissing Harry's question. "So Alatar sought you out. I must admit that I didn't see that coming. I should have I suppose. Why are you here wizard?"

"To stop your evil, you have betrayed your mission servant of the Valar. Just like Saruman." As Harry spoke, he began a slow advance toward Pallando.

Pallando smiled his eyes glinting in the torchlight. "Really and how will you do that wizard? The spell is already cast. Nothing can stop it now."

Harry raised his staff and fired a stunner which Pallando blocked with his staff. With a shout, the sorcerer returned fire with another burst of power. Harry was forced to raise a hasty shield.

A loud cracking noise sounded as the entire cave shook. Amid a rain of dust and small stones, Harry looked around trying to determine what was happening.

Pallando laughed, "It's too late wizard our brother is almost free!"

"Shit," Harry sidestepped a falling rock and charged Pallando. The sorcerer sent another blast of power hurtling toward him that forced him to shield himself again.

Pallando seemed content to draw this out and Harry wasn't going to play that game. Gesturing with his staff he poured as much power as he could into his spell. "Accio Pallando."

Not recognising the spell the sorcerer was unprepared when he was tugged from his feet to hurtle through the air toward Harry.

He needed to end this quickly so he as Pallando flew toward him he smashed his staff into the Wizards head. The blow sent the sorcerer flying into the cave wall where it fell unmoving to the floor.

"HARRY?"

Luna, Gandalf and Alatar reached the cave just as another shockwave rocked the cave.

"A minute or so ago would have been good," complained Harry as the others made their way to him through the dust and debris.

Luna looked up at the cave wall a look of fear on her face. "We are too late. It's nearly free. Quickly we must stop the Balrog before it can leave this cave."

"How?" asked Harry.

Luna gestured at the wall, "Pallando has warded the cave binding some of its powers. It's powerful but still vulnerable to physical attacks."

"So we hit it with everything we can?" Harry asked.

"We shall bring the mountain down on it if we have to," Alatar assured Luna.

Gandalf looked grim as he raised his staff, "Avoid fire the Balrog's of Morgroth are immune to its touch."

Slowly the cracks grew and large chunks of the granite fell away. Then an entire section fell and a large shadowy figure could be seen.

"Now!" yelled Luna.

The four of them began launching a barrage of spells at the shape which seemed to surge forward before flinching back from the spells. Gandalf and Alatar were firing bursts of raw power at the Balrog. Their attacks appeared to hurt it and force it back, but it didn't appear to be weakening.

Luna cast an overpowered explosive hex at the Balrog then turned to look at Harry, "We can't hold it forever. Harry, you must destroy its physical form."

Harry was about to ask how the hell he was going to achieve that when he realised that the twisted Maia that had bound itself to the form of the Balrog. A form it was now trapped in, trapped and vulnerable.

Harry cast his next spell aimed at the Balrog, "Levicorpus." The Balrog suddenly floated into the air bellowing and thrashing. "Luna transfigure it into something inanimate."

There was a flash of light and the Balrog had disappeared replaced by a statue.

"Hurry I won't be able to hold it long in this form. It is already fighting the spell."

"Gandalf shatter the statue," ordered Harry.

Gandalf cast the Reducto curse and the statues head exploded.

Harry was sweating now as he kept the immense weight of the statue in the air. "Keep going we won't be able to hold it much longer."

Gandalf sent another three spells at the Balrog reducing its top half to rubble. Then the statue crashed to the ground transfiguring back to flesh as it fell.

"Er yuck," complained Luna as she took in the enormous corpse.

After a moment movement could be seen as a humanoid figure made of what appeared to be, smoke and flames appeared amid the ruined body of the Balrog. For a second they feared that their foe had survived. Then the figure wailed almost soundlessly and its incorporeal form blew apart in a soundless explosion.

Harry pulled Luna in to hug before letting her go after a long moment. Gandalf and Alatar joined them. Gandalf shaking his head in wonder, "Somehow we won."

Luna gestured toward the mess. "It wasn't able to access its full powers. If it had been it may have been able to break our spells."

Gandalf nodded, "Come we had better leave this place."

Alatar looked around the room and raised his staff, "Where is Pallando?"

oOoOoOo