"We're riding the horses to Isengard! To Isengard! To Isengard! What did you say? We're riding the horses to Isen—"
"Do you know what I say?', Aragorn rudely cut in.
"What?"
"Shut. Up."
"Hey, Boromir! Did ya hear that? The kingly ranger dude told me to shut up!"
"And I wholeheartedly agree with him.', the steward's son muttered dryly.
"I heard that!"
"You were meant to!', he shot back.
"Darn. My sarcasm is starting to wear off on them. Either that or he just has something against my singing.', I complained as I rode in-between Théoden's posse and my friends.
A sigh escaped Éomer's lips as he rode a few feet ahead, and I swear that I saw the vein in his neck tick with irritation.
"I believe we have already discussed this, Lady Rielásse. It is not the voice, it is the tunes! They wedge themselves into our minds and will not let us get a moments peace!', he protested, throwing a dark look in my direction.
"If you like to waltz with tomato—', I began to hum, catching Éomer's annoyed expression.
"Tinwë..."
"Yes, Legolas?', I asked innocently.
"Shut. Up."
"Gandalf! Gandalf, did you hear that? Theelftold me to shut up!"
"My dear, at the moment you are enough to test the patience of Nienna, and she is the Vala of mercy and compassion.', the wizard evenly replied. "Now, stop bickering like children. We are nearing Isengard."
xXx
"I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon, after a hard day's work.', the slightly accented voice floated on the wind to our group.
"Except, you've never done a hard day's work.', came the humorous reply.
Hasufel bobbed his head and neighed as we drew closer to the area that the voices had come from.
"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!', Merry shouted, standing up and spreading his arms wide with greeting. Pippin held his cup of ale high in the air.
"You young rascals!', Gimli shouted reproachfully. "A merry chase you have led us! And here we find you! Feasting and— and smoking!"
Aragorn and Legolas exchanged a grin at the hobbits behavior, while Éomer eyed them warily.
"Told you they weren't dead!', I whispered in a sing-song voice. The third marshall rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the conversation at hand.
"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts!', Pippin defended, taking a bite from a sandwich and another puff from his pipe. "The salted pork is particularly good.', he wheedled, making Gimli pause in his rant.
"Salted pork?', the dwarf asked hopefully.
"Hobbits.', Gandalf muttered in disbelief. "Always is their mind on food."
"Hey! Where are my well-earned comforts? Last I checked I'm the one who drank that nasty drink becausesomeoneinsisted I was sick!', I grinned at the halflings.
"Riley!', Pippin shouted, tumbling off of the rocks he had been lounging on. "You're alive! We thought the orcs had certainly gotten you!"
"How comforting.', I huffed. "You didn't see me for a week and you automatically assumed that I was dead."
Merry began to laugh uproariously, and continued to laugh until tears were running down his face.
"He's drunk.', Pippin explained after seeing a few eyebrows being raised.
That explains a lot.
"You're both drunk.', Gandalf mumbled. "Where is Treebeard?"
"He has taken over management of Isengard. For all the magic Saruman has in him, he is afraid of a few trees.', Pippin wisecracked.
"Indeed. Take us to him, if you please Master Hobbits.', Gandalf requested impatiently.
Pippin rode behind Aragorn, while Merry tried to clamber up Hasufel. I sighed before grabbing his arm and hauling him up behind me.
"If you fall I will not catch you.', I warned as we followed the rest of the group.
"Then I'll hold on extra tight!', he exclaimed, burrowing his face into the back of my cloak.
Murky brown water had flooded the field that had once laid before Orthanc. Gandalf warned us to be on our guard against the trenches and ravines that had been dug into the ground as we slowly guided our horses through the treacherous wreckage. Broken pieces of machinery and trunks of burned trees floated in the water. Every once in a while we would see smoke rising from odd places.
I heard a deep rumbling in the distance, and I glanced up to see a pair of amber eyes watching me curiously. Boromir's eyes widened and I bit my lip to keep from laughing as his hands gripped his horse's reins so tightly I could see his knuckle bones. He still wasn't comfortable with the talking trees; I could only imagine how awful it was for him to be around talking and walkingtrees.
"Hoom, hm. This must be your missing companion, eh Master Meriadoc?', Treebeard growled good-naturedly. "A pretty thing, just as you said. Brum-hum. But I still prefer the Entwives. Beautiful things were they." The Ent began to talk to Gandalf about Saruman, and the rest of us talked among ourselves quietly.
"Merry!', I hissed. "What did you tell Treebeard?"
"Only that we were worried about you!', the hobbit muttered. "Among other things.', he added.
"I'm never going to hear the end of this one!', I groaned before turning in the saddle.
"Do. Not. Tell. My. Brothers.', I warned.
"A tree thought you were beautiful.', Legolas snorted inelegantly. "As did a hobbit."
"Legolas!', I whined irritably.
"Ha! A good tale to tell your siblings, lass!', Gimli mentioned mischievously, throwing a wink in my direction.
"Oh yeah? Well I thought no one tosses a dwarf!"
If looks could kill, Aragorn would have died on the spot with the look that Gimli shot him.
"You told her!', he roared. "I thought I said not to tell the elves!"
"And I kept my word, Gimli.', Aragorn responded without even turning around.
"H-how?', he spluttered. Legolas whispered a reminder in his ear and I could almost see the lightbulb go on over his head.
"Oh.', he mouthed. "My apologies, Aragorn."
"You are forgiven, Master Dwarf. I still have difficulty accepting how she knows certain things."
Éomer raised an eyebrow in my direction and I shrugged.
"Elves are all knowing. Remember?"
"I believe we have had this conversation before."
"Yep. You said that elves were also wise and serious, but I was not so. And I replied that life is too long to sit around all day and be a grump."
He shook his head and gave a wry grin.
"For those who are not blessed with the ability to live forever, it is the opposite. Life is much too short; a fleeting thing it is.', Éomer stated thoughtfully.
"I know.', I whispered quietly. "One day you could be enjoying the sunshine, and the next day you are dead because of a storm."
"You sound as though you speak from experience.', Éomer began.
"Not my own. My parents died in a boating accident almost two-years ago."
"But I heard you speak to Aragorn about your father?" Éowyn's brother looked confused.
"Lord Elrond adopted me not too long ago. Aragorn found me on the borders of Rivendell and brought me with him when he traveled there."
"Why were you on the borders of Rivendell?"
"Um, yeah. Funny story..." I went silent as I heard Aragorn mutter something under his breath.
"Show yourself."
"Be careful. Even in defeat Saruman is dangerous."
"I say let's just have his head and be done with it.', Gimli suggested with his normal sense of dry humor.
"No!', Gandalf argued. "We need him alive! We need him to talk.', he explained as he notice Théoden's tense stance.
"You have fought many wars, and slain many men, Théoden King. And made peace afterwards."
The silky voice floated from above our heads, and we all looked up to see Saruman leaning on his staff at the top of the tower. I shook the heaviness that seemed to descend on my mind as the wizard spoke. It helped that I knew he was using his voice to confuse our minds. The others were unsure what they were feeling; Gandalf and Legolas were the only ones who looked unfazed.
"Can we not take council together like we once did, old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?', Saruman pleaded smoothly. His manner was haughty, though his voice contradicted his attitude.
"We will have peace.', Théoden answered calmly. Aragorn looked at Rohan's king like he had been brainwashed.
"We will have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lay dead there!', Théoden continued angrily. His voice seemed to shake everybody from their stupor, and instead of watching the wizard in awe, they glared at him. "We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gate of the Hornburg, are avenged!"
Saruman's face remained unfazed, but his hands tightened around his staff.
"When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace!', Théoden finished with a snarl.
Looking at everyone's expressions right now, the all clearly seem to say "beat that, sucker!" Except for Saruman of course.
"Gibbets and crows? Dotard! And what do you want Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess, the key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Baradûr itself? Along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five Istari?', the traitorous wizard mocked.
"Your treachery has already cost many lives, and it can cost thousands more. But you, you could save them Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's council! Tell us what you know!', Gandalf implored calmly.
"So you have come here for information, have you? I have some for you.', Saruman jeered as he held up the palantír that would cause trouble later on tonight. Gandalf nudged Shadowfax a few feet closer to the tower.
Another thing I can absolutely not change. Pippinhasto go to Minas Tirith. But I really hate the idea of what is going to happen...
"Something festers in the heart of Middle Earth, something that you have failed to see. The Great Eye has seen it, and even now he presses his advantage. His wrath will come upon you soon. You are all going to die.', Saruman sneered. Merry, who had watched the scene unfold, has buried his head into my back once more, hiding from Saruman's piercing gaze.
"But you know this, do you not Gandalf?', Saruman sneered. "You do not honestly think that this ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor? This—" The wizard paused and looked Aragorn up and down. "This exile who has crawled from the shadows will never be king. Gandalf the Grey does not hesitate to sacrifice those who he loves. Tell me, what comforting words did you tell the halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path you have sent him on can only lead todeath."
"Is it true?', Merry shuddered. "That Frodo and Sam are doomed?"
"Saruman is trying to manipulate us.', I whispered back. "He is playing on our fears. It is through fear that the enemy can control us."
"And thisgirl. She will not be able to save Middle Earth from its fate. She will perish, after the enemy had led her to fade.', Saruman snarled with obvious glee. "She will die in agony."
Despite what I had told Merry, I still shivered at Saruman's sinister prediction. The hobbit reached around me to squeeze my hand in reassurance.
"I've had enough!', Gimli growled. His patience hadwent out the window as Saruman threatened my well-being. "Shoot him! Stick an arrow into his foul mouth!"
"No!, Gandalf commanded sternly, stilling Legolas' overly eager movement as he made to draw a shaft from his quiver. Apparently Saruman had gotten under his skin also. "Saruman! Come down and your life will be spared!"
"Save your pity and your mercy!', Saruman spat. "I have no need of it!"
A heat wave hit me as Saruman tried to envelop Gandalf in a ball of flames. The horses spooked and stepped several paces back from the searing warmth.
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.', I muttered as I watched Gandalf come out unharmed.
"Your staff is broken.', Gandalf shouted and the ex-white wizard's staff busted into mini shreds of shrapnel. Saruman's hand shook as he watched the shards fly in all directions. Gríma crept behind Saruman, his pale face framed by greasy black hair.
"Gríma!', Théoden cried out as he saw his face. "You need not follow him! You were not always as you are now! You were once a man of Rohan! Come down from there! Be free of him!"
"Man of Rohan, you say? Such pride is in that use of words, Théoden King. Yet what is the House of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink and reek, and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs! You are a lesser son of greater sires! The victory of Helm's Deep does not belong to you, son of Théngel!"
"Gríma.', Théoden said once more. "Come down. Be free of him."
"Free?', Saruman sniffed contemptuously. "I think not. This miserable excuse for a man will never be free of me."
"No.', I barely heard the defiant whisper of Gríma. This was not the Gríma who had betrayed his country; this was the Gríma who had wept silently behind Saruman as the wizard had commanded his army of Uruk-Hai to slaughter the people of Rohan.
"Get down! Cur!', Saruman shrieked angrily as he backhanded Gríma's face, causing the man to fall behind him.
"Ouch.', I hissed, actually feeling bad for the treacherous snake.
"Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's council. Tell. Us. What. You. Know.', Gandalf demanded through clenched teeth.
"Withdraw your guard. Then I will tell you where your doom will be decided.', Saruman bartered. "I will not be held prisoner here!"
Things escalated quickly as Gríma literally and figuratively stabbed Saruman in the back. Legolas shot Gríma in the chest, the man stumbling back as he numbly felt at the place where the arrow protruded. With one last burst of strength Gríma shoved (they definitely did not show that in the movies!) Saruman off of the tower.
Merry bit his hand and squelched a shriek of disgust as Saruman landed on a metal spike of his own making. I couldn't exactly blame the hobbit, as I was sure I looked a little green myself. The crunch of metal shattering Saruman's spine at the wizard's landing almost did me in. Everyone looked disgusted, even Gandalf and Legolas, the normally stoic people of our group.
"So it turns out that Saruman did die.', I mumbled.
"What if he hadn't?', Merry reflected rhetorically.
"He would have destroyed the Shire out of spite, cutting down the trees and creating havoc of everything.', I replied as I felt the eyes of our group on me.
"Perhaps it is best that it happened this way.', Gandalf smiled grimly.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away.', Treebeard observed from where he stood. "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees."
"Pippin!', Aragorn warned as the hobbit leapt from his place on Aragorn's horse Brego, landing with a splash in the dirty water.
"Booger crap!', I groaned into my hand. Stupid seeing-stone.
"Bless my bark!', Treebeard boomed as he watched Gandalf move to snatch the palantír away from Pippin.
"I'll take that, my lad."
Pippin looked up at the wizard guiltily, unsure of what he had done, but knowing that it probably wasn't a good thing.
xXx
As we were leaving Isengard, I asked Treebeard if I could ride in his branches. The Ent raised a mossy eyebrow before scooping me up into his hand and placing me among his branches. I managed to wiggle around until I was closer to his ear, and I whispered my evil-laugh-worthy request to him.
He rumbled something in his own language before agreeing. I giggled hysterically as I watched him pluck a very tense Boromir from the saddle.
"Oi!', the steward's son yelped as he was hauled into the air and placed beside me. "Rielásse!', he growled tersely. Actually, it was more of a squeak than a growl.
"Whoops! How did you get up here?', I grinned.
"I do not know, but you undoubtedly had something to do with it. Could you please ask this walking tree to place me back onto my horse?"
"Tree!', Treebeard harrumphed. "I am no tree! I am an Ent!"
I winked at Merry, who had swapped horses to ride with Éomer as I sat in Treebeard's limbs. The curly-headed halfling grinned back up at me. He was probably having a case of déjá vú, but at least he wasn't as tipsy as he had been earlier. He was still drunk of course, but only slightly so.
Treebeard gingerly placed Boromir back onto Berun, and the man sent a death glare in my direction. I beamed back, making many in our group crack a smile, even Aragorn, who was still a grump about last night's incident. Legolas chatted with the Ent about visiting with Fangorn, procuring permission to enter for both he and Gimli.
"And Master Meridoc's missing companion is welcome too.', Treebeard added. If Legolas was surprised he said nothing. As for me, I definitely thought that I would like to visit Treebeard's home. Fangorn may be a bit spooky, but it was a really cool place.
When we reached the mangled iron gate of Isengard, Treebeard set me back onto my own horse and bid us farewell.
"How many did you kill?"
"Huh?', I jerked my head around to face Gimli as we rode towards Edoras.
"How many orcs did you kill during last night's battle?"
"I'm not telling you!', I sniggered.
"Afraid we beat you, lassie?', Gimli played along.
"Nope! I'm afraid the number I killed would wound your manly pride.', I snickered humorously.
"Eh! Go 'long with you, lass!', the dwarf grumbled in reply.
Mwa-ha-ha!
"Didn't yourdaeradarequest for you to stop with that terrible laugh?', Legolas deadpanned.
"Whoopsie. That wasn't supposed to slip out."
"Do I need to place a muting spell upon your mouth until you can learn to control it, Riley?', Gandalf casually remarked over his shoulder.
"Can he do that?', I whispered to Aragorn.
"Would you like to find out?', Gandalf tossed back.
"Uh-uh!', I quickly shot back before shutting my mouth. Treasonous lips only get me into trouble anyway.
xXx
"Behave. I do not want to search for you in the morning only to find that you have been imprisoned. And do not wander off. And do not drink. Anything. No ale, wine, or beer. Understood? In fact, it is probably best if you stay close to Gandalf, Legolas, or I." Aragorn went down his list of do's-and-do-not's as I was escorted to the main hall for the feast.
"Alright!', I groaned. "I promise to follow all of the above. I already have an ada, you know."
"Yes, I know. Elrond is a wonderful father, but he is not here to keep you out of trouble."
"Aww! I have a den-mother! Er... or is it father?"
"Do I even want to know?"
"Probably not. Unless you want to sell girl scout cookies!', I chirped happily. Aragorn only rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed.
xXx
We were seated at a long bench and waited patiently for Théoden to make a toast before the festivities began.
"Hail the victorious dead!', said the king, holding his goblet of wine high into the air.
"HAIL!', the crowd shouted. I lifted my glass, but did not drink anything from it. In fact, within the next ten minutes my cup had mysteriously disappeared after Pippin had skipped by.
"So, Éomer.', Éowyn began. "Singing vegetables?"
Éomer choked on his ale, making Boromir slap him soundly on the back.
"Where—', he swallowed. "Did you hear that?"
"About that...', I fiddled with my hair as Éomer most likely cursed in Rohirric, judging on how his ground-out statement earned him a slap from his sibling.
"Éomer!"
Aragorn's eyes twinkled slightly as Éomer recounted his "terrifying" adventure. Éowyn was in hysterics by the time he was done.
"Not many can unnerve my brother, Rielásse!', she giggled. "Yet I feel as though he would rather face another contingent of Uruk-Hai than journey with you while you are singing these ridiculous tunes!"
xXx
I have got to see this.
"Rielásse!"
Party pooper.
"Where are you going?', Aragorn chided sternly. "I thought I told you to stay close."
"I'm going to watch Legolas and Gimli."
"Why?', he pressed.
"Drinking game. Duh!"
"I'll come with you."
Whoa. I was expecting a whole lot of things to come from his mouth, but that was not it.
"Really? I thought you were mad at me for... yeah, that."
"I may be upset about your disobedience, Riley, but I have not stopped caring for you. You are as a sister to me. And watching a dwarf and elf in a drinking competition should be... interesting.', Aragorn finished with a wicked smirk in his friends' direction.
xXx
"No pauses. No spits. No spills.', Éomer filled two mugs with ale and set them before Legolas and Gimli.
"And no regurgitation.', Gimli added as he picked up his first mug.
"So it's a drinking game?', Legolas asked a bit uncertainly.
"Aye. Last one standing wins."
Or gets turned into a rotten egg.
"What do we drink to?', one man asked.
"Victory!', cried a second one.
"VICTORY!"
"Begin.', Éomer snapped his fingers.
Legolas raised his tankard and sniffed at the foaming liquid.
"Dorwinion is of much better quality.', he said under his breath.
"Finicky elf.', I muttered, loud enough that Gimli would not hear me, but Legolas most certainly would. The silvan elf glowered at me before tipping up his cup and downing the liquid.
Several flagons later, Legolas was still going strong, while Gimli was belching (pretty sure his butt was snoring, too.) and muttering something about dwarfs and... hairy frogs? No idea what that was about.
Éomer eyed him in disbelief as he let out a loud and very long burp.
"I feel something.', Legolas remarked as he turned his hands over to study them incredulously. "A slight... tingling in my fingers."
Éomer's eyebrows shot up as he watched the Prince of Mirkwood.
"I think it's affecting me.', Legolas murmured worriedly.
Show-off.
"My offer still stands for the muting spell.', Gandalf offered as he popped up beside me. I scowled but didn't have the chance to answer as Gimli declared himself the winner... almost.
"See!? What did I tell you? He can't hold his...', the dwarf trailed off as his eyes crossed and he fell backwards into a liquor induced slumber. I got chills when I remembered the last time I had seen someone in such a state, but I quickly shook the feeling off.
"Game over.', Legolas smugly announced.
I leaned over and poked Gimli's cheek. The dwarf did not move.
Yep. He's definitely wasted.
When I looked up again Aragorn had disappeared so I went to stand by Gandalf, who was watching two certain hobbits dance on the tables with their overflowing pints.
Oh, you can search far and wide!
You can drink the whole town dry!
But you'll never find a beer so brown
As the one we drink in our hometown!
You can drink yer fancy ales!
You can drink 'em by the flagon!
But the only brew for the brave and true...
Comes from the Green Dragon!
Pippin and Merry clanked their glasses together and turned the glasses bottom up. As he wiped the froth from his mouth, Pippin spotted me standing by Gandalf. I almost face-palmed as his eyes lit up and he hopped nimbly off of the table. For someone who was drunk, the halfling was still steady on his feet.
"Riley! Come dance with us!"
"No.', I smiled gently. "Not tonight, Pip."
The hobbit pouted half-heartedly, giving me puppy dog eyes.
"Not working,mellon nin."
"Merry!', he shouted. "Come help me!"
His friend quickly came to his aid and I found myself being tugged towards the tables.
"Hey!', I growled, giving them a dark look while they only beamed back.
Gandalf chuckled and pushed me forward. I pulled a face at him, which made him laugh harder as the hobbits dragged me up onto the wood. I stood frozen for a moment before Pippin prodded me in the ribs.
"Riley!', he pleaded.
"Darn."
And that is how I found myself dancing on top of the tables like I was a helpless drunk.
xXx
Third Point of View...
xXx
"No news of Frodo?"
"None.', Gandalf answered Aragorn, his demeanor immediately sobering.
"We have time.', Aragorn comforted him. "Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor."
"Do we know that?', Gandalf worried.
"What does your heart tell you?"
"That he is alive." The wizard smiled. "Yes. He is alive."
But Aragorn had not heard his friend's last statement. He was too busy watching Riley dance a complicated looking jig across the scratched wooden surface of the table the hobbits had just been on.
"I thought I told her not to drink.', the ranger shook his head in exasperation.
"She didn't.', Gandalf laughed. "That is a product if two rather stubborn hobbits who will not take no for an answer. And I may or may not have given her a little nudge."
"Why is the my Lady's granddaughter dancing on the table?"
"Mae govannen,Haldir! I thought you had left for Lóthlorien.', Aragorn greeted.
"I had planned to, but I was invited to the feast. And I have been ordered to bring news back of my Lady's granddaughter. She is missed by her kin."
"Yes. She is dear to us all.', Aragorn murmured as he watched the object of their discussion. "It will be most amusing to tell your Lord and Lady that the last you saw of their granddaughter was when she was doing a jig on the tabletops."
A smile tipped the corners of Haldir's mouth up.
"Indeed. And even more amusing when the find that she is the one who saved my life."