Author note: The Orcs and Uruk-hai haven't stopped at night at the eaves of Fangorn Forest so they weren't killed by the Rohirrim Riders.

Chapter III: Saruman and the return of the White Wizard

The following day

Merry woke up and froze as he saw the gates of Isengard laying before the company. As soon as they had passed the gate, he froze as he saw thousands of goblins turn to look at their comrades who had returned with their prize. The Orcs approached the Tower of Orthanc, where they found Saruman waiting for them.

"I see your hunt was successful." said the wizard addressing the warriors of the White Hand before turning to the Orcs from Mordor. "Who am I to thank for the assistance in the delivering of the halflings?"

"I am chief of the Mordorians. I am Grishnákh the Captain of Barad-dúr and I have been sent by my lord the Mouth of Sauron to aid your troops. It is he who you must thank." said the red-skinned captain of the Mordor Orcs.

"Well I thank you both. And now shall I see the halflings? Bring them forth!"

Lugdush, Gartopsh and Mauhúr brought the trio forth before their lord.

"Ah, so there were three of you at the least. Gandalf was wise to hide that from us. But it didn't help him either. Now you are all in my hands. Lurtz and you Captain of Barad-dúr take them inside the tower. We shall speak there. Anything else?"

"I'm starving. We ain't ate nothing but maggoty bread for three stinking days!" said Lugdush.

"Yeaahhh! Whyy don't wee have sssome meattt?" asked Snaga before looking at the captives."They're fresh!"

"They are not for eating!" argued Uglúk.

"Do not worry yourselves with food, my friends! You shall eat and drink as you please. You have earned it!" said Saruman and he was met with cries of joy - if that they were for the hobbits could not distinguish them from the growls of beasts.

A few hours later in the Palantir room.

"We have found this, milord. This little trinket if it's useful for anything." said Lurtz.

"If it's useful? That's what we've been after you fool!" commented Grishnákh.

"Enough. Give it to me. Ah, the One Ring to rule them all within my grasp. Our Master Lord Sauron will be most pleased to hear of it. Leave." ordered Saruman.

"What about the Shire-rats, Saruman? What about them?" asked the Captain of Barad-dúr.

"I said LEAVE!" shouted Saruman and the two captains left the room.

The wizard neared the palantir and put his long nails over it as he began communing with his dark master.

What is it, my servant? said the voice of Sauron in Saruman's head.

"The Ring, my lord. I have it." said Saruman.

You have done well and have pleased me again, Saruman. You have become a valuable servant. More valuable than even the Nine perhaps. Now that the first phase of my scheme has ended with success you may start your campaign against Rohan.

"The preparations for this short campaign have finished, my lord. The brigands from Dunland have received our offer of help gladly and will aid me in the takeover of Rohan. The King is under my spell and my agent in Edoras is performing well. He shall deal with any opposition there. This land will be mine soon enough. It will soon be YOURS, Master!" assured Saruman.

Later:

Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli had reached the eaves of Fangorn Forest, but the Orcs had already left.

"We have lost them. Who knows where they are headed. Our friends may have died already. Who knows? It is all my fault. I am not a leader. I was never meant to be the leader Gandalf and Elrond had wanted me to be. I have failed you all."

Sam, Legolas and Gimli left their faces down and from their looks Aragorn could see that they feared the worst for their missing companions. Then out of the woods a distorsioned voice said:"Have you? Have you failed them? I would say not. You led them this far without the counsel of anyone else. You followed your heart."

A light was coming out of the woods, brighter than the sun.

"Who are you? What do you know of our quest?" asked Aragorn. Legolas put an arrow in the string of it's bow and whispered that he though the Man in white robes was Saruman.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits. They passed this way the day before yesterday. And headed West. In the hands of a company of Orcs from Isengard and Mordor." said the voice before the light slowed and the three heroes could see...Gandalf?

"Gandalf? Forgive me, I mistook you for Saruman." said Legolas.

"I am Saruman." said Gandalf. "Or rather Saruman as he should have been."

"But you fell." said Aragorn.

"Through fire... and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountain side. Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. But it was not the end! I felt life in me again. I have been sent back until my task is done. My name once was Gandalf the Grey. I am Gandalf the White! And I have come back to you know at the turn of the tide."