And we are back with a new chapter! Enjoy!
Cub: *Playing DDR.*
Ren: *Playing DDR.*
Hyano: *Watching while eating chips.*
Avp: *Walks in and blinks.* ... What are they doing?
Hyano: Competing.
Avp: How there is only one p- *Gets his mouth covered by Hyano.*
Hyano: *Whispers.* He hasn't figured it out yet.
Ren: *Screeches as he yet again looses.* This game can go to the void! *Grabs a vase and throws it at the TV.*
Hyano: *Falls over laughing.*
Cub: Gah! My TV! *Cries.*
Avp: ... There goes movie night... Well at least you guys can enjoy the show!
CA Productions
Disclaimer: See first chapter.
Chapter 3 - Can I Trust You?
The Eastern elven city was bursting with life. Every elf talked about the newcomers who made Outer-Earth their home. The orange wizard Hyano, who they expected after some years of Gandalf's arrival but the others who tagged along were unknown. They looked slightly like the humans some of them knew, although there were clear differences. The city talked about their origins, about the news that the woman wizard had. But mostly their topics included the statue that still rested on the boat, guarded by five elven soldiers.
They knew its fate will be decided soon.
It cannot be soon enough...
It caused great turmoil in their society, many were afraid that the more time this source of darkness stayed in their world, even as a statue... the more likely it will be that the darkness seeps too deep into the core of this world. They were growing impatient.
Gandalf knew it all too well.
The thundering steps of the tree herder finally stopped in front of the White wizard who was waiting for the orange istar patiently in the forest, having known they needed some time to answer the questions they had for one another and inquire about the past they did not share. Although, they had their own important matters to deal with and their conversation cannot wait.
Ironbark reached towards his shoulder to let Hyano climb into his hand before setting her down in front of him.
"I wish both of you a peaceful night. And, please, do not step on the fresh saplings at the riverbed." He warned as he turned around to walk away, joining his two younger brothers at a distance away, starting a silent conversation in the language of trees.
Hyano nodded up at him.
"See you later, my friend." She said with a smile, then turned towards Gandalf as the large tree herder walked away. Her smile became a little sad, predicting their topic all too well. She could tell from his expressions. "So... Have a plan yet, Gandalf?" She asked, though, she knew there was very little that could be done. There was a huge problem that could not be ignored no matter what way she went. Hyano literally could not live without the wraith... Not, unless he had an idea on how to fix it.
The White wizard sighed and swapped his staff to his other hand, starting to walk. He knew this topic will come up sooner or later, although a little casual talk would have done good for their mood. Just to relax before they have to concentrate on the more pressing matter. However, he could understand Hyano's urgency. They had no time to waste. At first, he honestly doubted her words when she said she was tied to the Nazgul but now that he felt her power faded slightly... he knew he should not have done so. She was growing weak, so it was best they got this subject over with.
"I have been doing a little... research on this matter. And so far I only know that such unusual connections cannot be completely destroyed." He started, his hand gripping his staff a little tighter at this information, his blue gaze averting to stare at the road he was taking. He did not have much time to dig around too much but this was what he found so far. This did not mean he gave up. he just needed more time. Time that he did not have. "But we might be able to trick the connection and bind the both of you to someone else... It would take time. Years to achieve." He knew that the istar cannot wait for years with the release of the Nazgul from his statue form, needing the magic but they can't let him run around freely either... Imprisonment might be the only way...
Hyano looked at him for a moment, then sighed.
"If you imprison him... you have to imprison me as well." The girl replied bluntly, putting her hands into her pockets. She didn't have to remind him the kind of effect that wraith had on her because he already knew from firsthand experience. She knew he didn't like to believe it. She wasn't supposed to be like that but... well she had already proven it to not only herself but many others that Gandalf was very much wrong.
"Let's say... I trust you." Gandalf replied, slowing his walk a little, using the staff to support himself. "I trust your natural nature and your judgment. You aren't a child anymore but a grown istar, affected by the Valar. You surely know exactly what kind of an effect he would have on this fragile world. I trust your sense of honor and your oath as an istar. That you will not cause the destruction of this world." He said and looked at her, his wise blue gaze meeting her green ones briefly. "I trust that you will not try to free him. Because if he comes free... Madness will break loose. The elves will kill him... and you along with him because of your bond. So, think wisely."
Hyano sighed.
"If you trust me, then trust what I am saying now. I don't want to hurt this world. This world is not ready yet... That much I can see easily. As perfect as it may seem it is... weak. If it must be done then do it. I am not afraid to die." She replied, then thought for a moment. "I wonder if this is the kind of conflict that Saruman had to go through..." She wondered. She used to hate the old son of a warg. His big mouth, his high and mighty attitude but when she thought about it... he was an istar. Everything in him must have said what he was doing was wrong. Why did he do it then?
"All istari are valuable members of the Order and creation." The White wizard continued, stopping to look at her. "We need you more than you think. You are one of us, family and which family would kill their own without attempting to solve the problem?" He asked, his gaze softening. "Give us a chance to alter your situation. We need time to bind both of you to something else... Then we can take care of the rest. But he cannot walk this land freely. Never. You know exactly that the fragile life of this world would be corrupted by him without us being able to help it. We have to keep him locked up at all cost. But we need you to do your own tasks in Outer-Earth." He explained, hoping she will understand his reasoning. For now, he is willing to keep the wraith alive but he cannot say the same once their problem was solved. Then he has to be destroyed to keep this world clean.
He either didn't hear her question or chose to ignore it. Hyano wasn't sure which, however she decided to let it go.
"Gandalf... If the Valar meant for him to die don't you think he would have died along with the rest?" She pointed out. There was no way Ren would have survived this long if the Valar didn't have a hand in it. "I know this may not be ideal but... I do think the Valar meant for Ren to be here. Or else he would not have been allowed to live in the first place." She added, knowing that Gandalf may not believe her but she believed that what she said was true.
The White wizard sighed, averting his gaze. There it was. The same thoughts he had when he visited the statue last night. Ren's survival was absurd from the very beginning, which only puzzled the istar. All of his brethren were killed by the blast or by the loss of connection when the One Ring was destroyed. But not Ren. He made it out of the battlefield and dropped right into the lap of the orange wizard. Not only that but he did not kill her. He survived his imprisonment in Mordor and now traveled to this world, right through the barrier. If it was not unusual and something unbelievable... then he did not know what to call it. However, he knew better than to keep believing in only one theory. He had to keep his mind open to many other possibilities.
"The Valar don't always decide upon the fate of the people." Gandalf explained and started walking again, taking his time. "Sometimes it is decided by luck or their own abilities. Perhaps he was lucky he did not end up like the rest of the Nine. But then again... We never found their rings or any signs of them and their demise, so we could say they are missing. That doesn't necessarily mean they died. At this point of creation we are the ones deciding on the fate of many... So make sure you know what you are doing. Or else you might destroy the chances of others to live with foolish decisions. An istar cannot afford mistakes."
Hyano wasn't sure if he was making an argument or trying to assure himself of this.
"True... but what if you are making a mistake as well?" She questioned, looking up at him. "Gandalf, the moment I stepped foot here I noticed there was something... wrong with this world. There is no darkness here. Nothing and everyone is happy to leave it that way. However I have also noticed there is a lack of age here as well. You all have been here five thousand years at least... but it feels like at best one a hundred years has really been given to you. Unless I am mistaken... there is a problem there." She explained herself, wondering if she was crazy for having noticed this.
The White istar couldn't help but stop in his tracks and sighed, now turning around again to face her, his blue eyes meeting hers.
"That is because it is meant to be only light. Darkness corrupts. It destroys what we build, creates chaos and insanity, develops creatures like the Nazgul and the orcs. All worlds start out as a peaceful Eden... Then what the creatures do with this Eden is their own responsibility. Middle-Earth was just like this when it was at the same age as Outer-Earth. Creating a whole system of forests, creatures and sentient beings is hard work which needs patience. We need to stabilize the ecosystem before we can move forward. Outer-Earth is at least two times the size of Middle-Earth, so it takes a little longer." He explained, hoping this has answered her questions and inquiries about the problems she noted. Despite her age, she was still too young to know everything when it came to creation. She was not involved all this time. But this will change. He was sure of that.
She raised a brow. So this was normal? She guessed she must have missed it, being born after that period in Middle-Earth's history.
"If you are sure this is right... lock me down with Ren until you think of a better solution. I can't go far from him anyway so it wouldn't make much sense to part us. As much as I would like to complete tasks... I won't be able to. Not yet... Also... Look into ways to change him back. I know you used to say it was useless but... if you are right and the other wraith are in hiding then it might be of use to have Ren on our side. Because I can tell you for sure Sauron is far from gone... Ren wouldn't be alive at all if his power wasn't still lingering..." She said with a sigh. She had not told Ren this. She knew Sauron was somewhere and there likely was a way to bring him back but she would be caught dead before she would be the one to do it. Ren's darkness and the control of his Ring of Power would not keep him alive if the Dark Lord perished.
"A Nazgul cannot be changed back. Not without knowing the exact power and enchantment Sauron used to create the ring and curse he put on him." The White wizard thought out loud and started caressing his white beard, frowning. "And we all know he was one of if not the most powerful enchanter and necromancer on Middle-Earth. No one knows the power he imbued within them, neither do we have a chance to think up a magic against it. Too powerful and complex. It is also far too much melded with the wraith. If we did manage to unlock the secrets of this curse he might not survive anyway." Of course he and his brethren did try to analyze this, wanting to use this to get rid of nine threats at once but no one was able to find a solution or anything powerful enough to rival this curse. They don't even know what it was exactly. "We all know that darkness can never be truly destroyed if it is present in one world. This is why you don't drag it into the next..." He warned, his gaze shifting to her, scolding her. "I see no ways to turn the wraith to our side. Once Sauron somehow manages to find this place, even bring the others along... then this one will join them without a second thought. He is controlled by dark magic. And Sauron... is the dark magic itself." Gandalf dearly hoped she would come to her senses while in her stay with them. The reason why she even spends time with that dark creature was because she thinks they have a friendship and that he is the same person she knew so many years ago. But what she seemed to miss was that this was all wrong. Ren was a wraith. A Nazgul. A dark creature. He has no feelings, he has no real choices. Only one thought of murdering her... and he will do it. At any given time.
The orange wizard didn't even have to look at him to know how he was glaring at her.
"Gandalf... I can recall every second of his transformation. I recall how much pain he was in... The insanity that took over and how sorry he was for what had happened. He didn't want this. He didn't make a deal. He didn't want power. He was tricked into it and he lost everything. I'm sorry but I'm not going to give up on him just because everyone else has... You wiped my memory twice and it still hasn't changed that... What makes you think anything else will?" She replied, giving him the honest truth.
"That doesn't matter if you don't know just how this curse worked." The White pressed on, his eyes narrowing. "Your memory was wiped because it was the best for you, to grant you a much better life, forgetting about things that can never be changed. You weren't supposed to remember. Now that you do, now it didn't change you. Otherwise you had a much different view of the world. The view of an istar." He explained, having been there to see her become more relaxed with each fading of her memories. Both times she became a smiling girl again, the way she used to be before that fateful day. "We have faith in you, Hyano. If that doesn't mean anything to you..."He trailed off, knowing he didn't need to continue the sentence, then turned around and started walking down the path, away from her, letting her think about this if she wished.
Hyano watched him for a moment, then sighed. He really did know how to make things hard, didn't he? He had faith in her... but he was so ready to give up on any plans she threw at him. Because they weren't the things he felt were best for her.
"You can't get over pain by taking it away..." She said to herself, not walking after him for the moment. He thought his faith meant nothing to her but the only reason she was still talking to this man was because he meant so much to her. She could have easily woken Ren by now and turned this whole world on its head. However she wasn't.
Because in the end he was right.
Despite her connection to Ren, despite the memory of the past and the time they have spent together... she was still an istar.
No amount of persuasion or friendship would change that.
She was trying to find options.
- later that day -
The city of elves started to calm down by the time Hyano reached it, most of the residents pulled back to their homes, still speaking and talking there but the streets on the ground were mainly empty now, except a few guards who walked it, their sharp eyes surveying the vicinity, also noticing the approach of the female wizard but aside from a nod in respect, they did not say anything to her. They had their duty to do and had no time for chatting idly. Some other elves started emerging from the forests as well. Gatherers, fishers and hunters returned with their catch but instead of proudly showing them off, they quickly started distributing it, not boasting about what they killed... Murdered. Instead some of them even thanked the beast for its sacrifice and meat before cutting it open.
This was how it usually went. Elves did not enjoy hunting for the same reason a human would. A Man would step on the lifeless carcass of the slain animal and would show his skill in killing it off, be it with a gun from a safe distance, with a bow or with a knife where the rules of the 'survival of the fittest' decided their fate. Elves on the other hand enjoyed a good hunt because of the chance to use their abilities, the stalking and tireless trekking through the forest and the endless chase before the animal fell from a single arrow. They then would proceed to thank the beast for its sacrifice and use all its body parts, not daring to waste anything. From the meat to the tip of the tail, the entire animal would be part of their lives after. Sometimes elves would fall and be slain during hunts by other animals and the community would make no move to avenge his or her death. It was the way the Valar wanted and the beast fought bravely, deserving life. Whenever they went out, they would not know beforehand if they will become the hunter... or the hunted.
Other elves would go out and gather all the goods they could find in the forest. Fruits, nuts, berries, while again another part would take care of the small gardens that grew close to the city, gaining crops through farming carefully. They used most of what they found in the forests themselves but some things simply needed their own place to grow.
Life was not easy on Outer-Earth but the elves showed no signs of wanting to change it. This was the purest way of life.
And the orange wizard missed it dearly.
Hyano was on the dock where she first arrived. Unless one was fishing, this area was rather quiet. Only the sounds of the water and sometimes a bird really could be heard here unless one counted the songs of nature. Hyano had come here because this was the last place she had seen Ren. Not for anything more than instinct, really. Her shoes rested beside her as she lay back on her arms, one foot dangling in the water. She had fallen asleep by this point... but it didn't seem to be a calm slumber.
"The dawn of creation... The world is the weakest..."
The wizard's face suddenly contorted into a frown and she sighed as her mind was met with the familiar sound.
"The actions must be swift and on time. The guardians' ever so watching gaze sees all..."
The deep and rough voice persisted and she hummed in her sleep, the frown deepened and she felt her mind awaken and yet something... something held her back...
"But... they are blind to their own... This is the calm before the storm..."
The orange istar finally gasped and felt her mind suddenly come free of something... Like a weight was keeping her within the depths of darkness that seemed to engulf her mind for a moment. And yet the familiar voice was fading... She could barely hear it... As if there was a noise... The noise of nature and the warmth of the searing rays of the sun that laughed down at her relaxing form...
She just noticed that she felt a bit cold...
Gandalf had been wandering the forest for a little while, giving Hyano time to think it all through, he himself needed a little time alone to process all that she said. He was old, of course, although that detail did not quite affect him, he however had to be part of creation as the leader of the Order for the first time and his strength is used each minute to help with the magic and do what the Valar ask of him. As an istar taking part in creation, one can never have full strength and attention on a single detail. This of course sometimes hindered such matters like his debate with Hyano. Sighing, thinking that he gave enough time for her, the White wizard slowly started walking back towards where he came from, following her own unique aura and magic to find her. He wasn't surprised to spot her on that very place and slowly but surely joined her quietly, sitting beside her wordlessly, letting her awaken slowly instead of being woken up forcefully by him.
Hyano woke up with a start, staying lying down for a moment as her eyes snapped open before sitting up and looking behind her, not even noticing Gandalf just yet. She was checking to make sure the place was still there. That it was not a dream and she was not waking up in her bed back at the Tower just to feel the longing towards the world that she knew. She took a breath and relaxed, then she turned again and saw the White wizard, she jumped.
"Dear Valar..." She mumbled before yet again relaxing, her hand resting on her chest to calm her heart which threatened to burst from its place. "I thought you were Saruman for a moment there." She admitted, having had that annoying wizard in her dreams. Despite many differences if one did not know better they would think that the two were brothers. They were technically but in a way not. It was complicated really. That was until the voice woke her up. This reminded her that she wished to talk to Gandalf about it but for some reason she found she was more interested in what the older wizard wished to talk about. He did not come without a reason.
Gandalf held back the chuckle that threatened to escape, keeping a thoughtful gaze as he took his pipe to his mouth, staring out into the horizon. He could tell why she chose this location. This shore and exactly this spot was the most East part of Outer-Earth. Closest to what she called home. And maybe... if one listened closely... one could still hear the noises that came from their old home.
"I know why Saruman is on your mind nowadays..." He started, remembering that she already mentioned his name a few times after her arrival. "While you didn't like the wizard, you know that if you make a specific choice... you might end up just like him." He said and turned his head to meet her green gaze. He knew what she was thinking of course, debating or outright refusing to believe that she might become the new Saruman. The istar who went against his nature... for what he was born to side with the darkness for survival. Although, Gandalf was the only one who harbored the very truth of his predecessor's choice as he shared it only with him even when he voiced his betrayal. This was one of the many reasons why he did not think of him with hatred. Unlike many others who held his memory.
Hyano looked towards the water, hugging the leg that wasn't in the water already, then pulled out a cigarette and her lighter. She lit the stick or 'death stick' as many anti-smokers called them and took a drag before deciding to reply.
"I am... but not really for that reason... Saruman... He was always so cold... to everyone. I think the only friend in the world he had was you... Do you think... Do you think he always knew what was going to happen to him? Maybe that is why he refused to ever really get close to anyone." She questioned before taking another drag.
The older-looking wizard hummed, his gaze turning to stare at the horizon, watching as the waves danced, pulling the sun's rays into the fun. The wind gently rocked the branches of the few trees that littered the shore, while the sand sometimes took flight on the occasional breeze, only to be placed back into the sea where they came from or started building a smaller dune nearby.
"No." He finally answered after a short silence, shaking his head. "He was always like this, ever since I knew him. He was simply a... strict leader, someone who didn't want to be your friend but wanted to be the person who stands above you, shouts at you, pushing you to become better. He never praised anyone but if someone did something well, then he pushed them more to be even better." He explained, giving a small smile. He found it funny how everyone thought Saruman favored him of the bunch. That was not true. He simply accepted him the way he was and didn't fight him. He was a strict and good leader, someone who could hold the istari together in an iron grip. Gandalf was trying to do the same but with his more gentle behavior it isn't working all that well. In order to keep the Order together... he will need to be a bit more like... Saruman.
Hyano thought on it for a moment, her hand involuntarily seeking her chin.
"Heh, I thought he was that way because he was just an overgrown pain." She said with a grin, then sighed assuming she needed to go ahead and talk to him about why he truly came to her. "Gandalf... you can't have so much faith in me... then ask me to give up on someone who was my best friend... I can't. That isn't even fair to ask of me. Making me forget... that wasn't fair either. I was happy but... another part of me was always in pain because I wasn't allowed to truly get over what I had lost... The moment you and Ironbark left... I was alone... No distractions. Nothing. I worked until I couldn't anymore but even then... I was so lonely..." She shook her head and hugged her legs to her chest, laying her head on her knees. "I'm loyal to Ren because I choose to be... Because he is my friend and important to me... It sounds stupid and I know it isn't the istar way but..." She sighed, not wishing to say any more.
"He is long gone, Hyano." Gandalf said and looked at her, his wise and -for a change- strict eyes met hers for a moment. "The Ren who was your friend died a long time ago. All you see now is his modified outer shell and abilities. Not even his voice matches the past human who you knew." He tried explaining, sighing once as he took the pipe from his mouth, watching the smoke rise from it towards the sky, only to fade and become one with nothingness. "Your memories were hidden because with them you would have long lost the will to even live. As a child you were greatly saddened and depressed when your friend passed on to the ring he wore... As every other member of the Order, you are also extremely important. So, as to help you, we simply removed the memories that caused the great trouble. Now with a grown mind of course you can process it all better. But as a child and young girl you couldn't."
Hyano looked at him for a moment before sighing and shook her head.
"No... No he isn't. No matter how many times you try to tell me that he is dead... I know differently. I have seen differently. But you are the one making the final call, so it really doesn't matter what I think, now does it?" She replied bluntly before smoking what was left of her cigarette and watched the rest be turned to ash and be blown away by the wind.
There was a long silence between them after this, Gandalf simply did not say a word. Well, she was right on this. In the end it will be his decision what will happen. As the leader of the Order, he had to take matters under his own control to solve them. However -unlike Saruman-, Gandalf never liked to close people out of his decisions. He wanted everyone to know that their word was worth as much as his in a debate... only that his debate partner has to have a valid point. And in his mind Hyano had none.
"Why do you think it is different, Hyano...?" He finally asked, turning his attention back to her, placing the pipe between his lips again. "And if you don't like my solution... then what solution would you propose that would actually work?" He asked, already knowing what she will say. There were many thoughts of her that she voiced so far, however to his knowledge they wouldn't work. So she will have to be smart and think things through before suggesting.
Hyano looked towards him from the corner of her eyes, then sighed.
"You have never really spoken with a wraith before, have you? Actually stood with one and had a conversation? Not an argument or anything of that kind... but an actual conversation. If you argue with a wraith they will tell you whatever Sauron believes because that is in their nature. However... when you really talk to them... they will tell you what they really think. Ren may not have his emotions but he still thinks, talks, acts like he did when he was human. Besides the control Sauron put on him, not that much has really changed in him. If he was truly dead... don't you think he would be nothing more than a mindless drone?" She explained herself.
"Sauron's dark magic still stayed, so the ring is yet active. In this case it still works, whispering him what to say and how to behave, going in a way in... standby mode until their master returns. What he says and thinks are not the thoughts of a living creature." Gandalf said, kind of thinking out loud than anything, remembering that this wasn't the first time the Nazgul lost their master. And yet they always sought what he desired, then went back to him once he called for them.
Hyano rolled her eyes, then sighed, thinking not answering his next question for a little while. However an idea did finally come to her.
"...me..." She said, then grinned before turning to Gandalf. "I'm the reason he can take any magic. Through our connection I take in magic and convert it to dark magic for him. If we can maybe... change that somehow..." She suggested, hoping Gandalf might be able to put more to her idea.
The White wizard blinked and raised an eyebrow at her... idea. He did make research about their connection but he never thought of using this connection to alter the wraith itself. Mainly because the dark magic and curse was just too great to affect him with anything else than dark magic... Wait...
"You can... convert magic at will for him?" He asked, tilting his head slightly to the side, frowning, unsure if that was even possible. He thought they only take magic from the world through each other and convert it themselves... But that she is able to convert it herself at will was something new...
"How else is he going to get it?" The orange wizard pointed out. "It isn't really at will so much as a result of what happened. Despite the world being... dark there really is no dark magic in the old world. All that is left is the light magic I was feeding off of. So when we connected because I had been tainted at one point, I acted like a converter, converting the magic around us into the magic his dark form requires... But what if that was tweaked?" She suggested.
"So, you propose..." Gandalf trailed off, frowning even deeper, clearly not sure about the idea. "... that we use your connection and your converting ability to alter him? That is a rather... unlikely success. To truly change him, we would need to make him 'better', more pure but the moment you convert that light magic its effects also get altered... How do you go around that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge, wanting to see just how far the girl was thinking before suggesting the idea.
Hyano thought for a moment, crossing her arms and legs as she pondered.
"I'm sure such an act can be controlled. There has to be a way. That is all istari are. Magic. If I can't control the magic in my own body then there is a serious problem there... I just... need to find out how. Up until now I haven't bothered to really put much thought into what exactly my body was doing. I had more than a few other things keeping me busy. Namely a wraith that loved to argue with me." She said, grumbling the last part, remembering the many conversations she and Ren had. Not all of which ended so well.
The White wizard just had to chuckle a little at the last remark. He had to recognize of course that Hyano indeed knew more about the wraith, had been living with him for a very long time, spoke to him, listened to him, argued and had fun or fought him, so knows most about his nature and what to expect of him. He was also aware of the fact that the girl won't be able to take magic now without the Nazgul, which also meant that today or tomorrow he will have to shed his statue form... He just hoped everything will go well. If he tries to escape they will imprison him. And he will try. He knew that.
"The last time I trusted you with the wraith you ended up betraying me and running off with him..." He couldn't help but note this, crossing his arms over his robed chest. "Can I trust you this time?" He asked, meeting her gaze, the question itself also written all over his features. He didn't know if he should even let her do this, only to have her run off again.
Hyano raised an eyebrow at the question, then sighed, knowing all too well why the question was directed towards her.
"I would have run off anyway Gandalf. It had less to do with Ren than you might think. I was... scared of being alone again. I was a child with no one around. Istari aren't meant to have children for this reason and sooner or later I was going to run off and find someone to keep me company. Ren just happened to be there at that moment." She replied honestly. It was what she had been feeling at the time and they were the feelings of a child but in the end... that was what she was and everyone had demanded far too much of someone at her mental state at the time. "I do not have any reason to run this time. If this works... I never will. In any case, I plan on being kept on lockdown anyway. In a cave underground would be best. If this works... the transition itself will start with a 'bang', then after that it will be slow. He will resist and it's going to hurt like the void... for us both... We shouldn't be out where anyone can see." She added, having a quite good idea of how this would go. Ren might very well try to kill her at one point if he ever finds out it is her that is causing him this pain he is likely to go through. It will take a number of days, if not weeks.
"Are you sure? Underground caves normally have no light." The wizard noted this important detail. If what she planned she wanted to work, then she will need a lot of energy to keep going. If she wishes to go into a dark cave, then there will be no sunlight to give her that excessive energy. In addition he was thinking that he might try to speed the process by adding his own magic to it, making the effects maybe more intensive but very tiring for all three of them. "And if you yearned for company back then, why didn't you say so instead of running off like that with a wraith. I have visited while he was there... Yet you said nothing. Despite what people think, the White cannot read minds." He chuckled and shook his head at this, thinking back of the many times when people thought he did but all he did was predict something that was just all too plain to see.
"I did." Hyano replied, remembering how many times she had asked Gandalf 'why do you have to go?', 'Can't you stay longer?', 'When will you be back?'. "But I was always told about the ways of an istar, reminded that we are loners and travelers. So I learned to keep my thoughts to myself." She added with a shrug, then pondered over the situation for a moment. "If you can think of a better place, then I am game but we need to stay away from everyone else. That is really the main point of the cave." She stated honestly.
Gandalf couldn't help but shake his head at her, giving her a scolding look.
"But have I ever denied you to come with me?" He asked, raising a white eyebrow. "I for one didn't tell you to reside at the shack. You chose to do so. I could not stay indeed when I visited because I had my own tasks. But you could have come with me... I might have never invited you but didn't forbid you either. It was all your choice." He pointed this out, then hummed at the thought on the cave she requested, although was puzzled at and pondered about the term she used, although decided to not point it out. He assumed it meant she was alright with the idea. "But in a cave you won't have enough sunlight if at all. You will grow weak before you could even do anything. While he would be more powerful in return... We need another location..."
The orange istar shook her head, having to admit he was right about the invitation part. She never thought about it that way. She assumed it was best to let the subject drop for now and instead focus on their situation right now. While she indeed could last longer and was not so much dependent on the sunlight unlike as a child, she still needed to prevent Ren from growing his power and possibly out-power her.
"Do you have any idea where else we could go? Maybe a mountain top? Somewhere that lacks shade would be best considering we are dealing with a wraith that will need to be kept weak." She suggested, looking towards him. He knew the land better than she ever could at this point.
Gandalf shook his head, finding the mountain top idea not right at all. The wraith can easily just... slide down or fall down and survive, get away and hide until no one finds him.
"There... might be maybe... a..." He trailed off, stroking his white beard, a frown appearing on his face as he thought about what he is going to say. "There might be a... an underground cavern system. We can close down its exits. The main chamber of this system has a hole on its roof where sunlight goes in but the walls are steep and the rocks are loose so no one can climb out from there. However, the elves sometimes use that place for their celebrations every month. So we might need to convince them to take their celebrations elsewhere for a while..."
Hyano considered this, then looked at him.
"The family I brought with me are about to celebrate their holiday. Maybe we could convince them to mix their events. Naturally the family is going to want to celebrate in the open among nature." Hyano suggested, not bothered by the idea of being in the caverns. If anything, it was perfect. "We are going to need a lot of torches." She said, quite sure that whatever number they already had in the system were not nearly enough.
"Torches? For what?" Gandalf asked, unsure why she would ask for torches. The cavern system is going to be closed, so she won't be moving away too much from the main chamber, which will have enough sunlight for her... He did mention that, didn't he? "There will be sunlight for you." He pointed it out yet again, just to be sure. "We can even communicate by letters if you want. There are a few bats who owe me some." He chuckled, shaking his head at the memory when he made the deal with those cave-residers. It was time to remind them of it. The comment about the family and their celebration didn't go unheard of course either, however he thought this will be something for the family and the elves to workout. He might mention it to the elves but the family will have to make the first move for this.
"They aren't for me... they are for Ren. He will find whatever shadow or dark place he can find if given the chance... The point is to stop him from finding that place. That way he is forced to stay in the light and by me in order to not lose power altogether." She explained to him. While there was a skylight, that did little help if Ren took off for the nearest dark corner he could find. He would just stay there until he had no choice but to come back and even then there was a risk his stubborn nature might make him stay away anyway until he just turned himself to stone again.
"Oh... I understand..." The wizard nodded, now knowing why she asked for the torches. But he wondered if fire had the same effect as the sun. Surely not as its light was different but it was a known fact that Nazgul hate fire, yet are sometimes hypnotized by it if the fire was slow in movement. So it might work... But well... she knows it better, after all she lived with him for a long time. He trusted Hyano, yet didn't at the same time... This is why a closed space was truly needed. To prevent their escape in any way, shape and form. "I will tell the elves to prepare it. How long do you think you can last without your... connection?" He asked, wanting to know if they should hurry up or not... Hyano did say after all that she needed the wraith to get to magic.
"If I conserve my energy and magic... maybe a day." The orange wizard admitted honestly. She had done all she could to avoid using magic of any kind at all costs since they arrived but to an istar magic was also like energy and she had no means of recovering it. Not even sleeping in the sun was any good to her at this point. She might as well be in the darkest place there can be at this point because without Ren this world was basically having the same effect.
Gandalf frowned. This is a rather short time to prepare everything thoroughly if he announced this to the elves tomorrow. So, they will have to handle today. As soon as possible at that.
"I will get the preparations going. By tomorrow noon everything should be ready for the process." He said as he stroked his beard in deep thought, before another matter came into his mind. "I have heard and seen that there are edible mushrooms down there, including a clean stream. But we will somehow get in some food for you every day." He said, bringing up the matter of food and water. It will be a long time they spend there, so she will need enough to eat and drink.
Hyano thought on this, then nodded.
"Don't worry too much about it. Ren will at some point throw a tantrum and will likely do what he can to make matters hard on me. He won't be able to do much but even the small victory of keeping me from eating or drinking will likely count for him if he can't outright kill me." She replied, knowing that the first few days were going to be... to say the least... crazy.
Gandalf couldn't help but chuckle.
"Nazgul and tantrums... I myself only saw very furious ones when fighting but never have I seen one rant or become agitated because of something else than combat. Surely it would be interesting to watch but..." He sighed and brought the pipe to his mouth again. "... I won't take the risk. I will let you handle him. However still remember to eat. One can't survive for long if one is kept from food or water. You will die down there..." He warned her before sighing and slowly standing. It was time to give the news to the elves and start preparing. "Let us hope this works. If not... then we have to think of a different solution for the both of you..."
"If this doesn't work... then I doubt either of us is getting out of there." The likely outcome of this not working was if one of them would end up dead. Hyano already knew it was a risk. However... she wasn't ready to just give up. Death hadn't scared her for a long time so she wasn't about to let it now. She stood up. "Maybe if I point this out he might calm down somewhat..." She sighed and pushed her hands upwards, stretching as she flexed and relaxed her muscles in an attempt to wake them up. "Ever since his imprisonment in Mordor he seems to... act a little strange in locked spaces."
"Strange?" Gandalf asked, raising a white eyebrow at her claim. He honestly had still trouble seeing Ren as more than a mindless bloodthirsty ghost. Yet here was Hyano, who gave him a personality and handled him like an old friend. He doubted her motivation when it came to the creature but he had to admit... she knew more about it than he did by now.
"I guess the most appropriate description would be... panic. He does not become a nervous wreck like a human but there is something about him. Something almost unnerving when he is locked into somewhere." Hyano explained and sighed, frowning as she remembered that one occasion when she could see this for herself. "I once ended up locking him in the basement for the night without meaning to and when I came back... I swear I saw claw marks even on the ceiling..." She chuckled, shaking her head. She could still remember when she woke up she suddenly remembered that she locked the basement and quickly rushed down to open it. He was sitting right in front of the door and she almost managed to stumble over him. He didn't say anything, just walked out like nothing happened, however she could see a couple of claw marks on the walls and the door. She could not quite take a good look at the one on the ceiling...
"It is strange to think about the creature like this..." The White wizard noted and began to walk, his hands finding his white beard again. She truly should not blame him as he did not have such a good experience with them. He fought them all personally at Dol Guldur but the only real close encounter had been his small conversation with the Witch-king in Minas Tirith in the Third Age. When the creature spoke, it was not speaking its own mind, instead it relied the message that Sauron had for him. It did not possess its own will. They could murder without a second thought and Ren was able to do the same, he was sure. Thinking about them as anything else than enemies was a hard task for Gandalf. "The last time I have seen him was in Mordor, at the ruins of Barad-dûr." He explained, keeping his blue gaze on the ground they walked, letting his memories flow back like a river undisturbed. "After seeing his mindless struggle and the words he spewed like an orc... I did not think he would be able to feel anything else than hatred and disgust. He was nothing different from all the wraiths I have met from the Nine." The older wizard was aware that the behavior of the wraith must have been different compared to the one he had when Sauron controlled his every move but still... He was and will stay a Nazgul. No amount of magic will change that.
"This is because you fought them. They had no reason to show you who they really were. Ren talked about you a few times and it was clear to me that he did not favor you. He despises you, I guess that isn't a surprise." Hyano explained to him, sighing as she remembered the many times Gandalf would pop up in their conversation. Ren never had a good word to say about him. She did not blame him either. They did not have the best experience with one another. "But... Gandalf... You should have seen him that night." She smiled and looked up at him. "The way he sat there in the mud... just... looked down, hugging himself as if he was cold. He looked like a lost puppy. A lost puppy without its master." She recalled the very moment she laid eyes upon him and chuckled when she remembered his troubles with the mud. Oh how many times he slipped on the way to the shack... She sighed and shook her head at the memories with a small smile. "After that... he started learning. It was so easy to entertain him... Just with a roll of parchment. He would spend hours just unrolling it and rolling them up again. Everything was new to him like... he never even saw the world as what it was..."
"Because he didn't see it as it was." Gandalf clarified, raising an eyebrow at the orange wizard and her musings. From the way she talked, he could tell these memories were precious to her, no matter what happened after that. It disturbed him somewhat. "Sauron's grip on the minds of his servants was tight. He wanted everything to happen in the way he imagined they would. Such small things like... how beautiful rainfall was or how one can bounce on a cot did not make their efforts more successful so... they never were meant to pay attention to it. Now that his mind was free... he could notice all this. Think of it like a child seeing such things for the first time."
Hyano hissed at this and grimaced, thinking back on the time when Ren made a mess of her phone. Yes, she could easily compare him to a child. He was one, actually. A big overgrown spoiled child, who also pouted like one. But this child was her friend. Her mentor. Her mate. Wherever he went, she will follow.
"Oh yes, I can relate him to a child. Like the time when he was poking my bunnies with my staff or when he picked apart every gadget I had in my home. Or the food fight in the kitchen. Let us not talk about that time when I had to somehow coax him from the roof after he found a cat there." She snickered, which earned a confused stare from Gandalf but she just waved it off. She was mostly talking to herself here, recalling those days when it was all about learning from one another. Now... they will have to put these lessons to good use. "Since I won't be here, do you mind helping the family with their celebration? I won't be able to set the fireworks off for them and I thought if nothing else you will have fun with that?" She asked as she followed him, deciding to change the subject. The more she talked about the past, the more she missed those times. It was best to tend to the future. They had a lot to do.
Gandalf chuckled, laughing at her request despite their previous subject and shook his head.
"Oh but that will be no problem at all. You know me and fireworks... The question is... What can they take? And is there some kind of a... custom at what types you want them to see?" He asked, now with his mood lifted. Fireworks were something he liked and was good at, creating his own and lighting them just at the right time and location. Who doesn't love fireworks? "When will it be?" He asked, now calming down a little, knowing that this was something serious and something very important for the herder family.
"The night after tomorrow night. They will likely spend tomorrow meditating and creating their stick structures. The first blast has to simulate the flash we saw from the spell. Then after that the explosions should look similar to the structures they made. You can of course throw your artistic hand in there but Lilly and Cane should make that unneeded. Lilly always has good ideas and Cane is very good at creating them. So in the end the lightshow is more an artistic display than anything. After that is done you just let the fire burn itself out. That normally takes a number of hours, usually long enough for some dance and martial arts displays while everyone eats and has a good time. Once the fire is burnt out all that is left is ash. Everyone takes a handful, blows it away and then lets the wind do the rest." She explained to him. She had done it so many times by now it was next to second nature.
Gandalf stroked his beard as he listened to everything she said, noting the details in his mind, frowning here and there, while at most parts he smiled, finding it rather touching how they still remember their fallen comrade who did not make it through the change. Celebrating her too... and the risk she was ready to take knowing she might die. In the end she did but her death represented the price and the true importance of their choice. Everything about this event spoke of the respect they held for this one choice.
"Alright. I believe I can get it done." He said and nodded, then turned to walk towards the city, looking back briefly to make sure she was following him and could catch up. "I wonder if we can bring it together with the elves' monthly celebration... They have one soon... Why not give them a bigger crowd? The question is..." He trailed off and turned towards her. "Who would bring the sacrifice of pushing the time of their celebration?"
Hyano blinked and thought.
"That would be harder on the family... They would have to continue fasting. I'm sure they would be willing if asked simply to be hospitable if only because they are somewhere they don't know so well but it would hardly be healthy. Especially for Lilly." She said, though she wasn't sure herself how the elves would react to having their own celebration moved. How would this affect them?
Gandalf hummed as he walked, thinking it through. Indeed the family would suffer if they had to go on with fasting farther than usual, especially the children would be affected rather badly. However, he saw no reason why the elves cannot move their celebration this month forward by one week. The celebration itself was never too big, never needed too much preparation on their part, so he saw no problem in that. But ultimately this will be the decision of the elves.
"How about I tell the elves about the preparing of the cave, while you go and speak to them about this celebration. You can explain it to them better, they surely will understand." He offered, looking at her, hoping they can divide the work.
Hyano thought it over for a moment before nodding.
"Alright. I think I should go first. Might make it easier to convince them to move the day of their celebration if don't talk about the wraith first. That would make them a little against anything I have to say." She said, not wanting to fail before they even got a chance to start. "Is there a council we have to talk to or how does this go exactly?" She questioned, wondering how the hierarchy went around here. The elves of Middle-Earth weren't really that united with king Thranduil leading Mirkwood and Elrond residing in Rivendell. Not to mention the elves that lived in the west.
"No... I don't plan on disclosing this to the leaders. I have a band of trusted elves in the city, I will inform them to prepare the cave. And as for you..." He trailed off, stopping their walk while he thought. "Well... you could ask the elves who handle the celebrations... Because honestly... I never paid too much attention to that..." He chuckled with a shrug, giving her a smile, then started on again, taking his time for now, his blue eyes surveying the noisy green forest and the clean sky. Tonight the stars will be bright as it seemed.
Hyano thought to herself, then nodded.
"Should be easier enough... Do you even know who these elves are or am I going to have to go on a manhunt?" She asked teasingly, quite sure Gandalf had a basic idea but besides anything to do with explosions and drinks he probably could not care less. He loved watching the party more often than not. Not being a part of it. It was alright, though. Hyano found she was much the same way. It was likely an istar thing if nothing else.
"Well... Ummm..." Gandalf stroked his beard as he thought hard on the subject... Where are those elves? Which elves are they? He hummed and tapped his staff with his fingers as he held it. "I think... you will have to ask the hunters. They normally participate in the preparation. Bring the food in... They can tell you where to find those who organize it... Just... look for elves with a bow strapped to their backs without formal armor." He guessed more than thought, smiling at her tease before nudging her with his shoulder. "So yes, a manhunt. Now, off you go." He chuckled, gesturing towards the city. He won't be exactly heading there...
Hyano couldn't help but laugh before remembering something.
"Oh yes... Here." She pulled out a spare pack of her cigarettes and a lighter. One that actually had what man thought he looked like based on the stories on it. Though it was still when he was a gray. She handed it to him with a smile. "I assumed you might have a little fun with these. If for no other reason besides the fact you are on it." She said, then waved. "See you back at the shack." She said and took off for the city.
Alright now where in Valar's name were the bloody hunters?
Ah... The good old memories. All the fun we had...
We hope you liked this chapter too!
CA Productions