The four were walking in the Fangorn Forest. The forest was very old, and they could feel the memories it carried and its anger in the atmosphere. But it was not only the anger and the memory that filled the forest, that they could feel. Something wicked was wandering too among the trees.
"Something is out there" said Legolas in elvish and looked both at Aragorn and Ithilwen.
"What do you see?", asked Aragorn.
"The White Wizard is approaching", said Ithilwen.
"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us", said Aragorn as he drew his sword. "We must be quick."
They prepared to attack. Suddenly a white light blinded them. Legolas and Ithilwen shot their arrows towards the light, but the arrows broke. Gimli's axe was knocked and Aragorn's sword heated at a point Aragorn could not hold it anymore.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits", said the Wizard as he slowly emerged from the light. "They passed this way, day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"
"Who are you? Show yourself!" yelled Aragorn.
The light around the Wizard dimmed and they could see him clearly. They believed that their eyes were deceiving them.
"Gandalf?" asked Ithilwen in disbelief. "Excuse our behavior, we mistook you for Saruman."
"Yes, Gandalf. That was what they used to call me. I am Gandalf the White. I battled the Balrog of Morgoth. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. But I have come back, now in the turn of the tide."
"The hobbits?" asked Ithilwen.
"Merry and Pippin are quite safe, much safer than you are going to be", he answered to her. Ithilwen could not fathom her happiness. Merry and Pippin were alive and safe. She was relieved. And Gandalf was back with them. His presence made her feel more certain about their task and the perils they would face in the future.
"We must ride to Edoras", stated Gandalf as the five of them were walking in the forest. "War has come to Rohan". They emerged from the forest. Gandalf whistled and a stunning, white horse appeared.
"That is one of the mearas unless my eyes are cheated by some spell" said Legolas, looking in wonder at the approaching meara.
"Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers" said Gandalf and mounted the horse. Aragorn, Ithilwen, Gimli and Legolas mounted their horses too.
"We must ride now" said Gandalf and looked at the rest of his companions. "Sauron and Saruman have made their plans and they will begin with Rohan."
"We have heard of the troubles of Rohan and its king", said Aragorn.
"Indeed, and this will not be an easy task" noted Gandalf. "The time is running out."
They rode at full speed through the plains of Rohan. At night they made a stop, so the horses could rest. After many days of chasing the group of Orcs and Uruk Hai, they would have a chance to rest too. They made a fire and ate some lembas bread. Soon Gimli fell asleep and Legolas and Gandalf went for a walk. Ithilwen was pensive, her eyes fixed at the flames, which were slowly burning out. Aragorn sat next to her.
"This reminds me of when we were in the North" he said and prepared his pipe to smoke. Ithilwen smiled. She held dear to her heart all the years she was a ranger with Aragorn and the rest of the Rangers of the North. "When we used to rest after the fight among good friends", he continued.
"Knowing that the following day we would be on the road again, hunting Orcs", she added. "And now, we are resting again by the fire, next to our dear friends and companions, after a long pursuit, some marvelous news and preparing for the War." She sighed and she stirred the fire with a twig. "But we will get through this."
Aragorn lit his pipe. "You wanted to tell me something in the morning. After the Rohirrim left".
"When we were at Lothlorien, Galadriel asked me to look into her mirror. I have heard many stories about what this mirror shows, or doesn't show, and its confusing visions. The images I saw were not coherent, and at first I did not pay much attention to it, mainly because of all these rumors I had heard. I had it at the back of my head. But when the hobbits were taken by the Uruk Hai, I was alerted, and I realized that I should have discussed it earlier. I saw the Uruk Hai carrying Merry and Pippin. An enormous explosion. I saw a horse lord bringing down two oliphants. I saw orcs outside the Black Gate of Mordor heading towards me. A white tower and a blooming tree and a lady in black in a field full of white flowers. What I saw about Merry and Pippin came true, and the horse lord we met, had the same helmet as the one in my vision."
Aragorn smoked silently, thinking carefully of Ithilwen's visions. "What does your instinct tell you?"
"To keep it at the back of my head, and be more alert in the future", she replied. Aragorn nodded.
"I agree. So, this is why you were startled in the morning?"
"Yes", she answered and she sighed again.
"I am very glad you shared your visions with me", he told her and patted her on the shoulder. "Whatever happens in the future we will face it together".
She smiled and went to rest. In a few hours it would dawn and they would ride again to Edoras. She closed her eyes and the image of the horse lord came into her mind. A curious sentiment suddenly filled her heart, and she wished that this horse lord would make it through the War.