Gandalf's POV:
Sam and Frodo are on their way to Bree. It should take them at least a day's journey, possibly two. I have to make a quick, swift travel to Saruman and ask his advice in the matter of the ring. I could also check up on Kaydriella. It feels as if I have not seen her in decades. I do hope she is excelling. If I can avoid running into any mischievous trouble, then it should be a straight ride to Isengard. Time is of the essence.
Saruman's POV:
I have been renewed. This new power coursing through my veins, I feel as if I could fight an entire army and come out unscathed. And to think Kaydriella was entrusted with all this power. I had no idea of this power. It is strong indeed, but something does not feel right. It does not rest easy underneath my skin so well as I would wish it.
"Grima!?" Where is that pathetic excuse for a man?
"Grima! Come here at once."
Grima came running up the steps. At least he did not forget who his true master is.
"Sorry my lord, I did not hear your first call. What can I help you with?"
"I need you to get me some things from the surgery. There is a blur bottled potion in my glass case. It should be on the second shelf from the bottom and inside a small container. The container is no bigger than my finger and I need it, right now"
"Yes my lord. I'll go fetch it at once"
That convergence was possibly the most strenuous spell I've ever done. I wonder if Kaydriella's state of mind is altered in anyway. I wonder if she is even alive. I hope she is….
"Master I am back with the potion you sent me for. It was right where you said it would be"
I quickly got up and snatched the potion out of Grima's hand. I poured the whole concoction down my throat and let it burn all the way down. I threw the bottle on the floor and the glass shattered into tiny little pieces. Deep Breath Saruman.
"Tell me Grima, have you checked up on Kaydriella recently?"
"Um, No master, I have not as you instructed"
"Do not play dumb with me Grima. We both know you could not resist seeing her so tell me, how does she fair?"
"Master, the lady is sick. She was cold and lifeless when I approached her last evening. The light from the candle showed me her pale body covered in marks from before"
"But is she alive?"
"I- I could not tell. It was too dark. Perhaps if we could just bring her back up-"
"Absolutely not. She will remain down there until I am sure she is no longer a threat"
"Then do you mean for her to die? What of the promise you made to me?"
"Hold your tongue Grima, I do not wish to hear your complaints. I am your master. You forget your place and for that, you must be punished"
I turn around and slap him across the face. Hard and cold the sound was. He fell straight to the floor with one hand clutching the newly formed red mark on his face.
"Now leave me be"
Grima walked out with his head lowered and shoulders shrugged
Grima back in his place. I am exhausted. I must find my bed. That potion is putting me to sleep. Wait, did Grima bring me the wrong one? Next thing I remember is struggling to stand up before blacking out
"MASTER! Master! Master!"
I awake to Grima nearly shaking me to death. He seems to be very worried, maybe it is nothing.
"What is it that awakes me from my sleep?"
" Tis' the Grey Wizard who approaches from the east. I spotted him from atop the tower. He rides with great speed towards us. Please master you must get up. What if he finds out about Kay?"
"That will not happen" I say as I stand up. "I will not let that happen."
Gandalf was coming for another reason. He was not coming for her, I would have felt it. Maybe he would be seeking my counsel on an issue.
"Listen to me Grima. You are to make yourself scarce when he arrives. I do not want him anywhere near the dungeon or its entrance. I cannot afford for you to blow our cover. Am I understood?"
"Yes master"
"Oh, and before you go, I want you to place cloth over the seeing stone. Gandalf does not know about my dealings Sauron and I plan to keep it that way"
Grima bowed his head and left with a hefty pace. I walked slowly down the stairs to great my old friend. I did not want him to be alarmed in anyway. I decide to speak to him through mind. Just to calm his haste by a small amount.
Smoke rises from the Mountain of Doom. The hours grows late and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard seeking my counsel
He finally reaches the entrance to my tower where I verbally greet him.
"For that is why you come is it not? My old friend"
"Saurman" Gandalf bowed his head in respect to me.
"Shall we discuss whatever it is that is troubling you, with a healthy walk through the grounds? As you well know, us old men need our exercise"
We both laugh at my humble joke for we are beyond such a description of old. Ancient is more like to word to describe our existence.
Gandalf begins to speak to me of his trouble. And if I understand him correctly, he knows where the ring of power is. He even knows the exact creature that currently possesses my master's most prized possession. If I can persuade him to follow in my decision, Lord Sauron would be most pleased. He wold have the two most powerful wizards on his side. Not only would Gandalf be granted life when Lord Sauron rises, but we can rule together. Oh what a bliss that would be. I just need to convince him and I'm sure if I give it to him the right way, he wouldn't refuse me.
"You are sure of this, Gandalf?"
"Beyond any doubt."
"So the ring of power has been found"
"All these long years it was in the Shire, under my very nose"
"Yet you did not have the wit to see it. Your love of the halfling's leaf has clearly slowed your mind"
"But we still have time. Time enough to counter Saruon if we act quickly"
"Time? What time do you think we have? Gandalf if this really is what you say it is. It is already too late."
"Saruman, with all due respect, I disagree. I-"
"Gandalf, this is a conversation made for a more controlled environment. Perhaps we should continue our discussion amongst the inner peace of my home"
"I will agree to that."
Gandalf and I walked up into my study where we continued our conversation. I think I was making it pretty clear that we were at a losing point.
"Gandalf, there is no way we could possibly stand against Sauron. His power grows everyday, and the awakening of his ring will make him nearly invincible"
"Exactly Saruman. Nearly invincible. Not impossible."
"Gandlaf, my old friend, please see reason in your decision to fight. There is none. You will only fail in the end.
"Well that is not how I see it Saruman. I will not"
"Then we may both agree on something, for I have a way out of all of this"
"You do? I knew you would! Tell me your plan so that we may proceed as soon as possible"
I walk Gandalf into my hall where I reveal to him the Plantir. Gandalf shuns me for even thinking of using it. Soon he begins to put the puzzle pieces together and realizes what I am edging at.
"You have aligned yourself with him! Saruman, how could you? You have betrayed all of us! Wait, wait a minute. Where is Kaydriella? What have you done to her?"
"It seems she is a little thought on your mind since you have not even thought of her since your arrival. Do not worry, she yet lives, I think"
"You think? Saruman, you are a disgrace to the wizard name. You should be ashamed of what you have become. You are no better than the filthy orc's that roam the lands"
Gandalf used his staff and sent me flying backwards. I was not expecting him to fight me. He was supposed to join me. I will not tolerate this disloyalty and disrespect.
"I fear you may be too late for both the things you hold dear. Young will soon realize you are not going to be meeting him and poor Kaydriella, I am afraid you are too late to save her either"
"What have you done with her! I demand you tell me. SPEAK!"
Gandalf takes another shot at me but I block it. Next thing I realize is that we are in a head on wizard battle. He will not win, not with my newly acquired strength. I strike him down and trap him from leaving. I fear this may be it for Gandalf the Grey.
"You are nothing Gandalf. You should have joined me when I gave you the chance. Now you must pay dearly."
Authors Notes:
So I know it has been a very long time since my last update but it's alright because here is a new chapter YAY! Let me know what you think. Suggestions, comments, concerns are always appreciated. Thank you to the new readers who joined in on Kaydriella's story! Make sure R&R! LUV YA!