KPOV:
We have been running for three days now. We are now behind the pack of Orc that has Merry and Pippin but we must hurry if we are to get to them in time. We stop for but a moment; Aragorn listens into a rock to tell us what we cannot see.
"Are you feeling alright, Kaydriella?"
"Legolas, you do not have to keep asking. If you want to help, I'm sure Gimli's legs are about to fall off"
"You are dodging my question"
"I am fine"
"I know you are not"
"What would you have me do? What would you have me say? Now is not the time to sit and lament over what has happened"
We just stand there silent. Shouldn't have yelled at him. He was only trying to help. I stare at the ground because I'm embarrassed to look at him right now. Aragorn is still upset with me and Boromir's dead; along with Gandalf. Merry and Pippin have been taken by a pack of Orc's and now here I am yelling at the one person making sure I'm alright. I guess I'm really not alright. Gimli, as always, comes tumbling over to us, breaking our silence. He can barely keep up. I guess it really could be worse. I could be Gimli.
"Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!"
And we go right back to running. I just admit even my feet are tired from all the running. Legolas follows Aragorn but I choose to stay back a little to make sure Gimli is okay.
"Three days of night's pursuit. No food. No rest. No sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell"
"Are you alright, master Gimli?"
"I'm fine lassie"
We run for about half the day until Aragorn stumbles upon the pendent we all received from Lorien. It was probably either Merry's or Pippin's. Aragorn says we are less than a day behind them. So we go back to the running. What I would do to have my horse right now.
"Gimli we must press on. The hobbits are closer than ever"
"Lassie, you have been saying that for the past two days. I think ye need to find another way to get me to run faster for that saying has used up all it's luster"
"Come now Gimli, surely your do not like the fact that you have only seen the backside of Legolas this entire time"
"I'm sure ye don't mind it"
"Master dwarf, that is not the way you talk to a lady"
"Hm don't make me laugh. I'm wasted on cross country. We dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous are we with sort distances"
I laugh. Gimli will never swallow his pride. We reach a peak where we can see across a huge landscape. Legolas is sent to scout out the Orc's.
"Legolas, what do your elf eyes see?"
"The Urk's turn north-east. Their taking the hobbits to Isengard"
"Saruman"
Just hearing his name makes my skin boil. I have built up so much hate for that man it is impossible to hold it all in.
"He will regret the day he chose this path. I will personally see to it. He will burn forever"
"Calm down, Kaydriella. We cannot have you setting things on fire when we are supposed to remain unseen"
That was the first time, since Lorien, Aragorn spoke to me in a caring manner. I nod to him in agreement and continue to remain calm. I try to occupy my mind with other thoughts, happier thoughts. We run for the rest for a bit more until we reach Rohan. The lands are bare with no sign of color anywhere. It almost has a links to a dessert.
Suddenly, Aragorn, Legolas, and I all here it. The pounding of a massive herd of horses and their riders. We run to hide behind a rock and wait for them all to pass. Aragorn steps out with open arms to show he means no harm and we all follow suit. It only takes a moment for them to form a circle around us, and to aim all their spears in our faces. Legolas puts himself in front of me, trying to shield me from some spears.
"What business does an elf, a dwarf, a man and a maiden have in the Riddermark"
The captain spoke to us in a very demanding tone from atop his steed.
"Speak quickly"
"Give me your name horse master, and I shall give ye mine"
Oh Gimli, why must you do this? The captain jumps down from his horse and steps closer to Gimli.
"I would cut off your head, dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground"
I heard Legolas notch an arrow and pull back on his bow. He aimed it right at the captains head.
"You would die before your stoke fell"
Everyone pulled out there weapon on us now. I quickly walked over to Legolas and the Captain. I put my arm on Legolas', I needed him to lower his arrow or else we would get no where arguing like this. His gaze was still on the man, cold and stern.
"Please, we mean you and your men no harm. I am Kaydriella of Rivendell. This is Aragorn son of Arathron, Gimli son of Gloin, and Legolas of the Woodland Realm"
The horse master looked surprised to see me speak in such a confident manner. He seemed to look only at me. I guess they do not have many female warriors within Rohan.
"We are friends of Rohan, and of Theoden your king"
Aragorn took over after I pacified the tension.
"The king no longer recognizes friend from foe. Even his own kin"
The captain takes off his helmet and the rest of his company lift up their spears.
"Saruman has poisoned the mind of the King and claimed lordship over these lands. My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished. The white wizard is cunning. He walks here and there,they say, as an old man hooded and cloaked. And everywhere his spies lip past our nets"
He looked directly at Legolas when he said the last bit. I was trying to keep my anger inside for even hearing his name got me into an uproar.
"We are no spies sir, you can take me at my word"
"Oh can I, my lady?"
Legolas tried to take a step towards me but this time Gimli stopped him.
"It is an insult to us that you would assume we may be apart of that wizard's madness. We are here sir, because we track a pack of Uruk-hai westward, across the plane. They have taken two of our friends captive"
"The Uruk's are destroyed. We slaughtered them in the night-"
"-But there were two hobbits. Did you see two hobbits with them?"
"They would be small. Only mere children to your eyes"
"We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them "
This cannot be happening. They cannot be-
"Dead?"
"I am sorry"
I take a step back from the horror I have just been told. I put my hand over my eyes to hide the tears that are forming. Legolas puts his arm on my shoulder. and we all take a moment to take in what we have just been told.
WHISTLE
"Hasufel! Arod! Naydeam!"
Three beautiful horses come forward
"May these horses bare you to better fortune than their former masters, Farewell."
The horse master nods his head to Aragorn, and bows to me. He gets back on his horse and directs his company. I guess the horses are his way of apologizing for killing our friends.
"Look for you friends but do not trust to hope. It is forsake in these lands"
And with that said, they all ride away leaving us to ride towards the graves of our friends. Legolas and Gimli ride together while Aragorn and I ride alone. We all ride towards the smoke to find giant piles smelling of a rancid odor. Gimli goes to look thought the piles while Legolas says a prayer in elvish. Aragorn kicks a helmet out of frustration and I, I just look away. I cannot bare this horrible sight. So many have died. So many, and here I was feeling sorry for myself; mourning the loss of my own powers when really they were not lost at all. I am an abomination.
"A hobbit lay here. And the other here"
Aragorn was using his tracking skills to visualize the battle.
"They crawled. Their hands were bound"
He began following the tracks which lead him to rope
"Their bods were cut, but they were followed"
His voice got louder as he followed the tracks. We all followed him holding the slightest hope that they may yet be still alive.
"The tracks lead away from the battle and right into-"
We all look up to see
"-Fangorn Forest"
"Fangorn? What madness drove them in their?"
"I do not know Gimli, but I am not waiting out here to find out
I walk straight in and Legolas follows suit. Aragorn and Gimli are the last two to step in. The forest is old, withering away. As we walk deeper and deeper in I can feel the trees.
"They are sick. Something very evil has fallen upon this place. Something rotting away the life of this forest"
"I feel it to. This forest is old, full of memory and anger."
We all hear a big grumble coming from the trees.
"The trees are speaking to each other"
"Gimli, lower your axe"
"Oh"
"They have feelings, my friend. The elves began it:waking up the trees, teaching the to speak"
I believe Legolas' father was apart of the wakening. Along with Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond. No wonder he cares so much.
"Talking trees? What do trees have to talk about, Hm? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings."
I laugh at Gimli's comment. His mind can be so singular at times. My laughter is short lived for Legolas sees something and according to him, it is the white wizard.
"Do not let him speak, he will will put a spell on us"
I step in the middle and ready myself. I have been waiting to meet Saruman again. I ball up all the anger I have inside and ready myself. Aragorn is the first to turn and we all follow suit. Gimli is the first to throw his axe which was easily deflected. Legolas releases and arrow, it too was deflected. Aragorn then drops his sword for the metal was burning his hand. I look to see in my hand was a ball of fire. I go to throw it but it to was deflected.
"You are tacking the footsteps of two young hobbits"
"Where are they?"
Aragon shouts through the blinding light
"They passed this way, the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not that comfort you?"
I have had enough of this.
"Show yourself!"
only a coward hides behind such a light. Just then, the light dimmed and out stepped someone; someone whom made my heart leap.
"It cannot be"
"Forgive me-"
Legolas kneeled down to him
"-I mistook you for Saruman"
"But I am Saruman. Or rather Saruman as he should have been"
"Mithrandir? I could not believe my was him
"You fell"
Aragorn did not believe it was him either
"Through fire, and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought withe the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I stayed out of thought and time. Star wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back, until my task is done"
"Gandalf"
"Gandalf? Yes, That is what they use to call me. Gandalf the grey. That was my name."
"Gandalf" I finally spoke his name
"I am Gandalf the white. And I come back to you know, at the turn of the tide"
I still cannot believe it is him. But it really isn't him, is he? If he came back as someone else, how can he still have his memories?
"one stage of your journey is over. Another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed."
"Edoras? That is no short distance"
The dwarf spoke the truth. We were days away from Edoras, even with horses. Aragorn fills in the details that were given to us by the horse caption we met earlier. If what he said was true, Saruman has gained a great deal of strength. If he is able to take control over a Kings mind from that far a distance, he is dealing with dark, powerful magic.
We all comet of the forest and call our horses. Gandalf stands apart from us and calls his horse. A unique whistle he blows and the most beautiful horse come running towards Gandalf. Its name was Shadowfax, Lord of all the horses. No doubt, it was the most elegant steed I have ever laid eyes on. Gandalf rides the horse bare back while the rest of us follow him. After riding for the rest of the day, we make camp.
"We are making good time. We might even reach Rohan by mid day tomorrow"
"That is still a great distance for the horses to travel"
"Indeed Kaydriella, but at least we can rest this night"
"I would agree Aragorn, I have missed being able to rest at night"
Gimli huddles around the small camp fire Aragorn made. Legolas actually fell asleep. It is rare for that elf to ever sleep. Regretfully, sleep did not come to me so easily. I was exhausted physically but mentally, I still could not wrap my head around the fact that Gandalf is back.
Aragorn and I both notice a light coming from afar. Gandalf was standing, saying directly at the distant light. Both of us being curious got up to stand beside him and look at it too.
"The veiling shadow that glowers in the east takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-durhis, his eye watches ceaselessly. But he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. Rumors have reached him: The heir of Numenor still lives, and The mage of middle earth has survived. Sauron fears both of you. He fears what you two may become. And so he will strike hard and fast at the world of men. He will use his puppet Saruman to draw you and destroy Rohan. War is coming. Rohan must defend itself. And therein lies our first challenge for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The king's mind is enslaved , it's and old device of Saruman's. His hold over King Theoden is very strong. No doubt it is because of the wretched act he put you through my dear. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning, we have one advantage-"
We both look to him with wonder of what this single advantage could be.
"-The ring remains hidden. And that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon on the enemy is moving towards in the hands of a hobbit; each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must now trust in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest. Do not regret you decision to leave him. Frodo must finish this task alone"
" He's not alone, Gandalf. Sam went with him"
They both crossed the river and continued on while we took another path.
"Did he? Did he, indeed?"
Gandalf sounded very astonished.
"Good. Yes, very good"
Aragorn walks back tot end to the fire. I think he did it so I could speak with Gandalf by myself. The sound of Gandalf's voice filled my heart with light. It doesn't, however, take away the pain I felt when I lost him. He ins't Gandalf the grey anymore. Gandalf the grey is still dead.
"I thought I'd never see you again"
"Oh my dear, you know I could never leave you without saying good-bye"
"But you did. You aren't Gandalf the Grey. You are Gandalf the white, which means all the memories I have with you aren't really you. You are someone else"
"Then how come I can still remember the day we first met? I may not have the same grey cloth on my back my dear, but my mind is of the same person you see in front of you"
I did not answer. If he is another Saruman, he will only betray us.
"I remember coming across a peculiar sound on my way to Rivendell. It sounded like a young girl crying in the woods. I thought to myself, What would a young girl be doing this deep into the woods. I go a little deeper and find a brown haired elleth crying against a tree. Her dress had deep stains of blood and smelled like she hadn't bathed for a few days. I go closer and the girl got scared. She ran to go hide behind another tree. She stood behind that tree for a long time. Watching me; making sure I did not come any closer. I'll tell you how I won her over though. I picked up a leaf from the ground and put it in my hands; I covered it up and blew onto of my hand and it turned into a butterfly. The butterfly flew over to the scared girl and landed on her shoulder. She picked it up using her finger and walked it back to me placing the butterfly back into my palm"
"That is exactly how we met…..Gandalf I-"
"It is alright to be hesitant to trust me. I betrayed your trust once"
"That does not count. You had no idea that was a possibility"
"Yes, but it does not make me feel any less guilty"
"When I saw you hanging on to the edge, all I could think about is what I would give to save you. You saved me and I couldn't return the gesture. You had died and I would never get to tell you how grateful I was to have you in my life. How thankful I was for every-"
Gandalf embraces me before I even get to finish my thought. I've cried so much the past few days, I think I am all cried out. But this warrants a tear or two.
"Thank you, Gandalf. For everything"
I speak into his chest because I did not wish to break the embrace. This was my second change. He was sent back to finish a task and I am apart of that task. This makes no sense but I don't want it to anymore. All that matters is that my dear friend Gandalf has come back to all of us.
The next morning is a straight ride to Rohan. We have to make it there as fast as possible. If Saruman really is controlling the King, then who knows what devastation has been occurring in these lands. After a little more than a days ride, we make it to Rohan. As we ride in I cannot help but notice the grief and sorrow within this kingdom. It is like death is circling above them leaving them like a vulture its prey. We arrive at the top when a stable boy comes over to take our horses. We proceed up the steps the the throne hall and are stopped by another guard.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyham. By orders of Grima Wormtounge"
Grima! Grima is here? Is he apart of this puppet show Saruman has been performing? But Grima is good. Gandalf nods to us, letting us know that it was alrigt to hand over our weapons. I stood between Aragorn and Gandalf when a guard looked at me with a quizzical brow. As I started handning over my weapons, the guard began to laugh at me.
"What is a pretty girl, like yourself, doing with such dangerous things? If you're not careful, you might hurt yourself"
I cut his word off as I pulled out a hidden knife of mine from my sleeve. He backed away immediately and remain silent for the duration of time I handed over my weapons. I was hesitant to give them my short swords, they mean the world to me. I had one last knife hidden in my boot from Lorien but I doubt anyone would see it so I left it in there, just in case. I must admit, I was very anxious to get inside. Grima was in there.
"Your staff"
"Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?"
I think we all laughed from Gandalf's remark. Old he may be, but in need of a walking stick, hardly. It worked, they let him keep his staff and just to add to the old man affect, Legolas escorted Gandalf in. It was a sight to be seen. As the doors open, I notice all the Rohan guard stand on the side but behind them lingered another foul scent. Men dressed in black with no garment of Rohan slithered in the shadows. I stand behind Aragon, using his figure to shield me from Grima's sight.
"My lord, Gandalf the grey is coming"
As soon as everyone stepped in, the doors were closed shut and locked. I see Grima sitting beside the king whispering obscenities into the kings ear.
"He is a herald of woe"
All of our faces looked forward to the decaying figure that was called king. The state he was in was a horrible sight. He almost looked like a corpse brought back to life. I could still hear the men following us from the sides. They were waiting to attack, I could feel it.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King"
Gandalf spoke loud and confidant as we reached the middle of the room. Gandalf, Aragorn, and I broke right and the others went left. I could no longer hide my figure behind Aragon's; I was forced to step into the light. I heard many gasps of astonishment. One belonging to Grima. I stare at him and lock his eyes with mine. His mouth draws open as he sees me but his amazement was short lived for he went back into character. He turns his gaze back to Gandalf and begins to whisper again into the kings ear. Grima doesn't realize that he too is a puppet in Saruman's hand.
"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"
The king spoke for the first time and it was a most unpleasant sound. like some poor dying creature that was too old for this world.
"A just question my liege"
And Grima now goes on the offensive. He thinks he has power here, well he is utterly misinformed.
"Late is the hour in which the conjurer chooses to appear"
Grima stands and begins to walk towards us. I cannot deny that I would wish to see him up close but not with the given circumstances.
"Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest"
And so Grima is now right upon our faces. I could tell Gandalf's patience wearing thin with Grima. I thought I might speak to him.
"Grima?"
His gaze darts to my face.
"Grima, it's me"
I step forward closer to him hoping he might not stir up a fight with us. I see in his eyes a light from seeing me but alas, the light fades and turns to darkness.
"NO!"
Grima shouts and pushes me hard into Aragorn. Thankfully Aragorn catches me and Gandalf steps in front. I look over and see Legolas on the verge of tearing Grima to shreds. Remind me never to upset that elf. Gimli was holding him back by a thread.
"Be Silent. Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm"
Gandalf pushes his staff up to Grima's face and fear is painted across his face. He backs away in fear.
"His staff. I Told you to take the Wizards staff!"
Grima backs away and the blacked cloaked me run in to fight us. They really were no match for us. Aragorn grabbed me and pushed me towards the middle to protect Gandalf. I see a man running at me with the most devious grin. He thinks I will be easy to defeat but he is wrong. I dodge his punch and grab his arm. My elbow makes contact with his ribcage and I hear a few cracks to my satisfaction. I twist his arm and him into a column. The next man saw what I could do so he took a moment and ran with more caution. He blocked my punch and tried to break my arm but his footing was off so I was able to easily bring him down. The last man came from behind. I did not see him but I could hear his footsteps. I duck and turn to see a big guy behind me. Much bigger than the others. He swings, I dodge and punch him right in the face. The man does not fall however. He falters back but continues his pursuit of me. He is more of a brute than a fighter so I use that to my advantage. He dashes towards me in a furious rage; I run straight at him only to move to the side and trip him. He saw my move and dodged it but he did;t see my foot coming around that hit him square on the face. With a loud sound, he too hit the floor with the rest if foolish mugs think they could take me. By the time we subdue all the goons, Gimli has his foot on Grima and Gandalf is at the alter. All of the Rohan guards now grew closer in. They too wanted their king back.
"I release you from the spell"
I hear a low rumble from but nothing cages in fact. The decaying king begins to laugh at Gandalf's attempt to break Saruman's connection.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the grey"
Gandalf immediately proceeded to throw off his cloak and reveal his true power. A white light filled the hall and everyone took one step back in amazement. Even the king flinched back at the light of Gandalf.
"I will draw you Saruman, as poison is drown from a wound"
Gandalf takes a step closer and pulses his staff shaking back the king. A woman runs in on us but luckily Aragorn grabs her. She was very beautiful, i might point out.
"If I go, Theoden dies"
I recognize that voice. It was Saruman, speaking through the king. Gandalf strike back with his staff in retaliation.
"You did not kill me. You will not kill him"
This had now become a fight between Gandalf and Saurman.
"Rohan is mine"
Saruman still will not give up. I can see that Saruman's hold over the king grows weak.
"Be gone"
The king raises from the throne and reaches fro Gandalf but Gandalf swings his staff one last time, exhaling Saruman from the king's mind. The king was thrown back onto his throne. He begins to fall over but the girl Aragorn had got away and caught him. She leaned him back up and we all watched as the Theoden returned. You can feel the happiness spread throughout the room.
"Gandalf"
Theoden looks up at him with gratitude.
"Breathe the free air again, my friend"
Theoden arises and looks around to see all his loyal court standing before him.
"Dark have been my dreams of late"
He looks to his hand to see the color of his skin return.
"Your fingers would remember theorized strength better, if they grasped you sword"
A guard comes over and bows down with the kings sword in his kings takes hold of it and pulls it out of its' sheath. The pure sound of a sharp swords being unsheathed, no better sound. Theoden looks upon his sword with great glory to be returned to his former state. He gaze quickly lingers to a more pressing matter, Grima. I see the look of hatred and fear form instantly in Grima's eyes.
Garuds picked him up and tossed him from the hall. We all ran outside, especially me. I could not help ut still have feelings for him; for the friend he once was to me. He was thrown out and down the steps. The king was in a killing mood.
"I've only ever served you my lord"
Grima was crawling back on his hands while the king, with his sword in his hand, had a look on his face with a determined mind.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"
"Send e not from your sight"
Grima was pleading for his life. I knew what the king was going to do. I found myself running to the king as he wound up to deliver a lethal blow.
"No!, No my lord"
I grabbed the kings arms and held them from coming down.
"Let him go. enough blood has been spilt on his account"
I look down at him and offer him my hand up. He spits in my hand and runs for the stables.
"Out of my way!"
Grima pushed and shoved people aside to get through. I, however, was not planning on letting him go so easily. I ran after him. He quickly grabbed his horse and tried to ride out.
"Grima! Stop this madness"
"Get out of my way!"
"No"
Grima charges the horse but I do not move. I know this horse. He will not run down his own master. As the horse gets closer and closer I see Grima has no intention of stopping but the horse does. The horse stops abruptly in opposition to his rider and throws Grima off his back
"You certainly do not think to ride me down with my own horse do you?"
"Look all I know is that you died, so what I'm seeing now is just a dead girl"
"Grima don't you see he is using you. Saruman has never treated you fairly. Why must you do his bidding if you receive nothing but torment in return?"
"That is not true you witch!"
"Grima, we were friends, you and I. I would not lie to you"
I go to help him up but he pushes me away. Instead he tries to hit me but I just bock his feeble attempts. He then grabs one of the lit torches in the stable and throws it down on my cape. I was too distracted by the fire to grab him from sneaking away. He grabbed another horse and rode off. Legolas comes running in on the fire which was spreading to the hay in the stable.
"Kaydriella?!"
"It's alight. I can handle this."
I take a deep breath and control the fire. I bring it back to its original torch and hang it back up. My cape did not bur, however the hay did. The horses were also a bit jumpy from the short fire.
"This horse does not seem to be afraid. How peculiar"
"That is because he does not scare easily, like his master"
"This is your horse?"
"Yes. Legolas allow me to introduce Fea-hun. My noble steed. I had left him in Isengard. I guess Grima took him to ride to Edoras."
"He is a marvelous steed indeed"
Legolas helps me clean the burnt parts of the stable. He ended up doing most of it; I was too busy hugging my horse. How I missed him. We have been apart for more than a year, We've never been apart for that long. Not since we met. How I love my horse.
Author's Notes:
Told you i would have another chapter out fast! Im super excited about these next chapters and I have so many ideas. This chapter is my longest, ever! I'm sorry I have just been writing in Kaydriella's POV. I will defiantly be getting others in the next chapterI want to thank those who review, they literally make my day. Thanks for following, liking; all that jazz. Again Thanks for reading. Can't wait to hear what you guys have to say! Oh and here is a possible spoiler: Kaydriella might join Aragorn in the "little tumble off the cliff" when they are fighting the wargs. How would it change things? Think I should do it? What about her and Legolas? Things seem to be moving along nicely ;)