Mariell felt a chill go down her spine as they made their way through the forest. She kept hearing funny noises.
"This forest is old," Legolas said. "Full of memories."
"What's that noise?" Mariell wondered aloud.
"The trees are speaking to one another." Gimli suddenly raised his ax as a noise was heard.
"Gimli," Aragorn said, "Lower your ax." Mariell hurried close to Aragorn's side.
"The white wizard approaches," Legolas said.
"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us. We must be quick." Mariell gripped her sword and pulled her dagger from her belt as
Legolas knocked his bow and Aragorn drew his sword.
"Now!" Aragorn yelled. Legolas released an arrow as Mariell let her dagger fly. A white light blinded them as their weapons were shot
back at them. Mariell felt her sword yanked from her hand.
"You track the trail of two hobbits," a voice from within the light said to them.
"Where are they?" Aragorn demanded.
"They saw someone they did not expect to see. Does that comfort you"
"Who are you?" Aragorn demanded again. "Show yourself!" The light dimmed and the wizard was revealed. Mariell gasped.
"It cannot be," Aragorn said. "You fell"
"Through fire and water. On the highest mountain I fought him, until finally I smote him on the rocks. Then I lay quiet. I passed out of
thought and time. But it was not the end. I was sent back until my task is fulfilled"
"Gandalf?" Aragorn said. He could not believe it. "Gandalf?" the wizard said as though he'd never heard the name before. "Yes, that
was what they called me. Gandalf the Gray"
"Gandalf!" Gimli said joyfully. "I am Gandalf the White. And I come to you now at the turn of the tide"
"Where are Merry and Pippin?" Mariell demanded. Gandalf smiled at her.
"Be at ease, young Mariell. They are safe. They are with Treebeard, an Ent. I sent them to try and persuade the other Ents to join in the
fight for Middle Earth. I doubt they will be successful but at least they will stay out of trouble. Our fate lies on a different path from
theirs. We must go to Edoras. War has come to Rohan. We must see King Theoden." Gandalf led them out of Fangorn to where they
had left Hasufel and Arod. Mariell shielded her eyes as she saw a magnificent white horse coming toward them.
"This is Shadowfax. He has been my brave companion for many years." Aragorn jumped onto Hasufel and pulled Mariell up behind him
and they set off for Edoras.