The battle was won, to the rohirrim warriors it was a relief to find that no harm had fallen to their families in the caves. The Galadhrim had paid the heaviest price for the victory, as they endured the strongest attack. However, as they saw the scenes of joy as families were reunited, they knew that they had done the right thing. A gift to the younger races of middle earth before they went across the sea to the undying lands

Luthien smiled as she saw that young boy Haleth being reunited with his mother and father. She approached them and said to the boy "I'm happy for you Haleth" the father kneeled in front of her and said with tears in his eyes "My lady, I want to thank you, all of you, for protecting our families" Luthien put her hand on the boy's head and said "You should be proud of your son Hama. He is a brave boy"

However, not everyone was resting. Findulias noticed that Aragorn, Gandalf, Théoden and Eomer were having a conversation. As she approached Gandalf she asked "What is it Olorin? Is there something wrong?" Gandalf turned to face her and said "We must go to Isengard at once. We still have pending business with Saruman" Findulias stared at Gandalf, not believing his words "Have you not have a heart Olorin?" she asked with a hurt voice. She turned and stared at the people "These people have suffered enough. And now that they are reunited with their loved ones, do you want them to fight again?.

She stopped for a moment and continued, as a tear flowed from her eyes "I knew suffering when my kin crossed the Helcaraxe, I knew suffering when we fought against Balrogs and Dragons in Nargothrond. But that's nothing compared to what I saw last night. Small children and old man being forced to fight for their very lives, against a much greater army whose only purpose was to kill every one of them… Morgoth was evil, but his goal was to establish his dominion over middle earth, not kill all living beings. And even if his power and armies were greater than Saruman's, we were not defenseless against him… But these people"

Gandalf smiled at her and said "You care deeply about them do you?" Findulias stared at him and said "Yes.. In the short time I have spent with them, I have come to love them" she stopped for a moment and said now with shame "They do not fight after some silly jewels or desire of power as my kin did long ago.. They fight to protect their families"

Gandalf said "Don't be concerned child. We are not going to fight a battle". Fundulias noticed that he was in fact very calm; she also stared at Aragorn and the king and noticed that after they talked with Gandalf, now they were staring at the forest with surprise.

Luthien, Legolas and Gimli approached Findulias as Gandalf continued "I wouldn't worry about Saruman, right now he is having a lot of trouble. That forest is a part of the great forest of Fangorn, and that is just a small example of what Saruman has weakened by his evil actions" He said and then with a smile added, "I believe our little friends the Hobbits are in part responsible for what has happened"

Gandalf stopped for a moment and then continued "Have any of you ever heard of the Ents?" the Three elves opened their eyes with surprise and Luthien said "The Ents, I have heard stories about them, ancient ones, but I have never seen one in my life." Legolas added "My father has told me about them but I thought they were long gone"

Meanwhile Théoden said to Aragorn "These are extraordinary times, the legends of old are coming back to life. But I'm afraid many old things will be lost after this war is over".

The only one who didn't seem excited about the forest was Gimli as he was looking at the forest with suspicious eyes, "I want to go there, will you come with me?" Legolas asked him. "I don't want to go there, it makes me nervous", Gimli replied. "What is wrong Gimli son of Gloin?" Findulias asked with a smile, "Don't tell me you are afraid of trees". He just stared at her with embarrassment on his face and said "A forest is no place for a dwarf"

"We must cross that forest if we want to go to Isengard" Gandalf said, "And don't worry master Dwarf, no harm will be done unless you are an orc" Gandalf assured Gimli.

Théoden disposed some of his man to take care of the wounded, and then the small group started the way to Isengard.

As they travelled, they all felt that they were being observed "EYES, I have seen eyes" Legolas suddenly screamed, and Gimli had to take a hold of him because Legolas obviously wanted to go there. "Control yourself Legolas" Gandalf told him, "We have more important matters at hand", "Those eyes. I have never seen anything like it" Legolas Finally said calming down a bit.

The forest was so dense, that even the sun couldn't get through it. Finally, after a few hours they finally arrived to Isengard, They found it in shambles, water receding from a flood. The Tower of Orthanc stood like a lonely island, there were ents everywhere and the bodies of orcs floated all around. But despite all of this, the thing that surprised them the most was the sight of two small creatures sitting in one of the few spots that wasn't covered by the waters, outside a small cabin

It was the Hobbits. There were bottles and plates all around them as if they just had a great meal. Merry was smoking and Pippin sat nearby drinking and eating. The surprise of Luthien, Findulias and the lords of Rohan was evident.

Among all the ruins of Isengard this was the most bizarre vision of all. Before any of them could say a word, the hobbits saw the group of raiders, and came to greet them. Merry made a profound reverence and then spoke with fake seriousness. "Welcome, my lords, to Isengard. We are the door-wardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took." He took a little time to try to suppress a laugh and then continued "The Lord Saruman is within, but unavailable."

Gandalf just laughed and said "And did Saruman give you the orders to guard the gates and receive any guest between meal and meal?" Pippin answered "Our orders to guard the doors come from Treebeard, who commanded me to welcome visitors with fitting words. I have done my best."

Gimli couldn't hold much longer, "Not a word for your partners? For Legolas and for me? You young rascals! We've followed you two hundred leagues, through battle and death, and we find you feasting and smoking" Pippin answered "We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good."

Legolas laughed, "You speak for me, too, Gimli, but I would sooner learn how they came by the wine!" "Remember that these are hobbits, I think they would find food and drink even in the lands of Mordor" Aragorn said with laughter.

Gandalf just stared at them and said "Hobbits"

At first only the members of the fellowship desmounted and approached the hobbits, while Theoden, Eomer, Haldir, Luthien and Findulias stayed behind looking at the meeting of friends

Theoden said to Eomer "The legends of our people are becoming alive. For are they not the perianath, the little people of the north?"

Aragorn said to the Hobbits "We have many things to tell you, and I'm sure you also have many tales for us. But before that I would like you to meet some friends". Then he leaded them to the others and said "King Eomer, My ladies, may I present to you two members of the Fellowship that set out of rivendell. Meriadoc Brandibuck and Peregrin Took of the Shire"

Both Hobbits approached the groups of raiders and bowed to the King and the two mysterious ladies, awe in their eyes. However it was nothing compared to the amazement both Findulias and Luthien felt. Just as when the Valar Orome discovered the first Elves at cuivienen, and marveled at Iluvatar's creation. So now the first born watched the youngest race and marveled.

They could read their minds like an open book, and in them they found an innocence and purity that has not been corrupted by Morgoth's lies, as the other races had. They stared in their souls and found that their small and simple looks were deceiving. They didn't possess the deep wisdom elves had, no, their wisdom was more related to a deep love for all natural things and leading a quiet and simple life. Perhaps they were not great warriors as Elves, Man and dwarves were, but they did have courage. A courage that was not related to fighting an enemy on a battlefield but something greater. Self-sacrifice. To endure the hardest tests for others. Now they understood why the ring was entrusted to one of them.

They knew that Sauron would never pay any attention to such a "weak" race. He was only interested in power, and as such, just like Morgoth before him, he was more interested in controlling the other races and would expect his enemies to use the ring against him in open battle.

Then Aragorn said to the hobbits "Merry, Pippin meet Eomer King of Rohan, his nephew Eomer third marshal of the mark, Queen Luthien Tinuviel of the sindar and queen Findulias of the Noldor. I believe you remember Haldir of the Galadhrim". The Hobbits bowed again, but Luthien said "I'm very pleased to meet you both. And please, there is no need for such formality" Gandalf laughed and said "Don't worry child, you will soon find that these two Hobbits don't care much about titles to play their pranks on. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't care the less even if they were standing in front of Manwe himself."

Pippin grinned at Gandalf and said "Don't believe him my ladies. We are very respectful hobbits, and we have not yet been officially labeled disturbers of the peace as our friend here has" Luthien stared at the hobbit and then at Gandalf with merriment and asked "Disturber of the peace?" Gandalf just looked at her and said "It's a long story" Luthien said "The shire must be a very interesting place to visit"