Bad Ass Female Fighter: I am sorry about that. The first time I was unhappy with it and started editing it and all the chapters got messed up so I thought I would start fresh. :)

decadenceofmysoul: I'm happy that you are enjoying this story so far. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well :)

Enchantedkingdom1245: Again I'm happy you like the story xx Thanks for the reviews

Chapter 21

No one POV

Merry and Pippin decided to go on a hunt for some food. After all fighting with the Ents to destroy the white wizard's home was, after all, very hard work. Their Ent friend Treebeard was not having an easy time keeping track of the two very fast Hobbits and was currently trying to find where the two had gotten too. Before he had found them in the wine house, having a drink. Luckily for them the tower had not flooded. They figured the White Wizard had something to do with this seeing as he was still alive. This fact did not stop the Hobbits from wandering around. The two Hobbits found themselves in an underground part of the tower, 'You don't suppose this is where he keeps his food do you?' Pippin asked.

Merry hoped Pippin was right, 'I don't know pip, let's find out, for I am famished.'

'Merry, why do you seem taller?' Pippin suddenly asked out of the blue.

Merry kept on walking as he awkwardly replied,'Oh uh well I have always been taller than you.'

'Well yes, but you seem even taller than usual.' The two Hobbits continued to talk as they made their way around the underground tunnel.

A soft sob echoed through the tunnel stopping Pippin in his tracks, 'Merry did you hear that?'

'Hear what?' another sob, the two Hobbits looked at each other and started to walk faster towards the noise, holding their swords tightly in case of an attack.

'I think it came from this way,' Merry called out a little in front of Pippin. 'OI PIP OVER HERE.'

Merry stopped, he gasped, what he saw sent shivers down his back and he knew straight away he needed to get help. Pippin had caught up and looked into the cell and saw a young person curled up sobbing. Pippin was shocked and knew not what to do. Merry told Pippin to stay while he found help.

Merry ran as fast as he could back to where they had left Tree-beard. It did not take long for Merry to find who he was looking for, but before he could explain what was happening Tree-Beard said, 'Ah there you are. Here is one of your Little Hobbit friends.'

Merry looked around trying to see who Tree-Beard was talking too. His eyes met a familiar ranger, 'Strider.' Merry cried as he run up to the group.

'I do hope you and Pippin have been behaving yourselves.' Aragorn said sternly as he pulling the little Hobbit into a hug.

Aragorn was very much relieved to see Merry looking well, 'You are not injured are you?' Aragorn asked quickly. Merry shook his head and Aragorn sighed in relief.

'Aye we have missed you two trouble makers.' Gimli said smiling.

Merry's smile did not meet his eyes and Aragorn saw this, and quickly looked at Merry concern written in his eyes, 'What troubles you little one? Where is Pippin?' Aragorn asked gently.

'I think you and Legolas should follow me.' Aragorn stood up and nodded to Legolas.

'Very well Master Hobbit, we shall oblige.' Legolas said as they started walking away.

'If you have something you would like to share please do so now, for we will find out if you and Pippin have been up to no good.' Legolas said sternly while Aragorn nodded in agreement.

Merry continued to lead them towards Pippin, 'No, I wish it were that, but the thing is, we found someone who is not in a good way. We found Willow.'

The three companions paused, Legolas swiftly picked Merry up, 'Forgive me little one, but I have the feeling we should move at a faster pace.' Merry nodded holding onto Legolas as he directed the two warriors to where he had left Pippin and Willow.

'Another thing, she is locked in. I tried finding a key but couldn't find one.' Merry said feeling rather concerned and he hoped Pippin was alright. He knew Pippin would be feeling upset.

'Do not fret, let us assess the situation.' Aragorn said gently. Soon the three of them were winding their way around the dark passages.

'Aragorn, over there.' Both Ranger and Elf paused watching Pippin talk to someone through the door.

Quickly Legolas pulled Pippin back and put Merry on the ground, 'Go back to Gandalf and inform him of this.' Legolas said none to gently, the two Hobbits looked at each other hurt was evident in their eyes, but they ran off.

Legolas sighed knowing they would not soon forget the broken body of their friend, he would have to speak with them at a later day. Aragorn walked forward watching the girl rock herself, as she tried to calm herself. Testing the bars that kept both warriors and girl separated, Legolas quickly worked through the locks by using a small sharp dagger to pick the lock. His fingers worked swiftly and smoothly and he almost sighed in relief as the door unclicked moments later. Aragorn slowly walked in not wishing to scare the girl any more than she already was. He started speaking words of comfort and within moments he carefully pulled the small frail girl into a hug. She flinched away, hitting his arm away and muttering out words, 'You're not real, go away, leave me alone.' Aragorn looked up at Legolas who frowned and gestured to Aragorn to try again.

'Willow, my friend let this evil shadow go, come into the light and see that we are real, we will save you from this evil that has poisoned your mind and body.' Aragorn's soft calming words did nothing but distress Willow even more. Legolas bent down, without touching her he started to sing.

Slowly Willow stopped rocking herself and sat very still and stiffly. Aragorn gently touched her arm, she flinched but didn't move, he gently picked her up and offered soothing words, 'You're safe, shh sleep now little one, you're safe, I have you, I won't let you go, hush now stop fighting me little one. Sleep now your dreams shall not be plagued with horrors I promise.' Aragorn walked quickly following Legolas, who were both very worried for the girl. Willow was soon sleeping, she looked peaceful, yet hurt at the same time.

'I wonder what horrors she has been through,' Legolas wondered out loud.

'I know not. This will be a long healing process, but she is among friends. I will do whatever I can to see her smile again. I know you shall as well. Merry and Pippin will not so easily give up on her either. No they will fight for her to come back to us.'

'You are right, but my mind still won't rest until I know she will make it through.'

'We must tread easy, we know not what she has faced, be at peace Legolas, she is sleeping now and no dream will haunt her this day.' The two friends soon walked out into the open and walked to their companions.

Eomer instantly walked over, 'What type of evil has this girl endured?' his eyes flashing in anger, as he looked over to the now dead body of the White Wizard and Wormtonge.

'Peace Eomer, this is our dear friend Willow. We know not what has happened, but she is in good hands, and well taken care off. Would you mind if Pippin rides with you now that I have Willow.'

'Nay, my lord, I do not mind. Though it is sad to see those two little ones so distressed.'

'It is, but a Hobbit will always surprise you. Come let us leave this foul place, for I do not want Willow to wake up here again.' Gandalf farewelled the Ents, as he pulled Shadow-fax into a gallop, with King Theoden next to him.

Aragorn became more relaxed as they rode away, as did Pippin who was now talking to Eomer and Merry who clang onto Gandalf who had a slight smile on his face Aragorn was sure Gandalf was telling a tale of sorts as was Eomer. Willow slept on soundly as Aragorn continued to whisper words of comfort.