A/N: Still going. The final chapter before Edoras, and I think it's a pretty good one if mostly a set up chapter, in which there is magic, mayhem and sarcasm.
The horses had been tied up, having refused to enter the Forest, and the Fellowship had entered the forest with some trepidation. Harry was beginning to see why everyone else disliked Fangorn Forest, save Legolas, who appeared to be in his element, looking around in wonderment. The trees creaked and groaned, and generally gave off a vibe of being thoroughly pissed off. Honestly, it was like being surrounded by thousands of the whomping willow, any of which could kill him at any given moment. He shivered. Not a pleasant thing to know.
Gimli had walked over to some leaves with a black substance upon them and tasted some of it. He spat it out and said, grimacing, "Orc blood."
Harry was too nervous to make a smart remark, and merely said, "Really? Interesting."
Aragorn was leaping from one half hidden sign or track to another. Stopping at one, he frowned and said, "These tracks are strange."
"The air is so close in here." Gimli said, thoroughly intimidated.
"That would be because of the trees." Harry muttered. The main reasons he had refrained from using a point me spell was that 1) Saruman was probably wandering around, and he didn't want to attract attention, 2) something in the air was playing havoc with his spells and 3) it would only give a straight line direction, not helpful in a forest.
"This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory." Legolas said, as if communicating with the trees, and said slightly worriedly, "and anger." The trees began creaking even more loudly, and Gimli lifted his large axe, hefting it nervously.
"The trees are speaking to each other." Legolas said.
"Gimli, I think they don't like your axe. Please, for my peace of mind at least, lower it." Harry said, watching the trees around him cautiously.
"Gimli! Lower your axe." Aragorn added for emphasis. The dwarf lowered his axe and raised both hands in the multiversal gesture of surrender.
"They have feelings my friend," Legolas said with a slight smile. "The elves began it, waking up the trees, teaching them to speak…"
"Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings." Gimli grumbled. Harry and Boromir sniggered quietly.
They moved deeper into the forest, then Legolas said something in Sindarin to Aragorn, stepping onto a small protruding rock. Aragorn replied, asking him something, then Legolas answered in Westron for the benefit of the whole company.
"The White Wizard approaches."
"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us." Aragorn whispered, not moving. Each member of the Fellowship slowly reached for their weapons. Aragorn and Boromir reached for their swords, Gimli his axe, Legolas an arrow, and Harry his wand, loosening the Sword of Gryffindor in its sheath.
"We must be quick." Aragorn whispered, took a deep breath, and turned whilst drawing his sword with a challenging yell. Gimli hurled a throwing axe with a cry, and Legolas threw an arrow at the blazing white figure, shrouded in incandescent white light. The axe was deflected and the arrow shattered against the White Wizard's shields. Harry fired a stunner which bounced off with a clang, then his wand was ripped out of his hand and thrown to one side. He drew his sword, but like Aragorn and Boromir's, it heated to red heat, though took a few moments longer, forcing all three to drop their swords.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits." Spoke a rich, deep and somehow distorted voice.
"Where are they?" Aragorn demanded, shading his eyes from the glare.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday," the White Wizard replied, apparently unconcerned.
"They met someone, they did not expect," he continued, a more ominous choice of words. Harry waited. He would pick his moment, then apparate to the White Wizard and fight him hand to hand.
"Does that comfort you?" The Wizard asked, apparently slightly concerned, unusual for one such as Saruman.
Aragorn having picked up on this, demanded, "Who are you? Show yourself!"
The light dimmed, revealing… Gandalf. Dressed in thick white robes that could have been an advert for one of the detergents Aunt Petunia used to watch, and carrying a smoothly carved white wooden staff.
"It cannot be." Aragorn whispered, dumbfounded.
"Forgive me, I mistook you for Saruman," Legolas said, going down on one knee, Gimli following suit, Boromir doing the same. Harry bowed slightly, hand over heart.
"I am Saruman," said Gandalf, "or rather, Saruman as he should have been."
"You fell." Aragorn said, still shocked.
"I saw. You fell and I failed to save you." Harry said quietly.
"Through fire, and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountaintop." Gandalf replied, a certain grim satisfaction in his voice.
"Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled around me, and every day was as long as a life age of the Earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I have been sent back, until my task is done at the will of Eru."
"Gandalf." Aragorn said, stepping forward. Gandalf looked puzzled, as if searching for a memory.
"Gandalf? Yes, that's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey, that was my name."
"Eru help us, he's back, he's incredibly powerful, and he's gone senile." Harry muttered under his breath, looking around for his wand.
"Gandalf." Gimli said, eyes beetling like Hagrid's, and a smile creasing his face.
"Gandalf." Boromir said in wonder, then wincing at his wound.
"I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide. And I am not senile, Moristar, though I would ask you to try being resurrected and retaining your full faculties."
"I have. It was rather easy. Of course, some of us didn't bother with the dye job. Now could you tell me where you've hidden my bloody wand?" Harry said grumpily.
Gandalf merely smiled, and drew Harry's wand from the depths of his robes. Harry accepted it with an amused eyeroll. Then he smiled, saying sincerely, "It is good to see you again old friend."
"As it is to see you. To see you all." Gandalf said warmly, then began to walk on.
"One stage of your journey is over. Another begins. We must make for Edoras with all speed." He said, now covering his white robes with a grey cloak and walking briskly in some predetermined direction.
"Edoras? That is no short distance." Gimli said, puzzled.
"A day on horseback at least." Harry confirmed, having perked up at the mention of Edoras.
"We hear of trouble in Rohan. Something is ill with the King." Aragorn said quietly to Gandalf.
"Yes, and it will not be easily cured." Gandalf said grimly.
"Then we have run all this way for nothing! We are going to leave these poor hobbits here in this horrid, dank, dark, tree infested…" Gimli said, beginning a rant that was swiftly cut off by a warning groan from the trees.
"Um, ah, I mean, charming, quite charming, forest." Gimli said hastily. Harry shared a grin with Boromir.
"The run did at least prove one thing: dwarves are useless at long distance running." Harry teased.
"Says the wizard who flew all the way." Gimli replied. Before the two could start a good natured argument, Gandalf interrupted.
"It was not mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power is waking that has slept for many ages." Gandalf said knowingly. Legolas began to look wonderingly around the forest.
"Yes, the coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the small stones that start an avalanche in the mountains." Gandalf said.
"In one thing you have not changed dear friend." Aragorn said conspiratorially, then whispered.
"You still speak in riddles," and the two shared a laugh.
"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder days." Gandalf said, building up an air of mystery.
"A hobbit is about to shave their foot hair?" Harry enquired innocently, ruining the air of mystery.
"Your ever present and often inappropriate wit is one thing that hasn't changed about you Harry." Gandalf said with an exasperated smile.
"The Ents are going to wake up. And find that they are strong." Gandalf said, slightly ominously.
"Strong?" Gimli blurted out as the forest creaked around them. "Oh, that's good."
"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf." Gandalf said sternly, and turned to exit the forest. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact they are far safer than you are about to be." The wizard added breezily.
"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one." Gimli mumbled into his beard.
"Back from the dead, twice as powerful, twice as grumpy." Boromir muttered to Harry and Gimli, who concealed snorts with difficulty.
As they left the forest, Gandalf started an impossibly long whistle. Soon afterwards, a loud neigh was to be heard and an absolutely beautiful and powerful looking white horse galloping towards them, their own horses in hot pursuit.
"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." Legolas said, awestruck.
"Your eyes are not deceived Legolas. Shadowfax, lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers." Gandalf said, stroking the horse's nose gently.
Harry had been puzzling something out. "This is the horse Théoden was so angry you'd taken?"
"Indeed Harry, this is he. But he did say I could take any horse in the stable." Gandalf said with a wink. "Even if he didn't mean it."
Harry looked at Shadowfax. "That is most definitely not an ordinary horse." Shadowfax eyeballed him. "My point proven." Harry said, edging away from the unblinking stare.
The Fellowship mounted up, Gimli rather reluctantly, and Gandalf blinked. "Where is your horse Harry?"
Harry grinned. He'd been wanting to show off like this. He resized his broom, mounted it, and kicked off, his formerly wounded leg holding up. He shot off into the blue with a wild whoop.
Gandalf sat on Shadowfax and shook his head. "That boy is always going to be wild."
"At least he's wild and happy. When Haldir angered him, Harry nearly killed him, and when he failed to save you, his grief destroyed the eastern gate of Moria." Aragorn said.
"Ah yes, I heard about that. Galadriel told me when I was readjusting to living. She also told me that it is not just the turn of the tide in the war, but the turn of the tide for Master Potter as well." Gandalf said with a cryptic smile.
"Would there be any point in asking you what that means?" Boromir asked sarcastically.
"No, none at all." Gandalf said as Harry came in to land alongside them, eyes sparkling with joy. "Most impressive Harry, though I would counsel caution. If Saruman catches you unawares at that speed, you are as good as dead."
"Maybe I'll get resurrected: two dead wizards for the price of one." Harry replied flippantly. Gandalf gave him a hard look.
"I know Gandalf. My task is not an easy one, a fact I am well aware of." Harry said, tone darkening.
Gandalf nodded. "And you remember that, you impudent nuisance." He said in a half affectionate tone. Harry raised his eyebrows in reply. "Now we have dallied enough. On to Edoras!"
They galloped across the plains of Rohan for the whole day, stopping only as night fell. The darkness was complete, the sky a deep purple, except for where it was touched by orange by the fires of Mordor.
"A veiling shadow and cloud in the east takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-Dur he watches ceaselessly. But he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him, rumour has reached him: The heir of Numenor still lives. Sauron fears you Aragorn, he fears what you may become." Aragorn turned his head away at this. "So he will strike hard and fast at the world of men. He will use his puppet Saruman to destroy Rohan, war is coming and Rohan must defend itself. Therein lies our first challenge for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The King's mind is enslaved, an old device of Saruman's, his hold of King Théoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning, we have one advantage. The Ring remains hidden. And that we should seek to destroy has not yet entered their darkest dreams." Gandalf said, quite pleased with himself. "And so the weapon of the enemy everyday moves closer to Mordor in the hands of a Hobbit. Towards the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo, everything depends and speed and upon the secrecy of his quest. Do not regret your decision to leave him, Frodo must finish this task alone."
"He's not alone. Sam went with him." Aragorn said.
"I told him that in Lothlorien. I hope that knowledge now allows him to hold his nerve." Harry said quietly.
"Did he? Did he indeed. Very good. Yes, very good." Gandalf said, smiling, as if some piece of the puzzle was falling into place. "And you should be asleep young wizard."
"I couldn't sleep. Nightmares about both this world and my own being enslaved by the forces of darkness rather ruin the appeal of rest." Harry said sourly.
"Ah, your vision in the Mirror of Galadriel I assume. Yes, I was told about that." Gandalf said.
"I feel helpless, Gandalf. I don't feel as if I can help Frodo and Sam. And every time I have faced Saruman in battle, I have had my arse handed to me. And despite all that I'm expected to save two worlds, or at least help. Last time it was at least only one bloody country! I not sure what I'm meant to do, much less how to do it." Harry replied angrily. Aragorn felt himself empathising with Harry somewhat, but while his path was clearer, he lacked Harry's formidable magical powers. The road ahead was a hard one to walk, for all of them.
"Your path shall reveal itself in time Master Potter, just you wait." Gandalf said placidly.
"I've been waiting for four years. What difference do another few months make?" Harry said sarcastically, going back to sleep by the fire.
Aragorn and Gandalf stood for a while watching the horizon.
"I am of the opinion that Harry is the most dangerous creature in Middle Earth." Gandalf said quietly.
"He is powerful, for sure, but surely he is not more powerful than Sauron, Saruman, yourself and Galadriel?" Aragorn said, looking at Gandalf in puzzlement.
"He isn't yet. That isn't to say he won't be some day, and for now I suspect that sword has been sent to make up some of the difference." Gandalf conceded.
"It looks to be an ordinary sword to my eyes." Aragorn said dubiously.
"To mine it thrums with untapped power. It is old Aragorn, and forged by cunning creatures, wielded by a powerful wizard… Oh yes, it is very powerful. I believe it is only to be wielded by the worthy, and those who wield it are capable of great and terrible things." Gandalf said. "Now to bed. We have a long ride ahead of us, and many miles to cover before we can truly rest."
Rohan
Eowyn kept vigil over her cousin. Grima had forbidden that any tend to him, but she still kept watch over him.
"Oh, he must have died sometime in the night. What a tragedy for the King to lose his only son and heir," Grima said, entering the room, voice full of false concern. At that moment, Theodred groaned slightly. Grima's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and Eowyn concealed a half smile. His grip over Rohan may be nearly complete, but he was not unassailable.
"Have you tended to him?" He asked sharply.
"No, snake, and I wonder why you should think him dead or prevent treatment on him. It is almost as if you want him to die." Eowyn replied just as sharply.
"You malign me my lady, but your words have aroused a thought in my mind. I shall have him taken for treatment now by the best physicians I can find." Grima said greasily.
Eowyn looked at him uneasily, as he moved closer, and reached out to touch her face, saying softly, "So fair, but so cold. Like a cold spring morning still clinging to winter…"
Eowyn seemed almost hypnotised, and for long moment she didn't move, then stood back and said, tears and anger in her voice, "Your words are poison." Then she left with all haste.
Grima looked after her, then beckoned a guard in his pay. "Prince Theodred needs to be taken to new quarters in the dungeons. Chain him up, to prevent him from hurting himself of course."
What he did not know was that his careful manipulations and power plays, as intricate and sticky as a spiders web, were about to burn to dust. For the White Wizard and the Fellowship of the Ring were coming 'ere the next midday, and the tides of fortune were turning.
Rivendell
Elrond surveyed the three young witches and wizards. The seemed curious, sharper, more aware and honed to battle fitness by the training they had received. Their visit had been as good for Rivendell as it had been for them, particularly Arwen, as Ginny and Hermione had often been spotted chatting about everything and nothing to the Evenstar. Arwen had even laughed, a rare commodity in this most troubled of times.
"You are ready, and the time is right. The Lady Galadriel tells me that Harry is approaching Edoras, the capital of Rohan, and my sons have assembled 30 dunedain rangers to help the Fellowship on their quest. They desire that you go with them. Do you wish to do so?"
"Yes!" All three replied at the exact same time.
"I take it you all know how to ride a horse?" Ron and Ginny looked puzzled while Hermione nodded.
Catching their expressions, she explained for their benefit. "Riding a horse isn't much different from riding a broom, and it's much easier. No flying involved."
While Elrond was puzzled by the idea of flying brooms, something he recalled Harry having mentioned on one occasion, the explanation made sense to the two purebloods, though Ron looked decidedly worried.
"You leave at first light tomorrow, so I suggest you start packing. Hermione, a bucket of water will be provided in case you need to wake your husband up." Elrond said, allowing a small smile to creep across his face. Ron blanched while Hermione grinned.
"Thank you, Lord Elrond." She said. The trio left with a perfunctory collective bow, and began debating what to take. Elrond sighed and massaged his temples briefly. He just hoped to Eru that he wasn't unleashing three more versions of Harry on Arda. One was more than enough, for though they seemed sensible, but battle did odd things to the mind.
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