A/N: This is going to be short, sweet, and to the point. I LOVE ALL OF YOU! There I said it...

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 9

"Relax Gimli," Anariel smiled as the long absent mischievous twinkle sparked in her eyes. "After all, it's just a forest."

Legolas shot her a look. Fangorn was most certainly not just a forest. Anariel just shrugged slightly, and Legolas shook his head. "Of course it's just a forest," Gimli grumbled. Of course at that moment trees started to groan and Gimli seemed to waver on his previous opinion.

Aragorn however, was in no mood to make light of the situation. He strode into the forest and began to follow the tracks of Merry and Pippin. Anariel and Legolas followed soon after him, and Gimli after hesitating a second more, gripped his axe tightly and followed the elves.

Anariel looked about the forest with open curiosity. She was happy to be amongst the trees again, even if said trees were full of anger. What amazed her most was the sheer volume of memories that the trees held. Anariel looked up to see that Gimli had stopped and was looking at a dark stain. He pressed a finger to it, and then brought it to his mouth. He immediately spit it back out, "Orc blood."

Anariel walked past Gimli and knelt beside Aragorn who was studying the ground speculatively. "These are strange tracks," he murmured and Anariel looked at the ground to see what he was talking about. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she studied the tracks. Obviously someone or something had made them, but it was nothing Anariel had ever encountered in her millennium of life.

"The air is so close in here," Gimli said to himself quietly and Anariel smiled.

"What did you expect my friend?" she asked. "It's a forest."

"This forest is old," Legolas explained as he looked around at the trees. "Very old. Full of memory…and anger," he added quietly.

"You speak as if they were alive," Gimli grumbled. "They are just trees."

"Until long ago when the elves taught them to speak," Anariel smiled.

Gimli huffed and shook his head, "Talking trees," he grumbled. "Impossible."

The trees began to groan loudly and Anariel snickered as the startled dwarf raised his axe. "The trees are speaking to each other," Legolas said looking about curiously. Anariel smiled. She could only imagine how much Legolas missed Mirkwood. Being in Fangorn must be a relief.

The trees continued groaning, and Aragorn whispered, "Gimli!"

"Huh?" Gimli asked warily, still looking about the trees.

"Lower your axe," Aragorn ordered quietly gesturing with his hand.

"Oh," Gimli said lamely as he slowly lowered his axe to the ground.

Anariel however, was sensing that someone else was in the forest…and they were close. She looked up at Legolas and knew that he felt it too. "Aragorn, something is out there."

"What do you see?" Aragorn asked.

Legolas' eyes roamed the forest and Anariel followed his gaze. Her jaw set when she glimpsed a white cloak. "The White Wizard approaches," Legolas said quietly.

"Do not let him speak," Aragorn advised. "He will put a spell on us."

Anariel saw his hand wrap around to the hilt of his sword and Anariel mimicked the movement. "We must be quick," Aragorn whispered and with a yell all four of them spun around. Gimli through his axe and Legolas let an arrow fly, but both were deflected. Aragorn and Anariel's hilts were suddenly red hot in their hands and both let them fall to the ground.

Anariel looked up at the White Wizard, but the light emanating from him was too bright, even for her eyes. She winced at the brightness and shielded her eyes with her hand. Squinting, she looked back at the light and could see the vague outline of a figure.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two hobbits," the figure said and Anariel was frowning. She knew that voice…

"Where are they?" Anariel asked quickly.

"They past this way the day before yesterday. They met someone that they didn't expect. Does that comfort you?" The figure asked and Anariel's frowned deepened. No. That did not comfort her.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn commanded and Anariel watched as the light dimmed around the figure.

She gasped. Gandalf, though he was no longer cloaked in grey, but white. She noticed that his hair was white to match, along with his staff. Anariel looked into his ageless, kind blue eyes and knew that it was still Gandalf just…different.

She dropped to one knee like Legolas and Gimli already had, but for the first time in days she wore a genuine smile on her face.

"It cannot be," Aragorn said as he slowly dropped to one knee before the wizard. "You fell."

Gandalf nodded, "Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smelt his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled over head and a day was as long as a life-age of earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again," Gandalf said softly. "I've been sent back until my task is done," he added more seriously.

"Gandalf!" Aragorn exclaimed quietly.

"Gandalf?" he questioned. "Yes…that is what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey," Gandalf said smiling, before adding with a twinkle in his eye. "I am Gandalf the White. And I have come back to you at the turn of the tide."

Aragorn grinned and Anariel found that she was beaming. She looked up at Legolas who was smiling also. Finally, she couldn't resist and she sprang at Gandalf and gave him the biggest hug she had ever given in her entire life. Gandalf chuckled and patted her back. "I missed you old man," she said giggling.

"As I missed you," Gandalf returned simling before he began walking, leading them out of the forest. Anariel was practically bouncing. Today was turning out to be a good day. Merry and Pippin were safe. Gandalf was back. All in all a very good day.

"One stage of your journey is over. Another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed," Gandalf explained quickly as they emerged from the forest.

Once they were outside the forest, Gandalf whistled loudly. Anariel raised an eyebrow, but when she heard Legolas' sharp intake of breath she looked to where he was staring. A white horse could be seen galloping across the plain to answer Gandalf's call.

"That is one of the Mearas," Legolas whispered in awe. "Unless my eyes are cheated by some spell."

The horse came round to stop in front of Gandalf, and the old wizard patted the creature's neck affectionately. "Shadowfax, he's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers."

Gandalf quickly mounted Shadowfax and Anariel went to Hasufel when Gimli stopped her and whispered, "Wouldn't you want to ride with Legolas, lassie?" he asked and Anariel noticed the faint blush on the dwarfs cheeks.

Anariel smiled. "I would love to," she said loud enough for Legolas to hear and he grinned at her. "But we must not burden either horse. It would not make sense for the lightest to ride the same horse."

"Oh," Gimli said awkwardly and Anariel smiled at Legolas before she hopped up behind Aragorn. Soon they were all riding across the plain.

After a few minutes of riding Aragorn turned slightly to grin at her, "I have not had time to congratulate you, Anariel."

Anariel raised an eyebrow and Aragorn explained, "I am glad to see two of my favorite elves fall in love…and finally acknowledge it," he added chuckling.

Anariel scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Really? When did you know?"

"I started to suspect right before we entered Moria," Aragorn explained and Anariel gasped.

"You knew then? I didn't even know then!" she exclaimed softly, causing Aragorn to chuckle lightly.

"Like I said, I've been waiting for the two of you to realize for a while," he said grinning before he turned back around and urged Hasufel faster.

Anariel looked across to her right and saw that Legolas was grinning at her. So he'd heard their conversation? Anariel just shrugged and Legolas did the same. Anariel laughed quietly and Legolas grinned. She looked ahead and could see Edoras in the distance. Gandalf pulled on Shadowfax's reins and they all stopped to look at Edoras.

"Edoras and the golden hall of Meduseld," the wizard said solemnly. "There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold of King Théoden is now very strong."

Anariel looked up at the city and could see that it was not full of life as it had been many years before. Indeed, Saruman's hold must be strong. "Be careful of what you say," Gandalf advised and he looked at Anariel pointedly. Anariel gave him her most innocent look, and the old wizard sighed. "Do not look for welcome here."

They rode on into Edoras and the first thing that Anariel noticed was the silence. She looked up to see a blonde woman in white. The woman looked straight at her, but Anariel doubted it was on purpose. They were still too far away for her human eyes to see clearly. The woman's eyes seemed to settle on Aragorn, and Anariel recognized the look on the maiden's face. It was probably similar to the expression she wore when she first met Legolas…and she knew how that had ended.

Sighing she looked about her. The people's faces were so somber, and Anariel felt for them. They were all cloaked in black, and they eyed herself and the rest of her company warily. "You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli muttered to himself.

They made their way up the steps and Anariel watched as a little guard met them before the doors. Around them were a half dozen other guards and Anariel figured she could easily disarm three, but she thought that Gandalf wouldn't be too pleased. Instead, she contented herself with imagining all the ways she could disarm the soldiers that had made a loose circle around them.

"Ah," Gandalf said in understanding as he saw one of the guards.

"I cannot allow you before Théoden-King so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue," the little man explained.

Gandalf nodded and signaled for them to lay their weapons on the table. All of them hesitated, but Aragorn sighed and laid his sword and knives on the table. Gimli reluctantly handed over his axe. Legolas gave his knives a twirl and Anariel snickered when she saw the man gulp slightly.

Show off. You're trying to scare him. Anariel said so quietly that only Legolas could hear, as she handed over her sword.

Legolas smirked. Only a little.

Anariel shook her head before she turned back to the little man who was watching them warily. He looked pointedly at her waist where she still had her dagger from Galadriel. Anariel frowned, but moved to give it to him.

Right as he was about to take it she stopped and whispered, "If you so much as breath on this I will kill you," she warned and she watched in satisfaction as the man quickly nodded and took the dagger, gently laying it on the table.

And you accuse me of being scary, Legolas teased. He's terrified.

As he should be, Anariel said calmly, but when she looked up at him she winked.

Legolas shook his head, and they watched as the man looked pointedly at Gandalf.

"Your staff," he gestured to Gandalf.

Gandalf looked from his staff to the man in surprise. "Oh," he chided. "You would not part an old man from his walking stick?" he asked innocently and Anariel was inwardly laughing. Gandalf was a good actor.

The soldier hesitated, but nodded and as he turned to open the doors Anariel saw Gandalf wink at Aragorn before he leaned on Legolas' arm as they walked into the hall. Anariel could barely contain the gasp that threatened to escape her when she laid eyes on Théoden. The man was hideous, but not as hideous as the wicked creature that was whispering in the king's ear.

"My lord," she heard the creature whisper. "Gandalf the Grey is coming. He is a herald of woe," he entreated and Anariel wondered if he would rather be impaled or disemboweled. Personally, she was leaning towards impalement.

"The curtosy of your hall has lessened as of late, Théoden-King," Gandalf commented.

"That's an understatement," Anariel said under her breath and out of the corner of her eye she saw Legolas' mouth twitch as he fought a smile.

As Gandalf approached Théoden, Legolas, Anariel, Aragorn, and Gimli dropped back and surveyed the room and it's rather hostile occupants. Anariel noticed that a group of soliders followed behind them.

"He is not welcome," Grima whispered to Théoden.

"Why should I…welcome you…Gandalf…Stormcrow?" the king breathed before looking at Grima for confirmation.

"A just question my liege," Grima assured before he stalked forward. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."

Anariel's eyes narrowed. "Be silent!" Gandalf ordered and Anariel smirked. That was exactly what she had wanted. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm," Gandalf said as he raised his staff towards Grima.

"His staff!" Grima exclaimed before turning to the guards. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

Immediately the guards surrounded them and Anariel noticed their hesitation when they reached her. She however had no qualms. She punched one right across the face, and he fell to the ground in a heap. Apparently, that silenced all their problems with attacking a woman because they swarmed her. She furiously punched and kicked. One of her kicks hit a man right in the jaw and she heard a satisfying crack as the bone broke. She was just finishing off the man in front of her when a flash of silver caught her eye. She whirled and was about to raise her hands to stop the knife from plunging into her chest when a hand caught the man's wrist.

Legolas glared at the man so furiously that the man dropped the knife and it clattered to the floor. Legolas glowered for a few more seconds before punching the man square in the face. The man fell to the floor unconscious and Anariel looked up at Legolas who was looking at her already. She watched as the fire burning in his eyes cooled. His eyes roved over her, making sure that she wasn't hurt. Anariel just huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Théoden, son of Thengel, you have lived in the shadows for too long," Gandalf said as he continued to advance on the King.

Legolas and Anariel stepped up behind Gandalf, and Anariel looked to her right to see that Gimli had pinned Grima to the floor. "I would stay still if I were you," he growled.

Anariel smirked before she turned her attention back to Gandalf. "Hearken to me!" the wizard ordered. "I release you from the spell," he said as he closed his eyes and raised his hand.

"Hahahahahah," Théoden laughed menacingly and Gandalf opened his eyes in surprise. "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!"

Gandalf threw back his grey cloak, revealing the white one underneath. The white light threw Théoden back against his chair. "Argh!" he yelled.

"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," Gandalf said calmly as he pointed his staff towards Théoden.

Anariel heard shuffling feet and she looked to her left to see the blonde maiden she'd seen as they'd rode into Edoras hurrying towards Théoden. Aragorn grabbed her and held her back. "Wait," Aragorn said quietly and Anariel turned her attention back to Gandalf.

Gandalf moved his staff back sharply and Théoden was thrown back against the chair. "If I go…Théoden dies," Saruman threatened.

"You did not kill me," Gandalf said calmly. "You will not kill him!"

"Rohan is mine!" Saruman seethed.

"Be gone!" Gandalf ordered and Théoden was thrown back against his chair once more. However, he soon slumped into his chair and the blonde maiden rushed to his side.

Anariel watched in wonder as the man's aged face began to clear and look much younger. She watched as his eyes became clear and recognition lit them. He stared at the blonde maiden before him and smiled faintly, "I know your face…Eowyn…Eowyn…"

Eowyn wept with joy and Anariel found herself smiling. This was turning out to be a great day. She watched as Théoden looked up, "Gandalf?" he asked.

Gandalf smiled, "Breathe the free air again, my friend."

Théoden stood up slowly and Anariel noticed that his hands were trembling. "Dark have been my dreams of late," he said as he too noticed his trembling hands.

Gandalf saw this and smiled slightly. "Perhaps your fingers would remember their own strength better… if they grasped your sword."

The guard from the doors hurried to his King's side, carrying the sword in question. Théoden gripped the hilt and slowly unsheathed the blade, staring at the shiny steel. Grima tried to sneak out of the hall, but Gimli stopped him once more. Théoden's eyes locked onto Grima's still form and a menacing light entered his eye.

The next thing that Anariel knew, Grima was tumbling down the stairs outside. "Argh!" the worm of a man screeched as he finally stopped at the foot of the stairs.

Théoden descended the stairs menacingly, his sword held firmly in hand. "I've only ever lived to serve you, my lord," Grima whimpered pathetically and Anariel scoffed at the lie.

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Théoden said darkly as the continued to advance on the cowering man.

"Send me not from your side," he begged.

Anariel watched as Théoden raised his sword to kill Grima, when suddenly Aragorn appeared. "No, my lord!" Aragorn said putting a restraining hand on the King. "Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."

Grima scrambled to his feet and pushed people out of his way to get to a horse. "Get out of my way!" he screeched before mounting a horse and galloping off.

"Hail, Théoden King!"

Everyone kneeled before the King including Aragorn, however Théoden did not seem interested. He glanced around curiously. "Where is Theodred? Where is my son?"

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