Sorry it took me so long to get this story updated. I had a major case of writer's block that could have choked a cave troll, but I think I have made it worth your patience with the way this chapter turned out. I to be able to be back in the swing of things now (Don't have to baby sit accept for occasional weekends and holidays now).
Chapter Twenty
"Salted Pork"
The warmth of the early morning sun pulled Jesse into the waking world and energizing her with its warmth. "Good morning my love," Haldir said as he pulled her closer to his body, "Did you sleep well?" "Good morning," she said with a sleepy smile as she kissed the side of his jaw, "Yes I did and how about you?" "With you in my arms my sleep was most relaxing," he replied taking her lips in a passionate caress that left them both breathless. "See now that is how I like to wake up in the morning," Jesse said with a breathless laugh. "I must agree. It is a most enjoyable way to start the morning," Haldir agreed as he place gentle kisses along the edge of one of her ears causing her to shiver in pleasure. "I wish we didn't have to get up. I would really rather stay here in bed with you," she said as she pulled his head down to meet hers in another passionate kiss. "Alas I believe that will be most difficult, for that uncle of yours is heading this way," he sighed in defeat.
Jesse easily stood up from their makeshift bed and smiled at Glorfindel as he approached the younger elves. "Good morning Jessica," the Balrog Slayer said as he approached and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Good morning Glorfindel," she replied as she slipped her arms around her husband. "I shall tend to your horses while two of you have breakfast. We shall be leaving shortly," Glorfindel said smiling as he walked over to Swiftwind and the horse that Haldir had been riding.
Soon the group was once again heading toward Isengard and Jesse found herself once again between Glorfindel and Haldir listening to her great uncle tell the story of his battle with the infamous Balrog. Smiling every time she caught sight of her husband's bored expression. She found it impossible to withhold her laughter when he let out a sigh of relief when the story had reached its conclusion. Her laughter quickly died however when the party came over a ridge and Isengard came into view.
"What could have caused such a thing?" King Théoden asked in astonishment of the sight before him. "I believe two small pebbles started an avalanche. Wouldn't you agree Mithrandir?" Jesse said sharing a knowing glance with the wizard. "I believe you are most correct Jessica but I believe the tale should wait until we meet with the gate keepers of Isengard," he agreed his eyes twinkling with merriment as they began their decent toward the gates or what was left of them.
It did not take long for the elves in the group to see the two small figures lounging near the remains of the massive gate. Jesse tried to withhold the giggle that came from her when she caught the definite sound of Merry's voice singing. Sharing a knowing smile with her husband and Glorfindel she smiled merrily as they approached the gates and she watched the reactions of her friends.
"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!" Merry declared proudly gesturing toward the ruined gate, "We are the door wardens. I am Meriadoc, son of Saradoc, and my companion, who, alas! Is exhausted, is Peregrin, son of Paladin. Far north in the Shire is our home. Saruman is within entertaining a guest, a gentleman named Wormtongue; otherwise, I'm sure he would be here himself to receive such noble and excellent guests."
Shaking his head and laughing Gandalf replied, "Doubtless he would! And was it Saruman that ordered you to guard his damaged doors, and watch for the arrival of guests, when your attention be spared from plate and bottle?" Sharing an amused glance with Théoden the wizard waited patiently for the hobbit to respond. "No good sir, the matter escaped him," Merry answered causing Jesse to laugh lightly with the irony of the situation. Shaking his head gravely Merry added, "He has been much occupied. Our orders come from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard. He commanded me to welcome the Lord of Rohan with fitting words and I have done my best."
"And what about your companions? What about Legolas and Me?" Gimli cried unable to withhold his excitement any longer, "You woolly-footed rascals! A fine hunt you have led us on! Two hundred leagues, through fen and forest, battle and death to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and smoking! Smoking! Where did you come by the weed, you villains? I am so torn between rage and joy that if I do not burst, it will be a marvel!" Looking back over his shoulder at he dwarf friend Legolas laughed and added, "You speak for me, Gimli. Though I would sooner learn how they came by the wine." Turning back toward the hobbits Legolas smiled in genuine relief at the site before him.
"One thing you have not found in your hunting and that's brighter wits," Pippin supplied sleepily as he opened one eye and began to pull himself to a sitting position. Looking out over the company of riders he looked for the faces of his friends before he went on, "Here you find us sitting on a field of victory, amid the plunder of armies, and you wonder how we came by a few well-earned comforts!" "Well earned!" Gimli exclaimed earning laughs from all of the riders, "I cannot believe that!"
Smiling the King of Rohan sat up straighter on his horse and looked around at the various smiling faces in the party and said, "It cannot be doubted that we witness the meeting for dear friends." Turning toward the wizard at his side he asked, "So these are the lost ones of your company, Gandalf? The days are fated to be filled with marvels. Already I have seen many since I left my house; and now here before my eyes stand yet another of the folk of legend. Are not these the Halflings, that some among us call Holbythan?"
"Hobbits, if you please, my lord," Pippin said with a smile as he bowed low in respect of the King of Rohan. "Hobbits, your tongue is strangely changed; but the name sounds not unfitting. Hobbits! No report I have heard does justice to the truth before me," Théoden replied smiling down at the hobbits.
"You do not know your danger, Théoden," Gandalf said with a chuckle, "These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, or the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue patience. Some other time would be more fitting for the history of the hobbits of the Shire. Where is Treebeard?" "He is away to the north side, I believe. He went to get a drink of clean water. Most of the Ents are with him, still busy at their work," Merry replied as he waved his hand toward the steaming lake where sounds similar to that of an avalanche could be heard. "And is Orthanc left unguarded?" Gandalf asked in alarm. "There is water," Merry went on to explain, "But Quickbeam and some others are watching it. Quickbeam, I think is by the rock, near the foot of the stair."
"It is past noon," Gandalf began, "and we at any rate have not eaten since early morning. Yet I wish to see Treebeard as soon as maybe. Did he leave me no message, or has bottle and plate driven it from your mind?" "He left a message," answered Merry brightly, "I was to say that if the Lord of the Mark and Gandalf will ride to the northern wall they will find Treebeard there, and he will welcome them. I may add that they will also find food of the best quality there, it was discovered and selected by your humble servants," he finished with another bow.
Laughing Gandalf looked toward the King and asked, "Well, Théoden, will you and your company ride with me to find Treebeard? We must go round about, but it is not far. When you see Treebeard you will learn much. For Treebeard is Fangorn, the eldest and chief of the ents."
Once Gandalf and the King's company set out toward the northern wall Jesse and the others made their way forward toward their small friends. "Well Merry, Pippin, aren't you going to even say hello to your friends," Jesse asked with a smile, "I mean you did lead us on one hell of a chase." "Hello Jesse," Pippin said smiling up at the elleth with a big smile, "Let's go have lunch," he added with grin, causing everyone to laugh when his stomach growled in agreement.
Soon everyone was sitting around the ruined wall feasting on various treats that the hobbits had acquired from Saruman's stores. "Now I believe is the time for tales," Aragorn said as she sat back and began to pack his pipe. "Yes, we know what happened up until the Rohirrim attack on the Uruks at the edge of Fangorn but what happened after that," Jesse encouraged as she leaned back against Haldir and they shared an apple.
"Well," Merry began as she munched on a hunk of bread, "when the riders attacked we were able to get free and we ran into the forest to hide. A couple of the Uruks chased us and we had to climb into a tree to get away," he paused for a moment and looked around before continuing, "But the tree wasn't really a tree." "No it was Treebeard," Pippin picked up the story from there, "At first we thought he was going to bring us to Saruman but then we met up with Gandalf. Then Treebeard brought us to his house for the night. Then we went to meet the other ents at the Entmoot. An' the ents they just kept on talking about if they wanted to help fight Saruman or not. They finally decided that it wasn't their place to get involved and Treebeard was gonna take us to the edge of the forest so that we could make our way back to the Shire." "But Pippin," Merry picked up again, "talked Treebeard into taking us south instead of north. Sayin' that it would be the last thing Saruman would expect. When we got to the edge of the forest and Treebeard saw what had been done to all the trees he was some mad. He sent off some of the trees sayin' that they had business with the Orcs, don' know what that was about. Then he called the other ents and they attacked Isengard."
"Well I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are very proud of you two," Jesse said with a smile as she looked at the pair of hobbits, "You guys did a lot of good. The Uruks from Helm's Deep would have gotten away if it had not been for the trees that Treebeard sent to help us and I can safely say that we are all very glad that you guys are ok." "I could not agree more Jesse," Boromir said with a lazy smile.
"Well now you know what we did, now what happen to you lot?" Merry asked as he looked around at faces of his friends, "How is it that Haldir and Lord Glorfindel came to be with you and what happened in the battle? And what happened in the forest after the Uruks took us. Last I was able to see one of them was fixin' to shoot Boromir. " "That is Jesse's tale to tell," Boromir said nodding his head to the elleth that had saved his life. "Well go on Jesse tell us," Pippin encouraged listening eagerly. "I had a dream while we were still in the Golden Wood. I knew that at some point Boromir was going to get into trouble and when the Uruks showed up I knew that my dream was coming true. I just did the first thing that came to mind and shot out the Uruk's bow string," Jesse replied trying not to make a big deal of what happened. "And for that I will be forever grateful," the Gondorian commented his eyes locking with that of the elleth responsible for saving his life.
"I think now would be a good time for me to tell you guys about another dream I had while we were still in Imladris," Jesse began, ready to tell her friends about her conversation with her father, "Now that everything has come to pass from the dream I believe it is safe to reveal it to you. I am sure that Aragorn and Legolas remember me waking quite shaken the morning of the Council. Well you see I had a very special type of dream that night and I was able to speak with my father who has been reborn and is living in the healing forests of Lórien in the Undying Lands. My father told me a great deal of things that the Valar had asked him to. Among that was that at some point the Fellowship or at least part of it would find themselves in the Lands of Rohan and that King Théoden and his people would be forced to take shelter in the Hornburg. He told me of Saruman's treachery and of the attack on Helms Deep by his Uruks. He said that if we did not get help then all of those in the Hornburg would be killed. He told me to tell Lord Elrond that the elves should remember our old alliances and lend aid to Théoden and his people. He said that elven archers from both Lothlórien and Rivendell should be sent to help. Glorfindel volunteered to lead the elves of Imladris and Haldir led the elves of the Golden Wood."
"Well ain't that somethin'" Pippin said in awe. "You really got to talk to your father, Jesse?" Merry asked with a smile. "Yes I did Merry and I am glad I have at least had the chance to speak with him at least once in my life," she replied being pulled into her husband's comforting embrace. "Lass you and that elf of yours are forgetting about the little lass," Gimli reminded with a grin as he drank his mead. "Well, Jesse what is Gimli talkin' about?" Pippin asked getting excited. "Haldir and I have adopted a little girl. Her name is Brigid and she is about three years old. She was orphaned in the attack that took King Théoden's son, Théodred. She already has this lot wrapped around her little finger," Jesse said as she motioned to their companions. "I can't wait to meet her," Pippin announced happily. "Me neither Pip, and she can't ask for a better mother than our Jesse," Merry agreed with a smile.
As the sun reached its highest point in the sky the group finished up their lunch and made ready to meet with Gandalf and the others. Jesse found herself a bit anxious to get the meeting with the traitorous Saruman over with. She knew her presence in the group would affect the meeting but she was not certain how and that made her nervous.
Gandalf, Théoden, and his riders were waiting for them when they approached the fortress tower. Gandalf glanced at Jesse and gave her an encouraging smile when he saw how nervous the elleth was. "Jessica I would ask that you take your place next to Aragorn when we speak with Saruman for as the new leader of your people it is your rightful place. If he challenges you do not hold back. You have the blood of the Istari in your veins have power that not even he will be able to match. The Valar have given you many gifts, many I believe that you yourself are not even aware of yet. Show him the face of a high priestess and future queen of the eldar for that is what you are," the wizard advised with a gentle smile. "I do remember making a promise to Boromir that I would turn him into something," Jesse replied with a nervous laugh as she rode up next to the future king of Gondor.
"As for the rest of you be on your guard. Even in defeat Saruman can be dangerous," Gandalf added looking up toward the top of the tower where two figures could be seen looking over the edge. "Well, let's just have his head and be done with it," Gimli said from his place behind the Prince of Mirkwood. "No Gimli we need him to talk. He has information we need," Jesse said soothingly as she stared up at the traitorous old wizard on top of the tower, "He may know what Sauron is planning." "Jessica is correct. He was deep in the enemy's council. We must get him to talk," Gandalf agreed.
"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?" Saruman's voice drifted down to them in an almost pleasant manner.
"We shall have peace. We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows we shall have peace," Théoden declared, angrily looking up at the old wizard.
"Gibbets and crows? Dotard!," Saruman grumbled angrily, "What do you want, Gandalf Grayhame? Let me guess. They Key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dûr itself, along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!" he added turning his attention to Gandalf.
"Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands now are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel," Gandalf calmly called up to his tarnished former friend.
Pulling a palantíri from his robes the evil wizard held it aloft and spoke in an eerily calm voice, "So you have come here for information. I have some for you. Something festers in the heart of Middle-earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die. But you know this, don't you, Gandalf?" his gaze shifting from the stone in his hand to that of Aragorn, "You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows will never be crowned king," then his eyes fell upon the only elleth of the company and his sneer reappeared in full force, "So the Heir of Gil-Galad yet lives. The Dark Lord should never have trusted that weak minded elder to complete the task he was given. No matter she shall not live to see the elves united," he said as he raised his staff and fired a blast of flame from it, toward not Gandalf or Jesse but toward Haldir. As the flame was about to connect with the March Warden's unprotected chest it was diverted harmlessly around his body as though he were encased in shield much like Jesse had seen many times with her nephew Wyatt and had been able to use on many occassions herself. Once the flames died away everyone looked in astonishment at the completely unharmed but very surprised Haldir.
Turning toward the wizard that had just tried to kill her soul mate with power and a barely suppressed rage sparkling in her eyes and tears streaming down her face she spoke in deadly calm but commanding voice, "Saruman you shall never again harm another. Your staff is broken!" and before everyone's eyes Saruman's staff burst into hundreds of tiny pieces.
Soon a cowering Wormtongue appeared from behind the now enraged wizard. "Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan. Come down!" Théoden called up to his former counselor.
Saruman still incensed by the actions of the elven princess said in a condescending voice, "Man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan, but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Théoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires. "
"Grima, come down! Be free of him," the king of Rohan called, not yet ready to give up on one of his people. "Free? He will never be free," Saruman declared in fury, causing Wormtongue to cringe back. "No….No… No," Grima mumbled shaking his head from side to side in denial. Striking the trembling former counselor across the face and knocking him down the defeated wizard ordered, "Get down, cur!"
Not one to give up easily Gandalf called to the other wizard, "Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know." Turning his back to Wormtongue, not noticing the dagger that Grima had withdrawn from his robes, Saruman began to challenge Gandalf, "You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here," he said, before lurching forward as Wormtongue began to stab him repeatedly in the back. Suddenly an arrow launched from Legolas's bow found its way into Grima's chest killing him instantly, and everyone watched as Saruman's body began to tumble down the side of his tower before finally coming to rest on the spike of one of his own water wheels.
"Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of Middle-earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike," Gandalf told all of those that surrounded him, as the wheel began to rotate slowly submerging Saruman's body under the murky water, but not before the palantíri fell from his sleeve. "The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here," Treebeard's rumbling voice proclaimed as he slowly made his way over to the group, "Young trees, wild trees."
A sudden splashing sound caught Jesse's attention as she turned just in time to see Pippin picking up the palantíri. "Bless my bark!" Treebeard exclaimed seeing the object in the young hobbit's hands. "Peregrin Took, I'll take that my lad," Gandalf said as he rode Shadowfax up to the hobbit, "Quickly now." The white wizard made quick work of wrapping up the seeing stone and hiding it from Pippin's view. "We have finished our business with Isengard. It is best that we be on our way," the wizard advised before turning to look up at the ent that was standing near by, "We shall leave Isengard in your capable care my Lord Fangorn." The group slowly began to follow Gandalf's lead as he turned and began to make his way toward the gates of Isengard.