Another long wait, I know. We finally have internet again and I decided to sift through error in previous chapters. Hopefully I got them all. Please enjoy this new chapter and let me know if I spelled something incorrectly.
On our way to Isengard, we halt for the night, just outside Fangorn forest. Gandalf will rather not go through during the night with such a large company, for fear of 'accidents'. Joined us have the King and a few of his most trusted men.
I settle down at the border of the forest, a bit away from the others and I sigh in content. Finally we rest. It is much needed after the battle and the long ride here.
Turning my tired eyes to the forest I can hear the distant creaking and groaning as the trees continually communicate with each other. "What is it they say?" I ask quietly when familiar footsteps approach, coming to a halt beside me.
Taking a seat, Legolas gazes into the forest before answering. "They are excited and restless. They speak of victory and I suppose that in their own way, they are celebrating." he explains, making me cock my head in curiosity. "How curious. It is wondrous to know they speak, but to have a celebration… I wonder what that's like as a tree."
Looking up towards Legolas, I see his blue eyes never waver as he continues to listen with a small smile on his lips. "Seeing you smile like that at words spoken by trees, makes me jealous. I wish I could understand what they have to say." I tell him, glancing back at the forest. Legolas' smile grows as he turns to me. "What would you like for them to tell you?" he questions.
Thinking it over for a moment, I smile when I finally answer. "I would like for them to sing." I tell him before releasing a yawn. "I would ask them to sing me a lullaby." I sigh, laying down on my side and staring into the darkness ahead. "One of the setting and rising of the sun…and of the falling rain and gusting wind. Of the stars and the moon….the shaking earth and burning fires…..of love and kindness. Of adventure….and of home…." I finish with a deep sigh.
"There where the darkness ends, the light awaits, showing your path ahead." I start to sing under my breath as I close my eyes. "A path bordered by tree and flower, walked by beast and person, where friendship grows the deeper the path is carved. Beyond only happiness lies, so rest your head on my shoulder my sweet, for nearing is peace. It is only a short walk away… and I will carry you there." There I end my translation of a song of old that is tightly embedded into my memory. My mind has grown still as I drift away, awaiting the new light of day.
"Therith." A gentle voice speaks, breaking through the stillness. Cracking my eyes open, I am met with familiar grey blue eyes. These eyes are a darker shade than the one I closed my eyes to though. "We are departing." Aragorn explains. "It's time to rise my friend."
Doing just that, I soon find myself on horse-back once again as we cross the fastness of the forest of Fangorn. Finding myself behind Legolas I listen on as he whispers to me the meaning of each moan and crack around us. It's amazing. Not only the words they have to say, but Legolas' reactions to them.
He himself seems to lose is heart to this forest with each passing moment. I am certain he would enjoy staying in here for a long while if he had the opportunity to do so. I can only imagine the crestfallen look on his face when we step out again.
That moment is reached when the sun stands high in the sky. The trees break away and we are met by the outer wall of Isengard. What my eyes see there, makes a smile appear on my face. "Well, if I ever…" I start.
"Welcome my lords…and lady of course, to Isengard!" Merry calls out dramatically when we near, getting to his feet. Beside him, Pippin sits, looking quite satisfied with himself.
"You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and smoking!" Gimli calls out, put off. "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good." Pippin says with smugness in his voice. "Salted pork?" Gimli repeats, licking his lips unconsciously. Gandalf rolls his eyes. "Hobbits." he mutters.
Laughing, I jump off the horse, and climb up their perch before drawing them both into an embrace. "My dear Hobbits. You have no idea how happy I am to see you both safe and sound." I tell them before appointing a big kiss to each of their cheeks. I chuckle as they quickly grow red.
"Well…anyway," pippin stammers before Merry takes over. "We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard. He was expecting you to come and wants to see you." he clarifies, looking at Gandalf, who nods. "Well, come on then." he ushers, making the Hobbits slide down from their perch. I follow after them and help them on horses before climbing back on behind Legolas.
As we wade through the water and past the destruction on our path, I look up in awe to see tree-like creature walking and talking. These must be Ents. Gandalf told us about them before if I recall correctly. My head whips around when one calls out.
"Huraroom ... Young Master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a wizard to be managed here ... Locked in his tower." it speaks slowly, but clearly as we come to a halt in front of Orthanq.
"Show yourself." Aragorn whispers in anticipation as he looks up at the tower. A tension is growing in the air. "Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf warns, making Gimli huff. "Let's just have his head and be done with it." he says gruffly. "No." Gandalf says resolutely. "We need him alive. We need him to talk."
"You have fought many wars and have slayed many men, Théoden King and made peace after peace." comes a sudden voice from above. Looking to the source, I see Saruman appearing. "Can we not council together, like we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?" he questions, trying to portray a look of innocence. I glare at him, growing cross with him for even trying.
"We shall have peace." Théoden replies. "We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold! An the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the bodies of the soldier, whom were hewn, even as they lie dead against the gate of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace." he hisses angrily. I am impressed by his strong words. It's clear the King will not be swayed by cunning words.
Displeased and shaken, Saruman turns to Gandalf. "And what do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess…The key of Orthanq? Or perhaps the keys of Barad'dur itself? The crowns of the seven Kings and the rods of the five Wizards?!" he calls down in spite.
"Your treachery has already caused many lies. Thousands more are now at risk, but you can save them Saruman!" Gandalf pleads. "You are deep in the enemy's council." he finishes, making Saruman smirk in pleasure. "So you have come for information?" he states smugly. "I have some for you…" he finishes, before holding out a round dark stone with a swirling mass inside, or so it seems. Is that what I think it is? A Palentir? Gandalf told me of it. If I ever came across one, I was to tell him and not come near it.
"Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth, something that you have failed to see. But the great eye has seen it." Saruman speaks. "Even now, he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die." he reveals with a wicked smile as Gandalf steps forth.
"But you know this, don't you Gandalf? You cannot think, that this Ranger, will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor." he continues, making me glance towards Aragorn. "This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned King." he says, making me clench my fist in anger. I would love to give him a good slap for speaking like that on my friend. After that, throw him off Orthanq for everything else he did.
Saruman turns to us all. "Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him. Those he professes to love." he says, locking eyes with me. I can feel Legolas tense in front of me, but I only smirk. "Could you please repeat? I have a selective hearing when it comes to people speaking complete bullocks!" I call, making Gimli laugh. "Atta girl." Gandalf however looks back at me in warning and I hold my tongue from further commentary.
"Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you send him to his doom?" Saruman asks Gandalf with a knowing tone. I can tell the guilt bears heavily on his shoulders. "The path you set him on, can only lead to death."
"I've heard enough!" Gimli says angrily, turning to Legolas. "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob." he urges, making Legolas reach over for his quiver. "No!" Gandalf calls, stopping him before turning back to Saruman.
"Come down Saruman and your live will be spared!" he calls out. It only angers the other wizard. "Leave your pity and your mercy! I have no use for it!" he shouts before rising his staff and sending forth an attack. It hits Gandalf and for a moment he is covered in flame, but they do not last and Gandalf is left unharmed, much to Saruman's dismay. "Saruman!" Gandalf calls out calmly. "Your staff is broken." he states, before it just about explodes into pieces.
I narrow my eyes when another face appears atop the tower. It's Grima. So this is where he fled.
"Grima!" Théoden calls out, also noticing him. "You need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down." he urges. Grima wavers, looking inclined to do as requested.
"A man of Rohan?" Saruman sneers. "What is the house of Rohan, but a thatched barn where briggons drink and reek and where 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."
The King does his best to ignore those words as he turns to Grima. "Grima, come down. Be free of him." he urges, making Saruman scoff. "Free?! He will never be free." I cannot quite hear what Grima says to him, but Saruman strikes him down in reaction.
"Saruman!" Gandalf tries again. "You were deep in the enemy's council. Tell us what you know." "You will withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom has been decided." he is given in reply. "I will not be held prisoner here." he states, before he gasps when Grima comes up behind him, stabbing him into his back, not once, but several times.
Legolas is quick to shoot him down, but it's too late. Saruman loses his footing and comes tumbling down, only to land unceremoniously onto a spike of a wheel. The sight makes me cringe.
"Send word to all our allies and to every that stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike." Gandalf says urgently, turning to the King.
I watch as the wheel with Saruman turns and he disappears into the water. As it happens, something falls from his sleeve and it does not go unnoticed. It is the Palentir.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away ...Trees will come back to live here, young trees . . . wild trees." Treebeard speaks as my gaze turns to Pippin who slides of his horse, walking towards where the Palentir fell. Aragorn calls out to him, but already he has picked it up. Gandalf is quick to take it from him, hiding it from sight.
Pippin looks after Gandalf as he turns his horse around, ready to part from Isengard. His gaze is one of curiosity. "Pippin." I call, holding a hand out. "Come on. Up you go." I say as he takes it and setting him back on his horse that is next to me. I will have to keep an eye out for that Hobbit, may he not do something stupid.