Chapter 13

They set off the next day through Fanghorn Forest and onto Isenguard Road. The mist was so thick that the faye felt shivers running up her spine. Adrianna - in her fairy form - rode upon the forehead of the chestnut mare Aragorn was mounted. The ride through the forest was silent for the faye as her thoughts had clouded her mind again, and it didn't help that the elf occupying them was sitting on a white mare with Gimli right next too her.

The gleaming sun broke through the clouds and the trees opened before them which revealed the ruins of Isenguard. The great stone wall was cracked and splintered into countless jagged shards of rock. The Tower of Orthanic stood, shrouded in swirling steam. The building was unbroken by the storm, but pale water lapped at the bottom of the stone.

Although the faye could feel something dark lurking around, once her eyes settled on two small hobbits she stood up and gasped. Her eyes must be playing tricks on her! Merry and Pippin were sat on top of the smashed wall, smoking long pipes and surrounded by bread, meat and wine.

"I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon, after a hard days work." Pippin stated, taking a long draw on his pipe.

Merry looked at his friend with a grin and a knowing look on his face, "Only, you've never done a hard days work." Before Pippin could respond, Merry stood up on the ledge of the wall to greet the oncoming riders, "Welcome, my Lords and Lady, to Isenguard." He stated, throwing his arms to the sides.

Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Adrianna stared at the hobbits in shock and joy whilst Gimli addressed them both, "You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and smoking!"

With his mouth full, Pippin replied, "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good."

The dwarf suddenly became interested at the mention of food, "Salted pork?" He asked.

Gandalf shook his head, "Hobbits!" He chuckled.

"We're under orders from Treebeard." Merry explained. "He's taken over management of Isenguard."

Gandalf lead the company of riders through the murky and muddied water towards the Hobbits, before an Ent appeared. He seemed to alarm everyone except for Gandalf and the Hobbits. "Huraroom," He began. "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." He took a slow, long breath, "He's locked in his tower."

"And there Saruman must remain." Gandalf replied, "Under your guard, Treebeard."

"Let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli stated, rolling his eyes and reaching for his axe.

The White Wizard simply stared long and hard at the length of the dark tower. "No." He replied quietly. "He has no power any more."

"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard stated, "Trees will come back to live here, young trees." The Ent took a long breath. "Wild trees."

Upon noticing something glimmering in the water and attracting the faye, Adrianna fluttered from the forehead of the horse to hover over the ornament lying at the bottom of the water. Pippin had noticed it as well, and his eyes widened when it began to shine a luminous golden light. The Princess backed away immediately, sensing something dark and dangerous within the glowing orb. Pippin did not sense the danger, and jumped down from the wall to take the orb in his hands, turning it over carefully again and again.

"Well, bless my bark!" Treebeard stated, eyeing the Palantir in the Hobbits hands.

"Peregrin Took! I'll take that, my lad!" Gandalf demanded, urgently. The Hobbit seemed to not hear the Wizard, and looked deep into the orb, his staring at the smooth black stone in wonder. "Quickly now!" As Pippin's trance was broken, he reluctantly handed the Palantir over to Gandalf before climbing onto the back of Aragorn's horse. The Wizard quickly covered the black stone with his cloak and held onto it tightly. Adrianna did not miss the troubled look Gandalf sent Pippin.

They past through Isenguard and continued their journey towards Edoras. Theoden was riding upfront with Gandalf and Merry, followed by Aragorn with Pippin and Legolas with Gimli. The Rohirrim followed closely behind.

Flying at the back of the riders was Adrianna. The Palantir unsettled her, as if something dark was watching them. She ran her fingers through her hair and fingered the beautiful hair-piece the Lady Galadriel had given to her as a gift. Realising that all the members of the Fellowship were at the front of the travellers, the faye Princess was reluctant to join them as they were so near to the Palantir, but she didn't want to by by herself until they stopped for camp.

"What are you doing all the way back here, Princess?"

Gimli brought the faye out of her thoughts, causing her to shriek in surprise; her wings halting in their movements for a few seconds - causing her to drop out of the air. She quickly caught herself from falling, and flew higher until she was eye to eye with the dwarf, "Don't do that again!" She yelled, fluttering to settle on top of the white mare's forelock, rubbing Brego's ear soothingly. "I was thinking." She replied to his question.

"Those unsettled thoughts again?" The dwarf asked.

Adrianna nodded, "I didn't have much sleep last night." She admitted, "They kept me awake."

The elf looked at her with sad eyes. "Did I not help?" Gimli asked.

"Gandalf didn't really help this morning either." She stated, "Well, he kind of did...but he didn't."

"You're not making any sense!" Gimli grumbled.

"He just made me think of things more." She replied in a distant voice, staring at the muzzle of the horse, chewing on blades of grass. She leant a little too far forwards and began to topple - quickly catching herself by holding onto the gelding's forelock. Adrianna pulled herself up before sitting cross-legged, facing the riders of Rohan in front of her.

"You may feel better if you can take your mind off of things." Legolas stated calmly. Adrianna smiled. That was one of the main reasons why she liked Legolas, he waited for her to speak about problems rather than pry for the answers.

"But my thoughts are swarmed." She said, turning around to look at him. "I don't even think looking at stars will clear them."

The elf paused for a moment, his clear blue eyes looking curiously at the faye sitting in front of him, "Are your thoughts on a person or something else?"

"O' yes!" Gimli exclaimed, "That's a very good question!"

The faye paused, "A person." She blushed lightly, causing the dwarf to chuckle.

"It's Eomer." Gimli nodded knowingly, "Of course, it was only a matter of time before she found her mysterious warrior!" He burst into a fit of laughter.

The elf cut in, noticing the familiar signs that the faye was quickly losing her temper. "Perhaps you should take your mind off of them." He stated, "Try not to be too close to them for a while and see if that helps, if not, then be closer to them instead. And talk to them when you're ready."

Adrianna nodded, "Thank you." She thought on what to do next. If she suddenly flew off then he would know it was either him or even suspect it to be Gimli...especially with her jealousy over how much time the dwarf liked to spend with Eowyn.

"You're looking uncomfortable, Princess." The dwarf stated.

"I'm completely fine." She spun around again to face away from the elf and the dwarf, hiding her pinkish face.

"Unless...the person you are speaking about is a lot closer than we think." The dwarf chuckled and elbowed the elf in the back. The faye spread her wings and darted off towards Gandalf and Aragorn at the front of the Rohirrim riders, her face completely flushed.

A/N: Apologies for another short chapter! The next one will be longer, I promise! In the meantime, thank you to those who have reviewed, favourited and alerted. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, please review xx