For days, Gandalf had been riding a long way to reach Isengard day and night. Gandalf never chose to rest or settle somewhere. Instead, he chose to continue riding once he finally reached Isengard and seek counsel with his old friend Saruman, whom he known would expect him. He then galloped along the outskirts of the ancient forest of Fangorn. Nestled in a basin at the foot of the distant Misty Mountains, Gandalf finally made his destination.
The Ring of Isengard was a great wall of stone that ran out from the mountain-side and then back again. The only entrance to Isengard was found delved into the southern wall of Isengard. One entering Isengard would pass through its only gate, travel down the long tunnel and pass through the iron doors to come to the plain of Isengard. In the centre of the plain, half a mile from the gate, stood the looming tower of Orthanc. For most of its history the lands of Isengard were green and a river ran from the mountains to form a lake.
The strange tower of Orthanc rises up in the center of the Isengard Circle. It was composed of four welded pillars of many-sided stone that stood in the centre of the Ring of Isengard like an island, roughly half a mile from the rim. At its peak the tower reached a height of just over five hundred feet. The color of the rock was described as a solid pillar of black obsidian At Orthanc's pinnacle the four piers opened out to form four pinnacles of sharp rock; between these isles of rock there was a narrow, polished floor on which many strange signs were written. The wall of rock was strongly guarded and the keepers seemed to like they were on the watch for him.
Gandalf rode under the arch, and the gate closed silently behind him, and suddenly felt something, like he was afraid, though he knew no reason for it. Once he arrived at the foot of the tower's stairs and stopped his horse immediately, the door from within the tower opened slowly. Coming down the stairs was Saruman the Wise, wisest of the order and head of the White Council. He held his black staff tightly in his hand. As a member of the council, Lord Elrond, Galadriel, Odin, Frigga, Zeus, Hera, and Cirion had always trusted him since he sees many things and would be the one to stop Sauron.
Saruman descends from the stairs of the tower as Gandalf dismounts from his horse and gives him a warm welcoming smile to his friend. "For that is why you come, is it not… my old friend?"
Gandalf smiled and bowed his head low in thankful respect. "Saruman."
"I've been expecting that you would arrive," Saruman said to him gravely; but in his eyes there seemed to be a white light, as if a cold laughter was in his heart. He then began to wonder. "So tell me, what brings Gandalf the Grey to my time of need?"
Gandalf rose his head and began to explain urgently. "I have come for your aid, Saruman the White during these trouble times."
"Have you indeed, Gandalf?" Saruman scoffed in a chuckle. "For aid? It has seldom been heard of that you seek for aid, one so cunning and so wise, wandering about the lands, worlds, and concerning himself in every business, whether it belongs to him or not."
Gandalf looked at him and wondered with a slight smile. "But if I am not deceived, things are now moving which will require the union of all our strength."
"That may be so," Saruman said. "But the thought is late in coming to you. How long. I wonder, have you concealed from me, the head of the Council, a matter of greatest import? What brings you now from your lurking-place in the Shire?"
"The Nine have come forth again," Gandalf answered. "Their strength has returned to them. Radagast the Brown informed me that he saw the riders crossing the edge of the Greenwood south."
"Radagast the Brown!" Saruman chuckled a bit, and he no longer concealed his scorn. "Radagast the Bird-tamer! Radagast the Simple! He's a foolish fellow that one, but he has been a great help to us."
Saruman leads Gandalf towards one of his own gardens that were taken care of by his servants. One servant named Cwen Aetheldrith had been sitting quietly on her knees with her eyes closed while Saruman and Gandalf had been talking and walking through the garden. An elderly servant named Acca, who was a Dunlending from Dunland, had been wondering silently through the garden, observing everything around.
The garden was quiet, but there was no sound of any birds chirping around the area where the two wizards were slowly walking through the garden. During the walk, Saruman had been listening to Gandalf's story about the finding of the One Ring's location. This was a surprise to him and looked quite bewildered if this was true or not.
"You are sure of this?" Saruman wondered if the explanation of the One Ring being found.
"Beyond any doubt," Gandalf truly admits to his story.
"So the rumors are true then, the Ring of Power, Isildur's Bane has been found by a hobbit who goes by the name of Bilbo Baggins," Saruman openly claimed.
"Yes, Bilbo found it in Gollum's cave many years ago after we finished meeting back in Rivendell," Gandalf finished explaining everything about what happened years ago. "And all these long years, he's kept it secret and quiet in the Shire, under my very nose."
"And yet you did not have the wits to see it before you left him with it after your journey west," Saruman sounded disappointed. "And now, you mention to me that a group of outsiders, who come from the world of Midgard, have been aiding you in keeping the ring hidden. That world within that system borders south of our system. And now, the prophecy of Ragnarök has been fulfilled."
"We were unaware what would happen to Asgard," Gandalf said. "We should've been there to end Hela's reign of terror when we had the chance."
"But Surtur was," Saruman added. "He was the one who laid waste on all of Asgard. I was there when I saw the world shatter into pieces."
"But then, in the end, Thor used the might of his power to defeat Thanos, save the universe, and rebuild a new Asgard for all," Gandalf added that as well. "Tell me… why isn't Zeus not here? He always comes to seek our counsel."
"Zeus is not our concern," Saruman answered, dismissing. "But my concern is, you let the outsiders keep the One Ring with them. How many more outsiders have come here? Many Asgardians, who long been banished or left their world, find new ones, like Arda, to live on."
"We know the Iron Fist of the mystical city of K'un-Lun came here," Gandalf added that as well.
"That was a long time ago," Saruman remembered. "The Iron Fist fought in the Last Alliance against Sauron and his armies at the very end of the Second Age. Truly, its not possible for another Iron Fist to come at our presence."
"You have love for your meadows," Gandalf remarked on Saruman's meadows that he endured so much.
"And you're love of the halfling's leaf has clearly slowed your mind," Saruman frowned, giving a sign of disappointment.
"But we still have time," Gandalf replied hastily with confidence to get this job done. "Time enough to confer Sauron if we act quickly."
"Time?" Saruman answered curiously when he stopped walking and turned to Gandalf. "What time do you think we have? No word from K'un-Lun has reached out about another Iron Fist. Thor, son of Odin and King of Asgard, looks after his people and those that come to live on his world. The armies of Olympia no longer answer to us. The Vanir of Vanaheim provide their aid and support to Thor's people after Ragnarök. This great alliance which you saw in your heart that would stop Sauron is no more. Sauron found a weakness."
"Weakness?" Gandalf spoke softly of hearing that.
"This was his plan all along," Saruman answered and kept on walking.
After their long walk in the garden, Saruman and Gandalf walk inside the tower of Orthanc to discuss more about Sauron's plan in conquering the universe. Saruman eventually leads Gandalf to a large, cluttered room which was located to the side of the cavernous central chamber of the tower. The room was filled with old maps, books, and antiques that Saruman had kept for many years during his lifetime in Isengard. One of Saruman's servant's entered the room and gave two glasses of wine and left immediately to attend to more business instructed by his master.
"So what is it that you know about Sauron's methods?" Gandalf asked, wanting more answers. "What plan does he have in motion?"
"We already know that Gondor is under attack by the forces of Mordor. For what I know is that Sauron has been regaining much of his former strength like he did before during the Second Age," Saruman explained his theory and facts. "Yet, he cannot take his physical form. Why? Because the Dark Lord proceeded to merge with the Wraith Celebrimbor, who sought to dominate his mind and make him his puppet for all eternity. That all failed and right now, the two lords, Bright Lord and Dark Lord… are one. Concealed within the fortress of Barad-Dûr, they created a flaming eye and trapping them in a "prison of perpetual war where their spirits continued to battle for dominance. Even in secret, Sauron still holds his dominance over his followers and continues to engage Celebrimbor. Even as the great elven smith continues to try again and again to gain the upper hand, the Dark Lord of Mordor sees all. His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth, and flesh. You know of what I speak, Gandalf… a great Eye, lidless, wreathed in flame.
"The eye of Sauron," Gandalf breathed softly upon hearing this.
"The time of reckoning is almost at hand, Gandalf," Saruman nodded and went on to bring more intel. "He is gathering all evil to him. "Not just on Arda, but other worlds. Followers who pay homage to him. War has begun on worlds closer to where Arda is. The reason why is because the ring has awoken, hearing its master's call. Very soon, the Dark Lord will summon an infinite army great enough to launch an assault upon all worlds. The fume of darkness will cover the light and the Dark Lord will bring forth a new order which will end the Third Age and bring forth the Fourth Age of Sauron's eternal rule."
"How do you know all this?" Gandalf demanded softly with a confused and suspicious look on his face.
Saruman turned his face towards the main chamber beyond the open doors and answered. "I have seen it… through my Palantír."
Gandalf and Saruman stride through Orthanc's main chamber where they approach a stone plinth sitting at the heart of the room. On top of it was a sphere like shape that was draped with a dark-grey cloth. Gandalf did not admire how Saruman would use a Palantír to help him see everything. It was right since he feared what they do.
Palantírs were dark, perfectly smooth spheres of varying sizes; some were small and portable while others were too enormous to be lifted by Men. They were completely unmarked or unmarred, and even when unseated they remained inviolable. The stones had permanent poles, which aligned with the center of the earth, with permanent upper and nether poles. The circumferential faces were the ones that allowed viewing, receiving outside visions and channeling them to the eye of the beholder on the opposite side; if one wished to look east, he would place himself on the western side of the orb, etc. Unlike the master stones, which could rotate and look in any direction, the smaller ones had fixed positions, so that when looked at from an incorrect direction, the face would appear blank to the surveyor. The Palantírs could not transmit sound; they could only show visions or intended thoughts of the users. They, in one direction, could see for leagues, with the farthest places showing the least clarity. Their vision was not based on obstacles, but on darkness; they could see through things, but would only see shadow- nothing within could be discerned. This was actually a method of security, called 'shrouding', which protected the sight of the surveyor. Magnification was also possible for those with great will; this was a very tiring process, and only the most powerful and determined could accomplish this feat. They could not pierce minds, for the transference of thought depended upon the wills and intentions of those communicating.
According to history, Palantírs were made by Fëanor and the Ñoldor in Eldamar during the Elder Days in the Time of the Trees, and then given by the Elves to the Númenóreans, who kept them as heirlooms until the Fall of Númenor during the late Second Age. More than seven of these stones were rescued and brought to Middle-Earth by Elendil and his sons and set in well-guarded towers throughout the Realms in Exile. The Dúnedain placed the stones across large distances in order to communicate with one another. The stones were housed at these locations: Annúminas, Weathertop and Elostirion in the north, and Osgiliath, Orthanc in Isengard, Minas Ithil, and Minas Anor in the south. There were rumors that a Master-Stone resides inside the Tower of Avallónë in the realm of Tol Eressëa.
"This is madness, a Palantír is a dangerous tool, Saruman!" Gandalf warned him sharply.
"Why?" Saruman wondered if there was no problem as he lifts the cloth to reveal the Palantír. "Why should we fear to use it? It is a very useful tool. Zeus and Odin refused to believe how we can use these Seeing-Stones for a true and faithful purpose. The Palantír has shown me the way. It showed me everything from the comfort of my home. Together, we can prove them wrong."
Gandalf felt a sign of suspicion of how Saruman was reacting to this. He began to suspect that something was not right here and how he had no idea why he say something like this.
"They are not all accounted for, the lost seeing-stones," Gandalf argued. "We do not know who else may be watching."
Gandalf's fear and worries over the Palantír drove him to cover it with the cloth at once. He believed someone else could be watching him and Saruman discussing their plan to conquer.
"Sauron is nearly close to victory," Saruman continued as he sat on this throne. "We know that the hour is later than we thought. Sauron's forces are slowly moving. The Four Horsemen are reborn again and are ready to lead Sauron's armies to war."
"And what of Artemis?" Gandalf hastily asked in a worry.
"She was taken by the Nine," Saruman answered. "I heard about it. Where they took her, and for what purpose, I do not know."
"And what of the Nine?" Gandalf asked that as well.
"It is too late, Gandalf Greyhame," Saruman answered. "For what I know is, the Nine have already left Minas Morgûl."
Gandalf was shocked of hearing that and gasped in breath. "They left?"
"They crossed the River Isen on Midsummer's Eve disguised as riders in black," Saruman mentioned.
Gandalf was alarmed now. "Then they reached the Shire?"
"Yes, and once they've found the ring… they will kill the one who carries it," Saruman smirked wickedly. "Perhaps one of your outsider friends."
"Frodo!" Gandalf gasped.
Gandalf backs away and turns to run to the door, but was horrified to see that the doors suddenly slam shut.
"You did not seriously think that one of the outsiders would carry the One Ring? Even now, we already know that the ring is under the hands of a witless halfling, who doesn't know what danger he will face. There are none who can oppose such power the Dark Lord contains. And here… you will stay, Gandalf Greyhame, and rest from journeys. Against the power of Mordor, there can be no victory. We must join with him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend."
"Tell me… friend, when has Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness?" Gandalf asked with a slight snarl and giving him a deadly look on his face.
"Madness?!" Saruman sneered. "We serve as a beginning and the white light can be broken. You need not speak to me as to one of the fools that you take for friends. For I have not brought you hither to be instructed by you, but to give you a choice." He drew himself up from his throne and began to speak in a softer voice, as if he were making a speech long rehearsed. "The Elder Days are gone. The Middle Days are passing. The Younger Days are beginning. The time of reckoning is at hand. Every world will burn, fall, and submit to the Dark Lord, but if we join him… we must rule. We must have the power to order all things as we will, for that good which only the Wise can see." He locks his eyes at Gandalf as sign of plea. "And listen, Gandalf, my old friend and helper. I said we, for we it may be, if you will join with me. A new Power is rising. Against it the old allies and policies will not avail us at all. There is no hope left from the dying Númenor. This then is one choice before you. Before us. We may join with that Power. There is hope that way. Its victory is at hand and there will be rich reward for those that aided it. As the Power grows, its proved friends will also grow… and the Wise, such as you and I, may with patience come at last to direct its courses, to control it. We can bide our time, we can keep our thoughts in our hearts, deploring maybe evils done by the way, but approving the high and ultimate purpose: Knowledge, Rule, Order. All the things that we have so far striven in vain to accomplish, hindered rather than helped by our weak or idle friends. There need not be, there would not be, any real change in our designs, only in our means."
"Saruman," Gandalf responded. "I have heard speeches of this kind before, but only in the mouths of emissaries sent from Mordor to deceive the ignorant. I cannot think that you brought me so far only to weary my ears."
Saruman looked at me sidelong, and paused a while considering. "Well, I see that this wise course does not commend itself to you… not yet. Not if some better way can be contrived? And why not, Gandalf? Why not? The Ruling Ring? If we could command that, then the Power would pass on to us. That is in truth why I brought you here. For I have many eyes in my service, and I believe that you know where the One Ring now lies."
"Saruman," Gandalf said, standing back from the throne. "Only one hand at a time can wield the One Ring, and you know that well, so do not trouble to say we. But I would not give it, nay, I would not give even news of it to you, now that I learn your mind. You were head of the Council, but you have unmasked yourself at last. Well, the choices are, it seems, to submit to Sauron, or to yourself. I will take neither."
Saruman was cold now and perilous, and responded. "Yes… I did not expect you to show wisdom, even in your own behalf."
"What have you done with Artemis?" Gandalf asked in anger.
"Artemis was always a weakling," Saruman smirked, staring at his friend turned foe with his fierce, deadly eyes. "It was I that her up to Sauron. She will suffer wrath at the hands of Sauron."
How dare he speak about Artemis that way? The goddess of the Hunt was one of his closest friends and Saruman didn't even care about her at all.
"You are fool," Gandalf huffed.
At that moment, a sign of fury blew in Saruman's eyes. Before Gandalf was about to use his staff to break one of the doors to escape, Saruman blasted Gandalf with his staff, sending him upwards across the room, slamming him harshly against the wall, and pinning him there by some unseen force that came from his staff. Gandalf couldn't move at all due to the force Saruman used to keep him pinned and tried grunted to break free. Unfortunately, Saruman lowered his staff and Gandalf fell to the ground. This gave the grey wizard a sudden effort to fight back and jerks his staff forward which sent White Wizard flying backwards against the throne.
Blood was pouring on the left side of Saruman's forehead, and the White Wizard was deeply enraged. Saruman moved his staff to the left, sending Gandalf crashing into a wall. Gandalf wasn't willing to give up the fight and moved his staff to the right which sent Saruman to crash against the wall as well. Gandalf and Saruman continued to fight all over the throne room, sending powerful blasts that threw them on every side. Gandalf stood up, and swung his staff to send Saruman flying backwards through the door. Gandalf groaned in agony, feeling the pain all over his body. Like Saruman, he was bleeding in a couple of spots.
Before Gandalf had this once chance to escape, an unknown figure emerged slowly from the corner of the throne room. It was Exile, who was all dressed in dark armor and the helmet around him was like a bull.
Gandalf turned towards Exile and murmured in shock upon seeing on how he was possessing a power that he declared so dangerous. "Darkforce."
Gandalf unsheathes the Glamdring, only for Exile to charge directly to the wizard. Gandalf was too late to defend himself with his weapon as the armored individual, who also had darkforce in him too, used his power to summon a shield from his hand and gashed the wizard like a wild boar. This gave Saruman the chance to overwhelm Gandalf by swinging his staff to throw Gandalf down on the floor.
"I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly," Saruman growled in fury for Gandalf's defiance and refusal for not wanting to join Sauron's cause, and commanded both staffs to put his friend-turned-foe into a sickening spin. "And so you save yourself for much trouble and pain. The third choice is to stay here, until the end."
"Until what end?" Gandalf breathed hard on the floor while being sprung around continuously.
"Until you reveal to me where the One Ring may be found," Saruman answered in a very fierce voice. "I may find means to persuade you… or until it is found in your despite, and the Ruler has time to turn to lighter matters: to devise, say, a fitting reward for the hindrance and insolence of Gandalf the Grey."
A few hours after imprisoning Gandalf, Saruman was alone in his private quarters where he was wiping off a lot of blood from his face. That was when Exile, who had helped the White Wizard overpower Gandalf, came inside and sat himself down on a comfortable chair to speak with him. Saruman didn't bother to turn around as he stared at the mirror.
"I wasn't expecting you at this time," Saruman said to them.
"The Master sent me at his request while I have been searching for the rest of the Cosmic Cubes," Exile answered.
"Is that why you've come?" Saruman asked.
"I came from Thanos' starship," Exile explained. "The very first cube called to me on Vormir. When I looked into it, it showed that you might have the knowledge on where the second one is hiding."
"It is not on Arda," Saruman answered.
"True, but I know its somewhere across the galaxy, and since I did you a favor in capturing your friend alive, I would suggest you provide me the exact coordinates on where the second cube is," Exile suggested.
"Very well, I will look into the Palantír," Saruman agreed to help. "I will make sure that you will find what you seek."
Alone in the throne room, Saruman the Wise, who know calls himself Saruman the White, walks towards the dark stone table where the Palantír lied in dormant, waiting to be used. Saruman removed the cloth that covered the Palantír and hovered his long-fingernailed hand hand over it. As he does, a small light of fire was forming within the sphere and took the form of a huge fiery eye. It was the eye of Sauron.
Saruman closed his eye deeply as he continued to hover his hand over the Palantír, speaking telepathically to the Dark Lord. "The power of Isengard is at your command, Sauron, Lord of the Rings."
"We grow in number," Sauron spoke to the White Wizard in a dark, ominous voice. "We grow in strength. Our allies will come."
"And what of those who oppose us?" Saruman asked that as well.
"We will dismantle them," Sauron answered.
"Very well, and what bidding shall I do for the Lord of Mordor?" Saruman humbly asked.
"Build me an army worthy of Mordor," Sauron commanded.
"As you wish," Saruman complied to the Dark Lord's command. "You will see your army rise from the ground and they'll march to destroy your enemies that oppose you."
"Do not fail me," Sauron warned.
After speaking with the Dark Lord, Saruman covered the Palantír with his cloth and went into the library. For hours, he sat in his library, arms wrapped around himself in fear. He hoped that the army he would present would please the Dark Lord rather than suffering his wrath if he failed. He knew what he had to do, for the War of the Ring has begun and none of Sauron's enemies could do nothing to stop it. That was when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching his library. He turns his head up to see a group of Sauron's soldiers that were Haffensyes, Orcs, and Tyclosians, all who answer to the Dark Lord.
The leader of the group was Dâgalûr, a high-ranking Lesser Orc Overseer who hailed from the land of Mordor, was the first to approach the White Wizard and humbly asked. "What orders from Mordor, my lord? What does the eye command?"
"We have work to do," Saruman answered, preparing to give his first assignment to the Orc Overseer. "Gather your troops."
"Yes, my lord," Dâgalûr complied to the white wizard's command.
During the long night, many soldiers from Mordor had been busy running and walking around outside the Tower of Orthanc, for which their job was to tear down all the trees inside the Ring of Isengard. Many Haffensyes, Orcs, and Tyclosians had been using their axes to chop down the roots while a large band of Ogres and Rock Trolls wrapped ropes around the trunks to pull them down faster. The Ologs used the might of their strength to rip the trees off without having to use weapons of their own.
Saruman had been watching and observing the devastation and everything around Isengard would soon become an empty wasteland. During his time before betraying the White Council, Saruman would walk around the woods and grow them, but now he longer seems to care about the trees being ripped off from the ground. Now that he is pledged his allegiance to the Dark Lord, Saruman would comply to Sauron's orders, no matter what the cost. He continued to watch as the troops, who were now his troops, chop the trunks into many pieces with their lumber axes.
Elsewhere at the very top of Orthanc, Gandalf had awoke after being knocked out from the duel against Saruman and the two individuals that helped the traitor. Badly bruised and bloodied from Saruman's powerful attacks, he gazed down at the land and out of horror, he helplessly watched as every tree around the tower were being cut down one-by-one. Very soon, every corner inside the massive ring of Isengard would soon become a land that is dead. He also witnessed Fires being started from the underground caverns due to the a lot of chopped wood that was now firewood.
Dâgalûr continued to oversee the operation and turned to approach Saruman by providing intel on their progress. "The trees are strong, my lord. Their roots go deep."
"Rip them all down," Saruman ordered, not even caring how the roots held the trees intact.
The Armored Individual and the Bald Man come to join Saruman. Like Saruman, they didn't seem to care as many trees were being cut down, for they were highly loyal to the Dark Lord.
"I see that everything is all according to what the Dark Lord desired," The Bald Man said.
"Yes," Saruman nodded. "Every tree will be cut down and my soldiers will soon awaken."
"Hmm," The Armored Man scoffed. "You know, I was under the impression that before you joined our master's cause, you were part of a council, weren't you?"
"Indeed I was," Saruman answered.
"Its going to be unfortunate when the Council discovers your betrayal," Exile reminded him.
"And yet, they won't," Saruman reassured him.
"How can you be so sure?" Exile asked him that. "I would suggest we eliminate the Grey Wizard before he makes an attempt to escape. He knows too much."
"Patience, Kohl, he will meet his doom," Saruman assured him.
"The name's not Kohl, its Exile!" Exile responded in fury.
"Calm yourself, Exile," Saruman said in a very calm voice. "I gave you what you want. You may proceed to find the second Cosmic Cube. Once you find it, the third one will call to you."
"You better be right," Exile sighed, thus giving him a warning.
For the last several hours, almost every tree around Isengard was cut down. As the devastation went on under the orders of Saruman the White, Gandalf the Grey sat helplessly on the very top of Orthanc. Gandalf wished he knew of Saruman's betrayal before he set off from the Shire to Isengard. He feared that he'll never meet his companions in Bree and had a feeling they were there and would soon wonder where he was. Despite Saruman's betrayal, he still held hope that the rest of his allies were still willing to stand against the Dark Lord Sauron before he brings dominion to the entire universe.
Gandalf was still in pain, feeling the bruises he received since his defeat at the hands of his former friend who had now become a Madman. He gazes down at the land that was completely dead. Isengard was now surrounding by deep ravines in the ground, which glow fiery orange. Down below, every wooden structure stand around the ravines, and inside them, wooden walkways and pulleys have already been constructed, where hundreds of workers were busy doing their job.
Gandalf couldn't bare to look even more and so he started to sleep. That was when Gandalf woke up seconds later when he noticed something approaching towards where he was. Out of shock and surprise, he saw that it was a moth that had been flying over from the caverns to the very top of Orthanc. As it flies past him, he quickly reaches out a hand and gently grabs it.
"Gwaihir go! Gwaihir," Gandalf whispered to the moth in an unknown language and allows it to fly away.
"You know, its fitting how your friend tossed you around like a ragged doll," Exile chuckled. "You should've accepted his offer when you had the chance. Otherwise, you wouldn't be left to starve in this place."
"And who might you be?" Gandalf asked, glaring at him.
"Victor… Victor Kohl, but that name no longer suits me anymore," Exile told the wizard his name, using his power to cause his entire helmet to dissipate to reveal his entire face and appearance. "Now, I'm Exile."
"Exile, how?" Gandalf breathed. "How did you get in contact with the Darkforce?"
"How did I get it?" Exile scoffed and sat himself down to explain his story. "Before I changed my name, my life was… how to call it, well, it was all crap to me. I was betrayed by those who thought they would care for me." He stares at the wizard with a unsatisfied look in his face. "Do you ever imagine what its like to live in a place filled with misery?" He asked him, that, waiting for an answer. "Hmm, yeah, I think you already know that wizard. So, every time when this happens every day, which can be morning, afternoon, or night, I try so hard to escape it, but I never could. The only thing my dad was trying to do was make a man out of me, but that was just an ear filled with excuses. He didn't want to make me a man. He wanted to prove that he was the true black sheep of the family, the whole neighborhood that he considers his kingdom. When I sleep every night, I dream of wanting to get back at him and everyone else that shamed me." He started to laugh softly. "But then, I got it. I got my wish."
"And what wish was that?" Gandalf asked, disbelieved on what he was saying.
"The Darkforce," Exile chuckled in answer and went on. "I don't know where it came from, but when I touched it, I felt… cold. The Darkforce slithered into me like a snake. My relief was so glorious. This was a gift. A gift that changed my life."
"That gift is nothing but a curse to you and those who wield it," Gandalf spat. "The Darkforce is unstable."
"Don't be dense, wizard," Exile scoffed, believing he was bluffing. "I know what it does and how to wield it. Saruman told me how you were exposed to it once before, but you threw it away like it was garbage."
"Through me, it would make me into something far worser than you," Gandalf told him truthfully as an insult.
"Hmm," Exile sighed, ignoring his insult and stands up. "You can discredit my power and anyone who wields the Darkforce in their veins. I'm curious though, do you wonder why I came up here?"
"If you think me foolish enough, you came to kill me," Gandalf answered in a glare.
Exile started to a laugh a bit. "Of course. I'm glad you figured it out. That was my plan, really. But I already assume that Saruman knows that already. He'll probably be disappointed that I disobeyed him. Or better yet, he's not my master and killing you would bring great pleasure to me and the Dark Lord himself."
"Tell me, Exile, when did you ever pledge your allegiance to a Dark Lord who seeks to divide and conquer?" Gandalf asked him that with a very deadly glare.
"I thought you'd never ask," Exile commented. "There is no need for you and Saruman to be enemies. He wants you on his side. He believes he can break you in any way and once your broken, maybe I won't have to kill you if you join the Dark Lord. Its a wise decision. War is coming. Not just on Arda, but every world where people live, breath, and eat at the same time. You cannot stop what is to come, and there's nothing that you, nor the White Council can do to stop it. If they continue to oppose my master's grand plan, they will fall along with you should you ever refuse. Even though, I don't trust the White Wizard myself, I'll make sure that he keeps his end of the bargain."
"Let me tell you this," Gandalf said. "You may think Sauron is your friend in a way, but you are wrong. He cares only for himself, he doesn't share power, and he only corrupts those to do his dirty work. I hope you'll live long enough to see when the truth reveals itself to you. As for my old friend Saruman, he was unwise to make that decision and he'll realize too late how foolish he was to pledge himself to the Dark Lord. I will not make the same mistake."
Taking that as an insult, Exile grew annoyed by the wizard's refusal. He reached out his hand to summon a sword with his power and moved it very close towards Gandalf's face to scare him. Gandalf was afraid of his threat, for he already knew that the Exile wasn't going to kill him just yet.
"You should choose your words more carefully than that!" Exile snarled. "You think I'm going to kill you now for insulting me?! Wrong! I wonder, are you really loyal to your precious council? Would you choose death instead of power that you would want?! So what's it going to be, wizard? Do you wish to live and make new allies, or would prefer to make new enemies and die right here?"
"Its not power or loyalty," Gandalf answered, not even sounding afraid of the Exile's threat. "The light in my heart will always be there as long as I'm still breathing. And that is something you don't have."
"Have it your way!" Exile growled.
Gandalf close his eyes to await what was to come. Exile was ready to execute the wizard for his refusal, but instead, he dissipated his weapon and turned to walk away.
"We're not done yet," Exile said. "You better think quickly before Saruman comes up to meet you again, wizard. If you won't join us, then you will be the first to die in the this war. The last war."
Deep inside the caverns, many of the workers were very busy forging rough weapons, shields, and armor for Saruman's future army that would bring forth the coming of a new age. Many of the lumberjacks continue to toss the trees into the pits to be burnt in the fires in their depths. Saruman was walking around in the deep caverns with many of his own troops following him in between and behind, watching the iron being smelted and poured into moulds as many more helmets, shields, and weapons were forged. In one corner of the caverns, many Haffensyes, Orcs, and Tyclosians were busy trying to prize something that is moving from the mud. Saruman arrives to watch. Through the membranes beneath a huge creature emerges, and grabs a Tyclosian nearest to it and kills it. Some orcs go to intervene, but Saruman holds them back. The huge creature stands up, growling, holds out his hand and looks at it while Saruman smiles slightly at his own creation.