Donald, Mickey and Archimedes had their vision covered up and when the sack cloths that covered their heads were finally removed, they found themselves in a large cavern. In the corner munching on some bread was a small furry creature that appeared to be tended to by an older soldier. Taran approached them.
"Has Gurgi been on good behavior?" he asked with a smile.
"Master! Gurgi so happy to see you!" the creature exclaimed as it approached the young captain.
"Oh, he's been just fine, I see you brought along new companions," observed the old man.
"Found these guys out in the woods, seemed odd to see them wandering so close to the path of the Easterlings," replied Taran. Gurgi then approached the friends in curiosity.
"Gurgi likes them! Gurgi will share his munchies and crunchies with them!" he handed them some bread which they gladly accepted. Taran reapproached them.
"Now tell me what it was you were doing out there when we found you," he had a look on his face that tried to be friendly but still quite serious. Mickey and Donald looked at each other and took a deep breath.
"Well, I guess at the very least you know the truth, seeing as you could have killed us at any point and didn't. We were sent on a quest from Rivendell with seven other companions. One was a Dwarf, one was a Fox, one was a piglet, one was a gopher, two of them were men and our leader was the Wizard Merlin," Mickey began. It was at his mention of Merlin Taran raised his hand.
"You traveled with the great wizard Merlin? Now that is a tale, and you said you came from Rivendell? My stepbrother Kay was sent there by our father Sir Ector who serves as the Steward of Gondor," he replied.
"Oh, well Kay was one of our companions," Mickey exclaimed, he thought it might be safer to let Taran know that, such information would surely help ensure Taran might become an easier ally. But he wouldn't dare mention the fact that Kay had tried to take the Ring from him, or even just say that he was carrying the Ring at all. Taran then allowed Mickey to continue. Mickey told him about the ordeal they went in both the mountains and the Mines of Moria where they lost Merlin. He told about going into Lothlorien where they met Simba and Nala. He told about going down the Great River.
"Then at Amon Hen, circumstances had me leave the Company but Donald joined me and Archimedes here who had been Merlin's pet owl decided to accompany us, and we have been travelling through this country since, I hope to never see the Dead Marshes again though," Mickey concluded with a sheepish smile.
"So, you have no knowledge of what happened to the rest of your party?" asked Taran with a raised eyebrow.
"Er, no granted we knew that there were evil forces on our side of the river, but I had hoped that they would have got away safely," answered Mickey.
"Then would it grieve you to know that Kay is dead?" asked Taran. For one who felt he had lost a family he spoke in a nonchalant manner. The three travelers appeared shocked.
"But he was alive and strong when we left, whatever bad fortune befell him, I knew nothing about it, how do you even know that?" asked a startled Mickey.
"A few days ago, I heard the Horn of Gondor which my brother was the keeper of. Unfortunately, as it was at the time a distant echo nobody in Minas Tirith could do anything about it. Then, two nights later, I was standing a night watch by the river where I saw a boat that didn't even seem to be rowed. I waded into the water thinking that whoever was in it might be in trouble. But I saw my brother Kay, seemingly asleep except he was drenched in water and had various wounds in his body.
He was missing his horn but had a cloak and pendant upon him the likes I had never seen. His sword was with him. Seeing him I asked where his horn was but the boat just moved by me and I was too stunned to stop it. I know it wasn't a dream even though it felt like one because there was no awakening from it," explained Taran who now bore a sad and somber face.
"Then perhaps the rest of the Company is dead as well?" asked Mickey out loud. He knew nobody could have given him a definite answer but he felt that could very well be the case.
"Well, I can't say for certain but ask yourself, if Kay had been laid in a boat akin to a funerary service, then surely any number of your friends may yet still be alive, for surely no servant of the Enemy would have done that for him? His horn was found cloven in two along the banks of the river not too long after I reported that to my father. He now holds the pieces," continued Taran. After they had told their respective tales, Donald, Mickey and Archimedes were allowed to join in a small feast with Taran and his men. They ate with a waterfall right in front of them. After having travelled on foot eating essentially rations, it felt like a paradise. They overheard one of the guards tell Taran that a small, strange figure had been seen going through the trees, but they kept tight-lipped about what that most likely was.
The companions were given a place to lie down and rest and frankly having slept out in the open for so long, they felt safe. They knew they could sleep without having to keep a vigil watch because the cave was well-hidden and guarded. They enjoyed spending a few moments with Gurgi, even though Donald had made a small complaint about having to sit next to him at dinner earlier, before falling asleep.
Then, Mickey was woken by Taran who made a gesture with his hands that he wanted Mickey to follow him. Mickey did so and they came to a pool where they saw the Creeper with a fish that he had apparently caught.
"I have reason to believe that you didn't exactly tell me your full story, do you have any connection with this creature, if not, I just have to order my men to fire their arrows at it, going into that particular pool is a punishable offense," Taran warned Mickey.
"I will admit, that creature is my guide, if it hadn't been for him, we'd still be stuck in the rocky maze, or perhaps still in the Dead Marshes as one of the permanent residents, no I will call upon him, please don't kill him," confessed Mickey. He walked over to the pool and called Creeper over. Creeper did as he was bidden but then was caught by the guards.
"Tell me where you are leading him!" Taran demanded of Creeper. Creeper hissed at Taran, Mickey afraid and stuck in the moment shouted: "He is leading us to Mordor!" Now everyone stared blankly at Mickey except Creeper who was still struggling to get free.
"Summon his feathered companions! Nobody goes to Mordor willingly!" Taran demanded. All four of the travelers were brought in front of Taran, now Mickey had to show him the Ring.
"I must bear this to Mount Doom where it can be unmade. Creeper said that there was a secret way near Minas Morgul that wouldn't be as well guarded as the Black Gate. That was the role I was given in the Fellowship we set out with from Rivendell," confessed Mickey.
"Was Kay aware of this?" asked Taran. He had grown up being told stories about the First War of the Ring, he had heard the rumors that it had been rediscovered, for that was why Kay had been sent out.
"He knew, we all did, it was our quest and we all accepted it," replied Archimedes in a bit of a huff.
"Then the Ring essentially drove Kay mad! He tried to take the Ring from my friend!" exclaimed Donald. Now Mickey buried his face into his hands. Taran said nothing for a moment.
"Well Minas Morgul is an evil place, everyone in Gondor knows that. While I understand choosing a path that may be less guarded than the front entrance for your sort of errand, I still feel hesitant to have you continue that path. Legends tell of some sort of foul shadow that lives in the mountains above Minas Morgul. But if it means destroying the Horned King for good and his land of Mordor I will help you in whatever way I can," he finally said when he found his voice.
The next morning, the travelers were given further provisions and some extra water.
"Gurgi wishes you well, Gurgi will warn against drinking water near that shadow place, no telling what fouls things lurks in there," said Gurgi who hugged his new friends good bye. They all said good bye to Taran and his guards before going on their way.
"You think they might write a song or story about us? Like the kind we heard at that supper last night?" asked Donald.
"If we make it back to tell the tale, that'll certainly be worthy of any song!" replied Mickey. Creeper had wandered a little further ahead, he was still displeased at having been jumped upon and tied up.
"Master betrays us! Perhaps we can wring their filthy little necks and take back our precious! No, they woulds be ready for that! Ah, but we could lets her finish them off, she could helps us! Ah an excellent idea!" Creeper then made himself known to the ones he was guiding.
"Come alongs! Long ways to go yet!" he exclaimed a little giddily.