TW: Thank you.
Isengard
Day
Sitting on the remains of the gate house, Merry and Pippin smoked from a pipe as Amy munched on an apple.
"I feel like I'm back at the Green dragon," Pippin said randomly.
"Mmm, Green Dragon," Merry said with a mouth full of food only for Amy to whack him in the head.
"Don't chew with your mouth full," Amy scolded.
"A mug of ale in my hand, putting my feet up after a hard day's work," Pippin said, ignoring the scene behind him.
"Only, you've never done a hard day's work," Merry pointed out.
The Hobbits laughed and Amy smiled in amusement at their antics when they heard the neighing of horses. They turned their attention to the sound as a horse rode in. They were delighted to see it was ridden by Gandalf. The Hobbits laughed as Théoden and the other members of the Fellowships, Sans Sam and Frodo, followed behind him.
"Welcome my Lords, to Isengard!" Merry said happily as he got to his feet, spreading his arms wide as the Fellowship smiled happily at the sight of them.
"Amy!" Rory cried happily as he jumped off his horse and Amy got to her feet, beaming at the sight of him.
"Rory."
Amy climbed down and she and Rory rushed towards each other, grabbing each other and sharing a passionate kiss.
"Again with the kissing," The Doctor joked.
"Hush now, Sweetie," River said with a smile as Amy and Rory continued to kiss.
"Are you all right?" Rory asked breathlessly as they broke their kiss.
"I'm fine. You worry too much, Centurion," Amy teased flirtatiously and Rory could only laugh.
That was his Amy all right.
"You rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on...and now we find you feasting and... and smoking!" Gimli exclaimed.
"Oi! You think we've been sitting on our arses while you've been doing who knows what?!" Amy exclaimed, glaring at him as she looked away from Rory.
"Amy is right. We are sitting on a field of victory...enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted port is particularly good," Merry said with a smile.
"Salted port?" Gimli asked enviously as the others all laughed.
"We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard," Merry explained, gesturing behind them as they saw multiple Ents surrounding the castle.
"Well, it appears you've been busy, Pond," The Doctor said as he got off Brego, making his way over to Amy.
"It was mostly just a lot of waiting around, Raggedy Man," Amy said as the two shared an embrace. "And what about you two? You do anything interesting?"
As he released Amy, The Doctor and Rory shared a look, thinking of everything that had happened since they last saw Amy.
"No."
"Not really."
"Don't listen to them Amy. It's been quite mad since we last saw each other," River said with a smirk as she approached.
"Knowing him, I figured," Amy laughed with a look at The Doctor, who grumbled under his breathe.
"Amy," Rory said and she turned back to him as he pulled something out. "I kept this for you."
"I wondered where that went," Amy said as she took her water skin from Rory. "I just thought Saruman's goons took it when they grabbed us."
"The Uruk-Hai would have no understanding of what you had in your possession Amy," Aragorn said as they rest of the Fellowship approached.
"They tend to be rather dimwitted," Boromir agreed as the Hobbits saw him.
"Boromir!" Merry and Pippin cried before launching themselves into the arms of the laughing Boromir. "You're okay!
"Aye. The potion Lady Galadriel gave Amy works quite well," Boromir said before looking at Amy, regret filling his face. "Amy…about what happened…"
"It's fine, yeah? You weren't really yourself. Water under the bridge and all that," Amy assured him and Boromir nodded, feeling a great weight lifted from his shoulders.
"Well, I think it's high time we deal with Saruman," Gandalf said, a scowl crossing his face. "His crimes have gone unanswered for too long."
"Agreed, Gandalf. It is time the White Wizard faces justice," Théoden said firmly.
Not long after, the group rode into Isengard. Amy rode with Rory; her arms wrapped around her fiancée's waist as Boromir and Aragorn had Merry and Pippin respectively ridding behind them. Their horses had to make their way through water, barrels and ruined machinery on the ground.
"Bloody Hell. Looks like a hurricane struck," Rory muttered.
"Not that far off, love," Amy told him as they saw Treebeard.
"Young Master Gandalf...I'm glad you've come...Wood and water, stock and stone….I can master….But there is a Wizard to manage here...locked in his tower," Treebeard said, gesturing to the castle behind them.
"Well then, let's get him out," The Doctor said cheerfully.
"That is a bloody tree. A walking, talking tree," Rory muttered, staring at Treebeard in disbelief.
"You were plastic and lived for almost 1,900 years, but this surprises you?" River pointed out and Rory paused.
"Okay, fair," Rory acknowledged.
"Show yourself," Aragorn whispered as they all felt the tension rise.
"Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous," Gandalf warned.
No sooner had the words left Gandalf's mouth when Saruman appeared on top the castle, using his staff as support. The Doctor was taken back, almost confusing Saruman with his old friend, Count Dooku for a moment. The resemblance was unmistakable.
"Doppelgangers. Now I've seen everything," The Doctor muttered.
"Welcome, my friends. Why do you disturb my rest? Will you give me no peace at all by night or day?" Saruman asked, having the audacity to sound like he was the wronged party. "But come now. Two at least of you I know by name. Gandalf I know too well to have much hope that he seeks help or counsel here. But you, Théoden Lord of the Mark of Rohan are declared by your noble devices, and still more by the fair countenance of the House of Eorl. Oh worthy son of Thengel the Thrice-renowned! Why have you not come before, and as a friend? Much have I desired to see you again, mightiest king of western lands, and especially in these latter years, to save you from the unwise and evil counsels that beset you! Is it yet too late? Despite the injuries that have been done to me, in which the men of Rohan, alas! Have had some part, still I would save you, and deliver you from the ruin that draws nigh inevitably, if you ride upon this road which you have taken. Indeed I alone can aid you now."
To the shock of everyone, Théoden opened his mouth to speak but paused, as if uncertain.
"Oi! Théoden, remember your people, how he nearly wiped them all from the face of this world at Helm's Deep! Do not fall for his tricks!" The Doctor shouted and Sauron turned his gaze on him.
"The Doctor of Gallifrey. I have heard much about you. But I do not speak to you, yet. You and your Companion's have come to this world against your will and have become embroiled in these events. Perhaps I can help you return to your home world," Saruman offered and The Doctor scoffed.
"Trust you? I would rather skip hand and hand through the Nexus with The Master," The Doctor almost sneered and Saruman smiled charmingly
"Such a shame you would hold onto such petty grudges. But I pray you, allow me first to speak with the King of Rohan, my neighbor, and once my friend," Saruman said before turning his attention back to Théoden. "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?"
"Peace? You think anyone would make peace with you, after everything you've done?" Rory asked incredulously.
"Ah, yes. The Centurion," Saruman almost sneered as he turned his gaze on Rory. "The man who waited almost two millennia for his beloved. And what did you do in all that time? Guard a box. How many horrid events did you allow to happen rather than changing it? You call yourself a warrior? You are a coward."
"Better a coward than a traitor. You used to be a noble man, now you're a joke. A servant of a mad man who will toss you aside the moment you're not useful to him," Rory shot back and Saruman smiled unpleasantly.
"We shall have peace," Théoden said quietly and they turned to him, seeing the anger in his eyes. "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, 'old friend', then we shall have peace!"
The Riders of Rohan cheered as Saruman scowled, insulted before turning his gaze to the one he knew was responsible.
"And you, Gandalf? What do you want, my old friend? Let me guess. The Key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dur itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards?!" Saruman spat as Gandalf just stared at him calmly.
"Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel," Gandalf said and Saruman sneered.
"So, you have come here for information," Saruman said before pulling out a crystal ball.
"What is that?" Amy asked.
"Whatever it is, I don't think he's going to use it to make peace," River noted.
"Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth," Saruman said as he gazed into it, seeming to ignore the exchange between Amy and River. "Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage," Saruman lowered the ball as Gandalf urged Shadowfax forward. "His attack will come soon. You're all going to die. But you know this, don't you? 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!"
The Doctor gazed at Aragorn, wondering what this was about. Aragorn, for his credit, didn't seem too bothered by Saruman's accusation. Before The Doctor could muse on it too much, Saruman continued.
"Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him...those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom?" Saruman asked and Gandalf closed his eyes, as if in great pain. "The path that you have set him on can only lead to death."
"Bold words, coming from a man who wishes to wipe all who oppose him from existence," River said and Saruman smiled.
"River Song. But that's not your real name, is it?" Saruman said and River stiffened in shock. "Oh yes, you have another. I wonder what your dear Doctor would say if he knew the truth? Or what The Centurion and his beloved would say if they knew who you really are?"
"River, what is he talking about?" Amy asked but River remained silent.
"I've heard enough. Shoot him, stick an arrow in his gob," Gimli told Legolas, who reached for one of his arrows.
"No!" Gandalf shouted, making the elf pause. "Come down, Saruman and your life will be spared."
"Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it!"
With that said, Saruman pointed his staff at Gandalf and a fireball the size of a boulder emerged from it, heading straight for Gandalf. The others were forced to watched, stepping back from the heat of the flames as the fireball struck Gandalf and Shadowfox, engulfing the two.
"Gandalf!" Pippin cried out in horror.
But then, to their astonishment, the flames vanished, revealing Gandalf and Shadowfax, unharmed. Not even the clothes on Gandalf's back were burned.
"Blimey," The Doctor summed all their thoughts as they stared at Gandalf in disbelief.
"Saruman! Your staff is broken," Gandalf said before, to the amazement of everyone, the top of Saruman's staff glowed, radiating with power before exploding.
It was at that moment that someone walked up behind Saruman, eying the assembled group fearfully. It was Wormtongue.
"Grima," Théoden spoke to him as he saw his former subordinate. "You need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan. Come down."
Wormtongue bowed, seemingly about to do just that when Saruman spoke.
"A 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," Saruman sneered.
"And yet here he stands, victorious while you cower from your castle," The Doctor said icily.
While these insults angered Théoden, he managed to control his anger, turning back to Wormtongue.
"Grima, come down. Be free of him."
"Free?" Saruman scoffed at the thought. "He will never be free."
"No," Wormtongue said and Saruman turned to him, enraged.
"Get down, Cur!" Saruman snapped before slapping Wormtongue with enough force to send him falling, hitting the top of the tower.
"Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know," Gandalf demanded and Saruman turned back to him with a sneer.
"No, you withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided," Saruman said, not noticing Wormtongue getting to his feet, drawing a dagger. "I will not be held prisoner here."
Wormtongue then lunged for Saruman, grabbing him and sticking the dagger in his back. Legolas notched an arrow, firing as Wormtongue stabbed Saruman again. The arrow struck Wormtongue below the shoulder and he released Saruman, falling on his back with a groan of pain as Saruman, with a pained gasp, fell from the tower. Saruman landed on a spike of one of his own spinning wheels, impaled through his chest. For a moment, everyone merely stared in shock before Gandalf spoke.
"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," he commanded.
The wheel then spun and the crystal ball fell from Saruman's body into the water before Saruman's body became submerged in water.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here," Treebeard said before Pippin jumped from the Aragorn's house, heading towards the crystal ball. "Young Trees. Wild trees."
"Pippin!" Aragorn called out as they noticed what the Hobbit was doing.
Pippin picked up the crystal ball, staring at it as Gandalf approached.
"Bless my bark!" Treebeard exclaimed.
"Peregrin Took! I'll take that, my lad," Gandalf said, holding his hand out for the crystal ball. "Quickly now."
After a moment of hesitation, Pippin handed it to Gandalf.
"What is that anyway?" Amy asked curiously.
"It is called a Palantir, Amy. A seeing stone. A tool that even wizards must use with great caution," Gandalf explained grimly.
"So what now?" Rory asked after a moment.
"Now, we must return to Edoras. We must honor our dead…and then make our next plan of attack," Théoden said grimly.
Saruman's defeat mostly came from the movies, but I did take some bits from the books.
How Saruman knew so much about The Doctor Who characters will be touched on, but won't be explained until later in the series.