TW: Thank you.
Nombre: I believe it's called the language of men in LOTR.
Fangorn Forest
Mid-Day
Aragorn and Legolas led the group of seven deep in to the forest, tracking the tracks of Amy and the two Hobbits. Gimli stopped, seeing something dark on a leaf. He touched it with one finger before putting his finger in his mouth only to spit it out at the foul taste.
"Orc blood," Gimli said in disgust.
"So one of the group got away from Eomer and the Riders, and was following after them," River noted.
"Let's just hope they got away from it," Rory said, gripping his elvish blade tightly.
The group jumped across a small stream of water before Aragorn stopped, staring at a strange kind of foot print in the ground.
"These are strange tracks," Aragorn noted.
"I've been around a long time, but I've never seen anything make these kind of tracks," The Doctor said as he knelt down, examining it. "I wonder what could have made it."
"Let's just hope Amy and the little ones didn't run into whatever made it," Boromir said.
"The air is so close in here," Gimli noted.
"This forest is old, very old. Full of memory…and anger," Legolas said ominously.
"Really making us feel good Legolas," Rory said sarcastically.
They then heard a loud groan, causing Rory and Gimli to instinctively raise their weapons while the others looked around in bewilderment.
"What was that?" Boromir asked uncertainly.
"The trees are speaking to each other," Legolas said simply.
"Rory, Gimli! Lower your weapons," Aragorn said and they did as he ordered.
"They have feelings, my friends. The Elves began it. Waking up the trees, teaching them to speak," Legolas explained as The Doctor and River looked at him in surprise.
"They elves taught the trees how to talk?" River asked, finding it hard to believe, in spite of everything she had seen.
"I know a planet with living trees, but tress that know how to talk…that's a new one," The Doctor muttered.
"Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings," Gimli huffed.
"Maybe don't insult the trees. Something made those tracks," Rory pointed out as they continued walking.
Legolas said something in Elvish to Aragorn before walking off slightly. The others watch as Aragorn followed, confused as Aragorn said something tin Elvish. Then, Legolas said they could all understand.
"The White Wizard approaches."
River immediately drew her dagger, looking around wildly as Boromir and Rory drew their weapons, looking around as well.
"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us," Aragorn ordered softly as he began drawing his own sword.
The Doctor looked around silently, hoping to catch a glimpse of this Saruman. If half of what he had heard was true, Saruman was essentially The Master with magic. How could they ever hope to fight him?
"We must be quick," Aragorn said.
He, Gimli, Legolas, Rory, Boromir and River all whirled around as a glowing white figure appeared behind them, Legolas firing his arrow but the figure easily dispatched them. Gimli threw his axe but it shattered into pieces while the others found their weapons too hot hold and were forced to drop them.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits and a woman," the figure noted.
"Where are they?!" Aragorn demanded.
"They passed this way, the day before yesterday," the figure said. "They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"
"Not particularly, no," Rory snapped.
"We have no patience for your riddles," The Doctor said coldly.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn demanded.
The glow faded from the figure and the group of seven stared, stunned as they saw Gandalf, now dressed in a cloak and his beard now pure white.
"It cannot be," Aragorn muttered.
"Forgive me," Legolas said as he bowed, Boromir and Gimli following his lead. "I mistook you for Saruman."
"I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been," Gandalf said.
"You didn't by chance Regenerate?" The Doctor asked skeptically and Gandalf chuckled.
"I cannot change faces as you do, my dear Doctor. I fell," Gandalf said, his smile leaving him. "Thorough fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak...I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy...and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me...and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead...and every day was as long as a life age of the Earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back...until my task is done."
"I'm not sure I understand everything that happened to you…but regardless, it is good to see you," The Doctor said with a smile.
"Welcome to the 'back from the dead' club," Rory joked with a smile.
"Gandalf," Aragorn whispered and Gandalf paused.
"Gandalf? Yes, that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name," Gandalf said with a slight smile.
"Gandalf," Gimli said emotionally.
"I am Gandalf the White," Gandalf declared his new name. "And I come back to you now...at the turn of the tide."
"And I fear not a moment too soon," River said with a smile.
Gandalf began leading the group back the way they came as they noticed he sported a cloak identical to theirs.
"One stage of your journey is over. Another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed," Gandalf told them.
"Edoras? That is no short distance," Gimli pointed out.
"We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king," Aragorn told Gandalf.
"And it will not be easily cured," Gandalf said grimly.
"Hold on? What about Amy?" Rory protested as they stopped. "I'm not just going to leave her here."
"Now will I abandon the Hobbits," Boromir added firmly.
"It was more than mere chance that brought Amy, Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry, Pippin, and Amy will be like the falling of small stones...that starts an avalanche in the mountains," Gandalf said cryptically.
"In one way you have not changed old friend," Aragorn said and Gandalf looked over at him. "You still speak in riddles."
Gandalf laughed before turning to address the group once more.
"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up...and find that they are strong."
"Strong? Oh that's good," Gimli said uneasily when a growl frightened him.
"You need not worry about Amy, Rory. She is perfectly safe. Probably more so than you are about to be," Gandalf as he continued leading them out of the forest.
"Doesn't exactly me feel better," Rory grumbled and The Doctor walked over to him.
"When this is over, we will find Amy, I promise you Rory. But for now, we're needed elsewhere," The Doctor reasoned and, after a moment, Rory nodded.
"I guess so," Rory muttered and The Doctor clapped him on the back.
"That's the spirit! Now come along Rory!" The Doctor shouted, pulling him along by the arm.
The group of eight emerged from the forest and Gandalf whistled. But it sounded like no whistle any of the group had ever heard: it was like a song that seemed to echo across the plain. Within seconds, a beautiful white Stallion had emerged and began running towards Gandalf. Legolas stared at it in disbelief.
"That is one of the Mearas...unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," he said in disbelief.
"And these Mearas were a special breed of horse?" River inquired.
"They surpass all horses in speed, intellect and strength," Aragorn explained, as surprised as Legolas when the horse ran up to Gandalf.
"Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many years," Gandalf explained as he stroked Shadowfax's head.
And then the group set off towards Rohan, determined to end whatever hold Saruman had on the king and its people.
And Gandalf has made his triumphant return.
Not a very long chapter, I know, but I thought Gandalf's return should be its own chapter.