The four companions mounted the horses Gimli with Legolas on Arod and Amdiriel and Aragorn on Hasufel, rode off to the burning site.
Aragorn got off his horse immediately holding out his hand to aid Amdiriel in dismount the horse as they reached the site while both Legolas looked around in horror. The smell of burning orc and Uruk-hai flesh filled the air. Aragorn and Legolas searched the area while Gimli ran his ax through the burned corpses. Gimli then raised a belt in his hand says something about it but Amdiriel was too consumed in her thoughts. How could they be dead? They were either killed by friends or by the Uruk-hai they did not know.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Aragorn kicked one of the Orc's helmet out of anger before letting out a heart-breaking shout as he fell to his knees, shoulders slumped. "We failed them." Gimli choked out as he held back tears.
Amdiriel knelt beside Aragorn, she took his hand in hers but said nothing until something on the ground she was staring at looked different. "Aragorn." She whispered as she recognized the tracks. He looked up with her the sadness evident in his eyes. "Look." she whispered and pointed down to the tracks. The ranger looked at them for a moment before he could see what she spoke of. "A hobbit laid here." Aragorn said. "And the other here." Amdiriel said as her hands hover over the tracks. Aragorn took a small step forward, Amdiriel next to him as they studied the ground. "They crawled...Their hands were bound." he said. They stood to their feet following the track, Legolas and Gimli following behind them. Amdiriel saw something in the dirt "Not for long." she said and picked up the rope. "Their bonds were cut." She told them while examining the cuts in the ropes. They continued to walk on, now following small footsteps. "They ran over here. They were followed." Aragorn said and pointed to the larger footprints behind the small Elvish boots. Aragorn jogged as he saw the three pairs of footprints go in another direction "Tracks lead away from the battle..." they came to a halt as they stood on the edge of the forest. "...into Fangorn Forest." Aragorn finished.
"Fangorn?" Gimli asked in disbelief, "What madness drove them in there?" he asked. They all looked at each other in silence, they all had heard old stories of the forest but they knew they no other choice but to go in after them. "Well, that would explain why Éomer never saw them?" Amdiriel said and started to walk into the forest. Aragorn following right after her without question.
"Has no one heard the stories of this place?" Gimli grumbled as he followed after Legolas. "Oh, we have but I think I've been in far more dangerous places than this." Amdiriel replied. "Now come, do not be a scared little dwarf." Amdiriel teased as they walked on, Gimli grumbling about how he wasn't scared just concerned about what they might find.
Aragorn, Amdiriel, Legolas, and Gimli walked cautiously through the forest, Aragorn, and Amdiriel following the tracks. A certain bush caught Gimli's eye, it was a beautiful, healthy green but on its leaves were a deep black goop that looked like it had been splat on. The other three had stopped to see what was wrong. Gimli touched the black goop with his fingers. He smelt the dark liquid before tasting it. Gimli's face scrunched up and quickly spit out what he had tasted in disgust.
"Orc blood." he told them with disgust. Aragorn looked down at the now different track "These are strange tracks." he whispered as he felt the ground. "But they are tracks, and they keep going as the hobbit's disappear." Amdiriel noted as she looked ahead.
"The air is so close in here." Gimli stated as he looked around at the trees.
Legolas looked ahead of them "This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory..." he paused and looked around with a frown "...and anger." he finished. All eyes widened as they trees around them groaned. Gimli raised his ax in protection. "The trees are speaking to each other!" Legolas told them as he turned and looked at the others.
Aragorn turned to Gimli who was still holding his ax at the ready. "Gimli!" he whispered.
"Huh?" he asked.
Aragorn motioned for him to lower his weapon "Lower your ax." he told him. Gimli slowly lowered his ax while his lips formed an 'o'. "You do not want them to think that you are a threat." Amdiriel warned. "They have feelings, my friend." Legolas said to him. "The Elves began it; waking up the trees, teaching them to speak." he said in a voice that reminded Amdiriel when her Faramir and Boromir would tell her spooky stories as children and her mother would have to comfort her. Legolas walked further ahead while Gimli looked around shocked. "Talking trees? What do trees have to talk about? Expect the consistency of squirrel droppings?" he muttered.
Suddenly Amdiriel felt a presence among them, she looked to her elf friend as he looked back at her feeling the same as she. Amdiriel searched the trees as Legolas called out for Aragorn "Aragorn, something is out there." he said urgently as he climbed up on to the higher ground. Aragorn was quick at his side and Amdiriel was by Aragorn, still searching in the trees ahead of them.
"What do you see?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas' eyes shifted "The White Wizard approaches." he informed them in a whisper. Amdiriel narrowed her eyes as the presence grew closer, the feeling was off it wasn't as evil as she thought it would be.
Gimli came and stood next to Amdiriel as Aragorn closed his eyes for a second "Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us." he whispered and the gripped his sword pulling it out just a little, eyes glancing at Amdiriel as he too gripped her sword. Gimli tightened his grip on his ax while slowly notched an arrow into his bow. "We must be quick." Aragorn said they nodded in understanding.
They all took in a deep breath before letting out a yell and turning around. Gimli threw his ax while Legolas shot his arrows at the bright figure who deflected both attacks. Aragorn and Amdiriel's sword grew hot and were forced to drop them to the ground. But Amdiriel grabbed her dagger and there it that the figure but it two was deflected. The bright light shined all around them so bright they were having trouble seeing. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." the wizard said.
"Where are they?" Aragorn asked as he stepped slightly in front of the woman at his side.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" the stranger asked.
"Who are you?" Aragorn asked "Show yourself!" he shouted. The light dimmed down revealing Gandalf all in white. The others looked in astonishment. There was a moment of silence as they all came to the realization as to who stood in front of them. "It can not be." Aragorn whispered as tears came to all their eyes.
"Forgive me!" Legolas said and fell to his knees as did Gimli and Amdiriel "I mistook you for Saruman." he explained.
Gandalf smiled at them "I am Saruman. Rather Saruman as he should have been." he said.
"You fell." Aragorn said still looking at the man in front of him, the disbelief and pain in his voice.
"Through 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 to you until my task is done." Gandalf explained.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn said with a smile and took a step towards the old man.
"Gandalf?" he asked with a frown. "Yes...that is what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." he said.
"Gandalf!" Gimli said in a rare tone of happiness.
"I am Gandalf the White." he said with a twinkle in his eye receiving a smile from Legolas. "And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide." he told them.
Gandalf then picked up a gray elven cloak. He put it over his white robes and secured the brooch. He then turned to Amdiriel, grief in his eyes. "I am sorry about Boromir." he told her and touched her shoulder. "He died honorably, protecting those he loved and for a cause bigger than himself." she told the wizard who then offered her a small smile. "He wished nothing than what was best for you." Gandalf replied. Amdiriel gave him a small smile. "I know he did and we shall avenge his death by banishing all darkness from these lands forever." Gandalf smirked at the determination in the woman's voice, he that the passing of someone she loved so dearly hurt beyond compare but it also fueled a fire in her.
"Come, we must make haste." said the wizard as he then started to lead them out of the forest. "One stage of your journey is over, another begins. We must ride to Edoras with all speed." he told them.
"Edoras? That is no short distance." Gimli said Amdiriel shook her head. Leave it to Gimli to complain because he wasn't very fond of horses but then again he wasn't fond of running either.
"We hear of trouble in Rohan, it goes ill with the king." Aragorn explained.
"Yes, and it will not be easily cured." Gandalf said as they continued.
Gimli let out a groan "So we have run all this way for nothing? Are we going to leave those poor Hobbits in this horrid, dark, dank, tree-infested-" Gimli stopped when the trees groaned angrily "I mean charming, quite charming forest." he said causing Amdiriel to chuckle she then put her hand on the nearest tree to see if she could calm the aura. She heard the noise start to fade, she smiled knowing it worked.
Gandalf stopped and turned to them "It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that start an avalanche." Gandalf said.
Aragorn smiled at Gandalf "In one way you have not changed old friend." he said as Gandalf looked at him in curiosity.
"What's that?" he asked. "You still speak in riddles." Aragorn explained making everyone chuckle.
After they stopped laughing Gandalf looked up at the trees that stood around them. "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." Gandalf explained.
"Strong?!" Gimli asked in disbelief until he heard groaning again. "Oh that's good." he tried.
"So stop your fretting Master Dwarf." Gandalf scolded and continued walking. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than your about to be." he told him.
Gimli frowned and followed behind the others "This new Gandlaf's even more grumpy than the old one." he muttered. "But he is alive." Amdiriel reminded him as she followed behind Legolas. "You calmed them? the trees?" he asked. "I think so." Amdiriel replied. "Nature is our friend as you know, grandmother always encouraged me to have a connection with it, you may never know when you may need it." she explained to him.
They finally reached the end of the forest and stood on the plane again. Gandalf whistled that echoed across the plain. Suddenly a white horse galloped up to them. Legolas's eyes widened in awe "That is one of the Mearas unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." he said. "Shall I hit your really hard in the head so we can find out?" Amdiriel asked sarcastically. "Oh haha." replied the elf while Gimli said that she should but that earned him a thump on the head from Aragorn.
"Shadowfax." Gandalf said as the horse walked up to him. "He's the Lord of all horses..." Gandalf said causing all of them to bow their head in respect. "...and has been my friend through many dangers." he finished and ran his hand down the horse's mane.
Amdireil then stepped forward feeling a very familiar presence, she knew her uncle would look into the future to see if they need aid so she brought her hands to her mouth and let out a loud whistle. Almost as soon as the sound echoed through the air another weighing sound was heard. Across the plains came running another horse only this time it was all black. Amdireil smiled as she Gimli ask if that was another one of the Meras to which Amdireil nodded. "Rohal," she greeted the horse coming up and nudging her making her laugh as she pet him.
"How?" Gimli asked. Amdiriel smiled as she realized that her Uncle had sent her horse with her saddle and some food and water. "He was caught in a trap and would not let anyone near him, but somehow he took a liking to me and let me free him. He's been by my side ever since. The elves said it was because he saw himself in me, maybe it's true." she explained as she kissed his mane causing him to lean into her. everyone smiling at the two.
"Come we must hurry." Gandalf said. and with that they were off, riding for Edoras. They rode until it was nightfall where they came upon a ridge, where they would set up camp for the night. There Aragorn started a fire and Amdireil passed out some food she had found in her saddlebag. Gimli received it gladly saying he had never been more grateful for the elf lord for sending 'real food'.
Soon after both Legolas and Amdiriel fell asleep to the elf humming. Gandalf stood on the edge of the ridge, smoking his pipe while he looked in the distance at the orange glow in the sky that marked where Mordor laid. Aragorn was feeding the fire when he decided to join the wizard's side. The moonlight there only source of light, bright enough to still see each other. Aragorn cast one more look to Amdiriel's sleeping form before he stood next to Gandalf.
"The veiling shadow that glows in the East takes shape. Sauron will suffer no trivial. From the summit of Burgadur, his eye watches ceaselessly but he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever news at him. " Gandalf said, then turning to look at the ranger. "A rumor had reached him, the hire of Númenor still lives as does the woman warrior of his people who know stands at his side. Sauron fears you and Amdireil, Aragorn. He fears what the two of you may become together." he told Aragorn who looked at the ground for a moment but then glared at the glowing in the distance.
"So he will strike hard and fast at the world of men. He will use his puppet, Saruman to destroy Rohan. War is coming, Rohan must defend itself and there lies our first challenge for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The king's mind is now enslaved it is only a device of Saruman's. His hold over King Theoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are fighting the noose...but for all their cunning, we have one advantage." Gandalf continued on. "The Ring remains hidden and that we would seek to destroy it has not entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon of the enemy os moving toward Mordor in the hands of a hobbit, each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest." Gandalf looked again to the ranger, see the doubt and guilt in his facial expression. "Do not regret your decision to leave him." Gandalf told him and looked out into the distance again. "Frodo must finish this task alone."
"He's not alone." Aragorn stated causing the wizard to look at him in question. "Sam went with him." Aragorn told him. "Did he?... Good...yes very good." mumbled the wizard.
"The spell has been broken but you have not told her yet have you?" Gandalf said quietly. Aragorn turned to see Amdiriel still sleeping. "I am surprised she hasn't figured it out yet nor that you have not told her." Gandalf stated.
"She's had a lot on her mind and it's not like we've really had the chance to sit and talk."
"Hmm, very true but you still care for her?" Gandalf asked. Aragorn sighed loudly, "I dreamt of her at least once a week for the last 30 years. I realize now that they were memories, little moments we shared, or perhaps the hope of a future together. Then she walked well more like jumped into my life." Aragorn corrected, smirking about their 'first' encounter in Bree when she jumped from the shadows of the room. "I thought I was falling in love with her when in truth I was falling in love with her all over again. I love her more now than ever." Aragorn explained.
"Hmm" Gandalf said with a smirk in his face "It seems that your love for her was stronger than the spell placed on you."
Aragorn looked down again at the ground "What happened to her was not your fault. Amdiriel chose to take a stand against her father after all the years of pain and anguish he had put her through. Him taking you from her was her final straw." Gandalf told him. Aragorn knew that but he still felt bad for all she had been through because he had not been there to protect her from it.
"She will understand, but I think it best you tell her soon before she figures it out and gets mad at you for not telling her." Gandalf advised Aragorn nodded in response before Gandalf told Aragorn to go and rest. Aragorn did as he was told and went to lay down for a bit. he laid just a foot away from Amdiriel, her face seemed to be contoured with pain and her fist clenched tight in front of her Aragorn sat up on his side and took her hand in his, bring it to his lips. "Relax, my love. Sleep and rest well, away from pain." he whispered to her. He felt her hand loosen and her face relax. Aragorn smiled at the action. Long ago she was the one to comfort him, now it was his turn to comfort her. Aragorn fell asleep with her hand in his and if he had it his way they would be like that forever.