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━━━━»•» act four. age of glory

46. voice of treason «•« ━━━━

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ third age ━━ year 3019

𓇻 rohan; helm's deep

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IT TOOK THEM A LITTLE OVER A DAY TO TRAVEL FROM HELM'S DEEP TO ISENGARD. They followed the river Isen across green lands and hills. Their company consisted of what remained of their fellowship, King Théoden and his nephew Éomir and a few guards, including Gamling and Lord Erkenbrand. Despite their victory, the men of Rohan were quiet and solemn for most of the journey. There were no songs sung along the way or stories told. The pain of those they'd lost was still too great.

Ever since they left the fortress walls behind, Elgarain could feel Gyda's watchful gaze resting upon her. She knew she could pretend to be fine for those who did not know her, but Gyda would not be fooled by her act. And though Elgarain was grateful to have such a loyal friend, her watchfulness did not go unnoticed.

The last few hours she'd spend riding closely by Aragorn's side. More than a few times she'd noticed his eyes going back and forth between her and her guard. She knew he was already worried about the little things she'd told him about and she refused to add to that burden. Besides, she wasn't even sure what had truly happened during the fight. She'd promised herself as soon as she had more information, she'd share it with him. For now, the wisest course of action seemed to her to talk with Gandalf after they'd dealt with Saruman.

"What have you done this time to warrant your guard's stern gaze?" Aragorn jested, though she could hear the worry lingering beneath his light tone.

She chuckled, but even to her own ears it sounded hollow. "I stayed behind to fight when she ordered me to lead the women and children out of the caves to safety."

Aragorn studied her and it took all of her strength not to wince beneath his stare. "It seems her own lessons are catching up to her," he said at last.

This time her smile was genuine. "It certainly seems that way."

The silence that followed was heavy with words still unsaid but Elgarain forced herself to stay quiet. She had to speak with Gandalf first, find a reason for what was happening and maybe a solution. She tell Aragorn the truth afterwards. There was no reason for him to know right now.

Slowly but surely the landscape changed. The hills grew larger, grass making way for stone. They had reached the most southern point of the Misty Mountains, where the river Isen ended in a valley that had long since been occupied by the Wizard Saruman. It seemed his evil ways had infected the land like a sickness. The earth was cloven and groaning and the air smelled of smoke.

But then the strangest sound caught her attention, a sound that seemed to hold no place in such a dark place. It made her heart sing and she couldn't help but smile. She noticed Gyda and Legolas also turning their heads to listen and as they got closer, the others finally heard it as well. Warm and heartily, the sound of laughter and chatting Hobbits.

As they approached, she could hear they were discussing something called Longbottom Leaf. From the depths of her memories the Somerset accent of Sam came drifting to the surface as he told her about the best leaves to smoke in all of the Shire. She wondered how they managed to have kept such a thing after everything they'd been through. Hobbits really were a most special people.

Their company rounded a corner of a broken wall and there they were. Merry and Pippin, seated on the remains of the wall that had once protected Isengard. They were surrounded by a meal, both of them holding a mug of ale in their hands and a pipe in the other.

The sound of horses drew their attention and smiles as bright as the sun broke out on both their faces. Laughing brightly, Merry climbed to his feet and held his arms out. "Welcome, Lords and Ladies, to Isengard!" He pointed at the tower of black stone behind him. It stood high and proud, though smoke rose from the ground surrounding it.

"You young rascals!" Gimli grunted from his position behind Legolas. "A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you feasting...and...and smoking!"

Beside her, Aragorn was smiling widely and Elgarain felt herself doing the same. The Dwarf seemed more offended they were enjoying a meal without him, than at them leading them on a hunt across the plains of Rohan.

"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts," Pippin chimed in. "The salted pork is particularly good."

"Salted pork?" Gimli asked.

From the side, Gyda cleared her throat and both Hobbits turned her way with wide eyes when they caught sight of her stern gaze. "Gyda!" Both exclaimed equally excited as terrified by her.

Slowly she made her way down from her horse before making her way towards the duo, their heads craning upward with each step she took closer. A moment of silence passed before quick as lightning, Gyda reached out and knocked their heads together. "Idiots—" She brought them both in for a hug. "You had us worried," she whispered.

Gandalf shook his head, muttering something about Hobbits beneath his breath.

Elgarain spurred on her horse to ride up a little closer towards the two Hobbits. "Are you two unharmed?" she asked, skilled eyes scanning their bodies for any possible injuries.

"We are fit as a fiddle, m'lady, I promise you," Pippin said. "And we are glad to see you alive and well."

She smiled. "Likewise, Master Hobbit but what are the two of you doing here?"

"We're under orders from Treebeard," Merry said, pointing at the mighty tower of black stone behind them. "Who's taken over management of Isengard."

A shiver of excitement ran down her spine at the mention of such a name. When she'd woken up in Fangorn forest, Gandalf had mentioned something about the Ents. She'd always wished to see one of the Onodrim, ever since reading about them in the library of her father. But they'd been gone for centuries and it seemed that the coming of two Hobbits had been the event they needed to wake up.

"Then let us go meet him," Gandalf spoke.

Placing a hand on the back of Pippin and Merry's shoulders, Gyda urged the two Hobbits forward. With quick and practised ease, she situated herself back on her horse before holding her hand out to Merry.

He wasted no time in reaching for her and Gyda helped hoist him upwards and behind her.

Aragorn reached out his arm to Pippin and helped him get on the horse behind him. With Gandalf and Théoden in the front, they passed beneath the ruins of the gate. With wide eyes Elgarain took in the havoc surrounding the Orthanc. The entire valley was flooded. The water was filthy with mood and debris. They had to be careful to lead their horses forward, keeping a careful eye on the floating pieces of wood and iron that might injure them.

As they approached the tower, Elgarain had to crane her neck to see the top. Tall and proud the black stone rose up from the ground. Its walls were almost completely smooth. At the top four gaping horns, like the points of a spear, sat on top of the tower like a claw. The craftsmanship was impeccable.

But her attention was taken away from the tower by a strangely shaped creature standing in front of the door. It looked like an old man, who'd lived so long he'd taken root and slowly became one with nature. The Ent had the body of a tree, covered with bark, branches and green leaves. However, two deep green eyes, sparkling with life and intelligence, broke any illusion that it was a normal tree.

"Onodrim," Legolas whispered behind her in awe.

"They've returned," Gyda muttered.

The men of Rohan halted their horses, looking wide eyed at the shepherds of the forest standing in front of them. Gimli shifted uneasily from his position behind Legolas, though he managed to keep his hands away from his axe. Even Aragorn could not help but stare at the age-old creature. The only one who seemed unimpressed was Gandalf.

"Young Master Gandalf," The Ent spoke with a voice so deep it seemed to come from the earth itself. "I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there's a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower."

An eerie silence remained after the words of the Ent, as if Saruman were to suddenly appear right in front of them.

"Show yourself," Aragorn muttered, feeling just as anxious to get it over with.

"Be careful," Gandalf warned. "Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous."

Gimli grunted in annoyance. "Then let's just have his head and be done with it."

Gyda turned her head to look at him. "We don't lower ourselves to the evil ways of our enemy, Master Dwarf."

"We need him alive," Gandalf added. "We need him to talk."

A silky voice, pleasing and yet venomous like a snake, came drifting down with the wind. All of them looked up and saw Saruman had appeared on the roof of his tower. And yet, through his powerful magic, they could hear him speak as clearly as if he were standing next to them, whispering his poisonous words right into their very ears.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King, and made peace afterwards," Saruman spoke. "Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace you and I?"

Elgarain winced, she simply couldn't help it. The words of the wizard seemed suddenly reasonable to her and fair. Why shouldn't they make peace? She shook her head, desperate to get his terrible magic to stop working its way into her heart. As if hearing her wish, Vilya glowed softly on her finger. The ring's glow seemed to lessen the effect of the silky voice of Saruman. And as she looked around, she could see the ring did not protect only her.

A haze seemed to clear from Théoden's eyes and made way for a fiery anger. "We shall have peace," the king spoke with a booming voice. "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!" He took a trembling breath and spoke through gritted teeth. "When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace."

When Saruman spoke again, there was nothing left of the silk and reason. Instead, there was only the poison of a snake in a trap. "Gibbets and crows," he sneered. "Dotard!" Then he turned his eyes upon the man next to the king. "What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess, the Key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad-dûr itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards?"

But Gandalf replied calmly, his voice like a fresh breeze against the hurricane of his opponent. "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."

"So, you have come here for information. I have some for you." Saruman reached into his pocket and held something up in his hand. Standing up so high, she knew that those in their company without the blessed sight of the Elves, would not be able to see what it was. But she could make out the smooth and round surface of a completely black orb.

"Is that what I think it is?" Gyda muttered beside her.

"I'm afraid so," Gandalf replied, somehow having seen it as well.

"What?" Gimli protested. "What is it?"

"A Palantír," Gyda explained. "One of the lost seeing stones. They were once a gift from the Ñoldor to the men of Númenor."

"And most dangerous," Gandalf added, his voice holding a certain edge to it now.

The voice of Saruman echoed through the valley as he stared into the orb and something within started swirling with strange colours and shapes. "Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it."

Vilya flickered in protest and Elgarain winced.

"Even now he presses his advantage," Saruman continued. "His attack will come soon. You're all going to die."

Elgarain shared a nervous glance with Gyda. She could read in her gaze the same fear she felt in her own heart. It wouldn't be long before they were riding out to war once again.

Gandalf drove his horse a few paces forward, clearly alarmed by the words of the other wizard.

Their fear seemed to spur Saruman on. "But you know this, don't you, Gandalf? 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. Or did you think the heir of the High King could save her people? She's hardly worthy to carry the might of that ring!"

Elgarain could sense Aragorn steering his horse closer to hers but she was hardly able to move. Hearing Saruman mention her ring only confirmed her worst fears. He had indeed ordered his Uruk-Hai to capture her because of Vilya. But she was shocked out of her numb state when her guard spoke.

Gyda jutted her chin up and spoke through gritted teeth, "You underestimate her Saruman. It is not the crown that makes a ruler, nor the ring that grants worth. It is the courage to stand against the darkness. She carries the strength of her ancestors—the strength of her father and all that strength will light the way for her people." Her tone changed to a low and dangerous lilt. "Mock her all you like, but she is far more worthy than you could ever comprehend."

The air suddenly seemed to carry the weight of a cloud before a thunderstorm. "Do not speak of things you do not understand, daughter of Gyldorn," Saruman sneered. "Soon there might not be anything left of your beloved queen to defend."

Her heart trembled in her chest and her entire body suddenly hurt with a deep ache. But Elgarain forced herself to remain seated upright. He was just trying to darken their thoughts and dampen their spirit. Still, she couldn't stop herself from looking at Gyda, only to see her guard was already looking at her with a heartbreaking worry in her eyes.

"Oh yes, Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him. Those he professes to love."

Elgarain never thought she'd hear that word spoken with so much contempt. And she briefly wondered how lonely a life must be if one had so much hatred in their heart...

"Tell me," the wizard continued mercilessly. "What words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death."

The mere mention of Frodo and his impossible task made Gandalf suddenly seem ages older, carrying the weight of the entire world on his shoulders as he lowered his gaze.

"I've heard enough!" Gimli snarled. He leaned closer towards Legolas and lowered his voice: "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob."

Legolas surprised her by reaching for his bow. The way his blue eyes were frowning at the wizard told her that he had struck a nerve within the Elven prince as well.

"No," Gandalf said, turning around to stop the Ellon. "Come down, Saruman and your life will be spared."

"Save your pity and your mercy! I have no use for it!" Saruman screamed. He lifted his staff and sent a blast of flames down at Gandalf. The flames were bright and hot, surrounding Gandalf completely and taking him from their sight.

The horses neighed nervously and stepped backwards. Elgarain felt like screaming but no sound left her throat. She watched helplessly as the flames danced around, seemingly consuming everything they touched. Even the water vaporised at their touch. Beside her, Gyda reached for her sword, but she could only watch in horror, there was nothing she could do.

Then, suddenly, the fire disappeared. In the midst of the smoke stood Gandalf, completely unharmed. Not even so much as a burn mark on his robes.

"Saruman," he spoke with a voice that seemed to shake the very sky. "Your staff is broken."

Thunder rumbled, the earth shook and the wood of Saruman's staff splintered.

A figure huddled in black furs peered over the edge of the tower. Elgarain recognized him instantly as the former advice of King Théoden, who'd helped Saruman bend the king to his will. It seemed he had gone running back to his master when Théoden banished him.

The King seemed surprised at the sight of him. Then he spoke with a kindness Elgarain had not expected from him considering the last encounter between the two men. "Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan! Come down."

Grima bowed, seeming ready to abandon Saruman and come down. But then his master spoke, capturing his attention.

"A man of Rohan?" Saruman jested, his words the only thing left now the might of his staff had been taken from him. "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 of Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Théoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires."

Somehow, Théoden managed to find the grace to ignore the wizard's words and turned to his former servant once again. "Grime, come down. Be free of him."

"Free?" Saruman shouted. "He will never be free!"

"No," Grima begged, shaking his head.

Saruman turned to face him. "Get down, cur!" He slapped him across the face, sending the man tumbling down on the floor.

"Saruman!" Gandalf called out. "You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!"

"You withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here!"

Behind the wizard, Grima had gotten back on his feet. Before any of them could react, he had taken a dagger from behind his cloak and stabbed Saruman in the back.

Saruman let out a strangled gasp, his body going limp.

Legolas reached for his bow and arrow and shot the former adviser. But he was too late, Saruman was mortally wounded. No longer able to hold himself upright, Saruman stumbled and fell down from his tower. White robes whipped around by the wind as he fell.

Elgarain was just in time to close her eyes but she couldn't block out the sound of his body hitting the ground. Though, there was no splash of water. Slowly she opened her eyes and her breath caught in her throat. The wizard had fallen upon a spike of a wheel.

Gandalf was the first to recover and turned to look at Théoden. "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."

Before Théoden could reply, there was a loud groan from the wooden wheel the wizard had fallen upon. Slowly it started turning, until Saruman had submerged beneath the mucky surface. Though as he turned, a black round shape fell from his robe.

"The filth of Saruman is washing away," Treebeard spoke, slightly startling her. She'd almost forgotten the Ent was there, barely having said anything and standing as still as a tree. "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees, wild trees."

A second splash of water followed and she turned to see Pippin had climbed down from his horse. Aragorn called his name but the Hobbit ignored him. He waded through the water and reached down to grab something. As he lifted it, she saw he'd grabbed the Palantír.

"Bless my bark!" Treebeard exclaimed at the sight of it.

"Peregrin Took," Gandalf was quick to say as he drove his horse forward and held out his hand. "I'll take that, my lad."

Pippin glanced at the stone.

"Quickly now," the wizard pressed and the Hobbit relented, handing him the stone.

While Pippin climbed back on the horse behind Aragorn, Gandalf turned to Treebeard. "I'm leaving the Key of Orthanc to you. It will be up to you and your kind to help nature heal here."

"And heal it we certainly will," Treebeard said, forming something that could have been a smile beneath his bark.

"We must return to Edoras," Théoden said. "My people have been ordered to gather there."

Their company turned away from the tower, though Elgarain moved her horse towards the Ent first. She placed a fist upon her heart and bowed. "I'm honoured to have met a shepherd of the forest."

Treebeard bowed his head in return. "As am I to have met the High Queen of the Firstborn."

She smiled, and committed the sight of the Ent to heart, wishing to put every detail of its shape to paper with her pencil. Then, at last, she turned her horse and joined the others as they set off towards Edoras. 

°∴,*⋅✲✦ ( ♕ ) ✦✲⋅*,∴°

𝕬𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝕹𝐎𝐓𝐄 . . .

And chapter 46 is up! The dialogue was a nice change to write from all the action we had the last few chapters. Also, I'm heading on vacation in a few days so this will be the last update for the next two weeks. But after that, we'll certainly be back soon with a new update!

Please leave some comments. I'd love to hear from you guys!

xx Nelly