Saruman's Secret

Thunder rumbled in the sky above the dark tower. I could feel the dark power around me. It was strong and cold, it made goosebumps form on my skin.

I walked through a corridor with black carpet and gray walls. Two steel doors opened to a room where Saruman sat on his black chair in his robes of white. Grima sat beside him, whispering in his ear.

"Rowan the Red," Saruman's deep voice boomed. "So nice of you to join me."

I stopped in the middle of the room. I practiced my magic on the ride to his tower. I relearned how to control the wind and, more importantly, fire. I had also changed my clothes to a man's armor to give me some more protection.

"Grima was able to snatch the bowl of blood you had already spilled," Saruman said as he examined a small capsule. "Though it is not enough." It didn't look like enough, only a few drops. 

"What are you going to do once you have my blood?" I asked him.

"That is a good question. Allow me to explain." He stood up and paced around the dark room. "A witch's blood has different effects on different races. For wizards...the effects are, well, godly. With a witch's blood, I will be able to bring beings back from the dead, kill someone with the snap of my fingers, and lay waste to whatever race I wish. And I'm going to start with man." I jolted. "Aha, I know about you and the rightful king of Gondor," he said with a chuckle. "Sadly, the mankind is greedy. A witch could never sit on a throne."

I bit my cheek and stared at him as he wiped his finger along a shelf and then looked at the dust on his finger. "I was there when Asena gifted the last witch. And I have always been part of the council. I have always been at Gandalf's aid. And yet...he kept you a secret! He kept you away from the council, away from me, away from the entire world!" He angrily hit his staff on the ground, making Grima flinch. I hardly even blinked. "Gandalf wants your blood for himself."

"No he doesn't," I interjected.

"Yes, he does," Saruman said through his teeth. "Why else would he keep you a secret? Why else would he keep you away from the world?"

"To protect me from the evil that is yourself," I said. "To prepare me for my destiny."

"Your destiny," he laughed again. "If you're so set on your destiny, then why are you here?"

"It is a witch of red who will lead different races working together to destroy one evil," I quoted. "I have led four hobbits, two men, a dwarf, and an elf in the Fellowship. And as their leader...I am ready to sacrifice."