Forty Three - Vengeance

Theoden, Eomer, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Nikolas, and I rode through fangorn forest to Isengard. Legolas and Gimli shared a horse and Nik and I as well. 

It’s time this wizard reaped what he had sewn. 

“There is less tension,” Legolas said. “They’re at peace. Saruman was cutting them down before. They speak of it now,” I said and listened to the trees. “The Ents fought back,” I smiled. 

As we approached Isengard, we heard laughter. Merry and Pippin sat on a wall outside of Isengard, smoking and eating. “Welcome, my lords and lady, to Isengard!” Merry announced.

“You young rascals! A merry hunt you’ve led us on and now we find you feasting and smoking!” Gimli shouted. “We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well earned comforts,” Pippin defended, eating a sandwich. 

“The salted pork is particularly good,” He added and I rolled my eyes and smiled. “Salted pork?” Gimli said, intrigued. “Hobbits,” Gandalf scoffed.

“We’re under orders from Treebeard who’s taken over management of Isengard,” Merry said. “Where is Treebeard, Merry?” I asked. “Oh, just ahead, watching the wizard,” He answered. 

“Alright, come along,” Gandalf said. Eomer got Merry on the back of his horse as Pippin got on Brego with Aragorn. 

“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. 

“I know a few ways to smoke him out,” I said. “No, Verena, We need him alive. We need him to talk. “And if he doesn’t, I’ll kill him myself,” Nikolas continued. It was obvious Nik and I were two of a kind when it came to the protection of our family.

“You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden 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?” Saruman asked. 

“We shall have peace. 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 we shall have peace,” Theoden snapped.

“Gibbets and crows! Dotard! Ah, the Tempests. Where is your brother, King Nikolas?” Saruman asked. “You will never find peace with the Tempests after all that you have done to him!” Nikolas shouted. 

“Sauron is more than powerful. You can not win this war, even if I lose,” Saruman said. “If he was all so powerful, then we wouldn’t have Alek, or the Tempest Ring,” I said. “But you have seen what the One Ring can do, the control it has over people like you, Verena.” He said.

“As far as I am concerned, I’m the only one like me,” I fired back. “Exactly. It affects you differently for a reason,” Saruman said. “It feeds from my energy because it is a leech,” I snapped. “It senses your energy because it thinks you are its master,” He smiled sickly.

Nik and Le looked at me in concern. “I am not like him. I will never be like him,” I stated. “It has been prophesied, Verena Tempest. You will join your uncle-” “My uncles are dead and that was your doing,” I cut him off. 

“Enough, Saruman,” Gandalf said. “What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? 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 asked. 

“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 reasoned. “So you have come here for information. I have some for you,” Saruman held up the palantir and looked into it.

“Something festers in the heart of Middle Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the great eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon,” Saruman said and Gandalf rode forward

“You are all going to die. 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,” Saruman continued.

“Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those who are 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? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death,” Saruman questioned.

“I’ve heard enough! Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob,” Gimli egged on and Legolas reached for an arrow. “No. Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared,” There was no way, under any circumstances, where Saruman came out alive. I don’t give a damn what any of them say and I know Nikolas would agree.

“Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it!” Saruman threw a bolt of fire at Gandalf, but it had no effect on him. “Your staff is broken,” Saruman’s staff bursted with no proof it ever existed. 

Grima Wormtongue appeared just behind Saruman in fear. “Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down,” Theoden said and Grima turned as though he planned to come down. 

“A man of Rohan?” He stopped at Saruman’s words. “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 Helms Deep does not belong to you, Theoden Horse Master. You are a lesser son of greater sires,” Saruman said bitterly. 

“Grima, come down. Be free of him,” Theoden encouraged. 

“Free? He will never be free,” Saruman snapped. “No,” Grima said quietly and Saruman turned to him. “Get down, cur!” Saruman hit Grima.

“Saruman! You were deep in the enemy’s counsel. Tell us what you know!” Gandalf demanded. “You withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here,” At that, Grima got up and stabbed Saruman in the back twice. Legolas shot an arrow up, hitting Grima in the heart, who let out a gasp of pain.

 Saruman fell over the edge of the tower, landing impaled by a wheel below. I didn’t flinch at the sight or the noise, just stared at his body with a blank expression. 

“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,” Gandalf said quickly.

 The wheel began to turn, taking Saruman’s body under the water “The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees,” Treebeard decided. 

“Pippin!” Aragorn called to the Hobbit who had gotten off the horse. He picked the Palantir up and Gandalf rode over to him. “Bless my bark!” Treebeard said. “Peregrin Took. I’ll take that, my lad! Quickly now,” Gandalf said and Pippin gave it to him.

The wizard quickly wrapped the ball in a cloth and looked at the Hobbit who looked away. 

“Where to now?” Merry asked. 

“Edoras,” 

~~~

“And that was it?” Eowyn asked as she sat on the bed. After we had gotten back to Edoras, Eowyn and the other Tempests greeted us, then Eowyn showed Aurelia and I to a room. All I can think about is how nice it is to be in clean clothes.

“Yeah… Grima stabbed Saruman, Legolas shot Grima, and Saruman fell to his death,” I nodded as I laid down. 

“Do you think what he said means anything? About a prophecy?” Aurelia asked. “Who knows what the Palantir showed him,” I sighed. 

“Let’s get your mind off of it,” Eowyn said, standing. “There is a party tonight, and you must wear your best,” She said and I groaned. Celebrations have never been my scene, no matter the reason for the gathering.

“Come on, Ver, you know what Dessa would say,” Aurelia said. “Lucky for me, she isn’t here to chastise me,” I said. “That is a pity, I will be lecturing you instead,” She said and I rolled over on my side. 

“You should always be open to socialising, Verena, it’s good for you. Now, get up and get dressed. Being around people is always a good thing, not to mention suitors,” Aurelia mimicked my sister perfectly. 

Eowyn laughed and I looked at her. 

“Fine, but I am not wearing a dress,” I said. “You most definitely are,” Aurelia giggled. “Do I look like the kind of huntress that brings a formal dress with her?” I asked. “No, but I have others,” She smirked. “And you can always borrow something from me,” Eowyn added. 

“Do I even get a say?” I asked. “No,” They said in unison and I groaned, burying my face in my pillow.