Chap. 30 - Isengard and Hobbits

After Helms Deep was cleaned up, we went inside the keep to rest up and eat a quick meal before we returned to Edoras.

I went into my room, and collasped onto my bed. My body ached and was sore. My leg's wound was better, but was at risk for infection. I took off my cloak, and weapons and I untied my leather chestplate, and took off my chainmail. My cloak was dirty, and the back was ripped where the orc tried to cut me. I folded it up, and put it next to my bow. My sword was bloody. I took off my boots, and fell onto my bed. I fell asleep instantly, even if it was in the morning. I wasn't sure what time it was, but Aragorn came into my room and woke me up. It must be in the afternoon.

"Alex, wake up," He said gently, and shook my shoulders.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. His face was covered in blood, like mine. I sat up, and pulled on my boots, and just in case, I got my armor back on, followed by my weapons. I yawned and laid back down. My leg burned. He stood up, and offered me his hand, "Come on, Lady Alex."

I laughed, and I grabbed his hand. He pulled me up, and we were face to face. I looked at his face, and he came closer, and kissed me. On the lips. My eyes widened, not knowing how to kiss. I hadn't kissed anyone but my ex-boyfriend, but that was awhile ago. I had forgotten how. His hands rested on my clammy, and rough face. I felt like I was going to explode with happiness! Except for some reason, I couldn't express my emotions. I stood with my arms hanging down at my sides, surprised.

He pulled away, and looked at my surprised face. He looked away sheepishly, "Sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'm truly sorry."

I blushed, and looked away. I didn't know what to say. But then something inside of me seemed to explode again. I hugged him, and kissed his cheek softly, "It's okay."

I stopped, and heard someone approaching from the hallway. Legolas stood in the doorway.

"Aragorn, we are departing soon. Théoden suggested that we should saddle up. Oh. Forgive me, I should have knocked," Legolas said, and sheepishly backed up.

I laughed, "It's alright Legolas."

I pulled away from Aragorn's hug, and quickly walked to the stables. My sword's sheath was hitting my leg as I walked, and my cloak was flowing. Heh, I wondered if I looked dramatic. Legolas and Aragorn were walking slowly. I quickly glanced out of the corner of my eye at them. Aragorn was blushing, and Legolas was laughing.

I reached the stables, and saw Gimli struggling to mount his horse.

"Gimli, would you like some assistance?" I chuckled, and walked towards the angry dwarf.

"Perhaps. Is the elf coming?" he asked quickly. I looked behind me, "He's coming down the stairs. Quick! I'll help you."

I clasped my hands together, so it formed a step. Gimli quickly stepped onto my hand, and climbed up onto the horse. I ran out of his stall before Legolas came in. Gimli let out a breath, "Phew, thanks lassie."

I laughed, "No problem Gimli."

I saddled up Arroch, and watched as Aragorn brushed Brego, and cooed to him in elvish. He looked up at me, and smiled. I grinned, and mounted Arroch, and rode out to meet the king, and his two guards. Gandalf was sitting upon Shadowfax, and looking out towards the afternoon horizon.

Gimli followed me, and stopped next to Arroch. Aragorn trotted up to us, and stopped. Brego nickered. Legolas came out last, with his white mare we were given from the Riders of Rohan. King Theéoden looked at our group, and rode to the gates, "We ride for Isengard."

Arroch followed, and fell into step with Brego. I looked at the battlefield, where there were the occasional orc body laid, decaying. I saw a stream of the people of Edoras, returning to their home. The silver helmets of the guards glinted in the afternoon sunlight. A light, winter breeze chilled me.

On the way, I asked Legolas if he could try and teach me elvish. He agreed, and he and Aragorn quizzed me on words. We rode for a couple hours, and stopped at the halfway point. We made a small camp inside the secrurity of a dense forest. The guards made a campfire, and Gandalf smoked his pipe. I sat down on a fallen log, and watched the sun go down. The forest grew dark, and the only source of light near me was the orange, golden, and pink light of the sunset. I heard footsteps in the leaves behind me, and I turned around. Aragorn climbed up onto the log and sat next to me. He was holding two bowls of potato stew. It smelled amazing.

"Hungry?" he asked me, and handed me a bowl.

"Yes! I haven't eaten since... Yesterday," I said, and eagerly grabbed the bowl. I spooned the warm stew into my mouth, and savored it.

Aragorn chuckled, and we ate in silence. I set my bowl down when I was done, and looked at my sword. I unsheathed it, and wiped it off on the damp moss. Dried blood turned the section of green moss into black moss. Aragorn reached over and took my sword from my hands.

"Hey!" I said, and tried to reach for it. He didn't give me it back, so I gently kicked his shins. Aragorn laughed, and jumped off the log and unsheathed his blood covered blade.

"Aragorn!" I whined, and jumped off of the tall log, and went after him. He spun around and his cloak twirled.

"Let's see how good your swordsmanship really is," Aragorn said, and tossed me my sword.

I raised my eyebrows, and caught it, "Why..?"

"No reason. Just for fun," he said, and raised his sword. I grinned, and raised mine. I swiped for his arm, but he blocked it, and our swords clanged together loudly. Aragorn slashed at my leg, but I jumped, and tried to stab at his abdomen. He laughed, and somehow disarmed me. My sword landed next to a small bush. How did he do that?

I raised my hands in peace, and quickly grabbed it. "You should. Teach me. How to. Do that," I said between our swords clashing against each other.

"Perhaps, but then that would take out the fun," he said. We weaved in and out of trees, and laughed together.

I was growing tired, but this was fun. I dodged one of his slashes, and somehow did a filp with my wrist and his sword flew out of his hand. Aragorn looked at his sword, and I put my blade up to his throat.

"Hah! Ha ha ha ha HA. I beat you! Finally!" I breathed, and was proud of myself.

"Are you sure about that?" he asked me innocently.

I nodded, and smiled with my win. Suddenly, he whipped out small daggers, and I was on the ground. He was leaning down, with my sword in his hand. My own blade was at my throat.

I gasped, "Damn! I thought.. What? How did you do that?"

He laughed, and helped me up, "Lots of experience. Lle ume quel, Alex. (you did well)"

I frowned, "You ruined my moment of glory."

"Oh I'm so sorry," he said sarcastically with a goofy grin on his face. I slapped the back of his head, and laughed.

"That was a good fight," Legolas said, leaning against a tree.

"Oh? Diola lle (thank you)," I said, proud I had said some elvish.

"Lle creoso (you're welcome)," Legolas said, and turned to look at the camp. Woah. We wandered far off.

The sun was down now, and a dark purple light made the forest glow. "I might get some rest," I said, and looked at Aragorn, "Could I have my sword back?"

"Oh. Yes, your sword," Aragorn chuckled, and handed me it. I giggled, and sheathed it. I walked back to the camp and Legolas and Aragorn were talking quietly in elvish. I heard Legolas snort, and a I heard a light smack. I turned around, and raised my eyebrows.

"Do I even have to ask?" I joked. Aragorn moved his hand from Legolas's arm.

"Nope," Legolas chuckled.

I kept walking, and got to the camp. I fed Arroch, and brushed his tangled, sweaty mane and tail. As I was cleaning out his hooves, I looked up. Legolas was standing next to his horse.

"Do mind if I join you?" he asked.

"No. Not at all," I said, and continued to clean Arroch's hooves.

"You know, I know someone who fancies you a lot," he said.

"Mmmhmm. Go on," I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Aragorn talks about you all the time. When you were recovering from your injury from the wraiths, he told me that he barely left your side," Legolas said quietly.

"He did?" I asked, and blushed. I'm glad I was covered by Arroch's shadow so he couldn't see my face.

"Yes. But..," Legolas stopped talking, and quickly changed the subject, "So, as I was saying. Repeat that word over and over until you get it."

"What? That was totally random!" I looked at him, confused. Oh. Aragorn was looking over at us. I whispered to him, "Ohhh. So you just blew your best friend's secret?"

"Sort of.. But you kind of know that already," Legolas said sheepishly.

I laughed, and shook my head. I finished grooming Arroch, and stood up.

"Good night, Legolas," I said, and took a step towards Aragorn. His eyes widened, and he whispered harshly, "No! Alex no!"

"I'm just kidding! I wouldn't do that. Maybe," I smirked. I went to unroll my sleeping pad, and took a blanket out of Arroch's saddlebag. I laid down, and looked up at the sky. Tomorrow, I would see Pippin and Merry again. I shivered, and closed my eyes.

...

I woke up in the morning, and started a fire. Frost covered the ground, and everytime I stepped my feet made loud crunching noises. I winced everytime, not wanting to wake anyone up. But everyone woke up, and we cooked a quick breakfast and packed. I mounted Arroch, eager to start my elvish lessons again. Legolas taught me more words, and Aragorn quizzed me like they did yesterday. After awhile, I smelled smoke, and heard water.

Did we arrive? I heard voices, and they seemed.. A little too happy. We rode out of the smoke, and saw Merry and Pippin sitting on a broken stone wall. And they were smoking and eating food.

"Welcome, my lords and lady, to Isengard!" Merry said to us, and bowed.

Gimli snorted, and yelled to them, "You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you, feasting and.. and smoking!"

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

"Salted pork?" Gimli asked, and seemed disappointed. Gandalf shook his head, "Hobbits."

"We're under orders, from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard," Merry said proudly.

We rode over to them, and Pippin got onto the back of Arroch with me, while Merry sat with Aragorn.

Arroch stepped high over the water, and we walked towards a huge walking.. Tree?

"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," the tree said. He must be Treebeard then. My mouth hung open. Wow. Middle Earth never failed to impress me.

"Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous," Gandalf said, and we rode closer to the Orthanc.

"Well, let's just have his head and be done with it," Gimli said. I agreed.

"No! We need him alive. We need him to talk," Gandalf said.

I saw a man above, clutching his staff. His hair billowed in the wind. Saruman. "You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden 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?"

Théoden rode closer, and yelled up to Saruman, "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."

Woah. I looked back up to Saruman, "Gibbets and crows? Dotard! 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! And you.. Young Alex of Wyoming.. You don't deserve to be here. Your mother did no good here."

I stared up at him, and was about ready to yell at him, but Aragorn shot me a look saying 'don't say a word.'

"Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are at risk. But you can save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel," Gandalf said to him.

"Ah. So you have come for information. And that I can show you," Saruman said, and lifted up a black orb, "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. You're 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. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those 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."

I looked at Aragorn who was looking down. Frodo and Sam.. I hoped they were still alive. Gimli whispered something to Legolas, but Legolas shook his head, but reached for his bow.

"No. Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared," Gandalf said up to him.

"No! I have no use for your pity." A huge ball of fire comes down towards us. I closed my eyes, expecting to burn up, and experience great pain. Nothing happened. The flame was gone, and Gandalf yelled up to Saruman, "Your staff is broken!"

Saruman's staff seems to break in his grasp. Splinters rained down into the water. Behind him, the greasy man named Grima peered over the edge. He stared at me. I glared up at him.

"Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan. Come down," the king said.

"A Man of Rohan? 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 Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Théoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires," Saruman said.

"Grima, come down. Be free of him."

"Free? Hah, he will never be free."

"No!" Grima said, but Saruman pushed him down. "Get down you curr!"

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

"You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here," Saruman said. Grima came up behind him with a dagger, and jumped onto Saruman. He stabbed him several times, but Legolas quickly shot Grima with an arrow. Grima winces, and Saruman fell off the edge of the Orthanc. He plummeted down, and landed on a spear. The spear went through his body. We all winced, and then the wheel the spear was on started to move, pulling Saruman's body with it. A black ball landed in the water.

"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, and Treebeard turned to the wheel, "The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees."

Pippin climbed off of Arroch, and ran to something orange in the water. "Pippin!" Aragorn and I said in unison.

Pippin picks up the black ball. "Bless my bark!" Treebeard said.

"Peregrine Took! I'll take that lad. Quickly now..," Gandalf said, and quickly took it from Pippin. I helped Pippin back onto Arroch, and we turned around, and rode for Edoras. Pippin fell asleep on the way back, and then I was getting drowsy.

... Now they are arriving at Edoras after two days of journeying

I became quite good at talking in elvish. Legolas taught me all of the basic words and I was getting the hang of it. We rode up a small hill, and Edoras came into view. As we were riding towards the gates, I looked around. Guards opened the gates for us, and we trotted through the village. It felt a little bit like home.

Ok! Soo he is dead now. SHABLAM. Vote comment follow! :D

RANDOM FACT: I was listening to Vida la Vida by Coldplay the whole time I was typing this. I guess now it kinda goes with the song. XD