Aralas Love Story

Book 2 Chapter 2- Fangorn Forest

When we got to the hill where the carcasses were burning I slid off the horse dad and I were on. Gimli ran his axe through the burned corpses and lifted a small belt up. "It's one of their wee belts." he said and I felt tears blurring my vision.

"We failed them." Gimli said sadly. Ada said something in elvish that I didn't hear. I faintly heard my dad yell and kick a helmet of a Uruk Hai before letting out a yell. Ada put his hand on dad's shoulder and dad kissed his hand.

Dad then said something that made my heart leap "A hobbit laid here. And the other." he said noticing something that most people wouldn't. He took a step forward "They crawled. Their hands were bound." he said

Gimli, Ada, and I followed dad as he continued on "Their bonds were cut." "They ran over here. They were followed" dad said and ran on following the footprints "Tracks lead away from the battle.... into Fangorn Forest." he said as we all came to a stop in front of the forest.

"Fangorn? What madness drove them in there?" Gimli asked in disbelief "Guess we're going in there." I stated and started going in the forest.

Dad went ahead of me following the tracks and I walked with Ada who wrapped his arm around my shoulders. A bush caught Gimli's eye and he went over to it and put his finger on something dark, but immediately spit it out "Orc blood." he said

"These are strange tracks." dad whispered "The air is so close in here." Gimli stated. Ada looked ahead "This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory and anger." he said with a frown. Our eyes widened as the trees groaned "The trees are speaking to each other." he said

I looked around and was about to tell Gimli to lower his axe, but dad beat me to it "Gimli! Lower your axe." He whispered and made a motion with his hand of putting his axe down.

"They have feelings my friend. The elves began it; waking up the trees, teaching them to speak." Ada said. Gimli looked around shocked "Talking trees? What do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings." Gimli muttered

I closed my eyes and tuned everything out, as I felt a presence in the air. I opened my eyes "Aragron something's out there." Ada said "What do you see?" dad asked Ada's eyes shifted "The white wizard approaches." he informed us.

"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us." dad said and I pulled out one of my throwing knives from my sheath on my belt. On it was a couple throwing knives and some daggers. There were also a dagger in each of my boots. Dad gripped his sword and pulled it out a little. Gimli tightened his grip on his axe and Ada slowly notched an arrow on his bow.

We all took in a deep breath, before we attacked. I threw my knife, Gimli threw his, and Ada shot his arrow. The attacks were blocked and the sword that dad was holding grew too hot for him to hold and he threw it. 

A bright light shone all around us and it was so bright that I had to shield my eyes. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits." the wizard said. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to become one with nature. The presence for some reason felt calming and familiar. I opened my eyes again.

"Where are they?" dad asked "They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" the wizard explained "Who are you?" dad asked "Show yourself!" dad shouted

The light dimmed and the wizard revealed himself. I couldn't believe me eyes. It was Gandalf. "It cannot be." dad whispered "Forgive me." Ada said and he dropped with onto his knees as did Gimli and I "I mistook you for Saruman." Ada said

Gandalf smiled at us "I am Saruman. Or rather Saruman as he should have been." he explained to us. "You fell." dad said "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 everyday was as long as a life age of the earth, but it was not the end. I've been sent back to you until my time is done." Gandalf explained

"Gandalf." dad said with a smile and took a step toward him. "Gandalf?" Gandalf 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 with a rare tone of happiness "I am Gandalf the White and I come back to you at the turn of the tide." he told us with a twinkle in his eye. He then picked up a grey cloak and secured it with a brooch. 

"Come we must make haste." Gandalf said and started to lead us out of the forest "One stage of your journey is over, another begins. We must ride to Edoras with all speed." Gandalf told us "Edoras? That is no short distance." Gimli said "We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king." Dad explained

"So we have come all this way for nothing? Are we going to let those poor hobbits in this horrid, dark, dank, tree infested-" Gimli groaned, but stopped when the trees started to groan in anger "I mean charming, quite charming forest." He said choosing wiser words

Gandalf stopped and turned to face us. "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 stones that start an avalanche." Gandalf said to us

"In one way you have not changed old friend." dad said "What's that?" Gandalf asked "You still speak in riddles." I piped up and Gandalf turned around to smile at me. "You aren't going to give me a hug?" he asked and I smiled and ran up to him hugging him and he laughed

"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 after I let go of him "Strong?" Gimli asked in disbelief and as he heard groaning again he said "Oh that's good." he said

"So, stop your fretting Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In face they are much safer than you are about to be." Gandalf told them "This new Gandalf's even more grumpy then the old one. " Gimli muttered from behind everyone.

We finally excited the forest and Gandalf let out a long low whistle.  Suddenly a white horse appeared from over the hill "That is one of the Mearas unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." Ada said "Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers." he said while patting the horse.

I saw three animals come running over and I noticed that it was my horse, Shadow, my hawk, Athena and my two wolves, Luna and her pup Spirit. I gasped and sat down and Luna knocked me over and I giggled as  I cried tears of joy at seeing my animals again.

"I've missed you!" I said and laughed when Spirit licked my face. I heard a throat cleared and looked up from where I was lying on the ground to notice four faces staring down at me. I smiled sheepishly and got up holding onto Spirit.

I climbed onto Shadow and said with a smile "So, are we going to Edoras or not?" I heard everyone chuckled and we raced off to Rohan with all speed and Athena soaring overhead.