An Unexpected Journey

Isengard

Previously:

Annabeth shared a horse with Haldir. She was getting tired of sharing but figured she'd bring it up later. The horn sounded and they charged. She focused on looking for Percy and Haldir smote down what orc was left from the fury of Aragorn and Théoden.

"Éomer!" Théoden yelled.

Annabeth looked up and saw Gandalf and Éomer charging the orc ranks, sun at their backs. As she looked, she saw Percy, having the time of his life, no care in the world, swiping down orcs with every swing. Clueless as to the worry he'd caused her the last few hours.

"Sidney? Are you sure?" Annabeth asked, her heart leaping to her throat.

"Who else would follow us?"

"Good point."

Annabeth and Percy were riding their own horses this time. They followed Gandalf, Théoden, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli through dark woods. The group was heading to Isengard to see how the battle to take it over had gone. Mist covered the path and created a blanket of dew on the travelers.

"What do we do?" Percy asked. They established already it was a good thing he hadn't reacted on his first instinct to attack blindly then as a result, get captured. It was almost immediately apparent what would have happened otherwise after the orc army ran off only to get crushed by Fangorn Forest. During the battle, it had crept closer to the opening of the pass in the mountains, blocking the way.

"Well, we shall see once we get to Isengard what we need to do," Annabeth started. "But we are getting her out of there for sure."

Eventually, the trees opened and they walked up to the cracked gates of Isengard. Joyful laughs from Merry and Pippin greeted them just outside the entrance. The two hobbits sat on the stone walls, drinking and smoking...merrily.

"Welcome, my lords and lady," Merry said excitedly, "to Isengard!" He pointed wildly behind him at the black tower.

"You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you feasting! And smoking!" Gimli said, sounding very put off. Aragorn shared a smile with Annabeth and Boromir.

Pippin started talking with his mouth full, causing Annabeth to scrunch her nose in disapproval. These two have been away from civilized company for too long. "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well earned comforts." He leaned forward with a sly grin and Merry let out a few puffs with a smug grin of his own. "The salted pork is particularly good."

"Salted pork?" Gimli's anger disappeared and was suddenly interested. Annabeth was just close enough to hear Gandalf's frustrated, "Hobbits."

"We are under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard." Merry said, satisfied with himself.

A bit of scuffle led for Merry to be riding on Boromir's horse and Pippin on Aragorn's. They continued through the muddy water toward the tower.

Annabeth's heart jumped when she saw him. Treebeard. The Ent she loved so much. He stood twice as tall as Gandalf on his horse and had a beard of branches and bark. His antics reminded her of all the dryads and saytrs at home. The sudden pang of homesickness caught her by surprise but she shook it off quickly enough.

"Huraroom...Young Master Gandalf, I'm...glad you've come," the Ent spoke slowly but deliberately. "Wood and water, stock and stone I can master but there's a wizard to manage here...locked in his tower."

"Did he just call Gandalf, young?" Percy whispered to Annabeth incredulously.

Her lips twitched as she nodded. Percy sat back on his horse and glanced from Gandalf to Treebeard in confused surprise.