TALE OF LEGOLAS AND RAENASLEE (LOTR STORY)

TO ISENGARD

CHAPTER 21

TO ISENGARD

“Are you in great physical pain, or is that your thinking expression?” 

― G.A. Aiken, What a Dragon Should Know

Gandalf led them through the dark woodland towards Isengard. When they got there, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. Merry and Pippin were sitting on the remaining outer wall of Isengard, smoking and drinking.

Merry: (as he stood up) welcome my lords and my lady! To Isengard!

Gimli: You young rascals! A merry hunt you’ve led us on, and now we find you feasting, and smoking!

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

Gimli: Salted pork?                                                                          

Gandalf: Ridiculous hobbits.

Legolas, Aragorn and Raenaslee: (small giggle)

Merry: We’re under orders from Treebeard, who’s taken over management of Isengard.

Gandalf led them into the once beautiful landscape of Isengard; it was nothing more than a huge puddle.

Treebeard: Young master Gandalf, I’m glad you’ve come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there’s a wizard to be managed here…locked in his tower.

Aragorn: (whispers) Show yourself.

Gandalf: Be careful, even in defeat Saruman is still dangerous.

Gimli: Then let’s just have his head and be done with it.

Gandalf: No, we need him alive. We need him to talk.

Saruman: (from the tower) you have fought many wars and slain many men Théoden King, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take council together as we once did my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?

Théoden: 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 Hornberg are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace!

Saruman: Gibbets and crows! Dotard! What do you want Gandalf Grahame? 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!

Gandalf: 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.

Saruman: So you have come here for information. I have some for you. (As he held up a Palantir of old)  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.

Gandalf rode forward to challenge what Saruman was saying. They all moved forward with him.

Saruman: 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. And the she-elf whom you’ve believe will never remain her love here on Middle-Earth, she will soon die and sorrow with fear will cover the earth. 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.

Gimli: I’ve heard enough! Shoot him! Stick an arrow in his gob!

Legolas: (reaches an arrow)

Gandalf: No! Come down Saruman and your life will be spared!

Saruman: Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it!

Saruman shot a direct line of fire onto Gandalf. When it dissipated, Gandalf was not harmed.

Gandalf: Saruman….. Your staff is broken!

They watched in wonder as Saruman’s staff broke in half and splinters. From behind the shocked Saruman, the sniveling greasy Grima Wormtounge appeared.

Théoden: Grima! You need not follow him! You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down.

Saruman: 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 Helms Deep does not belong to you Théoden Horse Master. You are a lesser son of greater sires!

Théoden: Grima…. Come down! Be free of him!

Saruman: Free? He will never be free!

Grima: No!

Saruman: Get down cur! (Slapped Grima and knocked him to the ground.)

Gandalf: Saruman! You were deep in the enemy’s counsel. Tell us what you know!

Saruman: You withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here!

From behind him, Grima drew a dagger and stabbed him. Legolas shot an arrow and pierced Grima’s heart. He fell onto the top of the tower. Saruman on the other hand, fell off the tower and onto a great wheel and was impaled.

“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 to Théoden.

The water wheel slowly turned and Saruman slipped head first into the water. The Palantir fell out of his robes and rolled towards the horses.

“The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come to live here again.” Treebeard said in his slow way of talking.

Pippin jumped off from Aragorn’s horse into the water. He picked up the Palantir and looked into it, distracted momentarily.

“Pippin!” Aragorn called Pippen look as if he was just awoken from a dream.

“Bless my bark!” Treebeard said.

“Peregrine Took. I’ll take that my lad! Quickly now!” Gandalf stated.

Pippin slowly handed him the Palantir, even though at first he seemed like he might not. Gandalf quickly wrapped it into the folds of his robes. They quickly rode back to Edoras, as the women and children were to have made it back, along with the rest of the men and soldiers.