Mistress of the Fellowship (LOTR)

* 38 * The Ride Toward Death

Away the trio rode, Kordelia, her old stallion friend Cadeyrn, and the beautiful mare in which she had acquired from her band of misfit beings, whom she now called Epona. Her heart still ached from leaving the gruesome fight in which was to ensue in Helm's Deep where her companions stood their ground to face death but she knew she could not dwell on their fate when her eyes caught the sight of Orthanc tower in Isenguard.

The stars were their only companion and the sound of hooves pounding the ground was the only thing in which made a noise this night. The blood moon set an eerie feel that would chill even a blind man to the bone. There was no wind, no animals, and no life on or near the road to Isenguard but still the warrior woman and her steeds rode on for the choice of turning back was pointless. Should she have said goodbye to anyone? Was there anyone who would care? This was to be the last time an Alexzandron would fight on Middle Earth soil.

Cadeyrn and Epona found a melodic rhythm as their hooves hit the ground as they flew to their destination. Kordelia found herself again and again reflecting back on her bloody past and every single time she returned to seeing that tortured look on the boy after her first kill, Aragorn, followed by Legolas watching her with his familiar studying eyes.

Looking upon the wizard's tower now Kordelia could hardly remember the keep he had made her see when she was prisoner and with that she wondered why he had kept her alive? Did he honestly believe she would turn to his side? He had to have known she was set on killing him. There was nothing that could change her mind about it. He was dealing with an Alexzandron and there was no bargaining or persuading.

She pondered this as she stared at the ugly barren ground surrounding the dark tower and the only reasoning was that he wanted her to know who was the smarter and stronger. He knew she was coming and so he played with her in his tower. Tried to blind her and turn her head the way he had wanted her to. What side was Thayonidas actually on? Was the rebel army just a ruse so she would trust him?

Suddenly out of nowhere she got her answer about her army. The ents were in fact attacking Isenguard with stones and the sight was one that brought a smile to her face and she nearly laughed out loud as she witness the beautiful sight of the old and wise tree herders easily take down countless beasts and finally the dam.

No doubt this was something Saruman had not anticipated and at the top of the tower she saw the white wizard and his smile was replaced with a sneer. She wanted to scream obscenities at him and take him down with an arrow but she knew at this distance it was a wasted effort but this was her chance to infiltrate the tower. He may not be taken by surprise but he would not be as prepared for her. The ents had no doubt shocked him and with his cunning mind this was her only possible opportunity to ambush him.

She stared at the tower and got a smug smile and said, "Hell here I come and I'm bringing a crowd along with me." With that Cadeyrn reared up high as did Epona by his side and they raced to the waters the ents had just released.