The Edge of Night

One Enemy Defeated

Morning dawned bright and early and the citizens of Rohan were eager to get on their way and return to their homes. It does not take long for Legolas and Haldir to find Elfwyn, as she has not strayed more than an inch from her cousins' sides all morning. "Unless you are here with an apology, I am not interested in what you have to say." She warns them before moving about, clearing up their campsite.

"I am sorry my love. I allowed the anger I was feeling towards Legolas to fuel my words."

"I am sorry as well. You are alive, and it seems that you will continue to be so for a very long time. I am happy if you are happy." Legolas whispers, not looking at Haldir.

"Good. Now that that is out of the way, make yourself useful Legolas. There is plenty to be done this morning before we leave." Haldir goes to follow him and she pulls him to a stop. "Not you. You are still healing."

"You are as well, yet I see you helping your cousin tear down her tent."

"I was magically healed by the Valar when I took this new form. Have you been magically healed by the Valar?" She asks, her eyebrow cocked in a questioning glance.

Rather than answering, he pulls his tunic up a little, revealing his toned abdomen where a thin, pink scar ran across, the only remaining evidence that he was attacked. "Satisfied?" he asks her, a shit eating grin on his face.

Instead of answering, she rolls her eyes and motions for him to go, which he does with a small chuckle.

...

They are passing through Fangorn, taking a minor detour on their way back, hoping to see what became of Merry and Pippin, and Isengard. They break through the tree line, to where a part of the outer wall has fallen, to hear the sound of laughter coming from a part of it that still stood.

There they sit, lounging back taking in the sun's bright rays, smoking their pipes, and eating something that cannot be identified from this distance. They laugh again in greeting and Merry stands, swaying a bit from what one can only assume is the ale being drunk in their pints. "Welcome, my lords and lady... to Isengard!"

Elfwyn stares up at them in fond disbelief as Gimli shouts from his spot behind Legolas. "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 adds before taking another bite.

"Salted pork?"

"Huh. Hobbits." Gandalf scoffs in disbelief.

"We're under order from Treebeard... who's taken over management of Isengard." Merry finishes, pointing in the direction of the tower.

With a little help, Merry and Pippin come down off the wall. Merry gets behind Elfwyn on her horse and Pippin gets behind Aragorn before their horses gently take them through the flooded grounds of Isengard. The failure of industry is all around them and Elfwyn cannot help but look around in disgust. The only time she had seen Orthanc before this, the grounds were as green as Fangorn and the plants that bloomed there were beautiful. Shameful, how war and greed destroyed not just lives, but the earth as well.

"Young Master Gandalf... I'm glad you've come." A giant tree, an Ent, greets them as they approach the entrance to the tower. "Wood and water, stock, and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower."

They all look up to the top of the tower, to the windows and balconies that adorn the sides. "Show yourself." Aragorn whispers.

"Be careful. Even in defeat Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf warns.