Iron Stars

Chapter 25: Chances

TA 3019
Fangorn Forest

The group progressed through the forest, occasionally being forced to move branches out of their way. The trees felt close around them and the air was damp to the touch but Nyx could sense the life in the forest. Intelligence was in each of the trees, not unlike in the trees of the Old Forest. Little sunlight broke through the tightly knit branches, creating a strange half-light on the forest floor.

They were following the path left by Merry and Pippin through the mud, carefully heading deeper into the forest. The track had begun to fade however, forcing them to take a more wandering path through. Gimli spotted a strange substance smeared on a leaf and reached out to dip his fingers in it, tasting it before promptly spitting it out.

"Orc blood," he spat. Nyx considered telling him orc blood was perhaps the most corrosive substance she knew of but decided against worrying him. He had spat it out rather quickly after all.

"These are strange tracks," said Aragorn, bending down to examine the large, jagged tracks.

"Ent tracks I'd guess, an old ent most likely," Nyx replied, coming to stand beside Aragorn.

Gimli, looking quite nervous, spoke, "The air is so very close in here."

Legolas nodded. "This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory and.. anger," he commented.

Nyx glanced around at the ancient trees. "Fangorn is a forest of ancient creatures, some created millennia ago. It has endured through the ages and I hold little doubt Saruman has disrupted that peace. Their anger is not misplaced," she added.

A groaning sound came from the trees, causing those who had never visited before to gaze up in wonder and confusion. Gimli held his axe close to him, clearly unsettled.

"The trees are speaking to each other," Nyx murmured.

"Gimli, lower your axe," Boromir said.

The dwarf slowly lowered his axe though Nyx could still tell he was nervous. "They have feelings, my friend. The Elves began it, waking up the trees, teaching them to speak," Legolas explained, awe clear in his voice.

"Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings," Gimli snapped back.

Nyx was about to form a reply when Legolas spoke again, this time in Elvish, "Aragorn, Nyx, something's out there."

"What do you see?" questioned Aragorn, joining his friend's side.

"The White Wizard approaches," Legolas added, now in the common tongue.

As Aragorn pulled out his sword, he spoke to them, "Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us."

Boromir drew his sword as well while Gimli grasped his axe and Legolas nocked an arrow. Nyx took one of her deadly daggers and held it in her hand, waiting. Something told her not to throw it however, something told her danger was not on its way.

The group spun to see a blinding white light, undoubtedly meant to blind them. Legolas loosed his arrow while Gimli threw his axe. Both were deflected and Aragorn and Boromir's swords heated up until they could not longer hold them. Nyx experienced no change to her weapon, likely because she had not used it.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," came a powerful, authoritative voice.

"Where are they?" asked Boromir, eyes angry.

"They passed this way, day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" replied the wizard. Nyx tilted her head. The voice had grown kinder towards the end, familiar almost.