Cursed

I

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

We continued our journey through Fangorn forest, heading towards Isengard. I noticed the ground was torn up, roots sprouting everywhere. The trees had moved, and they didn't usually do that often. I recalled the few times Treebeard wandered around my camp- that was the only time I ever saw the trees move. That, or the distant creaks of branches, and the moaning in the wind. That was their way of communicating with one another.

We slowly approached the tower, and I could hear the chatter and laughter of two familiar voices. "Welcome my Lords to Isengard!" Merry preached atop the broken wall of the once courtyard. He must have forgotten I was there, but I didn't really mind. I was glad to see them both alive. "You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and.. and smoking!" Gimli piped up from behind Legolas, watching as Pippin brought his pipe up to his lips, and Merry stuff his face of bread. Everyone snickered at their antics. "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." Pippin cleared his mouth of food. "The salted pork is particularly good." He smiled to the dwarf, who was practically drooling at this point. Gandalf huffed, while the others looked around to see if there was any food remaining. It had been a while since we all shared a real feast.

"We're under orders from Treebeard... who's taken over management of Isengard." Merry reported to us. "He is well?" I asked, to which both hobbits nodded and told us to follow them. Since we picked up two extra bodies, and Isengard was flooded, I opted to walk through the sludge, but Theoden took pity and offered that I accompany his guard, who followed behind on a separate horse. I accepted and everyone rode in silence until we met with Treebeard.

"Young Master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower." He told us as we looked up to the top of the tower. I heard Aragorn mutter under his breath. "Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf warned the ranger who had an angry look on his face. "Well, let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli shouted up, but should've known better that Sauron still had his power, and a connection to the Dark Lord. "We need him alive. We need him to talk." Gandalf spoke, which contradicted our beliefs. "Gandalf, he's a murderer. A villain." I whispered to him.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King and made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend?" A voice spoke from above and a frail man stepped forward, revealing himself. Saruman. "Can we not have peace, you and I?" He spoke to the King next to me, who had a bewildered look on his face. "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 Hornburg, are avenged!" He shouted up at the evil wizard, who has a smug expression sewn across his face. "When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace." He finished, fury crossing his features at the wizard before him.

"Gibbets and Crows? Dotard! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? 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!" Saruman boasted down to the other wizard, who looked displeased. "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." Gandalf tried reasoning with him. "So you have come here for information? I have some for you." He pulled something out of his robe. An orb of some sorts? It seemed to be his way of communicating with Sauron. Speaking of which, it began muttering to him about future attacks. Staring at the orb, I felt my vision blur and become darker. It was almost as if it was speaking directly to me. Don't think I forgot who you are, Y/N. Princess of Mortals. It repeated in my mind. The others were still talking, but my mind was still drowned with his voice.