Ithildin - Legolas x OC

Chapter 28: Fall of the Wizard

~*~

At dawn, we quickly pack up camp and mount our horses, travelling slowly through Fangorn Forest to Isengard.

I returned not too long ago from my night of walking, my thoughts having drifted to many things. I have avoided both Aragorn and Legolas the entire time.

Even now, my horse walking behind Aragorn's, we have not spoken a word to each other, nor have we even looked at each other.

It pains me, but the words I spoke to him were the truth. Just as what he said to me was the truth as well I suppose.

The trees we pass are still and quiet, yet I feel their energy a lot lighter than our previous visit here. When we emerge before Isengard, my eyes catch on to two small figures, lounging on the wall as they eat and drink and smoke.

Pippin cheers happily when he sees us, and I smile broadly, laughing at the sight of them alive and happy.

Merry stands to his feet, his arms held out wide. "Welcome! My Lords...my Lady," he dips his head to me, swaying slightly, "to Isengard!"

"Oh, it is good to see you both!" I call out.

"You young rascals!" Gimli grumbles at them from behind Legolas. "A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you...feasting and-and... smoking!"

Legolas turns to me, smiling, and I laugh again, shaking my head.

Pippin with a mouthful of food, says to us, "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." Merry leans forward, puffing our smoke with a smirk. "The salted pork," Pippin slurs, "is particularly good."

"Salted pork?" Gimli repeats, his mouth agape.

Gandalf shakes his head with a huff, mumbling, "Hobbits."

"We're under orders," Merry points, "from Treebeard...who's taken over management of Isengard."

"Come." Gandalf trots forward. "I must see for myself."

I walk forward with my horse, moving back in the saddle and reaching a hand out to Merry. He takes it and I lift him onto the saddle in front of me, and then wrap my arms around him tight as I squeeze him. He laughs, clutching my arms.

"I've missed you." I stroke his hair and smile, then look up to Pippin. "Both of you. We were so worried."

"Oh, us?" Pippin asks, looking to Aragorn who approaches behind us to ride with him. "We've been fine."

I glance to Aragorn and then turn away, walking on with Merry.

We pass many broken trees and drowned contraptions, water flowing all through Isengard. I am glad to see there are no more Uruks here we need worry about.

"Young Master Gandalf." An old, slow voice calls out to us. I look up in wonder, seeing an incredible Ent as we approach the tower. "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."

"And there Saruman must remain." Gandalf tells him. "Under your guard, Treebeard."

"Show yourself." Aragorn whispers, glaring up at the tower.

Gandalf turns to him. "Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous."

"Well, let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli says.

"No." Gandalf shakes his head. "We need him alive. We need him to talk."

"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King, and made peace afterwards."