From the real world to Middle Earth *A Legolas love story*

Chapter 28: Isengard

Chapter 28: Isengard

We were back on horse back as we rode to Isengard, as we neared we could see two small figures in the distance. Then we got closer we could clearly see Merry and Pippin.

"Welcome, my Lords and lady's to Isengard!" Merry exclaims standing up on the wall throwing his arms up making me laugh. "Pippin!" I hear someone shout behind me and then see Braelyn run forward enveloping Pippin into a big hug. When they pulled away we were all staring and I could see them both blush. Aragorn grins as do us all.

"You young rascals! A merry chase you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and... and smoking!" Gimli grumbles looking at all the food,

"We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good."  Merry exclaims acting a little tipsy due to the leaf their smoking.

"Salted pork?" Gimli dribble dreaming about it, then I hear Gandalf mutter "Hobbits" I laugh quietly to myself.

"We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard." Merry tells us as a massive walking tree walks towards us. My jaw drops, ok you don't see that everyday.

"Young master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a Wizard to manage here, locked in his tower." Treebeard tells Gandalf as we all ride closer to the tower.

We all look around, uncomfortable.

"Show yourself." Aragorn shouts to the top,

"Be careful; even in defeat Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf tells us wearily,

"Then let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli grumbles motioning to Legolas to fire, so Legolas draws an arrow out of his quiver - "No, we need him alive. We need him to talk." Gandalf stops him.

A voice calls out from above, and Saruman comes into view, standing on the top of the tower.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men Théoden king, and made peace afterwards." Saruman shouts down, and i shift nervously.  "Can we not take council together, as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?" he continues,

"We shall have peace." Theoden exclaims protecting his people, I look at him and his face is stern and angry.

"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! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows... we shall have peace." Theoden shouts in protest, and I don't understand half of what he said cause I may have zoned out abit but I know he finishes his speech.

"Gibbets and crows? Dotard!' What do you want Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess: the key of Orthanc, or perhaps the key of Barad-dûr itself, along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards!" Saruman targets Gandalf who fights back,

"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 council."

Saruman realising he has something to bargain with, he grins. "So you have come here for information. I have some for you."

I start to zone out again after I notice Pippin and Braelyn just staring into each others eyes.

I look up and behind Saruman, a hunched figure approaches: Gríma Wormtongue. Ergh that guy again, I roll my eyes.

"Gríma, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan! Come down." Theoden tries to persuade but once a bad guy always a bad guy, well that isn't exactly true but still.

I look up and see Gríma who draws a dagger then lunges towards Saruman. He stabs Saruman in the back, twice. Then Legolas shoots and hits Gríma, who falls down, dead. Saruman falls off the tower and is impaled by the spike of a large wheel. I look away knowing I do not want to see the sight of that.

"Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike." Gandalf exclaims to Theoden and his guards.

The wheel turns, sliding Saruman's body under the water. The Palantír drops into the shallows. Erghh I dont want to look in the water knowing a dead body is under there.

I notice Pippin slide off the horse and walks over to the glowing orb in the water. He picks it up and its the Palantír.

"Peregrin Took, I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now!" Exclaims Gandalf who snatches it away from Pippin looking worried. He reluctantly hands Gandalf the orb and he covers it up with a sidelong glance at Pippin then turns away.

Braelyn helps Pippin back on the horse and we all turn and head back to Edoras, there is a celebration for the victory of Helms deep. Which means I'm gonna have to dress up, mental eye roll, Eowyn said she would help me and Braelyn with clothing so hopefully no puffy dresses.