Last Act of Love (Sequel to The Last One)

Chapter 14

The four hunters followed the track through the forest. Gimli walked over to a bush, one of the leave's coated in black liquid. He touched it and brought it to his mouth, quickly spitting it out.

"Orc blood." He grunted.

"These are strange tracks." Aragorn murmured.

Ruive jogged ahead a few steps and scanned the tree line for any signs of the two Hobbits.

"Come on, lads. Where are you." She muttered to herself.

Behind her she could hear Legolas explain to Gimli the legends of the forest, how the Elves taught the trees to speak.

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

"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" (Something's out there.) Ruive said, striding further into the thick forest.

Legolas and Aragorn ran up either side of Ruive, Legolas' eyes also searching the trees.

"Man cenich?" (What do you see?) Aragorn asked.

Ruive glanced at Legolas, who nodded saying he saw what she did.

"The White Wizard approaches" Legolas whispered.

"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us." Aragorn advised, drawing his sword. "We must be quick."

The four turned to face the wizard who was hidden by a bright white light. Gimli threw his axe which flew to the side, Legolas and Ruive both fired arrows, but each were deflected. Aragorn's sword turned orange with heat causing him to drop it. They shielded their eyes from the bright light.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." The deep voice of the wizard echoed.

"Where are they?" Aragorn snapped.

"They passed this way, day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" The voice replied.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Ruive demanded.

The bright light faded and revealed a face they did not believe they would see again in this life. Gandalf.

"It cannot be." Aragorn whispered in awe.

"Forgive me." Legolas apologized.

He and Gimli bowed on the ground.

"I mistook you for Saruman." 

"I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been." Gandalf explained.

"You fell." Ruive breathed, still convincing herself she was not dreaming.

"Through fire, and water. On the lowest dungeon, on the highest peak I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. The stars field of end, and everyday was as long as a life age on the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."

"Gandalf." Ruive whispered, not believing she'd say his name again.

"Gandalf? Yes, that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name."

Ruive smiled and nodded, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him.

"Gandalf." Gimli sighed.

Ruive pulled back and took a few steps back as Gandalf explained.

"I am Gandalf the White, and I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."