Aria the Black (Book 2 of the Daughters of Durin Trilogy)

Chapter 21: Hope

Back in Fangorn Forest, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli were still searching for Merry and Pippin, despite the dwarf King and Queen's report. They hoped Ravonna was right- the trio was not yet ready to give up on their friends. If they had the chance to save them, they would without hesitation, no matter the cost.

Noticing a dark stain on a leaf, Gimli reached out and picked up the liquid, bringing it to his mouth. "Orc blood!" he immediately spit it out, grimacing at it's foul taste.

"These are strange tracks." Aragorn began their thought process.

"The air is so close in here." Gimli muttered, feeling lightheaded. His smaller figure could not suffer the forest's disease as well as those of taller stature, just like a small child would be more susceptible to alcohol than a full grown man.

"This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory... and anger." Legolas observed the groans and creeks reverberating through the wood. Gimli raised his axe in fear and anticipation. "The trees are speaking to each other."

"Gimli! Lower your axe." the Dunedain rider gestured and the dwarf did as told, sighing softly to himself at his foolishness.

"Aragorn, nad nâ ennas!" he warned.

"What's that, Legolas?"

"Something is out there." He translated for Gimli.

"Man cenich?" Aragorn responded, making Gimli groan yet again.

"I will need to learn the damned Elvish tongue to get a straight answer out of you two!" Gimli roared, causing both of the others' lips to curl into a grin. Anything could ignite his quick temper.

"He said, 'What do you see?', Master Dwarf." the Elf informed him, barely restraining from a chuckle.

But then, Legolas' attention turned from Gimli to the wood, his piercing blue eyes scanning the perimeter. "The White Wizard approaches." he announced, notching an arrow in his bow.

"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us. We must be quick." Aragorn wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword, just as Gimli tightened his hold on his axes. The three were as prepared as they would be against the magic approaching them- they did not stand a chance. The wizard's blinding white light radiated throughout the clearing as he approached. Nonetheless, the three were ready.

With a yell, the three swung to attack, but as predicted, it was folly. Gimli's axe and Legolas arrow were deflected off of the figure, and Aragorn dropped his sword as it became red hot in his grasp. They resorted to shielding their eyes with their hands from the bright light emanating from the White Wizard as he spoke.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits."

"Where are they?"

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

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn growled, mistaking his concern for sarcasm, for that White Wizard before them was genuinely asking. It was clear that he mistook his old friend for Saruman, who would never have been so cruel.

Then, the bright light dimmed, revealing Gandalf, all dressed in white. The three were astounded and speechless, and Legolas and Gimli bowed in response.

"It cannot be. You fell." Aragorn was too dumbfounded to bow like the others, his eyes reflecting confusion and disbelief.

"Through fire and water." Gandalf replied, raising his eyebrows in his newfound nobility. "From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with 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. Stars wheeled overhead, and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done." He concluded his recount of his whereabouts with his usually vague description. After all, that was about the most Gandalf version of an explanation one could get.