Journey’s End

Chapter 18

Fangorn Forest

The large pyre loomed before us as we galloped over the plain. As we approached, I noticed the grotesque head of an Uruk impaled on a spear, sticking out of the ground. The horses slowed and we dismounted, I lingered, holding Hasufel’s reins while Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli began searching for the Hobbits.

Gimli used his axe to sift through the foul smelling mound, searching for any sign of our friends. I left the horse’s side and began to search the ground, although my efforts seemed futile. I turned when I heard Gimli’s sad gasp.

“It’s one of their wee belts.” He whispered. I instantly recognised the intricate leather belt that Pippin had been given in Lothlórien as he held it up.

“No…” I moaned, cupping my head in my hands. This was unbearable.

“Hiro îth ab 'wanath.” (May they find peace after death) Legolas murmured as Aragorn yelled in rage and kicked an Orc helmet away, before sinking to his knees.

“We failed them.” Gimli sighed as I desperately fought back tears.

‘I should have saved them… I have failed them both… And Boromir…’ I thought, remembering that the last thing he requested was that I saved the Hobbits that he died protecting. 
I wrapped my arms around my torso, trying to hold back the sense of loss as Aragorn scanned the ground nearby.

“A Hobbit lay here,” He whispered, brushing away some dead grass. “And the other.” I walked over to him, as we followed what seemed to be the Hobbit’s last moments. “They crawled.” He murmured, rising and following the tracks. “Their hands were bound.” Then we found some frayed strands of cut rope. “Their bonds were cut.” He said in amazement. “They ran over here. They were followed.” His voice fell as another set of tracks joined those of the Hobbits. “The tracks lead away from the battle…” He cried, running to the boarder of the nearby forest. “…Into Fangorn Forest.”

“Fangorn. What madness drove them in there?” Gimli gasped, looking up at the ancient trees that loomed over us.

“Fear.” I answered, “They may yet be alive.” I muttered, walking into the forest determinedly. I heard Aragorn and Legolas follow me, while Gimli hesitated, unwilling to go further into the wood. Eventually he sighed and jogged after us.

The trees grew close in the forest, and everything seemed old, even the air we breathed. I looked over at Aragorn and noticed he was wearing Boromir’s vambraces. He noticed me looking and smiled weakly.

“He is at peace.” He murmured. I nodded sadly.

“Where are Frodo and Sam?” I whispered, already half-knowing the answer.

“They went into Mordor alone.” Legolas replied, walking beside us.

“I hope they are safe.” I sighed. Somewhere behind us, I heard Gimli stop. I turned back to see him examining a sticky black substance that covered a leaf.

“Orc blood!” He spat, after tasting it.

“These are strange tracks.” Aragorn murmured, walking ahead and looking at the ground.

“The air is so close in here.” Gimli muttered, looking around.

“This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory... and anger.” Legolas said softly as the trees around us seemed to moan. “The trees are speaking to each other.”

Gimli jumped a little, and raised his axe, which only resulted in more groaning. He was angering the trees.

“Gimli!” Aragorn hissed.

“Huh?”

“Lower your axe.” He whispers, motioning for the Dwarf to put his weapon away.

“Oh!” He cried, hurriedly hiding the axe.

“They have feelings, my friend. The Elves began it: waking up the trees, teaching them to speak.” Legolas murmured, as I curiously touched the bark of a tree. I could sense that these trees were different. They were very much alive.

“Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about, Hm? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings.” Gimli grumbled. I couldn’t help smiling.

“It’s an important subject to debate.” I smiled.

“Aragorn, nad nâ ennas!”(Something is out there!) Legolas, hissed, rushing forward.

“Man cenich?”(What do you see?) He asked as I looked out at the forest.

“The White Wizard approaches.” Legolas replied.

“Saruman?” I whispered fearfully, drawing close to Aragorn.

“Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us.” He murmured, “We must be quick.” I saw him reach for the hilt of his sword. I reached for my bow and Legolas did the same as I slowly fitted an arrow into place. With a nod from Aragorn, we all span around, yelling in unison. Legolas released his arrow first, and Gimli threw a small axe at the blinding white light that had appeared before us. Both were deflected. Before I could even fire my arrow, it splintered into a thousand tiny pieces, and beside me, Aragorn’s sword glowed a flame-red, and he was forced to drop it. I shielded my eyes from the light as I tried to make out the identity of the tall shape that it seemed to come from.

“You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits.” The wizard said matter-of-factly.

“Where are they?” Cried Aragorn.

“They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?” The wizard asked.

“Who are you? Show yourself!” Aragorn demanded.

The light began to dim, revealing to us a figure dressed all in white. It was someone we knew all too well.

Gandalf.

“It cannot be!” Gasped Aragorn.

“Forgive me. I mistook you for Saruman.” Legolas apologised.

“I am Saruman. Or rather Saruman as he should have been.” Replied Gandalf.

“But I saw you fall!” I cried in amazement.

“Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to 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. 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.” Gandalf explained.

“Gandalf.” Aragorn murmured.

“Gandalf? Yes. That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.” The wizard chuckled.

“Gandalf!” Laughed Gimli.

“I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.”

I smiled and walked slowly up to the wizard.

“You’re alive.” I breathed, still in shock. He nodded in a way that was so Gandalf-like that I finally believed that he was really here. I grinned and hugged the wizard tightly. He chuckled and patted my back.

“Come.” He said as I released him and he began to lead us through the forest. I fell into step behind him and Aragorn walked at my side. “One stage of the journey is over, another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed.” He continued.

“Edoras? That is no short distance.” Grumbled Gimli.

“We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king.” Aragorn murmured.

“Yes, and it will not be easily cured.” Gandalf sighed.

“Then we have run all this way for nothing. Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank, tree-infested...” Gimli began ranting, but the forest groaned angrily and he quickly changed his argument. “I mean charming... quite charming forest?”

“It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains.” Gandalf spoke mysteriously, stopping and turning back to us.

“In one thing you have not changed, dear friend.” Aragorn smiled, stopping at the wizard’s shoulder.

“Hm?”

“You still speak in riddles.” He murmured, and walked on. Gandalf laughed and followed him.

“A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong.” He explained.

“Ents? The tree herders?” I questioned.

“Indeed, Rana. Some stories are more than just tall tales; you should know that by now.” He murmured wisely.

“I don’t know what to believe any more.” I sighed.

“Strong, you say?” Gimli fretted behind us, looking at the trees. “Oh, that’s good.”

“So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be.” Gandalf warned him, and I perked up a little, in anticipation of a fight of some kind.

“This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one.” Gimli grumbled as I walked up to Legolas.

“What do you suppose this new danger is?” I whispered to him. He smiled.

“I suspect that it may have something to do with Saruman’s hold over Rohan.” He muttered as Gandalf lead us out of the forest. He whistled shrilly, allowing the sound to echo over the land. A few seconds later, he was answered by the neigh of a horse.

Over the plain, a pure white stallion galloped towards us, slowing to a trot in front of Gandalf.

“That is one of the mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell.” Gasped Legolas.

“Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers.” Gandalf said fondly, patting the horse. 

Shadowfax whinnied loudly, and, as if in answer, I heard another two calls carry towards us.

“He is calling Hasufel and Arod!” I smiled, as the two horses galloped into view, following the boarder of the forest. Hasufel trotted up to Aragorn and myself and nuzzled my arm. “Good boy.” I laughed, scratching his head affectionately. Aragorn swung himself into the saddle and looked down at me.

“Front or back?” He asked, with a lopsided grin.

“I want to ride this time.” I smirked.

“Nice try, but I’m the faster rider.”

“I think you’ll find that I am the faster rider!” I argued.

“Stop bickering!” Gandalf snapped. “I am not riding a two day journey alongside two fighting children.”

“I’m not a child…” I grumbled as I vaulted into the saddle behind Aragorn.

“You act like one.” He whispered.

“You’re no better!” I hissed with a grin, reaching for the reins from around his waist.

Aragorn nudged Hasufel to life and the horse leapt forward, almost causing me to fall off. With a yelp of alarm, I hugged myself against his waist, holding myself in the saddle. I heard Legolas and Gimli laugh behind us as we set off, galloping across the plain.