When we arrive at the smoldering pile, I jump of Hasufel and look around. But I can't see them. Gimli is shifting though de smoldering Orcs with his axe and reaching down to pick up something. Legolas and Aragorn approach him. 'It's one of their wee belts!' Gimli says mournfully as he turns to us, to show an sheath. Legolas bows his head and closes his eyes. 'Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wanath, May they find peace in death' He mutters. Aragorn kicks angrily against a helmet and screams a cry and falls to his knees. He hangs his head.

I never saw him like this...

'We failed them' Gimli mutters mournful. I try to blink my own tears away but they fall. We lost them..

But suddenly Aragorn turns his head and stands up again. He walks to a spot further away. 'A Hobbit lay here. And the other' He points out and walks a couple of meters further. 'And here, you lay here Sara' He looks up. I nod. 'I think so, it was dark. But I know we were here at the edge of the forest. 'You'll crawled' I nod again, 'Yes, I wanted to escape with them, to the trees, to hide' Aragorn walks further away from us and points outs marks. 'Your hands were bound right?'

'Yes' I answer him. He picks up a short length of rope from the trampled grass. I gasp. 'They freed themselves!' I say happily as I rush to Aragorn to take the rope from him. Aragorn points out to another markings on the ground. 'This is where your tracks end Sara'

'Then here was I lifted upon the horse of one of the men who brought me back to you' I smile at him and I see a something flash in his eyes. 'Yes' He says almost in a whisper. But he points a track out again. 'They ran over here' He adds while following the marks as we run after him. 'They were followed' As we run further. 'The tracks lead away from the battle' He adds. 'Into Fangorn Forest' He stops as do I and look up. We stand right in front of the edge of the dark forest. 'Fangorn? What madness drove them in there?' Gimli says in disbelief.

'Fear' I answer him as I walk inside the forest, praying the boy are okay.

∞

Gimli touches the wet stain with his finger and brings it to his mouth. He spits it out immediately. 'Orc blood' He grunts. We are still following Aragorn, as he follows the marks of the two boys deeper into the dark forest. I am so happy that I have my sword in my sheath. It feels much safer than without it. 'These are strange tracks' Aragorn mutters as he stops. 'The air is so close in here' I say fearful, not feeling comfortable. I feel a hand on my shoulder, Legolas. He smiles. 'This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory...and anger' He says as an answer.

Oh.

But on the moment he says that it is like the trees begin to speak. I can hear low groans throughout the forest. I hear Gimli gasp and he raises his axe. 'The trees are speaking to each other' Legolas tells us. Aragorn notices that Gimli is raising his axe and quickly turns to him. 'Gimli!' He hisses. The Dwarf start as the sound of his name. 'Lower your axe' Aragorn gestures as Gimli recollects himself and lowers his axe. 'They have feelings, my friend. The Elves began it. Waking up the trees, teaching them to speak' Legolas explains in a hushed tone. 'Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings' Gimli states in disbelief and I chuckle at his words. Only to hear the forest growl again. I put my hand in front on my mouth and rush towards Aragorn so I walk next to him. He shakes his head with a slight grin on his face. We continue to walk through the forest. 'Aragorn, nad nâ ennas!' Legolas suddenly shouts. We all stop and I move my hand towards my sheath, ready to take my sword out. Legolas walks towards Aragorn, searches the forest. 'Man cenich?'

What are they talking about?

I hear Gimli huff in irritation. 'Excuse me, but what is happening?' I say also slightly irritated. 'The White Wizard approaches' Legolas whispers.

Oh.

'Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us' Aragorn whispers and I nod, taking my sword out of my sheath. The weight of it feels comfortable. Legolas nocks an arrow, Gimli grips his axe tighter and Aragorn readies his sword. 'We must be quick' Aragorn adds in a whisper. With a battle cry Aragorn is the first to rush forward but only to be hold back by a bright light. My sword – and also that of Aragorn's – becomes red hot and I let it fall from my grip. The light is so blinding that I fall to my knees. 'You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits' The wizards voice sounds familiar. 'Where are they?' Aragorn shouts back. I look to the ground, the light is still there.. 'They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?'

Euh, No.

'Who are you? Show yourself!' Aragorn shouts demandingly. The wizard recalls his light and I look up. Only to see Gandalf standing before us!

He lives!

'It cannot be' Aragorn whispers. Legolas rushes forward and kneels down before Gandalf. 'Forgive me. I mistook you for Saruman' Gimli also kneels down, hanging his head in shame.

'I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been'

'You fell' Aragorn mutters as he stands up. 'Through fire and water' Gandalf answers. '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 every day 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' The old man states. 'Gandalf' I say happily as I stand up from the forest floor. I pick my sword up and look at the old men, dressed in white. 'Gandalf? Yes' He says confused. But then a smile appears on his face. 'That's what they used to call me' I can see Aragorn nod as the wizard looks to the man. 'Gandalf the Grey. That was my name' He adds. 'Gandalf' Gimli mutters in awe. 'I am Gandalf the White' Gandalf says with a smile. 'And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide' I can see the Elf grin.

And now we can find the boys!

∞

We follow Gandalf as he leads us through the forest. He is now wearing his elven cloak over his white robes. Mine is a little worn out from the carrying of hanging all day long over a filthy shoulder. But it keeps me warm. But Gandalf is wearing his cloak because if he does not so, he radiates with light.

And it hurts my eyes when I look at him.

'One stage of the journey is over, another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed' Gandalf announces. 'Edoras? That is no short distance!' Gimli cries out.

I don't want to brag, but I haven't the energy left to walk a no short distance...

'We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king' Aragorn replays.

Oh, the horsemen's king.

Gandalf stops and turns around to face us. 'Yes, and it will not be easily cured'

Why is that?

'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 grunts. On the moment he says that, the forest responds with a low rumble. 'I mean, charming...quite charming forest' Gimli says fearfully as I laugh. But the rumbling luckily ceases. Gandalf turns to us, looking me dead in the eye and I stop laughing. Only to see the Elf smirk.

Asshole.

'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 states but I can see a light twinkle in his eye. 'In one thing you have not changed, dear friend' Aragorn addresses Gandalf with a grin. 'You still speak in riddles' We all laugh. That is true. I don't always get his riddles but I am so happy Gandalf is back.

If only Boromir was here...

'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' Gandalf tells us as the edge of the forest is coming closer.

What is an Ent?

I can feel Aragorn's gaze on me. I have that feeling a lot lately. I shrug and walk faster, to keep up with the boys. 'Strong?!' Gimli cries out in surprise. 'Oh. That's good' The dwarf smiles nervously. 'So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf' Gandalf says. ' Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be' Gandalf adds as we continue to walk out of the forest. 'This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one' I hear Gimli mutter and I chuckle. I the corner of my eye, I see also Legolas chuckle but when he notices me his smile disappears immediately.

As we walk out of the forest, onto the plains again, Gandalf stops and piercingly whistles. It echoes of into the distance. He whistles again and a neigh answers him.

A neigh?

A beautiful white steed approaches us. 'That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell' Legolas says in awe.

What is a Mearas?

Seriously guys, help me out. first Ents and now Mearas...

The horse comes to a stop in front of Gandalf, who smiles at the steed. 'Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers' The wizard says while stroking the horses neck. Luckily the other two horses are still there where we left them. So I sit again behind Aragorn, not that I don't mind. In fact. I slip my arms around his muscular waist and rest my head against his back. My eyes flutter shut and I feel the horse galloping away.

Good. I keep my eyes closed for a bit.

∞

'Sara, wake up. We are almost there!' I wake up at his voice. I am still behind him but I feel his steady hand holding my arms. When I sit up straight again, he releases me. I notice we have stopped upon an hill. Gandalf look across the plains towards a city. 'Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here' Gandalf states, looking at us one by one. His eyes rest upon my own. 'We make haste' And with that he gallops away and Aragorn and Legolas rush after him.

When we arrive at Edoras, a flag comes falling down through the strong wind that blows here. Also it looks like every men and women of the city is looking at us right now. I let my face fall against Aragorn's back. I don't like all these attention...

'You'd find more cheer in a graveyard' Gimli mutters when he looks around. We ride towards the stables and jump of our horses. When I want to jump off, Aragorn his hands slip around my waist and he lifts me from the saddle onto the ground. I know for sure that I am red right now. I follow the boys and Gandalf up the stair where a man looking like a soldier greets us. I notice that Gandalf is leaning heavily on his staff as he smiles at the man. 'I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Gríma Wormtongue' The man says. Gandalf nod and looks at us. We have to give them our weapons. I sign when I take my sword out of my sheath. 'I better get it back' I sneer at the man when I give him my sword. When Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli have surrendered all of their weapons and that where many. I mean I never knew somebody could hide that amount of weapons under his clothes. But when we want to walk further, the man stops Gandalf again and signals to his staff. 'Your staff' Gandalf looks at the man and scoffs innocently. 'You would not part an old man from his walking stick' He says with an innocent voice.

Seriously Gandalf..

The man nods while rolling his eyes and gestures for us to follow him into the hall.

 Gandalf turns quickly to us and winks.

Seriously.. this man is a drama queen. Legolas plays his part also when he supports Gandalf while walking. As we walk into the hall, a sickly looking men sits in his throne surrounded by other men.

Kind Théoden.

Next to the king sits a man with greasy hair and a sickly looking white face. The greasy men leans over to the king and whispers something unable for us to hear. We walk towards the throne as the doors behind us close and I feel eyes gazing in my back. 'The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King' Gandalf announces and the greasy man whispers again something to the king. 'Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?' The king says in a labored breath as he looks to the greasy men in affirmation. The man nods. 'A just question, my liege' He says while standing op, walking towards us. We stand still now, right before the throne. In close up the king looks really really sick.

'Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Láthspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest' The greasy man states. 'Be silent' Gandalf cries out and the man freezes when Gandalf speaks up. 'Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm' Gandalf raises his staff to the man and the greasy man backs away from it. 'His staff' He stutters and backs away addressing the guards who let us in. 'I told you to take the wizard's staff'' Suddenly men behind us run towards us. I duck immediately and punch a men in his nuts. He bows forward and I kick in him stomach, sending him towards the nearest wall. While we are fighting I see that Gandalf is approaching the king. 'Théoden, son of Thengel' Gandalf says as he reach out to him. 'Too long have been in the shadows' he says as I kick the last guard down. Aragorn looks at me with a smirk while Gimli has the greasy men beneath his foot. 'I would stay still if I were you' Gimli growls. 'Hearken to me!' Gandalf shouts. 'I release you from the spell' He holds out his hand and it looks like he is concentrating. But suddenly Théoden laughs in a wicked voice. 'You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey' With these words Gandalf throws he grey cloak and spreads his hands. The blinding white light from before is back. The king is thrown back against his seat. 'I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound' Gandalf hisses. He moves his staff towards the king and the force of it knocks the king back in his throne. Gandalf moves closer and closer and suddenly a women with long blonde hair and a white dress rushes in. She tries to reach the king but Aragorn stops her. 'Wait' I hear him quietly say. 'If I go, Théoden dies' The king, no Saruman says in a wicked voice. But Gandalf moves his staff again and throws Saruman back again. 'You did not kill me, you will not kill him' Gandalf hisses. But again the king, Saruman leans forward.

'Rohan is mine' He says as he struggles against Gandalf's power.

'Be gone' Gandalf hisses and the king, Saruman lunges for our wizard. But he is quicker and smites him, throwing the king, Saruman back into the chair. I hear Gandalf sign. The king makes a sound and falls forward. The girl releases herself from Aragorn grip and rushes towards the king and catches him before he can hit the floor. She holds him and the king changes before my own eyes. His hair changes from white to brown and his eyes clear and his faces de-ages to a more youthful king.

How is this possible. I now this in Gandalf and all but still.

The girl is smiling and the king looks around in confusion before he looks at the girl. 'I know your face' He says as a smile appears on his lips. 'Éowyn. Éowyn' The girl begins to cry and hugs the king. Gandalf walks over to the king and the girl. 'Gandalf?' Théoden says surprised. 'Breathe the free air again, my friend. Théoden rises with the help of Éowyn to his feet and looks over his Hall. 'Dark have been my dreams of late' The king mutters as he looks at his hands. I think they are trembling?

'Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword' Gandalf suggest and the man from before runt to the king with his sword. Théoden slowly reaches for it and wraps his fingers around the hilt and then draws his sword from its scabbard. The king eyes darken as he sees the greasy man lying on the ground. Gimli has still his foot planted on the man's back, preventing from escaping. The king walks over to the greasy man and grasp his collar. Théoden drags the man with the help of the man who returned his sword outside. We rush after them and I see just in time that the king throws the greasy man down the stairs. He lands hard on the lower stoop and I hear him groan. Théoden walks down the steps, holding his sword. 'I've only ever served you, my lord' The greasy man says while crawling away in fear from the king. 'Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!' Théoden cries out. 'Send me not from your sight' The greasy man begs. But the king raises his sword but Aragorn who stand next to me, races towards the king and stops him. 'No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account' The king looks at Aragorn and backs off. Aragorn offers his hand to the man but he spits in it and scrambles to his feet while Aragorn shakes of the spittle. The man roughly pushes his way to the gathered crowd. 'Get out of my way!' He yells. The soldier man turns also to the crowd. 'Hail, Théoden king!' He yells and the crowd kneels before Théoden. As do I.