Gandalf was taken aback by the vision of Aragorn stepping into the dimly lit Hall. Despite his bedraggled state, Gandalf judged from the triumph in his eyes that he had recently been far worse. And from his words, his clarity of mind was not to be taken for granted either. He too had been through much since Gandalf had parted ways with the Company. Yet the man turned from Gandalf without a word to him.

Gandalf was gratified to see Saruman enter behind Aragorn. He had thought he would find the wizard easily enough, but he had not known how easy it would prove to be.

"Who are you to come charging into my court with drawn sword?" the king said, stomping his cane as he stood before his throne. His frown deepened as he looked upon the weapon. "It is a fine sword, I will say, one of extraordinary make. And yet it is not enough, for you hold also a wizard's staff."

"Lord of the Mark," Aragorn bowed after sheathing his sword, "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. I beg apology for the intrusion. I have not found what I expected."

The king gave him a measuring look, not speaking for some time. Théoden's sharp eyes encouraged Gandalf that whatever spell Saruman had surely placed on the king had lapsed in recent hours, perhaps as a result of his distraction with the Nazgûl. "Please return the staff to the wizard. It is not for your hands. Then you will tell me how you come to be in my court."

"Lord Théoden," Aragorn answered, standing taller now, "you request a long tale. But in brief, I was brought to Edoras by the wizard Saruman, who had imprisoned me with my companions in Isengard, for what reasons I am yet unsure. For this, I am reluctant to return his staff."

Saruman interrupted. "You agreed to fight beside King Théoden. You swore fealty to me!"

Aragorn eyes smoldered with anger as he turned his gaze to Saruman. The man rarely had so little control over his emotions. Now they were just below the surface, as if his strength was spent elsewhere, and there was none left for such things.

"I have no recollection of such a promise!" The unusual note in Aragorn's voice sounded like shame. "You must understand, lord," Aragorn continued with a bitterness Gandalf had seldom heard from the Ranger, "Saruman bespelled me while I was in his hands. Once here, weaponless and still befuddled, I was forced into hiding when the Nazgûl approached, for others were convinced it came for me. With the departure of the Nazgûl, I wondered what new agreement Saruman had crafted." He glanced at the cape piled in the corner. "I see it went in Saruman's favor."

Théoden looked at Saruman with narrowed eyes, then back to Aragorn. "Despite your tale, a wizard's staff belongs with a wizard. You are no longer weaponless. For such reasons, I must insist you return the staff."

Aragorn looked at Théoden for a long moment, his uncertainty plain. When the man looked not once for counsel to him, Gandalf realized Aragorn believed him not truly there. He likely doubted his mind, perhaps more so because of Gandalf's presence. Gandalf remained silent. Aragorn must regain trust in himself, and he could only do that himself.

Aragorn handed the staff to Saruman. The wizard's eyes grew smug as he grasped the symbol of his power. Aragorn continued. "I am not weaponless, thanks to the wisdom of the Rohirrim. This sword was lost on the fields of Rohan when we were first captured by Saruman's orcs. I am told your scouts discovered the weapon and brought it to your court. The wise lady Éowyn and your equally wise doorwarden Hama sought to return the sword to its master."

He drew the sword once more and held it up, looking upon its brilliance with admiration that surely never faded. "I would be that master, for this sword was remade from the blade forged in ages past and used by Isildur to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand."

It was unfortunate Aragorn had returned the staff to Saruman, but whatever power that had brought Andúril to Edoras was the power Gandalf would now trust.

"You claim the title of the heir of Isildur, long thought lost to Gondor?" King Théoden said, looking closely at the man. "And then you say this wizard, long a friend of Rohan, clouded your mind?"

Aragorn looked at Théoden resolutely. "I do." He turned to Saruman then, eyes smoldering. Aragorn's hate and bitterness concerned Gandalf, for they would not serve him. "Aye, and though laying my hand upon my sword has done much to free me, the spell remains, I fear. For I see another wizard in this room, one dear to me, but lost now beyond the circles of the world after his fall in Moria."

"You speak of Gandalf?" Théoden asked, and turned to the wizard. Aragorn nodded with a frown. "I will admit not all is clear to my mind, but it is clearer than in recent days. Your eyes see clearly. Gandalf stands before you."

Aragorn gaped and turned once more to Gandalf, uncertainty and hope in the man's face. "But... you fell. I saw you fall." His voice trailed off. "This must all be a creation of my mind. I am not free."

Gandalf scowled. He could not let Aragorn slip back. "You indeed saw me fall. And I have returned. I am not a creation of your mind, Aragorn."

For a moment, Aragorn only stared at Gandalf, as if to be sure of what he saw. "Truly?" he whispered.

Gandalf smiled. "Indeed. It appears that while Saruman has been occupied with greater powers, his mind lost its hold on yours."

Aragorn looked at Théoden. "The king was bespelled as well?"

"Under a spell?" Théoden asked gruffly. "Saruman has long advised Rohan in all matters. He would not betray Rohan so!"

"My friend, lord," Saruman said smoothly. "Gandalf comes, as always, with words of doom. He overstates matters now because he wishes to displace me here."

"Saruman has held you under his spell for some time now, I would imagine. Through you, and his advice, he has controlled Rohan."

The king looked at Saruman, then turned to Gandalf with a frown of confusion and disbelief. Then he looked at no one in particular. "Dark have been my dreams of late. And my waking seemed more like a dream."

"May your dreams now be bright with the light of Lórien, where the feet of mortals have seldom tread." Gandalf then stepped toward the king and placed his hand on the side of the man's head. "You have now awakened, my friend."

The king jerked back and looked about, blinking. "You draw away the last of the cob's webs." He stared at Saruman, his confusion turning over to anger. "So much is but a faint memory. Even our last meeting." Théoden walked to his throne and sat heavily upon it, tossing his cane aside. "Could Saruman's deceptions have been so great, Rohan and I merely pawns on his board?"

"My lord, I assure you, I have not deceived you—"

"Much has Saruman planned for Rohan, even Gondor," Gandalf said, overriding Saruman's defense.

"Planned?" Théoden asked warily. "What more has escaped my notice?"

"Many designs had this wizard. I am quite sure he did not share them all with you. They began with Rohan and included all, even Sauron himself."

"I plan to fight Sauron, as will Gondor, once we have apprised Denethor of the situation. The king knows this."

"No, I do not truly know what you have planned. I cannot recall our conversations, Saruman." The king frowned. "Whether or not he shared such strategies with me, I believe it is true that we were to fight against Sauron." He approached Saruman, anger in every step. Steps unaided by a cane. "If Gandalf overstates matters, then why do I not recall more of your line of attack?"

Gandalf answered for Saruman. "Saruman held you under his spell much as he had Aragorn. But it seems he had other designs for Aragorn, indeed the heir of Isildur. The wraith who descended upon Edoras tonight came to retrieve the Dúnadan, as had been agreed with Saruman."

Théoden turned to Aragorn. "If Gandalf accepts your claim, then I must do the same. Pardon my disbelief, Lord Aragorn." Théoden bowed to the man. Then, eyeing Saruman with skepticism, he said, "You speak of deception, of power, of battles yet to be fought. Did you indeed plan such deception as Gandalf claims, Saruman? Did you intend to hand off this man to Sauron?"

Aragorn remained silent as Saruman glowered at Gandalf. Gandalf wondered how much the king or Aragorn knew. "Saruman now treats with the Enemy and the man is what they barter." Now Aragorn glared at Saruman.

Saruman's silence only confirmed for Gandalf what he had surmised. He shook his head. "I see your designs as plainly as if written. You seek to deceive all, even Sauron. I wager you never meant to send off Aragorn at all. He would be of greater use to you in Gondor.

"In eliminating the Ringwraith, I did you quite a favor, did I not? And yet, you must appease Sauron, while you work your lies. I only wonder how you would have played Denethor into your hands. For you knew you would bring down the wrath of Mordor upon Gondor, and that mayhap has already been set in motion."

"This is how you explain your intrusion into my plans? Perhaps I have upset your plans. You never explain your sudden appearances–"

"It is past the time for talk and double talk," Gandalf said. "Have you described for Théoden how you would proceed to deceive the Rohirrim? For you will not stand beside any overlong. You wish to be at the head, alone, absolute in your power.

"And you would not be satisfied with rule over Rohan. Your designs are grander than that." Gandalf sighed deeply, suddenly weary of argument. "You forget your purpose, Saruman. We are caretakers here and nothing more. We must allow them to lead their own people."

"Even into death? I fight to give them a chance! Leave it to them and all will be lost!"

"You underestimate them, Saruman!"

"You hope in them overmuch!"

Gandalf smiled wearily. "Or is it simply that I ask nothing in return?"

Saruman barked a laugh, but it was bitter. "You stand there and act the humble servant. If any were to defy you they would learn the cost and it would be dear. If I seek any position of power it is more a responsibility than reward. I am, after all, a caretaker."

Gandalf's patience grew thin. The wizard no longer attempted to hide his aims for an outright ousting of the Lord of the Mark, and his army was the threat under which he would carry out his plans.

But there was a new grove of trees on the plains north of Edoras. Without such intentions, the Ents had done a great service to Rohan. "Saruman, what are your intentions for those orcs that marched to Rohan's doorstep, clearly at their master's call?"

Saruman's face darkened. "Those are my uruk-hai. They fight for me. They are not a threat to Rohan."

"You should say, they are no threat to Rohan as long as Rohan obeys you, should you not? No matter. They threaten Rohan and others no longer. For the Ents of the Forest have awoken and decided they were finished with orcs and their destruction. Your uruk-hai are dead, Saruman."

Saruman stilled, for a moment more as a statue than a living being. Then he erupted, pounding his staff into the tile floor. "You, Gandalf! You try to overthrow me ere I realize my intentions! You cannot bear to see me ascend to a power to which you can only aspire. You wish to take my place here, after all my labors. After all I have done for the people of Rohan! I know what is best for them! Out! Out with you!"

"I think not, Saruman."

Saruman laughed. "And what will you do, Gandalf Stormcrow?" As he continued, his voice grew louder, till he sounded truly mad. "I am Saruman the White. I say that Rohan will fight the orcs on the plains. I say the heir of Isildur will fight for me alongside Théoden, and neither shall Denethor refuse me. For I am Saruman the White! You sought to defy me once. Do you wish to attempt such foolishness again?"

"It need not progress in this way, Saruman," Gandalf said quietly. "There is no need for defiance, for foolishness, nor for any of this madness. Allow Rohan to decide the course of their future. We have no place in their history."

"And when Sauron lays claim to this land, what will you say, Gandalf? What will you say then to the people of Rohan? That it is part of their history?"

"Oh, come now, Saruman! You play the protector but you do not name your price. You have no intentions of leaving Rohan be. You shall take command of Rohan and then move on to Gondor. Was that your true plan for Aragorn? To place him on the throne as King in name only? As you wait for Théoden here to live out his years?"

"Enough! I will hear no more! Escort him out!" Saruman gestured to the guards standing in the wings.

Gandalf looked to Saruman with a somber look, a trace of grief in his voice for those who knew him well enough. Facing Saruman before the throne of Lord Théoden, Gandalf declared, "You will hear all that I have to say, Saruman." And with that, he held out his arms, spreading his simple grey cloak to reveal the white robes beneath. Saruman gasped as Gandalf revealed his power.

"My friends were not wrong in their estimation of my health," he said quietly. "But I was returned. I am not, however, as I was. I am now Gandalf the White." This drew another gasp from the wizard. Gandalf's voice did not rise in volume as he went on, but rose in power. "You, Saruman, have no color." Gandalf held out his staff toward Saruman and the other's staff burst into pieces that tumbled to the floor like useless twigs.

Saruman's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the bits of his staff. His mouth opened, but no sound came forth. He turned to Gandalf, his face red with fury.

Gandalf raised a hand, halting any words Saruman might say. "No more, Saruman. It is over. No more."

"Over?" the defrocked wizard whispered. "Over?" He began to laugh then, quietly first, then it grew boisterous. "You think this finished, now that you have deposed me as you have long wished?"

"Finished, no, but perhaps a change in course long due."

"It is too late to change course! Sauron's army of orcs marches across Rohan as we speak. The Rohirrim prepare to meet them on the plains. And you have destroyed the uruk-hai that were the only means of their survival in that battle. Now they will die in battle against Sauron. And they have Gandalf Stormcrow to thank for it!"

"I have heard quite enough," Théoden said suddenly. "I see now Saruman's deceptions and lies and what was my part in this. You have controlled Rohan through me, Lord of the Mark. You have kept the heir of Isildur as prisoner. You, Saruman, are now prisoner of Edoras," and the king gestured to his guards. "Take him to a cell."

"You think you have finished me, Gandalf!" Saruman said, ignoring King Théoden. "My plans are already in motion. It is too late to stop them. This one of the Nine came in advance, but the army yet comes. It comes for him. He comes for them all—Rohan, Gondor, the World of Men. What will you do then, in the face of the entire force of Mordor?"

Gandalf lowered his head and waited for the shouting to fade as Saruman was led away. He turned to Aragorn, who had kept to the shadows throughout the confrontation. Despite a heavy sigh, Gandalf managed a weak smile. "It seems events bring us to Edoras one by one. It is good to see you hale, Aragorn."

"One by one by one," the man said with a smile that held more than he said.