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.·:*¨༺ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 9 ༻¨*:·.
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THE ROAD TO ISENGARD

Gandalf rides to the top of the hill at the side of Helms Deep with Eomer, Theoden, Legolas, Gimli, Iladya, Aragorn and Gamling all on horseback. ''Sauron's wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift,'' Gandalf mutters. They look to the other side of the hill on Mordor. Thunder and lightning erupt and the darkening sky turns red. The battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-Earth is about to begin.'' Aragorn looks at Gandalf, who looks back at him with a grim look on his face. Gandalf looks back out to Mordor. ''All our hopes now lie with two little Hobbits...''
They continue to ride for Isengard. The road was quiet. Aragorn's arms lay peacefully on Iladya's legs as they ride through the forest. In the distance, laughter is heard. "It's good! Definitely from the Shire," Merry comments, smoking a pipe, "longbottom leaf, eh?" Pippin laughs along and the sound of horses attract their attention.
They see Gandalf riding out of the trees. "Ahahah," Pippin salutes them with his mug. Merry rises onto his feet, "welcome, my lords and lady to Isengard!" Iladya smiles at the two Hobbit and then casts a glance at Isengard. She saw piles of smoke and Ents walking back and forth. "You young rascals," Gimli grunts, "a merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you feasting .... and and smoking!" "We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well-earned comforts — whilst eating a sandwich — the salted pork is particularly good." "Salted pork?" Gimli asks, watering his mouth at the thought. "Hobbits," Gandalf grunts. "We are under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard," Merry explains.

At Isengard the Ents were throwing rocks at the orcs, sweeping them away with their feet, stamping on them. The orcs attempted to pull down one Ent with a rope around his neck, but Treebeard threw a rock at them killing them. Saruman rushed out to his balcony looking down at the scene below him in horror. Merry and Pippin threw rocks killing orcs.
''Yes!'' Pippin yelled. ''A hit. A fine hit,'' Treebeard said. The Ents threw the wooden towers into the pits. Some orcs used flamed arrows to set light to one of the Ents. Saruman looked from side to side very anxiously. The Ents threw rocks at Isengard. One Ent pulled at the supports holding the dammed river. ''Break the dam! Release the river!'' The Ent pulled again at the supports and the water started to flow through the wall as the dam collapsed. Millions of gallons of water rushed down the hillside towards Isengard as the Ents moved out of the way. Saruman looked on. Merry shouted to Pippin.
''Pippin, hold on!'' Merry yelled. The Ents braced themselves against the rush of water. ''Hold on, little Hobbits!'' Treebeard warned. The Ent on fire walked towards the water and put its head into it, putting out the fire. The water filled up the pits and surrounded Isengard with water as Saruman looked on with panic written on his face.

Merry mounts the horse behind Eomer and Pippin mounts the horse behind Gandalf. The riders start approaching Orthanc with the Hobbits on board with them. ''Hoooom, young master Gandalf,'' Treebeard greets, ''I am glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there is a Wizard to manage here locked in his tower.'' Aragorn looks up at the tower. ''Show yourself,'' Aragorn calls. ''Be careful, even in defeat ... Saruman is dangerous,'' Gandalf warns. ''Well, then let's just have his head and be done with it,'' Gimli grunts. ''No,'' Gandalf firms, ''we need him alive. We need him to talk.''
''You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King and made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?'' Saruman speaks, showing himself on top of the tower whilst leaning on his staff. ''We shall have peace. We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace!'' Theoden replies with anger. ''Gibbets and crows! Dotard! What do you want Gandalf Grahame? Let me guess the key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad-Dûr itself? Along with the crowns of the seven Kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!'' Saruman raises his voice.
''Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel,'' Gandalf comments. ''So, you have come here for information. I have some for you.'' Saruman holds up a palantir and looks into it. Iladya gets hold of Aragorn's hand when she sees the palantir. Aragorn slowly leans forward and presses a kiss on her pointy ear.
''Something festers in the heart of Middle Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the great eye has seen it! Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon — Gandalf rides forward — You are all going to die! But you know this don't you Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned King.'' Aragorn looks at him, feeling pressure on his hand. Aragorn softly squeezes her hand, letting her know it is okay. ''Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those who are closest to him, those he professes to love! Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death,'' Saruman continues. ''I have heard enough! Shoot him! Stick an arrow in his gob!'' Gimli grunts. Legolas reaches for an arrow but Gandalf holds him.
''No! Come down Saruman, and your life will be spared!'' "Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it," Saruman sneers and directs a bolt of fire at Gandalf. The rest of the riders gasp in fear. Aragorn had to get a hold of Iladya, preventing her from dismounting. Gandalf survives the bolt of fire with no ill effects. "Saruman," Gandalf speaks, "your staff is broken!" Saruman watches his staff bursts asunder. Grima Wormtongue appears behind Saruman. "Grima! You need not follow him! You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down," Theoden speaks. Grima looks like he going to come down.
"A man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helms Deep does not belong to you Theoden Horse Master. You are a lesser son of greater sires!" Saruman sneers. "Grima," Theoden focuses on Grima, "come down. Be free of him." "Free?! He will never be free!" Saruman bellows. "No!" Grima snarls. Saruman turns around to Grima! "Get down, cur!" Saruman slaps him to the ground. "Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!" Gandalf demands. Saruman turns around to face Gandalf. Grima pulls a knife out behind Saruman. "You withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here!" Grima rises up behind Saruman and attacks him with the knife, stabbing him twice in the back. Legolas aims an arrow at Grima who falls shot in the heart. Saruman falls from the tower and is impaled on a great wheel below.
"Send word to all our allies and to every corner of Middle Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike," Gandalf turns to his riders. The water wheel turns and Saruman disappears beneath the water head first. The Palantir drops from his hand into the water. "The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live," Treebeard comments. Pippin sees the Palantir and dismounts. "Young trees. Wild trees," Treebeard continues. Pippin looks into the Palantir and it holds his gaze for a minute. "Bless my bark." "Peregrin Took!" Gandalf's voice booms, "I'll take that my lad. Quickly now!" Pippin hands the Palantir to him and he wraps it up. He looks sheepish at Gandalf and watches him intently as he turns away.