Chapter 21 Pop goes the Wizard

"So of course we came up…"

"With a brilliant…"

"Genius even…"

"Suggestion for Treebeard to bring us South…"

"Right under the exceptionally large nose of the traitorous…"

"Evil wizard Saurman."

"And of course once he saw…"

"What he had done to the amazing…"

"Beautiful woodlands around his…"

"Dreary, and clearly ridiculous…"

"Lair of darkness."

"He just had to call the other Ents…"

"And they took care of the wizards minions quite handily."

"With help of yours truly of course."

Of course, Percia thought wryly as she listened to the two rascals explain their grand battle. Gimli was content to listen since they deemed to share some of the spoils of their victory with him. Nothing kept a dwarf happy like salted pork. Legolas just watched them serenely while Aragorn clearly was trying not to laugh. Poor Eomer, who had decided to hang with them on the ride, looked so confused by the twin speak. Well, truthfully it did take time to learn, especially with these two.

Percia took in the smoking remains of the area surrounding the large tower. The water from the what she guessed was the destroyed dam the two had mentioned, lazily swirled around, having filled in several large cavernous mines. She knew well the destructive power of water, especially when turned into a raging river.

Still…

"Considering you two were involved," she muttered once they finished their tale. "I was expecting more damage."

The twins looked slightly offended, though from the glint in their eyes she knew they were amused. The fact most of their companions were nodding in agreement with her statement spoke volumes.

Seriously though, she'd seen the aftermath of the wrath these two could deliver when motivated. This was tame in comparison. Hades, they were still trying to fix the fields over by the border between Tuckborough and Michael Delving after Maris Flint hurt their older brother Peri. That was FIVE years ago!

"Well, they day…"

"Is still young." Their smirks were definitely worrisome.

"If you lot are quite done," Gandalf called to them, irritation clouding his face. "There is someone I need to deal with."

Right, evil wizard dude that's been trying to kill them. Forgot about him. So Fred joined her on her mare, while George climbed on behind Aragorn. Soon they are following Gandalf as he rides into the muddy waters, King Theoden and a few of his men following. The rest of the army waiting outside the main gates on dry land, at least those not helping to resettle the people after the battle of Helm's Deep a few days prior.

She'd seen a few of them walking around, but the giant ass tree coming up to them with large slow strides was still impressive. Demeter would probably love these guys.

"Huraroom…" It spoke, it's voice deep and raspy. "Young Master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a wizard to manage here… Locked in his tower."

She had to bite her tongue to keep from joking about grounding the naughty magic user.

"And there Saruman must remain, under your guard, Treebeard," Gandalf responded.

"Let's just have his head and be done with it," Gimli barked from where he sat behind Legolas.

Bit harsh, but not necessarily a bad idea. However, Percia could see Gandalf's reluctance with such as he stared at the tower. Why wouldn't he, he'd clearly known this guy for years, millennia is she had to guess. That's a lot of time to know someone.

"No we need him alive," Gandalf informed them. "We need him to talk."

Percia followed his gaze to see a talk figure in what looked like a white outfit with a staff similar to Gandalf's standing at the top of the tower. She could also see a skulking figure behind him, a rather familiar one at that. Seemed the worm had crawled back to his master.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men Theoden King," the old wizard started, his voice strong despite his looks. " and made peace afterwards. Cane we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace?"

Really? That's his opener? Wow…

"We shall have peace," Theoden called back, almost amiable before his scowl deepened. "We shall have peace when YOU answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that died there," he growled. "We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornberg are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace!"

"Gibbets and crows!" Huh guess he didn't like that. "What do you want Gandalf Grahame," he then demanded changing tactics. "Let me guess," he mocked snidely. "The key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad Dor itself? Along with the crowns of the seven Kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!"

Gandalf seemed tired but he held strong. "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…"

Ugh… this brought back some bad memories of her pleading with Luke. To this day she regrets not being able to save him, despite not knowing him well. So she couldn't blame Gandalf for trying to offer the other wizard an olive branch. Seems he had a bit of a loyalty flaw as well…

"So you want information," Saruman sneered. Then he pulled out some orb thingy. "I have some for you. Something festers in the heart of middle Earth. Something you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it! Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon."

He paused dramatically. Percia wondered if that is where Gandalf learned it from.

"You are all going to die! But you know this don't you Gandalf," he continued to mock. "You cannot think this Ranger will ever sit the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows will never be crowned king." He looked to Aragorn. "Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those who are closest to him, those he professes to love! Tell me, what words did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom," he hissed as he turned back to Gandalf. "The path you have set him on can lead only to death!"

"You sure we shouldn't just kill him," Percia asked Gandalf only to get a look. She held her hands up in surrender.

"Come down Saruman and your life will be spared," he tried once more.

The snappy reply and giant fire ball were a definite no. Most of the group had backed up as it hit Gandalf, not that it did anything to him.

"Saruman," Gandalf stated ins sad resignation. "Your staff is broken!"

And damned if the thing didn't snap throwing the old fogy back. They all watched as Grima tried to help the wizard only to be pushed and thrown away. Theoden tried to appeal to the slimy man, though Percia could not believe he would offer such mercy after what he had done to his people. Still, she supposed it was worth a shot, though she stopped listening to what was being said. She had serious doubts it would work, remembering several of her own experiences.

Saruman clearly had no clue how to treat his minions. Like most powerful creatures, he also could not accept his loss of control. Needless to say the scuffle resulted in Grima stabbing the wizard, who fell to his death, and Legolas putting an arrow in the man ending his life. Rather anticlimactic but better than it could have been. Watching Saruman's body slowly disappear beneath the water as the wheel turned was gross though.

"The filth of Saruman is washing away…" Well said Treebeard.

Suddenly George jumped off Aragorn's horse, which was strange because of the two, he was not the more rash twin, he also had less comfort getting on and off horses. Percia watched as he splashed in the water reaching down to grab something. It looked like a large sphere, maybe the size of a large paperweight. It was glowing oddly, which suggested bad things.

"Well bless my bark," Treebeard stated.

"Georgian Took," Gandalf snapped worriedly, which indicated whatever the orb was it would not be good. "I'll take that, my lad!"

Once again George acted strange, seemingly reluctant to release the orb. Usually if Gandalf even hinted using his full name the Hobbit would immediately do as the wizard said. Probably a learned condition from dealing with his mother.

"Quickly now!"

That seemed to get the young Took to comply. The fact their wizard immediately wraps the orb in his cloak is telling. From the look Aragorn sends her way, he too is worried about it.

Well, at least one of the main hitters was done. Now they needed to focus on the big boss. She just hoped the big bad was focusing more on their moves and didn't know Biblo's location. She had faith in her friend, but if the enemy found him… game over.