THE RED RIDER ; lord of the rings {legolas} ✔

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVI

It didn't take long to get to Isengard. Helm's Deep was as close as a Keep could get to Saruman's lair.

The others were prepared to fight off the odd orc or two - assuming those that were left in Isengard were mere workers, since the armies of Isengard had all been sent out to Helm's Deep last night, but Gandalf and I shared a glance and we both knew that there was no such danger.

We took the old road, and it lead us right to the wall - and to where the gate would've been. Everyone slowly stopped talking and gazed upon the ruin that had been Saruman's nest. The tall, black tower of Orthanc was the same, but around it lay an enormous, shallow body of water; the river had been released. Small patches in the ground near the edges of the wall, where the water didn't reach completely, steamed every so often whenever they were touched by water. Pieces of discarded wood, apples, stone, and the odd loaf of bread floated around the water closest to the gate, and sitting upon the wall : Merry and Pippin, smoking pipes and eating, looking quite content.

Merry spotted us coming down the road and stood up, gesturing grandly towards the tower with one of his hands. "Welcome, lords and ladies, to Isengard!"

Gimli stared at the sight before him and scolded : "You young rascals!  A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting ... and smoking!"

Pippin took a bite of whatever was in his hand, and I had to laugh when he replied, "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." He looked around at all of us and then said, "The salted pork is quite good."

"Salted pork?" Gimli said interestedly.

I laughed, and Gandalf said, "Hobbits!" more or less under his breath while shaking his head.

As though justifying their actions, Merry continued : "We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard." He pointed past the gate as he finished off an apple, and threw the core into the muddy waters.

I glanced past the gate over Merry's hand and saw the black tower, and a white figure, robes billowing, atop it.

"Let's have it, then," I said, and Merry and Pippin hopped off the wall to join us as Gandalf led the way through the destroyed gate.

The horses waded through the shallow water easily, but the rerst of us were hardly paying attention. We turned around many times, taking in the sight of the destruction of Isengard, while Gandalf led the way towards the tower. From inside the wall, it was easier to see everything. Whatever wasn't covered by water was steaming, and though the tower hadn't been remotely destroyed by the flood, it seemed less grand when it wasn't surrounded by fires and working orcs. The metals adorning the base seemed to shine less, and the occasional floating food almost made the situation humorous.

Treebeard approached us then, and it was obvious why he was called Treebeard. The ancient Ent could only be differentiated from a tree due to his large, dark eyes with spots of green, enormous branch-like limbs, and a great beard and hair of moss, leaves, and bark.

Treebeard sighed heavily upon seeing us. "Young master Gandalf," he said slowly, his voice as rich as the forest itself, "I'm 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."

We all looked up; we had reached the base of the Orthanc. I patted Guldurelon absentmindedly as I took in the tower itself. Only at the base of it could one appreciate its grandeur; it practically glowed with power and malice. I followed the intricate carvings all the way up the tower til I couldn't make them out anymore, and instead focused on the figure atop the tower.