The sound of horns announced the arrival of reinforcements from the Free Cities. With the support of over a thousand elite soldiers from five fully manned companies, the annihilation of the Uruk squad was swift and unstoppable.
Not to mention that the Uruk force wasn't even as numerous as the reinforcements from the North Undeep. Even if their numbers had been equal, or even doubled, they would still have been crushed.
The equipment on this side was simply too good, and the troops' combat discipline was impeccable.
On top of that, there was the added rage from Garrett's disappearance, the result of some enemy plot, which only fueled the Free City troops' ferocity.
Knowing they were no match for their foes, the Uruk army fought while retreating from the forest. Desperate and cornered, they even attempted to flee toward another ancient forest on the western side of the northern plateau.
The clearing in the forest, where the Fellowship had been ambushed, was open and spacious, with wide gaps between the trees, ideal terrain for both armies to maneuver freely back and forth.
But the ancient forest on the western plateau was different. The terrain there was rugged, and the towering trees grew densely and wildly, forming an overwhelming sea of green.
Any army that entered would only find itself scattered.
That ancient forest was, of course, Fangorn.
The Uruks' plan wasn't bad, but they clearly underestimated the mobility and efficiency of the North Undeep reinforcements. During their so-called retreat, or rather, their flight, their numbers dwindled rapidly. By the time they reached the edge of Fangorn, they had been nearly wiped out.
The Uruks' last hope vanished. The forest would not shelter them.
"Regroup. Prepare to return to the city."
The commander leading the five companies gave his next order once he was certain the Uruks had been all but annihilated.
At that moment, two figures, an Elf and a panting Dwarf, came running up.
It was the four remaining members of the Fellowship.
"Where are the Hobbits?"
Aragorn hurried to the commander and asked, "Did you see the Hobbits who were captured? They were with the Uruk army."
"Hobbits?"
The commander thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Haven't seen any."
"You didn't mistake them for orcs and 'clean them up' along the way, did you?" Gimli muttered under his breath, having finally caught his breath.
"Can't you say something encouraging for once?"
Before Aragorn could respond, Boromir turned and scolded him.
Gimli fell silent.
"Rest assured," the commander replied, "we can tell the difference between orcs, Hobbits, and Dwarves. Besides, this was an Uruk force. They're fairly tall."
Gimli frowned, sensing a hint of double meaning in his words.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," said the commander evenly. "Just that you don't need to worry. We don't harm our allies by mistake."
"You'd better not. Otherwise, when Garrett gets back, I'll make sure he hears about it."
Gimli's voice grew quieter and quieter.
He realized the mood had changed, heavy and subdued. At the mention of that name, silence fell over both sides.
The commander closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly, saying nothing.
"I believe he'll come back," Gimli finally said, breaking the silence.
"Yes, I believe so too," the commander replied. "We all firmly believe it."
While Gimli, Boromir, and the commander exchanged a few words, Aragorn seemed to have noticed something. He quietly moved away from the group, pacing along the edge of Fangorn Forest, eyes fixed on the ground with intense focus.
"What did you find?" Legolas followed him.
"There are some tracks, different ones," Aragorn said, raising his head at the forest's edge. "They're still alive. They should be in the forest."
The two exchanged a glance.
They had a new lead.
Among the four, all except Boromir were quite familiar with the Free City army, and after a brief discussion to confirm there was nothing more to do, they prepared to move on.
When Boromir tried to thank the commander, the latter merely said that it was one of the orders Garrett had left, just part of their duty, and then led his troops away.
Still, judging from Boromir's expression, it was clear he wouldn't forget this act of help.
Before departing, recalling Garrett's last instructions before his disappearance, the commander ordered that they be given supplies, healing potions, food, and the like.
Food, however, was something they hardly lacked. Before leaving Lothlórien, Galadriel had gifted the Fellowship plenty of lembas. A single small piece could sustain a traveler for an entire day.
Because of this, the four moved with great speed, running nonstop in the direction Aragorn had chosen.
A day later, in the southern reaches of Fangorn Forest, they met someone who had been waiting for them.
That person came cloaked in a radiant light, his face indistinct, his robe the only thing revealing his identity.
"The White Wizard... you're Saruman?"
"Well, you could say that," the man replied. "I am Saruman, but not the same one. I've simply taken the role he was meant to play."
"Gandalf?"
Aragorn stepped forward, recognizing the man within the light.
Moments later, the group followed Gandalf as he led them out of the forest.
"Do not worry about Pippin and Merry," Gandalf said, calming their hearts with a single sentence. "They are safe, safer than you might think. I've asked Treebeard to look after them."
"Treebeard?" Boromir asked, puzzled. The name didn't sound like one a normal person would have. Was it really safe to entrust the Hobbits to someone like that?
"An Ent," Gandalf explained. "Or, as some call them, tree-herders. Few now know of their existence, and fewer still have sought them out. But they have been here since the world's beginning."
"I see..." Boromir nodded, though he only half understood.
"Hmm... four of you here, plus Merry and Pippin, and Frodo and Sam who went their own way..." Gandalf counted with a faint smile. "Though the Fellowship has scattered, all its members are still whole. That, at least, is heartening."
"The Fellowship may be intact, but there's still one whose whereabouts are unknown," Aragorn said quietly. "Gandalf, has Garrett truly left?"
If Gandalf could return, then perhaps...
"Him?" Gandalf raised an eyebrow. "He doesn't need your concern. He's perfectly fine, far better off than I am, in fact."
"See? What did I tell you!" Gimli burst out, laughing in excitement. "I knew he'd be all right!"
"He's fine, yes," Gandalf said, "but we'll soon have our own troubles. A great evil power has risen in Isengard, born from someone's folly. Dark clouds gather over this land, yet the King of Rohan is blind to it all, and our lines of contact have been cut off. He knows nothing."
"I do not yet know the situation at the Fords of Isen or Helm's Deep," he continued, standing atop a rise and gazing toward Rohan's capital. "But it will not be good. If those two defenses fall one after another, Rohan will lie beneath the enemy's blade, at their mercy."
"Time is short," he said, his voice steady and resolute. "We ride at once."
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Completed at Chapter 405!
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