The First Part of the Journey
As even Tom Bombadil was already present, the Fellowship set out. They headed south, at the Ford of Bruinen they left the Road and went on by narrow paths among the folded lands. Their purpose was to hold this course west of the Mountains for many miles and days. The country was much rougher and more barren than in the green vale of the Great River in Wilderland on the other side of the range, and their going would be slow; but they hoped in this way to escape the notice of unfriendly eyes. The spies of Sauron had hitherto seldom been seen in this empty country, and the paths were little known except to the people of Rivendell. What more, their hope lay with passing through Hollin and Dunland unnoticed and reaching Isengard, where they would refresh and continue in their journey eastwards.
However, it was not their fate to take the easy path. They had been a fortnight on the way when the weather changed. The wind suddenly fell and then veered round to the south. The swift-flowing clouds lifted and melted away, and the sun came out, pale and bright. There came a cold clear dawn at the end of a long stumbling night-march. The travellers reached a low ridge crowned with ancient holly-trees whose grey-green trunks seemed to have been built out of the very stone of the hills. Their dark leaves shone and their berries glowed red in the light of the rising sun. And that was the time when Saruman called all the Companions to him, and many who looked at him wondered: as his face was now grim, grey-hued and weary. But before anyone could ask him, Saruman spoke.
"I have grave news for you," he said. "And I know it is not pleasant to hear that, but that is the truth. Last night, something happened that forced me to reconsider and change my plans. The power of the Enemy has moved. I have to leave you."
Screams of surprise were heard. But Saruman raised his hand to make silence.
"What more," he continued, "you need to change your path. Yes, it is like that: the Enemy has learned about my change of sides. Isengard is no longer safe. Sauron will strike soon, and he will strike hard. And bringing you to Isengard will be the most dangerous of all choices. You don't know what powers he is governing. But there is hope even in this turn of events: if you take a different road, and I keep the Enemy focused on Isengard, his Eye may be distracted and you will have safe passage – at least for some time."
Then his face turned stern again. "Unfortunately, this is not the only peril. I have seen other things."
"Seen?" several of the Companions shouted.
"Yes, seen," Saruman said. "And I am not going to withhold this from you. Some of you will understand, and I am not going to lose time with the others who won't. I have looked into the Palantír, and I learned that the Enemy knows. But I also saw something else." He looked at each of the Companions, as if he were piercing them with his gaze. "I know there are three of you who are traitors. You plan to betray the Fellowship. But I was given the chance to repent, and so I give it to you. Come forward now and confess. You will be sent back, but no harm will be done to you and you are free to go wherever you wish. I will lay a Command Word on you not to tell anything to the Enemy, but that will be all."
There was silence. After some time when no one has moved, Saruman slowly nodded. "So be it," he said. "I have no time to spend with you. It is no use arguing. I have, as I told you, some pressing business away south; and I may be already late. We may meet again before all is over, and then again of course we may not. That depends on your strength and courage and sense. But those three of you I have to warn. You may be hidden, but you are alone. The others remain faithful to their mission. If you do not leave your crooked paths, you will die surrounded by enemies. And there is more than you can see. While I will not be present, my legacy remains with you. I carried the Palantír with me all the way – but I don't have it anymore. I have entrusted it to one faithful among you, about whose intentions I am sure. And I know there are more among you devoted to the protection of this Fellowship. Whoever among you is faithful still, try to keep together. Find the traitors, and send them back. This is my last advice. I really must leave now."
With these words, Saruman passed by the silent company. But he could not resist to add several words. He turned for the last time.
"Head for the pass of Caradhras," he said. "There is the road the Enemy would not watch. Goodbye, be careful and – don't forget my thoughts are with you. The power of Orthanc cannot be lightly thrown aside, whatever threats may lie before you."
With these words, Saruman really turned away and disappeared between the rocky slopes of the hills of Hollin.
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The Fellowship has entered Hollin.
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The Fellowship:
Aganzir - Lobelia Sackville-Baggins
A Little Green - Éomer
Gil-Galad - Gandalf
Groin Redbeard - Dáin II. Ironfoot
Gwathagor - Halbarad
McCaber - Elrohir
Meneltarmacil - Uglúk
Nerwen - Elladan
Nogrod - Tom Bombadil
Rune son of Bjarne - Galadriel
Sally - Théodred
THE Ka - Radagast
Thinlómien - Gildor Inglorion
The first Journey begins. Everyone may post now. Traitors, stop PMing.
Last edited by Legate of Amon Lanc; 03-24-2008 at 03:35 PM.
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