Aragorn returns with Saruman.
The Many Colored Wizard[edit]
by VanwaHravani, 5 July 2008
If Aragorn bit his tongue again, he was sure to draw blood. Out of respect he could not urge his companion to hurry, and yet the old wizard seemed to have no understanding of the urgency of their ride.
When Aragorn had arrived at Isengard, sweaty and breathless, he entreated Saruman to hear him immediately. But the wizard had left instruction with his servants that he was not to be disturbed; he was engaged in a crucial task requiring great concentration. So Aragorn was obliged to wait. At first he had refused the servants’ offers of a bath and sustenance, but as the hours wore on and the oaken door remained firmly bolted, he finally relented. He then waited, restless and pacing, as afternoon drew into evening, evening to dusk, and stars rose, wheeled and paled. When Saruman emerged at long last, he spoke graciously to the Ranger, but only to say that he was very tired and must rest before speaking further. Reluctantly, Aragorn had retired for a brief few hours.
When Saruman arrived for the morning meal, Aragorn was waiting to deliver Elrond’s entreaty for help, almost a full day after his arrival. Saruman was silent for some time and, though he did agree to accompany Aragorn to Imladris, he insisted on a day or two to gather the necessary potions and scrolls before leaving. When Aragorn balked at this, the Old One chided him with a hint of cruelty in his voice.
“Do not be hasty, young Aragorn. Your…friend’s need is great, but not so much so that appropriate preparations should be forgone. Although you deem yourself heartsick at his pain now, how much moreso would you be if we were to arrive only to have left a crucial herb or instruction in my own storerooms? If time is of the essence, then we must use it well and make haste slowly.”
Confused by the veiled suggestions about his own feelings, Aragorn begrudgingly relented, knowing from long experience that the Maia moved in their own time and on their own agenda. It was best to trust them even when their actions seemed most unsettling. They were in Middle Earth to help, were they not?
Nonetheless, the future king had breathed a sigh of relief when, on the fourth day after his arrival in Isengard, their party had finally ridden forth.
Seeing his companion’s silent impatience in the saddle, Saruman smiled to himself.
Yes Aragorn, keep quiet. I certainly would not be stalling intentionally. Not when the line of the she-beast Sroreth hangs in the balance so. No doubt I am as concerned as you are about the fate of young Faramir. In fact, I have been following his struggles since before you knew what was happening. Now it remains only to ensure that what will be, will be…
Night was falling as the two reached Imladris. Erestor was waiting and escorted the wizard to Faramir’s chamber at once. He unlocked the door and stood back for them to enter.
The patient was sitting by the fire, where Elrond held him in quiet conversation. Aragorn’s heart leapt strangely as he saw Faramir’s face, smooth, no longer fevered – and then noticed the thick silken ties that bound both his arms and legs securely to the chair. Two guards stood further back in the room, within easy reach of both Lord Elrond and the firmly shuttered windows. Elrond watched his foster son take this in, and answered the ranger’s startled look with the sadness in his own. His head dipped in an almost imperceptible nod.
____
Raising his face toward Aragorn’s, Faramir had a strange sensation in his gut, like a fish turning with difficulty in too small a bowl. He shuddered and flashes of the last nights’ dreams returned. Faramir’s body grew hot as arousal crept over him, even as he struggled to keep nausea at bay.
Aragorn watching the creature take him, smiling ferally, eyes glittering. / Aragorn and the creature using him together, holding him, riding him, his body slick with both white and black juices, aching and full. / Looking into Aragorn’s face as he was entered; seeing the creature rising behind the other man’s shoulder.
Then the quality of the image shifted subtly, as if the lighting flickered. The next images were new.
Holding Aragorn’s attention to him as the creature suddenly rose up from behind and wrapped a tentacle around Aragorn’s neck, and plunged another deep inside, impaling the Dunedain with the force of a wild sword thrust. The future king’s eyes round with shock; oily black fluid trickling from the corner of his mouth. A deep gurgling sound rising from his chest as the tentacle forced its way upward until finally Aragorn sagged limply against the slimy arms that held him aloft. A deeply satisfied hissing from the creature itself and a strangely echoing laughter that Faramir came to recognize as his own...
Faramir snapped back into the room with a start. His eyes caught those of the white wizard watching him, considering, coy. He felt his scalp prickle and a drop of sweat rolled down his spine. Here was the one who would help him…
Elrond rose from his chair, opening his hands to the wizard.
“Saruman, my lord, thank you for coming in this, our time of need. As you can see, there is an ill here that even my wisdom and skills cannot ease. This evil must be fought not with these alone, but with Istari magic as well, and we are indebted to you for coming.”
Elrond’s words were of the most gracious courtly speech, as befit an ancient lord. Yet Aragorn thought he sensed a note of caution there as well. His foster father had not spoken with the familiarity and warmth he so easily extended to Gandalf.
Elrond’s hesitance was not unnoticed by Saruman either. He, however, expected as much. Ever had the Elven lord preferred the Gray Stormcrow to himself, no matter his superior rank among the Order.
But it was no matter anymore. Things had changed and all would have their due in time. Both Mithrandir and the Peredhil had allied themselves foolishly, and things were now in motion that could not easily be changed. He would see to that. He smirked ever so slightly in contempt.
“Elrond, did you think I would not come when I heard what had befallen Faramir of Gondor and the hoped-for Alliance? I am here, and I will do what is within my power to do. But now, I must examine the boy alone.”
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