Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 20:32:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Silven Fox <silvenfox@yahoo.com>
Subject: Destiny of an Earth - 12

Disclaimer: I don't know Nsync. I don't know Justin Timberlake in real
life. This will be a Justin Timberlake centered story. This story is in no
way meant to imply that he is homosexual in real life. This story is simply
the work of a fan and is pure fiction.

I don't own The Lord of the Ring or any other works of the series. The
rights of the series goes solely to the series author JRR Tolkien.


Now that's out of the way. This story appeared in my head when I was
trapped in the car with my relatives for a 24-hour road trip. I was really
really bored! I shudder just thinking about that trip. Anyway, if your
below legal age to read this where your from, then all I can tell you is
stop and don't let your parents catch you. He he that's not much of a
warning, but hey what else can I do.

Now if you have any comments, feedback or you just want to drop a
word. Send them to SilvenFox@yahoo.com


Chapter 12


They jumped on the horses that the riders gave them. Gimli sat behind
Boromir, Justin sat behind Legolas, and Aragorn rode by himself. They rode
in silence to the smoking carcasses.

They dismounted the horses and began to shift through the smoldering
pile. Gimli picked up a charred belt and dagger sheath.

He looked at the items sadly. "It's one of their wee belts."

Legolas bowed his head. "Hiro hyn hidh ab 'wanath."

'May they find peace after death,' Justin translated quietly. He closed his
eyes and put his hands together. He said a quick prayer for their fallen
brethren whom they would never see again.

"AHHHHHHH!" yelled Aragorn in rage. He kicked the smoking Orc pile knocking
their remains into the air.

"We failed them," said Gimli in disbelief.

Justin shook his head. "We tried our best."

Boromir stood off staring unblinkingly at the sky. He partly blamed himself
for this. If he hadn't tried to take the ring they probably wouldn't be in
this situation now. Aragorn looked down at the ground seeing something
catching his eye. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the marks on the
ground.

"A hobbit lay here, and the other," he said softly.

Justin eyebrows shot up. He looked at Legolas. "Has he finally lost it?" he
whispered.

Legolas shook his head. "Aragorn is a great tracker. By reading the
indention's he can tell what happened to our companions."

"So he hasn't gone all Dead Zone on us."

Legolas frowned. "I do not know what you mean."

Justin gave him a small smile. "That's okay. I think no one here ever will
understand me."

Aragorn wasn't paying anybody any attention. He was focusing intently on
the marks that marred the ground. "Their hands were bound."

He walked away a few feet. "Their bonds were cut. They ran over here and
were followed." He looked up and away from the ground to the forest in the
distance. "Tracks lead away from the battle, into . . . Fangorn Forest."

Everyone around Justin sucked in a breath. He looked around
curiously. Gimli looked at the forest somewhat fearfully. "Fangorn! What
madness drew them there?"

"What's so creepy about the forest?" asked Justin.

Boromir shuddered a little. "You will find out Siren."

********************************

The company trumped through the dark forest looking for Merry and
Pippin. The trees only allowed some light to enter. So they had to make do
with walking around in dim darkness.

"Orc blood!" Gimli gasped spotting the blood covered tree trunks.

Aragorn bent low to the ground examining the tracks they followed. "These
are strange tracks."

"The air is so close here," Boromir observed.

Justin shivered and he moved nearer to Legolas. The blond elf slipped an
arm around his waist. Justin cuddled into his side. The forest was getting
to him. The sense of forbidding was overwhelming. He could tell that
Legolas felt it too. It seemed like the forest was alive all around him.

"This forest is old. Very old. Full of memories...and anger. The trees are
speaking to each other," Legolas said looking around for threats.

Boromir and Gimli had their weapons drawn. Their bodies were tense ready
for any danger. "Gimli. Boromir. Lower your weapons," said Aragorn.

He was looking off in the distance at something. He could have sworn he
heard something. Justin and Legolas followed his lead and looked into the
distance. Justin squinted his eyes and his vision magnified. He could
vaguely make out something white. It was a person. Or it at least walked
upright like a man.

"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" warned Legolas.

Aragorn snapped his head around. "Man cenich?"

"The white wizard approaches," Legolas said gravely.

"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us! We must be quick," said
Boromir. They drew their weapons quickly. With a yell the five swung round
to attack in accord.

They were suddenly blinded by a bright light emanating from the White
Wizard. Gimli's axe and Legolas' arrows are deflected. Aragorn, Justin, and
Boromir's swords becomes too hot to hold. They dropped their swords in
pain.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," said the white
wizard. Glowing white light was surrounded his form and masked his
features. Justin started at the sound of the voice. It sounded so familiar
to him. He knew he heard it somewhere before.

"Where are they?" demanded Aragorn.

"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did
not expect. Does that comfort you?" the white wizard said calmly.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" said Aragon taking a step forward.

The light surrounding the wizard dimmed and they gasped. Gandalf stood in
its wake. He was dressed in all white. Even his hair, which was once gray,
was all white now. He looked at them with that everlasting twinkle in his
eye.

"Holy shit!" Justin yelled in surprise.

"It cannot be!" said Bormir gaping in awe. "You fell!"

Gandalf gave him a small smile. "Through fire and water," he
corrected. "From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the
Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin
upon the mountainside. Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and
time. Stars wheeled overhead and each day was as long as a life age of the
earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back
until my task is done."

"Gandalf," called Justin. The old man was looking off unblinking. He seemed
to be musing over his memories.

"Gandalf? Oh yes. That's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That
was my name," he said melancholy.

Justin shared a look with Legolas. It seemed as if he had amnesia or
something similar. He acted different. Like a whole new person.

"Gandalf!" said Boromir in concern.

He started at the sound of his name. "I am Gandalf the White now. And I
come back to you now at the turn of the tide."

"Gandalf the white?" Justin repeated confused. "So you're like an
upgrade. Gandalf 2.0"

Boromir shook his head. "Ignore him Gandalf. He speaks nonsense."

Justin leveled Boromir with a glare. Boromir winked and gave him a little
wave.

**************************************

They walked out of the forest back into the open plains. Gandalf led the
way the whole time. Gandalf looked into the distance deep in thought.

"One stage of the journey is over another begins. War has come to Rohan. We
must ride to Edoras with all speed," he said finally.

The white wizard put his fingers to his lips and whistled piercingly. A
beautiful white horse appeared answering the call. It galloped right up to
Gandalf.

Legolas looked at the horse in shock. "That is one of the Mearas, unless my
eyes are cheated by some spell."

Gandalf petted the stallion fondly. "Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses
and he's been my friend through many dangers."

Gandalf mounted Shadowfax. "We must see the King of Rohan," he said
urgently.

Their horses were waiting for them at the edge of the woods where they left
them. They mounted them and the company set off with Gandalf in the lead.

It wasn't long before they reached their destination. They came upon a
great kingdom built on top of a hill. Gandalf looked at the structure with
a critical gaze. "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld, King of Rohan,
whose mind is overthrown and Saruman's hold over King Theoden is now
very strong."

Gandalf instructed them as they came nearer the kindgdom. "Be careful what
you say. Do not look for welcome here."

Gandalf was once more decked out in gray. It would cause uproar for the
people to see a white wizard. They entered through the city gates and
trotted through a Rohan village. Justin had to admit this was a grand
city. It wasn't beautiful or majestic like Rivendell or Lorthlorien. But it
was very massive and well built showing that humans were just as good
architects as Elves.

It was very disorienting for Justin. One would expect the place to be
bustling with activity. But the people on the streets were still and
quiet. It was as if a cloud of bad fortune hovered over all their
heads. Many of the people were clad in black for some reason.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli muttered from behind Bormir.

Many guards began to walk out from the entrance of the golden hall ahead of
them. They dismounted their horses and Gandalf greeted them happily.

The lead guard stepped forward. "I cannot allow you before Theoden-king
so armed, Gandalf Grayhame... By order of - Grima Wormtongue."

Frowning, Gandalf nodded and gestured to the others to give up their
weapons. Aragorn hands over his sword, then pulls out a knife from his
clothing, handing that over, too. Legolas hands over his knives and bow.

Justin and Boromir shared an unspoken look with their eyes. They handed
over their swords but kept their daggers hidden in their boots. Gimli
rather reluctantly handed over his axe.

The guard gestured to Gandalf. "And you staff."

Gandalf looks at his staff then at the guard. "Oh. No, you would not part
an old man from his - walking stick," he lied smoothly.

And the Oscar goes to, Justin thought marveling at the old man's acting
skills. Which, he had to admit were better than his. Heavens knows he
couldn't lie to anyone that good with a straight face. He would have given
himself up by smiling too much.

The guard nodded and he gestured that they follow him into the
hall. Gandalf turned around and gave them a sly wink. Justin flashed him a
quick grin. If worse came to worse. They had hidden weapons and Justin and
Gandalf's magic backing them. Gandalf suddenly bent as though his age
suddenly caught up with him. Justin really had to praise his acting skills.

They entered the throne room and the guard bowed before the king. The king
nodded and he walked off the side. The king looked old and feeble. He
looked as if a strong gust of wind would do him in. Justin and the others
stood beside Gandalf and let him do the talking.

A slimy looking man stood at the king's side. Justin felt his 'spider
sense' go off as he looked at the man. He reeked of evil. He tensed up and
prepared himself.

"My Lord. Gandalf the Grey is here. A herald of woe," spoke Grima
Wormtongue, the slimy man beside the king.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden-King,"
said Gandalf staring pointedly at Grima.

"He is not welcome," said Grima in the king's ear.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf - Stormcrow?" King Theoden asked his
voice cracking and showing his age.

Grima bent low and whispered in his ear. He stood up and walked to
them. Justin glanced at Gandalf and hid a smile seeing that the wizard had
hidden his staff from view. Grima walked toward Gandalf.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I
name him. I'll news is an ill guest," he said loudly so everyone in the
hall could hear.

Gandalf drew himself to full height. "Silence! Keep your forked tongue
behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy
crooked words with a witless worm!" He pulled his staff out from underneath
his cloak.

Grima's eyes widened in shock, "Your staff . . ." He turned to the
guards. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!" he said impatiently.

The guards rushed out from the sides. The company disposed of them without
difficulty. Grima dashed off to the side seeing things were not working out
in his favor. Gandalf approached the king.

"Theoden, Son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in shadows," said
Gadalf.

Gimli spotted Grima cowering on the floor. He jumped on him and held him
down. "Would stay still if I were you!" he advised Grima.

Gandalf looked into King Theoden's vacant gaze. "Hearken to me! I will
release you from the spell."

"Hahahahahahahaha!" he laughed loudly. "You have no powers here Gandalf the
Grey."

"I shall draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound!" said Gandalf
looking into Theoden's eyes for the person he knew hid there. A woman
rushed into the room to the aid of the king. Aragorn grabbed her and held
her back.

"If I go, Theoden dies," said a voice that seemed to possess Theoden
body.

Gandalf's eyes flashed defiantly. "You did not kill me, you will not kill
him."

"Rohan is mine!" said the voice from the king's body. Justin shivered
feeling like he was in a scene from the Exorcist. Gandalf pointed his staff
at Theoden just as he rushed forward out of his seat. Gandalf pushed him
back. "Be gone!" he yelled. The room trembled at the power that was
released from the white wizard.

Theoden fell forward in his seat as if he were about to collapse. The
woman broke free of Aragorn's grasp. She ran to his side. She lifted him up
and Theoden's face became visible. It seemed as if years had been washed
away from his face. He looked around in awe panting heavily. He looked at
the woman's face.

"I know your face," he said as if trying to recall a distant
memory. "Èowyn," he said remembering the girl. Èowyn smiled
happily. Tears of joy silently ran down her face.

Gandalf stepped forward with the others behind him. "Gandalf," the king
said in recognition.

He nodded. "It is good to see you old friend."

"Dark my dreams have been of late," said Theoden.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better... if they grasped
your sword," Gandalf hinted.

The guard from earlier ran up with a sword. He handed it to the
king. Theoden drew it and pointed it straight at Grima. "Your witchcraft
would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"

Grima shook his head wildly. "Send me not from your side. I have only
served you!"

Theoden raised his sword high ready to strike him down. Aragorn rushed
forward. "No my lord! Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his
account."

Grima saw his chance and rushed past them. Justin extended his foot and
Grima tripped over it in his haste to leave. He fell to the floor face
first. The whole erupted into laughter and Grima got up his cheeks tinged
pink. He glared at Justin icily. With a final sneer he exited the hall.

Legolas raised his eyebrow. "That wasn't very nice Luv."

Justin crossed his arms. "He deserved it. One of those guards actually got
a hit in."

Legolas gave him a look. Justin pouted slightly. "What? You know I'm too
pretty to be hit."

****************************

So what do you think. Do you like it? If you have any comments, feedback or
you just want to drop a word send them to SilvenFox@yahoo.com