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