Disclaimer: I do not own Batman nor do I own Lord of the Rings. They are the sole property of DC Comics and JRR Tolkien.

Chapter 30
Showdown at the Orthanc

Although Batgirl's anger towards the Saruman had lessened slightly upon finding Robin, Merry and Pippin all alive and safe, it was not yet gone. Not by a long shot. Because of Saruman evil, Boromir was dead. Because of Saruman, Robin and the Hobbits had nearly been killed.

He deserved to pay for what he did.

But her mind wasn't solely set on vengeance as her masked eyes would often look to Robin who had fallen deathly silent. Far more than was normal for the young vigilante. Saruman had hurt Robin in the deepest of ways. To have his mind torn into and then forced into reliving his greatest pains and defeats could not be something easily forgotten.

It was yet another addition to the list of Saruman's sins. But if all went to plan, Saruman would surely pay for those sins dearly.

Upon reaching the steps of the Orthanc, Gandalf signaled everyone to a stop. "Those who wish may come with me – but beware! There is no knowing what he can do, or may choose to try. A wild beast corned is not safe to approach. And Saruman has powers that you do not guess. Beware of his voice."

The others all nodded, except for Robin who looked up at the looming tower before him, the opaque lenses of his green mask narrowed and his mind calculating. Even from where they stood, he could barely make out a figure watching the company from one of the many windows. Saruman was waiting for them.

"Robin?" Pippin asked, looking over his shoulder up at the Boy Wonder. "Are ye alright?"

"Yeah. Fine," Robin replied offhandedly.

Dismounting their horses, the company began climbing the steps towards the front door of the tower. Treebeard, who had gained his fill of Saruman and his treachery decided to remain behind and watch from a distance. Gandalf took the lead, with Théoden on his right and Aragorn on his left. Haldir, Batgirl, Gimli, Legolas, Éomer, Robin and the Hobbits followed close behind, as did the company of Rohan Soldier and Elf guard.

When at last the reached the doors of the Orthanc, Gandalf raised his white staff and stuck the door with it. The sounds echoed loudly for a bit, and silence returned.

"No one… home?" Batgirl asked.

"Saruman! Saruman!" Gandalf then called in a loud and clear voice. "Saruman, come forth!"

There was a long silence that followed before there was the sound of a door opening followed by footsteps. Everyone looked up towards a height balcony built onto the side of the tower so as to see a familiar pale skinned, greasy haired man, if he could be called that, come into view.

"W'o ith it?" mumbled Gríma Wormtongue, obviously still having problem moving that broken jaw. "Wha' do 'ou wis'?" Wormtongue's bulging blue eyes scanned over those who were before him, and he seemed to grow paler at the sight of Batgirl. Cassandra could see the discomfort on the pathetic weakling and gave a sinister smirk as she waved at him.

Théoden's face went livid at the site of his former-advisor, but Gandalf raised his hand to stop the King from going on a furious rant. "Go and fetch Saruman, since you have become his footman, Gríma Wormtongue!" the White Wizard commanded. "And do not waste our time!"

Fearing the power of Gandalf, Wormtongue vanished back into the tower from sight.

"Well?" came a soft, melodious voice from above them. "Why must you disturb my rest? Will you give me no peace at all by night or day?"

Everyone looked back up to see a tall figure robed in shimmering color changing robes standing at the balcony in which Wormtongue last stood. So this was Saruman. Batgirl felt the wizard's eyes run over her sending a bitter cold shiver down her spine. The feeling of disgust was quickly replaced as the rage that had been burning within her ever since the battle at the Rauros and splitting of the Fellowship flared up anew.

But everyone did not share the anger and rage that Cassandra felt apparently. Instead many of the soldiers both elf and men seemed enthralled by Saruman's presence. Just as he had done with Robin on the Astral Plane, Saruman's voice crept over those before him, and only those with strong will and mind were able to fight it.

Batgirl was among those few, because no matter how 'soothing' and 'kind' the Wizard made his voice, he could not hide his body language from Cass. She could read his pompous and lying personality like a cheap romance novel.

"But come now," Saruman, continued. "Three of you I know by name. Gandalf I know too well to have much hope that he seeks help or counsel here. And then I see the young Robin. Will you once again turn away from my guidance and help?" Robin only glared in reply, causing an amused smirk to come across Saruman's face. "But what of you, Théoden Lord of the Mark of Rohan! Why have you not come before, and as a friend? Much have I desired to see you, the mightiest king of western lands, and especially in these latter years, to save you from the unwise and evil counsels that best you! Is it too lat to have peace?"

Théoden's mouth dropped open, but for some reason he found he was speechless. He looked from Gandalf to Saruman and back to Gandalf, searching for some sort of help. But Gandalf remained silent and still. Rohirrim began to mutter sounds of approval for Saruman as the wizard's spell started to work its way throughout the riders.

"The words of the this wizard stand on their heads!" Gimli bellowed, breaking the long silence. His hand was grinding on his axe as he spoke. "In the language of Orthanc help means ruin, and saving means slaying, that is plain. But we do not come here to beg."

The calm and serene appearance that Saruman worked so hard to portray seemed to break, if only for an instant and the words that he spoke were less suave. "I do not speak to you yet, Gimli Glóin's son."

An argument then ensued when Éomer and Gimli both spoke against the Wizard, while Saruman rebuffed their comments with continued cracks in his charming persona. At last Saruman gained his fill of the Dwarf and Horse Marshal and looked back at Théoden.

"I say, Théoden King: shall we have peace and friendship, you and I? It is ours to command!" Saruman's eyes bore into Théoden.

"We will have peace," the King said at last. It was clear that he was using a great deal of strength to speak, but little by little he began to grow stronger in tone. "Yes, we will have peace, when you and all your works have perished – and the works of your dark master to whom you would deliver us. You are a liar, Saruman, and a corrupter of men's hearts. You hold out your hand to me, and I perceive only a finger of the claw of Mordor. Cruel and cold! Turn elsewhere, for your voice has lost its charm!"

Saruman was beyond livid. If Théoden were in reach of him, the Wizard out have torn out his heart and ripped off his head. "So be it! Hang if you will!" he hissed, before taking a moment to regain himself. "I know not why I have had the patience to speak to you. Long I have offered you a state beyond your merit and wit. I have offered it again, so that those whom you mislead may clearly see the choice of roads. You give me brag and abuse. So be it.

"But you Gandalf! For you at least I am grieved, feeling for your shame. How is it that you can endure such company? For you are proud, Gandalf – and not without reason, having a noble mind and eyes that look both deep and far. Even now will you not listen to my counsel?"

"What have you to say that you did not say at our last meeting?" Gandalf replied. "Or perhaps you have things to unsay?"

"Unsay?" Saruman answered icily. "I merely tried to offer you advice but you refused to listen. Too proud are you, Gandalf, and too in love with your own wisdom to heed mine. You misunderstood my intentions and I fear that that in my eagerness to persuade you I became impatient. Will you not consult with me? Will you not come up?"

The doors to the Orthanc opened, as to allow Gandalf entrance. Gandalf looked towards the door, and everyone else tensed. What if Gandalf took Saruman on his offer? If Gandalf were to join the dark side than all would be lost. Yet Gandalf turned back to Saruman, and began to laugh deep a loud.

"Saruman, Saruman! You missed your path in life! You should have been the King's jester and earned your bread, and stripes too, by mimicking a counselors. Ah me!" Gandalf did his best to regain his composure as he wiped a mirthfully tear from his eye.

While everyone's attention was set on the two wizards, no one else seemed to take notice of the restless Batgirl who looked towards the opened doors with great interest.

"Understand one another?" Gandalf continued. "I fear I am beyond your comprehension. But you, Saruman, I understand now too well. Nay, I don not think I will come up. But listen, Saruman, for one last time. Will you not come down? Isengard has proved less strong that your hope and fancy made it. So may other thing in which you still have trust. Would it not be well to leave it for a while? To turn to other things? Think well Saruman."

"Will I come down?" Saruman shot back. "Does an unarmed man come do to speak with robbers out of door? I am no fool, and I do not trust you. Very much is the manner of Gandalf the Grey: so condescending and so very kind." The sarcasm from the fallen White Wizard was strangling. "I have other things to do. If you wish to treat with me, while you have a chance, go away and come back when you are sober! And leave behind these cutthroats and small rag-tag that dangle at you tail! Good day and be gone"

With that Saruman spun about on his heals and stormed off back into the Tower. Théoden watched the Wizard's form disappear before saying: "Gandalf we cannot allow him to escape and plan more evil. Call him back so that I might show him the steel of my blade."

Gandalf remained still, but the lips under his white beard twitched up. "In a moment, my friend."

Legolas' attention was taken from the others, when he noticed something from the corner of his keen Elven eyes. Whirling around, Legolas just barely caught sight of a black cape vanishing into one of the Orthanc's doors, which were only now closing shut.

"No…" he murmured instinctively, and both he and Aragorn raced towards the doors, which were now closed. Neither could force open the doors, for they were magically shut.

"What is it?" Gimli asked, when he saw the fearful and worry in his friends.

"Batgirl," Aragorn mumbled with annoyance.

"Not exactly," Gandalf said suddenly. There was an unquestionably knowing glint in his eyes.

Legolas shared a curious look with Gimli and Aragorn, before turning back to Gandalf, and then looking about at the rest of the company. And sure enough, Batgirl wasn't the only one of them currently missing.

"Oh no…" the three of them groaned in unison.

Robin stepped silently into the chamber that had been haunting his dreams for over 8 nights now. Everything was exactly as it had been on the astral plane, right down the most minuet detail. The high arched ceilings, the black layered marble walls, and the overly theatrical black marble throne, that was obviously compensating for something. Seated on said throne was Saruman, the fingers of his left hand clutched tightly around his black wizard staff. An amused smile crept over his lips as he glared down his long nose at the young vigilante.

"I had wondered when I would see you again, little bird," he said in that unnerving singsong voice, meant to cloud men's minds.

"Yeah, well you know how it is. Nothing good on cable, so I gotta entertain myself somehow," Robin replied evenly.

The Wizard's face didn't waver. "I hope dearly that you have finally decided to take me up on my offer. Certainly the young woman in the bat garb would be appreciative."

"Do you ever take your head out of your own ass?" Robin asked.

"Still as impudent and audacious as ever, I see," Saruman said disgustedly, his voice loosing its calm and serene quality but instead turned cold and sinister. The Boy after all was up to date on his approaches of manipulation. It would be pointless to attempt backdoor approach to gaining information, when the front door would be so much more entertaining.

Narrowing his eyes, Saruman began feeling his way back into Robin's mind. Slowly scrapping the surface at first before digging further. Saruman's magicks were as powerful as ever. And considering that they were in close distance right now, much stronger than it had been at Rauros. But Robin was more prepared for Saruman's attacks this time around, in more ways than one.

Taking a deep breath, Robin began focus on the memories of his training. In his mind's eye he imagined a single black pearl against a black background. His mind remained focused on said pearl and only on it. By doing so, he was blocking out any other thoughts and memories that could be touched upon. His mind was no where nearly as trained as say Batman or Nightwing, and of course this would only slow down Saruman's invasion, but again, Robin was prepared in more ways than one.

Saruman face contorted into a greater sense of anger and strain. He kept pushing against Robin's mind, but there were strong mental barriers in place. The boy was not only resisting his probes but also doing a decent job at it. This couldn't be possible. When last he had faced the boy, Robin's mind shattered under his mental attacks.

"What's the matter, Wizard-man?" Robin growled, a knowing glint his masked eyes. He raised his hand and tapped the side of his head with his index finger slyly. "Having problems getting into my head again?"

"How can this be…?" Realization hit the Wizard like a freight train. "Gandalf."

"Congratulations, we have a winner," Robin smirked thinly. "But don't worry. Gandalf isn't going to bust in and smack down your ass. Not yet at least. He agreed to let me handle a few things first."

Saruman's scowl had reached a whole new level. The boy was protected from his mental probes. But it was still no matter. Gandalf was a rank armature to him, and he would fall just like the rest of Middle-Earth.

But that would have to wait until later. Right now Saruman had an annoying upstart to deal with. Rising from his throne, Saruman began to pace around the chamber.

"Do you truly believe that you can fight me?" Saruman asked amusement glittering in his dark and sinister eyes. The grip on his staff tightened as he spoke. "Did you not learn you lesson from the last time we face each other?"

"Who said I came here just to fight?"

Saruman's black eyebrow shot up quizzically, and that brought an amused smile to Robin's lips. "If you have not come for revenge against me, than why are you here? Do you simply wish to taunt me with your incessant banter?"

"Oh god… talk about ego," Robin said sarcastically. He took several purposeful steps towards the wizard. "Do you really think everything that happens around here, has to revolve around you?"

Focusing his power away from Robin and to the rest of the room, Saruman came to the horrible realization that he was being manipulated. And quiet effectively. But if it was revenge that the boy was after than why was he? Of course, the boy was merely a distraction. Spinning about, the Wizard caught sight of a small black form racing out of the shadows towards the pillar on which stood a certain orb covered with a dark cloth.

"The girl," he hissed, before lifting his staff up, while wondering how she had gotten this close without his noticing her.

"Batgirl, look out!" Robin cried.

Batgirl was mere inches from the Palantir, before she was suddenly blasted back by an unseen force. Her small form skidded across the floor, and then stuck against the wall nearest to the balcony.

"So you are the other child," Saruman sneered. Batgirl rubbed her head gently, though her eyes remained fixed on the Wizard. She could handle anyone from elves to meta-humans, but that was only against opponents whom she could attack physically. It would prove more difficult to hurt someone who could strike her down from 100 yards away. "So young… So powerful… And yet…yes… I can sense a sort of darkness in you. Perhaps, I should have made my offer to you. Such potential and skill... I could use you in my plans, child. You could prove to be great, with my guidance."

Saruman smiled at the look of pain on his victim's face. The first step in breaking a prisoner was to demoralize them and he had a feeling this would not be a difficult task. Her mind was ripe with insecurities. She wasn't like Robin, whose mind was stronger in will. She was trained in body more so than mind. She felt herself unworthy, for the sins of her past.

Redemption…

Bah. Redemption was such a comical concept. Once her mind was weak he would let her gaze into the seeing stone and Sauron would take of the rest.

"No," Batgirl managed to say. As fragile as Saruman's claimed her mind to be, Cassandra still had her own trump card. No matter how much he his milked his 'voice' he couldn't keep his body from speaking the truth.

"You too resist?" Saruman murmured with a mixture of anger and fascination. "What do they put in children's feed these days?" Given more time he would have attempted to sway her, but unfortunately he had more important matter to attend. "No matter. Though I must admit, that I would have greatly like to have made you many an offer, child." That last sentence sent a disturbing chill up Cassandra's spine.

Saruman raised his staff, the white marble ball at the end aimed at Cassandra. Yet before he could fire whatever hex he had planned, Saruman howled in pain, and suddenly dropped his staff. Looking down to his head he could see a golden piece of metal embedded in the back of his hand, shaped in the form of a sharp-edged 'R'. Pulling the offensive piece of metal from out of his hand, he looked up in time to see a long pole of metal flying towards his head.

-SMACK! -

Saruman crumpled like a wet paper bag when Robin swung his metallic bo-staff at the wizard and striking him hard upside the head. "Don't tell me you've forgotten about me, Saruman. We aren't done yet," Robin said in a horrifyingly accurate impression of Batman. "Batgirl get the Palantir to Gandalf. The Wizard is mine."

Batgirl sure the sound of that, nor did she like what she was seeing from his body language. "Robin, I should fight…"

"I said, he's mine," Robin growled.

Reluctantly she nodded and started walking towards the stone pillar in the center of the chamber.

"Wormtongue you fool!" Saruman yelled, trying to stand up onto his hands and knees. There was a bit of red blood dropping down his forehead and staining his robes. "Don't let the girl get the Palantir!"

Just as he said that, a wrenched form appeared out from another one of the room, and grabbed the cloth covered orb, and held it tightly. Wormtongue's appearance was of pure terror and one couldn't' be certain if it was because of his master or because of the dark and intimidating female vigilantes that was looking at him with an amused expression. He seemed to be hiding his jaw behind the cloth-covered stone.

Wormtongue finally made a break for the doorway that lead to the balcony. Batgirl allowed him, and followed. As always her movements were so smooth and agile that it was almost as if she were gliding over the floor. This only added to Gríma fear of the bat-demon, as he called her.

Stepping out onto the balcony she could her gasps from below and the sound of Pippin screaming, "There she is!"

She paid the cries and orders to come down no mind as she moved steadily towards the quivering form before her, clutching frantically to the large object in his hands.

Batgirl's amused expression only grew. Normally, she wasn't as petty as to prey on weaklings, but something about Wormtongue just brought out the Huntress in her. Wormtongue took a fearful step back, and Batgirl stepped forward. He then sidestepped to the left, and she followed. He took another step to the right, and again she matched it. This was quickly turning into a game of cat (or rather bat) and mouse.

"Stop," she ordered. "Give."

Those words alone made Wormtongue want to scream and wet his pants. Hell, if he could move his jaw he would have screamed alone. Unfortunately the girl had already taken that from him, back in Edoras. He glared about frantically. He was literally stuck. In front of him was the woman whom he feared more than anything he could remember. Behind him was a 7-story drop that would without a doubt kill him.

"Last chance," Batgirl stated. "Give."

She took a very large step towards Wormtongue who finally yelped and did the only thing he could think to do. He launched the Palantir at Batgirl, who spun around and soccer kicked the orb right back at him. The Palantir struck Wormtongue in the face, and ricocheted up and off the balcony and into the water with a soft Plunk -

Cassandra grimaced slightly, as Wormtongue collapsed to the floor. Not exactly what they originally planned, but at least the Palantir was out of Saruman's grasp.

Gazing down off the balcony, she saw Pippin break away from the group and reach under the floodwater before hefting up the large stone orb. As soon as he had done so, Gandalf made towards the youngest hobbit. Batgirl tilted her head to one side as she noticed the concern and slight fear that came over the wizard.

"Here, my lad, I'll take that." Gandalf said, taking the Palantir from the Hobbit and quickly wrapped it up in his white robe. Pippin appeared somewhat dejected by having the Orb taken from him, but nodded as he handed it over.

Turning his attention upward, Gandalf bowed his head as if to say, good job. Now with her part done, they only had one more remaining loose end. And she was going to enjoy tying it up.

Yet as Batgirl went to re-enter the tower, there was a blast of air knocking her back, followed by the balcony door sealing shut. She leapt back up and began pounding on the double doors, but it was pointless. Like the main doors below, these were also magically sealed. Meaning Robin was on his own.

"Damn."

Saruman's rage was beyond measure. These children had entered his tower and dared to oppose him? Because of them and that pathetic idiot Wormtongue, he had lost his only link with the Dark Lord. Glare at Robin, the two began to circle one another. Saruman turned his attention from Robin only once so as to will the doors to the balcony shut. No need to be interrupted by the other one.

"You are fool," the wizard snarled. "My power is beyond you very comprehension."

Robin's body was half hidden in the deep shadows of the chamber, but there was no mistaking his smirk. "We both know that isn't true, dumb-ass. You've been inside my head before. Remember? I've come out of fights against psychopaths, meta-humans, demons, demigods, and even been to hell itself. Who's to say this fight is going to be any different."

'Tough talk," Robin thought darkly to himself. 'I only forgot to mention that during those incidents I normally wasn't going at it alone. Lets just hope that I can deliver.'

"You should have taken me up on my offer, brat. I would have spared you death, but now…" Saruman seethed, as his claw-like hand shot forth, and suddenly the black staff that Robin had disarmed him of earlier flew back into his open palm. Without warning, Robin was knocked back by Saruman's power and held in mid-air. Tim's arm's and legs shot out and he felt as if he were being torn apart from every side. Robin grimaced in agonizing pain, and did his best not to scream. "Now, I shall have your head on platter of gold!"

Again there was the painful feeling of an invisible force pulling at his limbs and he knew that soon his very bones would be dislocated from their sockets. Saruman meanwhile began to stroll around the vigilante's floating form, smugness etched all about his being.

"First I think I shall tear you a part, followed by stripping the flesh from your bones." He paused in mid-step to looking to his victim's masked eyes. "But I shall not end there. You will suffer many pains before I allow death to befall you."

"I… don't plan on dying… yet…" Tim growled through grinding teeth. Robin's then allowed his left fist open and three small black pellets dropped down. The pellets bounced on the ground several times before rolling the rest of the way towards Saruman who look on them with mild amusement.

"Marbles? That is your great weapon little bird? Mere marbles?" he scoffed. "You truly are a stupid, stupid child."

"Just… wait," Robin responded. "Give it a second…"

Suddenly streams of thick black smoke began to erupt from the three pellets and began filling the room. One blast of smoke shot directly into Saruman's wrinkled face and he began to cough and chock loudly. As he was chocking, Saruman's hold began to waver and the Boy Wonder dropped down to the ground, before disappearing into the smoke and shadow.

"Blast… it! -Cough! -" Saruman managed to say in-between coughs. "What sorcery -Cough!- ...is this?"

"Simple smoke screen," drawled Robin's voice. "Not lethal, but it really makes breathing difficult when you get a face directly full of it."

" -Cough!- This shall not stop me!" Saruman growled, as the smoke began to disperse.

"Never said it would," Robin replied, with his voice echoing off the black marble walls. "But I've learned over the years that for someone to do a spell, one must be able to focus. And it's near impossible to focus when you can't breath.

"Or when you are just recently blinded and in major pain," Robin finished; his voice now so close that Saruman realized the boy was standing right behind him. Staff gripped firmly in his hand, Saruman spun around ready to strike. But when he completed his turn, Robin held up a small canister and a strong and painful liquid shot forth, blinding his eyes with an agonizing pain. Saruman screamed and fell to his knees, at the same time loosing his hold on his staff. Robin caught the staff, and knocked the wizard's legs out from under him with it. "By the way, that was stuff in your eyes is called pepper spray, in cause you're interested."

Saruman's face was red and puffy from the pain and irritation caused by the spray. He glared up at Robin, but all he could see was blurry black and green mass. As Robin had deduced, Saruman's powers were linked to his ability to concentrate, and that left him powerless at that the moment. Seeing no other option, the former White Wizard brought up his fist read y strike at the mass of color before him. Robin of course caught the fist in an open palm, and returned the attack with a punch of his own. Saruman's white haired head snapped to one side and a sob could be heard from him.

"I owe you a great deal of hurt Saruman," Robin growled and for a brief moment his shadow seemed to grow and take on the appearance of a bat's form. "You killed Boromir. You hurt my friends and my love. You raped my mind you son of a bitch." He raised his fist and struck the Wizard hard. "That was for Boromir!" He struck again. "That was for the Fellowship!" He struck a third time. "For Rohan!" A forth blow. "And that… That was for me!"

Saruman spit up some blood mixed with spit, staining his robes. Surely the boy was done. Right…?

"You can't be so vicious…" Saruman said.

"Only when I have to be," Robin growled. "You brought this on yourself. You chose to join Sauron. You were the one who sent the Orcs after us. It's your fingerprints on the smoking gun, Saruman. And you certainly don't deserve mercy."

Clutching Saruman's robes tightly in one hand Robin began to drag him back towards the doors leading out to the balcony. Blind as he was, Saruman could tell where they were headed and his entire body tensed. With him unable to concentrate properly on his magicks, the seal that he had placed upon the doors to both balcony and the main entrance had been lifted, allowing them to be open.

"This is your last warning," Robin growled, pulling Saruman onto his feet and pushing him back against the balcony's railing. "You even THINK about hurting another living being, and that will be the last thing you EVER do."

"D-Do you think you can threaten me, boy?" the wizard shot back, narrowing his blinded eyes. His fear intensified as Robin's lips twisted in a Cheshire smile.

"Oh no, this isn't a threat, Saruman," growled Robin. "It's a promise." And without warning, Robin shoved the wizard back causing him to topple over the edge of balcony. Everyone gasped as the wizard fell, but Robin remained in stone cold calm, as did Gandalf and Batgirl, who stood besides Aragorn and Éomer. Since she had been unable to get back into the tower, Cassandra had returned back down wait with the others.

Reaching into his belt, he removed his grapple gun and fired it downwards. The grapple shot down and coiled tightly around Saruman's ankles. After what felt like an eternity for him though it was only a few seconds, Saruman bounced once at the end of the D-Cell line and upon opening his eyes found himself, staring down at the shocked and slightly amused faces of the company below him. His shimmering multi-colored robes dropped down over his body, and thus he hung there swaying back and forth gently in a comical manner. While many of the others were pointing and laughing at the ridiculous sight, Robin had disconnected the d-cell line from the grapple gun before he knelt down to securely it to the railing of the balcony.

"Lets… stuff him full of… candy… and then beat him like piñata," Batgirl said with a wicked grin. Both Merry and Pippin who stood close chuckled under their breaths. Although neither knew what a piñata could possibly be, the idea of forcing M&M chocolates into Saruman and then beating them back out of the cruel wizard did sound rather entertaining, even if it would end up being a waste of perfectly good sweets.

"Gandalf the Grey!" Saruman yelled in a panicked voice. "You cannot allow this whelp to do this to me! I am Saruman the White, and I demand that you release me!"

Gandalf was now laughing whole-heartedly at the site of this once wise and powerful wizard now hanging from his feet like so much raw meat. "You have become a fool, Saruman, and yet pitiable… to an extent. You might have turned away from folly and evil and have been of service. But you choose to stay and gnaw at the … end of your old plots." Gandalf paused, the irony of his phrasing not lost on anyone. A number of the others snickered. "You hold no more sway, Saruman. Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey, whom you betrayed. I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no color now, and I cast you from the order and from the Council."

Gandalf nodded to Robin who still was still holding Saruman's staff and then tossed it into the air. At the same time Gandalf raised his hand towards it and the staff suddenly froze in mid-air. Gandalf then spoke in a clear and cold voice. "Saruman you staff is broken!"

There was then a crack, and the black staff shattered in half. As it did a flash of white light seemed to expel from the broken piece and everyone was forced to shield their eyes from it. Saruman screamed for he felt what little power that Valar had given him, was now dissipating from his very being. The sudden loss of power on top of having all his blood rushing to his head, proved too much for the fallen Wizard and he then passed out.

Robin stood silently on the balcony's railing and the only movement made was his cape and hair wafting gently in the afternoon breeze. Wormtongue, who had been regain consciousness and crawled back into the tower, mumbled an inaudible curse with his broken jaw.

"Pull your boss up," came a low grunt from the boy before him. The Teen Wonder then leapt off the high balcony and began to dive downwards. Still clutching his grapple gun, Robin fired a line that hooked onto the balcony and he swung down to the ground gently.

His friends stared at him, unable to find the words to convey their conflicting emotions. Gimli appeared absolutely giddy at the blow that the pair of teenagers had given Saruman, while Aragorn and Legolas were both annoyed and amazed. Théoden and Éomer seemed to share Gimli's feelings since both had suffered great by Saruman's evil.

Robin paid no mind however, as he had now fallen into what the other members of the Teen Titans dubbed 'his dark brooding bat-act'.

"Did you get it?" he asked Gandalf.

The White Wizard nodded, and lifted up the stone orb covered in his robe. "Yes. The Palantir is now out of the hands of the enemy. You and Batgirl did well."

"What?" Aragorn exclaimed, narrowing his eyes at Gandalf and the teen vigilantes. "Do you mean to tell us that you three had this all planned from the beginning?"

"Yup," Batgirl shrugged casually.

"Why did you not tell us?" demanded Legolas.

"We could not risk Saruman discovering what we had planned," Gandalf explained plainly. "While I kept Saruman preoccupied, that allowed Robin and Batgirl to enter the tower and located the Palantir unnoticed. Their skills in stealth were essential. But in order to keep our plans hidden from Saruman we could not let too many other people privy to that information."

Aragorn nodded, but it was obviously he didn't appreciate being kept in the dark by three people before him. Yet that didn't make what Gandalf say any less true. Had he been in there position, he might have done the same thing. Still, it did not mean he had to like it.

"So what do we do now?" Merry asked.

"We shall travel back to my home of Edoras," Théoden replied, a ghost of a smile on his face. "For we have won the day, and now it is time that we celebrate." The excitement from Merry and Pippin was unmistakable.

"But first I must find Treebeard and tell him how things have gone," Gandalf said, leading everyone back to where they had left the elder Ent. They found Treebeard standing above everyone's Horses watching with mild interest at their behavior. When Gandalf came into sight, he bowed his large head in greeting.

"How went your audience with the Wizard? Hoo!"

"Better than I had hoped," replied the wizard smugly.

Treebeard studied the group before him, before he spoke again. "I see no blood on your weapons and your number remains the same as when you left. Does the Wizard remain in the Tower?"

"Yes," Gandalf replied. "There, Saruman must remain under your guard, Treebeard. He has no power anymore."

Treebeard seemed to accept the response without question. "The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees…"

"One can only hope," Gandalf nodded. "I only wish that I could be here to witness their return, but it is time that we must go. I fear that I must take your gatekeepers from you. But you will manage well enough with out them."

"Maybe I shall," Treebeard replied. "But I shall miss them. We have become friends in so short a while that I think I must be getting hasty – growing backwards towards youth, perhaps. I shall not forget them. I have put their names into the Long List. Ents will remember it.

'Ents the earthborn, old as mountains,
the wide walkers, water drinking;
and hungry as hunters, the Hobbit Children,
the laughing-folk, the little people.

"They shall remain friends as long as leaves are renewed. Fare you well! But if you hear news up in your pleasant land, in the Shire, send me word. You know what I mean: word or sight of Entwives. Come yourselves if you can."

"We will!" said Pippin and Merry at once.

After bidding the rest of their farewells to the Tree Shepard of myth, the company remounted their horses and began to leave Isengard. But before they cleared the outer wall, Haldir called out to all them to halt.

"I believe that this shall be farewell for me and my folk as well," he said. His normally cool voice sounded sad and regretful.

"Farewell?" Pippin asked. "But why?"

"We have done what we could do in order to help our allies of Rohan, Peregrin Took," Haldir replied. "But our own home requires our attention as well. No doubt our involvement in the Battle of Helm's Deep has reached the ears of the enemy, and he will send his Uruk-Hai and other minions to the woods of Lórien so as to exact his revenge. We must return so we may ready our defenses to meet that threat and to defend the Lord and Lady."

Everyone felt disappointed at having to say good-bye to the Elf and his company. "We understand, mellon nîn (my friend)," Aragorn said.

"Yes, though I am sad to see you leave," King Théoden said. "The people of Rohan are forever in the debt of the Elves and our thanks are without end."

Haldir bowed his head. "May what we accomplished these past two days be a sign for better days for our peoples. I hope that the alliance between Men and Elves will grow stronger. Farewell and may the moon and stars shine in your eyes."

"Safe journey to you and yours," Théoden replied.

Haldir smiled in gratitude, but paused to look at Cassandra. He didn't speak but the smile he gave said enough. After a final look about, he turned to his forces. Shouting out a command in Elvish, the command of Elves began their journey east and back to the Caras Galadhon of Lothlórien.

Watching the Elf Company vanish from sight, the Fellowship and company of Rohan returned their attention back to their own trip. Gandalf as always took the lead, with Théoden and Aragorn on his flanks. Following them was Legolas and Gimli, Éomer, Batgirl and Merry followed by Pippin and a brooding Robin. The Rohan guard followed in tow.

There was a slight more bit of contentment amongst them. For many of them, justice had at long been served. Boromir's death had been avenged and Saruman had been delivered a painful blow in both power and ego.

Maybe things were finally starting to look up.

TO BE CONTINUED…