The Rise of Orthanc (Isengard)

[nimrauko]

Darkness set over the ring of Orthanc, as Saruman walked from the Forest of Fangorn, back to his tower.
After mere moments he decended the long stairs up into the tower. "So the ring of power is not lost after all...It was but a matter of time before it resurfaced..." Saruman turned the corner to his personal study. Dusty old volumes lined the walls. The table in the middle of it, was covered with scrolls, and alchemic items. Saruman walked briskly to a shelf of black leather bound volumes, taking it over to his table. Pulling up a chair he started to read the lore of Ring Crafting. After a short time he snapped the volume shut, walking over to a small cabinet in the far corner. Placing his hand on the intricate doors, he opened it, pulling out a bar of iron, and a bar of silver. Smiling he exited the room, and entered a secret chamber on the far side of the throne room. The room was a small secret forge. Saruman lit the forge, and started the long process of making a ring of power. He knew it would only be a minor ring, but it mattered naught to him. After many hours and putting his power into, the ring was finished.
"After all my long years of searching...it is done."

[Tarmeon the Fading]

Tarmeon's demonic mount ran forward. It's wicked body shivers. Conorach, the name to which the creature listens, was give to it when it was created. Conorach was far from a normal Warg as it was from being a horse. It has horse legs and a Wargs torso. It has a Wargs head with horse like features. Its eyes glowed red as its name was called and it didn't seem to get tired of the great velocity it gallops.

Tarmeon visited Rohan so many times but he always avoided Isengard. This time however, it laid as a barricade on his path. Tarmeon's decision was to get round it as fast as possible. It seemed a good plan to him till he came to close. Orc and Uruk-Hai patrols often crossed his path for which he had to hide. So, his journey was slowed down.

The tower of Isengard seemed to come closer with every step. Tarmeon hated its look. In Tarmeon's eyes did it show how Saruman exalted himself. The head of Tarmeon's wizard’s staff started pulsing a faint red light. Tarmeon spoke to it, softly but audible.

"I know you don't like it... I know... No, never kill him... I can't, he's a wizard, just like us... what do you feel... tell me... Yes, I know the price and I'll pay."

The light from Tarmeon's staff extinguished. Tarmeon got off his wicked mount and looked straight at Isengard, which stood just a few hundred meters before him. A Wargless Orc-partol spotted the old wizard standing at the top of a small hill, staring at their master's tower. They ran in his direction, with their weapons ready to spoil blood.

Tarmeon's staff started to shake and shiver. The red light returned but fierce this time. The wizards screamed in pain and the ground around his place started to carbonize. Tarmeon felt a deep pain but the sight was clear. He new that something was going on in Isengard. He saw a flash of what happened. He heard some voices but negated them.

Suddenly the light faded with the pain. Tarmeon got back on Chonorach and rode straight to Isengard, passing some smoldering Orc carcasses. The flash of memory he just gained drowned in his whirlpool of thoughts but he knew that he'd to go to Isengard.

[nimrauko]

Saruman Sensed a presence of emense power near his tower. Sliding on his new ring he used it to reach out and find more about the presence.

"A...another Wizard....Ill have to pay him a visit."

Saruman decended the stairs of Isengard, strolling out to the Gates.

"HAIL master Wizard! Who goes there?"

[Tarmeon the Fading]

Tarmeon saw Saruman's figure strolling past the gates of Isenguard. He heard his calling, but not his own name. Tarmeon overthinked his answer before calling it.

Hah, that old fool don't even know my name. It seems that his research doesn't reveal the true secrets...

Tarmeons thoughts spin and Tarmeon is stuned for a moment.

Why was I here. I searched something, a secret. But what?

Tarmeon approaches the other Wizard and halts a few meters away from him.

"Tarmeon the Fading. You're a fool, master Saruman, that you don't know my name. Put away your book and looks around once. See the world and it's true secrets. Till that I will not disturb you any longer than today. Now, give me a warm welcome in your great tower, since you're a fellow Wizard."

Tarmeon shows a wiched grin toward Saruman. It's meaning is incomprehensible by a normal human.

[nimrauko]

Saruman smiled vaugley.

"I know who you are Master Wizard. Please come into my tower."

"And do keep that beast far from me.....and the ents. They will not like the likes of him near their forests"

[Tarmeon the Fading]

Tarmeon gets off Chonorach and smacks it with his flat hand on the back. The creature squeaks and rans off to the forest, to hide there.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Master Saruman."

Tarmeon bows for Saruman and stand up immediately. He looks at Saruman with piercing eyes.

"I know why you fear Chonorach, because he doesn't exists in your books."

Tarmeon grins and looks around and points at the top of the tower.

"Show me your home, Master. I would like to take a look from up there."

[nimrauko]

Saruman looks Tarmeon over with slight hesitation.

"Why certainly lord Tarmeon. Just keep in mind, I know more than I lead to believe."

Who does he think he is? Tarmeon....the wizard is far more arrogant than I was lead to believe....

Saruman enters the tower climbing the long winding stairs and walking down the long dark coridors.

[Tarmeon the Fading]

Tarmeon's staff starts pulsing a deep red light on the rhythm of Saruman's heath beat, as the two wizard enter the tower.

"So, Saruman, what are you hiding within this thick-walled tower? Or, to say it another way. Have you learned something new since we met last time. Or haven't we met before?"

With every step the light dims a little bit until it completely fades away.

[nimrauko]

Saruman smiled weakly.
"My secrets shall be made known to you soon enough Tarmeon." Saruman entered the throne room taking his seat on the throne.

"And I thought our last meeting was quite memorable, I showed the palantir!" Saruman made no attempt to hide his disdain, or the new ring that adorned his finger.

[Tarmeon the Fading]

Tarmeon takes a seat facing Saruman. He examined him a short time without paying any attention to the new forged ring.

"Yes... the palantir. I remember it. Your way to communicate with... him!."

Tarmeon's staff shivers and lights up for a few seconds as Tarmeon makes a hint toward Sauron.

"But for now, I haven't come to babble about the past, Master Saruman. We should have to look forward to what will come and be. About our future and our destiny. I guess you've heard about the ring."

Tarmeon looks at Saruman, waiting for an answer. His hand rests on his Wizard's, as if he is feared to lose it.