Tidhelm ran. Arunel had tried to knock the old noble out and drag his body away of the ring of Orthanc, away of the wizard with his vile words inflicting damage in their minds. Behind him the thumping sound of arrows hitting the ground was heard. Tidhelm was unsure if the company was hit or not, nor did it mattered at this moment. The northern guardhouse was within his reach, only a stone’s throw away. Tidhelm entered the outhouse, throwing open the doors. The half-orcs inside were slow to answer to the disturber of their meals so Tidhelm had the upper hand in this. He was standing next to the half-orc's eating table when he raised his blade and slashed infront of him. The vile monstrosities yelled and screamed when their meal of bread, cheese and ale was heaved to the ground by the swing of the sword, just stopping before the head of one of them. “Sound the horn you lazy scoundrels! Wake the boys in the deep, double time or your heads will only serve the stake on which they are impaled!” This made the half-orcs awake from their drowsiness and into action. Not soon after the horn was heard across the vale and the sound of marching feet was heard by the company of riders and all those unlucky enough to be close enough to witness it. Tidhelm waited for a few minutes, eating some of the bread that didn’t fell to the ground, before heading out into the open air again. Two Uruk-hai of exceptionally broad build were standing outside in the sunlight, waiting with crude blades on the noble. The Uruk on the left spoke with his harsh voice without even looking down: ”We are to escort you to the old man. Now.’’ Tidhelm looked up toward the two, not pleased by this turn of events.
“They were to die this day, all of them! Wasn’t that the plan?’’ Saruman was seated on his throne, smoking from a long pipe of some sorts. Tidhelm was kneeling before Saruman, his gaze down towards the carpet. Shielding his eyes from the gaze of the wizard. “The plans have been changed.’’ This was all that the wizard said in response for what seemed to be minutes. Smoke from his pipe continued to fill the room, circling around Tidhelm. Saruman then finally decided that it was time to let his elderly ally rise from the floor, the feel of his gaze was enough to let this be known. Tidhelm’s knees creaked as he rose from the ground. The mere look upon Saruman’s presence made Tidhelm speak with curiosity. “What are the new plans, my liege?” The smoke in the room started to move around Tidhelm, confusing the noble until he saw the vague shapes that started to appear around him. He could make out Isengard with his walls in the grey smoke and the camp of the Eorlingas on the ford in the white smoke. Not soon after a wave of black smoke crawled out from Isengard toward the white smoke, surrounding the camp before the darkness swallowed it completely. Tidhelm nodded and was spoken to directly this time. “You will lead this attack.’’ Tidhelm’s jaw dropped yet he had no time to recover, as Saruman lifted himself of his throne like a leaf would be carried up by the wind. ‘’Come.’’ Tidhelm had no other choice but to oblige to the wizard’s words. Yet he was used to this by now.
They stood on top of the pinnacle of Isengard, looking over the edge. A mass horde of Uruk-hai and orcs were gathering on the surface, spilling out from the deeps. Tidhelm turned his head, a smirk was on his face when he asked: ’’Why would I need to lead this mighty host, your lordship? Even if this horde was just to move forward it would crush the camp with everyone inside by the mere trembling of their feet.’’ Saruman walked toward the middle of the tower holding his free hand over a stone table. His voice alone brought Tidhelm closer. ‘’An army instills fear into any who survive its wrath, yet without a head, who would recognize the body?’’ Saruman lifted his hand from the table and Tidhelm was but forced to look, as on it laid his long treasured price. After years his solution lay in a hand’s reach. The gap would fall. Soon.
