Chapter Nine:
The betrayal in Isengard
The next day Gandalf and Twilight have reached the Gape of Rohan to the Tower of Orthanc in the old fortress of Isengard which is now the Home to Saruman the White and his Unicorn pony Sunset Shimmer. Saruman is the head of the wizarding order and wisest of them all so he walks out to meet his oncoming guest and say, " Well , well, smoke rises on the Mountain of Doom, the hour grows late and Gandalf the Gray rides to Isengard seeking my council. For that is why you have come is it not my old friend?" to which they bowed in respect. Gandalf then takes Saruman and Sunset to the court yard to where he and Twilight tell of the rings finding, Saruman asked, " Are you sure of this? The ring of Power has been found."
To which Twilight says, " Yes and for these long years it was in the Shire under our noses too."
Sunset then says, " Yet you didn't hive the wit to see it, Seems like your love of the Halflings leaf has clearly slowed both of your minds."
To which Gandalf said in defense, " But we still have time. Time enough to counter Sauron if we act quickly."
When Saruman stopped and quickly says, " Time! What time do you think we have? Come I shall tell of what I've learned my self."
Saruman then takes Gandalf and Twilight back into Orthanc Tower and begins to tell them of how Sauron Who still stuck in his spirit form can now see all through cloud, shadow, Earth and flesh by means of a giant eye breezed in flame, the Eye of Sauron, the Sunset Shimmer added, " We've also learned that he is gathering all evil to him and very soon he will summon an army great enough to launch an attack upon Middle Earth."
Gandalf was shocked of this news and asked, "But you know this? How?"
To which Saruman says, " Oh, we've seen it." He then takes them to the throne room and shows a small round table in the center with a round object standing on its middle covered by a long cloth.
Gandalf sensed its power and says, " No Saruman a Palantir is a dangerous tool."
To which Saruman said, " But why? Why should we fear to use it." then pulls off the cloth.
revealing a big round stone which made Gandalf say, " Because they are not all accounted for the lost seeing stones. We do not know who else may be watching." and recover the stone with the cloth but once he touched it he felt the Eye again and quickly removed it.
Saruman spoke as he walked to his throne, " I'm afraid the hour is later then you think Saurons forces have already moved. The Nine have left Minas Morgal."
Twilight then asked worried, " The Nine? Have they reached the Shire yet"
To which Saruman says, " Yes they've crossed the River Isen one mid Summers eve disguised as riders in Black. They shall find the ring soon and kill the one who carries it."
Gandalf and Twilight then made for the door but it shut on them as did the other three, now seeing they were trapped Saruman said, " Now You did not seriously think a Hobbit can content with the will of Sauron. There are none who can for against the powers of Mordor there can be no victory. We must join with him Gandalf, we must join with Sauron."
Twilight then looked to Sunset Shimmer and asked, " Sunset Shimmer surly you do not agree with this too, do you?"
To which Sunset said with a smile, " I am sorry Twilight but I'm afraid I do." then lights up her horn to turn into a young human with the horn still on her head. When the transformation was finished she added, " Besides with this much power hands and feet are a lot more comfortable than hooves. Join us Twilight it would be very wise."
Gandalf then said, " Well then tell us friends. When did Saruman the Wise and Sunset Shimmer abandon reason for MADNESS?!"then ready his staff for a fight, but before he could attack Saruman hit first then an all out magic battle forged between the two wizards and their ponies.
Both Gandalf and Twilight fought hard but were soon over powered by Saruman who now had both his and Gandalfs staff, he used it to push them onto the ground and spin them around saying, " This is disappointing. I gave the chance of aiding me willingly but have you elected the way of PAIN.!" before finally sending them both flying to the ceiling and thus trapping them on the roof."
Chapter Ten:
Shortcut to mushrooms
Meanwhile back at the Shire Sam and Fluttershy were walking through a cornfield deep in Farmer Maggot and Hayseeds farm when they found that they've lost track of both Frodo and Applejack, Sam first looked back but still couldn't see them so now worried he calls, " Mr. Frodo, Applejack? Frodo! Frodo!" when both Frodo and Applejack then appeared right in front of them which gave both him and Fluttershy relieve. He then says, " Oh, I thought we lost you guys."
Which made Frodo give a look of confusion and asked, " What are you talking about?"
To which Fluttershy answered, " It's something Gandalf said, ' Don't you lose them Samwise Gamgee and you too miss Fluttershy.' and we don't mean to."
Applejack chuckled at this and said, " Ah come now y'all two we're still in the Shire. What could possibly happen?" but before either of them could answer another Hobbits and Pegasus pony ran into them from the side and knocked them down followed by yet a second Hobbit this time with an Earth pony running into and knocking down both Frodo and Applejack, it was Merry and Pippin with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie too.
Pippin looked at his cousin to which his was on top of and says, " Frodo? Applejack?! Merry, Rainbow Dash look it's Frodo and Applejack." but was suddenly lifted by Sam who then helped Frodo up.
Merry then picks up some vegetables and hands them over to Sam who realized what was going and says, " Oh no you've been into Farmer Maggot and Hayseeds crops." when the sounds of said Farmer, pony and dogs came their way telling them to make a run for it.
As they were doing so Merry said, " You know I don't know why they're so upset, it's only a couple of carrots."
Followed by Pippin who added, " And some cabbages and those three bags of potatoes that we left here last week."
And Pinkie, " Oh, oh and the mushrooms the week before."
Then Rainbow Dash, " Yes Pinkie but I think Merry's point is they're both clearly over reacting." but soon found they could go no further only Sam realized to late and pushes them all down the cliff, luckily they didn't get hurt even Merry who thought he had broken something found it was a carrot.
Sam then pushes himself up and says, " Oh great trust a Brandybuck and a Took to get us all lost."
When Merry too got up and says, " What? lost? It was just a detour. A shortcut!"
But Sam didn't believe him so he asked sarcastically, " Really and it was a shortcut to what?"
To which Pippin answered, " Mushrooms!" and all six got up and bagged the mushroom.
Frodo and Applejack however realized that they were on a road and tried to tell their friend that they should get off it but they didn't listen till Frodo looks up ahead and hears a very loud shriek, Now really scared he shouts, "Get off the road quick.!" to which they all did now hiding in the stumps of a tree as one of the Black riders hunting the Hobbits was coming.
The rider stopped at the edge of the tree feeling that someone and something he wanted was near and began sniffing, but as he was looking the sudden urge to put on the ring clouded Frodos mind luckily Applejack stopped him and Merry throw the bag of mushroom away to distract the rider long enough for all eight of them to run for it.
Chapter Eleven:
Buckleberry Ferry
Now into the night one or more of the Black rider was being seen throughout the forest so Frodo, Applejack, Sam, Fluttershy, Merry, Rainbow Dash, Pippin and Pinkie Pie ran almost none stop till they took one breath where Pippin asked, " What is going on here?"
To which Pinkie said, " Isn't it obvious that Black Rider is looking for that shiny ring Frodo has because it once belong to a Dark lord who now is stuck in his spirit form and wants it back so that he can return to this world fully and take over the world. Right?"
Frodo and Applejack looked shocked at Pinkies answer and asked, " How did you know that?"
To which she replied with a smile, " Just a hunch." but then Sam shouts to get down because another Black rider was coming.
Once they thought it was gone Frodo said," Look I have to leave the Shire. Sam, Fluttershy, Applejack and I must get to Bree."
And that when Merry had an idea, " The Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me!" then run off in a different direction with the others following.
However the Black rider form before found them and surrounded them, Merry and the others managed to escape leaving Frodo and Applejack to be chased as they tried to catch up. The others made it to the ferry and began to set off with Merry taking the stick and Sam and Pippin untie the ropes, they saw Frodo and Applejack coming and shouted for them to jump to which they did and made it. The rider on the other hand stopped for it seemed he didn't like water and rides off with three others, Frodo now relieved considered a thought and asked, " How far to the nearest crossing?"
To which Merry answered, " That would be the Brandywine Bridge 20 miles." then once crossed made their way to the town of Bree.