Day 143: Greedy for news

[tanaquiljall]

gwynnyd asked: How did Saruman find out the Ring was destroyed?

Day 143

as part of the Saruman of Many Colours series.

Greedy for news

Treebeard watched the departing eagle dwindle to a dark speck as it returned East. Humming to himself, he turned and strode through the ruined gate towards the tower.

The window onto the balcony was open by the time he reached the steps.

"Well. Hoom-hom! It seems there is news at last from away East. Good news. The best. Sauron's realm has been overthrown, and the Dark Tower is cast down."

There was never anything to see in the blackness beyond the casement, but Treebeard heard the faintest of sounds from whoever listened.

Was that a gasp of fear – or hope?

Comments

[elena-tiriel.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I'm not sure Saruman knew himself! LOL!

Certainly, there was some relief... Saruman knew he was in deep doo-doo with Sauron after not delivering Gandalf to the Black Riders... pesky, irritating Eagles! and after not delivering Pippin to the Winged Rider, who buzzed Edoras in irritation ;-)

But his speech to Gandalf "Join us! It would be wise...." (or something like that) makes me think that he really had deluded himself into believing that he would have power if Sauron reigned..... so maybe this was the last gasp of his hopes?

Poor fellow... maybe I, too, would go kick some worthless Shire rats around if I were in his place....

Or maybe not.

Well done, Liz! {{{hugs}}}

- Barbara

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks, Barbara {{{hugs}}}

Yes, I saw it being a moment of fear on realising it was the last gasp of his hopes (however deluded and unlikely at that point) to seize the Ring for himself, which I think he always harboured behind his apparent desire to serve under Sauron (and which I'm sure Sauron knew about). And that he was left with nothing except capitulating to Gandalf and being dragged by to Valinor to explain himself. (Rather like Sauron a couple of ages earlier with Eonwe wanting to take him back to be judged by Manwe, really.... except Sauron went East and kicked around some Easterlings instead *g*)

[gwynnyd.livejournal.com]

ohh, hope! Too bad he was too proud and set in his ways to accept it.

[tanaquiljall]

Yup. I guess if he'd had the humility and courage to repent, he wouldn't have been been arrogant and proud enough to try and become a power in the first place.

[sgafan.livejournal.com]

I think the last line is wonderful. Not a word and not a decisive statement on exactly what Saurman was thinking at that moment. Really nice! Leaves me guessing ;)

[tanaquiljall]

Thank you! {{{hugs}}} I'm glad to know it had the intended effect - and I'm not sure Saruman would have known what he was feeling at that moment either. Lots of conflicting emotions.

[(Anonymous)]

I like the ambiguity, too, and I think this interaction leads nicely into Treebeard eventually allowing Saruman to leave the tower.

Denise

[tanaquiljall]

Thank you. *g*

I agree - I can see Treebeard reacting (with hope and goodwill) to that ambiguity, thinking Saruman may be redeemable - and Saruman playing on that!