In front of the Stone Tower of Orthanc.
"Bang..."
As a white figure fell quickly, a heart-stopping muffled sound was heard.
The Lord of Isengard, the president of the White Council, the most powerful parliament in Middle-earth, and the white-robed wizard Saruman known as the "Wise Man" died so simply in front of everyone.
What follows is not a moment of silence after the death of the big shot.
Instead, complaints and curses immediately sounded among the people below.
"Damn, what is this..."
The dwarf Gimli felt that his face was covered with thick, slippery and hot liquid for a moment, and he immediately shouted.
"It seems to be brains, Saruman's brains..."
"Damn it!"
"Bah bah..."
"This stuff tastes really bad..."
"Oh my god, you actually tasted it?"
"I don't want to taste it! That thing just hit my mouth, damn it!"
"Well..."
"Then...what does it smell like?"
"..."
In front of such a bloody scene.
The only one who wanted to make a scene was Gimli.
There were only two little hobbits whispering.
Morgan, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Éomer, all of whom knew Saruman's identity relatively well, looked at the headless body in front of them whose white robes were dyed red with blood and began to slide into the water.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
Among them, especially Éomer, who is the third marshal of Rohan.
Rohan is on the border with Isengard. Éomer is very aware of everything Isengard has done to Rohan over the years.
It can be said that he knew the evil and power of Saruman better than anyone else on the scene.
So, looking at the headless body in white robes in front of me.
Éomer looked stunned for a moment.
Apart from Éomer, Gandalf was deeply touched by Saruman's death and had the most complicated emotions.
a long time.
Looking at the headless corpse gradually sinking into the murky water.
Gandalf only sighed in his heart.
And for Morgan.
Saruman's sudden death is full of drama and irony.
In fact, it was already at the bottom of the mines of Moria.
After he and Gandalf fell into the underground abyss to fight the Balrog.
He then knew Gandalf's body, the body he used to walk in Middle-earth.
Powerful because of the soul.
But at the same time, this body is also extremely fragile.
He will be hungry, he will need to eat, he will be injured, he will bleed, and he will also die.
As the first white-robed wizard who was ordered to come to Middle-earth.
There is no doubt about Saruman's strength.
But similarly, the body he uses to house his soul and walk on his behalf is naturally the same as Gandalf's.
You will get hurt and you will die.
But being as arrogant as Saruman must have never imagined that he would eventually die at the hands of Grima, whom he regarded as a slave and lackey.
Although no one else expected it at all.
But Morgan was not surprised.
Even if he is not vigilant enough, he will be attacked by others and die.
There's nothing strange about this.
"So, do we...have won?"
At this time, Legolas, who calmly wiped the splattered brains off his face, looked at the silence of his companions and suddenly spoke.
"Excluding Grima, I think there should be no other enemies in this stone tower..."
Morgan retracted his gaze as the body sank into the water, and looked up casually.
On the upper edge of the stone tower, Grima, dressed in black robes, leaned out and looked down.
At this time, Morgan's eyes were seen looking from below.
Grima couldn't help but tremble.
Then the body slowly retreated.
"Let's go, maybe there is something hidden in this Orthanc stone tower..."
At this moment, Gandalf finally spoke.
Saying this, Jieying immediately stepped forward as he pinched the horse's belly.
At this moment, the hobbit Pippin sitting behind Aragorn suddenly jumped off his horse and strode toward the murky water where Saruman's body was.
"Pippin..."
Aragorn looked confused and shouted quickly.
Pippin's action immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.
Morgan looked at this scene, his expression changed slightly, and he immediately remembered something.
Then, in the eyes of Morgan and everyone.
The short hobbit Pippin accurately reached out and fished out a black crystal ball the size of an adult human palm from the water.
"really..."
"It is the black crystal ball that Saruman revealed above the Stone Tower of Orthanc before."
"It is also one of the crystal balls of true knowledge."
Morgan looked at the crystal ball in Pippin's hand, and various images flashed through his mind.
Unlike others.
Gandalf's eyes widened when he saw the crystal ball in Pippin's hand.
Then, he quickly pulled the reins, rode up quickly and said, "Peregrine Took..."
Gandalf's voice immediately brought Pippin, who was staring at the crystal ball in his hand, back to his senses.
"give it to me..."
Seeing the reluctance in the eyes of the little hobbit in front of him, Gandalf said with a serious face: "Hurry up."
Although I feel extremely sad.
But at this time, Pippin could not resist Gandalf.
He had to offer the black crystal ball very reluctantly.
Gandalf took the crystal ball of true knowledge and immediately wrapped it in his broad white robe.
Looking back at Pippin with an inexplicable expression, Gandalf pulled the reins, and Jieying immediately headed towards the gate of the towering stone tower ahead.
Pippin looked at Gandalf's retreating back with unwilling eyes.
Watch this scene.
Morgan knew it well, so it was no wonder that Pippin became the first person in the Fellowship of the Ring to fight monsters.
However, the Dark Lord Sauron really understands human nature and the human heart, and is also extremely good at bewitching and seducing.
Among the members of the expedition team who were closest to the True Knowledge Crystal Ball.
Only the young hobbit Pippin has an active mind and extremely curious mind.
Such an object is the easiest to be seduced and bewitched by Sauron.
Although this crystal ball of true knowledge that has been contaminated by Sauron is far less powerful at bewitching people than the Supreme Lord of the Rings.
But it was not something that young Pippin could resist.
"Let's go..."
At this time, Aragorn rode up and pulled Pippin onto his horse.
Everyone quickly followed Gandalf towards the gate of the towering stone tower in front of them.
It was Grima who opened the door to the Tower of Orthanc.
Éomer also kept the promise he had made by shouting before the tower.
Grima was given freedom.
Gandalf led a group of expedition members to search for this towering tower.
after an hour.
On the upper floor of the stone tower, there is a very spacious and solemn hall.
There are rows of tall bookshelves.
Every bookshelf is filled with books of all kinds.
Not far from the bookshelf is a long desk with a large number of various information books scattered on it, as well as some other scattered experimental items.
further away.
The black stone pedestal located in the center of the room is tall and majestic.
This is a collection of study rooms, laboratories, and conference rooms.
It is the place where Saruman usually spends most time.
At this time, Gandalf was standing in front of the desk, flipping through something.
Legolas was helping.
Gimli sat on the bench in front of his desk and smoked.
Morgan calmly sat on the tall stone seat in the center of the room, closing his eyes and meditating.
It didn't take long.
When the figures of Aragorn and Éomer arrived in this huge room one after another.
Gandalf finally stopped flipping through the books.
"How about it?"
"Have you noticed anything?"
Gandalf looked at the two people approaching and asked.
Aragorn and Éomer just shook their heads.
"The only information Saruman left about Mordor points to Gondor."
"Does that mean that the target of Sauron's attack is Gondor?"
At this time, Morgan, who was sitting on the tall stone seat, opened his eyes, looked at the frowning Gandalf and the others and said.
He knew that Modo's attack target was Gondor because of his memory of the plot.
But if he couldn't provide reasons and evidence, he wouldn't be able to convince Gandalf Aragorn and the others about such a big matter.
"Although there is a possibility..."
"But it's not enough."
Gandalf watched Morgan shake his head and spoke, and continued: "Without enough reasons, we cannot convince King Theoden to send troops to aid Gondor."
The words fell.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
Gandalf's thoughts were clear to everyone in the hall except Gimli.
That's since Isengard's defeat.
It is certain that Modo will send troops to start a war.
However, Gandalf was unsure where Mordor's attack was aimed.
Although Gandalf also suspected that Mordor's target was most likely the nearest Gondor.
But as he said, he needs enough reasons and evidence to convince the people he wants to seek help for Gondor.
Also convince yourself.
This kind of important matter, which is related to the safety of the entire Middle-earth world, cannot tolerate any sloppiness.
Listen to Gandalf say this.
Morgan could only remain silent.
Speaking of which, there is another way, and that is to use the true crystal ball that Pippin picked up and is now in Gandalf's hand.
But that would be too dangerous.
Even if Morgan said it clearly, Gandalf would definitely not agree.
And the crystal ball of true knowledge is not simple.
It is impossible for ordinary people to know the existence of the True Knowledge Crystal Ball.
Morgan is naturally among them.
At this time, only the knowledgeable Gandalf and the noble Aragorn in the stone palace knew.
"It can't be said clearly, and it can't be said clearly..."
"Do we really have to wait for Pippin to start a group privately?"
Morgan sat on the tall stone seat and muttered to himself.
It was not a sudden whim, but he thought that accelerating the process of the world through his own hands would be more beneficial to the progress of his system exploration.
Thinking of this, a thought suddenly flashed through Morgan's mind: Yes.
About to speak.
At this time.
A burst of messy footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.
Everyone raised their heads and soon saw a large group of tall men wearing black robes walking into the hall.
It was the group of black-robed knights who came to look for Aragorn before.
Not long ago, they were sent by Aragorn to search for the huge stone tower at their feet.
The same goes for the hussars brought by Éomer, who also went to search for the giant tower.
But what they were searching for was the tower levels near the bottom.
The top few floors were searched by the expedition team.
"How about it?"
Gandalf looked at the two elves approaching and asked.
For the twin sons of Eldron, Elladan and Elrohir.
Gandalf must have known him.
Although the relationship with them is not as good as Aragorn.
"No..."
Elladan shook his head.
They were searching the floors in the tower where supplies and food were stored, where they might find confidential information.
Gandalf knew what was going on, so he just asked casually.
No further information can be found within the stone tower.
The group did not continue to gather together.
Everyone has traveled long distances and traveled long distances.
Now Isengard has been captured.
Saruman is dead.
Although time is still urgent, you still need to have a good meal and rest at this time.
There is no shortage of food and drink stored in such a towering tower as Essinger.
The elite hussars from Rohan and the thirty Dúnedain tribesmen who came to support the patriarch Aragorn and were called the "Gray Robbers" all lived in the wild all year round and were very skilled in cooking food.
Soon, everyone in the hall dispersed one after another, leaving only five companions: Morgan, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
Morgan suddenly said: "Gandalf, what happened to the crystal ball that Saruman showed us before...?"
The words fell.
Everyone's eyes first focused on Morgan, and then all looked at Gandalf.
After all, everyone saw the scene where Gandalf took the crystal ball from the hobbit Pippin.
Gandalf looked at Morgan carefully.
After seeing Morgan's clear and deep eyes, his mind immediately recalled the scene where Morgan refused the Supreme Lord of the Rings at Bilbo's house.
I couldn't help but secretly scold myself for being too worried.
At this time, Morgan asked, why not simply tell Palantir (True Knowledge Crystal Ball) and a few friends.
Thinking like this.
Gandalf took out the crystal ball covered with white cloth and placed it on the table.
Then he began to say: "Perhaps, you have heard of a kind of treasure that can see from afar, can communicate with each other across mountains, forests, rivers, wilderness and other long distances..."
"Yes, now I tell you, this kind of treasure does exist..."
Gandalf had just finished speaking.
Gimli immediately couldn't help but interrupt: "Wait a minute, Gandalf, are you sure you're not joking again?"
"Did I hear that correctly?"
"of course not..."
Gandalf shook his head and continued: "You heard that right."
"Because that treasure is right in front of us..."
As soon as he said this, several people immediately looked at the ball on the table that was tightly wrapped in white cloth.
"that's it..."
Gandalf spoke softly: "Palantir."
At this moment, Aragorn, who was sitting in the corner of the desk, immediately widened his eyes.
But he soon came to his senses, and his expression began to become complicated when he looked at "Palantir" who was wrapped in white cloth.
"So magical?"
"Can you open it and take a look?"
"I want to talk to Groim in Erebor..."
Gimli asked immediately with an excited look on his face.
"Of course not."
“It’s not capable of single communication.”
"Besides, it has been contaminated..."
The words fell.
Aragorn stood up suddenly and looked at Gandalf: "You said it was contaminated?"
Gandalf nodded: "Yes, I suspect that Saruman's betrayal has a lot to do with his contact with Sauron."
Aragorn: "So, can it reach Sauron?"
Gandalf nodded again: "Of course."
Aragorn: "I have an idea."
Gandalf: "You'd better not think about using it. The evil of the giant eye is more dangerous and evil than you and I imagined."
Aragorn: "I know, but I insist..."
