Departing from Isengard

Gandalf met with Treebeards and the Ents before leaving Isengard bidding them to watch Orthanc since Saruman remained. He hoped they would continue to flood the tower until all the secret underground passages out could be found. Treebeard assured him the Ents would handle it. Before parting Treebeard was introduced to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli who looked at the old Ent in wonder. Legolas explained that he wished to pass through Fanghorn, when all was said and done, if Treebead would permit it. The Ent gladly agreed but was shocked to know that Legolas wished to bring an axe bearing dwarf with him. "'This is a strange friendship!'" (p. 191, The Two Towers) declared Treebeard. The Ent was much relieved to find the axe was used only for Orc necks and much impressed to learn that Gimli felled 42 Orcs in the battle of Helm's Deep.

Then came the parting with Merry and Pippin. Treebeard felt he was becoming positively hasty by how fast he befriended the two hobbits. He bid them farewell and to bring any news of the Entwives should they find out anything. He parted with them by saying he put the Hobbits in the Long List of living creatures: "'Ent the earthborn, old as mountains, the wide-walkers, water drinking; and hungry as hunters, the Hobbit children, the laughing-folk, the little people'" (p. 191, The Two Towers). As they rode off Merry with Gandalf and Pippin with Aragorn they looked back to see Treebeard standing in the road. They rode for hours and Merry tried to learn what he could from Gandalf. While the first battle was won Gandalf was uneasy and wished that all who travelled in Rohan go swift to be unseen. He told Merry: "'There was some link between Isengard and Mordor, which I have not yet fathomed. How they exchanged news I am not sure; but they did so'" (p. 194, The Two Towers).

I saved my favorite quote from this section of reading for the end. Probably because it hits pretty close to home. I've been struggling with my attitude, both at home and work, as of late. Gandalf talking to the hobbits about Saruman says: "'He will not serve, only command'" (p. 190, The Two Towers). Indeed, Saruman could have been a great help to Gandalf and those who opposed Sauron if he could have swallowed his pride and selfishness. But service, at least true sacrificial service, seems to never have been an attribute of Saruman. I feel that same fault in me. I need my outlook and mind renewed and transformed into the image of Christ who set the example of humility and service in life and empowers His followers to do the same by His death and resurrection.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 5th
Today's reading comes from: The Two Towers, pages 189-194