Amid the Ruins
by North-took

"Many of these trees were my friends," Treebeard said as he gazed at the ruins of the Fangorn Forest in horrified disbelief. The old Ent could not comprehend the destruction before him. "Creatures I had known from nut and acorn."

Pippin looked down at the rough bark under his fingers. It was at his insistence that Treebeard brought them to Isengard. It was because of him the old Ent learned of the tragedy in this way. He wasn't certain if his next words were consolation, apology, or some blend of the two. "I'm sorry, Treebeard."

If the he heard Pippin speak, he gave no sign. "They had voices of their own," Treebeard continued. Then he fixed his attention on the pale tower shinning like a dagger in the distance - Isengard, Pippin guessed - and his manner became fierce. "Saruman... a wizard should know better."

The Ent gave a loud cry that encompassed bitter loss and anger and somehow reminded Pippin of the eerie scream his sister Pimpernel gave when her first babe was stillborn. Both sounds echoed in his memory long after they washed beyond his hearing.

"There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of men for this treachery," Treebeard rumbled. Pippin did not doubt the Ent wished to scar Isengard the way his forest was maimed.

There was a noise behind Pippin, the cracking sound of branches breaking underfoot. He turned slowly, fearing that what he might see would rouse Treebeard further, only to find part of the forest detaching itself and moving slowly away from Isengard.

The words tumbled from his lips. "Look... the trees - they're moving."

"Where are they going?" Merry asked.

"They have business with the Orcs," there was grim satisfaction in the statement. "My business is with Isengard tonight. With the rock and stone."

More noise from behind; this time it heralded the arrival of the other Ents. Each Ent was as grim as Treebeard and Pippin wondered what message had been conveyed to them in Treebeard's haunting cry.

"Yes," Merry hissed, sitting up.

Pippin adjusted his grip on Treebeard and turned his face to the distant tower.

"Come, my friends, the Ents are going off to war. It is likely we go to our doom. Last March of the Ents."

As Treebeard led the Ents to war; Pippin held on tightly and hoped against hope that vengeance would bring healing. Hobbits were taught that revenge only deepened a wound, but an Ent is not a hobbit.