Chapter 68: The White Council

What kind of request is this? Kael was speechless. Exchanging a single wand for an Elven gem... what was the difference between that and a free gift? Then, under Kael's astonished gaze, Galadriel gently raised a hand and, with a subtle motion, severed a single lock of her luminous, silver-gold hair. It fell into her palm, shimmering like captured starlight. "Elrond told me of the components needed for your wands," she said, her voice a soft melody. "Let these serve as the wand cores for Arwen and her brothers." Kael accepted the lock of hair, a sense of awe washing over him. It truly lived up to its legend—hair so beautiful that even Fëanor, creator of the Silmarils, had once begged for a single strand. As a High Elf who had bathed in the light of the Two Trees, Galadriel was one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth; even a few strands of her hair held extraordinary power. He was both surprised and delighted to find the lock contained five individual hairs. Three could be used for the wands for Elrohir, Elladan, and Arwen. Of the remaining two, one could serve as the core for Gandalf's new wand. The last was simply a gift. He had benefited from his connection to Arwen and her brothers, receiving an honor that even Fëanor had never been granted. Kael plucked a leaf from a nearby tree, transfiguring it into a fine silk handkerchief. He carefully wrapped the precious hairs, tucked them safely into his chest, and then solemnly assured Galadriel, "My lady, rest assured. I will craft powerful wands for Princess Arwen and her brothers." Galadriel smiled at his words. But just as this beautiful, serene atmosphere settled, a new arrival came to spoil it. "Gandalf, why have you brought an unrelated person to such an important meeting? You grow more and more reckless." An elderly voice, laced with mockery, echoed from the shadows. A tall, somewhat gaunt old man in white robes appeared, a formidable staff in his hand. His face was stern, his bearing imposing. Gandalf's joyful expression vanished. He forced a polite smile and nodded. "Saruman. It has been a long time." He then introduced Kael. "This is my friend, Kael, the Black-robed Wizard. He is not unrelated. There is a reason I have brought him to this council..." "Black-robed Wizard?" Saruman interrupted, his sharp eyes sweeping over Kael with clear disdain. "Gandalf, when did you begin associating with such third-rate sorcerers? He has learned a few cheap tricks and dares to call himself a wizard?" Gandalf took a deep breath and shot Kael an apologetic look. Saruman had always been at odds with him; Kael was simply caught in the crossfire. Kael shook his head slightly, signaling to Gandalf that he was unbothered. He met the White Wizard's gaze directly, showing neither fear nor timidity. After all, he already knew Saruman's eventual fate. As the only wizard who had come to Middle-earth of his own accord, Saruman's power and status were the highest, and he was the head of the White Council. But his heart was small and petty. When he learned that Círdan the Shipwright had entrusted the Ring of Fire, Narya, to Gandalf instead of him, he had become deeply jealous. He had even secretly tried to forge a Ring of Power of his own, but lacking Sauron's skill, he had failed. He then turned his ambitions toward finding Sauron's lost One Ring, searching for it fruitlessly in the River Anduin. Though Saruman had not yet fallen to darkness, it would not be long before he used the Palantír in his possession to contact Sauron. Kael saw no reason to argue with a man already doomed. Besides, Saruman was still the head of the Council and stronger than Gandalf. Direct conflict would be unwise. Saruman frowned, displeased by Kael's bold, unwavering gaze. Constrained by his status, he merely said coldly, "Unrelated persons must leave. This is not a place for you." "Saruman, Kael is here at my invitation," Gandalf said, his voice low but firm. "He is a witness to what I have to say. He has seen the Nazgûl and is a powerful ally!" "The Nazgûl?" Saruman sneered. "Gandalf, are you jesting? The Ringwraiths vanished with Sauron's defeat. Now you claim you and this... magician have seen them?" "But it is true!" Gandalf argued. "Not long ago, in the Barrow-downs, we encountered the Witch-king of Angmar possessing a barrow-wight! And Radagast brought news—a Necromancer has appeared in Dol Guldur, and a relic of Mordor was found there: a Morgul-blade." As he spoke, he took out the dark sword and placed it before them. Seeing the weapon, which radiated a palpable darkness, both Elrond and Galadriel—who had remained silent—grew grave. "This was forged for the Witch-king," Galadriel recognized. "After the fall of Angmar, the men of the North sealed his body and all his possessions in the high hills of Rhudaur, buried deep beneath the stone, never to see the light of day." Elrond frowned, incredulous. "Impossible. That tomb was sealed with powerful spells. It could never be opened. How did this sword come out?" Both turned their eyes to Gandalf. "The seal cannot be broken," Gandalf said, "but what if someone could summon him from it? We all know who his master is. If that One wished it, he could call his servants from anywhere." "Nonsense!" Saruman snapped. "Sauron was defeated. He can never regain his power. His One Ring was lost in the Anduin, perhaps washed out to sea, never to be found. He cannot return." "But the fact remains, we saw the Witch-king!" Gandalf insisted. "His power is still strong. Kael encountered him in the Barrow-downs, and later we faced his army of wights on the Great East Road. We saw it with our own eyes!" "That is merely your word," Saruman countered, glancing disdainfully at Kael. "And with the testimony of a third-rate sorcerer, it is hardly convincing." After being belittled again and again, Kael's patience finally wore thin. He spoke, his voice clear and steady. "If Saruman the White does not find this evidence convincing, then I have a way to prove that what Gandalf says is true." Everyone turned to look at Kael, even Gandalf, who seemed taken by surprise. (End of Chapter) *** [Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All Of My Fanfics!!] [www. [email protected]/meowthtl] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!]