Flotsam and Fetsam

Summary

Merry and Pippin tell their companions how they came to be at Isengard after escaping the Orcs and being helped by ents. Merry tells them how the whole forest marched to Isengard and tore up the gates. Pippin then tells them how Saruman almost managed to escape but was spotted in time and took refuge in the stronghold of Orthanc that even the iron tearing ents could not destroy. He also tells them how Gandalf came by and asked for TreebeardÂ’s help, which he gave. Pippin tells them how Wormtongue came to give Saruman a message, but seeing the destruction he wanted to leave. At that point Treebeard captured him and that is how he came to be cloistered with Saruman.

Again, Tolkien takes the time to backtrack and explain the missing pieces of the plot that the narrative has not revealed.

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