The morning sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the battlefield. Despite the temporary reprieve, tension hung over Gondor like a shroud. Aragorn, John, and Legolas met in the main hall of the citadel to discuss their next steps. The city was weary but still held hope. Yet, none of them could shake the feeling that something dark loomed over them, something far worse than another wave of enemies.
As the trio gathered around the war table, the map of Gondor and its surrounding regions lay spread before them. Markers indicated enemy positions, as well as the few remaining strongholds still loyal to Gondor. Aragorn traced his finger across the map, his brow furrowed in thought.
"The enemy's retreat last night was too sudden," Aragorn said, his voice heavy with suspicion. "They could have kept pushing, but they pulled back. It's as if they're planning something bigger—something we haven't foreseen."
Legolas, standing by the window, peered out at the distant enemy camp. "They're regrouping for an assault, no doubt. But I agree, Aragorn. Their retreat was... calculated. It's as if they're waiting for something."
John, who had remained silent, stared at the war table with a deepening frown. His instincts were screaming at him that something was wrong—something beyond just military strategy. His mind raced through possibilities, but nothing seemed to fit. Suddenly, a notification from his system blinked before his eyes:
---
**Quest Update:**
**New Objective:** Investigate the enemy's true motive. Uncover the hidden threat that lies within the enemy's ranks.
**Reward:** Unknown.
---
John blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "There's more to this than we know," he said, his voice urgent. "The system just updated my quest. There's something hidden in the enemy's ranks—a bigger threat than we anticipated."
Aragorn looked at John with sharp interest. "What did it say?"
"That we need to investigate the enemy's true motive. There's something they're hiding, and we need to find out what it is before it's too late."
Legolas stepped away from the window, his eyes narrowing. "If the system believes there's a greater threat, then we need to act quickly."
Before they could delve further into their discussion, a sudden clamor echoed through the halls of the citadel. The doors burst open, and a Gondorian scout, battered and out of breath, stumbled in.
"Your majesty! We've captured one of their commanders," the scout gasped. "He was found near the western flank, trying to slip past our lines."
Aragorn straightened, his eyes flashing with grim resolve. "Bring him in. Now."
---
Moments later, the scout returned with two guards, dragging a bloodied orc commander between them. The orc snarled and struggled, but the iron chains binding him held firm. Aragorn stepped forward, his gaze icy as he stared down at the creature.
"Why did your army retreat?" Aragorn demanded. "What are you planning?"
The orc spat blood on the ground and sneered. "You think you've won because we pulled back? You're all fools. The Dark Lord's plans run deeper than your feeble minds can comprehend."
John felt a chill run down his spine. He stepped closer, his hand gripping **Sauron's Bane** as he glared at the orc. "Tell us what you know, or you'll regret it."
The orc let out a sickening laugh. "You've already lost, human. It doesn't matter what you do. Gondor will fall, and so will the rest of your precious kingdoms."
Aragorn's patience wore thin. "Enough!" He motioned to the guards, and they shoved the orc to his knees. "Speak now, or you'll face a fate worse than death."
The orc hesitated, its eyes darting between Aragorn, John, and Legolas. For a moment, fear flashed across its grotesque features. "Fine... I'll tell you. But you won't live long enough to stop it."
John felt the tension in the room rise as the orc began to speak.
"There is no victory for Gondor," the orc rasped. "Not because of the army, but because of what lurks within your walls."
A stunned silence followed.
"What do you mean?" Aragorn asked, his voice dangerously low.
"The Dark Lord's agent," the orc continued, a twisted smile curling across its lips. "They've been among you for years. Watching, waiting for the right moment. And now, that moment has come."
John's heart pounded in his chest. An agent of the Dark Lord? Here, in Gondor? His mind raced as the implications of the orc's words sank in. If this was true, they had been betrayed from within.
---
Before they could question the orc further, the doors to the chamber burst open once again, this time with greater force. In strode a figure cloaked in black, a familiar presence that sent a shockwave through John's system. His eyes widened as the figure pulled back their hood, revealing the last person he would have ever expected.
It was Gandalf.
"Gandalf?" Aragorn said, stepping back in disbelief.
But the figure's eyes gleamed with malice, and a cruel smile twisted his lips. "Not Gandalf," the figure hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "I am Saruman."
John felt the weight of realization crash down upon him. This entire time, the person they thought was the White Pilgrim, their trusted ally, had been none other than Saruman in disguise. The true Gandalf had been missing for who knows how long, while Saruman had plotted from within, guiding the enemy forces.
Saruman raised a hand, and dark energy crackled at his fingertips. "You've played right into my hands. Gondor was never going to fall by the brute force of orcs and trolls. No, it was always going to fall from within. And now, there's nothing you can do to stop it."
John's hand tightened around **Sauron's Bane**, but his mind was in turmoil. How had Saruman managed to deceive them all for so long? And where was the real Gandalf?
Aragorn's voice cut through the tension. "You'll regret this, Saruman. Gondor will not fall, not while we still stand."
Saruman let out a dark chuckle. "We shall see."
With a wave of his hand, Saruman vanished, leaving behind only a lingering shadow in the room.
---
**A Plan of Action**
The room was plunged into stunned silence. John, Aragorn, and Legolas exchanged glances, the weight of the revelation heavy in the air.
"The White Pilgrim..." Legolas murmured, his voice filled with disbelief.
John shook his head, trying to process the shock. "It was Saruman all along. He's been leading us into a trap."
Aragorn's face hardened. "We need to find Gandalf. Wherever he is, he's the key to stopping this. And we need to act fast."
John looked at the map once more, his mind racing. The system had given him the quest to uncover the hidden threat—and now that they had, the next step was clear.
"We need to prepare for the final battle," John said. "But first, we find Gandalf."
As the war drums outside Gondor echoed louder than ever before, John knew the stakes had just been raised. They weren't just fighting to defend the city anymore—they were fighting to stop a betrayal that had been festering for years.
And the final battle was only beginning.