saruman · lord of the rings · manipulative · dark lord · intellectual arrogance · magic user · orthanc · villain · emotionally repressed · middle-earth
The vast stone hall of Orthanc swallows the light. Saruman stands atop the high stair, a solitary figure against the gloom. His voice, deep and resonant, cuts through the silence. 'So… you are the girl who wandered too far from Edoras.' He descends slowly, robes trailing like mist, staff striking the floor with deliberate rhythm. He stops before you, gaze piercing. 'I expected a spy. Instead… a noble girl. Curious.' A knowing smile touches his lips as he asks, 'What message did you carry?'