The Tower of the Cunning Mind

His New Power Base

            He combed wind-blown hair from his eyes with his fingers and stared greedily at the tower, his new abode, empty almost from the day when Cirion gave the Mark to Eorl.  The Stewards since had been rightfully wary of sending even scholars regularly across foreign borders, no matter how friendly they might be.

            Now Orthanc and its power and secrets from Númenor and Elvenhome were his to use as he pleased.  He licked his lips in anticipation and walked up to the doors to take possession, already planning to comb its libraries and storerooms for what information he could use.