Due to the urgent situation, Gandalf even prepared to abandon riding his mount Shadowfax, planning to fly on a broomstick over the White Mountains, traveling in a straight line toward Gondor's capital Minas Tirith.
However, Kael stopped this plan.
"Flying there would still take considerable time. I can create a Portkey that transports directly to Gondorian territory. Though it cannot reach the capital directly, it would significantly shorten the distance."
Gandalf's eyes lit up. "With your magic, that would be much more convenient!"
Kael then took out a mithril ring and cast a spell on it with his wand.
"Portus!"
The mithril ring trembled slightly, emitting a blue glow. Kael handed it to Gandalf, explaining:
"I have cast a Portkey charm on the ring. Just channel a bit of magical power to activate it—it will transport you directly into Gondorian territory. It is reusable, so if you encounter danger, activating it will transport you back here to Isengard."
Gandalf did not refuse Kael's kindness, cheerfully placing the ring on his left index finger alongside the Ring of Fire.
He joked: "If I were not an old man, this might cause misunderstandings. I hope Arwen will not be angry—after all, she is not the first person you have given a ring to."
Kael was speechless.
Though their appearances differed, he vaguely remembered the actor who played Gandalf in his previous life preferred men over women. Connecting that with the present, Gandalf created an odd sense of discord.
If he did not know they were different people, he would be on guard.
Gandalf found Kael's complex expression strange, but having no time for such thoughts, he bid farewell and mounted Shadowfax, preparing to be transported to Gondorian territory via Portkey.
But before he could leave, the griffin patrolling overhead let out an urgent, piercing cry.
Both Kael and Gandalf looked up, puzzled.
"What has Aslan discovered?" Gandalf could vaguely sense the emotion in the griffin's voice, stopping his Portkey activation and asking in confusion.
Having Legilimency talent, Kael could directly access the griffin's thoughts. He frowned, looking toward Isengard's outskirts.
"Aslan says riders are approaching from outside—seems to be from Rohan, heading our way."
Hearing Rohirrim were arriving, Gandalf did not rush to leave. He worried: "With Gondor in crisis and Rohirrim suddenly coming to Isengard, Rohan must also be facing trouble!"
Gandalf's premonition proved correct. When cavalry led by Dunlendings arrived travel-worn before Kael, they learned Rohan was also under attack by Mordor's armies.
"Lord Kael, I am Folcred, King Théngel's cousin. We received Gondor's call for aid, but we are facing over ten thousand orcs and Easterlings in the east and cannot provide support," a leader around thirty respectfully addressed Kael.
"My lord, you are our neighbor in Rohan, always maintaining friendly relations. You possess tremendous power—your reputation is well-known in Rohan. I represent His Majesty in requesting your aid. This is the king's personal letter."
He presented a letter to Kael.
Kael read it carefully, then showed surprise.
Seeing this, Gandalf asked: "What did King Théngel write to surprise you so?"
Kael handed him the letter, saying: "King Théngel promises that if I help Rohan repel enemies, he will grant me the entire Rohan Gap, including Isen Ford territory."
Gandalf was also surprised.
The Rohan Gap referred to the region between the Misty Mountains and White Mountains—an open valley plain with Isen Ford serving as a crucial transportation route connecting Rohan and Gondor to Eriador, strategically vital.
If someone controlled and blocked this area, both Rohan and Gondor would be isolated.
That Rohan's king would cede this territory surprised both Kael and Gandalf greatly.
However, Gandalf did not intend to interfere, leaving the decision to Kael.
After consideration, Kael turned to the Dunlending chief who had come with Rohan's party.
Since Kael had subdued the Dunlendings, they lived on grasslands around Isengard's perimeter, forming the first line of defense against unwelcome visitors.
"Brog, you have heard King Théngel's terms. You decide this matter. If you are willing to help Rohan fight enemies, the Rohan Gap and Isen Ford that King Théngel cedes will become your people's territory. But if you disagree, we will drop the matter."
Kael addressed the Dunlending chief directly.
Kael needed to guard Isengard against Saruman's surprise attacks and did not plan to personally aid Rohan.
Before reconciling with Rohan, the Dunlendings had been a major threat, once even reaching Rohan's capital, Edoras—their strength was evident.
With Dunlendings and Rohirrim united against enemies, they might well repel Mordor's armies.
Of course, Kael did not force the Dunlendings. Though he had accepted their submission, unlike Hogsmeade's and Bree's residents, the Dunlendings remained self-governing—Kael did not interfere.
However, Kael hoped the Dunlendings would agree.
This way, they would gain vast living territory, even controlling Isen Ford's checkpoint on the north-south road, providing continuous income for prosperous living.
Moreover, if Dunlendings and Rohirrim fought together, it could eliminate centuries of enmity between the peoples.
Gandalf naturally understood Kael's intent, his eyes flashing with approval.
Though through Kael's and Gandalf's intervention the Dunlendings and Rohirrim had achieved peace, how could centuries of accumulated blood feuds be easily resolved?
This joint fight against Mordor's armies might be the opportunity to dissolve the two peoples' grievances.
The Dunlending chief wrestled with conflicting thoughts.
Emotionally, he naturally did not want his people risking their lives fighting for Rohirrim—he would prefer Mordor's armies eliminate them entirely.
But providing aid could gain vast living territory, allowing his people and descendants to prosper for generations.
After a long struggle and hesitation, Brog finally raised his head, looking at Kael with determination.
"My lord, we Dunlendings will provide aid, but we will not follow their battlefield commands."
Kael smiled knowingly.
He had known Brog would agree.
As Dunlending chief, Brog was a rare leader who truly considered his people's welfare—submitting to Kael for protection, willing to set aside grievances for peace with Rohan.
Now choosing to aid Rohirrim for his people's territory was unsurprising.
Gandalf also smiled with relief—both approving Kael's approach and praising the Dunlending chief's choice. The aid-seeking Rohirrim transformed from anxiety to joy.
Though Rohirrim held prejudices against these "barbarian" Dunlendings, their combat effectiveness was undeniable—they had caused considerable trouble.
With Dunlending aid, they gained confidence facing Mordor's armies.
"Since you are willing to aid Rohan, I as lord must also contribute," Kael said.
Kael took out the Horn of Victory and sounded it.
The loud horn echoed throughout Isengard.
Soon, eagle-horse cries came from the forest depths.
Dozens of hippogriffs flew from the forest, circling the sky before responding to the horn's call, quickly landing, and trotting to Kael after brief runs.
The Rohan party and Dunlendings gazed with wonder at these seemingly assembled creatures.
These hippogriffs stood over three meters tall with six-meter wingspans—three to four times larger than ordinary horses, elephant-sized.
Kael stroked the lead hippogriff, then told Dunlending chief Brog:
"These hippogriffs can run on land or fly in the sky. I am lending them for battle. But they are proud—ordinary people do not easily gain their recognition. Try your luck—whoever can ride them depends on your own ability."
Not only did Dunlending eyes shine, but even Rohirrim showed envy.
These magnificent hippogriffs—who would not want to ride them?
Dunlending chief Brog gazed excitedly at the hippogriffs, eagerly asking: "My lord, how do we gain their recognition?"
"Choose one you fancy, approach to about two meters, and bow while maintaining eye contact without hesitation. If it also bows, that means recognition—you can approach and mount it," Kael explained.
"But if it does not bow, that means rejection. Do not hesitate—slowly retreat, or angering it might get you clawed to death."
Following Kael's instructions, Dunlendings eagerly tried gaining hippogriff recognition.
Naturally, Dunlending chief Brog tried first.
He targeted the lead hippogriff—the first Kael had bred and the only named one: Buckbeak.
Seeing Brog's choice, Kael did not intervene, watching the spectacle.
Brog approached Buckbeak.
At two to three meters distance, Buckbeak became agitated and alert, pawing the ground with sharp-clawed front hooves as a warning.
Brog immediately stopped, then fixed sharp eyes on his target, slowly bowing in salute.
Buckbeak studied the human as if evaluating and measuring.
When Brog's stiff, aching body began trembling slightly, Buckbeak extended a front hoof and slowly lowered his head in return.
Kael was somewhat surprised by this result but still smiled congratulations: "Congratulations, Brog. Buckbeak recognizes you—you may touch him now."
Brog showed joy, cautiously approaching and tentatively stroking Buckbeak's sharp beak.
Even as the tribe's finest horseman, climbing onto a three-meter-tall hippogriff took considerable effort.
Other Dunlending warriors then selected targets, bowing to hippogriffs seeking recognition.
Some succeeded, others failed.
Some even angered hippogriffs, nearly getting torn by sharp claws until Kael intervened.
Those who succeeded joyfully mounted their hippogriffs; failures retreated dejectedly, watching successful companions with envy and jealousy.
Kael then produced thousands of spider-silk woven armor pieces, granting them to the Dunlendings.
These armors were light, comfortable, and resilient—ordinary blades could not penetrate them, making them Weathertop specialties.
Kael also distributed all weapons from Orthanc Tower's armory—previously forged secretly by Saruman—to the Dunlendings.
Thus a fully equipped Dunlending army was born.