The Voice of Saruman - Gandalf needs to speak to Saruman. He lets the others come along, and they go together to Orthanc. Saruman, whose voice can mesmerize, tries to win over Théoden with his beautiful voice. When this is unsuccessful, he tries to convince Gandalf to join him. Gandalf is having none of it, however, and casts Saruman out of the Council of the Wise, and breaks his staff.

As they turn to leave, Wormtongue throws a large, round object out of the window at them. Pippin picks it up, but Gandalf immediately takes it away.

Gandalf, Aragorn, Pippin, Merry, Gimli, Legolas, and those from Rohan prepare to leave for Edoras, leaving Treebeard in charge of making sure Saruman does not escape. The Ents promise to watch Saruman carefully.