Fear

That was the first feeling Legolas got when he, Aragorn, Gimli, and Gandalf rode into Edoras. The people who stood by watched them with cold eyes full of uncertainty and fear. They were poorly dressed and poorly housed. Even their animals looked ready to drop from exhaustion. But the worst part was the lack of defenses. No wonder the people here were so fearful. There couldn't have been more then half a dozen guards stationed and all of them were around the palace. The walls were completely bare of watches.

"What kind of king would let their people exist like this", Legolas thought in amazement. "Ada would be giving up rooms in the palace before he allowed our people to live so exposed to danger. Especially with all the unrest that surrounds these lands. These people are simply waiting to die from the first raid!"

He softly shook his head and refocused on following Shadowfax and Hasufel up to the castle. He figured he would find out about this king soon enough.

A group of guards emerged from the palace doors as soon the small band began ascending the steps and Gandalf greeted them with a polite smile and nod.

"I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed, Gandalf Greyheim", the leader said. "By order of Grima Wormtongue."

Gandalf looked at his companions and nodded, bidding them to release their weaponry. Legolas bit his tongue as he ruefully handed his bow and knives over to the waiting guards, glaring at them the whole time. Why was the king delegating someone else to set the standards for who he would see? Again, Legolas found himself wondering about this strange ruler who let his people live poor and undefended and apparently allowed another to dictate who was allowed in his own court.

The last of the weapons were handed over and Gandalf returned his gaze to the guards, smile returning.

"Your staff", the leader asked.

"Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick", Gandalf said.

The leader sighed but turned to escort the group inside the castle. Legolas smirked once the man's back was turned and casually extended his arm for Gandalf to lean on, helping the wizard keep his 'old man' act going as they entered the halls. He was thankful the Istari had kept his staff, for the moment they walked in, Legolas felt an immensely evil presence filling the room.

He quickly took in his surroundings, noting the lines of guards that stalked them from either side. Than his eyes fell on the king and what Legolas assumed was an advisor sitting close to him. The prince's stomach turned at the sight of the greasy-haired little man. It was no wonder he was called Wormtongue for he surely resembled a slimy creature that had wriggled its way to the top of a muddy field after a rainstorm. The king, Legolas noted, was an almost ancient looking man who did not seem to even be in the proper mind to rule anymore.

"I have heard of the prince of Rohan", Legolas mused. "Why has rule not been turned over to him? This poor creature does not seem to even know he himself exists, let alone a nation of people."

Legolas saw Wormtongue lean over and whisper to the king. He repressed the chuckle that built up inside him for with his acute hearing, the advisor might just as well have shouted the words.

"My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming", Grima hissed. "He's a herald of woe."

"The courtesy of your halls is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden king", Gandalf observed as they enter the room.

Again, the small man whispered to the king: "He's not welcome."

As if on cue, the elderly king raised his head slowly and regarded the group for the first time since they entered.

"Why, should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow", the king mumbled, barely audible.

"A just question, my liege", Grima murmured, his words dripping fake sincerity. Legolas almost gagged.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear", Grima continued, rising from the throne and descending toward the group. "Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."

Again, it had Legolas wondering just who was king of this realm, the creature who claimed the throne, or the wriggling worm that gave orders.

"Be silent", Gandalf snapped. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy creed words with a witless worm."

The wizard held up his staff and Grima's face crumpled into a fear-filled expression. "His staff. I TOLD you to take the wizard's staff!"

Immediately the surrounding guards that had followed them leapt into action, rushing forward toward them. Legolas immediately sprang into action. Just because they had take his bow and blades did not mean he was defenseless, as many men soon found out when they encountered the end of his fist and sole of his boot.

Out of the corner of his eye, Legoals watched Gandalf stride purposefully toward the throne, speaking to Théoden authoritatively. He punched the guard behind him just in time to feel the power Gandalf released as cast a spell over the man on the throne. But to his dismay, the creature simply breathed out a faint laugh that grew into an evil rumbling throughout the room. "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey"

Legolas watched silently as Gandalf cast aside the grey cloak that covered him, revealing white robes as Saruman had. Théoden gasped and was pinned against the back of his throne by the power the radiated out from the wizard. While the prince knew that Gandalf was now a white wizard, the immense power Legolas felt from Gandalf was still astonishing. He could do naught but watch in awe.

"I will draw you Saruman as poison is drawn from a wound", Gandalf said, casting Théoden back again with his staff.

"So, it is Saruman's evil that permeates this place", Legolas thought.

Suddenly a young woman ran into the room. She gasped when she witnessed what she thought was Théoden being attacked and she started forward to stop Gandalf. Aragorn quickly grabbed her arm and held her firmly, telling her to wait.

"If I go, Théoden dies", the creature said, it's voice becoming deeper as Saruman was brought to the surface.

Gandalf merely increased the power that held Théoden to his throne. "You did not kill me, you will not kill him."

"Rohan is mine", the voice hissed.

"Begone", Gandalf ordered.

Legolas watched the battle of wills play out for many moments. Finally, both wizard gave a loud shout as they threw themselves into one last attack. Legolas shielded his eyes as a bright flash and thunderclap filled the room and he felt the evil presence begin to fade away. Gandalf had expelled Saruman. Théoden released a soft moan and the young lady jerked free from Aragorn's grip, running to catch the king as he began to slip from the throne.

The elderly human looked around blankly as Saruman's spells faded. Legolas was shocked to see that he was not nearly as old as he appeared. In fact, he was fairly young even by human standards. Théoden eyes suddenly fell on the young woman who still held him upright and recognition blossomed in his eyes.

"I know your face", he breathed softly. "Éowyn!"

Éowyn smiled widely, relieved that Théoden was in his right mind again. The king looked around the room, still a bit confused and his eyes fell on the wizard that still stood before him. "Gandalf?"

"Breathe the free air again, my friend", Gandalf said, leaning in his staff with a smile.

"Dark have been my dreams of late", the king murmured, rising on shaky legs and rubbing his fingers as if not remembering he had any.

"Your fingers would remember their own strength better if they grasped your sword", Gandalf observed.

Legolas watched as a guard hastened to bring the king's sword to him. Théoden hesitantly grasped the hilt and pulled it from its sheath. He stared at the weapon for a long moment, a kingly air beginning to surround him. Legolas suddenly saw a look of venom cross the king's face and he followed Théoden's gaze to where it rested on the sniveling form of Grima, who was being held in place by Gimli.

"Cast him away", Théoden bellowed, descending the stairs

The guards rushed to do as the king commanded, grabbing the former advisor and throwing from the halls where he tumbled down the steps and lay groaning at the bottom. Théoden descended as well, his sword clutched tightly in his hand.

"I…I've only ever served you, my lord", Grima gasped, pushing himself away from the enraged king. Legolas couldn't stop the smirk that found its way to his lips as the former haughty and arrogant Wormtongue now crawled on the ground before the king.

"Your leechcraft, would have me crawling on all fours like a beast", the king shouted.

"Send me not from your sight", Grima begged, continuing to crawl backward away from Théoden.

The kings growled angrily and swung up his blade, ready to cut off the head of the worm before him.

"No, my lord! No, my lord", Aragorn shouted, grabbing Théoden's arm and stopping his swing. "Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."

Aragorn reached down to lift Grima up but the bitter little human spat on his offer hand and hauled himself to his feet, shoving his way through the crowd that had gathered.

"Hail Théoden king", Aragorn proclaimed to the gathered crowd.

Slowly the people knelt before their king and Legolas put his hand to his breast and extended it in the traditional sign of respect.

"Perhaps now these people will have a future to look forward to", the elf thought. "We will see what the coming days will bring."