Title: Alternative World

Rating: G, for the moment.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. "The Lord of the Rings" is the property of Tolkien and his publishers.

Distribution: I don't have a homepage. If you want it, you can ask.

Isengard:

Saruman sat on his throne, rather impatient with the way things were going. Now that Gandalf knew he was no longer exactly loyal to the higher powers, he had even less time to waste. The aching press of the ring was growing in his soul and it was getting harder to ignore it's siren's call. Sauron was growing suspicious of him, proving his loyalty to him was something that gnawed at this normally proud man.

And Wormtongue was wearying him with his demands about the Lady Eowyn. Though he could not see why he would become entangled with any woman. They were, for the most part, rather silly and shallow creatures-easily interchangeable one with another.

Edoras:

Wormtongue knew of Saruman's growing displeasure with the situation. And with Eowyn's image ever haunting his mind, he knew he must do something. The problem was with Theoden. He was taking to long to die of despair. His nephew was now out of the way, having been imprisoned for talking back to his uncle about his lack of resistance against the orc attacks.

Among his possession was a clear liquid and, after a quiet dinner, he poured it into Theoden's evening drink. He was not worried about an inquiry, the king was old and everyone would believe that he had died peacefully during the night.

When morning came, Theoden was found by Eowyn. The official report that went out among the people was that he had died of natural causes.

Eowyn was suspicious, there was just to many circumstances that put Wormtongue in power for it to be a coincidence. But there was nothing she could do. Cut off from her brother, from any kind of hope of aid from their allies, she would have to bear it.

Honor would not allow her to leave her people to slavery under the temporary rule of Wormtongue.

No. She must stay.

And she would do whatever it took to help them-even marry the snake in the grass if she had to.

Isengard:

Saruman fingered the paper in his hands, eyes narrowed. He did not like what Wormtongue had done, there was too much at stake. How, he wondered, do I repair the damage? It was a problem that plagued his mind as he rode to Edoras.

Looking up, he noticed Lady Eowyn first.

Carefully appraising her, he was a little surprised to see her not flinch but throw back her head proudly and meet his eyes head on, unafraid of him. Dignified, he thought. Oddly beautiful. I can see why she became something of an obsession to him. Behind her, or so it appeared at first glance, waited Wormtongue.

"Saruman the wise. Have you come to help us?" Eowyn asked, proud of her calm voice and cold expression.

In the face of such imperious calm, Saruman almost didn't catch the unspoken, 'or harm us?'. "I come to offer my sincerest condolences for your recent bereavement, Lady Eowyn, and to offer you any assistance you may require."

"Thank you." Frosty. "There is something I would ask of you."

"I am at your service."

She assessed him, weighing her words carefully. "If you have time, may be you could find a way to release my brother Eomer from the dungeons. He should be here to greet you but my uncle never relented and he is not."

Concealing his thought that the only way the youth would leave would be on a stretcher or to insane to be a true threat, he smiled. "I shall see what I can do. It should be no problem since Lord Eomer was an honorable man, most likely imprisoned in a fit of rage. Leave it to me, Lady Eowyn."

Though far from beguiled by him, she bowed her head. "Again, I thank you. Now, if you will excuse me, I will prepare rooms for you and your men."

A stiff, barely polite curtsy, and she left them alone to make their way inside.

Later:

"I do not understand why you wait, the city is ripe for the taking."

"It is not mine until the acknowledged heir-Lord Eomer-is dead." Hard.

Wormtongue blanched. "A little time alone with him and your problem is solved."

Cutting look. "Don't be a fool. Another death this close to Theoden's would cause more problems than solve them. It would be extremely suspicious and tip the precarious balance I have established."

"You are right, as always. Forgive me." Tentative. "About my prize?"

Saruman slinked towards him, focusing his piecing eyes upon him, pinning him in place. "Ah, yes. I did promise you the Lady Eowyn."

Wormtongue gasped as pain exploded in his chest. "Why?" He asked, staring at the knife in disbelief.

"You are a traitor. And, as such, untrustworthy. I cannot have you about, waiting in the wings to betray me." Pause. "Besides, I have plans for the Lady Eowyn."

The body dropped to the floor soundlessly. Ghostly pale and lax face emphasized the death in his eyes.

Saruman didn't even glance at the body in distaste. One of his servants took the body away after giving him the knife. He sighed, "I do hate physical violence."

Plans indeed, he thought. The boy is easily disposed of, death in battle and skirmishes an all to common thing these days. But the girl, she poses the real threat. Dead, she'd be a martyr and rallying cry for the people.

The same with imprisonment or banishing her. Remove her from their sight, but not in death, and hope remains for her to return to somehow claim the kingdom. He was no fool, he could see that they would follow her gladly. It was not unheard of for a woman in Rohan to inherit the throne, their women being seen as equals to the males and clearly able to hold offices of high rank.

He rubbed his head. So, what to do with Lady Eowyn. Alive she would be a threat...unless, but that was unthinkable. Unheard of. Then again, he'd already burned his bridges behind him and she wasn't that unappealing to him. What was one more broken rule as long as he came out on top?

The idea had merit. A slow smile crossed his face as he looked around. Yes, soon this would all be his.

Dungeon:

Eowyn was unlocking the cell door and talking hurriedly with Eomer. "I don't trust this Saruman. You must leave before he does something to you."

He shook his head, dirty hair hardly moving. "I am not going to leave you alone to deal with this."

Why not? She thought bitterly, you've done so before. But the words didn't pass her lips. "Eomer, you'll be no good to any one of us dead. Leave and get help, it is Rohan's only chance of survival."

"From where?" He clearly heard the undercurrent in his sister's words as if they'd been shouted. And he winced at the truth in them, feeling guilty for leaving her behind again. "All of Middle-Earth is besieged."

"Offer aid in exchange for their help and hurry back. Your horse and men are awaiting you even now at our spot. Faster, he might even now be coming to see you. Or sending that horrid Wormtongue to check on us even now." She urged him.

Quickly they departed the dark of the dungeons and entered the labyrinth under the hill. It was long forgotten and in need of repair but it served their needs. "Come with us." He pleaded, hand on his reigns. The horse snorted, pawing the ground nervously.

She shook her head. "Eomer, I cannot. Our people need me to be their hope, their light."

"But you'll be crushed by this Saruman. I've heard if him. He isn't like Wormtongue, content to hide in the shadows and poison the mind slowly. And the creature desires you, I fear what he will do to you now that uncle is gone and the wizard is here. He is no Gandalf though they be of the same order." And that was saying much because Eomer never really trusted the gray wizard.

"I can live through anything so long as I know that you are out there, gaining aid for us, dearest brother."

Hugging her tightly, he stroked her hair. "I won't be gone long, I promise."

"Make me no promises." Forcing herself to let go and step back. "Just stay alive."

"Don't lose yourself in whatever cage he will try to build around you." Eomer said, mounting the horse.

They rode away then, leaving behind them their lands and families, heading into an uncertain future.

"Keep control of your temper!" She called after him. His sudden laugh and the smile he sent her warmed her heart.

The last thing she heard was his order of "To Gondor!". When they had disappeared, she turned and went inside, holding the warmth of his laugh close to her.