Chapter Three

We arrived near the halls of Edoras near sunset, we were all wary and tired. Gandalf allowed us to rest that night, tomorrow we would continue to the halls. We camped behind several rocky coves upon the plains. Shadowfax even lay near the fire, I leaned against him Legolas came near slightly cautious. Shadowfax looked at the elven prince with intelligent eyes. I smiled when I saw him and beckoned him closer he hesitated looking at Shadowfax. Shadowfax looked at the prince before snorting and shaking his head.

"You can come closer, he does not mind." I said softly.

He hesitated but sat on my left near the horse lord's head but away from the dangerous back feet. He ignored the prince as he lay his head down and rested.

"You and Shadowfax seem well acquainted, I admit I am slightly jealous." He said.

I laughed quietly.

"He and I go way back, he always seemed to favor me over Gandalf, it seems that has not changed."

"He is remarkable," Legolas said studying the white horse at my back.

"He is something else," I admitted.

I sighed and leaned my weight against the horseflesh behind me. Tiredness was creeping up on me, I wouldn't last much longer tonight.

"You're exhausted." Legolas stated touching the dark circles beneath my eyes.

"Four or five days with no sleep does that. I have not run so hard in so long my body is tired." I murmured.

Legolas tipped his head in acknowledgement.

"Rest," He murmured.

I nodded closing my eyes, I heard slightly rustling and I felt a blanket thrown over my lap and he covered me to my chin, sleep came instantly between the steady heartbeat beneath my body and the steady rhythmic breathing.

We woke the next morning we packed up our things and continued the ride to Edoras. As we approached the foot of the walled hill the way ran under the shadow of many mounds, high and green. Small flowers graced their tops, they were gold, and looked like stars among the turf.

"They are called simbelmyne, they grow all seasons of the year, and grown where the dead men rest. We are come to the great barrows where the sires of Theoden sleep." Gandalf stated as we rode past he mounds.

"Seven mounds on the left, and nine on the right. Many long lives of men since the golden hall was built." Aragorn said, he was sadly forlorn.

"Five hundred times have the red leaves fallen in Mirkwood since then," Legolas rumbled, I leaned against his chest as we rode.

As we approached the gate there were many men who sat at the gate, whom sprang to their feet and barred the way with their spears. They looked at us, there was wonder in their eye, but very little friendliness, and they gave dark looks to Gandalf.

"Who are you that come heedless over the plain, riding horses like our own? Long have we stayed guard here and we have watched you from afar. Say, are you not a wizard, some spy from Saruman, or phantoms of his craft? Speak swiftly!" Cried one of the guards.

"We are no phantoms, nor do your eyes cheat you." Aragorn said flatly. "Here are Hasufel and Arod, that Eomer, lent to us, two days ago. We bring them back now. Has he not sent word?"

I tensed, and I felt Legolas's arms tense as well, something was ill. A troubled looked flashed amongst the guard's eyes, it made me worried.

"Perhaps your coming was not unlooked for, Theoden will have heard of it, for I have not seen Eomer. Two nights ago that Wormtongue came to us and said that by the will of Theoden no stranger shall pass these gates." The guard said, he looked rather unhappy with the news.

"Wormtongue?" Gandalf asked. "Say no more! My errand is not to Wormtongue, but the Lord of the Mark, himself. I am in haste. Will you not go or send to say that we are to come?"

The guard looked troubled but nodded and scurried away, it was some time before he returned. He was out of breath and slightly troubled.

"Please follow me, Theoden gives you leave to enter; but any weapon that you bear, you will need to leave at the door."

"I need no weapon…" I thought mindlessly.

The gates swung open, as we ride through people stare at us. They were not smiling nor did they seem cheerful.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli muttered.

We finally arrived at the Golden Hall, stable hands came and took the horses from us, we walked up the stairs and a guard and a few of his men came out of the hall.

"I am the Doorwarden of Theoden, Hama is my name. Here I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter."

Gandalf looked at our group and we handed over our weapons. Aragorn was reluctant to hand over his sword but he did so. I just handed over my pack as a majority of my weapons were in there. I saw Gandalf give me a sidelong look, he knew. He knew I was just ridding myself of extra weight. Hama hesitated.

"Your staff," He looked uncomfortable. "Forgive me, but that too must remain at the doors."

Gandalf looked insulted.

"Foolishness! Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another. I am old. If I may not lean on my stick as I go, then I will sit out here, until it pleases Theoden to hobble out himself and speak with me,"

Hama looked uncomfortable for even proposing the idea. He stood aside and the doors creaked open, leaning upon his staff like and old man he asked for Legolas's arm. I was keenly aware of the group of menacing mercenaries mirroring our steps, the caused my animals to twitch in anticipation, yet I pushed them back.

"The courtesy of you hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden son of Thengel," Gandalf stated.

Theoden was a shell of a man his skin was so clear it was nearly translucent his eyes were cloudy and grey and his hair pale and no color to it. This man was ill.

"Seldom has any lord of Rohan received such guests. Weapons they have laid at your doors are worth many a mortal man, even the mightiest. Grey is their raiment, for the elves clad them, and thus they have passed through the shadow of great perils to your hall." Gandalf continued.

"Then it is true, as Eomer reported, that you are in league with the Sorceress of the Golden Wood?" A man spoke.

He was pale albino nearly, his hair was greasy and black, and his eyes so green they were nearly yellow. His lips were dark and bruised and he was cloaked in black.

"Late is the hour in which this wanderer chooses to appear. Why should we welcome you, Master Stormcrow? Lathspell, I name you, Ill-news is an ill guest."

He laughed grimly, almost a haughty look upon his face. Gandalf turned his attention on the grimy man, and his eyes grey cold, he stood straight, and tossed the grey cloak aside and no longer leaned upon his staff. His voice was cold as he addressed the man.

"The wise speak only of what they know, Grima son of Galmod. A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving man till the lightning falls."

There was a roll of thunder as Gandalf raised his staff, from outside the sun was blotted out and the whole hall became dark. I heard Grima groan.

"I told you to take the staff,"

Then chaos broke out, the mercenaries that were waiting in the wings of the hall Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn and I sprung to action, hand to hand fighting was not my thing, I shifted into a wolf like form. This definitely struck fear into the men that went after me, they hesitated, and giving me the edge I needed. I knocked them quickly on their backs and if they raised a weapon on me I scratched them, the smart ones quickly lay their weapons down and held their hands in surrender. The dumb ones bled a little on the floor. Gimli managed to catch Grima trying to escape on one of the side doors, a quickly tripping and a fall to the floor later, Gimli managed to have him pinned to the floor in fear.

"Now Theoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me? Do you ask for help?"

The room began to lighten an opening could be seen and slowly the room began to lighten. A woman, her hair pale blonde and dark blue eyes come into the room, she wears a green dress similar to that of a noble woman. She runs towards Theoden but Aragorn catches her.

"Wait,"

Gandalf thrusts his staff at Theoden just as he lunged towards Gandalf and he was thrown back onto his throne. With a groan he slumps forward the girl rushes forward to be sure that he didn't face plant on the ground. Slowly Theodne began some physical changed, his skin regained color, his hair and beard shorten and gain its rustic gold luster, and his eyes clear. He looked much younger, not so aged, I realized with his transformation the room lightened considerably too. Staying in my animal form I sat on my haunches and looked at the King.

"I know your face, Eowyn."

She smiled, and I could see tear of joy in her eyes as the King stood.

"Gandalf?" Theoden asks.

Gandalf smiles at him.

"Breathe the free air again, my friend."

Theoden looks at his hands and rubs them.

"Dark have my dreams been of late,"

Gandalf had a small smile on his lips.

"Your hands would remember their old strength better…if they grasped your sword."

Hama appeared from the wings of the hall and offers him his sword. It was a good sword, well balance and from what I could tell the handle had horse heads. He stares at it in wonder, his eyes then darkened and his gaze landed on Grima. Grima was currently still being held by Gimli by the scruff of his cloak. Gimli drags Grima to the entrance of the hall and all but tosses the man. He lands in a heap on the stairs, and rolls down the unceremoniously, by now people were coming onto the streets.

"I've only…ever served you, my lord."

He was crawling on his hands and knees. Theoden was advancing on him.

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast." He hissed.

I flicked back one of my ears in response to that, Gandalf gave me a sidelong glance and Legolas put his hand on my head.

"Send me not from your sight." Grima pleaded.

Theoden raises his sword as if to strike Grima, possibly killing him. Aragorn rushes Theoden and stops him.

"No, my lord! No my lord."

Theoden gazes at Aragorn.

"Let him go. Enough blood has been split on his account."

Reluctantly Theoden lowers his sword. Aragorn offers a hand to him, but Grima spits on it. Scrambling away he shoves people out of the way. As Hama hails Theoden, I could see Grima riding off on a horse. I was surprised that a horse would bear him. I hoped it would throw him. Theoden looks back at the Golden Hall.

"Where is Theodred? Where is my son?"

I felt pity well in my chest. This wasn't going to be an easy day.