Elleth of Light

Chapter Seven

Merenwen's POV

Our company had grown; we traveled at great speed alongside these men of Rohan. I caught the gaze of Eomer upon me once or twice as Legolas directed our steed. I couldn't allow my smile to leave my face; the only other time I had acted with such boldness and stern understanding was when Haldir had suggested I may not posses the self discipline and control needed to become a march warden. Proving him wrong was my motivation for many years; I had it within me to defend my thoughts and actions but it had been some time since I had been forced to do so. It felt…empowering.

Lady Galadriel had once told me I had a fire within me that many elves did not posses; a light all my own she insisted. I felt it, speaking to Eomer. I felt his eyes slowly view me as an equal even still.

"You are glowing." Legolas leaned back to ensure I heard him over the gallop of many horses surrounding us.

"I just…well, it's been awhile since I have done such a thing. I struggle with my words, eloquence and diplomacy has never been my strength in conversation. I often resort to a less than elf-like means of communication. I am…proud of how I handled the situation. Does that sound boastful?" I admitted.

"Not in the least; you have every right to be proud of your actions." He smiled; his hands tightened ever so slightly around the reigns as our company grew slow in their speed. Our eyes were greeted by a kingdom adorning a grand hill standing tall against the wind.

We all remained silent, taking in the diming splendor of Edoras. Many structures of wood and nearest resources stood with accents of gold and painted images of the iconic horse, a creature they hold dear to their very way of life. The hill grew in height, allowing the grand halls of Theoden to be closer to the rays of sun that seemed to do little to warm the cold feeling upon the kingdom.

"Banished we were from these lands, but I will risk punishment to see your heroic deeds come to pass. My men and I shall inform the king of your arrival. Speak to no one, our people are weary. Expect no warm welcome from those you meet in the great hall. My uncle…is not himself and his company will not take kindly to your travels leading you here. I will see you again." Eomer spoke as he and his men took their leave and entered the small kingdom of men.

"Come, let us make our way to the grand hall; I fear if we wait here to be granted permission to speak to the king…it will not come." Gandalf said as we hesitantly allowed our horses further into the realm of horse masters.

The faces we passed were bitter, cold and full of distrust. No warm welcome indeed. There was little contrast between the rigid and stern look of the timber in the structures and the gaze upon us from the people of Edoras.

Abrupt gusts of wind created an unsettling sound that swirled about my senses. I allowed my eyes to lift to the grand hall above; the walkway overlooking the city was now presenting a new face to our eyes. A woman, standing beside the flag of her people was looking out in the distance as if her eyes longed to see anything but that which was directly before her. Long blonde waves wiped about her pale features as her ivory fabric hugging her frame flowed in the wind.

Suddenly her eyes fell to us, locking with my own eyes. Her chin lifted slightly, a gentle display of confidence in the face of a stranger. Her eyes shifted to Elessar, I watched his face lift to face her completely until she turned and left our sight as the flag pulled free from its position and danced about the wind until finally falling upon the earth. We were all without words to the state of ruin befalling this kingdom. The very color of the land seemed to be fading from existence.

Soon we found ourselves climbing the stone steps leading to Theoden's hall. It did not take long before we were met by rugged men bearing armor and swords I'm certain they wished to use against us.

A man with long dark auburn locks and beard stepped forward. He studied us before allowing his tongue to speak.

"I cannot allow you before Theoden king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue."

"This could be a trap." I whispered to Legolas as I watched Gandalf nod in agreement to the man's request.

Legolas and the others began to surrender our multitude of weaponry to the guards. I relunctantly followed my companions and placed my sword in the arms of the guard. His deep blue eyes narrowed in my gaze.

"Such a mighty sword does not suit such a fair creature." He sneered. I clenched my teeth together.

"Watch your words carefully." Legolas hissed; the man scoffed at the remark before returning to his comrades now holding our only means of protection against what we may face behind the wooden doors before us.

"Your staff." The leader of the guards spoke.

"Eh? Oh no, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?" Gandalf asked.

With a reluctant nod we were granted entrance into the grand hall of the great horse lords of the ages. Wood beams clad in intricate designs of gold above us, deep hues of rich colored tapestries surround us while a solem throne was directly before our path. My eyes narrowed as I took in the state of the great King Theoden. Aged he was, bearing signs of countless years that seem to be so very unkind. He sat, slumped over with an expression that revealed his mind was not his own.

There beside the king, was a snake of man. His skin was without a hint of color; dark rings beneath his keen eyes watched our every step before he leaned to the king and began to mutter words of displeasure in our arrival. Gandalf and his herald of woe I heard him title us. I snarled slightly, this man was no friend to this kingdom.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden king." Gandalf spoke as we neared the throne. Legolas was by the wizard's side, fueling the suspicion of the elderly nature of Gandalf. It was a struggle not to chuckle at the sight.

"He is not welcome." The man spoke to the king again, what lies was this man feeding to the weary mind of the king? The situation was worse than I had thought. By the look upon Elessar's face I could see that I was not the only one.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf stormcrow?" The king strained out.

"A just question my liege."

"Late is the hour…" He started while rising to his feet.

"Late for you." I hissed. His eyes instantly shifted upon me.

"Watch your words; disrespect to the king will not end well for you she elf." He snapped.

"My disrespect is not towards the king…sir." I suppose my actions were not as admirable at the moment, I watched Elessar turn to me with his disapproval.

"Enough of this." Gandalf spoke as he brought his staff into sight for all to behold.

"His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!" The man called out the men while retreating back to a safer distance in his mind before Gimli quickly followed.

The men that were intently watching our every move finally decided to move in to the threat they saw in our actions. I could tell a few hesitated, as if they secretly wanted to see what we would do. There was little hope in these lands but I could tell our arrival may have ignited a bit of hope within their minds even if they were forced to act against it.

The sound of heavy footsteps made its way towards me across the dusty floor. I decided not to wait for his attack, instead I ran towards him and leapt into the air and landed a strong elbow into his head, his body fell hard onto the ground as he began to shake away the stars that had to be moving about his vision.

I turned to watch Legolas fighting off a few guards with ease before finding his position by my side. His protective nature was one of the many endearing qualities he possessed.

"These men did not wish to fight us." The prince spoke.

"I think they know we are here to help them." I added.

"Too long have you sat in the shadows!" I heard Gandalf speaking to the king as he approached the elderly man.

The snake of a man went to run but Gimli had quickly knocked him upon his back, his large boot pressing onto the man's chest.

"I would stay still if I were you." Gimli growled. I smiled as the fear and weakness was presented in the man. What a loathsome creature he was.

"Harken to me! I release you from the spell!" Gandalf said with intensity as he held his hand and staff into the air in the king's direction. The impressive display was quickly overshadowed by laughter coming from the king.

"You have no power here Gandalf the grey!" He rasped while leaning back into the support of his throne. Gandalf then shrugged off his grey cloak revealing the brilliant hues of white to the man. I watched his eyes narrowed as the power of the white wizard emitted a light that was almost too bright to witness.

Theoden was startled by the realization that Gandalf the grey was no more, this was Gandalf the white and he most certainly had power here in this darkened hall of men.

"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." Gandalf spoke once again as he drew closer to the king, his staff never wavering in its direction towards the squirming man. So Saruman was behind the downfall of this realm? It did not surprise me; the hand of the deceiver knew no bounds. There was no land he could not reach; and no creature he could not sway to do his bidding. The mighty King Theoden was no different, he was not spared by the wizard because of his royalty or standing in this age; he fell victim to the twisted words of Saruman the wise just as many did.

The man's body was pinned against the throne, unable to peel himself away from the carved wood of his throne he must have remained for many nights. The control of Saruman was strong; the aged body of the king was fighting Gandalf's power with all the strength he could conjure. Saruman would not easily release this man from his grip.

A glimpse of white caught my eye as I turned to see a familiar person. It was the woman from before; her face was riddled with confusion and concern as she sprinted towards the king only to be pulled back from Elessar. I watched as he looked at her with an expression of comfort. The young woman returned her gaze upon the scene at hand; the man must mean a great to her. Her distress was hard to witness, a trembling hand reached out towards him as Gandalf continued to pull the hand of Saruman from the mind of this great leader.

"ROHAN IS MINE!" The man strained through his clenched teeth; he appeared to be a monster in his expression. All sense of humanity was being pushed aside.

"No…you will not claim this land! Now BE GONE!" Gandalf roared back, his staff was emitting a power so great the man was pinned even harder against his throne.

Moments passed until finally the entire room sensed the cloud was lifted from the great hall; the air grew lighter, easier to breathe and with a mighty yell, the man was pulled from the source of evil that was holding him captive for far too long.

Gandalf took a step back as Theoden's weakened body slumped forward. The young lady freed herself from Elessar and ran to his side to catch him before he fell from his throne.

I watched in awe as the man began a transformation, the likes of which I had never seen. It was as if the clock was reversing in his appearance; he was growing younger with every passing second. No longer was his hair stringy and gray, his once clouded eyes were clearing as his aged skin began to soften.

Theoden's eyes scanned the space, as if unaware where he was for a brief moment. Then his eyes rested upon the face of the young woman holding him. His lips curled slightly into a gentle smile.

"I know your face…Eowyn. Eowyn." He breathed with relief. I couldn't help but smile at the sight, the woman known as Eowyn was filled with such joy to hear this man speak her name.

"Gandalf?" Theoden spoke in disbelief at the sight of the wizard before him.

"Breathe the free air again my friend." Gandalf replied with a smile.

"Now that is a sight I had longed to see." I heard a familiar voice speak behind me. I turned to see Eomer a few feet away from me. I smiled at the sight of the young man; his entire demeanor had shifted. His furrowed brow had softened and a smile was gracing his features as he looked upon this kin standing from his throne.

"This would not have happened without you my lord." I smiled while offering a hand towards the man. I had learned from my days spent in the company of men that a handshake spoke more words than you could try to speak. It was a gesture they could understand from any creature extending it.

I watched the man push my hand away gently before he embraced me against his strong body. My eyes widened at the action but I placed an arm around the man and patted him gently upon the back.

"Thank you, I am forever in your debt." He said softly before releasing me and adjusting his armor slightly as if slightly embarrassed by his actions.

"Go to him. He needs your strength now more than ever." I smiled as the man slowly approached his uncle.

"Eomer…my eyes are grateful to see you before me." The king spoke as Emoer bowed in respect to the king before looking up to Eowyn. They wear bearing smiles they could not possibly keep hidden.

"Dark have been my dreams of late." Theoden confessed.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword." Gandalf spoke, with that, the bearded man I had heard the guards call Hama, stepped forward with a sword in his hands. With a bow, he offered the sword to the king. Theoden looked upon the blade as if he had almost forgotten its appearance. His fingertips grazed the iron hilt; you could tell by his expression that he was starting to remember. He quickly pulled the blade from its sheath until the shine of the steel was being held up inches from his eyes. It was a grand sight to behold; the king was bearing his sword and strength once again.

His eyes traveled up and down the blade with great care, he was looking upon an old friend in his eyes and it was enough to bring expressions of awe at the court surrounding him.

Suddenly the king's gaze fell upon the wretch of a man who had done nothing but aid Saruman in his hold over this land. The man was fearful for his life for the first time it would seem, he was rattled to his very core and I could not help but feel as if this was exactly what such a creature deserved.

Author's Note

Getting quite a few follows and favorites; thank you SO MUCH! Please drop a review to let me know what you'd like to see happen, or what you think might happen. I love hearing feedback as well! This next chapter will be some added scenes that were not in the movie but I think you'll enjoy how it ties in with the story. I'll give you a hint; someone unexpected will be paying the fellowship a visit to warn them of the coming events and will certainly complicate things in the growing relationship between Legolas and Merenwen. Well, keep on reading and following! Update will be up soon! Thanks!