Chapter 7

They made camp on a cliff that oversaw the planes. A small fire was made, and Aragorn and Legolas brought in hares for dinner. Gimli went to prepare the meal while Gandalf and Aragorn moved away from the party to discuss the situation.

Juliet remained seated on a corner of the encampment. She was physically exhausted and mentally drained, but the memory of the past hours still haunted her thoughts, keeping her from rest.

Gimli placed a bowl of stew on her hands, and clasped her shoulder. "Eat, lassie. We've a long journey still."

Juliet mumbled a thank you before staring at her bowl. She had smelled this meal before, but the hunger now made it smell glorious. Without subtlety or grace, she placed the bowl on her lips and tilted it, drinking and chewing at the same time. It was a minute of focus on the burning sensation in her mouth, on not spilling a single drop of food, of not choking, of wondering if she should choke.

When the last thought hit her, she stopped. She pulled the bowl away and stared at it in anger, as if it was at fault for her sudden death wish, for her pain and guilt. Gritting her teeth, she had to school herself from slamming the bowl against a rock, and instead, placed it on the ground. she got to her feet and walked towards the tree line.

Legolas had observed Juliet this whole time from the corner of his eyes. He had seen her go from disheartened to enraged as she sat away from everyone. And he felt a pang of guilt for his own selfishness.

How could he had thought that if he did not apologize to her, if he allowed himself to think her guilty for not foreseeing this, and let her think he accused her, then he could convince himself not to feel more drawn to her. He had hoped that this way, she would stop smiling at him in a way that made his heart beat like it had not in so long.

But it was cruel and unfair. It had already been stated that Juliet could not remember or foresee the events to come. And it was most likely for the best. So, who was he to judge her and demand that she did that which even the Lady and her mirror could not do?

Legolas strode to find Juliet. She had not walked far into the forest, staying in view of the fire. She sat against a tree, her face stained with tears. Her face was twisted in anger and sorrow as she fisted her hands on the dirt and swung it away as if trying to ward off something cornering her there.

A lump formed on Legolas' throat.

"Juliet?" he spoke from a distance.

Juliet startled, twisting to face him. In the dark, she could barely see him, but his voice was unmistakable. She sniffled and whipped at her face and began to stand.

Before she was fully on her feet, Legolas was before her, eyes full of anguish and guilt. He stared at her for a moment before he sunk on a knee and bent his face.

"Forgive me, please. I was wrong to blame you."

"Wh-what are you doing?" Juliet asked, taking a startled step back. "Get up!"

Legolas looked up at her.

"We never should have blamed you for a second. I especially should have never blamed you."

Juliet hiccupped as she sniffled, trying to form words. But the words stung because even she blamed herself.

"I'm sorry. I really am," she said, her voice cracking and tears streaming down her face once more. "I should have… if not, why am I even here?"

"Juliet-"

Juliet turned her back to Legolas and began to pace.

"There's no other possible reason for me to be here. Anyone with fighting skills could replace me. I don't have any special gift or ability that makes my presence significant other than having come here with knowledge of what was to happen."

Legolas had gotten to his feet as he watched Juliet pace and speak.

"I should have known Boromir was going to die. I should have kept an eye on him and kept him from running off."

"Juliet," Legolas tried, but when she didn't stop, he reached for her wrist and took it.

Not expecting it, Juliet jumped back but was held in place by his hold. For a moment neither spoke. His hand slowly loosened until it slid away, letting his fingers brush her palm.

"You are not to blamed. You have your own burdens which you have cast aside to aid us on the Lady's behalf. She sent you here knowing you could not see more than you already had when you arrived. We should have trusted her, and should have trusted you.

"I wanted an excuse for how I was feeling and used you. I was so very wrong to have caused you this grief."

Legolas knew Juliet would never guess that he meant anything other than how he felt about losing his companions, but he could not yet tell her that.

Juliet sighed. "I was already blaming myself before… well… I just can't see any other purpose for me here if not that. And I failed at it."

"No," Legolas earnestly said. "We do not blame you. I do not blame you. It was a weakness of the moment, one that will never happen. Please," he whispered, "would you cast the thought out of your mind? You are needed here."

Juliet stared at him and after a moment, a small smile graced her lips. She whipped at her face for what felt like the thousandth time this day. Part of her still felt guilty thinking that somehow, she should have tried harder to know. But Legolas' words did give her comfort.

Legolas smiled back before looking back with knowing eyes. The others had been standing within earshot but out of her sight. Gandalf spoke first.

"I was informed on what happened. I understand how you feel," he said as he approached her slowly. "But no one, not even Elrond and his sight or Galadriel's power, can see how or why you were brought here and placed right on track of this Fellowship. It is a mystery, one that I hope to figure out by the end of this journey. Will you stay and let this old man have this whim fulfilled?" he asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Juliet rasped a laugh.

Aragorn extended her his water skin, which she gratefully took and drunk from.

"Legolas and Gandalf are right," he said. "It was a moment of weakness that never should have passed. Know that it will never happen again, and that you are important here as well."

"Aye, lass," Gimli added. "You'll be much needed before this is over. Forgive us old fools and come finish your dinner."

With a small smile, Juliet nodded and followed them back. As she sat, she winced and looked back to the cut.

"Please, allow me," Legolas said as he crouched beside her.

"I don't think there're more clean bandages."

Legolas drew his dagger, and before Juliet knew what he was doing, he sliced the bottom of his elven cloak.

Juliet gasped. "That was not necessary!"

"It was," he said with a sure smile. He then began to undo her bandage. "There was no time to discuss what happened. How did you get this wound?"

"When I was with Sam looking for Frodo, we spotted him. Uruks were heading his way, so Sam followed Frodo and I fought them. It's a small wound compared…"

"Death is sometimes inevitable, Juliet," he said as his hands gently worked on her wound. All the running had not been good for its healing, but at least it did not look infected. Still, he pulled out a small pouch of herbs, crushed a leaf between his fingers, and applied the remains. "Besides, you gave Frodo and Sam a living chance. Boromir would have wanted their lives spared over his. The fate of the world rests on their hands, and he would do anything to save his people. I am sure he smiled upon you now."

Juliet always hated talk of the dead and how they looked over her or were happy for her. She had heard enough of it after her parents died. But she couldn't deny that this time, a part of her desperately wished that what Legolas said was true. She couldn't help but look up at the starry sky as if he would pop his head from behind a star and remind her of the berry sauce she promised to make. The thought made a laugh stick to her throat, and before she knew it, she was laughing as tears ran down her eyes.

ooOoo

The company rode out before the sun rose through the sky. Mid-morning came as they first laid eyes on the houses that climbed up a hill that was peaked with what looked to Juliet like a Viking Home Stead.

"Edoras, and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown," Gandalf declared. "Saruman's hold over the king is now very strong. Be careful with what you say. Do not hope for welcome here,".

They galloped through the gate, unquestioned as they saw Gandalf. No one welcomed them, nor did more than turn to stare with bitter eyes.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli remarked and Juliet realized that it was true. Here, no one even spoke. All held themselves apart and silent as if a curse that held them to that had been placed upon them all.

As they continued her attention was caught by a woman clothed in white standing above them in the entrance of the palace. Juliet looked at Aragon who also noticed the woman. They exchanged a quick look but when they returned their eyes to her, she was gone. They continued until they reached the foot of the stairs of the palace. There they dismounted and continued up the stairs.

As they approached the entrance, a man with several soldiers came to their encounter. One look at him and Juliet knew that this was Hámma.

"I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed Gandalf Grey Heim," Hámma said, a heavy look in his eyes suggesting he was loath to enforce it. "By order of Grima Worm tongue."

At the mention of Grima, an image, like a forced memory, crossed her mind's eye, and she had to keep from recoiling at the death-like pale man with eyes like poisoned pools' image. Legolas caught her tension and sharp inhale. He looked at her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh," Gandalf said, not sounding truly surprised, before nodding at them.

Everyone handed over their weapons. The guards that took Juliet's weapons gave her a skeptic look which annoyed her.

"Your staff", said Hámma to Gandalf.

"Oh," said Gandalf, a look of frailty overtaking him. "You would not part an old man from his walking stick."

After a moment of hesitation Hámma nodded and Juliet saw Gandalf wink at Aragon who smiled.

Legolas extended his arm to Gandalf as they entered the Great Hall. Juliet stayed behind with Gimli, knowing he was feeling as out of place as she.

For a Great Hall, it was dark, and the feeling of death and woe hung so heavily that it was as if the place had been bewitched. Everyone was silent as they walked. Men lurked around them, smiling and sneering as wolves stalking weak prey.

Ahead of them, Grima leaned in and whispered to the King. Juliet had no idea how the man was still alive. He looked like he was decaying where he sat.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," Gandalf's voice boomed in sharp contrast with the tomb silence in the Hall.

Grima bent to whisper more in the King's ear before the man finally showed signs of life.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" asked the king, looking at Grima as if for approval.

"A just question my liege," Grima said, this time loud enough for most to hear, before descending the dais and approaching Gandalf. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is in ill guest," he sneered.

"Be silent!" snapped Gandalf. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" he raised his staff and Grima looked at it in mild horror. Juliet had not noticed it until now, but Gandalf had kept it hidden under his cloak.

"His staff," he whispered. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!" he said in an alarmed cry.

Men poured from all sides, lunging at them, and a fight broke out.

From behind came two men. Gimli rammed himself against one, throwing him across the room. The other made to run past Juliet, not considering her a threat, and surprised when his feet were kicked out from beneath him. He fell with a gasp of surprise before Juliet's heel came down hard on his head.

One of the attackers saw this and indignation and rage took him at the sight of a woman felling his companion. He tapped at a man beside him and both approached her. Juliet turned just as they came up behind her. One grabbed her by the hair, but Juliet's hand shot up, grabbed and twisted his arm as she twisted herself to face him. The man twirled in the air and fell on his knees. Before the other man could grab her, she pulled her first assailant's arm back, placed foot on his back, and gave a twisting pull. The man screamed in agony as his arm dislodged and snapped.

The second man stopped, taken aback, and Juliet gave him a sneering smile before jumping and twisting as her leg collided with the side of his face. She was sure he'd lose a few teeth. The man fell like a sack.

"Théoden, Son of Théngel," Gandalf spoke as if nothing around him was happening. "Too long have you sat in the shadows,"

Juliet looked to the others just as Gimli pinned Grima down. "I would stay still if I were you."

"Harken to me! I release you from the spell," said Gandalf as he closed his eyes to concentrate.

The king then lifted his head and laughed mockingly. The new sudden surge of energy was startling. It was as if someone else spoke on his behalf

"You have no power here Gandalf the Grey," he said still laughing

Gandalf threw back the gray robes to reveal his white attire and Theoden shot back into his chair as if it caused him pain.

"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," said Gandalf as he pointed his staff at the king, making him cry out in pain.

At that moment Juliet saw a woman, whom she recognized to be the one she saw earlier, run to the king. But Aragon held her by the arm to stop her. Then it came to Juliet's mind; this was Éowyn, niece of the king.

"Wait," whispered Aragon to her. Éowyn looked at him almost begging him to let her go running to the king. She returned her gazed to the shrunken figure that was now grunting and struggling to be set free from Gandalf.

A voice that did not belong to the king spoke through him.

"If I go, Théoden dies."

"You did not kill me. You will not kill him," Gandalf stated as he pushed him further back.

The king tried to push himself forward, rage contorting his face.

"Rohan is mine!"

"Be gone," Gandalf commanded.

After a moment of staring, the king cried out and jumped from his throne. Gandalf gave one last thrust of his staff, and the king fell back onto his throne with a cry. With a moan, the king began to fall slowly from his throne. Éowyn pulled away from Aragon who released her, and she ran to hold her uncle before he could fall. His face began to transform before them. His wrinkled and colorless face smoothened and regained the olive tone of the people of Rohan. Much of his white messed up hair and beard disappeared and what was left returned to its dark blond state.

After a moment of heavy breathing the king looked into his niece's face.

"I know your face. Éowyn…Éowyn," He said touching her face in a caress as she smiled with pure joy.

The king turned his face to the wizard standing before him.

"Gandalf?" he asked in shock.

"Breathe the free air again my friend," said Gandalf, taking a step back from the dais.

The king stood from his throne with the support of Éowyn.

"Dark have been my dreams of late," He said as he caressed his own hands.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword."

Hámma came forth with the King's sword. He took the handle and slowly drew it from its sheath with the sound of metal scraping filling the Hall in a wondrous way. Everyone stared in awe as the great king held his sword, might and dignity returning to him.

Then the King turned his face to Grima, whose face was now twisted in terror. The king's face darkened. A moment later Grima had been thrown down the stairs in front of the Golden Hall, landing with a cry of pain.

"I've only, ever, served you my Lord," he said as he tried to crawl away from the King who was stalking him with infuriated eyes.

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" he said with a murderous tone.

"Send me not from your side," pleaded Grima.

The king raised his sword against the man who cowered back, but Aragon ran to him and held the king's arm.

"No my Lord! No my Lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account."

The king stared at Aragorn, before slowly pulling back. Aragon extended his hand to help Grima up. Juliet thought that he was being more than too kind to this man. And her thoughts were confirmed when she saw that he spat on Aragon's outstretched hand, and rushed away.

"What a low life bastard," sneered Juliet under her breath. "He should not be allowed to leave." Legolas looked at her with surprise, but he agreed on both things.

"Get out of my way!" screamed Grima and he mounted a horse and left.

"Hail Théoden king!" said a man and everyone bowed before the king.

Aragon too bowed as the king turned around. Then his eyes darkened.

"Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"

Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks again for your support!