{Chapter Eleven}

"Ptui! Orc blood." Gimli said spitting it out

"These are strange tracks." Aragorn said in confusion as she smiled at him knowingly

"The air is so close in here." Gimli murmured

"This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory and anger" Legolas says in amazement as the groans of the trees cause Gimli to pick up his axe "The trees are speaking to each other"

"Gimli!" Aragorn whispers gesturing to him "Lower your axe."

"Oh" Gimli said lowering his axe quickly

"Something is out there" Legolas whispers looking off into the distance as Siladhiel leans into the tree awaiting the surprise

"What do you see?" Aragorn whispers in return coming to his side

"The White Wizard approaches." Legolas said urgently

"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us" Aragorn commands as they all take out their weapons as Siladhiel chuckles to herself "We must be quick."

She watched as they yelled and swing around to attack. Gimli's axe and Legolas' arrow are deflected. Aragorn drops his sword as it becomes red hot in his grasp. She bolts forward as the rest shield their eyes with their hands from the bright light emanating from the White Wizard. She hugs him tightly while the others remain blinded

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits." Gandalf said giving her an amused stared

"Where are they?" She hears Aragorn question

"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" Gandalf said she Siladhiel bites her lip to keep from laughing

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn commands harshly as the light dimmed revealing them "It cannot be. You fell"

"Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was if a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done." Gandalf says as Siladhiel shakes her head in amusement

"Gandalf!" Aragorn says in disbelief

"Gandalf? Yes, that's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." Gandalf said in amusement

"But grey no more?" Siladhiel said looking over him "Gandalf the White"

"And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide." Gandalf states as the others smile in relief

"You knew?" Legolas said raising an eyebrow

"Not for much time" She said with a chuckle "The tree showed me the moment he stumbled into the hobbits just moments before he appeared"

"The tree showed you?" Gimli said with wide eyes as Gandalf chuckled from the front of the group

"Siladhiel has long since been a friend of the forest, this forest" He explained in amusement "After all it was when she was little that she awoke them"

"No meaning to" Siladhiel said in amusement as Legolas looked at her with wide eyes "Yeah, my father found it quite amusing when that happened"

"Of course, Melamin" Legolas said with a laugh following Gandalf while Aragorn raised an eyebrow at her in amusement

"It could have happened to anyone" She said in defense causing him to chuckle as well and she sighed looking at Gimli "Right?"

"Of course, Lass" Gimli said in amusement as well causing her to huff

"It's not my fault I wanted them to be my friends" She muttered stomping through the forests causing them to laugh again

She threw a glare at Gandalf as they continued to exit the forest. He chuckled shaking his head relieved that the moment relaxed everyone. She sighed realizing this as well and shook her head in amusement. They knew that war was upon them but in this moment, they were just enjoying the antics of a young Siladhiel that accidently taught Fangorn Trees had to speak centuries before.

"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed." Gandalf said stepping outside of the forest whistling loudly

"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." Legolas said in awe as a white horse galops towards them passing Gandalf and nudging Siladhiel with its nose

"Old friend" She said softly placing her forehead on his "I have missed you dearly"

"Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers." Gandalf explains before looking at him seriously "Although it appears he prefers Siladhiel still after all this time"

"You dare not blame him, after all you know why" She whispered with a chuckle kissing the forehead of Shadowfax "Return to him before his jealously become much for me to bear"

Shadowfax nudged her again before going to Gandalf causing her to chuckle as she approached Legolas on Aron. Aron nudged her as well as a sign of respect. She smiled as she got on the Aron.

"Even Shadowfax bows to you" Legolas questioned in following the others across the plains of Edoras

"It's because of who my mother is" She explains softly as Aragorn frowns looking at her

"Who is you mother?" He questioned having never heard this information and she sighed deeply "I don't believe any are aware of who she is"

"A closely guarded secret" She said suddenly looking at Gandalf who nodded and took a deep breath knowing this never goes well "My mother is Nienna"

Legolas stumbled losing control of Arod in shock over the information as Gimli fell off the horse and Aragorn stared at her with wide eyes. They knew that she was the daughter of the strongest Elf to exist, Gil-galad. They never would have expected her mother to be a Vala, making her a Vala as well. She wasn't just the Queen of Lindon but also a Princess in Valinor. She was capable of so much more then she had shown and was worth so much more then they realized.

"Lass" Gimli said standing with wide eyes "That is one hell of a secret to carry"

"Hence why she held it so close" Gandalf said seriously as Aragorn helps Gimli back on the horse "The time is coming where she accepts such"

"No, she may have given me birth, but she cared not what happened to me. I turned from her long ago" Siladhiel said harshly before nudging Legolas "Let's continue our journey"

Legolas sighed sensing her sadness and distress pushing Arod forward once more. He was in disbelief over the information, his match was of the Valar as well. He knew that she was blessed and thought her strength meant that she was blessed as Gandalf was, he never realized that she was a Vala and that her mother was one of the Queens of Valinor. He felt her tighten her arms around her and placed on hand over hears.

"It changes nothing Melamin" He whispers causing her to relax "You are my match, and nothing will change that"

"Legolas" She whispers gratefully "My heart lightens hearing you speak such"

Legolas smiles looking at Aragorn and Gimli seeing them smiling at the interaction as well. They paused overlooking Edoras in the distance. Siladhiel frowned at the stillness of it, it felt like death.

"Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here" Gandalf said motioning for them to continue their approach

Siladhiel shivers against Legolas as they pass the entrance and a flag falls to the ground near Aragorn. Edoras is silent and somber. Everyone is dressed in black and staring at the newcomers in wary silence. Siladhiel catching Aragorn's stare looks up at the hall and sees a lady in white standing on the steps.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli whispers and Siladhiel can't help but nod in agreement as she gets off the horse

They follow Gandalf up the steps stopping in front of the guards.

"I cannot allow you before Théoden-King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Gríma Wormtongue." The head guard explained

Gandalf nods in understanding and signals for the others to surrender their weapons. Aragon hands over his sword and knives. Legolas gives a little twirl to his knives before handing them over to the guards. Gimli hands over his axes reluctantly. Siladhiel growls handing over her bow and arrows, reluctantly placing the twin blades into his hand.

"I trust these returned in the same condition or I assure you death will not be swift upon you" She warns causing him to flinch with a sharp nod before turning to Gandalf

"Your staff" Hama, the head guard, stated looking at it

"Oh. You would not part an old man from his walking stick?" Gandalf said innocent and Siladhiel had to fight to keep amusement off of her face

Háma hesitates for a second and then gestures that they follow him into the hall. Gandalf gives Aragorn a tiny wink and enters the hall, leaning on Legolas' arm. While Siladhiel followed on his other side glaring at Hama who flinches once more in fear. She watches as Grima leans down and whispers something to Theodon spiking her anger once more.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King" Gandalf says looking at the king

Siladhiel surveys the hall pausing seeing a group of men showing hostility clearly. She frowns hand twitching messing her weapons already, at least she had her hidden blade in her boot. She quickly glancing as Legolas takes place at her side looking around as well.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" He states in rasps of breath, she could tell he was not the man she knew as the King

"A just question, my liege" Grima states walking towards Gandalf with a sneer "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."

"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" Gandalf states harshly before raising his staff against him and Siladhiel is positively giddy over it

"His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!" Grima shouts in freight

Siladhiel growls as she is grabbed by the arm blinking when Legolas punches the man in the face strangely affected by the action, in a good way. She quickly elbows another man in the face taking his arm and flipping his on his back causing him to lose his breath. She smirks at another man who attempts to grab her just to end up hit in his neck and kicked in the face when he drops to his knee. She looks up seeing Hama holding back the others and nods at him in thanks seeing he was not under some spell.

She listens as Gandalf begins talking to Théoden feeling his power arise to fight Saruman's spell. She grabs a cup from the table smashing it into the face of the one about to jump on Legolas. It was over almost too quick for her liking. She watched as Gimli uses a foot to pin Grima to the floor. She frowns seeing Aragorn holding a woman back.

She smiles as Gandalf smites Théoden as he lunges at him. Théoden is thrown back into the chair. After a few moments, Théoden lets out a moan and slumps forward in the chair. Éowyn runs to her uncle's side as he falls. Théoden's head rises again, and his face begins to change gradually into that of a much younger-looking man. Clarity and recognition return to his eyes.

"I know your face. Éowyn" He whispers touching her face as Éowyn cries hugging him in relief "Gandalf?"

"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf says as the King stands up looking around him

"Dark have been my dreams of late" He says looking at his shaky hands

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword" Siladhiel said to her old friend as Hama provides him the sword smiling at Siladhiel brightly

Siladhiel smiles as he grasps the sword pulling it out as Grima trembles in fear. He tries to escape but is pulled back by Gimli. Suddenly, Théoden's gaze turns to Gríma grabbing him and throwing him out of the hall down the stairs much to her own amusement over the situation.

"I've only ever served you, my lord!" Grima pleads from his knees as she chuckles darkly

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theodon yells seriously

"Send me not from your side" Grima pleads as Theodon raises to strike him but is stopped by Aragorn causing Siladhiel to pout slightly

"No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account." Aragorn states sternly

She sighed at the action knowing it is the right one as Grima pushes through the crowd screaming like a madman. She truly hated that man greatly and without delay. She watched as the hailed the king and fought sadness learning his heir was dead. She sighed deeply walking into the hall leaning in Aragorn as he comforted her.

"There is already so much death" She whispers turning to look at him "Where is Legolas?"

"He went to retrieve the weapons from Hama" Aragorn explained in amusement "Is my company not enough anymore?"

She laughed at the statement and looked at her would be brother brightly "He helps dealing with your ego" She said with a smirk as someone cleared their throat behind them

"I came to show you to your quarters" Éowyn said with eyes shining with jealously

"Thank you" She said gratefully looking at Aragorn "Can you get me my pack? I have another outfit or two of clean clothes"

"Of course, Milady" Aragorn said with a bow of respect and she glared at him as he looked at her with amusement

Eowyn frowned at the interaction looking over Siladhiel "I can get you a dress Milady" She said seriously and Siladhiel shook her head

"My thanks for the offer by I shall stay in these clothes for now, I do not know when we plan to leave" She said honestly as Aragorn reappear

"Very well" She said quickly motioning with her hand "Follow me"

Aragorn rose an eyebrow at Siladhiel in question who shrugged slightly following her through the hall. She stopped motioning to two doors across the hall from each other.

"These rooms are yours for you and your companions" She explained opening the door with to reveal a large bed "Milady you can prepare in here, I will send a maid to prepare a bath"

"My thanks Lady Eowyn for your hospitality" Siladhiel said remembering her manners

Eowyn bowed giving her a smile unable to hate the elf before giving Aragorn a longing look and walking off. Aragorn again raised an eyebrow in questions causing her to laugh. Eowyn sighed hearing her laugh drift across the halls drifting through everyone, she had to admit it lightened her heart a bit.

"Go tell Legolas where I am, no doubt the elf is going crazy not being able to locate me" Siladhiel said in amusement causing Aragorn to laugh in agreement

"Let me go put the poor elf out of his misery" Aragorn said leaving the room as Siladhiel began underdressing for a much-needed bath.