Disclaimer is found in earlier chapters, and I do not believe that it is still necessary. Reviews would be appreciated.


Chapter 12: The freedom of a king

The walk seemed to be short to my senses as we neared the edge of the forest. The light of day seemed unfamiliar to my eyes, and I had to take a moment or two to readjust, as we stood upon the very edge of the forest.

"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed." He said and therefore confirmed my darkest fears.

He then let out a piercing whistle and an answering neigh was heard. Forth from afar came a slight white light. I blinked a couple of times, giving my eyes time to adjust. Before us stood a beautiful mare, its body entirely white. Its size was far greater than that of a normal horse, and its eyes seemed to have an unusual gleam to them, it was clear to me what the creature was, and I bowed slightly before the Mearas.

"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell" spoke Legolas. He also bowed to the creature, following my example.

The magnificent creature came to a stop in front of Gandalf.

"Shadowfax" he said, raising a hand and tracing it along the spine of the creature. "He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers."

Gimli seemed to have caught along and now bowed low to the ground.

"We are honoured by your presence, lord of the horse kind" spoke Legolas. It would have seemed unusual to pay respect to any other horse, but this creature was far older than our kind, and held knowledge that could surpass ours in many ways. He was one of those who arrived at the beginning of all, at the very creation of Midell Earth. His kind deserved all the respect we here bestowed upon him, even more so in this dire time.

We ascended our horses and turned in the direction of the home of the horse-lords. I wondered, as we raced across the plains, what kind of disaster fell upon the people there, and what in the name of Valar could possess the king of Rohan to banish his most loyal warriors. What kind of a king would banish his most skilled warriors in the time when the war resided in front of his own doors? A prideful king, I thought as wind wiped my face, the most dangerous kind.

We came to a stop as the sight of Edoras came to view.

"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over king Théoden is very strong." He spoke, as we gazed upon the far city of Rohan. A bewitched king is no better than a prideful one, I thought grimly, as we continued our ride. The fault resided not with him, but I feared that that would not matter to the people of Rohan when they died from orc blade.

We entered the city at nightfall. The town seemed to be constantly residing in a shadow. Deep sadness echoed across people's faces as they walked with their heads downcast. This town had not yet faced war, but deep misfortune found them nonetheless. I rode behind Aragon this time and promptly jumped of our horse.

The townspeople seemed to be wary of us, of the fact that we were newcomers or of the general misfortune that seemed to rule over this people, I did not know.

They were all clad in black, and it occurred to me that they were in mourning. Someone very important had died, and I wondered if we arrived too late.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," said Gimli, falling into step beside me.

"I am not sure, my friend, if this city is to be called anything more." I said glancing about.

The townspeople formed a wide line for us to pass through as we made our way to the imposing building where the king dwelt.

We ascended the stairs and were stopped by a company of guards. One of them, who appeared to be in command, stepped forward and addressed us.

"I cannot allow you before Théoden-king so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By the order of "he said and made a slight pause, before pronouncing a name with a frown "Grima Wormtounge"

We stared at each other for a few moments before the fellowship slowly surrendered their weapons. Legolas grimaced as one of the guards took his bow in his hands carelessly.

I put a hand on his elbow shortly and whispered in a low tone " Patience, my friend" I said and offered him a small smile before giving one of the guards my belt and dagger.

"And those in your arm sleeves and boots" said the commanding guard with an eyebrow arched.

"Of course" I replied sweetly, surrendering my four knives.

"Your staff" said the guard, indicating to Gandalf.

"Hmm?" asked Gandalf, glancing innocently at his staff. "Oh, you would not part an old man with his walking stick."

The guard seemed uneasy, exchanged an uneasy look with his comrades and then nodded reluctantly. They turned to lead us in the hall, and Gandalf turned to Aragon and gave him a slight wink, which was answered by a subtle smile.

We walked in the hall and guards stood on each side of the hall. Legolas lowered his head to my level and whispered in my ear, his breath warm and tickling. "Do you still have some knives with you?"

"Aye, my friend, I still have some, should it come to it, I will fight. Look in my hair. There is one hidden there as an ornament, use it." I whispered turning to him somewhat to remove imaginary dust from his shoulder.

The guards seemed suspicious and I stood on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his cheek lightly.

Legolas seemed confused for a moment but recognition soon replaced the confusion.

His hand encircled my lower back; lower than usual for a friend. The guards seemed to grow less suspicious of us as we continued onwards.

In front of us stood a throne-like chair, and an old man sat upon it. His hair and beard were long, and his face unimaginably pale. He seemed old, so very old, and so very fragile. Beside him stood a short man. His hair was black and greasy and large circles resided beneath his eyes. He bent down and whispered to the king, words my elven ears easily heard.

"My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe."

So Saruman's puppet made his appearance. Anger claimed my heart, and it took all of my self-control to remain impassive. I couldn't prevent myself and flexed my hand searchingly.

Legolas bent slightly to reach my ears, still acting, and therefore creating a somewhat intimate setting. "Am I the one who has to warn you of patience Evelyn?" he asked with a half smile "not long now, and you will be able to show him your thoughts"

"Aye, I thank you Legolas" I said, twisting my head a little, so my lips nearly grazed his cheek.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King." Spoke Gandalf.

"He's not welcome" whispered the slimly puppet.

"Why should I … welcome you ... Gandalf Stormcrow?" asked the wary king, looking at his "advisor" for affirmation.

"A just question my liege," spoke the slimy man, "late is the man in which conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."

The hand on my waist tightened slightly, as a clear message was displayed. Patience.

"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue between your teeth! I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm," yelled Gandalf, raising his staff threateningly.

The slime of a man seemed to have only then noticed that the wizard still held onto his staff.

"I told you to take his staff" he exclaimed, obviously frightened, addressing the guards. The hostile ones jumped forward. My knife was suddenly removed from my hair which now fell like a curtain on my back, and I pulled out the one form my cleavage and used its blunt side. The first guard underestimated me and I used that advantage to place a well-planned kick on the side of his neck. He fell to the ground, unconscious. The second one was more guarded, and seemed to think I would use that attack once again. Not a chance. I kicked him in the stomach, cutting of his air supply and then hit his head with the blunt side of my blade. He also fell to the ground. I turned around and noticed that there were no opponents left for me to handle. I was rather surprised that the rest of the fellowship seemed to have great skill with their hands alone. I really should not have been surprised, but I never saw them fight barehanded and had therefore had only the mental image of their weapons connected to them fighting.

Legolas gave me a smile as he walked up to me, not a hair out of place. He again placed his hand on my back and I was left wondering of the purpose of such an action, now that no acting was necessary.

We turned around, just in time to see Aragon restrain a blond haired woman as she tried to make her way to the king.

"I will draw you Saruman" spoke Gandalf, aiming his staff at the old king "as poison is drawn from a wound" I noticed that he had shed his grey clothing and was now clad in white. His clothes seemed to emit a soft glow on their own.

"Wait" I heard Aragon's voice whisper.

"If I go… Théoden dies" spoke another voice, one I knew far too well. Saruman. I gripped my knife so tightly that all colour left my hand. Legolas placed his other hand on mine and gently loosened it, shielding my vision momentarily. Azure eyes found my own as he drew back.

"You did not kill me, you will not kill him!" exclaimed Gandalf angrily,

"Rohan is mine!" exclaimed the voice and Gandalf thrust his staff in his direction angrily.

"Be gone" he exclaimed and the old man appeared to be thrown backwards, only to slump forward in his chair.

The woman restrained by Aragon jumped forward and caught him. The old man's features changed rapidly, only to show a much younger man. His head rose slightly and I noticed that he had lost his sickly complexion. Using this time, the slime of a man rushed forward, trying to run as far away from us as possible. He was, however, stopped by Gimli, who wrestled him to the ground and then promptly sat on him. The sight was very funny actually, and were it not for my anger, I would have laughed.

"I know your face…" came the king's voice "Eowyn …Eowyn."

Great relief shone on the woman's, Eowyn's, face as tears glided down her pale cheeks.

"Gandalf?" asked the man, raising his head towards us.

"Breathe the free air, my friend." Spoke Gandalf and I sensed relief from him also. I, however, was not as relieved. Freeing the king was great news for Rohan, but an uneasy feeling still crept along the edges of my consciousness. Saruman would not give up so easily. He was far too sly to do so. He had claimed openly just moments before that he thought of Rohan as his. Such a selfish man would not give away his "possession" easily. He would rather burn it to the ground.

I felt warm air on my ear again as Legolas whispered softly: "Enjoy this victory Evelyn, and allow yourself to forget for a moment the burden we all carry. Live in this moment, and leave your worries for another. There is still power in these lands."

"Your words are wise as always, but I cannot banish these thoughts. This request is selfish, but please stay by my side." I did not realize what I had said before it was too late, and the words had already left my mouth.

"I shall stay by your side, until a moment comes when you request not to be in a presence of such a lowly elf." I did not know the meaning behind such words, and I had no time to broad over them, as my thoughts were interrupted.

The guards moved past us and grabbed the slimy puppet. They half carried half dragged the man over the hall, opened the door loudly and promptly threw the man out.

"I've only ever served you my lord!" he exclaimed.

"If such service were offered by the servants" I spoke angrily "who claimed to bear nothing but the best in their hearts for their masters, long would the kings of old have fallen, and blood would have governed even more through the history of Middle Earth!"

"Big words from an elleth whose entire life is coated in the crimson colour of blood! Secrets they kept, secrets so fearsome, and yet you think you know all. Such hidden past, tell me do you remember how your mother died?" he snarled.

My knife was in his shoulder before anyone had the time to blink. I had taken another one out, and made to advance on Grima, only to be stopped by Aragon.

"I only ever wished for the best for my king, my home!" exclaimed the worm, holding onto his shoulder that now bled profusely.

The king moved past me and my vision was blurred by my anger. How dare he mention my mother, how dare he pollute my mind?

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" he exclaimed, and I hopped with all my heart, that the worm's head would not sit on his shoulders for long.

"Send me not from your side!" exclaimed the worm covering in fear as the king raised his sword to end his life. Aragon let go of me and jumped to the king, stopping his blade. I narrowed my eyes at him, not understanding his way of thinking at all. The worm was a traitor, the worst of his kind; he deserved not to live while so many just fell to shadow.

"No, my lord!" exclaimed Aragon "enough blood has been spilt on his account!"

I still did not approve of the decision and was sorely tempted to throw my knife at the retreating worm's back as he pushed his way through the crowd; exclaiming : "Get out of my way!"

I, however, refrained from doing so. I was selfish, I knew, and had let my anger interfere with my better judgement. The vain part of me did not help at all, as it screamed for its will to be heard. I was not royalty now, I reminded myself, but a part of the fellowship. I held no authority here, and would have to bow to what the king of Rohan declared.

"All hail Théoden King" was heard through the vast square.

The crowd dropped to their knees and bowed to the newly freed king. I noticed that Aragon moved to kneel also and glanced at Legolas. He was also on his knees and I followed his example. If the heir to the throne of Gondor and the future king of Mirkwood bowed, so would I. The king turned to enter the hall as we got to our feet.
"Where is Théodred? Where is my son?" asked he glancing around the square.

Gandalf walked up to him as the entire square fell silent. No one dared move. Gandalf placed a hand on Théoden's shoulder and said silently "Come old friend, I carry grave news."

They entered the hall together and I noticed that the king paled. His heart must have guessed the ill news that would soon leave the wizard's mouth.

I noticed someone walking up to me and turned to see Gimli. Legolas was discussing something with Aragon on the side and I decided not to intrude on their conversation, even if my ears could hear them easily, were it my choice. If they wanted to, they would come and talk to me.

"Are ya alrigh' lassie?" asked Gimli, and I noticed his eyes held worry; "you seemed really mad."

"I would be better if my knife resided not in the slime's shoulder but his head" I said through grit teeth.

He reached up with his arm and placed a soothing hand on my shoulder.

"I hear ya lassie, if we were among my kind, our axes would have done the talking"

"But we are not, and I will have to make peace with the fact that such a foul man walks free, while so many died." I said, turning to face the moon.

"Do not let anger take reign over your heart mellon nin" spoke Legolas as he made his way towards us, having heard our conversation.

"Death cannot be answered by death. That is why we set out on this quest, was it not? To end the sufferment. Do not let your anger kindle your way to justice, for not all has been seen yet."

His words reminded me of what my grandmother had told me. I had to admit I was prone to judging people rashly, but I could not see a bright side to the worm of a man. I realized something, gazing at the stars in that cold night. I had no right. It was a serious blow to my ego, which seemed to only grow from the moment I stepped foot in this realm. I had no right to give out punishments. I could only do my best to aid this fellowship before the time came.

I turned to my friends who still appeared rather worried.

"Thank you" I said, and offered them a small smile "for words of comfort, and your selfless support."

"This sounds like a goodbye lassie" said Gimli, giving out a mighty laugh.

"Not yet, Gimli son of Gloin, not yet" I said and turned to follow Aragon who entered the hall.

The funeral had been a silent affair. The funeral ceremony started from the hall from where Théodred's body had been carried. First in the line walked the king, accompanied by Eowyn, than Gandalf and I, followed by the rest of the fellowship. We made our way down to the graves of old, where the ceremony was held. I noticed that on the graves grew white flowers, Simbelmyne. The ceremony ended shortly, and Legolas took my arm in his.

"Come my friend, our duty is done. Let us not intrude on this intimate moment." He said, leading me away.

We made our way to town and decided to go to the hall and await the king's return with the rest of the fellowship. The time was grave, but we had to talk with Théoden. He may refuse to think of the war, but it was undeniable that war would come to Rohan, whether he thought of such a possibility or not, and a plan had to be made. I sat down on the bench and ran my hand nervously through my hair. Eowyn was to the side, and was approached soon by Aragon. I noticed that someone sat down beside me and turned to find Gimli, smoking his pipe.

"How are ya doin' lassie?" he asked.

"I fare well Gimli, all circumstances taken into account." I said with a smile.

Legolas walked over to us and leaned on a column across the bench we sat on.

"What do you think his decision shall be?" I asked after a while, referring to the king.

"Well that's obvious isn't it lassie? We 'ave to fight." said Gimli, blowing out a circle of smoke.

"I fear that it is not as obvious to Théoden king." spoke Legolas, "Aragon and Gandalf had tried to speak to him of this matter, but no favourable answer was given."

"I understand that he grieves, for he is a father who had lost a son. But he is also a king, he should know better than to ignore a problem, especially one of such importance." I said, frustration thick in my voice.

"Give'm some time lassie, war was never won by rash decisions" spoke Gimli.

"Aye, but time is relative. War is upon these lands, us grieving or not." I spoke, getting up from my seat and walking over to Legolas.

"I fear that we will be too late." I said leaning next to him.

"At this moment, we can do naught but wait" answered Legolas gently, taking my hand in his.

We stayed in such manner for a while, lost in our thoughts. The danger was growing ever nearer and action was necessary.

I was startled out of my thoughts as doors were opened with a loud bang. Gandalf entered, haste in his steps. Behind him ran a boy and only then did I notice that he carried a little girl in his arms. Eowyn noticed too and she made her way to them. I abandoned my previous position and moved to the small group.

"What has come to pass Mithrandir?" I asked checking the boy for any visible injuries. He seemed tired and hungry, but relatively unharmed. Eowyn took the girl and laid her on the bench.

"Their village was attacked by Saruman's forces. The children were sent as messengers and the survivors made for Helm's deep." said Gandalf, worry evident in his voice.

So it had begun. The war was on its way to Rohan, whether Théoden king liked it or not.

The king arrived moments later, and a war council was held. I was currently sitting next to the children on one side, while Eowyn sat on the other side. The boy seemed timid and I knew that he understood the danger better than his sister.

"Do not worry child, you are safe now" I said putting my hand on his head.

"They had no warning" started Eowyn "They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree!" she said, anger evident in her voice. She was a fighter, I decided, and would be useful in battle, were it not for the blasted traditions of these lands.

"Where is mama?" asked the little girl, and a wave of sympathy claimed my heart. There was a good chance that they would never see their mother again.

"Shhh" spoke Evelyn soothingly.

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent now, for he is driven by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children!" spoke Gandalf, trying to persuade the stubborn king. "You must fight!"

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king." tried Aragon, but his words seemed to do naught more than annoy the already difficult king.

"They will be three hundred leagues away by now. Éomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war" spoke the king.

Aragon seemed to grow in impatience and spoke somewhat rashly: "Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not!"

"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragon was the king of Rohan!" spoke the angered king.

"Then show your wisdom oh great Théoden King" I snarled, "Lead your men to battle, arm your women, do not let these children come to peril!"

"Another one thinks that she can command me in my own hall, and an elleth none the less! What do you know of war she-elf? Do not teach me how to govern my own people!"

"I have seen war Théoden king, and have shown more courage than you did in running your people!" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet.

"Are you calling me a coward?" he exclaimed, his face red "I could have you beheaded for such insults!"

"Touch a hair on her head, and all of elven kind shall be your opponent. I promise you a war so fierce, that Saruman will feel like a child's play!" spoke Legolas jumping to my defence.

"You might even cause something unseen, Théoden king, for the elven and dwarven kind would once again unite!" said Gimli.

The light dimmed in the room as Gandalf stood up. "May we all calm down?" he demanded and than sat back down, returning the light to the room.

"The tensions run high, and friends are few. Let us not cause confrontations among them. We are all friends here, if naught more, than comrades. We live and die together." he said and silenced ruled across the room.

"Now what is the king's decision?" asked Gandalf.

"We make for the Helm's deep" spoke the king, finality in his voice.