Chapter 12:
Riding across the plains of Rohan, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Valéa, Boromir and Aragorn stopped to look at Edoras in front of them. They had set off first thing in the morning, and now it was the late afternoon, the winter sun just beginning to set over the horizon.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld." Gandalf told them as the city drew ever nearer. "There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Theoden is now very strong."
"Is there any way you can free him, Ada?" Valéa asked as she directed her gaze towards the Golden Hall.
"I believe so." Gandalf replied solemnly. "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."
The five of them rode into Edoras, but not before Valéa and Aragorn caught a green flag flutter and land on the ground by the entrance. It was a flag of Rohan, a white horse printed on both sides.
Their progress through the city was slow, as they kept their horses at a walk. Gimli looked around, noting the dark clothes and grim expressions on everyone's face. "You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." He grumbled.
Upon reaching the steps up to Meduseld, they all dismounted, wordlessly handing their steeds over to the offered hands.
They walked up the steps. A few guards came out of the Hall to greet them when they reached the top. "My name is Hama, but I'm afraid I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue." The leader, a red-head, said.
Gandalf nodded at the others. Valéa drew both her swords and placed them on the empty table beside her. She then swung her quiver off her shoulders and added both that and her bow to the pile. She kept the elven dagger hidden in her boot in place, as it was out of sight, and she felt wary about being completely unarmed.
"Your staff," Hama said when they looked expectantly at him, all more or less no danger to anyone.
"Hmm?" Gandalf glanced at his staff. "You would not part an old man from his walking stick."
Hama looked conflicted for a moment, then turned and led them forward. It seemed he knew what Gandalf intended, and was at least partially on their side. Gandalf winked slyly to Aragorn and followed him in, holding onto Legolas' arm to layer on the story that he was a weary, old man. The others followed behind.
Hama paused at the door and let them pass. Grima was sitting beside Theoden.
The black-haired man whispered into Theoden's ear, unaware that Valéa and Legolas could hear what he said. "My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe."
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King." Gandalf said.
As they made their way forward, a group of menacing guards followed them. Valéa eyed them cautiously, her hand itching to reach for her dagger.
Grima, whispering to Theoden, said, "He's not welcome."
Theoden's voice, when he spoke, was feeble. "Why should I welcome you... Gandalf Stormcrow?" He looked to Grima for agreement.
Grima nodded a little. "A just question, my liege." He got up and walked towards Gandalf. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear." The menacing group moved nearer to them. "Lathspell, I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
"Be silent. Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth." Gandalf snapped. "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm." He lifted his staff and held it threateningly in front of Grima's face.
Grima looked shocked and scared. "His staff. I told you to take the wizard's staff."
The menacing group moved to attack Gandalf. Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, Valéa and Gimli fought them off. Valéa sent a punch at the first that went past her, clearly startling him and knocking him to the ground. His head hit the ground with a loud crack, knocking him unconscious. Gandalf continued to walk towards Theoden, and Valéa watched as an apparently well-trained man prepared to join the fight, but Hama held him back. Luckily, Valéa got another punch in as another guard ran past her, breaking the man's nose and getting blood all over her hand. She split her knuckles in the process, so it was impossible to tell who the blood belonged to.
"Theoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the shadows." Gandalf said. Valéa moved to her father's side, providing what little immediate backup she could.
"I would stay still if I were you." Valéa heard Gimli growl, though she knew not to whom he spoke.
"Hearken to me! I release you from the spell." Gandalf held up his hand, closing his eyes.
Theoden laughed mockingly, causing Gandalf to open his eyes. "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey." The old man sneered.
Gandalf, angered, threw off his grey cloak. Theoden was thrown back by a bright white light.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." He thrust forward his staff, which threw Theoden back in his chair.
Someone ran in, drawing Valéa's attention away from Theoden. It was a blonde maiden, who ran towards the King, only to be stopped as Aragorn grabbed hold of her.
"Wait," he whispered to her.
Theoden spoke again, but this time it was not with his voice. "If I go, Theoden dies." Valéa hissed quietly. It was Saruman.
Gandalf was still holding forward his staff, and continued to move closer to Theoden. "You did not kill me... you will not kill him." He glowered.
"Rohan is mine." Saruman snapped.
"Be gone."
Suddenly, Theoden jumped from his throne, lunging at Gandalf. Gandalf thrust him back with his staff and as he did, Theoden slumped forward. The blonde maiden rushed to stop him falling. Theoden's face slowly changed. His hair and beard shortened and became a wheat blonde, and his face became younger. His eyes cleared. He looked at Eowyn quizzically. "I know your face." He murmured, receiving a smile from her. "Eowyn. Eowyn." Eowyn cried with happiness and Theoden looked around at everyone. "Gandalf?"
Gandalf smiled. "Breathe the free air again, my friend."
Theoden stood up shakily. "Dark have been my dreams of late." He lifted his hands and stared at them, as if he had not seen them properly for a long time.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword." Gandalf said gently.
Hama stepped forward and offered his King his sword. Theoden took it and lifted it up in front of him. He gazed at it wonderingly as everyone smiled. Then the King seemed to remember something, for he turned his gaze to Grima, who was being held on the floor by Gimli.
Grima was roughly thrown out of the Hall, and fell down the steps. Valéa winced at how much that probably hurt. Theoden walked falteringly down the steps after him.
"I've only ever served you, my lord." Grima's voice was weak and trembled as he crawled backwards on his hands.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden roared.
"Send me not from your sight." Grima begged.
Theoden raised his sword above Grima's head, no doubt intending to kill him. Aragorn, however, rushed forward and held his hands to stop the King from doing so. "No, my lord!" He said strongly. "No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
Aragorn offered Grima a hand, but the worm just spat on it and scrambled to his feet, pushing past the people. "Get out of my way!"
"Hail, Theoden King!" Hama cried.
The people in the city knelt before Theoden. Those from the Great Hall did the same as Aragorn knelt at Theoden's side. In the distance, Valéa caught sight of Grima riding out of Edoras. Theoden turned back to the Golden Hall and looked at everyone
"Where is Theodred?" He asked. "Where is my son?"
Happy first-of-August. (Okay, that really doesn't work.. Eh, never mind). I hope you enjoyed this update. See ya soon!
P.S. Sorry it's short. I really need to work on extending these chapters. -_-
