Lyavain began running fast as she could when she was strong enough. Her wound had healed hours after they had left to Edoras. It was night when she saw Gandalf, Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli had set camp for the night. Gandalf and Aragorn were talking looking east and Legolas and Gimli were sleeping. Gandalf and Aragorn turned as they noticed Lyavain lay down close next to Legolas so he got some warm from her. She took her head up and looked to North-East, her eyes went far. Pass Emyn Muil and to the Dead Marches, there she saw Frodo, Sam and Sméagol. Sméagol had changed, she saw it on him. She knew Legolas had right, there is not a chance for him to change. She wasn't even sure if he will remember her.
"Does Sauron know about Lyavain?" Aragorn asked after he saw she slept.
"I do not know, but I don't think that will be a problem. What worries me is that she is in trouble, I can see it. But she won't tell me right away. Rohan must defend itself, and therein lies our first challenge. For Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The King's mind is enslaved, it's an old device of Saruman. His hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning we have one advantage." Gandalf looked at Aragorn. "The Ring remains hidden. And that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams."
"And so the weapon of the enemy is moving towards Mordor in the hands of a Hobbit. Each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest."
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld" Gandalf said as they had reached Edoras the day after. "There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan whose mind is overthrown. Be careful what you say. Do not look for warm welcome here." They continue to ride and when they came in to Edoras everyone was quiet and they all looked at those who came.
They were all wearing black and some of them looked frighten on the wolf Lyavain. "You will find more cheer in a graveyard" Gimli said. They dismounted their horses and got up the steps to the Golden Hall.
They met on guards that came out from the big doors to the Golden Hall. "I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. And I cannot allow the wolf come in" the guard said. Gandalf nodded to them all and they turned in their weapons.
"Lyavain have to come in, she cannot turn into human form because then she will not have a dress on. Do you really want to try making her shift?" Gandalf asked.
"Alright, but we will keep an eye on her." The guard looked at the staff. "Your staff."
"Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick" Gandalf said. The guard nodded and they let them in. The hall was huge and there were tables on each side. In the middle of the hall was a fire place and in the end sat the king. He looked very old. The spirit of this place was gone and so was the hope. There were men who walked next to the fellowship and Lyavain when they walked closer to the king. Ready to attack if needed. There was a black shape of a man who sat next to the King.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late Théoden King" Gandalf said. The black man leaned over to the King and said something.
"Why should I welcome you- Gandalf Stormcrow?" The King asked, he could barely speak.
The black man, Gríma Wormtongue stood up and walked closer to Gandalf. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Láthspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest" he said.
"Be silent!" Gandalf said sharp. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm."
Wormtongue looked at his staff he had and backed away. "I told you to take the wizard's staff" he said and the men came to take it. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Lyavain took them all out. Not killing them just punching them so they will stay away.
"Théoden son of Thengel" Gandalf said approaching the old King. He stood before him, but the king wanted to ignore him. "Hearken to me! I release you from your spell." He hold up his hand.
The king laughed. "You have no powers here Gandalf the Grey" the King said.
Gandalf took away his grey cloak and it was like he lighten up again.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as a poison is drawn from a wound" Gandalf said and throw the King into his chair. A lady in white dress came, Lyavain was about to bite her dress so she won't run up to the King but Aragorn hold her back.
"If I go, Théoden dies" the King said and got tossed back into the chair.
"You did not kill me and you will not kill him" Gandalf said. The King was struggling against him. "Be gone!" Gandalf walked up two steps to the king. The King tried to attack him but got tossed one more time and fell down into it. The King looked exhausted and were about to fall down from his chair. The Lady in white dress ran up and helped him up.
The aging in the King's face were gone and he saw things clearly and he looked younger. The King looked at the Lady. "I know your face" he said. "Éowyn." Éowyn smiled and the King looked at Gandalf. "Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, my friend" Gandalf said. The King stood up and looked at everyone. His eyes fell on the big wolf that stood next to Wormtongue who were lying on the ground with Gimli's foot on his chest. The King looked at his fingers as if everything has been too long ago. "Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword." A man had the King's sword and held it up to him. The King took up his sword and then looked at Wormtongue.
"I've only- Ever served you, my lord" Wormtongue said after being thrown down from the Golden Hall. He was crawling away from King Théoden.
"Your leechcraft would had me crawling on all four like a beast" King Théoden said angry.
"Send me not from your sight" Wormtongue said. Théoden were about to slay him but Aragorn stopped him.
"No, my lord. No" Aragorn said. The King looked at Aragorn and he turned to Wormtongue. Aragorn were going to help Wormtongue up but he just spitted in his hand. Wormtongue ran to get a horse and rode away from here. "Hail, Théoden King!" Aragorn shouted to the people and they all bowed to the King, so did Aragorn.
The King turned to Gandalf. "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"