The group entered Edoras. Lily and Rachel shared a worried glance.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli stated. Lily nodded.
Rachel's eyes flared and she smirked. "So much sadness... So much grief... Ha ha. Lovely grief..." She whispered.
Lily stared at Rachel. "Lo que acabas de decir? Y si, se puede hablar espanol tambien." (What did you just say? And yes, we can speak spanish too.)
Rachel looked back at Lily and her eyes returned to their original blue. "Huh? Yo no he dicho nada!" (Huh? I didn't say anything!) Rachel cocked her head slightly to the side.
Lily stared at her. "I thought... Never mind."
People around them stared at the girls blankly. "We speak a lot of languages. You shouldn't stare at people not speaking english." Rachel hissed. The starers turned away.
After giving their horses to the stable boy, they walked up to the porch in front of the golden hall. A group of guards came out to meet them.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue." Hama's voice sounded almost annoyed upon saying Grima's name.
Lily slowly handed over the knives, bow, and quiver of arrows she received in Rivendell. When she took out Pep's dagger. She looked at the guard. "This is my friend's. Do not even breathe on it after this, or you will regret it." She hissed. The guard nodded nervously and she handed it over.
Rachel just gave the guard her sword, rolling her eyes. No big problem to her.
Hama looked at Gandalf. "Your staff."
"Hmm... You would not part an old man from his walking stick." Gandalf gave Hama an innocent look.
Hama looked at Gandalf worriedly before leading them inside.
As they entered, Rachel nearly jumped upon looking at the king.
He was very fat and pale, and every visible inch of his body was covered in either scabs or warts. His hair was long, white, and matted, and he had a beard just as messy as his hair. Theoden's eyes were cloudy and they looked lifeless.
Rachel shuddered and she and Lily glanced at each other, disgust written on their faces.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King." Gandalf stated.
Wormtongue whispered something into Theoden's ear.
"Why... Should I welcome you... Gandalf Stormcrow?" Theoden spoke slowly and weakly.
"Algunos rey valiente." Rachel murmured (Some mighty king). Lily snickered.
"A just question, my liege." Wormtongue stood and walked towards Gandalf. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear! Lathspell I name him! Ill news is an ill guest!"
"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth." Gandalf spat. "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm."
Lily smirked at the look of shock on Wormtongue's face. Wormtongue, or as Gandalf says, the witless worm, tried to speak but Gandalf raised his staff to the worm's face.
"His staff! I told you to take the wizards staff!" He gasped.
Most of the guards rushed in and began fighting the six fellowship members.
One lunged at Lily and when he did, she simply stepped out of the way and kicked him to the ground.
Rachel rolled her eyes at Lily's actions and did a backflip, kicking down two guards running at her.
"Seriously?" Lily raised her eyebrows.
"Theoden! Son of Thengel! Too long have you sat in the Shadows." Everyone heard Gandalf in the background.
Another guard came at Lily and she kicked him in the chest, pinning him to the ground. "Think before ya act. Then maybe you wont have any bruises." She said before punching him out.
Wormtongue tried to get away, but Gimli stepped on his chest. "I would stay still if I were you." He warned.
"Hearken to me!" Gandalf said. "I release you... From the spell." Gandalf held up his hand in front of Theoden and shut his eyes.
After a short pause, Theoden began cackling. "You have no power here... Gandalf the Grey..."
Rachel and Lily shared a knowing and amused look just as Gandalf thrust off his cloak. Theoden jerked back upon seeing the bright white light illuminate the room.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." He thrust his staff forward, almost mockingly, and it threw Theoden furthur back in his chair.
A blonde woman saw her uncle weak in his chair and ran to him. But Aragorn caught her. "Wait."
"If I go, Theoden dies." Came a voice that wasn't Theoden's.
"You did not kill me... You will not kill him." Gandalf stepped closer.
"Rohan is mine."
"Be gone!"
Theoden lunged at Gandalf, but he was thrust back onto the throne. He groaned weakly. Eowyn was released from Aragorn's grip.
Everyone watched as Theoden's ugly appearance changed. He was now younger, less fat, shorter hair and beard, and bright blue eyes. REAL Theoden.
THe king looked at Eowyn, confused. "I know your face..." He smiled. "Eowyn... Eowyn..." She grinned, nodded, and hugged him.
Theoden looked around the hall, and spotted a familiar looking wizard. "Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again my friend." The white wizard replied.
Theoden stood up slowly and shakily. "Dark have been my dreams of late." He said, raising his hands to examine them.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword." Gandalf stated.
Hama came up and handed him the sword. The king slowly drew his sword.
Theoden's smile fell upon seeing Wormtongue on the floor.
The witless worm was thrust onto the steps leading to the hall. "I've only... Ever... Served you, My lord." He said.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden shouted, approaching the man dangerously.
"Send me not from your sight!" Wormtongue begged.
Theoden raised his sword, planning to kill him, but Aragorn stopped him. "No my lord, no my lord. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
Grima jumped up and pushed through the crowd of people. "Get out of my way!"
Lily gasped as the stone of wisdom turned red. "Uh oh..." Rachel sent her a blank look but Aragorn continued.
"Hail Theoden King!"
Everyone in sight kneeled in respect for the healed king.
Suddenly Theoden realized someone was missing. "Where is Theodred? Where is my son?"