A/N: Hey all! Just wanted to take a sec to reply to a couple of guest reviews I've gotten recently concerning how the rest of this fic is going to play out. :)

Some lovely readers by the names of Yugilover and Les have asked about including things like the Elemental Bands and such because they're mentioned later on in other books.. Just to clarify, this entire series is currently being rewritten, and as a part of that, I'm scrapping the whole idea of the Elemental Bands that was the plot of ASTOF originally. So unfortunately, that won't be a thing in this series anymore. But don't worry, I've got plenty more interesting ideas in store for this series. ;)

Happy reading!

A Strange Twist of Fate: Chapter Twenty-One

-Kathryn-

I hiked up the skirts of my dress as I hurried up the hillside, aiming for the great Golden Hall at Edoras' peak. Theodred had sent a message to me asking for me to come and meet with him today at noon, but I didn't know why. All the message had said was something about "matters concerning our slimy worm friend" and how important it was for me to be at this secret meeting. I had no idea what to expect, but the vagueness of Theodred's letter did make me slightly uneasy. I desperately hoped nothing bad had happened. I'd been constantly anxious for weeks since I'd told Theodred about my origins, just waiting for the secret to leak somehow and end up in the hands of someone bad. My gut told me I'd done the right thing by telling Theodred who I really was, but I still couldn't help feeling like I'd made some sort of mistake. I lifted my head to look at the great structure that was Meduseld as I approached it, but the sun was too bright for me to stare upwards for long. In all the time I'd spent here in Edoras, I'd never actually been inside the hall, so this would be a new experience for me. I didn't know whether I should be excited or intimidated, to be honest. I just hope I don't make a complete idiot of myself in there.

As if on cue, I suddenly collided with another body, earning a grunt out of us both. Apologies came flying out of my mouth at breakneck speed. "Oh god, I'm so sorry! I should've been looking where I was going - I didn't mean to-" The words died on my lips as I saw who I'd run into, though.

A thin, empty smile stretched across Wormtongue's pale, gaunt face, although it looked incredibly forced. "It's no trouble, none at all." His tone was nearly as flat as his dead-eyed gaze. But suddenly, there was a flash of recognition in his eyes, and I swallowed nervously. "You must be Lady Kathryn. I don't believe we've met."

I nodded, shrinking back the tiniest bit. "I am. And you're Master Gríma, correct?"

He returned the nod, looking me over in a way that made me squirm. "Prince Theodred has said much about you." His eyes returned to meet my own, and he smiled again, but this time it looked much more malicious.

I narrowed my gaze. "He tells me a lot about you as well," I replied.

"Yes...I'd imagine you know quite a lot about me." I frowned. "Good day, Lady Kathryn." Before I could say another word, Wormtongue had started hurrying off again, in the direction of...the stables? That's weird. Wonder where he's off to in such a hurry. I shivered as I turned away from the weasel of a man. He's even creepier in person than he is in the movies. But that didn't matter now. I returned my focus to the great building in front of me as I climbed the stone steps, stopping only when I nearly collided with a handful of guards.

Their armor clinked together as they stepped up to intercept me. I recognized the one in the middle from the trilogy, but couldn't remember his name. "What business do you have in the courts of Théoden King?"

"Prince Theodred summoned me," I explained. "My name is Kathryn. I'm a worker in the royal stables."

At my name, the guard's mood shifted into a much friendlier one. "Ah, Lady Kathryn. Prince Theodred did speak to us of your arrival." He jerked his head towards the guard at his left. "Gamling will show you inside." He and the other guards moved aside, and I followed Gamling as we moved towards the main entrance. I was sort of surprised they hadn't asked to check me for weapons...but then again, I doubt any of them would assume a woman would be armed at all. I glanced up at the great wooden archways with ornate patterns of woven gold decorating them. Damn. Maybe I should've worn a nicer dress for this.

As we stepped through the giant double doors which opened with a loud groan, I tried not to look too awestruck. The main hall itself was massive, stretching at least a hundred yards ahead in smooth stone flooring. Great pillars lined either side of the room in pairs, intricately carved and painted with twisting designs in Rohan's traditional colors of red, gold, brown, and green. The ceiling arched high above our heads, multiple woven tapestries of bright colors hanging from the rafters, each embroidered with different symbols representing the different settlements and peoples living in Rohan. Four beautifully carved horse heads stuck out from the top of each pillar, and a large fireplace sat in the center of the room. There were several large banquet tables in the hall, making me wonder how crazy the parties in Edoras must've been. Judging by what I saw, you could easily fit over two hundred people in this room alone. At the far end of the room, a few steps rose out of the ground to elevate the great wooden throne of the king, who, I noticed, was absent at the moment. Gamling led me to stand by one of the columns, telling me Theodred would be out to meet me soon. I thanked him as he disappeared a moment later, heading back outside to his guard duties.

It wasn't long before I head a familiar voice from across the room. "Kathryn!" I smiled as I saw Theodred enter from the back, racing past the throne and across the hall to where I stood. "Thank you for coming so quickly," he said, immediately turning and leading me back the way he'd come. "I worried you wouldn't receive my letter in time."

"In time for what?" I asked.

"The meeting, of course!"

My eyes widened. "Wait, there's actually a meeting? I thought you were joking when you said that!"

"Not at all," he responded. "I called you here to discuss recent events concerning our mutual enemy with a few others who've joined our alliance."

"What are you trying to do, build an army against him?" I hissed as he led me into one of the back hallways leading to a dimly lit staircase.

"Kathryn, don't be ridiculous." Theodred started up the stairs, and I followed close behind. "We don't need an army for this."

"I thought you said this was going to stay between you and me!"

"I said it would stay between myself and the people I trust," he countered as we emerged onto the second floor of Meduseld. "Granted, they are few in number, but they are all we need." He walked up to one of the grand doors and swiftly opened it, ushering me inside before stepping in himself.

I took in the sights before me - clearly we were in Theodred's bedroom. It was decorated in a similar fashion to the rest of Meduseld, but still had all the same characteristics of the prince I knew. Several lavish animal furs were spread across the floor as rugs, and a few grand tapestries hung on the walls for decoration. The curtains had been pushed back from his large windows, illuminating the two other people who currently sat in the center of the room. I nodded to each of them, not at all surprised to see Theodred had chosen them as part of his 'alliance.' "Hello, Éomer, Éowyn."

Éomer only nodded back in response, while his fair-haired sister smiled at me. "It is good to see you, Kathryn."

"You too," I returned politely. Theodred shut the door behind us and pulled over a chair for me to sit in opposite the other woman, before situating himself at the foot of his bed. "I guess he's told you guys about his distrust of Wormtongue?"

"The feeling is mutual," Éomer spoke up. "I have not grown all that fond of him since he has come here."

I glanced over at Éowyn. "I have never liked him," she said bitterly. "He is a foul man, especially where our uncle is concerned."

I smirked. "Good to see we're all on the same page, then." Looking back to Theodred, I went on. "So what's this about? Has something happened with him recently?"

My friend gave a short nod of his own. "Earlier this morning, he announced that my father had issued a statement asking Gríma to ride to Isengard immediately. He claimed it was due to concerns regarding our trade with them as of late, and to ensure our alliance with the wizard Saurman remained strong."

I frowned. "To Isengard?" That was definitely suspicious. There's no way he's actually going for something stupid like that. Wormtongue must be going to see Saruman about something...but what?

Theodred gave me a knowing look before turning back to address the group. "It has never been like my father to send someone of such importance out on a trivial errand. Gríma is the king's advisor; he should be the last person sent to Isengard for trade reports."

Éomer rested a hand on his chin, scowling. "And the council allowed this?"

"They had no power to do anything against something signed by the king himself," Theodred replied. "The king always has the final say."

"Perhaps your father is finally trying to get rid of the snake," Éowyn muttered.

Theodred let out a breath. "...I don't believe it was entirely my father's doing, actually."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"Are you suggesting that Wormtongue committed an act of forgery?" Éomer asked.

"I don't know," Theodred said. "But one way or another, I think that filth managed to manipulate my father into signing something he never agreed to. He lingers at the side of the throne constantly - and if not there, then wherever my father happens to be. Wormtongue clings to him like a fungus."

"But why to Isengard?" Éowyn cut in. "Why would Wormtongue want to go there?"

Again, Theodred glanced in my direction as he spoke. "Kathryn and I have had some discussion about this, and we believe it is because Wormtongue is in league with Saruman. They plot against the kingdom of Rohan together."

I stiffened as both Éomer and Éowyn turned to me, looking shocked. "What do you know of this?" the brother asked.

I nervously reach up to push my hair out of my face. Is Theodred expecting me to tell them everything? "Uh, nothing really serious...it's mostly just a hunch. But when you think about it, what Theodred's saying does kind of make sense. It seems like Wormtongue's intent is to poison Rohan from within. Why else would he so suddenly rush to Isengard unless he'd been summoned by his master or had urgent news to report?"

Still, Éomer seemed skeptical. "Saruman the White has been an ally of our people for many years. He is powerful, but not corrupt. And I doubt such a great wizard would waste his time on a snivelling man like Gríma." In my mind, I sighed. Sleep on it for a year, Éomer. You'll change your mind.

"In any case," his sister said, "we shouldn't focus on conspiracies we can't yet prove or disprove. We know Wormtongue has no good intentions here in Edoras, so we should focus on getting him out of here first."

"But how do we?" I asked. "We don't have anything that could help us get him kicked out or lose his position."

It was here that Éowyn looked back to her cousin. "I think you could, Theodred." Her voice shifted, becoming more sincere as he perked up. "Talk to your father. Ask him about his announcement to send Gríma away. Tell him that not everyone in the court believes him to be trustworthy. Uncle loves you; he will listen."

Theodred thought about it. "I could certainly try," he agreed. "Now would be a good time to do it, seeing as Wormtongue will be gone for at least few weeks."

"I think that would be smart," I said. "Plus, that gives you a chance to try and find out how your dad feels about this guy. Maybe he doesn't really like Wormtongue either. If we can get your dad on our side, that's a big deal."

"It seems simple enough," Éomer nodded. "From there, we can decide what our next move will be."

A small smile crept across Theodred's face as he looked at each of us. "So...this truly is an alliance, then? The four of us, fighting against Rohan's lowest piece of scum." We all laughed a bit, and his smile widened. "I will speak with my father at the earliest opportunity. Thank you. I am glad to have you by my side in this."

"We will always be by your side, Theodred," Éowyn replied. "Until the very end."

Her words shot an unexpected pain through my heart as an image of the young, dead prince flashed through my mind, a weeping Éowyn crouched at his bedside. And in that moment, despite the generally lighthearted mood of the group as we dismissed, I felt a ball of guilt settle in my gut like a stone weight once again. If I let Theodred die, I won't just be letting him down...I'll be letting all of them down.

Oh God...I can't let him die.

–

-Legolas-

"Aww, damn."

I glanced up from where I'd previously been focused on sharpening my knives, an eyebrow raised in question as I observed Erin's small frown. "Is something wrong?"

She looked slightly surprised as her gaze met mine, as if she'd not intended to speak aloud. "My ring's tarnished," she explained, holding out her hand. A small, silver ring sat in her palm; a simple band with several deep violet stones set in it, and a fine engraving along the rest of the band which I could not read in the low light of the setting sun. There were a number of scratches in the metal, and a few of the stones were missing. "I wondered when this one was going to finally wear out," she said, twirling it in her fingers. "I remember buying this one back on Earth...nearly ten years ago." She sighed. "But whatever. I'll just have to buy another one sometime." She stared at it for a moment longer, almost looking remorseful, before turning and throwing it far from where we had made our camp for the night along the banks of the river Bruinen.

I watched as the ring sailed through the air before landing in the water, never to be found again. "How many do you have left?"

"Not many," she replied, lifting her hands to look at them. "Only three." When she had first joined the Dunedaín a few years ago, Erin had worn many different rings which almost never left her fingers. It had not taken me long to notice her odd habit, but for whatever reason, I had never learned why she was so attached to them.

Now, however, as my gaze lingered on the remaining three, my curiosity got the better of me. "What makes them so important to you?"

Erin briefly glanced in my direction before looking back to her hands as she spoke. "A lot of them are linked to memories of mine...special ones. I can look at the rings and remember people I loved, places I loved, the things I did... My rings are sort of the last tie to home that I have." A small smile appeared on her face as she pointed to one worn on her left hand - a thin, elegant silver band with a small pale blue stone set in its middle. It was simple, but beautiful. "This one's my favorite."

"What memory lies with that ring?" I asked.

The question caused a distant look to come over Erin's face, her thoughts drifting to another life far away. "...My mom gave it to me when I was ten," she said quietly. "She'd worn it when she was a little girl, and my grandmother wore it before her. Then one year, it was passed down to me." She twisted it on her finger, and I sensed a long-forgotten grief in her voice. "It reminds me of my family. I could never bring myself to get rid of this ring, even if it starts to wear down someday. If I lost it, I think I'd feel like I lost them, too."

I watched her carefully, feeling a swell of pity in my heart for her. "Do you ever dream of going back? Going home?"

"Of course I do," she replied, looking at me fully. "I left so much behind on Earth, you know? My family, most of my friends, and my passions, too. I mean, obviously things are different here. It's been years since I picked up a paintbrush or listened to the music I love. When I left Earth, I was right in the middle of getting an education to prepare me for the career I wanted more than anything. I was surrounded by people I cared about, and so, so much that I loved. And then suddenly, in the blink of an eye, it was all gone. I wasn't there anymore. I was here." She let out a breath, and the sadness in her eyes began to fade. "But I'm kind of over it now."

I gave her a curious look. "How?"

Erin shrugged. "I decided it wasn't worth it to spend the rest of my life sulking over what I lost. Sure, sometimes I still have bad days where I'll cry about it, but I don't want to be sad over my past life all the time. Obviously there's a reason I'm here in Middle-Earth, even though I don't know what it is yet. It's better to focus on enjoying being here than to purposefully be miserable all the time. I haven't forgotten my life on Earth, but I've moved on."

To hear Erin speak about her past in such a way moved me. For a brief moment, I wondered how her words could apply to my own life as well. "That is wise," I assured her, "and a courageous way to live in the face of so much loss."

She smiled a bit, and it lifted my spirits to see her grief vanish. "Thanks. You have to make do with what you've got, right?" I returned her smile. "Besides, it's not so bad. At the end of the day, I've still got my old Earth life up here." She lightly tapped her temple. "I have a lifetime of good memories to remember my family and friends by. In the end, that's all that matters. I just don't want to forget them."

Something within me stirred, and I knew then I never wished to see her lost in grief over her past ever again. "You will not forget," I said lowly. "I have faith in that."

Her smile grew as she glanced back to her hands, twisting her mother's ring again. "So do I, Legolas. So do I.

–

-Theodred-

The old, heavy wooden door creaked on its hinges as I slowly pushed it open, peering inside. "Father?"

Just as I'd expected, he was seated in one of his grand chairs, reading some old parchment by the light of the many torches stationed throughout his room. He raised his head, a wary look flashing across his face for a moment as he noticed me. "Has one of the councilmen asked for me?" His words were saturated with distaste. "They've all been hovering around me like flies to dead flesh as of late."

I entered the room, letting the door close behind me so no one else would hear our conversation. His comment about the councilmen concerned me. It was rare for him to ever speak ill of them. "No. I thought I might speak with you for a moment."

At this, my father discarded his papers on a nearby table. "Of course."

I approached him cautiously, noting his drab appearance. He looked...dull, as if he'd not slept in a few days. His hair was unkempt, and his eyes seemed somewhat clouded over as he shifted in his seat, a thick fur draped over his shoulders. "Have you been up here all day?" I asked with a small smile. "You look exhausted."

"Have you only come to harass me for my appearance?" he retorted.

I shook my head, the smirk vanishing at his slightly bitter tone. "No, Father, of course not." Realizing he was in no jesting mood, I got right to the point. "I've come to ask you about Master Gríma, actually. Do you know when he is due to return?"

There was a flicker of something in my father's eyes, but what it was, I could not read. "In a few week's time. Unless he should be delayed, which would be unfortunate."

I paused. "How so?"

"He is needed here in Edoras." He scoffed. "Master Gríma may be the only voice I can trust these days."

My eyes widened. "What about the council? And Éomer and Éowyn?" And me?

My father sighed. "I fear the hearts of the councilmen grow corrupted. With each passing day, it seems Gríma is the only one in the court with any sense at all. But of course, I still trust my own kin. Including you, Theodred."

I smiled faintly. That, at least, was good to hear. "Thank you, father. However, I...I must tell you that many men do not think Gríma to be so wise."

His brow creased in confusion. "Where have you heard this?"

I hesitated, stepping closer to him. "I have spoken with most of them about it at one time or another. Father, there is great concern that Master Gríma is not qualified to be your advisor."

The frown on my father's face only deepened. "Who's spoken such treason?"

"No one has gone so far as treason," I assured him. Because no one dares to stand against him. "It is only because they worry for your well-being, and the safety of our people." I paused again. "And I believe what they say is true, for the most part."

Still, he did not look happy to hear what I had to say. "You should not be so easily swayed by the opinions of the public, Theodred," he warned. "They do not know Gríma as well as I. He is an honorable man."

"Honorable?" I scowled. "I have caught him trailing Éowyn's footsteps more than once. Pursuing a lady of the court when she shows no interest-"

"Éowyn knows she bears the responsibility of handling many suitors. She will be fine on her own."

I nearly recoiled at the apathy in his tone. "You would leave her to fend for herself? Any time another man has approached her in the past, you all but pounced on them the moment they set foot in Meduseld asking for her."

"Éowyn's romantic interests are no concern of mine. There are much more important things for me to focus on for the good of the realm."

In that instant, everything changed. I felt like I wasn't even speaking to my father anymore. I could never remember a time when Théoden, King of Rohan, had abandoned his kin for the sake of any political matter. He had always treated Éowyn and Éomer like his own son and daughter. What had changed? "Father...you are not yourself," I said, drawing even closer and crouching to the floor so I could look at him clearly. "No longer trusting the councilmen you chose yourself? Not caring about the life of your niece?" It almost seemed as if he had trouble focusing on me. "Ever since Gríma became your advisor, you've acted differently. He is poisoning you-"

"Gríma is not a part of any conspiracy against me, nor the people of Rohan!"

I drew back at the fire in his words. "I never suggested that, Father." Why was that his response?

"And you would do well not to," he warned. "These are matters you are too young to understand, Theodred. You must stay out of this."

Too young. That was something I'd heard too much in my lifetime, even before Wormtongue had infiltrated these halls. "I am not too young to worry for you," I replied softly. "You are my father. It is my job to protect you from any evil - from outside, and from within."

Something within his gaze shifted then, and for a brief time, I recognized the man looking back at me as he gently reached out and took my hands. "There is no evil from any corner of Middle-Earth that will come between us, Theodred. You are the last of my blood, and I would fight even Morgoth himself if he dared to try and take you from me." A small smile graced his lips. "We are safe here. I swear it."

I managed to smile in return, but my heart sank all the same. "So you will do nothing about Gríma?" I tried again.

My father only shook his head. "There is nothing to be done."

I stared into his eyes for a moment longer, my heart breaking as the light in my father's eyes faded once more. I'm losing him. I swallowed hard, drawing away and standing fully as I tried my hardest to banish such dark thoughts. "Very well. Thank you, Father." Without another word, I turned on my heel and quickly left the room. I felt the cold grip of fear take me as I raced to my new destination. Somehow, Wormtongue was slowly shaping my father into a different man...and I had no idea how to save him from such deterioration. I hardly paid attention to those I passed as I headed for the stables, desperately needing to clear my head and talk to someone about what I'd just seen. For if one thing was certain, it was that the man sitting in that chair had not been my father. And we needed to get him back.

–

-Kathryn-

"It's barbaric!" I watched as Theodred hurriedly paced back and forth across the confined area of the stall we were in. "To think that weasel of a man could just sneak into our halls and transform my father into someone he's not..."

I cast him a look of sympathy. "Your father's a strong guy, Theodred. He can fight this."

"Several hours ago, I thought the same," he replied, pausing in his strides. "But now..." Theodred's gaze dropped to his feet, and I realized he probably wasn't used to being so emotionally frazzled in front of others. "...I don't want to lose him, Kathryn." His voice was all but a whisper. "I...I can't."

I stepped forward and put a comforting hand on his arm, although my entire body seemed to scream in protest as I did it. ""It's going to be alright, Theodred." You know it's not. You liar. "Rohan has seen war a million times over, and lived to see another day. This is just a different kind of war."

"But how are we to fight back if my father will do nothing?" He looked up at me, and I was a bit shocked at what I saw in him - fear. Panic. "We cannot cast Wormtongue out on our own without evidence of his malice."

I stared at him for a long time, the silence growing heavy between us. It felt like my tongue had turned to lead, like bile was rising up in the back of my throat, my insides threatening to burst if I didn't tell him-

"Kathryn?"

I blinked, jolted from my trance. "Sorry, I just..." I have to tell him. God, I can't just stand here and leave his country to rot from the inside!

Suddenly, Theodred's gaze sobered, and he lowered his voice as he spoke. "...Do you know anything?"

It felt like a vice had clamped around my throat. I couldn't move. "...I..."

"Kathryn." Theodred looked me dead in the eyes, and I felt like I was shaking. I could barely breathe. Tell him. Save him. "You must tell me..." I have to. I can't lie to him! "...does my father make it out of this?"

I stayed frozen in place, eyes locked on his, every muscle in my body taut with anxiety. "...Yes," I whispered.

LIAR. Theodred straightened, all the frantic pain from moments ago fading into nothing. LIAR. "Kathryn...thank you." LIAR. "I know I can trust you to understand the severity of these things... You know so much more than I ever will." LIAR.

Somehow, I managed a toothy grin. LIAR. "Yeah, well...you know. Part of the job." He's going to die. Theodred will lose his life before it's all over, and I didn't tell him.

Theodred turned, starting to head for the exit of the stall. At the last second, he turned, offering another smile in my direction. "It brings me great peace to know that my father will win this in the end. Goodbye, Kathryn."

I nodded, watching him go. Yeah, he will. And you won't even be alive to see it.

LIAR.