Chapter 21: Search for Eomer
Gandalf and Théoden took the children back the Hall and nursed the both of them back to health. The boy explained to one of the servants of what had been happening in his village.
"Saruman's armies attacked them without warning. The village was burned, they don't know how many have died," the servant reported.
Théoden listened and his face turned to the color of ash. He brought his hand to his eyes and shook his head. Gandalf turned to him and rested a weary hand on Ginny's descendant.
"This is just a taste of what Saruman can do. Will do. You have to do something, Théoden. These are your people."
Théoden nodded. "We ride to Helm's Deep."
Of all things Gandalf was thinking Théoden would do, this was the least of it. "Théoden—"
"I know what it is you want me to do, Gandalf. But I will not sacrifice any more of my people."
"This is exactly what they want you to do," Aragorn answered. "The best option is to face the army of Saruman and fight."
Théoden glowered at Aragorn. "Last I remember, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan."
Gandalf sighed. "Then what is your will, Théoden King?"
Théoden turned to Gandalf. "We ride for Helm's Deep."
"Théoden, they'll be expecting this," Gandalf reasoned.
"My army is too short to fight off Saruman, Gandalf! What would you have me do?! Leave my men to die? Force them to leave their families, their wives and children? I see no other option."
The discussion ended. Gandalf stood and bowed to Théoden, but anger burned at him. He sat in his chambers thinking of what he could do. He could go with Théoden to Helm's Deep. He could try to cut off Saruman's army or Wormtongue. But neither of these options were logical.
If he went with Théoden to Helm's Deep, he would only be betraying all that he had stood for since he was born. Yes, Gandalf the White was still Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived and the Chosen One despite the present.
If he tried to cut off Saruman's Army, or Wormtongue, he would be acting on his anger and he was no longer a boy.
There was another option. But how long would it take him to find them? It was worth a shot…
Two days had passed and Gandalf headed to the stables.
"He only wants what is best for his people Gandalf," Aragorn called. "Is that so hard to understand?"
"He is greatly outnumbered, Aragorn. We need to find Eomer. Look for me at dawn on the third day at Helm's deep. I will see you then." Gandalf mounted Shadowfax, but rode the horse for only two days before switching to a broom.
Yes. Gandalf still kept his old Firebolt. Even though brooms had not been used in centuries, he still had it, believing that there were just some things a horse could not do.
"Go on Shadowfax. Stay near this pasture and out of the sight of orcs." The horse whinnied, seeming disgruntled but understanding Gandalf's plight. Shadowfax trotted off towards a patch of grass and started eating while Gandalf fixed the old broom. After one more goodbye to the horse, Gandalf mounted the broom and rose into the air.
"So…you still have that thing."
Gandalf guided the broom southward as to face the eye that penetrated him.
"And you're still alive."
"Is that such a shock, Sauron?"
"You never knew when to die, did you." It was an accusation. Not a question.
Gandalf smiled wearily. "No, I suppose I did not."
"Still don't, obviously. Pity."
"Yes…I remember you were mocking me back at the mountains. I was saved by the Eagles."
"I'll have to remind myself to kill Gwahir for sure then. His Eagles took down my Dragon just a couple days ago."
"Really," Gandalf said, feigning interest and shock.
"You are an old fool. I should have made sure you died in the snow."
Gandalf shrugged. "If you have stayed, I wouldn't have become stronger."
"What was that, Gandalf the Grey?!"
"Actually, Sauron, you must be talking of a different Gandalf. You see, I am Gandalf the white."
Gandalf the… the voice inside his head diminished, but returned, laughing. "Well, so the game is taken to a whole new level, is it not? Until next time, Gandalf the White."
The eye faded from his line of vision. Gandalf sighed and turned eastward again, urging to broom to fly at full speed. Even so, he was still unable to see Eomer. Stopping at a stream to take a drink, Gandalf paused to look at his reflection.
He could understand the reflection at Fangorn Forest, but here? He was once again staring face to face with Harry Potter. The reflection had a heartbroken expression etched on his face, and yet, Gandalf knew that he was not feeling the pain that Sauron caused him at that particular moment.
I'm over her…aren't I?
Gandalf groaned and hit the surface with his hand. The surface stilled itself and Gandalf was face to face with an elderly man with a determined face. He smiled and the reflection smiled back. He walked over to his Firebolt and remounted it, continuing his search for Eomer.
After another day of searching, he knew that flying a broomstick still had its advantages. Below him, the Rohirrim rode as fast as they're horses could manage. Gandalf urged his broom on a little farther and landed, standing in their pathway.
Once seen, Eomer jerked his horse to a halt, as well as the rest of the Rohirrim.
"Gandalf," Eomer gasped, clutching his breast as if trying to calm his heart. "Don't do that! I could have easily run over you!"
"We'll discuss my death wish later, Eomer. Right now, you have to turn your men around and ride to Helm's Deep."
Eomer gave him a blank stare. "What?" He said dumbly.
"Your people are in danger. Saruman is launching an attack against them."
"But my uncle—"
"Has awakened," Gandalf interrupted. "Wormtongue has run to Saruman with his tail between his legs. Soon after, we were given news of Saruman's attack on villages."
Eomer sighed. "If it were not for Wormtongue, we would have been preparing for war against Saruman, not running away."
"All we can do now is head to Helm's Deep," Gandalf instructed. Eomer nodded and shouted the orders to turn around.
They rode to the pasture where Gandalf left Shadowfax and Gandalf remounted the horse. From there, the headed to Helm's Deep.