Hours later, Kail and her friends found themselves cresting a hill just beyond Meduseld, the buildings atop the high hill peeking over its rounded top. During their journey the former human had fallen asleep, held onto the horse by Aragorn who had gripped her relaxed wrists to keep her steady, but now as they were just minutes away from their destination, he shook her gently to rouse her. She snorted unceremoniously and straightened instantly, her eyes drooped lazily.
"What happened? What did I miss?" she slurred sleepily while wiping a small dribble of spit off her chin with her lips twisted slightly in disgust.
"Nothing as of yet, but we are coming upon Edoras, Kail," replied Aragorn and she nodded with a yawn.
"Coolies," he mumbled as Aragorn slowed Hasufel with the other horses at the top of the hill. Looking passed her chauffer, as she liked to call him, she spotted an enormous hill with a wooden gate protecting the inside from intruders and many houses lined up the sides for a village. It was like San Francisco packed into one little hill as a representation model. It was interesting yet kind of freaky at the same time in her opinion.
"Edoras," said Gandalf as they all gazed at the village with its palace overlooking it. "And the golden hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong." As he spoke, Kail easily spotted the disdain in Gandalf's voice. She could tell he was still immensely disappointed in Saruman's drive for power. "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."
With that, the Wizard kicked Shadowfax into a run and the others followed suit, but Kail was a little thrown off with Gandalf's last words. "Wait a minute, does that mean we're going to be chased around the place by crazy village people with pitchforks?" she asked worriedly and Aragorn chuckled before shaking his head.
"I highly doubt so, my friend," he said with a smile and Kail let out a breath of relief.
"Thank god. I'd rather not have another stab wound in my body until the one I have now heals," she grumbled, giving her leg a small death glare as if it was its entire fault. Aragorn merely shook his head and smiled as they continued their journey.
By the time they reached the gates of Edoras, Kail was practically bouncing with giddiness. She hadn't seen another human besides Aragorn since she came to Middle-Earth and was excited to see what humans were like in this world. Aragorn wasn't good enough for an assumption to go by considering he was incredibly nice and practically perfect. No race is like that. Unless you're an Elf; minus herself of course. She probably put a black mark on their spotless record.
They slowed as they came upon the gates and while Aragorn was distracted with staring curiously at a ripped flag on the ground, Kail was eagerly trying to see passed the gates and passed her friends to see the people. But what she saw when they finally crossed the threshold surprised her. This was definitely not what she expected to see.
Every villager that they passed was dressed in black. Not the majority; everyone. She didn't see a single color besides the brown of the dead barren grass underneath their feet and the pale peachy complexion of their skin. Her excited demeanor diminished quickly and replaced by a solemn one, feeling sadness grow in her chest. She watched as the villagers stopped their tasks and stared back at them, their faces devoid of any happiness or joy. The children didn't play out on the street with a ball of some kind and instead sat on the porches of their homes where their mothers peeked through the doorways curiously.
Frowning in confusion, Kail watched as a woman in her early fifties attempted to step towards her and her friends only to be held back by her husband. A frantic desperate look crossed the woman's face before she turned back to look at Kail, her clear blue eyes desperate and pleading to her as if asking her something. Her graying hair was frayed terribly and blowing wildly in the wind and her wrinkling fingers clasped before her chest and shook slightly. The former human's brows furrowed more at this and she watched as the woman continued to stare at her before her view was blocked by a house as they rounded a small corner.
Not a single word was spoken as they approached the Golden Hall. The villagers continued to stare and the travelers continued to feel dreadful chills up their spines. It was only before they reached the stables just beyond the Golden Hall did one of them finally speak. "You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," muttered Gimli mockingly as his eyes scanned over the villagers.
The wind blew at Kail's hair as she dismounted Hasufel in the stables and as they exited, her eyes immediately scanned the area for that woman she had seen earlier, but had no such luck. For some reason, Kail had to know where that woman was; she had to know why she had so wanted to come to her. She wanted to know why she felt like she did and why she wanted to talk to the woman. She was just an old lady, what could she possibly know about her?
"Are you coming, Kail?" asked a soft feathery voice beside her causing her to jump slightly in surprise as she turned to find Legolas staring at her curiously. She had apparently been thinking too much when she was looking for that woman and didn't notice him come up beside her.
"Uh, yeah, I'm coming," she replied as they started up the stairs after the others. The Elf Prince fell in step beside her.
"Is something wrong? You seem distracted," he commented worriedly and Kail only smiled softly.
"Don't worry about it. It's just these people are kind of bumming me out, you know?" she shrugged.
"Bumming… you out? Forgive me, I do not understand," he said slowly, his perfect brows furrowing.
Kail snorted slightly in laughter and shook her head. "They're depressing me is a better term, I guess."
"Ah. Well, do not let it get you too depressed or you will start to bum me out," he smiled as if he sounded clever, but it only made Kail laugh. She loved it when he used Earth slang; it just sounded hilarious coming from him. Several people around them gave her odd looks so she had to cover her giggles with her hand.
"I love it when you're around, Legolas. You always know how to make me smile," she whispered after her fit of giggles had subsided and that caused him to smile wider at her, his shining blue orbs lighting up instantly.
"And I love to be able to. What kind of friend would I be if I could not?" he asked rhetorically.
"Aw, come on, Lego. You're not just a friend, you're my best friend. I'd hug you right now, but there are people watching us," she said as she eyed the crowds around them. Soldiers sat upon their horses with their swords, villagers stood just outside their homes with their brooms or laundry baskets and-oh, dear god, there was one by a haystack with a pitch fork…
Quickly, Kail and Legolas ascended the rest of the stairs with the others and stood at the top before the doors where there were guards that stood on either side. The two Elves had grown somber as the travelers lined up before the doors and watched as a guard stepped forward as if to greet them, but he didn't say a word as he just stared at Gandalf.
"Tell King Théoden that Gandalf the Grey seeks his audience," the old Wizard said calmly while gripping his staff a little tighter next to him. Earlier that day, Gandalf had thrown a thick grey cloak over his white one to conceal it. To the rest of Middle-Earth he was still known as Gandalf the Grey and obviously no one knew of his death and rebirth. Until the time called for it, he would be Gandalf the Grey and not Gandalf the White.
The guard merely turned and entered the hall only to return minutes later with a group, the man in front the only one not wearing a helmet and was rather round. His red hair and beard was thick and blew slightly in the harsh wind. Gandalf smiled upon seeing the man and nodded in greeting. The man did not return the gesture.
"I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame," he said as if it pained him to say it. The old Wizard's smile fell and he looked at the man with confusion. "By order of Grima Wormtongue," he added. His voice held a hint of disdain at saying the man's name and his lip curled back slightly before it was replaced with a thin hard line.
Gandalf made a sound of acknowledgement before nodding to the rest of his party, signaling them to remove their weapons. As the four began to pull off their gear, the guards surrounding the man that had spoken stepped forward to collect them. Although Kail hated the fact that she had to hand Ithilwen over to some greasy guy that probably didn't know he smelled like a dying animal, she complied and carefully handed over the Elvin blade, making sure to give the man a glare for good measure. Beside her, Legolas did the same, but made a show of removing his numerous weapons by flipping them around expertly.
When it was all done and over with, Kail crossed her arms and pouted, already feeling light without her sword strapped to her waist and watched as the men stepped back behind their leader who looked at Gandalf who merely smiled in satisfaction. "You're staff," the man said after eyeing the white stick.
"Hm?" asked Gandalf and glanced at his staff before looking back at the man giving him a slightly pleading look. "You would not part an old man from his walking stick," he said almost making Kail giggle. If anyone needed a walking stick, it would be her with her clumsiness. The old bugger had more grace than she did.
The man in front of him gave him a disbelieving look before complying and turning with his men back to the doors. When no one was looking, Gandalf turned to his friends and winked with a small smile. As the guards opened the doors to the Golden Hall, Legolas took hold of Gandalf's left arm to 'keep him steady' as if his frail bones would shatter any moment and the old Wizard would fall helpless to the floor. The guard that led them in bowed before stepping to the side and letting them pass.
At the far end of the hall, Kail could see a throne and in it, what looked to be a corpse. Before she could think that these people had some freaky voodoo going on and thought they were taking orders from a king (which was in fact a corpse of one), she saw the being move. She realized upon closer inspection that the corpse was actually a person; frail, old, pale and looked like he was about to fall over dead any second. His blue eyes were glassy and fogged over and he hunched in his seat as if he already was dead.
Next to the throne was a wooden chair that seated a disgusting looking creature. The man was pale, his hair dark and stringy as if he hadn't washed it in months and his eyes were grey and beady like a rodent's. He looked almost as sickly as the King beside him, but he was able to lean over to his liege and whisper quickly, his eyes never leaving the guests that entered the hall. His robes were black and thick and peeking out from the sleeves Kail could see disgusting fingers that bore even more disgusting fingernails that where sharp and chipped and looked as if they were decaying.
"The courtesy of your hall has somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," said Gandalf sarcastically and loud enough for the King at the other end of the hall to hear.
The icky thing beside the ruler of Rohan spoke to the King in hushed tones before Théoden lifted his head slightly. "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" he asked slowly then looked to Grima for clarification who turned back to him.
"A just question, my liege," he said with a nod before he released his grip on the armrest of Théoden's throne and stood, his voice rising. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear." He stood and slowly made his way down the steps from the throne and out of the corner of her eye Kail could see groups of men on either side of them watching and following them up the hall as they came closer. She had a feeling something bad was going to happen soon; she felt it in her gut. "Láthspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
By now, Gandalf and his group had made it to the end of the hall where they met Grima on equal ground. His purple lips quivered slightly as he attempted to stare Gandalf down, but the old Wizard grimaced at the sight of him. "Be silent," he ordered sharply. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth." Grima's eyes widened slightly in fear and he slowly closed his lips. "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm."
Gandalf lifted his staff and the stark whiteness of it stood out sharply in the dark atmosphere. Instantly, Grima's demeanor changed and fear clouded his features as he stared at the staff and backed away. "His staff," he whispered fearfully then looked at the guards in the hallways with anger. "I told you to take the Wizard's staff!"
Instantly, the men from behind the pillars burst out and attacked the travelers and Kail had to duck when a rather meaty fist was aimed for her head. As Gandalf stepped closer to Théoden, the rest battled the men that had attacked while Grima cowered by a pillar. The men attempted to get at Gandalf, but the rest of them were too quick and knocked them down before they had the chance.
"Théoden," said Gandalf loudly as he approached the throne and lifted his hand. "Son of Thengel." The King sat up slightly, but it seemed to tire him and he slouched again. "Too long have you sat in the Shadows." By the time Gandalf reached the steps to the throne all the men that had attacked were on the stone floor either unconscious or moaning in pain. Gimli let out a growl and kicked a man down that had attempted to sit up and then raced towards Grima who was trying to crawl away.
The Dwarf placed a heavy boot on the man's chest as he squirmed and quivered in fear. "I would stay still if I were you," he growled menacingly.
Kail still struggled with one man on the floor who she had in a severe headlock with her legs wrapped around his waist to hold him still better as she was much lighter than him and he could easily throw her off. The man struggled fiercely and she released one arm quickly to strike at his head with her elbow. The grizzly bear fell unconscious, his body going limp and she slackened her body in fatigue before pushing him off and standing.
"Hearken to me!" Gandalf spat and the King looked at the Wizard with hooded eyes that bore nothing but contempt. She could tell that this was not the real King of Rohan; this was something else. The White Wizard raised a hand towards the King and lowered his head while closing his eyes. "I release you from this spell."
But the old bag of bone slowly began to laugh. A weak cackling sound that echoed around the room and caused Gandalf to lift his head and look at him with surprise. The rest of the travelers too looked at each other with confusion. Gandalf's hand that was shaking with the effort of his magic slowly lowered and he stared the King down as he continued to laugh.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey," he cackled. Offended and realizing that it was not the King speaking, Gandalf threw off his grey cloak and the hall was filled with a magnificent bright light that almost blinded Kail with her sensitive eyes. The brilliant glow caused the King to cry out in pain and the power of it thrust him back against his throne.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," said Gandalf, his arms spread wide and his voice threateningly slow then he pointed the end of his staff at the King and he shot back against his throne again when he tried to lean forward. Gandalf stepped up to the stairs to now be on the same level as the throne.
Suddenly, a blonde woman dressed in white appeared from one of the corridors to the left of the throne and when she passed and the pillars and saw what was happening, she attempted to race towards the King, but was stopped by Aragorn who grabbed hold of her arms. Her wide, doe like eyes were wide with worry and she only struggled slightly against Aragorn's grip for a moment until the Ranger implored her to wait. The woman turned her attention back to the scene before her and anxiously watched it unfold.
"If I go, Théoden dies," said the King only it was not his voice. It was rough, but strong with hate and anger, much different from the weak croaky voice of the King before. He was possessed.
Gandalf thrust his staff towards the man again and the force of its magic pushed him back against the throne so much that it began to creak with effort. "You did not kill me; you will not kill him," ordered Gandalf. With much effort, Saruman/Théoden leaned forward to glare murderously at him.
"Rohan is mine," declared the possessed King and with another thrust he was thrown back against his seat.
"Be gone," growled the White Wizard and both stared each other down, neither willing to give up. Finally, with his last ounce of strength left, the Saruman possessed King leaped forward, but Gandalf lifted his staff and the end touched his forehead causing a bright flash of light to erupt between them. Suddenly the King fell back into his throne and slouched weakly. Gandalf lowered his staff and let out an exhausted sigh of relief.
Théoden groaned and began to fall forward in his seat, but the blonde woman that was in Aragorn's hold escaped and dashed towards him and caught him before he fell. She helped him sit back up and the King took deep breaths as his body shook. Everyone in the hall watched in fascination as Théoden slowly began to return to his former glory. His graying hair turned more golden and shortened in length, his stark white skin turned more peach and most of his wrinkles disappeared. His cloudy, lifeless eyes cleared and then focused on the woman holding him upright. She smiled joyously, tears in her eyes.
The King looked her over, recognition coming to the surface. "I know your face," he whispered and smiled suddenly. "Éowyn." Her smile grew brighter and she placed her hands on the sides of his head in a loving gesture. "Éowyn…"
Gandalf stepping down from the steps brought the King's attention to him and he looked upon him with wonder. "Gandalf?" he asked softly.
"Breathe the free air again, my friend," said the Wizard still slightly breathless from the strength of the magic used. Slowly the King began to stand with the woman, Éowyn, as help. Kail smiled brightly at the majestic sight and wanted to clap her hands and giggle like a little girl, but she'd have to keep her lunacy at a minimum in this place for the time being.
"Dark have been by dreams of late," said the King almost to himself then he looked down at his thick calloused hands and flexed his fingers almost in awe.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword," commended Gandalf with a raised eyebrow. The same man that had brought them through the door suddenly stepped up beside the Wizard and graciously presented an elegant yet strong sword to the Rohanian ruler.
Théoden touched the pommel of the sword slowly as if unsure then his hand moved to grasp the handle with confidence and slowly pulled the strong metal from its sheath. Guards moved closer and Kail's grin grew wider with every second as the King of Rohan lifted the blade before him and roamed his now clear eyes over the shining blade fondly. His eyes then narrowed at what seemed to be a memory and his glower moved to that of Grima whose hood was held firmly in Gimli's grasp keeping him in place. The sorry excuse for a man trembled at his King's anger and he drew back even as guards approached with a single nod from their King and grasped his arms in a death grip.