Night had fallen quickly enough, and the Hunters along with Gandalf were forced to make camp for the night. It was four days since they had proper rest, and they all slept rather well, knowing that Merry and Pippin were safe, and that Gandalf was once again among them. The next day, their ride to Edoras continued, mounted upon their horses. The green grass beneath them, the blue skies, the wind's caress… The young Queens looked at one another and smiled, sharing a known secret between them, as twins always did. They were reminded what it meant to be free, to roam the lands of Middle Earth, in the company of their friends. It was as if this was a normal "road trip" as their older cousins would call it, and they had travelled all over their original world, by land, sea, and even air (although Arya and Diva could not comprehend how).
"If we were not on the Quest, I would have an eagle with me, and I would just follow it wherever it goes," Diva said as the sun gradually rose above them. Arya just snorted, which earned her a glare from her ruby-eyed twin, something that most mortals (and some Elves and Chevalier) feared, but something that her younger sister did not give two hoots about.
Legolas stood with Arya. "If we were not on this Quest, you would have remained in Lothlorien," he said teasingly, winking to Arya. "And Lothlorien would be utterly defenseless because you stole the Marchwarden away…" Once again, Diva resorted to electrocuting the Elf, only to have her attack absorbed by Arya's glaive.
Gandalf shook his head. When will the children learn to grow up? Apparently, even if they were Middle Earth's last hope for salvation, nothing would lighten their mood. Soon, even Aragorn and Gimli jumped in, much less Boromir. However, he also knew that their moods should not be dim and somber all the time… Such light moments were crucial to their morale, and he counted upon Diva and Arya to maintain them, and of course, there might be the little prank occasionally, so he might be holding his breath for quite a while longer, for the two of them have not unleashed the terrors they could accomplish as of yet…
It was far beyond noon when they had reached a hill overlooking a city of high fences, surrounded by the mountains and the grasslands. They had arrived at their destination. "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld…" Gandalf announced. It was a simple establishment, for the Rohirrim, they were a simple people, but a people bred upon war with nothing but their prized horses. Arya and Diva seldom came to Rohan, for it was a young country, and were rather untroubled by the Shadow during its early day, however their cousins were sent often there, as emissaries as Arya had been for Gondor and Diva for Arnor before its destruction. "There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown… Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong…" Ridding the King of Saruman's influence would be a difficult thing to do, but it was something they needed to do, it was something that they needed to try, in the very least. "Be careful what you say," he added before wheeling Shadowfax in the direction of the city's gates. "Do not look for welcome here."
One after the other, the members of the Fellowship of the Ring followed Gandalf into the city. There, every peasant looked at them with weary caution that made Diva's heart sank. It was as if the very last inches of hope in their hearts had been taken from them and were ripped into pieces before their own eyes… It was an entirely painful thing to see. "You would find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli commented gravely, but no one offered a reply.
It was strange to Arya's eyes that there were very few young men to be found. The inhabitants of the city seemed to consist only of the old, the women and the children, the warriors nowhere to be seen. Although the last time she had been in Rohan was during a peace mission in Thengel's time, but such a stark change of demography could not have happened in one single generation. Yes, she was aware that Eomer had taken a certain portion of riders with him into his banishment, but surely, there would be more men?
Once they were at the steps of the Golden Hall, a man, armored, accompanied by several others came out to greet him. Gandalf looked at him in recognition, but was beaten to the first word by the man. "I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame," he said kindly at the least, "… by order of Grima Wormtongue."
The others were unwilling to disarm, but once Gandalf nodded his approval, they reluctantly did so. The men marveled at Gimli, Legolas, Diva and Arya (the latter three made some show of their superhuman prowess as they surrendered their weapons), while they wondered why Aragorn and Boromir were there. It was a strange company indeed, and in those evil times, one could not help but to defend one's own lands and King as best one could.
When they had all given their weapons, Gandalf signaled the door-wardens to let them in, but was once again refused entry. "Your staff…" said the one who had greeted them previously. He was mild-mannered but cautious all the same. The Wizard just told him kindly that he would not an old man from his walking stick, and after a moment's contemplation, they were allowed into the Golden Hall. Using skilful trickery, Gandalf concealed the sight of his white staff by hiding it under his grey cloak, leaning upon Legolas and Diva, like a true old man.
"Look, over there," Arya told Boromir and Aragorn, indicating several men hidden behind the dark corners of the hall, following them. Obviously, they were of dubious nature, and without their weapons… "Boromir, I do not wish for bloodshed to happen here. Use your spikes with utmost discretion."
Boromir nodded and took her hand discreetly in his. "As you command, my Queen," he whispered in reply. In fact, one or two of his spikes were already surfaced from his hand, no doubt shocking the men about to corner them.
"The courtesy of your hall has somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," Gandalf said to Théoden, They could see a man, pale as a ghost, with… shaven eyebrows and blue eyes next to the King, whispering unheard words into the King's ears. He was clothed in black, and something told them that the man would most probably be one of Saruman's agents.
The King spoke slowly, as if speaking itself took much of his strength. This man, he was not the Théoden that Dina and Kaya had described to Diva. He was a man of great valor, a King who would fight his own battles, not this weak and wizened being… "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" he asked Gandalf.
Grima Wormtongue, or at least, who the Fellowship's members in Rohan suspected him to be, nodded at the King's words and said, "A just question, my liege…" He turned towards Gandalf and started walking towards the Wizard. "Late is the hour in which this conjuror chooses to arrive, Lathspell, I name him… Ill news is an ill guest!"
Gandalf would have nothing more from the man. "Be silent!" he scolded, almost harshly. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth… I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" As he said those words, the Wizard revealed his staff to Grima, who cowered immediately. Yelling at his men, he told his men to take Gandalf's staff.
Almost immediately, they were surrounded by the soldiers that had followed them ever since they had entered the hall. Without weapons, they were forced to use their fists, and even with their bare hands alone, the members of the Fellowship were not to be underestimated. Stunning them with her lightning, Diva took Gandalf's signal and quickly went behind the throne, holding her hands at each side of Théoden's head. She had mastered, or successfully imitated, a certain degree of the abilities of Elven healers like her father, and Gandalf took it as an excellent opportunity to test her mettle.
When all of the soldiers had been defeated, and Grima, caught under Gimli's boot and encased in earth summoned by Arya save for his face, Diva said, "Gandalf, I think Saruman needs a bit more persuasion to get out of the King's mind!" From that moment on, a strange thing happened… Gandalf raised his hand in mid-air, concentrating on removing Saruman from Théoden's consciousness, but was greeted by maniacal laughter, and when Théoden spoke, it was not his voice, but Saruman's.
Many words they exchanged, and in between them, a woman, dressed in white appeared from the hallway, and rushed immediately to the King. Both Diva and Gandalf were in deep concentration, and there would be no telling of the outcome should she be allowed to disturb the healing process. Aragorn took hold of her, and told her to wait. Meanwhile, the struggle was becoming more violent, with Gandalf using his staff to throw Théoden into his throne, with greater intensity each time.
"Rohan is mine!" Saruman proclaimed before Gandalf threw him back one last time, successfully driving him out. Diva too, began to relax, although she spewed a little blood when the King fell into the arms of the woman when his bond with her powers was broken too abruptly.
Slowly, the King began to undergo a strange transformation. His hair was no longer white, his strength increasing with every passing second. He began to recognize the young woman… "I know your face," he said to her, "Eowyn… Eowyn…" The woman smiled, with tears in her eyes, and looked towards Gandalf, who said that his fingers would remember him better when he held his sword once more.
At once, his sword was handed to him, and indeed, Théoden felt his strength returned. Looking towards Diva he said, "You must be one of the daughters of the Goldsmith Clan… I thank you, my Lady." Diva nodded and bowed with a smile, thanking the lady, who gave her a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her mouth. Then, his gaze fell upon Grima, who was immediately thrown out of the Golden Hall.