Disclaimer: I do not own anything in Arda :3
"It cannot be."
Aragorn's words were enough to describe all of their feelings as they saw Gandalf walked towards them. The Four Hunters were left speechless as Gandalf revealed himself, alive and seemingly more powerful than before. Gandalf looked at each of them with a smile carved on his face. His smile cast a glimmer of hope to their bitter hearts, as if their poor fates had been overturned.
"Forgive me," Legolas said, bowing in apology of his actions. Gimli followed his action as well, but Varilerin remained transfixed like a statue. "I mistook you as Saruman."
"I am Saruman, or rather, Saruman as he should have been," Gandalf answered, his voice wiser and deeper than before. His face remained the same, they all could see, but somehow his presence was more powerful than before.
"You fell, I saw you! I let you!" Varilerin finally spoke in disbelief, her voice filled with guilt she thought she had forgotten.
"You did not, My Friend," assured Gandalf as he touched her shoulder," but I did fell. It is my fate to destroy the Durin's Bane, through fire and water." The Wizard took a deep breath, before he continued," From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth, until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside…. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the Earth…. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again."
"I've been sent back until my task is done," Gandalf ended his story as he smiled to Varilerin. Varilerin merely gaped, still mesmerized by his return to their lives. She slowly opened her mouth to say something, but found herself unable to. Instead, she opened her arms and threw herself to Gandalf. She embraced him with all the strength she had, and with that she formed a smile dedicated to her old friend.
Her smile shook the hearts of all of them, for it was not a forged one she had always formed, but a genuine smile. It was the first time for Aragorn and Gimli to see her as her truly beautiful self and as a result they were bemused by the sight—but Legolas received this sight twice in this journey and truly, he could not think of words to describe her grace. With her true smile she radiated a warmth she had never had and, for the first time, she seemed truly happy.
"It is good to see you, Gandal!" Varilerin whispered as she pulled herself away. Gandalf chuckled and patted her like a child, grateful that the elleth had changed.
"Lady Galadriel has told me everything," Gandalf said. His eyes bore deep into her with a fatherly warmth. "I should have known. Indeed, you have the upbringings of a leader."
"No matter, Gandalf, for now the only importance is that you are alive," Varilerin said as she continued her smile.
"Gandalf…." Aragorn muttered as he approached his old friend. Gandalf narrowed his eyes, for the first time since his return he fully listened to the name.
"Gandalf the Grey, I am no more. I am now Gandalf the White, and I come back to you now…. At the turn of the tide."
It took Saruman all of his patience to prevent himself from wrecking his own tower. His plans in taking the Ring from the Fellowship had utterly failed, all because of the incompetence of the army he bred himself. He had thought he could seize the Ring for himself with his own efforts, but it seemed the object was insistent on returning to its own master.
No matter, he thought furiously as he looked over the new army he was breeding below. Perhaps the Halflings did not have the Ring as well. Below the tower, the new Uruks emerged to life, growling and howling wildly as they trained to become his best warriors for his campaign towards Rohan. Now that he had Theoden under his control, it would only be a matter of time before his people perish under his wrath. The king would not be able to save his own people.
Saruman turned around to see a hooded figure awaiting him. He was immediately alarmed and raised his staff in defence, but he slowly recognized the man. His presence there merely groomed his anger, but he maintained his overwhelming patience. The Wizard knew it would be dangerous to harm Sauron's favourite servant.
"Vrasari," Saruman greeted calmly. "It is strange to have your presence here, when your allegiance and home is fully at Mordor."
"Saruman the Wise…" Vrasari said, taking a step forward," or should I say… Saruman the Blind?"
"What are you doing here?" Saruman hissed, keeping his distance from Vrasari. "I thought Sauron has a better purpose for you. I thought Saruman has left all the matter of Rohan to me."
"He has. Have you received his gift yet?" Vrasari replied with a cold voice. A smile twitched on his pale face, endangering Saruman's composure. The Wizard carefully rearranged his motions, for the man had been known for his devilish tongue. He was more dangerous than Grima in his play of words. Grima might be skilful in persuading people and guiding them to the wrong path, but this man twisted with people's minds without even trying to. It was one of the main reasons Sauron favoured him over Saruman, something which irritated the Wizard all the more.
"A dead son is nothing but means to ignite the people of Rohan's anger," Saruman snapped. "It took me a great struggle to prevent the Marshal's rebellion alone. He is now gone though, a gift for My Lord Sauron as well."
"Unfortunately, the Dark Lord is not satisfied with your work," Vrasari retorted, causing Saruman to darken his expressions. "He wants the king dead."
"I am capable of controlling him," Saruman said, trying to suppress his annoyance. "The Dark Lord must trust me. Soon Rohan will fall and until then, I need its people to follow the swayed king… To stay in Edoras, until horror and death greet them. "
Vrasari tilted his head as he closed his distance with Saruman, unafraid of the dangerous weapon he was wielding, for he was a man with no more fear. "Lord Sauron has given this matter to me," Vrasari said with a gleeful smirk. "Theoden shall die and you have no say in it."
"YOU!" Saruman grumbled as he took a step forward and raised his staff. Vrasari remained unmoved, glowering him with pitiful eyes. "Don't you dare think highly of yourself, fallen one. You are merely a puppet without the will to control your own soul" Saruman thundered, threatening the man with his staff.
"But I am able to satisfy the Dark Lord," Vrasari reasoned, stepping back from Saruman's angry grasp. "I will fulfil the Dark Lord's wish and also take care of your annoying marshal… If you want to earn your trust back, you should act now, Saruman."
With a last smile Vrasari disappeared from Saruman's vicinity. Saruman stood still as he tried to control his emotions. He could not believe what Vrasari had just said. How dare he question my capabilities! He thought as he returned to the balcony, viewing the sight of his growing army. I will show you, fallen one. I will show you what I am capable of.
"One stage of your journey is over. Another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed," Gandalf rapped as he quickly stepped on the forest floor. Varilerin secretly smirked under her scarf, now pulled to conceal the lower part of face which had attracted too much attention when they encountered Gandalf. She could not describe how happy she was when she found her old friend. The guilt over his death seemed to wash away, as well as several others she had struggled to forget. It seemed now that Gandalf was by their side, it would be easier for her to forgive herself.
"Edoras? That is no short distance!" Gimli protested as he followed backmost, his axe still being raised cautiously over the fear towards the dangerous trees of Fangorn.
"Theoden is being corrupted, by Saruman, I am afraid," Varilerin told Gandalf. "Eomer has left his side as a result, a work of one of Saruman's puppets I believe. Rohan is in a direr situation than expected."
"Yes, and he will not be easily cured," Gandalf responded. "I have also heard about Theodred's death. It was too coincidental. Saruman must have been planning something." Gandalf's words poked Varilerin with Eomer's words from before. If it was true, then Saruman had more than just Orcs or Uruks under his sleeves.
"Then we have run all this way for nothing?" Gimli said hopelessly. "Are we to leave those poor Hobbits in this horrid, dark, dank, infested—"
The trees groaned immediately to silence the loud Dwarf, and they succeeded in doing so. "I mean, charming, quite charming forest," Gimli corrected, lowering his weapon.
"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains."
"In one thing you have not changed, dear Friend," Aragorn whispered. "You still speak in riddles." Gandalf chuckled and then continued to move towards the borders of the forest.
"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find themselves strong," Gandalf continued. "So stop fretting, Master Dwarf! Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are safer than you're going to be!" he in turn scolded the Dwarf, who had been protesting all day long.
"This Gandalf's grumpier than the old one," Gimli whispered to Varilerin.
"I like him," Varilerin said curtly, causing Legolas to share the same smirk. They finally found the light of the sun and out of the dark old forest. Gimli sighed in relief as he met light once more, even though he was used to delve in dark underground. Legolas also seemed happier under the warm light compared to the woods. The horses were still waiting loyally for them, particularly because Varilerin and Legolas had told them to do so.
"Bring the horses, for I must meet mine," Gandalf instructed them. Varilerin took both reins as they followed Gandalf towards a more open field, where the grasses grew taller and more golden in colour. Gandalf stopped midway and whistled gently, but loud enough to send echoes of melody throughout the plain.
Legolas narrowed his eyes to understand what he was doing, only to widen them when he caught a white steed running towards them in sheer speed. Its hair was like a white river and the stars, its feet pacing like the wind and its sound melodious like a flute. "It's one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell!" Legolas observed in awe. Gandalf merely smiled as he greeted his horse and brushed its mane.
"Shadowfax," introduced Gandalf," He has been my friend through many dangers." Gandalf mounted lightly on the horse and gazed to the horizon. "With this, we shall have short distance."
And so Gandalf led them towards Edoras. Their journey was quick, for the mere presence of Shadowfax alone boosted the strengths of Hasufel and Arod. The two horses ran faster than Varilerin could imagine for ordinary steeds. They were like soldiers gaining a new hope under the rule of their one king.
Gandalf brought the hunters across the plain throughout the day, only stopping for rest when night settled. Gimli and Legolas built a camp fire at the place Gandalf had designated, while Aragorn talked to the Wizard as Varilerin kept watch over the dark plains lurking around them.
"The veiling shadow that glowers in the east takes shape," Gandalf told Aragorn, loud enough so Varilerin could hear from afar. "Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-dur, his Eye watches ceaselessly, but he is not mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. The rumor has reached him. The heir of Numenor still lives…." Gandalf glanced at Varilerin, who had been listening with curiosity. "But not the other one. Sauron fears you, Aragorn, and perhaps he will of Varilerin soon enough. Nevertheless, he should fear what the two of you may become, and so he'll strike hard and fast at the world of Men. He will use his puppet Saruman to destroy Rohan. War is coming, Rohan must defend itself, and therein lies our first challenge. For, Rohan is weak and read to fall. The king's mind is enslaved, it's an old device of Saruman's."
"But he has not realized you return either," Varilerin added, closing their distance. "Nor has he realized the greater power you wield now."
"Yes, he hasn't, and you are very excellent in your senses. However, his hold over King Theoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning, we have one advantage."
Gandalf then turned to Legolas and Gimli as well, the campfire they had been building already alight. "The Ring remains hidden and that we should see to destroy it, has not entered their darkest dreams. And so, the weapon of the enemy is moving towards Mordor, in the hands of a Hobbit. Each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo, everything depends on speed, and the secrecy of his quest."
"He is not alone," Aragorn said. "Sam's with him."
"Did he?" Gandalf wondered. "Good, yes… Very good."
Varilerin smirked and then watched as the Wizard and Aragorn walk towards the fire to seek warmth. She remained outside the warm circle, watching the darkness from afar, as her mind was disturbed with what Eomer had said. She was snapped out of her ponder when a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder. She turned hastily, only to see Legolas looking at her in worry.
"Let me take the watch," Legolas said. "You have run for days and for that you must be tired."
"I am fine, My Friend," Varilerin assured him, brushing his hand away gently.
"You have found no sleep for the past week," Legolas reasoned.
"No, I still can—"
"Sleep, Varilerin," Legolas cut her, this time his voice insistent. Varilerin was taken aback by his response, for he, despite being insistent several times, had never been so persistent like this. She was a warrior, he should know that, but he seemed as if he was treating her like someone to protect. It disturbed her mind, but she was indeed slightly tired. Sometimes the ellon would be terribly correct about certain things.
"Fine, if that's what you ask," she said calmly as she glanced sharply at him. With a loud sigh she walked away from Legolas, who did not understand the reason for her response, or the fact he was too worried for her. Nevertheless, he smiled when he found he succeeded in forcing her to rest.
"An overprotective ellon has made me rest," Legolas suddenly heard Varilerin speaking from afar, before Gandalf chuckled loudly. He turned to them, eyes widened, but they immediately returned to silence. Legolas shifted his gaze to Varilerin, who had in fact slept under her hood—though he knew she had only slept when he did so.
Legolas raised a brow to Aragorn, who shrugged his shoulder lightly. He turned away from them, still confused, but then he smiled.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld," Gandalf informed the Hunters as they finally caught the sight of a city standing on top of a hill, with a large hall in its centre. "There Theoden, the King of Rohan whose mind is controlled, dwells. Saruman's hold over him is now very strong and he will not give him away so easily."
"He will not, but we will force him to," Varilerin said. Gandalf nodded and they paced their horses inside the city. The buildings were made of wood engraced with horses and bronze ornaments. Stables lay everywhere they could see, in each of them horses stronger than any breed. The citizens immediately turned their attentions towards the newcomers, their eyes watchful and suspicious. Varilerin looked away from their dreadful gaze and instead tried to focus on their imminent task.
"You'll find more cheer in the graveyard," Gimli commented, noticing how quiet and grim the citizens were. Legolas nodded in agreement.
When they arrived at the entrance and unmounted their horses, they were greeted with several men wearing full armours with horse patterns and chain mails. They were fully armed and welcomed them with an unfriendly stare. One of them came forth and studied the company, arms reaching for his weapons as if they dared to barge forcefully through the doors.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame," the man said hesitantly. "By order of Grima Wormtongue."
Gandalf raised a brow to question his orders and the name he had uttered, but nodded obediently nevertheless and told the others to follow his orders. Varilerin and the others obliged and unwillingly began handing out their weapons to the rest of the guards. They were all surprised by the amount of arsenals the Hunters possessed, particularly Varilerin's. Overall, she had most weapons: her short swords, bow and quiver, her medical knife, her father's dagger, and several smaller knives and shivs hidden in her pockets and bracers. She did not give her smaller weapons to the guards though, for emergency sakes.
"Your staff," the man said when he noticed the Wizard clutching it tight. Gandalf gaped as if he was innocent for the matter and gave him a look of pleading.
"You would not part an old man from his walking stick," Gandalf simply said. The man shuddered in embarrassment when he heard the statement, nodding at the others to allow them to pass. Gimli had to resist the urge to laugh when they walked past the guards, whilst Legolas emotionlessly took Gandalf's arm and acted an impression of guiding a weak old man to the hall. Varilerin and Aragorn followed quietly behind as the doors behind them closed.
Varilerin immediately felt a strong, evil presence residing in the man sitting on the throne. His appearance was of an old man of a hundred years old, but she knew Theoden was merely in Elf's maturity age. Next to him sat a pale man with a black robe, which had the same foul air hovering around him. The man, upon the Company's arrival, whispered something to Theoden, before he rose to his feet. The man glowered at them with disgust and arrogance, as if they were mere animals looking upon a king.
"Late is the hour… in which this conjurer chooses to appear," Grima greeted them coldly with his malicious tongue. Legolas and the others immediately noticed the other soldiers cornering them from behind and the rear, but did nothing in response. Instead they focused on Gandalf's actions, none for the moment. "Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
"Be silent!" Gandalf ordered as he pulled himself away from Legolas and walked closer to the throne. "Kep your tongue behind your teeth! I have not passed through fire and death to handle crooked words with a witless worm!" he continued as he raised his staff to Grima. Upon the object's emergence, a thunder of shock struck the pale man and turned him into a horrified statue.
"His staff…. I told you to take the Wizard's staff!" Grima yelled, pointing at Gandalf as he stepped back. The men immediately started to move, but Varilerin and her comrades were far swifter. Like a shadow living up to its name, she flashed behind the nearest man and threw him across the room with a single kick. The Hunters each met the other guards and faced them with pure strength alone. Varilerin greeted a man raising his sword at her by taking his hand and throwing him to the table, terrifying the others initially targeting her. From the corners of her eyes she could see Gandalf approaching Theoden, dealing with his own task, and Gimli taking care of Grima by locking him to the ground.
The battle swiftly ended, all the guards lying hopeless on the ground. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Varilerin now waited motionlessly for Gandalf to accomplish his task. "Hearken to me! I release you, from the spell!" chanted Gandalf as he raised his hand. Silence engulfed them as they waited, but Theoden remained untouched and unchanged. Instead, he chuckled menacingly, his laughter echoing throughout the room. A fair maiden suddenly stepped inside the hall and gasped, immediately running when she saw the horrifying state of the guards. Aragorn managed to catch her from intervening the process, though he himself doubtful of the current situation.
"You have no power here… Gandalf the Grey!" Theoden mocked him. Gandalf scowled and pulled off his grey robes, sending light to the pale eyes of the corrupted king. The hall was filled with blinding light for a moment, before Gandalf threw Theoden back to his throne with his staff. Theoden remained chuckling, now Saruman dominating his voice.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound!" Gandalf said.
"Rohan is mine!" Saruman declared. Gandalf thrusted his staff once more, unafraid of the Wizard's threats.
"Be gone!" Gandalf insisted. Theoden frowned and, without further thought, lunged towards Gandalf. Gandalf thrusted his staff quickly and powerfully just in time to throw the king back to his thrown. Saruman let out his last scream in the body, before his control left the body of the king. Gandalf stepped back, sighing in relief as the evil presence left Theoden. Theoden's form began to change, returning from an old ruined man to a youthful wise king.
Theoden gasped for air once he regained his mind, his eyes wide with surprise and freedom. Not far, the maiden in Aragorn's grasp managed to escape and ran to the king, catching him just in time to prevent his fall. Theoden slowly lifted his face with the little strength he had just regained, meeting the eyes of the maiden.
"I know your face," Theoden muttered. "Eowyn…. Eowyn…" Eowyn smiled as she dropped tears of joy, nodding in response. Theoden gradually rose from his seat and looked at everyone in the room. His eyes landed on Gandalf, waiting patiently for the king. "Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, My Friend," Gandalf told him, smiling gratefully. Theoden was still in awe as he tried to remember what he could remember before he lost his mind.
"Dark have been my dreams of late," Theoden muttered, lifting his hand and studied it.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword," Gandalf suggested. Upon his words, the man who had awaited in front of the gates came forth, carrying a sword in his hand. He handed it to Theoden and bowed deeply. The king moved his hand towards the sword's hilt. Hesitantly, he pulled out the sword from its scabbard, revealing a magnificent blade which glinted under the hall's light. He raised it upwards and wondered over it. He then looked at Grima, still crouching weak under Gimli's body, and his face grimaced in disgust.
"Throw him out!" Theoden ordered furiously, slightly shocking Varilerin and her comrades. The guards did so immediately and threw the traitor to the stairs leading to the city. Grima rolled down like a hopeless ball, groaning as he hit the bottom of stairs. He struggled to stand once more, but found the pain from falling too hard to bear.
"I've only ever served you My Lord!" Grima pleaded, crawling backwards to distance himself from the furious king.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden shouted madly.
"Send me not from your sight," Grima pleaded once more. Theoden had enough and raised his sword to end the traitor's life, but suddenly Aragorn appeared before him and held the sword from decapitating Grima's head.
"No, My Lord! Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account!" Aragorn told Theoden, trying his hardest to hold back the king's fury. Theoden's anger died down, for he understood Aragorn's words. He lowered his sword reluctantly, eyeing Grima cautiously. Aragorn sighed and went to Grima, giving him a hand so he could stand to his feet. Grima scowled and returned his gracious act with a spit on Aragorn's hand, before running madly towards the city gates.
"He's going to tell Saruman all he knows about Rohan, though he might have done in long ago," Varilerin said in dismay. Theoden did not further speak regarding Grima, instead scanning the crown of citizens—now bowing to him, finally grateful of what had just returned to their kingdom. Varilerin finally realized who he was searching for and shared the same grief Theoden would be experiencing.
"Where is Theodred? Where is my son?"
A/N: I am really a person who likes to take advantage of plot holes; in this case, Theodred's murderer. Gandalf is back with a power over 9000 and Varilerin and Legolas' 'Bachelor and Bachelorette's Tale' has progressed quite significantly. Next chapter will involve some actions and visions :3 so keep reading! Also, just for fun, I opened again my Wattpad account and submitted this fic under the same name. There are no significant difference between here and there, except if you want to read this fic with the music I specifically choose for every chapter :3 (it is not really important, just for fun). (Oh, I have different username there. It's Fishellya)
Again, thank you for your support all this time! Please rate and review!