Chapter 46

When they reached Rohan, Aragorn immediately noticed how empty and withered their surroundings were. Gandalf led them purposefully to the palace, past the whispering people who looked at the group curiously but also suspiciously. Especially on Legolas, they gaze got stuck and the ranger tensed automatically. He knew that humans saw the elves very rarely because the beautiful beings preferred not to show themselves to them. The ranger also knew the type of people and their hatred and distrust of the beautiful warriors. But even though the prince must have noticed the looks, he kept his eyes straight and ignored the residents. The hobbits were more insecure and looked around fearfully. Boromir and Gimli gave the residents cautionary and suspicious looks to keep them away from the fellowship. The king's palace was on the top of the hill and it was a short time before they climbed the many steps. And then the man faced a young man who eyed them suspiciously.

"What are four hobbits, two people, a dwarf, a wizard and an elf doing here in Rohan?" He eyed the group suspiciously, and Aragorn had to admit that he would have reacted the same way if there had been such a strange fellowship in front of him.

"Éomer, son of Théoden, we want to speak to your father. It is important," Gandalf said calmly. The king's son raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"I don't think my father wants to see you." The ranger glanced at the elf and knew they thought the same thing. That could be fun. But the wizard stayed relaxed.

"Oh, but I'm an old friend of him." Éomer sighed.

"Even if it is, my father can no longer distinguish friend from enemy." The ranger frowned. What should that mean now? "I feel Saruman's presence here," Legolas whispered suddenly in his ear and Aragorn tensed. Saruman? He looked into his friend's bright blue eyes and saw his own concern in it.

"Saruman?" The elf nodded in alarm and the human automatically put a hand on his sword. It was not a good thing. In the meantime, Gandalf had managed to persuade the Prince of Rohan to let them into the hall. The big gates opened and the fellowship entered the hall. The ranger immediately noticed the suspicious looks of those present and the guards who were ready to kill them at any moment. Only now could the ranger see the king and he had to suppress a frown. Was that the king and Gandalf's old friend who was supposed to help them? An old, disheveled and frail man sat on the throne and looked at them empty-eyed. The others were visibly confused too.

At the next moment, another strange-looking man appeared next to the old man. He had black, greasy hair, dark eyes, and pale skin. Aragorn noticed that the handsome prince next to him was getting nervous and he looked at his friend in confusion.

"There is something bad about this man," whispered the elf, nodding towards the strange man. Somehow, this information didn't really surprise the human.

"Who are you?", asked the old man suddenly quietly and choppy. Gandalf stepped forward resolutely. "You have changed a lot, my old friend."

Apparently, the wizard wasn't going to answer that question. The strange man hissed something at the king and the ranger immediately became suspicious. What was he doing? "You're here ... not wanted," said the old man, but the white wizard was completely unimpressed. Instead, he pointed his staff at the king, who made a surprising sound.

"I will make sure that Saruman can no longer tarnish your mind!" The king let out a strange laugh and Aragorn was so distracted that he barely heard the strange man trying to disappear. Fortunately, Legolas was faster and held the man by the arm before he could get past them. He tried to fight back, but the archer was too strong for him.

At the next moment, there was a loud scream that went through everyone's gut and the ranger knew what had happened. Saruman had left the king's soul.