They rode throughout the morning and it wasn't long until Edoras came into view. They stopped at the plain field before the city. "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells King Théoden, who's mind is overthrown. Saruman's grip on King Théoden is now very strong." Gandalf said. "Be careful what you say nor do you look for welcome here." he warned. "Let's face the truth, wherever there is evil we are never welcomed." Amdiriel stated. "Very true." Gandalf said as he thought about what she had said and led them to the city.
They entered the city and were greeted by silence, everyone dressed in black, frowns, and stares from everyone they passed. "You find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli said, everyone, agreeing silently.
Aragorn had caught sight of a lady in white sending at the top of the stairs of the palace, watching them. "Sorrow and hopelessness have dwelt here for too long." Amdiriel said causing the range to look over at her. He nodded in agreement with her and looked back to the top of the stair of the palace to find the location where the woman stood now empty.
They reached the stairs and dismounted the horses and ascended the stairs only to be stopped by a guard by the name of Hama as soon as they reached the top of the stairs. "I can not allow Théoden-King so armed Gandalf Greyhem by order of Grima Wormtongue." he said, the guard did his best to not spit out the name. Gandalf, of course, nodded in understanding and motioned for the four to give up their weapons.
Gimli reluctant for a second, handed over his axes, while Aragorn took off his sword, unsheathed his knife, and handed over his bow and arrows. Legolas pulled the knives from his back, twirling in their hands to show his skill before handing them over, then gave the guard his bows and quiver of arrows.
"I am afraid that you are not the exception, Lady Amdiriel." Hama told her. "Hama, really?" she asked. "I am sorry, they are Wormtongue's orders." he explained. Amdrieil let out a huff but did as she was told. She handed over her bow and quiver before unbuckling her belt that held her dagger and sword but she made sure to keep the dagger in her boot hidden from sight.
"Although we, soldiers know we don't need them." said Gambling from the side with a smirk. "It's good t see you too Gamblimg." she replied.
"Your staff." Hama ordered Gandalf looked to his staff "Oh..." he said and then lend on it a bit more, playing the role of the old man. "...you would not part a man from his walking stick?" he asked. Hama looked at Gandalf for a moment but nodded and turned to lead them in.
As soon as Hama's back was turned Gandalf shot Aragorn a wink making Aragorn smile. Legolas then offered his arm to the 'old man' as they were walked into the throne room. Hama bowed and turned to let the others in, he moved to the side to join his guards while the others walked into the room. The door closing loudly behind them, causing all to turn and see them locked in. Gandalf let go of Legolas and continued walking. The room was dark lite only by the few windows that let light in. Across the room sat two men, one sat on the throne old, weak and sick, the other was dressed in black, pale skin and greasy black hair he sat at the king's side. Amdiriel could tell he was a worm. The man in black leaned over and whispered to the king "My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming."
Amdiriel and Aragorn spotted a group of men off to the side, eyeing them and following their every move, both Amdiriel and Aragorn glared right back at them, showing no fear.
"The courtesy of your Hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King." said Gandalf. "He's a herald of woe...He's not welcomed." Grima whispered to the king.
"Why should I… welcome you, Gandalf… Stormcrow?" asked the king and looked over to Grima.
"A just question, my liege." Grima said, stood up, and walked towards them. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chose to appear. Lathspeel I name him. Ill news is an ill guest." the man hissed, standing in front of an irritated Gandalf.
"Be silent." Gandalf ordered. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth Grima Wormtongue. I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm." Gandalf said harshly and pointed his staff in front of Grima.
Grima looked at them in terror "Staff?" he asked and backed away looking to the unfriendly group of men across the room. "I told you to take the wizards staff:" Grima shouted.
The men who had been shadowing them ran forward and tried to grab Gandalf but his friends came to his aid.
Amdiriel blocked as a man tried to grab her, punching him in the face and then bringing his nose to meet her knee, causing him to fall to the floor. Another man came up from behind her and grabbed her, immediately she used her weight to counter his and flipped him over his shoulder onto the floor in front of her where she punched him twice in the face. The last man came at her but she spun out of the way and punched him in the gut before pulling the man up by the hair only to be met with Aragorn's boot to his face. Aragorn's eyes then locked with Amidriel's, asking the silent question. She nodded to him, to let him know she was alright All men laid unconscious on the floor around them.
Gandalf now stood at the bottom of the small staircase that led to the throne where Théoden sat in fear.
Behind them on the floor, Grima tried to crawl away but Gimli caught him first, stepping on the scarred man's chest and growled: "I would stay still if I were you."
"Hearken to me!" Gandalf ordered, Amdiriel, Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli stood a few yards away watching. "I release you from the spell." Gandalf said, raising his hand and closing his eyes in concentration but Théoden began to laugh at the wizard causing him to look up in surprise. "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!" the King shouted in victory.
Gandalf threw his grey elven cloak off, allowing a blinding white light to come forth from him, causing Théoden to be thrown back in his throne with a frightened yell. "I will draw you Saruman as poison is drawn from a wound." Gandalf said and pointed his staff at Théoden in a way it threw fear into all those in the hall aside from his four companions.
A beautiful blond woman came running out to see the commotion. Once she caught glimpse of Gandalf and Théoden she ran towards the two, to help the King. Aragorn grabbed the women and told her to wait which she surprisingly did and turned back to the scene in front of them.
"If I go...Théoden dies." the king said but Autheil knew that was not the king speaking.
"You did not kill me...you will not kill him." Gandalf said the king hunched forward.
"Rohan is mine!" the king said.
"Begone!" Gandalf said pushing his staff a little forward. The king then lunged toward Gandalf but Gandalf hit him in the head, sending the king back into his throne.
The king groaned as Gandalf took deep breathes. But somehow Amdiriel knew it wasn't over. She inched forward as Gandalf then turned his back to walk down the few steps. Everyone beside Amdireil had noticed that she had started to glow, bright white light now encaptured her. Théoden, or rather Saruman in the body of Théoden tried to launch forward at Gandalf again but Amdireil had intercepted him with a kick to the stomach, sending him back into his throne.
Théoden then started moaning again but he didn't get back up this time. Aragorn let the lady go as the king started to fall forward. It was then Amdiriel's turn to step away but whatever power that had come from her left her weak so she nearly fell backward but Aragorn ran up and caught her. "Steady. Steady." he told her as she took deep breaths.
The two looked up again and saw that the king had turned back into the man he once was; he looked younger with dark blond hair and clarity in his eyes. He looked down at the blond woman next to him "I know your face." he whispered. "Éwoyn...Éwoyn." the king whispered as the girl held her uncle. The king turned to the white wizard in front of him "Gandalf?" he asked. "Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf replied. Éwoyn then helped the king stand to his feet.
"Dark have been my dreams of late." of late said the king as he looked around the room. Théoden smiled at Amdiriel who was still in Aragorn's arms and then looked at his hands "Your fingers would remember their own strength better if they grasped your sword." said Gandalf. Immediately, his sword was brought to him by Hama. Théoden reaches for it with trembling hands. He wraps his fingers around the hilt slowly and then draws it, gazing upon the shiny steel.
In the corner, Gimili holds onto Grima who tries to crawl away when the furious king's gaze met his. Amdireil went over and pulled Grima up by his greasy hair, so he would stand and pulled her hidden dagger from her boot. "I believe treason is punishable by death." she snared in his ear as he quivered in fear. She then removed her blade and shoved him to the oh too happy guards who then hulled him out of the palace and threw him out, letting him fall down the case of stairs.
Grima cried in pain as he rolled onto his back but saw Théoden coming, sword in hand, and fury on his face.
"I have only ever served you, my lord." he exclaimed. as he scurried back. "Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Théoden reminded him. "Send me not from your side." said Grima. Théoden then raised his arms to strike down Grima but Aragorn had run down the to hold the king back.
"No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account." Aragorn tells him. The king agrees and stops. Aragorn then reaches out his hand to Grima, offering him a hand of mercy but Grima spits on it.
From on top of the stair, Amdireil moves to defend Aragorn but is stopped by Legolas "No, Amdi!" "Oh let her go and show him who's boss." Said Gimli but Legolas refused to let her go. It was all too late anyway, Grima had scurried away and yelled at the crowd who had gathered to see what was going on to get out of his way.
"Hail, Théoden King!" announces Hama. The crowd then kneels in homage before Théoden as does Aragorn. Théoden is almost surprised by the action and turns to go back to the Hall but a thought dawns on him. "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
Amdiriel looked to Éwoyn for an answer but none can instead Amdireil could see tears form in her eyes before she went to Théoden. Amdiriel then looked to the Hama and Gmabling for a confirmation of the answer of what had happened, though no words were spoken the look on their faces was confirmation enough. Amdiriel cast her eyes to the ground as she could feel the tears in her eyes but knew she had to be strong, for the men around her.
Théoden walked up the stairs his face strong to not show weakness in front of his people. All bowed in respect as he walked passed. When he reached the top of the stairs he stopped when he saw Amdiriel, she had bowed her head to him but Théoden said nothing until she looked up at him. That is when Théoden could see the unshed tears in her eyes. "My deepest condolences, my lord." was all she could say. Théoden gave her a sad smile, bowed his head to her, and then walked into the Hall, surely to go see his son. Amdiriel waited until everyone walked passed, her companions standing next to her unsure of what to do.
"I need a moment." she whispered to them. She then walked away, towards the back of the palace, away from sight, the others watching her go. Amdiriel sat on the edge of the wall, letting her feet dangle as the tears flowed down her face while she looked out to the mountains in the distance. She sat there remembering the times her, Eomer and Theodred shared. She had known them since they were young and soon they grew to be her brothers in arms.
Amdiriel didn't know how long she had been there but only realized she had to be there a while when Aragorn sat down next to her. She wiped her face as to not appear to be too much of a mess, although Aragorn had already seen her at one of her lowest points. "Were you close to the prince?" he asked after a few moments. Amdiriel nodded "I knew him since he and Eomer were young, watched them grow up. I loved coming here when Denanthor would send me on missions her when the connection between Gondor and Rohan were strong. They grew up to become like brothers to me, especially when Dena thor banished me. They wanted to ride straight to Gondor and kill him when for such a stupid and heartless decision. As the years passed I became their only link to Gondor. Even after Denethor refused to send aid to them I came to help in whatever way I could. They were like a family to me."
"There was nothing that you could have done, Amdi." Aragorn told her. "Maybe there was, had I come." she whispered. Aragorn shook his head and placed his hand on her cheek, making her turn her head to look at him. "I asked around the guards, Grima knew if you had heard of Théodred's ambush that you would come to his aid. Grima had men waiting for you in the city to assassinate you only when Théodred passed did he pull them from their post...There was nothing you could have done, Amdi. Do not carry that burden for it I not yours to carry." Aragorn told her. Amdiriel nodded to him while the two stared deep into the eyes of each other.
"Amdi, I-" Aragorn was cut off by a guard approaching them "My apologies, my lord and lady but I am to show you where you are to be staying." said the guard. Amdiriel thanked him and the two followed the guard, Amdiriel had a small room across from where Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli's. Aragorn wondered when he would ever find the time to tell her the truth.