Chapter 23: The Fear of Being Forgotten

After we all exchanged hugs Treebeard eventually came over talking with Gandalf as a few more horses approached seeing a man look towards Merry, Pippin and I.

"It's an honor to meet the Halflings who helped take back Isengard, I am Théoden lord of Rohan." He said from his horse as we all bowed politely introducing ourselves.

I hopped onto the horse behind Gandalf whilst Pippin got on with Aragorn and Merry paired with one of the men from Rohan knowing we couldn't handle their large horses alone.

"We must deal with Saruman." He said looking towards Aragorn and Gandalf seeing them both nod looking up at the top of the tower seeing Saruman staring down towards us all.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men Théoden king and made peace afterward. Can we not take council together, as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?" Saruman said looking down towards us all as Théoden said, "We shall have peace."

I frowned seeing him look towards Saruman saying sternly, "We shall have peace… when you answer for the burning of the westfold, and the children that lie dead there. We shall have peace, when the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows… we shall have peace."

I smiled at his statement, this was someone who I would follow behind, he cared not for his life but the justice of his people as Saruman spat, "Gibbets and crows? Dotard! What do you want Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess, the key of Orthanc, or perhaps the key of Barad-dûr itself, along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards!"

I heard Gandalf reply trying to reason with him, "Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk, but you could save them Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's council."

"So you have come here for information. I have some for you." Saruman replied holding an orb seeing a fire inside of it as he said, "Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth, something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die. But you know this don't you, Gandalf."

I looked towards Pippin fearfully then up towards Gandalf but he kept staring towards Saruman as he continued to speak, "You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me… what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death."

"I've heard enough shoot him, stick an arrow in his gob." Gimli said angrily as Legolas went to draw back his bow when Gandalf put his hand out saying, "No."

"Gandalf…" I said softly as he ignored me looking back up saying, "Come down Saruman, and your life will be spared."

Saruman stared at him angrily replying, "Save your pity and your mercy, I have no use for it!"

Suddenly he shot down a fireball heading straight towards Gandalf and I making me wrap my arms around him fearfully hearing Pippin cry out my name in worry. Though I felt no pain as the fire swirled around us never touching our skin as I looked back towards Pippin nodding so he knew I was alright.

"Saruman, your staff is broken." Gandalf said as I watched Saruman's staff begin to break apart shattering in his hands leaving him defenseless while the man in black crept over to the edge beside Saruman.

Théoden moved his horse closer saying to the man, "Gríma, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan! Come down."

"A man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and rats roll on the floor with the dogs? Victory at helms deep does not belong to you, Théoden, horsemaster! You are a lesser son of greater sires." Saruman said spitefully seeing the man look towards him then back towards Théoden who ignored Saruman and said softly, "Gríma, come down and be free of him."

Saruman laughed darkly replying, "Free? He will never be free."

Gríma looked at Saruman saying, "No…"

Saruman quickly turned towards him smacking him down to the ground replying, "Get down, cur!"

"Saruman, you were deep in the enemy's council. Tell us what you know." Gandalf said getting knowing we were wasting time while Saruman looked down at us saying, "You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided."

I saw the man begin to stand up again eyeing Saruman as Saruman said, "I will not be held prisoner here."

Suddenly the man stabbed Saruman in the back a few times before Legolas let loose an arrow striking down the man but it was too late as Saruman's body began to fall from the high tower. His body descended fast ending up becoming imbedded in a wheel as I clung to Gandalf's back not wanting to look at the impact.

"We shall take back Isengard and bring it back to its formal glory." Treebeard said as the other Ents had already been working on cleaning up the mess left behind as I said, "It was nice meeting you Treebeard."

"As it was you little elf." He said kindly while I smiled back watching him begin to walk away.

The waterwheel began to turn as Saruman's body sunk into the water below but not before seeing the strange orb roll into the water beside him. I heard water splash behind me watching Pippin walk towards the orb watching him curiously as he reached into the water holding it in his hands staring intensely at it.

"You best be giving that to me." Gandalf said holding his bag out while Pippin dropped it in slowly before eyeing me for a moment heading back to Aragorn's horse.

"There is nothing else here for us, let us ride back to Edoras for we deserve a night of celebration." Théoden said as we all followed behind his horse for the long trek.


It took us all day to reach Rohan on horseback feeling my legs become jelly once I was helped off seeing Merry and Pippin didn't fare that well either. We made our way out of the stables as the women and men cheered seeing their king return unharmed until we reached the top entering a grand hall.

"You must wish to get a proper bath, Éowyn why don't you show the girl there as well as a fresh pair of clothes before the feast." Théoden said to a beautiful human woman who smiled kindly towards me nodding.

"What is your name?" she asked while I replied, "I'm Marina."

"You appear to be elven but you're short like the little ones." She said while I smiled saying, "My mother was an elf while my father is a Hobbit."

We reached a room that already had hot water filled in the tub as I started removing my dirty clothes while she eyed my daggers curiously, "You're a fighter?"

I smiled saying, "I am yes, do you wish to be?"

"I wish to help defend the people of Rohan yes but women of this land aren't given such tasks." She said while I smiled saying, "Sometimes doing what you believe means doing what others tell you not to do."

She gave me a kind smile as she grabbed a clean dress for me saying, "I saw one of the Halflings gaze in your direction whilst we were leaving the room… I do believe he wishes to court you."

I laughed lightly sinking into the water saying, "I do not know what you mean."

"Has he not shown you loyalty?" she asked worried while I sunk further into the water saying, "He has… protected me in any chance he can get, but it is I who is filled with doubt."

"What do you mean?" she asked feeling her brush throw my tangled curls frowning replying, "My mother died of a broken heart when she thought my father no longer wanted her… that is not a way I wish to die."

"You are afraid to love?" she said stopping suddenly while I closed my eyes saying, "No… I'm afraid of being forgotten."