The next day, the group were riding/running through the plains of Rohan to their destination and soon they stopped over a short hill with their target before them : Edoras. The capital city of Rohan was not really impressive : it was a small city built up around a hill with high wooden walls and guard-towers around it.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld... There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown….Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong..." Gandalf explained as the group overlooked the city before their eyes. " Thats Edoras ? Well… Its nice and all but its… What is the word I am looking for ? Ah yes ! Its not really impressive..." Kopa remarked as he looked at King Théoden's place.
"Agree I still prefer Calas Galadhon in Lothlorien..." His mate remarked as she stood at his right side. "King Theoden has always been humble and wise… all Kings of Rohan were…." The White Wizard explained as he glanced at the two felines with a pointed look on his face which caused the two to shut up a bit.
"Come on let's keep going !" Aragorn inquired to his comrades before the group made their way toward the city. They slowly approached the gates and soon Isildur's heir , along with Kopa took notice of a flag that flew out of nowhere before landing on the ground . They quickly eyed it : a green flag with a white horse on it… Rohan's symbol. The same one that The Riders arbored in the Riddermark.
The two of them looked at each other as a bad feeling was starting to form in their mind : it was a sight which proved that Rohan's state had degraded. As the group made their way to Golden Hall, they all noticed the stares they were receiving from the habitants of the city soldiers or simple villagers. Vitani looked at her surrounding with a frown to hide the fact she was actually becoming nervous because of the lack of sounds.
Kopa was feeling the same but still he managed to partially hide it as he walked near his mate. Thankfully the silence was broken by Gimli who said in a sarcastic tone in an attempt to brighten the mood " You'll find more cheer in a graveyard..." Vitani snorted in amusement and her mate chuckled while Aragorn smiled in equal amusement.
Soon the group reached the top of the hills and Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf dismounted their horses before walking up the stairs. Kopa and Vitani were just behind them, looking around cautiously. The Beige Lioness noticed that the villagers seemed scared of her and Kopa for some reason but she ignored it as her comrades stopped at the entrance of the Golden Hall.
The doors opened and a group of Soldiers came out, among them, a man without a helmet was at the lead. He had reddish-brown medium-length hair and a full beard of the same color. When the soldiers stopped in front of our friends, the bearded man eyed them all with a serious expression on his face " I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of… Gríma Wormtongue !"
The last part was said with disdain. Whoever this Grima was , he wasn't popular , Kopa thought to himself as he saw the soldiers eying him suspiciously. He didn't noticed Gandalf nodding to his comrades as they pulled their weapons out for the soldiers to take : Legolas handed his bows, arrows and daggers; Gimli reluctantly gave his axe away; Aragorn handed his own bow, arrows, sword and dagger.
Gandalf then looked at the Lead Man who looked back at him with a frown "Your staff..." First taken aback by the request, the Wizard smiled maliciously as he said those words " Eh? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick ?" The Bearded Man went deep in thought for a moment but then he gave a knowing look at the Wizard before looking at the Lions "Your friends must stay out however..." "Oh ? Wand why that ?" Vitani hissed as she bared her teeth threateningly which caused the soldiers to back away a bit.
Kopa stepped in front of her with a frown on his face before looking back at the Bearded Man with understanding " Alright we will stay out..." The Man nodded his head at him before stepping out of the way so the group could enter. Aragorn glanced at his Felines companions before following Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf as they entered the Golden Hall.
As the doors closed, Vitani looked back at her mate with an angry expression on her face but before she could say something, Kopa beat her to it as he leaded her down the stairs "Love I know you are not happy with this but please listen first : if they didn't want us inside, they must have a good reason… Do you really think they would let two Lions coming near their King ?"
Vitani went deep in thought and sighed , knowing that her mate was right before saying "Fine… But I don't like it..." Kopa smiled and gently rubbed his head against Vitani's , purring. Zira's daughter purred back as she nuzzled his cheek affectionately. They found a nice spot close enough to the Golden Hall and they laid there, waiting patiently while ignoring the stares they were receiving from the villagers. The two were laying against each other and hoped that Gandalf could heal whatever Devil corrupted the King of Rohan.
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At the same time, Aragorn and his group entered the place and soon met King Theoden… or what seemed to be the King : he looked very decrepit and old… He had a very pale skin and wildly silver-grayish long hair and beard. At his side was another man , younger with dark hair and was wearing black furred robes. He also was very pale and gaunt. It was Grima Wormtongue. , chief advisor of the King.
When he saw the approaching group, the dark-haired man whispered in the King's ear "My lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming…" Grima was more that what people thought : he was a spy of Saruman and helped the Evil White Wizard to corrupt Theoden and changing him into the weak self he was now.
The doors behind our friends closed which caused Aragorn to look behind in alert who had a bad feeling about this. Gandalf , for his part, ignored it as he moved forward. To their right,unknown to them, a group of thugs were eying them from the shadows. "He is a herald of woe !" Grima added softy in Theoden's ear.
" The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King..." Gandalf inquired loudly in a calm tone as he and his companions. "He is not welcome !" Grima hissed to his King as he eyed the Wizard. Theoden raised his head a bit , his eyes closed in a weakening state as he said back as he looked at Grima"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow ?" " A good question my liege..." The advisor said to his King.
Then Grima stood up before approaching Gandalf and his party " Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear..." Aragorn then caught sight of the thugs from the corner of his eyes "Lathspell I name him... Ill news is in ill guest..." The advisor said as he stopped in front of Gandalf with a sneer on his ugly face.
Gandalf looked back at him , unfazed, as he said in a stern tone "Be silent ! Keep your forked tongue behind you teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm !" Then he raised is staff in front of the dark-haired man who suddenly became scared as he slowly backed away from the Wizard "His staff ! I told you to take the wizard's staff !"Grima remarked at the Rohirrim loudly and then the thugs attacked the group, trying to get Gandalf but were stopped by Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas who engaged them with their fists.
Gandalf ,for his part, kept walking forward to the King completely calm despise the situation. One of the King's guards moved to draw his sword, but was stopped by the Bearded Man from earlier. " Théoden, Son of Théngel !" Gandalf said as one of the thugs appeared before him. Aragorn then moved forward and punched him away from the Wizard who ignored the fight around him " Too long have you sat in the shadows..."
Grima looked at the brawl with fear and tried to escape but got knocked down by Gimli who putted his foot on the Man's chest snarling calmly "I would stay still if I were you !" The advisor looked terrified and stay silent. " Harken to me !" Gandalf shouted loudly which caught the King's attention as he eyed him from the corner of his eyes.
Around them, civilians and soldiers gathered around Aragorn , Legolas and Gimli as all of them looked at the Wizard who added "I release you from the spell..." he lifted his staff forward and closed his eyes but after a few seconds, nothing happened. But then the silence was broken by Theoden's laughs as he said "You have no power here Gandalf the Grey !"
The King laughed again for a few more seconds but then it stopped when Gandalf removed his cloak to reveal his white clothes which caused Theoden to cry out just as the room seemed to brighten. The King's head slammed against the throne chair. "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound !" The White Wizard snarled before throwing his staff forward , slamming the King back into his chair pinning him on the spot.
Then a young woman with long blond hair and white dress appeared , wondering what was causing all this ruckus and saw Gandalf and Theoden. She attempted to rush forward to help her King but Aragorn stopped her in her track whispering seriously " Wait !" she looked at him before looking back at Theoden.
The King was staring at Gandalf with anger clear on his face as he tried to get up in vain. Then to everyone's shock, from the King's voice came the deep voice of Saruman who said "If I go... Théoden dies !" The White Wizard again pointed his staff at the King who flied back against his throne before snarling back "You did not kill me... You will not kill him !"
'Theoden' tried once again to get up from the chair while struggling against Gandalf's power saying threateningly "Rohan is mine !" The White Wizard , for his part, kept coming closer to the possessed King , pushing his staff forward and slamming 'Theoden' back to his throne (again) "Be gone !"
Suddenly, the possessed King leaped forward toward Gandalf with a battle cry. The White Wizard , however, swung his staff forward and knocked the King back against his throne. At Orthanc, Saruman was sent flying on the ground with his body now in pain.
Back to Edoras, Gandalf took a few steps back as Theoden began to fall from his throne. The Blond Woman rushed forward and caught him while the Rohan Soldiers feared for their King's state.
Theoden began to breath again but this time in a calm and steady rate as lifted his head to look around. Before every eyes, his face was changing : his hair were growing shorter and were changing colors, the wrinkles were disappearing and his pale skin was returning back to normal. Soon his hair were medium sized, his beard a circle one and both were blond in color.
Theoden was no more a decrepit man : he was back to normal. He looked at the woman before him as she smiled in pure joy and happiness as tears were falling on her cheeks " I know your face... Eowyn... Eowyn" Theoden mumbled as he looked at the woman now known as Eowyn who was crying in happiness.
Then the two of them looked at a certain White Wizard and Theoden seemed shocked and amazed " Gandalf ?" The Wizard smiled as he said calmly "Breathe the free air again, my friend" The King , helped by Eowyn, stood up before looking at the people gathered before his eyes " Dark have been my dreams of late..." then he began to feel his own hands.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better...if they grasped your sword..." Gandalf inquired with a pointed look on his face and a Rohan Soldier approached with a sword sheathed away. Theoden slowly reached forward and wrapped his hand around the sword's grip before slowly pulling it out.
Grima, who was now on his knees, attempted to crawl away with an expression of terror on his face but was pulled back by Gimli who stood next to him. Theoden pulled out his sword and held it upwards, looking at the long blade for a few seconds before his face turned into an angry scowl when he turned his eyes toward the one who turned him into a weakened mind…. Grima looked back at his King with absolute terror.
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"What took them so long ?" Vitani complained as she and her mate were still laying on the same spot that earlier. It had been a few minutes since their comrades entered the Golden Hall and no one came out of it yet. As they waited, the two Felines were eyed by the villagers but they also noticed that the children were looking at them with curiosity.
Kopa nuzzled his mate's cheek before responding "I don't know… Let's just hope they are still fine..." Vitani nodded but then they heard something that caught their attention and turned their head to see the gates of Golden Hall opening. To their shocks, two Rohan Soldiers appeared , the two of them holding a man by his arms before throwing him forward. As the man in question rolled down the stairs , the scene immediately attracted everyone's attention as they began to gather at the foot of the first set of stairs.
The Man cried out in pain as he rolled on the ground. Vitani and Kopa then saw a man who was , by the crown on his head, the King of Rohan slowly climbing down the stairs with a sword in his hand. "I've only ever served you my lord..." the dark-haired man inquired as he crawled away from the angry King.
Ignoring his plea, Theoden still walked toward him with Gandalf and some Soldiers who all had their hands on their swords "Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast !" The King snarled in anger and the Lions cried out in outrage "Hey !" However they were ignored by everyone. " Send me not from your side !" the dark-clothed man pleaded again but it went to deaf-ears as Theoden raised his sword in the air, ready to strike down the man before him.
But then "No my lord! No my lord !" Aragorn called out loudly as he grabbed out the King's arms , stopping him from killing the man "Let him go… Enough blood has been spilt on his account..." Isildur's heir calmly said to Theoden who looked at him. His words seemed to calm him down because he didn't tried to strike the man again.
Aragorn then looked back at the dark-haired man before holding his hand out to help him to get up. The man then shocked everyone by spitting on Strider's hand which disgusted him as he shook it. A loud roar echoed which terrified everyone before a large beige form jumped forward , pinning the dark haired man on the ground. "Vitani stop !" Aragorn called out as Zira's daughter was growling down at her target who looked back at her with terror.
When Isildur's heir called her, her heard turned toward him before snarling "Why should I ?! You tried to help this pitiful man and-" "I know but please let him go..." Aragorn inquired calmly. The Beige Lioness seemed conflicted but then her mate approached her "Let him go love… He is not worth your energy…" the Brown Maned Lion inquired as he glared down at the dark-haired man who glanced at him with fear.
Vitani looked between her mate, Aragorn and the man below her for a moment before sighing "Alright you won..." then she released him but not before giving him a sharp look. Kopa gave her a comforting smile before glaring at the dark man "Leave… and never return..." he said with a deep growl. The man didn't need to be told twice and ran away through the crowd "Get out of my way !"
The Brown Maned Lion huffed in disgust before nuzzling his mate who returned the gesture. Aragorn watched the two with a smile before saying loudly while looking at the King of Rohan " Hail, Théoden, King !" At those words, everyone bowed before their liege . Despise not being Rohan citizens, Kopa and Vitani did the same in pure respect for the Man in front of them.
Theoden looked at the two felines with curiosity but then turned around to look at everyone who were out of the Golden Hall " Where is Théodred? Where is my son ?" the King asked and a long silence answered his words.
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Theodred… son of Theoden… Prince of Rohan… was dead… Injured , time ago, in an ambush from Orcs of Isengard. He was brang back by Eomer and his men before they were exiled by the brainwashed King. Sadly, the prince succumbed to his wounds the night before Aragorn and his group came to Edoras.
Funerals were held for the dead Prince the following day and he was to be buried in a tomb outside the gates. Everyone attended the funerals and all watched in sadness and sorrow particularly Theoden and Eowyn as soldiers carried the dead body of their Prince to a stretcher where Theodred will rest forever. Kopa , Vitani and their comrades payed their respect to the fallen Prince before Eowyn began to chant in a language the two Lions didn't know.
"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende"
(An evil death has set forth the noble warrior
A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels)
on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære,
Þæt he ma nowere is, þurh niedig rest."
(in Meduseld that he is no more,
That he is nowhere anymore, for his necessary rest)
And mægen deorost.
Bealo…"
(And that he is the dearest kinsman.
Killing took him...") "
The tomb was then sealed once Theodred was placed inside and everyone dispersed afterwards. But before that, all of them placed a small white flower around the tomb. Gandalf and Theoden along with Kopa and Vitani were the only ones who staid behind and the White Wizard was comforting the heart-broken father. After a few minutes, the group headed back toward the Golden Hallin silence. But then Kopa looked at the King before saying in a sad tone "I'm sorry for your loss your Majesty..." Theoden stopped crying to look at him before nodding in appreciation.
Vitani smiled sadly at the King of Rohan before his gaze turned toward Gandalf who had an alarmed look on his face. Frowning, the Beige Lioness turned her head toward where the Wizard was looking and gasped loudly : two horses were standing on a hill but that wasn't what shocked her. It was what was mounting the two animals : it was three human children ! On the first horse, there were two of them ( a girl and a boy) and on the second horse, there was only a little girl.
Without thinking, Vitani ran toward them and Kopa ran after her before the two stopped in front of the two equines who whinnied in fright at the sight of the two Lions before eventually calming down when they saw that the Felines wasn't attacking them. The children looked at the newcomers with curiosity but also a bit of fear.
However the boy , who looked exhausted, suddenly fainted. Alarmed; Kopa swiftly moved forward and the child landed on his back.
At the same time, Vitani approached the girls with a comforting smile on her face "Don't be scared little ones… We won't hurt you… We want to help you~" The two girls looked conflicted but soon the first one smiled while the second seemed hesitant. The Beige Lioness smiled back before turning her attention toward Kopa who was making sure that the boy wouldn't fall from his back.
"Can you take this girl ?" She inquired him while pointing at the one she assumed to be the boy's sister "I will take the other one..." the Brown Maned Lion nodded back and approached the girl who looked at him with awe because of his size "Hop on little one ! Your coach has come !" he said gently but also with a playful grin which caused the girl to giggle in amusement as she slowly dismount the horse to climb on Kopa's back near her brother.
Vitani, for her part, approached the second horse and the girl on it whimpered in fear when she saw her coming. Zira's daughter looked at the little human with a gentle smile and it seemed to do the trick because the girl stopped being scared… visibly at least. "Hello there little one… Please don't be scared… I promise I won't hurt you~" she purred gently to the little girl. The child looked at her with hesitation but then asked " I'm Ioreth… Can I ask what are you ma'am ?" she asked in a shy tone.
Vitani smiled as she stepped closer and she got to have a good look at the little one before her : the girl had brown hair and soft sky blue eyes. She was also really thin… too thin for Vitani's liking in fact but she hided her opinions to respond " My name's Vitani little one and me and Kopa..." she pointed at her mate with her head when she said his name "...are Lions~" "I never saw 'Lions' before…" Ioreth said in a curious tone which caused Zira's daughter to smile in amusement.
Then she used her mouth to carefully pick up the girl who flinched when she saw her fangs but then quickly calmed down when she saw that Vitani wasn't hurting her. Gently, the Lioness putted her down before crouching down "Hop on Ioreth~" The brown haired girl looked excited and eagerly climbed on the Lioness's back. Smirking by the child's antic and after being sure that Ioreth was settled on her back, Vitani got up before glancing back at her mate who had the two children laying on his back.
Kopa looked back at her and nodded before glancing at the kids "Hold on cubs and you should cover your ears !" The kids (the girls particularly because the boy was ins-conscious) looked at him with confusion but quickly understood what he meant when he opened his mouth to let out a thunderous roar.
Vitani then walked over her mate before punching his shoulder "Do you really have to do that ?!" "Come on love…look at them !" She did and she saw the amazement in the girls'eyes. Snorting, she mumbled to her mate "Show off" before dashing away. Kopa laughed and took off after her.
As she ran, Vitani couldn't help but glancing at Ioreth who seemed really excited. Smiling fondly to the little one, the Beige Lioness ran toward the Golden Hall, hoping to find help for the exhausted children…
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"They had no warning... They were unarmed... Now the Wildmen are moving through westfold, burning as they go, every rick, cot and tree !" Eowyn remarked as she sat near Ioreth, Eothain and Freda ( the two children who rode on Kopa's back ) who were eating peacefully. The boy, Eothain, explained that there was an attack on the village of Westfold by Saruman's forces and that they might be the only survivors. Their mother, Morwen, sent them away to protect them from the Wild Men.
When the boy finished his explanation, Theoden , who was sitting on his throne, had a hand on his face as he took in everything he just learned with Gandalf beside him. At another table, Gimli was eating his plate of food while Aragorn was listening to what was said with Legolas standing beside him. All of them (even the Dwarf) were listening.
Kopa and Vitani were also there and were watching the kids with sadness and pity. They were allowed to be among them by Theoden after an explanation from Gandalf about who they were and what were they doing here. "Where is Mama ?" Freda asked Eowyn in a worried and frightened tone. The King's niece turned around before wrapping a blanket around the girl's shoulder "Shhh".
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron...Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight ! " Gandalf suggested firmly as Theoden slowly turned his head toward him.
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak... Eomer is loyal to you... His men will return and fight for their King !" Aragorn added from his seat. Theoden then got up and began to walk "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now !" The King inquired as he walked toward the table where his niece and the children were before stopping and looking back at the group " Eomer cannot help us !"
Gandalf instantly got and began to walk toward the King of Rohan when the Blond Man suddenly spoke up " I know what is that you want of me... But I would not bring further death to my people ! I will not risk open war !". The White Wizard seemed shocked by those words and staid silent. Vitani narrowed her eyes while her mate was sighing deeply (which expression he had we don't know ) . Aragorn , for his part, took his pipe out from his mouth before saying in a neutral tone " Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or not !"
Eowyn looked at Isildur's heir just as Theoden was doing the same as the King took a few steps toward the Ranger "When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan !" Strider staid calm despise the King's harsh words while Vitani wanted nothing more but to say a piece of her mind. But Kopa stopped her with a shook of his head while putting a paw on hers. " Then what is the king's decision ?" Gandalf asked as he took a few steps forward toward Theoden who turned around, his eyes to the ground before saying loudly " By order of the King..."
(To be continued…)