A/N: Finally I've managed: Chapter 7, proudly presented *g*. Yes, you'll notice the events in Rohan are *quite* different from the book, but the explanation again is very easy: I didn't want to re-write things, had to shorten things, and some things had to happen differently for my story. Hope, you'll like it despite my changes!
Also, I discovered that my story would become much longer than it should have become originally, so expect at least another ten chapters (or something like that). For those who do not like long stories, I'm truly sorry, but I really didn't expect that I would be able to write so many chapters.
I'd truly liked to hear what ending you would prefer – happy one or sad one? Please tell me, I'm terribly curious! Especially for the opinion of those who have already left more than one reviews – Aralondwen and Alawa (*bows low* *g*). Cailinn, your opinion would also be very interesting *g*!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, everything belongs to Master Tolkien….
The King of the Golden Hall
In the next morning fog was lying across the lands. The sun was only a blurred yellow spot which gave no clear light and made everything seeming unreal. In the distance some lonely trees on the endless plains rose out of the mist and silence lay upon everything. The biting coldness from the days before, however, had vanished and the wind had calmed down.
Walking had become easier again and the company covered many leagues until the early afternoon. Their surroundings were slowly changing, mountains rose straight ahead of them and their peaks seemed to touch the lowest clouds. The lonely trees gathered and formed woods, the barren plains developed into valleys and hills. The mist had disappeared and the sun sent its golden light to earth.
A feeling of joy filled the hearts of the comrades as they stepped out of a dense forest in the early evening and a vast grassy valley was stretching in front of them. At the southernmost end they beheld a city built on the northern slopes of Ered Nimrais. A strong wall running around it hindered them from seeing the houses behind, but their looks were soon drawn by the uppermost building. High on the mountain it sat, mighty it seemed, its walls of gold.
"Behold the Golden Hall, seat of King Théoden, son of Thengel, Lord of the Mark!" Gandalf said. "There we will find rest, and peace for a while. Let us see to arrive there ere darkness falls!"
With new strength the Hobbits shouldered their packs and ran down the hill. Legolas glimpsed at Gandalf and smiled. "Joy can be found by merely looking at them," the Elf quietly said, "great peril have they endured and still they are able to forget it for a while."
The wizard's features softened for a moment. "In this they have a skill warriors are always longing for," he murmured. "We cannot leave behind our worries and fear so easily, but often we wish to do so."
Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli followed the two Hobbits who were eager to reach Edoras. In less than one hour they stood before the men guarding the high black gates at the uttermost wall.
"Stay," a tall warrior, clad in bright mail, said in the tongue of Rohan. His land lay on the hilt of his sword, his face was stern and his look dark. The long blond hair, however, was uncovered and fell upon his shoulders. "What is your errand here in Rohan? You are strangers and King Théoden does not wish to see such."
"We are no strangers," Gandalf replied in the same tongue, "for I am Gandalf, well known to Théoden, Lord of the Mark. Often have I come to Rohan and was welcomed by the King. Again I bring tidings from the North and South and the Lord will see that they are important for all the peoples dwelling in Middle-earth. I have no time, however, for long explanations, since our fate is to be decided soon. Send some men to King Théoden and they will return with the order to let my comrades and me enter!"
Wonder was in the guard's eyes but he did as Gandalf wished him to do. Not twenty minutes later the young man he had sent came back. "Open the gates," he cried, now in the Common Speech. "King Théoden wants you to enter his City! Come with me, I will bring you to the Golden Hall!"
The wizard nodded satisfied. "My friends here, though," he indicated to his comrades, "do not need to see the Lord. Our errand can be told by me and they are weary and seek for bed and food, for they have taken a long road to come to Edoras. If the King will allow, may you find a place to rest for them? You do not need to show me the way to the Golden Hall. Like I said, I have often been here and know the City."
The young man thought for a moment and gazed then at the guard who had sent him. A slight nod and he agreed. "You may come with me," he said to Legolas. "You shall find here everything that you can wish for. Rohan treats his guests well."
"We thank you," the Elf replied. "For days have we journeyed and now we are tired and hungry. Hope claimed our hearts when we finally looked upon Edoras and the Golden Hall, for we had often heard praise for the Rohirrim and their courteous attitude towards any of their guests."
The gates were opened and they all entered the city. Small houses stood along their way, ever leading upward towards a green terrace at the highest point of the hill. The Rohirrim stared at the five in wonder, for they had never before seen such strange company walking through their city. Hardly any men, though, could be seen, mostly women and children. All of them were tall, blond and had stern faces, but still the comrades could spot some friendly glances. Gandalf seemed to be well known in Edoras, the others, however, were looked upon with awe and sometimes even fear.
The wizard left the small company soon and while he was taking his way to the green terrace where the Golden Hall of King Théoden was built upon, the others were being led to one of the buildings at the rear end of the city. Everything in Edoras looked fine and friendly, warm light was falling from the windows into the streets and the houses built higher upon the hill appeared like stars in the now black sky.
"Wait here," the young guard said to Legolas, Gimli and the Hobbits as they had entered one of the buildings. "You may want to refresh yourselves while I am fetching some food and water for you. Clean clothes will be brought soon, and after the meal you can rest here. No one will disturb you."
"I thank you again," Legolas replied. "Indeed, all the tales of the greatness of the Rohirrim seem to be true and when in later times I will met someone who speaks evil of your people, I will object and correct his opinion. But," the Elf touched the man's shoulder just as he was about to turn around and leave, "tell me, how shall I call you and where are we? This does not look like a house usually reserved for your guests."
"Haleth is my name, son of Aldor, guard of Edoras," the blond haired replied proudly. "And indeed you were right: This is the home of Déor, captain of the guard. At the gates you must have impressed him greatly, otherwise he would not have made me taking you to his own house." With these words Haleth left.
"It is nice here," Pippin suddenly stated. "Warm and comfortable. Even the beds are looking invitingly. I just hope, that Haleth will return soon. I'm hungry. Very hungry, to say so."
A friendly grin spread on Gimli's face. "As soon as I will have eaten something," he announced in mock solemn, "nothing will be able to keep me from sleeping in those warm and comfortable beds. Not even if the entire host of Gondor was trampling by!"
Merry laughed. "I haven't been happier since long. Finally something to eat in prospect, not this endless hunger during the journey. And also a soft bed… Everything a Hobbit can wish for!"
Legolas said nothing, although he was equally weary than the others, he just continued staring into the dark sky from one of the eastern windows. His back was turned towards his friends, and the others were not able read his expression. If they had been, though, they would have seen a grimace of pain and worry on the Elf's otherwise fair face. Now, that they were safe for a while, his concern for Aragorn returned with all of its strength.
'Warm and comfortable beds,' he thought bitterly, 'plenty of food, nothing to worry. But how are you, Aragorn, at the moment? Are you cold? Hungry? Did the Orcs allow you to sleep? Or have they tortured you by keeping you awake for all the time? I fear for you, my friend. On our way I sensed, that Gandalf has been in great worry about you and although he did not admit it, I saw that you have always been in his thoughts. And those were not pleasant, I might add. I fear, there is little hope for you. You have been captured by the Orcs and they truly are not known for their gentleness with hostages and if you are indeed taken to the Barad-Dûr, a painful death is waiting for you. But still I hope that you will have a chance to escape and that we will meet again when the Dark Lord will be defeated and you are being crowned before the gates of Minas Tirith. Since I saw you in Lothlórien, I often imagine you bearing the Winged Crown of the Kings of Old, as a ruler of great majesty, wisdom and honor. All these things are in you, hidden, but still there although you seldom let them surface. Indeed I find strength in the thought that you might therefore be able to withstand the Enemy and his servants. Your fathers were great warriors, leaders of Men and you have inherited only their best parts. The Dark Lord will not find it easy to hurt you: Your body can endure great pain, but even more your soul can, for it is strong and cannot be broken. This is the greatest gift you have brought to Middle-earth, and I know that you can use it, and the Unnamed will desperately seek to destroy this innermost part of you even if he will be torturing you in the cruelest way, beyond everyone's worst imagination. From the pain your body may die but your soul cannot. The people you met on your long road through the years were deeply influenced by you and they are carrying a part of you with them and thus you will live on even if you are lying underneath the soil of Mordor and your breath has fled long ago. Still, it is my greatest wish that you may return to become Elessar, the prophesied King and savior of Middle-earth, for your appearance on the battle field is enough to frighten the Orcs and giving hope to our fighters. But… even more, I have to admit, I do not wish to loose a dear friend.'
Legolas sighed. He could do nothing to help Aragorn, the only thing that would honor his memory was to go to Minas Tirith and fight for the freedom of Middle-earth, the dream Aragorn had been seeking to fulfill for his whole life.
The Elf turned around and looked at his friends who had already gathered around the great table, waiting for the food to be brought. Legolas also seated himself and smiled at Pippin who was watching the door intently.
"I just hope that Haleth will return soon," the Hobbit muttered. "I haven't eaten for a long time. My stomach feels so empty."
"Poor boy," Gimli teased with mock solemn, "by now you should have learned to endure hunger and thirst, pain and coldness and not one of these things should make you feeling bad."
Pippin looked up, staring at the Dwarf but before the Hobbit could say anything, the door opened and Haleth entered the room.
"I have brought plenty of bread," the young man announced, "and also some cans of the clearest water we have in Edoras. Déor ordered me to care best for you and if you wish anything, you just have to tell me. Rohan can offer almost everything for your pleasure."
"Thank you again," Legolas replied, "we ever will hold in our hearts the kindness of the Rohirrim."
With these words Haleth put his bags on the table and the four comrades began to eat. Their meal lasted for long and the young guard indeed had to leave again to get some more food. But at the end even the Hobbits who truly were used to lots of good food were satisfied and could eat no more.
"That was good," Merry grinned yawning. "The only thing I need now is an entire night of sleep without having to keep watch. I will leave you now, see you tomorrow morning! Pippin, will you come with me?"
"Sure," the other Hobbit replied and rose. Together they both disappeared into a smaller chamber at the opposite end of the room and closed the door behind them.
"Are you going to bed now as well?" Gimli asked Legolas after Haleth had also said good-night and left. Both were sitting in front of a large fire place and the warmth was caressing their skin, something they had been missing since having left Rivendell.
"So I will do," the Elf replied, "for I am weary and seek for the friendly forgetfulness of sleep. Also, we will not have a long time to stay in Edoras. Knowing Gandalf, he will try to leave as soon as possible. Not that I mind, however."
"You are always thinking about Aragorn, aren't you?"
Legolas sighed. "So it is, he is never leaving my mind. I can feel Gandalf's fear and concern and it distracts me greatly. Indeed I wanted to believe that nothing had happened to Aragorn, but now I know for sure that it is not so. In Gandalf's eyes I can see his hopelessness and they also speak of torture and pain. He feels guilty about not being there for Aragorn when he had needed him. And this worries me deeply, for Gandalf had always been strong and full of hope, even if there seemed to be no way out. But now this has changed and fear claimed my heart."
"I know what you're speaking of," Gimli slowly answered. "I do feel like you and only the Hobbits seem to be unaware of the change in Gandalf's behavior. To them he is still the same old Gandalf from before."
Legolas did not reply. He was gazing into the fire and the flickering flames were mirrored on his face like moving shadows. His thoughts had returned to their journey, the perils they had come through, but most of it all, to the nights Aragorn and himself had sat together and talked. In these nights the warrior had revealed secrets and dreams, admitted fears he had never dared to tell the others. And he himself had done likewise. In the Man's presence he had often felt like being at home among his kindred in Mirkwood, like talking to his father or one of his brothers. 'Aragorn has always been of the quiet kind,' Legolas mused, 'never saying too much or too less, but if his counsel was needed, his answers were wise and thought-out. His life has not been long in the reckoning of the Elves, but he gained great insight in Elrond's house. I often considered him being Elvish and forgot that he was not.'
"I will leave you now," Legolas suddenly said briskly, stood up and without looking back he disappeared into the dark rear end of the house. The mentioning of Aragorn's name had destroyed his relaxed mood from before. Of course, he had been thinking about the Man for the whole time, but he never wanted to talk about his own feelings. Being an Elf, he had learned to keep them to himself if any mortal dared to ask. 'And this was the difference I experienced with Aragorn. Soon I trusted him and forgot that no Elven-blood was cursing through his veins.'
Great wonder stood in Gimli´s eyes as he watched his friend walking away. 'Never any Dwarf will understand an Elf,' he muttered, his voice clearly showing his resignation.
Hours later Gandalf woke them all to find a beautiful but cold morning. The sun was shining brightly and far away in the west the mountain ranges could be seen becoming one with the sky. No clouds cast shadows upon the land, a feeling of peace was lying in the air.
Haleth again brought a wonderful and rich breakfast, but after they had finished eating, Gandalf asked them to sit down with him and listen to the tidings he had gotten to know at his meeting with King Théoden the evening before.
The five comrades agreed and gathered in front of the fire-place where it was still warm since the flames had been rekindled ere their breakfast.
"At first the King was not pleased to see me again," the wizard began to tell, "for I often had come to Edoras and not always my tidings had been well. But still he wanted to welcome you all to Rohan and, if you had not been so weary, he would have liked to meet you. I told him of our errand and without hesitating he promised to give us horses that we would reach Minas Tirith on time. Also he was shocked to hear that the battle in Gondor would be fought sooner than everyone had thought to, and in this very moment he has his most valuable men gathering everyone who can wield a weapon and sit on a horse. A great host of Rohirrim will be sent to Minas Tirith as soon as the muster will be finished. Unfortunately this will last for two days at least and we cannot wait for so long. We have to leave before the host will be ready, otherwise I guess that we will come too late. We will stay here this day and the next night also, for I know that you all are weary, but tomorrow we will ride ere dawn comes. The King agreed and will provide us with everything we are going to need and the best horses will be given to us. King Théoden said, that he had not known about the evil fate which is waiting for Gondor. If it had it been different, he would have reacted much sooner and the Rohirrim would already be camping at the Pelennor Fields around Minas Tirith. Their friendship with the Men from Gondor has always been the most valuable one and never would he have left them to fight the Dark Lord on their own."
For some moments no one said anything, only then Gimli asked somewhat bewildered: "Gandalf, on our way to Edoras you told us about having to 'rouse King Théoden out of his sleep' and now everything sounds like it was far easier to handle than you have thought to. I do not understand this, for you were here often and knew the king well, but your guess in this matter seems to have been completely wrong."
"Alas, my dear Dwarf, I just shortened our conversation in order not to bore you! Indeed you are right: I needed many hours and a great will to persuade the old king to do what I wanted him to. For years he has been relying on people who gave wrong and cowardly counsel. Indeed I had to wake him from a deep sleep in which he noticed naught of the things going on, but now he is alert and even wants to lead his host to battle himself."
" A great king indeed," Legolas said, "He does not deserve to die in darkness and even if the ride to Gondor will be his last deed, at least he then will have risen from the shadows to a last fair morning."
The others nodded quietly. The Elf's words were true and everyone considered the old king lucky to achieve great glory in his last days, even greater than he had had before, although he had been known as an outstanding leader of his people.
"Use this day like it pleases you," Gandalf then said, "since I warned you that there will be no delay tomorrow. Gather your things this evening and be ready to ride before dawn. I again will talk to King Théoden about the things coming."
The comrades save the wizard spent their day strolling around in the city, and watching the Rohirrim doing their work. Although the air was cold and things were already being made ready for winter, the sun was shining. The stables for the horses were cleaned and slowly the herds were driven towards Edoras. During the summer they had been grazing on the green plains some hours from the city, but in the winter the Rohirrim wanted to have their beloved animals with them. To the Men of Rohan the horses were like family and most of them would die for their sake.
Haleth again brought food for them in the evening and wished good luck for their ride to Gondor. He would not come to see them again for he had to help stabling the horses. Soon the friends went to sleep, none wanted to linger to be ready for the strenuous way to Minas Tirith.
A/N: Some annotations? Improvements? Critics? Please tell me!