A/N: Thank you for the reviews, I really appreciate them! In these chapters there will be some spoilers to The Two Towers and a lot of made up things since I don't have a very good memory since the movie was nearly 4 hours long! This will also have major spoilers for the last installation of The Return of the King since I have to write this whole thing since I can never get away from it! So enjoy! Remember this is mixed in with some of the movie and book along with my imagination!
*Meg*
PS~ Hobbits rule!
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Time had passed quickly for everyone in the darkest hours of Middle Earth. The power of Saruman and Sauron were becoming stronger and the strength of Gondor and Rohan were fading. An evil spell had been shadowed over Riddermark and King Théoden. In search of refuge, Galadriel sent Paddamill on a quest to help the people of Rohan and foremost Éowyn the one true warrior left. Due to his distrust in Grima, Theodens adviser, Éomer was told to leave and had no say what so ever. Éowyn was left to fend for herself and hope things would get better. With no time to lose, Galadriel set her off on an adventure she'd never forget, especially in the last days of the One Ring.
Kuhthump Kuhthump Kuhthump Kahthump. Menyagûl came to a halt once it reached the steps leading up to the castle of Rohan. The sense Paddamill got was less than inviting. Even Menyagûl neighed at the sight of the doors. Paddamill looked down at her horse's man and patted his head.
"Come on now, we have to help her." Paddamill ignored the sights she was getting by the Rohirrim people as she rode into the village. They had never seen a woman ride in on a Black stallion with the look and feel of a soldier coming home from battle. It was a sight having the kings niece acting as a strong warrior, but a newcomer with who knew what kind of power was just suspicious and downright odd. Paddamill grabbed her bags from her horse as she took a long look up at the castle that stood high over the village with it's torn flag waving wildly. Paddamill swallowed her fear and looked back to her horse. "It's just a castle..." Paddamill whispered trying to gain the strength in her stomach to actually go up and say hello to someone she hadn't seen in more than ten years. Paddamill took a moment to breathe in and out allowing her hands to stop shaking. "Here it goes..." Paddamill frowned turning to face the steps. Slowly and very cautiously, she walked up to the large wooden doors and knocked three times.
The sounds of soft footsteps came to a halt once the door began to open slowly it creaked loudly on its old rusted hinges as the person opened it halfway. A streak of blonde hair flew out from the hard winds and the face of a woman stood pale with red eyes. Her gray dress shook in waves as she stood there watching the unfamiliar shield maiden holding a large leather bag with dirt smeared on her face. The female didn't even look tired, but energized.
"Who are you?" The blonde woman asked in a soft but hard voice.
"I am the Great Niece of Galadriel and Celeborn. I've been sent here to help you." Éowyn frowned looking at the happy face of Paddamill who stood outside of the castle. She was dressed like a warrior yet looked so feminine. Her clash of neutral colors were soiled in dirt from heavy travel and her dark hair pulled back in a tight knot had pieces falling out showing signs of struggle on the journey. And the handle of her large sword stuck out from underneath the brown wool cloak, she could only guess it was probably aching to be cleaned. Éowyn took in her soldier atmosphere as she continued to look at her. The woman looked vaguely familiar, but she ignored the thought and continued.
"We don't need any of your help." Éowyn began to close the castle doors but was stopped by Paddamill's hand. She was stronger than she appeared.
"Your uncle..." Éowyn stopped trying to close the doors and looked at the ground "has been bewitched. You say you don't need my help? Then why is Wormtongue still beside King Théoden posing as his adviser? Why is King Théoden and all of Edoras still under a dark cloud?" Éowyn looked up to her face in confusion. Paddamill began to grin. "Éomer and I have already exchanged words. He tells me that your cousin is ill? Allow me to help you." Paddamill offered with her right hand being held out. She looked around then leaned in and looked Éowyn directly in the eyes.
"I promise we will defeat Saruman." For a moment neither of them did nothing. Paddamill leaned to the left to look inside she saw that nobody was around to hear their conversation. With a quick sigh and without much resistance Éowyn allowed Paddamill to walk into the eerie castle. She had no other choice. Her uncle had been so ill and so cold recently she couldn't help but think that Saruman had something to do with this. A power such as the elves could at least do something. Although Paddamill wasn't an elf, she had elf kin and that would come very handy if a war broke out, which was very likely. Paddamill took off her black fingerless gloves and stretched her neck to look around. As Éowyn shut the doors Paddamill turned. "You look all grown up."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The sun was now gone and the cold air from outside was blocked by the fire in Paddamill's room she would be established in for the time. Éowyn had been a great help the rest of the day, introducing her to the allies and allowing her to see her ill cousin. They had talked all day of what had been going on around the village and of the many arguments she had been having with Gríma. The best part of the day for both of the girls were catching up on their lives. It came to a surprise when Éowyn found out that her good friend was with her. It were as if Paddamill's presence made things seem all better it might've been how warm and forthcoming Paddamill was or the fact Éowyn hadn't had contact with a female in months. As good and relaxing it was to have another female around in the back of their minds they knew friendship couldn't destroy evil as powerful as this. Paddamill placed her weapons in a chair next to her bed listening to her friend speak.
"He has been this way for so many days I can't remember when he was normal. He doesn't speak to me and when he does it is only what Wormtongue tells him." Éowyn fluttered around the room placing Paddamill's things in appropriate places and trying to think of what to do. The stress was showing and her neglect of sleep was making her weak. All day she had been running around, avoiding Grìma, helping out Paddamill, planning ways to flee the city if a possible war came. It was all so frustrating. Paddamill walked over to the bureau and stopped Éowyn from hurling a large decorative statue at the wall out of frustration.
"Éowyn, you must calm down." Paddamill warned grabbing her shoulders. "Everything will be fine if you just trust me and get some rest. Lack of sleep only makes you more irritable and weak and we cannot have that. We must be strong and not fall under the spell of Wormtongue."
"Paddamill you are our only hope if we fail then all of Rohan and Edoras will be overcome by Saruman." Éowyn sighed rubbing her eyes. "If that happens I don't know what will happen to my Uncle."
"I will take care of it." Paddamill sympathetically said to her. "You go get some sleep we have an early start tomorrow we have no time to lose if we want to find out about what is going on." Éowyn sighed out quickly and nodded with defeat.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. But how can two people, such as ourselves, overcome two powerful men?"
"Éowyn, you mustn't worry about that right now! We need to take things slowly. I want you to worry about how perfect your bed is going to look when you wake up tomorrow morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated." Éowyn sighed out with relaxation for the first time in almost a month. She looked up to Paddamill.
"Yes, I'll do that. Good night Paddamill." Paddamill smiled as she hugged her goodnight. "It is so good to have you here." Paddamill smiled allowing Éowyn's kindness to sink in. Once they parted, Éowyn turned and walked over towards her door and gave her a quick wave then quickly walked out of the room. Paddamill stopped smiling and let out a sigh. She didn't really know what she was doing. Promising Éowyn such a thing as defeat against Wormtongue was risky but she knew that help was quickly on its way, she knew they had to be. Paddamill walked over to her dresser and pulled off her dirty parka walking over to the tub of hot steaming water Éowyn's servants had made for her.
After taking a hot bath she quickly dried off and found something to wear. She hadn't felt so clean and refreshed since her trip to Rivendell many months ago. Thinking on it now, it seemed as if she hadn't been to Rivendell in years. Everything felt so distant now. The trip to Rivendell, her families death, even kissing Aragorn. She moaned out in exhaustion. She didn't want to think of him or anything about him. Paddamill knew that if she saw him or even thought of him her loneliness would get the best of her. To fight it off Paddamill decided to go pay a visit to the ill Féoden. Prayer after prayer Paddamill knew the hope for his life to be restored was beyond reach. For nearly twenty minutes she sat in pure silence mentally praying and hoping for the best. It was so cold in the room she wondered why nobody built a fire. Paddamill didn't know where the wood was so she could only do a little elvin magic. Paddamill looked around the room and then grinned. She didn't think Féoden could tell anyone even as mean as that felt to think. With a small sigh Paddamill grabbed a velvet bag and poured out the crystal powder.
"Véogin Fallayen morgotsûn." Paddamill whispered then opened her eyes. She blew the powder into the fireplace and instantly a fire blazed. With a smile Paddamill stood up and tied the bag and placed it back into her pocket. Paddamill turned and sat back down beside the dying boy and grabbed the silver bowl she had placed on the floor. She poured the elixir Galadriel gave her and dipped the white cloth into the clear liquid.
Once the tall mahogany door shut Paddamill let go of the brass handle. Éowyn's cousin was deathly ill, Paddamill thought as she exited his room. In hopes of helping him, Paddamill brought a magical potion that would give someone the strength of a wild boar if poured into the wounds. Paddamill had cleansed his wounds in the magic liquid only to realize that he was too ill to ever fully recover. To be honest he should have been dead days ago. She had just prolonged his life, giving him the power to stay alive for a possible two days.
"His heart is too weak." She whispered sadly to herself as she held the leather canteen that contained the remaining liquid.
"Yeees exactly what I thought." Paddamill gave out a small gasp of surprise when she heard the drawl of agreement. She looked up in front of her to see Grìma leaning on the wall obviously spying on her. "But poor Éowyn," Grìma stood up and held out his hands gesturing as he spoke. He stopped in front of Paddamill and gave a hoarse laugh. "she can't seem to realize it." Paddamill looked down avoiding eye contact. She felt his cold hands touch her bare shoulders sending shivers of fright up her spine "She is hopeless. She holds on to the dead. I mean you and I already understand his condition. How long do you give him?" Grìma asked Paddamill as a taunt. He knew that Paddamill was trying to save him. And that she was planning to try and get Grìma away from Théoden even thrown out of the city.
"I can't say." Paddamill stiffened her back as Grìma began to walk around her. "Sometimes people can just miraculously recover."
"So I have heard. But how long do you give him?" Paddamill swallowed feeling frightened at his hard voice and attacking movements. She could feel his face nuzzle against her hair smelling its exotic scent. It only made her more worried.
"Several days..." She paused so she could breathe "maybe-"
"And what if he dies tomorrow, hmm?" Grìma stopped walking around her and grabbed her shoulders from behind. Paddamill felt her stomach tighten and her pulse quicken.
"I don't think he will."
"Oh I do! As a matter of fact I think he could die right now." Paddamill frowned gaining control over her fear. Although she might regret it later she moved out of his painful grip and turned to face his ugliness. He stood there with a grin on his face, his greasy hair falling into his eyes, and his yellow teeth shine from the low lighting. It was obvious he could smell and sense her fright.
"Are you threatening me?" Paddamill asked feeling lightheaded from holding her breath.
"Threat? Oh my sweet little lamb why would I threaten such a beauty?" Grìma reached to touch her cheek with his right hand but Paddamill turned her head the other way.
Grìma held out his right hand laughing lowly at her action. Paddamill looked to the right seeing that his hand was still reached out for her face from the corner of her left eye. She swallowed the lump in her throat as he continued to laugh the laugh that made her want to vomit. His perverse eyes that watched Éowyn and her continuously Paddamill realized her hair was tied into a knot leaving her thin neck open to grab and choke her. It was then she felt the cold of the hallway hitting her, making chills and giving her a feeling of being naked. Grìma allowed his laugh to settle into a low sigh. Paddamill gasped when he grabbed her chin with his hand and forced her to look at him. He was now pressing his body against hers and looking into her eyes with pure evil. He grinned as Paddamill watched in pain and fright.
"Threat wouldn't be the word! I can kill him! I am going to kill him!" Paddamill frowned trying to push him off but the tight grip he had on her jaw only hurt worse when she moved. "Do not stand in my way, Paddamill." He breathed heavily as he spoke. She felt is hot breath on her face as he spoke just mere inches away from her face. "King Théoden is under my rule, he will not listen to you! And if you try to do anything funny just remember that I have the power to kill you and Éowyn. I have the power not you!" Paddamill looked into his eyes that were filled with rage and hatred. If he were to squeeze her jaw any harder it might've broken like an egg. "Remember that! I am in control and not even your fancy Elf spells cannot stop that." Grìma bent forward and kissed her puckered lips aggressively. Paddamill tried to recoil but the pain in her face was far too great. He then pulled back and gave her one last glimpse. "Sweet dreams my pretty." He then pushed her to the left letting go of her face and dashed down the hall.
Paddamill stumbled the way he had pushed her until her back hit the wall. She looked to her right to see him walk around the corner. She frowned feeling the pain course through her face and down her neck from his powerful grip and powerful push. Paddamill looked down to the floor and touched her jaw. All the talking she did to convince herself that she could uncover Grìma's secret was now gone and had turned completely to doubt. He was right. He was too powerful and too strong to be taken down. She had just witnessed it first hand...literally.
Slowly, Paddamill bent down and picked up the canteen of elixir she had dropped when she was attacked. Paddamill sat holding it in her hand as she looked over to the dying son's room. Was Grìma going to kill him? Paddamill could only take his threats seriously. If Galadriel was right, then the elixir would prolong his life for at least a little longer. Hopefully nothing bad would happen.
Quickly, Paddamill stood and ran towards her room. With a slight push the door swung open revealing her warm room. For a moment she glanced around as if thinking. She turned around to face the door and look down at the black skeleton key sticking out of the rusted keyhole. With a quick turn she heard it lock and for the first time that night she felt full relief. Paddamill tried to put the recent event behind her for the night as she put away the elixir.
"What am I to do?" She asked herself as she walked over to the fireplace and grabbed a bucket that contained the soot from previous fires. Paddamill had picked it up and poured the soot on the fire smothering the flames. In that sudden moment of quick darkness it felt cold and lonely. Like her many late night travels that she had planned perfectly so she would not run into any orc kind. Soon Paddamill said her prayers and got up off her knees and pulled down the sheets to her bed. Her day had been long and filled with many questions. Sleep could only overwhelm her aching body as she felt the coolness of the satin sheets and fluffiness of the pillows.
As she let out a comfortable sigh she could only look up at the dark ceiling thinking of the people she missed most. For nearly a month Paddamill had wondered about her friends. Times were quickly passing and the hopes she had saved up in her heart to see everyone again were quickly fading. The days were getting darker and the feeling of war was so close to everyone, if mentioned it could cause panic. It was on everyone's doorstep yet nobody would dare to speak of it. Paddamill was beginning to suspect that the peace of Middle Earth was soon to be disrupted and all would perish into eternal slavery. Paddamill rolled on her left side and looked out the window. Off in the far distance she could see a flame. It was very low and very far off but it was a sign of hope. Paddamill raised her head in suspicion and in curiosity.
"Could it be?" She dared to whisper as she pushed herself up in the bed and quickly flew the sheets off her legs. The cold floor sent shivers up her spine as she crossed the room towards the window. With one quick movement she flung the lace curtains back and the windows open. The cool night air stung her warm face like the drizzle of hard rain she had felt the day she found her family slewed. Paddamill had keen eyesight brought on by her father and at this moment she first noticed.
"Please be you Aragorn. I need you most of all now." Paddamill leaned on the window's frame and closed her eyes silently praying. She needed him. She wanted him. Ever since she left he had been in her mind every second and the aching she had in her stomach was killing her.
Although her whispers were quiet low, someone could still hear. Outside of her bedchambers stood Grìma with his left ear pressed against the door. Her secret was out. She had no true power, how could a little girl take on such a powerful man. Quickly he stepped back and looked at the dark mahogany doors proud of his spying and of his threats. He would come out of this battle alive unfortunately he knew she could not. Grìma turned to the left and walked in Féoden's chamber and saw him lying on the bed still as the air. He could only smile with triumph as he closed the doors. The dark hall was empty nobody was around the only people watching the hall were the paintings of many noble warriors who had died fighting and even the black sheep Isildur. The sound of the door locking made a slight 'click' and echoed to nothing as the night crept on.
*Meg*
PS~ Hobbits rule!
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Time had passed quickly for everyone in the darkest hours of Middle Earth. The power of Saruman and Sauron were becoming stronger and the strength of Gondor and Rohan were fading. An evil spell had been shadowed over Riddermark and King Théoden. In search of refuge, Galadriel sent Paddamill on a quest to help the people of Rohan and foremost Éowyn the one true warrior left. Due to his distrust in Grima, Theodens adviser, Éomer was told to leave and had no say what so ever. Éowyn was left to fend for herself and hope things would get better. With no time to lose, Galadriel set her off on an adventure she'd never forget, especially in the last days of the One Ring.
Kuhthump Kuhthump Kuhthump Kahthump. Menyagûl came to a halt once it reached the steps leading up to the castle of Rohan. The sense Paddamill got was less than inviting. Even Menyagûl neighed at the sight of the doors. Paddamill looked down at her horse's man and patted his head.
"Come on now, we have to help her." Paddamill ignored the sights she was getting by the Rohirrim people as she rode into the village. They had never seen a woman ride in on a Black stallion with the look and feel of a soldier coming home from battle. It was a sight having the kings niece acting as a strong warrior, but a newcomer with who knew what kind of power was just suspicious and downright odd. Paddamill grabbed her bags from her horse as she took a long look up at the castle that stood high over the village with it's torn flag waving wildly. Paddamill swallowed her fear and looked back to her horse. "It's just a castle..." Paddamill whispered trying to gain the strength in her stomach to actually go up and say hello to someone she hadn't seen in more than ten years. Paddamill took a moment to breathe in and out allowing her hands to stop shaking. "Here it goes..." Paddamill frowned turning to face the steps. Slowly and very cautiously, she walked up to the large wooden doors and knocked three times.
The sounds of soft footsteps came to a halt once the door began to open slowly it creaked loudly on its old rusted hinges as the person opened it halfway. A streak of blonde hair flew out from the hard winds and the face of a woman stood pale with red eyes. Her gray dress shook in waves as she stood there watching the unfamiliar shield maiden holding a large leather bag with dirt smeared on her face. The female didn't even look tired, but energized.
"Who are you?" The blonde woman asked in a soft but hard voice.
"I am the Great Niece of Galadriel and Celeborn. I've been sent here to help you." Éowyn frowned looking at the happy face of Paddamill who stood outside of the castle. She was dressed like a warrior yet looked so feminine. Her clash of neutral colors were soiled in dirt from heavy travel and her dark hair pulled back in a tight knot had pieces falling out showing signs of struggle on the journey. And the handle of her large sword stuck out from underneath the brown wool cloak, she could only guess it was probably aching to be cleaned. Éowyn took in her soldier atmosphere as she continued to look at her. The woman looked vaguely familiar, but she ignored the thought and continued.
"We don't need any of your help." Éowyn began to close the castle doors but was stopped by Paddamill's hand. She was stronger than she appeared.
"Your uncle..." Éowyn stopped trying to close the doors and looked at the ground "has been bewitched. You say you don't need my help? Then why is Wormtongue still beside King Théoden posing as his adviser? Why is King Théoden and all of Edoras still under a dark cloud?" Éowyn looked up to her face in confusion. Paddamill began to grin. "Éomer and I have already exchanged words. He tells me that your cousin is ill? Allow me to help you." Paddamill offered with her right hand being held out. She looked around then leaned in and looked Éowyn directly in the eyes.
"I promise we will defeat Saruman." For a moment neither of them did nothing. Paddamill leaned to the left to look inside she saw that nobody was around to hear their conversation. With a quick sigh and without much resistance Éowyn allowed Paddamill to walk into the eerie castle. She had no other choice. Her uncle had been so ill and so cold recently she couldn't help but think that Saruman had something to do with this. A power such as the elves could at least do something. Although Paddamill wasn't an elf, she had elf kin and that would come very handy if a war broke out, which was very likely. Paddamill took off her black fingerless gloves and stretched her neck to look around. As Éowyn shut the doors Paddamill turned. "You look all grown up."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The sun was now gone and the cold air from outside was blocked by the fire in Paddamill's room she would be established in for the time. Éowyn had been a great help the rest of the day, introducing her to the allies and allowing her to see her ill cousin. They had talked all day of what had been going on around the village and of the many arguments she had been having with Gríma. The best part of the day for both of the girls were catching up on their lives. It came to a surprise when Éowyn found out that her good friend was with her. It were as if Paddamill's presence made things seem all better it might've been how warm and forthcoming Paddamill was or the fact Éowyn hadn't had contact with a female in months. As good and relaxing it was to have another female around in the back of their minds they knew friendship couldn't destroy evil as powerful as this. Paddamill placed her weapons in a chair next to her bed listening to her friend speak.
"He has been this way for so many days I can't remember when he was normal. He doesn't speak to me and when he does it is only what Wormtongue tells him." Éowyn fluttered around the room placing Paddamill's things in appropriate places and trying to think of what to do. The stress was showing and her neglect of sleep was making her weak. All day she had been running around, avoiding Grìma, helping out Paddamill, planning ways to flee the city if a possible war came. It was all so frustrating. Paddamill walked over to the bureau and stopped Éowyn from hurling a large decorative statue at the wall out of frustration.
"Éowyn, you must calm down." Paddamill warned grabbing her shoulders. "Everything will be fine if you just trust me and get some rest. Lack of sleep only makes you more irritable and weak and we cannot have that. We must be strong and not fall under the spell of Wormtongue."
"Paddamill you are our only hope if we fail then all of Rohan and Edoras will be overcome by Saruman." Éowyn sighed rubbing her eyes. "If that happens I don't know what will happen to my Uncle."
"I will take care of it." Paddamill sympathetically said to her. "You go get some sleep we have an early start tomorrow we have no time to lose if we want to find out about what is going on." Éowyn sighed out quickly and nodded with defeat.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. But how can two people, such as ourselves, overcome two powerful men?"
"Éowyn, you mustn't worry about that right now! We need to take things slowly. I want you to worry about how perfect your bed is going to look when you wake up tomorrow morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated." Éowyn sighed out with relaxation for the first time in almost a month. She looked up to Paddamill.
"Yes, I'll do that. Good night Paddamill." Paddamill smiled as she hugged her goodnight. "It is so good to have you here." Paddamill smiled allowing Éowyn's kindness to sink in. Once they parted, Éowyn turned and walked over towards her door and gave her a quick wave then quickly walked out of the room. Paddamill stopped smiling and let out a sigh. She didn't really know what she was doing. Promising Éowyn such a thing as defeat against Wormtongue was risky but she knew that help was quickly on its way, she knew they had to be. Paddamill walked over to her dresser and pulled off her dirty parka walking over to the tub of hot steaming water Éowyn's servants had made for her.
After taking a hot bath she quickly dried off and found something to wear. She hadn't felt so clean and refreshed since her trip to Rivendell many months ago. Thinking on it now, it seemed as if she hadn't been to Rivendell in years. Everything felt so distant now. The trip to Rivendell, her families death, even kissing Aragorn. She moaned out in exhaustion. She didn't want to think of him or anything about him. Paddamill knew that if she saw him or even thought of him her loneliness would get the best of her. To fight it off Paddamill decided to go pay a visit to the ill Féoden. Prayer after prayer Paddamill knew the hope for his life to be restored was beyond reach. For nearly twenty minutes she sat in pure silence mentally praying and hoping for the best. It was so cold in the room she wondered why nobody built a fire. Paddamill didn't know where the wood was so she could only do a little elvin magic. Paddamill looked around the room and then grinned. She didn't think Féoden could tell anyone even as mean as that felt to think. With a small sigh Paddamill grabbed a velvet bag and poured out the crystal powder.
"Véogin Fallayen morgotsûn." Paddamill whispered then opened her eyes. She blew the powder into the fireplace and instantly a fire blazed. With a smile Paddamill stood up and tied the bag and placed it back into her pocket. Paddamill turned and sat back down beside the dying boy and grabbed the silver bowl she had placed on the floor. She poured the elixir Galadriel gave her and dipped the white cloth into the clear liquid.
Once the tall mahogany door shut Paddamill let go of the brass handle. Éowyn's cousin was deathly ill, Paddamill thought as she exited his room. In hopes of helping him, Paddamill brought a magical potion that would give someone the strength of a wild boar if poured into the wounds. Paddamill had cleansed his wounds in the magic liquid only to realize that he was too ill to ever fully recover. To be honest he should have been dead days ago. She had just prolonged his life, giving him the power to stay alive for a possible two days.
"His heart is too weak." She whispered sadly to herself as she held the leather canteen that contained the remaining liquid.
"Yeees exactly what I thought." Paddamill gave out a small gasp of surprise when she heard the drawl of agreement. She looked up in front of her to see Grìma leaning on the wall obviously spying on her. "But poor Éowyn," Grìma stood up and held out his hands gesturing as he spoke. He stopped in front of Paddamill and gave a hoarse laugh. "she can't seem to realize it." Paddamill looked down avoiding eye contact. She felt his cold hands touch her bare shoulders sending shivers of fright up her spine "She is hopeless. She holds on to the dead. I mean you and I already understand his condition. How long do you give him?" Grìma asked Paddamill as a taunt. He knew that Paddamill was trying to save him. And that she was planning to try and get Grìma away from Théoden even thrown out of the city.
"I can't say." Paddamill stiffened her back as Grìma began to walk around her. "Sometimes people can just miraculously recover."
"So I have heard. But how long do you give him?" Paddamill swallowed feeling frightened at his hard voice and attacking movements. She could feel his face nuzzle against her hair smelling its exotic scent. It only made her more worried.
"Several days..." She paused so she could breathe "maybe-"
"And what if he dies tomorrow, hmm?" Grìma stopped walking around her and grabbed her shoulders from behind. Paddamill felt her stomach tighten and her pulse quicken.
"I don't think he will."
"Oh I do! As a matter of fact I think he could die right now." Paddamill frowned gaining control over her fear. Although she might regret it later she moved out of his painful grip and turned to face his ugliness. He stood there with a grin on his face, his greasy hair falling into his eyes, and his yellow teeth shine from the low lighting. It was obvious he could smell and sense her fright.
"Are you threatening me?" Paddamill asked feeling lightheaded from holding her breath.
"Threat? Oh my sweet little lamb why would I threaten such a beauty?" Grìma reached to touch her cheek with his right hand but Paddamill turned her head the other way.
Grìma held out his right hand laughing lowly at her action. Paddamill looked to the right seeing that his hand was still reached out for her face from the corner of her left eye. She swallowed the lump in her throat as he continued to laugh the laugh that made her want to vomit. His perverse eyes that watched Éowyn and her continuously Paddamill realized her hair was tied into a knot leaving her thin neck open to grab and choke her. It was then she felt the cold of the hallway hitting her, making chills and giving her a feeling of being naked. Grìma allowed his laugh to settle into a low sigh. Paddamill gasped when he grabbed her chin with his hand and forced her to look at him. He was now pressing his body against hers and looking into her eyes with pure evil. He grinned as Paddamill watched in pain and fright.
"Threat wouldn't be the word! I can kill him! I am going to kill him!" Paddamill frowned trying to push him off but the tight grip he had on her jaw only hurt worse when she moved. "Do not stand in my way, Paddamill." He breathed heavily as he spoke. She felt is hot breath on her face as he spoke just mere inches away from her face. "King Théoden is under my rule, he will not listen to you! And if you try to do anything funny just remember that I have the power to kill you and Éowyn. I have the power not you!" Paddamill looked into his eyes that were filled with rage and hatred. If he were to squeeze her jaw any harder it might've broken like an egg. "Remember that! I am in control and not even your fancy Elf spells cannot stop that." Grìma bent forward and kissed her puckered lips aggressively. Paddamill tried to recoil but the pain in her face was far too great. He then pulled back and gave her one last glimpse. "Sweet dreams my pretty." He then pushed her to the left letting go of her face and dashed down the hall.
Paddamill stumbled the way he had pushed her until her back hit the wall. She looked to her right to see him walk around the corner. She frowned feeling the pain course through her face and down her neck from his powerful grip and powerful push. Paddamill looked down to the floor and touched her jaw. All the talking she did to convince herself that she could uncover Grìma's secret was now gone and had turned completely to doubt. He was right. He was too powerful and too strong to be taken down. She had just witnessed it first hand...literally.
Slowly, Paddamill bent down and picked up the canteen of elixir she had dropped when she was attacked. Paddamill sat holding it in her hand as she looked over to the dying son's room. Was Grìma going to kill him? Paddamill could only take his threats seriously. If Galadriel was right, then the elixir would prolong his life for at least a little longer. Hopefully nothing bad would happen.
Quickly, Paddamill stood and ran towards her room. With a slight push the door swung open revealing her warm room. For a moment she glanced around as if thinking. She turned around to face the door and look down at the black skeleton key sticking out of the rusted keyhole. With a quick turn she heard it lock and for the first time that night she felt full relief. Paddamill tried to put the recent event behind her for the night as she put away the elixir.
"What am I to do?" She asked herself as she walked over to the fireplace and grabbed a bucket that contained the soot from previous fires. Paddamill had picked it up and poured the soot on the fire smothering the flames. In that sudden moment of quick darkness it felt cold and lonely. Like her many late night travels that she had planned perfectly so she would not run into any orc kind. Soon Paddamill said her prayers and got up off her knees and pulled down the sheets to her bed. Her day had been long and filled with many questions. Sleep could only overwhelm her aching body as she felt the coolness of the satin sheets and fluffiness of the pillows.
As she let out a comfortable sigh she could only look up at the dark ceiling thinking of the people she missed most. For nearly a month Paddamill had wondered about her friends. Times were quickly passing and the hopes she had saved up in her heart to see everyone again were quickly fading. The days were getting darker and the feeling of war was so close to everyone, if mentioned it could cause panic. It was on everyone's doorstep yet nobody would dare to speak of it. Paddamill was beginning to suspect that the peace of Middle Earth was soon to be disrupted and all would perish into eternal slavery. Paddamill rolled on her left side and looked out the window. Off in the far distance she could see a flame. It was very low and very far off but it was a sign of hope. Paddamill raised her head in suspicion and in curiosity.
"Could it be?" She dared to whisper as she pushed herself up in the bed and quickly flew the sheets off her legs. The cold floor sent shivers up her spine as she crossed the room towards the window. With one quick movement she flung the lace curtains back and the windows open. The cool night air stung her warm face like the drizzle of hard rain she had felt the day she found her family slewed. Paddamill had keen eyesight brought on by her father and at this moment she first noticed.
"Please be you Aragorn. I need you most of all now." Paddamill leaned on the window's frame and closed her eyes silently praying. She needed him. She wanted him. Ever since she left he had been in her mind every second and the aching she had in her stomach was killing her.
Although her whispers were quiet low, someone could still hear. Outside of her bedchambers stood Grìma with his left ear pressed against the door. Her secret was out. She had no true power, how could a little girl take on such a powerful man. Quickly he stepped back and looked at the dark mahogany doors proud of his spying and of his threats. He would come out of this battle alive unfortunately he knew she could not. Grìma turned to the left and walked in Féoden's chamber and saw him lying on the bed still as the air. He could only smile with triumph as he closed the doors. The dark hall was empty nobody was around the only people watching the hall were the paintings of many noble warriors who had died fighting and even the black sheep Isildur. The sound of the door locking made a slight 'click' and echoed to nothing as the night crept on.
