The remaining Fellowship turned back to their hunt. The horses set
off at a brisk pace in the direction of the Fangorn Forest, looming closer
in their eyes, a thick smoke still rising to one side of the trees, where
Eomer had said the Uruk-Hai burning had taken place.
They finally reached the trees and dismounted. When Aragorn came to help him back to the ground, Gimli was ecstatic to be back on his own two feet. Dawn stood by Lightfoot, covering her mouth and nose from the stench of the burning bodies. Aragorn and Legolas stood to the side, looking about for signs of life, but Gimli began to pick his way through the smoking rubble with an axe. He came across something and held it up for the others to see.
It was the softest Dawn had ever heard his gruff voice. "One of the elven belts."
The realisation swept over them as one. Dawn's legs collapsed from beneath her, her body shaking with silent sobs as she huddled on the ground. "We failed them," Gimli said. Legolas stood still, his head bowed, eyes closed and hand over his heart. "Hiro ith ab wanath," he murmured. Dawn absently wondered what that meant. Aragorn's voice cut through the eerie silence of the moment. He let out a great, tortured yell and kicked at a nearby helmet.
The Ranger sank to his knees. Something on the ground caught his attention. "A Hobbit lay here," he realised sadly, indicating a patch of bent grass, and the space next to it. "And the other."
He looked and realised that the tracks went further. He began to follow them, working the puzzle aloud as he went. "They crawled... their bonds were cut..." he stood, breaking into a run in his excitement at what the tracks might mean. The others watched, barely daring to hope Aragorn was right.
"The tracks lead away from the battle!" Suddenly, he stopped and found himself staring up at the edge of the ominous forest. "... Into Fangorn Forest."
"Fangorn Forest," Gimli breathed. "What madness drove them in there?"
Dawn's tears of sorrow had quickly become tears of happiness. She bounced up to her feet. "But they're alive! What could be so bad about this Fangorn Forest? All we gotta do is go in there and get 'em out."
"Dawn may not know the evils of Fangorn, but she is right," Aragorn said. "We must follow them."
Everyone was in agreement to this without question. They ploughed straight into the trees. Less than two minutes after stepping under the first of the eaves of the Fangorn, Dawn turned to Legolas. "Ok, I get it now. This place is maxi-wig territory," she shivered. It felt as if the trees were watching her every move.
Legolas cocked an eyebrow at her terminology and she gave him a grim smile.
"Let's just say that if I had spidey senses, they'd be going nuts right about now."
Legolas nodded his sympathy at her discomfort. "Yes, this Forest is old- very old. Full of memory. And anger." He took her hand and they walked for a while together. Aragorn was too involved in tracking the Hobbits and Gimli too caught up in his own discomfort to notice the familiarity that Dawn and Legolas had settled into.
They heard a terrible grumbling all around them. Gimli lifted his axe with a cry and the grumbling deepened.
"Gimli- lower your axe!" Aragorn hissed at him.
"Oh," the Dwarf said, instantly obeying.
Legolas, meanwhile, had dropped Dawn's hand and moved ahead a little.
"Aragorn, nad na ennas," he said with some urgency in his soft voice.
"Man cenich?" Aragorn replied.
Dawn looked at Gimli and shrugged as if to say, 'I don't know what the hell they're talking about either'.
"The White Wizard approaches," Legolas said.
"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us," Aragorn reminded them all urgently. All hands flew to weapons of choice.
On Aragorn's signal, they gave a great yell and tried to attack. But a bright white glow came from the Wizard and Legolas found his arrow harmlessly deflected away, as was Gimli's axe. Both Aragorn and Dawn cried out in pain, dropping their swords, which had become red-hot in their hands. They stared as a figure became apparent in the glow, though his face was still concealed.
Dawn clutched her burnt fingers to her chest as a deep, unsettling voice began to speak.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two Hobbits. They passed this way, the day before yesterday. They met with someone whom they did not expect to. Does that give you comfort?"
"Who are you? Show yourself," Aragorn demanded.
Three of them gasped as the Wizard stepped out of the light. Gimli and Legolas bowed in the ways of their people. Aragorn stared in disbelief. Dawn, still clutching her fingers, looked at them as if they had lost their minds.
"It cannot be," Aragorn murmured. "You fell."
"Through fire, and water," Gandalf replied and quickly related his defeat of the Balrog, and his return from death.
He looked at the four companions, not surprised in the least at the first sight of Dawn. "I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
"Gandalf!" Aragorn said.
The Wizard's forehead creased, as if remembering something long forgotten to him. Slowly, he spoke. "Gandalf? Yes, I remember. That was my name, Gandalf the Grey."
The Dwarf nodded happily. "Gandalf," he echoed Aragorn.
A twinkle came into Gandalf's eye. "I am Gandalf the White," he told them. He looked at Dawn. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my dear Miss Summers- Galadriel spoke well of you."
Dawn smiled nervously. "Hey..." she said lamely. She could do little more than stare up at the Wizard in wonder as he gave messages to the others from Galadriel and bade that they should ride with all speed to Edoras, for war had come to Rohan. He was so majestic, almost as wondrous as the Lady of Light herself. He promised that Merry and Pippin were safe in the keeping of the Ents for the time being and led them from Fangorn Forest.
* * * * *
As they rode up to the gates of Edoras, Gandalf cautioned them. "Do not look for welcome here."
Aragorn nodded. He'd sensed the evil settled over Rohan the second they'd set foot into the country some days ago. The five kept silent, riding their horses slowly up the hill, through the streets of the small rural city. At the summit stood a palace which Gandalf identified as the Golden Hall of Meduseld.
Dawn and Aragorn looked up at the palace, seeing a young woman on the steps. Dawn gasped. It was the woman she had seen in the mirror. Aragorn simply regarded her with curiosity and pity. She was coldly pretty, young and proud, but also incredibly helpless. He looked away a moment as Gimli grumbled "You'd find more cheer in a grave yard," observing the sombre citizens from his place on Arod's back behind Legolas.
When the Ranger looked back, the woman had disappeared.
They dismounted and climbed the steps to the doors of the palace.
"Ah," Gandalf said as a guard stood in front of them.
"I am the Doorward of Theoden. Hama is my name," the guard declared. "Here I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter. By order of... Grima Wormtongue."
Dawn almost snorted. What kind of name was Grima Wormtongue?
Gandalf studied the guard. He quickly assessed Hama's true character, and noted the hint of disgust in his voice as he'd spoken the name of Grima. He nodded slowly. He unsheathed his sword, Glamdring, and laid it against the wall.
Dawn sighed and handed over Me'ahyanda. Gimli and Legolas handed over their weaponry, not entirely happy with having to do so. Legolas gave a quick twirl of his twin daggers before letting them go. Aragorn found it very painful to part with Anduril. He made Hama swear that it would be touched by no-one.
Finally, Hama turned back to Gandalf. He spoke, a little embarrassed. "Your staff," he prodded.
Dawn rolled her eyes. Gandalf looked upset, leaning heavily on his staff. "You would not part an old man with his walking stick?"
Hama regarded the Wizard with wonder. He knew that the staff was powerful, and that Wormtongue had given a particular order that Gandalf should be deprived of his staff. But there was something that made him nod them through, disregarding the order.
He deliberately ignored the wink Gandalf threw slyly to Aragorn, who smothered a smile as Gandalf leaned on the Elf's arm for support. They were on their way to see the King.
"The courtesy of your Hall has lessened somewhat of late, Theoden King!" boomed Gandalf as they approached a withered old figure crumpled in a throne at the far end of the room.
The small, greasy figure next to the throne leaned in close to the King, whispering in his ear. Dawn shuddered. Grima Wormtongue, she presumed.
She couldn't help but let out a quiet "Eew," at the sight of the weasely man. Her friends smirked before controlling their expressions to hide their amusement.
The broken King looked at them through heavy eyes. "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" his gnarled voice asked.
"A just question, my liege," Grima told him when the King looked his way, almost as if he was asking for his advisor's approval.
Dawn paid the gross man no more attention. Like Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli, she began to watch from the corner of her eye as a group of sinister looking guards advanced, flanking them on either side.
Grima was still speaking. "Why indeed should we welcome you, Master Stormcrow? Lathspell I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill guest they say. Spies of the Golden Wood they are, my Lord," he hissed at Theoden. "Look at their raiment!"
Gandalf stared at the advisor. The others were still intent on the flanking guards, now close enough to attack at any moment. "The wise speak only of what they know, Grima son of Galmod. A witless worm you have become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightning falls!" Gandalf declared.
He let go of Legolas' arm and raised his staff high into the air.
"His staff," Grima was almost whining, his fear apparent. "I told you to take the Wizard's staff." He shot a look to the guards who immediately attacked.
The four had no choice but to fight a roomful of Grima's men hand to hand. Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn were throwing punches and elbows left, right and centre. Dawn found she had been overlooked by the guards. She was dimly aware of Gandalf moving forward, his path cleared by his companions. He was chanting as he approached the throne.
Dawn leapt into the fray. She knew instinctively that her friends were aiming to incapacitate, not to harm, so she settled into using wrestling moves, striking at the guards only when necessary.
Three of them had come at Aragorn simultaneously. Dawn flew over and clotheslined one, knocking him to the floor. She then turned to another and used the same hip-toss that she'd used to defeat Boromir. She grinned to herself as she felt the satisfying thunk of a body hitting the wooden floor.
Aragorn, having thrown his last remaining attacker in that group off into a wall, returned Dawn's grin. "Will you teach me how to do that?" he asked as they turned to face the next onslaught.
Legolas noticed that there were less guards attacking them now. He darted his eyes to the entrance and realised that the Doorward, Hama, had followed them in. He was holding back the guards who Legolas sensed were loyal to Theoden, not Wormtongue.
The Elf tossed his head to his left and saw that Gimli had pinned Wormtongue to the floor with his heavy foot. As the greasy man writhed beneath him, Gimli growled at him, "I would stay still if I were you."
Looking in the other direction, Legolas couldn't help but smile. Gandalf had reached the top of the dais and Theoden was shaking on his throne. Dawn and Aragorn were dispensing of the last two attacking guards. Aragorn was attempting that manoeuvre Dawn had done. He was successful, the man flew over his shoulder and thudded to the floor.
Dawn crouched and twirled, knocking the last guard down with a leg sweep. She stood, her and Aragorn quickly rejoining Legolas and Gimli. "King-guy, you kicked ass," she told the Ranger, beaming proudly at him before they turned their attention back to the throne.
Theoden was laughing sinisterly. "If I go, Theoden dies," Saruman's voice said through the King's mouth.
"You did not kill me; you will not kill him!" Gandalf retorted. "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." The Wizard redoubled his efforts to expel Saruman's essence from Theoden.
Something stirred in the room. Dawn felt herself pushed a little to the side as a slight, but strong figure brushed between her and Legolas, making her way to the King. Aragorn was quick to act. He reached out and grabbed the arm of the woman he'd seen on the stairs earlier, forcing her to remain by his side.
She stared at him through flashing icy blue eyes for a moment and tried to pull her arm free. Aragorn held tight. "Wait," he hissed at her.
An impossibly bright light blinded Dawn and all the others. Theoden was thrown back against his throne as Gandalf pointed his staff, and with a last cry from the Wizard, the body went limp. Saruman had been expelled from Theoden.
"Holy crap!" exclaimed Dawn.
There was a stunned pause in the room. Aragorn fumbled as the girl wrenched herself free of his grip and flew to the King's side. She knelt at his right hand, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Uncle?" she cried almost silently.
Slowly, the King's head lifted. It seemed as though years melted away from him as his form straightened. His eyes cleared and he began to take the form of a strong, dignified middle-aged man. A King. The woman at his side dared to breathe a sigh of relief and smile through her tears.
Theoden turned slowly to look down at her. "I know you," he realised in a tired voice. "Eowyn," he said, bringing a hand to his niece's face.
She clutched at it, crying.
"Eowyn," he said again, his recognition clearer in his strengthening voice. He smiled at her, and as he did, many lines of care were chased from his face and did not return. He stood, Eowyn at his side and turned to Gandalf.
"Breathe the free air, my friend," Gandalf told him. Theoden's eyes wandered around the room, roving over his guards, his niece, the Wizard, Gandalf's companions.... the King's eye found Wormtongue, still cowering beneath Gimli's boot.
His eyes hardened.
* * * * *
Wormtongue went flying out the doors of Meduseld, and tumbled unceremoniously down the steps. Hama stepped aside, dusting off his hands and admiring his handiwork as the traitor grovelled on his knees.
Theoden stormed down the stairs of the palace to stand over Wormtongue, the others in tow.
"I've only ever served you my Lord!" he cried.
Theoden kicked him viciously in the stomach, sending him further down the slope. "Your leechcraft ere long would've had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" he growled, his fury taking him over.
He took the sword of a nearby soldier and raised it high above his head, preparing to strike.
"No!" Aragorn cried, wrenching the sword from Theoden's grasp. "Peace, my Lord! Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
Theoden deflated, regaining control of himself as the wisdom of Aragorn's words sank in.
Dawn, standing next to Eowyn, was eyeing the woman curiously. She was not too much older than Dawn, definitely between hers and Eomer's ages. Dawn guessed she was a year or two younger than Buffy. But Dawn was suddenly very interested in the gleam that had come into Eowyn's eye when her uncle had raised the sword. She'd seen enough bloodlust in her eighteen years to know how to recognise it. Eowyn wanted that man dead. But when Aragorn had intervened, Eowyn's eyes had dropped, her cheeks colouring a little, and Dawn couldn't be sure if it was shame or something else that had effected the woman.
In a matter of moments, the Wormtongue had been banished from Rohan. The soldiers and the citizens gave a shout of joy to see their rejuvenated King. Eowyn, the White Lady of Rohan and a Shieldmaiden, had come again to her uncle's side.
"Where is Theodred?" the King asked quietly, almost to himself, the events of late still very fuzzy in his mind. "Where is my son?"
Eowyn cringed, tears springing to her eyes. She blinked them back immediately, she had already shed too many in her life, for one as strong and capable as she. Gandalf studied her face and knew immediately what the young Lady had to say. He nodded silently, urging her to find her courage and her voice.
Eowyn spoke in a quiet voice that did not falter. "My Lord... Uncle, five days ago did Eomer ride home to Edoras, bringing with him cousin Theodred who was wounded gravely. We tried to convince you to go to his chamber, but the Wormtongue's hold was too strong, and instead Eomer was banished from Rohan," she looked down a moment, then met her King's eyes squarely. She could see her uncle's eyes widen, as if he knew what she would say next.
"But this morning, my Lord, when I went to Theodred, he had died during the night. I am sorry, Uncle. Then Wormtongue accosted me in Theodred's chamber and I went away to evade him. By the time I came back to your side, Master Gandalf and his companions had arrived..." she trailed off, and Aragorn, the closest to her besides Theoden and Gandalf, watched in admiration as she swallowed her tears before they came. She was strong, which made her helplessness all the more poignant.
A light went out in Theoden's eyes.
* * * * *
They buried Theodred quickly. Gandalf stood beside the King at his only child's grave offering all his support to the grieving father. Eowyn stood a little beyond, hard and cold as she watched the body of her cousin sink into the earth. None looked close enough to see that she often squeezed her eyes shut tight, dispelling the tears that would not seem to stop welling in the icy blue pools. Dawn stood with her friends a little further back, remaining respectfully silent and distant enough to give the mourners their space.
Dawn found herself strangely affected by the sight of someone being buried. Aside from Boromir's hasty burial at sea, the last funeral she'd been to had been Buffy's, who'd died after facing the First, although the Slayer had been resurrected only months later. She thought back a little further, to her mother's funeral and cringed. Something in Dawn could not understand that she was no longer part of this mortal cycle. It almost made her sad.
Legolas looked down at the young woman by his side whom he'd come to care so deeply for. He watched as pain and confusion and sadness flitted through her bright, expressive eyes. He took her hand and felt her squeeze it gratefully.
A minute later, Theoden called Eowyn to him. He spoke to her a moment, then kissed her brow. The Shieldmaiden turned and strode purposefully towards her guests. Dawn noticed how she carried herself with dignity, even through her pain. Just like Buffy.
She bowed her head a little upon reaching them, and they returned the gesture. "My Lords, my Lady, I fear we have not properly been introduced. I am Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, the White Lady and a Shieldmaiden of Rohan."
Aragorn introduced himself and his companions. Eowyn smiled at each of them in turn before continuing.
"My uncle requests that I apologise on his behalf, you have had a long, perilous journey and have not been received properly. The King asks that you forgive the discourteous reception, and in token of our gratitude for your assistance here, that you accept what hospitality we can offer in these times."
Dawn smiled at her. Aragorn looked as if he would speak again, but she beat him to it. "We understand, Lady Eowyn. And we thank you for your generous offer, which we accept gratefully." Dawn wrinkled her nose and leaned a little closer to the other woman. "That does include a hot bath and laundry service, right?" she asked hopefully.
A genuine smile spread across Eowyn's face as she regarded the strange, slightly younger woman before her. "Yes, Lady Dawn. We shall see about your bath right away," she promised and led them all back into Meduseld.
* * * * *
R&R ~Anoron
They finally reached the trees and dismounted. When Aragorn came to help him back to the ground, Gimli was ecstatic to be back on his own two feet. Dawn stood by Lightfoot, covering her mouth and nose from the stench of the burning bodies. Aragorn and Legolas stood to the side, looking about for signs of life, but Gimli began to pick his way through the smoking rubble with an axe. He came across something and held it up for the others to see.
It was the softest Dawn had ever heard his gruff voice. "One of the elven belts."
The realisation swept over them as one. Dawn's legs collapsed from beneath her, her body shaking with silent sobs as she huddled on the ground. "We failed them," Gimli said. Legolas stood still, his head bowed, eyes closed and hand over his heart. "Hiro ith ab wanath," he murmured. Dawn absently wondered what that meant. Aragorn's voice cut through the eerie silence of the moment. He let out a great, tortured yell and kicked at a nearby helmet.
The Ranger sank to his knees. Something on the ground caught his attention. "A Hobbit lay here," he realised sadly, indicating a patch of bent grass, and the space next to it. "And the other."
He looked and realised that the tracks went further. He began to follow them, working the puzzle aloud as he went. "They crawled... their bonds were cut..." he stood, breaking into a run in his excitement at what the tracks might mean. The others watched, barely daring to hope Aragorn was right.
"The tracks lead away from the battle!" Suddenly, he stopped and found himself staring up at the edge of the ominous forest. "... Into Fangorn Forest."
"Fangorn Forest," Gimli breathed. "What madness drove them in there?"
Dawn's tears of sorrow had quickly become tears of happiness. She bounced up to her feet. "But they're alive! What could be so bad about this Fangorn Forest? All we gotta do is go in there and get 'em out."
"Dawn may not know the evils of Fangorn, but she is right," Aragorn said. "We must follow them."
Everyone was in agreement to this without question. They ploughed straight into the trees. Less than two minutes after stepping under the first of the eaves of the Fangorn, Dawn turned to Legolas. "Ok, I get it now. This place is maxi-wig territory," she shivered. It felt as if the trees were watching her every move.
Legolas cocked an eyebrow at her terminology and she gave him a grim smile.
"Let's just say that if I had spidey senses, they'd be going nuts right about now."
Legolas nodded his sympathy at her discomfort. "Yes, this Forest is old- very old. Full of memory. And anger." He took her hand and they walked for a while together. Aragorn was too involved in tracking the Hobbits and Gimli too caught up in his own discomfort to notice the familiarity that Dawn and Legolas had settled into.
They heard a terrible grumbling all around them. Gimli lifted his axe with a cry and the grumbling deepened.
"Gimli- lower your axe!" Aragorn hissed at him.
"Oh," the Dwarf said, instantly obeying.
Legolas, meanwhile, had dropped Dawn's hand and moved ahead a little.
"Aragorn, nad na ennas," he said with some urgency in his soft voice.
"Man cenich?" Aragorn replied.
Dawn looked at Gimli and shrugged as if to say, 'I don't know what the hell they're talking about either'.
"The White Wizard approaches," Legolas said.
"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us," Aragorn reminded them all urgently. All hands flew to weapons of choice.
On Aragorn's signal, they gave a great yell and tried to attack. But a bright white glow came from the Wizard and Legolas found his arrow harmlessly deflected away, as was Gimli's axe. Both Aragorn and Dawn cried out in pain, dropping their swords, which had become red-hot in their hands. They stared as a figure became apparent in the glow, though his face was still concealed.
Dawn clutched her burnt fingers to her chest as a deep, unsettling voice began to speak.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two Hobbits. They passed this way, the day before yesterday. They met with someone whom they did not expect to. Does that give you comfort?"
"Who are you? Show yourself," Aragorn demanded.
Three of them gasped as the Wizard stepped out of the light. Gimli and Legolas bowed in the ways of their people. Aragorn stared in disbelief. Dawn, still clutching her fingers, looked at them as if they had lost their minds.
"It cannot be," Aragorn murmured. "You fell."
"Through fire, and water," Gandalf replied and quickly related his defeat of the Balrog, and his return from death.
He looked at the four companions, not surprised in the least at the first sight of Dawn. "I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
"Gandalf!" Aragorn said.
The Wizard's forehead creased, as if remembering something long forgotten to him. Slowly, he spoke. "Gandalf? Yes, I remember. That was my name, Gandalf the Grey."
The Dwarf nodded happily. "Gandalf," he echoed Aragorn.
A twinkle came into Gandalf's eye. "I am Gandalf the White," he told them. He looked at Dawn. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my dear Miss Summers- Galadriel spoke well of you."
Dawn smiled nervously. "Hey..." she said lamely. She could do little more than stare up at the Wizard in wonder as he gave messages to the others from Galadriel and bade that they should ride with all speed to Edoras, for war had come to Rohan. He was so majestic, almost as wondrous as the Lady of Light herself. He promised that Merry and Pippin were safe in the keeping of the Ents for the time being and led them from Fangorn Forest.
* * * * *
As they rode up to the gates of Edoras, Gandalf cautioned them. "Do not look for welcome here."
Aragorn nodded. He'd sensed the evil settled over Rohan the second they'd set foot into the country some days ago. The five kept silent, riding their horses slowly up the hill, through the streets of the small rural city. At the summit stood a palace which Gandalf identified as the Golden Hall of Meduseld.
Dawn and Aragorn looked up at the palace, seeing a young woman on the steps. Dawn gasped. It was the woman she had seen in the mirror. Aragorn simply regarded her with curiosity and pity. She was coldly pretty, young and proud, but also incredibly helpless. He looked away a moment as Gimli grumbled "You'd find more cheer in a grave yard," observing the sombre citizens from his place on Arod's back behind Legolas.
When the Ranger looked back, the woman had disappeared.
They dismounted and climbed the steps to the doors of the palace.
"Ah," Gandalf said as a guard stood in front of them.
"I am the Doorward of Theoden. Hama is my name," the guard declared. "Here I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter. By order of... Grima Wormtongue."
Dawn almost snorted. What kind of name was Grima Wormtongue?
Gandalf studied the guard. He quickly assessed Hama's true character, and noted the hint of disgust in his voice as he'd spoken the name of Grima. He nodded slowly. He unsheathed his sword, Glamdring, and laid it against the wall.
Dawn sighed and handed over Me'ahyanda. Gimli and Legolas handed over their weaponry, not entirely happy with having to do so. Legolas gave a quick twirl of his twin daggers before letting them go. Aragorn found it very painful to part with Anduril. He made Hama swear that it would be touched by no-one.
Finally, Hama turned back to Gandalf. He spoke, a little embarrassed. "Your staff," he prodded.
Dawn rolled her eyes. Gandalf looked upset, leaning heavily on his staff. "You would not part an old man with his walking stick?"
Hama regarded the Wizard with wonder. He knew that the staff was powerful, and that Wormtongue had given a particular order that Gandalf should be deprived of his staff. But there was something that made him nod them through, disregarding the order.
He deliberately ignored the wink Gandalf threw slyly to Aragorn, who smothered a smile as Gandalf leaned on the Elf's arm for support. They were on their way to see the King.
"The courtesy of your Hall has lessened somewhat of late, Theoden King!" boomed Gandalf as they approached a withered old figure crumpled in a throne at the far end of the room.
The small, greasy figure next to the throne leaned in close to the King, whispering in his ear. Dawn shuddered. Grima Wormtongue, she presumed.
She couldn't help but let out a quiet "Eew," at the sight of the weasely man. Her friends smirked before controlling their expressions to hide their amusement.
The broken King looked at them through heavy eyes. "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" his gnarled voice asked.
"A just question, my liege," Grima told him when the King looked his way, almost as if he was asking for his advisor's approval.
Dawn paid the gross man no more attention. Like Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli, she began to watch from the corner of her eye as a group of sinister looking guards advanced, flanking them on either side.
Grima was still speaking. "Why indeed should we welcome you, Master Stormcrow? Lathspell I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill guest they say. Spies of the Golden Wood they are, my Lord," he hissed at Theoden. "Look at their raiment!"
Gandalf stared at the advisor. The others were still intent on the flanking guards, now close enough to attack at any moment. "The wise speak only of what they know, Grima son of Galmod. A witless worm you have become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightning falls!" Gandalf declared.
He let go of Legolas' arm and raised his staff high into the air.
"His staff," Grima was almost whining, his fear apparent. "I told you to take the Wizard's staff." He shot a look to the guards who immediately attacked.
The four had no choice but to fight a roomful of Grima's men hand to hand. Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn were throwing punches and elbows left, right and centre. Dawn found she had been overlooked by the guards. She was dimly aware of Gandalf moving forward, his path cleared by his companions. He was chanting as he approached the throne.
Dawn leapt into the fray. She knew instinctively that her friends were aiming to incapacitate, not to harm, so she settled into using wrestling moves, striking at the guards only when necessary.
Three of them had come at Aragorn simultaneously. Dawn flew over and clotheslined one, knocking him to the floor. She then turned to another and used the same hip-toss that she'd used to defeat Boromir. She grinned to herself as she felt the satisfying thunk of a body hitting the wooden floor.
Aragorn, having thrown his last remaining attacker in that group off into a wall, returned Dawn's grin. "Will you teach me how to do that?" he asked as they turned to face the next onslaught.
Legolas noticed that there were less guards attacking them now. He darted his eyes to the entrance and realised that the Doorward, Hama, had followed them in. He was holding back the guards who Legolas sensed were loyal to Theoden, not Wormtongue.
The Elf tossed his head to his left and saw that Gimli had pinned Wormtongue to the floor with his heavy foot. As the greasy man writhed beneath him, Gimli growled at him, "I would stay still if I were you."
Looking in the other direction, Legolas couldn't help but smile. Gandalf had reached the top of the dais and Theoden was shaking on his throne. Dawn and Aragorn were dispensing of the last two attacking guards. Aragorn was attempting that manoeuvre Dawn had done. He was successful, the man flew over his shoulder and thudded to the floor.
Dawn crouched and twirled, knocking the last guard down with a leg sweep. She stood, her and Aragorn quickly rejoining Legolas and Gimli. "King-guy, you kicked ass," she told the Ranger, beaming proudly at him before they turned their attention back to the throne.
Theoden was laughing sinisterly. "If I go, Theoden dies," Saruman's voice said through the King's mouth.
"You did not kill me; you will not kill him!" Gandalf retorted. "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." The Wizard redoubled his efforts to expel Saruman's essence from Theoden.
Something stirred in the room. Dawn felt herself pushed a little to the side as a slight, but strong figure brushed between her and Legolas, making her way to the King. Aragorn was quick to act. He reached out and grabbed the arm of the woman he'd seen on the stairs earlier, forcing her to remain by his side.
She stared at him through flashing icy blue eyes for a moment and tried to pull her arm free. Aragorn held tight. "Wait," he hissed at her.
An impossibly bright light blinded Dawn and all the others. Theoden was thrown back against his throne as Gandalf pointed his staff, and with a last cry from the Wizard, the body went limp. Saruman had been expelled from Theoden.
"Holy crap!" exclaimed Dawn.
There was a stunned pause in the room. Aragorn fumbled as the girl wrenched herself free of his grip and flew to the King's side. She knelt at his right hand, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Uncle?" she cried almost silently.
Slowly, the King's head lifted. It seemed as though years melted away from him as his form straightened. His eyes cleared and he began to take the form of a strong, dignified middle-aged man. A King. The woman at his side dared to breathe a sigh of relief and smile through her tears.
Theoden turned slowly to look down at her. "I know you," he realised in a tired voice. "Eowyn," he said, bringing a hand to his niece's face.
She clutched at it, crying.
"Eowyn," he said again, his recognition clearer in his strengthening voice. He smiled at her, and as he did, many lines of care were chased from his face and did not return. He stood, Eowyn at his side and turned to Gandalf.
"Breathe the free air, my friend," Gandalf told him. Theoden's eyes wandered around the room, roving over his guards, his niece, the Wizard, Gandalf's companions.... the King's eye found Wormtongue, still cowering beneath Gimli's boot.
His eyes hardened.
* * * * *
Wormtongue went flying out the doors of Meduseld, and tumbled unceremoniously down the steps. Hama stepped aside, dusting off his hands and admiring his handiwork as the traitor grovelled on his knees.
Theoden stormed down the stairs of the palace to stand over Wormtongue, the others in tow.
"I've only ever served you my Lord!" he cried.
Theoden kicked him viciously in the stomach, sending him further down the slope. "Your leechcraft ere long would've had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" he growled, his fury taking him over.
He took the sword of a nearby soldier and raised it high above his head, preparing to strike.
"No!" Aragorn cried, wrenching the sword from Theoden's grasp. "Peace, my Lord! Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
Theoden deflated, regaining control of himself as the wisdom of Aragorn's words sank in.
Dawn, standing next to Eowyn, was eyeing the woman curiously. She was not too much older than Dawn, definitely between hers and Eomer's ages. Dawn guessed she was a year or two younger than Buffy. But Dawn was suddenly very interested in the gleam that had come into Eowyn's eye when her uncle had raised the sword. She'd seen enough bloodlust in her eighteen years to know how to recognise it. Eowyn wanted that man dead. But when Aragorn had intervened, Eowyn's eyes had dropped, her cheeks colouring a little, and Dawn couldn't be sure if it was shame or something else that had effected the woman.
In a matter of moments, the Wormtongue had been banished from Rohan. The soldiers and the citizens gave a shout of joy to see their rejuvenated King. Eowyn, the White Lady of Rohan and a Shieldmaiden, had come again to her uncle's side.
"Where is Theodred?" the King asked quietly, almost to himself, the events of late still very fuzzy in his mind. "Where is my son?"
Eowyn cringed, tears springing to her eyes. She blinked them back immediately, she had already shed too many in her life, for one as strong and capable as she. Gandalf studied her face and knew immediately what the young Lady had to say. He nodded silently, urging her to find her courage and her voice.
Eowyn spoke in a quiet voice that did not falter. "My Lord... Uncle, five days ago did Eomer ride home to Edoras, bringing with him cousin Theodred who was wounded gravely. We tried to convince you to go to his chamber, but the Wormtongue's hold was too strong, and instead Eomer was banished from Rohan," she looked down a moment, then met her King's eyes squarely. She could see her uncle's eyes widen, as if he knew what she would say next.
"But this morning, my Lord, when I went to Theodred, he had died during the night. I am sorry, Uncle. Then Wormtongue accosted me in Theodred's chamber and I went away to evade him. By the time I came back to your side, Master Gandalf and his companions had arrived..." she trailed off, and Aragorn, the closest to her besides Theoden and Gandalf, watched in admiration as she swallowed her tears before they came. She was strong, which made her helplessness all the more poignant.
A light went out in Theoden's eyes.
* * * * *
They buried Theodred quickly. Gandalf stood beside the King at his only child's grave offering all his support to the grieving father. Eowyn stood a little beyond, hard and cold as she watched the body of her cousin sink into the earth. None looked close enough to see that she often squeezed her eyes shut tight, dispelling the tears that would not seem to stop welling in the icy blue pools. Dawn stood with her friends a little further back, remaining respectfully silent and distant enough to give the mourners their space.
Dawn found herself strangely affected by the sight of someone being buried. Aside from Boromir's hasty burial at sea, the last funeral she'd been to had been Buffy's, who'd died after facing the First, although the Slayer had been resurrected only months later. She thought back a little further, to her mother's funeral and cringed. Something in Dawn could not understand that she was no longer part of this mortal cycle. It almost made her sad.
Legolas looked down at the young woman by his side whom he'd come to care so deeply for. He watched as pain and confusion and sadness flitted through her bright, expressive eyes. He took her hand and felt her squeeze it gratefully.
A minute later, Theoden called Eowyn to him. He spoke to her a moment, then kissed her brow. The Shieldmaiden turned and strode purposefully towards her guests. Dawn noticed how she carried herself with dignity, even through her pain. Just like Buffy.
She bowed her head a little upon reaching them, and they returned the gesture. "My Lords, my Lady, I fear we have not properly been introduced. I am Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, the White Lady and a Shieldmaiden of Rohan."
Aragorn introduced himself and his companions. Eowyn smiled at each of them in turn before continuing.
"My uncle requests that I apologise on his behalf, you have had a long, perilous journey and have not been received properly. The King asks that you forgive the discourteous reception, and in token of our gratitude for your assistance here, that you accept what hospitality we can offer in these times."
Dawn smiled at her. Aragorn looked as if he would speak again, but she beat him to it. "We understand, Lady Eowyn. And we thank you for your generous offer, which we accept gratefully." Dawn wrinkled her nose and leaned a little closer to the other woman. "That does include a hot bath and laundry service, right?" she asked hopefully.
A genuine smile spread across Eowyn's face as she regarded the strange, slightly younger woman before her. "Yes, Lady Dawn. We shall see about your bath right away," she promised and led them all back into Meduseld.
* * * * *
R&R ~Anoron