Chapter Twelve
The darkness of the great hall swallowed Maeg as she silently followed Legolas into the Golden Hall of the King. Her heart fluttered with anxiety, her hand lifting the small cloth, which covered Gwythilian, over the babe's head.
Gandalf made his way deeper into the hall, the dark red curtains tightly shut, keeping any hope of a light out. The air was still and musty, pressing upon the lungs of those inside.
As Gandalf walked deeper, Maeg noticed the movement of robust men appear from the shadows of the large pillars which stood on each side of the great room. Their faces were grey with sorrow and suspicion. Their cold eyes followed the companion's movements as they came ever closer to the large throne before them.
"I see that your courtesy has lessened since of late," Gandalf declared with a mighty voice which echoed through the room.
Two torches were lit on either side of the large, golden throne revealing the King. Maeg gasped as the King's face lifted slightly, his shadows disappearing. His face was pale, wrinkles formed about his eyes, mouth, and nose making him seem ancient. His hair was thin and stringy, the crown upon his head barely stable. His eyes were cold and lost; he looked at Gandalf but didn't seem to see him.
Gandalf stopped before the steps which led to the King, and he looked into the King's hideous face, his brows curving in sorrow and pity.
Maeg, who stood in the shadows of the pillars behind Gimli, watched Gandalf with uneasiness.
This does not look right…we should leave… Maeg thought as she eyed the men which closed in about the companions slowly, unnoticed. An icy hand grasped her heart as a small man, nearly as white as the king, with a black cloak about his scrawny shoulders, stepped from behind the King's throne. His eyes were dark with evil, his lips moved swiftly, but Maeg could only hear the icy hum of his voice; no words caught her ear.
Suddenly, Gandalf lifted his staff before the small man, and he wreathed in terror and scowled the guards as he shrunk into the shadows. Quickly, the men who caught her eye jumped from the shadows and began charging Gandalf, but Aragorn and Legolas grabbed them and pushed them to the floor. Grunts and flesh pounding upon flesh filled the room as Gandalf stepped towards the King.
Maeg stepped back from the gruesome scene as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli hurled the men against the walls and floor. A tear slid down her cheek and her heart constricted as memories flashed before her eyes. She trembled violently and she slid to the ground, afraid she would drop Gwythilian who howled in disagreement.
Finally, the men stopped charging Gandalf, and Aragorn and Legolas stood beside him. Gimli held tight to the small man in black, his eyes wide with terror.
Maeg heard Gandalf mutter as he lifted his staff higher. A low, grumbling laugh caught her ear, and it grew louder, shaking the hall with its eminence.
Maeg's jaw dropped when she realized the chilling laugh came from the silent King.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!" he called, his voice rough with age.
Gandalf straightened his form, pride rising in his chest. He tore off his grey cloak and his white garments and hair shone brightly, blinding Maeg and the others. He closed his eyes and pointed his staff toward the King. The King groaned and mocked him before he flew back into his throne, his chest heaving.
A woman, who Maeg did not notice before, was held by Aragorn's hand. She was young, about Maeg's age, she guessed, and her hair was golden blond like that of ripe wheat. Her white gown sat upon her as though it were made part of her. It glistened as she wrenched her arm free from Aragorn's grasp and raced to the King who leaned over in exhaustion.
Maeg slowly stood, cuddling Gwythilian who looked up into her face, a smile upon the soft lips. She took a shaky step forward, craning her neck over Legolas' shoulder to catch a glimpse of the King. She swallowed hard when she realized that the King's face was changing. His paper skin tightened, taking away the traces of the age-old wrinkles. His hair thickened, giving back its golden color with exuberance.
His eyes softened and it seemed as though a blanket was taken from them, giving him his sight once again.
The woman smiled, her eyes alight with joy as she took the King's arm and helped him stand.
The King stood, wavering slightly. He looked about him, his brows curving in confusion as though he didn't know what was going on.
"Perhaps your fingers will find strength once again when you hold your sword," Gandalf said, a smile appearing upon his face as the man with reddish-blond hair, who took their weapons, stood before the King, holding a sword.
Maeg sighed lightly, looking down into Gwythilian's face, a smile spreading across her own. She tenderly stroked Gwythilian's cheek with her finger, relishing in the softness of it. The babe just cooed and giggled, a steady stream of spit sliding down her chin. Mesmerized by her baby's antics, Maeg did not notice a shadow approach her.
"What a lovely child," a soft voice interrupted. Maeg gasped and her head shot up as she saw the young woman standing next to her, smiling at the babe.
"Thank you," Maeg whispered back, not knowing what to say to this mysterious woman. The woman's eyes met Maeg's, and she smiled in embarrassment as her cheeks flushed pink.
"Forgive me," she said, bowing her head in respect. "My name is Eowyn,"
"And I am Maegraukowen from Gondor, and this," Maeg said, looking down to her babe's face. "Is Gwythilian,"
Eowyn smiled with delight as Gwythilian sneezed when she was addressed.
"I pray you forgive me, but Gwythilian seems to be so young," Eowyn muttered, her brows knitting together with confusion.
"Yes, she was only born a few days ago," Maeg said hesitantly, lifting her eyes to Eowyn's whose seemed to widen with surprise.
"Only a few days? But Gondor is farther than that…" Eowyn said, then understanding lit her features and she gasped in horror.
"We must get you two to a bed and proper nourishment!" Eowyn exclaimed lifting her hand to summon a servant girl who stood near a door to the left of the throne. Maeg lost herself in the whirling of going through halls and rooms and listening to the easy chatter of Eowyn as she led them deeper into the large castle-like house.
Maeg barely heard Eowyn's cheery chatter as she was led into a large room. Maeg stopped at the door, her eyes widening at the beauty of the room. There was a large bed straight across from her against the white wall, to the left of the bed which was covered in golden fabrics with red trimmings, was a large balcony which looked out onto the village and the peaceful planes beyond. Before her feet was a giant rug, softer than the grass in her garden back at Gondor. Orange and yellow swirled together into vines and flowers with beautiful contentment. A large armoire in a cherry wood shade, stood tall and majestic to the right of the bed and a small table which matched, had a large bouquet of white flowers which seemed to fill the room with a serene scent which warmed your heart.
Maeg's eyes filled with tears as she surveyed the room, her room. Eowyn stood in the middle of the room, her hands clasped together. She stared at Maeg, foreboding crawling into her heart as she noticed the tears.
"Is this not nice enough? I will find something better!" Eowyn exclaimed, rushing to the door, her cheeks flaming against her pale skin. Maeg grabbed her arm and stopped Eowyn from leaving.
"No, you misunderstand…I love it!" Maeg whispered, her voice low and husky. "It's just so overwhelming to know I have somewhere to sleep rather than the dank earth and not having a fear creep into my heart thinking of what lurks behind every shadow."
Eowyn's face glowed with the compliment and she lovingly took Maeg's hand into both of hers and smiled genuinely.
"You will be safe in Edoras,"
***A/N: Well, isn't this interesting? I wonder what will happen next? Hehe review!