I heard footsteps approaching the door, so I sat up, pushed my straggly hair out of my face and waited. I heard a muffled discussion, then the creak of a key turning in the lock.

The door opened slowly, and a dark figure shuffled inside. I was hoping that it would be Éomer, come to apologise and set me free.

No such luck, it was Wormtongue.

"Has Éomer decided to release me?" I asked anyway. There was no harm in hoping.

"Éomer has been banished from Edoras." Wormtongue gushed. "He will not bother you anymore." I wasn't sure if this was good or bad news, so I remained silent.

"We didn't get off to a good start, did we" Wormtongue continued. "May I welcome you to Edoras on behalf of King Théoden. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"

I glanced around the dingy little room sarcastically.

"Well, considering that I've not eaten for days and been dragged across the country by orcs, I would like a hot bath, clean clothes, gourmet food and a 5 star bedroom with a view."

Wormtongue watched me through his heavy lidded eyes.

"I'll see what I can do" he said, and strode out. His long black cloak swept the corridors like an overgrown bat. I sat there gobsmacked. Did he really mean it? I thought I was a prisoner. This didn't make any sense.

#####################################################################

A little while later, Wormtongue returned and led me up a flight of smooth stone steps and into a large airy room. A small table was covered in food and a beautiful dress lay draped over the large bed. My attention was caught by the view from the window looking out towards the front gate of the city. I could even see the snow capped mountains across the plain in the distance.

I couldn't believe it. I pinched myself, but I wasn't dreaming.

"What about the..." I murmured softly, until I noticed a servant entering the room carrying a steaming bucket of water.

"This will be your room." Wormtongue simmered. "You are free to wander around the castle, as long as you do not attempt to leave Edoras."

So I'm still a prisoner. Just disguised behind new luxury.

I finally persuaded Wormtongue that I didn't need any more help, convincing him that I was actually able to bath myself, and he left. I don't trust that man. He's too slimy. Now Haldir was slimy, but Wormtongue is evil and slimy. Not a nice combination.

#####################################################################

The early morning sunlight filtered through my window, the distant mountain peaks tinged with a golden light. I opened the bedroom door cautiously and looked both ways down the corridor. There was no one in sight. I quietly closed the door behind me and started out to explore.

It was a great feeling to be clean again. I estimate that it was at least two weeks since I was in Lothlorien, the last time I washed my hair and wore clean clothes. I threw my old dress into the fire last night. There was no way it would ever look reasonable again. Most consisted of tattered rags covered in mud and orc blood. I guess burning that dress was a bit symbolic. I've put all that behind me now. I've got to move on.

The passageways were practically deserted. No one gave me more than a customary glance. I was quite pleased in a way. I was glad of the time to be left on my own to gather my thoughts and think. The last thing I would have wanted was to be pestered with nosy questions and unnecessary comments.

I was admiring the delicate needlework on a tapestry, when I heard heavy breathing behind me. I turned to see Wormtongue looming up out of the shadows.

"At last, we're alone." He hissed edging up towards me. I looked behind for an escape route, but came up against the hard stone wall.

"We can talk freely now" he continued, still edging closer. "Tell me, what news from Isengard, and Saruman?"

"Isengard?... Saruman?" I repeated in confusion.

"Yes, yes" he hissed. "You must have left the great wizard himself very recently with those orcs in order to get here so quickly. Tell me, did he send any message for me?"

I was still trying to edge away, realisation dawning. This man was working for Saruman, and he thought I was too. I didn't know whether to deny all knowledge or pretend in order to take control of my situation.

"We must work together if we are to succeed" Wormtongue insisted urgently. "You must tell me anything new."

I was desperately trying to work out what to say, when I heard light footsteps approaching.

"I have no new information" I told him firmly. He was about to say something else when he heard the footsteps as well. He scowled at the interruption.

"We'll talk again" he hissed quickly and quietly. "Make sure we are alone. The suspicions amongst these people are growing. I have already had to banish Éomer and his éored because he knew too much. They must not realise what is going on."

We both watched as Éowyn appeared in view. Her blue eyes widened in surprise as she saw me loose in the corridor. They narrowed when they saw who I was with. She turned on her heel and walked back the way she had come. Wormtongue followed her leaving me alone.

I'm a bit scared now. He's going to come back and ask me for information again. What on earth do I say?

#####################################################################

I could hardly sleep last night for worrying. I can't walk along a corridor without continuously checking to see if he's following me. I can't even sit in my room without panicking that Wormtongue will appear at the door.

Knowing that he is definitely going to come is the worst part. What can I say to him?

It's obvious that the only reason he's been nice to me is because he thinks I'm working on the same side as he is. Any moment now he's going to want payment for the luxurious room, food, clothes. Payment with information.

Information that I haven't got.

Should I invent a story? That would solve the immediate problem, but what if I get proved wrong? I dread to think what he would be like when angry.

No one else here trusts me. Éothain has left with Éomer and everyone else thinks I'm a spy of Saruman's, especially because Éowyn saw us talking together. Someone passed me in a corridor earlier and spat the words "treacherous spy" under their breath. I know I'm not welcome. Without Wormtongue's protection I would be in trouble.

I passed the Great Hall this evening and saw him at the other side. He caught my eye and started to weave his way through the guards towards me. I turned and fled the way I'd come, desperately hoping he wouldn't follow me.

I can't avoid him for ever, what am I going to do?

#####################################################################

Théoden's son Théodred died today. I don't know much about him, except that he was wounded by Orcs and died later from his wounds. That is more than enough to gain my sympathy. I know what Orcs can do to people. I've seen what can happen to people you love. I admit that I secretly cried a few tears for Théodred, even though I'd never met him.

I don't think I'll ever come to terms with death. For 2,777 years I've lived amongst elves, I've never seen anyone die. No one I knew well or really cared about anyway. And now suddenly I've been rudely awakened to the world of mortals. Mithrandir, Boromir and now Théodred. I've now experienced the heart wrenching pain of losing someone for ever. How do mortals cope? knowing that they will have to watch all their friends die. Knowing that one day they too will go and never come back.

I met Éowyn properly today. I told her how sorry I was about the death of her cousin, but she looked at me like I was some sort of worm crawling under a stone. She is obviously convinced that I am a spy of Saruman's. She can't understand why I have not been locked up, with the key thrown down the nearest well.

Éowyn is so cold and distant. I think her face would crack if she tried to smile. Talk about Ice Queen!

#####################################################################

I really pity Éowyn.

I can't really believe I'm saying this after re-reading my last entry, but I would pity anyone, even Arwen if they were subjected to this fate.

Wormtongue, yuck! I feel sick just to think about it.

The idea that he is always lurking there, watching, leering, ready to pounce.

I don't think much for her chances if Saruman does take complete control. I expect part of Wormtongue's wages will be the right to take her and possess her completely as his own.

Feeling really sick now. Must stop writing!

#####################################################################

I was standing peacefully in a back corridor, gazing out over the distant mountains when I heard a couple of servants rush past in a hurry. I listened to snatches of their conversation in surprise. Apparently a small group of visitors had arrived on horses belonging to the Rohirrim. They were seeing the king now. I wished them better luck than I'd had. If the king even realised that they were there, they might be in with a chance.

I headed slowly back to my room. There wasn't much else to do. To tell the truth I was feeling a bit lonely. The novelty of total peace was wearing off. I wouldn't say no to having someone to talk to.

I was just entering my room when the entire building started to shake. I clung to the doorframe desperately, trying not to fall over. I could just hear the faint rumble as if someone was shouting down below in the hall. I don't know how to describe it, but the air felt sort of heavy like before a thunderstorm. Sort of threatening as if two incredibly powerful beings were fighting over something. The walls eventually stopped shaking and I hurried inside breathing heavily. It must have been an earthquake. I'd heard of such things.

I sat on my bed and wondered why I couldn't hear anyone running about and panicking. Were earthquakes everyday occurrences here? What about the common people, wouldn't they be afraid?

I crossed over to the window and looked out. There was a small crowd of people there, but they didn't look afraid. They were all looking out across the plain as a single black rider headed hastily into the distance. I peered closer curiously and realised with a jolt of surprise that it was Wormtongue. What was he doing riding away so fast. It was almost as if he was riding for his life. What was going on?

Suddenly the door burst open and several armoured guards stood in the doorway.

"There she is!" cried one pointing, and several stormed in, grabbing hold of me, dragging me to my feet. They bundled me along the corridor ignoring my frightened questioning. What was going on, where were they taking me? Why?

At last we emerged out of the building and ducked behind the large stone staircase at the front of the hall. One of the guards stepped forward and called out,

"King Théoden, Wormtongue may have been released but we still have Saruman's other spy. She should be punished accordingly."

I struggled against the firm hands holding me in place. I couldn't see Théoden anywhere. A much younger man was walking towards us holding his sword. I noticed that he was wearing the gold circlet that Théoden used to wear. I gasped in surprise, was this some sort of revolution? Had the people risen up, killed Théoden, chased Wormtongue away and placed a younger king in his place?

Where did that leave me?

With a sinking feeling, I remembered that Wormtongue and Éothain were the only people who supported me here. Now they were both gone and everyone else thought I was a treacherous spy.

The guard led the new king over to me.

"She is working for Saruman, and betrayed us all. She should die" he said.

A icy feeling washed over me and gripped my heart.

"No" I cried desperately "It's not true. None of it's true."

I glanced around in despair. The noise was beginning to attract the attention of the people standing on the great staircase.

The king nodded to the guard who gave a hand signal. Instantly the men holding me forced me down to my hands and knees. I struggled for all I was worth, but they were much stronger than I was.

I caught a glimpse of someone in long white robes walk across the steps and look down. Probably Éowyn watching with glee, I realised miserably

One of the guards forced my head down, scooping back my hair to reveal my neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the king raise his sword slowly.

"No, please" I begged to no avail. Éowyn was still watching.... yet, hang on a second. Éowyn didn't have a beard! Nor did she have a white staff. The only person who had those was Saruman, and he wouldn't watch me being executed for being Saruman's spy. I jerked my head backwards to get a better look. My eyes widened and my jaw fell open in disbelief.

It was impossible, I knew it was impossible. He was dead... and yet he was also standing in front of me.

"Mithrandir!" I screamed as a guard forced my head back down again. I started fighting properly again, they couldn't kill me now!

"Mithrandir, help me!" I cried.

A huge hand held my head still and my hair fell over my eyes, I could no longer see anything. I imagined that sword blade being held by the new king, hovering high over my neck. I waited for it to fall.