***Wrinkles on a king***

They were on a straight course. The wind flew past, whipping their hair about them and whispering in their ears. Demi was holding the reins and feeling much more comfortable. Boromir clutched to her waist, hoping to dear life he would stay on at the speeds they were reaching. Demi laughed as she imagined him in the back seat of her car as the two of them and Rhia sped along the highway.

Demi took in the beautiful surroundings for hours, each more breathtaking then the last. She wondered what was happening back on earth and if anybody had noticed their disappearance, (if indeed they would).

This was her home and always had been. A threat and darkness was covering it. Slowly destroying all that was green and good in the world. Then and there, Demi made a pact. She will fight for this world she belonged to. She would see the evil vanquished. She would vanquish it. So many of middle earth's people had been through so much pain. 'They will fear no more.' She thought, her temper rising. 'They don't deserve that fate.'

***

The sun was sinking and they could see smoke rising into the sky.

"There lies the Gap of Rohan, due west of us. That way lies Isengard." Said Gandalf.

"Mithrandir, what is that smoke? What may it be?" Legolas asked.

"Battle and war! Let us make haste." Gandalf replied and they took off like fire kindling the grass. Through the sunset and into the night did they ride on, speed never failing. They stopped in the short hours of the night for rest, though it was very short. The girls, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli fell asleep instantly. It was a tiring ride for anyone, but the need that they made it to Edoras so was growing by the hour. They could not afford to waste time. After but a few hours sleep they were back on the road.

They did not know what to expect when they reached Edoras, but Demi had an unmistakable feeling about it. Something was amiss. 'If Rúmil were here her would protect me and bring comfort.' Demi thought, a dreamy smile on her face. She gasped and shook her head. 'What am I thinking? He's not here and I don't need him to look after me!'

Boromir cocked an eyebrow at Demi who was still submerged in her own thoughts. 'She is odd.' He thought. 'And yet she would risk her life to save mine. WOMEN!'

***

They paused again at dawn. The wind silently swept through their hair. The sky was tinged pink as Gandalf pointed ahead of them. They followed his finger only to see glens, open before them, hills rolling like green waves. Miles ahead Demi could see a small town set upon a large hill, with a pointy wall surrounding it, wide enough for three people to walk abreast. Set higher on the hill than the houses were a golden hall, glimmering in the sun.

"That is the city of Edoras. There lies Théoden King in the Golden hall of Meduseld. Our path is plain before us. We must now ride there cautiously. War comes soon and the men of the Mark are wary of it. Draw no weapon and do not speak disdainfully. Not until we are before Théoden." Said Gandalf. Then he gave the command and they rode on again.

***

By morning's mid hour they had reached the pointy wall that actually looked a lot like seven foot high sticks with the top sharpened all bound together with rope or something stuck to a wood frame. Not much of a safeguard.

A few men up on the all stood up, their mail shimmering in the daylight. They spoke to them in a very strong accented language they guessed to be Rohirrim. Gandalf replied to them in the same tongue. He must have said something about his companions not understanding what was being said, for one guard spoke to them in the common tongue.

"It is the will of Théoden that none shall enter the city without knowing our language, for that shall mark them as friends. Who may you be?" he asked.

"I am Gandalf and my companions that ride hither with me are Aragorn, son of Arathorn; Boromir son of Denethor, Gimli son of Glóin, Legolas and Vairarista of the woodland realms and Aurenessa daughter of Alkarion." Said the wizard. The eyes of the guards widened. "Go now and tell your king that we wish to speak with him, if he shall permit us into his hall."

"I shall master Gandalf. Wait here and I shall return as soon as time may allow." Said the guard, taking off in a flash. His comrades watched them, in particular Gandalf and Gimli. Demi awakened to the opportunity, dismounting Brytta with everyone, sensing she may need it later. She slipped the dagger given to her by Rúmil and Orophin up her left sleeve, positioning it carefully and giving Boromir the reins of Brytta. It would be dangerous if she had to move her arm as the blade may cut her hand. Rhia caught on to what Demi was doing and took a leaf out of her book.

The guard returned swiftly as promised. "Follow me. You have been given leave to enter by Théoden, but your weapons will be taken and kept by the door wards."

The gates were opened and the company entered the city following the guide and the path. Soon they came to a small flight of stairs before the Golden Hall. They climbed them and were met at the top by more guards.

"I must now return to my post. Here you will be taken before the king. Farewell!" their guide said, turning back quickly down the path.

One of the guards then stood forward and spoke to them. "I am Háma and I am the door ward of Théoden. Here I shall take your weapons than you may enter."

Demi winked at Rhia who nodded. They all handed their weapons over reluctantly, but the girls still had their knives hidden and Gandalf kept his staff. Háma then turned to the wizard.

"Your staff. That too must be left here."

"Foolishness! Will you part an old man with his walking stick? If you will, Théoden will come to me." Gandalf said angrily. Demi smirked. Trust Gandalf to get out of it. But then, who really would stand up to a wizard?

"The staff of a wizard can be more than that of an aid. Though, I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honour without an evil purpose. You may enter." Said Háma.

The doors were opened before them and they walked through them. It was dark inside. A long, wide hall lay before them and at the end sat a withered old figure. Pillars stood here and there, made of stones of many hues. On the walls hung many rich tapestries, telling tales of many glorious happenings in the household. A large fire surrounded by a wrought iron barrier lay in the middle of the hall. There they stopped, looking at the withering figure on the throne.

It was a bent and crippled with age. He had long white hair and a white beard that fell upon his knees. His eyes were glazed over, yet his breathing was raspy. He looked to the seven strangers now in his hall. A lady in white stood behind him whilst a pale male clad in black hung around the feet of the old man.

"Hail Théoden son of Thengel. I come to you now in these dark days when all should gather as friends." Gandalf said whilst silence was all else heard but his voice. The old man stood up slowly leaning on a black walking stick.

"You receive no welcome here Gandalf, being a herald of woe. From Éomer I heard news that you passed into shadow and yet I did not mourn. Yet here you are again and you are once again here with worse news! That I should have expected. Tell me, why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow?" said Théoden. Demi glared at the king. Gandalf has only ever been here to council and give assistance. The king slipped into his chair again, his back leaning hard against the back of the throne.

"You speak impartially my lord." Said the sickly white man behind Théoden. "Yet not five days have passed since the ghastly words of the death of your son my lord, Théodred who was slain upon the West Marches. He was the second Marshal of the Mark and your right-hand, your heir. There is little trust to be bestowed in Éomer. Now the Dark Lord of Mordor stirs when this wanderer chooses to appear. No welcome can come to you Gandalf. Láthspell I name thee. Ill-news and ill-news is an ill-guest." He laughed coldly, looking upon the wizard.

"You may be held wise, Wormtongue, and as a doubtless support to your master, I bring news to aid in a time of great need." Gandalf said calmly.

"That is so, but to me, you appear a meddler in other man's sorrows, growing fat on war. What aid have you ever bought? What aid may you have bought now? Do you bring war aid? Men with weapons of greatness? No. And that is what of present we need. Only wanderers in grey and you the beggar-like of the seven!" Wormtongue said, his voice growing louder and colder like the winters wind on an already freezing day. There was something deeper to this character than what met the eye with Demi. She sensed something fell about him.

"The courtesy of your hall has somewhat lessened of late, Théoden king. The messenger has obviously not given the names of my companions to you, for I'm sure otherwise this man you call upon for council would not have said such about them. Never would a king of Rohan receive such guests. They are clad in the elvan grey clothes of Lórien and passed through more dangers than what you may know, and yet you still treat them with such disrespect. You know nothing of what you speak, Gríma son of Gálmód. A witless git of a worm you have become so stay silent! I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with such a creature as you." Gandalf shouted, his patience wearing thin indeed. He held up his staff as thunder was heard and the room became darker than night itself with no stars to ease the hearts of men. The fire fell into embers. Gandalf stood white and tall.

Wormtongue could be heard hissing at the guards. "I told you to take the staff! Háma, the fool betrayed us!" a flash of lightning went through the hall sending Wormtongue down, sprawled on the floor.

"Now king of Rohan, listen to me. Not all is dark." Gandalf said and the darkness cleared. "Rekindle your courage for better help can not be found. I do not council for all to despair. Will you listen to the council I have for you. Too long have you sat in the shadows." Théoden stood slowly once more and the lady in white rushed to his side. She took his arm and helped him from the dais, through the hall and to the door.

Gandalf threw the doors open and said: "Send your guards to the foot of the stairs so I may talk with you a while."

"Éowyn, my niece, leave me for the time of fear has now passed." The weary king said as he and talked with Gandalf a few minutes. The company remained in the halls. As Éowyn as she had been called, passed by them, her face full of thought and fair as it may be, grave. She looked at Aragorn for a moment, then turned swiftly and left the hall. Demi raised an eyebrow at Rhia who smirked. Éowyn's expression could only reveal one thing: she may have a bit of a crush on their friend. Rhia smirked and shook her head.

'When will women learn?' The blonde heir of Melendil asked herself, 'Aragorn is like so taken. The cute ones don't stay single for long, even if they're gay.' She chuckled to herself.

Legolas looked between the two. He was glad they were now friends again, but he had to wonder what they thought at times. They had a knack for trouble it seemed.

Gandalf and the king entered the hall a short while after and the king sat down upon his throne again. This time, he seemed do much younger, no longer needing the aid of a walking stick. Straight and tall he walked his eyes no longer clouded but a gorgeous blue. Gandalf whispered to Théoden quickly, Demi only being able to catch a few words that made little sense to her without the full sentence. They then looked to the east.

"Verily, that way lies our hope, where sits our greatest fear. Doom still hangs on a thread. Yet hope there is still, if we can but stand unconquered for a little while." Gandalf said now loud and clear. They all now looked eastward.

'Wonder how Frodo and Sam are going?' Demi thought. She did not fear Sauron, only what he was capable of doing. He had the power to manipulate beings to serve him, nothing more. He was an eye for the Valar's sake! Reduced to such. She did not fear an eye.

A cloud seemed to drift over Boromir's eyes. He had to admit, the temptation of the ring had been greatly lessened, but what the dark lord had promised him still ran though his mind. To be the ruling king of Gondor and to be the dark Lord's right hand man. It still haunted him, though with Vaira's helpful words, he was becoming in control. He would never give in, not after what it nearly did to him…and the ring-bearer.

"Alas!" cried the king, taking everyone from his or her silent thoughts, "that these evil days should be mine and should come in my old age instead of that peace which I have earned. Alas for my son. The young perish and the old linger… withering…" his voice wavering, sadness taking over him. He held to his knees with his wrinkly hands as a way to hold himself together.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if the grasped at your sword." Gnadalf said. Théoden stood and looked to his side for his sword, but it was not there.

"Where has Gríma put my sword?" Théoden muttered irritably.

Demi saw two men enter the hall, the marshal they met in the plains and the doorward. "Take this my lord!" Éomer said clearly, presenting a sword to Théoden, kneeling before his king. Éomer looked very different without his mail and helmet. Even more handsome than before.

"Who is this possible?" Théoden asked firmly.

"It was my doing lord." Háma said, wavering and rather scared. "I was under the influence that Éomer was to be set free and I bought him his sword as he bade me."

"To lay at your feet, my lord." Éomer said. Théoden as silent for a short time, looking at Éomer, both still as stone.

"Are you going to take the sword or not?" Rhia accidently blurted out, receiving weird looks from everyone save Demi who was used to this behaviour. She had to stifle a laugh.

"That is not your place to ask, no matter your company." The king said annoyed.

"Sorry." Rhia muttered, gazing at her toes as though they were highly interesting.

Slowly, Théoden took up the sword, taking a firm grip at the hilt and gazing at it in wonder. He lifted t into the air and cried out.

"Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden!

Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.

Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!

Forth Eorlingas!"

Then guards ran into the room, gaping at their king in awe. "Command us!" they said, laying their swords at their feet.

"Westu Théoden hál!" Éomer cried.

"Take back your sword, Éomer, sister-son." Théoden said, handing the sword back to Éomer. "Háma, go and retrieve my sword from the filthy clutches of Gríma. Bring him with you. Now what council do you advise Gandalf?"

***

Authors note: Yes. I had to stop it here; I don't want the chapter to go on forever. I don't have that kind of time. Please, if you read this story, then reply. Please? Just a lil note to say hi will suffice. Don't make me beg to know if any one reads this. Even though I haven't added any of your OC's into this story, please read it. You never know. There may be room for more characters, but no promises.

Now for the poll:

What are Gandalf's words of wisdom to Théoden? Please don't cheat!