A/N: Petri Dish - Greg from CSI. I gave him that nickname 'cuz he is a science-lab-tech-guy...Mac likes him...and Bazza? We have this thing...Bazza, his GF Shazza, and Dazza...they're out invisible friends.

Chapter Eleven.

The path to war, the one Petri-dish and farewell to Gandalf.

The group continued to linger for a short time on the steps of the Golden Hall. Dave was disappointed that he did not find any gold, and insisted there was a buried treasure somewhere. This theory received disapproving glances from the others, who were all tired, hungry and wanted to kill each other by the end of the day.

Gandalf turned to go back into the hall however, the faint sound of a galloping horse lured the wizard's attention to the plains, where a horse trotted over the hill, stopping. A young boy and a smaller girl were situated on the back of the horse. The young boy unexpectedly fell off the horse, hitting the ground rather hard.

The group embarked out into the plains to retrieve the two young children, bringing them back to Edoras.

The group were all sitting in the hall, the two children were eating as the rest of them discussed the situation.

"They had no warning, they were unarmed," stated Éowyn, who stood up from her crouched position next to the boy, addressing the group, continuing, "Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree,"

"How terrible," said Angela, sadly.

"It's okay!" Steph announced. "We'll sic Dave onto them...he knows the language of the caveman...I mean Wildman..."

"Steph..." growled Mac, unimpressed.

"Sorry, just trying to lighten the atmosphere," the hobbit shrugged, Dave seemed to be unaffected by the emotional bashing he was receiving. He was too busy staring at the piece of bread which lay on the table in front of him, eying it cautiously.

"What is he doing now?" spoke Sarah, finally saying something to the conversation.

"He's eying off Legolas," Ally muttered, raising an eyebrow.

"No, he's eying that piece of bread thank you," stated Mac, clearing her throat.

Sarah cocked an eyebrow, and took a step closer to Legolas. Angela laughed at this, amused by Sarah's stalkishly-fan-girl-in-love behavior towards the elf prince.

"Where is mamma?" the young girl asked anxiously.

"Shh," Éowyn hushed the girl, wrapping a blanket around her tenderly.

Gandalf let out a sigh, thinking about something.

"He looks like he is deep in thought," Mac whispered to Steph, pulling out a bag of popcorn.

"Where did you get that popcorn?" Steph asked, curiously.

"From Greg," nodded Jess.

"Is that her invisible friend?" Angela asked, whispering the question to Ally.

"No, that's Bazza," nodded Sarah, overhearing the question.

"Is he here now?" asked Angela.

"No...he is back at home," sighed Sarah.

"Greg is over there!" shouted Mac, a man appearing in a puff of smoke with a popcorn vending machine cart thing.

"Whose Greg?!?!?" shrieked Dave, glaring at Mac.

"It's only Petri-dish," nodded Sarah. "His no threat to you Dave, I don't think you stick pens up your nose like he does,"

"I could try," stated Dave, raising an eyebrow. He decided to hunt around to find some pens to prove himself right.

"What is a Petri-Dish?" asked Gimli, butting into the conversation.

"It's you, Gimli," huffed Ally, sighing in frustration at the presence of the dwarf.

"I see..." the dwarf said, pondering.

Gandalf cleared his throat and glared at the group, eying them annoyed, turning his attention back to Théoden.

"This is but a taste of the terror Saruman will unleash," Gandalf stated to the King. "All the more potent for he is driven mad by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your woman and children. You must fight,"

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak," Aragorn spoke up. "Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king,"

"Oo is this Éomer cute?" asked Ally, curiously.

"In a horse-riderish sort of way," Angela nodded.

Théoden rose from his throne, glaring into the hall, then glaring at Aragorn. "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now," the king sighed. "Éomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war,"

"Open war is upon you," Aragorn stated sternly. "Whether you would risk it or not,"

"What is an 'open war'?" Sarah asked.

"It's a war open to everyone," nodded Steph.

"Even me?" asked Dave, popping his head up from a table in curiosity.

"No, it just shut," Steph glared at Dave. "Too late, sorry,"

"Aw," pouted Dave, ducking underneath the table, still in search of pens.

"What about me?" Mac asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It isn't fair!" Sarah sang at the top of her lungs, receiving a glare off Steph.

"You're on the waiting list Mac," nodded Steph.

"What is he looking for?" asked Angela, raising an eyebrow at Dave's 'unique' behaviour.

"Pens," nodded Sarah.

"I don't think there are any pens in Middle Earth," giggled Angela, aiming her statement at the off-with-the-pixies Dave.

"When I last looked, Thoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan," the King sneered at the ranger, who glared back at the king.

"Yes," nodded Sarah, continuing, "However, last we saw King Théoden of Rohan he was possessed by some evil spirit thing!!!" The elf received a glare off the King, and decided to butt out for good.

"Then what is the King's decision?" Gandalf asked, his tone hinted with concern.

Everyone could pretty much guess the answer to Gandalf's question through the facial expression which embedded King Théoden's face. The group followed Háma, who walked outside to make the announcement to the people of Edoras.

"By order of the King, the city must empty," announced Háma to the Rohirrim. "We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need,"

"Are we leaving?" Sarah asked, confused.

"Yes, Lady, we are," Gimli nodded to the elf, noticing Gandalf storm out of the hall in a huff, following the wizard.

"Where are we going?" Dave asked.

"It's the path to war," Angela frowned. She didn't want to go into battle.

"A path to war?" asked Dave.

"Kind of like the yellow brick road," nodded Sarah.

"Only it's littered with swords, armour, horses and death," Steph echoed, nodding also.

"I don't like the sound of that," frowned Mac.

"Just think," Steph grinned, "You get to kick some serious butt,"

"Yeah," agreed Sarah, "Think of the orcs as Mrs. Taylor, or Carl or something,"

"Gandalf doesn't look too happy," Angela said, her glance following the wizard as he huffed his way to the stables.

"Maybe he has old-wizard-PMS," nodded Steph.

"Is that even possible?" asked Ally, disgusted.

"If it is, I don't want to know," Sarah responded, also disgusted by this, the group running after Gandalf, who was also pursued by Legolas and Gimli.

"Helm's Deep!" sneered the wizard, frustrated. "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight,"

"Kind of reminds me of dwarves," said Sarah, glaring at Gimli.

"Who will defend them if not their kings?!" Gandalf stated.

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people," Aragorn said, sympathetically. "Help's Deep has saved them in the past,"

"There is no way out of that ravine," Gandalf stated firmly. "Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them into safety. What they'll get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. They're defenses have to hold,"

"They will hold," Aragorn responded, sternly, nodding.

"The gray pilgrim, that's what they used to call me" stated Gandalf, reminiscing. "Three hundred lives of men I have walked this earth and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east,"

"Go," Aragorn stammered to the wizard, who had mounted his horse. He rode out of the stable, ripping through the plains as he disappeared into the distance.

"So, now what do we do?" Sarah asked, frowning.

"Let's dance," nodded Steph, who glared at Mac and Dave, who both started dancing. "Please don't,"

"I...need..." Ally said, sneezing on Gimli.

"Ewww," Sarah muttered, moving over behind Legolas.

"You're going to get rabies now, Gimli," Steph laughed, soon everyone laughing along with her.

"Rabies?!" Gimli shrieked.

"Poor Gimli," Angela grinned, laughing.