I'm SO sorry I haven't updated in so long! To make up for it, this chapter will be about five pages long, okay? On with the story!!!

                One Ring to Bring Them All: Chapter 13

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                The next thing Usagi saw was the sunlight streaming onto her bed. Groaning, she rolled over, hoping for a few more minutes of sleep. Suddenly, she sat up. 'I'm in a bed? Where am I? Am I dead?!' Before she could begin to panic, the door to the room opened and a young woman walked in. Surprised to see her awake, the woman nearly dropped the bowl of water she was carrying.

                "Oh, my goodness! You're awake! I thought you wouldn't wake up for several more hours at the least! My name is Eowyn and I am sister-daughter of Theoden King of Rohan." Eowyn bustled about the room, straightening random chairs and pillows. "What is your name?"

                "I am Usagi Tsukino." Usagi replied, her voice still hoarse.

                "Oh, how stupid of me! Here, drink this." Eowyn offered Usagi a cup with a strange green liquid inside. "It will help. Drink it."

                Staring at the cup dubiously, Usagi slowly lifted it to her lips and took a small sip. Eyes brightening, she began to drink more quickly. "This is wonderful! What is it?"

                "That is a secret of Rohan." Eowyn replied with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

                "Better now that I'm away from all those uruk-hai. Where exactly are we?"

                "In the golden hall of Meduseld. You are in the capital city of Rohan, Edoras." Eowyn replied with a quiet pride.

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                Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli had spent one night on the borders of Fangorn Forest before they'd entered the forest itself. Sighing, Gimli looked to Aragorn and Legolas.

                "Aragorn! I am no good at tracking! I would much rather be slaying Orcs or in a cave than here in this haunted wood!"

                Aragorn glared and spoke sternly. "We are searching for Merry and Pippin, not bloodshed! Would that I had a swift steed to send you to Edoras so you might stop annoying us! I am sorry, friend Gimli, but Merry and Pippin must be found! Hopefully, none of the uruks made it back to Isengard, for if they did, then this world is doomed!"

                Abashed, Gimli began sputtering and muttering indignantly. "Why…Aragorn…wha-"

                Turning, Legolas pointed to the river that they were walking alongside. "Here, the tracks of Merry and Pippin seem to disappear! But how can that be? Another pair of strange tracks there are also. Could this be the foul play of Saruman?"

                "Nay!" Aragorn shook his head. "Let us follow these tracks and see if we can find Merry and Pippin."

                After a laborious climb, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli arrived at the top of a steep grade. Shading his eyes, Legolas carefully scanned the landscape. Seeing something moving, Legolas began speaking in Elvish.

                "Aragorn, nad no enas!" Turning, Aragorn quickly walked up to Legolas.

                "Man cenich?" Aragorn spoke tersely.

                "It is the white wizard!" Legolas spoke in common tongue again. "He is making his way through the rocks and brush to us!"

                "Well then, we must confront him. Let us wait until he reaches the summit, then attack. Do not let him speak, for he will cast a spell on us." Aragorn ordered, pulling out his sword.

                Nodding, Legolas and Gimli unsheathed their weapons of choice. In a surprisingly small amount of time, the man began to leap nimbly up the grade, going very quickly. Finally, he reached the summit, and turned to them.

                Crying out, Gimli threw his axe only to have it be destroyed by the staff. Legolas gave a cry and fired his arrow into the air. With a flash of light, it disappeared.

                "Mithrandir! Mithrandir!" He cried, dropping to one knee.

                A chuckle escaped the man's lips. "Well met, Legolas."

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                Frodo and Sam had captured Gollum at the base of Emyn Muil, and he was now leading them through the passage of the Dead Marshes. Little did they know that they were very close to capture. With Gollum leading them, Frodo and Sam looked around them and saw the faces of countless dead beings. Looking to Gollum, Sam exclaimed,

                "There are faces in the water!"

                With a sadistic smile, Gollum replied, "There was a great battle here, long ago! Elvses and Men and Orcs all went under the water to light their little candles. The Dead Marshes! Yes, that is what they are called! Hobbitses mustn't follow they light, or else they'll go down to light little candles of their own."

                Looking disgusted, Sam turned and followed Gollum. But Frodo didn't. Looking into the face of one of the dead Elves, Frodo found himself irresistibly drawn to the water. As he fell in, he heard Sam cry out. The water brought Frodo back to his senses, but unfortunately, hobbits can't swim. Struggling to go back for air, he watched in horror as the Elvish face began to glow and come towards him. Just as the face would've passed through him, he was ripped out of the water by two spindly arms.

                Gasping for air, Frodo looked behind him and saw Gollum. Glaring at him, Gollum growled,

                "Don't follow the light!"

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                Dusk had fallen, and Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf were riding with all speed towards Edoras. Little did they know that as they rode to release Theoden, the Ents of Fangorn Forest were deciding Saruman's fate. Merry and Pippin began to get drowsy as the Ents continued to talk. Taking another long draught of water, Merry and Pippin sighed. Just under two hours ago, Treebeard, the oldest Ent had come to them and told them that the Ents had decided they weren't Orcs.

                Growing impatient, Pippin turned to Merry. "How much longer will this take? With every minute, Frodo goes farther into Mordor! If we don't do something soon, then they could be caught!"

                "Be patient, Pip." Merry replied quietly. "Treebeard said that the Ents haven't risen in over an age. It's going to take some convincing for them to agree to march on Isengard. Besides, I don't really mind the waiting. I just hope Usagi is all right."

                "Do you think the Orcs killed her?" Pippin whispered quietly.

                "Not possible!" Merry replied, becoming angry. "Usagi wouldn't let some stupid Orcs kill her! Knowing her, she's getting ready to fight in a battle or something…"

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                Sighing, Usagi looked out her window. She'd been strictly confined to her bed for the remainder of the night and into the morning, but she was restless. With the death of Boromir, she'd been shattered, and with the attack of the Uruk-hai, she felt that a part of herself was forever missing. Throwing the covers aside, she struggled to stand. At a shooting pain in her right ankle, she collapsed back onto the bed, seeing stars. Panting, Usagi felt tears beginning to fall down her face. Curling into a fetal position, she began to sob.

                "Naze? Kami-sama, naze?" Usagi whimpered, closing her eyes.

                As sobs racked her small frame, her door opened. Gasping, she tried to sit up and wipe her tears away. As the measured treads reached the foot of her bed, Usagi looked up and gasped. This man was someone she'd never seen before. With waxy black hair and a dour complexion, he looked more threatening than many youma she'd fought before. Approaching her, he spoke disdainfully.

                "Theoden King will be unable to rest if you continue your inane crying. You were hurt by uruk-hai. Who cares? You are worthless and weak. Be quiet and let those with power rest so that they may defend their kingdom."

                Usagi felt her heart break more as the cruel words ran through her head again and again. "Who are you?"

                "My name is Grima Wormtongue. I am the chief advisor of Theoden King." He replied snidely. "I do not need to know your name. You are too impure to be of any consequence."

                Shaking her head, Usagi glared at him. "You would have me despair, would you not, lord? Well, I will not give up! I may be broken in body, but my mind can still withstand poisonous words, snake! Leave me, foul tongue, and do no more harm with your words!"

                Hissing, Grima stood and walked towards the door. "You shall pay dearly for your words, my lady."

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                Smiling sadly, Gandalf reined Shadowfax in and spoke in quiet undertones to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. "Here dwells Theoden King, lord of Rohan, whose mind is broken. Do not look for friendship or comfort here."

                Spurring Shadowfax, Hasufel, and Arod into canters, a soldier of Rohan stopped them just inside the gates of Edoras. "I cannot allow you to pass, Gandalf Greyhame. No outsiders are to enter into Edoras in this troubled time."

                "Send yourself to Theoden King." Gandalf ordered sternly. "My errand is not to Grima Wormtongue but to Theoden King himself!"

                The guard looked troubled. "But what names should I report? And what shall I say of you?"

                "Well spoken." Gandalf replied. "Behold! I bring back to your stables Shadowfax, lord of the Mearas! And here beside me is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Kings, and it is to Mundburg that he goes. Here also are Legolas the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf, our comrades. Go now and say to your master that we would enter the hall and have speech with him."

                "Strange names you give indeed!" The guard exclaimed. "But nevertheless, I shall go and report to Theoden King."

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                Fifteen minutes later, the guard returned, and gave permission for Gandalf and the others to enter the city. Nodding in thanks, Gandalf led Shadowfax up the cobbled streets. As they reached the base of Meduseld, they dismounted and Shadowfax led the way to the stables. Mounting the stairs, Gandalf was surprised when Hama stopped him from mounting the final stair.

                "I cannot allow you to enter so armed, Gandalf Greyhame." He spoke quietly. "By order of…Grima Wormtongue."

                Sighing, Gandalf nodded to Aragorn and Legolas, who reluctantly began to unsheathe their weapons. "It is not my will to put my sword into the care of others, but if Gandalf wishes it, than I shall lay it here. Do not let anyone lay a hand on it, for this is Anduril, the blade that was broken and has been made again. Death shall come to any man that draws this sword, save Elendil's heir."

                Looking amazed, Hama nodded dumbly. Gimli grunted. "If it has Anduril to keep it company, I shall set my axe down."

                The four were about ready to continue, when Hama stopped them once more. "Your staff, Gandalf."

                "You would not part an old man with his walking stick?" Gandalf spoke beseechingly.

                Sighing, Hama nodded to two other door wardens, who pulled the huge gold doors open. Turning to Aragorn, Gandalf discreetly winked. Stepping into the hall, Gandalf led the way across the hall.

                "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King." Gandalf spoke loudly.

                Grima sat at the right hand of the king, whispering into his ear. Nodding, Theoden spoke slowly.

                "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"

                Grima stood and walked towards Gandalf, beginning a tirade about his faults. After several moments, Gandalf raised his staff and spoke with a quiet power,

                "I have not come to bandy words with a snake. Put your forked tongue behind your teeth and be silent!"

                Backing up frantically, Grima cried, "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

                Within seconds, all the guards engaged Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli in a fight. Dodging and clearing a path for Gandalf, they continued to disable their opponents. Mounting the stairs to Theoden's throne, Gandalf began a battle of spirit.

                As the last man fell down, Eowyn rushed into the room, looked around, and ran towards Theoden. Grabbing her arm, Aragorn gently held her back. For several moments, the intense duel between Gandalf and Saruman, who'd taken Theoden's mind continued. With a cry, Theoden fell back onto his throne as Saruman was expelled from his body. Brushing past Gandalf, Eowyn began to help her uncle.

                Wormtongue hadn't stopped backing up during the fight, and was quietly attempting to back down the hall. However, before he could get three paces farther, he was hit from behind. Gasping, he stumbled forward and back into the hall, where he was met with Gimli's fist. Stepping slowly from the shadows, Usagi gasped.

                "Gandalf!" All in the hall turned to her. "But how? You fell…"

                "Through fire and water." Gandalf spoke soothingly. "But that is a tale for another time."

                As tears began to fall down her cheeks, Usagi collapsed into his waiting arms. Gently patting her head, Gandalf motioned to Legolas. Nodding, Legolas gently pulled her away from Gandalf and began to calm her.

                "Where now is Eomer? And where is my son?" Theoden spoke, slowly standing.

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                How was it? Bad, good? I'll try to get another chapter out soon, okay?