Chapter Three
Faramir looked out on the plains of Rohan, then at the remainder of his company who had survived the attack on the Uruk-Hai.
"We shall start our trek to Edoras immediately, Lord Theoden must know what hunts on the borders of his lands."
He and his company rode forth to Edoras. They were half way there and they saw a man approaching clad in black.
"What business do you have in the land of Rohan!" Grima called forth.
"We are soldiers from Gondor, sent to warn your king of the troubles that approach him." Faramir cried back.
"How does Gondor know this?"
"Why should we tell a ranger of our business?"
"You are mistaken. I am not a ranger, I am chief advisor and counsellor to his lord Theoden. I am Grima Wormtongue."
" Well my lord, I am Faramir, son of the Steward of Gondor!"
"Tell me then lord Faramir, how is it that you know of the approaching trouble?"
"My father, Denethor the 26th steward of Gondor, has seen it through powers unknown to your people, through the power of stone."
"I will escort you to lord Theoden's halls. Did you see anyone else along your way but these Orc like creatures?"
"No we didn't, but there is smoke rising from Isenguard. We are now certain he has joined with the Dark Lord."
Theoden was still there with Eowyn at his side. She was still talking of many things and Theoden listened with content. He liked to see Eowyn happy, instead of being in one of her melancholy moods.
"It appears that you have had a change of heart towards Grima."
"Yes I have, I don't know why but I pity him, he is so alone. I know how he feels in a way. He can be kind and caring as well as sinister and suspicious."
"He is who he is Eowyn, he cannot change, but he is ever good to you, so be good to him."
"I will my lord. Farwell!" With that said she left and saw Grima leading in a company of men that seemed, by their clothing, to come from Gondor.
"My Lord? What is the meaning of this?"
"Lady Eowyn", Grima said with a bow, "These are the remainders of men from Gondor that launched an attack on those orcs your brother saw."
"Strange, Eomer said nothing of men laying dead there."
"Half of my men carried them back to Gondor to be buried with honour." Faramir answered solemnly.
"Oh, I do apologise my lord"
"Apologise not, my lady you did not know."
"I will tell Lord Theoden you have come, he should see you, wait here with her ladyship." Grima walked in the direction of Theoden's chamber.
Eowyn had never seen a more handsome man than Faramir. She looked him up and down. He was tall and had light brown hair, piercing blue eyes and from what she could gather, he was a very strong man. Faramir also looked Eowyn up and down; she was beautiful. She had the beauty of an elf, yet she was mortal, he stood in amazement; Her long blonde hair flowing down past her shoulders and her green eyes that were filled with introversion.
Grima reached Theoden's chamber.
"My lord soldiers from Gondor are here. They wish to speak with you. They say they know the troubles that face your kingdom. They say that their lord saw this through the power of stone; they must speak of a Palantiri. The captain is Faramir and is not to be trusted."
Grima panicked, if Faramir knew for certain that Saruman was in league with Sauron, all would be lost. He must convince him otherwise. This would be perfect for his plans to kill the guard, now that the men of Gondor were actually in the Golden Hall.
He escorted Theoden to the Golden Hall. Faramir, Eowyn, Eomer and Theodred were there waiting.
"I see my lords have already heard of the matter?" Grima said to Theodred and Eomer smugly.
"I told you Saruman was a deceiver, now what will become of you Wormtongue?" Eomer replied
"I will be as I always have been, advisor and counsel to the Lord Theoden."
Having said that Grima took his place next to the king on his throne.
"My lord, my father Denethor sends word that there are Uruk-Hai, a creature much similar to an orc, only stronger and may travel by day and night, swarming to Rohan and ever keeping watch. Saruman sends them. We are sure, my father has seen this."
"If he looks through a Palantiri, he could very well be wrong, for they are known to only show what they wish to and can sometimes be misinterpreted."
"Misinterpreted? I do not know what my father saw exactly, but he is not a simple minded man, he is both wise and alert."
"Lord Faramir, Theoden needs none of your troubles, Saruman remains a friend, he obviously saw it wrong."
"Then you too, Lord Grima must be in league with him!" Faramir shot back.
"We have said this for weeks Grima leagues with Saruman!" Eomer replied.
"I do league with Saruman, as he leagues with us! It is Gondor my Lords who doesn't league with us. It is a trap, those orcs are sent by Gondor! That is my suspicion! Why help us now, when we needed them before?" Grima's argument was a good one that even made Eomer think.
"We are here to help you, not to be turned against you."
"Do not trouble Theoden any further with this folly. We will trust you for the time being until you prove yourself untrustworthy" Grima said, then he left with the king.
"Do not mind Grima Lord Faramir, he is wicked and sharp with his tongue, that is why most people know him as Wormtongue, you are most welcome in our halls." Eowyn said, who had another change of heart towards Wormtongue, she now knew why he was alone, he was too controlling.
Faramir and his 6 other men stayed that night in Rohan.
Haladin returned to Edoras with a dagger from Gondor. He made his way to Grima's compartment.
"My Lord," he said as he presented a dagger.
"There is no need for that now, now that Gondorian soldiers sleep here this very night. Their arms have been left in the great hall. I need only to take one and kill the guardsmen. Did you cause suspicion in Gondor?"
"No, my lord I slipped through like a shadow."
"Good, because if you hadn't I may have had to use this dagger on you." Haladin bowed and left his room. Grima would wait to nightfall to launch his attack.