Chapter 19; The King of the Golden Hall
We rode to the gates of the city in silence with the pounding of our horses' hooves matching the beating of our hearts as we climbed the shoulders of the hills of Edoras. We came to the city's walls and gate where before the gate sat many men, clad in mail and other garments of war, who all kept a cold and grave face as they looked upon us. They rose to their feet and grabbed their spears when we came before them and they spoke to us curtly in a different language. It was like no language I have every heard before; it was a rich sounding language, similar to German, except it was much smoother and rolling. I watched Aragorn and Gandalf ride forward to listen and answer the men in the same tongue while Legolas, Gimli, and I stood behind them.
"The least they could do is speak so that we might all understand! What kind of courtesy is this?" Gimli asked in a quiet yet annoyed voice and I agreed with him. I looked at Legolas who smiled at Gimli's statement and laughed. He then looked at me for a moment and both of our smiles faded. I looked down at my horse and pet it gently as he turned to look at the guards before the gate. I don't know why I felt uncomfortable but with the new knowledge I had of what was happening in my life I felt as if miles upon miles separated me from the others.
"Come my friends," Gandalf said to us as the gates opened, "we ride up to Meduseld. Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here." I nudged my knee into Hasufel's side and followed Gandalf up the steep streets of Edoras. The streets were laid with stones and the homes were made out of dark woods. The almost 'rugged' people of Rohan seemed to fit in exquisitely with their houses and horses; but I could tell that much that was cheerful and full of life was now melancholy and bleak. We finally came to the top of the hill where we saw a great wooden hall with stone steps and proud, elaborate carvings rise from the earth. The mere size of the hall astounded me, and I was daunted by the power and glory of Rohan and King Théoden. We dismounted our horses and climbed together up the stone steps. I walked closely beside Gandalf and he gave me his arm. I took it gratefully as I watched Legolas take his other arm. As we climbed the stairs I saw the guards that stood in front of the hall. They were tall, seemingly burly men with golden hair and I found them as intimidating as the hall. I patted Gandalf's arm and said,
"Gandalf, I am afraid." At this he laughed silently and replied all the quieter,
"Do not have fear Laura, you will be fine. But I warn you, beware of Wormtongue. He is a minstrel of Saruman and as such he may try to harm or capture you. Take caution." I nodded quickly as we finally approached the last step and stood before the guards. They had their swords drawn and looked over us warily; it was obvious that it was strange to them to see such a diverse company of travelers, including dwarf and elf standing side by side. Their curiosity, however, perked when they saw me standing with this party of men.
"I am the Doorward of Théoden." Said one of the guards in the Common Tongue. He was taller than any man I had ever seen; he wore highly wrought armor and carried a sword. "Háma is my name. I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed, Gandalf Greyhame; by order of Grima Wormtongue." I looked quickly to Gandalf who was unmoved by this. I soon heard the rustling of clothes and sheaths as Aragorn gave up his weapons to the guards, Legolas gave up his quiver, bow, and silver knives, and Gimli reluctantly gave up his axe. Finally they came to Gandalf and myself. "My lady," Háma said to me in a polite tone. "I see that you are not totally unarmed, please…" he indicated to my Lórien sword that rested on my side. I undid my sword and gave it to them carefully and Háma finally turned to Gandalf and asked, "Your staff? Forgive me but this too must be left at the doors." Gandalf chuckled slowly as he replied,
"Eh? No, you would not part and old man from his walking stick?" Háma sighed and nodded as the other guards opened the doors to the hall. I took Gandalf's arm once more and asked,
"Gandalf, what am I to do with out my weapons? Surely I will be vulnerable."
"That may be so," he answered, "but what did you do before Aragorn taught you to yield a sword?" In hearing this I felt both comforted yet foolish; foolish that I had to ask such a question. Perhaps it was nervousness but nonetheless I felt like a fool. The hall was long and wide and filled with shadows and half-lights; immense pillars upheld the roof and there were some bright beams of sunlight that shone through the eastern windows. At the end of the hall was a dais with three steps; in the middle was a wooden throne plated and strung ornately with gold. Upon it sat a bent, old man who looked as if not far from death; he had long white hair and wore a crown of gold upon his head and beside him sat a man with a pale, greasy face and heavy-lidded eyes. His look sent chills down my back and I was suddenly frightened. "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late Théoden King." Gandalf said strongly to the man in the throne. I saw the King's head rise slowly and lean toward the man sitting beside him who whispered intently in his ear.
"Why…should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Théoden answered back, his voice was worn and cracking. The man beside him nodded and stood as he said caustically.
"A just question my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear." He began to descend from the dais and I grasped onto Gandalf's arm tightly as he neared. "Láthspell I name him! 'Ill news'; ill news is an ill guest." He laughed and Gandalf answered sharply,
"Be silent!" the man stopped laughing immediately and Gandalf continued. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy words with a witless worm!" With this Gandalf raised his staff before Grima Wormtongue and began to stride forward. Grima backed away slowly as he exclaimed,
"His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!" At that moment guards came out of the shadows of the hall and attacked us; the first man advanced upon me received a wicked punch in the nose and a foot slammed against his head. It had been a while since I had fought with my hands and feet like I did in Taekwondo, but I still knew how. One by one men came at me and I was able to take them out, leaving Gandalf clear to exorcise Théoden. "You did not kill me, you will not kill him. Be gone!" I heard him call out. Théoden squirmed and cried out in his chair as I continued to fight. One last guard came at me and I slammed the heel of my palm at his nose before punching him in the chin. As I watched him fall I felt a cold hand grab mine and twist it behind my back. I grunted out in pain as I felt my shoulder twist cruelly and my fist push hard against the puncture in my back from Parth Galen. It had obviously scabbed over, but it was still sensitive. Before I could cry out again, a cold steel blade was pushed dangerously hard against my throat. I saw Legolas turn around quickly and his face was suddenly filled with anger and worry.
"Laura!" he cried and tried to come closer to me.
"Don't any of you move!" A nasty voice barked from behind me. I then felt a chin come to rest on my shoulder as a soft voice said, "Well, not so dangerous without your blade or your friends, are you?" I saw Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf turn around to look at me as well.
"Let go of her Grima." I heard Gandalf say slowly to him as he began to walk forward, but Grima took a large step backwards, pulling me with him.
"Do not move…or she will die." I took small breaths so that the blade wouldn't pierce my throat, it was hard to breathe anyways so I felt as if I was slowly losing my breath. His voice went back to my ear again, "Laura was your name, was it? Well, once Saruman is done with you, you will not have so much as a name left." He began to walk backwards pulling me with him as he said the others, "Now, unless you would like your wench here to find herself with a slit throat, you are all going to do as I say. I am going to leave and you are not to leave this hall until I am out of the city walls. Am I clear?" No one answered him and he laughed sardonically. I looked desperately at Legolas then at Gandalf who was absolutely furious. I heard Grima kick his heel against the door and shout, "Open up!" and nothing happened. "Open the door!" he shouted again but nothing happened. This time Gandalf tried to move forward again, but Grima pulled me back and pushed even harder against my throat. "I said not to move! If you move one more time, then she'll be dead." Gandalf froze and Grima began laughing madly. "Imagine this! The great Gandalf the Grey at the command of Saruman and Grima Wormtongue! Oh to see your faces gives me so much joy!" he then leaned into my ear and asked me, "Do you enjoy seeing this Laura? Do you like seeing your friends subject to someone else's will?" I said nothing back to him and he continued to whisper. "You know, before Saruman gets through with you I believe that-" suddenly the door to the great hall burst open with great speed. Before Grima could react, I used my free hand to pull the knife away from my throat and planted my feet; the door swung hard and struck Wormtongue on his head. Almost instantly, I felt his body go limp, and I fell onto the hard stone floor from the extra weight. When I hit the floor, the blade, still tight in his hand, was only inches away from my neck.
"Get off me you stinking bastard!" I spat hoarsely as I tried to get Grima's limp body off me but I was so strained and oxygen deprived I could not budge him.
"Laura!" I heard them yell as Wormtongue rolled off me, I pulled the knife out of Grima's hand in case he should wake again. Aragorn then grasped my shoulders and sat me on the stone floor as I coughed. It was a miracle that the door swung open at that time because I had no idea how I was going to escape. The wound on my back was still aching from the tremendous amount of pressure it endured, but altogether I felt better.
"On your feet Laura." Aragorn said as I used his shoulder to balance myself. I looked to Gandalf who was now assisting the king. Aragorn led me a nearby bench to rest and after looking at my throat and checking if I was all right then went back to Gandalf's side. Gimli then approached me and said,
"Well, you gave all of us quite a fright Laura! Take care never to do such a thing again!" I smiled and said to him with a small laugh,
"I'll try! I honestly had no idea how I would get myself out of that one."
"Well, Gandalf did! He was the one who made the door open!" He then sighed and added, "I knew it would be bad luck to leave our weapons outside." He then extended his hand to help me out of my seat and I took it. Soon there was a groan heard from the other side of the hall. It was Grima and he had awakened; at seeing this, my heart became filled with rage. Before I could do anything I felt a hand rest on my shoulder, I turned and saw Legolas standing there, keeping me from doing anything foolish.
"Laura stop. He is not worth your emotion or time. Do not let him trouble your heart for his words are empty and have but one purpose, to blacken the hearts and minds of good people." I did nothing as I looked back to Grima who lay on the floor.
"Thank you Legolas." I said. He nodded then looked at the guards who grabbed Wormtongue and dragged him out the door. I turned to watch the men escort Wormtongue out and at that moment, I saw Théoden king for what he really was; a great man who stood tall and straight with wisdom on his brow and strength in his fist. He walked toward the door after the guards with sword in hand.
We all followed Théoden out of the hall and watched as the guards threw Grima down the stone steps. Filled with rage, Théoden advanced upon Grima as he pleaded,
"I've only ever served you my lord! Send me not from your side!" Théoden raised his sword a little and yelled,
"Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" His voice was clear and piercing and upon hearing it I could tell that he was a good ruler and king. He then raised his sword to strike Grima but was held back by Aragorn.
"No my lord!" he cried, "No my lord! Enough blood has been spilt on his account!" At this I too descended the stairs and stood over Grima where Théoden and Aragorn stood. I threw his knife on the stone road some ways away from him and said,
"Go now Wormtongue, and tell your shameful excuse of a master this: if he thinks that I will merely yield to him then he is very foolish indeed, because neither Middle Earth nor myself will fall to his or Sauron's will." He looked at me with eyes full of hate and I yelled at him, "GO!" as I did I kicked him in the ribs sending him rolling down the last flight of stairs and onto the streets of Edoras. He stood slowly and gazed at all of us who stood before Meduseld; he then pushed and shoved through the people who had gathered to watch and sped with haste away to Isengard.
Chapter 18 reviewsTriGemini: Well, I think the Lady Galadriel and Gandalf had Laura's safety in mind, so that why they wanted things done quickly. If that makes sense!
Sapphire2988: Yeah, that was pretty tough to make actually credible. Actually the Wraith on earth is a GINORMOUS part of the end of this story and most of the second part of the series!
Ms. Unknown: Yeah most of this chapter stayed the same…
Bebopcowgirl126: well thanks! I really love hearing from new reviewers and I hope that you'll stick around for the rest of it!
