Gamling walked back to the great hall. He searched frantically for Hamas.

"I need to speak with you Master Gamling.", Grima Wormtongue said, stepping in front of the horse master.

Grima was the king's advisor. Gamling never liked him. He never trusted him. He liked him even less since the change Grima had wrought in the king. Yet, he knew better then to ver voice his malcontent in public.

"Yes Lord Wormtongue? How may I serve the king?", Gamling asked. He forced himself to keep his tone of voice civil, and polite.

"I need to know.", Grima stopped. "There is a young maid. Let's say she is about seventeen years old?"

"There are several young 'maids' about that age, Sir.", Gamling said, his facial features unreadable. "Perhaps if you could tell me more about this 'person'. Perhaps then, I might be able to be of service."

"She is an Istari apprentice. She has 'dissappeared'. She is being sought by our ally Saruman the white. Her eyes, and hair are brown. She has a slight frame.", Grima said. "Saruman is worried about her. He wants her back safe, and sound."

"There are several maids who fit that discription my lord.", Hama said as he walked over to Gamling.

"Then, round up all of them. You will bring them to the main hall to be seen by King Theoden.", Grima said coldy, his ferel eyes ever watching.

Gamling, and Hama walked out of the main hall.

"You know something Gamling.", Hama said, his eyes widening.

"I know 'noting. I suspect much. come with me my friend.", Gamling said, as he urged Hama to follow him.

Hama needed no further urging. He followed Gamling over to his friend's dwelling.

"Argod? How is she?", Gamling asked, as he and Hama came into Gamling's home.

"Her fever has broken. The swelling has gone down on her arms. She is fully conscious now.", Argod said. "Gamling, she keeps saying Saruman is evil. She keeps.", Argod stopped again, as she saw Hama. "Are you certain this is wise?"

"Argod, I am not here to take the girl back to Saruman.", Hama said. "She is in danger. Gamling, round up the girls fitting her description. Take them to the main hall."

"She is over here.", Argod said, as she moved the wine rack leading into the hidden room. "Her name is Eadhild. She told me that Saruman has imprisoned her father."

"I need to talk to the girl.", Hama said gently. "You both did the right thing. Gamling, Argod I am not angry at you. I am only angry at the times we live in."

"After I bring the maids before Theoden, I still need to talk to you Hama.", Gamling said as he headed out the door.

"I know my friend. I know.", Hama said softly. "Now Argod. Where is the girl?"

"Over here.", Argod said. "While you talk to her, I'll secure the door."

Gamling walked out of the house. He heard the bolt slide into the door after he left.

"Sir?", a young guard asked.

"Come. We have work to do.", Gamling said as he started to walk door to door.

Hama walked into the secret room.

"Hello Eadhild. I am Hama. I need to talk with you.", Hama said as he pulled up a chair to the frightened maid.

She was sitting on the bed. Eadhild's arms and hands were bandaged. She had both of her bandaged hands and arms about her knees. All that Hama could see her were haunting eyes. She was rocking back and forth on the bed.

"Eadhild? I understand that you are fleeing from Saruman.", Hama said softly, not wanting to frighten her farther.

"Yes. I was warned to run.", she said. "by a friend."

"You say he has betrayed us.", Hama said. "Tell me young one, why should we believe you?"

"He has betrayed us. He has a palantir in the tower. He imprisoned my father.", she said. "Sir, I don't even know if he lives now."

"How did you escape, when your father could not?", Hama asked, wondering if she could by any chance be a spy from Saruman.

"I was warned by a friend. I was in my room. As Saruman was calling for me, she warned me to flee. I was three floors up. I climbed out of the window. I hung on to the grout between the stones. That's how I was able to climb down the tower.", she said. "That's how I hurt my hands."

"I can verify that her hands were torn raw. Climbing down a mountain, or even a tower could explain how this happened.", Argod said, as she came into the room. "Also, her feet are badly bruised. She's been running for awhile."

Hama nodded. he respected Argod's knowledge of injuries, and illnesses. It was seldom if at all, that her diagnosis or cures were wrong.

"Your room? You were staying at the tower then?", Hama asked, noting the look of terror in her eyes. "I take it you are the Istari apprentice that Saruman seeks."

"Yes sir.", Eadhild said.

"It's alright. You are safe here. Neither I, Argod or Gamling have any intention of turning you in. I have had my own misgiving about Saruman the white. Can you tell me any more about him? I can do nothing to help you further, without proof."

"I know he has the Palantir. It is a type of orb. My friend warned me never to look into it. She said I would lose my soul if I did. I saw the Palantir in his audience chamber, when I was climbing down the tower. That was the last time I saw my father also.", Eadhild said, a stray tear streaming down her cheek. "Before I could warn father, the window flew shut. I had to flee."

"I will see what news I can find of your father. Tell me though, what is his name?", Hama asked, realizing that she never gave his name.

"His name is Gandalf the Grey.", Eadhild said, for the first time since before fleeing the tower daring to hope.

"I will see what news there is of him. In the meantime child, you must stay here. Do not leave this room.", Hama said patting Eadhild's hand.

"Thank you.", Eadhild said weakly.

Hama smiled at her, before walking out of the room with Argod.

"Hama? Do you believe her tale?", Argod asked.

"I do. Yet it is still not enough proof.", Hama said. "I have to return to the king. My absence will be noticed. Take care that she stays in that room."

As Hama left, Argod looked out of the window. Gamling already had several young maids who fit Argod's description. She could see the tears of the mothers, as they were seperated from their children. All of the girls had slight builds, brown eyes, and Brown hair. She could see the fear etched in their faces, as Gamling led them to the king. She double clicked the bolt once more.

"Listen to me, my dear.", Argod said, as she moved the wine cellar back. "I must secure the room. The other guards will check here. Just be quiet. There is nothing to fear. Do you understand Eadhild?"

"Yes.", Eadhild said from the other side of the door. "Thank you."

Eadhild heard the loud knock on the door. She took a deep breath as she curled up in a corner of the little room.

"One moment!", Argod called out, as she unlocked and opened the door. "A kings guard is always welcome in my home."

"We are looking for a young maid. She is approximately seventeen years old, with a slight build, brown hair, and brown eyes. Have you seen anyone fitting this description?", the guard asked, as he stepped into Argod's home.

"Nay, I haven't. You are welcome to search though.", she answered, as she did a sweeping gesture into her home.

The guard walked further into the small house. He looked through all of the room. He even checked for any hidden store rooms. Luckily he didn't think to check behind the modest wine cellar.

"I apologize for the inconvenience.", the guard said, when his search was complete.

"What is the girl wanted for?", Argod asked innocently.

"I only know the king wishes to see her.", the guard answered.

Argod went back to cleaning the house. She stopped briefly beside the wine cellar.

"Good girl. He won't be back.", Argod said. "Stay in there. I'll bring you some food and clothing when it is safe."

(TBC)