Author: Karina "Galadriel"
Chapter: 8
(Time passed since last episode: weeks)
"About time." Saruman said. The ents were finally letting them leave Isengard. The ents didn't give any explanation, but made Saruman and Grima promise not to harm any trees. Grima willingly swore that he wouldn't because he truthfully had no intention to harm them at all, but Saruman was formulating loopholes of some sort even as he made his promise. But, there was something strange in Katherine's dark eyes, a glint that Grima had never seen before. "Anything wrong?" he asked, standing beside Katherine. "I don't want to leave Isengard." She said, staring straight ahead as if in a trance.
Grima looked at her, confused. "Don't look at me like that, Grima." She said, her voice monotone. "I just don't want to." Now, Grima knew that something was very wrong. She never called him Grima. He was getting suspicions that Saruman had done something to her mind.
Before Grima could say another word, Saruman pushed Katherine aside. "Let's go, Wormtongue." He hissed, making Grima not want to disobey. Katherine appeared behind Grima, making him spin around.
"Are you going to leave me?" Katherine asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. Saruman spun him around so his back was to Katherine. "You are under my command!" he shouted in Grima's terrified face.
"Do you really want to go with HIM?" Katherine asked, sounding strangely desperate. "Do you really want to stay HERE?" Saruman yelled. The two went back and forth, one telling him to go, one telling him to stay. One would kill him if he stayed, and one would torment his mind by her absence if he left.
He couldn't take it any longer. He fell to his knees, clutched his head and screamed...
Grima shot up with a gasp. He looked around. There was no sign of Saruman or Katherine in sight. Grima sat back down and sighed with relief. He leaned back against the wall he fell asleep on. He stared straight ahead at the opposite wall, thinking over his dream. What if he did have to choose between Saruman and Katherine? Grima hoped he would never have to do that.
While he was reflecting over the question, Katherine approached him silently. Grima gave a start when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. "Wormtongue?" she asked in her childlike voice. "You look troubled. I know that pensive expression." She removed her hood and took a seat next to him.
Grima shut his eyes. He didn't want to look into Katherine's eyes just yet, for whenever he did, he either became willing to tell everything on his mind and lose caution, or simply be struck dumb with awe. This time, he took caution in telling Katherine of what troubled him. "I was just thinking about choices." He slowly said, keeping his eyes closed.
"Choices?" Katherine asked, raising an eyebrow. She knew for a fact that Grima was not a person who gave some questions very deep thought. He must be thinking about very unusual choices to give them much attention. Katherine thought.
"Katherine," Grima said, opening his eyes again, yet staring at his feet. "When we get out of this tower, it's very likely that you and Saruman will go different ways, seeing how you two get along." His eyes strayed to the scar on Katherine's face. Katherine put a pale hand to her scratched cheek and nodded.
Grima continued. "So, that would mean I would have to choose which path to take, whether to go with you or with Saruman." Katherine flinched at this. Is it really hard to choose between an evil wizard and myself? Grima saw Katherine's pained expression. "No, no, Katherine! That's not what I meant! I would rather go your way! It's just that..."
Grima faltered. Katherine listened intently. Grima took a deep breath before continuing. "It's just that Saruman is my Lord. If I were to choose you, there's no telling what he would do to me for disobeying. Katherine, do you understand?" Katherine was looking down at the floor the entire time.
Grima sighed. "Katherine, you hold the very spirit of my beloved Eowyn in your eyes. You know I don't want to leave that." He said, putting a hand on Katherine's shoulder. Katherine was very surprised that Grima had that kind of speech in him. She looked at him, and Grima stared into her eyes, seeing Eowyn, the sad and dark side of her.
"I hope you don't have to come to choosing." Katherine said, an unsure smile on her pale thin lips. Grima kissed her hand, embraced her, and whispered "I hope so too." So, the two of them sat there together, unaware of all else around them, including the tall figure watching the two of them.
"Oh, you won't have to choose between us, you worm." The figure hissed, clenching his teeth. "I'll make sure of it."
