Gandalf quickly led them out from the Fangorn forest and the seven of them were once again standing on the plains of Edoras.
" I'm so glad we're out of there," Carla yawned as they stepped out into the sunlit plains, " I really didn't like that place!"
" Ditto," Jane mumbled loud enough so only Carla and Niori could hear.
" One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. It is necessary that we ride to Edoras with all speed,"
Gandalf suddenly let out a whistle that seemed to echo that was so high pitched; it seemed to echo around the seven companions. The girls opened their mouths to ask why Gandalf had whistled, but just as the words formed, a loud neigh answered Gandalf's whistle.
Suddenly, a beautiful white horse appeared galloping across the plain towards them.
" That is one of the Mearas unless my eyes are deceived by some spell!" Legolas exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with wonder.
The horse reached them and with another neigh, stopped directly in front of Gandalf. A light smile came across Gandalf's face as he spoke the horse's name.
" Shadowfax,"
The three girls looked on in wonder filled awe. This horse was the most beautiful creature they had ever laid eyes upon.
" He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers," Gandalf told them all, patting the horse's nuzzle.
With that, they all mounted and rode off.
Finally, with an hour of riding behind them, the seven companions finally reached Edoras. Gandalf rode in front of the others, riding upon Shadowfax Elvish style of riding.
" This is Edoras and the golden halls of Meduseld," Gandalf told them all as he slowed the pace they were all riding, " there dwells Theoden, king of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over king Theoden is extremely strong,"
" This is so cool!" Jane squealed from sitting behind Aragorn, " I can't believe we're going to Rohan!"
" Be careful what you say," Gandalf cautioned them as they reached the city gates, " do not look for welcome here,"
As they dismounted and walked into the city, many of the townspeople stopped and stared at the company with stony and somewhat fearful expressions.
" What's their problem?" Niori mumbled from walking closely beside Legolas while crossing her arms over her chest.
" You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli agreed, glaring at one of the humans along the side.
" You'll find more cheer anywhere," Carla mumbled sarcastically.
As they started to mount the stairs of the golden hall, an assembly of guards started to await them at the top.
" If I get one more pointed object pointed at me." Carla started to threaten, but let her voice fall as they reached the top.
" Hi," Jane muttered as a few guards gathered around them.
" Ah," Gandalf spoke, nodding a bit as the guards looked on at the company in wonder.
" I cannot allow you before the king so armed," one of the guards spoke, looking at the three girls oddly, " by order of Grima Wormtongue,"
" If you think I'm going to give you my new bow," Carla growled, glaring at the guard, " you seriously need to seek mental help!"
" Ditto for me!" Jane replied, " No way are you getting my sword!"
" This is not the time girls!" Gandalf told them and then nodded towards Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn.
Reluctantly, Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn handed their axe, bow and quiver and sword over. With a smirk, Legolas grabbed his twin blades from behind him, twirled them a bit and handed them to the guard.
" That was cool," Niori remarked with a laugh.
" I know," Legolas replied, his smirk non-wavering.
With a roll of her eyes, Niori tossed her quiver and bow ever so lightly towards the guards, muttering "showoff" quite loudly.
" Carla, Jane," Aragorn commented, his eyes narrowing, " your weapons!"
" Oh fine!" Carla cried angrily, practically throwing her bow and quiver at the guards, nearly taking one of their heads off.
Jane handed her sword over to the guards reluctantly and then placed her hands on her hips to show her irritation.
" Your staff?" the guard asked, stopping the odd looks he was giving the girls and turning towards Gandalf.
Gandalf looked mildly surprised, and then a soft smile touched his lips.
" Eh?" he asked, sounding completely trustworthy, " Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?"
After a moment's hesitation, the guard nodded and the bunch of them moved away from the door.
Gandalf took hold of Legolas's arm to help prove his act and he let the Elf lead him into the hall. Aragorn and Gimli followed beside and the three girls tried to hold down snickers about how stupid the guards were to let Gandalf keep his staff and just before she passed through the doors, Jane turned back the guards and stuck out her tongue, causing the guards to look on in surprise and wonder what would possess a woman to act in such a manner.
Inside the thrown room, a sickly king Theoden sat upon the thrown, with a creepy, bug like man standing at his side, who the girls figured was Grima Wormtongue.
" My lord," Wormtongue spoke, his voice sounding comparable to a hiss of a snake, " Gandalf the grey is coming,"
The seven companions walked further into the room, gaining curious looks from all guards (Eowyn too) present in the room.
Still holding on to Legolas's arm, Gandalf spoke, addressing not who had first spoken, but the king.
" The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden
king,"
" He is not welcome," Wormtongue hissed to the king, making his way
round to the thrown.
" Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" the king asked, his voice cracked and weezing.
" A just question my liege," Grima replied, looking back towards the group.
" Oh will you just shut-up?!" Niori cried, crossing her arms over her chest, " Nobody cares what you have to say!"
The other two girls burst out laughing and pretty much everyone else in the room sniffled laughter.
With a glare at Niori, Grima turned back towards Theoden and continued speaking.
" Why should we welcome him," Grima stood back up, still talking to the king, "he brings ill news and dares to bring strangers of other races and whore women into your great lands,"
Jane's mouth fell open and beside her, Carla reached for an arrow (only to remember that she had left her quiver outside) when they heard Wormtongue call them whores.
" What did you just call me?!" Niori screamed angrily, starting to advance on Wormtongue.
Grima backed up considerably when he saw the angry woman coming to basically murder him, but lucky for him, Legolas let go of Gandalf's arm, and using his Elvish speed, grabbed hold of Niori by the shoulders and restrained her.
" Let me go!" she cried, trying to break from Legolas's hold as he wrapped an arm around her stomach from behind in order to stop her from moving, " I'm going to KILL him!"
With a sigh, Legolas took his free hand and clamped it over Niori's mouth. The girl continued to struggle, but couldn't break from the Elf's hold.
Wormtongue had regained his composure when Legolas had grabbed hold of Niori, and was again at Theoden's side, glaring at the restrained Niori (who was glaring daggers right back at him).
" Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear! Lathspell I name him. Ill news in ill guest,"
" Be silent!" Gandalf cried, raising his voice angrily, " Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth! I have not passed through two worlds and near death to bandy grid words with witless worms!"
Angrily, Gandalf raised his staff towards Wormtongue and the king. Grima's face fell into surprise.
" His staff!" he cried, pointing towards Gandalf, " I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
Gandalf took steps forward, his staff raised and all around them, guards started to rush towards them.
Legolas let go of Niori, and along with Aragorn and Gimli, started to fight off the guards. Jane and Carla joined in soon after, punching a few guards in the face, and as Wormtongue started to rush away from the advancing Gandalf, Niori stuck out her foot and sent Grima toppling to the ground.
" Opps." Niori smirked.
" Theoden so of Thengel," Gandalf cried in a strong voice, " too long have you sat in the shadows,"
Grima started to get back up, but Gimli quickly laid his foot on Wormtongue's chest, making him stay on the ground.
" I would stay still if I were you!" he growled.
" Attend to me!" Gandalf continued, still advancing towards Theoden, " I will release you from the spell!"
Suddenly, the king burst out laughing and through his laughter spoke, " You have no power here, Gandalf the grey!"
Suddenly, Gandalf threw aside the gray robe he was covering his white ones. Theoden's eyes widened and he pushed back further in his thrown.
" I will draw you Saruman as poison is drawn from a wound!" With that, Gandalf pointed his staff at the king.
" Aaah!" Theoden cried, squirming in his thrown.
From the corner of the room, Eowyn gasped in horror at what Gandalf was doing to her Uncle, and ran forward to stop the Wizard from hurting him further. Aragorn quickly grabbed before she could go any closer. "Wait."
Then, a voice came from Theoden that Gandalf knew was Saruman's," If I go...Theoden dies!" Gandalf brought his staff closer, pushing Saruman into the throne. "You did not kill me...you will not kill him!" Gandalf spoke powerfully. " Rohan is MINE!" Saruman said angrily. "Be GONE!" Gandalf bellowed. "Ahhhhhhhhh!" Saruman jumped forward towards the wizard.
While everyone looked on with amazement, Gandalf, with a final powerful thrust of his staff, vanquished Saruman from within the King, bringing Theoden back down to his Throne.
Eowyn feverishly broke free of Aragorn's hold, and caught the King as he fell on his throne. Soon, Theoden's ancient, withered face began to change. His long, white hair became blonde; his face became that of a middle-aged man.
"That, was cool," Jane whispered under her breath, so only the other girls could hear her.
" I know that face," Theoden whispered as he looked into the eyes of his niece, "Eowyn...Eowyn." He smiled, and looked up at the white wizard that stood before him. "Gandalf?"
" Breathe the free air again, my friend," Gandalf answered with a smile.
Theoden's smile wavered, "Dark have been my dreams of late."
"Perhaps," Gandalf motioned for a guard to bring forward the weapon," Your fingers would remember their old strength better-if they grasped your sword."
Theoden drew out the gleaming sword and turned to look at Wormtongue.
"This should be good," Niori muttered. The guards then seized Wormtongue and, followed closely by the King, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and the Girls, threw him out into the courtyard.
" I've only ever served you my Lord," Grima begged, crawling on all fours towards the King.
"Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden spat. " Send me not from your side-!"
Theoden had raised his sword up over the pathetic figure and was about to bring it down when a strong hand stopped him.
"No my Lord," Aragorn said calmly," Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
Taking this as a chance to run for it, Grima jumped up and ran through the crowd that had gathered ("get out of my way!").
"Aw, shit. That bastard got away." Carla grumbled angrily, crossing her arms, I wanted to watch him die!"
" Oh Well, we'll just attack him next time we see him." Niori said with a shrug.