Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings

Chapter 9

King of the Horse lords

Tigerlily was the first to wake the next morning. She felt a weight on her stomach. Turning her head, she saw Legolas sleeping next to her, his arm wrapped around her. She smiled to herself. She pushed his arm off and got up. His hand grabbed her wrist

"Where are you going?" he whispered.

"We can't stay asleep all day," she replied softly. Legolas stood up and kissed Tigerlily. His hand was in the small of her back and he used it to pull her up close to him. His hand traveled up her side. When it reached her chest, Tigerlily gasped. Legolas stopped kissing her mouth and worked his way along her jaw and down her neck. Tigerlily's hands slid up into Legolas' hair and grasped it.

"Stop it," she muttered, "We'll get caught."

Deep down, Tigerlily just wanted Legolas to push her to the ground and make love to her.

"I don't care," said Legolas and he kissed her passionately.

"I think that's quite enough of that!" barked Gandalf from behind them. Legolas let go of Tigerlily and turned around. He was about to explain when Gandalf held up a hand.

"Don't say a word," he said, "I knew about this. What I want to know is what took you two so long?" Legolas looked at his feet and Tigerlily blushed

"I take it those two haven't a clue," said Gandalf, pointing at Aragorn and Gimli. Tigerlily shook her head. Gandalf chuckled as Legolas and Tigerlily stood in front of him, looking awkward.

"Pippin will not be pleased," said Gandalf.

"Pippin!" said Tigerlily, "I'd forgotten about him."

"What are you three talking about?" grunted Gimli.

Looking over Gandalf's shoulder, Tigerlily could see Aragorn and Gimli had just started to stir.

"Come," said Gandalf, "We need to get going."

Later that morning, the three horses came within sight of Edoras.

"Edoras," said Gandalf, "And the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Theoden is now very strong. Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."

The horses galloped forward to Edoras. As they passed through the gate, a flag with a white horse on it fell past them. The city was cheerless. The people wore black. Tigerlily looked around. In Enedwaith, black was only worn for funerals. Gimli spoke her thoughts.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," he muttered.

Tigerlily tightened her grip around Legolas' waist as the pale faces watched them with eyes full of suspicion. They dismounted their horses and climbed the stairs. As they approached the doors of Golden Hall, they found their way blocked by two guards. A third stepped forward.

"I am the Door ward of Theoden," he said, "Háma is my name. I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue."

Gandalf looked at Tigerlily and the others and nodded. Tigerlily removed her sword and daggers from her belt. The guard near her took her sword first then her daggers. Tigerlily winced as she watched the guard shove them roughly on a bench nearby.

"Please be careful with those," she said, "They were made for me by the elves of Lothlorien. I'd hate for them to be damaged."

The guard ignored her. Háma looked at Gandalf's staff, hesitated and then spoke gently.

"Your staff," he said quietly.

Gandalf looked slightly offended and slightly tightened his grip on his staff.

"You would not part an old man from his walking stick," he said gently.

Háma hesitated as Tigerlily tried not to laugh. He stepped to one side and allowed the group to pass. Legolas allowed Gandalf to lean on him, following through on the idea that Gandalf was partially lame. The guards seemed hesitant to let Tigerlily in. Maybe it was the elven gifts she had or they had been told to look out for a young woman who kept strange company.

As they entered the hall, Tigerlily felt anger well up in her heart at the familiar sight of Grima Wormtongue. She watched him lean over to the old king and whisper into his ear.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King," barked Gandalf.

"He's not welcome," Tigerlily heard Grima whisper.

Tigerlily noticed a small group of guards following their progress through the hall.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" said the king in a slow voice.

"A just question, my liege," said Grima.

"Here's another," muttered Tigerlily so only Legolas could hear her, "What's that slime doing here?"

"You know him?" asked Legolas

"Unfortunately, yes," replied Tigerlily.

"Late is the hour in which this conjuror chooses to appear. Láthspell I name him," said Grima, "Ill news is an ill guest."

"Be silent!" commanded Gandalf, "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm."

He pulled his staff up straight and Wormtongue's eyes widened with fear.

"His staff," he said, "I told you to take the wizards staff!!"

Guards rushed forward to defend Grima. Two came at Tigerlily, one on either side. She took one look at each of them and stepped backwards. The two guards crashed into each other and landed in a heap on the floor. Tigerlily stepped over them. She tapped one of them, who was trying to take Gimli, on the shoulder. He turned and looked at her.

"Hello," she said, pulling her fist back and easily knocking him out.

"Theoden, son of Thengal," said Gandalf, "Too long have you sat in the shadows."

Grima tried to escape but instead ran straight into Tigerlily.

"Hello Grima," she said.

"Tigerlily? Why are you here?" he stammered

"I was going to ask you the same question," replied Tigerlily.

She pushed him backwards onto the floor. He landed on his back. He tried to move but found Gimli's foot on his chest.

"I'd stay still if I were you," he growled.

Gandalf moved closer to Theoden.

"Hearken to me!" said Gandalf, "I release you from the spell."

"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey," laughed Theoden.

Gandalf threw off his dull cloak to reveal his white robes.

"I will draw you, Saruman," muttered Gandalf, "Like poison is drawn from a wound."

"If I go, Theoden dies," snarled Theoden.

"You did not kill me," said Gandalf, "You will not kill him."

"Rohan is mine," gasped Theoden

"Be gone," cried Gandalf, striking Theoden on the head with his staff.

Theoden's appearance began change. His hair changed from iron grey to a light blond, blood seemed to fill his face again and life came back into his eyes. A young woman ran over to him. Theoden looked at her.

"I know your face," he whispered, "Éowyn? Éowyn."

Theoden saw Gandalf.

"Gandalf?" he said

"Breath the free air again, my friend," said Gandalf.

"Dark have been my dreams of late," muttered Theoden, looking down at his hands.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better," said Gandalf, "if they grasped your sword."

Theoden's sword was brought forward and he drew it from its sheath. He gazed at the sword in wonder before his eyes fell on Wormtongue who was struggling to free himself from Gimli's grip.

Tigerlily smirked as she watched Wormtongue rolling down the stairs, landing in a heap at the bottom. He looked up at Theoden, his greasy black hair hanging in front of his eyes.

"I've only ever served you, my lord," he said, a hint of panic in his voice.

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" snarled Theoden.

"Send me not from your sight," said Wormtongue, trying desperately to regain control over the king.

Theoden lifted his sword above his head then brought it down Aragorn ran forward and stopped him.

"No, my lord!" he said, "No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."

Theoden lowered his sword and steeped away from Grima. Aragorn extended one hand toward Grima. Grima scowled and spat at Aragorn before climbing to his feet and running through the streets.

"Out of my way," he snapped at the people who were stood watching.

"Hail, Theoden King!" shouted Aragorn.

Theoden looked around as the people bowed before him

"Where is Théodred?" he asked, "Where is my son?"

Éowyn stepped forward and spoke though her voice shook.

"He is dead, my lord," she said, "He was slain by orcs."

A few hours after Theoden had been told of his son's death; Tigerlily was stood before the doors of the Golden Hall, holding one of her daggers in her hand and was examining it. Legolas came out of the Hall.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Tigerlily looked over her shoulder at him

"I told them to be careful with these," she said, "But did they listen? No. Surface scratch from ill handling."

"Oh dear," said Legolas.

He took a closer look at the dagger.

"I can't see anything," said Legolas

Tigerlily smiled.

"Thank you," said Tigerlily, "I managed to solve it."

"I didn't know you were a black smith," said Legolas

"I'm not but my brother, Togo is," said Tigerlily, "He taught me a few things about blades."

"I'm impressed," said Legolas, "You seem to be a jack of all trades."

"No just the youngest of seven children," replied Tigerlily.

"The funeral is going to begin," said Legolas, "We had better be going. Hang on, how did you know Wormtongue?"

"I met him when I was sixteen," said Tigerlily, "He just showed up one day in my village but he got thrown out."

"Why?" asked Legolas

"He was… propositioning young girls," said Tigerlily, "He even tried it with me."

"What?"

"Relax, my father said if he heard that Wormtongue had even looked at me, he'd kill him," said Tigerlily, "And I know you wouldn't allow it."

"You're right, I wouldn't," said Legolas, smiling fondly at her.

Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Tigerlily followed the body of Théodred to the mounds where the kings of the past were buried. Tigerlily stood next to Legolas, silent. She had only ever been to one funeral in her lifetime. Her grandparents. She couldn't imagine how Theoden felt, how it felt to lose a child. She stood with him and Gandalf, looking at the mounds after the funeral. Theoden was looking at a small flower and talking to Gandalf. Tigerlily was looking east. She saw a horse appear with two small children riding on its back. The boy fell off.

"Gandalf!" she cried, running to wards the horse.

The boy was lying on the ground. He had collapsed from exhaustion and his little sister was still sat on horse. Gandalf and Theoden came running over. Theoden helped the boy to his feet while Tigerlily took the girl off the horse. Theoden helped the boy back to Golden Hall while Tigerlily carried the young girl.

Legolas saw Gandalf, Theoden and Tigerlily returning. They had two children with them. He saw Tigerlily carrying a small girl and talking to her. The child's face was tear-stained and tired but there was a faint smile on her face from Tigerlily's words. For a brief moment Tigerlily seemed completely natural with a child on one hip. Legolas assumed it was from having many nieces and nephews.

Aragorn and Gimli were sat at a smaller table and Legolas and Tigerlily were stood nearby.

"They had no warning," said Éowyn, "They were unarmed. Now the Wild Men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, Cot and Tree."

"Where is mama?" asked the little girl.

Tigerlily looked at the girl and saw a similarity between her and her niece, Clover. They were both lost if their mother was not there.

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," said Gandalf, "All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight!"

Theoden got up and walked around the room. Tigerlily sat down beside Gimli.

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak," said Aragorn, "Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."

"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now," said Theoden, "Éomer cannot help us. I know what it you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

"Open war is upon you," said Aragorn, "Whether you would risk it or not."

Theoden turned to face Aragorn.

"When last I looked," he said, "Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan."

"Then what is the kings decision?" asked Gandalf