Warnings: Yet another confession! And this time with royalty again! Should be fairly interesting…

Disclaimer: Need I even say it?

A/N: Once more, THANK YOU TO ALL MY REVIEWERS! You guys keep me going even under the threat of the dreaded Writer's Block…which is really awesome. Thank you!

Corruption Confession

--))--

"Have a seat."

A look of guilt. Uncertainty. Nervousness.

The stool braced itself in pure intimidation as the figure above it descended upon it slowly…and became almost instantly relieved when it found that the weight was not nearly what it had been before. It was still a burden, but at least it felt like it could hold it this time.

The priest on the other side of the small, decorated window sighed slightly to himself as he sat down on his own chair, wincing slightly when his back gave a small protest to the motion, but otherwise seeming just fine with the situation as he prepared to hear the confession of the day. His last confession had gone fairly well, so he was feeling a bit more confident now, and at least he wasn't hearing any strange noises from the other side of the wall. That, he was certain, was all that would be needed to get him shaking all over again.

"Begin."

And so it did.

"Bless me Father, for I have sinned." The voice from the other side of the wall was older, but very remorseful and very soft, and therefore very relieving to the priest's ears. He already knew the name of the fellow that was confessing that day, but to hear that he didn't sound like a monster was still very relieving. "I bring the sin of corruption before the throne of the Lord."

The priest's relief stilled slightly, and froze inside of his mind as he slowly processed that word in his mind. Corruption. Didn't that mean…the process of turning corrupt? Evil?

Now feeling his relief beginning to disappear, Father Herman swallowed very hard before finally speaking in response to the man's words. "C-corruption, my child?" He asked, his voice wobbling just at the very beginning of his words due to a growing knot forming in his stomach. "…do you mean…you have turned to the devil's wishes instead of those of the Lord your God?"

"Not of my own volition, Father." The voice spoke softly. "'Twas the press of evil itself upon me…but I believe I could have fought harder against the force that pushed me. It caused me to do terrible things."

"Such as?" In truth, that was the last thing the priest wanted to ask at that time, but he knew it was necessary for the sake of the confession…and it made him feel completely ill.

"I sat in silence as my son lay dying." A bit more sadness had touched the voice now, and somehow caused the priest to feel a bit less uneasy at the sound of the true regret in the mournful tone. "I sent my nephew into exile for reasons that were purely unjust. I failed my people. I failed them as their king…"

"Ah." Father Herman nodded slowly as Théoden named these things, but he could not help but feel relieved that those seemed to be the worst of the things that he had done…and it did not sound as though he had done them of his own free will. "And do you believe that this…force was, in a sense, possessing you?"

"Like a demonic possession?" The voice asked softly, but some of the sadness was gone at the mention of such a thing.

"Yes." The priest answered bravely.

"Oh, it was no demon that caused me to do these things, Father." Théoden answered quietly. "It was Saruman the White, and his servant, Grima Wormtongue. One of which used to be in my service. Somehow they were able to gain control of my mind, and changed me almost completely…"

"So then this is still not happening at the present time, is it?" Father Herman asked, purely dying to know the answer to this particular question, as it would tell words for how alarmed he should be feeling at the moment. At least he was safe in sanctuary, though…perhaps…

"No, it is not." Théoden answered. "Both Saruman and Grima are now dead. I still feel the weight of the guilt that comes with the deeds I have done, though. I still feel that I could have prevented it, had I not been so blind…"

"One man alone is often no match for the forces of evil, my child." The priest said gently, his heart suddenly going out to the confessor as he became more sure of the situation and began to realize what he was going through. "I doubt there was much of anything that you could have done. What matters now is that you are no longer in the shadow of that evil, and you may now take the time that you need to make right of the things that you made wrong. Is your family still with you?"

"Yes…all but my son."

"Then they must be telling you the same thing I am. Do not press yourself with this guilt. Bring it before the Lord, for he makes all things knew. Allow your heart to be cleansed, and start over again. You may find that there is more in the hands of God that cannot be in our hands than you think."

The man was silent then, but Father Herman could tell he was considering his words. Ah, how glad he was to see a confessor like this again! Someone who truly regretted their actions, and was truly a good person at heart. It was very refreshing after some of the others that he had seen.

"Very well, Father." Théoden spoke in his normal, soft voice a moment later, and the priest heard the stool creak a bit as the man stood up, crossed himself, and turned to make his way slowly but deliberately toward the tower of the church, where he was undoubtedly going to pray.

As soon as he was gone, Father Herman sat back slowly against his seat, closed his eyes, and let out a long breath. So, confession number two was done. And it hadn't been as bad as he had dreaded at all. God was truly watching over him, and he prayed that he would continue to make things as easy for him as possible…but then again, of course, God works in strange ways.

And it was with this thought in mind that the priest at last stood from his seat, crossed himself as well, and made his way carefully out of the small room and along the stone path toward the sanctuary, where he himself planned to pray for a good part of the day.

Yes, that sounded very good to him. After all, a little prayer never did anything but a world of good.

--))--

Yay! The next confession is complete! Théoden was a blast in this one. Thanks to Lina-Baggins for the wonderful idea! (hugs) Oh, and just in case anyone is wondering, I don't do the confessions in the order of which I received the ideas from my (spectacular) reviewers, but instead in the order of which I think would fit the story best. Just so no one gets confused! (waves helpfully)

-Review Responses-

almostinsane: Thanks! Oh, and if you don't mind, if I do end up including you, I will need to know a few basic things for detail purposes. (grin) These are the questions: what color is your hair? Your eyes? Do you mind if your personally isn't exactly matched? Is there a name for yourself that you would like me to use instead of your penname? With that, I think I should have enough, just in case I stick you in a chapter somewhere along the line here. (wink) Thanks for your review!

Lina-Baggins: Oh mellon nin, your compliments always brighten my day…even though I hardly feel worthy of them. (bashful smile) I am SO glad that you think I did I good job on Gimli! Really, I do get worried about how I am managing the characters, and it means a lot to hear that I'm doing an O.K. job. (hugs Lina tightly) I always liked John Rhys-Davies too, especially his voice! He has an amazing way of talking…and speaking of talking, I agree with you on the flamers deal. (shakes head sadly) I was really hoping I had made it clear in my profile that I really don't want any flames, as I have never flamed anyone else, and it just goes to show how unkind some people are. I mean, constructive criticism I have always appreciated, but flames just make me feel bad. Anyway, I won't take up your time reading this any longer! (musters up smile) Thanks again for your Théoden idea, and I will try to update soon!

Kabuki733701: Oh, thank you so much! (hugs) It's very good to know that you liked the chapter! Yeah, doing Gimli was fun. I imagine he's always been pretty touchy on the subject of Galadriel, and now he actually admits it!…well, sort of. (winks) And Grima did you say? Excellent idea! I'll store the idea away in my Folder right away. And you're certainly right about the Stool! He'll have a few extra creaks and a crack after that…after all, dwarves are nice, but they can be pretty heavy. See you at the next update, mellon nin! (waves)

Lindahoyland: Ha! Gave you a little surprise did I? Well, that's always refreshing once in a while…at least that's what I think. Hehe. I'm glad you liked the chapter! It's always nice to know that. (grins) And yeah, you have a point about that "courtly love" thing. Father Herman would have to learn a thing or two before dealing with that completely…but at least he survived it. Thanks for your review, mellon nin!