Title: Doubts
Author: Cheska
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 4
Author's Notes:Thank you for the great reviews, please do continue reading the fanfic. Since English 114, I realized the difficulty of writing papers. Boy writing papers is different from writing stories, no matter how they say they're alike! And I'm not sure what's going on with but none of my enhancers are working. So my line breaks and stuff are zilch. Can't even go and say bow...except...bow.
The Riddermark had been riding with only brief rest stops day in and day out. The ride fell heavily upon Serenity, but no complaint issued from her lips as she bore it through. Ever since the Company left the Riddermark, Serenity could not help but feel a sense of longing to see them once more. Especially, to see the one with the light blonde hair and blue eyes; the Elf named Legolas Greenleaf. Despite this inner and selfish desire, Serenity buried the feeling deep into the recess of her heart for she knew that she could not love such a being, could not fall in love at all for her heart only belonged to her one and only and that person had died long ago.
"My Lady, we have reached the pass that shall lead us to Edoras and Meduseld. There dwells Théoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan," Eomer lightly touched Serenity's arm, drawing her from her state of thought where the picture of the fair face of Legolas dwindled before fading back into a blur.
Serenity drew away from her thoughts and stared in front of her where a beautiful image greeted her crystalline blue eyes. White-tipped and streaked with black were the mountains that stood before the Riddermark and Serenity. Grasslands rolled against the hills that clustered before the group's feet, and flowed up into many valleys that were still dim and dark, untouched by the light of dawn that fell before them, winding their way into the heart of the great mountains. Through the way into the mountain, a tumbled mountain-mass with one tall peak stood alone; at the mouth of the vale, there stood a sentinel with a lonely height. At its feet, there flowed a steady silver stream and upon it was a glint in the rising sun.
"A beautiful sight to greet us yon this early morning, my Lord," Serenity complimented the sight before her eyes.
"Once we get closer, my Lady, we shall greet the King of the Mark of Rohan. I warn you my Lady, he takes no kindness to those who speak wrongly. Draw no weapons, speak no haughty word," said Eomer.
"Do not fear, my Lord for I hold no weapons other than these two hands of my own. As for my words, I doubt that I shall speak so freely before a great King," assured Serenity with a supportive smile that eased the man's heart.
"I believe you," Eomer nodded.
As the group came to the stream, it was bright and clear as the birds sang and flew about them. The stream of water ran down swiftly into the plain and beyond the feet of the hills, it turned across the group's path into a wide bend, flowing away east. The land before them was green: in the wet meads and along the grassy borders of the stream grew many willow-trees. This was a sign that spring was upon them. The travelers passed over the ford and came upon a wide rutted track leading towards the uplands. At the foot of the walled hill, the way ran under the shadow of many mounds, high and green. Upon their western sides, the grass was white with snow: small flowers sprang there like stars amid the turf. Serenity stared at the bright, beautiful flowers among the grass. Eomer saw her interest of the fair flowers and veered his horse to her side.
"Evermind they are called to the Dwarves, Simbelmyne in this land of Men, for they blossom in all the season of the year, and grow where dead men rest."
"They are beautiful yet full of sadness if these flowers are the mark of the dead…" Serenity commented.
"Come, we are near the great halls of Théoden the King," Eomer beckoned as he rode away from her side and to the front of his troops.
With these words, the travelers passed the silent mounds and winded up the green shoulders of the hills to come at last to the wind-swept walls and the gates of Edoras. Eomer led the group through the dark gates where a broad path met them that were paved with hewn stones, winding upward and climbing in short flights of well-laid steps. Many houses built of wood and many dark doors the group passed and beside the way channeled a stream of clear water, sparkling and chattering. Up on the hill stood a high platform above a green terrace, where a bright spring fell from a stone carved similar to a horse's head. Beneath the platform was a wide basin that caught the falling stream. On the green terrace were stone stairs where stone-hewn seats sat on the topmost step and where guards stood with drawn swords laid upon their knees. Sun fell upon the guard's green shields and appeared taller as the Riddermark came closer with Serenity beside Eomer.
"These are the doors that will lead to the king, are you prepared my lady?" Eomer inquired before the reached the guards.
"Yes, I believe I am," Serenity breathed as she finally reached the topmost step.
(Selene, give me strength!) Serenity prayed inwardly.
"Hail to thee!" the guards suddenly called with clear voices as they spoke with courteous greetings.
"Hail Háma, Doorward of Théoden." Eomer greeted as he let out a small bow.
"I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter."
Eomer let out a brief smile before laying down his arms and beckoned for some of his troops to do the same while others chose to remain outside until their return.
"My lady, I trust that you do not possess such weaponry?" Eomer turned to Serenity who shook her head.
Before long, the guards lifted the heavy bars of the doors and swung them slowly inwards grumbling on their great hinges and from there Eomer and Serenity with a few chosen soldiers entered. Inside, the room appeared dark and warm after the clear air upon the hill. Serenity, through her crystalline blue eyes, saw that the hall was long and wide and filled with shadows and dim lights where mighty pillars upheld the roof. The floor was paved with stones of many hues, branching runes and strange devices intertwined beneath their feet. Serenity lightly gasped as she saw that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and half-seen colors. Various woven cloths hung upon the ancient walls, and over their wide spaces marched figures of ancient legend, some dim with years, some darkling in the shade but what stood out the most was a young man that sat upon a white horse blowing a great horn with flying yellow hair.
"Whom may I ask is that figure?" Serenity pointed out the statue of the young man upon the neighing horse.
"Eorl, the Young! He rode out of the North to the Battle of the field of Celebrant." Eomer answered with a sparkle of pride shining in his bright eyes.
Past the clear wood-fire burning in the midst of the hall on the hearth, the group halted as they reached the far end of the humble abode. Beyond the hearth and facing north towards the doors was a dais with three steps in and in the middle of the dais was a great gilded chair. Upon it sat a man bent with age with long, thick white hair that fell in great braids from beneath a thin golden circlet upon his brow. In the center of the circlet was a single white diamond. His eyes burned with a bright light that appeared to glint as he stared at Eomer and the people around him. Silence only greeted them and the old man did not move in his chair.
"Hail, Théoden son of Thengel! I have returned safely from the outside and I bring a guest."
"Indeed you have, Eomer son of Eomund, Third Marshal of Riddermark. A guest of hidden beauty seeing as this figure hides its face from our prying eyes and curious interest," stated a woman that stood behind the gilded chair.
"The same could be said for you, dear lady as you hide yourself in the shadows from behind the dais and great throne of Théoden son of Thengel." Serenity contested as she stepped forward.
At Serenity's challenge, the woman stepped out. Grave and thoughtful showed upon her features, cool pity was in her eyes but fair was her face. Her long hair was a river of gold, as she proudly stood strong. Slender and tall she was in her white robe girt with silver and from Serenity's perspective, this woman was a daughter of kings.
"Who may you be that visits our humble abode in this time of trouble?" the woman inquired.
"My name is Serenity and only Serenity from a different realm. My path, my purpose holds no true meaning to the eyes of such as your self, my lady," Serenity curtsied.
"Come, let us see your true self," the woman beckoned for Serenity to remove her hood as she stepped down from the dais and approached her.
Bowing her head, Serenity's slender fingers pulled down the green hood that covered her features. Silver-golden waves of hair toppled out of and as she raised her head, crystalline blue eyes glittered with a sense of mystery and undetermined wisdom. Tall and slender with an air of gracefulness filled her features as she pulled back her green cloak to reveal a beautiful luminescent white gown with gold outlined on the seams. At this moment, she appeared to be a woman of noble birth, a queen of a realm that was far more dignified than they were.
"And who may you be, my lady?" Serenity softly inquired, in a tone that was both ethereal as it was firm and calculating.
"Eowyn is my name, the lady of Rohan."
"Eowyn, sister of Eomer are you not?
"Yes, my lady but how did you know?"
Serenity merely let out a small smile before putting back her hood on and retreating from her place and back to the spot beside of Eomer who remained where he was in front of the Théoden the King. The king's eyes were speculative as they gazed upon his guests but before he could speak, a wizened figure of a man appeared from the doors with a pale wise face and heavy-lidded eyes.
"That is Wormtongue, like him I do not but he is the one that the king is given counsel to," Eomer whispered as he leaned a bit to Serenity.
(Wormtongue…he is…Grima son of Galmod. He is weak in body, yet wicked with his words they are strong. Though not as strong as Saruman's….) Serenity's eyes were in slits as she studied the pale man that made his way to the king's side.
As Serenity suspected, Wormtongue bent down and whispered words of 'counsel' in the ears of the king who repeated them aloud. He told Eomer of how he had left the walls that were meant to be guarded from the evil that roamed the land and before Eomer could present a word on his behalf, the king waved them away and sent Eomer to no longer be a soldier for his people but a mere prisoner within the walls of Edoras. Eomer no longer held the title as the Third Marshall of the Mark and could not leave the place outside of these walls.
Hearing him self being stripped of his position, Eomer strode over and cried out the absurdity of such a harsh act upon himself.
"My Lord! Surely, you do not mean that, why listen to such a monster and such sly a beast as Grima? My Lord, I only serve you and mean well. My action surely does not call for this kind of punishment!"
"Eomer, hold yourself! Grima only counsels me what he deems is necessary and would serve best for all," Théoden said for the defense of his counselor.
"Grima is nothing more than a worm!! Wormtongue is his name! By my word, if I ever have a chance I would surely kill him!" Eomer threatened.
"Eomer! Leave my halls at once; I want nothing more to do with you!" Theoden bellowed, his eyes flashing with malice at the cause of Eomer's threat towards Grima.
As the group left the halls, Serenity remained silent as she contemplated about the man named Wormtongue, she could not say anything even though she wanted to help Eomer.
"That man is who the king goes to for counsel?" Serenity stated more than asked to Eomer as they made their way to the stables.
"Yes, he has been with the king for several years now."
"I do not trust him, nor do I like him. He is a meddler and comes with evil tidings. He may be a worker of evil. He surely must be to counsel the Lord to do such a cruel thing to you," Serenity bitterly stated aloud.
(He may also be under Saruman's control and he, I do not like.) Serenity muttered inside her head as she looked over the land and spotted that darkness brewing not too far away, from where they resided.
Serenity spent the night in Edoras, her green cloak cast aside in a room that Eomer provided for her. It was a bit small, but still comfortable enough for her presence to reside in. Sitting beside the window, Serenity's gaze lingered upon the shadow of the moon.
"Powers of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto. Powers of the stars…the whole galaxy…lend me your powers of foresight…." Serenity uttered in a low voice as she bowed her head, her long mane of hair falling over her shadows and touching the ground.
A lone crystal tear fell from her eyes, glistening under the moonlight. The teardrop fell on the windowsill and as she opened her eyes, a vision appeared.
... Vision ...
Gleams of sun were striking through the hurrying clouds, the forest now looking less grey and dreary. Aragorn had stood up and looked about, but saw nothing that was of any use.
"…we did not wish to come to Fangorn," said Gimli.
"Yet here we are – and nicely caught in the net," said Legolas. "Look!"
"Look at what?" said Gimli.
"There in the trees."
"Where? I have no elf-eyes."
"Hush! Speak more softly! Look!" said Legolas pointing. "Down in the wood, back in the way that we have just come. It is he. Cannot you see him, passing from tree to tree?"
A bent figure moved slowly and the old beggar man, walking wearily, leaning on a rough staff was not far away. His head was bowed, and he did not look towards them. The three stood silent, each feeling a strange expectancy: something was approaching that held a hidden power – or menace.
Gimli tried to have Legolas hit the old man with his bow and arrows but could not and Aragorn understood, saying that you should not hit an old man unawares or unchallenged. However, at that moment the old man came with surprising speed to the foot of the rock-wall.
"Well met indeed, my friends," the old man broke the silence that had ensued. "I wish to speak to you. Will you come down or shall I come up?" Without waiting for an answer, the old man began to climb.
The three men and the old man began to speak. The old man sounding as if he knows what the men's intention were while the other ponders over what may happen and as to what the old man's purpose is.
"Might we know your name and then hear what it is that you have to say to us?" said Aragorn. "The morning passes, and we have an errand that will not wait."
"My name!" said the old man again. "Have you not guessed it already? You have heard it before, I think. Yes, you have heard it before. But come now, what of your tale?"
The old man revealed to the three travelers of what their intentions were while saying nothing of him self. He had also assured the three companions that the hobbits that had been captured are safe and well inside the forest of Fangorn. Upon hearing their quest from the old man's lips, they grew overly cautious and drew their weapons out. Gimli sprinted towards him, shouting that he must be Saruman but the old man was too quick for him. He sprang to his feet and leaped to the top of a large rock. There he stood towering above them. His hood and his grey rags flung away. His white garments shone. He lifted up his staff, and Gimli's axe leaped from his grasp and fell ringing on the ground. The sword of Aragorn, stiff in his motionless hand, blazed with a sudden fire. Legolas gave a great shout and shot an arrow high into the air: it vanished in a flash of flame.
"Mithrandir!" Legolas cried. "Mithrandir!"
... End Vision ....
A sigh of relief left Serenity's pink lips and her eyes dimly glowed of happiness at the thought of friends reuniting.
"Aragorn meets Gandalf once more, but what of the chosen one? What of the One Ring?" Serenity wondered.
Closing her eyes, she let herself become lost in the darkness, her mind traveling through many realms and passages of various possibilities to end up across the present time and its current events.
"Frodo has descended from the Emyn Muil…but how has he met…Smeagol or Gollum as he is now known?" Serenity wondered to herself, requesting to see through the eyes of the past.
... Vision ...
Sam tied the knot on Gollum after managing to capture the vile creature. The result surprised both Frodo and Sam as Gollum began to scream, a thin, tearing sound, very horrible to hear. He writhed, and tried to get his mouth to his ankle in order to bite the rope but failed only to keep on screaming.
"What's the matter with you?" Frodo said. "If you will try to run away, you must be tied; but we don't wish to hurt you."
"It hurts us, it freezes, it bites! Elves twisted it, curse them! Nasty cruel hobbits! Take it off us! It hurts us!"
"No, I will not take it off you," said Frodo, "not unless…not unless there is a promise you can make that I can trust."
"We will swear to do what he wants, yes, yess" said Gollum, still twisting and grabbing at his ankles.
Gollum swore to serve Frodo and do as he wished, that would be his promise. To never let HIM have it…to never let the Dark One…the one called Sauron have the One Ring.
"Down! Down!" said Frodo. "Speak your promise!"
"We promises, yes, I promise. I will serve the master of the Previous. Good master, good Smeagol!"
With approval in his eyes, he ordered Sam to take the ropes off and Sam reluctantly obeyed.
From that time on, Gollum spoke with less hissing and spoke to his new companions directly but would cringe and flinch if either Sam or Frodo came near him. Gollum, however, was friendly and anxious to please. Frodo spoke kindly to him while Sam became overly suspicious of the new Gollum.
Gollum became the two's guide through the Emyn Muil and to the cross of the Marshes.
... End of Vision ...
Serenity gasped at the sight of the Dead Marshes, she had known of them from far back because it had perked her curiosity at the thought of the water and candles of corpses. To look at the water at nighttime led to the sight of dead faces. To her knowledge, the dead lie in all the pools of the water with pale faces and live deep under the dark water: many faces proud and fair with weeds in their silver hair. However, all are foul, rotting, and dead. They no longer know who they are but they had fought in the Great Battle from long ago.
"The Great Battle…." Serenity stared forlornly out the window and noticed that her teardrop on the windowsill had already dried up. It must have been a few hours now since she had called upon the powers of the planets to give her these visions. The time she had spent in Edoras has been too long; to stay in one area for so long is something she cannot bear. Serenity knew that something must happen soon, to leave so abruptly would not be a wise choice. However, she knew that she needed to report to Sauron…
"He must be wondering what I am up to…and I, myself, have no idea at this point of time. I only know what the stars tell me…"Serenity stared up at the sky where the stars twinkled merrily, "And they tell me I must wait and bide my time. The winning side…must be here with this group. Does that mean that they must be the ones who win the outcome of this battle? Or do they tell me something else?"
Serenity's eyes flickered amongst the group of stars and with the moon beam shining so bright, a picture of a fair faced man with blonde hair appeared before her eyes. A small gasp escaped her lips as she shook her head.
"They must not tell me such things; it is absurd to even think of…" Serenity trailed off as she turned her back from the night sky and went back to the cot.
(To think of…finding someone else…at this point of time. Duty must always come first…always…) Serenity murmured before sleep claimed its spell over her.
Serenity woke up, the day already passing based on the sunlight, which passed through the open window and over her figure. Getting up, she prepared for the day and was keen on speaking with Eomer about what the day holds for the two of them. Just as she was about to enter a small hut, the sight of one of the guards leaving his post caught her attention and instead made her way over to the gate.
"Hail, comers from afar. It has been days since we have last met one another. How fare you?" Serenity greeted with a smile upon her face.
"My Lady, indeed it has been long. We have come to answer Eomer's request and have brought back his horses as promised." Aragorn greeted.
"Mithrandir….or Gandalf as you are also known…I have always wondered what you would look like alive and well…" Serenity greeted, "I am Serenity from afar."
"Serenity, a person of peace yet your eyes deceive you," Gandalf stated.
"You are here to warn Théoden, have you not? But I must say that he is not exactly well...at least to my knowledge. These past few days have been filled with darkness. The counselor of Théoden, Grima as he is known is gaining great power over him. Théoden has become weak and hardly comes out from his place on the throne," Serenity warned Gandalf and his companions.
"That is as much to my knowledge, Serenity from afar. Let us hope that it is not too late to right the wrongs that have overcome Edoras." Gandalf stated.
Just at that time, the guard who had left returned, beckoning the companions to enter and follow him. Serenity stayed behind, watching the group leave her sight and as they disappeared through the broad path paved with hewn stones, Serenity sighed and went on with her way. After all, she still needed to find Eomer to inquire about the day's activities.
She finally found him around the stables, grooming Hasufel with a brush. Serenity saw a spare brush, walked over the stall next to Hasufel's, and began grooming Arod. The smell of horses and straw was strong in the air, but she did not mind. Despite the strong odor wafting in the air, a sense of peace that she has not managed to find for quite some time was present in the horse shed.
"It seems you are quite happy to see the sights of Hasufel and Arod's return," Serenity smiled while brushing Arod's side.
"Uhn, all the horses in Edoras are prized, we care for them as if they were our own children," Eomer stated without a trace of humor in his voice, indicating his sincerity.
"The Companions have come to Edoras, as you know. With them, comes Mithrandir…Gandalf Stormcrow as he is also known. He comes to pursue the help of Théoden son of Thengel in the fight against such evil," Serenity informed him.
"As I would expect from Gandalf…" Eomer inserted.
Time passed with great silence but was soon interrupted once Háma, Doorward of Théoden, came running into the horse shed.
"Théoden King Son of Thengel, summons you, Eomer son of Eomund to the halls of Edoras," Háma informed the two.
"Thank you, Háma. And will you come fetch me my sword?" Eomer nodded and requested, indicating that he has heard and will follow shortly.
"I sense that things will go well for you from now on, Eomer." Serenity smiled and walked a few feet away from him to turn towards the back of the horse shed.
"It seems that way; at least I hope it to be." Eomer finished grooming the horse and laid the brush aside next to where Serenity discarded hers just outside of the Arod's stall.
Háma soon arrived with Eomer's sword and presented it to him.
"Come, let us go the halls of Edoras," Eomer said holding his sword and beckoned for Serenity to follow.
Eomer knelt down before Théoden, offering his sword while Théoden sternly inquired as to how he managed to acquire one when no weapons were allowed into the room. Háma, trembled as he strode forward to answer his Lord.
"It is my doing, lord; I understood that Eomer was to be set free. Such joy was in my heart that maybe I have erred. Yet, since he was free again, and he a marshal of the Mark, I brought him his sword as he bade me."
"To lay at your feet, my lord," said Eomer.
Théoden was silent as he stood looking down at the kneeling Eomer.
"Will you not take the sword?" said Gandalf.
Slowly Théoden stretched for his hand. As his fingers took the hilt, it seemed to the watchers that firmness and strength returned to his thin arm. Suddenly he lifted the blade and swung it shimmering and whistling in the air. Then he gave a great cry as his voice rang clear as he chanted in the tongue of Rohan to call to arms.
The guards, thinking that they were summoned sprang up the stair. They looked at their lord in amazement, and then as one man, they drew their swords and laid them at his feet.
"Command us!" they said.
"Take back your sword, Eomer, sister-son!" said the king. "Go, Háma, and seek my own sword! Grima has it in his keeping. Bring him to me also. Now, Gandalf, you said that you had counsel to give, if I would hear it. What is your counsel?"
"You have yourself already taken it," answered Gandalf. "To put your trust in Eomer, rather than in a man of crooked mind. To cast aside regret and fear. To do the deed at hand. Every man that can ride should be sent west at once, as Eomer counseled you: we must first destroy the threat of Saruman, while we have time. If we fail, we fall. If we succeed-then we will face the next task. Meanwhile your people that are left, the women and the children and the old, should fly to the refuges that you have in the mountains. Were they not prepared against just such an evil day as this? Let them take provisions, but delay not, nor burden themselves with treasures, great or small. It is their lives that are at stake."
Serenity was in the sidelines, close to a pillar near the group listening to the words exchanged between the King and the companions. It had come to her realization that they would go to war against Saruman. It has also come to her attention that this would be a good time to make her escape, if she needed to. However, somewhere in the back of her mind cautioned her to still keep close with this group and not leave them. It did not really bother her, but her instincts did perk her curiosity as to why.
(It is strange, to have stayed in such a place for so long. Wouldn't Sauron wonder as to where I am? As to my plans? Then again, I don't really need to care…do I?) Serenity smirked as she pictured a frustrated Sauron wondering as to her position and the mess she may have gotten into.
Her train of thought was interrupted at the arrival of a cringing Grima the Wormtongue. His face was very white and his eyes blinked in the sunlight. Háma knelt and presented to Théoden a long sword in a scabbard clasped with gold and set with green gems.
"Here, lord, is Herugrim, your ancient blade," he said. "It was found in his chest. Loath was he to render up the keys. Many other things are there which men have missed."
Serenity watched with great amusement at the sight of a groveling Wormtongue as he pleaded to not be cast aside from the services of the King. It was nice to see that justice has been served where evil incurred.
"You have my pity," said Théoden. "And I do not send you from my side. I go myself to war with my men. I bid you come with me and prove your faith."
Wormtongue, instead of answering quickly to the bidding of his King, suggested another option of staying behind to mind the House of Eorl and keep all things until the King's return. However, he was denied and Gandalf strove forward to reveal his true self as a snake.
"I do not lie. See, Theoden, here is a snake! With safety, you cannot take it with you, nor can you leave it behind. To slay it would be just. But it was not always as it now is. Once it was a man, and did you service in its fashion. Give him a horse and let him go at once, wherever he chooses. By his choice you shall judge him." Gandalf said.
"Do you hear this Wormtongue?" said Théoden. "This is your choice: to ride with me to war, and let us see in battle whether you are true; or to go now, whither you will. But then, if ever we meet again, I shall not be merciful."
"Why not just be done with it, and destroy the vile snake? He has caused so much trouble already," Serenity suggested with a smug expression on her face.
"It would not be honorable to do so, my lady," Legolas answered as he gazed into her eyes.
With that, Serenity quieted down and continued to watch as Wormtongue fled from the Halls of Edoras and away from the city.
To be continued…
Yes, I have taken a long time in getting another chapter out. But, I was lazy. Not to mention, I didn't realize that college could be so demanding. Yes, after so long a time I've reached college level…Freshman! ahem Besides that my free time was spent on reading manga and playing games. La Pucelle Tactics and Lunar Legend. You should try them, they're fun. I've also watched a few anime in my time….getting involved in shonen ai, lolz! Ahh anyways, I'll be out of the country for a month…whistles innocently For vacation, yes…I get to have like 6 weeks of vacation! Hoo-hah!