Belongs to Tolkien and Whedon,

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Any who I don't like this chapter, its just doesn't read right, the second book, sweet Jesus is it great, its only 15 pages, but still when you read the first couple of chapters, its off to a good start. I outlined the whole thing on paper, including family trees, and misc. info, so if you guys did have any questions, I could most likely answer them quicker. The second is more of my creation but with some borrowed characters. Clearly most of its mine, when you read the first chapter. It ties off this all the unanswered questions from this book. I really like it, maybe I'll be posting the first chapter kind of a like a sneak preview if anyone is interested. Depending on how many of you respond, and/or show interest in the book, the title gives a lot away, I'm trying to revise it.

Chapter 14 The Price of Silence

Aragorn watched as they arrived in Edoras, a banner of fell from the palace. There stood a young maiden, a daughter of kings. He looked to at the people they were clad in black, there were no smiles or cheer any any of their faces. It was then Gimli, said

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard."

It was then that they stopped, there in the sunlight, stood a young girl, her face hidden in the sunlight.

---------------------...

"Enough!"

He lazily said, although clearly enjoying the sight before him, Grima Wormtongue as he descended the steps,

"She has not spoken yet?"

He looked at the girl, whose eyes were already locked on him; she still showed no signs of pain or fear. He laughed manically as he walked towards her, a cloth was wrapped around her chest, and it was beginning to fall, slowly revealing her chest. He stared at her.

"Dress her! What punishments have you done to this girl?" he said keeping his eyes cold eyes locked on her silky body that was quivering and her muscles tense.

"She has been whipped, and she has been stretched, she has not yet spoken, her arm has been crushed, she refuses to speak, or scream. She shows nothing." The executioner said in dismay, pity and awe.

"Yes, tis more proof, she is indeed a servant of Sauron, no mortal being could face such torture, without once letting out a scream." Grima turned around replied his voice dripping with kindness and sarcasm.

He put his filthy hand on her chin and arched her head slightly so he could gaze into the eyes, of this girl. Dawn looked at him with the greatest pissed off Dawn look she could muster. They had taken her off the whip, and then placed her on ropes, each hand and leg tied separately, then they began to slowly tighten the ropes, asking her the same question, she said nothing. It was like having her body be slowly torn apart, inch by inch. Then after that, finding it did not work they took her right arm, and bound it to a table. Then her whole body, was bound, he took a hammer like thing, raised it above his head, and asked her the same question, and then he slammed it down on her arm, she heard it crack. She swallowed hard, the urge to scream.

"Take her to the people, let her hands hang out, no platform below her, let her dangle, stay like that for night."

He took her head, and threw off her veil, looking into her face, pulling her hair behind her shoulders, as they began to soak into the cuts on her back, her face showed no sign of pain or emotion, besides the cruel and harsh signs of loathing etched on her face.

"Such a pretty face, to be wasted on such an evil being."

Finally she did it, finally all those lessons from Spike did she get to do it, she hacked a big yellow green luggie in his face, he wiped it off, and then looked at her, he grinded his teeth. He raised his hand and slapped her.

"Continue to whip her as well."

With that she was dragged off, near the entrance of the city, they tied her hands to a piece of wood and raised her, this probably were they hung people. Her hands were bound, then the platform was removed, the drop snapped at both of her arms, her broken arm felt the pain the most, she dangled, when she felt the whip hit her back. She would not scream and would not answer. After all the whippings she felt herself pulling out at the ropes trying to give some balance to other arm, that was numb now and her hand a slight tings of blue. For hours upon hours did people pass they never stopped to stare only a quick glance and every time the whip hit her back, did the people wince or jump slightly. For 5 hours she hung, until she felt nothing.

………………………………...

They all stopped and watched as the crack of a whip hit her back, there was no scream, there was nothing. But another crack of the whip against her body. Aragorn shuddered, what could possibly deserved this much torment? Legolas could not look at the body; he turned his eyes, and felt a tear slid down his cheek. Gimli watched as the whip cracked again, jumping slightly as he watched it being raised again. Then the man asked her to admit she was a servant of Sauron. Gimli then said in pity, as he watched the thick leather whips with tiny spikes on three of its attachments fly onto her back.

"That girl shows great strength."

Gandalf spoke first, pushing Shadowfax forward clarity had suddenly struck him.

"STOP!"

The whipped stopped in motion, and then it continued down on its way, Gandalf screamed again to stop. But the whip cracked against the girl's back. Then it happened, a scream was let out, a scream of pain, sadness, anger, and utter failure. It was then Gandalf pushed Shadowfax towards the man, and knocked him off the platform. He cut loose the bonds, and the girl fell onto the ground, a cloud of dust surrounded her as she landed, as Dawn propped herself up with her good arm, the dust and soil burning her back. They all dismounted their horses. As they approached, they saw a familiar black suit, with bloodstain, a girl with long brown hair and blue eyes. Legolas bent down quickly, and held her.

"Lady Dawn?"

He touched her arm, it was broken, and he felt the blood seeping through the back of her shirt. Her eyes did not meet his. Instead, they gazed at Gandalf. Aragorn could not move, here lay his daughter, she had been tortured. He could not move and he felt anger rise through him, Gimli, held him back, as he looked towards the executioner who had been whipping her.

"You." Dawn said, she looked into the kind eyes of that man.

"Yes it is me, Gandalf the White."

Gandalf smiled kindly at her, and then spoke to her inside her head,

"Thank-you for returning me to my rightful place."

"I knew you had to be here, you were too important to die," she said looking at him and he nodded his head

She sighed and looked into Legolas's eyes, and she reached her hand up and stroked his face, he took his hand and put it over hers. He lifted her in his arms, he walked towards his horse and with his one free hand, and he got on. He laid her, so that she sat with her feet dangling on the left side of the horse, and she leaned against his right arm. She smiled kindly at him, as she attempted to sit up. She whistled, and there appeared a black horse bursting through the stable doors, with ropes tied around his neck,

"If you don't mind Legolas, Silvermane, doesn't really like it, when I'm with another guy."

She got down from the horse, as she held her arm, and then slowly with the assistance of Gandalf seated herself on her horse. She felt the biggest wound on her right side, which had never fully healed. From the attacks of the 50 orcs on her and Haldir, slowly open and begin to bleed, she leaned over and clutched her hand to her side. Then not to show any signs of pain she patted his neck and looked at Gandalf, her eyes narrowed and Gandalf saw her great determination. With that, Gandalf rode on, followed by Dawn then by the others. Aragorn looked at the palace and saw the woman stood there no more. As they approached, Gandalf turned to her,

"Lady Aèrindil, maybe its best that you stay here."

They all looked at her uncertainly; he had called her the key's name. But she shook her head.

"Gandalf, they never saw my face, they never even bothered to let me talk." She replied dangerously not willing to be left behind, she wanted to face Grima again. Gandalf nodded pulling on his gray cloak, as he handed her a black cloak, to cover the slashes that were still bleeding profusely. As she slid it over herself, Gandalf's hand touched her hand, whispering silently as warmth spread throughout Dawn's numbing body, the pain slightly subsided.

Gandalf looked at her for a second and then smiled; she nodded thanks in return unable to smile. He then wrapped himself tightly in the gray cloak to hide his white robes. They followed him up the stairs there they met a group of soldiers. Gandalf smiled kindly,

"Ah"

The man hesitatingly says,

"I cannot allow you before Théoden-king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame... By order of - Grima Wormtongue."

Gandalf turns to them, Dawn watches as countless weapons are handed over, and she had none so well no worries there! Gimli reluctantly handed over his axe. It was then she felt Legolas brush against her, his hand founds her; he laced his fingers in it, and smiled gently. After all, she had just seen and been through; she could not help but go a slight shade of pink.

It was then Hama said,

"Your staff?"

Gandalf looked at it sadly, and then she watched as Legolas and the others eyes turned towards him. Gandalf then pretend to not understand

"Hmmm?"

Dawn moved forward, and slid her arm in his open one; he then slowly shifted his weight so he leaned on her. Looking like an old tired man, then innocently said, "Mm. Oh. You would not part an old man from his - walking stick?"

The man looked at him, and then turned away cha ching, a wizard needs his staff to do spells, idiot. She saw Gandalf wink at the others, and had to suppress an urge to laugh. They entered and Hama bowed, then left to the other side, she saw her greasy guy, then lowered her head, her hair covering her eyes. It was then Grima whispers to the king.

"My Lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. He is a herald of woe."

Herald of woe my ass she though silently, I'll give you a heraldess of woe. It was then Gandalf said in a booming voice.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden-King."

Awe so that was the old-farts name, she looked to see creepy guys following them on the side of the hall, she still kept her head bent low, and unlinked her arms with Gandalf's and fell back, to where the others stood gazing at them creepy guys too. Grima again whispers to Théoden,

"He is not welcome." Dawn resisted the urge to run up there and knee him in the balls. Something she never really thought about using, it was a strict rule of Buffy's never knee a guy in the balls, unless you have too. Damn those rules! The old fart then spoke somewhat grumbly like

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"

Stormcrow? Hmm…how many names did Gandalf have? He looks at Grima and he nods his head in approval. Patting his shoulder in agreement like a little child.

"A just question my liege"

He walks forth, oh come a little closer, and I'll will finally get my chance! Grima stops much of to the disappoint of Dawn. She keeps her head down.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Láthspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."

Gandalf turns his eyes to him and then authoritatively said,

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

Up till that point his staff had been somewhat hidden behind his cloak. It was then he pulled it out. Grima began to shake and backed off, pointing to the guards for help as his beady eyes jerked back to the men in the hall to Gandalf.

"His staff!…..I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

It was then those filthy little bastards came after them. They continued to fight, Dawn glanced over at Legolas he threw his a punch out, and damn he looked sexy, whoops beside the point. She kicked a guy in his face, and then one came up behind her, and hit her right side, it began to bleed heavily, she gave him a swift punch in the nose, he fell back clutching it. She then placed her hand over side, and followed the others as they walked behind Gandalf. Thank-full that no one looked back, to see the blood seeping through her black shirt. She looked over, saw Aragorn take the last down guy, and watched as the few guards who were faithful to the king held back. Including Hama. She then saw to her great disappoint that Gimli had pinned Grima to the floor with his foot, and growled and said,

"I would stay here if I were you."

Gandalf approached the chair and said sadly

"Théoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the shadows."

The old-fart turned away his eyes, and Gandalf close his eyes, put up his hand, and said,

"Harken to me! I release you from the spell."

There was a silence, oh talk about a climax, then an vile laugh came from the kings lips. Uh was that suppose to happen? Then that laugh it was so familiar, Gandalfs eyes open. The voice says

"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!"

Gandalf threw back his gray cloak, a blinding white light appears, and the old-fart is thrown back to seat in dismay. It was then, she felt his eyes fall on her, and then they returned quickly to Gandalf. The very moment his eyes had fallen on her, she felt a sharp pain and she began to bleed more. She began to feel dizzy and concentrated on Gandalf as she felt herself slowly falling. Gandalf then in a incensed tone says,

"I shall draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound."

His thruster his staff forward making the king squirm. It was then Éowyn appeared she ran towards the king, with great fear in her eyes. Dawn withdrew her hand from her side and grabbed her, she grabbed her arm, and then tries to focus on her face and said with much effort,

"Wait!"

She leaned on Éowyn, for support, Éowyn held her, and she looked at the man in the chair with great love and fear. The voice then said,

"If I go, Théoden dies."

Gandalf threw his staff forward making the chair quiver, and boldly said,

"You did not kill ME... you will not kill HIM!"

It was then she recognized the voice, it was the voice of the other wizard, the one Elrond told her about, Saruman.

"Rohan is mine!"

Gandalf said again, "be gone!"

With that, he was thrown back into his chair a third time. Then it was like seeing a Saruman face being withdraw. Like in the movie the mummy when Imhotep lost his immortality, strange she should think that of that movie, but then again that guy, wait come back to reality gloat over guys later! She thought.

Théoden let out a moan and slumps forward in his seat. Éowyn began to struggle against Dawns grasp, she releases her. Dawn wobbling slightly as she tried to focus on standing straight. Éowyn runs to her uncle's side as he falls. Théoden raises his head and his face begins to transform gradually into that of a much younger-looking man. Clarity and recognition return to his eyes. Dawn saw the golden like hair appear, and then well he couldn't be called old-fart anymore, so I guess I will call him Théoden, no I like Theo better, she thought silently, king Theo. He is looking intently at Éowyn and puts his hand on her face,

"I know your face. Éowyn? Éowyn!"

She puts her hand over his, and begins to cry, he looks around Gandalf in a friendly and I told you I could kick his ass tone said,

"Breathe the free air again, my friend."

He stands with the help of Éowyn, his hands shake as he says,

"Dark have been my dreams of late."

Gandalf looks at his trembling hands, and then says,

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

Hama runs and brings his sword, he touches the handle, and then his hand relaxes and he takes the sword out of the sheath, and holds it up. His eyes turn to Grima. He walks towards him, she felt a deep rush of blood surge out of her shirt, and she let out a little gasp, and bent over, luckily everyone eyes were fixed on Grima and Theoden. She looked down towards the floor there stood a little puddle of blood. She removed her hand from her side, it was completely covered in her magenta blood, the spell Gandalf had provided was warring off, as she felt sharp pains with every movement, her back was on fire, her arm shooting pain to her shoulder. She moved slowly as everyone else followed the screaming Grima as he was being dragged out. She followed them slowly every step feeling as if she was going to collapse. Grima falls down the steps, wait did he? She really couldn't see straight. He then said, oh cool she could still hear the greasy little bastard.

"I've only ever served you, my lord!" he pleaded.

She then heard Théoden angrily say, "Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"

Grima then said like a little girl, "Send me not from your side."

Punk, she thought silently if only she could see and walk straight, he would be running for mercy, she heard Théoden raise his sword, and then heard the rush of footsteps, and then uh..That voice…it was Aragorn.he calmly said

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

Grima than ran probably like a little girl, it was then Théoden puzzled asked,

"Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"

Her head began to sway as she leaned on the pillar. Falling against it with a thud, an aching pain was sent throughout her body, as her legs quivered under her weight. Spots were making themselves known, as her blurred visions were being invaded by spots of various colors. She heard people begin to walk back to the golden hall, she turned, it was then she forced herself to see straight, her eyes focused on Éowyn, she was walking back when Théoden looked at her, and in a father tone,

"Éowyn, you are bleeding?"

All eyes fell on Éowyn, she looked down at her arm, and it was covered in red blood. Dawn turned so she was hid behind the pillar. Éowyn looked at her arm, then tried to look for a cut, but her mind turned back to when the girl had grabbed her arm. She looked for her, she was not present,

"Oh so it is, its nothing I just heard all the noise, and I cut myself with a knife, its nothing, I'll go to tend to it."

She walked quickly away, passing one of the walls, there stood the young girl, and her hand clutched over her right side, and blood was seeping through her hand. Éowyn raised her eyes to the girls face, she met the same blue eyes, and she had met that morning in the dungeon. Her eyes met hers, Dawn looked at her, and well there was no way to hide from her. It was then her three companions came closer and closer towards the pillar, Éowyn watched as the girl became worried and she pushed herself into a standing position. Grasping her blood stained clothing, her eyes shaking with fear, as she slightly stumbled trying to maintain a posture. Éowyn looked at the three men approaching than back at the girl, and she walked quickly over towards her. The three men came upon the two young woman, they stopped. Éowyn had placed herself right in front of Dawn so that her body was hidden and only her face could be seen. Éowyn sensed their appearance, and then in a loud and soft voice did she say,

"My lady, would you like to change your attire?"

Dawn looked at the Éowyn and then shook her head firmly, then Éowyn took her arm linked into Dawn's and her long green dress robed covered Dawn's bleeding wound, and Éowyn walked quickly away, leading Dawn to her room. Legolas watched in great suspicion, how strange it was, to see lady Dawn take such a quick liking Éowyn, when only a few minutes before she was being tortured by this very city. Aragorn eyes did not follow Éowyn and Dawn but he looked at the fresh bloodstain pillar, in which Dawn had leaned against.