CHAPTER FIVE:

"We have cleared the dead piles, my lord," announced Hama to Prince Theodred

"Very well, let's clear this place and get back to Rohirrim. We have to report back to my father," said Theodred calmly.

Hama bowed and left the tent, leaving Theodred and Eomer alone.

He was sitting on top of a table inside an erected green tent. He was silent.

Theodred was the Prince of Rohan. He and his men are soldiers of Rohan.

Rohan is the territory of the Rohirrim, a people of herdsmen and some farmers on the northern borders of Gondor in Middle-earth. Well-known for their horses and cavalry, they are Gondor's most important ally.

Prince Theodred and his men killed a group of Orcs and Uruk-Haies last night. Ever since the Dark Lord Sauron came back to power, Dark creatures have been terrorizing the lands. However, something was different about these Orcs; they had a White hand as a symbol.

"So you are certain about this Eomer?" asked the Prince

"Yes my lord. These Orcs bear the symbol of Saruman the White. He has betrayed us," replied Eomer gravely.

Eomer was the general of Rohan's army. He and the Prince lead this attack on these unsuspected Orcs last night.

Theodred got up from the table and walked around the tent, thinking. He was tall and wore Rohirrim's war suit. Eomer stood near the young prince with absolute stillness.

"My father has to be warned about this. But who is the traitor?" asked the Prince doubtfully

"I don't know my lord. However, I suspect that our King's health…" Eomer hesitated

Theodred looked around and said, "It's alright, go ahead"

"I believe our King's bad health is due to Saruman. He has touched our King and Rohan with his filthy evil hand," finished Eomer furiously

Theodred thought about it and nodded.

"We have to find the spy and hang him by his entrails," said Theodred firmly.

He stopped his restlessness and went back to his table. He took his vest armor and wore it.

"Ready your men Eomer, we have to leave now," ordered the Prince.

"Yes my lord," Eomer nodded and left the tent.

Rohan soldiers cleared their camp and started to load their horses. They all wore a dark green suit. Moreover, they carried a green flag that had a White noble Steed.

Eomer gave out some orders and he saddled his own horse. Theodred came out of his tent and went to his horse. All the men were packing the weapons and the tents.

Suddenly a group of Uruk-Haies jumped out of the shadows and attacked on the soldiers.

"AMBUSH!" shouted Eomer

Before Theodred could respond, an Uruk-Hai jumped in front of him and jabbed his black sword into the young prince's belly.

Theodred yelled in pain. He removed his sword and gashed the Uruk-Hai's hand off. Eomer jumped beside him and slit the Uruk-Hai's throat.

He slowly removed the blade away from the Prince's bloody wound.

The rest of the soldiers fought the orcs with all their might. After few minutes of hard struggle, the filthy creatures retreated into the forest.

Theodred started to fade. Eomer carried him to his horse and mounted it. Once the Prince was safely into his lap he called out, "MOVE OUT!"

He and band of his men moved out of the campsite and rode towards Edoras.

Theodred's wound weakened him badly. He could barely open his eyes. Eomer gave him some water, but he only coughed it out.

Eomer scared for the Prince's health. He rode with all speed. He touched Theodred's forehead and it was hot. He prayed to his ancestors for Theodred's life.

Theodred closed his eyelids and went unconscious after few painful struggles. The last thing that stood in his mind was the Fair Lady of Rohan, Eowyn.

"RUN!" screamed a man.

People were running all over the place. They were under attack. Their whole village was ensnared by orcs, goblins and Uruk-Haies.

People ran for their lives. The dark creatures massacred the innocent peoples with out mercy. Woman and children ran for safety, men stood and fought. However, none succeeded.

"Éothain! Éothain! You take your sister. You'll go faster with just two," hurried Morwen. She put two of her kids, a boy and a girl, on a horse. She wanted to save them from this massacre, so she was preparing to send them away from here to Edoras.

The young girl called as Freda, who sat in front of her brother Éothain, said, "Papa says Éothain must not ride Garulf, he is too big for him!" the young girl was not aware of the situation.

However, her mother Morwen, who was panicking every second said to her son, "Listen to me. You must ride to Edoras and raise the alarm. Do you understand me?" her voice was not steady. Her only concern was to send away her loved ones from this danger.

Éothain took the horse's mane and replied back steady, "Yes Ma!" he had no fear in his heart, but he was worried about his mother's safety. Since, his mother has given him a duty to perform, he was eager to fulfill it.

When the young girl understood the rush, she came to know that her sweet mother was not coming with her. The thought made her to cry.

"I don't wanna leave. I don't wanna go, Mama!" the young girl sobbed.

Morwen took her child's hand, kissed her on the forehead and said, "Freda, I will find you there. Go quickly," she ordered.

Éothain safely kept his sister into his arm and rode away. Morwen looks at them with tearful eyes and murmured, "Go child!"

The village was smashed and burned. The villagers lay dead under the creatures' foot.

"OPEN THE GATES"

The wooden door of Edoras swung open. Eomer and his men galloped in. Once they reached the palace, the soldiers carried their young prince into his chamber.

Eomer stood near the prince and prayed. The door flew opened and a young fair woman came running in. She knelt beside Theodred and called his name softly.

The prince did not stir. His breathing was shallow and his body was hot. Eomer opened the wound and showed it to his sister. When the woman, Eowyn, saw the wound, she gasped and tears rolled down her fair cheek.

Theodred's skin started to turn pale and his face lost its beauty. None of the medicine worked on him. He just lay like a corpse.

Eowyn went to the King, who sat on a high throne. The king's hall was cold and dark. A small sunray lighted the whole hall. The roofs and walls bore the Rohirrim's banner and kings.

Eowyn knelt beside the King and took his hand. Théoden King looked unnaturally old. He was under a curse. His skin was wrinkled and lined. His skin was as pale as his dying son was. His eyes were white and expressionless. He stared as if a he was dreaming.

"Your son his badly wounded my lord," Eowyn said with a tearful eyes

The king showed no movement. He sat motionless.

"He was ambushed by Orcs. If we don't defend our country, Saruman will take it by force," said Eomer firmly. He stood in front of the king.

"That is a lie!" said a venomous voice. Eomer and Eowyn looked up. It was Grima also know as Wormtongue.

He was king's adviser. He wore a black robe. His eyes and hair was dark. He came out of the shadow.

"Saruman the white has ever been our friend and ally," he said.

"Grima, Grima…My son…?" Théoden mumbled. Grima leans down close to the king.

Eomer ignored Grima and continued with a raised voice, "Orcs are roaming freely across our lands. Unchecked. Unchallenged. Killing at will. Orcs bear the white hand of Saruman."

He dropped a helmet onto the ground, which topples over to reveal the white hand of Saruman.

When Grima looked at the Orc's helmet, a fear flashed across his face.

"Why do you lay these troubles on an already troubled mind. Can you not see? Your uncle is wearied by your malcontent, your war-mongering," added Grima maliciously.

Eomer looks back at Grima with a surprised eye.

"War-mongering?" Eomer asked angrily.

He grabbed Grima by his collar and pinned him against one of the pillars. Eowyn walks away after hearing the ugly man's accusation.

"How long is it since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price, Gríma? When all the men are dead you will take your share of the treasure?" asked Eomer furiously.

Gríma's eyes flicked to right, watching Éowyn as she walks by. Éowyn stops to stare back irately for a moment before departing form the hall. Éomer jerks Gríma again and clutches his hand around Gríma's jaw.

"Too long have you watched my sister, too long have you haunted her steps," added Eomer heatedly.

Grima looks to his left and relaxed as three thugs pulled Eomer away from him. They brutality grabbed Eomer's hand and pushed him to the ground. Eomer struggled to free himself, but he was outnumbered.

Grima walked down to Eomer with a venomous smile and said, "You see much Éomer, Son of Éomund. Too much. You are banished forthwith from the kingdom of Rohan. Under pain of death!"

The thugs punched Eomer's stomach and pulled him away from the great hall as Eomer shouted wrathfully, "ARGH!" His voice echoed throughout the Hall.

After few hours, Prince Theodred, son of Théoden King, died peacefully and joined his ancestors in the heaven.