As promised, here is chapter 14 for you all. Thanks again for being so patient with me. Love you all! If you haven't read it yet, I uploaded chapter 13 an hour or so ago, so please don't skip that chapter xx
Edoras
Late next morning, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I approach Edoras, stopping our horses on a small hill from where we can see the Golden Hall, the capital of Rohan.
"Edoras 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." Gandalf informs us. "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."
With that, the five of us continue on and make our way to the walls, the gate opening for us as we get nearer. As we ride through the gates and walk along the road, an uncomfortable feeling washes over me and the people become almost dead to the world as they are silent and watching us with suspiscion as we ride past.
I'm frowning on my horse. I do not remember the people being like this the last time I was here. Which to be fair, was almost thirty years ago. I suppose the people of Rohan have a right to be suspicious these days, especially with the ever growing evil, and the evil which now surrounds the King.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." I hear Gimli mutter from behind Legolas ahead of me.
I have to agree with him though. Even in the catacombs of Erebor the atmosphere isn't this grim.
Once we leave our horses at the stables, the five of us climb up to stairs to the hall, where we are stopped by some guards.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of… Gríma Wormtongue." the main guard says to us.
With a nod from Ganfalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I give our many weapons to the guards. The guards seem surprised to see as many blades coming from a woman as it takes two of them to carry all I have. And people used to wonder where Fili got the idea of carrying as many blades as you can on your person. I hand over my final dagger to the guard, smirking at the slight blush on the man's face as to where I pulled it from, before looking back to the men of my company with a grin. Gandalf just gives a shake of his head before turning back to the guard with an expecting look on his face.
"Your staff." the guard simply says.
"Eh? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?"
Háma thinks a moment, gives Gandalf a knowing look, then allows him to pass. Gandalf winks to Aragorn and I, causing us to grin as he takes Legolas' offered arm as we enter the hall. I slide my arm through Aragorn's as we walk through the hall.
Looking to the end of the hall, I see Theoden sitting in his throne, although he looks a lot older than he should be. True that he is a seventy year old man, but he now looks as if he is a hundred. His hair is greyer than what Gandalf's used to be and more hay like and he looks more frail.
A man is sitting by his side, he reminds me of Alfrid, the right hand man of the overweight Master of Laketown, although this man had a little more weight than Alfrid, not much but a little. His hair is greasier, skin paler and is wearing as much black as he did.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King." Gandalf calls out to the king.
Looking out of the corner of my eye, I squeeze Aragorn's arm to get his attention and give a slight nod to the right. Looking over, he sees the guards following and watching our every move, all of them wearing scowls on their faces. He squeezes my hand as we follow the wizard.
"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Theoden asks, his voice sounding gravelly, frail and slow.
"A just question my liege." the man says to him before he stands and addresses Gandalf, walking over to us. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is in ill guest."
"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!"
Gandalf raises his staff.
"His staff!" he turns to the guards. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
The guards suddenly charge out towards us, causing Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I to fight them off, allowing Gandalf to walk to Theoden. One of the king's guards moves to draw his sword, but I notice him being stopped by the guard who welcomed us.
Gandalf continues to speak to Theoden, not paying any attention to our fight. "Theoden, Son of Théngel. Too long have you sat in the shadows."
When the men have been knocked out, I notice Gimli knocks down the greasy man, putting a foot on his chest to stop him from moving.
"I would stay still if I were you." Gimli threatens him.
I turn my attention back to Gandalf after grinning at Gimli.
"Harken to me! I release you from the spell."
To my surprise, Theoden starts to laugh. "You have no power here Gandalf the Grey."
The King continues laughing but soon stops when Gandalf throws aside his grey robe, revealing his white clothes, a bright light emanating from him. Theoden, startled, leans back in his throne.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound."
Gandalf points his staff at Theoden, who squirms in his throne.
"Aah!"
I look up just as a woman rushes in and tries to go to Theoden, but is stopped by Aragorn.
"Wait."
"If I go — Theoden dies." Theoden speaks, his voice suddenly different, I am assuming his voice is now Saruman's
Gandalf again points at Theoden with his staff, and the King flies against his throne.
"You did not kill me. You will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!"
"Be gone!"
Theoden jumps up at Gandalf, yelling, but flies back into his throne. As he staggers forward in his seat, Aragorn releases the woman and she rushes straight to Theoden. Seeing them both together, I now realise the woman to be Eowyn, Eomer's younger sister. As she straightens Theoden, I smile as I see his face begin to change, making him back to his normal self once again.
Theoden looks to Eowyn, a look of recognition gracing his face, causing the woman to smile.
"I know your face. Eowyn — Eowyn."
Gandalf steps back, causing the man to look to him with a look of surprise on his face.
"Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf says.
I walk over as Eowyn helps the man to stand, gently taking his other arm, causing him to stop and look to me.
"Faron?"
I smile at him. "I am here, old friend."
He gives me a small smile as Eowyn and I help him to his feet.
Theoden looks around his halls, before looking at his hands. "Dark have been my dreams of late."
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better — if they grasped your sword."
As soon as Gandalf says this, the guard from before brings the King his sword and Theoden draws it. Theoden examines his sword, then turns his gaze towards the cowering man.
The man is then thrown out of the hall by a couple of guards, and rolls down the stairs, Theoden following with his sword drawn. A crowd of people gather to watch the commotion.
"Argh! I've only ever served you my lord." the man says as he crawls away from the advancing King.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"
"Send me not from your side!"
Theoden raises his sword to kill Gríma, but is stopped by Aragorn.
"No my lord! No my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
Theoden looks to Aragorn for a moment before he nods. Aragorn holds out his hand to the man, who then spits on it before running off through the crowd and riding out of Edoras.
"Get out of my way!"
Aragorn addresses the crowd. "Hail, Theoden, King!"
The crowd kneels before the King, as does Aragorn.
Theoden, after looking over everyone, turns back to Gandalf. "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
Later that afternoon, the whole of Rohirrim are gathered for Théodred's funeral.
Théodred's body is carried toward the tomb on a bier made of shields and spears.
Eowyn sings while the men pass the body to the women, who place it into the tomb.
"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende. On Meduselde þæt he ma no wære,
Þæt he ma nowere is, þurh niedig rest. And mægen deorost.
Bealo. . ."
After the funeral, everyone files back into Edoras, Gandalf and I being the only two who watch Theoden standing before the tomb of his son.
He tosses a small white flower on the ground. "Simbelmynë, ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son." he turns to us. "Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see the last days of my house."
"Théodred's death was not of your making." I say to him, trying to give him some comfort.
"No parent should have to bury their child."
Theoden starts to cry and covers his face as he falls to his knees. I rush forward and kneel beside him, putting an arm around his shoulders. I cannot help but be reminded of the grief Dis went through at the knowledge of her sons perishing in battle and can only hope Theoden will be strong through this.
"He was strong in life. His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers." Gandalf speaks up. "Westu hál. Ferðu, Théodred, Ferðu."
I stay with Theoden as he turns to make his way back inside. After a few moments, I hear Gandalf calling my name. Looking to him, I see him staring in the distance. Turning, I see a large black horse making it's way towards us, two children riding on the back, a boy and a girl. I stand just as I see the boy fall off.
"Oh my goodness. . ."
I instantly rush off to them, removing my cloak as I do so. Reaching them, I wrap my cloak around the boy, allowing Theoden to lift him into his arms as he and Gandalf reach us. I gently lift the girl of the horse and hold her, making soothing and comforting noises as she wraps her arms around my neck tightly. Gandalf takes the reins of the horse and the three of us rush back inside.
Woo! Two chapters in one day! Hope you enjoyed this one! Please leave your lovely reviews!
Translations;
"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende. On Meduselde þæt he ma no wære,
Þæt he ma nowere is, þurh niedig rest. And mægen deorost.
Bealo. . ."
"An evil death has set forth the noble warrior
A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels In Meduseld that he is no more,
That he is nowhere anymore, for his necessary rest. And that he is the dearest kinsman.
Killing took him. . ."
"Westu hál. Ferðu, Théodred, Ferðu." - "Be-thou well. Go-thou, Théodred, go-thou."