Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)
~ LII: Théoden King ~
Edoras, 3019 TA, March 2
They continued to ride through sunset, darkness, and the onset of night. Hours passed as they continued to ride. There was cold in the air. The darkness in the East gradually transformed into a chilly grey. Red rays of light sprang over the dark walls of the Emyn Muil to their left, far distant. The dawn was clear and brilliant, and a breeze rushed through the bent grasses across their path.
The morning was bright and clear as the travellers approached the creek, and birds were chirping. It quickly descended into the plain and, beyond the foothills, curved sharply across their route. At the base of the fortified hill, the path passed under the shade of several towering and verdant mounds. On their western sides, the grass looked as white as if it had been dusted with snow, and tiny flowers sprang like innumerable stars among the grass.
Gandalf pointed ahead. "Look!" he cried, and they lifted their tired eyes. "Speak Legolas! Tell us what you see there before us!" the wizard asked.
Legolas looked ahead, his elfish eyes searched for any detail, then he told them "A dike and mighty wall and thorny fence encircle it. Within there rise the roofs of houses. And it seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold. Their men in bright mail stand; but all else within the courts are yet asleep."
"Edoras those courts are called. And Meduseld is that golden hall. There dwells the Théoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan." Gandalf the white said "We are coming with the rising of the day. Now the road lies plain to see before us. Soon we will meet with King Théoden."
The travellers traversed the tranquil mounds. Following the twisting path up the verdant hills' shoulders. As they approached the hall, they saw a lady strolling and standing inside it. Xena gazed at the woman. She resembled a flower in that she was fair, bright, and lovely. A half-torn banner fluttered down and landed beside Aragorn. As they neared the hall, the locals regarded them with curious stares. They eventually arrived at the sidewalls and gates of Edoras. They were accosted by guards as they ascended the steps to the hall.
Before seeing the King in Edoras, Legolas and the others are required to disarm. Gandalf, however, was able to sneak his staff through. The mind of Théoden was taken by Grima Wormtongue, a servant of Saruman, and the fallen wizard controls the monarch. Théoden and Wormtongue unleashed their thugs on the party, and Legolas, Xena, Gimli, and Aragorn battled them off as Gandalf approaches the king and freed him from the enchantment with his staff, showing himself to Saruman as the new white wizard.
Háma, the Doorward of the Meduseld walked towards the company asking them "I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of Gríma Wormtongue."
"Wormtongue?" said Gandalf, looking sharply at the guard.
Legolas first surrendered his silver-hafted blades, his quiver and his bow. "Do not permit any other to lay hand on it," he warned Háma, and the man nodded.
Aragorn stood a while hesitating. "It is not my will to put aside my sword. Though, I would do as the master of the house bade me." the Ranger said. Slowly Aragorn unbuckled his belt and he set his sword upright against the wall. "Here I set it, but I command you not to touch it."
"Well, if the lad left his sword, my axe needs to stay behind to keep it company!" Gimli said and laid his axe on the floor and waited for the human to follow his action. Xena sighed and drew her sword and chakram placing them next to Gimli's weapons.
"Your staff," said Captain of the King's Guard to Gandalf.
"Eh? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?" The wizard innocently asked.
It took a brief moment for Háma to think, and he agreed to let the wizard pass. Gandalf winked, taking Legolas and Xena's hands as they entered the hall. The guards lifted the heavy bars of the doors and swung them slowly inwards grumbling on their great hinges. The travellers entered.
"My lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. He is a herald of woe." the spy of Saruman whispered.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," Gandalf spoke as all five walked towards him. The King looked weary and old. Like dusty years and tired spells had fallen upon him. Guards followed Gandalf and the others.
"He is not welcome here," whispered Gríma again.
"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" The king asked with a blue tone in his voice.
"A just question my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest." Grima spoke as he stood up to face Gandalf.
Gandalf placed his cloak aside, he leaned no longer on Legolas and Xena, as he spoke in a clear cold voice."The wise speak only of what they know. A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightning falls!" Gandalf rose his staff. There was a roll of thunder.
"His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!" the spy of Saruman shouted.
Aragorn, Legolas, Xena and Gimli started battling with the guards, allowing Gandalf to walk to Théoden. The rest of the guards were stopped by Háma. Gimli knocked down Gríma and put a foot on his chest. Securing him down, so he couldn't run. "I would stay still if I were you," Gimli said seriously keeping him pinned against the ground.
"Théoden, Son of Théngel. Too long have you sat in the shadows. Harken to me! I release you from the spell." Gandalf said as he rose his staff.
Théoden laughed as his shady eyes were pinned against Gandalf "You have no power here Gandalf the Grey."
Gandalf abruptly off his grey robe, exposing his white clothing. Astonished, Théoden reclined back on his throne. The wizard aimed his staff towards the king."I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound."
Suddenly, the woman in white they had seen before emerged and hopped beside them. It seemed that she was related to the King. She stared at Théoden with concern before rushing out to reach him. Aragorn saw the pale maiden and grasped her by the arm, drawing her back.
"Wait!" the ranger said.
She regarded the guy clothed in black leather without recognising him. She was unfamiliar with the newcomers. She chose to place her faith in Aragorn and waited. However, she remained fixated on her uncle out of concern for him.
Théoden looked weary and old, older than his actual age. He spoke now while using Saruman's voice, "If I go, Théoden dies!"
Gandalf once more pointed at Théoden with his staff, and the King crashed against his throne. "You did not kill me. You will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!" the voice stated loudly.
"Be gone!" Gandalf commanded.
King Théoden sprung up at Gandalf, yelling, but flew back. Saruman was gone. The fair lady of Rohan rushed to Théoden, whose face started to change, and soon he looked younger again. His old age had fainted away.
"I know your face. Èowyn... Èowyn? Gandalf?" Théoden said recognizing first his niece and then Gandalf.
"Breathe the free air again, my friend," Gandalf said with an earnest smile on his face.
"Dark have been my dreams of late." The King Of Rohan continued while slowly noticing his surroundings and recalling his lost memories.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword," Gandalf said.
Háma knelt and presented to Théoden a long sword in a scabbard clasped with gold and set with green gems. Théoden examined his sword, it has been a long time since the king held Herugrim. Under the influence of Gríma Wormtongue's leechcraft, Théoden had entrusted the blade to him for safekeeping, but Wormtongue hid it away and allowed it to rust. After Gandalf restored Théoden to himself, Háma the door warden found the sword locked in Gríma's chest and brought it to the king.
He directed a sneer towards Wormtongue. On the King's command, he was expelled from the court. Aragorn saved Grima's life when he prevented the king from killing him. Although his life was preserved, he departed Edoras. His people welcomed him and told him that his son had died. It was grieving news for the King. He went to visit his son's corpse and instructed Háma to provide a space for their guests to clean, relax, and eat.
Háma supplied rooms for everyone to change and recuperate before the funeral would take place. The male members of the company were allocated chambers near the Hall with private baths. Xena's was on the north side and did not feature a place to clean up. Háma took her to her chamber and avoided eye contact. The people of Edoras was not accustomed to seeing women in armour and being a warrior.
Xena followed the guy without speaking to him. First, he escorted the men to their rooms and she was last carried to hers. The doors were opened and she cast rapid eyes about. She observed that the first room was Aragorn's. The ranger had set his belts and weapon already aside. The chamber that was following was Gimli's. His axe leaned on the wall as he raced inside. A few steps ahead was another chamber it looked it was allocated to the Elf. His swords, bows and arrows were resting in the corner of the room. All three rooms appeared pleasant, tiny and cosy.
Xena had to move forward a few more yards till she reached the chamber that was allocated to her. She was certain it was her bedroom since her weapons were laid out on a king-sized bed. She went into the vast cavern. More windows existed than walls. A colossal mirror, table, chairs, and even a couch. She chose not to grumble about the room's opulence. Her body ached, and she was exhausted. Her mind was not functioning normally, therefore she needed to clean and relax.
As her drowsy eyes swept the room, she saw a garment in the corner of the bed. It was left for her to wear there. She once again examined her clothes with her eyes. Dirty and torn, she was unable to wear it. Háma assured her that a maiden would collect the garment, clean it, and return it to her for use. She gave the guy a little nod, and he left her to her own affairs.
She raised the gown. The dress was constructed of dense wool, velvet, and jacquard. Only the cloth would make it difficult to move about freely and easily. Xena examined her reflection in the mirror. Her skin tone was pale. She was exhausted. She selected the velvet gown to wear. She retrieved the dress, undergarments, and slippers.
She stopped abruptly and glanced around the room. She had to agree that hers was much bigger and more beautiful than the modest rooms supplied to the others. However, she was perplexed since there was no restroom for her to use. She realised that maybe there was another area for the women to clean and dress. However, this just enraged her. Everyone will be able to clean and change in their own comfort, while she will have to find a location to do so.
She withdrew slowly from the room that was provided to her. Once again, she strolled through the Golden Hall. She halted for a short time when she spotted the lovely Lady of Rohan following the king. Both were in serious discussion and she realised that she was probably conveying to him what had happened to his son. Xena continued further remembering how intense the sadness can be of losing a child.
It was overpowering grief and despair, such that confronting everyday duties or simply getting out of bed felt impossible. And when time passes, and she dealt with the loss the ache lingers. Intense shock, perplexity, disbelief, and denial, even though her child's death occurred so long ago. Extreme guilt always remained with her for having failed as her child's protector and could have done something differently. She could have rescued him.
Her steps took her to Legola's front door. A question arose, 'Why him?' but the explanation was straightforward; she had been through most stages with the 'annoying elf' and it seemed simpler to knock on his door. Or she chose the first door she discovered. There was nothing improper with her entering a friend's chamber for whatever motive she had. She stood at the door, knocking, and beaming as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
Legolas answered the door and cautiously peered inside to see who was there. When he spotted Xena outside his room, he was overcome with surprise and curiosity. More and more quiet dominated the room. Legolas opened and leaned on the door. He waited with his arms folded for Xena to speak. His gestures did not convey his feelings, despite the fact that his eyes exhibited a kind of soft worry.
Legolas had already gotten his clothing laundered and used the bathroom. His skin was still steamed up from the hot shower water he used. The elf's hair was damp and hung loosely against his back, and he wore nothing except a huge towel wrapped around his waist. The ambience of the ramble was infused with spearmint and fall rain, and the human knew it was his fragrance that permeated the space.
Xena felt a little embarrassed at first glance, but the sight of his familiar face alleviated her discomfort. She stared at him and scrutinised his bare torso and back, not because of his ripped physique, but because of the fresh scars that had marred his flesh. She was aware that the majority of those actions were taken to protect her, and it was the primary reason she chose to knock on his door rather than anybody else's.
That was the only way she could describe the moment. Overlooking her pride, she pulled him inside the room and shut the door without explaining her introduction. "The room that was given to me was vast," she said as she surveyed the prince's bedroom and saw that he was also provided with clean clothing. However, the colours and fabric revealed that it was one of his possessions. She turned to face him and explained the real purpose of her visit.
Legolas grinned while fixing his gaze on her. He did not wait for her to elaborate on why she was present. He moved closer to her by one step. He delicately placed his hand on her shoulder, and instead of recoiling as she normally would, she felt comforted. "Alas! There must be a better reason for visiting my chamber," the elf replied as he gently raised her head with his other hand.
Xena leaned slightly to the left and pointed to the door going into the restroom. "I need to use your bathroom since there is none in my spacious room." then she raised her gaze to his again. She waited for his reaction while clutching the gown and standing there holding it. One more moment of stillness grew between them as she became caught in his intense gaze.
Legolas did not let him get disoriented in hers. He nodded and departed, clearing the way for her. He did not request an explanation for her peculiar behaviour. With his back to her, he moved towards his bed and began to dress. Things have altered drastically. The prince would never let anybody inside his private bedroom, especially not a maiden. Any other woman would have been met with a sneer and a door slammed in her face. But not Xena. Certainly not anymore.
She entered the room and then closed the door. She placed her gown and other stuff on the ground. She removed the filthy garments. Her clothing was the only thing she had. Those, though, were already damaged and need washing. She saved just her boots and the elven brooch, tossing the remainder of her unclean clothing into a wooden box provided for that purpose.
She took the bar of soap and climbed into the tub of warm water. The hue of hair and skin gradually altered. The filth and bloodstains were gradually wiped away. She used two bars of soap and a substantial amount of hot water. The realisation that she was using the same water as Legolas caused her to flinch slightly.
Minutes later, her skin was finally clean and pallid. Her injuries were now visible. She climbed out of the tub and reached for the towel. She gently removed the moisture from her hair and body. She combed her long dark hair and wrapped a tiny towel over her head. The margins of her face were visible, exposing her facial characteristics. She wore mismatched bras and undergarments. Then she attempted to get into the garment. That was the moment at which her tolerance broke. It took her longer to don this gown than to bathe.
Eventually, Legolas grew concerned and knocked on her door to inquire if she was okay. She yelled that she was attempting to don the gown. With a sneer on his face, he retreated and sat against the bed with a backwards step. The idea of her attempting to put on that heavy garment would drive her to her breaking point. He did not play with her misery since he was now savvy enough to know that statements like that may earn him another blow to the nose.
She shook her head and entered the room before shutting the door. She laid her items gently on a desk and turned to see Legolas braiding his hair. She found his behaviour peculiar and approached him while looking. She remembered reading in the 'infamous' children's book once the elf gave her that elves braid their hair in various fashions to display sculptures or ranks.
"You always braid your hair the same way," she observed as she sat next to him. "Does it have any significance?"
Legolas halted, tilted his head in her direction, and nodded. "The lace hair braiding around both ears tells my origin, and the fact that both braids are dangling reveals that I hold a high position. The Fish Tail Braids that combine the vicious, the warrior, the archer, and the king's son."
Again, Legolas captured a moment that Xena regarded with wonder, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "I am astonished that you can braid your hair on your own, given your position," she said as she continued to observe his hairstyle.
"I know," he said dryly, having previously seen that titles did not impress her as they did the other elfin maidens he had met. And for Legolas, who grew up surrounded by elves who consistently acted in accordance with his status, this made her significant. "Each Eldar style is unique; only their mate is permitted to braid their hair for them. Because of this, Eldar have their unique method for braiding their hair. Some may have a resemblance, but no two braids will be identical." Legolas continued.
"Most of the time, your actions make no sense," Xena confessed. "You complicate everything."
Legolas raised an eyebrow while observing her. He questioned her, "Want to clarify then what complicated you and what didn't?" He climbed up behind her on the bed and removed her towel. She turned and gazed at him in confusion, but he gently moved her head aside and began braiding her hair in a simple Fish Tail Braid, which elf youngsters of Rivendell often wore.
"I will exclude the apparent immortality, abilities, and many more." Legolas awaited Xena's response. "You are ultimately in the eyes of numerous consumers. For instance, consider braiding. You only seek one partner; if you lose it, you perish. The fact that you view the world differently is not a negative thing. It is just bizarre."
Legolas corrected her when he was nearly finished braiding her hair, saying, "You are incorrect; we only have one life partner, and we share one soul. But we do not seek them; maybe some of us do, but in most cases, things just occur. These were the characteristics of the High Elves; you will encounter elves that do not like to form bonds, some who are promiscuous, and many more."
After completing his speech, he jumped in front of her and complimented his work. He gazed at her for a long time before responding with a serious tone. "We die. We may not perish from old age, but we might perish from a shattered heart or excessive exposure to evil or agony. However, it does not apply to all Eldar."
Xena nodded and rose to her feet while running her fingers through her locks. She was unsure of how to interpret his braiding her hair. However, she eventually liked it. She turned around in search of a mirror, and upon finding one, she regarded herself. She seemed astonished by her appearance, and she saw Legolas staring at her as he stood behind her.
"I like it," she grinned "But you stated..."
Legolas interrupted her while maintaining his gaze on her. "Since you are a human, this does not apply to you. This is an interesting hairstyle you provide our smallest child. It has no particular significance."
When they heard a knock at the door, Xena was ready to ask him a question. The elf opened the door, and Aragorn and Gimli were waiting for them at the burial. Walking in quiet, Legolas and Xena followed them down the halls to the great hall. Aragorn gave Legolas a perplexed expression for two reasons: discovering Xena in his chamber and the braided hair. He realised it was time to corner Legolas for a lengthy conversation.
((Upcoming Chapter Fifty-Three))
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