Chapter 20 Cold Greetings
It was a day's journey to Edoras. Aragorn stared up at the sky as the sun sank over the horizon. The sky had an orange glow to it. It
was beautiful. He smiled as he felt a small head land between his shoulder blades. He decided to let Mariell sleep. The lass had been put
through an emotional labyrinth in the last few days. He knew she was worried about Frodo and with good reason. The quest that Frodo
now embarked on was not one that he should ever have had to bear. In her sleep Mariell tightened her grip around his waist. He sucked
in his breath. The lass had no idea what she was doing to him. The image of her breasts flew into his mind. Even in his worry over her
injury, he could not help but notice her full white breasts with pink nipples. His groin tightened painfully as he thought of what he would
like to do to those breasts. He shook his head trying to clear the thoughts from his head. He had promised Frodo he would look after
Mariell, and he was quite certain the images he had in his head were not what the hobbit had had in mind. Besides, Mariell could not
possibly feel the same way. No, she perhaps thought of him as friend but nothing more.
"It is late," Gandalf said all of a sudden. "We should stop and make camp." Carefully, so as not to wake Mariell, Aragorn dismounted.
He lifted the sleeping woman from the saddle.
"Hmm," she murmured softly opening her eyes. "What's going on"
"We're stopping for the night," he told her as he set her gently on the ground and wrapped a blanket around her.
"Go back to sleep little one. It's been an exhausting couple of days"
"I'm not little," she said sleepily snuggling into the blanket. Aragorn smiled. In her sleep Mariell seemed so young and innocent.
"I'll take the first watch," Legolas said. Gandalf and Gimli lay down and were soon asleep. Aragorn lay near Mariell who was shivering.
Since her injury in Moria the lass had trouble keeping warm. Knowing he would regret it later he lifted the blanket and slid under it with
her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her body against his. She was slightly shorter than he was and she fit nicely under
his chin. She stopped shivering as he held her. He sucked in his breath as she turned in his embrace and laid her head against his chest.
Aragorn, sighed. He knew this was a bad idea. He was never going to be able to sleep now. He cursed himself as he felt his member
harden. This woman was going to be the end of him.
Aragorn must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew his eyes were opening and the sky was light. He had turned onto his
back in the night. Mariell lay curled up next to him her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. Heaving a sigh he carefully
disentangled himself from her. He noticed Legolas standing a short distance away from him. The elf was giving him a knowing look.
There was no doubt that Legolas knew exactly how he felt about Mariell. Just as Aragorn had known instantly that Legolas was in love
with Arwen. He well remembered the day that Legolas had come to him all doe eyed and told him of his love for his foster sister.
Aragorn had told him to go for it , for he had known that Arwen also had feelings for him. The two of them had been engaged for the
past twenty years. He sometimes wondered how the two of them were able to wait for so long, but he reasoned that twenty years was
hardly anything for immortals.
"You do make a very nice pair," Legolas said softly in elvish. Aragorn shook his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said. Legolas raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why don't you tell her how you feel, Estel?" Aragorn started at being called by his elven name.
"I cannot tell her," he said. "This is not the time"
"Then when?" Legolas asked him. "I may not grow old Estel, but I can be killed just as easily as you. Everytime I go into battle I go
knowing full well that it could be my last. That is why every time I see Arwen I tell her how much I love her. That way I know that if I
were to perish she will know"
"And if she did not return my feelings, what then?" Aragorn asked. "It would make things awkward between us. No, I cannot risk it"
"It is your decision," Legolas told him. "But believe me in the long run you will wish you had told her." Aragorn shook his head. Legolas
just did not understand. How could he tell Mariell that he loved her? What if she did reciprocate his feelings and then he were to be
killed? He could not cause her that grief. She already had too much of that. He turned and saw that Mariell was stirring. She sat up and
stretched.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning, how did you sleep"
"Very well. Better than I have in a long time actually." Her braid had come loose in the night and she ran her fingers through her hair.
Aragorn turned away. Seeing her with her hair down around her shoulders had caused his member to swell again.
They ate a quick breakfast and set out for Edoras. After several hours of travel they saw the city in the distance.
"Edoras," Gandalf said. "Do not look for welcome here." They rode past the gates toward the castle. The people glared at them as they
passed.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli remarked. They dismounted and climbed a tall set of stairs. A tall guard with long red hair
and a beard met them.
"We cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed. By order of Grima Wormtongue you must hand over your weapons." Gandalf
nodded at them. Aragorn gave them his sword and dagger. He saw Mariell hand over her sword grudgingly but he saw that she did not
give up her dagger, which was tucked in her belt, out of sight of the guards. She met his eyes and raised an eyebrow. He nodded. If the
guards were not going to insist she give it up then there was no harm in her keeping it. Really, Aragorn felt better knowing she had it.
"Your staff," the guard said to Gandalf.
"Oh, you would not separate an old man from his walking stick would you?" Aragorn suppressed a grin as the guard looked as though
he'd been scolded by his mother. Finally the guard relented and allowed Gandalf to keep his staff. Legolas stepped forward and took
the wizard's arm to give support to the lie Gandalf had told. As they walked into the hall Aragorn noticed guards coming in on either
side of them. In front of them sat the king. Aragorn was shocked at his appearance. He looked like an old man with no life left in him. A
slimy looking creature with black hair and eyes stood beside the king.
"Late is the hour in which Gandalf the Gray enters our hall. Ill news is an ill guest," the creature said coming toward them.
"Be silent!" Gandalf snapped. "Keep your forked tongue between your teeth. I have not passed through fire to deal with the likes of
you." It was then that the creature noticed the wizard's staff.
"I told you to take the wizard's staff!" the creature snapped at the guards. The guards moved toward Gandalf but Aragorn was there
first. He sent a fist into the face of the guard that advanced on him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that Legolas, Gimli, and Mariell
were likewise engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the guards. He saw a guard grab Mariell from behind, pinning her arms at her
sides. He tried to move toward her but two more guards came upon him. He saw Mariell lift her legs and push off a wall forcing the
guard to knock his head into a pillar. He sighed in relief as the guard was knocked out and Mariell freed herself from his grasp. The
black creature was crawling away toward the door but Gimli forced him to halt.
"I would keep still if I were you," the dwarf growled. By now Gandalf had reached the king.
"Theoden, too long have you been trapped by the shadows. I release you." The king laughed.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Gray." Gandalf threw back his gray cloak to reveal his white robe.
"I will draw you Saruman as poison is drawn from a wound." Gandalf raised his staff and slammed the king back. Aragorn saw a
woman with blonde hair come from the shadows and run toward the king. Mariell grabbed the woman and restrained her.
"If I die Theoden dies," the king snarled. Aragorn shook his head. So the king was possessed by Saruman. Gandalf raised his staff again
and the king was slammed back again.
"You could not kill me," Gandalf said. "You will not kill him"
"Rohan is mine," the king spat out. Gandalf raised his staff one final time and with a great yell Saruman's hold on the king was shattered.
The body of the king pitched forward. Mariell released the blonde woman, who ran to the king and caught him before he could fall. Like
magic the old man disappeared to reveal a much younger King Theoden. The king blinked as though waking from a dream. He stared at
the woman in front of him.
"I know your face," he said to her. "Eowyn." The woman smiled and the king turned his attention to Gandalf.
"Gandalf?" the king said as though not recognizing the wizard.
"Breathe the free air again, my friend." The king stood up, stiffly. He stared at his hands.
"Dark have been my dreams of late," Theoden said in wonder.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength if they held your sword." The guard that had taken their weapons brought forth the
king's sword. The king grasped it for a moment than raised it above his head. The king then looked to the black creature that was still
pinned down by Gimli. With a fierce growl the king seized the creature and threw him out the doors and down the steps. "I have only
ever served you my lord," the creature protested.
"You would have had me crawling on my hands and knees like a beast," the king snarled lifting his sword. Aragorn moved quickly
grabbing the king's sword.
"No your majesty," he said. "Enough blood has been spilt on his account." Theoden glared at the creature one more time.
"Get out!" he snapped. The creature got to his feet and shoved his way through the crowd that had gathered.
"Hail, Theoden, King," the people shouted. Theoden turned to Gandalf.
"My thanks to you Gandalf for freeing me of such an evil influence"
"No thanks are necessary my friend"
"Tell me who are these fine men that accompany you"
"This is Aragorn son of Arathorn, Legolas son of Thranduil, and Gimli son of Gloin." Theoden nodded to each of them as they bowed
to the king. The king's eyes widened as his gaze fell on Mariell. Mariell shifted uncomfortably under the king's gaze.
"My lord, this is my wife Mariell," Aragorn said. He figured it best to continue the lie he had told Eomer. Gandalf looked at him
strangely but Aragorn gave the wizard a look, telling him to play along. Mariell bowed respectfully. The king stared at Mariell a moment
longer then glanced at Gandalf. Aragorn saw them exchange a look.
"This is my niece, Eowyn daughter of Eomund. Lady of Rohan," the king said indicating the blonde woman.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," the lady said politely. They all bowed to her.
"Eowyn, would you have some food brought to our guests and show them to rooms? Come Gandalf, tell me what has been happening
in the world." As Gandalf and Theoden left, Eowyn approached them.
"Please follow me I will show you to your rooms. I'm sure you will want to rest after your travels." They followed her down a long hall.
She opened one door that led to a large room.
"Lord Aragorn, you and your wife shall take this room." Aragorn's stomach clenched. He realized that his lie about Mariell had just
gotten him into trouble. He couldn't very well ask the lady for a separate room from Mariell for the lady thought they were married.
"Thank you my lady," he said instead. Legolas winked at him as Eowyn led him and Gimli further down the hall. He saw the large bed
with the burgundy cover and gulped. Sharing a blanket with Mariell on the open ground was one thing, but no way was he sharing a bed
with her. He would not be able to trust himself to control his urges.
"I seem to have gotten us into a bit of a spot," he muttered. He looked over at Mariell who did not seem to have heard him.
"Mariell?" She did not answer him. He stepped in front of her and took her shoulders.
"Are you all right? That guard didn't hurt you did he?" He had thought she was all right but in his haste to stop the king from killing that
thing that he had not really made sure. "He knew me Aragorn," Mariell said softly.
"What?" Mariell turned and stared at him.
"Theoden, he knew me"
"How is that possible? You've never been to Rohan before have you"
"No, but you saw how he was looking at me. Like he was remembering"
"Perhaps it is not what you think," he said. Her eyes flashed with anger.
"Perhaps it is exactly what I think. I'm tired of secrets Aragorn, I want to know the truth."