Chapter 3: A Nasty Worm

Being away from home, adapting to a new world, and traveling for so long had begun to take its toll on me. I was tired, cranky, soar, and above all, scared for our friends who could be in great danger…and yet, I hid everything I could, though I couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh once in a while. I soon began to daze more than ever, dreaming of my life back home and how good it felt to sleep in my warm bed. Before I even got to dream about chocolate and presents, I was snapped out of my world.

"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld." Gandalf motioned toward a beautiful, yet small village, or may I say "city", that lay before us now.

"It's quaint." I stated bluntly, head a little dizzy from lack of sleep. I felt Legolas chuckle silently in front of me. I couldn't help but smile.

As if to brush off my comment, Gandalf continued to introduce the city. "There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong."

I shuddered not a second after he stated such. I could feel something evil, and it felt like a worm had begun to poison something that once was seen beautiful.

Gandalf spoke again, "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here." And as if on cue, my group all turned to me at the exact same time and stared me down. My eyes widened in disbelief.

"What?!" I exclaimed. Gandalf rolled his eyes and moved Shadowfax on, towards Rohan. Aragorn soon followed with a smug Gimli. I felt my face grow crimson as Legolas chuckled aloud this time. I embarrassingly crossed my arms over my chest with a "Humph!"

"I don't find anything funny…" I nearly growled in frustration. Legolas yet again laughed, but suddenly caused our horse to gallop after the others, causing me to almost fall off and grab his waist for support. It was as if he did it on purpose!

As we rode into Rohan, I noticed that everyone was wearing black and all villagers looked hopeless. A chill went up my spine as I peered into one woman's empty eyes, feeling as if she were entranced and couldn't escape.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli stated the honest truth. I would have laughed in reply, but his statement sent a chill up my spine.

We dismounted our horses and climbed to the top of the stairs at Meduseld, a beautiful building, where we were greeted by Hama and other guards.

"Ah!" Gandalf declared.

Hama replied gruffly, "I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of…Grima Wormtongue."

Suddenly my mouth felt as if it were full of dirt. With a stern glance from my companions, I reluctantly gave up my weapons with theirs.

Hama motions at Gandalf. "Your staff."

Gandalf seemed to show off his acting skills, this time being innocent and old. "Hm. Oh! You would not part an old man from his walking stick?"

I nearly laughed, but held it back.

Hama then nodded and allowed us to pass into the building. I watched as Gandalf winked at Aragorn and beamed as Legolas offered an arm to support the "old man" that accompanied us. Gimli turned with a smile while nodding, asking for my reply to follow. I mimicked his actions.

As we walked into the hall, I saw a dark, black figure standing behind the old man on the throne….Theoden. But shouldn't he be much younger? I nearly hurled when the slime, that caused my stomach to wretch, spoke to Théoden,

"My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe." I yearned to spit at his face.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King." Gandalf stated as if disgusted, but who would blame him? Everything looked so old, as if lost in time somehow.

Grima began to whisper. "He is not welcome." I bristled in anger, but Aragorn gave me a stern look, nearly making it worse, but it warned me enough.

Suddenly, and old raspy voice of a lost kind echoed around the room. "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"

Grima rose from his spot beside Théoden. "A just question my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name you. Ill-news is an ill guest."

Ok, so I now wanted to kick the dude where it hurt, but my violent images of Grima in pain kept me at bay.

"Be silent!" Gandalf ordered. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm." I nearly gave the old man applause, feeling such comfort in his voice once again.

Grima suddenly looked petrified. "His staff. I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

Suddenly, Grima's lackeys are around Gandalf, though Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I don't hesitate to intervene, knocking each one down with our own preferred moves. Legolas surprised me by smiling as he watched me drop-kick one, but I nearly shouted at him in alarm when he back-punched the man behind him as if it were nothing. I would have made a scene, but gradually, everyone began to look to Gandalf.

Gandalf then shouted at the crippled king. "Théoden! Son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in the shadows."

Gandalf then began to walk towards Théoden, approaching him in a meaningful stance.

"Hearken to me. I release you…from this spell." During that exchange, Théoden's voice resembled that of a dark wizard I had begun to loath….Saruman.

With a wicked laugh, the possessed Théoden spoke, "You have no power here….Gandalf the Grey!"

Gandalf suddenly threw off his cloak to reveal all white and Théoden uttered in rage, "Argh!"

"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." Gandalf hissed in retribution.

Théoden spat, "ACK! ARGH!" A girl tried to run to him, but Aragorn held her back.

"Wait." Aragorn stated to her.

Saruman (I am now just saying his name because that was getting confusing, even to me!) spat in glee, if such a man could do so,

"If I go, Théoden dies."

Gandalf affirmed proudly, "You did not kill me. You will not kill him."

Saruman became as vicious as a snake. "Rohan is mine!"

"Be gone! HA!" Gandalf shouted in triumph!

Saruman cried out, "URGH!" Théoden suddenly stiffened, and all of a sudden, a vision of Saruman sliding across a floor with a black mark on his head, appeared to me, he was gone. The girl ran to Théoden who then began to grow younger and younger again.

Théoden shrieked, "Ahh!" Suddenly, wrinkles disappeared and his eyes cleared. He looked to the girl in recognition, speaking finally in his own voice,

"I know your face. Eowyn. Eowyn." Théoden turned to look around. "Gandalf?" He asked as he spotted a friend to many.

Gandalf spoke in relief. "Breathe the free air again, my friend."

"Dark have been my dreams of late." Théoden avowed, but stood carefully, looking unsure.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword." Gandalf declared aloud, Hama soon after bringing Théoden his sword. When Théoden pulled the sword from its scabbard, he then stood taller, looking around as if all was new, that is, until his eyes landed on Grima, who shuddered in fear.

In a flash, everyone, including myself, was outside, watching as Hama and another Rider tossed Grima out, causing him to roll down the many steps.

Grima shouted in pain. "Argh! Ow!"

Théoden followed him down the many steps, his sword drawn.

Grima pleaded to the King. "I've only ever served you, my lord." He then tried to slink away backwards.

Théoden is enraged at this point. "Your leech craft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" The King readies to kill Grima with his sword, but Aragorn swiftly grabs his hand.

"No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account." Aragorn defends, though I would have disagreed angrily if it weren't for my curiosity. With time to escape, Grima scrambled to his feet, running towards the gate and pushing aside any bystanders, shouting,

"Get out of my way!"

Someone then shouts, "Hail! Théoden King!" Every villager soon dropped to their knees, and as I was beginning to think, I felt a hand gently press me down to mine. I looked over and smiled at Legolas, silently thanking him. I watched, grimacing irately, as Grima rode off without notice, but my concentration was drawn away when Aragorn dropped to his knee in front of me.

Théoden turned and looked at those around him, his eyebrows furrowing quickly. "Where is Theodred? Where is my son?"

My

heart

dropped.

Wow! I just want to say thanks to all my readers for reading and for being so patient! Yes! Finally another chapter! I hope you liked it, and there'll be another one soon, more than likely tomorrow. I didn't think this story would be so favored, but this is amazing! Thank you so much and keep reading, cause it's just going to get better!