Chapter 2 is live! w00t!
Disclaimer: I own only Alice. All other property pertaining to this story is under the ownership of J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." The White Wizard states.
"Where are they?" Aragorn demands.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" He asks, a strange tone in his voice. Fingolfin is tense.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" The ranger says, even though he already assumes that it is Saruman. The White Wizard recalls his light. Slowly, his face is revealed. Standing before them, dressed all in white, is Gandalf! "It cannot be…" Aragorn says, both he and Fingolfin completely astounded. Legolas quickly kneels.
"Forgive me. I mistook you for Saruman." Gimli and Fingolfin join him in kneeling before the White Wizard.
"I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been." Aragorn is still in utter shock.
"You fell." He says plainly.
"Through fire and water." Gandalf tells them the story of his death, how he slew the Balrog of Morgoth on a mountainside, and then died there himself. Life was restored to him, and then he was sent back, "… until my task is done." The story makes little sense to Alice, and she decides to ask him about it later.
"Gandalf…" Aragorn says in awe. Gandalf is confused.
"Gandalf? Yes…" He smiles, "That's what they used to call me." The ranger slowly nods, and Alice decides that Gandalf must be Jesus in secret. Or Houdini. "Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." Gimli utters his name quietly, and the wizard smiles. "I am Gandalf the White." Legolas grins. "And I am come back to you at the turn of the tide."
"Can I get control back, now?" Alice asks as the White Wizard leads the four of them through Fangorn Forest.
"Oh, whoops, sorry, not used to seeing people being RESSURECTED every day." The sensation of regaining feeling spreads through her body as Alice quickly takes control of herself again. She notices that Gandalf has (somehow) gotten his old, grey, Elf robes back and now wears them over his white robes.
"One stage of the journey is over, another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed." Gandalf says hurriedly.
"Edoras? That is no short distance!" Gimli complains.
"We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king." Aragorn informs the wizard. He stops.
"Yes, and it will not be easily cured." Gandalf says vaguely. The Dwarf is still grouchy.
"Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested-?" The Forest almost seems to respond to Gimli's complaints with a low rumble, making Alice nervous. Gimli stops talking (for once) and looks around, fearfully. "I mean, charming...quite charming forest." He smiles as the rumbling ceases. Gandalf turns to Gimli.
"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains." Alice rolls her eyes, and Aragorn voices her thoughts.
"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend." Gandalf leans close to the ranger, who finishes his thought in a low voice. "You still speak in riddles." They laugh.
"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong." Alice smirks, she doesn't know what an Ent is, but it sounds like a good thing.
"Strong?" Gimli says, smiling nervously, "Oh, that's good." Gandalf turns to leave.
"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf." The wizard starts walking out of the forest again. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be."
"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one." Gimli mumbles to himself before trudging after the rest of the party.
When they finally get out of the forest, Gandalf whistles piercingly. It echoes off into the distance. He whistles again. As the echo dies out, a neigh answers him. A magnificent white horse gallops towards them over a nearby hill. Alice glances over to see the wizard smiling. Legolas, standing with Aragorn, Gimli and their steeds, looks upon the approaching horse in awe.
"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." Legolas says. The horse gallops across the plain and comes to a stop in front of Gandalf.
"Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses… and has been my friend through many dangers." The wizard walks up to Shadowfax and strokes his neck. Alice smiles.
The five sojourners make haste on their horses, Gandalf taking the lead, in their journey to Edoras.
That evening...
Legolas, Aragorn, Alice, and Gimli sit quietly around a low fire. The ranger fears being spotted by the enemy, so they have just enough of a fire to keep them warm from the freezing-cold breeze about them, but still low enough that it should be spotted anymore than about a mile out. Gandalf stands atop a small hill away from them, keeping diligent watch over the plains of Rohan. Alice and Legolas sit next to each other, fingers entwined, and her head lies on his shoulder. He whispers soft Elvish words to her to keep her fear of what comes next at bay. The riddle of why the Riddermark did not like the name 'Roxanne' puzzles her, and fills her mind with dread for when it is time to meet King Théoden. Gimli sits on Legolas' left a few feet away, staring distantly into the fire. Aragorn sits across from the young couple, also looking into the fire. Without a word, he stands and goes to speak to Gandalf. Alice requests Legolas to be quiet for a moment, and Fingolfin stretches out his hearing to listen to the conversation.
"The veiling shadow that glowers in the east takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-dûr, his Eye watches ceaselessly. But he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. The rumor has reached him. The heir of Númenor still lives." Neither Alice nor Legolas look up to see Aragorn's reaction to these words, fearing being caught listening. "Sauron fears you, Aragorn. He fears what you may become." Alice's eyes widen at these words, and there's a pause in Gandalf's speech. "And so he'll strike hard and fast at the world of Men. He will use his puppet Saruman to destroy Rohan. War is coming. Rohan must defend itself, and therein lies our first challenge for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The king's mind is enslaved, it's an old device of Saruman's. His hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning, we have one advantage." Another small pause. "The Ring remains hidden. And that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon of the enemy is moving towards Mordor in the hands of a Hobbit. Each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest… Do not regret your decision to leave him. Frodo must finish this task alone."
"He's not alone. Sam went with him."
"Did he? Did he, indeed? Good." Alice can hear the smile in his voice. "Yes, very good." Legolas and Alice share a look, both uncertain. He resumes his whispering.
The next day…
Gandalf, Aragorn, Alice, Legolas, and Gimli ride across the Plains. They stop on a rise looking across to Edoras. The five figures look upon a walled city covering a small mountain. Atop its summit is Meduseld, Alice distantly recalls from her studies.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan... whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong." Gandalf pauses, considering his own words. "Be careful of what you say. Do not look for welcome here." He starts off again, and the four hunters follow.
It isn't long before they're riding through the gate. Aragorn and Alice go through last, and both see a flag flutter to the ground. She can tell that he's taking it as a bad omen.
People eye the five of them warily, and Aragorn whispers that to the people of Rohan, they might as well be harbingers of doom. He looks up, and Alice follows his gaze to Meduseld. They both see a lady dressed in white standing on its porch, watching them. They stare for only a second before Gimli distracts them.
"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard…" They both glance back at the hall, but the lady has disappeared.
They approach the doors of the Golden Hall. The large doors swing open eerily, and a man, dressed similarly to Éomer, exits followed by a detachment of foot soldiers. The four men and woman climb the steps, and the soldier meets them at the top. Gandalf leans heavily on his staff, like an old man. He looks up to the ma and smiles.
"I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Gríma Wormtongue."
The four young(er) people each grab their weapon uncertainly. Aragorn and Alice grab the hilts of Andúril and Ringil, Legolas' hand touches the tip of his bow, and Gimli gripes the handle of his axe. Gandalf nods to them to surrender their weapons. Alice almost laughs out loud at herself and the three boys as they turn over every weapon they have. Swords, knives, arrows, and axes drop. The man signals to Gandalf.
"Your staff." The wizard glances at his staff and scoffs innocently.
"You would not part an old man from his walking stick." He continues to look at the man innocently. Alice jumps in to further the cause.
"Of course he wouldn't, Uncle, he knows that someone of your age and stature should not press themselves too hard." She looks at the man with an endearing smile. "In my home, Gandalf is always welcome as though family. He's been as an uncle to me since I was but a little girl. I would hate to see anything happen to him, simply because someone didn't like his walking stick."
She leans against Gandalf slightly, rubbing his back, and continuing to give the man her (or at least, what she hopes is) enduring smile. He nods, rolls his eyes, and then gestures for them to follow him. As soon as his back is turned, Gandalf grins at her, and then winks at Aragorn, who smiles at them both in return. They follow him inside, the old wizard leaning against Alice and Legolas' arms as an old man might for support. The soldier that spoke to them bows before the King, then stands aside to allow the five people behind him enter. A man Alice can only describe as a slimeball (normally she's not so judgmental… but have you seen this guy?) leans over and whispers into an aging man's ear, who she assumes to be King Théoden.
"My Lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming." They continue forward, and the guard shut up the doors behind them. They notice several men behind the contingency of guards following them as they walk towards the King. "He's a herald of woe." Legolas and Alice release Gandalf. "He's very judgmental… of course, if I looked like that, I might be too…"
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King." Fingolfin hears Wormtongue whisper to Théoden.
"He's not welcome." Théoden finally speaks, and his words are though it takes a great effort to speak.
"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" He looks at Wormtongue, as though for affirmation. "Okay, so who's the real King here? I can't tell."
"A just question, my liege." Gríma stands, and walks to meet them well in front of Théoden. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Láthspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest." An image flashes in Alice's mind. Gandalf stands, dark and tall in a small home, speaking in a deep voice. Bilbo stands before him, anger slipping from his features and fear taking its place. The wizard tells the Hobbit that he is not some conjurer of cheap tricks.
"Be silent." The image dissipates immediately at Gandalf's words, as though he were telling her mind to still itself. She blinks, and realizes that Wormtongue has frozen in his place, and that there is a tension in the air. She glances over at Legolas, who slowly nods his head past her. She turns slightly, and sees two of the strange men with their hands balled into fists, a fiendish gleam in their eyes as their whites rake her body. She tenses, suddenly wishing that Ringil was safely secured at her hip once more. She tunes back into what Gandalf's saying. "… bandy crooked words with a witless worm." He raises his staff to the 'witless worm', who backs away from it.
"His staff." He backs well away from Gandalf while addressing the guards, arrogantly. "I told you to take the wizard's staff."
The men behind the lines burst through to attack. Aragorn, Alice, Legolas, and Gimli engage them in a fist-fight to keep them from Gandalf as he approaches Théoden. Out of the corner of her eye, Alice sees one soldier try to run forward, but the one from earlier holds him back. She tunes out the wizard's words as she ducks a blow from one of the men. Her foot comes up in a high swing, kicking the man across the face, knocking him back. She spins around, and seeing a man about to punch, she brings up her arm to block and then swings a punch of her own. Her blow hits it's mark, and she feels the man's jaw crack and break underneath her fist. She turns around again to see two men about to try and grab her before Aragorn and Legolas suddenly appear to take them down. She puts a hand on her heart as the shock sinks in that she just did that. Not Fingolfin.
Movement. She looks over, Gimli is holding down Wormtongue with his foot.
"I would stay still if I were you." The Dwarf warns, a growl in his throat.
"Hearken to me!" Gandalf is much closer now to Théoden King then when she had last seen, and everyone slowly approaches the White Wizard. "I release you from the spell." Gandalf holds out his hand and concentrates... Suddenly, Théoden laughs, menacingly. Gandalf opens his eyes.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey." Théoden says, still laughing. Angered, Gandalf throws back his grey cloak and spreads his hands. A blinding white light issues from him. Théoden is thrown back against his seat.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." He thrusts his staff towards Théoden. The force knocks him back in his throne. The wizard moves in closer. Out of the corner of her eye, Alice sees a young woman, close to her own age, rush in. She tries to run to the king, probably thinking he is in trouble, but Aragorn stops her.
"Wait." He says to her quietly.
Alice looks back to the main scene to see a new aura come over Théoden. He looks at Gandalf evilly and speaks in a voice Alice had heard once before. A voice that still chills her deeply, and occasionally haunts her dreams. She heard it once on the Misty Mountains. It is the voice of Saruman.
"If I go, Théoden dies." Legolas either senses her distress, or it shows (unbidden) on her face, as he suddenly appears at her side once more, his right arm wrapped around her shoulders and his left hand reaching across to hold her left. He whispers for her to be strong, as the moment is soon to pass.
Gandalf thrusts his staff again and throwing Théoden/Saruman back again.
"You did not kill me, you will not kill him." Théoden/Saruman leans forward with difficulty, hate welling in his eyes. He speaks with some difficulty.
"Rohan is mine." The dual being struggles against Gandalf's power.
"Be gone."
The man lunges for the wizard, who smites him, and he is thrown back into the chair. Gandalf lets out a sigh of relief, and Alice looks up at him in surprise. Théoden moans and falls from his throne. Aragorn suddenly releases the woman. She charges across the hall to catch him before he can hit the floor. The restrained solder makes to charge again, but the one holding him is strong. The woman holds the king up to look at him. His eyes clear, his hairs change from white strands to brown splendor, his face deg-ages to a more youthful King. Alice's jaw drops.
The woman is over-joyed and the King looks about, confused. His eyes find the woman's.
"I know you face…"he smiles, "Éowyn. Éowyn." The woman, apparently Éowyn, weeps with joy. The King looks up and seems surprised to see Gandalf standing before him. "Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, my friend." He says with a small smile. Théoden stands and looks around.
"Dark have been my dreams of late." He looks down at his own trembling hands.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword." The charging soldier has been released, and the soldier that they spoke to before (Legolas whispers that his name is Háma ) rushes forward with a long sword inside a scabbard (Legolas, again, whispers that it is called Herugrim). Théoden wraps his fingers about the hilt and then slowly draws the sword.
Wormtongue struggles for a minute, trying to escape. Gimli continues to restrain him. The King gazes upon the steel, feeling his strength return. A moment passes before his eyes suddenly darken, and he turns his gaze upon Gríma, who shudders.
Later…
Háma and the soldier he restrained before throw Gríma bodily down the stairs outside the Golden Hall. He lands hard on the lower stoop, groaning in pain. Théoden walks down the steps a ways, holding Herugrim. Wormtongue begins to crawl away as he speaks beseechingly.
"I've only ever served you, my lord." The King continues his advance.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" "Well, that's not too far from the truth."
"Send me not from your sight." Wormtongue continues. Théoden raises Herugrim to kill Gríma, but Aragorn stops him.
"No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account." "Wow, in America that would not be enough of a reason to let him go."
The King looks at the ranger and relents. Aragorn, in a move Alice would have never done herself, offers his hand to Wormtongue, but he spits in it and scrambles to his feet. The ranger shakes off the spittle. Gríma violently pushes his way through the crowd of bystanders.
"Get out of my way!" He shouts. Those on the steps solemnly watch Wormtongue depart. Háma suddenly calls out, making Alice jump.
"Hail, Théoden King!" The crowd kneels before the King as Wormtongue charges out of Edoras on a horse. Théoden observes the crowd on it's knees before turning and looking at Aragorn, who also kneels. The King turns to go back into the hall, before stopping and looking at everyone on the steps.
"Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
Awkward silence.
MUHAHAHAHA.
seargentlambchop - You're welcome! And thanks for reviewing! =D
Luna - Hahaha, yup. Thanks. =)
Lady Minuialwen - Yes, that's where I got that idea from, lol. I was like, "Ooo! I should put that in there! LOL!"
gitana - Thank you very much. What's on my page is actually only like, half of what I have actually planned. I'll keep you in mind for a beta, haha. Thank you for reviewing! =D
Next time, on Alice In Middle Earth: The Two Towers:
Théodred is dead. How will the King handle it? How will the King handle Alice being a woman, and a warrior? Why were the Riddermark so distressed by the word 'Roxanne'? What has happened to Fingolfin, and why was Alice allowed to fight on her own? Will Alice be able to aide Éowyn in her quest to be allowed to fight? All this and more, next time!
Review please! =D