Chapter 2:

Of Meduseld and Theoden King

''Darsul wake up!''Said Legolas cheerfully. Darsul eyes flickered open and beheld the scene in front of her. The sun was shining into her eyes, set on a hill was a large city. Darsul wouldn't have called it intricate...she would later describe it as ''nice and simple''. Her gaze was drawn from the town to the palace at the topmost point of the hill. It was made of Gold and timber. The magnificent palace shone like copper in the morning light

. Underneath the doors was a stone horse without a rider. Sweet water from the Anduin flowed from it's open mouth. All in all, Darsul thought it to be beautiful.

As they rode up to the gates, a green flag with a white horse on it blew down from the palace, shaken loose by the wind! Haleth and Shadowfax whinnied upon their entrance to Edoras. They had both been raised in this city and it raised many memories.

''Easy, Haleth''cooed Darsul sweetly. He immediately ceased his antics and focused on getting to the stables. Darsul politely refused the hand of the stable boy, who tried to help her down. She instead allowed Legolas to gently lift her off. The stable boy stared curiously at both Legolas' and Darsuls pointed ears. Darsul shooed him away, when he tried to take Haleths reins to stable him. None but Legolas, Boromir and Darsul could handle Haleth safely. When she was finally satisfied that he was well bedded down, she walked out of the stall to find everyone waiting for her. Darsul blushingly apologized for taking so long and grabbed Legolas' hand. They followed Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf towards the palace.

At the doors to the palace, a man stepped forth. He looked at them all. His eyes trailed over Gimli, Gandalf and Aragorn. He raised his eyebrows raised as he saw Legolas and Darsul. Elves were an uncommon sight in Rohan! His gaze lingered on Darsul for a long time, making her uncomfortable. She saw his eyes flicker to her hands still entwined with Legolas'. He finally spoke.

''I am Raûlath! Guard of Theoden, King. Rider of the Mark! I cannot allow you to continue forth, so armed. Relinquish your weapons and you shall be granted entrance to the Golden Halls.''

They looked at Gandalf who frowned but nodded, they must hand over their weapons to this man...Legolas flourished his daggers into the mans hand, he gave them to a companion to hold. Gimli grudgingly handed over his ax, which was followed by Legolas' bow and quiver. Raûlath pointed at Darsul and Aragorns swords. They both hesitated. Aragorn finally surrendered his, but still Darsul held back. She hadn't gone anywhere without Naldgrim, since her father died...Legolas squeezed her hand in reassurance. Darsul looked up at him, he smiled at her and she decided.

''I Darsul, crown princess of Lothlorien, hand you, Raûlath of Rohan my sword Naldgrim...However, I forbade you to remove it from the scabbard of Dirion, and anyone else to touch it!''She sounded so forcefull that everyone looked over at her. Was she really the crown princess of Lorien? If so, she should not be treated lightly.

Raûlath gently took her sword and bowed low to her. Darsul saw a smirk fall across his face. She became angry, did he doubt her claim? Legolas noticed her tense up. He squeezed her head once again. Darsul calmed but spat

''Antole uula sulrim...Lasta lalaithlaman!''Much wind pours from your mouth...Listen to my laughter!''

Upon hearing this, Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas burst out laughing and Gimli joined in for the fun of it. Raûlath look up and realized that she had insulted him. Darsul smiled sweetly and said loudly

''Ed' i'ear ar'elenai! Lle holma ve'edan!''By the sea and the stars! You smell like a human!'' Legolas,Aragorn and Gandalf nearly fell over with laughter now. They had too stand their for a moment to calm down before they could be led into the hall. Darsul looked at Raûleth once more as they passed him and entered the hall. His face was twisted in fury and he looked vengeful. Darsul shivered visibly and recoiled slightly. Legolas held her hand tighter.

Suddenly Gandalf threw off his gray overcloak and revealed his glowing white robes. He brought forth his powerful new staff

''I told you to take his staff!''screeched a harsh voice. As they neared the throne, Darsul saw who had spoken. The king sat, bent and old, upon his throne. A very ugly man that resembled a snake came out from behind it. He was wearing a black cloak rimmed with crow feathers. He had a pockmarked face, and gray skin the color of clay. He grimaced at Gandalf and hissed

''Why should we welcome you to Edoras? Gandalf Stormcrow?''

''Be SILENT!''Shouted Gandalf.''I have not traveled through fire and death to battle words with a witless worm, Grima Wormtongue!''He knocked Grima aside, Gimli placed his booted foot on Grimas chest and growled

''I would stay still, if I were you!''

Gandalf proceeded up to Theoden King. He placed his staff tip to Theodens forehead and began muttering in Elvish. The guards didn't move, they knew this was important. Suddenly Theoden began to laugh, a cruel, high-pitched sound.

''If you try to disspell me, he dies!''Sarumans voice came out oddly distorted through Theodens mouth. Gandalf pressed his staff harder

''You will not kill me, You will not kill him!''Gandalf shouted. He raised one of his weathered hands and yelled

''Theoden, I release you!''

A great change came over the king. His beard and hair turned light sandy color and his back straightened. Theoden eyes cleared and revealved great wisdom and power.

He looked about him as if he had fallen asleep for a year. Gandalf smiled and pulled Theoden up, so he was standing.

''Your hands would remember their old strength better, If they once again grasped their sword.''Said Gandalf. At his signal, Theodens second in command walked up and knelt before his King. He offered Theoden his sword.

''Rise Háma, My friend...''Said Thoeden kindly. The man Háma rose and once again offered the king his sword. The king readily accepted it this time and swung it in an arc. He grinned sheepishly and suddenly looked up

''Eowyn!''He shouted. A tall, beuatiful woman ran up and hugged him. She had long,blonde slightly curly hair. Theoden explained quietly

''My niece...''

Then Theoden noticed Grima underneath Gimlis boot. His face became contorted

with rage. He stomped down from his throne. Grima looked fearfully at the king sword glinting in the torchlight. He escaped out from Gimli and ran for the door. Theoden King chased him from the hall. Two guards grabbed Grima and threw him down on the steps. Theoden stepped slowly down the stirs towards him.

''Because of you, my country is in ruins! Uruks run across the Westfold, burning as they go!''He raised his sword to pierce Grimas chest but Aragorn grabbed his arm.

''No My lord! Enough blood has been spilled on his account!''Theoden paused for a moment then stopped trying to stab Grima. Aragorn reached down to help Grima up. Grima just spit at Aragorns hand and ran off. Soon he was visible riding away on a black horse. Soon his shape was lost over the horizon.

''Hail, Theoden King!''shouted Aragorn. All the towsfolk bowed and cried

''Hail!''

Theoden then turned to Aragorn and put his hand on his shoulder in friendship.

''Come, You and your friends are weary!''Theoden whistled and Raûleth walked over. His face was no longer angry, in fact he looked quite pleased about something. He bowed once to his king and beckoned for Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Darsul to follow him. Raûleth led them back into the throne hall and through a door behind the throne. It revealed a long narrow hall, with many doors on either side. He stopped at the last one on the right side.

''There are two beds in here for Lord Aragorn and Master Gimli.''said Raûleth. Aragorn and Gimli said goodnight to Legolas and Darsul and walked into their room. Raûleth then turned on the spot and gestured towards the door right across from Aragorns room.

''I'm afraid that there is only one bed in this room, You may...share or one may go to sleep in the barracks.''With those words he bowed mockingly to Darsul and sauntered off down the hall to his room. Legolas sighed and pushed open the door to the room. It was sparsely furnished with a small bed and a rug. Legolas turned to leave, when a small,cool hand grabbed his. Denying him leave. Darsul pulled Legolas into the room and hugged him. She breathed in deeply, catching the scent of trees of his clothes. He hugged her back, happy to feel the warmth emenating from her body. He marveled at how small she felt in his arms. She was so delicate, so slight.

Darsul smiled and relaxed in his arms, safe in his arms. Nothing could shatter the peace and happiness she was feeling then. Legolas held her tighter as his thoughts reached the impending battle they were all facing. He could leave...now. He could take Darsul into the west, sail with her over the sea to the waiting arms of the Valar. Then his thoughts drifted back to Aragorn...Gimli. No he wouldn't leave them to this fate. This doom. Legolas was snapped back to reality by Darsul, fingering a strand of his hair.

He laughed lightly and took her face in his hands. He kissed her lightly. Her knees buckled at this. He laughed inwardly, relishing the fact that he was holding her up now. When he dipped his head to kiss her again, she responded by deepening the kiss. When she became even more weak at the knees, he whispered meaningless things in her ear. They weren't meaningless to Darsul though. To her they meant a great deal. She relaxed once more in his arms, regaining some of the strength in her limbs. She allowed him to carry her to the bed and pull the blanket over her.

Darsul was asleep in seconds, she was so weary. Legolas didn't leave her alone for a while. He sat at the foot of her bed stroking her light blonde hair. Once he was sure she was sleeping peacefully, he stood and left the room quietly shutting the door behind him.

He strode out of the palace to stand on the stairs outside it's doors, facing the west. He heard someone behind him, He was joined by Aragorn who stood beside him with his hood drawn up.

''Why are you still awake?''Legolas asked curiously.

''Gimli snores!''Aragorn stated simply. They both sat down and looked at the stars above them.

You are going to wed her?''

Legolas knew the question was directed at him. He sat in silence and didn't answer. Only when Aragorn looked over at Legolas, his face demanding answers, did Legolas respond.

''No...not yet anyways.''

''Hurry up!''Legolas looked over at Aragorn in surprise. He had never seen the expression on his face before. It was a look of absolute total incredulity. Aragorn laughed when he realized that Legolas had no clue about what he had just said. He continued to explain to his friend the finer points of the situation.

''You are in love with the crown princess of Lothlorien, in the middle of a war! Every male elf on this side of the Misty Mountains would be interested in having her hand and she chose you! You can't just say, No not yet!''

Legolas looked over at his friend. He thought for a moment. Then asked a question.

''What if I asked her right know, then went and got myself killed in Mordor?''

Aragorn glanced at his friend, That was the reason he was holding back the tide...

Aragorn mulled the question over in his mind. What would Arwen do? She would mourn, but at least she would know he loved her fully, and completely.

''My friend, as long as she knows you truly loved her, she would be at peace. And would join you in the halls of the dead when her time was right.''

Legolas pondered this for a while. He then stood up, he would have to think about this some more.

''Goodnight, My friend!''Said Legolas. He went back to Darsauls room to find her wide awake.

''Where did you go?''She asked curiously.

''I went to talk with Arrie...''He replied softly.''Go to sleep Darsul, I shall watch you...''

Darsul sank back against her pillow and shut her eyes, soon she was breathing peacefully once more. Legolas did not sleep that night, but instead watched Darsul and thought about what Aragorn had said.