Chapter Eight
The party arrived at Edoras, the home of King Théoden a less than three hours later. Every peasant stared at them as they rode proudly through the city, with the exception of Ello, who seemed to shrink further against Aragorn's chest at every glance. In almost no time, they reached the house of the King. There they dismounted, and a tall, official looking man stepped forward.
"We wish to see the king." Aragorn said, staring at the man.
"No one shall see the king armed thus," the man said, almost apologetically. "By the orders of Gríma Wormtongue."
Gandalf nodded slightly, and the four lay down their weapons.
"And, your staff, sir." The man grimaced. Ello looked up at Gandalf, and even acting, her fear seeped onto her face. Sensing her discomfort, Gimli gently placed his hand on her shoulder, just as Gandalf said; "Oh, you wouldn't rob an old man of his walking stick, would you?"
The man sighed, and led them through. Once inside, something akin to déjà-vu hit Ello, and she looked around in fear, shrinking close to Gimli, who was nearest to her. Her eyes flickered around the throne room, taking in every detail. Her breathing became fast and uneven. Her instincts were screaming at her to run, but both her mind and her heart told her to trust Aragorn and Gandalf. Her heart won. Guards paraded in troops, watching, always with two eyes, and Ello felt like a prisoner. She averted her eyes to the withered old man, in the throne at the end of the hall, with a crown perched on top of his fragile skull. Unlike the others in his hall, the King's hair was a snowy white, and dirty. His skin seemed to be made of powder in odd shades of blue and green, making his face look dead. He glared at them, and his eyes were beady and evil. But the king was not Ello's main cause for fear, it was the man crouched in his shadow, whispering in the Kings ear. She could tell that he was a sorcerer, and he reminded her a little bit of a smaller, weaker version of Severus Snape from Harry Potter, with his greasy black hair. But his face was more open, with wide eyes, and rotting skin, or that is what it seemed.
"The courtesy of your hall has lessened of late, Théoden King." Gandalf boomed. The black haired man whispered hastily in the King's ear.
"Why," the king croaked "Should I welcome you, Gandalf Stromcrow?"
"A just question, my liege." The man hissed, nodding excessively. "You seem to think that you have brought us great aid, Gandalf, but we are in need of soldiers, and what do you bring? Three ragged travellers and a child!"
"Speak only of what you know, Gríma Wormtongue." Gandalf demanded. "And keep that forked tongue of yours behind your teeth."
Then the doors burst open as if caught in a sudden gust of wind, and Gandalf's Gray travelling clothes flew off to reveal blinding white robes and he flung out his arms, his white staff glowing slightly in his white hand.
"The staff!" Gríma wailed in a whiny voice. "I told you to take the wizards staff!"
Immediately the guards stepped forward, and automatically, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli went into self-defence mode.
Gríma slithered towards Gandalf, and Ello leapt onto his back, covering his eyes with her hands. He yelled in frustration, for her legs pinned his arms and he was blind. Then Gríma smashed his back against the large pillar behind him. Only Gimli was close enough to hear the soft but sickening crush as Ello's head smashed against the cold stone. She winced as tears sprung to her eyes and she slid dismally of his back. But Gimli knocked Gríma over, and placed his foot heavily against the sorcerer's neck.
"I wouldn't go anywhere if I were you." He advised, and then he turned to look at Ello, who flashed him a quick attempt at a smile. But it did not reach her eyes, as it had only once in Gimli's memory.
"Théoden, I release you from the spell." Gandalf said in a deep voice
The old man only laughed an evil sound, and a young maiden, fair with a small but distinct similarity to Éomer, ran into the room.
"Uncle!" She gasped and rushed forward, but Aragorn (who had stopped fighting and was standing next to Legolas next to Gandalf) grabbed her arm. "Wait." He murmured.
Gandalf grunted, and thrust his staff toward the King, who was shoved by an invisible force to the back of his throne. Rubbing her neck, Ello staggered over to Legolas' side and leaned slightly on him.
"If I go," Saruman hissed from Théoden's body. "Théoden dies!"
Gandalf had other ideas. "You did not kill me, you will not kill him!" he cried.
The man began to shudder, and then, it was over. Slowly, so slowly you could scarcely notice it happening, the King began to change. The powdery look on his face seemed to disintegrate, and the colour, a rich gold seeped back into his hair. His face was an odd mix, thought Ello; strong but old, kind but stern, gentle but ferocious. He blinked and stared around the hall, as if he could not recall where he was.
"Breathe the free air again, Théoden King." Gandalf murmured.
The maiden Aragorn was holding back ran forward, and knelt at the king's feet.
"I know your face," he breathed, "Éowyn."
She smiled through the tears welling in her eyes. He king flexed his fingers.
"Perhaps your fingers would feel their strength better if they grasped your sword, Théoden King of Rohan. " Gandalf smiled and a young solider handed long sword to the King. He stood up, and most gazed in awe at the change in the king. But Ello was more afraid than ever, and she scampered backwards.
Then the King noticed Gríma.
In a flash, they were outside, with the king's sword at Gríma's chest.
"I have only ever served you, my Lord" Gríma whined.
"Yet your magic would have me on all fours like a beast!" Théoden yelled
"Do not send me from your side!" he cried.
Théoden wielded his sword and brought it down towards Gríma's chest but Aragorn grabbed the King's arm. "No, no my Lord! Too much blood has already been spilled on his account. Let him go."
The king nodded bitterly, and Aragorn offered Gríma aid in getting up. Gríma spat on Aragorn's hand and ran away. He took a horse, and pushed through the small crowd that had gathered.
"Hail, Théoden, King of Rohan!" cried Aragorn.
Cheers emitted from the crowd, but the king's face suddenly fell. "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
Author's note: I know I have been mainly concentrating on Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf and Ello, but there will be some more Frodo and Sam in the next chapter! Please review! ~ Hobbsy3