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Lacy here. Alright, last chapter we had a roller coaster of emotions. First the group thought Merry and Pippin to be dead. Then they found out they were alive AND they have come face to face with a man also thought dead. Gandalf. He's like a cockroach. Ya can't kill him. Again, not sure how far we're going so have fun!
Disclaimer: I own no more then Zera.
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Legolas and Gimli fell into bows as they took in the sight of the great wizard they had thought was lost to them. Zera moved closer to her brother's side, the two still in shock.
"You fell," Aragorn said.
Gandalf's eyes seemed to drift to the past. "Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again." his eyes came back and he looked at all four of them. "I have been sent back until my task is done."
Aragorn stepped forward. "Gandalf,"
Gandalf frowned. "Gandalf? Yes, that's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." he smiled, a twinkle appearing in his eyes. "I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
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They walked through the forest, Gandalf leading the way.
"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."
They reached the edge of the forest again, in a different place, and Gandalf let out a piercing whistle. It wasn't long before the five heard an answering neigh and a white horse, beautiful and perfect came across the plain.
"That is one of the Mearas," Legolas said. "unless my eyes are cheated by some spell."
The horse stopped in front of Gandalf and he smiled as he stroked the mane.
"Shadowfax," he said. "he is the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers."
Mounting their horses, as Riniel had led the other two to them, they took off Edoras.
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As the city of Edoras came into view, the five pulled their horses to a stop. Well, four, Gimli was riding with Legolas.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld." Gandalf said. "There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Theoden is now very strong."
Zera stared at the city. From afar it looked peaceful but she could feel something sinister in the air and knew it was the hold Saruman had over the king.
"Be careful what you say." Gandalf said. "Do not look for welcome here."
Zera spurred her horse on. They hadn't been welcomed in many places, why would Edoras be any different?
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As Aragorn and Zera passed through the entrance into the city, a flag with a horse on it came floating down.
"That is never a good sign." Zera said.
Aragorn shook his head. "No, it is not."
As they rode towards the hall, they looked at the people of Edoras. None wore color other then black and there wasn't anything other then somber expressions on the peoples faces.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli said.
"Hush, Gimli." Zera said. These people were obviously mourning something.
Putting their horses in nearby stalls, the five climbed the steps towards the doors of the hall. Hama, one of the King's guards, came out to meet them.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden-King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame." Hama said. "By order of Grima Wormtongue."
Gandalf nodded and motioned for the others to hand over their weapons. Zera was reluctant but handed over her sword and dagger. She was probably the least armed out of all of them but as long as she had her necklace, she wasn't completely defenseless.
"Your staff," Hama said to Gandalf.
"Hmm?" Gandalf put on a good face. "Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?" his face was pure innocence.
Hama hesitated but allowed Gandalf to keep his staff. Gandalf winked at Aragorn and Zera before leaning on Legolas's arm and heading into the hall. Aragorn and Zera fought to keep straight faces as they followed behind with Gimli in front of them.
"My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming." Grima could be heard whispering to Theoden as they walked in. "He's a herald of woe."
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King." Gandalf said.
The others kept watch around them, picking up on a group of men following their steps from the far side of the room.
"He's not welcome." Grima whispered. Zera wanted to sew the man's mouth shut.
"Why should I...welcome you, Gandalf...Stormcrow?" Theoden tried to say, looking to Grima for affirmation.
"A just question, my liege." Grima said before standing to walk towards the group. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
"Be silent!" Gandalf snapped. "Keep your forked tongue behind you teeth." he narrowed his eyes on the slimy man. "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm." he raised his staff towards Grima.
Grima stepped back. "His staff." he looked at the guards. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
The group of men on the far side sprung to action and attacked. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli set about taking the men down while Zera stayed close to Gandalf, keeping the wizard safe.
"Theoden, son of Thengel," Gandalf said. "too long have you sat in the shadows."
Grima tried to crawl away but Gimli shoved the man to the floor, his foot planted on his chest.
"I would stay still, if I were you." Gimli said.
"Hearken to me!" Gandalf said. "I release you from the spell." He shut his eyes and motioned with his hand.
"Hahahhhahahahah!" Theoden started laughing menacingly. Gandalf looked at him in surprise. "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey."
Zera stepped back as Gandalf stood at his full height. With a quick movement of his arms, the threw off his grey cloak and a blinding white light shot Theoden back in his seat.
With his staff pointed at Theoden, Gandalf moved forward. "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is draw from a wound."
A woman came rushing in, Zera recognized her as Eomer's sister, Eowyn. She took one look at Theoden and Gandalf and tried to rush forward but Aragorn caught her.
"Wait," he said.
"If I go," Saruman's voice came from Theoden's mouth. "Theoden dies."
"You did not kill me," Gandalf said. "you will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!"
"Be gone!" Gandalf thrusted his staff at Theoden, knocking the man back.
Theoden let out a moan as he collapsed into his throne. Aragorn released Eowyn as she rushed forward to catch her uncle as he fell forward. Right before everyone's eyes, Theoden changed, almost melting back into the younger man he was supposed to be.
As clarity came to his eyes, he looked at Eowyn. "I know your face. Eowyn." the woman started sobbing in happiness. He looked at Gandalf, almost confused. "Gandalf?"
Gandalf smiled. "Breathe the free air again, my friend."
The hall seemed to fill with light as Eowyn helped Theoden stand. The people of the court fell to their knees.
"Dark have been my dreams of late." Theoden said as he looked down at his hands, which were trembling.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better," Gandalf said. "if they grasped your sword."
Hama came forward and held the hilt of Theoden's sword out to him. Theoden slowly wrapped his hand around the hilt of the sword, pulling the sword from its sheath. He held up the sword, staring at the blade.
Grima tried to get away from Gimli but the dwarf pulled the snake back by his cloak, which drew Theoden's attention to the man. Zera smirked. It was passed time for Grima Wormtongue to leave Rohan.
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And Theoden is back in charge of Rohan. *nods* I think this went pretty well so let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.
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