They rode towards the gate, Gandalf and Legolas and Tauriel pulled ahead a little as they rounded Edoras' fenceline. As Aragorn was about to pass under the gate, the remnants of a flag fluttered to the ground. Once, the flag would have looked majestic, a white horse against the dark background, fluttering in the wind, but now, lying tattered on the ground it was a grave sign. A mighty King would never allow his flag to tear.

Aragorn urged his horse through the gate, turning his head away from the flag to rejoin the others, Gimli still at his back. As they rode through the city, people turned to look at them. The people looked weary and tired, but perhaps above all, there was an air of sadness among them. Aragorn looked towards the hall, to see a figure dressed all in white staring down at them, his gaze lingered on the woman for a moment before turning to see the faces of more people. Gimli apparently agreed with his thoughts, as he heard him murmur from behind him "You'll find more cheer in a graveyard."

They dismounted their horses at the foot of the stairs to the hall, and climbed up towards the hall. They were met at the top by guards, the head of which announced, "I cannot allow you before Theoden king so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue." the tone in his voice changed slightly as he spoke the man's name and Legolas and Tauriel glanced at each other.

Gandalf nodded to his companions, and Legolas reluctantly handed over his bow, before unsheating his daggers and twirling them, handing them to the guards. Tauriel looked at him, he did not look happy to part with them. A guard stood in front of her, waiting for her to do the same. She looked once more at Legolas, she was Captain of the Guard, it was her duty to protect him, and also she didn't feel at ease without her weapons by her. "I..." she was about to argue, but Legolas lay a hand on her arm.

"Tauriel, it is alright," he said, but before turning away, he glanced down at her leg. She got the message. She reluctantly handed over her bow and her own twin daggers from behind her back, fixing the guard with a steely stare as she did so, but kept the small knife she had strapped to her leg under her boot. She had not had to use it so far on the journey and she doubted the others even knew she had it, except for Legolas.

Gandalf moved forward to enter but the guard blocked his movement, "Your staff," he said, glancing at it.

"Oh," Gandalf said indignantly, "You would not part an old man from his walking stick?"

The guard nodded reluctantly before stepping aside. Tauriel hid the smirk that threatened to creep onto her face, this man obviously didn't know much about Gandalf, or wizards in general. Gandalf shot a look both sides of him, and the companions moved in around him. The fact that Gandalf had lied to keep his staff was all they needed to know. Legolas moved beside Gandalf, offering him an arm to escort him in. To anyone who did not know the old wizard, it would have looked like he was quite weak, but all those who did know him would certainly disagree.

They moved forward into the hall. Theoden sat on a throne at the end of it, and next to him was a man clad in all black, who whispered into the King's ear. "My Lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe." Gandalf strode forward, and the others dropped back a little behind him, looking around the hall, taking in the gaurds and men that were following their movements.

"The courtsey of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King," Gandalf called, continueing to walk forward.

"He's not welcome," the man whispered to the King.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" the King asked, his voice slow and tired. He turned his head towards his advisor, who stood now, adressing the companions. "A just question my Liege, late is the hour in which this conjuror chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him, ill news is an ill guest." he said, walking towards them.

"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth," Gandalf commanded, as he stood in front of the man. "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" at this, he raised his staff to the man, who immeadiatly started to back away from him, shouting, "His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

At this, their small group was rushed by the men who had followed stood by the walls. Legolas jumped forward, pushing one out of Gandalf's way and sending him falling, off balance, Tauriel kicked one down, as Legolas punched another. All the while, Gandalf strode forward, "Theoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the shadows,"

Legolas elbowed one of the last attackers in the face and Tauriel punched another as they attempted to run at the elf. Gimli ran behind them, grabbing the advisor, who had been trying to sneak away. "I would stay still, if I were you," the dwarf growled.

"Harken to me!" Gandalf said, still approaching the King. "I release you from the spell."

There was a pause, before the King let out a dry, slow laugh. "You have no power here Gandalf the Grey." he said.

Gandalf paused a moment, before throwing off his grey cloak, revealling the pure white robes he had been awarded. "I will draw you Saruman, as poison in drawn from a wound."

Everyone in the great hall had come to stand behind Gandalf, looking up at their King. Legolas, Tauriel and Aragorn all stood directly behind the wizard, watching as the wizard pointed his staff towards the King, who drew back, pressing against the back of his throne.

Suddenly, a woman came running into the hall, she made to dash towards the King but Aragorn grabbed her, "Wait," he whispered, holding her back.

The King spoke again, but his voice was different now, deeper, stronger and more menacing, "If I go, Theoden dies," it boomed.

Gandalf thrust his staff forward and once again Theoden was thrown back againt the throne. "You did not kill me, you will not kill him," he said.

"Rohan is mine!" the voice hissed, before the King was thrown back another time, as Gandalf walked furhter forward.

"Be gone!" Theoden made a move forward but Gandalf reacted, aiming the staff at his head, sending him flying backwards as he forced Saruman to give up his hold. The King sat a moment, before falling forwards. The young woman ran forward suppporting him, helping him sit back up.

Tauriel looked at the King, for a moment she could see no change in him, but then, slowly his face began to change. The white, spindly hair turned more golden, and shrank back. His eyes went from the pale misty colour they had been to a brighter blue, as the King regained his own free will. Tauriel almost gasped, she had never seen anything like this before.

The King looked down towards the woman crouching by him, "I know your face," he whispered, "Eowyn, Eowyn!" he recognised.

Gandalf strode forward once more, and Theoden turned to look at him, "Gandalf!" he said, and the wizard smiled.

"Breath the free air again, my friend." The King stood, staggering a little as he rose, and a murmur went through the crowd at the obvious return of their old King.

"Dark have been my dreams of late," the King muttered, looking down at his hand that still trembled slightly.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword," Gandalf suggested. One of the guards, the one that had met them at the gate ran up to his King, presenting him with his sword. The King grabbed it, unsheathing the weapon and holding it up. He looked over it, before seeming to remember something. He turned to look at his advisor. All of a sudden the King leapt forward, grabbing the man and haluing him outside. He thrust him down the stairs, following him down and walking towards him.

The man wriggled on the ground, trying to get away from his King, "I've only ever served you, My Lord!" he cried.

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" the King answered.

"Send me not from your sight," the man grovelled, he looked and sounded pathetic. Theoden raised his sword, but Aragorn leapt forward, holding him back. "No my Lord, let him go." he councelled. "Enough blood has been spilt on his account."

The man scrambled to his feet, oushing through the crowd that had gathered at the stairs, screaming for them to move.

The King stood a moment, and the crowd stared up at him, almost in awe. "Hail Theoden, King!" the gaurd called, and the crowd knelt before him, Aragorn kneeling in front of the King also. Theoden turned, to return to the hall but he suddenly seemed to remember something, "Where is Theodred? Where is my son?" he asked.

Gandalf accompanied the King to his son's grave. The others stayed in the hall, now unsure of what they should do. Tauriel looked around the room, Gimli and Aragorn were conversing, what about she did not know. Her eyes drifted to Legolas who leant gracefully against one of the columns in the hall. He looked deep in thought, but she had no desire to stand by herself in the middle of the large room. She walked over to him, standing quite close. He did not lift his head though and she could tell something was bothering him. She reached out and lay a hand on his arm, and he looked up at her. "What is bothering you, mellon?" she asked gently.

"It is but a small worry, Tauriel. Do not trouble yourself," was his reply but she frowned, she had always been able to tell when he was worried or upset and right now she knew he was. But he had always confided in her, and now he was choosing not to. You betrayed him, she reminded herself. Could she still expect him to behave the same?

"Legolas," she whispered, looking into his eyes.

He sighed, "Seeing Theoden let the man live, even if it was because of Aragorn, I was reminded of my own father." he admitted. "Only I know our King would never have let him go, if he was in the Greenwood that man would be either dead or rotting in a dungeon."

Tauriel sighed, letting go of his arm and coming to lean on the column beside him. It was wide enough they were still side by side. "You are right," she said. "I cannot argue with you that he wouldn't have had as much mercy as Theoden. But perhaps sometimes that is a good thing? Laws need to be upheld and treason is a serious crime." It was the best she could say to him, and she found she had trouble defending Thranduil, he was not exactly her favourite person. Legolas turned his head and smiled at her, and she could tell at least some of his worries were gone.

They would have perhaps talked more, but the head of the Guard approached Aragorn and Gimli and the two elves walked over to join them. "I am Hama, and I thank you all for travelling here, we have had dark times of late, but now, our King has returned," the man said.

"That is not our doing, but Gandalf's," Aragorn pointed out.

"But still, you travel with him and are his companions, and from what I saw today great fighters." he answered. "You are welcome in the city for as long as you will stay, we will prepare rooms for you." He turned to Legolas and Tauriel, "You will share a room?" he asked, and Tauriel almost gasped.

"No!" she cried, perhaps far too quickly. She attempted to calm herself, but her heart was racing. "No," she said again much more calmly, "Our relationship is not of that manner,"

Hama bowed his head to her, "My deepest apologies my Lady, I was mistaken. It is just that you seem very," he paused, "Close," he finished. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Legolas was looking towards her but she turned her head away, refusing to even look at him.

I told you I'd update quickly :) How was it? I know again there wasn't a lot of Legriel but I'm getting there :) Next chapter will have a few more Legolas/Tauriel moments I hope.

I have a bit of a plan for my upcoming chapters so hopefully I'll be updating more frequently from now on. I still would appreciate suggestions as I'll always consider them and as always please leave a comment/review - I love reading them.

Sol3Bug - I laughed when I read your comment about Aragorn's toe - I love watching behind the scene videos and reading trivia and I totally got what you were saying :P

Destiny4eva and warriorheart - both your comments made me feel awesome :) you are both amazingly kind 3