Chapter 17
Stronger
We arrived at the Golden Hall of Meduseld, however Eomer took me around the back.
"Is this how you would normally enter your home?" I asked.
"It is not I but you. Much has changed in these lands." He said.
His voice was dark and haunted. I did not further the conversation and I followed him silently down the halls. We entered a room and a young blond woman stood there. She looked at me in surprise.
"Eomer what…."
"Sister I have not the time to explain. She is a friend and you must promise you shall keep Grima in the dark of her." he said quickly.
She nodded. Eowyn was the daughter of Eomund and sister of Eomer. They were the niece and nephew of the king. Eowyn was very much like myself. She was a skilled swordsman and shield maiden.
On this day Eomer had brought back their cousin, Theodred. Son of the king. He was gravely wounded. Eowyn and Eomer went to speak with their uncle. I attempted to aid the prince. It became very clear that there was not much I could do. He opened his eyes slightly and touched my hand.
"Protect….them…please."
With those last words he died. Eowyn came rushing back into the room. I stood and let her pass.
"I am so sorry Eowyn. I was too late." I whispered.
She began to cry uncontrollably. I went forward and wrapped my arms around her. She cried into my shoulder and I stroked her hair.
"He was strong. I could see that." I said.
It was then she told me, as best she could, of Eomer's banishment. This could only be the work of the man I had heard of. Grima Wormtongue. I stood angrily and walked out, despite Eowyn's protests. I burst into the throne room and found the worthless worm. Before any guards could stop me I strode forward and picked him up by his shirt, holding him up.
"You worthless worm! How dare you hurt Eowyn! I know what you are planning! I can assure you it shall never come to pass!" I snarled.
Several darker men came and grabbed me. These must have been Grima's men, for they did not bear the armor of Rohan.
"Lock her up! Be sure to show her our…courtesy." He said.
They laughed and then dragged me away. I was tossed into a room where two of the men remained. My weapons were taken and I quickly stood up. They came at me and I jumped up and kicked them down. They did not give up easily I shall say that much, but soon more came in and I had no hope of fighting them. I was kicked to the ground and smacked across the face. They left when I was lying on the ground bleeding.
Legolas where are you?
I had sent Faeron to find him, to let him know I was safe, but now I knew not if I was any longer. The door opened and in stepped Grima. So that had been his plan. To beat me until I could not fight him himself.
"You are a coward Grima. To have others abuse me so that your safety is ensured." I sneered.
"Silence!" He spat.
"You have no authority over me!"
He kicked me in the face, yet I continued.
"Does this make you feel empowered? Kicking me around! Knowing full well had I not had to fight your men first I could have and would have killed you?"
He kicked me in the stomach and I could taste blood in my mouth. I spit onto his shoe and this only served to anger him further. He smacked me across the face and then left the room. Someone else slipped inside. Eowyn.
"Gilraen!"
She dropped down beside me and I looked up at her and smiled.
"Come to join the party?" I asked.
She managed to laugh and then we both heard excitement in the hall. I knew well she wished to find out what had happened.
"Go! I shall follow soon enough." I promised.
"No it would be…."
"I am fine! Go!" I said.
She was reluctant but she ran out of the room and towards the hall. I took a deep breath and picked myself up off the ground. I made my way into the Golden hall. Grima's men were attacking an older man in a grey cloak. It was Gandalf! Legolas, Gimli and my father were fighting them off. I felt a surge of adrenaline run through me and I ran forward to help. The men knew me and were a bit surprised to see me standing. I returned their…courtesy ten full upon them. Gimli had caught Grima.
"I would stay still if I were you." He growled.
Never anger a dwarf or try his patience, for it is small in amount.
I smirked and then watched Gandalf. The king was laughing at him.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey."
Gandalf threw aside his grey cloak and revealed his true self. Gandalf the White.
"I will draw you Saruman as poison is drawn from a wound!"
Eowyn came rushing out and tried to stop Gandalf. Father grabbed her arm and held her back.
"Wait."
"If I go….Theoden dies!"
"You did not kill me! You will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!"
"Be gone!"
The king leaped forward but Gandalf drove him back. He fell back onto his throne. Gandalf nodded and then walked down. Father released Eowyn and she ran to her uncle. I smiled and leaned against a pillar for support.
"I know your face…..Eowyn…...Eowyn."
I smiled, but then I felt faint. I fell to the floor and that was that.
