Chapter 13: An Epic Exorcism
Three days had passed since Gandalf returned to the remaining Fellowship. Now bent on a new quest, the seven of them rode to Edoras at maximum speed. Fortunately, they did not run into many Orcs along the way, but that also meant that they could be busy either destroying villages or regrouping. Still, no detours were taken on this particular venture.
While they missed their comrades and friends, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Rex did not miss the Clone Wars that was currently ravaging the other side of the galaxy. True, they were desperately needed on the front lines, but these three felt more confident about winning this particular war on Middle-Earth than the other one.
At long last, they reached Edoras, which turned out to be a larger village built on a small mountain.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld!" Gandalf announced. "There dwells Théoden, king of Rohan, who's mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong."
"How do you want to proceed?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Cautiously," the wizard answered. "It would be wise for you three not to display your powers or your weapons at this time."
Anakin nodded, seeing the logic in that. "Agreed."
Rex immediately put his blasters in the sack he was carrying. (AN: I should have mentioned it if I haven't already. Rex has been keeping his armor and explosives in his sack the whole time.) The two Jedi hid their lightsabers in order to avoid strange questions as well. Their robes were enough to raise suspicion, but not enough to bewilder the people.
"Théoden's current adviser is a man named Gríma Wormtongue," the wizard said. "He is an agent of Saruman, and will attempt to halt our plans to liberate this city from his hold. Be prepared for anything and do not expect a warm welcome."
"Don't worry," Obi-Wan assured. "We've grown accustomed to not getting warm welcomes."
The group headed towards the wooden gates and saw a green flag with a white horse on it fall the ground, being blown away by the wind. Every one of them knew what that meant: the people were in great mourning. Obi-Wan quickly fetched the fallen flag before it could be lost completely in case whatever Gandalf had planned worked and the people could end their mourning. The wizard was wearing a gray cloak to cover his white robes, but he did not explain why. They guessed that whatever he was up to, he did not want to draw too much attention.
When they entered the city, not one single person smiled. A cloud of depression hung over the city and the people were greatly affected. Most of them even were gray and black robes to add to the mood, or lack thereof. The people were silent, but the stares the Fellowship were currently getting was like as if the people were staring at a disease.
Gimli summed up the mood in seven words: "You'd find more cheer in a graveyard."
As Obi-Wan looked around, he spotted someone that stood out: a lady in white robes looking down at them from the top of the mountain. He couldn't make out her face, but he guessed that she was probably affected by this same cloud of depression that cursed this city.
"What are you staring at, laddie?" Gimli asked.
"Someone up on the mountain," the Jedi Master answered, but when he looked again she was gone. "Hmm. It seems she has vanished. Strange."
"Maybe this place is haunted," Anakin joked in a humorless tone. "That would just complete the scene, wouldn't it?"
After they dismounted and after some guards escorted their horses to the stables, the group marched up the stairs where they were met by more guards. Gandalf smiled in recognizing the head guard, a man called Háma, but this man did not return the smile.
"I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame," Háma stated. Seeing the smile vanish, he added, "By order of Gríma Wormtongue." He looked like he needed some mouthwash after saying that name.
Reluctantly, the Fellowship handed over their weapons including Rex's sword and sack.
"Your staff," Háma pointed out to Gandalf.
Immediately, the wizard acted his age. "You would not part an old man from his walking stick, would you?" To add to the disguise, Legolas offered his arm to the wizard, which he used to steady himself.
The group hid their smiles at the hilarity of the situation.
Háma most likely knew that the outrageously white and decorative staff was not a mere walking stick, but he probably wanted the wizard's help in healing the king and getting Gríma out. Either way, he led the Fellowship into the Golden Hall and gave a curt bow to Théoden before making way for the newcomers.
For a brief moment, they thought that a corpse sat upon the throne, but it was King Théoden, old and ragged. Next to him was Gríma Wormtongue, who's name fit his appearance. There was absolutely nothing about him that said trustworthy, hence the greasy look, the pale skin, and the black robes. He was currently whispering something to the king, probably more lies that he had been feeding him.
The group took notice to some men that were currently in the shadows. They did not look like part of the Royal Guard, so the Fellowship assumed they were Gríma's men. They figured that whatever was about to go down, those men were going to come after them. When these men shut the doors, their suspicions were confirmed: they would not be leaving quietly.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King!" Gandalf stated.
With extremely great effort, Théoden spoke. "Why...should I welcome you...Gandalf Stormcrow?"
Stormcrow? Anakin mouthed.
"A just question my liege," Gríma responded, approaching them. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer..." He spat that word out. "...chooses to appear. Láthspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
Gandalf had enough. "Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm." He pointed his staff at him threateningly.
Gríma staggered back in horror. "His staff. I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
Instantly, Gríma's men charged towards the wizard, but the Fellowship intervened.
Legolas intercepted a guard charging at Gandalf with a punch that sent him staggering back while Aragorn well-placed a right hook on another. Gimli, despite his size, managed to tackle a man down and knocked him out with a kick. Rex, on other hand, tripped a man and broke his leg. His screams were silenced by the clone knocking him out with a backhand hit. Obi-Wan sidestepped a punch that was meant for him and slammed his head up against a pillar. He punched out the dazed guard before he could recover. Anakin took on two at the same time using the same tactics he used when wielding a lightsaber: brute force. He kneed one of the men in groin, taking him out of the fight and punched the other guy with his mechanical arm. The force of the punch sent the man crashing in the wall, causing cracks in it. Anakin finished the one he disabled by another punch in the face. The last guard foolishly rushed at Legolas, but without even looking, the Elf brought his arm up and hit the man in the face, knocking him out.
None of the Royal guards intervened. In fact, the fight drew quite an audience from the depressed crowd.
Gandalf, while all this occurred, approached Théoden slowly. "Théoden, son of Thengel, too long have you set in the Shadows."
Gríma, seeing that he had lost, tried to escape, but Gimli pinned him to the floor with his foot.
"I would stay still if I were you!" the Dwarf warned.
"Hearken to me!" the wizard commanded, raising his hand towards the king. "I release you from the spell."
To everyone's astonishment, the ragged king started to cackle, as if all of this was such a joke to him.
"You have no power here," Théoden taunted with glee, "Gandalf the Grey."
Gandalf tossed his gray cloak off, shining once again. Théoden shrank back into his throne, trying to escape the light.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," Gandalf stated, pinning the king to the throne telekinetically. The king started crying out in pain, desperately trying to resist the hold Gandalf had over him.
Obi-Wan spotted the woman he saw up on the mountaintop rush to the king, but he grabbed her arm in case she tried something foolish.
"Wait a moment," he said, holding her back.
"If I go," Théoden threatened in a voice that was clearly not his, "Théoden dies."
Anakin and Obi-Wan once again heard the familiar voice, but they still could not place where they've heard it before.
"You did not kill me," Gandalf replied, "you will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!" Saruman snarled, trying to break the hold Gandalf had.
"Be gone!"
At a last ditch effort, Saruman threw himself at Gandalf, but the wizard slammed him up against the throne, freeing the king.
Saruman fared a little worse. The force of the blow sent him sprawling across the floor and cutting his face. He did not expect Gandalf's strength to be that powerful.
"Well, that was fun to watch," Maul said, smirking.
"Silence!" the wizard demanded.
Théoden slumped downwards towards to the floor, but the woman broke herself out of Obi-Wan's soft grip and caught the king. He seemed to de-age in front of everyone, his corpse-like look vanishing. Replaced was a middle-aged man with brown hair and a much more kingly look. The woman was brought to tears of joy, seeing her uncle return.
"I know your face," Théoden whispered. "Éowyn."
The people could not help but smile at this beautiful scene before him.
Théoden's gaze faced the wizard who freed him. "Gandalf?"
He smiled warmly. "Breathe the free air again, my friend."
With Éowyn's help, he rose to his feet. "Dark have my dreams of late."
Théoden looked at his hands, feeling as if he hadn't used them in a long time, which was probably accurate.
Gandalf, noticing this, said, "Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword."
Hamá approached the king with the sword in its scabbard. Slowly, Théoden grabbed the hilt and unsheathed it. The blade was not and Elvish blade, but it reflected the sunlight beautifully. He stared in wonder, feeling brand new once again.
His wonderment turned to hatred as he turned towards the slime that helped ruined him. Anakin felt shivers down his spine, feeling 3% sorry for Gríma, for, as of this moment, it sucked to be him.
Háma and another head guard, Gamling, literally tossed Grim out of the Golden Hall. The worm rolled down the stairs before coming to a step below. His nose and lip were bleeding and the wind was knocked out of him.
"I've only," he gasped pathetically while backing away, "ever...served you, my lord."
Théoden, who approached him with sword in hand, would have none of it. "Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"
"Send me not from your sight!" Gríma begged.
Théoden snapped, raising his sword to slaughter him. Aragorn rushed to stop him, but Anakin beat him to it, pulling the king away.
"Don't do it, Your Highness," the Jedi warned. "You are better than that piece of filth. Don't stoop to his level." He turned to Gríma and gave him a glare. "Get. Out."
Gríma stood up slowly and spat in Anakin's face before fleeing the city.
"Hail Théoden King!" Aragorn shouted.
Instantly, the entire population of Edoras bowed before the renewed king.
Anakin stepped backwards, wiped the spit off his face, and kneeled before him in respect as the Fellowship did the same.
"Thank you," Théoden said, but then paused for a moment. "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
The mood instantly returned to its mourning stage as the funeral for Théoden's son occurred. Six guards carried Théodred to the tomb while Éowyn sung a song in a different language for his passing. The agony in her voice brought many people, including the Fellowship, to tears. Théoden did not cry openly, but the anguish on his face was clearly present.
Once Théodred was buried, the people returned to their homes, but Anakin stayed outside on a slope that overlooked the cemetery. He never noticed it before, but the rolling hills he passed on the way in were actually graves of Théoden's predecessors. While losing his mother was hard enough, losing a son was the ultimate devastation. His own tears fell as he watched Théoden break down and sob at the grave that held his son.
"No matter where I am, suffering is always present," Anakin said sadly. "Just how many more people will die before peace is achieved?"
Suddenly, he spotted something coming up the hill behind the cemetery. Not caring if anyone watching, Anakin jumped from the slope and landed directly outside the gate. The guards recoiled in amazement, but Anakin ignored them, running towards this unknown person, prepared to attack if necessary.
He slowed down when he realized it was a horse carrying two children, but when he saw a boy no older than twelve fall off the horse, he dashed towards them.
The girl, about eight years old, saw him approach, but was too weak to do anything about it. In her full strength, she would have screamed her head off. She just resigned herself to whatever fate this Man would do to her.
"Hey!" Anakin exclaimed. "Are you all right?" Really, Anakin? What a stupid question to ask! Seeing her uneasiness as well as the horse's, he spoke in a calmer tone and sent thoughts of assurance to the girl and to the horse. He was afraid that the horse would throw the poor girl off. "My name is Anakin and I'm here to help you. I'm not going to hurt you. Do you understand?"
"Yes," the girl responded.
Slowly, Anakin hoisted the boy over his shoulder while asking, "What's your name?"
"Freda," she answered weakly. "He's Éothain, my big brother."
"Éothain is going to be fine," Anakin promised. "I will see to it."
With one hand, he held the boy close, and with the other, he led the horse towards Edoras. He said a silent prayer the Force, hoping that he could save the lives of these two children.
Éothain and Freda were nursed back to reasonable health thanks to some food, water, and Éowyn, who had a knack for children. On another positive scale, the two divulged on happened to the village from where they came from, or in this case, escaped.
"They had no warning," Éowyn explained to the weary king. "They were unarmed. Now the Wild Men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot, and tree."
"Where is Mama?" Freda asked, getting stirred up again.
Éowyn put a robe on the poor girl, trying to calm her down.
That explains the vision and why the two were weary around Men. Obi-Wan thought.
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," Gandalf pointed out. "All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight!"
"You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak," Aragorn added. "Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."
"They will be 300 leagues from here by now," Théoden shot back. "Éomer cannot help us."
"We can," Anakin replied, standing up.
For the first time today, Théoden took into account of the three strange men in the Golden Hall. Judging from their robes, demeanor, and the fact that they carried weird, metallic objects, they were not of Gondor or Rohan. The bearded one could pass off as a Rohirrim or a Gondorian, the bald Man and the one with the scar seemed to not feet anyone's persona on Middle-Earth
"I believe we need to introduce ourselves properly," Obi-Wan stated, rising to his feet. "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, Your Majesty. This is Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex. We have come here to help you defeat Saruman and Sauron." He decided to not go into the whole "from another planet" monologue since they had no time for that right now.
Théoden was skeptical. "While your bravery is commendable and I welcome the aid of those trusted by Gandalf, I do not see how three men can help turn the tide."
Anakin decided to demonstrate by levitating a wooden chair that wasn't occupied.
The results were rather mixed to say the least. The Royal Guard immediately drew their weapons, Théoden, Éowyn, and the children stared at the floating chair with disbelief, and the Fellowship members just smirked at the scene.
"Stand down!" the king ordered the guards.
They sheathed their weapons, but kept their eyes glued to the Men.
"Anakin, I think they get the point," Obi-Wan said.
Nodding, the Jedi put the chair back.
"Their power equals their courage," Gandalf added. "These Men were willing to lay down their lives for those they had just met. The weapons they carry can cut through metal. While they are not invincible, their aid would prove to be valuable in these times."
While impressed, Théoden already made up his mind. "I know what it is you all want from me, but I will not bring further death to my people! I will not risk open war."
"Like it or not, you're facing open war," Rex responded, getting annoyed. "It's unavoidable."
He touched a nerve and perhaps crossed a couple of lines.
The king glared at the clone. "When last I looked, Théoden, not this foreign captain, was king of Rohan."
Rex met his glare, much to the surprise of his peers. Whenever he was led by a superior, even Pong Krell, he treated them with respect. The idea of him glaring daggers at a king was unheard of.
"You've made your point, sir!" he replied.
Gandalf wisely intervened before things escalated. "Then what is the king's decision?"
"By order of the king!" Háma announced to the population of Edoras. "The city must empty! We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep! Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."
Gandalf was clearly unhappy at the king's decision. "Helm's Deep!" While the king allowed him to go find Éomer, that didn't mean he had to be satisfied with the situation currently at hand.
Gimli agreed as they walked to the stables. "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight! Who will defend them if not their king?"
"He probably lost his courage when Saruman invaded his brain," Rex added.
"Enough," Obi-Wan interrupted. "What's done is done. I, for one, believe that they are better off at this place than here. We, of all people, know what the Uruk-hai are capable off. This place would burn in a matter of minutes!"
"I agree, Obi-Wan," Aragorn said. "While I do not agree with some of the things he said, Théoden is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."
Anakin scoffed. "I overheard some descriptions of Helm's Deep. That place is probably one of the worst places to be holed up in. One way in, one way out."
"Théoden is walking into a trap," Gandalf stated with certainty. "He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan." He looked Aragorn in the eye. "He will need you before the end, Aragorn. All of you. The people of Rohan need you."
Obi-Wan nodded. "We'll be there for them all."
"We've had some experience with bad situations," Rex pointed out, putting it lightly.
"The defenses have to hold!" Gandalf urged.
"They will hold," Aragorn assured.
Gandalf, satisfied, stroked Shadowfax while reminiscing. "The Grey Pilgrim. That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of Men I've walked on this Earth, and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain." He got on the horse. "Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east."
Aragorn opened the gate, and Gandalf rode out at full speed.
"We've got some work to do," Obi-Wan noted.
Saruman was pacing back and forth like a caged animal. "Gandalf the White? Gandalf the Fool! Does he seek to humble me with his newfound piety?"
"Well, he did one-up you earlier," Maul pointed out with a sadistic grin. "Face it, wizard. You're afraid!"
Saruman gave Maul another withering glare. "I do not ask for your opinion, creature. Hold your tongue or I will cut it off!"
"There were six who followed the wizard," Gríma Wormtongue pointed out. "An Elf, a Dwarf, and four Men."
"What did the Men look like?" Maul interrogated. "Did one of them have brown robes, a beard, and a weapon like this?" He indicated his lightsaber.
Clearly afraid, Gríma stuttered, "Yes. They tried to hide them, but I caught a glimpse of the strange weapon."
His evil smile grew. "Kenobi. It appears he got my message. The others?"
"Another carried a weapon such as that, but he had a scar on his face. The third had almost no hair, save for a smile, blond layer."
"A clone," Maul realized. "Pathetic."
"What about the fourth?" Saruman questioned. "Was he from Gondor?"
Gríma shook his head. "No, from the North. One of the Dúnedain Rangers, I thought he was. His cloth was poor and yet, he bore a strange ring. Two serpents with emerald eyes. One devouring, the other crowned with golden flowers."
Saruman went to his library to investigate the matter, with Gríma following, not wanting to be left alone with Maul. The Sith decided to pay Ahsoka another visit, who was currently eavesdropping at the moment.
He used telekinesis to slam her against the wall as he entered.
"How much did you hear?" he calmly asked.
"Go to Hell!" she snarled.
Maul smiled again. "Yes, you hate me. I can feel it."
"It's impossible not to," Ahsoka spat. "Monsters like you deserve to be hated and burned at the stake."
"I will either be hated or feared," the Sith said. "It's the way of life. It's what makes me strong."
That perked Ahsoka's interest. "How so?"
"Fear. Fear attracts the fearful, the strong, the weak, the innocent, the corrupt. Fear is my ally! The weak will perish, and the ones left will bow down to me."
"You're insane."
He released her. "Perhaps. It will not matter. I have been chosen for a brand new purpose, Ahsoka Tano. One that will bring me to the highest of powers. My sufferings will have paid off, and I will rule this land. There can only be two, and Saruman is on his way out. The Great Eye has seen it."
"You answer to Sauron as well," she pointed out, clearly disappointed. "First you answer to a Sith who has not only left you for dead, but tortured you, and now you answer to a giant eyeball? You never learn."
"Do not talk of things you fail to understand," he sneered.
"Understand this," Ahsoka replied, weakly getting to her feet. "I will never join you. That's what you want. I figured it out, wise guy. You can torture me, break me, and kill me, but you will never have me."
Maul shook his head, realizing she won't turn and realized he had wasted his time. "Pity."
He turned to leave, but with a powerful Force Push, he blasted her out the window. His patience had ended!
The people of Edoras began to group in a mass exodus towards Helm's Deep, carrying rations and provisions they would be nearing. While they were thrilled that Théoden had returned to his normal self, these people did not want to leave their homes. However, when it came down to it, choosing between the exodus or certain death, the exodus looked more promising.
The Fellowship agreed to help the refugees anyway they could. Because of Anakin's natural ability to help children, given his time as a slave on Tatooine, he made sure all the children were accounted for and reunited with their parents. Éothain and Freda's mother was at Helm's deep currently, so he would be looking after them in the meantime. Legolas, Gimli, and Rex helped with the heavy-lifting when the refugees couldn't while stockpiling rations. Aragorn and Obi-Wan made sure they took plenty of weapons, for they knew fighting was to come.
As Obi-Wan made sure everything was set, he spotted Éowyn practicing with a sword when they were barely people around to see. Her skill, while not as impressive as one with a lightsaber, was still commendable.
"You have some skill with a blade," he commented, breaking the silence.
Instantly, the woman whirled around and pointed to sword at Obi-Wan, who immediately raised his hands.
"I wish not to die at your hand," the Jedi said, "It would be an embarrassing end."
Smirking slightly, she sheathed her sword and continued packing. "Women of this country learned long ago: those without swords can still die upon them."
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "Very true. Even pacifists must defend themselves."
Éowyn turned to face the Jedi Master, surprised. "You are not surprised at this."
He chuckled. "I would have been dead long if I thought women could and should not fight. The fact that you are willing to defend yourself should be applauded, not condemned. Though, are you not worried?"
"I fear neither death nor pain!" Éowyn affirmed.
"What do you fear, my lady?" he asked.
She paused for a moment before answering. "A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them. And all chance at valor and honor has gone beyond recall or desire."
He smiled sadly. "My lady, I have been told about you. You are a daughter of kings, a shieldmaiden of Rohan. You cannot possibly believe what you said will be your fate."
"How can you be so certain?" she asked. "We've just met and yet you seem to know this about me!"
"Consider it a premonition," Obi-Wan replied, "or, for once, a good feeling about this."
Her smile returned as she continued to pack. "Thank you, Master Kenobi."
He raised his hand. "Think nothing of it, milady."
Neither of the two noticed a certain Jedi watching from the shadows, a smirk on his face.
Hmm. Are you thinking what I know you're thinking? Review, vote, etc.
The Fear Speech Maul gives Ahsoka is word for word from a promo from The Phantom Menace. I thought that promo was cooler than the movie, save for a couple of scenes. Also from the Phantom Menace was Obi-Wan's paraphrased statement on warm welcomes.
I hope Rex wasn't out of character. He knows a bad plan when he hears one. The slight lack of respect he had from Théoden considering this plan came from two things:
His time with Pong Krell.
The fact that he hasn't been ordered around by a commanding officer for a long time.
I am thinking about bringing the Republic and the CIS to Middle-Earth eventually, but I'm not sure. I want to know what you think. What you guys decide will possibly determine if there is a sequel to this story.
Next chapter: Wargs attack and Ahsoka's fate is revealed.