Mo Ghile Mear

The Peace Between Theoden and Athena

***Athena's POV***

"Edoras," Gandalf announced as we approached the gates. "The Golden Halls of Meduseld. There dwells Theoden, king of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown." A shiver went up my spine. "Saruman's hold over the King is very strong, now. Be careful of what you say. And do not look for welcome here!"

I nodded, wary of Gandalf's words. I'd rather keep my mouth shut then to say anything unworthy about the poison-minded king.

We entered Edoras. People stared at us as we rode by. I noticed that many of the people gave us glares. I felt very awkward, being stared down, but I did my best to pay little attention. I caught Aragorn's eye and he gave me a reassuring smile.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," I heard Gimli muttering.

"Gimli," I hissed, pressing a finger to my lips, warning him to be cautious. He glared at me but didn't say anything.

We finally approached the palace, but we were instantly blocked off by guards.

"Aww, come on," I whined. "Seriously?"

The man ignored me.

"I cannot allow you to be so armed, Gandalf Greyhem," he insisted. "By orders of . . . . Grima Wormtongue."

Oh, that little beast is still around, is he?

We hesitantly gave up our weapons. But I managed to keep my hands on my dagger, which was guarded safely in my dress pocket. But the other weapons that I owned, I gave them to the soldiers.

"Your staff," the man added to Gandalf.

Gandalf pretended to look offended.

"You cannot part an old man from his walking stick," he insisted.

The man gave Gandalf a suspicious look before allowing us in. Gandalf gave us a secret wink, making sure that only we could see. I noticed that Aragorn stood quite close by my side, making sure that nobody would hurt me.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King," Gandalf announced in a loud voice as we approached the throne that Theoden sat in. I saw Grima Wormtongue sitting right next to the king, giving us wary glances.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Theoden asked in a weakening voice.

"A just question, my liege," Grima approved. He stood up. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. An ill news is an ill guest," he hissed at us. God, he had such putrid breath! I could smell it from a mere five feet away from him. Doesn't the guy ever learn to brush his teeth?

"Be silent!" Gandalf barked. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm." He aimed his staff at Grima, who immediately backed away in fear.

"His staff," he gasped. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

The guards immediately tried to charge at Gandalf, but Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and I immediately got into a fight with our bare hands. The only time I grabbed my secret dagger was when Gimli had pinned Grima's chest down with his foot.

"I'd stay still, if I were you," Gimli threatened.

"Hold him down, Gimli!" I exclaimed as I hurried over. I took out my long dagger, aiming it threateningly at the little devil.

"You're so sneaky, daughter of Lord Sauron," Grima hissed.

I gave a dry laugh.

"I intend on keeping it that way."

We all turned to face Gandalf. It was just him against the king.

"I release you . . . . from the spell," Gandalf said in a calm voice. He tried releasing the demon from inside the king's soul, but failed. Theoden just laughed mockingly.

"You have no power here, Gandalf the Gray!"

In a flash, Gandalf removed his original gray cloak to reveal the white robes he wore underneath. Theoden gave a cry of shock as he was blinded by the bright light. He aimed his staff at Theoden again.

"I will release you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from the wound," Gandalf announced as he tried to take the poison out of Theoden's body. It was a few intense moments before the king seemed to be returning to normal, much to my relief. Gimli and I released our hold on Grima, who looked furious.

"Breathe the fresh air again, my friend," Gandalf said in a relieved voice as Theoden continued to examine his new form once again.

"Dark has been my dreams of late," Theoden added. He began to examine his now-strong fingers.

"Your fingers will remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword," Gandalf insisted.

One of the men passed Theoden his sword. I watched, my eyes glimmering with pride, as Theoden slowly pulled out his sword. After a minute of examining his sword, he finally turned to Grima, who was just now getting to his feet. He immediately ordered his men to throw Grima out.

"I only ever served you, My Lord," Grima insisted, trembling in fear. We'd all watched from behind.

"Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast," Theoden growled. He raised his sword to strike Grima, but I immediately stopped him.

"No, My Lord! Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account." I glared at Grima as he fled on a horse. Once he had been cleared from the land of Rohan, I announced in a loud voice, "Hail, Theoden King!" And we all bowed before him. Even I did. He gave me a strange look, frowning as he stared.

"Aren't you Lord Sauron's daughter?" he asked, hesitantly.

I bowed my head, slightly ashamed.

"Yes, My Lord. I am."

"You're not going to turn me into that old form like Grima did to me, are you?"

I gave him a soft smile.

"Never in a million years would I torment someone who doesn't deserve it," I responded, shivering at what could have happened to Frodo if I hadn't rescued him.

"Indeed, My Lord," Aragorn cut in. "I've seen all the good things that she's done. We'll tell you our story later."

Theoden nodded and glanced around, as if realizing that something -- or someone -- was missing.

"Where is Theodred? Where is my son?"

After two children came to warn us about the Orcs that were roaming the grounds of Rohan, we immediately took them inside and gave them food.

"They had no warning," Eowyn, the king's niece, insisted. I'd quickly bonded with her once we got ourselves settled in the castle. "Now the Wild Men are burning through the Westfold as they go."

I watched as Gandalf engaged Theoden in a conversation. There was a talk of war, which I hated.

"War is upon you," Aragorn announced. "Whether you want it, or not."

Everyone turned to stare.

"Last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan," Theoden interjected.

"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf asked in a calm voice.