Chapter 37
~Eliana's P.O.V.~
Many days and nights has it taken us to ride to Edoras. It was not a very pleasant trip, the only company I had approved was that of everyone besides Sadaron. I still had not accepted his apology, and I knew it was destroying my brother on the inside. He was quiet and did not speak to anyone if he was spoken to, he kept to himself. I hated to see Sadaron like this, I had to do something to cheer him up at least. As we rode for many more hours, I could see a village in the distance.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld there dwells Theoden King of Rohan whose mind is overthrown Saruman's hold over King Theoden is now very strong" Gandalf said darkly. "Be careful what you say do not look for welcome here" Gandalf said and quickly made his way to Edoras.
As we entered the gates of the village, my heart was overcome by all the sadness and the sorrow that was held in this sad village. It saddened me to see all the fear, and all the distress that rested among the hearts of the villagers.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard" Gimli muttered out quietly.
I had to agree with Gimli on this one. This village had lost all of it's joy because of Saruman. As we made our way to the largest building in the village, we dismounted our horses and we were stopped by a group of guardsmen.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden king so armed Gandalf Grayhame...By order of Grima Wormtongue" A guard in front said.
Gandalf slowly looked over at everyone and slowly nodded his head. A man came over to me eying me with such interest as I handed him my bow and arrows, my long knives, and Azda. He only smirked and walked away with my weapons. I looked over to Legolas who had already relinquished his weapons to the guard. He slowly took my waist and kissed my forehead.
~You must apologize to Sadaron Eliana...he is very upset about yelling at you~ Legolas said slowly in a hushed tone before letting me go.
"Your staff" The guard asked Gandalf.
Gandalf looked to his staff and then quickly looked to the guard. "Mh...oh...you would not part an old man from his...walking stick" Gandalf said innocently with a false tired tone.
The guard did not say a word, he only nodded his head and began to walk.
"Oh...Eliana...come here please and help this old man please" Gandalf said to me.
I slowly then went to Gandalf's side and he quickly put his hand on my shoulder as if needing support. I looked back and saw a smiling Aragorn and Legolas but they quickly hid their smiles as we entered the hall of Theoden. There was a loud bang and I quickly looked back and saw that the door was closed and locked. I looked up towards this man, this poor man in front of me sitting on his throne, was King Theoden. Then another man, he was pale, wore black clothes and had black greasy hair, my guess was that this man must have been Grima Wormtongue. I saw him look at everyone before whispering something into the kings ear.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late Theoden King" Gandalf said loudly.
"Why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow?" The kings voice weak and raspy.
Grima slowly whispered something to the king before he stood up. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear Lathspell I name him ill news is an ill guest" Grima said as he slowly walked towards Gandalf and I.
Grima's eyes then turned to me, and then he gave a small, satisfying smile as he looked at me again.
"Princess Eliana.....I have heard much from you.....I have heard that you were beautiful...a rose among daisy's...a true jewel...with skin as soft as silk and eyes like stars" Grima said as his hand slowly extended towards my face. "I have never believed these rumors...but looking at you...is enough proof...true beauty should not be wasted with these men"
Grima's hand slowly moved to touch my cheek, but Gandalf would not have it. Gandalf quickly swatted Grima's hand with his staff.
"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!" Gandalf hissed as he pointed his staff at Grima.
Grima backed away in fear. "Your staff.....I told you to take the wizards staff!" Grima hissed as he backed away slowly.
The guards moved quickly. One came towards Gandalf but I quickly punched him in the face and watched as he fell to the ground. Gandalf slowly began moving towards Theoden as another man came to strike down Gandalf. I did not allow that man to touch Gandalf because I swiftly came in between Gandalf and the guard and kicked his stomach hard. The guard toppled over trying to breathe.
"Theoden son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in the shadows" Gandalf spoke as he walked towards Theoden.
A man quickly grabbed my arms and holds me tight I struggled but I felt the wind pick up around me and the next thing I knew was that the man was on the ground on conscience. I looked and saw Sidara smiling at me.
"Are you alright princess?" She asked as she flew to my side.
"Yes thank you" I said as I made my way to Legolas who seemed to be just fine.
Gimli was standing over Grima's body growling with rage trying to scare this worm.
"I would stay still if I were you!" Gimli growled.
I held in a laugh before I turned to look at Sadaron who was eying me with emotionless eyes. I looked away and stood beside Legolas.
"Hearken to me!" Gandalf said as Theoden filched back. "I release you from the spell" Gandalf said as he raised his hand.
There was silence as Gandalf tried to break the spell, but then the king gave out a loud laugh.
"You have no power here...Gandalf the Grey" The king said as he continued laughing, but then looked over to me and then Sadaron. "You two....Sadaron...Eliana...your mother is very disappointed in you Sadaron and even HE is disappointed in you...they have no more need for a traitor like you...The dark mistress will hunt you down until you are dead...and Eliana...are you sure of this...being here and not in Fangorn....you were wise in not entering the forest alone...you would have died...I was waiting for you there to relay a message for you" The king gave another startling laugh. "....She says it begins soon"The king laughed again.
Gandalf scowled and threw off his old gray cloak to reveal his true self and the king flinched back into his chair in silence.
"I shall draw you Saruman as poison is drawn from a wound" Gandalf said as he pointed his white staff at Theoden.
Then a woman with blond hair came and saw the king with Gandalf. She quickly rushed to the kings side but Aragorn had refrained her from getting closer.
"Wait" Aragorn whispered to her and looked up to the king.
"If I go...Theoden dies!" This time the voice of Saruman broke from the kings body.
Gandalf quickly brought his staff closer to the king. "You did not kill me...you will not kill him"
The king was forced back into his throne with force. He tried to struggle to get up but he managed to face Gandalf.
"Rohan is mine!" Saruman spat out.
"Be gone!" Gandalf cried out.
The king tried to lunge out to attack Gandalf but Gandalf only pushed him back with the force of his staff. Making the king fall back into his chair with a shrill cry of agony. The king sat in his chair, weakly as he looked around the room. He was about to fall, but the blond woman quickly caught his falling body and sat him on his throne. The king gasped for air as he began to transform. His gray hair turned into that of golden curls and his eyes became more clearer, and turned into a bright and younger shade of blue, his skin turned from an old pale to a lively young peachy color. Here was the younger and proud king of Rohan. Theoden looked upon the face of the woman and smiled lightly.
"I know your face" He said as she touched his face with joy. "Eowyn...Eowyn" The king whispered happily.
Gandalf took a step back and both Theoden and Eowyn looked up at Gandalf.
"Gandalf?" Theoden said in complete amazement.
"Breathe the free air again my friend" Gandalf said to Theoden.
Theoden slowly stood on his feet with the help of Eowyn. "Dark have been my dreams of late" He said as he looked at his fingers.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better...if they grasped your sword" Gandalf said as he ushered a guard to bring the kings sword.
The king's sword was brought to him quickly and he stared at it in wonder. Theoden slowly grasped the hilt of the sword and held it tightly as he pulled it out. As Theoden looked at his sword a look of anger and fury appeared in his face as he looked over to Grima Wormtongue.
"You traitor!!!" Theoden yelled and ordered Grima to be thrown out.
The doors flew open and two strong guards had thrown Grima on the ground by the stairs. We had all watched him fall down the stairs and struggle to get up an a furious Theoden was slowly approaching him.
"I only...ever...serve you my Lord" Grima desperately.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden yelled as a crowd began to form.
"Send me not from your side!" Grima pleaded fearfully backing away.
With that King Theoden raised his sword up and was about to strike until Aragorn came and caught the sword from Theoden.
"No my lord! No my lord! Let him go enough blood has been spilled on his account" Aragorn said.
Theoden slowly lowered his sword and Aragorn offered his hand to Grima, offering to give him a second chance. Grima looked at Aragorn's hand and spat at it. Rage flowed through me and I quickly grabbed a dagger from one of the guards and threw it at Grima. I did not plan on killing him, no I simply grazed his cheek with the blade. Grima then looked at me fearfully.
"Get out!" I hissed venomously.
"Get out of my way!" Grima yelled as he pushed through people and ran away.
"Hail Theoden King!" A guard had shouted and everyone had slowly bowed to their great king.
Theoden slowly looked at his people and then he turned to his guard, looking at every face.
"Where if Theodred? Where is my son?" Theoden asked, not knowing why his son was not beside him.
