Chapter 14: Edoras

530 25 3
                                    

Aerlinniel POV

"It cannot be." Aragorn states, shocked.

"Forgive me." Legolas says, "I mistook you for Saruman."

"I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been." Gandalf tells us.

"You fell." Aragorn says, still not believing his eyes.

Gandalf then tells us what happened. "Through fire, and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the Earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been set back until my task is done."

"Gandalf." Aragorn says his name.

"Gandalf? Yes. That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." 

"Gandalf." Gimli then says his name, happily.

"I am Gandalf the White." He adds. "And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."

Gandalf then starts to lead us out of Fangorn, I am standing next to him. 

"One stage of your journey is over. Another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed."

"Edoras? That is no short distance." Gimli states.

"We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king." Aragorn informs  Gandalf.

"Yes, and it will not be easily cured." Gandalf tells us.

"Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested--?" The trees start to make the groaning noises again as Gimli fretted. So, instead he says, "I mean, charming quite charming forest."

"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains" Gandalf explains.

"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend." Aragorn says to Gandalf. "You still speak in riddles." They laugh and I give a small smile.

"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong." Gandalf continues.

"Strong?!" Gimli exclaims. The trees start to groan again. "Oh, that's good."

"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be." Gandalf tells Gimli.

"This Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one." Gimli mutters to himself.

Soon we get out of Fangorn. I say a quiet goodbye. It was my home for so many years. Being back in it makes me miss it, but I also have the feeling of not wanting to stay in this forest any longer. Gandalf whistles. A horse comes riding up to us. 

"That is one of the Mearas unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." Legolas states.

"Shadowfax. He is the Lord of all Horses and has been my friend through many dangers." Gandalf tells us.

We all mount our horses. Gimli rides with  Aragorn, and I ride with Legolas. We take off on our long ride to Edoras.

~~~ 

When we reach Edoras, Gandalf explains to us, "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Thèoden, king of Rohan whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over king Thèoden is now very strong. Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli says as we ride through Edoras. 

We get off of our horses and climb up some stairs. When we reach the top, there are some guards. One of them speaks to us, "I cannot allow you before Thèoden king so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue."

I hear the others grabbing their weapons, so I get mine and hand them to a guard. I better get them back.

"Your staff." The same guard points out to Gandalf.

"Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick." Gandalf convinces the guard to let him keep his staff.

We follow them inside and Gandalf begins to talk, "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late Thèoden king." 

"Why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow?" Thèoden asks him.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Láthspell I name him. Ill news is and ill guest." Someone, whom I'm guessing is Grima, says walking closer.

"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 commands him.

"His staff. I told you to take the Wizard's staff." Grima reminds them, The guards attack us, I don't have my weapons, so I punch the first guy that comes at me. I meant to punch his chest, but he was shorter than I thought so I punched his face instead. At least he's down.

"Thèoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the shadows." Gandalf I over hear Gandalf as I spin and kick another guard down.

"I would stay still if I were you." Gimli threatens to Grima. Good, he got him.

"Hearken to me! I release you from the spell." Gandalf continues.

King Thèoden starts to laugh. "You have no power here Gandalf the Grey." 

He start laughing again and Gandalf tells him, "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound."

"Wait." Aragorn stops someone who just entered the room. I wonder who it is.

"If I go, Théoden dies." Saruman's voice taunts.

"You did not kill me, you will not kill him." 

"Rohan is mine." 

"Be gone." Gandalf finishes.

"I know your face. Éowyn. Éowyn." King Théoden states. That must be who Aragorn stopped. "Gandalf?"

"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf tells him.

"Dark have been my dreams of late." King Thèoden explains.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword." Gandalf encourages him.

The guards take Grima outside and they throw him down the stairs.

"I've only ever served you, my Lord." Grima states.

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

"Send me not from your sight." Grima pleads to him.

The next thing I hear is Aragorn telling King Thèoden, "No, my Lord! No, my Lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account."

"Get out of my way!" Grima yells as he runs off.

"Hail Thèoden king!" A guard shouts.

There is a moment of silence before King Thèoden questions, "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"

~~~~~~

Don't worry everyone, more Leginniel coming up soon! Updates are every Sunday and Thursday! :)

Love you my elves from the realm of llamas,

~Ellethwen <3

P.s. I just realized that there are only TWO CHAPTERS LEFT OF THIS BOOK?!?! WHAT?!

The Mission (Book Seven in the Aerlinniel's Secret Series)Where stories live. Discover now