Love Can Fight Any Battle (Legolas/Hermione Love Story

Chapter 20: Edoras, Risk and Love

They rode throughout the morning and it wasn't long until Edoras came into view. They stopped at the plain field before the city. "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells King Théoden, who's mind is overthrown. Saruman's grip on King Théoden is now very strong." Gandalf said. "Be careful what you say nor do you look for welcome here." he warned and led them to the city.

They entered the city and were greeted by silence, everyone dressed in black, frowns and stares from everyone they passed. "You find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli said, everyone agreeing silently.

They reached the stairs and dismounted the horses. Autheil slipped her wand into her invisible pocket instead of leaving it in her holster at her waist, thinking it might make things to obvious. She heard Gandalf mutter something under his breath he must have been taking down the wards.

They ascended the stairs only to be stopped by a guard by the name of Hama. "I can not allow Théoden-King so armed Gandalf Greyhem by order of Grima Wormtongue." he said, Autheil felt like the guard did his best ot not spit out the name. Plus what kind of a name was that? Gandalf narrowed his eyes but then nodded in understanding and motioned for the four to give up their weapons.

Gimli reluctant for a second handed over his axes, while Aragorn took off his sword, unsheathed his knife and handed over his bow and arrows. Legolas and Autheil pulled their knives from their backs, twirling in their hands to show their skill before handing them over. They then gave the guard their bows and quiver of arrows. Autheil begin the last one undid the belt around her waist holding her daggers and placing them on the pile of her weapons the guard held in his hand. "I don't get these back in the condition I gave them to you, you'll regret it." Autheil said while glaring at the guard named Gamling. Gamling tried to hide the smirk but Autheil caught it as the guard nodded.

"Your staff." Hama ordered, Gandalf looked to his staff "Oh..." he said and then lend on it a bit more, playing the roll of the old man. "...you would not part a man from his walking stick?" he asked. Hama looked at Gandalf for a moment but nodded and turned to lead them in.

As soon as Hama's back was turn Gandalf shot Aragorn a wink making Aragorn smile.

The five walked into the Hall side by side "The courtesy of your Hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King. Everyone aside from Gandalf eyed the group of unfriendly men that stalked their every move form the side of the hall. Autheil looked to the king, he looked ill, hair overgrown, pale like the sight of death and just over all horrid. A ugly man dressed in black sat next to him who Autheil usmmued to be the king's advisor.

"Why should I.. welcome you Gandalf...Stromcrow?" the King asked.

"A just question, my liege." the man said and stood up and walked towards them. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chose to appear. Lathspeel I name him. Ill news is a ill guest." the man hissed, standing in front of a irritated Gandalf.

"Be silent." Gandalf ordered. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth Grima Wormtongue. I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm." Gandalf said harshly and pointed his staff in front of Grima.

Grima looked at them in terror "Staff?" he asked and backed away looking to the unfriendly guest across the room. "I told you to take the wizards staff:" Grima shouted.

The men who had been shadowing them, ran forward and attacked them. Autheil punched the man that tried to advance on her before she kneed his face. The fight went on and Gandalf moved forward towards Théoden as if nothing was going on around them. The others fought off the ten men easy enough. Autheil kicked another between the legs before throwing two blows to his face. Another tried to attack her from behind but Legolas charged behind her punching him in the stomach twice and ducking in just enough time to miss Autheil's roundhouse kick to the man's head knocking him to the floor. All the men now laid unconscious on the ground ground them.