Lothlorien Elf Against the Two Towers (Lord of the Rings Fan Fic)

Chapter 3

"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 explains while we overlook Edoras, "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."

"My lord, your son. He is dead. Will you not go to him? Will you do nothing uncle?"

I try to tune the women's hopeless voice out of my head.

"Mithrandir, we need to go.. The King just lost his son. He isn't doing anything.", I warn.

"Theodred is dead? The Theoden I knew loved his son. Saruman's power is stronger then I thought. We must go now.", Mithrandir says while making Shadowfax sprint away.

Arod and Hasufel gallop as fast as they can behind him. In no time at all we reach the village. A Rohan flag flies down to Aragorn and I. Then we both see a women standing at the top of the Golden Hall.

I know this was the lady's voice I was hearing moments before. As we make our way there, the villagers stare us down. The looks on their faces are mixed with sadness and distrust. It seems like they have no hope left.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard.", Gimli tries to lighten the mood.

When we get to the foot of the hall we climb off our horses.

"Follow my lead.", Mithrandir whispers to the four of us, while we walk up the stairs.

When we reach the top, a guard stops us.

"I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf. By order of Grima Wormtongue."

Gandalf nods to hand over our weapons. Gimli reluctantly gives his axe to the other guards. Legolas twirls his two hunting knives in a show off manner, giving them and his bow to the guards. Aragorn hands his sword over along with all of his hidden daggers.

I set down my bow and sword against the wall with the other weapons. Haldir's dagger-knife is hidden in my boot. I am not handing that over! Legolas looks up like he heard my thought.

"Keep it hidden.", he mouthes to me.

"Your staff.", the lead guard says to Mithrandir, holding out a hand.

"Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?", he questions.

The guard looks at the five of us, seeing through the plan. He gestures for us to go in anyway. Gandalf takes Legolas's arm, for the old man act, and we enter. Inside, the King looks ancient and sickly. Beside him must be the Grima that the guard mentioned. His hair is oily and he's as pale as a ghost.

"My lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming." he talks in Theoden's ear, "He is not welcome."

"The courtesy of your hall has lessened of late, Theoden King.", Gandalf states.

As Mithrandir walks down the hall slowly, the rest of us follow behind.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?", the King grumbles.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer choses to appear.", Grima adds.

"Be silent. Keep your forked tongue between your teeth." Gandalf snaps, "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!"

"His staff!" Grima shrieks, spotting it, "I told you to take his staff!"

Right then Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli hold off the guards. They create a scene so Mithrandir can walk to Theoden freely. I punch one of the guards that was about to tackle Legolas. He saw what I did so I give a satisfied smile.

"I had that one.", he remarks.

"You didn't have time to get to him.", I reply.

He just shakes his head in mild annoyance. I join the fight; kicking, hitting and punching any guard that I can.

"Theoden, son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in the shadows.", I hear Gandalf say.

Just then, one of the guards pins me against a pillar. I try to break free, but he is to strong. Obviously hand-to-hand combat isn't my strength. Gimli manages to push Grima to the ground. As the guard that is holding me looks in their direction, I slide Haldir's knife out of my boot.

"I would stay still if I were you.", Gimli snarls, holding Grima down with his foot.

When the guard faces me again, I whip out my knife and cut his face. He backs away from me, trying to stop his cheek from bleeding. The guard gives me the death-stare so I smirk back.

"I release you from your spell!", Mithrandir commands the King.

"You have no power here Gandalf the Grey.", Theoden laughs.

Gandalf rips his grey cloak off, showing his blinding white ones.

"I will draw you Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound.", Gandalf says strict, pointing his staff at Theoden.

King Theoden struggles in his throne. The same lady Aragorn and I spotted earlier rushes out to the King. Aragorn grabs her.

"Dartha.", I tell her.
(Wait)

"Wait.", Aragorn repeats in the common tongue.

"If I go... Theoden dies.", the king says, completely in Saruman's control.

"You did not kill me. You will not kill him.", Mithrandir says simply.

"Rohan is mine!", King Theoden shouts with Saruman's voice.

"Be gone!", Gandalf bellows.

Theoden tries to attack Gandalf, but jerks back when his staff is raised. The women breaks out of Aragorn's grasp and runs to the King. Theoden's face looks full, much younger looking and normal again.

"I know your face. Eowyn.", he says slowly to her, waking up from the spell.

"Breathe the free air again, my friend.", Mithrandir says relieved.

"Dark have been my dreams of late.", King Theoden recalls.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword.", Mithrandir advises.

The lead guard that let us pass holds out the King's sword. Theoden pulls the hilt out. It is decorated with two beautiful metal carvings of horses at the hilt. The King looks at Grima, full of vengeance. He tries to escape, but the other guards throw him out of the hall.

"I've only ever served you, my lord.", Grima lies, crawling away.

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!", the King advances on him.

"Send me not from your side!", Grima begs.

Theoden is about to strike his sword to kill him, so I throw my knife to Aragorn and he catches it. He blocks the blow.

"No, my lord! Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account.", Aragorn reasons.

Theoden pushes Aragorn aside as if he never stopped him.

"Daro!" I yell running in front of Theoden, "Do not kill him. You cannot sink to his level, King."
(Stop)

Theoden lowers his sword in answer. Aragorn tries to help up Grima, but he spits on his hand and pushes past the crowd.

"Get out of my way!", he hollers and grabs a near by horse, setting off.

"Maybe it was a mistake to stop Theoden.", I mutter to Aragorn.

He shrugs and hands back my knife. I put it in its sheath.

"Hail, Theoden, King!", Aragorn announces.

He kneels to the ground and everyone joins in.

"Where is Theodred?" the king asks horsily, "Where is my son?" 

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Dartha: Wait

Daro: Stop

~Talia Spirit