Heiress of Isildur (Legolas Love Story)

Chapter 18

A flag drifted down to them as the three horses entered the gate of Edoras, the people looked up at them suspiciously as they passed. Mud and neglect covering their faces. Farren's grip on Aragorn's waist tightened. Above them, Farren could see Eowyn's blonde hair dancing around her face as she looked down at them. "You'd find more cheer in a graveyard" Gimli commented sarcastically. Legolas made a quiet hiss to shut him up, which Farren was thankful for, these were not the people she knew, they had lost all hope.

They dismounted in front of the great hall, a soldier coming out to greet them, Farren slid off the horse quietly, her small figure mainly covered by her brother and Legolas's. "I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame," he said firmly, "By order of Grima Wormtounge" Gandalf made a sign of acknowledgement, nodding to them. A young soldier approached Farren, eying her half wearily and half in awe. She withdrew her sword slowly from its sheath across her back and handed over Legolas's knife from the sheath at her waist. The other pulled out weapons, Legolas seemed particularly reluctant to part with his bow from Lothlorien and Farren half expected Gimli to refuse to hand over his precious axe.

"Your staff"

"Oh." Gandalf said surprised his body curving under his age but Farren caught a certain gleam in his eyes, "No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick". Legolas smoothly came up taking the old wizard's free arm to support him, while the wizard sent a quick wink in the sibling's direction as they entered the quiet hall. Aragorn's hand brushed against Farren's a slight warning as they eyed the soldiers lining the walls.

Farren could see a black, pale, slimy-looking man sitting next to an unrecognisable Theoden. The king looked three times his age and his eyes even from this distance looked grey and blind. The man who Farren figured to be Grima was whispering quickly into the king's ear. He reminded her of a leech.

The door locked behind them. Farren walked between Aragorn and Gandalf, her small hands slowly clenching into fists as she tensed, waiting. "The courtesy of your halls is somewhat lessened of late" Gandalf called loudly, "Theoden King", more whispering from Grima followed.

"Why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow?" Farren internally winced at how fake Théoden's voice sounded, this was not the man who she had followed in battle or laughed with around a banquet table with Theodred and Eomer. The five of them passed around the giant pot in the middle as Grima rose, his eyes moving from Gandalf to her, a fire igniting as he looked her up and down. Aragorn stepped ever so slightly in front of her.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear" the men were following them down the hallway, but Farren realised that they were not soldiers of Rohan, no armour. "Lathspell, I name him. Ill news is an ill guest" Grima was in front of them now gloating.

"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth" Gandalf demanded angrily, "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm" he raised his staff. Grima stepped back so quickly it was as if Gandalf had lifted a glowing flame to him. Farren saw the men around them move

"His staff! I told you to take the wizards staff!" Grima yelled, Farren noticed out of the corner of her eye that the Rohirrim soldiers did not join in the attacking men but stood still watching. Gandalf continued walking forward as the four of them turned their attention to the men. Farren threw a punched in one's face, aiming for his nose, then elbowed another in his throat causing them both to gasp for air and stumble to the ground. Gandalf was speaking but Farren was a little too preoccupied as the men seemed to decide she was the easy target and aimed for her. She danced out the way. She had always been agile and acrobatic, now it helped her. She used objects around her to kick off. A column to flip over one's head to land on him, punching him unconscious. She found pressure points in their necks, causing them to fall to her feet. The last man fell with a well-aimed kick between his legs.

A cry made Farren turn around to see Aragorn holding Eowyn back as Gandalf pushed Saruman out of Theoden by force. Gimli was holding Grima down with his foot. "If I go Theoden dies!"

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

"Rohan is mine" Gandalf shoved him harder back against the throne.

"Begone" Theoden screamed leaping forward but Gandalf pushed him back as power radiated through the throne room. Theoden collapsed into his throne, Eowyn rushing forwards.

Ginger and brown were seeping into his beard and his eyes were becoming bluer. Farren stepped forward to crouch the other side of the king, ignoring Legolas' movement to stop her. "I know your face. Eowyn" Theoden turned away from Eowyn's tear-stained face to Farren. His hand cupped her cheek tilting it up to him. 'Farren' his voice sounded like a plea, Farren nodded smiling at him. Her hands closed around his as she stepped backwards next to Gandalf.

'Breath the free air once again, my friend' Theoden stood looking around as people bowed looking at his hands as he whispered about his dark dreams, 'Your fingers would remember their own strength better if grasped your sword'. He spoke as Theoden was presented with his greatsword. Farren felt her lips climb upwards as she smiled at the king she remembered.

But as the king inhaled he glared at Grima, at his words Grima was quite literally thrown out of the throne room, down the stairs as Theoden approached him with his sword raised yelling at him, as the people of Edoras gathered around them. Aragorn and Farren pushed ahead of Legolas and Gandalf as they hurried after the king. Theoden seemed to have had enough of Grima's pleas as he raised his sword just as the siblings reached him, both grabbing his arm.

"No, My Lord! No, My Lord" Aragorn yelled, "Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account" Grima ran through the crowd screaming at them to get out of his way. "Hail, Theoden King" Aragorn yelled to the crowd as he and Farren stood on either side of the king. They bowed low but Farren was searching for one face, it seemed that both she and Theoden were searching for the same person.

"Where is Theodred? Where is my son?"

"Died during the night My Lord"

The words hit Farren hard, causing her to stumble back, Aragorn caught her, gripping her tightly. Farren looked around her head spinning meeting Legolas' beautiful blue eyes as he pushed through the men towards her and Aragorn. Her gaze rose to Aragorn's. "Farren?" he whispered as Theoden scream split the air and men converged on their king, while others rushed to prepare a funeral.

Farren closed her eyes against her tears, Theodred had been a good man, kind, caring and brave. He had dampened Eomer's boisterous anger and restlessness and had comforted Eowyn. His quiet presence had been a gift to Farren in their friendship. His unwavering trust and loyalty to his country, king and friends.

She pushed herself away from Aragorn, past Legolas who reached out to her only to be caught by Gandalf. "Let the Girl be Legolas. She has lost a great friend"

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A/N Thank you for your support from the last chapter! Exams are already killing me so the next update will probably not be till Friday at the earliest, my apologies, just trying to juggle everything at the moment.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and had a good Easter holiday if you are now back at school!

Wren