Sucked Into Middle Earth...Just My Luck!

Chapter 13

We rode upon the capital of these lands, crossing the plains on horseback once again. Of course I was stuck with Boromir again despite my pleads to ride Shadowfax with Gandalf. We came to a stop and Gandalf announced, "Edoras and the golden hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over king Théoden is now very strong".

"It's fine, we can take him" I shrugged.

"Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here" Gandalf responded and we took off.

The banners upon the gate were in suck disrepair that as we crossed into the small city one was ripped from its spot by no more than a medium strength gust of wind. I could see Éowyn up by the castle doors and knew that she must have just found her cousin had passed.

"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard" commented Gimli, looking around at the somber people all dressed in black.

"They just don't know how to put the 'fun' in funeral" I responded and Boromir shushed me as I chuckled quietly. Screw you, I'm hilarious.

We approached the home of Théoden and were stopped by guards who told us we couldn't stand before the king so heavily armed. The men surrendered their weapons and I said in a low voice so that only they could hear me, "when shit goes sideways look to me, I'll have weapons".

They gave discreet nods and went to enter but the reluctant guard before us put a hand up and gestured to Gandalf's staff. The old wizard feigned innocence and asked "you wouldn't part an old man from his walking stick would you?"

The guard sighed and stepped aside while Gandalf shot us a mischievous glance that made us all smirk a little. As we entered I noted Gríma wormtongue, a repellent pale and greasy looking man, whispering furiously into the ear of the king. Around the perimeter of the room stood men who were clearly not of Rohan standing as though guards to the kings court. Men of Saruman's influence. I glared at Gríma and he fixed his gaze to me, looking me up and down suspiciously, and I wondered if he knew what I could do? Surely by now Saruman would be aware of Karma and I? If so then the slimy man before me would understand this was never going to go his way.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened as of late, Théoden king" stated Gandalf.

Gríma whispered to the king again and the weathered old man croaked out "why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow?"

Gríma stood and began descending from the throne towards us saying, "a just question my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest".

I scoffed and the disgusting mans eyes darted to me once more, "the only thing ill here is you. Why don't you drag your festering ass out of this hall and back to your true master? Get a tan while you're at it, you're beginning to look translucent" I spat at him.

He opened his mouth to retort but Gandalf cut him off, "be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I did not pass through fire and death to bandy words with a witless worm" he shouted at him as he raised his staff.

"His staff! I told you to take the wizards staff!" Gríma yelled to the guards who had stopped us at the entrance.

Saruman's men attacked as Gandalf stepped forward to rid the king of his possession. With all my strength I ducked and spun through our company, placing a sword in each of my friends hands quickly, ignoring my wound. They quickly took on the opposition and I went to join them, materialising my own sword, but before I could leap into battle Boromir intercepted my target and shouted over his shoulder "get to safety!"

"What the hell? No! I'm going to help!" I yelled back at him as he bashed the mans head with the hilt of his blade before slashing across his chest as he stumbled back.