Thirty Seven - Edoras

“Do you see their path?” Aragorn asked. “Not anymore,” I answered in frustration. The damn forest plays with what I see.

“This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory… and anger,” Legolas said and I looked up at the trees. “They are speaking to each other,” I said as they groaned. “Be careful,” Le said as I walked over to one of the trees. 

“It’s alright,” I said calmly, shushing the trees. 

“The Dwarf raises his axe to us!” one beckoned in Entish. “Lower your axe, Gimli,” I said calmly. “Oh!” He shouted “He means you no harm, my friends,” I told them in Elvish as he lowered his axe. 

“They have feelings, my friend. The Elves began it. Waking up the trees, teaching them to speak,” Le explained to Gimli. “Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings,” Gimli said. 

“Let’s continue,” I said and moved from the tree. “Aragorn, something is out there,” Legolas said in worry. “What do you see?” Aragorn whispered as I stood next to Gimli.

“The White Wizard approaches,” Le whispered. “Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us,” Aragorn said as we hid behind the trees.

We turned quickly into the blinding white light. Gimli threw his axe, which the Wizard destroyed, Legolas shot an arrow and he deflected, Aragorn’s sword burnt in his hand and I grew the roots up around his legs and he cut through them and bound my hands together with them.

“You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits,” The wizard said. “Where are they?” Aragorn asked. “They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?” He asked.

“Show yourself!” I demanded. The white light dimmed and the wizard stepped out dressed in white robes and holding a white staff, but it’s not Saruman. 

Gandalf.

“It cannot be,” Aragorn whispered. “Forgive me,” Legolas said and bowed with Gimli. “I mistook you for Saruman,” He continued. “I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been,” Gandalf said. 

“But you fell,” I said, slowly approaching him “Through fire… and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. And now, I've been sent back until my task is done,” Gandalf explained. 

“Gandalf,” I approached him. “Gandalf? Yes. That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name,” He smiled. “I am Gandalf the White. I come back to you now at the turn of the tide,” 

We walked through the forest and Gandalf wore a grey cloak over his white robes. “One stage of your journey is over. Another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed,” Gandalf started.

“Edoras? That is no short distance!” Gimli exclaimed. “We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king,” Aragorn told him. “Yes, and it will not be easily cured,” Gandalf said. 

“Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested-” Gimli stopped as the trees groaned. “I mean, charming… quite charming forest,” He corrected himself and I snickered next to Le, who shook his head.

“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 said.

“In one thing you have not changed, dear friend,” Aragorn said and Gandalf looked at him in curiosity. “You still speak in riddles,” He said and they laughed.

“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 said.

“Strong?!” Gimli said and the trees groaned. “Oh, that's good,” He continued. “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 said and I continued to snicker. 

“How are you feeling?” He asked in Elvish. “I am Fine, Greenie. My wounds healed in the night,” I answered. “Good,” He said in surprise. 

“Have I ever told you that you worry about me more than my sisters do,” I chuckled. “No,” He laughed. “Well, you do, and you don’t have to,” I promised. “Do you know what would happen to you if I didn’t?” He asked. 

“Drop dead?” I asked. “Most likely,” He shrugged and I laughed. “I would make it,” I said. “Maybe a week,” He said. “Yes, maybe a week before I-” “Oh, stop your quarrelling and get married already. I have listened to it for ten years and it’s been quite enough,” Aragorn snapped. 

“Ten years? Aragorn, I’ve listened to them for centuries,” Gandalf added. “It was only a month into our journey when I began to see it,” Gimli chuckled. 

~~~

We stood outside of the forest next to our horses as Gandalf whistled a long high loud note. In the distance, a white horse galloped toward us. “That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell,” Legolas said.

“Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses… and has been my friend through many dangers,” He said and patted Shadowfax’s neck.

I turned back to Arod and got on first, Then took Le’s hand and helped him up behind me. 

He put his hands loosely around my waist and I scoffed. “You might want to hang on tighter than that,” We galloped next to Gandalf at a quick pace and he held on tighter and I laughed. 

~~~

We stopped to look at the city from a distance. “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 explained. 

“Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here,” We continued to Edoras and through its gates. 

People watched at us as we passed through, all with distrusting looks. “You'll find more cheer in a graveyard,” Gimli commented. 

We walked up the steps to the Golden Hall and the doors opened to men in the kingsguard. “I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue,” The leader, Hama, said. Gandalf nodded to us and we handed our weapons over. 

I started with my swords, then quiver, the four daggers strapped to my legs and the two against my spine, as well as the one Celeborn gave me on my waist. The kingsguard who took my weapons looked at me in shock. “Oh, and this,” I pulled another knife from my boot. Gimli fought a laugh and Le and Aragorn refused to look at me for the same reason.

“Your staff,” Hama said. “You would not part an old man from his walking stick,” Gandalf said innocently. The guard nodded, almost reluctantly, and led us into the Hall.

 Le stepped forward and held Gandalf’s arm as we walked in and Gandalf hid his staff. As the door shut behind us, I looked back to the right and saw a group of guards following us behind the others. I nudged Aragorn and nodded to them and made him aware of their presence and he nodded.

“The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King,” Gandalf said. I looked ahead at the king, who looked like he hadn’t rested in years. 

A small man with dark hair and nearly white skin sat next to him, whispering in his ear. Grima.

“Why should I welcome you… Gandalf Stormcrow?” he looked to Grima for approval, who nodded and walked toward us.

“Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest,” He hissed as he stood in front of Gandalf.

“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 lifted his staff and Grima looked at him in fear.

“His staff. I told you to take the wizard's staff!” He shouted, backing away. The problematic group jumped out from behind the kingsguard and tried to take Gandalf’s staff.

Gandalf continued to approach Theoden as we fought them back from getting to him. “Theoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the Shadows,” By the time he finished speaking, All of the Men had fallen unconscious and Gimli stepped on Grima to keep him here.

“Hearken to me! I release you from the spell,” Gandalf raised his hand and closed his eyes and Theoden began to laugh. Le stood next to me, silently asking if I was alright and I nodded.

“You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey,” He said mockingly. Gandalf threw off his grey cloak and Theoden was pushed back in his throne by the white light. “I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound,” he stepped up next to Theoden, who groaned in anguish.

A young girl ran in and tried to get past us to the King but Aragorn stopped her. “If I go, Theoden dies,” Saruman said through Theoden. “You did not kill me, you will not kill him,” Gandalf said.

“Rohan is mine,” He hissed. “Be gone,” Gandalf demanded. Theoden lunged himself at Gandalf, who acted quickly and knocked him back on the throne.

Theoden slumped forward and the girl broke from Aragorn and rushed to him. Theoden slowly changed, His hair and beard shortened, his face became younger, and his eyes cleared.

“I know your face,” He whispered to the girl. “Eowyn,” He said her name with a smile. His niece.

“Gandalf?” He asked. “Breathe the free air again, my friend,” Gandalf told him. Theoden stood and looked around at us. “Dark have been my dreams of late,” He rubbed his hands together. 

“Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword,” Gandalf suggested. Hama stepped forward with his sword and he took it slowly. Once he raised it fully, he looked over at Grima, who was on the floor, looking at the king in fear.

Grima was thrown out of the hall, down the stairs outside. Theoden slowly walked towards him as we filed outside, watching the scene before us. 

“I've only ever served you, my lord,” Grima crawled backwards on his hands as I stood next to Gandalf. “Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!” Theoden shouted. 

“Send me not from your sight,” Grima begged. Theoden raised his sword to strike a deadly blow to the latter, who screams in fear, but Aragorn stops him. “No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account,” Aragorn told him.

Grima sat up in shock and Aragorn extended his hand to help him up, only for Grima to spit on it and scramble to his feet. 

He took another glance at us, then stopped at me. 

“Your brother fights for freedom. He even cries for his sister,” He announced. I marched quickly down to him and Aragorn didn’t bother trying to stop me. He scattered away quickly but I caught his arm first and knocked him back on the ground, his face pressed against the pavement.

“I will come for Alek and when I do, you will wish you were never born. You and your master,” I let go of him and he hesitantly stood. 

“Ride back to Isengard. When you reach Saruman, tell him the only reason you’re alive is because of the mercy of Theoden King,” I said loudly. He fled from us, yelling at others to get out of his way. 

“Hail, Theoden King!” At that, the city knelt before Theoden, who looked back up at his niece in confusion.

“Where is Theodred? Where is my son?”