''I won't let him,'' Iladya whispered. Aragorn then realised she had overheard their conversation. He sighed, closing his eyes after pressing a kiss on her hair.
''I would slay every evil in Middle Earth to rescue you,'' he replied. Iladya lifted her head and planted her lips on his.
''I know.'' Aragorn's burdens melted away in that kiss. It was her that made him feel at peace. She never looked at him with an expression of judgement. Ranger or no Ranger. King or no King. She looked at him for who the man he was.
''You remind me of the night,'' he whispered. ''The moon, the starts, the gentle breeze. Being with you, Ilmarë nîn, feels like peace.'' Her heart fluttered, it could burst out of her chest if it were possible. She laid her hand on his cheek and pressed another kiss on his mouth. As if it were their last night on this earth. As if it were their last night of peace.
''You are the sun that breaks my dawn, the star that lights my night, and the song I have memorized without knowing the words,'' Iladya spoke. Aragorn rested his forehead against hers, completely lost for words.

You are the sun that breaks my dawn.
A smile graces his lips as his thoughts wander to the night before. He was grateful for sitting behind Iladya, because he looked like a small schoolboy with that grin.
The star that lights my night. He translated those words into three words: I love you. It meant the world to him. She meant the whole world to him. For those moments, he forgot the danger they will have to face. He forgot, because she was with him.
Aragorn is pulled out of his thoughts as their horse halted. Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Iladya, and Aragorn stop to look at Edoras in front of them.
"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," Gandalf explains. "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here," Gandalf warns before riding into Edoras. Aragorn reaches to outside gates, the standard flutters to the ground next to him.
As they ride through Edoras, people stare at them. Iladya looks up to see a maiden dressed in white standing in front of the Golden Hall.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli mutters. Iladya looks back at the Golden Hall but the maiden has gone.

They walk up the steps to the Hall. Hama and his guards walk out of the Hall.
"I cannot allow you before Théoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue," Hama demands. Gandalf nods at the others. The others hand over their weapons. The guard motions to Iladya for her weapons, but she holds up her hands. She sees he doesn't buy it, she groans and reaches for her boot. She hands him a knife as she looks at Aragorn, who fails to suppress a smile.
"Your staff," Hama urges.
"Hmm," Gandalf murmurs, looking at his staff. ''You would not part an old man from his walking stick." Hama looks worried for a moment, then turns and leads them forward. Gandalf winks slyly to Aragorn and follows him, holding onto Iladya's arm. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli follow. Hama pauses at the door and lets them pass. Grima is sitting beside Théoden.
"My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe," Grima whispers in Théoden's ear.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late ... Théoden King," Gandalf criticises. As they walk forward a group of menacing looking guards follow them.
"He's not welcome," Grima whispers.
"Why should I welcome you ... Gandalf ... Stormcrow?" he asks, looking at Grima for agreement.
"A just question, my liege," he encourages, getting up and walks towards Gandalf.
"Late is the hour ... In which this conjurer chooses to appear — the menacing group move nearer to them — Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
"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 grits through his teeth as he lifts his staff in front of Grima's face.
"His staff. I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
The menacing group move to attack Gandalf. Legolas, Iladya, Aragorn and Gimli jump in and fight them off. Gandalf continues to walk towards Théoden. Gamling prepares to join the fight, but Hama holds him back.
"Théoden ... Son of Thengel ... Too long have you sat in the Shadows.'' Grima sits up in an attempt to get away, but is stopped by Gimli standing on his chest with one foot.
"I would stay still if I were you," Gimli warns slowly.
"Hearken to me! I release you ... From the spell.'' Gandalf holds up his hand and closes his eyes. Gandalf opens his eyes as Théoden starts laughing is a mocking way.
"You have no power here ... Gandalf the Grey."
Gandalf, angered, throws off his grey cloak. Théoden is thrown back by a bright white light.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," he thrusts forward his staff, which throws Théoden back in his chair.
Eowyn runs in, sees her uncle in trouble, and runs towards him. Iladya grabs hold of her.
"Wait," she urges.
"If I go, Théoden dies," Saruman's voice speaks through Théoden. Gandalf holds his staff and continues to move closer to Théoden, "You did not kill me ... You will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!" Saruman speaks.
"Be gone!" Suddenly Théoden jumps from his throne, lunging at Gandalf. Gandalf thrusts him back with his staff and as he does, Saruman is thrown across the floor in Isengard. He pulls himself up and his face is bleeding.
Théoden slumps forward and Eowyn rushes to stop him falling, forcing Iladya to let go of her. Théoden's face slowly changes. His hair and beard shorten, and his face becomes younger. His eyes clear. He looks at Eowyn quizzically.
"I know your face," he breathes, she smiles at him, ''Eowyn.'' She cries with happiness and he looks round at everyone, and sees Gandalf in front of him
"Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Théoden stands up shakily.
"Dark have been my dreams of late.'' He lifts his hands and strokes them.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better ... If they grasped your sword," Gandalf smirks. Hama steps forward and offers him his sword. He takes it and lifts it up in front of him. He looks at it wonderingly as everyone smiles. Then he seems to remember something, and turns his gaze to Grima who is being held on the floor by Gimli.

Grima is thrown out of the Hall, and falls down the stairs. Théoden walks falteringly down the stairs after him.
"I've only ... ever served you, my lord," he desperately says, crawling backwards on his hands.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"
"Send me not from your sight," Grima begs. Théoden raises his sword above Grima's head, as if to kill him. Aragorn rushes forward and holds his hands to stop him.
"No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account," Aragorn stops.
Aragorn offers Grima a hand, but he just spits on it and scrambles to his feet, pushing past the people.
"Get out of my way!" he snarls.
"Hail, Théoden King!" Hama calls. The people in the city kneel before Théoden. Those from the Great Hall do the same as Aragorn kneels at Théoden's side. Grima rides out of Edoras. Théoden turns back to the Golden Hall and looks at everyone.
"Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"