Miril found that she missed most of the conversation between Gandalf, Theoden, and Grima Wormtongue. She was too enthralled by the carvings, the stories all around her. They were amazing, true masterpieces worth deciphering. She decided she'd need to do so at some later date. She was yanked back to the present by a comment Grima made about the "sorceress of the wood" and her "webs of deceit."

Gimli walked forward but Gandalf halted him immediately. Gandalf in turn began to softly him then sing a song*.

"In Dwimordene, in Lórien
Seldom have walked the feet of Men,
Few mortal eyes have seen the light
That lies there ever, long and bright.
Galadriel! Galadriel!
Clear is the water of your well;
White is the star in your white hand;
Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land
In Dwimordene, in Lórien
More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men."

Gandalf then stepped forward and cast off his cloak in magnificent fashion. His white robes projected light off in all different directions. No longer did he lean on his staff, but instead lifted it high and pointed it forward.

Gríma squealed, "His staff! I told you to take his staff!"

Gandalf glared at him and suddenly lightning flashed overhead and Gríma was silenced, sprawled in fear on the floor. Gandalf stepped forward towards the King once more.

"Take heart, Theoden, Thengel's son. For the night is here but day shall soon come." Gandalf smiled. "Better help you will not find. Come, leave this place and look upon the light of day."

To the surprise of the entire hall, especially to a woman close by the King, Theoden stood and began to walk towards Gandalf. The woman rushed forward and took his arm to help him. Miril looked at her, wondering who she was. Sad she looked, sad and yet cold.

Gandalf called out, "Open the doors! The Lord of the Mark comes forth!"

The doors were swung open and the sun shone through them. Theoden and Gandalf stood on the threshold with the woman at the King's side and the four hunters behind them.

Theoden smiled. "Leave me, Eowyn, sister-daughter. The time for fear is passing. I will be fine."

Eowyn nodded hesitantly and left them. The four hunters hung back. Eowyn let her eyes fall upon first Miril, and then Aragorn. She seemed curious about them both, but especially the elder Ranger. Finally she turned and walked away.

Theoden and Gandalf had been talking during the silent exchange between Miril and Eowyn. Theoden now was sending for Éomer by way of Háma. Éomer had been imprisoned for disobeying Theoden and threatening Gríma Wormtongue.

Miril looked at the King and noted that in the light, he did not look nearly as old as he had inside. He stood a little taller and his eyes were a little bluer. No longer did he lean upon a prop, but stood alone and high. He seemed very noble, a true king of men. She wondered what he would've looked like in his younger years.

Gandalf and Theoden were speaking in hushed tones. The four hunters were content to stand together, out of the conversation. Gandalf suddenly spoke louder.

"Your body would remember your old strength better if you had your sword," he told the King.

Theoden nodded. "Where did Gríma place it?"

Soon enough, Éomer appeared, escorted by Háma. When Éomer looked upon Theoden, he downcast his eyes after gazing in wonder at the strength of the man who had been so frail not long before.

"Take this, my Lord," he said, kneeling at his King's feet and offering his sword.

Theoden looked at him and Háma in surprise. "How does he have his sword?"

"I thought he was to be released, my Lord?" Háma asked, quivering. "When he bade me bring his sword, I obeyed."

"Only so I could lay it at your feet, my Lord," Éomer insisted yet again.

Gandalf nodded. "Will you not take it?"

Theoden straightened up and gripped the hilt. He picked it up slowly and felt new strength return to him. Miril marveled at him yet again. Truly this was a man of a line of kings. He had strength, beauty, courtesy.

"Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.
Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!"*

The court echoed with Theoden's voice. His guards looked at him in wonder and surprise before shouting for him to command them. Éomer said something in Rohirric before the guards sprung into action.

"What shall I do, Gandalf?" Theoden asked the wizard.

"You have already begun," Gandalf smiled. "Gather your Riders. Prepare to meet Saruman's forces in battle, with Éomer to lead them. Meanwhile send the rest of your folk to Helm's Deep with you at the lead."

Theoden shook his head. "Nay! I shall lead my folk."

"Then who shall protect your people, Lord," Aragorn asked him.

"I must think this through. In the meantime, rest. Clean yourselves up and have a good meal. I owe you as much," Theoden smiled.

The four hunters tried to argue but Theoden was insistent. Picking up their weapons, they followed a guard to a set of guest houses where they would perhaps stay the night. Aragorn walked beside Miril, with Legolas and Gimli together behind them. As they walked away, the heard Gríma shouting before seeing him run for a horse and ride away. Miril was surprised to see no one go after him.

"Why are they letting that traitor leave," she asked Aragorn as they walked.

He looked back at Gandalf. "Probably out of mercy. But if they see him again... I doubt things will go well for Master Wormtongue."

"He doesn't deserve mercy," she argued darkly.

"Maybe not," Aragorn agreed. "But it is not our job to always be the executioner. Sometimes we need to take a step back and allow for redemption."

Miril chewed this over as they walked and arrived soon at the guest house. It was two to a room, so Aragorn and Miril dropped their stuff on the left side room and Legolas and Gimli strayed to the right. When all was finished, Miril took a sponge bath to clean off the dirt and grime and sweat of the last several days. Once she was done, the sponge and water was absolutely filthy, but she was much cleaner. She put on a new pair of Galadhrim raiment that she had brought with her and kept clean, while handing off her old clothes to a washerwoman to clean while she dined with the King.

Éomer it was that fetched them for dinner. The tall, blonde man of Rohan knocked on the door and Aragorn opened it.

"The king is ready, if you are," Éomer said.

Miril smiled, coming forward, her hair braided back behind her head, newly washed and cleaned. The scar on her cheek was healing nicely and was but a white scratch now. She was starving.

"We are most definitely ready," she nodded.

"Then follow me Lady, Lords," he smiled. "The King awaits."

They followed Éomer into Meduseld, the Golden Hall. A large table was laid out with food. Gandalf sat with Theoden who was at the head of the table. Éomer sat on Theoden's other side, and next to him sat Legolas and then Gimli. Next to Gandalf sat Aragorn, followed by Miril. Eowyn in turn served them before taking her seat next to Miril. The two women nodded in greeting.

Theoden and Gandalf were discussing Saruman but Miril wanted to know more about Eowyn.

"You are Eowyn, yes?" Miril asked, turning to the woman clad in white.

Eowyn nodded. "Indeed. And you are?"

Miril smiled. "Miril Lominzil, Ranger of the North."

The Rohirric woman took a bite of her food before responding. "You are a ranger? Are you an elf?"

Miril chuckled lightly, "You are half right. I am Half-elven."

The two women stopped their chatter and went back to eating. Topics of conversation waxed and waned from Saruman to their missing companions to the inevitable war. Aragorn felt the stare of Eowyn on his face but he avoided it. She was an interesting woman, but he was pledged to someone else.

They finished eating and decided to set off soon. Miril was offered chainmail but declined. She decided against it, choosing instead to stick with her grey Galadhrim garb. Gimli took some, though.

They rested for an hour before the riders were finally fully marshalled. Theoden decided to appoint Eowyn head of the women and children. She was to keep them at Dunharrow and protect the house.

Theoden and Éomer mounted up, followed by Gandalf and the four hunters. Gimli rode with Éomer this time around. His horse, Firefoot, would bear them both. Legolas mounted Arod again and Aragorn, Hasufel. At last Miril pulled herself up onto Tor.

"The King and the White Rider!" the townsfolk cried and changed. "The King and the White Rider!"

"Forth, Eorlingas!" Éomer called and they sped forth.