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The company of five walks along Fangorn Forest as Gandalf says, "One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed." Maristela nods her head as she walks with Legolas. "Edoras? That is no short distance!" Gimli exclaimed to the White Wizard. "We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king," Aragorn informed the Wizard. "Yes, and it will not be easily cured," Gandalf informed him, he now adorned a grey cloak over his white clothes hiding his new status. "Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested--" The trees rumble "--I mean charming, quite charming forest."

"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 expressed to Gimli and the others. "In one thing you have not changed, dear friend," Aragorn spoke directly to Gandalf who hummed prompting Aragorn to continue, "You still speak in riddles." Aragorn and Gandalf share a laugh while Maristela smiles, her former light returned to her eyes and Legolas admires it greatly. "A thing is about to happen here that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong," Gandalf spoke.

"Strong? Oh, that's good," Gimli said with a slight nod of his head. "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 forewarned the Erebor Dwarf. "This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one," Gimli muttered to Maristela and Legolas who sent him amused smiles. Outside the forest, Gandalf whistles piercingly. An answering neigh is heard and a white horse appears from the plain. "That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," Legolas pointed out in awe, in the distance was a familiar black shadow.

The horse stops in front of Gandalf, "Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers." Maristela bowed to the Horse Lord before rushing towards Attica with a wide smile on her face, the wolfhound yipped in glee as he nuzzled his head against her; the two had been separated for too long. "It is good to see you again, friend," Maristela whispered to Attica who purred in response to her. "We have a long journey ahead of us," Gandalf informed them before the company of five rode across the plains in the direction of Edoras in preparation to cure King Théoden from Saruman's control.

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Gandalf and Aragorn survey the night sky after they had stopped to rest for the night; the days and nights of running still affecting the small company. "The veiling shadow that glowers in the East takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-Dûr his Eye watches ceaselessly. But he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. The rumour has reached him: the heir of Númenor still lives. Sauron fears you, Aragorn. He fears what you may become. And so he'll strike hard and fast at the world of men," Gandalf expresses to Aragorn who stares off into the distance, the words echoing in his mind.

"He will use his puppet Saruman to destroy Rohan. War is coming. Rohan must defend itself and therein lies our first challenge, for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The King's mind is enslaved. It's an old device of Saruman's. His hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose," Gandalf continued as Maristela settled by the campfire with Legolas next to her and Gimli asleep on the other side of the Woodland Elf. "How are you feeling?" Legolas asked Maristela as she glanced at her father before turning to him. "I'm doing okay. I just... thought I'd never see him again," Maristela expressed before resting her head on Legolas' shoulder.

Gandalf looked at Aragorn, "But for all their cunning, we have one advantage. The Ring remains hidden, and that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon of the enemy is moving towards Mordor in the hands of a hobbit. Each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest." Gandalf turned back to the distance in the silence before looking back at Aragorn, "Do not regret your decision to leave him. Frodo must finish this task alone." Aragorn turned his head to Gandalf, "He is not alone. Sam went with him." Gandalf smiled at this, "Did he? Did he indeed? Good. Yes, very good."

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Gandalf, Maristela, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli approach Edoras. "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 expresses to them. The company approaches the hall, they receive sidelong looks from the villagers. Aragorn sees Èowyn standing at the hall. They receive more suspicious looks causing Gimli to speak up, "You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Guards approach the company as they climb the stairs to the hall, "I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of... Gríma Wormtongue."

Maristela sneered at the name, her mind trailing back to the monstrous person that was Alfrid Lickspittle who was the greedy second-in-command in Laketown sixty years ago. With a nod from Gandalf, Aragorn, Maristela, Legolas and Gimli give their many weapons to the guards. "Your staff," Háma instructed. "Eh? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?" Gandalf pleas, Háma thinks a moment, gives Gandalf a knowing look, then allows him to pass. Gandalf winks and takes Maristela's outstretched arm as they enter the hall, a sly smirk upon her features knowing her father was playing frail.

Gríma is at the King's side, "My lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. He is a herald of woe." Maristela rolled her eyes at Gríma's words. "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," Gandalf expresses to the familiar face he knew, guards follow Gandalf and his party. "He is not welcome," Gríma whispers to Théoden. "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Théoden questioned, his greying complexion was disheartening for Maristela to see as her last presence in Edoras, he had been his normal self. "A just question my liege," Gríma whispers before standing up.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is in ill guest," Gríma speaks as he approaches the company. "Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind you teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" Gandalf warns the slimy man. Gandalf raises his staff causing Gríma to panic, "His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!" Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli fight the guards, allowing Gandalf to walk to Théoden. One of the king's guards moves to draw his sword, but is stopped by Háma. "Théoden, Son of Théngel. Too long have you sat in the shadows," Gandalf spoke as he moved toward him on his throne.

Gimli knocks down Gríma and puts a foot on his chest, "I would stay still if I were you." Maristela grinned at Gimli before she stood with Legolas watching her father. "Harken to me! I release you from the spell," Gandalf chants out but Théoden laughs before speaking, "You have no power here Gandalf the Grey." The King continues laughing. Gandalf throws aside his grey robe, revealing his white clothes. Théoden, startled, leans back in his throne. "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," Gandalf points his staff at Théoden, who squirms in his throne. Èowyn rushes in and tries to go to Théoden, but is stopped by Aragorn.

"If I go — Théoden dies," Théoden speaks however, the voice is eerily similar to Saruman. Gandalf again points at Théoden with his staff, and the King flies against his throne, "You did not kill me. You will not kill him." Théoden, still sounding like the echoes of Saruman speaks, "Rohan is mine!" Gandalf jabs his staff forward, "Be gone!" Théoden jumps up at Gandalf, yelling, but flies back. Saruman flies backwards in his chamber at Orthanc. Èowyn rushes to Théoden, whose face begins to change, and soon he looks normal again. "I know your face. Èowyn — Èowyn," Théoden spoke bringing a teary smile to Èowyn's face.

"Gandalf? Maristela?" Théoden greeted in question. "Breathe the free air again, my friend," Gandalf spoke before Maristela did, "Welcome back, old friend." Théoden smiled fondly at them before it fell, "Dark have been my dreams of late." Maristela frowned at that while Gandalf stepped forward, "Your fingers would remember their old strength better — if they grasped your sword." Háma brings the King his sword and Théoden draws it. Théoden examines his sword, then turns his gaze towards a cowering Gríma and Théoden rushes towards him angrily.

Gríma is thrown out of the hall, and rolls down the stairs, "Argh! I've only ever served you my lord." Maristela stood with her father as they watched the encounter. "Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Théoden exclaimed angrily. "Send me not from your side!" Gríma pleaded in desperation. Théoden raises his sword to kill Gríma, but is stopped by Aragorn, "No my lord! No my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account." Aragorn holds out his hand to Gríma. he spits on it and runs off through the crowd. "Hail, Théoden, King!" Aragorn exclaimed to the crowd. The crowd kneels before the King as he turns to the company, "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"

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Rosemary Speaks

Oh wow, I really managed to write a lot tonight but now my eyes hurt, I feel tired and despite the fact that I had plans for my Saturday (Now cancelled cause I'm too tired), I'm still writing to get chapters out for all of you. So please, show me some love lmao

Thoughts so far?

See you in the next chapter!