"Down A Different Road"
Part 6
by Beryll

 

When I came back from my talks with Grima, I was feeling amazingly soiled, considering I had held comparable talks with representatives of Umbar and occasionally even Harad without feeling like I had been drenched in refuse. But this man carried himself with a sly malice that constantly made me think more of a goblin than of a man at all. Listening to his hissing speech I had wondered for a moment, if maybe Saruman had granted a goblin this human guise, to poison the king of Rohan. But his intellect was undenybale so that was hardly possible.

I had told him of the Stewards 'demands' of his ally Gondor were. Things like keeping a clean border, controling the travel between Gondor and Rohan - things that the old Lord Denethor would have demanded. I had listened to him speak in council often enough to be able to even mimic his constantly agravated tone of voice.

It had been exactly what Wormtongue had expected and he had acted, like he must have been trained to do by his true master. He was evasive and slighty insulting but all of the time impecably polite.

Had somebody thrown a bucket of slime at me, I wouldn't have felt differently then I felt now.

But at least we had kept each other busy for three long hours ithout achieving anything at all. Expect that he thought himself extremly clever for holding me a arms length for such a long time.

In the end he had declared that I must be growing tired and invited me back for more talks in the following afteroon. I had accepted the slight to my health and fitness with as much grace as I had ignored all the others and accepted his over. Had I stayed any longer I would have cut his throat.

I entered our chambers feeling as weary as he had told me I looked. Damn him.

I found Faramir sitting again at the small table, goblet and pitcher his wine at his elbow, scribbling notes on a piece of paper. The whole table was cluttered with notes he must have written earlier. A deep frown creased his brow and for a moment despair gripped my heart.

What if they had not found anything at all?

But he falling darkness left my heart as soon as he looked up and smiled at me, a lively sparkle in his eyes. He looked tired too, dark circles under his eyes, but he also looked hopeful and that was all the uplifting my spirit needed as well.

As I walked over to him, he poured me a goblet of wine as well, handing it to me as I sat down heavily in the chair opposite from him.

I took a deep swallow first, letting the wine take the taste of deadness with it, as it ran down my throat like a blessing.

"So, how did it go?" Faramir asked, before I could utter the same question.

I shrugged, a small smile spreading on my face. "As was to be expected. Rohan and Gondor will have a hard time agreeing on the new border pacts the Stewards demands."

For a moment Faramir just blinked at me in confusion, then he laughed aloud and the sound freed my heart. How long since I had heard him laugh? A very long time indeep. Since his brother had left on his mad errant to find some legendary elves at the very least.

"I'm sure my father would be as adamante as you will be." he said. Then he looked at his scribblings again, thoughtfully scratching himself behind his ear with the inked tip of his writing quilt, leaving small blue blotches, without noticing he did. He really hadn't changed that much since he was ten.

"And what did you find?" I asked, before he could get lost in his musings.

His frown increased a fraction again. "Quite a lot, cousin, quite a lot. It was... creepy. That's the only word that will fit. His general quarters are neat and impecable but what he keeps in the locked chest under his bed would incriminate even an elvan Lord. He truly is an artisan when it comes to brewing poisons, Imrahil."

I looked around the room worriedly, but when he noticed he smiled. "Do not worry about unwelcome ears. Hama has chosen the quarters very wisely. Nobody can sneak up on us without us noticing. Eowyn and I checked thoroughly."

That at least was good news then. Obviously we really had only one true enemy in this house and by Faramir's words there seemed to be hope that we would be able to get rid of him soon.

"So what about the king?" I asked the only question that needed to be answered now.

Faramir sighed. "And that's the tricky part." he said. "The poison he is using to rob King Theoden of his free will is a rare and potent one. And he does not keep the antidote. Mithrandir has taught me much of poisons and how to neutralize them. But that was a long time ago. I know that I know how to do it. I am trying to remember."

He pointed to the notes and only now did I notice that I was not able to recognize the script he had used. He noticed my interest and smiled. "Ancient elvan. I thought it might be a good idea to use something that nobody but me will be able to read."

I nodded slowly. "How long will it take the king to recover? How long till he can make decisions?" How long till Rohan can help Gondor, my true question hung in the room as well.

Now Faramir truly looked sad. "A week at the very least. Maybe longer. Maybe he will never truly recover. His body is not the youngest anymore and he has been poisoned for a long time. If Gandalf were here, he could suck the stuff right out of the kings veins with his magic. I've seen him do it before. But I fear that we will have to make do without his magic and advise."

"So Rohan will need a new king." I said quietly what we both were thinking and Faramir nodded. "It looks like you will get to save Eomer after all." I told him and was rewarded with a small secret smile. I would have loved to ask what he was thinking right then, but that would have been intruding.

--

When I went to bed after a late supper Faramir was again sitting over his notes, thinking hard, trying to recall long forgotten lessons. By then he had a small ink blotch on his nose too and looked so much more the scholar again than the warrior and ranger that his father had forced him to become that I was reminded of our boyhood. How had he turned into one of the sword-wielding fighters that he had always disregarded and I into a glib-tongued diplomat, I wondered. Life truly moved in strange ways.

I slept fitfully despite all our troubles, knowing that Faramir would not fall asleep until he had found a cure for the poison that Grima used and thus would watch my back.

Still I was instantly awake when a hand gently shook my shoulder, Faramir's voice saying: "Cousin, wake up."

I had slept in my clothes, hand around the hilt of my trusted sword and my grip got harder as I had a first look at Faramir's worried face and at the face of the Lady Eowyn, hovering somewhere behind him, equally worried. It was still night but outside I could hear the first birds getting ready to greet the dawn.

"What is it?" I asked, already sitting up, rubbing the remains of sleep from my eyes with one hand, raking the other through my hair.

It was Lady Eowyn who answered me. "Grave news have arrived." she said. "Until now only Hama and us have heard them. He has sworn the messenger to silence for a day to give as time to maneuver." She took a deep breath, her eyes searching my face to see if I was ready for the blow she was about to deliver. "Saruman's Uruk-Hai are marching. For Gondor. The war has begun."

Cold dread enveloped my heart like a icy armor. That was grave news indead. Whatever fine commander our new king might be, Gondor would be crushed like a nut between the fires of Mordor and the white hand of Isengard.

"We have to act now." Faramir summed up my thoughts. "Being careful will not help us now. Gondor needs Rohan or free Middle Earth will fall."

I nodded, still feeling reluctance at cold blooded murder, even if it was a fiend like Grima Wormtongue, but we had to bow to need.

"Did you find a cure?" I asked.

Faramir shook his head. "Yes and no. I am pretty sure I have come close to the original antidote Mithrandir taught me about but I am not entirely sure."

"It will have to do." Eowyn said, sadness in her beautiful eyes but also the determination of a noble lady used to hardship and difficult decisions.

She looked first at me, then at Faramir. "I have been thinking." she said then. "It is true that when Grima dies a sudden death, nobody will mourn him. But it is also true that he is the trusted advisor of Theoden King. Therefore his murder will not go disregarded. It is vital that we not lose time with useless quarelling until the evidence for his poisoning of the king can be reviewed. If we free my brother and present him as ruler while my uncles lies ill, it will look like he instigated the whole thing."

She drew a deep breath before she continued. "Therefore, in absence of any other claimant, I shall assume the mantle of rulership over Rohan, until it's true king is restored to health. I will speak with Hama and have him arrest Grima before he wakes this morning and have Hama search the Wormtonuges quarters. That will produce all the evidence we need."

"That is a very risky move, mylady." Faramir said slowly. "We do not know how many aditional daggers Saruman has inserted into the king's household."

She smiled at him with sweetness and courage. "You will have to guard my back with extra care then, won't you, prince of Gondor?"

A small smile appeared on Faramir's face as well, as he bowed to her. "It will be my pleasure, honored shield maiden, your courage is unmatched."

She had indeed put a great deal of thinking into this. Her plan was sound. Or at least the best path to walk in the coming storm.

"I will go and speak with Hama now." The lady said. "It will be better, if I do that on my own. But as soon as Grima has been arrested you will be called to act as witnesses to the search of his quarters. It would be good if you were found asleep. That would make it that much more believable that you are uninvolved in this matter."

Again I had to agree with her. So I rolled up in bed again and Faramir did likewise. I was certain that I would not be able to find sleep again but grateful for the additional rest. It would be scarth in the weeks to follow.

--

The rise of the sun brought with it certain signs of the sudden uproar that much have caught the high hall of Edoras when the lady Eowyn took charge. I was strangely sure that she was quite capable to deal with complaining courtiers, should there be any who would mourn Grima's sudden loss of power.

Faramir had told on my journey from Minas Tirith to Edoras how well beloved the king's nice was with the people of Rohan. Even more so than her courageous brother.

But still I felt worry, as even the loyalty of a thousand will not protect you from the one poisoned dagger that awaits behind a dark corner.

So I was up just as unseemingly quickly as Faramir, when a guard came to call on us, telling us the 'White Lady of Rohan' wished for our presence in the throne room.

We both went there with as much dignity and as little haste as we could, staring with some surprise, when we stepped into the room and found all of it's windows opened to the morning sun, the stale air rapidly cleaning out and the murky corners filling with bright sunshine. She really had lost no time in showing each and every person in the hall that times were changing.

She was standing at one of the windows, gazing outside, while around her servants were busy cleaning away the dust that had collected in the hall while Theoden King would not allow anybody inside that had not been checked by Wormtongue.

No wonder he had grown more and more ill.

Hama was standing right next to the Lady Eowyn, his hand on his sword hilt, making it abundantly clear that he would not allow anybody to touch his lady. He whispered to her when he noticed us enter and she immediatly turned her attention to us.

"Welcome, visitors from Gondor." she greeted us formaly. "In our time it is good to know that the friendship between Gondor and Rohan still holds firm. We need uninvolved eyes to bear witness to a great evil that seems to have been perpetrated against our beloved king. We ask you, to accompany our guards as we search the quarters of the suspect. Will you do us this favor?"

Standing there, tall and proud she truly looked like a young queen, not like the girl sneaking through the hidden passages of this place. I bowed to her deeply and Faramir did likewise.

"It will be our honor to serve our allies." Faramir spoke for both of us.

We followed Lady Eowyn and Hama to Grima's quarters. On our way there the group grew bigger and bigger as guards, courtiers and simple servants wanted to see the truth too, wanted to see the dispised fiend found guilty. With all these people to watch there would be no doubt cast on Lady Eowyn at all. Most like she would be hailed as the blessed savior of the king.

In her eyes I saw steel glint. As if she was asking herself why she had not done since long ago. I could have answered her question. There was too much decency in her to take such extreme measures. Only necessity drove her to it now.

The search was conducted by the guards and was as quick and efficient as was to be expected. There was a collective gasp, when they broke open the lock on the chest underneath Wormtongues bed and it was layed open for all eyes to see what he kept hidden there.

The tone quickly changed from barely suppressed anger to the demand for Grima's blood. Lady Eowyn led them rage for just a little while.

Then her own voice rose over the din: "Silence! Grima has been found guilty of poisoning our king in the vilest manner. We must believe that he has done so for a master. Only one comes readily to mind."

She didn't have to name him. One voice spoke the name of Saruman and other agreed immediately, more anger rising in the hearts of the men and women present.

"We must reevaluate our peace with the wizard of Orthanc, it seems." Eowyn spoke up again. "I say, we send scout to Isengard right away, to find out what other evil he is cooking up."

Again there was agreement all around. She truly was playing with the emotions of the people artfully. One of her listeners took her next step out of her hands, rushing ahead.

"Do you recall how our Lady's brother said just this? That Isengard was our enemy, that orcs killed our beloved Theodred? Remember where this got him for his telling the truth? They send him to the dungeons! We must free him! He must lead lead the Rohirrim till our king is well again!"

Eowyn just smiled quiety, staying uninvolved as this proposition was met with enthusiasm.

"So what is to be done with Wormtongue?" another voice called aloud and was answered with many colorfully ideas of a way to dismiss the fiend.

Finally lady Eowyn called for silence yet again. "He has chosen a cowardly way of killing so he should not be allowed a warriors death!" she proclaimed, her voice fierce and her eyes bright with her own fury at all the indecenties she had lived through over the last month. I say he must die for his attempt on the life of our king. And I say he must die like a dog!"

This now truly was the shield maiden of Rohan. Not some kind noble girl from Gondor. This was woman was as much warrior as her brother and uncle and all her line.

My gaze was caught by the way Faramir was looking at her in this moment. His face was full of honest admiration of her strength and maybe a tiny bit more. Thoughtfully I looked back and forth between the two of them, wondering if maybe my young friend was losing his heart yet again - to the sister of the man he had first given it too and who was proving to be just as firey and wild.

It was quickly decided to hang Grima, as that was the death of a traitor in Rohan and Wormtongue was now viewed as one. The people that had been attracted by the search were dispersing to spread the news and carry out their asigned task.

Quite suddenly we found ourselves alone with lady Eowyn and Hama again. They both looked quite pleased with themselves.

Then Eowyn turned to Faramir. "Will you be able to save my uncle with the stuff Grima has in that chest?" she asked.

Faramir nodded. "That and some herbs from the kitchen. I may not have the healing hands of a king but I will do my very best."

Only I understood the small smile in his eyes, at this reference to the new king of Gondor who had saved Boromir's life.

He was about to start sorting through the small vials and pouches in the chest, when a voice from the doorway of Grima's quarters fixed him to the spot.

"Faramir?"

I turned with him to look at the warrior standing there. The grime of the dungeons still clung to him and he looked tired and worried but the likeness to lady Eowyn was obvious and there was a sparkle in his eyes that could have been mirth as well as barely suppressed tears.

For a moment they both looked like they would jump each other never to let go again but then Faramir just nodded at Eomer and walked over to him to clasp his arm in a warrior's greeting.

"You look terrible, my friend." Faramir said and at that Eomer grinned widely.

"Yes, I suppose I would." He thoughtfully scratches his beard. "What are you doing here?"

Faramir smiled. "I think you know..."

Eomer nodded slowly and the familiarity between the two of them was as obvious as daylight. Almost unconsciously they moved off a bit to talk in private.

Curiously I looked over at lady Eowyn to see how she was reacting to this open display of affection and the fact that her brother had virtually ignored her. She had a small smile on her lips but there was also sadness in her eyes. Because her brother had not greeted her at all or because she had lost Faramir's attention so suddenly I could not say.

--

A few hours later, the four of us met in the throne room again. Eomer cleaned, Faramir looking even more tired after having mixed a potion for king Theoden, Eowyn tired as well as she probably had not slept this night either.

I had been talking to the captain of the men we had brought with us from Gondor. It was clear to me that I could not linger here in Rohan any longer. Now that the Uruk-Hai were on the move, I had to get back to Dol Amroth do ready my own troups for battle. They would be as dearly needed in Minas Tirith as the Rohirrim.

So I arrived last in the great hall and in the middle of the argument raging between Eomer and Faramir with Eowyn standing by looking somewhat amazed.

"She must stay safe!" Eomer was just saying. "Didn't I tell you again and again how dear she is to my heart. I can not risk anything happening to her. Especially after leaving her to the mercies of that snake. I won't allow it!"

"There is no sense in this at all." Faramir retorted, trying hard to remain calm but rapidly losing his cool after the long hours without sleep. "What's the sense of leaving her here? We will need every single sword arm that we have in the coming fight. If we lose, she will be left in a world ruled by utter evil. Do you want that? I'd rather see her die honorably in battle!"

I realized that they must be discussing lady Eowyn, who was quietly watching as well.

"What if she gets hurt in battle?"

"What if I get hurt in battle?! It's danger to all of us. Do you want me to stay behind as well?"

"Yes..." The word was quiet, defeated. And there was much pain in Eomer's eyes as he looked at Faramir. "I want both of you to be safe."

"You know that you can't have that." Faramir replied, his hand gently taking Eomer's. "Your sister has as much strength as you or I. To know her guarding your back will ease my mind. And I swear I will protect her with my life."

Now Eowyn finally spoke. "Brother, you know that you can't chain me here. I will follow. Whether openly at your side or hidden away I do not care. I will fight."

Eomer looked from his sister to Faramir in quiet despair. "If I lose either of you... I hate this fear in my heart."

At this Eowyn stepped forward and hugged her brother close. After a moment of hesitation Faramir followed suite, wrapping his arms around both Eomer and Eowyn, the three of them leaning theit heads against each other, drawing comfort and strength from the closeness of the other two.

I waited till they had parted again, each looking still tired and harried but strengthend as well. Then I cleared my throat to let them know I was there. They drew apart immediately as if in silent agreement not to let anybody know about their feelings for each other. Not knowing that I had been there all the time. I didn't cue them.

Instead I told them of my plans to take the men from Gondor to Dol Amroth and leave Faramir here, to help them organize a quick muster of the forces of Rohan. They agreed readily, probably glad to be rid of my additional watchful eyes.

So I parted ways with Faramir the same afternoon with hope in my heart as we had accomplished what we had been send out to do. Rohan was free of Saruman's influence and would aid Gondor in the fight against Mordor. But with dread as well, thinking of the coming battles, wondering if we had any chance to win against the overwhelming odds stakes against us. And even if we did win, how many of us would be left to see it?

 

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