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at the gate of Mesuldel gandalf and his frreinds are met wiht guards. The white wizard smiles friendly at the captain, Háma, but his expression is stone. "I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of... Gríma Wormtongue." he says, pausing a little as if the snake's name fills his mouth with ill taste. Gandalf thinks a few seconds before looking to his comrades and giving them a nod. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli give their weapons to the guards. They all hear the hissing of Tatsuo in their minds but don't question it. Háma looks at the white wooded staff in Gandalf's hands, then back at the wizard. "Your staff." Gandalf glances at his team and then feigns innocence. "Eh? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?" 

The guard thinks for a moment, then gives Gandalf a knowing look letting them pass. The moment they walk in, Gandalf meets Aragorn's eyes, giving him a slight wink. Háma and his comaopnuions lead the others into teh golden hall, dull and not as it should be. No life, no joy burns in the fires that light the room. Nothing is as it should be. The king is wired, and many older people can be fooled if they do not know his age. Beside him sits the man of lies pale as snow and oily to the touch. He who only spits lies, no truth shall come to form the tongue of the snake. "My lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. He is a herald of woe." Gríma, as they call this man whispers to the king, his lips thin in a sneer. 

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King." Gandalf anncohes his presence, his voice solid and proud just like a wizard of this status should be. but the king answers gravely with a representative of a crow, "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Gríma whispers to the king softly, "A just question my liege." he then stands, addressing the 4. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell, I name him. Ill news is an ill guest." but Gandalf will not have such notice. "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!" he hisses calmly, brandishing his staff that rumbles with magic. The snake at once recoils, fear evident in his eyes, and he cries out, "His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

The guards engage, but gandlaf is not bothered by them. His friends can take care of them. He walks toward the quivering and scowling king, who glares at the stronger foe. "Théoden, Son of Théngel. Too long have you sat in the shadows." meanwhile, Gríma tries to run away, but Gimli quickly knocks him down, making the man gasp. The dwarf turns the once man of Rohan to his back, growling, "I would stay still if I were you." Gandalf addresses teh king fiercely, "Harken to me! I release you from the spell." he then closes his eyes, one hand stretched forward. 

But the spell is not easily broken, and Théoden laughs Saruman's voice coming forth, "you have no power here, Gandalf Greyhame!" this angers the white wizard, and he throws back his gray robes reavling the shining cloak beneath. This startles the king, and he leans back on his throne. "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," Gandalf says calmly. he points his staff at Théoden, who squirms on his throne. from the back of the throne room, Èowyn rushes, trying to get to her uncle, but Aragorn stops her. "Wait." she does as he says. "If I go — Théoden dies." saruman hisses but gandlaf is not faced. "You did not kill me. You will not kill him, " he says, and Saurman hisses back, "Rohan is mine!" the fight stops as Gandalf finally tries to get out of the white wizard just as the king jumps up at him Gandalf, yelling, but flies back. Saruman is purged. 

tis time when the lady of the golden hall tries to get to her uncle, the heir of Isildur, lets her. the fair lady grabs her uncle before he can fall to the floor as his face begins to change, and soon he looks normal again. His now clear eyes meet Èowyn's. A smile comes over his face. "I know your face. Èowyn — Èowyn," he says, and his niece smiles back, tears already pooling in her eyes. she then helps him up, and he sees who freed him from the sickness for the first time since his be freeing. "Gandalf?" the white wizard smiles a kind and welcoming smile at his old friend and says, "Breathe the free air again, my friend." the king looks round, narrowing his eyes in a slight frown. "Dark have been my dreams of late." he looks down at his fingers and hands, feeling slightly numb. gandlaf catches this and says wisely, "Your fingers would remember their old strength better — if they grasped your sword." soon, Háma comes with it handing it to his king with awe and fear in his eyes. King draws it. 

He examines his sword and then suddenly turns his gaze to a cowering snake. 

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