The company climbs up the stairs to the hall and is met by guards.

Gandalf : Ah.

Háma : I cannot allow you before Théoden-King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Gríma Wormtongue.

Gandalf nods in understanding and signals for the others to surrender their weapons. Aragon hands over his sword and knives. Legolas gives a little twirl to his knives before handing them over to the guards. Gimli hands over his axes reluctantly.

Háma : Your staff.

Gandalf : Hmm? Oh. You would not part an old man from his walking stick?

Háma hesitates for a second and then gestures that they follow him into the hall. Gandalf gives Aragorn a tiny wink and enters the hall, leaning on Legolas' arm.

Gríma : <Leaning down and whispering to Théoden.> My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe.

Gandalf : The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King.

As Gandalf approaches Théoden, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli pull back and survey the hall and its hostile occupants. A group of men starts to follow their steps with hostility.

Gríma : <Whispering to Théoden.> He's not welcome.

Théoden : Why should I… welcome you, Gandalf… Stormcrow? <Looks to Gríma for affirmation.>

Gríma : A just question, my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.

Gandalf : 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 raises his staff against Gríma.>

Gríma : His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!

<The hostile guards attack. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli engage them in a fist-fight as Gandalf continues to approach Théoden. Gamling tries to go forward but Háma holds him back.>

Gandalf : Théoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the shadows.

<Gríma tries to crawl away unnoticed, but Gimli catches him and pins him to the floor.>

Gimli : I would stay still, if I were you.

Gandalf : Hearken to me! I release you from the spell.

Théoden : Hahahhhahahahah! You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!

<Gandalf throws back his grey cloak, exuding blinding white light. Théoden is thrown back against his seat.>

Théoden : Argh!

Gandalf : I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound.

<Éowyn rushes in. Seeing her uncle threatened, she tries to go to him but is held back by Aragorn.>

Aragorn : Wait.

Théoden : <In Saruman's voice.> If I go. . . Théoden dies.

Gandalf : You did not kill me, you will not kill him!

Théoden : <in Saruman's voice> Rohan is mine!

Gandalf : Be gone!!

<Gandalf smites Théoden as he lunges at him. Théoden is thrown back into the chair and sending Saruman flying backwards from the Palantír which he used to manipulate Théoden. He lands hard on the floor of Orthanc, bleeding from a gash in his forehead. In the hall, Théoden lets out a moan and slumps forward in the chair. Éowyn runs to her uncle's side as he falls. Théoden's head rises again and his face begins to change gradually into that of a much younger-looking man. Clarity and recognition returns to his eyes.>

Théoden : <Looks closely at Éowyn> I know your face. Éowyn… Éowyn.

Théoden : Gandalf?

Gandalf : Breathe the free air again, my friend.

Théoden : Dark have been my dreams of late. <He looks down at his trembling hands.>

Gandalf : Your fingers would remember their old strength better... if they grasped your sword.

<Háma runs up with his sword. Théoden reaches for it with trembling hands. He wraps his fingers around it slowly and then draws it, gazing upon the shiny steel.

In a corner, Gríma trembles and tries to escape but is pulled back by Gimli. Suddenly, Théoden's gaze turns to Gríma.

Gríma is thrown out of the hall and down the stairs.>

Gríma : Argh!.... I've only ever served you, my lord!

Théoden : Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!

Gríma : Send me not from your side.

<Théoden raises his sword to kill Gríma. Aragorn holds him back.>

Aragorn : No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account.

<Gríma scrambles to his feet and pushes through the crowd>

Gríma : Get out of my way!

Háma : Hail, Théoden king!

<The crowd kneels in homage before Théoden. Aragorn kneels also. Gríma rides out of Edoras. As Théoden turns to go back into the hall, he looks up.>

Théoden : Where is Théodred? Where is my son?

.....

 

 

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