Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Two Gundams ❯ Edoras ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Edoras

Edoras was a collection of beautiful wooden structures built atop a commanding butte in the middle of a flood plain. The main hall was decorated with beaten gold and painted in bright colors.

“It's pretty,” Treize remarked, “but one dragon could reduce the place to a smoldering ruin in no time. Don't dragons exist in this world?”

“They do,” said Gimli in a grim voice, “but we dwarves have made it our life's work to rid the world of their evil.”

“Dragons aren't evil,” Wu-Fei said. “They just have a different world view than men. It gives them different goals.”

“If it is your goal to burn cities to the ground and pillage them for their gemstones and precious metals,” Gimli growled, “then I suppose you could call them not evil.” He scowled at Wu-Fei, waiting for him to justify such a goal.

“Well,” Wu-Fei said, “it's not something I would be interested in doing, but I imagine there are others who would like to do that.”

“Yeah, pretty much every society in the history of Earth,” Zechs said. “If your enemy has it and you want it, it's pretty easy to justify wiping him out so you can take it.”

“Take what?” Alexa asked.

“Whatever it is you want and don't have that someone else has.”

“That's not nice,” Alexa said sagely. “If you want something you don't have, you should either make it, buy it or trade for it.”

“Very wisely spoken, Alexa,” Aragorn said. “If all in the world held such a belief, there would be no war.”

“Except for the crazy people,” Duo put in. “The nutcases will always start wars for the hell of it.”

“That's true.”

“We should take care in Edoras,” Gandalf interrupted. “I fear Saruman has a tight hold on King Théoden. I don't know what we will face there.”

“In that case, Roku, maybe you should be human for now,” Quatre said. “If we don't know what we're going to run into, having a giant talking tiger in our midst might not be the best thing.”

“Ok.” Roku shimmered into human form, much to the relief of the horses, and clambered up behind Quatre.

They rode up the steep slope into the town, winding their way around the hill until they came out on top, facing the wide stone foundations of the main hall.

“It reminds me of Valhalla,” Trowa said.

“I'm glad you said that,” Quatre replied. “I was just thinking that these horsemen remind me of the heroes of Valhalla.”

“There's definitely a resemblance.”

They climbed the steps to a wide landing and were met by grim looking men.

“You must leave your weapons here,” one said.

“You know us, Halma,” Aragorn said. “This is Gandalf the Grey, a friend for many years of King Théoden. You know we bring no threat to your door.”

Halma shifted uncomfortably. “I know,” he said quietly, “but these orders come from Grima Wormtongue, who sits at the king's right hand these days.”

“Ah,” Aragorn said. He nodded to the others and began removing his weapons. Legolas handed over his bow and knives, and Gimli his axe. Treize and Zechs gave up their swords.

Heero handed over a couple of knives while blinking innocently. Everyone looked at him. He scowled and handed over three more knives. Duo tapped a foot. “Fine!” Heero snapped. He produced four more knives and crossed his arms angrily.

Halma blinked in surprise. “Where…” he began

“Don't ask,” Wu-Fei said. He handed over his kitana.

“Should I get out my weapons, too?” Roku asked.

“You don't have any weapons!” Quatre interrupted sharply.

“But what about the mobile suit?”

“You said it was stripped down.”

“Mostly.”

Quatre glared at him. “You have no weapons!”

“Ok,” Roku said uncertainly. He held out his empty hands to the guards and smiled.

“Very well,” Halma said. “You may enter.” He led the way inside. An assortment of unsavory-looking horsemen kept them hemmed in as they walked into the central chamber. The high roof was supported by rows of pillars topped with carved horse heads.

“It smells in here,” Alexa whispered to Roku.

“It's the king,” Roku whispered back. “I don't think he's bathed in a really long time.”

“Ew!”

“You sure it's not him?” Duo muttered with distaste as an oily man oozed forward from his seat beside the king.

“You are not welcome here, Gandalf,” he said, his high-pitched voice as oily as his appearance.

“Be silent, Grima,” Gandalf snorted. “I am here to speak with Théoden King!” He waved his staff and the king flinched in pain.

“You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!” Théoden wheezed. “My hold on the king is unshakable!”

“We'll see about that,” Gandalf said. He waved his staff twice more and each time, Théoden winced and writhed in pain.

“Stop!” A woman's voice cried. “You're hurting him!” She dashed forward, but Aragorn caught her before she could interfere.

Gandalf waved his staff again and Théoden cried out, pushing back into his throne with a horrible grimace. Then he uttered a hoarse laugh. Gandalf scowled.

Duo's brow wrinkled. “That's really weird.”

“What is?” Wu-Fei asked.

“I can hear two people in his head. One is really loud and the other sounds kind of smothered, but there are definitely two people.”

“One of them must be Saruman,” Quatre said.

“Probably the loud one,” Trowa agreed.

“Ok,” Duo said. “I'll try to evict him. Cover your brains; there might be backlash.” He closed his eyes and frowned in concentration.

“Cover our brains?” Wu-Fei murmured.

Théoden abruptly yelped in surprise and pain. Then he slumped down on his throne like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Everyone else in the room grunted. A few people rubbed their foreheads.

“Sorry about that,” Duo said. “It's hard to make that unidirectional.”

The woman broke free from Aragorn's hold and rushed to Théoden's side. “Uncle!” she cried. “Uncle! Are you all right?”

Théoden stared blankly at her for a long moment and then rasped hoarsely. “Niece?”

“Yes!” she cried softly. “I am Eowyn. Your niece!”

“Eowyn.” Théoden gazed at her and slowly his eyes regained focus and sanity. “What has happened?” he said weakly. “My memory is… unclear.”

“Saruman clouded your mind,” Gandalf exclaimed. “But now you are free of him.”

“Saruman?” Théoden's eyes suddenly fixed on Grima, who had been trying unobtrusively to sneak out. Grima made a break for it and Gimli knocked him to the ground, planting a firm foot in the middle of Grima's scrawny chest. “Traitor!” Théoden cried. “Your evil magic is responsible for this!”

“No, Sire!” Grima cried. “I live only to serve you!”

“Well, your service is no longer required!” Théoden snatched up a big sword, with twin horse heads as a guard, and tottered toward Grima, ready to mete out some royal justice.

“Stay your hand, Sire,” Aragorn said, catching Theoden's fist. “This worm is not worth your wrath. Cast him out. We have other devils to face.”

Théoden strained briefly against Aragorn's restraining hand, but his wasted muscles had no power in them. He let the sword drop, but his glower never left Grima's terrified face. “Go! Get out of my kingdom!” he cried. “If I ever set eyes on you again, your life will be forfeit!”

“Eek!” Grima scrambled to his feet and scurried for the door, receiving several helpful kicks from laughing horsemen to move him along.

Théoden looked around. “I fear terrible things have happened while I've been under that evil spell.”

“Fell things have indeed occurred,” Gandalf said. “But it is not too late to stem the tide. We must take council at once.”

“I think the king should have a bath first,” Roku spoke up. He rubbed his nose. “His majesty is a little pungent.”

Alexa and Jett nodded vigorously.

“While that might not have been the most diplomatic way to phrase it,” Aragorn said, suppressing a smile, “I think Roku is right. I believe his majesty would benefit from a warm bath and a change of clothes before we sit down to discuss the issues facing us.” He glanced at Eowyn. “Lady Eowyn perhaps may wish to inform his majesty of some significant events in private.”

Eowyn gave him a grateful look. “You are a gentleman of great understanding, sir.” She took Théoden's arm. “Come, Uncle, let me help you.” She led Théoden away.

“Good call, Aragorn,” Duo said. He moved closer to the others and lowered his voice. “The king's son died recently and Théoden doesn't know yet. He'll probably want to be alone for a little while.”

“Ah,” the others murmured.

“I'm hungry,” Jett announced.

“Me, too,” Alexa echoed.

Zechs smiled sweetly at Halma. “Perhaps our hosts would like to provide us with a meal while we wait.”

Halma grinned. “It would be our pleasure,” he said heartily. “You've done us a great service freeing our king from Wormtongue. Although perhaps you'll forgive us if we do a little housekeeping first.” He turned abruptly and grabbed the throat of the man next to him. “There's some trash to take out.” He dragged the slowly strangling man toward the doors.

A brief but exciting struggle ensued as several other men were also ejected.

Halma returned, dusting off his hands and smiling broadly. “Now then, you were asking about a meal. This way, please.”

The people of Rohan knew how to put together a decent meal. Roasts of mutton, venison and assorted fowl, meat pies, fresh bread and lots of ale covered the tables.

Duo's eyes lit up. “Finally!” he exclaimed. “Real food! None of that wimpy elven crap!” He plopped down and helped himself to an entire roast chicken. “I'll start here!”

“Me, too, Papa!” Jett shrieked. Dust filtered from the rafters.

Duo shoved a chunk of roast mutton into her hands. “Less noise, more eating,” he ordered. Jett complied with alacrity.

Everyone else joined them with a little more decorum. Gimli started by quaffing an entire tankard of ale before grabbing a mutton leg to munch on.

“Roku, quit eating like a tiger,” Quatre admonished absently.

“Huh?” Roku looked up from where he had pinned a chunk of venison to the table with his hands so he could rip at it with his teeth. “But Gimli's eating like this.”

Quatre sighed. “Then quit eating like Gimli.”

Eowyn returned while they were still eating, her face grave. “I am afraid my uncle will not be able to meet with you this evening,” she said. “His long ordeal has left him exhausted.”

“That is unfortunate,” Gandalf said. “We are pressed by urgent matters.”

“I understand,” Eowyn replied. “But please give my uncle a little more time.”

“Of course.”

“Will you join us, my lady?” Aragorn asked.

Eowyn smiled shyly. “In my uncle's absence, it is my place to serve as your hostess.” She took a seat next to Aragorn. “I have borne much of that responsibility while my uncle was ill.”

“He wasn't ill, technically,” Duo pointed out. “He was possessed. Although possession by a living person rather than a dead one is a little unusual.”

“He was under Saruman's control,” Gandalf interjected. “But he will not be able to reestablish that link now that it's been broken.” Gandalf gazed at Duo speculatively. “Now Rohan is faced with defending itself from Saruman's forces. It is this task which we must discuss with Théoden.”

“I see,” Eowyn answered. “But nevertheless, it will have to wait until tomorrow.” She returned her shy smile to Aragorn's face. “Tonight I will do my meager best to entertain you.”

Legolas scowled at her. “He's spoken for, you should now.”

Eowyn started. “I beg your pardon?” She looked from Legolas to Aragorn. “Are you… ah… close acquaintances?”

“Not like that!” Legolas yelped. “I mean, there's a woman…”

“Hush, Legolas,” Aragorn said. “I'm sure Lady Eowyn only means to be hospitable.”

“Totally,” Duo muttered.

“Of course,” Legolas said, his cheeks flushed.

Alexa tugged at Zechs' sleeve. “Mommy, can we take a bath?”

“You'd better ask Lady Eowyn.”

“Of course you may have a bath,” Eowyn said with a charming smile.

“Us, too?” Roku asked, touching Jett's arm.

“Yes, everyone,” Eowyn said. “We have a large bathing chamber. I'll go tell the kitchen to start boiling water.” She glided from the room.

“When she said everyone,” Treize said, eyeing Zechs, “do you suppose she really meant all of us? I'd love to have a bath myself.”

“Why are you looking at me?” Zechs demanded.

“I thought maybe we could wash each other.”

Zechs rolled his eyes. “It's all about getting into my pants, isn't it?”

“What better way to wind up a hard journey?”

“I love the way you think, Lord Kushranada,” Duo grinned. He lifted his eyebrows at Wu-Fei. “Would you like to have your back oiled?”

Wu-Fei sighed. “Sadly, I would.”

“I think I know how this evening is going to end up,” Quatre remarked.

“It has been a while,” Trowa noted.

“Not you, too.”

“All these columns have given me an idea for a new position.”

“No!” Quatre squeaked. “No new positions!”

“It'll be really easy, I think.”

“Easy for whom?!”

“Well, me, mostly, but I think you could manage it.”

Quatre hung his head. “Just make sure I can still ride a horse in the morning.”

“Absolutely.”

Meanwhile, half a continent or so away, Hadeya, Frodo, Sam and Gollum emerged from the marshes and made their way through low, rocky hills covered in sharp, serrated grass.

“The Black Gate,” Gollum whined fearfully, inching up a steep slope on his belly. “It is just beyond! Careful! Careful!”

Everyone flattened down against the hill and crawled up until they could peak over the crest. On the far side, the slope dropped off sharply to an open plain split by a hard-packed, dusty road. An army marched down that road, the tips of their spears glittering in the harsh sunlight. Beyond the plain, sheer cliffs rose up like the walls of a giant city, and in the center of those cliffs, where the road terminated, were two enormous black gates.

“Well, that's a sight,” Hadeya remarked.

A horn sounded, followed by shouts and the loud crack of whips. They could see two huge trolls being driven to operate the gate mechanism and the great gates slowly slid apart.

“Impressive,” Hadeya murmured.

“We need to get down there!” Frodo said. “Now's our chance, while the gates are open!”

“Are you nuts?!” Hadeya exclaimed. “There's an army down there!”

“We can follow them in!” Frodo said. “Our elven cloaks will hide us!”

“I don't think so.”

“But we have to get into Mordor!”

Sam crawled closer to the edge and looked over. “I think I see a way down,” he said. He moved just a little farther and promptly started to fall. “Ah!”

Hadeya caught one of his hairy feet and pulled him back. “Do you mind?” he snapped. “I would prefer not to get caught.”

Sam blushed sheepishly. “Sorry!”

Gollum whimpered and made that nasty swallowing sound. “Not that way!” he whined. “Too many eyes! He'll see us!” He shuddered.

“But how else are we to get in?” Frodo demanded.

“There's another way!” Gollum said. “A secret way!”

Hadeya glared at him. “You know a better way in but you brought us here anyway?”

“Master said take him to the Black Gate!” Gollum whined. “I did what Master said!”

“I should have slit your throat,” Hadeya grumbled. “What a complete waste of time. How far is it to this secret entrance?”

“Not far!” Gollum nodded vigorously, starting to slide back down the hill. “Gollum will show you! It's much better! Much safer! Come! Come!”

Hadeya rolled his eyes. “I knew having a muttering madman as a guide would be bad.”

They had to divert nearly back to the edge of the swamp to avoid the road with the army marching down it, but eventually they ended up in some fairly nice country of rolling, tree and shrub covered hills.

“This is a definite improvement,” Hadeya said.

“I agree,” Sam said. “Maybe we could have a bit of a fire and bite of warm food,” he added hopefully.

“Why not?” Hadeya picked up a dry branch. “This stuff should burn without making much smoke. Let's pick a spot.”

So he and Sam found a nice campsite near a tiny stream and built a small fire. Sam filled a pot with water and put it on to boil. “Some meat sure would be nice,” he said wistfully.

Gollum skittered into camp with a couple of rabbits dangling from his jaws. “Look, Master!” he cried, dropping the rabbits in Frodo's lap. “Rabbits!”

“Ugh!” Frodo cried.

“Get away from him!” Sam cried. He shooed Gollum away and retrieved the rabbits, his eyes gleaming. “I know just what to do with these!” He whipped out his belt knife.

“What are you doing?!” Gollum squealed. “You're ruining them!”

“Oh, shut up!” Sam snapped. He proceeded to skin and cut up the rabbits so he could put them in his pot of water. “I have some spices, but that's it, I'm afraid. So it will be rabbit soup rather than stew, but that beats the alternatives.”

“Works for me,” Hadeya said.

Later, having not eaten much, Frodo wandered off while Sam and Hadeya cleaned up.

“Sam!” Frodo called. “Come quick!”

“What is it, Mr. Frodo?” Sam cried worriedly. He hurried to where Frodo was lying on his belly looking at something through a screen of underbrush. Sam pushed up next to hm. “Oh!”

“What are you looking at?” Hadeya asked. He squeezed in next to them. “Oh, wow!”

In a valley below them, another army was marching through, accompanied by oversized elephants.

“It's an oliphaunt, Mr. Frodo!” Sam exclaimed. “No one will ever believe it!” The two exchanged amazed glances, which turned to shock when arrows suddenly flew out of the underbrush on all sides of them, decimating the ranks of the army below them.

“Shit!” Hadeya exclaimed. “This is the worst quest ever!” He grabbed each hobbit by an arm. Gollum was nowhere in sight. “Let's go!” But they didn't get far. Men suddenly rose up all around them with drawn bows. Hadeya hung his head. “Father would be completely disgusted with me,” he grumbled.

One of the bowmen approached them, his eyes sliding curiously over their elven cloaks. “These lands are forbidden to travelers,” he said. “What brings you here?”

“We're just passing through,” Hadeya said quickly. “We don't mean to cause any trouble.”

The bowman smirked. “Well, trouble is what you've found. It is my duty to patrol this region and keep it free of vermin.” His eyes moved pointedly to the dead soldiers in the valley below. “Give me a reason why I shouldn't class you as such?”

“We're on a quest!” Frodo said hastily. “It's a secret quest commissioned by Lord Elrond of Rivendell. You would do well not to interfere with us!” His attempt to sound ominous was less than successful given his small stature and rather high-pitched voice.

The bowman just lifted an eyebrow. “Oh, really? I think I would like to hear more. Bind their hands,” he ordered one of his companions. “We'll take them with us.”

They were led quickly across country and then blindfolded so they could not see the secret hideout of the bowman. But once they were inside the hidden cave, their hands were freed and their blindfolds removed.

“Now then,” the lead bowman said. “Tell me about your quest.” An unhappy look crossed his face.

“Why should we tell you?” Hadeya snapped. “Did you miss the part where my companion said it was a secret?”

The bowman crossed his arms. “Recently, my brother went to Rivendell to take council with Lord Elrond.”

“Your brother?” Hadeya studied his face. “You are Boromir's brother?”

“That is correct. I am Faramir of Gondor, second son of the Steward of Gondor.” He leaned toward them. “Several nights ago I had a dream in which I saw my brother floating dead in the river. What do you know of this?”

“Boromir dead?!” Frodo squeaked. “He was alive when I last saw him!”

“He's not dead,” Hadeya added decisively. “He got shot full of orc arrows and probably would have died, but my half-brother fixed him. He was going to go back to Minas Tirith, I think.”

“In truth?!” Relief flooded Faramir's face. “I had feared the worst! My brother and I have been close since childhood and that dream left me with the most terrible feeling. I don't know what I'd do if I could not enjoy my brother's close companionship again. But,” he drew himself up and took on a stern expression, “now that you know who I am, perhaps you will grant me the courtesy of telling me about your quest.”

“In front of fewer ears would be nice,” Hadeya responded.

“Very well.” Faramir led them into a corner. He lifted an eyebrow at Hadeya.

Hadeya clapped a hand on Frodo's shoulder. “Frodo here is in possession of a ring of power. We're charged with the task of tossing it into the volcano in the middle of Mordor.”

“A ring of power?” Faramir fixed his eyes on Frodo. “There can only be one ring of power that would require such a fate. The One Ring of Sauron.”

“That would be it.”

“And how did you plan to get into Mordor?”

“Ah, well…”

“Perhaps you had a guide?” Faramir said pointedly. “A skinny, unpleasant-looking fellow, maybe?”

“There was no one else!” Frodo said hastily.

Hadeya put a hand over his face. “It's obvious he saw him, Frodo. Let's not dig ourselves in any deeper. That scummy creature is our guide. He says there's a back way into Mordor.”

“He does?” Faramir blinked in surprise. “There is a way in, but it is very dangerous.”

“More dangerous than walking through the front gate?”

Faramir chuckled. “Probably not. Well, it's your quest, so I'll not interfere. But I would urge you not to get caught. If Sauron gets the ring, we will all die hideous deaths.”

“We'll try to avoid that.”

“Well,” Faramir said, “the news of my brother has cheered me greatly. Perhaps I will go look for him. In the meantime, you can rest the night here and dine with us. Tomorrow, I can put you on the path to the back entrance.”

“We'd appreciate that.”

“Wait here. My men and I have other business to attend to. I'll come for you when it's time to eat.”

“Thanks.”

Faramir walked off, and when he was out of earshot, Frodo grabbed Hadeya's arm.

“Are you sure it was a good idea to tell him all that?” Frodo whispered anxiously. “What if he tries to take the ring, like Boromir did?”

“It takes time for the ring to tempt people, apparently,” Hadeya replied. “If he lets us go tomorrow, I don't think we'll have any problems. Besides, I trust him. He's more concerned about his brother than anything else. I like a man with strong family ties.”

“Where do you suppose Gollum got to?” Sam asked.

Hadeya scowled. “It seems Gollum was paying more attention than I was,” he replied in annoyance, “and managed not to get caught. I'm sure he'll find us once we hit the road tomorrow.”

“That would be too bad,” Sam muttered.

“I know what you mean,” Hadeya agreed. “I would be extremely happy if I never had to listen to his whiny, irritating voice and nauseating noises ever again.”