"Who's the old guy?" asked one of the Guardsmen

"Who's the winged-woman" asked Gimli, simultaneously

The two groups looked at each other, eyes narrowed and somewhat in disbelief.

"It cannot be…" said Aragorn, "you fell…"

Gandalf's smile fell noticeably, and he grasped a small icon around his neck, a stylized two-headed eagle. He then spoke again, saying, "Through fire. And water" then seemed to be looking far away as he continued, "from the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought the Balrog of Morgoth. Till at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time…"

Then Gandalf's mouth raised into a smile once again, and he gestured to the radiant form of the Living-Saint beside him, saying, "Celestine is the one who is to thank for my return."

"How?" asked a voice behind Aragorn, as Sicarius walked to stand beside him. Aragorn would not have recognized his voice had he not seen the Space Marine's lips move. For his tone was colored by so much disbelief that it was unrecognizable.

It was now that the light that had birthed the pair faded and Aragorn could see at least two dozen more figures behind them, all female and dressed in a manner similar to the winged-woman, evidently named Celestine. Yet all were less impressive than her, and their armor was black and red, not a shining gold.

"Through the will of the Emperor" responded Celestine, speaking for the first time, "For He has seen the Chaos that will erupt from this world should this quest fail. This is why He sent myself" she gestured to her own form, then to Gandalf "The Wizard", then gesturing to the women behind her, "and my Sisters."

"Do not worry, Aragorn." spoke Gandalf suddenly, "I still serve the Valar." Noticing the Ranger's fearful expression, for if Gandalf was now to act like these Imperials…

"We all simply want the same things to pass" he finished.

"Our Emperor" spoke Celestine, again, "also knew that our people would not accept the Wizard, if there was not one of sufficiently high stature with him. For Chaos is coming, and we may be all that stands between victory and the laughter of thirsting gods."

Sicarius then, finally, decided to put his faith in those at his side…

The Outskirts of Fangorn… The company, now with fifteen of the Order of Our Martyred Lady, as well as Gandalf and Celestine, had made it to the point where they had entered the forest, and thus where they had left the Chimeras, in only minutes. Something the Guardsmen could only attribute to the Emperor.

As the men loaded up into their vehicles with Creed, Sicarius could not help but watch the Sisters of Battle board their Sororitas-Pattern Rhino with a grim smile. Suddenly Sicarius noticed that the Wizard was whistling, the sound echoing across the plains.

As the Wizard's whistle fell into silence there was an animal noise, two of the last Guardsmen to board the second Chimera grasped their Lasguns and looked around with tactical proficiency.

Then, from the direction of the plains came a white horse. Sicarius raised a single eyebrow, for this was obviously no ordinary animal. It practically radiated light, much like Saint Celestine. That it was 'special' would have been obvious to the greenest Cadian white-shield.

"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell" whispered Legolas, as the shining horse whinnied and nuzzled Gandalf's outstretched hand.

"Shadowfax" the Wizard said, "He is the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers."

With that said the Wizard climbs gracefully onto the creature's back, whilst Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli clamber upon their mounts.

Lady Celestine gracefully lands upon Shadowfax's back, behind the wizard; and with everyone save Sicarius mounted, he walks to the third Chimera, where things have been shifted about so that he may fit in the vehicle, however uncomfortable it may be for all involved.

The men sat at attention as Sicarius sat upon an internal bench that, surprisingly, took his weight. Though it groaned in protest. The Guardsmen around him seemed to be awed, fearful, and flush with pride that a Space Marine Captain had chosen to ride in their vehicle, a great honor.

Within half-a-mile of Meduseld… The Sergeant of the Chimera that Sicarius rode in ducked his head out of the turret hatch, yelling, so as to be heard over the clamor of the vehicle, "We're approaching some sort of primitive walled compound, look's to be our destination! ETA, three minutes!"

The transports stopped a short while later, and as soon as the rear hatch was opened Sicarius climbed out and stretched his muscles, the vehicle having a roof far to short for him.

The Guardsmen and Sisters piled out of their vehicles, assuming rank-and-file formation as they did so. Sicarius took no notice, however, as he made a B-line to the figures dismounting their horses, Creed already being amongst them.

"Why are we here Wizard?" asked Sicarius tersely.

"This is the capital city of the realm of Rohan, and we are here to free their King's mind, which has been overthrown." said Gandalf, who then looked at Sicarius, Saint Celestine, Creed, and the three Astra Militarum Sergeants, "I do not wish to overly frighten the populace, so I would be most appreciative if you conceal your… unique features; and follow my lead."

So, it was that, with a little trepidation, that Sicarius took off his helmet, placing it in the third Chimara. Where the crew treated it as reverently as the Mechanicus treated pieces of archeotech. He then pulled the Elven cloak tightly about himself and cast its hood over his head.

By the time Sicarius returned to the command group Creed had already donned a cameleoline cloak, Celstine had folded her wings tightly about her body and now wore two cameleoline cloaks. The Sergeants concealed themselves similar to Creed.

Gandalf smiled and nodded, then proceeded to lead the group of nine to the gates of the city. The gates were slow in opening, so slow that Sicarius thought seriously about 'helping' them move faster. But then they were open, the group walked past many simple villagers, who would not look out of place on a Feudal World. Most expressing awe towards Gandalf, and fear of Sicarius, for he may have concealed his features, but could do nothing about his size.

The group quickly found itself before the gates of the Golden Hall. Where they were met by guards.

Gandalf smiled at the guards, who did not return the gesture. One, likely the captain of the guard, wearily and warily said, "I cannot allow you before Theoden-King so heavily armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of… Grima Wormtongue."

Sicarius instantly thought that he may have to simply crush this man's skull. But then, and to his complete surprise, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas began to hand over their weapons. It took several moments but Sicarius and the others of the Imperium, grudgingly, handed over their weapons. Which were all leaned carefully against a wall.

Once the group was, seemingly, disarmed, Gandalf smiled and looked ready to enter.

The Guard Captain gave him a quizzical look and said, "Now, your staff?"

Gandalf immediately adopted a weary look, and replied, "You would not part an old man from his walking stick."

Creed smirked, on of his sergeants chuckled lightly and Aragorn smiled. For as disparate a group as they were, they all knew that the stick was no mere walking-staff.

The Guard gave Gandalf a serious look and again Sicarius thought of skull-crushing. But the guard turned to one side and let the group through.

The party entered a darkened hall and Sicarius began to san for tactical advantages and potential enemies, of which he found several; at least fifteen dark-haired thuggish looking men skulking in the shadows.

"The courtesy of your hall has lessened of late, Theoden King." spoke Gandalf.

The haggard man upon a crude throne at the end of the hall, sitting next to a man who could best compared to looking like a weasel, said haltingly, as if in a voice not his own, "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"

With that the Weasel-man stood and strode towards them, whilst saying, "A just question my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear, lath-spell I name him! Ill news is an ill guest!"

Gandalf then retorted sharply and with great authority, "Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth! I have not passed through fire and death to bandy creed words with a witless worm!"

Then the wizard brandished his staff, the weasel-man's face instantly went from a sneer to pure fear. "His staff" he stuttered, "I told you to take the Wizard's staff!"

Then the thuggish men in the side alcoves rushed the party.

Before the men even reached our heroes they cast off their cloaks.

Sicarius's size alone was enough to panic two men, though they didn't have time to escape, Sicarius snapped one's neck with a blow to the head and crushed the chest of another by striking his torso.

Creed quickly disarmed and then beat to the ground two men while his captains each disabled their closest attackers.

Celestine, when she threw off her cloak and unfurled her wings caused such astonishment in the five men who charged her, looking for an easy kill, that they were stunned long enough for Sicarius, Creed and the two Sergeants to beat them senseless.

When Sicarius looked up from the scuffle, he saw the abhuman Gimli with his foot on the Wesel-man's chest, saying lowly and harshly, "I'd stay still if I were you."

Gandalf himself, was standing before the haggard form of Theoden King, he then said in a commanding voice, "Harken to me!"

The reaching out he said, "I release you, from the spell…"

Nothing happened, and the old form of the king laughed, "You have no power here! Gandalf the Grey!"

It was then that Gandalf threw off his cloak and the king was suddenly pinned to the throne by the emanating light.

"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." Then, manipulating his staff, the kind was thrown against the back of his throne.

Out of the corner of his eye Sicarius saw Aragorn grab the arm of a young woman who attempted to intervene, whispering to her, "Wait."

The King then forced his head forward and spat, in a voice not his own, "If I go, Theoden dies!"

"You did not kill me! You will not kill him!" Gandalf shot back.

"Rohan is mine!" rasped the voice.

"Begone!" shouts Gandalf.

Then, in a last ditch effort the king threw his body forward, but Gandalf placed his staff to the man's head and with an explosion of light, whatever had been controlling the king fled on the wind.

The body of the old man fell limply and moaning against his throne.

Aragorn released the arm of the girl, who ran to the old man's side, likely his daughter, thought Sicarius.

The king opened his eyes and began to breathe heavily, scanning his eyes about the room. Miraculously, his features became more regal and less haggard as the effects of whatever magic that had controlled him wasted away.

"I know your face." whispered the king, cupping the young woman's face.

"Eowyn" he said, then repeated the name.

Gandalf, who stood silently by moved and attracted the attention of the king, "Gandalf?" the king said, as If seeing him for the first time.

"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf said.

The king shakily rose and looked about him. "Your fingers would remember their strength better, if they grasped your sword." suggested Gandalf.

A man walked over with a sword-in-scabbard, the king reached trepidatiously out and slowly drew it from its scabbard.

The weasel-man made a small noise as Gimli released him, and then Theoden pinned im with a wrathful glare.

Next thing anyone knew, the man was being bodily thrown down the steps to the royal hall.

The king quickly stalked down the steps after the traitor.

"I have only ever, served you, my lord" said the bloody-lipped traitor, trying to bargain for his life.

"Your leechcraft!" spat the king, "would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"

"Send me not from your sight!" the man attempted once again to save his skin.

The king raised his sword above his head, and in a move that made no sense whatsoever to the Imperium's finest, Aragorn stopped him, saying, "No my lord! No my lord, enough blood has been shed on his account."

However one of the Sergeants didn't hear him, and as the traitorous-weasel-man attempted to flee. The well-trained, and accurate Guardsman shot him dead with a pinpoint shot from mis lasgun.

Before Aragorn could throw the soldier a dirty look he heard the king speak again, "Where is Theodred, where is my son?"