Tale of Grima

Grima, son of Fulca, was orphaned at an early age. In her grief at the loss of her husband his mother sent Grima to be a ward of the court of Thengel, King of Rhohan. Thengel was a distant cousin of his father, therefore Grima was treated as a son in the court. he played with all the royal children and was educated in all the same subjects as the two sons of Thengel.

Grima's dark hair and eyes set him apart for the blond, fair skinned and light eyed people of the majority of the Rhoherrim. Grima's people were from the border area nearest to Gondor.
Grima and Theodwyn were of an age and therefore did many things together. They both were strong fighters but Grima never had his heart in the battle as did Theodred. He excelled in his studies even out stripping the future king, Theoden. King Thengel saw this as a plus and undertook to have Grima apprenticed to his court advisor to train in diplomacy. Theodred and Theoden both went to serve as soldiers of the Riddermark under the command of their uncle Deor, while Grima traveled with the adviser to the courts of Gondor and Rivendale.
It was during these travels that Grima became aware of the power of the three wizards of the Middle Earth, Saurumann, the white, Gandalf, the grey and Rothagast, the brown.
It was also at this time that the growing threat of the evil in the East was becoming evident. Because of this Theoden was brought in from the field and also apprenticed to the Court adviser for training in statecraft and the rules of Diplomacy.

Theoden married shortly after he was brought back to court and after a few years he had a son, Theodred. Theodwyn, also married, and had a son, Eomer and a daughter, Eowyn. In time the old King died and Theoden became king. He chose Grima as his court main advisor. It seemed a perfect match as they both had learned their statecraft from king Thengel and his court adviser. While the royal families grew, Grima seemingly had no interest in starting a life of his own. His work on the alliance of Gondor and Rhohan was instrumental in keeping the two countries free from the depredations of the Orcs that were getting bolder and bolder on both of their Eastern borders. It was while working with Denethor II, the Steward of Gondor, that he came to know Saurumann, the white, and the power of the Pallenteir.
The power of the white wizard and his knowledge of the dealing in other lands intrigued Grima. He started to seek out Saurumann’s advice at every opportunity.

The years passed the parents of Eomer and Eowyn were killed in an orc raid on their caravan as it returned from a trade mission from Gondor. Thus, they both became wards of King Theoden. Theoden had all three trained in the ways of combat and swordcraft. Eowyn excelled in swordcraft and wanted to join her brother and cousin in the riders. Theodred, Eomer and Eowyn grew into fine young citizens of Rhohan. Each well trained and ready to step into their roles at court. Both Theodred and Eomer both served as horse Soldiers of the Riddermark. Serving on the borders of the kingdom and began seeing firsthand that the orcs were becoming bolder and bolder. As they both tried to tell King Theoden about the situation they were dissuaded by Grima from upsetting the king as the death of his brother was still heavy on his mind. It was at this time that the cousins began to call Grima, Wormtongue. They felt that he was lying to the king but for what purpose they did not know.
Eowyn knew. She was now the hostess for King Theoden and saw every day the damage that Wormtongue's lies did to the court and the security of Rhohan. Her poise and beauty made her a popular personage at court and the object of many suitors, but she only had eyes for Theodred. She still held out hope that she could join them as a rider of the Riddermark.

Eowyn's admiration of Theodred upset Grima. In his jealousy he confided to Saurumann his hopes of marrying Eowyn and gaining the Throne of Rhohan for himself. Saurumann saw this need of Wormtongue as an opportunity to infiltrate the court of Theoden, to undermine the alliance of Rhohan and Gondor. Saurumann had fallen under the spell of Sauron by use of the Pallenteir. He saw himself as the heir apparent to the power of the ring and Sauron encouraged Saurumann. He helped Sauron by having Wormtongue divert troops from areas that the Orcs needed to travel. He had Wormtongue sow seeds of anger in the men of the mountains by telling lies of how King Theoden was taking their land and over taxing them. All of this led to more and more skirmishes with both men and orcs. This was all working out well, but Saruman had a plan of his own, hatched when he learned from Gandalf that a hobbit had the one ring. Saruman was going to get the ring for himself. He planned to rule middle earth alone. It was at one of these border skirmishes that Theodred was gravely wounded and returned to Edoras nearly dead. By this time, Theoden was so far under the influence of Saurumann that he did not even acknowledge that Theodred was his son. Both Eowyn and Eomer tried to convince Theoden that the kingdom was under attack. Wormtongue convinced the King that Eomer was a traitor and a proclamation was issued that Eomer and all that followed him were traitors to the crown. Eomer left Edoras and Eowyn with his band of loyal soldiers and began to ride patrol over as much of the Mark as they possibly could. It was during one of their sweeps that the came upon Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli searching for their lost companions. After aiding the three companions of the ring-bearer, Eomer continued to patrol.

Seeing the distress of Eowyn over the death of Theodred, Grima tried to convince her that he was her only hope to save herself and the kingdom from the ruin of spinsterhood and the evil of Sauron. She rebuffs him saying that never would she as a shield maiden of Rohan give into the evil of Sauron or to the vile advances of Grima Wormtongue. Wormtongue in a fit of anger goes back to the king and tries to convince him that even Eowyn has turned against him.

All looks like Saurumann is winning when Gandalf turns up and breaks the spell over Theoden by revealing that he was now the head of the council of wizards as Gandalf the white. Wormtongue is thrown out of the court of Edoras by Theoden. His life only spared by the mercy of Gandalf, who sends him on his way with a message for Saruman that his time was ending.

Wormtongue fled to Orthanc in the ring of Isengard where Saurumann was now planning to attack the land of Rhohan with all the might of his gathered forces. Even though he had lost his connection to the inner workings of the court at Edoras, Saurumann was still confident that he would get the one ring and defeat the men of Rohan. He sent out his Uruk-hai army the very next morning to lay siege to the fortress of helm's Deep, where Theoden and the Rhoherrim had taken refuge. Shortly after the Uruk-hai marched off to helm's Deep, the ring of Isengard is attacked by "Trees". They were Ents, also known as Tree Shepherds. The fury of the Ents knew no bounds and there was nothing that Saurumann could do but watch the Ents destroy all of his works. The first thing they did was destroy the dam that Saruman had built across the Angren River. This flooded all of the factory and blacksmith works that had been built under Isengard. Any orcs and remaining Uruk-hai either drowned or were killed trying to escape by the Ents and the tree that they had brought with them. Wormtongue and Saurumann were trapped in Orthanc by the flood waters and the angry Ents. After a few days Gandalf, Aragorn and the rest of the leaders from Helm's Deep arrive at Isengard at the request of Treebeard. as they approach Orthanc a missile flies out from an upper balcony nearly hitting Gandalf. It splashes into the water and slowly floats to the surface. Inside, an angry voice is heard but no words are understood, followed by a howl of pain and indignation. Saruman and Grima step out onto the balcony. "Have you come to gloat, Stormcrow, Wormtongue says. Gandalf does not answer but is watching as Pippin took picks up the round object. He says, "hand that here Pippin, it is not for you." After receiving the ball and carefully wrapping it in his cloak Gandalf turns back to Saruman and Wormtongue.

After asking Treebeard about what the Ents want done with them and receiving the answer to remove them from this country as fast as possible. Gandalf tells them both that they are free to leave and wander homeless until such time that they can find anyone that will shelter them. Wormtongue starts to protest but is roughly cuffed about the head by Saruman. Later that night the lower door of Orthanc opens slightly and two hooded and cloaked figures attempt to steal away. The Ents were prepared for this and Aragorn and Gimli stop the figures and remove all the treasure that they were trying to carry away into exile with them. Gimli had relieved Saruman of his staff.  Placing it on a rock he shattered it with his hammer, thus completely breaking the power of Saruman as a wizard. "You will leave us as beggars in the wilds, Saruman demands. But there is no answer as Aragorn and Gimli have silently stepped away leaving only the Ents that were to escort the pair to the nearest road away from Isengard and Fangorn Forest.

Wormtongue and Saruman headed West along the road, called the Greenway, that would eventually reach the Shire. At first, Wormtongue protested to Saruman that to head to the Shire was folly because there was nothing in the Shire but worthless hobbits. He was told then in no uncertain terms that if he wished he could go his own way. Wormtongue once again bowed to the wisdom of Saruman and followed. After about 4 weeks on the road without meeting any other travelers, Wormtongue began again to nag at Saruman about the direction of their travel. The food they had been allowed to take from Isengard was just about gone when up ahead on the road a cloud of dust could be seen. Unsure of the nature of the other travelers, they both ducked into the scrub on the verge. Soon several horses and riders escorting two large wagons loaded with supplies came into view. Saruman leaped up and Haled the wagons. The outriders, huge orcish looking men charged up to Saruman, halting within inches of trampling him. Bill Ferny, do not you recognize your benefactor, Saruman called out. The man addressed as Bill leaned from his saddle to get a clearer look at Saruman and called out Hey guys! It's Sharkey! What are you doing here?
Why aren’t you at Orthanc?
Saruman gave the men in the wagons a quick glance and said to turn the wagons around, we need to go see the chief. In quick order the wagons were turned and Saruman and Wormtongue were seated in the lead wagon and they were off to see the Chief. It seems that they were just outside of the town of Bree when the wagons picked them up. Bill Ferny and his teamsters were not welcome in the town ever since the incident of the Black Riders, so he and the teamsters stayed in a house outside the town gates. Saruman and Grima walked into the town gate shortly before it was secured at sundown and took rooms at the Prancing Pony. Ordering a bath and sumptuous meals for each of them to be brought to their rooms. Saruman did not wish to attract any attention to himself. Grima sneaked out of the room to get a pint in the barroom, as the evening wore on sitting in a dark corner he heard rumors of Elves heading to the grey havens every night. . He heard of the fall of Helm's Deep and how the bodies of the Uruk-hai army just up and disappeared in a cloud of dust and leaves. He heard that there was a king on the throne of Gondor and that the tower of Baradur had fallen in the eruption of mount Doom destroying everything in Mordor. All of these rumors greatly upset him and after he finished his second pint he quietly made his way to their room. Saruman was waiting for him and immediately berated him for risking their discovery for his pleasure. This angered him and at first he was not going to tell Saruman what he had learned but then decided to tell him in hopes that Saruman would change his plans and go to the South where they would most likely find those who had been friendly to Sauron and shelter from any of those possibly hunting those that aided Sauron. His tales fell on deaf ears, as Saruman declared that they were use the crazy imaginings of persons with nothing better to do than make up stories for the entertainment of the Bar crowd. They both settled down to sleep but Wormtongue could not get the nagging feeling of the truth of the tales out of his mind.

Early the next morning they had a big breakfast before the crowd started to filter back into the barroom and headed over to Bill Ferny's house. Once there they started out in the wagons for the shire about a 4 days ride to the Brandywine bridge. The countryside was beautiful and lush with fields ready for harvest. Along the road were apple trees heavy with fruit ripe for the picking. It made Wormtongue feel good to see that there were places in the world that were still untouched by the ravages of war. Wormtongue said something about the beauty of the countryside and the rich harvest to Saruman and only got an angry glare in return. As they drew closer to the Shire the air began to get smokier and the fields not as lush and Saruman seemed to perk up. At the big Iron Gate on the Brandywine Bridge, they were challenged by a group of hobbits carrying clubs. At first, Wormtongue thought that they were being turned back but as soon as Bill Ferny identified himself the huge gates at both ends of the bridge were thrown open for the wagons.
as they passed Sharkey, as Saruman now called himself, slipped into the rear of the wagon out of sight of the hobbit sherriffs.
Wormtongue heard a couple of the hobbits comment that why were they back so soon, Wasn't the goods being sent to the east for troops in the army of one of the Chief's benefactors?
Wormtongue wondered about that but and planned to ask Sharkey about it. After they crossed the bridge, they headed into the Shire on the main road to the town of Hobbiton according to the road sign they passed. The Shire was a dirty miserable place with narrow grey houses and tall smoking chimney's everywhere. What fields that where under cultivation were meager and barely had anything to harvest. There were no persons on the streets or in the fields working. Eventually we pulled up to a section of the shire with a crooked sign identifying it as the hill, and the house as Bag End. Sharkey got out of the wagon, Wormtongue followed up the path to the door. Sharkey told Bill to take the wagons back to the sheds, they would see about the supplies later. Sharkey opened the door and stepped inside the hallway of what was once a gracious house but now was full of refuse and castoffs.
Out of a side room bustled a small round hobbit female, she demands to know by what right they had just walked into her home. Sharkey at first was going to intimidated her but then graciously informed her that we had an appointment with the Chief. She turned from them and yelled into the back of the hobbit hole, Lotho, some more of your Friends are here to see you. With that she turned back into what appeared to be the kitchen and sitting room, leaving them standing in the hallway. Out of the back scurried the Chief, another round hobbit dressed in a green waist coat and brown pants with many food stains on them. When he saw Sharkey his faced blanched to such a paleness, it appeared he would pass out but recovered quickly. He offered them both a seat in the room on the other side of the hall and called to the female, Mother I need tea for three served now. to which was replied a grunt and the clinking of china and the sound of a kettle being put on to boil.
This was September and for the next 6 months they lived in the hobbit hole of Lotho Baggins. At first it was fine but as time worn on Sharkey became irritated with everything about the Shire, He ordered that more trees be cut down but instead of having them milled he just left them to rot. One incident put a big dent in their welcome was the jailing of Lotho's mother Lobelia because she took an umbrella to Bill Ferny when he went to cut down the few remaining trees in the garden at Bag End. after that Lotho and Sharkey avoided each other and Wormtongue became the chief cook and bottle washer for the household. also, he became the whipping boy for everything that Sharkey felt slighted over. Then one night as Wormtongue was drifting off, he heard Sharkey cursing at Lotho. Lotho answered but whatever he said angered Sharkey even more and there was a crash ,a thud and silence.   The next day, Lotho was nowhere to be seen. Wormtongue did not inquire about his absence.

It was shortly after Lotho’s disappearance that there was an incident of gate breaking and the horns of the shire were blown. Some of our men stood by us and others fled as soon as they found a break. Finally, two exceptionally large hobbits and the former owner of Bag End were at our door demanding to see Lotho. Bill called out to Sharkey, Well look who's back for another round of fisticuffs, Sharkey. Bill remembered that the Hobbit Sam had beaned him with an apple after he was identified as the culprit that stole the ponies from the Hobbits on the night of the Black Riders.
When Sharkey stepped out of the door two of the hobbits immediately pulled out their swords as if to defend themselves and their friends. But Sharkey just laughed and told them that Lotho was buried around here somewhere but he didn't know where. Wormtongue was cowering behind Sharkey when Samwise said, Grima why are you following him, he has done nothing but get you in trouble. step away and we will jail Saruman until the king can send soldiers to collect him. Sharkey turned and glared at Wormtongue and started to walk up the path as if to leave the Shire. His look had dared Wormtongue to follow the request of Samwise and not accompany Him, Wormtongue slowly followed Sharkey but as he approached Sharkey, Wormtongue drew a long knife from under is cloak and stabbed Sharkey through the heart. Then Wormtongue was brought down in a hail of arrows from the hobbits surrounding Frodo.
Thus, ends the sad tale of Grima son of Fulca.