This occurs in the second movie, before (and during) the battle of Helm's Deep. I had originally planned for this to be a one-shot, but the battle etc is so damn long, it's gonna be a multi-chapter fic.

Enjoy! :)


-Call To Arms-


I watched as my mother cried and grasped my twin's hand as he was pulled away by a soldier. My heart went out to her and my frightened brother, but I couldn't follow like I wanted. Long ago my brother and I made a pact that we would always be there for each other, but now we are being torn apart by a war and by our different genders.

With despair rising in my chest as I saw my brother being torn away from me, I did all I could: I held my mother and tried to comfort her racking sobs.

We all knew what would happen to him.

His eyes, so alike mine in the shade of green and intensity in our gazes, locked with mine, showing his fear and determination. He was scared, but he wanted to fight. He wanted to protect Rohan and his family; he wanted to be a hero. With a last wink, he turned away from me and strode proudly to the armory. All I wanted to do is be by his side and fight as well.

As soon as one of mother's friends, who had a son our age, came to her, I quietly left them and surreptitiously followed my brother's retreating back. No one took notice of me; they were either too busy mourning the loss of their husbands, or sons, or both, that they didn't notice the slight figure shadowing the men.

With my short, shoulder length hair (so I could look more like my brother) and my slight build, I easily passed for a thirteen year old boy instead of the sixteen year old woman I am. Once I kept my head down, they allowed me to pass. I also wore breeches instead of dresses on most days, so it was even easier.

I was quickly outfitted in a helmet (I made sure it covered most of my face) and a sword and I was going for the armor itself when a commotion caught my attention. The armory was suddenly deathly quiet as the man, Aragon, argued with someone. I noticed fine, long blond hair and fair blue eyes and my breath caught in my throat. They were speaking in another language, and judging the build and fairness of the other man, I guessed it was Elvish.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Shouted Aragon, advancing on the fairer man. At this point everyone had frozen and looked on in fear as Aragon melted into the crowd and the Elf tried to follow. He was stopped by a shorter man of stocky build and red, matted hair.

"Let him be."

Activity soon resumed in the armory, but I couldn't tear my eyes off the Elf. His eyes locked onto mine for a mere second, and heat rushed onto my face and I quickly ducked my head, fearing recognition.

When I looked up again, he was gone.

-x-

My heart was breaking. I watched as young boys, some no more than ten, were outfitted in armor too big for them and swords they could barely grasp. I watched as men, grandfathers, who were too weak to even walk without aid, were given spears that they then used to support their weight as they walked.

And in everyone's eyes I could see the same bone chilling fear, but also resolution. Like my brother, like me, they wanted to do all they can to protect the ones they loved. Despite the odds.

We knew we couldn't win.

I took the spear handed to me gratefully, thankful for something to hold on to. I marched outside with the rest of the men, ensuring the helmet sufficiently covered my dark brown hair and my fairer features.

As I emerged into the light, I was assaulted by the sound of marching feet and terror finally settled in. In the armory all I concentrated on was not being discovered and getting out of there as soon as possible. Now, with nothing else on my mind, I was finally given time to realize my terror. I gulped noisily and grasped the spear with white knuckled fingers. I came this far, and I wasn't turning back.

Twilight was setting in, and there was chaos and confusion as the more battle hardened soldiers tried to organize us and set up defenses. Someone cried out, "Who here knows how to shoot an arrow!" And almost of its own accord my arm raised. Soon a bow and a quiver of arrows were thrust into my hands before I was able to protest.

In my village my brother and I were the eldest children, so it fell on our heads to hunt for wild game. He and I were very proficient with the bow, and I had even gained enough strength to pull a fully strung bow with little difficulty. The bow in my hands was not as different as the bow I used in my village, and the smooth wood indicated much use. I immediately felt comfortable with the familiar weight. Experimentally I pulled the string back to test the pull and was pleased when I felt the proper resistance.

I was startled when I heard Aragon's voice a few feet away from me.

"Give me your sword." He stated, and I fearfully peeked from behind the column. My heart fluttered in relief as I realized he was not talking to me, but my heart went into overdrive as I realized who he was talking to: my brother.

I refused to even breathe as my brother walked to the older man, a sword in his hands. He handed it to Aragon, hilt first, as Aragon asked, "What is your name?"

"Haleth, son of Hama, my lord." He answered, and I almost giggled at his high voice. I always teased him about it, that at sixteen his voice hadn't yet deepened into that of a man's and my own voice was deeper than his.

"The men are saying we will not live out the night." In this statement I heard the palpable fear in his voice; hidden by others except to me, who knew him so well. I immediately sobered.

What am I doing here? I wondered, fiddling with the bow in my hands. I am merely a woman, who was raised like another son. I have no right to be here.

"They say it is hopeless." I closed my eyes and sighed, and felt a tear trickle down my cheek. To hear my brother say that, to believe these men, then there is truly no hope for us. I squared my shoulders and strengthened my resolve. Regardless whether I make it through the night or not, I will fight.

Aragon paused, and stood up, measuring and testing my brother's sword in his hand. "This is a good sword." He finally said. Handing the sword back to my brother, he continued. "Haleth, son of Hama, there is always hope." I took great heart in these words.

Hoping to avoid my brother, I skulked away from him and started for the wall. I was stopped by a soft voice behind me.

"Women are supposed to be in the caves." I froze and turned slowly to the owner of the voice. I saw the Elf, and once again I found myself unable to breathe.

"I am no woman." My voice faltered, but I held my head up high as I tried to lie through my teeth.

He chuckled, the musical sound sending me into high bliss. What is wrong with me?

"You and I both know it is a lie." He answered as he strode up to me. I unwillingly took a step backwards, but otherwise held my ground. He was now right in front of me, and I had to lean my head back to maintain eye contact. His eyes were even bluer up close.

"I want to fight." I finally said, refusing to back down. "Don't make me go back to the caves." His eyes seemed to become more serious, and wordlessly he took my bow. Expertly he drew the bow, and made to shoot at an invisible opponent.

Handing it to me, he only said, "Draw it."

I did, pulling the string back as I had so many times before, and pictured a hideous Orc at the other end. He nodded, and approval light up his blue eyes.

"I won't divulge your secret if you promise me something." I nodded; I would do anything to stay and fight, and to please this strange man.

"Don't leave the wall. I don't want you to fight the Orcs with your sword; you are too weak for that. Stick with your bow and arrows, and when your arrows run out, hide. Do you promise?" I bristled at his promise, and I was about to shoot him down, when he raised a finger at me.

"If you don't promise, I will tell the King about your treachery." This stopped me. I stood there, regarding his request when a thought struck me. In the heat of the battle, he wouldn't be able to tell if I actually hid or not. A sly grin crossed my face, but I quickly smothered it and the triumph I'm sure glinted in my eyes.

I couldn't let him discover my plan.

"I promise." His blue eyes were still skeptical, but he nodded. He spun on his heel and strode away from me, but before he was out of earshot, I had to discover something.

"What is your name?" I called out behind him, cringing at my feminine tones.

He turned so he could look me in the eyes, and I felt heat rush to my face again. "Legolas." He answered, and then he continued walking.

"Legolas." I repeated, softer, turning the name around in my mouth almost as if I could taste it. "Legolas." I said one last time, and then I headed to the wall.

-x-

As I reached the wall, I heard a horn unlike the ones I was hearing before. Curious, I peeked over the wall and almost gaped at the column of Elves-for they could be no other than Elves-marched up to the gates of Helms Deep. Hope rose in my chest, and I thought that we could maybe, maybe, get through this alive.

Their curved bows made me jealous; oh, if only I could get one of those!

Their orderly lines marched up through the gates and the King came to greet them. He looked as shocked as every one else, and in a stunned voice asked the leader, "How is this possible?"

The leader, decked in fine mail and a red cloak, answered him. "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell." The name was unfamiliar to me, but I knew Rivendell is the main capital of the Elves. "An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together." I saw Aragon, soon followed by the dwarf and Legolas run out to meet them. They also looked shocked, and relieved. Legolas' eyes flicked up to mine, as if to remind me of my promise, and I stared back at him, almost as if to tell him I had not forgotten. "We come to honor that allegiance."

Uncomfortable now, I walked away from the sight.

-x-

Silence engulfed the whole of Helms deep. It was the silence that came before a storm; a calamity that could not be avoided. It was heavy with expectation, fear, and only with the arrival of the Elves, hope. Only a few sounds were made as we waited with bated breath for the Orcs to come.

I peeked up and down the wall and saw my brother, flanked by men much older than he, a bow in hand, already strung and waiting for the order to nock the arrow. I was in the same position. The Elves were spread across the wall, and everyone was waiting for something, anything, to happen.

In the distance I heard the sound of marching feet and a sea of lights and darkness came towards us. Without a doubt these were the enemies we have been waiting for. The sheer mass of them sent a wave of despair and fear through me so strong I was almost driven to my knees.

Even with the Elves' help, there was little hope for us.

Desperately, I searched for Legolas, and soon found him. He was standing with the Elves, the dwarf next to him. As if he felt my eyes on him, his gaze met mine and he gave me a reassuring smile. Then his gaze turned to the mass of Orcs against us, and mine did as well, no longer afraid.

The sky groaned as it released its load of rain.


I'm having trouble with the name, so if you have any suggestions please tell me :)

Any thoughts? Comments? Criticisms? Like it? Hate it? Love it?

R.e.v.i.e.w.

Please?

;]