Not mine, don't sue. This fic is from Legolas's point of view and is based on a moment from the film 'Two Towers' so spoiler warning if you have neither seen the films or read the books, in which case stop reading this fanfic and do so.
At Helm's Deep
I was surrounded by people who seemed lost. The King was here and the Lady Eowyn but that was not enough to give the people of Rohan hope. The people seemed broken. They knew that there was a battle coming, a battle that they had to win if they wanted to survive.
They had a choice between a fight with an unknown and dangerous enemy and being wiped from the face of Middle Earth. It was no choice at all but the only one we had. I could run back to the Greenwood and let Gimli return to the Lonely Mountain, this isn't our fight. And yet, it is. This fight belongs to all those on Middle Earth. I could run but I will not. With Aragorn gone and Mithrandir away it falls to me to do all I can for them.
I could feel the Evenstar as a weight in my pocket. If I survived the coming war then I had the unpleasant task of returning that jewel to its former owner. Or if she has all ready sailed then I will return it to her father. That is not a conversation that I look forward to but something that must be done to honour the memory of a fallen comrade and friend.
A shout went up from the watchtower, a lone rider was coming in; seemingly wounded but on a horse of Rohan and there are few wanderers who could ride a lost or wild horse of Rohan. The gates were opened. I hardly dared hope. It was only when I heard Gimli shouting in the courtyard that I knew that Aragorn had returned. Somehow he had survived the fall and the river and made it back to us.
I ran out into the courtyard determined to see my friend. I couldn't let myself believe it until I had seen him for myself. He was there, he was alive.
"You're late," I said as I clasped his arms. My relief was hidden in the words but I know Aragorn too well to think he missed it. I stepped back and looked at my friend. He was battered bruised, bleeding and soaked to the skin not to mention more tired than I have ever seen him. "You look terrible," I said and meant it. He smiled and suddenly the world seemed a little brighter.
I don't know how much of a difference one man can make but if any man can make a difference that man is Aragorn. All ready I can feel the mood of the Rohirrim lifting. I don't know if he is ready to be an inspiration, he'd probably prefer some dry clothes, a hot meal, someone to tend his wounds and some sleep but I don't think we have time for that right now.