Maewyen: Shield Maiden of Rohan Part I

By Luthien Meneldur

The tall and slender elf rode the white mare through the gates of Helms Deep, and pulled the reigns to stop her quickly before the crowd of people that had gathered. His blonde hair flowed about his shoulders, and his bright blue eyes carried salty tears in them. The first time he would cry for the death of a companion. He dismounted his horse, and made his way through the stone walls of the fortress. He found a set of stairs and sat himself down covering his face in his hands from which dangled the Evenstar.

Legolas Greenleaf Prince of Mirkwood and son of Thranduil had lost a friend and he felt the pain of death once more. He could not understand these things, with the immortality of the elves he had rarely seen death before. Even Gandalf had returned to them from the grave. Now he had no idea what to do about this, how to save his friend. He blamed himself, it was his fault he had not been there to save Aragorn, to stop him from falling, but there was no time for regret. He sat on the cold stairs in the center of Helms Deep with his head buried in his hands and suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Elf Prince?" Came a voice that was softer than the wind yet clear to him.

The simple sound of the voice was comforting and he took his face from his hands, his marble-like cheeks stained with tears. The gentle voice that had spoken to him belonged to a maiden, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Even Galadriel's beauty was dwarfed by this girl, this maiden of Rohan. Her long dark hair fell full over her smiling face, and down to her waist. Her green eyes pierced through his defenses, as if she could see his very thoughts. She wore a dress that, though stained with mud, made her look a queen among those around her. She had rested one hand on his back to comfort him and the other on the front of his shoulder. When she saw the tears upon his face her smiled turned downward and a look of sadness crossed her face. She wiped the tears away.

"Why do you despair Prince?" Her flowing voice came again.

He was speechless at her beauty, and now that she looked sad it made him hurt much more. The Evenstar fell from his grip and hit the cold stone blocks of the floor with a clinking noise. He leaned down to pick it up and stared deep into the sparkling jewels that seemed to emit a white light from within. He continued to watch it as he spoke. "My companion Aragorn, he has fallen. Fallen for I was not there to at his side as I should have been." He seemed almost angry as he spoke.

"It is not your fault, you cannot blame yourself. If it was set to be that way it would have happened nonetheless."

He looked back to her face confused. "But it should not have to be this way. Good people should not have to die." Suddenly he remembered the words Gandalf had spoken in Moria: "Sometimes those that die deserve life, and some that live deserve death…" Legolas had overheard it spoken to Frodo. This did not help, for it meant there was no justice for Aragorn. The tears began to fall freely from his face and he fell into the girls arms in need of nothing but someone to comfort and console him.

After a time Legolas chained the Evenstar around his neck to keep it safe from harm, and had left the girl to find Gimli and learn what the King's plan would be. Gimli was eating in the hall, and the King had not yet made his plans and so the elven Prince returned to the maiden who had been tending those who needed her help and generosity.

He spent the night talking with the girl known as Maewyn. The night with her in a corner of Helms Deep. He had never spoken at length with any of the race of men, thinking them of barbarians. But this girl was different, he saw something deep within her green eyes that spoke of an innocence that the brutality of men had not yet touched. She listened to him speak, she seemed to have nothing but understanding in her voice. She was strong and yet soft, a shield maiden of Rohan as Eowyn was. The night wore on and Legolas did not grow tired, though the girl did. She slept in his arms as she had no family of her own to find. Her father had not returned from the warg battle and when she discovered it she had shed only a few tears for him. They were each others comfort and family for the night, and warmed each other as the cold set in.

The light of the dawn rose slowly, and he woke Maewyn early as the others woke to help prepare. Legolas himself helped to move barrels and boxes about the small avenues of the fortress. Suddenly with his elven ears he heard the sound of rumors being spread. Murmurings that made him stop in mid stride.

Maewyn turned to see Legolas standing still as a marble statue with skin to match. "Legolas, what is wrong?"

A smile crossed his face and his eyes spread wide almost leaking joyous tears. "They say he has returned, they speak of the ranger returning to his. They say he rode through the gates only a few moments ago, on his way to see King Theodin." He set the barrel he was carrying on top of a pile where it belonged and left the small ally at a quick and quiet run. On his way to the King's room of the great fortress he removed the Evenstar and held it tight in his hand. Jumping over supplies, and pushing through crowds he at last found the door. He stood waiting, Evenstar in hand. Suddenly around the bend came Aragorn walking quickly head to the stone paved floor. He stopped quickly in front of the elven Prince.

Legolas smiled, and looked to his friend. "Le ab-dollen." He said. He looked at the Ranger's tattered clothes and bleeding arm. "You look terrible." He said.

A smile crossed Aragorn's worn face and a small laugh escaped his lips. Legolas smiled wide happy to see his friend alive and well. Aragorn put his hand on Legolas' shoulder and the elf held out the hand holding the Evenstar. He placed it into his good friend's muddied hand, and smiled. Strider's face grew calm and sincere, as if he'd thought that it was gone forever. "Hannon le." He said honestly. He smiled quickly and walked past Aragorn to find the King.

The doors were thrown open and followed by the elf Elessar walked into the thrown room. He told of the armies of Saruman coming the way of Helms Deep, and pleaded with Theodin to call for aid. Legolas stood by, witnessing the stupidity of the proud King, but said nothing.

They walked through the dark gray walls, preparing for the battle. The dark clad ranger began to decide where to place the archers.

Legolas trailed barely able to keep up. "Aragorn, you must rest. You are no use to us half alive."

He ignored and Eowyn's voice echoed above the people surrounding them. "Aragorn!" They found each other in the crowd, and Legolas stood back from them and began to, again, help the others. Showing them which direction to go and helping those weaker than the rest. She left quickly passing Legolas with a sad look on her face. Legolas pitied the girl, for she loved one who could not hold her love, nor return it. For Aragorn was bound to another, whether she would stay in Middle Earth or not.

Seeing Eowyn made Legolas think of Maewyn though he had not the time to find her, as they needed to prepare for battle. So, following Aragorn and Gimli they made their way to the armory. Though he did look back into the sea of people for her face he did not see it.

Aragorn walked through the crowd to meet his dwarf and elf friends among the men. He looked heartbroken almost as he looked around the dark hall that was the armory. "Farmers, ferriers, stable boys, these are no soldiers." He said sadly.

"Most have seen too many winters," uttered Gimli in surprise.

"Or too few," Legolas added noting the amount of boys there were among them, most shorter than Gimli.

The Ranger simply nodded as he looked around, the look in his eyes made it seem as if he was trying to devise a new plan. To keep the others from harm, though he knew it was impossible.

"Look at them," Legolas continued sensing the fear all around him, "they're frightened. I can see it in their eyes." Everyone in the room had heard his statement, and stopped to look at him, to watch the high and mighty elf speak. He began next in Sindarin sot hey could not understand his words. "And they should be. Three hundred against ten thousand!"

Aragorn seemed to be understanding and tried to defend the actions of Theodin. "They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras…" he spoke in elvish as well.

"Aragorn," Legolas continued, "they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!" This was something he was passionate about now, all of these people, children even suffering the same fate as he thought his friend had. This death, it was not fair.

Aragorn stepped close to him in anger and this time spoke in the tongue of men again. "Then I shall die as one of them!"

Legolas felt it come again, he knew that if it was only them that he would die again. That Gimli would be lost to him as well. Aragorn stared for a moment and stormed from the armory. The elf moved to follow and felt his arm held back by Gimli.

"Let him go lad, let him be." He said with a seeming wisdom.

Legolas looked to him. "You are right, friend."

Everyman made his way from the hall after finding his weapons, Gimli and Legolas following near last. The dwarf decided to take another look at the fighting ground, observing the territory, and the elf Prince left in another direction to look for Maewyn.

He made his way to the entrance to the caves. People were coming in and out with supplies still, and he made his way through, carrying a box that was handed to him by one of the women moving the supplies. He began to make his way around the stones and people looking for the girl, but he was running out of time and he could not waste it.

"Maewyn." He called above the other voices. The people around him seemed to grow silent. "Maewyn," he said louder, and this time more desperately. Soon most in the caves were quiet, some still weeping for the loss of their children or husbands.

He heard a voice behind him as he began to move more quickly around the small cave. "Legolas?" It was musical and filled his very ears with joy.

He turned and made his way back to the voice. She had been comforting an old woman that had lost her son to the soldiers, but she rose to speak with him.

"I looked for you before," he said, "but there were too many faces in the crowd and yours I could not see." He held a hand up to her soft face and she closed her eyes to his touch. "And it frightened me. I felt as if I would never see you again."

She opened her eyes, and looked into his face with a look of sorrow. "You've come to say goodbye. In case the battle goes ill."

He looked away from her, down to the floor almost in shame and nodded. "I wished to see you," he paused, "one last time."

"Too much despair for one person in so short a time. Do not worry, some will fall, but I will see you again." She smiled and seemed so confidant in what she had said that it gave him some hope.

He smiled and looked back to her green eyes. "Somehow I sense that you are right." He embraced her whole heartedly.

"Now go," she said, still smiling, "before they close you in with us."

He turned quickly, and ran for the door. She stood where she was until he was out of sight and he turned to see her face twice more before he had left the cave.

The day was getting late and the sun had long set. The torches burned around the dank fortress, and Legolas began to find his way to his companions. They were to be found in a room preparing for battle.

Aragorn was strapping his weapons to his side and fitting his dark clothes tight around him. Legolas picked up the sword that the Ranger had carried only a moment before Aragorn reached for it. Legolas held it out in his hand for his friend to take up. "We have trusted you this far, you have not led us astray," he said as Aragorn took the sword, "forgive me, I was wrong to despair." He thought of Maewyn and her words that seemed so much like wisdom. As if she had not lived 25 years but 100.

"There is nothing to forgive, Legolas." Aragorn said as he held his hand to the elf's shoulder, and Legolas did the same. Companions and friends again.

A horn sounded from outside the fortress.

"That is no orc horn." Legolas stated, confused. He ran up the stairs from the room, followed by Aragorn and they made their way to the front gate.

Haldir was standing before them speaking to Theodin. Behind him stood an army of elves all carrying long bows that they, no doubt, knew quite well.

"We come to honor that allegiance." Haldir finished as Legolas followed Aragorn down the steps.

"Mae govannion, Haldir." Aragorn muttered before he embraced a surprised Haldir in a hug.

Legolas couldn't help but laugh, which was odd for the large battle looming over them. Legolas greeted the Lorien elf, and stood behind him with his kin before Theodin.

Legolas Greenleaf stood beside his dwarf friend Gimli watching the army approach. And though he did not look afraid of what was coming to greet them, he felt it. Something new to him, this feeling of fear. He had to fight for those he cared for, those around him. His friends… Maewyn.

The battle lasted the entire night, and though he was an elf and did not tire, he could see it in the faces of the others. He thought of nothing while he fought, for even if he had thought of Maewyn it would only have been a distraction. And so he slaughtered many during the battle, without care. For they were Uruks, and felt nothing but hate. He failed his friends but once and it had almost cost them the battle. But he did not worry about that once things were finished. He sat atop a horse next to his friend watching the remaining enemy flee, and he felt pride at what he had done. Sadness for those that had died and not deserved to, but pride for they had not been defeated. Losses were always suffered. Haldir had been a good elf, and was lost to them now. But there was nothing that could be done about that. His loss was grieved. He brought his horse around on the lifeless battlefield. Other than men there were no Uruks left, only bodies. He found Gimli and joked with him for a while about the battle, trying to lighten the mood of the day. He couldn't stay serious with his dwarf friend around. Then Legolas immediately made his way to the caves.