Chapter 3:
To Helms Deep
Darsul was woken by a rough slap. She instantly shot out of her bed,only to find that Legolas was gone and Raûleth stood there instead. He grinned maliciously and pulled her out of the room. He led her out of the palace towards the stables. It was barely sunrise and there was no one around.
''Where is Legolas? Where are you taking me?''cried Darsul. He was being very rough. Her wrist felt like it was about to snap, he was holding it so tight.
''Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and Theoden have gone out riding to talk about battle strategies...and you are coming with me!''The minute Raûleth said this, it dawned on Darsul. She was being kidnapped, and judging by the look on his face, he was psychotic.
Darsul knew that she had to think...fast, If she wanted to escape alive. She quickly thought up a temporary plan and hoped Legolas returned soon. Raûleth led her up to a horse, packed for a long journey. Just as he grabbed her waist to lift her up, she turned and tried to act as seductive as possible.
''Wait!...I've forgotten something rather important.''She managed to choke out as she traced the outside of his face. She shuddered inconspicuously. Raûleth looked surprised, but grinned evilly. Darsul tried not to scream as he tried to kiss her neck. On instinct, she put her fingers over his lips. In order to cover up her actions, she said quick
''Wait...darling, until were away from Edoras...Then we could...''She managed to stammer. He laughed and released her.
''Go, be quick!''he growled slowly. Darsul ran out of the stable, intending to get Naldgrim from her room. Just then, Legolas and the others returned from their ride. Darsul shouted his name and ran towards him as fast as she could. Behind her she saw Raûleth come out of the stable...with a sword! She ran right up to him as he dismounted Haleth and looked at her in concern. She reached him and fell into his arms. Legolas looked down her in horror. She was shaking uncontrollably in his arms.
''Raûleth...he's gone mad!''She finally managed to whisper. Legolas looked up and saw him striding across the yard with a sword. Aragorn dismounted Hafusel and drew his sword but Legolas shook his head. He gave Darsul to Aragorn and whispered,
''He is mine!''
Legolas twirled his daggers out of their scabbard. He assumed his fighting stance and waited. Darsul stood safe in Aragorn's arms and watched helplessly as Raûleth stopped in front of Legolas and raised his sword.
Raûleth struck, Legolas parried the blow and ducked behind him. He once again tried to strike Legolas, but was once again blocked. Raûleth made a fake blow that caught Legolas off guard. As he struggled to regain his footing on the rocky ground, Raûleth tripped him and laughed. Darsul saw Legolas fall and screamed
''No!''
Raûleth looked around and saw her out of the safety of Aragorns arms. He turned and made to grab her, but before anyone else could react, He fell dead, an arrow in his spine.
They looked up to see Legolas, breathing hard, with his bow out. The last thing Darsul could remember was falling forwards into Legolas' arms.
Darsul woke to the feeling of cantering on Haleth. She knew that Legolas was once again sitting behind her. She stirred and Legolas smiled in relief.
''I am glad you are awake!''He exclaimed. Darsul grinned and leaned back into him. Then she remembered what had happened. She shivered.
''I am so sorry Darsul...I should never have left you alone!''Legolas murmured quietly. He kissed her head softly is sorrow.
''I do not blame you at all Legolas!''Said Darsul. ''If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead!''Legolas tried not to think of t and instead whispered
''Thank you.''
Darsul smiled but then remembered that they were riding. She tried to recall what had happened yesterday after Legolas killed Raûleth but she had blacked out.
''Legolas, Where are we going?''Legolas checked Haleths speed to a walk and turned him around. Behind them was a long procession of people from Rohan.
''I was late leaving with you so I was galloping to the front were Aragorn and Gimli are waiting...We head for Helms Deep.''He explained. They turned again and proceeded to gallop towards the head of the line.
When they reached Aragorn and Gimli, Darsul dismounted and began to run around and stretch her legs a bit. She skipped joyously and hummed elven songs. Aragorn gave Legolas a funny look and joined in Darsuls happy singing.
Ma elnio volai biriliar,
cenin hairai spalassina,
gaiar be calca.
Be telepe aclar Iþilo,
pār nia mapa i litse
tūla i lūme.
Alpaciriai vanuai nārena
hectanen neþa hānoye
ōre nia cane.
Anga tultane palme
gaiar glania ambar nia,
aban pete.
Abapētima lūme Goldoio
gāialā vomentiengua
pāne glada.
Volai, Volai''
The song ended, and Darsul looked up to see Gimli happily chatting with Eowyn. Darsul was happy that he had found someone to talk to. Gimli was a good friend, but elves and dwarves just had nothing to talk about! The road to Helms Deep was long. They had made camp for the night. Eowyn was walking around trying to offer everyone some stew which everyone refused. Darsul thought it strange at first, but on closer inspection the stew appeared to be...unique in texture and look, to put it lightly. She felt particula sorry for Aragorn, who accepted the stew without looking at it and was forced to eat some under the watchful eye of Eowyn. As soon as she turned, he dumped it on the ground.
Darsul stood in confusion as she saw Gandalf mount Shadowfax. Her, Legolas and Aragorn ran over to him.
''Gandalf, Where are you going?''Aragorn asked.
''I go to find Eomer and his men...If you are attacked at Helms Deep, with this many soldiers you will no survive!''Darsul cringed and pretended that Gandalf hadn't said that.''Look for me...at dawn on the third day...look to the east.''Without any word of farewell, Gandalf and Shadowfax took off over the hills. Darsul looked over at the warriors mingling with the villagers...Helms Deep couldn't be defended for long...
The kings guard Hama rode forwards a bit, with a companion. When they got to a certain area, Hamas horse refused to move. It reared and whinnied loudly.
''What's wrong?''Asked the soldier, as he looked around worriedly.
''I know not!''replied Hama. Suddenly, a wolf like creature jumped over the little cliff beside them and bared it's teeth. It growled menacingly.
Darsul, Legolas, Aragorn and Theoden all heard the screams of pain coming from the other side of the hill that Hama and his squire had ridden over. Darsul mounted Haleth in front of Legolas and urged him forwards at a gallop. She drew Naldgrim and attacked the wolf creature. However, at closer inspection it proved not to be a wolf. It was much larger and more savage than a common wolf. It carried and Orc rider. It was a warg...scourge of Rohan and the surrounding hills. Legolas jumped of Haleth and stabbed the feebly stirring rider. Hama and his squire were dead, caught off guard
''A scout!''Shouted Legolas. Darsul wheeled Haleth around and galloped back over the hill.
''Wargs!''She yelled.''We're under attack!''
It was instant turmoil. All the women and children turned and followed Eowyn to Helms Deep while all the warriors galloped over the hill. Legolas stood on the top, staring in horror as 40 or 50 warg riders came howling over the opposite hill. He waited grimly for the wargs approached. Darsul dismounted Haleth and handed him to Eowyn.
''Keep him safe!''She whispered then joined Legolas and the riders as they waited for the wargs. They hit like a wave of boiling water, breaking over their spears and swords like water on sand. As the first warg came barreling towards Darsul, she slashed at it's neck and stabbed it's rider in the chest as the warg fell to it's knees.
''Two!''Shouted Darsul at Legolas.
''Six!''He replied, he laughed in spite of himself at the look on Darsuls face. She grinned at him and proceeded to kill more wargs. Darsul was surprised at how many Rohan warriors fell. It didn't take long for them to finish off the wargs.
Darsul looked around her. She saw many dead warriors. Darsul was releived to see Theoden, Gimli and...Legolas...he was calling for Aragorn! Darsul turned around and searched with her eyes. She was glad he wasn't visible among the dead, but he wasn't standing up either. Darsul began to help Legolas and Gimli search. Eventually, they all came to the same orc, he was laughing.
''Tell me what happened to Aragorn and I shall ease your passing!''Threatened Gimli. His face red.
''Took...a little tumble...off the...cliff''Hissed the Orc. Legolas looked up at the precipice, he knew that it fell into the Anduin rapids. He grabbed the orc's breastplate.
''You lie!''He whispered harshly. The orcs laughed with it's last breath. Legolas let it go, it repulsed him. Darsul gasped and plucked something from the orcs curled fist.
It was the Eventstar...the jewel that Lady Arwen had given to Aragorn. The orc hadn't lied...Darsul ran over and peered over the edge of the cliff. All she could see were the raging waters. Theoden walked up behind her. He also looked over, when he didn't see anything he turned to his remaining men.
''Put the wounded on horses!...Leave the dead.''
Legolas glared at Theoden but to no avail. Darsul placed the evenstar carefully in her pocket and walked in a daze to Haleth. He was sweating heavily and had a deep cut on the chest. Darsul gasped when she saw it gushing blood. She did all that she could to stem the flow of blood, then gently got on his back and tenderly rode him to the group of survivors. Legolas took a quick look at Haleths chest. He frowned and looked up at Darsul who was trying to calm him down.
''Lle naa belegohtar, Frallis amin taala neer!''You are a mighty warrior, Please bear thy pain and me to safety!
Haleth snorted and lowered his head in submission. He heaved himself to the front of the procession, where Theoden, Gimli and Legolas rode. Legolas took Haleths reins and guided him alongside his horse. They began their slow march to Helms Deep.
Aragorn was aware that he had hit the shore. He lay there for a while, not thinking about anything else except his friends. After a while, he heard a crunch as something approached him over the gravelly banks of the river. He managed to weakly turn his head. Aragorn was nuzzled by a warm, hairy horses nose. He grinned slightly and raised his arm. Aragorn tried, once...twice...three times to grab the horses mane. On the third try, he succeded in mounting the horse. The horse took off for sanctuary.
