New update! Hooray! I hope that Legolas and Vivian's relationship isn't going too quickly and I hope Legolas isn't falling for a human too quickly lol Lemme know if anythis is amiss...as usual and I do not own Lord of the Rings whatsoever! I only own Rowan, Vivian, Firestorm, Wynter, and Ava :D Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Vivian smiled at Éowyn once they arrived. There were already many people at Helm's Deep, but there would always be room for more. Vivian made her way through the stronghold and explored a bit. Soon enough, the warriors returned and Vivian ran toward them to greet Rowan. As soon as Vivian saw her best friend, she frowned. Rowan had blood on her tunic and her cheeks were tear-stained.

"I couldn't save him, V," Rowan muttered and Legolas helped her off Firestorm.

"Shh, it's okay. There's nothing you could have done to prevent it," Vivian assured her and helped her into the deeper hall where Legolas and Gimli stayed.

Once inside, Vivian sat Rowan down and went in search of water. Rowan sat still and Gimli came over to sit beside her.

"You did all you could, lass. Aragorn is strong. He died fighting," Gimli said compassionately.

"I failed him…I failed," Rowan muttered and tears began to fall once again.

Vivian came back and saw Rowan crying on Gimli's shoulder. She smiled at Gimli and then took Rowan away.

"Come on, we'll get the blood cleaned off of you…and then we'll find something to eat," Vivian said and led Rowan deeper inside.

When Rowan and Vivian were clean, they dressed in their extra tunic and pants. They came out of the hall and Rowan found her weapons on a table. She smiled and found Legolas standing in the corner. He was fixing his bow and cleaning his two short swords.

"Rowan, you should go find Éowyn and ask for some food," Vivian advised and Rowan nodded.

"I can take a hint," Rowan said with a smirk and left the hall. After the shower, she was feeling a lot better.

"Thank you, for watching Rowan. I don't know what she was thinking when she rode out with all of you," Vivian mused and Legolas smiled.

"She has a strong will and has skill with a blade. You should learn from your friend. It may be a great skill for you," Legolas figured and Vivian nodded.

"Rowan taught me a few tricks," Vivian mentioned and Legolas smiled.

"Ah, I see," Legolas said and kept his gaze on his bow. He also cleaned off his arrows, knowing he'd need as many as possible.

Before long, Rowan came back and she had a plate of food. She was already eating some of the bread and Legolas glanced at her.

"You are women, yet you eat like men," he observed.

"And I don't gain a pound," Rowan stated proudly and patted her stomach.

"Is that all you got from Éowyn?" Vivian asked, inspecting the plate.

"She needs to conserve food, you know. Éowyn wanted to give us more food, but there are more mouths to feed," Rowan explained.

"Excuse me," Legolas said, nodded to the girls, and exited.

"You made him leave!" Vivian growled and stomped her feet on the ground.

"I wasn't the one who told him to leave? You should have brought him into the conversation," Rowan said with a shrug.

"We already know a lot about him. Why don't you go ask Aragorn a question about him being king?" Vivian challenged.

"You could have asked about his mother or something. After Aragorn scared the shit out of me that one morning, I refuse to talk with him. He scares me with all his confidence and stuff," Rowan muttered.

"All his confidence and stuff? What the hell are you talking about? Is this about Éomer? I bet it is," Vivian said, narrowing her eyes.

"No…well, oh whatever!" Rowan grumbled.

"Why were you crying when you knew Aragorn was going to come back?" Vivian asked, getting off the subject.

"I could have saved him if I was paying attention," Rowan answered.

"If he didn't see how many Uruk-hai there were, then no one would know!" Vivian yelled.

"We could have told them, you dolt. But, the past is in the past. Besides, how would you like it if you killed something for the first time today?" Rowan demanded.

"True…but you'll probably have to stay in the caves," Vivian figured.

"No, I'm not going to be trapped in a dark, disgusting cave! You know how much I hate caves! They have bats," Rowan complained.

Suddenly, Gimli entered with a smile.

"The lad is back! He's alive!" Gimli yelled and Rowan grinned.

She raced Vivian out of the hall and toward the hallway. As they rounded a corner, they saw Aragorn and Legolas exchange a small conversation. When Legolas gave the necklace back to Aragorn, he went into the makeshift "throne room" and Rowan ran, but halted before Legolas.

"He's speaking with the king," Legolas stated and Rowan nodded.

"We should go in as well," Rowan suggested and led Legolas in.

"Great host, you say?" Théoden inquired.

"All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn responded.

"How many?" Théoden needed a count.

"Ten thousand strong at least," Aragorn replied and Rowan exhaled. It wasn't going to be a pleasant night.

Théoden was shocked beyond belief and both Rowan and Vivian spaced out.

Vivian and Rowan decided to go help Éowyn as the men "toured" the stronghold. Rowan carried clothes into the cave and cautiously gazed at the ceilings. The stalagmites or whatever they were called hung dangerously and Rowan ran out of there as soon as she put the basket down. Vivian stood at the entrance and started laughing as Rowan ran toward her.

"Be careful or the bats might eat you," Vivian warned sarcastically and Rowan turned to glare at Vivian.

Rowan and Vivian soon got out of the cave just as everyone was evacuated into it. Aragorn was talking strategy with Legolas and the girls bounded up to them.

"Aragorn, you must rest. You're no use to us half alive," Legolas advised and Rowan agreed.

"You need to be well rested. Heck, I might take a nap in a bit," Rowan added and Aragorn just gave her a look of confusion.

Éowyn then came running up and Rowan made Vivian leave with her. The two girls left the scene and watched from afar. They knew that Éowyn wanted to fight, but she wasn't allowed to.

"You know, you should head to the cave, V," Rowan advised.

"I guess you're right, but if I get out of there and hear that you've died, I will go find something to take my anger out on," Vivian argued and gave Rowan a hug before meeting Éowyn down in the glittering cave. It was a vast cavern and as soldiers entered, they came out with young boys and fairly old men to fight.

Rowan stood in the armory as the men were distributed weapons, just as Aragorn spoke.

"Look at them, they're frightened. You can see it in their eyes," Legolas muttered and then began speaking with Aragorn in elvish.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn finally yelled and he left the armory. Rowan gave Legolas a half smile and walked into a separate room to gather her weapons, where she left them.

The blade she received by Éomer was in a sheath at her side and an extra blade was in its own sheath on Rowan's back and she belted at least fifteen knives along a belt that wrapped around her chest. Then, she put grieves on her forearms and tightened them. As she was doing that, Aragorn came in to join her and dressed for battle in heavy chainmail. Rowan had gone ahead and slipped into some light chainmail and felt as ready as she would ever be. She gave Aragorn a smile as he fitted with his various weapons and then Legolas came in, handing Aragorn his sword.

"We have trusted you this far, you have not led us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair," Legolas apologized and Rowan grinned.

"Aw, you guys are so cute when you apologize," Rowan gushed and Aragorn gave her a cross loss as he accepted his sword from Legolas.

They exchanged a word in elvish and then Gimli entered.

"By the time I get his adjusted," Gimli grumbled, fumbling with his chainmail and then it hit the floor, "it's a tight across the chest."

"Well duh! You're more round than any guy here!" Rowan commented and Gimli looked up at her. Aragorn merely laughed.

A horn suddenly sounded and Rowan looked at Legolas. He was immediately drawn to the sound.

"That is no orc horn," he observed and flew up the stairs with Aragorn at his heels.

Rowan decided to stay with Gimli for and help him adjust the chainmail. They eventually ended up getting it set and then they caught up with Legolas and Aragorn. Once they were in the courtyard, Rowan squealed with excitement. She loved it when the elves came to help! Aragorn and Legolas greeted Haldir and then everyone was sent to their specific position along the wall. Rowan decided to stand on the other side of Legolas…at the front.

"Why did we have to get front row seats?" Rowan complained and Legolas merely smirked.

"Ugh, could have picked a better spot!" Gimli grumbled.

Aragorn came back and Rowan narrowed her eyes at him. It was his fault she was standing at the front with Legolas and Gimli.

"Lad, with the luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night," Gimli stated, looking up at Aragorn.

"I really hope that we don't die," Rowan muttered under her breath. Thunder and lightning struck and Rowan glanced up.

"Your friends are with you, Aragorn," Legolas said positively.

"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli added. Aragorn soon left them to control his group of elves.

"Way to stay positive," Rowan said sarcastically and watched the Uruk-hai approach in their black armor. She took a deep breath and stared out, over the wall. It was going to be a long night.

Oh no! The Uruk-hai are coming! :)