A/N: Okay. Because I still feel bad for abandoning y'all like that, here's another chapter.

cutie5lexis: Hey, there! I missed you, too. I always enjoy reading your reviews. Good luck with your new job, and Happy Birthday. If you're glad about Artemis and Aragorn, just wait until Amelia comes back. Hope you enjoy!

Anyway. Enough chit-chat! ON WITH THE STORY!


Chapter 8: Battle Preparations

After accompanying Aragorn to tell Theoden of the army of Uruk-hai on its way to Helm's Deep, I went straight to the kitchens to replenish my energy before heading down to the hospital to do what I could for the injured. If Aragorn's description was anything to go by, we w

ere outnumbered ten to one, and we were going to need as many able-bodied men we could get. I went from room to room in the hospital, laying my hands on each bloody, sickly, dying person I could and healing their ailments. By the time I had finished, the streets were cleared as women and children were herded into the caves in the mountain, and the men and older boys were sent to the armory to prepare for battle. The sun was low in the sky, and I was once again low on energy.

Thankfully, there was still a barrel of apples left in the kitchens by the time I had made my way back to the citadel, and I was in the process of devouring the third apple when I arrived at the armory where I found a boy who couldn't have been more than twelve holding a sword and shaking as he watched the horizon. I knew we needed troops, but I still hated that we were using civilians as canon fodder. This boy probably wasn't going to last ten seconds in combat. "Hey, kid, think fast," I barked, tossing a green apple I hadn't bitten into at the boy. He jolted to attention just in time to fumble, drop his sword, and catch the apple. I gave the boy a sympathetic smile and picked up his sword for him. "What's your name, kid?"

The boy glanced from the apple in his hands to my eyes then dropped his gaze to the ground. "Adam, son of Jon, m'lady," he said quickly.

I smiled and held out his sword to him. "Well, Adam, son of Jon, have you ever held a sword before?" I asked.

The boy shook his head. "No, m'lady."

"Want to know how not to get killed?" I asked. The boy's eyes snapped up to meet mine, and he nodded. I smiled at him and showed him how to properly hold the sword. "First, in a fight to the death, there's no such thing as fighting dirty. Kick, throw dirt, throw a rock. Do whatever you think will give you an edge. Second, relax. Tight muscles will get you killed. Third, don't back yourself into a corner or against a wall. You'll limit your movement, and you will die. Fourth, keep your balance. That should be obvious. Fifth, keep your elbows bent and close to your body. Turn to the side, too. Make yourself a smaller target," I said, moving to show what I meant. "You still following?"

The boy nodded, and I smiled. "Good. Final tip, don't be flashy. Fights are won with simple, quick movements. Anything dramatic will be predicted, and you will die," I stated. The kid nodded, and I ruffled his hair. "Try and eat that apple. You'll need your strength, Adam. Good luck."

The boy murmured his thanks, and I turned away and made to walk inside the armory. As I walked through the doors, I saw Aragorn pulling on chainmail and getting ready for combat. As I watched, I summoned my own armor and began checking and tightening straps where needed. Out of my peripherals, I caught Aragorn glancing at me as I checked each piece of my armor.

When I finished, Aragorn and Legolas were speaking softly, and Gimli shuffled into sight with a shirt of chainmail that could have passed for a dress on him. "Ugh, if I had time, I'd get this adjusted," he growled before looking up and seeing the amused looks on Aragorn and Legolas's faces. "It's a little tight across the chest."

I chuckled at my friend's embarrassment, and he turned to glare at me. "Maybe I can help with that," I offered as I approached Gimli. I waved my hand over the chain links, and they began to glow gold and shift until they were a perfect fit on Gimli. "Better?"

"Immensely," He grumbled before shuffling out of sight behind a weapon rack.

I looked up with a grin until I met Aragorn's disapproving stare. "What?" I asked as I moved over to stand in front of him.

His face softened, and he raised a hand to brush a stray hair out of my face. "Should you have used your magic to do that? You'll need all your strength if you plan on fighting alongside us," he said softly.

I reached up and took his hand in mine with a smile. "When we get through this, remind me to talk to you about how my magic works. You need to stop worrying so much. Also, I think you should have this back," I murmured, reaching out with his necklace with the Evenstar and clasping it around his neck.

Aragorn chuckled and started to lean towards me, but a horn sounding in the distance made me jump and move away. "That is no Orc horn!" Legolas stated in disbelief before darting out of the armory. Aragorn and I shared a glance before racing after him.

"If that isn't an Orc horn, what is it?" I asked as we raced through the streets towards the gates.

"Elves," Aragorn answered simply with a grin on his face.

My jaw dropped as we rounded a corner to see Haldir of Lothlorien speaking to Theoden as rows of elves marched into Helm's Deep. Aragorn said something in elvish to Haldir, and they both placed a hand over their hearts before Aragorn grabbed Haldir and pulled him into a hug. Haldir looked shocked for a moment before he smiled and patted Aragorn's back. "You are most welcome here," Aragorn said as he pulled away from the hug.

Suddenly, all of the elven troops looked at Haldir, then turned on heel to face Theoden and the rest of us in perfect unison. They were like machines with how perfectly synchronized they were. The very sight sent a shiver down my spine. "Damn. And I thought Asgard's troops were disciplined," I muttered under my breath.

"We are proud to fight alongside men once more," Haldir said, addressing Theoden again. "What would you have us do?"