Disclaimer: I don't own them...

Things Worth Fighting For

Chapter 9

Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?

Across the plains they rode like the wind. With no stop they had been riding, proudly following their leaders. Ahead of the riders rode the Third Marshal of Riddermark upon his great steed Firefoot. The Riders of Rohan followed proudly the son of Éomund, whom they had followed even when he was banished from Rohan. They would have followed him wherever he had led. To Éomer's right was the White Wizard riding atop Shadowfax, the lord of the mearas. Although Firefoot was of the mearas as well, it was Shadowfax who gave the horses the strength they needed to reach Helm's Deep without a break.

On the other side of Éomer rode Erkenbrand, lord of Westfold. Erkenbrand had drawn off the men he could gather and was on his way to Helm's Deep when Gandalf had reached him.

With them rode Lothíriel of Dol Amroth, though they knew her only as Liriel of Gondor. She was as willing to die for Rohan as the Rohirrim was, though the greatest reason for this was one that she for now would keep hidden deep in her heart.

Through the night they rode. When the first rays of sunlight came over the mountain, Helm's Deep lay before them. Gandalf rode first up on the ridge and looked down upon the men fighting the Uruk-hai of Saruman.

"Théoden King stands alone," he said.

Éomer rode up to his side. He could see his uncle surrounded by Orcs. He would not let him stand alone. "Not alone," he unsheathed his sword. "Rohirrim!" The Rohirrim rode up, stopping behind Éomer and Gandalf. Raising his sword again Éomer called out. "To the king!"

The Rohirrim leaped down the hill. The Orcs prepared themselves for them to come, their weapons ready. The sun reached down to the Deep and blinded the Orcs, and the Rohirrim charged the host of Isengard.

The battle that followed was not long. The coming of the White Wizard filled the enemy with madness, and the Orcs reeled and screamed and cast aside both sword and spear. Like a black smoke driven by a mounting wind they fled. Chasing behind them were the Riders of Rohan, and ahead of the Riders were Éomer. The Orcs were cut down, for the Rohirrim were not about to let them flee after all they had done. Those who managed to flee passed under the waiting shadow of the trees; and from that shadow none ever came again.

Lothíriel had fought as valiantly as the men she rode with. She had cut down as many Orcs as she had the chance to, and that were not few. Now she looked around to make sure Éomer was all right. He had sought her out with his eyes, and he nodded to her, relieved to find out that she had not fallen on the battlefield.

She rode over to him. "Did I not tell you I would not get hurt?"

"Perhaps this time you were lucky," He replied.

She frowned. "It was not luck, Lord Éomer. I am rather skilled with the blade. And do not deny it. I am good, am I not?"

"You are," he admitted, "and no one can accuse you of being shy either, Lady Liriel. Your words are as sharp as your blade."

Lothíriel flashed him a grin. "Only in the last few days I've found both traits very useful."

Éomer knew she was referring not only to the resent battle, but also their argument if she could come with them or not. He knew he would never hear the end of it that she had won that argument and proved her skills in battle. He already knew of her skills with weapons, though. She had trained with them for a long time, while they believed her to be a man.

Éothain rode over to them. "Lady Liriel, you must come."

"What is it?" Lothíriel questioned.

"Your friend, Déorl," Éothain replied. "He is badly wounded."

Lothíriel hurried inside the fortress, to the rooms that was used by the healers now. Déorl had been laid on a cot near the furthest wall. Galrim, Helmling and Halmod were sitting next to him. She hurried over to them and kneeled next to the cot.

"How bad is it?" she asked.

"Bad," Galrim said harshly.

"He will not make it," Halmod said quietly, for the moment putting aside the fact that his former friend Farabor was a woman. He looked at her. "He has lost too much blood. The blade cut him deep. They cannot fix the damage that was caused."

Déorl slowly opened his eyes. He looked at their faces. He did not even have to ask.

"Déorl," Galrim said. "You should rest, my friend."

"I will not... make it..." Déorl said.

"You should save your strength," Helmling said.

Déorl was so tired. He barely managed to keep his eyes open. "I know it is the end," the young Rohirrim said. "It is a good end... we defeated the Uruk-hai."

"That we did," Helmling said with a smile. "You are a brave warrior, my friend."

Déorl smiled weakly. He looked at his friends. "It has been a pleasure to ride with you, my friends..." he looked at Galrim.

"You have done well, my friend," Galrim said. "You are one of the bravest warriors I have ever met."

Halmod nodded. "A true Rider of Rohan."

Déorl motioned for Halmod to lean down. Whatever Déorl whispered made Halmod frown. "Promise me, my friend," Déorl said, his voice becoming weaker.

"I promise," Halmod said after a few moments.

Déorl looked at Lothíriel. "It has been a pleasure... Liriel of Gondor..."

"It was my pleasure, Déorl," Lothíriel said.

Déorl smiled at them one last time, before his eyes closed and he would never open them again.

A single tear ran down Lothíriel's face. She had only experienced death once before, and that was with her mother. Déorl's death was a reminder that people died no matter where you were. Death was no different in Rohan than in Dol Amroth. "Îdh mi sîdh, mellon nín."

Éomer went inside the hall. The hall of Hornburg was filled with the men that had not been wounded in the battle and the women and children that had sought refugee in the caves. He saw Lothíriel sitting near a wall, looking at the food she had taken. He went over to her.

"You know, you will not be less hungry if you simply stare at the food," he said.

She smiled sadly at him. "I know, but..."

"You are thinking about your friend," he said and took a seat next to her.

Lothíriel nodded. "Déorl was so young. He had his life ahead of him. It should not have ended."

"He wished for no other ending," Éomer said. "Liriel, he knew it was a possibility he might die in battle. As you must know it is. He died in honour; he died defending his land and his people. He died for what he believed was right. What I believe is right. Believe me when I say his death was a good one."

Lothíriel bit her lower lip. She knew he was right. Déorl would not have wished to die any other way. "I believe you," she said. "I know you are right, and I know we can all die in battle," she smiled. "He died for the freedom of his country. I only wish he could be here to see it."

"Because of him and the other warriors that have given their lives, perhaps others will," Éomer said.

Lothíriel had to fight the need to kiss him. They were not alone, and she was dressed as a soldier. If someone saw the Marshal kiss a soldier they would surely die of a heart stroke.

Similar thoughts seemed to be flowing through Éomer's mind. "Shall we go outside for a while?"

She grinned at him. "Sounds good to me."

But apparently the Valar had decided differently. The moment Éomer rose, Éowyn ran towards him and embraced him. "It is god to sceawian eow eft, broðor. Ic agan forléas eow."

"Ond ic eow, sweostor," Éomer said and returned her embrace.

Éowyn turned at Lothíriel. "I am sorry, good soldier, but I must borrow my brother for a moment."

Lothíriel was grateful the hood covered her face. "No problem, my lady," she muttered, struggling to make her voice sound like the voice of a man.

Éomer sent Lothíriel a regretful look as he followed his sister.

"I am sorry to drag you away from your friend, but it has been so long, brother," Éowyn said and smiled. "When you rode away from Edoras I was afraid it would be the last time I saw you. I am glad it was not."

"As am I, sister," Éomer said. "Gandalf told me the king is himself again."

Éowyn nodded, still smiling. "Our uncle is no longer under the hold of Saruman. Have you not met him?"

"I have been busy," Éomer answered. In truth he had been a little afraid to hope that the spell had been broken, and he knew that both he and his uncle had been busy after the battle, taking care of their men and the horses, and to see to it that the dead men were not on the battlefield, but had been laid to rest to await their burial.

"Well, I know uncle has been busy as well, but he has been looking for you," Éowyn said. "He is over there."

As Éomer followed his sister, he noticed that the smile had not once left her face. He was surprised to see such a change, but wondered if it was only because the battle had been won and that the spell upon their uncle had been broken. Was it something else?

Éowyn took him to a long table where his uncle was sitting, with his captains, Gandalf and the three strangers Éomer had come across on the plains. Théoden was the first to notice his niece and nephew and he smiled. He rose from his chair and Éomer bowed. "Halettan Théoden Cyning!" Éomer said in a clear voice. "It is a joy to see you again, my lord."

Théoden smiled and laid a hand on Éomer's shoulder. "I is good to see you again, nephew, and under better circumstances. I am told our meetings the latest years have been less than friendly."

"And perhaps it is better unspoken of and forgotten," Éomer said.

"You were banished by me, Éomer. It was not Wormtongue's signature you saw, but mine. For that I am sorry, and I hope you will forgive me," Théoden said.

"There is nanwuht to forgiefan, eam," Éomer said.

Théoden smiled. "Come," he told his nephew and niece. They took a seat on each side of the king, for Théoden would have it no other way. They were the last living family he had left.

"How is your friend?" Théoden asked Aragorn.

"Haldir will be fine with time," Aragorn answered.

Éomer gave him a questioning look. "Haldir?"

"The commander of the Elves from Lothlórien. They were sent to aid in their battle against Saruman. Many died. Haldir was badly wounded, but he will live." It was Legolas who spoke.

Théoden turned at his nephew. "How fares your men?"

"I lost fifteen of my men at Fangorn forest, and twelve horses. Here twenty-two men died, some are still missing. Thirty of the horses are dead. Of all the men that came with us I fear too many died," Éomer said.

The conversations continued for a while. Éomer did not say much, he just enjoyed the company of his sister and uncle. It had been so long since they had been together. The only thing that was missing was his cousin. Théodred should not have died, but nothing could be done with it.

He was wakened from his thoughts by Gandalf's voice. "Wormtongue persuaded you to banish Éomer. Had not Éomer and his men defied the orders of Wormtongue and remained in Rohan, the Uruk-hai they battled outside Fangorn forest would have reached Isengard with a great prize. Not the prize Saruman desires above all else, but two members of my company that shares the knowledge of what Saruman desires. Dare you think of what they might now be suffering, or what Saruman might now have learned to our destruction?"

"I owe much to Éomer," Théoden said. "Faithful heart may have forward tongue."

Éomer looked for Liriel after he had been able to get away. He found her outside, away from the others, watching the stars. Since no one was around he took the liberty to turn her around and kiss her passionately. Lothíriel was surprised at first, but it was not many seconds before she was returning his kiss. She parted her lips and his tongue started to explore her mouth.

The kiss ended too soon for her liking, but she smiled at him. "I could get used to surprises such as this one," she told him.

"Could you?" he asked her, grinning. "That is good, because I intent to surprise you more in the future."

"What will happen now, Éomer? Will we return to Aldburg as if nothing had happened? Or do we stay here?" Lothíriel asked.

"Tomorrow we will ride to Isengard," Éomer answered. "After that we will ride back to Edoras where there will be a feast for those who died here, to honour their memory."

"And after that?" Lothíriel asked.

"I do not know," Éomer answered. "Maybe we just should take a day as it comes, and stop to worry of what will happen next."

Lothíriel nodded. "So what will happen now, my lord?" she smiled at him. "I mean at this moment. Here."

"I will kiss you until we are both out of breath, and then I will kiss you some more," Éomer said.

"You will?" Lothíriel asked. Éomer nodded. "Good." He kissed her and put his arms around her. He pulled her closer and could fell her curves through the cloths she was wearing. In a way it would have been safer to still have his armour on. As promised they were both out of breath when the kiss ended.

Translations:

Îdh mi sîdh, mellon nín – Rest in peace, my friend
It is god to sceawian eow eft, broðor – It is good to see you again, brother
Ic agan forléas eow – I have missed you
Ond ic eow, sweostor – And I you, sister
Halettan Théoden Cyning! – Hail Théoden King!
There is nanwuht to forgiefan, eam – There is nothing to forgive, uncle

Lady Anck-su-namun: It took some time for them to kiss, but they finally did it! Thanks for the review!

lady scribe of avandell: Glad you liked it! I actually noticed some of the mistakes I made after I had posted the chapter. It's really typical me doing things like that. Well, I was tired and it seems like I have no imagination when I'm not at home, talking to my sister about what should happen. I wrote almost the entire chapter in one night after talking to her. I'm not making excuses, it's just that I should have noticed that ladder/latter thing. Well, that doesn't matter now. I'll just say thanks for your helpful review and hope you'll keep reading!

Haldir's Heart and Soul: About time, right? Thanks for the review!

Shallindra: It will be more kisses coming. In the next chapter I hope, if everything goes as planned. Thanks for reviewing!

ellenflower: Hmmm... I won't tell you. You'll just have to continue reading if you want to find out what happens when he finds out. Thanks for reviewing!

Finally more reviewers! I was beginning to wonder if anyone was reading this. Well, thanks to all of you, and keep reviewing! I still need more!