Disclaimer: Still the same as always. I only own my OCs.

I suggest reading this wonder full fic called For Whose Sake by Celsius Fate. It's pretty interesting and has seventeen chapters to it so far.

Anyway, this chapter has some humor to it. I absolutely had to make sure Celebmir decided to boast of his and Ruinmir's most recent mischief during the Battle of Helms Deep and anything they might be planning.

Here is the conclusion of the previous chapter.

Chapter 10-What is going on?

***Aragorn's POV***

When Legolas, Gimli, and I came to back to the camp, we saw Frodo and Sam's pack were gone. Their foot prints indicating they went on to Mordor. Then I noticed Aidan's pack was gone but his did not lead to the shore. His showed he was going back to Lórien then, most likely, on to Rivendell.

"Laddie, looks like one of them left a message for ya on yer pack," Gimli's gruff voice cut through my thoughts.

I looked at my pack and saw a message was, indeed, sitting on top. I grabbed it and opened it.

My Chieftain,

Had I saved Boromir, then many more would have lost their lives than was meant to. He would have turned against us. The Valar showed me this with Lady Galadriel's mirror when I was still trying to figure out if I should save him or not. I thought it wiser not to try to save him. I had decided this just before Eryniel contacted me. I was thinking of following you, Legolas, and Gimli instead of Da and Sam. Frodo was, in the end, always meant to continue on with only Sam.

The three of you must go after Merry and Pippin,. In doing so, you will discover Gandalf has since been sent back-Gandalf the White!-and after discovering Gandalf is alive once more, the four of you must go to Rohan-Saruman has Theoden-king under his control. I'll try to be at Helm's Deep by March 3rd. If not, expect to see me in the early hours of March 6th. If it is that day, I won't be alone.

If I don't live that long, then you must remember this for when the time comes.

Before the Gates of Mordor, Frodo's Mithril shirt will be shown as proof of his death. Ask Loud-Mouth (proper name is Mouth of Sauron) for Frodo's head as proof. If he can't show you Da's head, he is lying. He won't be able to show proof. The only thing Da looses during this Quest is one of his fingers-and that's at the end!

There will be a point where time must be played for. That is when his shirt will be shown to you. You have to play for time. Make sure Sauron's army is draw out from Mordor-that it's lands are emptied and his Eye is on you.

No one else is meant to die...But I highly recommend on stocking up on Athelas. You'll need it for one of the hobbits and Éowyn

By the way, has no one thought that the reason no man can kill a Wraith is because a woman has to? Yep, that's right, Wraith-killing is a woman's job! Sauron thought so outside the box he thought INSIDE it. Men keep their women from battle. Cage them from know what it's really like to fight. Forbid them from doing so-often times from even known how to use any weapon just in case they have to so they can defend themselves! And since everything HAS to have a way to be killed (even if it's only a single thing), he chose women to be their downfall.

Don't turn back to Rivendell. Your part is important. Oh, and please tell Legolas and Gimli I'm serious about you becoming an amazing king. That they need to remember that, even when they THINK you're dead. If anything, the little tumble off the cliff will only make you late to the party.

I know this gives me little time. Seven to ten days, but I sense I'll be getting some help getting back to Rivendell. Not sure how or why but I do.

Aidan

I hoped, for his sake, he was correct. I also hoped, for his sake, that his wife and children were save.

"Well, laddie," Gimli asked.

"Aidan will meet up with us either on the third or sixth day of March. He also said if we see just Frodo's Mithril shirt, we should ask to see his head because we shouldn't assume something on a piece of cloth or armor. He wants me to tell you that he was serious about me becoming an amazing king and that the both of you need to remember, especially when you think I'm dead. Also that the little tumble off the cliff will only make me late to the party," I said.

"That lad could be a wizard some days."

I grinned.

"So, the lad intends to get to Rivendell and meet up with us by one of those days? I doubt he can."

"We will see."

"I hope his wife and wee ones are save."

"As do I," Legolas stated.

"I hope they are. I hope he knows I expect a report after this."

***Aidan, four days later***

He was in a clearing, getting ready to take off running again after waking up when a large eagle landed.

"Come, I must get you to Rivendell," the Great Eagle aid.

"Thank you, Great Eagle! May the winds be ever beneath your wings and carry you swiftly," Aidan said.

Then he grabbed his stuff and got on the eagle. With the eagle flying, it took a day and a half. The eagle told him to jump into the river and so he did. He swam to the banks then took off at a run.

Minutes later, he reached the courtyard, where Elrond was.

"Aidan, I did not-the eagle brought you here," Elrond said.

"Yes, my lord. One of the gifts Lady Galadriel gave my wife was a necklace that would allow her to contact me. Five and a half days ago, while we were speaking, the village was attacked. I told her to lead the women and children here. I have heard nothing from her since. I fear that none have survived and if any did, they will be attacked before they reach the Ford," Aidan told him.

"Glorfindel, prepare the warriors," Elrond shouted as he ran to prepare himself for battle.

"Lord Glorfindel, I will run ahead," Aidan said.

"Try not to do anything stupid, human," Glorfindel said before taking off to do as ordered.

Aidan took off at a run out of the Gates of Rivendell after dropping his pack by the courtyard fountain.

If he ran the way he knew he could, within thirty minutes, he should be there. Eight miles in an hour. He'd have to run.

He was on a horse now, the group riding out didn't take long to get ready and mount up. They were a few miles still from the Ford.

Ada! Nana is hurt badly!

Celebmir? Where are you? We are nearly to the Ford!

Almost to the Ford. Some horses going across now. Orcs are attacking, Ada! Nana said you wouldn't get here in time.

How badly is your Naneth injured? Where is she?

She stayed behind to fight the baddies with the big boys and another. I remember you said some parts can be cut off and a person still live if the bleeding is stopped.

What part has been cut off?

Her head.

"Eryniel gave the necklace to Celebmir, he just contacted me! They're being attacked by orcs! Some of the horses are crossing the Ford as I speak. Older boys, my wife, and some if the other women stayed behind to by others time," Aidan shouted to Elrond as the elven horses ran as fast as they could.

How many baddies are left?

I don't know.

I see the Ford and horses trying to get across. Where in the group are yall?

In the back.

Break away from the horses to get across faster. Let them know the elves are close!

Second later, he saw two horses break away from the herd and cross the Ford. Soon, other horses followed. There were shouts then cry of relief.

Suddenly, he was running past the survivors and attacking from the back of the horse. It did not take long before the orcs were decimated.

Elrond told Aidan to escort them to Rivendell.

***Celebmir's POV***

"Ada, will Nana be okay," I asked.

Ada had never answered me.

"My sons," he started.

The way he looked, I didn't think Nana was going to be okay.

"Your Naneth is with Mandos now. Her spirit left her body when her head was cut off."

Ada sounded so sad. His sounded a little broken, too. Nana left her body...Nana left her body! Ada was saying Nana's body was dead so she had to leave! We wouldn't see her until we died!

I felt sad. I felt abandoned. I know Nana was trying to protect us but...

I started to wail. Then Ruinmir wailed with me. Then Duinmir and Nariel started wailing, too.

While Ada did not wail, he was quietly crying.

Helm's Deep

It was the third day of March. One of the Great Eagles had landed in Rivendell to take him to Helm's Deep. The large eagle had flown swiftly to get him to Helm's Deep before it was attacked. He would be going into battle exhausted both mentally and physically. The two boys had nightmares of seeing their mother die before their eyes. Sometimes, though, they would see him instead.

He had to sing to them to keep them asleep, and so now he was in dire need of sleep before he fought. If he were to be honest with himself, he probably wouldn't make it.

It didn't help that the Angle wasn't supposed to have been attacked at all. Something had to be wrong. Something wasn't right.

Early in the morning, he had been met by Elrond with provisions and such. He had told Elrond everything. Everything about his past, everything about what he knew. That the Angle wasn't supposed to have been attacked. At all. Nor was Rivendell but now he could not be sure if Rivendell would be the only Elven Realm to remain in peace.

Elrond had agreed that something wasn't right and that he would let the warriors know to be extra aware when they went on patrol.

Now that he was in Helm's Deep, Aidan could only think of what if Rivendell was attacked and he wasn't there to protect his children? He hadn't been there to save Eryniel. He hadn't reached her in time.

He now stood before his Chieftain. In the room was the Theoden-king and his nephew Éomer Legolas and Gimli were there as well.

"Aidan, how many survived," he asked.

"No male fourteen and older survived. Just before the women and children reached the Ford, they were attacked. The thirteen year old boys and some of the women stayed behind to buy time for the others to cross the Ford. Eryniel had given her necklace to one of my sons, Celebmir. Out of his fear, he was able to contact me to let me know. One of the Great Eagles bore me to Rivendell the fourth day after we parted. It took him a day and a half to reach Rivendell. I had told Lord Elrond of the attack on the village and what I had told my wife to do. He and several of his warriors rode out to meet them. I went with them. We were nearly there when Celebmir told me they were being attacked. Once we reached them, we rode past them. Meters away from the Ford they had been attacked, my Lord. Fifty survived," Aidan reported, broken. "That was yesterday. The Great Eagle had stayed close to Rivendell so he could bring me here before the attack."

"You appear tired," Éomer pointed out.

"My two oldest, twins...Celebmir and Ruinmir...They saw their mother's head get cut off. They had nightmares. They could only sleep without them when I sang to him," he replied.

"Aidan, what did you mean you didn't know they were going to be attacked? You said that in the note you left me," his Chieftain asked.

"They weren't supposed to be attacked. Something is wrong. I don't know what or why. Rivendell isn't supposed to be attacked but I fear it will. I have told Lord Elrond of this. He has agreed that if the village wasn't supposed to be attacked yet was, then Rivendell may be attacked as well." Aidan answered.

He knew his eyes were haunted from grief and fear.

"If there is to be an attack here today, then you will need to get to sleep immediately. If you have nothing else to report to Lord Aragorn, my nephew will take you to the barracks and you will sleep there until you are awakened," Theoden-king said.

"Aidan, I agree with him. If there is nothing else to report, you are to sleep," his Chieftain said.

"There is nothing else," he replied.

Then he was dismissed and he followed Éomer to the barracks. He was out before he could complete lay down on the bed he was directed to.

***Back in the Room***

"I am sorry for the lost of so many of your people. I know your people are so few. I am also sorry he lost his wife," Théoden said. He understood what it was like to loose people that followed a leader. He also knew what it was like to loose a wife.

"Aragorn, Aidan said nothing of Duinmir and Nariel. You know him better than us. Has he lost his two youngest," Legolas asked.

"Aidan has more than two sons," Théoden asked.

"He would have mentioned it if he lost either one of them. He has the oldest twins-Celebmir and Ruinmir-, and the youngest twins-Duinmir and Nariel. Three sons and a daughter. Many of us have only one child. He was hoping to have more with her after he returned. He had not planned on leaving my side when he got news of the attack on the village. Lady Galadriel had sent to his wife a necklace that would let her speak to him through their minds. That was how he learned of the attack. Never have I seen him so fearful and panicked as I did when he ran to me. I have always known him to be quiet and stealthy. Yet when he ran to me...I doubt even an army of dwarves could have been louder than him. I fear he will not live through this battle he speaks of. He knows the future. He has not said how but he does know it," Aragorn replied. He was grateful that, at least, Aidan's children had survived.

"The poor laddie. He was a so hoping to see her belly grow big with more of his children. He loved her. He can't be taking it as well as he pretends," Gimli said.

"I do not think he is trying to feel right now. I think he is trying to do what he thinks he must. You heard what Gandalf said-he had been given a second chance at life. I know my father was, at first, numb and seemingly uncaring to everyone and everything except for me. He seemed distant to me but not so much as he seemed to others. His temper grew short, especially once he allowed himself to grieve. I think Aidan loved Eryniel as we elves love. We love deeper than mortals. The way Aragorn loves Lady Arwen, daughter of Elrond of Rivendell," Legolas said.

***Rivendell***

Celebmir and Ruinmir were playing close to Duinmir and Nariel. The two boys had refused to carry wooden knives. They insisted on wearing their real ones until their Adar returned.

Lord Elrond was grieved the boys did not feel safe. They did not let their younger siblings to be taken too far from them. The Elves of Rivendell took turns singing to the Dúnedain children. One of the five pregnant women have birth too early and lost the child. Her husband had been among the fallen.

All the small boys had asked for wooden knives. Celebmir and Ruinmir would practice with the wooden knives. All the boys were growing up fast.

He suspected Celebmir and Ruinmir had watched their Adar teach their Naneth to fight. Maybe even spar with some of the other Dúnedain men. Either way, the two were better than he would have thought they would.

He had seen the love their Adar and Naneth had for each other. It was a deep love. He did not think their Adar would find another to love. He doubted the young father ever would. The young father might not even settle for another marriage, even if it was one of convenience.

Some of the Rangers that were away came up to him, having just come to Rivendell. They looked worried. One of them was Himel, the father of Eryniel.

I answered their other Rangers first. When Himel remained, I spoke to him.

"Eryniel did not make it. She fell during the second attack, trying to give the children and other women more time to cross the Ford. They were attacked not far from it. Aidan knows. He left earlier today. One of the Great Eagles had carried him here and back. More may have been lost had he not arrived when he had. The Valar seem to favor him. From everything he told me, he is favored." I continued speaking with him.

In the end, he decided he would stay with this grandchildren until his daughter's husband had returned.

***Helm's Deep***

Gimli stood leaning against the breastwork upon the wall. Legolas sat above on a parapet, fingering his bow, and peering out into the gloom. Aidan sat with Legolas, itching for a fight. He couldn't kill fellow humans and he certainly didn't want to kill his friends.

"This is more to my liking," Gimli said, stamping on stones. "Ever my heart rises as we draw near the mountains. There is good rock here. This country has tough bones. I felt them in my feet as we came up from the dike. Give me a year and a hundred of my kin and I would make this place that armies would break upon like water."

"I do not doubt it," Legolas replied. "But you are a dwarf, and dwarves are strange folk. I do not like this place, and I shall like it no more by the light of day. But you comfort me, Gimli, and I am glad to have you standing nigh with your stout legs and your hard axe. I wish there were more of your king among us. But even more would I give for a hundred good archers of Mirkwood. We shall need them. The Rohirrim have good bowmen after their fashion, but there are too few here, too few."

"It is dark for archery," said Gimli. "Indeed it is time for sleep. Sleep! I feel the need of it, as never I thought any dwarf could. Riding is tiring work. Yet my axe is restless in my hand. Give me a row of orc-necks and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me!"

"Do you really wish to fight until the marrow, Gimli, strange dwarf," Aidan replied playfully.

"What! To tomorrow," Gimli shouted.

"Maybe longer. I don't remember at the moment. Still a bit tired. I need...Oig, Arda ain't got any of it. Wake me up when you hear the screams and yells from Dike? By the way, I'm totally going to beat the two of you. I already know what numbers I have to beat."

It was past midnight now. The sky was completely dark and the scent of a storm was heavily in the air. Suddenly, a blinding flash seared the clouds. For a staring moment, all those watching on the walls saw the space between them and the Dike lit with white light. It looked as though it was boiling and crawling with black shapes. Some squat and broad, some tall and grim. All with high helms and sable shields. Hundreds and hundreds more poured over the Dike and through the breach. The dark tide flowed up to the walls from cliff to cliff. Thunder rolled in the valley. Rain came doing in a lashing manner.

Arrows, thick as rain, came whistling over the battlements and fell clinking and glancing on the stones. Some found a mark. The assault on Helm's Deep had begun yet now sound or challenge was heard within. No answering arrows came. Aidan was annoyed with this. They should fire back. They should be told to fire back.

The assailing hosts halted, foiled by the silent menace of rock and wall. Lightning tore aside the darkness over and over. Then the Orcs screamed, waving spear and sword, and shooting a cloud of arrows at any that stood revealed upon the battlements; and the men of the Mark amazed, looked out as it seemed to them like a great dark corn field tossed by a tempest war with every ear glinting with barbed light.

Brazen trumpets sounded before the enemy surged forward. Some went against the Deeping Wall while others went towards the causeway and the ramp that led up to the Hornburg-gates. There the hugest Orcs were mustered and the wild men of the Dunland fells. A moment they hesitated and then on they came. The lightning flashed once more and revealed upon every helm and shield the ghastly had of Isengard. They reached the summit of the rock; they drove towards the gates.

Then at last came an answer: a storm of arrows met them and a hail of stones. They waved, broke, and fled back; and then charged again; and each time, like the incoming sea, they halted at a higher point. Again trumpets rang and a press of roaring men leapt forth. They held their great shields above them like a roof, while in their mist they bore to trunks of might trees. Behind them, orc-archers were crowded and sending a hail of tarts against the bowmen on the walls. They gained the gates. The trees, swung by strong arms, smote the timbers with a rending boom. If any man fell, crushed by a stone hurtling from above, two others sprang to take his place. Again and again the great rams swung and crashed.

Aidan and Legolas were firing arrow after arrow, counting allowed their kills. Legolas had no wished to be outdone by a human. Aidan just wanted to see the looks on the faces of Legolas and Gimli when Aidan tells them his own number. His personally goal was sixty kills.

Éomer and Aragorn stood together on the the Deeping Wall. They heard the roar of voices and thudding of the rams; and then in a sudden flash of light they beheld the peril of the gates.

"Come!" said Aragorn. "This is the hour when we draws swords together!"

Running like fire, they sped along the wall and up the steps then passed into the outer court upon the Rock. As they ran they gathered a handful of stout swordsmen. There was a small postern-door that opened in an angle of the burg-wall on the west, where the cliff stretched out to meet it. On that side, a narrow path ran round towards the great gate, between the wall and the sheer brink of the Rock. Together Éomer and Aragorn sprang through the door, their men close behind. The two swords flashed from their sheaths as one.

"Gúthwinë!" cried Éomer. "Gúthwinë for the Mark!"

Andúril!" cried Aragorn. "Andúril for the Dúnedain!"

"Two," said Gimli exclaimed proudly, patting his axe. He had returned to his place on the wall.

"Two," asked Legolas. "I have done better, though now I must grope for spent arrows; all mine are gone. Yet I make my tale twenty at the least. But that is only a few leaves in the forest."

"Then add my twenty-two leaves to fallen leaves of the forest," Aidan said with laughter.

"Ai, I shall not be beating by an elf or a human," Gimli shouted.

"I shall not be bested by either of you, dwarf," Legolas said in a friendly shout.

"Oh, but then that would mean I would have to tell you of my goal so you know what number to beat! Oh no, that won't do! A wager, perhaps? Coins to the one that gets the most? Aragorn is keeping count as well," Aidan suggested.

Gimli and Legolas agreed. Five gold pieces to the one with the most kills.

Orcs were behind the wall. Aidan's count was thirty. He was working hard to make sure he reached his goal.

Gimli climbed up and found Legolas and Aidan beside Aragorn and Éomer. The elf was whetting his long knife. There was for a while a lull in the assault, since the attempt to break in through the culvert has been foiled.

"Twenty-one," said Gimli.

"Good," said Legolas. "But my count is now two dozen. It has been knife-work up here."

"And I have twenty-three, Gimli," Aragorn said with a grin.

Gimli huffed.

Aidan, with a laugh, said, "No worries, Gimli, for you may tease Legolas that this human here has more than he at thirty-seven!"

Legolas' head whipped to look at Aidan. He was surprised the human was able to keep his count high. Perhaps agreeing to the wager was not such a good idea. Both Legolas and Gimli thought.

Ada, is it safe to talk to you? Celebmir's voice entered Aidan's head.

At the moment the fighting is quiet. Helms Deep is being hit pretty hard by the baddies. Gimli, Legolas, and I are making it a game for us. Who has killed the most baddies win. So far, I'm winning. I have small injuries but nothing else. Do not worry for me. How are you and your siblings?

Ruinmir and I are back from the library.

And what were the two of you up and about at this hour? Aidan could not help the amusement from being sent to his son.

Don't go into the library until someone else does, Ada. We remembered what you said about honey and feathers. We couldn't find any feathers so we used fallen leaves.

And who are my two little mischief makers trying to turn into a tree elf, hm?

Blondie.

Aidan began laughing out loud at that. He was getting strange looks until Aragorn realized he was talking to one of his children.

"What are your sons doing up that this hour," Aragorn asked.

"Apparently, Lord Glorfindel was going to get turned into a bird but my two oldest could not find any feathers so the used fallen leaves instead. Honey and leaves set up in the library," Aidan replied. "I wish I was there! I have been warned not to go into the library until someone else does! That takes 'tree elf' to a whole new level."

"I do not envy the elves of Rivendell," Legolas said with laughter.

"They are worse than Lord Elrond's twins," Aragorn added with his own laughter.

Gimli laughed the loudest.

Oh, my sons. You have brought laughter to not only myself but to those around me! A gift most precious!

Yay! Ada, Ruinmir wants know if we will be in trouble when you get back.

Don't get caught by those in Rivendell! That way I can pretend I know nothing!

Aidan heard laughter from his son.

Ruinmir is happy. We think it is funny. We are making plans for our next trouble. We hope to get the others involved.

Oh? Planning to overtake Rivendell while I am away, are we?

Night night Ada!

Then the connection was gone.

Aidan laughed hard.

"Oh, Legolas dear friend...I fear you shall have to bring an army of elves to Rivendell to take it back from Dúnedain children," he said, leaning against a wall while doubled over, clutching his stomach in laughter.

"And what makes you think so," asked Legolas, clearly amused at what the two children could possibly be up to.

"My sons are planning more trouble. They hope to get the other children involved. When I asked him if they were planning to overtake Rivendell while I was away, he told me good night much too quickly and cut the connection!"

"I do not envy the trouble Rivendell is soon to come! Oh, I should indeed bring an army! An army! An elleth army! Surely being told there are children in Rivendell that needs care would send them quickly there! Oh how they would coo over the children, rendering them defenseless! Perhaps I shall send an ellon or two so while the children are distracted, Rivendell may be taken back!" Legolas looked quite amused.

"Then once they found out who sent the elves aid, they would surely wish to attack Mirkwood in retaliation!" Aidan was finding this conversation just as amusing.

"Do you think so?"

"Oh, indeed so! Though I think that may be my fault. I told them when you take something over and it gets taken back, you have to retaliate." Aidan tried to look innocent.

"You are a bad influence on your own children, Aidan! You shall cause our people to ascend into nothing more as roaming pranksters," Aragorn said with a laugh.

"I know! Can you imagine my children taking down orcs and other such dark things by pranking them! I think I would be laughing way too hard to do anything," Aidan said with a rueful smirk.

"You are strange, Aidan. To think that pranking orcs would be fun," Éomer said.

"Actually, I think it would be fun. Who wants to join me," Aidan asked.

They looked at him like he was insane as he bounced off to do not even he knew.

Aidan knew the two future kings were talking. He also knew there was to be an explosion at the culvert. He was glad he had thought of covering some of his arrowheads with balls of wool. He had a small jar of flammable liquid and his fire piston. He found the fire-starting stick he kept on him. He got above the culvert and lit the fire stick. Then grabbed his cloth covered arrows and dipped them in the jar before lighting them on fire. He aimed at the uncovered pot that was slowly making its way to the culvert. Was it safely far enough away? He didn't have time to figure it out. He took aim then shot. It hit the uncovered part and the rather large pot went off with a flash of flame and smoke. He squatted down, up against the wall to provide some protection. He waited a few second then stood up. He saw about thirty bodies. He quickly glanced to see if there anymore pots. Two more. If he got about thirty each pot, his count would be a hundred twenty-seven. About anyway.

He grabbed another cloth covered arrow, wet it, lit it, then took aim at the closer of the two pots. Then he ducked down. He heard it explode.

"Shit, does DL know about me? Or maybe S? Shit, maybe...fuck," he said in English.

He stood up and about another thirty dead. He repeated for the third pot. He got down, waited until it exploded, then stood up.

"Aidan, what are you doing," Aragorn asked.

"Pranking the orcs with three exploding arrows? That was a...Looks like they tried to get away for number three. Fifteen kills. So thirty-seven plus thirty plus thirty plus fifteen is...one hundred twelve kills. Think the elf and dwarf can beat that," Aidan said as though it didn't bother him at all.

"We must tell them of your new count," Aragorn stated, not sure how to take Aidan's casual attitude.

"Oh, I already beat them. There was supposed to be one of those exploding pots, not three. I think-is that a third? Oh no. I only had three arrows set. Oh no. We need to get off the wall above the culvert! Go before we get blasted by the fire! Go go go!"

And together they flew like leaves in a strong wind.

They barely made it away in time. The two, along with Éomer, jumped down to the culvert and became fighting. It was the last assault and it came in a sweeping wave. In the end, Aragorn and Aidan were the last to be called and they ran. Aragorn made sure was first. Aidan nearly didn't make it to the other side of the door.

"Things go ill, my friends," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow with an arm.

"Ill enough," said Legolas. "But not yet hopeless, while we have you with us. Where is Gimli?"

"I do not know," Aragorn replied. "I last saw him fighting on the ground behind the wall, but the enemy swept us apart."

"Alas! That is evil news!"

"He is stout and strong. Let us hope that he will escape back to the caves. There he would be safe for a while. Safer than we. Such a refuge would be to the liking of a dwarf."

"That must be my hope. But I wish that he had come this way. I desire to tell Master Gimli that my tale is now thirty-nine."

"If he wins back to the caves, he will pass your count again," Aragorn laughed. "Never did I see an axe so wielded."

"I must go and seek some arrows. Would that this night would end, I could have better light for shooting."

Legolas began to walk away but Aidan stopped him.

"Hey! Don't you want to know my count? You wouldn't believe the kills I got! Thirty for each of the first two blasting pots and fifteen for the third. That brings my total to one hundred twelve," Aidan said with a grin. My goal was sixty but I think I surpassed it."

With the dawn brought Gandalf, the wayward Riders he went to retrieve, and a self-propelled forest.

Aidan stood on the wall as he saw orcs, like a black smoke driven by a mounting wind, fled. Wild men were among them as well. They ran into shadows of the trees where wailing and screaming in pain. Any who retreated to the trees never came out.

"I think killer trees won the count," Aidan said no one in particular.