~chapter 10~
Out on the plain Eomer's army continued to ride hard for Helm's Deep stopping only as necessary to eat and rest the horses….
***
Aragorn clung to his horse exhausted from both the battle with the Wargs and his desperate battle against the currents of the river. His body cried out for rest and he struggled to make at back to Helm's Deep.
He crested the next ridge and was stunned by what he saw—an army comprised of Urak-hai warriors, stretching back toward Isengard as far as the eye could see.
With renewed sense of urgency born of desperation he prodded the stallion to full gallop toward Helm's Deep.
****
The guard atop the fortress cried out "Rider approaching." The rider came closer and the gates were ordered open. Excited murmurs rippled through the first level of the keep. "Lord Aragorn has returned."
Erienne watched curious to see this man who single-handedly seemed to bring hope back to Rohan. She stood back in the shadows, watching the look on Legolas's face as he heard the news, the sheer joy on his face as he embraced his friend whom he'd thought dead. She could not help but wipe away a happy tear to see the weight of such grief rise off of her new friend.
She saw the unspoken affection between the ranger and the elf as Legolas handed the Evenstar back to Aragorn, no words necessary to convey the message, and across the keep she saw the same look of elation and erased grief on Lady Eowyn's face.
Sadly Aragorn did not bring glad news. Danger was imminent—the enemy army would reach them soon, probably by nightfall.
All the women and children were ordered to the caves; including the Lady Eowyn. The air in the caves thick with fear, and anticipated grief. Any male capable of bearing a weapon was outside at the wall watching in the early darkness as the Urak-hai army approached, they could hear the them, the ground shaking as the mass moved as one. The women could also hear the sound of violent thunder.
Erienne approached Eowyn, there might not be another time to meet Eomer's sister. "Milady, I would like to speak with you about Lord Eomer."
Eowyn looked Erienne over curiously, wondering who she was and how she knew her brother. "What do you know of him? What do you know of my brother? "
'I know of his banishment milady, and I know he is a good, strong man; after his banishment he and his men rescued me from rape and certain death. My home village…., well I am the only survivor."
"My is brother is well?" Lady Eowyn's affection for her brother was apparent as was her eagerness for any news of his welfare.
"Yes, milady, quite well indeed, at least he was a fortnight ago. He has feared greatly for your well-being. After my rescue he left me at another village after seeking safe haven for me. He had no way of knowing that village would be attacked as well. So many of them have been destroyed."
Eowyn didn't doubt the truth of those words, she looked around the brimming cave; brimming the frightened humanity. Probably half were from Edoras but the others were just like Erienne, force from their homes in fear for their lives. So many now homeless.
Gandalf and Eomer led the Rohirrim army steadfastly across the plains; if they could keep this pace they would make Helm's Deep by first light. They only hope they got there in time….
****
The battle began in earnest as Rohan fought for survival aided in battle by the contingent of Elves sent by Lord Elrond of Rivendale. The rivalry between Legolas and the dwarf Gimli continued as they kept a body count of their kills. They fought valiantly throughout the long night and despite their determination and valor, being vastly outnumbered, little by little the Urak-hai breeched their defenses, and by the time the predawn light peaked over the horizon they had only the inner keep left.
Aragorn and Théoden decided to make a final stand, and Aragorn remembered what Gandalf had told them about the looking to the east on the fifth day. With a final charge through the fortress to the outside, they took down hundreds of the enemy as they swept through the keep on horseback.
They knew when they reached the outside they would be greatly outnumbered but were determined that if they had to die they would go down fighting to the last breath or heartbeat.
The sun broke on the horizon over the eastern mountains and Aragorn did look to the East. There was Gandalf, resplendent in all white. A slow smile crept upon Aragorn's face as he saw the top of the ridge fill with men on Horseback and he recognized the Lord Marshall of Rohan at Gandalf's side.
Théoden looked up as well, and smiled as they heard not Eomer's cry, but heard it as it was echoed by his men "To the King" and they began their charge down the hill. The Urak–hai seemed to have an aversion to horses and in addition the sunlight behind the charging army was blinding them.
It was over shortly, and whatever remained of Saruman's vast army was taking flight. It was over, the keep still stood and below in the caves the women and children were safe at last.
The women were released from the caves and reunited with those men and boys who had survived. The joy was bittersweet for the loss of life was great. And all of them knew that Gondor was at risk of the same fate.
The men met briefly in the great hall, Theoden, Eomer, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf. It was quickly decided that they still had Saruman himself to deal with and they quickly rode off for Isengard….
Inside the keep Erienne had heard of the Rohirrim's return. She rejoiced in the news that her love was safe, but also knew he was occupied by his duty. She would seek him out when they returned from Isengard. It was enough for her now to know that he was close and they could be together soon.