Lost Child of Tindomiel: Chapter Fourteen
"Hmmm... Tindomiel and Earinsul? The names sound very familiar." He looked at me quizzically. "We know one thing for certain, at least your mother or your father were Elf or at least half-elf. Based on the names it's hard to tell. They both may very well be half-elf."
I nodded, slightly disappointed. I had hoped that their names would bring me one step closer to finding out more. Granted, I knew that my mother was dead, but her name should bring me closer to her family... my family.
"I am sorry I cannot be of more help, perhaps Gandalf-"
"It's fine. How long was I out?" I asked.
"Not long at all. Less than an hour. Part of me hoped that you would sleep longer." Legolas answered.
I looked around and realized that the hearth now had a low fire, adding a low ambiance to the room.
"Well, I guess that I should leave you two alone. I am going to go and find somewhere to get some sleep. I hope you will do the same, lass." Gimli smiled at me as he left.
Eowyn entered as the Dwarf left. She carried a tray with a bowl and cup. "I brought some stew that the men had made earlier as well as some water."
"Thank you, lady Eowyn." Legolas said as he inclined his head at her.
"Oh, Daniyel. I never got a chance to tell you before, but Freda and her brother found their mother. She was already here waiting." She said happily.
I smiled, "That's great! I am very happy for them."
She nodded, "I'll leave you alone to rest." She grabbed my traveling clothes. "I'll get this cleaned up and sewn up for you."
Eowyn was such a kind person and I felt sorry for her that a man that she had started to have feelings for was gone... I didn't know what was worse: loving a dead man or loving someone that was in love with someone else.
When I thought about Aragorn being gone, something inside was telling me otherwise. I don't think I believed that he was gone. Without seeing his body, I couldn't be certain. He was a very strong man, and a part of me believed in the possibility of him being alive.
I smiled warmly at her, "Thank you, my friend."
She bowed her head and left, closing the door.
Legolas turned back toward me, "You lost a lot of blood, my love. You really should get some rest."
The thought of sleep, sounded nice, but my mind was so distracted that I knew there was no way I would be getting any sleep anytime soon. Here I was, alone in a room with Legolas, again. I could think of something that we could do to pass the time, but I knew that the time nor the place was right.
I sighed, "I'm not tired." I lied.
"I can understand that. There has been much that has happened today." Legolas removed his weapons and laid them next to mine. He moved next to me. The bed was barely big enough for the both of us. But we would make it work.
I had lost a dear friend that day, I had no intention of letting Legolas out of my sight. He wrapped his arm around me and I laid my head on his chest. His body was warm, even through his clothing.
He stroaked my hair, "What did you remember this time?"
"I am not really certain. I was younger and watching my parents argue. Earinsul, my father, he didn't want my mother to go and do something. He also didn't want me to go with her."
"Do you know where you were going?" He asked.
I shook my head against his chest. "No, this time it was really short. But I got something useful out of it. I know my parent's names now. It'll make it easier to find out about them."
"You're right. I think Gandalf may be able to help you more, now that you know their names."
"Do you believe Aragron is dead?" I asked, curious on Legolas' thoughts about it.
He sat up and gently pushed me up to look at me, "Do you not believe it?"
"I believe as his friends we would know for certain if he were dead, and I don't really feel like he is gone." I hadn't really noticed it until then, but I was still holding onto the Evenstar in my unwounded arm's hand.
Legolas nodded, "Perhaps you are right. Let us hope that you are right and that he will find his way back to us."
I laid back down on his chest and together we started to fall asleep.
It was almost a bright day when I woke up. I rolled over and Legolas was gone, his weapons with him. I was still tired and couldn't muster up the strength to get up. I decided to close my eyes and fall back asleep. Later I would be thankful that I had made that decision.
When I finally did wake up, refreshed and ready, it was close to midday. I sat up and stretched. Grasped in my hand was the Evenstar. I had slept through the night and kept the necklace in my my hand.
Once again I sent my thoughts out to Arwen. Please, my friend. Bring him back to us. That same familiar sense met my mind and I found myself smiling.
My clothing were draped over a wooden chair in the corner. The majority of the blood was washed out and the sleeve was stiched back together. I quickly got dressed and put my weapons back on. I had a feeling that before I got to sleep again I would be using my weapons.
I left the room in search of my friends. I found myself amongst the Rohirrim people. A voice I recognized sounded out to me, "Lady Daniyel! Lady Daniyel!"
The little arms of Freda wrapped around me. "Freda!" I knealt down and took her in my arms. To my surprise there was an echo of pain in my arm, but nothing too bad.
Eothain came running up to me dragging behing him a woman I suspected was their mother. "Mama, this is lady Daniyel." Freda said as her mother and brother approached.
The woman bowed her head, "My lady Daniyel, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have to thank you for taking care of my children-"
I smiled at her as I set Freda down, "There is nothing to thank me for. I saw two children that needed help and I did what anyone else would have done."
"You don't understand, I was so afraid for them. I had no choice. I did what I thought was best."
"What is your name?" I asked her.
"Morwen, my lady."
"Well, Morwen, you and your children are safe, that is all the thanks I require." I was happy that the children had found their mother, it was the ending I would have picked to the story. One that could have had a whole different sad ending.
"Thank you, my lady. Thank you." Morwen looked as though she would cry.
I decided to change the conversation. "Have either of you seen Legolas?" I asked the children.
They both shook their heads. "No, my lady." Freda replied.
"Please excuse me, I need to find him and Gimli." I said with a nod of my head as I walked away. It was nice to see Freda with the wide, genuine smile on her face.
Eventually, I ran into Hama that directed me to where I could find Legolas and Gimli. They were standing along the wall, over looking the gate.
Legolas didn't even turn to see me as I approached, "I hope you slept well." He said.
"You elves are so sneaky... How on earth did you even know that she was there?" Gimli asked, shocked.
"She is the one I love. I am connected to her. I can feel her presence without seeing her." Legolas said matter of factly.
"You know, I was told once that elves love the strongest of all creatures." Gimli added.
"I have heard this too. It makes sense, we do have immortal lives after all." I interjected. Legolas wrapped his arm around me and kissed my cheek.
"Yes, well, as happy as I am for you- and I do hope I get an invite to the wedding- but the rest of us would like it if you would just finish it all ready. We can all see that it is really hard for the two of you to keep your hands to yourselves." Gimli held his hands up, "And that is the way it should be with two in love, but I thought that elves were more reserved with their emotions."
"Are you saying that you would like us to keep our distance from eachother, for your sake?" I asked. I would honor Gimli's request if our display of affection bothered him. As I would honor anyones request were we making them uncomfortable.
"Ahh!" He shook his head and flung his arms around, rather comically. "Who am I kidding. I enjoy watching you smile. You are a very beautiful creature, lass, and I do enjoy the fact that Legolas makes you so happy. I am certain that everyone around you has noticed that your eyes sparkle when you look at Legolas."
I blushed and looked down with a smile.
"I mean it though. I want an invite to that wedding!" Gimli said turning away from us.
Legolas stiffled a chuckle, something I hadn't heard from him in a long time. I stood there looking at him as he smiled after our friend. When he turned to me his eyes changed, I saw love there, and passion, and desire.
"What have you been up to while I was asleep? And when did you leave?"
"I was up once the sun was on the horizon, but I didn't want to disturb you. I left and just wandered through the keep. Eventually Gimli found me and we came up here." His eyes wandered into the distance. "I told him what you said about Aragorn."
"And what did our friend have to say?"
"He said he hopes you are right. You have known him the longest, perhaps you are right. We both hope you are right."
I looked out along the empty plains. In the distance there were storm clouds headed straight for us. "In my heart I believe that I would know. Aragorn has been like family to me."
Legolas nodded. We stood there for a while, our eyes on the horizon. Gimli, buy some miracle has found us some fruit and bread to eat. He, of course, ate some meat. As the sun lowered in the sky I began to see a small movement in the distance, heading straight for Helm's Deep.
"Legolas, your eyes are better trained than mine. Can you see that in the distance?" I pointed out over the plain.
He looked along my hand where I pointed and nodded, "Yes, it is a rider on a horse."
I felt my heart skip a beat. Could I possibly hold the hope that it was Aragron?
It wasn't long before we were hearing shouts of the rider and of a survivor. Finally I started hearing people shout, "He's alive!"
Gimli ran into him first. "Where is he? Where is he? Get out of my way!" He said pushing himself toward Aragron. "I'm going to kill him!" Once he is infront of Aragorn he shakes his fist at him, "You are the luckiest, the canniest," I saw Aragron smile from where I stood. "And the most reckless man I ever knew. Bless you, laddie!" He wraps his arms around Aragron.
Legolas and I stood near the hall, letting Gimli and Aragron have their reunion.
Finally Aragron gently pulled Gimli off, "Gimli, where is the king?"
Gimli nods toward the hall.
Aragron walks toward us and Legolas steps forward first, "Le abdollen." You're late. He said in Elfish. Aragron only raised his eyebrows. Legolas looks him over and notices the tattering of his close and the weariness in his face.l "You look terrible!"
They smile at eachother and then Aragron sees me. His eyes soft and it almost seems as though he will cry. All at once I was wrapped in his arms. He even seemed to nuzzle my neck. I wrapped my arms around him in a slight confusion, but very happy that I was right about him being alive.
When he spoke his voice was soft, "Thank you!"
"What-"
"Arwen found me, but only because you reached her first."
"You saw Arwen?" I couldn't belive that Lord Elrond would allow his daughter off in this land full of war.
"Not in so many words, but she did come to me. She told me that you somehow called to her and asked her to bring me back to you all. Where I was needed."
I swallowed hard, still in his arms. That feeling I had felt was my actual thoughts reaching Arwen. I was shocked and wondered how I had done it and if I could recreate it with any elf kin of mine.
"I don't know how you did it, but thank you, so much." He gave me one last gentle squeeze. "As much as I would rather stand you and tell you all about it, I need to see the king." He pulled away.
I nodded as he started to walk away. Squeezed tight in my hand, still, was the Evenstar. "Wait! Aragorn!"
He stopped and turned around as I held up the necklace letting the pentant hang from the chain grasped in my hand.
His eyes widened and he exhaled with a wide smile, "My dear, Daniyel, you are truly amazing!" He took the necklace and returned it to his neck, it's rightful place. Then he tenderly kissed my cheek before turning toward the hall.
Legolas, Gimli and I followed him. "What was he talking about? He said something about you calling for Arwen... how?" Legolas whispered.
I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't really know. We'll talk about it later. It seems Aragron has something important to say to the king. We should be there."
Legolas nodded and we continued after Aragorn. Aragorn came to the double doors of the hall and pushed them both open, quite dramatically. The faces of the other side were full of disbelief and awe.
Theoden's jae falls in shock, "Aragorn...? How-"
"That isn't important now. What is important is that there is a great host headed straight here for Helm's Deep."
Theoden furrowed his brow, "A great host, you say?"
"All Isengard is emptied." Aragron replied sternly. His voice was slightly irritated at Theoden disbelief.
"How many?"
"Ten thousand strong at least."
Theoden looked at Aragorn incredulously, "Ten thousand?"
That number rang out in my thoughts and instinctivly I reached out and grabbed Legolas' hand. He held it tightly, lacing his fingers with mine.
"It is an army bred for a single purpose: To destroy the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall."
Theoden turns away and steadies his voice, "Let them come!"
We followed Theoden as he walked along the wall. Theoden spoke to one of his nearby soldiers, "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms... to be ready for battle by nightfall." He turned to Aragorn. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall... or set foot inside the Hornburg!"
"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armour is thick and their shields broad." Gimli grumbled out.
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."
Gimli looked disgruntled, even a little hurt at Theoden's brush off. Aragorn put a kind hand on his shoulder to steady him.
"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown... homes rebuilt. Within these walls... we will outlast them." Theoden said.
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy it's people... down to the last child." I'm not certain what possessed me, but I had spoken without thought.
Theoden glared at me.
Aragorn nodded, "She's right, whether you like it or not."
Theoden looks at Aragorn and took his arm, "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."
"Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid." Aragorn said.
"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves?" he replied looking toward Legolas, Gimli and myself. "We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer!"
Theoden grew angry with that. He brought his face up to Aragorn's with fury in his eyes, "Gondor?! Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?! Where was Gondor when out enemies closed in around us?! Where was Gon-?" He stopped, trying to cool his anger. With an exhale he looked calmer, "No, my Lord Aragorn... we are alone." He walked away from us then, turning to more of his soldiers, "Get the women and children into the caves."
My hand not grasped in Legolas' reached out and grabbed Aragorn's. He put his hand over mine. "It seems war is upon us, once again." He turned and looked at me. "What you did before, to reach Arwen and ask her to save me." His eyes were soft and for probably the first time ever I saw a hint of fear. "Can you do it again and ask for assistance?"
I shook my head, "I do not know, Aragorn. What I did before was just me trying to talk to Arwen. I didn't think I was actually doing anything. Even if I could, how would anyone reach us in time?"
The realization of my words hit him and he lowered his head. "I do not know." He gently took my hand and kissed the back of it. "I suggest we get ready for a battle."
We moved back into the hall where Aragorn and the rest of us cleaned our weapons.
"Aragorn, you must rest. You're no use to us half alive." Legolas finally said, breaking the silence.
Before Aragorn could answer, Eowyn came in. "Aragorn!" she cried. "I am to be sent with the women into the caves."
"That is an honorable charge." He replied kindly.
She looked at him with contempt borderline on disgust, "To mind the children, to find food ad bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that?"
Aragorn remained calm and kept his eyes kind, "My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will you people look to in the last defense?"
She held her head high, "Let me stand by your side."
"It is not my power to command it." He turned away and started walking toward the three of us that had given them some space.
She looked at me with abhorrence, "You do not command the others to stay!"
Aragorn looked back at her.
"They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you." Her eyes softened as she realized what she had just said. "I'm sorry." She quickly looked away and then ran.
Aragorn went to go after her, but my hand stayed him. "Let her go, Aragorn. It is her king and her uncle that demand her safety. This is not for us to decide." He turned and looked at me, "There will come a time when you must tell her."
He looked at me with growing confusion, "Tell her what?"
"Tell her that your heart is taken, and that which she is after... you cannot give her. She is a woman in love with a man that is already in love with another. You must tell her, eventually."
He nodded, "You are right. I am sorry." He walked away from me, his gaze looking for something that he could not find.
Legolas came up behind me, "Perhaps now, would be a good time to-"
I turned around and looked at Legolas and shook my head. What Aragorn had asked of me, I did not know how to accomplish. How I had done it before was beyond me. "I don't know what to do."
He pulled me against him and wrapped me in a tight embrace. "Shhh, my love. I do not know what it is you did before, but it worked then. All he is asking is that you try."
I nodded against him and closed my eyes. Reaching my mind out, My Lady Galadriel, how I miss you and Lothlorien and Elrond and Rivendell, but I fear that I may never see either of my homes again. I am in Helm's Deep and we are on the very brink of war with all of Isengard. We have a stubborn king who doesn't not have many allies to call upon. I know that the old alliances are dead, but the realm of Men need our assistance once again. Will you condem them to fade as we and our kin flee to the Undying Islands?
I did not know what else to say. There was so much I wanted to say, so many questions I wanted answered, but I had no idea where to start... or even if my thoughts were reaching her. Instantly, and surprisingly I felt that same connection as before, but this time it came with a response:
My dear child, your plea has been heard. Know this: help is on it's way. Stay strong... and stay safe.
The strength of it made me fall to my knees. Light headed and dizzy, when I opened my eyes I was looking up into Legolas' face. I had heard her voice as clear as if I were right in front of her, but for some reason I couldn't believe that I had done it. I kept thinking that it was nothing more than my imagination.
"What happened?" He asked with concern.
"I called out to Lady Galadriel." I said as he helped me to my feet.
"And did it work, lass? Did you reach her?" Gimli asked in awe.
"I don't know. I heard a voice respond in my head. I think it was her, but I am not certain." I replied.
"What did she say?" Gimli asked with wide eyes.
"That help was already on it's way."
Legolas and Gimli looked at eachother. "Perhaps it is best not to mention the response to Aragorn, quite yet." Gimli said at last.
I nodded. Together the three of us began to follow a growing crowd of men of all ages. Some were old... almost too old, while others were young... too young. We ended in the armoury, it was there that we found Aragorn.
Aragorn saw us and bowed his head toward us. "I did what you asked, but I do not know if it worked." I said.
He nodded and looked around him, "Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers."
"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli responded.
"Or too few." Legolas added sadly. I looked at him and saw something there that worried me. He was afraid. His face, his eyes they held fear, concern... even pure terror. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes." He said.
And I can see it in your eyes. I wanted to say outloud to him. He glanced at me briefly, but then turned to Aragorn.
"Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig!" And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand! Legolas said in elvish.
"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras." They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras. Aragorn replied.
"Aragorn, nedin dagor hen u-erir.. otheri. Natha daged ahaer!" Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die! It was then that I knew he wasn't talking necessarily about the Rohirrim, but of us.
Aragorn looked at him and with a raised voice yelled, "Then I shall die as one of them!" Legolas and Aragorn glared at eachother momentarily before Aragorn walked away.
Every man in the armoury was looking at us, with growing fear in their eyes.
Legolas went to follow him, but Gimli held his arm, "Let him go, lad. Let him be."
Ignoring Gimli, I followed Aragorn, leaving Legolas with Gimli.
"Aragorn?" I called after him.
He finally stopped his hands tensed in fists at his sides. "I am sorry. I should not have acted like that." He turned and looked at me, a sadness filling his eyes. "You should not be here."
My brow creased with a mixture of confusion and concern, "What do you mean?"
He cupped my cheek and shook my head, "There is an army of ten thousand on it's way here. Do you really think that we will make it through the night?"
I smoothed my face and looked at him sternly, "We have made it this far, Aragorn. If we quit now what hope does that give Frodo and Sam?"
He lowered his eyes and dropped his hand. I caught his hand and held it in mine. "You're afraid." I said, matter of factly. I could see the fear in his eyes. "You have fought in many battles, my lord. This should be no different."
"Inside I know you are right, but I see the love that you have for Legolas and he for you, and in all actuality I fear for you both. And then it makes me think of Arwen." He said to me in elvish, so as not to be over heard by the others.
"Arwen loves you." I replied.
"I know."
"Then fight this battle for her. Survive for her."
He wrapped his arms around me. "Thank you, my friend." When he released me, he looked at me. "Go to Legolas. Hold eachother, before this battle starts. You two deserve more time to be together, but for now, I suggest you take what you can get."
I swallowed hard as I felt a swell of tears and fear of my own. Nodding, I walked away back to where I had left Legolas. To my surprise he wasn't there, but Gimli pointed me in the right direction.
When I found him he was looking in the distance with a terror I had never seen in his loving eyes before.
"How is he?" His voice was somber, but wavered a bit.
"He is fine." I said stepping closer toward him.
Slowly he turned toward me. "I did not mean to yell at him. I was..."
"You were afraid." I softened my eyes, revealing all my emotions. The sudden fear that I was feeling reflected in his eyes. If Aragorn had doubts about out surviving that night, then it made the fear all the more real.
He nodded. "Yes, afraid. For you. I thought of you and loosing you and then I thought about all the other people here that are watching their loved ones go into battle. Wives saying good bye to their husbands and sons, not knowing if that will be the last time they will see them alive... Something inside me just..." He reached out to me, his hands sliding around my waist. "I can not loose you, Daniyel. You are my life, my world."
I felt the tears well in my eyes as I pulled him closer. He leaned his forehead against mine. "Legolas, I am afraid too."
His hands held me against him, "I wish now that we had stayed in Lothlorien." His voice fell to a whisper. "I know how selfish that sounds, but it is the truth. I cannot lose you." He brought his lips yearningly to mine.
We stood there intertwined, our lips locked in a desperate attempt to escape the fear that surrounded Helm's Deep. I held Legolas so close and he did the same. I don't think either of us knew whether we would be able to embrace like this again.
Unfortunatly, we both knew that we couldn't stay like that. We had a battle to prepare for. Slowly and reluctantly we pulled apart.
"I love you, Daniyel." He whispered in my ear.
A tear fell over my cheek, "And I you, Legolas." He gently caressed my cheek, brushing away the tear as he did so.
We heard a sniffling from behind us and turned to see Gimli stand there pretending to scratch his beard.
"Ahhh... You two should get ready." He said gruffly.
Legolas smiled and walked away from me holding my hand gently as he went. As he released my hand, I felt something crack inside me. He patted Gimli's shoulder as he passed. I held my head up and blinked away the tears, forcing the pain and fear to subside.
Gimli looked at me with sympathy in his eyes, "I am sorry, my lady."
"About what, my friend?"
"That you are here, with us, preparing for a battle that your beauty should never have to see." Gimli looked away slightly embarrassed.
I smiled widely at him. Regardless of the hardships the Elves and Dwarves have had over the years, it seemed the Gimli was breaking those and creating a new companionship. He was our friend. I walked toward him and stooped down to take his hand and held it between both of mine.
"There is no where else I would rather be, than fight beside my friends... for my friends."
Gimli looked at me with wonder in his eyes, "You don't truly mean that, my lady."
I nodded, "All my friends are off fighting, either here or another battle of their own. I wouldn't have it any other way." I smiled, "Now, my friend, shall we go and ready ourselves?"
He pressed his lips together and held his head up and nodded at me, "Let us give them a fight they have never seen before!"
I stood and smiled, "Yes. And we will, side by side."
Together Gimli and walked back to the armoury. Gimli broke off and went to find some chainmail. I went in search of Legolas and hoped that he was talking with Aragorn.
I came upon Legolas and Aragorn talking. "We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair."
Aragorn glaced at me and shook his head, placing his hand on Legolas' shoulder, "There is nothing to forgive, Legolas." He replied in elvish. "You had reason to despair." He inclined his head toward me. "She is your reason, and rightly so. I truly understand."
I saw a pain in his eyes and moved closer. With his one hand on Legolas' shoulder he placed his other one on mine. "Fight side by side, this night. Protect eachother."
Legolas took my hand and smiled at me, "She is fully capable of protecting herself."
Gimli entered then, struggling with his chainmail shirt. "We had time, I'd get this adjusted." He let the mail fall to the floor where it pooled around his feet. "It's a bit tight across the chest."
The three of us smiled at eachother. A horn filled the air around us. I knew that horn. Leaving my friends behind I ran toward the source of the horn. Aragorn and Legolas were on my heels. My heart was pounding with elation. I heard a soldier nearby hollar to open the gate and send for the King.
I ran toward the gate, opening and smiled widely as I saw Haldir leading a large Elven army through the gates. Without thought I run to Haldir and flinging my arms around him.
"Haldir! Why?... How?" I cried happily.
I pulled away as Theoden came down with surprise on his face, "How is the possible?"
"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together." He smiled as Aragorn and Legolas came leaping down the stone stairs. "We come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn paused before Haldir then hugged him like I had. "You are most welcome."
Legolas hugged Haldir briefly and together Legolas, Haldir and I with our Elf kin stood and faced King Theoden. "We are proud to fight alongside Men once more."
Theoden nodded and smiled with a renewed hope in his eyes, "Thank you. Excuse me while I finish getting ready."
Haldir turned toward me, "I am so happy to see you well." He hugged me again.
"It is all your training that has helped." I said, returning the embrace.
"Perhaps when all this is over," He glanced back at Legolas. "We can have that long awaited wedding of your's."
"Without a doubt," said Legolas smiling at me fondly.
It wasn't long after that that we were all in position ready for battle, along the wall and ramparts. I stood beside Legolas. Gimli was on his other side. We were surrounded by Elves, friends. While outwardly I was prepared and focused, inward: I was scared and shaking.
I turned to Legolas with fear in my eyes and he looked at me tenderly. "I'm scared." I said under my breath.
At that moment I didn't see anything other than Legolas. He narrowed his eyes at me with a slight smile. "Then let me lend you some of my strength."
To my surprise he cupped my cheek and kissed me, infront of everyone around us. It wasn't a passionate, desire enticing kiss, but rather a strong encouraging kiss. It sent a charge through my body, like I was hit with lightning. My fear was chased away. It took my breath away and filled my body with renewed energy and strength, while hastening and heightening all my senses.
When he pulled away and looked at me with his startling eyes, I fell in love with him all over again. Everything around me was different. Even in the dark all colors were more vibrant. I could hear the thunder of the enemy approaching, the breath of the Men that were afraid. My heart beat calm and steady in my chest. I held my head higher, feeling the power radiating within me.
"Better?" He asked with a smirk.
I inhaled deeply and smiled. "Yes." I had no idea what he had done, but I was eternally grateful for it.
Gimli shook his head, "Well, if that is what it takes for you to lend your strength, I will not ask for your assistance."
Legolas smiled widely and I giggled.
Aragron walked behind us with a smile. "Well, lad, whatever luck you live by, let us hope it lasts the night." Gimli said.
"Your friends are with you, Aragron." Legolas added.
"Let us hope they last the night." Gimli replied softly.
Aragorn nodded at us and walked away. Lightning flashed overhead and thunder sounded. Rain began to pour, the drops sounded on the metal armour of the soldiers around us. I was shocked to find that my fear was gone.
I spotted Haldir and he smiled at me and bowed his head. My friends were here, brave and strong. I would fight with them and show my own strength and bravery.
We watched as the Uruk-hai approached, they held lit torches in their fists. The Captain Uruk-hai raised his hand and signaled for the army to stop moving.
Gimli jumped up and down trying to see over the raised wall. He sighed irritatingly, "What's happening out there?"
"Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?" Legolas asked jokingly.
Gimli smiled wide and started to laugh.
The uruk-hai started to stomp thier spears on the groung and beat their chests. I heard Aragorn pull his sword form it's sheath. All the soldiers with bows ready their arrows. We pull back the strings and hold as we take aim upon our enemy. We wait.
From the left of me, I hear the familiar twang of a released arrow and an uruk-hai falls, dead.
"Hold!" Aragorn hollars.
The uruk-hai stand momentairly stunned then scream out and begin to charge.
"Tangado a chadad!" Prepare to fire! Aragornn hollars to the elves.
Beside me Legolas speaks in elvish, "Faeg i-varv din na lanc a nu ranc." Their armour is weak at the neck and beneath the arm.
Suddenly Aragorn shouts for us to shoot. I hear the rain of arrows released and the thunk of the arrows finding thier targets. Uruk-hai fall dead to the ground. Aragorn hollars for us to continue to fire the arrows and more shoot and more uruk-hai fall, but for everyone that falls more take it's place.
To my right Gimli shouts, "Send them to me! Come on!"
The Uruk-hai move closer and the thunking of ladders being laid against the wall surprises me.
"Swords! Swords!" Aragorn hollars toward the elves, who almost in sync pull their blades out.
As I slash my blades across the neck of a berserker climbing over the wall I hear Gimli shout happily, "Legolas! Two already!"
Legolas paused and grined, "I'm on seventeen!"
I heard Gimli snort and say something, but couldn't make it out.
Aragorn kicked at a ladder and knocked it down while I slit the throat of the climbing creatures and kicked at my own ladder, with a force I hadn't known I had.
I saw a way cleared as a giant spiked stone-like ball was brought forward and laid down in a small alcove under the wall. Something wasn't right, but I had no way to get down there.
Aragorn started shouting at Legolas and I, pointing at a running Uruk-hai with a lit torch. While I didn't understand, I pulled my bow out and together Legolas and I shoot it with arrows. Two... three... four arrows and it conintued to run at the giant ball. We fire two more arrows at it and rather than falling dead, it jumps forward meeting with the stone ball.
The next thing I heard was a thunderous sound, that seemed to deafen my ears. All around me the wall cracked and exploded, knocking Men and Elves everywhere. I was knocked backward over the low wall, flying through the air. I landed hard on the stairs and my body continued to roll as the wind was knocked from my lungs. As I fell from the side of the stone stairs I heard Legolas above me cry out, my head landed against stone. My vision blacked, momentairily.
When I came to, Haldir was standing over me, protecting me. I heard Aragorn shouting to retreat to the keep. Haldir was shouting in response to his elven army to do the same. He turned and looked at me with a hand extended out.
"Get up, Daniyel!" He pulled me to my feet, roughly. My head was pounding and I was dizzy, but I shook it away.
Behind Haldir I saw a uruk running toward him, "Haldir!" I yelled and he turned, just in time to kill the creature.
Beside me another Uruk ran to attack me, but I caught it with my dagger. Haldir turned and handed me my blades that I had lost when I fell. "Fight, Daniyel!" He said.
I nodded and started swinging my blades, attacking any uruk that came close. Together Haldir and I stood back to back and slowly made our way to the Keep.
Behind me Haldir got kicked back, knocking me to the ground. He spun around and killed the uruk that had kicked him. I scrambled to my feet, only a second too late. Another uruk ran at Haldir and stuck him with his blade.
I screamed as the world around me began to slow down. "Haldir!" He grabs his bleeding stomach and as he turns another uruk stabs him in the back.
"Haldir! Daniyel!" I hear Aragorn hollar.
I released my vengance on the creature and sliced my blades together slicing off his head. I quickly kneeled beside Halid and caught him as he fell into my arms.
He looked at me, "The name... Earinsul..."
My eyes widened. How did he know the name of my father? Why was he now telling me?
He coughed, blood pooling around us. Aragorn made it to my side. "Haldir!"
"The name Erinsul... your father..." He reached out and desperatly grabbed for my hand. "I didn't know before, but I do now. My brother, Rumil... married Earinsul's sister. Earinsul lost her brother when he married someone that their father did not want him to marry. I do not know much more. I am sorry I did not know before. Word had reached my brother's wife a long time ago that she had a niece... you." He coughed again and blood came out.
My eyes filled with tears, I was hearing his words and I was comprehending them. But infront of me all I saw was someone I considered family, lay dying in my arms.
"Something happened to Earinsul and his wife... no one knows, but I do know that your father is alive somewhere." He cupped my cheek with a bloody hand. "You were always like a daughter... to everyone that you came across... you are loved. Remember that. Always."
I watched as a tear fell over Haldir's cheek and then his life faded. "Haldir! No!" I cried out. My vision blurred with tears and my head spun, I wasn't certain whether it was from the head wound or all the things that I had just learned.
"Daniyel, we must go!" Aragorn pulled me to my feet. I stumbled and fell. He lifted me up into his arms and ran, carrying me through the doors of the keep.
Legolas waited there with concern on his face.
"She's fine, I believe. Just stunned. Haldir's gone." He handed me to Legolas and I insisted that he put me on my feet, which was a bad idea.
Not wanting to let Legolas see me having difficulties I grabbed his arm tightly and closed my eyes willing the dizziness to stop. Eventually, it eased and I shook my head.
"I was so worried when I saw you thrown from the wall. I tried to get to you, but Haldir got their first and urged me to stay were I was and fight. Are you all right?"
I wanted to say 'yes'. To tell him I was fine, but the actuallity of it was that I was no where near fine. I had just watched a loved one die in my arms, and I didn't think that some magical force was going to bring him back to me, no matter how I cried out for help. On top of that, I had just learned some very interesting and useful information about myself. I had more information that could lead me to my father. The more I thought about it the more I fought off the lightheaded and dizziness away. I needed to fight and be able to make it through the night if I even wanted the slight possibility of finding my father.
"I am not fine, but it doesn't matter right now." I looked around for Aragorn and Gimli, when I didn't find them I turned to Legolas with concern. "Where are Aragorn and Gimli?"
He shook his head.
"Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!" I heard Theoden yell.
Without a single thought I was running and found myself atop the Hornburg wall. Down below were Aragron and Gimli fighting, on the otherside of the closed and barred doors of the keep.
Legolas was at my side with a rope. "Aragorn!" He hollared letting the end of the rope fall down to them. He and a few other soldiers were holding onto the rope and waiting to pull them up.
Aragorn grabbed onto Gimli and held tight as his other hand held the robe. Legolas and the men together pulled them up.
We fell back into the keep. They men, once we were inside, started to barricade the door of the hall.
I can see outside as the light of dawn begins to fill the sky. Had we really fought all night?
"The fortress is taken. It is over." Theoden says, as if he has resigned himself to death.
Aragorn and Legolas run, carrying more barricades to the door. "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it! They have died defending it!" Aragorn cried.
A loud knock against the door draws our attention. They are using a battering ram to try and break through.
"My people have died, helping you defend this fortress, would you give up so easily?" I ask, with eyes full of sorrow at the many elves that were now dead.
"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" Aragorn asked.
Theoden didn't answer, instead he only stared at the floor.
"Is there no onther way?!" Aragorn asked again more insistantly.
A soldier stepped forward, "There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many."
Aragron placed his hand on the soldiers shoulder, "Tell the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!"
Theoden keeps his eyes on the floor. They look glazed as if he were not fully there. "So much death. What can Men do against such reckless hate?"
I look at Aragorn and remember, what Gandalf had told him. That Theoden would need him. Aragorn met my eyes and remembered the same thing. He turned to Theoden as another ram sounded against the door.
"Ride out with me!" Aragorn said, drawing Theoden's attention. "Ride out and meet them!"
Theoden looks confused, "For death and glory."
"No, for Rohan. For your people." Aragorn replied.
"The sun is rising," Gimli said.
Aragorn looked at me with his head tilted. I knew that the same voice that was sounding in my head, was also in his: Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn... look to the east.
"Yes... yes... the horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep... one last time!" Theoden finally said.
Gimli stood up, "Yes!"
Theoden placed his hand on Aragorn's shoulder, "Let this be the hour when we draw swords together."
Gimli ran off to blow the great horn.
Legolas drew me against him, startling me, and pressed his lips to mine. This time his kiss was filled with every emotion I could think of, passion, desire, yearning, strength, love. It was so overwhelming that it took the very breath from my lungs. At that moment there was no battle happening only feet away from us, there was no death, there was no danger. Only the two of us existed. As he pulled away he brought his hand to my cheek.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you." I replied.
We allowed one more brief kiss, before I heard Argorn draw his sword.
As I turned, our horses were there, waiting. Legolas handed me the reins of my horse. "This time, stay by me, my love."
I nodded as we mounted our horses. We drew them up along side Aragorn. I had one blade drawn, ready to fight.
The door that was barricaded was knocked down, the uruk-hai had broken through.
"Forth Eorlingas!" Theoden yelled as we put our horses in a gallop.
We rode out of the hall, out of the keep, knocking down uruk-hai as we rode. As we made it to the main doors that were no longer standing and on to the main causeway I saw a bright white light to my right.
I saw there sitting atop Shadowfax, Gandalf. For a moment he stood alone, then I saw Eomer stand beside him. Moments later the top of the hill was filled with the Rohirrim Riders.
Theoden stared in disbelief, "Eomer." He said.
The riders charge down the hill toward our enemy, who are stunned with shock. Legolas looked at me and smiled. We continued to ride along the causeway. Gandalf and the riders slayed our enemy. Eventually so many of the enemy were dead and they fled in terror.
A new cheer filled Theoden as he raised his sword, "Victory! We have victory!"
We chased the enemy towards the border of a forest. It was there that Eomer bid us go no further. As we stopped we heard the trees creak and move about, then the shouts of the uruk-hai filled the air.
We had won. Where we had all lost hope and resigned ourselves to death... we had won.
In the rush of horses chasing after the enemy, I had lost sight of Legolas. As I looked around Gandalf caught me looking about.
He inclined his head, "He is back that way my dear, with GImli." He smiled at me.
I returned his smile. We trotted back to the keep.
While we had won the battle, there was so much death around us, that it wasn't a complete win. We returned to Helm's Deep. The women and children were piling out of the caves and looking for their loved ones.
I caught sight of Legolas and without thought I ran toward him. Flinging my arms around him, he held me close, nuzzeling my neck. "We live to fight one more battle yet." He whispered.
The relief of the battle ending washed over me, but just as fast as I was relieved... the thoughts of all the ones I lost filled me again. I held on tighter to Legolas. "I am right here." He whispered, feeling my sudden tension.
I heard familiar footsteps behind me and turned to see Gandalf.
"Word has reached me that there is much you need to speak to me about." He said softly.
I nodded as he reached a hand out to me. "Come my dear, I think now is as good a time as any, while we have the chance."
I took his hand and looked back at Legolas, who smiled at me.
Gandalf looped my hand through his arm, "Come now. Let us see if we can't find you something to eat and drink... as well as a quiet place to sit and talk."
Eventually we found ourselves in the room that I had slept in before. There was a very small table and two chairs pushed off into the corner. We sat down and some bread and water was brought to us.
"Now, my child, tell me." He sat holding his cup of water and looking at me.
I inhaled deeply, "Where do I start?" I asked. I wasn't certain where to start. My mind was running wild and exhaustion was seeping in.
"Start at the beginning, my dear." He said as if it were easy.
I nodded, none the less. "When we left Lothlorien..." I began my tale. I told Gandalf of all the memories that had returned to me. Of the spell and the names of my parents. He sat there silently, just listening to my tale.
When I was done, he stroked his beard and looked at me. "That is quite something, my dear."
"Do you know of Earinsul or Tindomiel?" I asked.
He raised his eyebrows and leaned forward. "Of Earinsul, no, but I do not think that Haldir would lie of such a thing. As for Tindomiel... that name does ring a bell."
I narrowed my eyes at Gandalf in disbelief, "You knew my mother?"
He shook his head with a smile, "No, I did not know your mother... but I knew of her. In fact, if what your tell me is true..." At that moment- and I believe it was pure fate- Aragorn walked in. "Then you are distantly related to Aragorn."