Chapter 14 is here!
And at just shy of 6K words is one of the longest to date.
I am feeling pessimistically optimistic about getting through Helm's Deep and moving into Return of The King before class starts next week(insert panicked scream here)
That being said, updates are gonna slow way down for a while again, cause I'm gonna be keeping my fulltime hours at work, while also doing fulltime at school, so, you'll all have to wait for me to adjust to that chaos before I can focus on finishing this up.
Anyhoo,
TheElegantFaerie: Why thank you! :D I'm glad it turned out so well, cause holy crap was it a pain in the arse that was completely worth table flipping.
Jo: That's so awesome! I'm ridiculously giddy cause I honestly didn't expect such a positive response for this story, but I'm right with you on the Éomer moments, I've got a crap ton of stuff headbutting and fluff alike planned that I wanna get out, but have to wait around for stupid timelines to match up. Luckily that's gonna happen, REAL soon. ;)
Onwards to the story!
Frowning deeply the young woman scowled up at the roaring sky above, pulling her tattered black hood further up she gripped the reins of the skinny black horse. She'd woken up a dank forest a few months ago, and after being found by an old man—a WIZARD—she was brought to a place called Lothlórien.
She was glad she didn't own a dog, cause she most certainly was not in Kansas anymore.
A particularly loud crack of thunder caused the woman to flinch, her hand flying to her sword. Glowing eyes narrowed in on the sky above, snarkily cursing to herself the woman turned her attention down to the forest around her.
She was never going to find her home at this rate.
Letting out a sigh she nudged the mare forward, mismatched eyes casually looking around with bored curiosity. She'd become so used to the rocky, stone littered valleys she'd almost forgotten how green the world could be. High moss covered hills ran along both sides of her, massive trees towering over the traveler, the canopy doing very little to protect her from the heavy rain.
Letting out a hissing sigh she slouched forward one the mare, trying her best to crawl into her cloak, intent on salvaging as much body heat as she could. Lightly dropping her hands to the mare's neck she closed her eyes, letting her shoulders relax slightly she tried to enjoy the familiar feeling of being in the saddle. The mare let out an uneasy snort, stopping suddenly, the woman's eyes snapped open, staring in confusion at the mare as she remained stone still, ears twitching back and forth.
Then something unexpected happened.
The young woman was tackled from her horse, a heavy body slamming into her side.
Hitting the ground with a dull thud the woman hissed through the pain, bringing up her feet she slammed them into her attacker, eyes narrowing harshly as the man drew a sword and slashed towards her once again.
Drawing her own blade she blocked his attack, the force of the blow knocking her hood form her face. Quickly using the man's shock against him she struck quickly, slamming her sword down against his she forced him back, each blow coming in too quick for him to avoid, giving him no option but to block. Bring her Katana down against the man's sword she smirked faintly, turning without warning her boot shot out, connecting with his chest with enough force to send him to the ground.
Not allowing him to continue she dropped onto his chest, her knee pressing against his chest, her other foot spread out, pinning the wrist holding his sword to the muddy ground while she brought her own blade to rest against his throat.
"What in hell's fire is your problem?!" She snapped, "Goin' around attacking girls in the middle of the night, During a rain storm no less!"
"M-"
"Did I run over your dog? I certainly didn't steal your girlfriend, so why are you attacking me!"
"My deepest apologies, my lady! You move like a Nazgul! These are dark times, a scout-."
"Your scout needs to be retrained. Last I knew people around here didn't go around knocking women off their horses." The woman glanced towards her mare, letting out a agitated curse as she noticed the animal had taken off during the struggle. "Useless piece of-. This is why I Hate mares." She muttered under her breath, blade pressing closer to the man's throat as he gently reached towards her free hand.
"My lady, I mean you no harm, it was a misunderstanding, I have been tracking-."
"Not very well."
"My name is Strider, I am a Ranger from the North."
"I've heard many things about the Rangers, Aragorn," The man froze, "And mistaking a woman for a wraith is not high on the list."
"How do you know that name?"
"I have heard stories about you. From the elves…" Standing up she sheathed her sword, glaring at the space her horse once stood.
"What is your name, My lady?"
"Adrianna. And stop calling me Lady, I haven't been a lady in years."
0.0
Adrianna's gaze snapped to the riverbanks below, sharp eyes searching the rapids for any sign of the fallen ranger, the memory of their first meeting echoing quietly in the back of her head as Voltac thundered along the cliff's edge.
"I'll be damned…" She muttered, eyes locking in on the bulky brown frame of Brego, who was lipping an unconscious man's hair. "He found him."
Reaching the high sloping bank she looked down on the man as the stallion rolled him onto his back, Brego shifted around, slowly dropping to his knees and shifting his weight so he could lay down completely without crushing the barely conscious man.
"You had us scared to death, you old goat." Adrianna snapped, drawing the man's attention towards her.
"Adria?"
"Don't you Adria me." She quipped, leaning back as Voltac descended the embankment. "Next time we ambushed, you're staying with me."
She quietly watched as the man managed to heave himself on to the stallion's back, a single brow arching in question as she slid from Voltac's back, moving towards the great bay stallion she untied the rope of his halter, looping it through the rings on either side, making makeshift reins she turned her attention back to Aragorn, mismatched eyes clashing with grey.
"Can you ride?" She questioned, a frown pulling at her lips as the man nodded. "You fall off, and I'm tying you to Brego." She stated bluntly,
Turning on a heel she pulled herself onto Voltac gracefully, fixing the man with a challenging glance she nodded towards the plains. Voltac let out a snort, clearing the steep embankment with two short leaps the stallion turned back to Aragorn and Brego, letting out a tired sigh as the two made a much slower, more careful trip of the step.
"We can make it by tomorrow afternoon if we coast." Adrianna commented, "Luckily for you, you didn't float…. Too far, down the stream."
Aragorn nodded, choosing to ignore her side commented he urged Brego into a trot, thanking his stars that the War Horse's gait was smoother than he'd expected it to be, making it much easier to keep himself upright—knowing Adrianna would waste no time in coming up with a ridiculous way to tie him to the stallion.
The pair rode for a few short hours in silence, Voltac playfully riding ahead only to fall back behind Aragorn and Brego, repeating the motion for a majority of the trip. Aragorn's gaze narrowed as the ash stallion halted suddenly, both he and his rider growing tense, standing stone still as they looked into the distance below the hill side.
"There must be ten thousand down there." Adrianna muttered as Aragorn came to a stop next to him, his own face growing pale at the sight of the massive Uruk-Hai Army marching towards them—towards Helms Deep.
"That's not your average 'squish a resistance' army…" The woman muttered, shaking her head slowly as reality slammed into her full force.
"We must make it to Helm's Deep. With all haste."
"Agreed." The two horses spun around in unison, taking off at a slow gallop, swerving between the large boulders that littered the ground. Adrianna's mind raced, forming every possible outcome of the battle ahead she frowned.
They had to outlast the attack.
Gandalf would be here in two sunrises. And with him, the Rohirrim would arrive.
0.0.0
Adrianna looked down at the fortress, letting out a relieved sigh she glanced over at Aragorn, who was whispering words to Brego in Elvish as he patted the tired bay's neck. Scratching her own stallion absentmindedly she focused on the fortress.
"Come on, we don't have time to enjoy the scenery." Adrianna mused bluntly, urging her stallion forward he shot over the edge, racing down the impossible angle with Adrianna all but laying against his back, one hand reaching forward to grip the stallion's mane as the creature made his rapid decent.
Aragorn shook his head slowly at the pair, a fond smile pulling at his lips before he turned Brego, the pair making their way to a path with a much easier angle, more manageable for both rider and horse.
As he reached the Valley he was met with the bored looking faces of Adrianna And Voltac, spinning around the four raced across the valley, hooves thundering across the cobblestone bridge that lead to the fortress.
Adrianna couldn't help but roll her eyes as they were met with the shocked gasps and shouts of the villagers as they pressed themselves against the walls, trying their best to stay out of the stallions' paths. She couldn't blame them, however, there wasn't another soul within the fortress that believed Aragorn was still alive.
"He's alive!"
"She's found him!"
Skidding to a halt in front of the Armory Adrianna's attention shifted to Gimli, who was hurriedly shoving his way through the crowd, eyes trying to lock onto Aragorn's frame from around the shocked onlookers.
"Where is he? Where is he!?" Adrianna smirked, running a hand along Voltac's neck she swung down, not at all surprised she lacked her normal grace. "Get out of the way! I'm going to kill him!"
The woman snickered to herself as Gimli appeared through the crows, a wide grin spreading across his lips as he locked his sights on Aragorn, who was adjusting the makeshift reins on Brego's halter, intent on getting the stallion pampered in the stables.
"You are the luckiest, the canniest and the most reckless man I ever knew!" Adrianna watched as the Dwarf pulled Aragorn into a tight hug, much to the later's surprise. "Bless you Laddie!"
"Gimli, Where is the king?" Aragorn questions slowly, trying to calm the excited dwarf.
Quietly shoving her stallion towards the stables she whispered a quiet promise to return with apples before fixing her gaze on Aragorn who had come to a stop in front of Legolas.
"le ab-dollen."You're late. Legolas stated bluntly, causing Adrianna to stop midstride, "You look terrible." The woman's brow arched at the Elf's unintentional insult.
"Stop trying to charm him," Adrianna scoffed, drawing the men's attention briefly before Legolas placed the Evenstar in Aragorn's hand.
"Impending war, gentlemen. Pleasantries should be on hold." Adrianna commented, dragging the pair through the double doors, preparing herself for the arguments she knew were coming.
"A great host, you say?" Théoden questioned slowly, a frown pulling at his lips as Aragorn finished his report.
"All Isengard is emptied." Aragorn explained,
"How many?"
"Ten thousand strong, at least." Adrianna pipped up bluntly from her spot inbetween Aragorn and Legolas, Gimli standing on the Elf's other side.
"Ten thousand?" The king turned towards them, horror sinking in.
"It was an army bred for one purpose," Adrianna spoke up,
"To destroy the world of Men." Aragorn finished, knowing the King would not listen to the younger woman, "They will be here by nightfall."
Adrianna watched silently as the King turned away, his shoulders tense as the full weight of reality slammed into him like an angry dragon. She recognized the burden baring down on the king, the responsibility of keeping his men alive despite the impossible odds. Mismatched eyes narrowed as the King began walking towards the door, his shoulders relaxing, his gait growing stronger and more purposeful with each stride as he neared the front doors.
"Let them come." Théoden stated, the cocky attitude masking his panic perfectly.
Adrianna passed a worried glance between Legolas and Aragorn before the four moved to follow the King, who moved through the fortress proudly, stone strong eyes glancing at each commander as he moved.
"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms, to be ready for battle by nightfall." Adrianna arched a brow sarcastically as they moved through the gates, finally coming to a halt in front of the great doors. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has every breached the Deeping Wall, or set foot inside the Hornburg!"
"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs," Gimli stated gruffly, "These are Uruk-hai. Their Armor is thick and their shields broad."
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep." Adrianna watched as the King brushed past Gimli, letting out an agitated sigh she mumbled incoherently in a language they had heard many times throughout the journey, spinning on a heel she followed after the King, her shoulders squaring with each step as she prepared herself for the fight she was going to start. "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."
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages." Adrianna snapped irritably, throwing tact to the wind—knowing the King would not respect her opinion, a woman's opinion, on war.
"They come to destroy its people, down to the last child." Aragorn finished, blue grey eyes locking onto the King.
Théoden spun around, hand flying out to wrap around Aragorn's cloak, pulling him close with narrowed—stressed—blue eyes glaring into the Ranger's calm grey.
"What would you have me do?" Théoden hissed, "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."
"Maybe instead of mass suicide you should try putting more brain into your strategy." Adrianna snapped back, mismatched eyes glaring holes into the King's face. "The courage of the Soldiers is directly affected by the courage of their leader."
"Send out riders, my lord." Aragorn spoke up, trying to defuse the argument he could see brewing as Adrianna's own stress grated on her already raw temper, Théoden spun, glaring at the Ranger once more, "You must call for aid."
"And who will come?" Théoden sneered, "Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old Alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer." Aragorn stated confidently, squaring his shoulders.
Théoden's sneer grew, his anger spiking as the man was pushed to his edge.
"Gondor?!" The king snarled, "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?! Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us?! Where was Gon-?" The king paused, inhaling deeply he turns back to the man, "No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone."
Adrianna watched as the stressed King turned away, frowning deeply she took a few steps forward, her eyes narrowed.
"You need to pull your head out of your ass. Théoden." She growled, drawing the king's gaze. "You're going to get your country killed."
Théoden snapped.
It happened much quicker than anyone could register. Théoden's hand flying towards Adrianna's face, the woman's arm flying up at a much faster rate, catching the limb mid strike she glared openly at the king, her arm flexing beneath her black shirt as the king tried to force his hand closer to his face, his anger and now humiliation fueling his onslaught.
It got him now where.
Throwing his arm back she stepped closer to him, Aragorn quickly stepping forward, a hand resting against her shoulder, just in case she decided to strike back. Adrianna merely paused, rolling forward slightly she snarled at the shocked King.
"I am not your dog, Théoden King." She hissed, "You strike at me again, and you will lose that hand."
Without warning she spun on her heel, disappearing into the gates she dropped from the wall, moving swiftly into the crowd below, disappearing from view completely moments later.
0.0.0
"Adrianna, we need your mind." Aragorn mused, looking over at the woman who was sharpening her katana delicately, pausing long enough to meet his gaze.
"You're going to need more than a strategy to get the King to cooperate." She deadpanned.
"We cannot go into battle without knowing, it did not bode so well for us at the river."
Sighing heavily she ran a cloth down her katana before sheathing it, climbing to her feet she frowned, her brows knitting together as her mind raced. She had studied more about the creatures' behavior the past few years, compared to what she was trained to kill, Orcs, Goblins, even Uruk-Hai were nothing.
"Uruks are smarter than your average Orc, that much you've already guessed." Adrianna sighed, folding her arms across her chest, "But, something that often goes over looked by a majority of the people I've seen, Rohan's people included, is that Uruks, just like Orcs and Goblins, they rely heavily on their weight, and their numbers. They can put a plan forward, sure, they can think one, two, maybe three steps into a game. The only way we can win this fight is if we can last long enough for Gandalf to return.
"We can't win this on our own. Théoden is an idiot. Even Voltac knows we can't beat ten thousand Uruk-Hai with Farmers and Stable Boys. As soon as the Uruk's breach the wall—and they will—they will flood the lower levels, we need a back up plan, a way to support the upper gates while systematically being able to get the soldiers within the Hornburg to safety. We can't leave them to die, like I said, Uruk's greatest strengths are their weight and numbers. Anyone can dodge a heavy handed strike, with practice, but you can't dodge six."
The woman looked up, meeting the gazes of her companions she frowned, her own mind racing at light speed,
"Back on point, the kids, they're nothing short of useless. Théoden is wrong to send them into battle, they're a liability. They can haul a couple buckets of water to the horses, but they wouldn't be able to put enough power behind a sword to do any damage to an Uruk, even if they managed to get to the Uruk's flesh. Anyone under eighteen summers shouldn't be here. Seventeen and other should be with the women and children. If they need a justification, they're our last defense to keep the defenseless safe."
Adrianna's attention shifted to Théoden as he entered the room, the air around them tensed. Gimli glanced between Adrianna and the approaching King, Aragorn shifted uneasily, Legolas shooting the man an equally worried glance. Adrianna's eyes hardened as she watched Théoden square his shoulders, his back straightening, she could have sworn she'd even seen his chest puff slightly.
She was about to have a very bad day.
"My lady, Adrianna, you will go with the other Women and Children into the caves." Théoden spoke calmly, "Help Éowyn care for them."
"The hell I will." Adrianna snapped, her own shoulders tensing as the man glared at her—clearly unused to the blatant disrespect.
"You were given an order."
"You seem to forget, Théoden King.´ That I am not a person of Rohan." She sneered, "I am not your subject, you have no ground to order me to do anything. At the very best, you can request, but my answer remains the same."
"It was not a request,"
"I'm aware. I refuse to go into the caves."
"Then you will be made to." Théoden watched as an unsettling grin pulled at the woman's lips, the challenging look screaming to life in her mismatched eyes.
"Oh really?" She grinned, the smile spreading wider as her eyes narrowed, "I dispatched your men in the time it took Gandalf to break Saruman's hold on you, what makes you think I can't do it again? Are you truly so proud you'd take more men away from your force, so close to a battle?"
Aragorn watched as Adrianna dropped the mask she wore so frequently. He had known the young woman for a handful of years, despite all the laughs they had shared, the battles they'd fought—against Orc and one another—he was still surprised and impressed by the woman's ability to shift from the sarcastic, smart mouthed artist to the serious, dangerous warrior he saw glaring back at the King with unwavering cold eyes.
The Warrior was showing.
The Soldier.
Théoden glared at the woman before him, fighting back the uneasy feeling clawing at the back of his mind. The woman before him was not the same woman who laughed as her stallion hid from children. Before him stood a creature he recognized only faintly, though the strength she woman carried herself with screamed warrior, he was unable to place the lethal undertones to any soldier he'd ever seen.
Warriors of Men were proud, Gondor, Rohan, even the Rangers of the North carried a certain pride when they moved, a certain strength and confidence. The woman before him, however, carried a different kind of strength, one completely devoid of pride.
Her normally relaxed stance was ridged, muscles coiled and ready to strike. The air she carried was different than her normal confidence, the authority screaming air that threatened to choke him weighed down on the room. The sharp edge forcing even the Soldiers around him to stand a little straighter, trying inadvertently not to draw attention to themselves.
More unsettling than her abrupt change in attitude and posture was the change in her eyes.
The mismatched pools of unnatural blue and green reminded the man of an ancient wolf. The authority of an alpha wolf, excelling in leading or pack or hunting alone her eyes screamed lethal. Danger. The woman before him was a Soldier. He could no longer deny it. Briefly he compared Adrianna to his niece, but quickly allowed the thoughts to drop.
Éowyn fought for Valor. For her pride and the pride of her country.
Adrianna fought for herself. For her friends and no one else.
"This is not the first war I have fought. Théoden King." Adrianna spat, snapping the small group out of their thoughts. "I have fought creatures that stalk a place beyond your wildest nightmare. Creatures who rely not only on speed over strength, but tact. I have brought smaller armies home from wars of greater odds. And I refuse to allow you to make the mistake of sacrificing the lives of your people. For what? The pride of Rohan? What good is pride if you're dead. Pride is not a comfort in the deathly silence after war. You cannot take pride to comfort grieving families."
Turning away from Théoden she glanced to Aragorn, silently willing her companions to move towards the door,
"Perhaps you should focus your time and energy on your own people. Théoden King. Instead of one wonderer."
0.0.0
"We'll place the reserves along the wall." Aragorn stated, leading Legolas and Adrianna up from the caves, the three slowly navigating their way up against the flow of the elderly, women and children who were beginning to file into the safety of the caves below. "they can support the archers from above the gate."
"Aragorn, you must rest." Legolas pipped up, "You're no use to us half alive."
"He's not wrong, this is why you asked for my help." Adrianna mused dryly, folding her arms behind her head.
"My lord, Aragorn!" Adrianna frowned, running a hand down the side of her face as Éowyn rushed towards the Ranger, placing herself in front of the trio forcing them to stop. "I'm to be sent with the woman into the caves."
"That is an honorable charge." Aragorn attempted to comfort the woman, thought Adrianna admitted it was a rather poor attempt.
"To mind the children," Éowyn argued, "To find food and bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that?"
"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown." Aragorn countered, fixing the woman with a calm gaze. "Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"
"Let me stand at your side." The woman blurted, startling the ranger who shook his head slowly.
"It is not in my power to command it."
Adrianna snorted, watching as the woman's mind reeled.
"You do not command the others to stay! Now did you allow my Uncle to force Lady Adrianna into the caves! She is free to fight-."
"That's because I threatened to destroy his guards." Adrianna muttered under her breath, "Not because Estel came to my rescue." The taller woman's frowned deepened, fixing the shorter Rohan native with a dark glare, irritable that she was trying to use Adrianna as her personal ticket into a battle she was not prepared for.
"They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you."
Adrianna watched as a long awkward pause stretched out between the woman and the trio, a single brow arching as her eyes narrowed irritably. Éowyn bows her head suddenly, a blush blooming faintly across her cheeks as she recognized her mistake, muttering a quick apology the woman rushed around them, disappearing into the caves.
"She wouldn't last five minutes as she is now." Adrianna snorted, walking forward once again, her temper spiking once more, "If she involved herself in this fight she would only get herself killed."
0.0.0
"Farmers, Ferries, Stable Boys…" Aragorn mumbled under his breath, eyes taking in the men that occupied the armory. "These are no soldiers." He muttered, turning his worried eyes towards his three companions.
"Most have seen too many winters…" Gimli agreed, watching as an elderly man walked by to pick up a sword.
"Or two few." Legolas snorted, nodding his head towards a skinny little boy being fitted for a helmet. "Look at them." Adrianna glanced over at the Elf, watching passively as the creature's stress fueled his temper. "They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."
The room fell silent, Adrianna slowly lifting a hand to grip the bridge of her nose, trying in vain to fight the throbbing headache that started to form. The two were going to make a scene. She could tell already. The elf, a being that has walked the earth many times the lives of the people in the room was spitting words that did nothing but push the Ranger's buttons.
Adrianna may not like the rag-tag army, but she understood that they were all Rohan had.
"Boe a hun. Neled herain dan caer menig?" 'And they should be. Three hundred against ten thousand?'
Adrianna shook her head slowly, thanking her stars that Legolas at least had the good graces to speak in a language the room couldn't understand—not that it stopped the occupants from staring at them. Aragorn paused, inhaling deeply he struggled to form a valid argument to combat his friend.
"Si beriathar hyn Amar na ned Edoras," 'They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras,' He offered the weak arguement.
It didn't work.
"Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hyn u- ortheri. Natha daged aen!" 'They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!'
"Then I shall die as one them!" Aragorn snapped back loudly, turning on a heel he stormed away, causing Adrianna to let out a loud sigh..
"Let him go lad." Gimli spoke, gripping Legolas' arm to prevent him from following the Ranger. "Let him be."
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight." Adrianna sighed, drawing the attention of the room, the hair on the back of her neck rising as she felt the nervous gazes of the men around her on her face. "It's the size of the fight in the dog. Don't count them out just yet. The full force of the attack is incapable of attacking at once. There is not enough space within the city." She turned towards Legolas, giving the Elf a pointed look. "Stop being so bloody pessimistic. You're becoming a real pain in the ass."
Disappearing through the doors she began her search for Aragorn, letting out a bored sigh as she found him mere moments later, sitting alone on the steps amidst the chaos of the war's preparation.
"You know he didn't mean it the way it came out." She spoke, receiving only a sigh and a nod in response. Letting out a matching sigh the woman dropped to the steps next to Aragorn, mismatched eyes watching as the people of Rohan ran through the city, trying to use what little time they had left to finish their tasks.
"Give me your sword." Aragorn orders calmly, Adrianna's gaze shifted to a young teenaged boy, who spun back towards the man, confusion pulling at his features as he slowly made his way towards them. "What is your name?"
"Haleth, son of Hama, my lord." The boy mumbled, handing the sword over to the ranger he frowned, his own fear lighting his eyes brightly. "The men are saying we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless."
"They're wrong." Adrianna snorted boldly, ignoring the boy's shocked stare.
Aragorn rose to his feet calmly, twisting the blade through the air gracefully he tested the weight, watching the movements the blade made before returning his attention towards the boy, slowly handing the blade back over.
"This is a good sword." He commented, ignoring Haleth's previous statement, "Haleth, son of Hama, There is always hope." Adrianna got to her feet slowly, watching with an amused smile as Aragorn placed his hang reassuringly on the boy's shoulder, smiling faintly before he turned and walked towards the Keep with Adrianna.
0.0.0
Adrianna yawned lightly, running her fingers over her Voltac's muzzle absentmindedly as she looked around the room. She was fully dressed and prepared for the upcoming war, and awaited her companions from the stables that stood adjacent to the Keep. Glancing back at her horse she smiled faintly at the stallion's relaxed face, bright blue eyes closed, dozing beneath her hand.
"We have trusted you this far." Legolas' voice drew her attention, "You have not led us astray." The elf handed over Aragorn's sword, "Forgive me, I was wrong to despair."
Adrianna's attention shifted once more to the Dwarf as he entered the room, his appearance also drawing the gaze of the two men, the three all looking at him in thinly veiled amusement. The dwarf frowned, the chainmail bunched around his chest tightly, the small creature struggling to pull the armor down, the metal links clinking quietly as he struggled.
"If we had time, I'd get this adjusted." Aragorn's and Adrianna's eyebrows rose high on their forehead as they watched the chainmail drop into a pool around the Dwarf's feet, looking much more like a dress than a shirt, "It's a little tight across the chest."
The two humans nodded slowly, knowing better than to point out what the Dwarf already knew. The loud call of a horn from outside drew the small group's attention towards the door, Legolas jumping to his feet quickly.
"That is no Orc horn." The Elf stated, quickly rushing through the cave with Adrianna and Aragorn on his tail.
"How is this possible?" Adrianna snorted lightly at Théoden's words as she reached the top of the stares, looking down to spot the columns of Elven Archers standing at the base, Haldir positioned in front of them, looking at Théoden calmly.
"I bring word of Elrond of Rivendell." A small grin formed on Adrianna's face at his words, some of her worries about the villagers surviving the night easing away despite the small number of elves present. "An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that Allegiance."
"Mar govannen, Haldir!"(welcome, Hadlir) Aragorn exclaimed, all but jumping down the steps he paused in front of the elf, pausing halfway through the formal elvish greeting he lurched forward, embracing the shocked creature before pulling back, a wide excited grin pulling at his lips, "You are most welcome."
Adrianna watched in mild amusement as Legolas approached Haldir, placing his arm across his chest before grasping the other Elf's shoulder, the army of Elvish archers that made up Haldir's company turned their heads in perfect unison, seconds after Legolas's hand made contact the formation turned to face the prince, acting all as one sole entity.
"We are proud to fight alongside Men once more." Haldir spoke again.
"Adria! You're alive!" A new voice spoke, drawing everyone's attention towards the short human hidden amongst the elves, "And you look terrible."
"Well gee, Sister dear," Adrianna drawled without missing a beat, locking gazes with the short woman as she stepped out of line, "Not all of us could've stayed in the plush safety of the forest for the past months, could we?" Mismatched eyes turned to Haldir, fixing the older creature with a solid stare, brow arching delicately, "I can only assume, that since you brought her here, that she has either improved greatly in your care, or you are capable of watching her during the battle that is to come?"
"Oi! I don't need a baby sitter!"
"Sure you don't, baby sister, how foolish of me."
And that friends is chapter 14.
Next one is the Battle for Helm's Deep. And, yes. Éomer's much awaited reappearance!
But, I've got things to do in the early hours of the morning tomorrow, so I shall leave you all now, I hope to bring up chapter 15—Which will probably be one of the longest to date—in the next couple days.