Wow, does time fly…. Forgive me for not writing since…August, I believe. My muses left for a while, but thanks to a friend, they seemed to have returned. Therefore, I continue to write on. I recently re-read my last few chapters to get back into the swing of things, so, I hope to be correct in my information. Please tell me if I have made any mistakes. Well, read on! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings, only Laura.
Chapter 21: Warg Battle
The company from Rohan rode on, hoping to arrive to Helm's Deep later in the afternoon. Laura was uneasy still with the information she possessed. What would happen? Would there be a battle on the journey, or wouldn't there? She rode beside Legolas, remaining quiet in thought. Most were quiet as it were, for tension and fear were high; there was no need for speech. Aragorn was restless and thoughts seemed to plague him as he rode ahead. Most likely thoughts of Arwen, Laura thought to herself, looking to the Ranger before her.
Soon, the company seemed to be approaching a large plain. It was a likely place for an ambush and made certain people uneasy. Legolas glanced around at the villagers, staring ahead at the plains in weariness; they just wished to arrive at Helm's Deep. Aragorn looked forward at the plain, getting a feeling of dread and fear. He reined his horse, awaiting Laura and Legolas to approach. Upon seeing the Elven prince, he kicked his horse to move at his pace.
"Legolas," he said. "My mind grows uneasy at the sight of this plain. Run ahead and see if there is any danger." Legolas nodded sternly before swiftly dismounting from Arod and running ahead at the quick speed of an Elf. Aragorn watched him, and looked to Laura, who held fear in her eyes. So, she thought, it is to happen. Seeing the fear Laura held did nothing to comfort Aragorn and he stared ahead in waiting to see what was to come. His attention, although, was suddenly brought to the king when Théoden yelled out.
"Gamling! Hama!" he called. "Ride ahead and scout the area! Be sure there is no danger in bringing the people there!" The two men nodded and urged their steeds to a gallop, running in the direction of the plain, ahead of the others. They ran past Legolas and into a ditch in the land, unseen by the others. The Elf's gaze followed them as they passed, but suddenly, the noise of battle was heard, and Legolas rushed down into the ditch to assist the men. Aragorn's eyes widened in horror and he dismounted from Brego, running forward, to where Legolas stood. He saw the Elf slash the throat of a huge Warg in disgust, then kick it to the side. "A scout!" Legolas yelled out to those behind him. The people went into chaos and fear, not knowing what to do. Legolas remained at a distance and watched as a wave of Wargs and Orcs swept up to cover the plains. Saruman had been planning a massacre. Aragorn swiftly ran back down the hill slope and yelled out to the people of Rohan.
"Wargs! We're under attack!" The people of Rohan flew into panic and chaos, not knowing what to do. Laura's eyes widened in fear at the battle that was to come. Aragorn yelled out again. "Get them out of here!" he cried to the innocent women and children. Sprinting back to Brego, he mounted him and pulled on his reins sharply, in the direction of the ambush.
"All riders to the head of the column!" Théoden commanded atop Snowbourne, his beautiful white horse. The men obeyed him and urged their own horses forward, in the direction of the attack. The citizens cried out in fear and grief as they felt trapped in the ambush. Gimli growled as he attempted to mount Arod.
"Come on, get me up here. I'm a rider! Come on!" he shouted out as he received help mounting the horse. "Argh!" he groaned as he sat atop the horse. A distance away, Legolas watched the horizon, awaiting the vicious attack of the Wargs and soon a flood of the wolf-like creatures covered the plains before him. His eyes widened in horror at the magnitude of Saruman's ambush; fifty or so Warg riders galloping at a great speed, lusting after the death and blood of the Rohirrim. Meanwhile, Théoden turned back to Éowyn and looked to her in restlessness.
"You must lead the people to Helm's Deep," he told her. "And make haste!" he added firmly.
"I can fight!" Éowyn protested to him in determination. She held the will to fight, yet Théoden did not wish his only niece to die in battle. It was not her time to fight.
"No!" Théoden exclaimed harshly. He softened his voice momentarily. "You must do this…for me." Éowyn looked to him as if he doubted her and her abilities, but turned to assist the citizens, as was his command. Théoden, another problem off his mind, turned and prepared for the battle at hand. Spotting Laura, he galloped to her and spoke. "Laura, I recommend you journey with Éowyn to Helm's Deep. There is a battle at hand and you are newly recovered." He was unsure of her ability in battle and since she was under his protection, did not want to risk it. Laura turned Tinnuroch and looked to Théoden in unwaveringly.
"I shall not depart now, Théoden King," she replied. "I am one of the Fellowship and shall remain with my companions." Théoden looked at her in surprise; his face became etched with resolve.
"Laura," he repeated, "you are under my charge and newly healed; since I am King of Rohan, your safety lies within my hands. I send Éowyn away for her safety as I wish to do for you," he explained exasperatedly, eager to rush out to the battle.
Aragorn, a distance away, overheard the King's words and approached them at a swift speed. "My lord," he called to Théoden, "Laura has been with us from the beginning and is skilled in battle. She has overcome much and has proven to others that she may care for herself." Théoden looked to Aragorn in doubt.
"If you are sure," Théoden sighed in defeat. "You may fight alongside my men and myself. I wish you safety in battle," he said before turning from them and running at a gallop to the battlefield. "Follow me!" he called out to his men. "Yah!" He kicked Snowbourne on into the battlefield, ready for all that awaited him and his men. He would not give up on his people without a fight.
Aragorn looked to Laura and gave her a sharp nod, silently wishing her safety before turning and following the king with the rest of the Rohirrim. Once more, he turned to be sure of the safety of the Rohan citizens. His eyes locked with those of Éowyn for a moment. He cared deeply for her and her safety, as a brother would and watched for a moment as she lead the people away from the battle, to Helm's Deep.
In his heart, Aragorn somewhat felt at home, with other Men. His dedication to the men of the west burned within him. It out powered his dedication to Elrond and the Elves, who had raised him as a boy. Gritting his teeth as he ran on, he unsheathed his blade, glaring at the Warg riders.
Laura looked ahead, to Legolas, as he shoots arrows at advancing Warg riders, still a great distance away from Théoden and his company. He fells one with an arrow and kills a second before noticing Théoden's men approach. Laura released a bated breath and urged Tinnuroch forward, to follow the company.
Legolas, noticing Arod approach, Gimli upon his back, turned and jogged to the horse, reaching a hand up to grasp his mane. Nimbly, he swung himself upon the back of the horse, Arod at a gallop, and sat mounted, running smoothing into the fray of the battle.
The battle had begun. The Warg-Riders shrieked as they ran headlong into the company of Rohan riders. The Rohirrim gritted their teeth in anger and determination as they approached the hideous Orcs upon their large Wargs. The battle that was about to take place would hopefully not have many casualties, but that was unknown to many; unknown to all, but one.
Laura cried out as Tinnuroch galloped onward. Thoughts plagued her mind as she rode, so she paid little attention to the battle at hand. Aragorn shall fall here! her mind screamed to her. As much as she willed it would not happen, she knew it had to and would most likely. Shaking her head, she attempted to rid her mind of those thoughts, for they would be of no assistance to her at the moment, riding to battle.
One moment, it appeared the Wargs were a mile away, but in the blink of an eye, with the pace both parties were running at towards the other, the Wargs were but a few yards away. Laura's eyes widened as she viewed the Wargs before her, but she scrunched her eyes closed as she knew that in a moment, they groups would collide. Her blade was drawn and she was ready for battle. She waited to hear the growls and shouts of battle.
A bone-breaking crunch was heard as both Wargs and horses came to a crash. Laura's eyes popped open, knowing she had to sense her surroundings when she fought. The sound of steal clashing steal met her ears as she raised her own sword, parrying the blow of an Orc. It grimaced as it watched her block its blow and drew back its rusted scimitar again, preparing for another fatal blow, but Laura moved faster, cutting the Orc through the side, causing it to fall from its Warg, dead. The Warg snarled at Laura and opened its mouth widely, revealing the rows of canines it held. Laura, given an instant to decide, reached back into her quiver, removing one of the knives given to her by Legolas in Rivendell, and smashed the blade through the top of the skull of the Warg. Blood spilled from the wound as it immediately died. Laura removed the knife from the skull, noticing a black blood upon it. She placed it back in her quiver, ready to grasp at it again if need be.
Laura looked wildly around her to notice she was in the mess of the battle. Wishing to get out, she tugged sharply on Tinnuroch reins, hoping to make him back up and out of the fray of the battle. Luckily, Tinnuroch did as she wished and stepped back a few steps, unsure and nervous, not knowing where he was going and seeing battle all around him. Looking around swiftly in hopes of spotting anyone she knew, Laura sat upon Tinnuroch, readying herself for another fight. Spotting Legolas' blond hair a distance away, her mind came to ease, knowing he was safe.
She watched as Aragorn killed an Orc, a little nearer to her, but Laura's train of thought was broken when another Warg approached her at a gallop, knocking her from her horse. She grimaced as her side came in contact with the rough ground. Tinnuroch squirmed on the ground for a moment before getting to his feet and bolting from the battle. The Warg drooled menacingly as it approached Laura, ready to make the kill. The Orc grinned, its yellow teeth visible as it urged its beast on, excited to see yet another death. Laura gasped, knowing that death was just a breath away; she did not have enough time to get her blade and raise it. Death would surely come to her. She closed her eyes, ready for the pain to sear through her body, but a groan and thud was heard before her instead. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw the figure of the Warg, dead upon the ground, an arrow sticking from its throat. Laura twisted her head in the direction of where the arrow had come from to see Legolas upon Arod. He nodded once to her before continuing on in the battle. A snarl was heard before Laura; she turned her head once more to the dead Warg, seeing the Orc that rode it, its scimitar raised up, ready to strike her. Shoving herself to her feet, Laura drew both of her knives, parrying the Orc's blow with one, and slicing its neck with the other. She grimaced in disgust of the black blood upon her knife, but shrugged it off, realizing that was the price of battle.
Having a moment of freedom, Laura rose herself to her feet and looked about the battle field. So far, the battle was in favor of the king and that brought some comfort to Laura's heart. With a tired sigh, she glanced all about her, but then dread came into her heart at the sight before her. Aragorn was strapped to a Warg, which was running wildly to the edge of a cliff. Laura's eyes widened as she immediately propelled her legs to the cliff, watching Aragorn being dragged by the ferocious Warg. The Orc atop it, grinned in pleasure, but Aragorn drew his knife, driving it deep into the chest of the Orc. The Orc grabbed at Aragorn's neck before the Man was able to pull it from the saddle, but before long, the Orc fell to the ground, but the Warg continued on. Laura stopped suddenly, knowing anything she did would be of no avail. She watched as Aragorn toppled over the cliff into oblivion.
Shock crept into her heart as the battle surrounding her left her mind; she only noticed the cliff Aragorn had fallen over. She could see him standing before her, grinning and laughing, like the brother she never had…but now…he was gone…. Looking about as if in a trance, she noticed the Riders now were driving out the last of the Wargs, the battle coming to an end. This was good news, yes, but with Aragorn having fallen, grief would only come to many.
Her thoughts perplexed Laura, for she knew Aragorn would return. He had simply fallen from the cliff and in a few day's time would come to Helm's Deep, a little weary and beaten, yet well enough. Her emotions seemed to have gotten the better of her mind. She knew he would return, yet the shock would not subside and the grief she felt was great. She waited quietly—her gaze now turning to the battle field—to see Legolas, Gimli, and the others; how they would react to the news. Soon enough, cries could be heard throughout the plains.
"Aragorn!" Legolas yelled out urgently, his keen eyes taking in the surrounding land for any sight of his friend. Laura turned her eyes to him, her mouth open slightly in fear and sadness. Gimli could be heard a distance away yelling as well.
"Aragorn?" the Dwarf hollered, wondering about the sudden disappearance of the Man. Legolas slowly made his way to Laura, his eyes ever scanning about. He nodded to her curtly, his face holding a questioning and curious expression. Walking onward, he drew nearer to the cliff, passing by the Orc Aragorn had dismounted from the Warg before his fall. Laura jogged up behind the Elf, speaking his name softly
"Legolas…," she said weakly, causing him to turn sharply to her. Théoden stood nearby looking about as well, his cool gaze turning to Laura at the mention of the Elf's name. Legolas approached Laura, striding calmly over and taking her hands into his own.
"What is it meleth nîn?" he asked quietly, curiosity heard in his voice. Laura was about to speak when a cackle of a laugh was heard nearby from the Orc Legolas had passed earlier. The laugh sounded labored, but enjoyment could be heard within it nonetheless. Legolas glared at the Orc and raised a finger to Laura, stalking over to where the Orc lay. Gimli approached as well, his ax raised. Both glowered at the dying Orc in hatred, knowing he had some knowledge of what befell their friend.
"Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing," Gimli growled to the Orc, ready to strike him right in the chest. The Orc grinned, his yellowed teeth clearly visible, and laughed again, his laugh mixed with a cough.
"He's…dead," it replied after having a fit of coughs. "Took a little tumble off the cliff." Glee was so evident in his voice, it could make one sick. Legolas gnashed his teeth and grabbed at the Orc's filthy tunic, pulling it upward.
"You lie!" he exclaimed, every inch of his voice laced with loathing, his blue eyes piercing into those of the Orc, unwilling to believe such a fate would happen to Aragorn. The Orc laughed once more, gasping for its last breath before it became silent. Legolas threw the creature back in disgust, but not before noticing something shiny within its hand. Reaching into the corpse's hand, he drew out the Evenstar pendant. Clasping the pendant tight in his hand, he came to his feet, stalking to the cliff's edge, his eyes containing a fire, making his brilliant blue gaze appear like ice. Laura nearly shied away from the Elf in fear of him, but resisted and instead turned to view down into the cavern Aragorn had fallen into, Gimli soon arriving. The only thing visible from the height they stood at would be the crashing and rushing waters below, no sight of a Man nor a Warg seen there.
As Legolas peered down, realization came into his gaze as he held the Evenstar limply in his open palm. Laura stood beside him glancing downward, knowing it would be to no avail. She tried to reassure herself of Aragorn's return; she knew he would come back, but her heart would not listen then; only loss was felt. She did not try to take Legolas' hand into her own, for she knew he was hurt and could possibly act with unintentional violence.
Théoden soon appeared at their side, looking down into the ravine casually, his eyes seeming detached and unfeeling. Standing tall and proud once more, he turned and yelled aloud to his men.
"Get the wounded on horses! The wolves of Isengard will return." His gaze looked at Laura, then shifted to Legolas before he spoke his last phrase. "Leave the dead…." Legolas turned his head sharply, fury and disbelief seen on his fair face. How dare he declare Aragorn dead! He could not be dead…. Théoden raised a hand and placed it lightly on his shoulder, hoping to help he realize that Aragorn was gone.
"Come…," he said softly before removing his hand and sadly turning to return to the men. Legolas' eyes turned from the Man and continued to look down into the giant cavern. Laura glanced at Legolas, tentatively moving her hand and slipping it into Legolas' free one, in an attempt to comfort him. Legolas turned to look at her, not saying a word, but his eyes telling everything; he held unbelievable remorse and disbelief. Aragorn could not be dead.
"He is gone…," Gimli stated, his voice completely void of emotion, losing its normal gruff, confident tone. Laura reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder. Her throat nearly closed on her as she felt tears begin to glisten in her eyes. She coughed once to get her voice and spoke.
"We must go," she said, her voice wavering as tears began to flood down her cheek. Lightly, she pulled at Legolas' hand, bidding him to walk away. Turning, he looked at her.
"You are right," he replied evenly, holding her hand firmly and walking away, his steps slow and heavier. Gimli sighed once, then followed them to the horses as well.
Making her way to Tinnuroch, she squeezed Legolas' hand before letting it free, then mounting the horse; he himself mounting Arod and Gimli being assisted behind him by a Rider. Théoden already sat atop Snowbourne, his eyes scanning all of the men there, stopping for a moment upon each one of them. He then nodded in resolution to keep firm and strong, not allowing his voice to slacken due to grief. He was a king and had to suffer loses now allowing his men to see their king in a weakened state.
"We ride to Helm's Deep!" he shouted out as strongly as he could muster, then turned swiftly on his steed, galloping once more over the plains, his legions of men following closely as the loss of their brothers seeped in. They had never expected to lose so many more; they needed men at that time and to lose more brought on a great disadvantage. Therefore, sullenly, they rode on, the only joy in their hearts to see their wives and children once more.
Meanwhile, Laura rode on—Legolas and Gimli at her side—glad for their safety and finally to approach Helm's Deep, yet she could not help but let Aragorn's fall strike at her heart, despite her constant knowledge of his return. It seemed the more involved she became in the story, the more real it all became; it was no longer fiction that she simply knew about, it was real….
I am so sorry guys! It has been far too long. Please do not be too angry at me. I sincerely will try to write more, but I need to be in the mood and I'm busy lately. I hope this chapter makes you a bit happier and forgiving. I'm still alive and really need to get back into this. Please forgive me and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!