A/N: Good God, I am a sweet little procrastinator, aren't I? December??? I'm not surprised if there will be tomatoes thrown or favorites deleted. However, here I am! Elaina's back with a vengeance, and snarkier than ever. Enjoy!

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Luckily for me, the meeting had stretched on for longer than Aragorn had expected, so I was spared telling the whole incriminating story for at least a few hours. Unluckily, though, Boromir was still asleep; apparently, well and healthy (he had definitely had worse)—so I had no one to hang around with. I found the curious glances in my direction and Eowyn's growing depression… well, irritating. So I made my excuses for some fresh air and plopped down on the wall in a secluded spot.

Probably not a good idea at the moment. Having time alone made my thoughts wander to the oncoming battle.

Would I be able to participate? I wouldn't kid myself—I knew saving Boromir was more a product of desperation than actual skill, and I had nowhere near the finesse and endurance to make it through… but something in my mind stubbornly kept the thought that I should be there with them. My friends—especially Boromir—may need my help. And I wasn't about to wave away the danger for them when I knew my being her may have changed things. Things that raised important questions. Could I keep Boromir alive, or was it fate that he should die? I knew certain things depended on his death, and those were definitely changed by now. Remembering how many times we had come close to dying, to almost losing him after gaining him back from fate—well, it wasn't hard to imagine time and destiny were against him…

"Hey, Champ," the familiar voice said softly, and I jumped. It amused me that he had somewhere along the way, he picked up the peculiar names and phrases I loved to use. It comforted me in a strange way.

"Hey, Babe," I greeted back. Boromir rolled his eyes.

"You know, despite what you think, that word has a very different meaning here," he quipped, sighing. "I'm not exactly an infant."

I smiled at his annoyance. "Oh yeah? Well I prefer my meaning."

"Which is?"

I debated telling him the sordid details—it could possibly make for a funny scenario, seeing that cute little blush of his. Aw, what the heck.

"You know," I said, smirking, "Hunk. Man-candy. Stud." He looked confused for a moment, then a saw comprehension dawn on his face.

To his credit, he didn't flush red like I thought he would. He merely shrugged nonchalantly (though I could tell he held back a grin) and snorted.

"You don't have to tell me how… what was it? How 'sexy' I am? I know."

My jaw dropped, and I felt the laughter in me bubble up to the surface. I sputtered with giggles until tears came.

Finally, I brought myself under some control. To my delight, a huge smile lit up his face and I could tell he had laughed too. "I don't think you have the slightest clue what you've just said. Remind me never to allow you to talk if you ever visit the United States."

He nodded in mock seriousness.

For a few moments, we sat in comfortable silence watching the afternoon run its course. All around, people milled about gathering food, supplies, and family members and going back and forth into the caves. Somewhere I heard a goat bleat and a group of children shout and laugh. Surprisingly, the mood wasn't altogether as sober as I had imagined it would be. These people were ready, if not happy, to defend their country.

"The meeting is over," murmured Boromir, turning around and shielding his eyes to look at the door. It led into the heart of the fortress, where King Théoden was meeting with the other lords to discuss defense. It was now open, and a steady stream of blond men came pouring out hurriedly. It was then we both saw Aragorn wearily step out into the sunlight and sigh. Beside me, Boromir groaned.

"He doesn't look happy." He got up, offering a hand to me. I took it. "We should go ask what's happening."

I wrinkled my nose in displeasure. "I'd say it's obvious."

Boromir eyed me curiously as we walked down the stairs to the Keep. "What do you mean?"

"You'll see."

When we met up, Aragorn greeted Boromir with relieved warmth and asked how he felt. The warrior shrugged it off, assuring him that he had been perfectly happy going after the damsel in distress—trouble or no trouble. Yeah, right.

I glared. "Please. I think I can handle myself." To my frustration, Boromir said nothing, only raising his eyebrows as if to say, 'yeah, whatever.' I huffed.

Aragorn smiled, his expression strangely satisfied. Before I could ask what that look was for, he began to tell us about the upcoming battle.

"Ten thousand, Aragorn?! But, surely… they can't stay…" he spluttered in disbelief, obviously skeptical of any sort of victory.

"And where else would they go?" I asked quietly, secretly agreeing with him that our chances at best were pretty slim.

Aragorn nodded grimly in agreement. Boromir suddenly glanced around as if seeing everyone in a different perspective. I couldn't help but frown as I saw the tiniest impression of despair as he looked at all the Rohirrim. "It won't be a battle," he snorted angrily, almost so low that I missed it, "It will be a slaughter."

Aragorn sighed. I flinched.

"Even so," Aragorn said calmly, "We will keep hope." This sounded more like a rebuke from a father than comfort to a friend. Boromir let out a "tuh" of doubt.

"Yeah," I said, trying to sound confident, "We'll all get through this. What's a few mangy orcs for you and me?"

Boromir's eyes flashed up to meet mine, suddenly flinty.

"You are not fighting, Elaina. I refuse to let you—"

"You refuse to let me what, Boromir?" I suddenly felt angry, surer of my decision, faced with his stubborn overprotection. My voice turned acidic. "Watch over my friends? Fight for the lives of the women and children in there?" I waved my hand in the direction of the caves, where families huddled together—maybe for the last time. "To make sure you don't get yourself killed—"

Boromir made a noise halfway between incredulity and exasperation. He scowled, oblivious to the fact that his voice had gotten louder as he spoke. "Elaina, I think I know more of battle and war than you. And battle," he made sure to annunciate every word clearly, as if talking to a stubborn kid, "is absolutely no game."

"I'm not stupid!" I growled, hating how my voice took on a childish edge, "I know it's a risk! I know I may well just die after two seconds out there! But if fighting with you guys gives anyone—you, Aragorn, that fucking little boy over there—a chance to make it, then, well… I'm fighting, dammit!"

Flushing, I realized Aragorn was still watching us. He observed us as if we were a particularly interesting sitcom that had refused to go on a commercial break. Boromir's expression seemed frozen in stormy determination. I raised my head in what I hoped spoke defiance, daring him to tell me what I couldn't do.

"Aragorn?" Boromir finally said, stiffly. I dreaded his refusal. Kings weren't allowed to interfere, dammit! This was between me and Boromir!

Isildur's heir regarded me carefully, silently boring into me with his piercing grey eyes. I held his gaze.

Finally, he spoke. "It is her choice."

I let out a breath, smiling. But when I saw the look on Boromir's face, I couldn't help but stop.

He shook his head in disbelief, regarding Aragorn as he would a lunatic. "I can't believe you're going to let her—"

"Let her what?" Gimli grunted, approaching the three of us with Legolas by his side.

Boromir's answer dripped with disapproval. "Elaina's going to fight in the battle." He looked at them eagerly, and I realized he was waiting to hear their protests, too.

Gimli chuckled. "Good. Glad to have the lass at my back." Boromir's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Obviously, no one realizes that this isn't some sortie of brainless Morgul-rats…" his voice trailed off mutinously.

Legolas scrutinized me, and somehow I felt he was looking through my head like a piece of clear glass. "Oh, she knows. In fact, I think she knows much more than any of us. Am I right, Elaina?"

I thought about the hordes of strong, beastly Uruks that would tear through this place with one thing on their minds: total destruction. And shivered.

"Yes," I said stiffly. "Yes I do. And I just want to say, Boromir, I know this isn't a walk in the park. I'm afraid, alright!"

He started to talk, giving me a look that asked 'then why?' before I interrupted.

"I don't think there's anyone here who isn't." I folded my arms across my chest, uncomfortable with revealing just how much the oncoming battle terrified me. "But I'm willing to do my part, just like all of you guys. It's stupid that I should be stuffed into the caves just because you think I might break a nail!" Suddenly I appreciated Eowyn's dogged determination to get out there and just fight.

Boromir let out an incredulous huff. "Eru, Elaina, you know that's not what I mean! There are women in those caves that are worthy of the title of Shieldmaiden, and I know that! It's you I'm worried about!" His eyes blazed as he went on. "You've been acquainted with the sword for less than two months, and you want to rush into battle?! Have you ever seen anyone die before?"

I recoiled, blood rushing to my face. Thinking of the dead—how many of these men, little boys and old men, would be dead before sunrise in two days? I had never seen anyone die, and I couldn't pretend to assume I would handle it in any reasonable way. The people of Middle Earth had the upper hand on me; they grew up knowing people fought and died in horrible ways.

"No," I answered, voice wavering. "But that doesn't matter."

"Oh, doesn't it?" he snorted in disgust. Aragorn looked on, frowning at Boromir. But, surprisingly, it was Legolas who had come to my aide.

"She will know, mellon nîn. This is her home now, and she must learn what comes with it." Legolas said quietly, putting a hand on his shoulder. Boromir softened, though he still looked as if he wished to protest.

"Besides," continued, "I see it in her; Ortheritham hain. Avo 'osto."

Aragorn and Boromir both let out sharp breaths, and threw each other wild looks. Legolas looked smug.

"What the hell, Legolas?!" I could not be certain what he said, but I could probably guess. "Stay out of my head!"

Gimli looked from each of us confusedly. "What was that, Legolas?"

He merely shrugged. "From what I gather, Elaina knows we're going to come out victorious."

Gimli gasped, and all eyes turned to me. "It isn't certain," I said, dreading what Gandalf would say when he heard this little detail let slip. "Don't get cocky; things that were… meant to have happened… have changed. I don't know anything for certain anymore."

"Of course," smoothed Legolas, still smiling. "But it helps keep hope alive, doesn't it?"

I groaned.

We all stood there, each of us thinking on the future. Finally, Boromir's eyes settled on mine, still discontent.

"Come on," he sighed resignedly. "We've got to get you some armor, if you're going to try not to get killed. I think we can manage something."

He pulled me along, and I felt a funny rush of anxiety and excitement course through me.

I was going to fight in the Battle of Helm's Deep.

TBC…

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A/N: Oh, my pretties, I know they haven't even gotten to the battle yet! And yet I think you owe me for the humongulous chapter. :cringes: Okay, I owe you. So I know the prose has changed a bit since December—I've taken some writing classes, and I think my style has improved tremendously. But that's up to you. Next chapter will be out soon and I can promise you you'll get your Boromir/Elaina dosage.

Please tell me you liked it? Reviewing is :in Borat voice: NIIIICE.