A/N: Hey, guys :D Here's the next chapter, as I had promised. It shows the moments before the battle and the arrival of the Elves. Personally, when I saw the movie, I felt really sorry for Legolas at the scene he argued with Aragorn.

Gotta Dance 88- Hannon le, my loyal friend :) I'm sorry I made you tear up. Ah, I also hope I will find a man as loving and protective as Legolas, but, unfortunately, it seems there are very few true gentlemen, like our Elf is. Lucky girl Sunglee is, is she not?

Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own LOTR

Theoden, Gamling, Aragorn, Legolas, Sunglee and Gimli walked to the gate of Helms Deep, discussing about the battle that was about to come.

'I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall' Theoden ordered Gamling, who nodded and walked off.

'We will cover the causeway the gate from above' he informed the others. 'No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg!'

'This is no rabble of mindless Orcs' Gimli disagreed. 'These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad'

'I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf' Theoden said arrogantly. 'I know how to defend my own keep'

Gimli seemed disgruntled, but did not react, and Aragorn put a hand on his shoulder as he was walking past him.

'They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn' Theoden went on. 'We have seen it before. Crops can be resown and homes rebuilt. Within these walls we will outlast them'

Yes, my lord, but you forget that they are then thousand, Sunglee thought, but stayed silent, knowing Theoden would not listen to her.

'They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people down to the last child' Aragorn repeated what he had said before.

'What would you have me do?' in Theoden's voice, both anger and despair were clear. 'Look at my men. Their courage hands 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 our riders, my lord' the Ranger advised him. 'You must call for aid'

The Dwarf and the two Elves nodded in agreement, but the king's cautiousness towards other races did not allow him to agree.

'And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead'

'But Rivendell…' Sunglee interfered angrily, unable to keep her calmness. She could not hear Theoden to blame her own kin for indifference and not say something. But then Legolas held her from the wrist to make her stop, although she could tell from the strength of his touch that he was as angry as she.

'Stay calm, melda' he whispered in her ear.

'Gondor will answer' Aragorn said instead.

'Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?' Theoden asked furiously. 'Where was Gondor when the enemies closed in around us? No, my lord Aragorn. We are alone'

No, we are not, Sunglee thought, her hands balled in fists. You believe we are alone, which is a huge difference'

She could hear him giving instructions to Gamling and the other guards about getting the women and the children into the caves as fast as possible. Aragorn, Legolas and Sunglee followed them, trying to offer their help.

'We will place the reserves along the wall' Aragorn decided. 'They can support the archers from above the gate'

Sunglee's and Legolas's mind travelled to their bows and they felt the same eagerness to fight against the forces of Isengard. Sunglee's hand moved to her healed wound and smiled slyly. Now she would take her revenge. At that moment, she saw Eowyn running to them, looking upset.

'Aragorn!' she exclaimed. 'I am to be sent with the women into the caves!'

Sunglee gasped when she heard that. She knew how much Eowyn wanted to fight and it would comfort herself if she had her friend next to her.

'This is an honorable charge' Aragorn commented in an attempt to make her relax.

'To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return' Eowyn was not convinced. 'What renown is there in that?'

'My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in the last defense?' Aragorn stated.

'Let me stand at your side' the shieldmaiden pleaded him. Sunglee was looking to Aragorn as well, agreeing with her.

'It is not in my power to command it' Aragorn apologized.

'You do not command to stay!' Eowyn answered passionately. 'They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you!'

She looked meaningfully at him and suddenly everything became clear for Sunglee. Eowyn loved Aragorn. She did not feel anger for that, instead, she felt sorry for her. Love without response was one of the cruelest things in someone's life and inside her mind she thanked Legolas for the love she was feeling next to him.

Hours later, weapons were handed out in the armory. Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Sunglee were there as well, the last two already with their quivers around their shoulders and their loyal bows in hand. Aragorn took hold of a sword and put it down again. He walked through the men towards Gimli, who was sitting down.

'Farmers, farriers, stable boys' he said to himself. 'These are no soldiers'

'Most have seen too many winters' said Gimli.

'Or too few' Legolas added.

Sunglee looked around and realized her companions were right. Most of them were either very old or very young. She could not suppress a low sob when she saw children being forced to fight in a very fierce battle. They had no experience, while the Uruks were much more and much stronger.

'Look at them. They are frightened' Legolas had the same opinion with her. 'I can see it in their eyes'

The loud conversations in the armory stopped and everybody, including Aragorn, turned to look at the prince. Legolas blushed slightly, feeling uncomfortable, but Sunglee returned their look.

Why are you looking like this? He did not say anything wrong. We are all frightened.

'Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig!' Legolas continued bravely.

'Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras' Aragorn tried to explain.

'Aragorn, nedin dagor hen u-erir ortheri' Legolas's voice became desperately. 'Natha daged dhaer!'

'Then I shall die as one of them!' Aragorn yelled.

Sunglee was looking from one to another, her eyes filled with tears. She could not see the two friends arguing and she could understand Legolas's reaction. Although he was a born archer, the number of the enemies could not be underestimated. He would lose his temper sooner or later and she hoped Aragorn would see this also. But the Ranger glared at Legolas for a while and then walked off. Legolas wanted to follow him, but Gimli held his arm.

'Let him go, lad' he told him calmly. 'Let him be'

The preparations for the battle continued and soon everybody had his weapon. The women and the children were safe in the caves. The younger boys, especially the ones who were using a sword for the first times, were asking for advice from the elder, who were encouraging them.

In the armory, Sunglee had filled her quiver with a few more arrows, provided to her by a soldier. Suddenly, she found Legolas sitting at a corner, his arms around his knees. She knew immediately what he was thinking, sat down next to him and squeezed his hand.

'Do not let guilt fill your heart' she whispered.

'Maybe Aragorn is right, Sunglee' he said. 'Maybe I am a coward'

'No!' she answered intensively. 'Legolas, I swear, if you say this again, I will ask from Gimli to hit your head with his axe! You are not a coward, do you understand?'

'But' he insisted 'but you saw his reaction, everybody's reaction'

'Legolas' now Sunglee was calm again 'it is natural to be afraid. We are very few compared to them. But Aragorn believes that there is always hope, this is why he got so angry'

Legolas looked at her and in his blue eyes she could still see the doubt. She squeezed his hand even more tightly.

'You know it was not his intention' her voice was sweet and gentle. 'He considers you a very close friend. Please, go and talk to him, I am sure he is not angry anymore'

Legolas remained silent for a while, thinking about her words. Then, he smiled to her and Sunglee felt lighter, for she knew that everything would be well again.

'You are right' he told her. 'Thank you, my love'

He kissed her on the forehead and searched for Aragorn. He found him putting on his chainmail. Legolas took Aragorn's sword and handed it to him. Aragorn took it and nodded towards him.

'We have trusted you this far' Legolas started. 'You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair'

'U-moe edaved, Legolas' Aragorn answered smiling and the two friends patted each other on the shoulder. At that moment, Sunglee approached them and smiled widely. Then Gimli appeared, struggling with his chainmail shirt, which was obviously too long for him.

'If we had time, I would get this adjusted' he mumbled. 'It is a little tight across the chest'

Aragorn, Legolas and Sunglee grinned at each other. But before anyone of them could speak, they heard a horn sounding. Sunglee gasped, recognizing it at once.

'That is no Orc horn' she said and ran out of the room, followed by her friends. When they arrived at the gates, they found a large elven army marching through the gates of Helms Deep, led by Haldir, who was speaking with Theoden.

'I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together'

He noticed Aragorn, Legolas, Sunglee and Gimli running towards them and smiled.

'We come to honor this alliance' he announced proudly.

'Mae govannen, Haldir' Aragorn greeted them and hugged the Elf. 'You are most welcome'

As Legolas hugged Haldir, the Elves swiftly turned towards him and stood to attention.

'We are proud to fight alongside Men once more' Haldir said.

Theoden smiled, bowed and left. At that moment, Haldir saw the Rivendell princess and bowed deeply towards her, while Sunglee responded with a curtsey.

'Lady Sunglee, I am most delighted to see you safe. Your father sends his love to you and hopes you are well. It will be my honor to fight next to you'

'The honor is all mine, Haldir' Sunglee answered. 'I thank you for coming'

She could not prevent to throw a triumphant look towards the direction Theoden had gone. He was the one who had refused to call for aid and aid had come. With new courage, she followed Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and Haldir to the Wall, ready for the battle to start.

Elvish words/phrases used:

Melda- My beloved

Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig- And they should be three hundred against ten thousand

Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras- They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras

Aragorn, nedin dagor hen u-erir ortheri. Natha daged dhaer!- Aragorn, they can not win this fight. They are all going to die!

U-moe edaved, Legolas- There is nothing to forgive, Legolas

Mae govannen- Welcome

A/N: Alright, everyone, that was it for now. I hope you liked this chapter and I can't wait for your reviews. xx