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Lady of Sign : We are ALMOST THERE I promise!

Stahly93 : Agreed, but our girl is pretty tough. I'm sure she can handle anything Saruman throws at her.

Woman of Letters : I can just imagine it. Rohirric women with swords and spears rather than pompoms.


Legolas sat on a step outside the main hall of the fortress, watching the horizons as the peoples of Rohan rested. The journey to Helms Deep was indeed a long one. He was slightly thankful for the breaks they received on their trip, for after nearly four days of constant running, he could say that he was tired.

However, he would never admit it.

Despite his worries for their journey, one other kept in his mind.

Annalynn.

After they met with Gandalf in Fangorn, the wizard told them that Merry and Pippin were indeed safe, that the three hunters would need not worry anymore. But when he asked Gandalf of Annalynn, the wizard had no words of comfort for the Elf. Saying that she was beyond his sight, that her fate was as much a mystery as Frodo and Sam's.

That did not sit well with him. He knew she was taken with Merry and Pippin. The staff that rested against his back was a constant reminder of that.

When Boromir told them of the Halflings capture, he said that she was there as well. Legolas could assume she had also heard the Horn of Gondor and came running to its aid. Finding her staff laying with the few dead Uruk-hai was like finding her dead herself.

He knew it was a gift. A gift from both Dain and his father. Well, her father as well now.

The thought brought a smile to his face. Since their meeting, Legolas felt a kinship with the mortal woman. He was never able to explain why, but he felt the need to protect her, guide her. He still remembered to this day the day she came to him with Brand's council's offer of marriage. It never once occurred to him that she would actually say yes. For she often spoke of the Rohirric man she loved. One that Legolas had the pleasure of meeting, if only for a few moments.

"Excuse me?"

Legolas turned his head to see a rather tall man with a scraggly red beard hanging from his face. He swore that he recognized the man, but he could not place where from. "I am aware that this is a bit unorthodox, my coming to you like this, but I could not help but overhear that you are from the Woodland Realm."

He nodded his head slowly, wondering what purpose the man had in speaking with him. "Forgive me, my name is Aldric. I believe we have a common friend."

"You know Annalynn?" He had half expected someone to come forward sooner, but from the things she had told him, the peoples of Edoras were not all that friendly during her departure.

"For my part yes." He shifted his weight on his feet, almost as if unsure how to continue. "I do not know if you know, but she…." Legolas could hear his voice wavering, it almost cracking, but Aldric quickly cleared it before speaking again. "She has passed on."

"Dead?" Legolas did not know what to feel. Could the Man be wrong? "How, when?"

"Near one week ago. A horse breeder and his family came to Rohan, they told us of how she bravely faced off against a band of Orcs just so they may escape safely."

Horse breeder? Orcs?

That happened before Lorien. The Lady Galadriel had sent Haldir to aid her before death officially took her. That was how she came to Lorien, carried by Haldir himself, or so Legolas was told.

He gave the Man a warm smile. "She survived. The Elves of Lothlorien came to her aid, taking her within their dwellings to heal her."

Hama looked feint when Legolas told him she was alive. "Where is she now?" He pressed, thought Legolas did not have the answers he sought. "I do not know, shortly after, we were separated."

"But she is alive?"

"Yes."

Legolas did not have time to dodge when the burly man took him in his arms. While the Elves were not accustomed to hugging, Legolas had become well acquainted with the gesture, Annalynn giving out her fair share. "Thank you." He repeated as he continued his embrace. "I must tell the others."

"It would seem our Lady held more hearts than we originally thought." Legolas looked down at the Dwarf who was slowly becoming a great friend. He had felt Gimli coming near when Alaric first began speaking to him. "It would appear so." Legolas watched the man, something about him caused him to take caution wiht his actions.

"I see you have met Aldric." The two watched as Eowyn put a basket of fresh linens on the ground near more of the provisions that had been set up around the fortress. "He is a whelp of a man if I ever saw one." Her head looked over her shoulder at him, distaste clearly visible in her eyes.

"How is that my Lady?"

Eowyn turned to look at them both with wet eyes. "He turned his back on someone when they needed him most."

"Who was that?" Gimli pushed for an answer. Picking up another basket of clothing to be washed, she gave them both a hard look. "His own daughter. She went North to live with her kin, none have seen her since." Pressing it against her hip, she gave them a nod and set off.

"You don't suppose…." Gimli looked over at Legolas with wide eyes.

"That that is Annalynn's father?"


Aragorn sat on the step just outside the armory. Was Legolas right? Would this be their death? It couldn't be. It shouldn't be.

When he told Theoden that a host of Orcs and Uruk-hai were marching towards Helms Deep, he did not except the king to have refused to send riders for aid. Proclaiming that his own people would fight this battle, defending it themselves. He was adamant that the fortress would hold and his people be victorious.

Aragorn wanted to call him a fool. He was certain the others did. Even now as he watched old men and young boys clad in armor and wielding swords, bows and arrow, and spears, Aragorn felt the slightest twinge of hope.

His eye caught a young man, no more than sixteen years glancing his way. He was dressed in full armor, wielding a sword that had not come within the armory. "Give me your sword."

The boy paused for a moment, then took his steps towards him. With the pommel of the blade pointed in Aragorn's direction, he took it without hesitation. "What is your name?"

"Garreth, son of Geoff, my Lord."

Aragorn stood, giving the sword several swings. It was indeed a fine sword. One that he was sure had seen battle before. "This is a good sword." He returned it back to its owner. With a hand on the boys shoulder, Aragorn wanted to lift his spirits. "There is always hope, Garreth, son of Geoff."

The young man just gave him a smile. "Of course there is my Lord. Someone once told me that even the smallest person can change the course of the tides."

The comment made Aragorn think of Frodo and Sam facing the perils of Emyn Muil on their own, completing the Quest without the others by their sides to help, guide, and protect them. "You should go prepare my Lord. There are whispers that the enemy will be here soon." It could have been the boys' unyielding faith in Men, the thought of Sam and Frodo, whatever the case may be, something surged within Aragorn. He gave Garreth a hard nod and set off for the Armory.

He had prepared himself for battle, even for death, but when the army of Elves came walking up the causeway and into the depths of Helm's Deep, Aragorn finally did believe that they would outlast the night.

He and the others fought with all they had to keep the Uruk-hai at bay. To keep the Orcs from entering the keep. He thought all was lost when the wall surrounding them crumbled like rocks. When thousands upon thousands stormed the fortress. When Theoded hid within the Hornburg, terrified of what was out there.

"Ride out with me." He told him, if this was to be their end, then they would end with dignity; maybe perhaps giving the women and children a chance to flee.

When Gimli blew the horn of Hammerhand, pride grew within the riders and warriors of Rohan. Within himself. They rode down the causeway, trampling their way through. They fought with all they had, ready for death. That's when he saw it. The glimmer of hope. Gandalf had come, and he wasn't alone. As the sun rose, over the mountain peak, the might of Rohan descended onto the horde.

At last, victory was theirs.

Their enemy had fled towards the forest, all intent on following them, but the rider they had meet during their chase for the Hobbits and Annalynn stopped them. As they watched the last Orc disappear into the thicket, the forest came alive. Scream and roars could be heard from the forest, but as could the sound of tearing flesh and breaking bones. With a cheer of victory, they had retaken Helm's Deep. With sluggish bodies, but happy hearts, they all journeyed back inside. Welcoming the faces of all those that had survived.

"I had not expected to see you here." The trio turned around to see Eomer walking through the doorway, his armor long gone. Before any of them could answer, a flash of blonde rushed passed them all and latched themselves onto the warrior. With equal fondness, Eomer wrapped his arms around the woman. They all turned away for a moment to give them a moment of peace in their reunion.

Theoden walked up to the two, giving the man a proper embrace. "I am sorry." As they moved apart, Legolas saw a flash of green hanging around the mans neck. Before his thoughts could catch up to his actions, he had the man pinned against a nearby pillar. His long blade at Eomer's throat. "Where did you get that?"

"Legolas!" Both Aragorn and Gimli were shocked at his behavior. Normally their Elvish companion was more composed than most.

Eomer went to push the Elf off, but Legolas maintained his hold. "I will not ask you again, where did you get that?" The tip of his blade pointing towards the gem. When Eomer did not answer, Eowyn stepped forward. "It belonged to our mother. What is it to you?"

When clarity entered his mind, Legolas released Eomer. Stepping back, he sheathed his blade. "That is a possession of my sisters."

"Surely you are mistaken."

"He's not lass. I've seen that gem before with my own eyes. Around a young woman's neck." Gimli watched as Eomer held delicately onto the jewel. It almost broke his heart at how much the man obviously treasured it. Eowyn's eyes grew wide at his comment. "You knew her?" Her voice barely above a whisper. "You knew Annalynn?"

At the sound of the name, Eomer's gaze shot up at them. "The woman you spoke of before. Was it she?"

"Yes." Aragorn answered before the others. "She was traveling with us when she was taken."

"Tell me everything." Eomer pleaded. "Please, you must tell me what has happened to her."

Legolas looked at the man in pity. He knew how deeply Annalynn felt from him and now as he looked upon the man she spoke so often of, he could see just how much the warrior truly loved his sister. He almost did not have the heart to tell him that she was indeed still missing, that they did not know where she was or even if she were still alive.

"Please." His heart broke for Eomer. Even though it would not bring peace to his heart, Legolas told the Man all that he wanted to know.


The days seemed to mend together for Annalynn. Within the darkness of Orthanc, she could not tell when it was daylight nor when the sun set behind the mountains. She had tried several attempts at breaking free from the grasp of the once good wizard, only to have each attempt foiled. Each and every time she was caught, her punishment only worsened, but she had to try. She had to try and escape.

Merry and Pippin were still lost to her. She could not fathom what became of them, but she had hope. Hope that they were alive and were safe. There was still the selfish spark of joy in her soul that kept her attempting each and every escape. The selfishness of seeing Eomer again. Even if she were to succumb to the wounds from her beating, even if the world was ending at the exact moment. If she got to see him once more, feel his touch, kiss his lips, than she would gladly journey to the other side. It would be unfair to him, yes, but her own desire far outweighed everything else.

When the door creaked open, she hadn't the strength nor the heart to look at her visitor. When darkness entered her vision, she knew who had come. While she wanted nothing more than to run from his touch, her body was far too broken to move. His ice-like hands softly ran down her face, her neck, and through her hair. "You are so like her, yet you are not." He spun her around, her back pressed against his chest.

His hands running down her arms as he whispered into her ear. Ice chilled her bones when his breathe met her skin. "Or perhaps she is more like you. You both carry the same spirit, the same wild eyes." She felt his lips press against her neck. She wanted to cry, but she would not give him that satisfaction. "Tis' a pity you do not have her same coloring." His fingers twisted around her hair, before finding their place on her hip.

When she felt his hands pulling at her skirt, she pulled away from him. "Do not touch me." She spat.

"That is not what you told him." He inched closer to her. "Do not think I did not see it. All those times spent behind hidden doors, in empty corridors when you thought no one were there." He grabbed her face, pulling her close. "Do not think you were the only one. Do not pretend to assume that you were the only one who he bedded. Did you think he would wait for you?" Grabbing whatever was in her reach, Annalynn bashed the object over his head. When he released her, she ran for the door, and she did not stop.

She could hear him yelling out for the guards, but her pace only quickened. Level by level she climbed down. When she reached the front door, clouds of ash and smoke entered into her lungs. Ignoring the stinging in her chest, she rushed down the steps. She did not know how she would get away, but she had to.

Behind her, the footsteps of the Orcs sounded as they took each step down. She was defenseless and scared, but she kept running. The pathway towards the opening the wall seemed to keep getting longer the faster she ran. The Orcs who were manning the forge workers were soon firing arrows on at her. Side stepping it all, she kept running, but never seeming to get any further.

Something dug into her ankle causing her cry out in pain, forcing her to the ground. When she looked to see what it was, a rusted bola was wrapped around her legs, the metal slicing into her skin. With terror, she began to untwist the chain from itself before the oncoming Orcs could reach her. She felt the tears rolling off her face, a part of her wanted to give in. To let them take her.

"They are coming."

Pausing in her actions, she looked around to see who could have said it, but there was no one there. No one inside the walls of Orthanc was there to help her.

"They will help."

That's when she heard it.

The rumble.

Turning her head, she stared wide eyed at the large rock rolling towards her. As quickly as she could, she rolled out of the path the rock was on. It barely bypassed her, but the Orcs who were chasing after her were all squashed underneath it. Once she was finally able to remove the bola, she watched as large creatures were charging in.

Not creatures, trees.

Staring in awe, she watched as they began squashing Orcs and Goblins. Throwing them into the air and swatting them away like flies. Pulling down scaffoldings and throwing them into the pits of the forges.

This was her chance to escape. The Orcs would be busy with trying to stave off the intruders that they would have no time for her. As pain shot through her legs, she started running again. This time, the road began to shorten as her legs carried her to freedom. She was almost there, she was so close.

However, escape was not something that would come easily. She felt herself being lifted into the air. Screaming and thrashing about, she tried to be released. "Peace Princess. I am here to help." It's deep voice reverberated through her body. Turning in its hold, she nearly let out another scream when two eyes met her own. They were large and full of worry. "Stay with me and I shall protect you." It promised.

Moving her towards a large branch, Annalynn hung tightly too it. Her body resting against the wood. "Hang on Princess!" It shouted at her, although she was unsure why. That was until she saw the rushing waters coming for them. Ducking her head behind the branch, she wrapped both her arms around it, clinging for life. She felt the force of water crash against the tree, it stumbled for a moment, but quickly regained its hold in the earth.

What seemed like an eternity, the water began to wane as it spread throughout the encirclement that was the gates of Orthanc. Moving her head from behind the branch, she squinted against the sunlight reflecting off the water. There was no more smoke, no more fires, no more Orcs. The land was now covered in water.

It was gone.

The threat of Saruman was gone.

Rohan was near freedom.

She was closer to him.