A/N:

Damn, this day doesn't start well. I can't go out to celebrate my b-day, as subway operators have decided upon a 24 hours strike. So I'm stuck here at my neighborhood, not any chance to get to downtown...

But now, just a small notification to those who might be frustrating over Shakiiya's slow advances toward a certain gentleman...

Rest assured. This story is like a puzzle, and every word, phrase and chapter obviously forms a piece of it, until in the end it forms the whole ensemble. So don't give up on this story yet even its long! I promise the end shall be worth the wait! Well, if I managed to grasp the intended awesome atmosphere in it...

Anyway, I am somewhat proud of the way this story got concluded by accident, and can't wait till I can post the last chapter and see your reactions C:

But let us not rush ahead of ourselves, and go back to Helm's Deep for now...


Phrases written with italics; Elvish or Athélèrn

Phrases written with bold; thoughts


"Everyone listen to me now carefully! Take your children, and make your way to the caves for safety!" Shakiiya's voice rang in the air, as she stood of top of a low broken wall, gazing over the people of Rohan. She waved toward the entrance and immediately people rose, soldiers helping those wounded or too old to walk toward it.

Shakiiya sighed and jumped down, encouraging the passing people by a couple of words from time to time, and now snatched a child in her arms. Taking him to the doorway of the cave, where one of the soldiers placed under her orders received him. She then returned back to help an elderly woman toward the cave, continuing this as long as every single woman, child and man unable to take part in the defense had been moved out of the way into the caves.

Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli followed this for a moment from the side, until Aragorn got serious again.

"We'll place the reserves along the wall", Aragorn stated, gesturing up with his hand, as walked alongside the people queuing to the caves. "They can support the archers from above the gate..."

"Aragorn, you must rest", Legolas insisted as an answer, hurrying by his side. "You're no use to us half alive."

Shakiiya now walked toward them, holding another child in her arms. The same one she had saved during the Warg attack, and she glanced around in search of someone. Legolas' lips were covered by a sudden smile due the sight.

"You don't happen to know where her mother is?" Shakiiya asked, and looked at both of them questionably as came to them, the men exchanging a look.

"No", Aragorn answered, glancing at the small five-year old on Shakiiya's hip. "We do not."

Shakiiya sighed, looking down at the small girl scolding and frowning, then lifting up a brow. "Look at you. If you keep running away from your mother like this, all my time goes for watching after you!" she indeed scolded, but then did smile a little to the child. Legolas smirked as he saw the child return the smile widely.

"She is then like someone else I know", he stated sarcastically, Shakiiya giving him slight irritated look due his tease.

"My Lord!" then someone called out from the distance. "Aragorn!" It was Éowyn.

She now arrived behind Shakiiya, standing in front of Aragorn, bewildered look on her face. "I'm to be sent with the women into the caves", she stated, staring at the man in front of him as if seeking refusal to this thought. But Aragorn only nodded approvingly.

"That is an honorable charge", he said in consent. Éowyn's face fell.

"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return! What renown is there in that?" Éowyn questioned, her voice a little bitter. Shakiiya gave her a look as then met Éowyn's eyes. They were inquiring.

"What about you then? Are you forced to stay behind as well?" she asked her.

"I have lived my life holding a sword in my hand", Shakiiya answered truthfully, shifting the girl on her other hip. "I have less skill to mind others at a situation like this. You are more qualified to stay with your people and calm them than me…"

"Lady Shakiiya is let to ride to battle but I am not?!" Éowyn exclaimed and looked at Aragorn. Legolas then wrinkled his brows slightly.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that", he slipped to state, immediately tensing as Shakiiya now gasped and turned her nearly fuming eyes at him. She tilted her head.

"What?" she asked, then narrowing her eyes as the earlier irritation kicked in again. "No, Legolas. I know what you are thinking, but leave it just that for your own sake. I won't hide. By stepping outside the borders of my kingdom, I have sworn not to hide ever again."

"Shakiiya..." Legolas tried, but her expression made him give up. He saw that she was determined to fight, and wouldn't listen any word he said. So he did leave it at that.

Aragorn had now patient look on his face as he looked at Éowyn. "My Lady, a time may come for valor without renown", he said back seriously. "Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"

"Let me stand at your side", Éowyn bidded calmly.

"It is not in my power to command it", Aragorn replied, saying the truth, then turning away and took a couple of steps forward. Until Éowyn's undisputed voice stopped him.

"You do not command the others to stay!" she exclaimed, Aragorn looking at her questionably as Éowyn now nodded toward Shakiiya. "Or your friends…They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you!... Because they love you."

Shakiiya frowned due that last more emotional remark. She glanced at Aragorn, seeing slight realization reflect from his eyes. But Éowyn then looked down momentarily, understanding that her words had been too rude and out of line.

"I'm sorry", she said quietly, then looking away from Aragorn and walked past him. Aragorn sending a confused look after her.

"Éowyn wait!" Shakiiya then shouted and she stopped, turning to see Shakiiya hand the child to her with a smile. "Could you find her mother for me? You know your people better than I do, and I don't have much time to try to seek her out myself..." Shakiiya asked, Éowyn then nodding briskly.

"I understand. You have your orders…" she stated again a bit bitterly, then taking the girl from Shakiiya's arms and turned away. Starting to stride toward the caves and walking through Gimli and Legolas, who too looked after her questionably.

Shakiiya sighed and directed a bit pitying look at her back. Éowyn was in love with Aragorn... And Shakiiya felt pity for her because of the impossibility of that love.

"My Lady Shakiiya! All of the people have now been almost moved into the caves!" one soldier then called out, stepping next to Shakiiya bowing. Shakiiya glanced behind him, seeing truly the last people walking not far from them toward the entrance and she nodded, giving the man a smile.

"Good. Go inform Gamling and the king about this", she responded, the man nodding back, and he then hurried along the path toward the main fortress. But as Shakiiya turned, her expression changed only sad, as she saw a few elderly men still capable to fight and young boys being walked out of the caves. Them too fitting to the description the king had told to be handed a weapon and be prepared for battle. The youngest of the boys were around twelve years old... And she then remembered abruptly the true, awful nature of war, turning grim.

"Shakiiya?" Gimli's voice then called and she gasped, noticing to grip her sword's hilt quite hard. She looked at the Dwarf.

"You're alright?" he asked. Shakiiya's smile wasn't so complete when she nodded.

"Yes. I will be", she told him. But either her voice or expression supported her words, as she directed another gloomy glance at the children being led away by the soldiers. Their mothers staying at the doorway hopeless, crying for the injustice of this world which was theirs, taking their sons away from them.


Shakiiya stood at the side of the armory, and watched the men selected among the people to be handed a sword, or any kind of weapon found in the room which was at least somehow usable. She saw Aragorn lift one of the blades, but quickly he showed it back onto the pile. Clearly displeased by what he saw. He walked forward.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys... These are no soldiers", he stated, shaking his head slightly as gazed at his comrades. Shakiiya and Gimli gave him agreeable looks.

"That is all we have", Shakiiya stated in turn. Aragorn then sighed.

"Most have seen too many winters", Gimli noted as looked past Aragorn at the men in the room.

"Or too few", Legolas added. Shakiiya sighed as well and pulled out her sword, lifting it up and examined it, before started to clean it. There was still some blood on it, and she couldn't afford the blade to rust.

"And those in between are either dead or faraway from here", she said again, looking down, flipping the blade around. Aragorn looked all of them and nodded in consent, as Legolas then also let his eyes examine the men receiving weapons.

"Look at them", he now quipped with quite loud voice. "They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes."

Everyone froze after hearing his remark, and Shakiiya's hands stopped cleaning the steel, her eyes now turning to her companion. Aragorn, who had returned to the table to examine a chain mail, also turned to him as Legolas then twirled around. Taking a couple of steps until faced the others again. Changing into Elvish as then continued.

"And they should be… Three hundred against ten thousand!" he said, narrowing his eyes and staring mostly at Aragorn. Shakiiya put down her blade and gave the Elf a serious look. She saw desperation from his eyes.

"They have more hope defending themselves here than Edoras", Aragorn answered as well in Elvish, not to nervous the men now intensely listening to their conversation in confusion. Legolas' face was resolute for seriousness.

"Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!" he claimed intensely. Shakiiya now stood up and put a hand on his chest, giving him a warning look, but the string had already been cut and Aragorn had enough.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" he exclaimed back in common tongue. And that everyone understood. Shakiiya sighed as gave him a glance, until turned her eyes back to the Elf man, who now had realization and even a little shame in his eyes. Aragorn instead thought a moment until turned around, walking out of the armory.

"Aragorn!" Shakiiya called after him but for nothing, her then sighing again.

"How could you know shall they die or not? Will we die, Legolas?" she inquired, now also using Elvish as looked into Legolas' eyes. He gasped and looked away momentarily as Shakiiya shook her head.

"Don't speak as if you know everything. Even small number of men with their hearts set right, can win over the whole darkness of Mordor itself, if they wished it!"

Shakiiya then slid her hand away from Legolas' chest. And she turned away as well, taking her staff and sword with her as followed Aragorn's example by walking out of the room. Legolas took a step to follow both of his friends, but Gimli stopped him.

"Let them go lad. Let them be", he recommended, patting the Elf's arm. Legolas agreed reluctantly and then only sat next to Gimli, his brows wrinkled for regret.

"Did I anger them?" he wondered, Gimli tilting his head as thought.

"I don't think so lad. I don't think so. But if so, at least Shakiiya cannot be angry to you for long..."

Legolas let out a nervous laugh. "I wouldn't bet on that, Gimli my friend. Not with her at least."


Outside Shakiiya found Aragorn sitting at the steps leading out of the armory to the ramparts of the defenses. The place was swarming like a nest of insects, as men hurried back and forth, preparing for the all the time nearing battle. Aragorn sat clearly gloomy, judging by the position of his shoulders.

"Legolas did not mean what he said", Shakiiya then said, surprisingly in Elvish too as now sat down next to her companion. Aragorn looked at her surprised, until returned his grim eyes to stare back in front of him. He nodded.

"I know. It would have been a wonder if he hadn't said anything", Aragorn replied.

"Deep down he's afraid, even if he wouldn't admit it. As we all are..." Shakiiya stated, now also directing a thoughtful look around the small courtyard. Aragorn nodded again.

"You too, daughter of Gil-galad?" he asked amused, giving Shakiiya a half grin, which she answered with a nod.

"Especially me", she answered indifferent, crossing her legs. "I have not seen this big battle for centuries. Who knows, maybe you even have to save me at some point if I cannot handle it..."

"I do not believe it would be you to be saved", Aragorn pointed out. Shakiiya let out a laugh.

"You flatter me too much. I was almost killed by a small cut of an enemy blade. I should be more careful it seems, as I am not so great of a warrior after all."

They then were silent for a moment, both of them staring at the now darkened land behind the wall.

"Legolas reacted that way only because he is afraid", Shakiiya then repeated, looking down. She looked at Aragorn remarkably. "As he said to me once, you have lost companions to this quest already. And in middle of all this death and sorrow, the thought of losing you as well pushed him over the edge, even you did return back safe and sound. He just overreacted while fearing to see more losses of his beloved people, when situation is what it is..."

Aragorn then let out a laugh, looking at her remarkably as well. "I see that. But you truly understand him well, Shakiiya. He said nothing about this and here you are, talking as if knowing what is going through his head..."

Shakiiya smiled. "I have learnt to read his eyes. No matter what they say about Elves not letting anything show on their faces, I can see what is in his heart directly from his gaze. What he is thinking, what he feels like..."

"That is a great skill", Aragorn noted thoughtfully, but kept on looking at Shakiiya remarkably still. "To know what your dear ones are thinking to be able to help them..."

Shakiiya now directed a questionable look toward the man from the corner of her eye, but said nothing. Even that remark might have been slightly hinting. She now just sat still smiling to herself, staring down. But then she spoke a couple of words in her native.

"Aúch en î hym, nô arémackhaléé î en um albethâ", she said, Aragorn giving her now a questionable stare in turn as waited an explanation. Shakiiya smiled to his confusion.

"In a battle of mights, even a blade of grass can win over the storm wind", she translated roughly, then standing up. Aragorn broke into smile and nodded, Shakiiya then tilting her head. "Though true, that sounds much more beautiful in my language."

"It is a wise idiom still, even though not as beautiful in common tongue", Aragorn remarked. Now Shakiiya smiled approvingly, until glanced behind the man. She nodded her head toward a young lad, practicing quite hesitantly with a sword.

"Help that poor boy. He seems to be in need of a guiding voice", she whispered now, and Aragorn did also notice the said boy a few feet away. Shakiiya then smirked as she stepped away from him, and directed her steps back inside.

"What is your name?" Shakiiya heard the ranger's voice ask after a couple of strides.

"Haleth, son of Háma", was the answer.


When Shakiiya returned to the armory it was almost empty, except for Gimli and Legolas who were still sitting on their spots quiet, thinking. But their attention then was awoken by the approaching steps and soon Shakiiya arrived, walking over to a table near the stairs and she placed her weapons on it, then removing her upper jacket so that she was again wearing only her top. Revealing that petite but buff back, also earned by the years and years of regimented practice. But there was that ugly scar, as well exposed, which unfortunately did disfigure her fair skin and would never vanish.

"How it looks out there lass?" Gimli then asked, Shakiiya answering while didn't turn.

"Same as before. Boys and old men clothed into the equipment of warriors, which they are not. But everything is nearly prepared", she responded, Gimli nodding.

Legolas sent a hesitant look over at Shakiiya, as she now pulled her hair free from the braid it had been bound. Her agile hands then starting to work with the wisps, creating now thinner braids to hold her hair off her face. Legolas then examined her for one moment more until stood up encouraged, walking to her.

"I am sorry Shakiiya", he said truly sorry, looking at her ashamed. "I said too much earlier."

"Don't apologize to me", Shakiiya replied surprisingly, and looked at Legolas now indifferent. "Apologize to yourself. Because even I told you not to let your emotions win over you, you still did. You slipped."

Legolas stared at her confused for a brief moment until smiled, nodding. "Yes. Forgive me..."

"No. No more", Shakiiya interrupted sarcastically smiling, continuing tying her hair. Legolas shook his head.

"See now? I said she would forgive you!" Gimli now remarked, making Legolas turn a bit awkward as Shakiiya only gave a risen eyebrow to the Dwarf. But now both of them started to examine the design of her hair, formed from many joined braids on the back of her head.

"What are you doing lass?" Gimli asked yet again, Shakiiya now finishing the complicated ties, turning around.

"It is one of the customs among my tribe to braid our hair before we go to battle", she answered and put on her jacket again, pulling the rest of the free wisps under it. "It is a symbol of life in a way. The complexion of the way the hair is braided resembles the life, which itself is complicated and manifold. And in battle we come to decide do we add yet another path to the complex, or is it suddenly cut by our death..."

"What a peculiar custom", Gimli stated once more and waved his hand, interrupting her. "I am starting to think that your tribe is even stranger from the Elves, lass!"

Shakiiya laughed to this remark until took a hold of her weapons, now arming herself. Lastly she pulled out a pair of light vambracers from her bag, forged from thin silver and gold, but which were durable. Elven made. Legolas lifted his brows and Shakiiya shrugged.

"They were a present. I got them from Lórien during my last visit before ours. In honor of my birthday", she explained, Legolas now nodding in understanding. But while tying the vambracers on, Shakiiya's left arm acted out again. The sudden jerk of the limb making her loose grip of the other bracer, and it fell on the floor.

Shakiiya let out a frustrated sigh and leant on the table, somewhat gloomy expression taking over her face momentarily, as she then lifted her right hand to rub her left elbow. The arm had started to hurt more today. She knew not why, maybe for anticipation of the battle? She sighed again, deeper and closed her eyes, as Legolas snatched the bracer from the tiles and handed it back to her.

Shakiiya thanked him, finally tying the other vambracer tight around her forearm, and then started to sing to herself. The two men in the room now listening to the soft tunes for a while, until Aragorn suddenly came back.

Not saying anything he also started to arm himself, putting on a chain mail under his coatee, until dressed it over the armor shirt. Strapping his belt on, about to grasp his sword. But Legolas now approached him, taking his weapon from the table before him, and handed it to the confused Aragorn who now saw the Elf's sorry expression. Shakiiya's song stopped.

"We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray", Legolas admitted seriously, but his voice was sincere. "Forgive me... I was wrong to despair."

Aragorn then shook his head, slightly smiling as put his hand on Legolas' shoulder. "There is nothing to forgive, Legolas", he answered, Legolas returning the smile and also placing his hand on Aragorn's shoulder.

"Told you didn't I?" now Shakiiya cut in and gave the men a playful look, her eyes stopping on Legolas, measuring him. "Only one you had to forgive was yourself."

Both the men then smiled, Aragorn patting the Elf on the back once until returned his attention to his sword. But then Gimli's frustrated voice woke the three from their thoughts.

"We had time I'd get this adjusted", he whined, then letting the hem of his chain mail fall, creating a loud thump of metal hitting the ground. His companions now got amused as they noted the clearly oversized chain mail to reach over his feet. Gimli looked embarrassed, as Legolas tilted his head.

"It's a little tight across the chest", Gimli explained, earning nods from the others. But obviously no one would believe such a lie.

"Whatever you say, Gimli", Shakiiya responded, getting slightly annoyed look from him. But she then sighed and walked over to him, pulling a leather cord from her bag as knelt beside him, shaking her head as started to work with the shirt.

"I don't even understand the reason of exhausting oneself during battle carrying such kitsch under the armor", she now added sarcastically, lifting her brows at the Dwarf, as tied the hem up for him not to trip on it. Shakiiya smirked as Gimli let out a huff.

"Maybe you do not understand it, as you clearly never have to worry about getting hurt, lass", Gimli stated. "But this kitsch as you call it, can actually save a life once or twice."

Shakiiya nodded, now standing up satisfied, as eyed at her hastily made solution to prevent the hem of the chain mail falling to Gimli's feet. "I do know that, Gimli. I haven't just gotten used to carry anything extra, and a thought of you poor men bearing such weight on your shoulders after a couple of hours of fighting... It just makes me feel uncomfortable, not forgetting you who have to face it..."

Gimli then indeed made slight grim face as realized this. But Shakiiya wasn't finished.

"Besides, in my opinion what one truly needs to protect their life, is their own skills. As ultimately your survival is depended on the choices you make, how you strike and when. The most important weapon and protection you can have, is yourself. I do consider my own body simply as a weapon, and therefore that is what makes me dangerous. The ability to think when I strike keeps me safe enough, without any need of steel covering my body to only hinder my movements."

Shakiiya then stopped her lecture, looking at all three that familiar smug smirk on her lips. But her smile was then cut short, as Legolas' examining eyes now turned to her.

"You have none? Armor or some extra protection to cover yourself?" he inquired, taking a step toward her. Shakiiya gave him a bored look, glancing at her bracers. As if he didn't already know.

"No húrren Legolas, I do not. As said earlier, I want to feel free and unrestricted while I fight. Such things would only slow me down", Shakiiya answered, then pointing at her clothes, showing the small pieces of armor embedded into her jacket. Which covered the most vital points of her upper body. And before Legolas could start a fuss, she then glanced at his collar remarkably.

"And you then? Do you have some extra protection instead of your bow and knives?" Shakiiya asked challenging, then tilting her head. Legolas froze as he indeed did not have such protection on him yet. Shakiiya then stared at him for a moment, thinking until sighed, closing her eyes and shook her head.

"I thought as much..."

Legolas now watched her take out her knife, then cutting one of the braids off from her long hair with it. She lifted the braid, and next surprised the Elf by now starting to tie it quickly around his wrist. Legolas' eyes narrowed slightly for wonder, as he now turned to examine her confused. Shakiiya smiling sideways as knotted the hair on its place.

"This is also a custom of my tribe", she explained, now finishing tying the hair, but tightened the Elf's bracers casually before lifted her head to meet his eyes. "To give one who goes to war something of your own works as a protective talisman. So, in place of armor, this will keep you safe. And as long as you remember what I said to you just now..."

Legolas smirked, looking at Shakiiya playfully. "Your own body is your strongest weapon", he specified, Shakiiya nodding in consent. But he then made a slight face, amused. "Actually I have an armor", he revealed then, Shakiiya answering his gaze half surprised half questionable of his tone. But she said nothing. Only sighed in the end, until was left to gaze at the Elf in front of her.

Aragorn and Gimli noted them then share a moment of dazed stare, until a sound of a horn reached into their ears from outside. Shakiiya gasped and she turned around recognizing the voice, immediately then leaving Legolas's side as dashed up the stairs.

"That is no Orc horn", Legolas remarked, as well now realizing to which race that horn belonged, next also hurrying after Shakiiya while Aragorn and Gimli exchanged a look.

Shakiiya was already out and she ran to the wall. Gazing over it to the causeway leading to the fortress, where an army was making its way toward the gates. And pure mirth filled her heart, as it skipped a beat in her chest.

"Send for the king", one man ordered, nodding to a soldier. "Open the gate!"

The gates were opened to the arriving host, Rohan's soldiers now gaining new hope as watched the armed Elves walk past them, Shakiiya now leaving the fortress and ran all the way to the gates as first one. A broad smile making its way on her lips, as she saw now a familiar man walk toward her. His mouth curved into same kind of smile.

"Shakiiya, what a joy to see you alive!" Haldir said and Shakiiya laughed, hurrying over to the Elf who then exchanged a hug with her, lifting her up.

"Haldir my friend! What a delight to see you and your brothers here!" Shakiiya answered, placing a hand on his arm, as the Rohan guards standing by gave them odd looks. "Your knife has served me well it seems."

Haldir smiled as now king Théoden arrived to the scene, to witness the wonder which had happened, Haldir and Shakiiya separating and Haldir looked at Théoden. He bowed slightly.

"How is this possible?" Théoden questioned in awe, meeting the Elf man's eyes, after his gaze had searched the Elven warriors marching in a line behind their commander.

"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell", Haldir replied, the Elven troupes now coming to a halt. "An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together", he continued, glancing at Shakiiya who smiled, until new smile spread across the Elven man's face too as he now noticed Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli arrive, who stared at him and the Elves as astonished.

"...We come to honor that allegiance", Haldir finished. Aragorn hurried down to him.

"Mae govannen Haldir!" Aragorn greeted, then also hugging the Elf after a moment of thinking. Haldir was taken by a small surprise, but he answered the gesture until Aragorn pulled away. "You are most welcome."

The Elven troupes now turned around. Placing their long bows on the ground with a clang as faced king Théoden, just as it was Legolas' turn to meet with Haldir. Legolas and Haldir then also separated, and Legolas stood beside Shakiiya when Haldir again turned to the king.

"We are proud to fight alongside Men once more", he spoke solemnly, Shakiiya sighing for satisfaction. She and Legolas exchanged a look, Shakiiya then glancing down at his wrist.

"You got what you wished for", she remarked amused. "One hundred good Elven archers, and more. I think you will not need that talisman I gave you in the end..."

"Not quite", he answered. "I don't see any more Dwarves in front me than Gimli..."

Shakiiya sighed due his sarcasm. But Legolas smiled, now also looking at the dark red braid around his wrist, until met Shakiiya's eyes once more.

"I keep it", he promised, his voice still serious though his face looked amused. "As a reminder to not let my guard down at any moment."

Shakiiya was also now a bit surprised, ending up staring at him for a couple of seconds, until nodded approvingly. And then she left his side, meeting with Haldir again and the two started a conversation in fluent Elvish. The Elven troupes being now directed to their positions on the wall.

Soon it would start. The battle of Helm's Deep.


I try to get the cliffhanger ready to be published today...