"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms, to be ready for battle by nightfall", Theoden ordered.
"Lad?" Solatiri said. "You are sending children into battle?"
"What would you have me do?" he asked. "We need every hand we can get."
Theoden led them to the gates of the fortress explaining their plans.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg!"
"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs", Gimli said. "These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."
"These are the same monsters that killed Boromir", Solatiri said.
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf", Theoden said. "I know how to defend my own keep."
They walked along the wall covering where they would fight.
"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown…homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."
"You think they care about homes and crops?" Solatiri asked. "They care not for worthless items as those."
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages", Aragorn said. "They come to destroy its people, down to the last child!"
"What would you have me do?" Theoden asked. "Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of rememberance."
"Send out riders, my lord", Aragorn said nearly pleading. "You must call for aid."
"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer", he said.
"Gondor?" Theoden said in anger. "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon…"
He looked at Solatiri who was looking angry with him.
"No, my Lord Aragorn…we are alone."
"You say Gondor will not answer", Solatiri said. "But you have Aragorn and I here to help. I may have been born in Rohan but I am a maiden of Gondor."
He ignored her as he turned to Gamling.
"Get the women and children into the caves", he ordered.
"We need more time to lay provisions", Gamling protested.
"There is no time! War is upon us."
Everyone ignored the loud crowing coming from the sky as a flock of Crebain from Dunland flew above the fortress. The soldiers escorted the women, children and elderly men into the caves.
"Solatiri, help everyone into the caves", Aragorn said.
"I'm not going", she said. "I am fighting alongside you."
"You must go", he said. "You'll be putting yourself as well as your child in danger."
"Theoden is putting my little brother in the battle", Solatiri said. "I need to stay and protect him."
"You cannot fight in your condition."
"Do not worry. I will be with him above the gate where we'll be safe."
"Aragorn!" they heard.
Everyone looked to see Eowyn running toward them.
"I'm to be sent with the women into the caves", she said.
"That is an honorable charge", Aragorn said.
"To mind the children! To find food and bedding when the men return! What renown is there in that?"
"They'll need you to take care of them", Solatiri said.
"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"
"Let me stand at your side", Eowyn said.
"It is not in my power to command it", Aragorn said.
"You do not command the others to stay!" she yelled. "They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you…because they love you."
Solatiri looked at Aragorn wondering what his reaction would be. Eowyn was brave to tell him that. It took Solatiri years before she told Boromir she loved him. Aragorn showed no emotion however. Eowyn turned away and walked to the caves.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Solatiri asked.
"My heart already belongs to another", he answered.
