Solatiri looked around the armory horrified. These men Theoden wanted to fight were not soldiers. All she saw were elderly faces and young boys being fitted for armor and receiving weapons. Apparently Aragorn was feeling the same as he looked at everyone with a frown.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys", he said. "These are no soldiers."

"Most have seen too many winters", Gimli said trying to bring their spirits up.

"Or too few", Legolas said unconvinced.

"These boys shouldn't be here", Solatiri said. "The youngest one here is naught but 12 years of age."

"Look at them", Legolas said. "They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Legolas. This was very unlike him to set a bad mood in the air. Right now all he was doing was setting even more fear in everyone's hearts.

"And they should be", Legolas continued in Elvish. "300 against 10,000!"

"They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras", Aragorn said trying to reassure everyone.

"Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!"

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn said wanting to hear no more of Legolas' despair.

"As will I!" Solatiri said.

Aragorn stepped out to get some air and think. Solatiri turned away to the rest of the men who were all staring at Legolas.

"Shouldn't you be preparing for battle?" she asked them.

Everyone turned away and continued receiving weapons and being fitted for armor. Solatiri looked at Hallath who was looking at his sword.

"Are you alright, little brother?" she asked.

"I'm frightened", he said.

"Do not be frightened", she said. "I will be fighting right alongside you. It is what Father would have done."

"You called our father…Father?" Hallath asked smiling.

Solatiri nodded.

"I hated him for what he did, but now I am thankful", she said. "If he never sent me away then I never would've met Boromir. I don't want to hate him anymore."

Solatiri turned to the armor and chose what to wear. She put a chainmail shirt on as well as a leather vest. She wasn't going to take any chances and wanted extra protection not only for herself but the child inside her. Solatiri was not going to let any harm come to it. She strapped her sword to her belt and her arrows to her back. Solatiri held her bow in her hand ready for battle.


"You understand what to do, right?" Solatiri said as the young boys surrounded her. "You will be above the gate. The Uruk-hai cannot get to you if you keep the doors to your areas closed."

Hallath nodded then looked away to see Aragorn watching them.

"Give me your sword", Aragorn said.

Solatiri watched her brother step toward Aragorn handing his sword over.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Hallath, son of Hama, my lord. The men are saying we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless."

"You must not listen to rumors", Solatiri said. "They can be false at times."

The children watched Aragorn demonstrate his skills with a blade. He smiled as he handed the sword back to Hallath.

"This is a good sword, Hallath son of Hama", he said. "There is always hope."

He looked at Solatiri and nodded his approval before going inside to suit up. She smiled and took the children to their posts above the gate. The only weapons there were stones and spears.

From a distance, a horn sounded through the air. It was no Orc horn. Solatiri and the children looked over the wall to see who had arrived. Coming through the gate was an army of Elves carrying the banner of Rivendell.

"Look, children", Solatiri said. "The Elves have come to help."

She smiled as all the boys excitedly looked at each other. Aragorn was right. There is always hope.