Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. I only own Leûra, Aearion, Undûme, Cassiopeia, Balanidhren, Aefaradien and any other original characters – so no stealing. However, I don't own Cuiviénen. That place belongs to J. R. R. Tolkien, but the stories of it in Chapter 1 and 2 are all mine.
Chapter 46: The Battle of Hornburg
As I lean against the entrance to these caves, I ignore the women and children. What good would it do me to watch them? How can Aragorn send me away? How can Legolas do this to mean, especially after teaching me the bow? What was that for then, what was the point? This ordeal makes no sense at all. I hate sitting here! I should be out there, standing with the men and Elves. I should be with Legolas and Gimli, carefully guarding the wall as Aragorn and Théoden call out the orders! Being here, with the other women, is wholly unfair. I was raise to fight! I knew how to fight with my knives before I could speak properly! I should be out there, with them.
I can hear Saruman's army slowly approach; their shouting and rumbling echo dreadfully in my ears. I can hear lightning crack like a whip, and the low rumble of thunder comes, then the rain. I knew it was going to rain. I could just feel it. That may give us an advantage, since the Uruks and Orcs are not the most well balanced of creatures. The wet ground could throw them off a bit, but that'll probably be all that we have to our advantage. Even with the Elves of Imladris and Lothlórien, our numbers are low in comparison to Saruman…and he knows it, too. He knows it, and he knows he could wipe us all out with a wave of a hand, but he wants to play first. A true murderer at heart, how sweet.
The troops of are walking towards the Wall now, I can tell. They're probably carrying torches to light their way, or burn whatever gets in their way, and long spears, swords, axes, clubs, and any other barbaric weapon they can make. I can just picture Aragorn pacing the wall back and forth; waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I can almost feel his, and all of the other mortal men's, apprehension. It's almost amusing; I almost wish I could laugh, but I don't want to frighten these mortals surrounding me more than they already are.
"They've stopped," I announce to the women. "The army; they've stopped walking."
"How can you tell?" a woman asked fearfully. I smile at her, and then pull back my hair so she can see my ears. I turn away from her and listen once again.
It's a huge army, massive. I'm worried my friends don't stand a chance, but I can't lose hope now. No, not tonight. Not when we're so close. All we have to do is hold out for Gandalf and Èomer, and things will be fine. When did I become such an optimist? It's odd, really. I never would have seen myself in this situation, hoping for the best.
Pounding. They've started pounding on…I don't know. It sounds like their spears on the earth. Well, whatever they're pounding, they're roaring once again. Even through these thick walls, I can hear the archers readying their bows. I suppose this anger the enemy because they're roaring again. Charging. They're charging the fortress!
"Here they come," I whisper to myself. I look up for a moment to see Èowyn looking down at me, fearful and just as mad as I am that she has to be down here.
As the army below runs forward, I can hear my brothers preparing to shoot their arrows. Their armor is weak at the neck and under the arms. I hope Legolas remembers to tell them that, and, if he does, I hope their aim is true. I can hear the distinct sound of many bows releasing, a twang. The Uruks a guaranteed to be showered with arrows! More arrows are being fired: a volley. Many Uruks a sure to fall dead; that is what my friends guarantee. It would not shock me if the Uruks fire arrows back. Just the thought of my brethren dying, even men and Gimli, falling from the wall is too much to bear.
Fighting. Heavy fighting. Oh, Valar…
"Oh, Valar," I whisper, voicing my own thoughts.
"What?" Èowyn asks, kneeling next to me. "What has happened?" I place my lips close to her ears so no one else is sure to hear.
"The fighting has started," I tell her. "The enemy has, somehow, made it past the wall."
"How?" she gasps in distraught. "How could they do that?" I sit a moment and think, then it hits me.
"Ladders."
P.S.: Two pages total.
