The next day, travel was slower than the previous one, and I wondered if we would make it to Helms Deep before the Uruk Hai army. I checked on Teranda shortly after dawn, and was glad to see that she had regain consciousness, and her face had color to it again. She was still going to be riding in a cart, being unable to walk for the time being. She was devastated to learn that the child she had borne was dead, but her husband was overjoyed that his wife was alive. He spoke words of comfort to her about one day having another, but that they would never forget their first.
Legolas had been summoned to the front, to use his keen elven eyes to scout for danger, so I didn't expect to see much of him today. I took over leading Hasufel by a lead rope for the day, and fell into step near Eowyn. We exchanged a few words here and there, but she seemed overly occupied by trying to help those around her. She truly was a good person, more concern with her people's well being than with others. She would make an exceptional leader among mankind one day, and would go on to do great deeds, I felt sure of that.
The people around me were made of up of all kinds. Some were so old that they must have seen the reigns of more than one king in Rohan, others were so young that they could barely walk. A large portion of the crown was of women, and it was with a sad realization that I understood that many men had been killed fighting against the Orcs and Uruk Hai as they invaded their village. It suddenly made sense why the number of men that would be conscripted by Theoden to fight in the Battle of Helms Deep was so few. I wondered how many families were so grateful to still have fathers and husbands this morning, and in a couple more days, the great number that would lose them.
As I entertained my own silent contemplation, the sun rose high above the weary people of Rohan. Close to what I estimated must be noon, there was a commotion near the front. My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. I heard Theoden cry out "All riders to the head of the column!". I instantly unhooked Hasufel from the cart, and searched for Legolas's blonde hair in the crowd, assuming that he would come back to ride our horse into battle. Instead I found a gruff dwarf barging toward me.
"He's at the front already with Aragorn! Get me on the horse lass!" Gimli told me. I used my hands to give heavy dwarf a much-needed boost, his feet couldn't even reach the stirrups when he was in the saddle, but off he went. Dozens of men astride horses thundered past me, churning up great clouds of dust that were thick enough to choke me.
Eowyn grabbed my arm and pulled me in the opposite direction.
"Make for the lower ground, stay together!" She cried out as the feeble ran towards safety. I turned to check on the occupants of Hasufel's abandoned cart, but saw that they had already abandoned it. I prayed silently that they would all make it to safety. The cacophony of sounds around me was deafening. In the distance I could hear the clanging of metal and the howls of the Wargs beasts. The cried of men and orcs as they wailed in pain was the worst. Even though I wasn't there; I could picture the massacre as clear as if I was there just from the sounds that I was hearing.
Eowyn grasped my hand tightly, refusing to let me fall behind or let go. I let her lead me, following her as she herded people and gave orders. Even though I knew that my friends would survive, it didn't shake the terror that ran through me as images of blood and gore ran through my head.
It seemed like Eowyn was pulling me for miles, and it must have been, because finally we reached the summit of a hill and in the distance saw a massive stone fortress carved out of the mountain itself. It was much more massive and daunting than I expected. Our rag tag group of several hundred slowly approached the gate. There was a stone ramp that led to the gate itself, which was carved from solid oak and decorated with gold leaf. As we entered the great fortress, I could smell the stench of what happened when far too many people were crammed together in one place. I could only imagine the diseases that were running rampant in the city.
Eowyn and I stayed outside of the city gates, making sure that the last of the straggling crowd made it inside. I looked into the distance; however, I couldn't see any sign of movement of the survivors of the battle with the Wargs. Eventually Eowyn and I entered the keep ourselves, and the gates were closed behind us. The few soldiers that were their crossed their hands across their chest when Eowyn passed, I assumed a sign of respect towards their princess. She was in charge until Theoden returned.
We entered the innermost keep, which was very similar in style to the grand hall of Edoras, with large stone horses carved into pillars.
I dropped my bag onto a bench and closed my eyes, trying to focus on the bond with Legolas that for so long I had all but ignored. I could feel a tug in my chest and mind, and could feel a second heart beating within my chest. I wanted to wail in thanks to God for sparing Legolas's life. I could feel the pain in his heart, caused by what he thought was Aragorn's demise.
Yet, there was another pain there in him. Something greater than losing Aragorn alone. Something else had happened that I hadn't predicted.
Horns bellowed in within Helms Deep. My head jerked up and I immediately locked eyes with Eowyn. We both sprinted for the city gate.
I caught a flash of blonde hair and blue eyes as I skidded to a halt. Legolas was riding Hasufel, and when he caught sight of me, he let out a cry and jumped from the steed. I disappeared into his arms, and I gripped him for dear life, wishing I could draw him into my very body so that nothing evil ever befell him again.
"Aragorn…. fell from the cliff, dragged over by one of those Wargs beasts." He told me, disbelief leaching into his tone. He looked terrible, black blood from the Orcs covered him, and the stench coming from him was almost unbearable, like rotten meat and decaying fish.
I pulled back and looked around at the few soldiers of Rohan that had returned. I spotted Gimli nearby, giving Eowyn the news about Aragorn. She cast a disbelieving gaze towards her uncle, who was helping down injured men off of horseback.
She may not have known Aragorn for long, but his supposed death cast a look of grief on her face.
Theoden approached us, "I am ordering everyone back behind the wall, you and your companions must make your way to the keep, Eowyn will lead you." He declared.
Eowyn joined us, steely eyed and poised to make sure that none could sense the grief behind her eyes. She led us to the innermost keep of Helms Deep, and showed us to a small room that had straw mats in it. I was surprised by the unkempt condition of the accommodations, and then immediately felt red hot shame burning my cheeks. So many people were sleeping on the streets that I should thank my lucky stars that I was inside at least. Gimli immediately left to find food, the bottmless stomach he was. There was a barrel of water in the corner, and a small table with bowls and wooden cups on it. I gulped down a few cups of water, and Legolas sorely made his way over to one of the straw mats. He sat down with a small grimace on his face. I could see that he was struggling in some of his movements.
"Let me help." I said.
He seemed hesitant for a moment, before nodding. I knelt next to him and undid his tunic and linens underneath, revealing a body covered in bruises of different colors, and several deep gashes on his back, and one going diagonally across his chest. I held in a breath seeing them.
"They don't bother me much, and I heal faster than you humans do." He informed me.
Regardless, I grabbed a bowl and filled it with water. I rummaged around in my satchel, until I found what I was looking for. The herbs that Eowyn had given me, I still had a large amount left. I used my hands to rip some of their leaves off, letting them fall into the bowl of water until it became a deep green color. I wish I could have steeped them to make the mixture more potent, but I didn't know where a fireplace was. I used the cloth that the herbs were wrapped in to dip into the bowl and soak it, then bringing it up to soak Legolas's wound. I scrubbed away the dirt and blood from his body. He closes his eyes, and seemed to relax into me a bit, and I supported his weight. I didn't stop until his entire torso was cleaned off. I didn't feel comfortable removing his leggings, so I chose instead to remove the braids from his hair and combed the tangles out. He continued leaning on me as I tied his hair back with a loose piece of ripped cloth. I hadn't ever been very good at braiding, so I didn't bother messing with it.
Legolas slumped into me all the way, and I realized that he must have fallen asleep. I laid him out on the straw mat, and placed my own cloak underneath his head. He must have been exhausted to actually sleep, if I recalled correctly elves were actually able to go long periods without it.
Sleeping as he was, I was able to study his and see how truly breathtaking he was. Even injured and bruised he was a sight t behold. I pressed my forehead against his lightly for a moment, before standing and grabbing his discarded clothes. I shook them a few times to get some of the smell out, and suddenly a shining piece of starlight flew out. Landing in the corner, I grabbed the small trinket, it was the Evenstar, the pendant that Arwen had given Aragorn before he left Rivendell. I tucked it into my shirt for safekeeping, I would return it when he made it to us at Helms Deep.
I left the room, intent on finding my way back to the entrance of the innermost part of the keep, where I believed Aragorn would be soon. It took several wrong turns, and asking for directions from an exhausted looking old woman, but eventually I found it.
I exited the massive stone building, and stopped at the top of a large set of stone steps, which allowed me to see most of the city. Hundred of people were sleeping in the streets, still waiting for the soldiers to round them up and help them to the caves.
It must have been maybe half and hour before I heard a commotion down at the bottom of the stairs, and saw and bedraggled, bloodied, and exhausted looking creature. Aragorn. He slowly climbed the stairs, and whispers began to each off the stone, "He's alive".
He got to the top and stopped when he saw me. I reached into my shirt and pulled out the Evenstar necklace. "You look like shit." I stated.
He smirked slightly and gratefully took the necklace back.
"I must speak with Theoden immediately, a huge threat is on its way." He whispered.
I nodded, "Last I saw, he was in the keep organizing supplies for the women and children in the caves, and for soldiers to set up a permanent watch" a voice said from behind us.
We turned and saw Eowyn, who nodded in the direction of another entrance to the keep.
"Legolas and I will meet you there momentarily. He is resting, but I shall go and wake him." I told them, before turning on my heel and heading back the way I had originally come.
I made my way through the palace, grateful that Aragorn would take care of the task of informing Theoden about the upcoming battle. I arrived at our room, and found Legolas as I had left him. I gently placed a hand on his shoulder and shook him awake. His eyes flew open in alarm and he jolted up, his gaze darting around for a moment before finally calming when he realized where he was.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Aragorn has returned." I responded.
There was a moment of shock registering on his face, before he nodded and said "He's late".
"You need to get dressed and then we must go to the great hall, Aragorn bring grave news of a threat that will befall us before the sunsets." I told him.