Elanorièl grasped the cold metal, pulling hard against the handle but the door would not yield. Something was barring the door from opening. A pale hand sprawled their fingers on the wooden surface, pushing against the door. A sleeve of blue and green hovered past her shoulder.
"Why have you followed me?" Elanorièl said without glancing back.
Legolas took a deep breath. He was unsure of his intentions when he followed Elanorièl. It merely took a flash of a red coat disappearing up a stairwell for his feet to move without any thought. He followed her into the long, quiet hallway. There was no light and no one here, save for the head of blonde hair in the dim light at the end of the hall. His foot stepped onto the stone. A single echo bounced off the walls. Elanorièl's foot hovered mid-step for a second before she placed it down. Legolas pushed his feet forward as the sway of her hair became faster. The echoes of his feet made Elanorièl increase her speed upon hearing feet scurry behind her. Her hand reached out grasping the door handle. When her arm pulled back, his arm went forward. A hand pushed the door to a close.
Legolas exhaled slowly. "I need to talk to you."
"What is there to talk about? Surely it is not about your opinion of me. You made your feelings clear. Unless you wish to add more?'' Elanorièl's head lifted but her back remained to him.
Legolas curled his fingers into the door as he stared at the back of her head. "Ela…"
"If that is all you have to say… I'm leaving," Elanorièl said as she pulled on the door again. Her hand jerked back but Legolas pushed back. The door shuddered.
"No."
"No? Then say what is you want?" Elanorièl said. Her voice was steadily growing more thunderous. "You have yet to tell me what you want, and I will rather be left alone."
"Elanorièl, I will not leave. Not until I have had my say."
"I don't want to hear anything."
"Elanorièl I am trying to talk to you.
"I don't want to!"
"Then why not?"
"Because I am anger Legolas!" A fury of blonde hair whipped past his face, forcing him back and to withdraw his hand from the door. "I don't want to hurt you, not again!"
Legolas' eyes pulsed wide. He stared back at her. Those stormy gray eyes pierced through the dark; and him. It had felt as if all the air in the room had been sucked away. "Are you angry at me?"
The minute those words left his mouth, she gasped and shook her head: "By the Valar, no! I could never be, not at you! Upset, yes, but never angry… but every time I see you, I am reminded of the words you spoke. You were right."
Legolas felt his heart drop. It dropped onto the cold hard stone beneath his feet. He examined the trembling elf before him: her hair obstructed her face; her hands were balled at her side; her head hung limp.
"You were right. When I think I should be upset, I only get angry. Because of it, I lashed out at you! No, I am angry at myself! Why was I unable to cry for Gandalf or Boromir?! Or even for Aragorn?!" Her yelling stopped but its emotional impact was still felt through the hall. Elanorièl took a breath. Her voice scarcely spoke above a whisper: "I refuse to cry. Tears do nothing. Tears did not bring back her back as they healed her broken, mangled body. Crying did nothing to aid her to remember her children sitting before her eyes. It did nothing to save my family. I am angry because all I did was cry… and I never said goodbye. I was a coward… "
Legolas jerked his arms forward, grabbing for Elanorièl. Shock appeared across her face before it disappeared in green fabric. The smell of mist wafted to his nose as his fingers wove through her wavy hair. Her head was cradled in one arm and the other arm laid across her back. Each arm locked her in place, tightening his hold as he held her closer.
"Elanorièl, we are both fools."
"Legolas," Elanorièl whispered through the fabric of his shirt, "I am sorry."
"Amin hiraetha," Legolas whispered tenderly into her ear. He pressed her closer again. "I spoke cruelly to you out of grief... and anger as well. I too hurt you, and I would ask for your forgiveness if you see fit to grant it."
Legolas waited patiently until the trembling in her body ceased. Her breathing calmed, moving slow and steady. She did not move, only to bunch the fabric on his back into her fists. Legolas pressed a soft kiss onto her hair.
Aragorn did little to change his appearance in the face of war. He wore none of the heavy armor and shields set out before him. Instead, he chooses a lite chainmail that peeked beneath his usual clothing. His wounds were clean, and his clothes mended. Once the dagger on his hip and bracers secured, Aragorn reached for his sword. His hand hovered over the spot where the sword once sat. The handle came into his view and he turned around with a look of surprise. Legolas, dressed in only leather to cover his shoulders, held out the blade. Aragorn's fingers slowly curled around the sheath and gently took it from Legolas.
"We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair," Legolas said.
Aragorn shook his head. He placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder, and Legolas did the same. "There is nothing to forgive, Legolas."
A noiseless foot cautiously stepped into the room from the corner behind Legolas. Aragorn followed the foot until Elanorièl came into full view. The mail beneath her leather gear glinted in the light. Aragorn pressed his brows together, sending a questioning look. Her shoulders dropped and she nodded her head. A gentle smile formed as she looked back at him. The unique sound of metal rubbing against metal drew the attention of all three. Gimli had stepped into the room. The chainmail rested high in his arms as he shifted it about.
"If we had time, I'd get this adjusted," Gimli said with a grunt. He dropped the mail, letting it clatter to the ground. The mail's ends pooled at his feet. Aragorn looked up and glanced at Legolas who return the sly smile. "It's a little tight across the chest."
A horn sounded, sending its smooth and clear note deep within in the room. A mere second later, Elanorièl bolted up the steps. Gimli looked to Aragorn and Legolas with a look of possible confusion. He waited for an answer as Legolas listened intently.
"That is no Orc horn," Legolas said.
Aragorn followed behind Legolas up the stairs. A call came from high within the Hornbug for the gates to be opened at the sound of unified footsteps. The men they ran past had looks of awe, others a look of surprise. No, the less, a glimpse of hope was shadowed behind the mist upon their minds. Aragorn let out a silent gasp upon the sight before him. Down the stairs, King Theoden stood with Haldir of Lothlorien. An army of elves marched in formation behind him. Elanorièl bounced off the steps and was hugging the surprised Elf.
Haldir returned the embrace and looked up went Elanorièl stepped away. "We've come to honor that allegiance,"
"Mae g'ovannen!" Aragorn greeted Haldir as he raced down the steps. Both offered the traditional elvish greeting, but a glee overcame Aragorn. Haldir was caught off-guard when Aragorn enveloped him. Haldir's hands hovered from a moment, then patted Aragorn's back.
"You are most welcome," Aragorn said.
The elves shifted their heads with a sharp snap. Thud. Thud. They turned with crisp, united sounds to the King. Their bows pounded the stone upon a final move.
Haldir addressed the King: "We are proud to fight alongside Men once more."
An old alliance was reborn. Men and elves, with a dwarf, would fight alongside once again. Theoden set his men in readiness upon the Hornburg and gate. The elven archers stretched across the Deeping-wall with three rows. Upon the wall, the attack would likely be the heaviest. The wall itself was a feat of defensive genius. 20 feet high and so thick, four men could walk shoulder to shoulder from one end to the next. Its smooth outer wall left no footing or gap for the enemy to use. Aragorn paced between the lines of elves, ordering, and commanding them. Elanorièl, Legolas, and Gimli took up positions farther down the Deeping-wall. The positions were ready. The defenses were ready. All they could do now was to wait. Wait for the enemy to arrive in the silent night.
It was now past midnight. The sky was dark and the air heavy with anxious anticipation. The hosts of Isengard were advancing. First, they heard Metal feet echoed off the mountain's walls. Then scattered fire appeared before them, burning across the valley floor. Their torchlight flickered between the rows and lines of orcs. Their numbers were no illusion as dark shapes stood tall with metal helms and broad shields.
"You could have picked a better spot," Gimli huffed, jumping to try to see over the wall. Everyone upon the wall stood silent but Gimli. The dwarf grew restless as he was unable to see the approaching enemy. His head barely reached the wall's ledge. Elanorièl smiled down and patted Gimli's helmet until he swatted away her hand. Gimli turned around to look at Elanorièl but caught sight of Aragorn approaching. "Well, lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."
Thunder rolled in the Valley. In the dark sky, the clouds were seared by a blinding flash. Its branches of lighting smote onto the Eastern hills. The army before them became ever so visible to them.
Elanorièl's nose became tickled upon a familiar smell and sighed. "The rain came too early. This is to be a long night."
"Your friends are with you, Aragorn," Legolas kept his shoulders to the valley.
"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli said.
Lightning and thunder clashed again. Fat raindrops slowly dribbled. Clink- clink. The rain echoes off metal. Another flash signaled the unleashing of a torrential downpour. Raindrops fell fast and hard, filling the air with the musical sound of tiny hammers. Fabric upon the bodies that wore them was soaked within minutes, doing well to drench their spirits as well.
A roar called out. The leader pf the hosts of Isengard, stood upon a rock, calling his troops slowed their approach
"Show them no mercy for you shall receive none!" Aragorn began speaking.
The leader yelled. His weapon is high in the air. The enemy halted. Only the sound of the rain remained. Both sides remained silent as they peered back at another waiting for who would make the first move. One orc growled. Foggy breath pushed through the helm of another.
"What's happening out there?" Gimli impatiently jumped up to see.
"Shall I describe it to you?" Legolas said, making both Gimli and Elanorièl turn their heads to him. "Or would you like me to find you a box?"
"Hee-hee!"
Elanorièl raised a hand to her mouth to cover the smile hiding behind it. But her amusement was short. The enemy yelled out and his comrades pounded their spears against the hard ground. Their pounding was hard and furious. Men upon the Hornburg set an arrow to the bow, drawing bowstrings back. The Elven archers loaded their bows when Aragon gives the signal. They did not fire. They do not return the laughs, the jeers, and the ridicule that hailed at them as the orcs called for blood. Orcs jeered for it. Orcs craved for it… until a lone arrow sliced through the rain into an orc's neck.
"Hold!"
The orc scrunched his shoulder. With a groan, the orc fell in the mud. A silence hushed the orcs. The slow rumbles in their throats grew into loud cries. They were cries of anger. Anger for they suffered the first loss. Their leader gave the signal and the enemy to rush to the wall.
"Their armor is weak at the neck and beneath the arm," Legolas spoke aloud.
Elanorièl held her aim steady beside him as the rain beat down upon them. Elanorièl laughed: "Your assurance in my ability to aim is awe-inspiring."
"Release arrows!"
Water droplets flickered back to Elanorièl's face upon releasing her hold. Arrows fell through the gloomy valley. Their impact was marked by the groans of the fallen orcs. Others fell against the stone. Yet, no arrows had returned to them. The elves had nimble hands with their bows, unleashing a downpour of arrows in fast times. Orcs fell in great numbers, but their advance could not be slowed.
"Did they hit anything?!" Gimli fretted about.
Men on the Hornburg joined in. Elves stationed behind the wall joined the arrow frenzy. The enemy surges forward despite the mound of growing bodies, opting to climb over the fallen.
"Send them to me! Come on!" Gimli shouted impatiently.
"Patience Gimli, patience!" Elanorièl shouted back.
Within feet of the wall's base, the returned the fire. Orcs, armed with crossbows, needed to do little aiming. Elves fell form the wall, shuddering back on impact. The return fire covered to those carrying heavy works of metal.
"Ladders!"
"Good!" Gimli twisted his grip on the ax.
"Swords! Swords!"
Elanorièl unsheathed her swords upon the command. Ropes with grappling hooks were hurled over the wall faster than could be cut down or swing them back. Long ladders lifted, carrying those orcs who wanted to be on the wall first. One orc was unfortunate.
Gimli, hidden by the wall, surprised the first orc with a chop to the legs. Even if the ladders were cast down and ruined, many more replaced them. The orcs surged onto the wall. Bodies clashed against bodies as the fought on the narrow wall top. Haldir and Aragorn worked fast to clear a space. One head fell to the ground with a swift cleave from Elanorièl as the body ceased climbing the ladder. Gimli slid himself on the moist ground, landing between the legs of an orc. A blow to the stomach felled the mighty orc.
"Legolas! Two already!" Gimli shouted.
"I'm on 17!" Legolas "Elanorièl?"
"Do not involve me" Elanorièl replied as she knocked an orc to the side.
"I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!" Gimli yelled. This time the ax hit between the legs and the orc clutched the wound as it fell.
"Nineteen!" Legolas called out as he shot at orcs coming up the ladders.
A roar came up behind Elanorièl. Her leg kicked high behind her, knocking back the orc off the wall.
Aragorn drove past her. His blade needed one swing to kill the orcs before him. His hand gripped the land as he used the sword to sever the rope. He pushed the ladder down, releasing it to the ground.
Gimli suffered no shortage of targets as he stood on top of the wall, wielding his ax about. Each orc they cut down, more came in its place. "17! 18! 19! 20! "
Legolas stopped his counting. When he reached behind his back, his fingers groped from the familiar soft feather tips. He looked back. His quiver was empty, and all his arrows were spent. He scanned the ground for any loose arrows, but he could not find any. Legolas pulled out his daggers as an orc charged him. Between blows, he searched high and low for a source of arrows. A grunt directed him to Elanorièl. She was near, engaged in a fight with two orcs. He squinted at her back. There was nearly a full quiver of arrows on her back.
"Elanorièl!" Legolas ran to her.
The orcs fell before her swords when Elanorièl heard her name. Her head jerked up to see Legolas running to her. Her head frantically twisted about trying to locate a threat. "What is it?"
"I need your arrows," Legolas said when he stopped before her.
Elanorièl tilted her head sideways: "What?"
"I am out of arrows, and I need yours."
"Did all you need was arrows You called for me for arrows?"
"Yes, so may I?"
"Why-?!" Elanorièl crossed her swords to block the orc's attack. The metal slid down together. Elanorièl works fast to unhook her swords and swung at the orc's body. "There was a pile next to you."
Legolas stepped forward. His hand found it place on her waist, pulling her in close. His face loomed over hers. His eyes were front and center. Legolas leaned over her face as he stood up. His eyes peered down at her as his hands found her waist. Elanorièl felt the heat rise from her spine and onto her face. It was likely her face was flushed. She feels unsure about what to do with her hands as they were occupied holding her swords.
A cry of agony moaned behind her. Elanorièl squirmed to turn in his grip. His arm was straight, and his dagger plunged deep within the orc. Legolas withdrew the dagger, allowing the orc to fall away. Legolas returned his attention to her, "You were closer."
Elanorièl frowned. Legolas was smirking. He was smirking at her.
"Fine."
Legolas released her. Elanorièl spun behind him, assigning him to deal with the orcs as she loaded her arrows into his quiver. Legolas winked before he was off.
Elanorièl could not sigh the redness away in her ears: "Such a cheeky prince…"
orcs were busy in the wall's culvert. The orcs distracted those on top of the wall with ladders and fights on the wall, hiding their activity below. Pairs of two shuffled into the culvert carrying heavy and spiked metal balls. A path cleared. Orcs shouted. A bright blaze came up by the way of the stream when Aragorn had caught sight below. An orc bore a blazing torch, and his comrades hailed him on. The orc wore little in the way of armor save for the helm that bore a white hand mark. He was running straight for the culvert.
"Bring him down, Legolas!" Aragorn yelled.
Legolas' shot landed in the orc's shoulder. The orc still did not slow.
"Kill him!"
A second arrow into its other shoulder. The orc staggered. He regained his feet again.
Elanorièl's eyes widened as the orc dive into the culvert. First a little spark of light; then a white puff of smoke. She grasped the back of Legolas' collar and pulled him back to her.
'Boom'
An intense flash lit up the earth.
A/N: Guys, I rewrote this chapter five times! My goodness the first part was hard to get right but I think if finally got it right and now it looks so much better. I have been procrastinating this for months. But with that being said, I'm super tired and my editing may not have been as sharp as it normally is. If you see anything wrong, let me know and I will fix it.