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This may be the hardest chapter I've had to write to date. Helm's Deep has always been my favorite battle of the trilogy. But if it wasn't obvious, I'm quite partial to Rohan.
I hope you enjoy this, the tide is about to change.
Still just a shuffler of Letters with no claim to the rights of Tolkien or Rowling.
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The dawn cast a pale light over the expanse of Rohan. Eomer knew Firefoot was tired, the horse doing his best to keep up with his rider's pace. The Rohirrim rode hard, trying to beat the fading light as the mountain range grew on the horizon. He sent two riders ahead of the column, the closer they were to Isengard the more their guard would need to be up. The Marshall did not want to underestimate the wizard at all. Saruman's wrath was not something he wanted to test at half strength.
He tried to remain focused but all he could think of was reaching his family in time. He knew his sister and his uncle needed him. Hermione needed him, too. He had seen in the tent how this quest was bearing down on her. If Aragorn had fallen he wasn't sure how well his witch could cope after losing Gandalf as well
Spurring on the horse he sped ahead of his men, moving to join the scouts he had sighted over the rise. The two riders were joined by another, a face that grew familiar as he closed the gap.
"Aragorn!" He shouted as he approached the battered rider. "What happened? Why aren't you at the keep with the others?"
The Ranger was bloodied, his clothes caked with mud and grime. "Warg scouts ambushed us and I was separated from the caravan. Eomer we have no time to waste; Isengard has emptied. We must ride hard to beat them to the keep by nightfall. We have the advantage, we dispatched the riders so they are on foot."
"How many?" The blonde man asked, knowing that Saruman had been growing his forces.
"Ten thousand strong, at least."
The news came as a shock. A host of ten thousand would be a greater enemy than his men had ever faced. The faces of his scouts were that of worry but they also seemed focused on the strange man's steed. Looking down Eomer recognized the horse which Aragorn mounted. He had never seen another man ride Brego other than his cousin. For the steed to allow a stranger on his saddle, and be commanded so, was no small feat and it brought a sense of respect from the Marshall. He nodded to the other man, an unspoken understanding passing between the two.
"Rohirrim!" He shouted, thrusting his fist into the air. "To the Keep!"
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"Send all able bodied men to the armory, you'll need every sword sharpened, every bowstring tightened." Boromir stood adjacent to Theoden over the war room table, attempting to offer counsel to the King. "The enemy will march on this keep. You know that Wormtongue will have predicted your move."
"Helm's Deep has never fallen. No thanks to Gondor." Was the response he received. "Let them come."
Legolas and Gimli exchanged worried glances. The Captain had been trying to solicit some kind of plan from the King for hours, to no avail. It seemed that since their arrival at the keep Theoden had refused to listen to the advice of anyone not bearing the Rohan banner. They had hoped the severity of the situation would have negated any ill will towards fallen alliances.
Sighing deeply Boromir bowed his head. "Yes, my Lord." Nodding towards the door he and his companions left the King with his soldiers.
"These farmers stand no chance." He huffed as they made their way to the gate, looking out at the mouth of the valley. Any enemy marching on the Keep would funnel directly to the wall. He knew that the women and children would take refuge in the caves beneath the fort but there would only be one way out, a narrow mountain pass that would take hours to traverse. "He's a stubborn fool to believe that we can hold our position without reinforcements."
"The Rohirrim will come. We can only hope that they will beat the Uruks here." Legolas commented. "Eomer will not abandon his people."
Gimli nodded, agreeing in silence with the elf. They knew that the Rider would make haste with his men, but all they could do was hope that speed was with them.
"Has anyone seen Hermione?" He asked, looking up at the taller men. "I have not seen her since daybreak."
Boromir and Legolas exchanged a worried glance. The witch had kept herself busy with Eowyn, helping to fortify the supplies in the caves such as food and blankets. She had hardly spoken a word since they delivered the news of Aragorn's fall in battle and her brothers were worried for her. They would need her before nightfall but she was in no state to ready for war.
"Well one of us should find her!"The dwarf sighed, exasperated. "I'm going to talk to her."
"Gimli, perhaps we should give her time." The Captain suggested as the warrior turned away, back towards the keep. "Gimli!"
"We have no time." Was all he shouted back as he left the two at the gate.
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Hermione sat on a bench at the mouth of the caves, folding blankets on her lap before setting them aside in uniform piles. Normally she would have opposed such a mundane task but it brought her a sense of calm as she fought back a bombardment of emotions. The witch felt so foolish, allowing her heart to get the better of her. She felt she had cried more in the past few days then she had in years and her skin ached from the salt tracks that had worn down her cheeks. She hadn't touched the journal since receiving the last message from Eomer, not wanting to distract him as he would be racing to the Keep.
"Hermione?" Looking up she saw Eowyn before her holding a basket of potatoes. "You should go get something to eat, at least get some fresh air. You've been down here for hours."
Shaking her head the brunette kept folding. "I'm needed here."
The blonde woman had enough. Slamming the basket down she yanked the fabric from the young woman's hands. "You are needed at full strength. Aragorn would not want you to grieve he would want you to fight. I can't, the rules of my Uncle's court will not allow it. But you are a fearsome sight to behold, or so I've learned. Though I have yet to see it."
Hermione's jaw went slack at the words.
"I beg your pardon?" She gasped.
"No! No begging. You are Hermione, the only known Witch to walk Middle Earth and here you sit folding linens?" Eowyn shouted, gesturing at the piles around her. "Your magic could save us all and here you are; hiding."
Anger boiled inside of the witch as she stood, facing the other woman at equal height. "What would you have me do? Scream, pound my fists on the ground and let all my rage loose?!"
"Yes! If it meant something other than this!" The Lady of Rohan was no about to hold back any punches. She worried for the woman before her, whom she had come to call her friend. "Now you march out of this cave or by my People's banner I will drag you out myself!"
"Or what? If I wanted to hide down here with the women and children, what would you do?" Hermione huffed, her head pounding. Nenya pulsed on her finger, the witch doing her best to ignore the throb of magic coursing through her from the ring.
"I'll help her drag you out, lassie." The ladies turned to see Gimli standing at the doorway, his arms crossed and a bemused smile beneath his beard. "Well said, Eowyn. Couldn't have done it better myself. Come, Hermione. Let's walk."
He gestured over his shoulder but didn't move from his spot, the witch knowing that she had been outnumbered instantly. Sighing indignantly she brushed past the dwarf who followed on her heels. Marching up the corridor her eyes strained at the daylight coming over the walls. Shielding her eyes she saw a much different scene than what was taking place inside the caves. Here men were fortifying weakened parapet holes, ensuring that any unnecessary windows were boarded. She saw a young boy, no older than thirteen, carrying an armful of swords across the courtyard and she realized that they had called any able-bodied to fight. Even children.
"What is Theoden thinking?" She whispered, Gimli coming to stand at her side.
"We aren't sure he is." The dwarf sighed, leaning on his axe. "He is worried for his people but we fear that this is an enemy he is underestimating."
Shaking her head Hermione felt her anger rising. Underestimating? Not on her watch. Turning on her heel she jaunted towards the war room, practically running as her companion huffed in exertion trying to keep up with her pace. As she approached she saw a large bucket of water near the doorway and grabbed it, confusing the dwarf who continued to follow. Her ring glistened in the light, the jewel adorning her finger sparkling in the shadow of the hall.
Pushing open the heavy doors she was greeted with the confused stares of the King and his highest ranking soldiers, the few who remained. They were still gathered around the table, not showing much signs of progress in battle tactics.
"What part of 'Army of Isengard' do you not understand?" She asked, in a tone that shocked Theoden. "How else do we need to explain it?"
"That is no way to speak to the King!" Gamling approached her but stopped short at the ardent shaking of the dwarf's head.
"He forgets he is not my King." Hermione explained, moving forward to set the bucket atop the table, water sloshing over the sides. "You want to see what this enemy can do? How different this is from any Orcs your men have faced?"
Concentrating hard on the day along the Anduin shores the witch unsheathed her wand, bringing the tip of the vinewood to her temple. Breathing steady she pulled a silvery wisp from her skin, shocking several of the soldiers who backed away at the sight of magic. Tapping her wand she dropped the ethereal ribbon into the water and before anyone could react she grabbed Theoden by the shoulder, bringing both their heads to the surface of the water.
As the two fell through the memory the King's face was that of terror. Hermione kept her grip on his shoulder, knowing that he would be disoriented once the memory fully formed around them.
The blonde man's eyes grew wide as he found himself in a lush forest, looking at the corporeal copy of the woman beside him as she ran from a ruined courtyard, vaulting over trees and rocks.
"What is this?" He asked, looking over at the woman who kept her hand on his armor. "Where have you taken me?"
"I've faced this enemy. Not two weeks past. You want to know who marches on your keep?" Her voice was firm as she pointed through the woods. "Follow her."
Letting go of the man, and stepping back, Hermione was testing the will of the monarch before her. A satisfying smirk appearing on her face as he quickly did what she suggested, moving with ease through the forest.
Peering beyond a tree, as though to remain hidden, the witch did not inform the man that they were invisible here; letting him believe the danger was real.
Theoden's eyes grew wide at the sight of the Uruk-hai as they charged through the forest. The creatures larger than any orc even he had faced in battle. He could see Boromir through a small clearing, having been shot by the arrow. His attention was quickly drawn to the Memory Hermione who had raised her wand and shouted a word he never heard before, watching in shock as the enemy archer was decapitated before his eyes. He stumbled back, grasping onto the tree trunk to stabilize himself.
"Do you believe me now, my Lord?" She asked, drawing his gaze back to her. "These are no orcs. This is what your men are to face. You must be ready or they will fall."
He looked back once more, watching as the Uruk's chased Memory Hermione and the other hobbits, wincing as their creatures managed to capture their fleeing victims. "I... I have seen enough. Take me back."
Nodding the witch grabbed his shoulder, using her magic to pull them from the vision. Gasping as he returned to himself Theoden jerked himself away from the bucket, his hair dripping around his face.
"My King!" Gamling was at his side instantly, sword drawn and pointed at Hermione who did not flinch.
"Tell them what you saw, tell them the truth of what is coming." She crossed her arms, not intimidated by the weapon she faced.
Placing a hand on his soldier's arm Theoden ordered him to stand down. "The Lady is right. I have been foolish. Please gather your companions, we need a plan by nightfall."
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Eomer and Aragorn led the Rohirrim with all their speed, having sighted the Keep at Midday. They would be there in a matter of moments. The riders dared not stop outside the Fortress walls, wanting to get all their men and horses inside the stone barrier. The Ranger's warning of the enemy must reach the king. They heard the horn calling from the wall as they approached, their banner having been sighted by those at their posts. The gates were opened before they had reached the ramp, ready to receive the Riders.
Cheers erupted from the men in the fort as the Rohirrim returned to it's people, many whispering at the sight of the Ranger accompanying their Marshall.
Dismounting at the courtyard many citizens came forward, taking the reigns from the weary horses from the exhausted riders. Countless cried out in thanks, shaking the hands of those returning.
"Where is he?! Get out of the way!" Aragorn smiled lightly at the sound of the dwarf, seeing a few people being shoved aside before sighting the smaller warrior. "You are the luckiest, canniest... and the most reckless man I ever knew!" He opened his arms wide, enveloping the ranger in a crushing embrace.
"Gimli, I must speak to the king." The ranger chuckled, returning the hug.
"We better do it before Hermione finds you. Or you will be dead." The dwarf pulled back, gesturing towards the keep. "I don't think I am kidding, Aragorn. Theoden is in the war room."
"Come, follow me." Eomer joined the pair, leading them to follow him into the keep.
Aragorn nodded his understanding, moving past the crowd and up the staircase. Following the Marshall the men made their way quickly through the fortress, pushing open the doors to be greeted by the King and his council. Boromir and Legolas were shocked to see Aragorn at the door with the leader of the Rohirrim, both leaving the table to welcome their friend. The witch stood beside the King, her brow twisting in confusion before she rushed forward.
It was a flurry of movement for a moment due to the reunions, and in one case, seemingly resurrections.
"Eomer!" Thedoen shouted, rushing forward to his nephew. The Marshall greeted his uncle fondly, grasping his forearm with earnest.
"You bloody bastard!" Hermione had practically tackled Aragorn, ignoring his groans of pain. "What were you thinking? Making me think you were dead?! I should hex you where you stand!" She pulled away, smacking him hard on the chest. "You pull another stunt like that Aragorn and I will box your ears til they bleed!"
Her attention was pulled at a deep chuckle beside her. Eomer came to stand beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "Don't kill him, my Lady. I took care to return him in one piece... mostly."
Smiling wide Hermione threw her arms around the Rider's neck, burying her face against him as he lifted her into his arms.
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"Three hundred men could change this battle, if we are careful of our placements. The more archers we have atop the center of the wall the better chance my men can defend the ramp." Eomer gestured to the etching of the fort atop the table. Hermione and Aragorn stood at his side, studying the map before them.
"No, any men out on the ramp would be exposed and reinforcements would be slaughtered." Theoden shook his head, instead gesturing to the far end of the deeping wall. "If we place more archers here they would have the better vantage point across the whole mouth of the valley."
"What archers in our ranks do you know of that could launch that kind of volley across the whole valley?' Eomer asked. "We don't have a dozen of him." He pointed at Legolas who smirked at the comment.
Boromir began pointing out that there were a few points on the keep that would prove ample vantage points for additional archers which caused the table to again reiterate what the Marshall had said. There were too few marksman among their men.
The witch rubbed the bridge of her nose, this argument having stretched for hours and she could see the dimming light of dusk through the windows. They were running out of time. They had a few hours, at best, and they were squabbling over where to place their soldiers like it was a ballet. She tried to hold her tongue, fully acknowledging that she knew nothing of the art of war.
She paced away from the table, twisting the ring on her finger absentmindedly. Studying the stonework of the room she found herself drawn to one of the windows overlooking the courtyard and the statues of the Kings of Old. They stood regal over the men who scrambled to ensure they were all properly equipped and armed. Hermione figured that in this moment, perhaps, the sight of their forefathers brought hope to the worried people.
A horn called through the air as the last beam of light disappeared beyond the mountain, casting a shadow over the fort. The room stilled for a moment until the second blast sounded from beyond the keep walls.
"That is no orc horn!" Legolas beamed as he ran from the room, the others quick to follow.
They could hear the soldiers calling for the gate to be opened as marching footsteps could be heard and felt coming up the ramp. Hurrying down to the courtyard the War Council was met with the sight of Gandalf the White leading an army of elves into Helm's Deep, Haldir at his side.
"We bring word from Elrond of Rivendell and Celeborn of Lorien. An alliance once existed between Men and Elves." The Elven Commander bowed his head in respect to the King of Rohan. "We have come to honor that allegiance."
"I thought you said he fell." Eomer whispered in Hermione's ear, looking at Gandalf with wide eyes. She chuckled softly, giving him an 'I'll tell you later' glance.
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Hermione readied herself in a small room off the main corridor, it looked to have been a storage closet at one point with many crates and baskets pushed against the sides of the alcove. She had grabbed a set of armor from the armory and needed a bit of privacy to fit it to her body. She was smaller than any of the soldiers so there hadn't been any mail that would have fit her frame. Pulling out her wand and muttering the incantations she watched as the metal melded and formed tighter together until it looked as though it would form to her better.
Nenya glowed brighter than it had earlier in the day and the witch could no longer ignore the band upon her finger. She had noticed it earlier in the caves but had brushed it aside, but the feeling of strength amplifying her magic was too powerful to ignore. She only hoped that it would prove to be in her favor against the approaching enemy.
Pulling off her vest and bracers she lifted the mail, threading her arms through the sleeves when she heard a knock at the door.
Surprised she turned, opening it to find Eomer in the hall. He pushed gently past, closing it behind him. He looked at the woman before her, his eyes full of emotions as he saw her putting on the cuirass. She pulled her arms from the armor, setting it aside to reach for his hand.
"You cant persuade me to not fight, Eomer." She whispered, squeezing his fingers with her.
He nodded. "I know. But I can't go into battle with you and leave anything unsaid."
She furrowed her brow. Hermione had not expected this. She pulled him to sit beside her on one of the crates against the wall.
Taking a deep breath he ran his thumb against the bracelet she still wore upon her wrist. "When I gave this to you I did not explain it's significance. This is known amongst my people as a war bad. It is given to the woman who a soldier claims as his own."
"Claims?" Hermione didn't care for the word but she let him continue.
"By giving this to you I asked you, that day, to be mine. When I saw that you still wore it when we met on the edge of Fangorn my heart soared. But I know that the implications of the tradition you might find alarming. We have not known each other long enough..." He was met with a finger to his lip.
"If you are asking me to be yours I thought I had given you that answer." She whispered, a small smile upon her face. "I may have not known you long, Eomer, but my feelings have only grown for you since the day we met."
He returned her smile tenfold, moving her hand away so he could lean forward and kiss her earnestly. She returned the embrace, wrapping her arms around him. The rider held nothing back, threading his fingers through her hair as he pulled her tight against him. That she had accepted him brought a joy to the hardened soldier's heart he hadn't felt in many years.
Pulling away she looked up at him breathlessly. "Is there anything that the tradition calls for regarding my answer?"
He chuckled. "Ever looking for knowledge, my love."
Her heart fluttered at the affectionate name, the ring glowing on her finger once more. Eomer noticed, holding her hand up to glance at the band
"It's aiding your powers, isn't it?" He asked.
Hermione nodded. "I've felt my magic growing since I put it on at Edoras. I'm sure that it played a large role in my spell helping to free Theoden."
Eomer leaned down, laying a kiss on her knuckle beneath the ring. "Come, my lady. Let's make ready for war. Together."
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Hermione joined Theoden and Gandalf atop the Keep wall, her eyes on the horizon and her Rider at her side. Boromir was beneath them, helping to fortify the courtyard and entrance to the caves, she could hear the Captain faintly calling orders from below. The remaining members of her party were along the deeping wall, the Ranger's voice echoing against the mountain walls. Between himself and the Elven Commander their allies received their orders. The rain had begun to fall, the droplets pinging a somber melody off the armor of this impromptu army. The storm could not cause the fear to dissipate, only adding to the foreboding of what they were about to face.
It did not take long for the rumble of the marching footsteps to reach them and soon the first wave of Uruk's could be seen around the valley wall. They carried banners, angry white hands on black canvas, their allegiance clear. The enemy approached the wall, uniform battalions stretching as far as the eye could see.
"Archers! Make ready!" Gamling shouted, the sound of knocking arrows sounding around them. The soldiers held their weapons ready, the Uruk's beginning to chant as they took their places before the Keep.
The witch heard Aragorn yell for the elven archers to do the same, ordering them to hold their fire. The world seemed to still around them, both sides of the board now set. The sound of a single arrow firing echoed across the keep, it striking an Uruk center mass and the enemy roared in rage at their fallen soldier.
It had begun.
Hermione took a steadying breath, unsheathing her wand and reaching for Eomer, clasping his hand once more. She stepped up on to the rampart wall, earning a concerned stare from the Rohan soldiers while Gandalf watched her with a knowing smile.
The witch turned, pointing her wand at the main statue at the center of the courtyard. "Piertotum Locomotor!" She shouted above the sound of the approaching enemy. The stone facade of Helm Hammerhand coming to life before their very eyes. Soon the witch's ring shone with the light of countless stars, a beacon atop the Keep.
"Rohan is threatened!" She yelled as more of the statues came to life, the Kings of Old marching towards the Keep Gate. "Protect your people!"
"Forth Eorlingas!" Eomer shouted beside her, his sword high and his gaze proud upon his lady. Chaos erupted around them, arrows flying from either side, some striking and others clattering against the stone. The statues made their way through the gate which was shut behind them and the stone sentries took their position at the top of the causeway, barring entry to the courtyard.
Hermione began casting every disarming spell she could think of in the general direction of the center battalion, noticing the greater mass of numbers than the flanking groups. Streaks of red and white flew from her wand, Nenya's glow casting an ethereal light upon the sorceress. Thedoen, Gamling and Gandalf watched as the witch balanced carefully on the stone wall, gracefully stepping from one pillar to another to gain better vantage over the enemy. Eomer had fired several arrows, striking a number of enemy from the keep, the Uruk's arrows unable to reach as high.
The witch saw the ladders before they had fastened to the deeping wall. "Aragorn!" Bringing her wand to her throat she amplified her voice over the battle. "Ladders!" She did not need the amplification to hear Gimli shout 'Good!' at the news.
Gandalf, too, fired a barrage of spells onto the enemy below, their beams of light causing confusion among the Uruks. As the ladders began to rise against the wall Hermione jumped down from her perch, making her way through the watchtowers and out onto the lower walkway with her brothers.
"Seventeen! Eighteen!" Normally the tally being announced by the dwarf would have brought a smile, if not a laugh, but it only added to the ferocity of the enemy's advance. She drew her dagger as she approached a ladder that had crushed several elves with it's grappling bars.
"Bombarda!" She aimed her spell carefully, blasting the wooden beams from it's hooks, sending the ladder crashing down onto the enemy below. A few Uruks had already made their way onto the wall, rushing at the witch. Drawing her dagger she met them head on, stunning those she couldn't reach with her blade. The rain caused her hair to cling to her skin, the woman not caring as she fought for her life and those she had come to love.
Pushing away the last enemy approaching her she turned to see the battalions below had split, a path formed between them. She watched as several of the soldiers carried heavy boulders toward the drain at the bottom of the wall.
By the second one she realized what they were. Her stomach clenched at the thought.
Saruman had made a bomb. The thought barely had time to register before she saw an armorless runner approaching with a sparking torch, the enemy cheering as he ran.
Leaning as far as she could over the wall Hermione aimed her wand at the drain. "Wingardium Leviosa!" And with a perfectly executed swish she sent one of the explosive orbs flying at the torch bearer.
The explosion caused a concussive wave that sent Uruk soldiers flying across the battlefield, some of them clear over the wall as a crater instantly appeared at the center of the invading force. The shock had caused a break in the wall, only large enough for a two or three to pass at a time and the awaiting army stationed on the opposite side of the deeping wall advanced. Haldir began the charge, rallying both men and elves towards the enemy. Hermione quickly made her way to the break in the barrier, fending off as many of the Uruk's as she could atop the wall.
Reaching a staircase on the keep side of the wall she ran down it, firing stunners and hexes at random. She was careful not to hit any allies, taking great care to aim well. The harder she fought the more Nenya glowed, her magic strengthening with each spell. By the time she reached what had once been the drain an unseen wind whipped around her, dust and debris flying through the air away from the witch. She jumped the final steps, landing before Haldir and his men, stopping the elf's advancement.
"Hermione, no!" Aragorn shouted from the wall
She stood slowly, staring down the enemy the before her with a ferocious gaze. Instead of the Uruks advancing they backed away in fear. Hermione felt the magic growing around her, the rain amplifying the light that encompassed her. She took a deep breath, focusing on any thought that brought her joy. Harry. Ron. Hogwarts.
Eomer.
Opening her eyes she felt the magic of her Ring overtake her and Hermione began to float above the valley floor. She focused all of the energy coursing through her body and aimed her wand down the center of her foes.
"Expecto Patronum!" The scream that escaped the witch was deafening, the Uruks cowering before her. A majestic stallion burst forward from the witch, charging into battle. The pure magic scorched the army with an unseen fire. The sounds of screeching agony filled the valley as the Men and Elves watched in awe from the battlement. The scene caused the Marshall to halt in his tracks atop the wall, he'd seen that spell before in the tent but it had been a smaller creature. Gandalf was behind him, urging him to continue.
"Your lady can handle herself, trust me. Come!" The Mithrandir beckoned, pulling the rider further down the tower and into the fray.
Hermione did not stop her assault, her new surge of magic amplifying her spells a hundred times over, stunning spells were felling enemies by the dozen. Entire swaths of Uruk-hai crumpling beneath a veiled force. Coming back to the ground the witch ran at the foes, Haldir and Aragorn rushing to join her side. The witch met any blows with equal force, her own strength surprising her. She could barely register the sound of battle around her, even the clash of any blade that met her own. She blinded those around her, though her comrades seemed unimpeded by the beams.
She saw that a group of Uruks had set upon the causeway, shielding themselves from the volley of arrows atop the keep and pushing against the stone sentries she had enchanted. Running for the ramp she ignored the calls of Theoden atop the keep. He'd ordered the gates barricaded, if she were to reach the top she would be trapped against the door.
Hermione didn't even register the order. Her adrenaline flowed like a rushing river, her magic adding to the flood of power coursing over her.
She weaved her way through the enemy, a few arrows saving her and she was grateful of the marksman skill of her Elven Brother. She'd recognize the arrows anywhere. Reaching the causeway she took a deep breath and screamed as loud as she could, drawing the attention back to her, trapping the Uruks between her and the statues.
The enemy turned, growling at the witch. Firming her footing Hermione pointed her wand forcefully. As the closest beasts dropped their shields and charged the witch took her chance.
"Confringo!" The impact of the curse caused the instant evaporation of the charging force, blood and entrails raining from the sky. It was enough to confuse the enemy, the remaining charging away from the macarbe attack and straight to the waiting stone sentries who made quick deaths of the Uruks. With each spell fired from her wand Hermione could feel Nenya's light around her. The ring amplified the magic within the witch and she could hear Galadriel's voice in her head. 'Respect the ring and it will aid you beyond imagining. The power is yours and yours alone.'
Soon the causeway was free of enemy and she turned back to the battlefield, spotting Legolas and Gimli grappling with several of the monstrous advesaries who were trying to raise another ladder to the wall. Looking atop the fortress she could see Boromir and Eomer had joined the infantry's push to maintain the defenses, not allowing any further enemy to breach the fortress walls.
Channelling her magic once more she felt the wind whip around her, the sting of it's force biting against her exposed skin. Her face and neck felt raw but the pain was unfelt as she aimed her wand to the sky, swinging her arm in a large circle above her head. Focusing on the enemy she brought the whole force of her body down with the spell, kneeling at the bottom of the ramp.
"Azreth!!" A massive dragon of fire burst forth from the witch, charging onto the battlefield before her.
Gandalf stopped instantly at the sight of the flames. "Fiendfyre." He gasped. The spell would raze the land to ash, with no regard to any in it's path. But he was shocked to see the flames only burnt the enemy, not a single ally caught in it's grasp. Hermione Granger had just mastered an uncontrollable curse that had come from the oldest annals of magic before his very eyes.
The wizard couldn't help the triumphant laugh that escaped his lips. "Brightest witch of an age, indeed!" He raised his sword high, quickly cutting down the enemies before him.
The Uruks quickly turned, running from the flame to no avail. In a matter of moments not a single enemy stood before the keep, smoldering piles of ash the only evidence of their attack. Hermione gasped for breath, her body shaking as her wand was no more than a pile of ash in her hand.
"Hermione!" Aragorn rushed to her side, helping her to stand. Her eyes were wide, her face streaked with dirt, gore and soot as the rain began to subside. The Ranger looked her over for any signs of injury, surprised to see none of the blood that marred her skin was her own.
"You did it, Lassie!" Gimli ran up to the witch, a beaming smile on his face. "You beat pointy-ears!" He jerked his thumb over his shoulder as Legolas approached. Quickly scanning the scene before her she realized their losses were few. They had won.
The Keep was intact and the people of Rohan were safe.
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"Hail, Hermione! The Witch of the Keep!" The courtyard was a flurry of celebration. The citizens had emptied the caverns, relieved at the victorious cheers. Hermione had practically been carried back to the Keep, the victory belonging to her tenacity and prowess of magic.
Aragorn and Boromir stood at her side as she found herself brought to Theoden, who stood before the pillar of Helm Hammerhand, who's vigil now stood upon the causeway. Eomer rushed to her, wrapping his arm around her waist as she stood before the King. Hermione leaned against him, both for support and in sheer relief. Gandalf stood behind Theoden, Legolas and Gimli close as well. All gathered to bear witness.
"Lady Granger. Never before have I witnessed such a feat in battle, and I have seen many." As the King spoke the crowd hushed, a hum of excitement amongst the people gathered. "I am honor-bound to bestow upon you the title of Shield-Maiden. Though I do not believe that title alone is just for the actions you have shown. So I, Theoden, son of Thengol, do name you: Hermione, High Sorceress of Rohan!" The applause was deafening, cheers filled the air.
"You did it, my love." The only sound she could hear was the gentle whisper of her Rider.
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