I figured I'd better do a disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings. I also don't own the lovely song that Anna sings towards the end of the chapter; that belongs solely to The Band Perry. It's a good song. Look it up. ;) And Anna really does have a beautiful singing voice. Like, if she hadn't been battling cancer, she could have went on that old TV show 'American Idol' and won. (think Carrie Underwood success) Her voice is a 'classic theater' style. The closest I can think to give you an idea is Loren Allred. She is the woman who actually sang the 'Never Enough' song from the movie The Greatest Showman. Yeah, gorgeous. And no, I myself can't sing, sadly. lol!

Two nights later, the elves showed up with Haldir. They brought news that the orc army was only a few days behind them which sent the entire fortress into a tizzy. Anna was swamped helping organize groups of women, and children into the caves deep within the mountain. Her heart broke when boys no older than ten were held from going into the safety of the caves to stay and fight. She swore in that moment that she would not be in the caves hiding. If children were expected to stand with the men to fight then she would certainly do the same.

And then it was time. The last of the women and children had been taken to the caves and the only two left were Eowyn and Anna. Eowyn was hugging Théoden, silent tears slipping down her cheeks. When she turned and beckoned Anna to follow her, Anna stood fast and shook her head.

"Go Eowyn. I am staying to fight."

For the first time since her arrival, the King addressed her, "Women do not belong on the battlefield. Go to the caves where you belong."

"Forgive me your highness, but boys who have not even reached maturity do not belong on the battlefield either and yet they are out on the walls with the men. I will not hide in a cave when I am at least able to be as much help as a boy, if not more." She turned and looked to Aragorn then who was watching her closely. "I am staying. I do not expect anyone to make allowances for me. I know the dangers. I am staying."

In the silence that followed, Anna thought Aragorn might disagree and send her to the caves. But then he sighed and reached out to brush his fingers down her cheek. Muttering something in elvish that had Legolas chuckling he shook his head.

"Very well. You will do your best to stay near me, Legolas or Gimli."

The King huffed, "She does not belong. She will only endanger my men."

"She has training and will not be helpless. Your men need all the help available and Anna is right. She will stand an even better chance than boys staying to fight."

"I will not be responsible for her death when this is over. I will not be the one to explain to Eomer why his claimed was on the battlefield."

Aragon dipped his head, "I will take responsibility."

Théoden shook his head, clear displeasure on his face as he snapped, "So be it then."

Anna turned when Eowyn pulled her into a fierce hug. Bending down the taller woman whispered in her ear, "I wish I could stand beside you. But as it is, know that my spirit is with you. I will be praying for the goddess to protect you. Fight well."

Anna squeezed as hard as she could and murmured, "I will. I will do my utmost to protect my family." She pulled away to look up and into her friends, her sisters, eyes, "I love you dearly Eowyn. I will see you when the sun rises tomorrow."

"I love you as well. Tomorrow then."

At the mouth of the cave, Eowyn turned and gave her a smile so full of pride and strength that Anna couldn't help but be bolstered; however the sound of the stone gates closing off the caves held and ominous note of finality that left Anna feeling apprehensive.

"Come Anna." Aragorn placed his hand upon her shoulder and began steering her away. "Let us go find you some suitable armor."

They fitted her with armor made for a young boy that didn't fit perfectly but would have to be enough as that was all there was. She was then led to the top of the last battlements among the elven archers, where Aragorn was going to leave her while she knew the rest of them would go to the top of the wall.

"This is the best place for you now. I will be down on the wall. If things should change, if the wall is breeched you must," here he paused, probably because of the look that crossed her face that she'd been unable to hide.

All three of them stared at her for a moment before Gimli huffed and grumbled, "It appears to be a when the walls are breeched and not if."

Anna shrugged but nodded her head once, causing both Legolas and Aragorn to swear in elvish.

"This is madness."

Aragorn shot Legolas and irritated look before turning back to her. "You will stay here until they call for a retreat, at which point you must go back to the great hall. Do not linger here, do you understand?"

"Of course Aragorn."

He sighed and shook his head before reaching out and pulling her to him by the back of her neck. Placing a kiss on her forehead he whispered, "You will not die this night. I could not bear it otherwise."

She nodded before turning to give first Legolas then Gimli a hug, "Be careful. All of you."

And then they were gone. The silence was suffocating. She wondered if the elven archers were even breathing with as quiet as they were, all of them steadfastly looking out over the wall towards the plains. After what felt like hours of standing in silence, Anna had finally had enough. Her nerves were getting the best of her and she knew that if she didn't do something she would go mad. So she did the only thing that she knew would steady her; she began to sing.

*"If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
Oh-oh, oh-oh

Lord, make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors
Oh, and life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even gray, but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time

And I'll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I've never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
There's a boy here in town, says he'll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by

The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time

So put on your best, boys, and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I've been singin'
Funny when you're dead, how people start listenin'

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
Oh-oh, oh-oh

The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need 'em, oh

The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
So put on your best, boys, and I'll wear my pearls"

She'd started out strong, uncaring what those around her might think and the words carried on the wind. It wasn't the most comforting of songs she supposed, but it embodied what she was feeling in the moment and words helped ground her. It was just as the last note was dying away that they heard the rumbling in the distance.

The elven archer next to her murmured, "Hain are hi."

Anna took a deep breath and tightened her grip on her bow, "So it begins."

*If I Die Young by The Band Perry