Here's the next chapter! I hope you all are enjoying the ride so far. I'm for sure enjoying writing it.
-ooOoo-
It's funny how life works sometimes. One minute you're dying in a hospital from cancer and the next you're being thrown into a fictional story world and fighting huge, ugly orcs. Yeah… really funny.
Anna had lost count of how many orcs she'd shot with her bow before running out of arrows. She honestly had no idea how she'd managed to dodge being shot in return as several of the elves next to her had be slain with a well-placed black arrow. Once she'd ran out she stood there for several minutes trying to decide if she was brave, or rather, stupid enough to go down into the thick of it and fight with her axe.
But then she heard Aragorn's voice over the sounds of battle, and she realized it must be the orc with the torch. Panic flooded her system as she realized they were at the turning point of the battle; the part where things got significantly worse.
It felt like the explosion shook the whole mountain and when Anna looked down, there was a gaping hole in the wall that had once been smooth. And then she remembered Haldir. Without a second thought, Anna took off running for the stairs that would lead her down to the hole that the orcs were spilling through like ants out of an ant hill. She didn't even have time to worry about the possibility of not finding the elf before she was engaged in blows with never ending orcs. Muscle memory took over and Anna was all fluid movement. Lung, dodge, slice, jump back, duck, hack, hack, hack. And then she finally caught sight of him and the mountain of an orc that he was engaged in fighting. She wasn't too late! But… the orc slashed his sword, catching Haldir on the arm… she needed to act… looking around frantically for an arrow as she was too far to get there in time… Haldir froze; staring at the blood running down his arm in shock… there was an arrow! Yanking it from the orcs lifeless body she wrangled her bow from her back, notched the arrow and aimed it at the mountain of an orc. She let it fly even as the orc lunged towards Haldir with his sword and Anna felt like the next couple of seconds stretched for an eternity.
She thanked all the gods in both her old world and this world when her aim was true, embedding itself firmly into the orcs hand that held the sword that would have taken the elf's life. It caused the orc to flinch for just long enough that Haldir managed to pull himself together and kill him. The elf then turned and found her. Their eyes met and she smiled, crossing her arm over her chest and dipping in a half bow in the traditional greeting of the elves. He returned the gesture and then he was gone again, swallowed up in the sea of battle.
Anna turned and began fighting her way back towards the center of the strong hold. It was only a matter of time before the first defenses were overwhelmed and the retreat was called. She did not fancy getting blocked off and unable to retreat into the last defenses; it would mean certain death. She managed to break through the initial wave of orcs; looking for other people as she went. There were several young boys that she was able to find and bring with her. They flocked around her like frightened chicks and she had to consciously remind herself that now was not the time to have a panic attack over the fact that she was basically the last line of defense for them.
"Stay close to me. Do not stray. Watch my back; tell me when you see an orc. Work together and we will get to safety."
Anna couldn't have been more proud of the four boys as they followed her instructions, working together to warn of incoming danger and watching her back as she led them towards the Great Hall. When the doors came into sight, she pushed them all towards them.
"Go! Get to safety."
She smiled in relief as they ran for all they were worth into the hall; the guards ushering them in. Turning back, Anna took a moment to steal herself. There was still time before the retreat would be called. She could save others.
"God help me find more. Just one more."
Snagging a quiver of arrows from a fallen soldier, she drew her bow and notched an arrow as she ran back down the streets. She looked everywhere; anywhere she could think that a small boy might try and hide and killing orcs that crossed her path. She found three more and took them to the Great Hall doors. Turning around, she went again. And again. And again. She searched everywhere, pulling boys from their hiding places where they cowered in terror and guided them to the Great Hall; telling them words of comfort as she went.
She was turning to go out on her seventh run when the horn was blown for the retreat. She hesitated for a second… she was already at the Great Hall. She was already at the safe point. But then she thought about all the boys out there, the children that were alone and afraid. She couldn't do it.
"Just one more."
Her search this time carried a hint of panic as she desperately looked for any others she could save. Counting the minutes in the back of her mind, she ran and called and gathered the boys to her side. The last boy she came across was white as a sheet and he was missing his left foot.
"It's alright. I'm here now. I'm going to get you to safety." Ripping her shirt in half, exposing her stomach, she quickly bound the boys stump. She turned to the biggest of the boys that she had with her and handed him her axe.
"You will have to carry this. Do not hesitate to use it."
She then turned and scooped the boy into her arms. Turning to her gaggle of children, she steeled herself and gave them what she hoped was a reassuring smile. There were eight of them plus the boy she carried. The largest group so far and Anna had no idea if they'd all make it back.
"Come on then. We're going to the Great Hall. Watch each other's backs. Since I'm carrying him I won't be able to react as quickly should we run into trouble. I'm counting on you boys. Let's go."
Looking back, Anna had no idea how they all made it to the Great Hall without running into any orcs. She liked to think that it was because the guy in charge upstairs was looking after her. It was certainly a comforting thought. They were the last to slip through the doors before they closed. Another guard took the boy she'd been carrying, making promises of getting him to a healer, and Anna's legs finally gave out. She wanted to cry but was too exhausted to expend the energy. Her vision swam for a moment and she wondered if she'd black out and almost welcomed the chance to rest. That is until she remembered that the battle wasn't over. They still needed to ride out and meet Gandalf with the Rohan riders. Eomer. His face swam into her vision and with it a renewed sense of purpose. She desperately wanted to see him and riding out with Aragorn would get her there faster.
Taking several deep, controlled breaths, Anna pushed her exhaustion to the back of her mind. Blinking a couple of times, her vision focused again and she forced herself to stand. Her knees shook with the effort but Anna ignored it and began looking for Aragorn. There were soldiers running around, bringing horses forward. She found Bellina fairly quickly and forgetting about Aragorn for a moment, she went to her mare. Her horse nickered and reached out to rub her face against her chest affectionately.
"I missed you too love. Are you ready to ride once more?"
"ANNA!"
She turned to find Gimli barreling his way towards her with Legolas and Aragorn behind him.
"There ye are lass! Still in one piece I see."
Laughing she pulled the dwarf in for a hug, "Of course! You didn't think I'd let a scummy orc take anything from me did you?"
"Nay lass, nay. I trained you well." Gimli pulled away, his face falling grave as he said, "They are riding out."
Aragorn reached and pulled her close to press their foreheads together, "I'm glad you're safe but it won't be so for much longer. We only have one last ride Anna."
She gave them a tired smile and shook her head. "No. Not the last. Gandalf will come with the Rohan riders. They will turn the tides and we will win."
She turned and patted Gimli on the shoulder, "Go blow the horn Gimli. Signal the riders to meet the orcs."
The dwarf turned and barreled his way to do just that. Legolas pulled her into a gentle hug and murmured, "Haldir spoke to me of a maiden who saved his life."
Anna couldn't help but let a miscevious grin slip through her exhaustion, "Lucky for him that maiden remembered where he would be and got there in time."
He chuckled and squeezed her before letting go. "That maiden took a great risk in doing so, but I'm glad that the Valor blessed her efforts."
"Are you able to ride out with us Anna?"
She turned and hauled herself into Bellina's saddle. Looking down at the two, she nodded, "I'll be right behind you the whole way."
And she was, sticking to them like glue as they pushed the orcs from the bridge and back through the wall. As dawn broke over the hill, the riders arrived and swept through the ranks of orcs like water through sand. By the time they'd killed the remaining orcs who'd been unable to retreat; Anna was honestly unsure how she remained in the saddle. Everything felt numb. She had long ago stopped feeling the cuts and bruises she'd acquired and now she sat staring out over the carnage with an odd feeling of detachment. She was ninety percent sure it was because she was in shock… and exhausted and probably dehydrated. Maybe blood loss. She felt like laughing at her ridiculous line of thought. Yup, definitely in shock.
"Anna?!"
A voice that she hadn't heard in what felt like forever rang across the battlefield and Anna felt life flood back into her veins at the sound. Eomer! Looking up, she frantically searched for his form, suddenly needing to be in his arms. Right. Now. She finally spotted him racing towards her and she stumbled off Bellina and ran to meet him.
"Eomer!"
She launched herself into his arms, colliding rather forcefully but she didn't care and Eomer didn't even stumble. He wrapped her up, holding her as close as he possibly could with his bulky armor, murmuring her name over and over again.
Anna hiccupped over the sobs that were suddenly spilling over and choked out, "I missed you. So much."
He pulled back enough to look into her eyes and murmured, "I missed you too little one. I dreamed of you and there wasn't a day that passed without you in my thoughts." He set her back on her feet, still holding her close and reached up to brush the tears from her cheeks. "But why are you on the battlefield? This is no place for a beautiful thing like you…" his eyes widened as he seemed to take in her appearance and then horror flooded over his face. "Do not tell me you were fighting."
Anna sighed, closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek into his hand. "They put boys no older than ten on the walls to fight Eomer. I refused to hide in the caves when children were expected to stand with the soldiers. Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn have been teaching me so I was not helpless and as you can see I am still alive." She met his eyes again and stated firmly, "I will not apologize for doing what I felt to be right. I hope you can respect my decision."
"Oh little one…" Eomer's voice cracked and he pulled her closer and pressed their foreheads together. "I am only distressed that you were placed in such a position to have to make that choice in the first place. I thought that Rohan would be safe for you and instead I put you directly into harm's way."
"No Eomer. You could not have known." She reached up and cupped his face with her hands, "This was not your fault and it doesn't matter anymore. The battle is done and over with and we are finally together. Let's not think about such things anymore."
He reached down and began placing kisses on her face, "You are right. I am just glad that you are safe."
"I'm glad you're safe too."
And then he caught her mouth in a deep kiss that told of so much unspoken love it took Anna's breath away. It was a rather chaste kiss, a firm pressing of their lips together, and yet it was the most sensual kiss Anna had ever experienced; and she had had her fair share of kissing. None of the kids in the cancer ward had wanted to die without experiencing at least one good make out session. She supposed that in her old life she might have been frightened about how quickly their relationship had progressed. She loved him. And she knew he loved her. Her parents would be horrified if they knew Anna had fallen in love with a man she'd only really known for maybe a week. But things were different here in this world and Anna only felt peace in her love for Eomer.
She sighed happily into his mouth and she felt him smile against her lips. He reached up and taking her head in his hands, he tilted her jaw up so that he could have better access. She felt his tongue gently swipe against her lips and she eagerly opened her mouth to let him deepen the kiss. When he slipped his tongue into her mouth and caressed her own she felt a shiver travel all the way down to her toes. Time seemed to stand still and she had no idea just how long they had been kissing before Eomer finally pulled away to press his forehead to hers.
"I've been dreaming of kissing you in such a way since the moment I watched you ride away from me."
Trying to catch her breath, Anna asked, "Was it worth the wait?"
Eomer gave a rather deep, sinful chuckle and answered by capturing her lips again, pulling a soft moan from her throat. Heat pooled low in Anna's stomach and she was suddenly wishing they were back in his cozy bedroom in Rohan instead of on the battlefield of Helms Deep.
The voice of the King rose on the wind as he called for his warriors to assemble so they might gather their fallen and bury them with honor.
"I must go." Eomer pulled away to look over his shoulder.
She sighed softly, dreading the next several hours that would follow as the women and children would come out from the caves to discover whether their men had lived or died during the night. He turned back and smiled gently down at her. Reaching up he brushed his fingers across her cheeks and murmured, "Take Bellina and go back into Helms Deep. You look about ready to collapse."
Anna wanted to argue with him; he had rode and fought and was still expected to help. He must have seen the look on her face because he chuckled and shook his head.
"Oh my little flame, you have been strong long enough. Go now. I will come find you as soon as I'm done here."
She sighed and dipped her head. She really didn't have the energy to argue and she did feel as if she would faint at any minute. To be honest, it would be a miracle if she made it back to Helms Deep.
"Very well." She looked back up to meet his eyes and shot him a stern glare, "But you are to find me the very minute you are done."
His eyes sparkled in amusement but he nodded, "Of course little one."
He helped her remount Bellina and with another promise of not being away from her for any longer than necessary, turned her towards Helms Deep and nudged her forward. Anna didn't really remember the ride back into the fortress, too focused on keeping her eyes open and staying in the saddle to be aware of anything else. Bellina's hooves clacked on the cobble stone as she faithfully carried her mistress through the gates and towards the palace. Anna's vision faded in and out as black spots danced before her eyes. Her body felt heavy, too heavy to remain upright anymore.
The sound of someone calling to her reached her ears but it sounded muffled, as if she was underwater. Using the last of her strength, she pulled her head up to see the concerned face of Haldir moving towards her. And then she was slipping, falling sideways off the horse and Anna had just the presence of mind to brace for the impact of hitting the stone road. To her surprise though, it never came. Strong arms caught her instead and she found herself blinking up into the beautiful pale eyes of the elf general.
He said something in elvish and then, "I have you nin aenil. All will be well."
She managed a faint smile and whispered, "Thank.. you sir. I am glad you are well…" and then her vision faded to black. The last thing she heard was the elf saying something in elvish and his arms squeezing her tighter before she passed out and knew no more.