"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," John 8:32

Théoden's company rode in silence the rest of the way to Helms Deep. The only thing Noelle had on her mind was still trying to comprehend the fact that Aragorn was gone. This all just seemed to be one bad dream that she would never wake up from.

They reached the fortress at late afternoon. Noelle handed Flash off to a young stable boy, while she headed off to the walls, lost deep in thought. And yes, she didn't care that she was by herself again. If Náedran showed up to bother her, she'd Force-push him off the wall.

As she leaned against the wall, her chin on her arms, she noticed a single, solitary rider headed their way.

She wondered if she should tell somebody, but as he got closer, her heart leapt.

It couldn't be.

Noelle ran as fast as her legs could carry her down to the front gate.

Gimli was already yelling. "Where is he? I'm gonna kill him!" He hugged Aragorn. "You are the luckiest, the canniest, and the most reckless man I ever knew! Bless you laddie!"

If only he had met Anakin, Noelle thought with a snort. Anakin made Aragorn's antics look like child's play.

"Aragorn..." She shook her head, trying to keep the aggravation out of her voice. "Please, please. You all need to stop scaring me to death. Literally."

Aragorn smiled slightly, as she gave him a side hug too. "I need to see the king, Noelle." He lowered his voice to barely a whisper. "They're coming."

"A great host, you say?" Théoden asked, not sounding concerned at all.

"All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn added.

"How many?"

"Ten thousand strong at least."

"Ten thousand?" Noelle and Théoden repeated at the same time.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose," said Aragorn. "To destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall."

"Ten thousand," Noelle repeated to herself in disbelief. Aragorn had to be mistaken...

But she knew he wasn't. Gandalf had told her Saruman was breeding an army of Uruk hai, and if there were really ten thousand of what they had run into before, they would all be dead before morning.

"Prepare to move the women and children into the caves!" Théoden was ordering. "I want you to gather every man and strong lad able to bear arms-"

"Noelle," Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder, interrupting her thoughts. "You should go with them."

Noelle looked up. "What? No! You're kidding, right?"

But Legolas closed his mouth and looked at her intently. No, he was dead serious.

Noelle sighed. Ignoring him, she stomped off. She might as well go to the armory now and find something that would hopefully fit her, and get her sword sharpened just to be safe.

Noelle actually did manage to find female-fitting armor in the armory. It had been more than awkward asking for it, but luckily the guy there was an elderly gentleman, who really didn't seem to understand why Noelle was there. She stashed her armor in a corner so it wouldn't get lost, then decided to find everyone else and see what the plan was.

She still kept thinking about what Legolas had said. About going into the caves. She couldn't believe him.

Why did he-

Noelle stopped short in the throne room, when she saw them all staring at her. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Théoden, Gamling, several other people and...

Náedran.

"What's going on?" she asked aloud, her voice even. She scanned their faces. Aragorn and Gimli looked furious. Théoden looked concerned, while Náedran had a rotten grin on his face.

Legolas was standing stone-still, his eyes never leaving her as she crossed the room.

Bewildered, Noelle turned her attention to the King. "Your Highness, have I done something wrong?"

"No, no you have not, my dear," Théoden glanced at Náedran. "However, I think it may be in your -and our- best interest if you joined my niece in the caves."

Noelle frowned and crossed her arms. "And why's that?"

"Because a woman has no place in battle," Náedran sneered, cutting off Théoden before he could answer. "Least of all, a witch."

Noelle's frown turned into a scowl. This must have been why everyone looked so upset. Because of him. She turned to face the others in the room. "Have I not already proven myself? You need me, your Highness."

"She can't prove anything!" Náedran ran towards her, but not before Noelle stretched out her hand and stopped him in midair.

She held Náedran about five feet into the air -not high enough to kill him- then dropped him. "Anyone else?"

Náedran groaned and stood up. "Yes. Me. I challenge you, one warrior to another. No powers, she-devil."

Noelle paused. Should she really say yes to this? Should she give in to this maniac's desire to scare or overwhelm her, whatever his intention was. But then, deep down, her annoyance and anger with him got the better of her. Maybe it was time to show him who's boss. She drew her sword.

"I accept your challenge."

From the corner of her eye, she saw Aragorn grab Legolas's arm as he started to move forward.

For the briefest moment, she met his blue eyes, then turned her attention back to her opponent.

No powers. Well, that didn't mean she couldn't use the Force to clear her mind- and move faster than him.

She closed her eyes. And sensed Náedran running towards her with his sword ready to strike the left side of her face.

Noelle swiftly leaned backwards, avoiding the blow. He moved behind her and she whipped around, clashing blades with him again.

Noelle was surprised that he didn't seem even a little bit intimidated by her, or at least, surprised by how well she was doing, considering she was "just a girl." If anything, he seemed more amused. Kind of like how General Grievous had been pleased to see just about any of the Jedi.

Noelle's thoughts and her analyzation of her opponent caught her off-guard, as the tip of Náedran's sword nicked the back of her hand, drawing blood.

Noelle composed herself quickly enough to block another blow, even though her hand was in pain. Náedran forcefully pushed his blade against hers. He smirked.

"I've been looking forward to this."

"Have you?" Noelle asked through gritted teeth. "Can't say I have."

Náedran's voice dropped significantly, until it was more like a hiss. "Oh yes, he has been looking forward to meeting you, Jedi."

Noelle's eyes widened. "What did you just call me?" she whispered. A sudden fury overtook her that she didn't know was inside her. Knocking Náedran's sword out of his hand, she then Force-pushed him violently to the ground, cornering him.

All too easy.

She placed her foot on his chest and pointed his sword at his neck. "You are beaten! Now tell me, who is he?"

Náedran smiled. A hideous, evil grin. "Saruman!" he spat. "Saruman is looking for you, Jedi."

Saruman? But how did Saruman-

"Náedran?" There was a look of horror and realization on King Théoden's face as he stepped closer to them. "You were working for Saruman."

Náedran laughed. "He's coming. He'll have you all dead at his feet by tomorrow. Yes, Jedi. Go hide in the caves. Saruman will have your head on his wall."

Noelle's head was spinning. How did this make any sense? She hadn't told anyone that she had been a Jedi, except Gandalf and Legolas.

"Take him away to the lower cells," said Théoden sadly, beckoning to Gamling and another soldier.

He stopped before passing Noelle and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lady Noelle. I will not order you to go down into the caves, as you are not my subject. But it would set my heart at ease to know you are safe with my niece. Éowyn could use some good company, I think." Then he left the throne room, leaving her alone in the room with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.

The three of them looked more stunned and concerned than she was feeling right now.

Aragorn spoke first. "Saruman is looking for you?" he asked, clearing his throat. "Did you know that?"

Noelle swallowed. "If I had known, I would have told you," she whispered. "I wouldn't put you all in danger."

She had been through worse, but that didn't mean this situation was any good.

Legolas stepped closer and placed his hand on her arm. "Noelle, perhaps King Théoden is right-"

Noelle sighed in exasperation and frustration, feeling tears sting the back of her eyes. "NO! Legolas! I'm not going down there! I don't-"

-understand. She just didn't understand why he acted the way he did.

Before he could respond, she turned on her heels and walked swiftly out of the throne room.

Legolas didn't even have the chance to call her name before she was gone. He started to go after her before Gimli grabbed his arm. "Let her go, lad. Let her be. You know how she is."

"No." Legolas shook his arm free of Gimli. "She does not understand." And with that, he went after her.

Still trying to hold back her tears, Noelle walked as quickly as she could to the front gate of Helms Deep, only hoping Legolas wasn't following her.

She stood outside on the ramp as the first tear came. She wiped it away on her sleeve and remembered that the back of her hand was still bleeding.

Oh heck with it. That was the least of her problems.

Shaking her head and gazing into the distance, she wondered if Saruman really was out there trying to find her. If she should leave and keep everyone safe. But she knew that wouldn't matter. Saruman would raze Helms Deep to the ground to get her attention, to use her compassion against her.

She had to stand. She had to fight. Not because they needed to win, but to protect the people of Rohan.

She didn't care what Legolas said. He didn't understand. He understood her about as well as she understood him. Noelle snorted sarcastically, thinking about it.

Ironic, wasn't it?

"Noelle?" came a quiet and gentle voice behind her.

Noelle squeezed her eyes shut and didn't move. She knew who it was. He had known exactly where to find her, too. He always did. "Legolas, please leave me alone," she responded. Arguing with him was the last thing she felt like doing right now.

"I only want to talk, nothing more," Legolas came around to face her.

Noelle finally looked up to meet his eyes. "You don't want me to fight in the battle." It was a statement, not a question. "Legolas, I can take care of myself."

"I know. I know you can," Legolas answered quietly. "I've seen you. You have the skills to rival even the great future King of Gondor himself."

"Then what is it?" Noelle said, her voice hard.

"I want to see you safe," Legolas pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His eyes were drawn to her bleeding hand, but he said nothing. He swallowed. "Ten thousand, Noelle, against three hundred of us. That is my fear. That Náedran is right and we will all be dead before morning."

Noelle didn't answer, as she was still gazing out into the distance past Legolas's shoulder. "How am I any better than Saruman if I hide in the caves, while everyone else up here stands and fights? We lose up here, we lose down there. It's not about winning, it's about protecting them."

Legolas was silent for a moment. He seemed to be considering her words, but there was something holding him back- she could feel it. He dropped his gaze and frowned. It was almost like when she had asked him why he wanted to know her story.

Noelle was still gazing out into the distance. "Legolas, I don't know what to do," she whispered, preoccupied with the thought of having to face the wizard. That was a battle she wouldn't win alone.

"I cannot watch you die," Legolas suddenly blurted out.

Noelle looked up in surprise because of the tone of his voice. Choked. Raw with emotion. It was something about that that startled her. She suddenly felt an overwhelming rush of emotion wash over her, hearing the grief in his voice.

She reached over to touch his arm comfortingly. "Legolas, I'm not going to die," she said softly, her voice barely a whisper.

Legolas gently pried her hand off his arm -not the injured one- and brought it to his lips, brushing his soft lips over her knuckles.

Noelle almost gave a small gasp in surprise, but she managed to meet his eyes. "I promise, and if I do, I'll be right next to you." The words left her mouth before she realized she had said them.

Legolas only smiled slightly, something she hadn't seen him do in quite some time. He brushed her cheek. "'Tis fair enough."

Noelle nodded, still feeling like there was something missing between them. Some uncharted territory that they hadn't crossed yet, and it had everything to do with yesterday night, and right now.

She forced herself to look him straight in the eye. His eyes were as deep a blue as the ocean- far deeper than her own, and there was that age and wisdom that came with them. Although she was normally so closed-off, he could probably read her like an open book. But she didn't care. She wasn't afraid of him. Of being honest with him. Not like she had been before.

"Legolas..." she started. How on Middle-earth was she supposed to ask this? "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything you wish."

"That's what you said last time, but you never answered my question."

Legolas froze like a deer in headlights and she saw that look on his face again.

Noelle made herself ask her question again, as hard as it was. "Why do you act the way you do around me?" she whispered.

"Because I-" Legolas stopped himself short. Noelle studied every aspect of his perfectly handsome face. While at first he had seemed torn, she saw a definitive decision being made on his features.

He reached over and touched the side of her face again, as Noelle felt her breath catch in her throat and the same rush of nerves in her stomach. She was about to whisper his name, but she couldn't.

Legolas stepped closer to her and slowly began to lean down. Noelle closed her eyes and she felt his soft lips brushing tenderly against hers. It was slow and brief, but just long enough that she could feel her cheeks burning. When Legolas pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, his eyes still closed.

"I love you," he breathed.

Noelle could feel her heart beating its way out of her chest. Out of all the insane things she had been through over the past five years...

"I know," she finally responded, her voice breaking with emotion. "Somehow I think I've always known."

The Elf lightly brushed his thumb over her cheek.

Noelle opened her eyes, her heartbeat racing as if it was going to burst, and remembered what she had been thinking of not moments before. Her fear.

"I can't do this, Legolas," she whispered.

She then felt his arms slip around her waist as he began to draw her in for a hug. Noelle could feel herself begin to stiffen, but forced herself to let go. As she rested her head against his chest, his breath in her hair, she calmed down.

Standing there on the ramp at Helms Deep wrapped in his arms was the longest, most beautiful, and most peaceful moment of her life.