Chapter 31: Helms Deep
Meanwhile, Tori, and the Rohan villagers drew closer to Helm's Deep. As the refugees trekked over a hill… they finally saw the great fortress, in the distance, at the end of the valley, tucked into the mountains. Cries of relief were heard as the great refuge was within their sights.
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" At last, Helm's Deep!" they cried, "There it is, Helm's Deep!
Immediately after they saw the fortress… everyone quickened their paces, rejoicing at their reaching at the fortress. Tori stood silently, letting the villagers pass her, giving their rejoicing cries…
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"We're safe!" the villagers cried out
"We're safe, my lady!" an old woman cried to Tori, "thank you!"
Tori hugged the old woman and they, and the villagers continue to walk on towards Helm's Deep. More of the women were hugging Tori in gratitude along the way. And even the children Eothain and Freda smiled believing that they were safe now at Helm's Deep.
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The gate opened. Tori and the refugees entered the huge fortress, each carrying what little possessions they took with them. Tori gazed at the mighty statues within the fortress, as well as the many people, who have already taken refuge within and were resting along the passage. Men… women… and children were scattered around the fortress… all torn up and worn out. The majority of the people were camping behind the Deeping wall.
Helm's Deep, named after Helm Hammerhand, the ninth king of Rohan, stood tall within the narrow and precipitous gorge of Aglarond with its great stone walls. And at its center… stood the lofty tower of Hornburg, the dwelling of Erkenbrand, master of the Westfold. Helm Hammerhand himself had taken refuge within the fortress, during the Long Winter of 2758-59 of the Third Age, during a time of civil war in Rohan.
There was chaos as the villagers milled about. Carts, personal possessions, and even small children, added to the pandemonium. The most heartening part of the pandemonium, was the reunion of Kelsey with her children, Ted and Chloe. The children ran towards their mother.
"Mama!" cried Chloe as the family of three hug and cry with joy.
"Ted! Chloe!" Kelsey cried as she clutched both children to her.
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Meanwhile, Tori had helped one of the refugees to gather the food supplies that they had on their long, trifling journey.
"Where is the rest?" she asked earnestly.
"This is all we could save, my lady," the man told her soberly.
Tori looked about at the many bushels of potatoes. There were lots of potatoes indeed. But it may not be enough to feed the thousands of people that have entered the fortress. Tori had to pray that it would be enough… for the time being.
"Take it to the caves," Tori ordered, then she heard the cries of the guard…
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"Make way for the king!"
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Hearing this, Tori immediately hobbled off towards the gate… where Anton, and what was left of his company, were entering the fortress, returning from the battle with the warg riders. They rode up the causeway as the guards shouted, "make way for Anton! Make way for the king!"
Tori continually rushed over through a tunnel… to meet her uncle at the foot of the Hall within the fortress. She looked about, seeing that there weren't so many soldiers with him. Tori saw that Dustin and Max were on their horses. Indeed she was relieved when she saw that Gimli, and the others have survived. But she couldn't find Trent anywhere despite Sanosuke riding his horse, which nearly survived being ambushed by the Warg that knocked down Trent. Anton dismounted from his horse, Snowmane, to meet with his niece, eye to eye.
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"So few," Tori said quietly to herself in dismay, "so few of you have returned."
Anton paused for a moment before he replied to Tori, "our people are safe."
Anton then helped an injured soldier from his horse as he added wearily, "…we have paid for it, with many lives."
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After hearing this fact from her uncle, her fears about Tori had increased greatly. Dustin and the others dismounted off of their horses. Max went up to Tori with sad expressions on their faces … to tell her about Trent's befalling, since they both knew that she would ask about him.
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"My lady…" spoke Max.
"…Lord Trent… where is he…?" she asked of them about Trent.
Max then sadly answered, "…he fell."
Hearing this, Tori became shaken with grief.
But despite the grudge that they had, they decided not to say anything, knowing it would only cause Tori more pain. Continuing to wallow in grief, Tori raised teary eyes to her uncle. He looked down in return, with his eyes shining with sympathy, as he looked back at her, and hers' filled with tears she could not afford to shed. Anton then walked away, confirming her unasked question. Tori had become attached to Trent for he was the only man… who truly understood her. She shall miss him indeed… as Saito had mentioned earlier.
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Anton continued up the stairs, to the battlements and overlooks the vast area surrounding Helm's Deep, making an assessment.
"Draw our forces behind the wall," Anton ordered, "bar the gate, and set a watch on the surround."
Danny inquired, "What of those who cannot fight my lord? The women and children?"
"Get them into the caves," the king replied, as he walked away from the battlements, "Saruman's arm would have grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here."
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The king walked past some of the refugees that camped behind the Deeping wall, beside a stream that came from a drain at the wall. But there was something about that drain… that could be used as a disadvantage for Anton…