Chapter 42: The Host of the Eldar
Night fell over Helm's deep. Everyone was getting ready for war at the battlements. Trent sat on the steps to the hall, deep in thought.
Trent then glanced to the side and saw a young, teen-aged boy in armor holding a battered sword, looking around nervously. The boy was both confused and overwhelmed, by what will take place very soon.
Trent called out to the boy, "young lad! Give me your sword."
The boy responded to Trent's summons and slowly went over to him to give his sword to Trent.
"Sam, son of Cole, my lord," the boy answered in a voice that has not yet deepened, "…the men are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless."
…Then swung it back and forth a few times, before holding it firm in his hand. The sword may have been battered, but it still had a very mean swing, courtesy of Trent.
Trent looked at the sword, in its battered condition, and believed that it was still good in battle.
"This is a good sword," said Trent as he gave the sword back to Sam, "…Sam, son of Cole…"
Trent placed his hand on the boy, as he added firmly, "…there's always hope."
Trent went back into the armory and started to put his battle armor on.
Trent adorned himself in his whole battle gear as he suited up in chain mail, belted the elven dagger at his waist, and buckled on his gauntlets…
As Trent was finishing up with his battle gear… his sword, appeared in front of him… held by Dustij, wearing no armor, save pauldrons over his shoulders.
Trent's sword was handed to him as he reached for it. He nodded and accepted the sword from Dustin.
"We have trusted you this far, you have not led us astray," said Dustin with a rueful smile.
"Forgive me," added Dustin, apologetically, "I was wrong to despair."
"…Ú-moe edaved, Dustin (there is nothing to forgive, Dustin)," resolved Trent as he and Dustin smiled clapping one another on the shoulders.
Max came in, struggling with a piece chain mail…
"It seems that you people have the time to talk," the African-Asian American Dwarf grumbled.
Trent and Dustin went speechless as they saw Max having a hard time with his battle gear, trying to settle himself in the mail.
"Because if we had more time," Max went on, grumbling even more, "I'd get this adjusted."
Max was finally able to pull the chain mail down over his chest, and let it fall the rest of the way, landing, with its length, right to the floor. He glanced up at his companions, who tried to hide their smiles.
"…It's a little tight across the chest," Max said nervously.
A horn sounded… that made everyone gasp.
"that is no Orc horn," answered Dustin, observing that the sound of the horn was very beautiful and graceful,
Everyone then ran out towards the battlements, to see what this new revelation was.
On the wall, the guards look down in wonderment as a soldier ordered another guard, "send for the king."
Then the guard called out, "open the gate!"
"Open up the gate!" another soldier called out, relaying the message.
Before their very eyes…
…A Company of soldiers marched up the causeway… and entered into the fortress. They were the Elves of Lothlorien, fully equipped with their armor and weapons, carrying the banners of the white lady of the wood, Hayley. The soldiers gazed upon them in great wonderment and delight as they passed, feeling that now… there was some hope left for Rohan after all…
Anton went out into the fortress to see what has arisen. He walked down the steps from the Hornburg to the marching company of Elves, and met their leader, Ryan Mitchell, who bowed before Théoden at his arrival.
"…How is this possible?" Anton asked with great perplexity.
"I bring word from Sensei Kanoi of Rivendell," answered Ryan as the soldiers stopped their march, "an alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together…"
Just then…
Trent, Dustin, and Max appeared from the top of the steps, amazed and surprised to see who it was that they heard coming, since their meeting in Lothlorien.
Ryan looked up at his old acquaintances of the Fellowship and finished, "…we've come to honor that allegiance."
Trent runs down and hugs Ryan.
Trent then released Ryan saying, "you are most welcome!"
As Dustin hugs Ryan the elves swiftly turn towards him and stand to attention.
The company of Elves then… with great discipline worthy of an army… turned in unison to face the king and his soldiers…
"We are proud to fight alongside men, once more," proclaimed Ryan proudly to the king.