Chapter 9

"It's the best option to save his people," Athena argued. "He has too many non-combatants, especially with Eomer and most of his cavalry gone."

"It's a death trap and he's basically giving the enemy an easy target," Ares yelled. "Better to be on the move so you have room to outflank your opponent. If one wall comes down or the gate falls then they're screwed. Especially, as you pointed out, they're main fighting force is elsewhere!"

Needless to say the King's decision to move the people to Helm's Deep had been met with varying opinions among the war gods. Even those whose power did not lay in war itself, were dubious as to this decision.

Poseidon understood how both options could be good and bad. He had many non-combatants in his city that he had to worry for when enemies attacked. Yet, the idea of locking ones' army into place, especially one with next to no options should the worse come to pass, did not sit well with him. At least the wizard was trying to find the main fighting forces to bring them there. Yet, would he reach them in time? So much could happen within mere hours during a battle. Sometimes one simple action, or inaction, could change the tides.

They had watched as the caravan of people meandered their way through the country side to the Keep. As pointed out earlier, the majority of the people were women, children and older men past their prime. The type of fighting that often occurred in this world would be very difficult for such men.

Of the fighting men they did have, a few were lost during the ambush of the Orcs on their strange monstrous steeds. Even Aragorn had fallen to them in an unlucky moment.

Several cringed as the man went over the side of the cliff and down into the river below. Yet, all agreed with Percia, unless a body showed up, they would not count the hidden king out.

Upon finally seeing Helm's Deep the arguments started again, this time pointing out all of the weak spots, or advantages. There were even more people already at the old fortress, many of which were wounded or sick. Indeed, Percia took charge at once seeing to those who needed tending. It was funny watching his girl steamroll these people into following her bidding. The young princess of the Rohirrim should take lessons. Though he did not like the way his girl worked herself into exhaustion.

It didn't help that the elf had pointed out she needed rest. That just started up the cooing from the females of his family and additional betting. At least Percia wasn't turning into one of those girls who melted every time a handsome face looked her way.

When Aragorn finally arrived it got interesting.

"10,000, that's it," Ares complained. "I thought for sure it'd be more."

"Well Unk, against this lot, that would actually be overkill," Strife pointed pout casually.

"True," the god conceded. "Though I guess it'll depend on what siege gear they brought."

"It may not matter if they shore up their defenses," Athena pointed out primly.

Poseidon rolled his eyes as the two war gods went at it again. He met Hades' eyes receiving a commiserative look in return.

It was a bit disheartening watching as the old men and several boys barely in their teens were outfitted for war. It reminded them all of their own demi-god offspring, who so often had to fight in wars not of their making or choosing. At least they were born with abilities that could assist them in battle. These children had nothing to aid them in the coming skirmish.

So when the brigade of elves arrive, all of them breathed a sigh of relief. While they held barely a thousand additional troops, it was still a great boon for their side. It did not take long to welcome the new arrivals and start positioning the troops. Percia received many looks but she ignored them all. Honestly those men should be thanking their own gods for her assistance in this battle instead of treating her as if she'd be a liability.

Suddenly Poseidon realized how most women must feel and he started to sympathize with Artemis and her hunters. If they had to put up with that all the time, no wonder they told men to piss off.

As night fell and the skies of Middle Earth darkened with rain clouds a sense of anticipation filled the room as the gods waited for the battle to begin. The sheer glee Aries and his were putting out certainly did not ease the tension. It grew as the enemy army filled in the large valley area before the Keep, line after line of deadly fighters, all armed to the teeth and ready to kill.

They watched as the men and elves stood still and silent as they observed the Uruk Hai beating the ground with their spears, growling and screaming at them. As thunder rumbled through the clouds and rain began to fall making the fighting conditions even worse. Nearly all of them sat on the edge of their seats as the men and elves notched their first arrows. Their breath was caught in their throats, their eyes locked on the screen.

Then a lone arrow struck down one of the Uruks completely by accident.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Hermes practically rolled on the floor along with Strife and a few others. Even Hades snorted at the rather comical incident.

Poseidon did as well, especially when he saw Percia snickering. Yeah, she was definitely one of them.

With that the tide was unleashed. Arrows fired back and forth, the Uruks stormed the walls, their ladders easily landing regardless of what the defenders did. More and more died on each side, though thankfully more on the Uruks' side. Then Percia did something he had never seen her do before. She literally turned the rain drops into bullets and took down at least three front lines.

"Damn! Where has that been," Ares bellowed angrily. "I would have loved to have seen that before! Punk's been holding out on us!"

"It takes a lot out of her though," Apollo noted, pointing out how Percia stumbled slightly, clearly tired from the use of her powers. "She probably just came up with the idea. That seems to be her way."

"True," Thalia chuckled in agreement. "Percia is one of the most unpredictable fighters I've ever met. But she made it interesting."

"Remember the time she bribed Mrs. O'Leary to play capture the flag, and had her sit on half of the Ares' cabin," Nico reminded his cousin, a reminiscent grin on his face.

"Or the time she unleashed a hoard of hamsters in the mess hall so she could 'liberate' all of the deserts," Thalia countered happily.

Many chuckled remembering their own experiences with Percia and her 'creative' antics. Poseidon just grinned proudly. It was far better to be flexible with your plans and unpredictable. It made for better outcomes.

"Is he counting," Persephone asked her husband as they watched the dwarf take one Uruk after another as they climbed the ladder.

"Indeed he is," her husband murmured, a glint of humor in his eyes. "Maybe I should have him work for me?"

"Looks like he's in competition with the elf," Apollo noted, looking to his sister with a wicked grin. "Ten drachmas the elf wins."

"Why would I bet on males," she snipped back. "Clearly Percia is the superior warrior here."

"True, but they don't have her extras, so it's more sporting," he chirped.

"In that case, the dwarf is going to win," Artemis stated primly. "He has far more determination than the golden show off. No wonder you picked the elf."

"Hey, what are those," one of the younger gods called out pointing to where a group of Uruks were placing strange objects inside the drain.

"I told you that would be a liability," Ares snarked at Athena.

"Well, this world isn't supposed to be advanced enough for that type of weaponry!"

"How'd they get mines," Tyson asked his brother worriedly. He had been helping many of the mermen clear out old mines in the oceans from the human wars of the past.

"It has to be that wizard," Triton muttered darkly. "He's probably been poking around with minerals and such. It wouldn't be that hard to find the right mixture. After all Gandalf has used fireworks for years…"

"At least Aragorn has realized the danger," Athena remarked.

Sadly it didn't seem to help as the Uruk running with the torch could not be felled by the arrows the elf was firing. Indeed, those who are prepared to die in battle often cannot be stopped without great force… Oh good girl.

The literal funnel of water that shot through the drain, pushing the mines into the Uruk was a blessed sight. The resulting explosion managed to singe the walls and shake the foundations, but little other damage. To Percia's side at least. The Uruk experienced several loses from the shrapnel alone. They got a good laugh as the dwarf demanded those kills only count as one.

"That has depleted a lot of the water resources," Amphitrite murmured to him, her eyes narrowed with worry. "Will there be enough if she needs it again?"

"I do not know, but I hope so," he replied.

The screen continued to monitor the fighting, showing various parts of the battle. A huge line of Uruks started up the main road to the doors of the Keep, their bodies protected by shields, like Legionnaires used to do.

At the front gates they saw the King work with his men to secure it, while Aragorn and Gimli moved to help.

"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Ares practically danced in his chair as the two made their way out of a secret side door and jumped onto the main roadway and started killing Uruks left and right, throwing them from the bridge to allow the men inside the Keep more time to shore up the door.

Poseidon didn't know whether to be impressed by their bravery, or worried about their clear disregard for their safety.

Several times he saw Percia in the fray, often pulling someone out of trouble and ending an enemy before her ally could be killed. He was so proud of her abilities. Yet, he knew even she could not keep this going for long.

In fact this battle had lasted an abnormally long time. The fact it was at night was also unusual, though he guessed the nature of the Uruks explained it. They were dark creatures, surely the darkness gave them strength. He felt for the men and elves all fighting. Some were able to switch out to the back lines, but not many, so all of them had to be exhausted. The will to survive and adrenaline the only things pushing them on. Still, many of them had fallen, and the enemy continued to push forward.

However, they did not experience the same time frame. The viewing circle seemed to only show portions at most. This was proven by the sky suddenly lightening, clear indications of dawn appearing.

"Hey, hey," Hermes called out. "What day is it there? Didn't the wizard say to look for him on the fifth day?"

"Well it certainly would be fortuitous timing for him to arrive."

Poseidon sighed at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Of course the wizard finally showed up. He could hear the thunder of thousands of hooves as the screen seemed to pan towards the mountain side. And there was the white conjurer, back lit by the sun with Eomer coming up next to him. Soon the cavalry was charging down towards the started Uruks.

The fresh troops were able to route the Uruks easily enough, and several ended up running away, right into the forest…

Wait. Where did…

"Pretty sure that forest was not there," Strife remarked casually, grinning as the trees suddenly started moving and the screams of dying Uruks echoed. "However, I fully approve."

He could see Ares looking to Demeter. "Sorry dearie, I'm not allowed to enable the trees here to do such."

The war god slumped and pouted.

Soon enough they could see the carnage left behind. That was the worst part of battle, the clean-up. For that is where you found the true cost of war.

XOXOXO