Behind the 'Deeping Wall', some Rohirrim Soldiers were helping the refugees to camp down while carrying as many provisions as they could. They were heading toward the Glittering Caves : a massive series of large, hollow caves inside the mountain connected to Helm's Deep which was usually used to protect the defenceless people during time of War… like right now.

" Come on people! Quickly, now !" one of the Soldiers yelled out loudly as he and his comrades directed the mass of refugees toward the Caves. Walking, through the crowd, Aragorn was talking with Legolas and Kopa. Isildur's heir was telling them what to do during the coming confrontation with the army of Uruks.

"We'll place the reserves along the wall... They can support the archers from above the gate..." The others nodded in agreement but then Legolas said in an urgent tone "Aragorn you must rest… You're no use to us half-alive !" "He is right you know… You should let us others handle this or you will tired yourself quickly during the fight !" Kopa added with a note which inquired no argument.

Aragorn opened his mouth to respond when a new voice caught their attention "My lord Aragorn !" They turned their heads to see Eowyn approaching them and behind her was Vitani who was carrying Ioreth on her back. Legolas backed off to help direct people leaving his two friends behind.

While Aragorn and Eowyn were talking , Kopa approached his mate who seemed worried about something "Love are you alright ?" he asked her in concern as he nuzzled her face. "I'm fine love its just… We are so few… against TEN THOUSANDS !" she responded in a soft tone (even at the last part). "Hey its okay… We survive many attacks during this journey and I'm sure the Great King of the Past will help us… We just have to believe in them..." his small speech seemed to calm her down a bit because she looked up at him with a soft smile before pressing her head against his mane, purring. With a smile on his own, he returned the gesture.

But their little moment was interrupted by Ioreth who asked innocently but still curiously "Auntie Tani ? Uncle Kopa ? Who are those 'Great Kings of the Past ?" The two Lions looked at each other for a moment until they turned their heads to look at her. "The Great Kings of Past are the spirits of all the deceased rulers of the Pridelands… " Vitani explained with a smile to the little girl whose eyes widened in awe .

Kopa smiled in amusement because the amazement in the child's eyes made him remember the fact that he acted the same back when he was a small cub when his father Simba told him about the Great Kings for the first time. "But if they are spirits… why can't we see them ?" Ioreth asked the two with a frown of confusion and this time it was Kopa who responded "The Great Kings of the Past can be seen for those who BELIEVE in them… but we can also see them at night..."

"Really ? How ?" the brown haired girl asked them with interest " At night we can see them shining in the sky… watching us~" Vitani responded with a warm smile and Ioreth's eyes widened in realization "Wait… you mean the stars ?" Both Lions nodded in response. The child stood there in silent , her mind was processing what the two told her.

Vitani and Kopa glanced at each other before the two walked away just as Eowyn and Aragorn stopped talking. The Blond Woman was walking after saying a "I'm sorry" to Isildur's heir who stood there for a moment before following the crowd into the caves.

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In the caves , as the night was beginning to come, the men and their sons were dragged away from their wives/mothers : from elderly men to young boys , all of them had to join the soldiers to battle. Kopa was standing at the entrance of the caves with Vitani and both of them were watching the separations with nothing but sadness. The Beige Lioness had left Ioreth under Eowyn's care and she comforted the Blond Woman as she was angry with her Uncle for not letting her fight.

"I can't believe Theoden would force them to fight…" the first one was saying to the latter who nodded in agreement saying "Some of them don't know how to hold a sword and less how to fight ! " "I know love…Its not a battle… Its a slaughter !" The Brown Maned Lion said back in a soft tone which was betraying his frustration. "The Uruks won't hesitate to kill them all ! They are nothing but bloodthirsty beasts !" Zira's daughter inquired with a growl.

"Whats worse is the fact that Theoden think the walls would protect them… But you hear what Gandalf said about Saruman…" Kopa remarked with a shiver. "If he is a crafty as Gandalf say he is… he MUST have planned something for the walls… Otherwise he wouldn't have sent such a colossal army !" Vitani responded back in agreement.

As the Felines were speaking, in the armory, Aragorn was checking a sword before tossing it back on a near table. The he walked toward Legolas and Gimli who were also there. Around them, some Soldiers were giving weapons to the 'recruited' people for the upcoming battle. "Farmers, farriers, stable boys… These are no soldiers !" Strider remarked as he stopped before his friends , shaking his head.

"Most have seen too many winters..." Gimli began to say before Legolas added in a firmness tone "Or too few !" Then the Blond Elf scanned the people before him and particularly at the look in their eyes : fear. "Look at them...They're frightened... I can see it in their eyes..."

As if they heard his comment, everyone present turned their heads to look at the Elf who turned around , pacing a few feet forward "Boe a hyn neled herain… dan caer menig ! (And they should be. Three hundred… against ten thousand !)" Legolas said in Elvish as he looked at Aragorn with a pointed look on his face and eyes.

Isildur's eyes looked at him with a shrug before answering in a neutral tone " Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras… (They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras…)" He was attempting to not make things more terrible that it was currently but then Legolas said something which made him angry "Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hýn ú ortheri. Natha daged aen !(They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!)"

"Then I shall like one of them !" Strider angrily stated as he faced the Elf who didn't flinched at his harsh tone. Around them, the gathering fighters were watching as the two were staring at each other. Suddenly, Aragorn turned around before walking away. Legolas tried to follow him but was stopped by Gimli who inquired in a neutral tone " Let him go, lad. Let him be..."

Far away from there, in Fangorn Forest, Merry and Pippin were getting annoyed by the Ents… They debuted this 'Council' in the morning and it was nighttime already.. but it was not was annoyed them… Treebeard had just told them they were finishing to say 'GOOD MORNING ' ?! An entire day just to say good morning ?!

Merry sighed deeply : its gonna be a loooooooooog night…

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Back to Helm's Deep, Aragorn was sitting on some stairs , alone. He was still thinking about his confrontation with Legolas earlier. The worst of it was the fact the Elf was right… Three Hundreds against Ten Thousands… its was impossible even if everyone would fight bravely. Around him, soldiers and non-soldiers were preparing themselves for the battle.

Then he looked to his left to see two boys huddling around a small fire. One had a spear and the other a sword. The latter of the two was looking around with a confused look on his face. "Give me your sword..." Aragorn said to the boy who turned around to look at him before approaching the Ranger. The boy's hold on his weapon lessened as Strider grabbed it " What is your name ?"he asked the boy calmly while holding the sword.

"Haleth, son of Háma, my lord..." The boy presented himself as Aragorn examined his weapon before adding "The men are saying that we will not live out the night... They say that it is hopeless..." The Ranger eyed him and was about to saw something when a new voice echoed near them "If everyone think we will lose then we will !" Aragorn turned his head to his right to see none other that Kopa who was coming closer.

" You must keep a straight face and stay strong despise the situation or it would be defeat !" The Brown Maned Lion said in a confident tone as Haleth looked at him "But why are you worried though ? I heard about the strength you possess and how fierce you are in battle… What are you afraid of ?" the boy asked him with confusion.

"Listen because I won't repeat myself : yes I am strong… Yes I'm fierce… but I'm not immortal ! I know we are fighting Ten Thousands Uruks but I don't complain do you know why ?" Haleth shook his head saying 'no' "Because I fight for those I love ! Protecting our loved ones are a good reason to fight and I'm ready to rush out of the Walls to jump the Uruks if that's mean protecting defenseless people… If you don't have a family, then you should fight for those who can't… The Elders, the children… Fight for them… and you will see a strength you never thought you had before !"

As Kopa finished his speech, Haleth seemed deep in thought while Aragorn looked at him with a smile as a fire was starting to burn in his eyes. Then the Ranger stood up before swinging the sword for a moment. When he finished, he handed it back to Haleth saying in a calm tone "This is a good sword, Haleth, son of Háma..."

Then Isiddur's heir putted a hand on the boy's shoulder adding "There is always hope… and you should listen to my friend's words… there are really encouraging…" Haleth nodded before walking away. As he got up, Aragorn glanced at Kopa before saying "It was a nice speech… Worth of a King's son !" The Brown Maned Lion grumbled in annoyance before muttering "I would love to see you doing the same you Majesty!" It was Strider's turn to become annoyed as the two of them were making their way inside with Kopa harboring a smirk on his face.

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Some times later, in the armory, Aragorn was preparing for battle : he was putting some chain-mail armor on him before covering them with his normal clothes soon followed by his weapons belt as all that was left now was his sword. Frowning when he saw that his weapon wasn't here, he looked around along to find it handed to him by his friend Legolas who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

The Ranger nodded in head to thank him and the Elf said in a calm tone "We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray... Forgive me... I was wrong to despair..." In response, the man smiled at him before mouthing out as he putted his hand on the Elf's left shoulder " Ú-moe edamed, Legolas… (There is nothing to forgive, Legolas...)" Legolas did the same in a friendly gesture, internally happy that Aragorn wasn't angry with him anymore.

Then the moment was broken by Gimli who just reached them as he was trying to put on a chain-mail armor " If we had time, I'd get this adjusted..." the Dwarf muttered soundly as he dropped the chain-mail which hitted the floor. It was far too big for him... After all, it was made for a human, not for a Dwarf…

It was at this moment that Kopa appeared followed by Vitani. They were standing at the stairs when they saw Gimli's unfortunate situation and did something everyone would do in front of such a spectacle : they laughed. "Quit you two !" The Dwarf angrily inquired to the laughing felines before adding at he looked at Aragorn and Legolas " It's a little tight across the chest..."

At those words, Strider and the Blond Elf smiled at their friend while Kopa and Vitani laughed harder. "I don't think its the only problem !" The Brown Maned Lion inquired between laughs. Vitani then added still laughing "You're just to SMALL to wear it !" The Dwarf's face was reddening in both anger and embarrassment as he glared at the two.

Then they froze when the sound of a blowing horn echoed in the air. "That is no Orc horn !" Legolas remarked to the group who quickly rushed toward the Walls… except Gimli because of his 'small' problem. At the same time, on the Walls, a Rohirrim Soldier looked off and seemed shocked by what he saw as he quickly say to a fellow soldier " Send for the king..." then he added louder " Open the gate !"

The gates soon opened and everyone's surprise, a massive column of cloaked and armed Elven warriors entered into Helm's Deep. The Elves walked up the stairs as the Rohirrim Soldiers were standing aside while looking at the newcomers : many of them seemed shocked, but we could notice the joy on some of their faces. Who wouldn't now that they had reinforcement ?!

An armored Theoden walked down from the Keep and into the courtyard with a look of disbelief on his face as the Lead Elf (who wore a red cloak and golden armor) approached him : it was none other than Haldir of Lothlorien. "How is this possible ?" The King of Rohan asked still in shock as Haldir bowed before him in respect.

As behind him, the Elven soldiers were gathering in the courtyard, Haldir looked at the King with a calm look on his face as he said those words "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell... An alliance once existed between elves and men... Long ago we fought and died together…" then he stopped and Theoden turned his head when Aragorn, Legolas ,Gimli, Kopa and Vitani appeared. The five seemed shocked by what they were seeing.

" We come to honor that allegiance..." Haldir finished with understanding as he looked at the group just as the Elves finished gathering in the courtyard. Aragorn and his comrades rushed down the stairs "Mae govannen, Haldir !(Welcome, Haldir!)" Strider welcomed the Lead Elf , putting his right hand to his heart. Then without warning, Aragorn pulled him into a hug which caught Haldir off guard before returning the gesture.

Kopa and Vitani glanced at each other before looking back at the two when Aragorn remarked with a smile " You are most welcome !" "Good to see you again Haldir of Lorien..." Kopa said to the Lead Elf who bowed his head in respect at the young Lion before doing the same to Vitani who nodded back. Legolas approached and the two Elves putted their hands on each other's shoulders in greetings.

It was at this moment that the other Elves turned their heads in perfect synchronization , followed by their bodies before slamming their bows on the ground with a loud clapping sound. Haldir then looked at Theoden with Legolas standing at his left side "We are proud to fight alongside men, once more !" Kopa looked over at his mate before saying softy "There's still hope..." he winked at her and she grinned at him before looking up at the sky. "Yes… There's still hope…" she thought to herself as everyone walked toward the Walls.

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Men and Elves were standing on the Walls watching as Saruman's army was slowly approaching. Theoden was overlooking his men from the central battlement of the inner wall. Above the gate, three wooden window-like holes were standing and some Rohirrim soldiers were hiding behind it . The Elves were placed on the Deeping Wall, and among them was their leader Haldir, and Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli.

In the deep, were another group of Elves but with them, there were Kopa and Vitani. They wanted to be on the Walls but because of their size they couldn't. The Brown Maned Lion looked at one of the Elves and he recognized him as the one he attacked back in the Lothlorien Woods. The Elf looked back at him and Kopa could see how wary he was of him. "Sorry about last time..." he began to say but the Elvish soldier stopped him by saying "I understand..."

The young Lion nodded at him before glancing at his mate who looked determined as he saw her unsheathing her claws. As everyone was standing on their spots, the sounds of heavy, metallic, marching footsteps echoed from the distance as Saruman's army marched towards Helm's Deep. For the Defenders, (especially the ones on the Walls) it was like looking at an endless wave of lit torches which was illuminating the massive army for a long distance.

Despise the terrifying sight, none of them showed a hint of fear on their faces. On the walls, Legolas and Gimli were standing among Elvish Soldiers and the Dwarf was having some trouble seeing over the wall "You could have picked a better spot !" he muttered to his comrade who smile in amusement at his misfortune… again.

Aragorn then walked over before standing with the two "Well lad, the luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night..." Gimli remarked to the newcomer just as thunder was beginning to flush the sky and the wind was picking up. "Your friends are with you, Aragorn..." Legolas said back with confidence and determination without keeping his eyes away from the Uruks.

"Let's hope they last the night..." Gimli said in the same tone that earlier. Aragorn shook his head in amusement as he walked away leaving the two behind. From his spot, Theoden looked up at the sky with his eyes when thunder flashed through the darkness. A few seconds later, it started to rain. First, it was calm before it intensified ,pouring down like crazy as the seconds passed.

"Oh great just great !" Vitani muttered loudly as water was falling on her fur. Kopa grumbled in annoyance as his mane was falling in his eyes. But still, he refused to leave and stood there, waiting.

On the walls, the gathered Rohirrim and Elvish Soldiers were still looking forward as Saruman's army drew closer and closer. Then one of them , most likely a Leader, climbed onto an outcropping rock before roaring.

Aragorn was walking back and forth on the Walls , yelling in Elvish "A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas !(Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!)" The Uruks were still walking forward, until their Leader roared out while raising his sword and this caused the army to stop dead in their tracks. Everyone tensed as both sides were staring at each other, waiting for who would make the first move.

Gimli was jumping up and down as he tried to look over the wall in vain "What's happening out there ?" he asked Legolas who responded with a hint of humor "Shall I describe it to you ? Or would you like me to find you a box ?" The Dwarf looked at him before laughing in a sarcastic manner.

At the same time, the Uruks were starting to pound their pikes to the ground again and again as their Leader letted out a serie of roars. Aragorn drew his sword as he stood on the walls among the Elves. Kopa and Vitano's bodies tensed as they waited for the upcoming battle. Up on the higher walls, the Rohirrim Archers were pulling the arrows back on the bows, ready to shot.

In front of the Walls, the Uruks were still pounding the ground with their pikes , roaring when suddenly, an arrow flew in the air before striking the neck of one of the front Uruks. The one responsible ? An old man who accidentally letted the arrow slipping of his hand. The striking Uruk landed on his comrades who stood there, surely taken aback by what just happened.

"DARTHO ! (Hold !)" Aragorn yelled out just as the striking Uruk fell on the ground, dead. Around the body, the army stopped pounding to look at their fallen comrade. Theoden looked surprised by what just happened but he was also a bit worried of what this 'incident' was about to cause.

In the Deep, Kopa and Vitani had noticed that the Uruks had stopped pounding and looked at each other with a frown "What's going on ?" the Brown Maned Lion asked his mate in a soft tone but she shrugged in response as she didn't have an answer for this. But then they flinched when a chorus of angry roars echoed in the air before the sound of many footsteps were heard. The two Lions knew what this meant : their enemies were charging. "So it begun..." Theoden remarked from his place as the army of thousands Uruks charged the Walls…

The Battle of Helm's Deep had just begun…

(To be continued…)