Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Hope you like this one.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 16- A Storm is Brewing
Jakan sighs a bit with relief as Helm's Deep finally comes into view. It's been hours since they left the site of the battle. The entire ride, Jakan has been musing on what happened, and mentally cursing himself for not doing more to make sure something like this didn't happen.
But now, he turns his attention to Helm's Deep itself. The fortress is made of two main parts. The main fortress rests right up against the mountain on one side of the valley, with a long causeway leading up to the main gates. The keep seemed to be made of two main parts, the central keep, known as the Hornburg, and the Outer Wall surrounding it.
The second part was the Deeping Wall, a massive fortified wall that ran from the Hornburg all the way to the other side of the valley. The Wall was over thirty feet high, and at first look, seemed to be at least ten feet thick, if not thicker.
As he rides closer, Jakan is already going over battle strategies. It's clear the first target of the assault is probably going to be the Deeping Wall, as that will probably be a slightly easier target than the Gatehouse.
Jakan follows Theoden up the causeway and into the main fortress. They ride up through the fortress before coming to a stop in a courtyard.
Eowyn hurries out to greet them but looks surprised. "A third of you have failed to return!" she exclaims in surprise.
"Our people our safe. We have paid for it with many lives, and without Jakan Shan, we would have lost many more," Theoden replies to Eowyn's exclamation.
Gimli then walks up to Eowyn, looking very solemn. Feeling very nervous, Eowyn asks, "Lord Aragorn. Where is he?"
Gimli doesn't respond for a moment, then says in a choked up voice, "He fell."
Eowyn looks shocked, and turns to Jakan, right as the Mandalorian looks at her. Jakan stares back at her for a moment, knowing what the question in her eyes is, and nods slightly. Eowyn turns and slowly walks away, horrified. Jakan stares after her before walking off after the king.
Jakan follows Theoden as the king takes stock of the situation. Once the king has toured the fortress to makes sure he has all the numbers he needs to plan for the coming days, he invites Jakan to come with him to the main chamber in the Hornburg to take part in a planning meeting.
As the meeting progresses, Theoden begins discussing with Hama and Gamling about the current food situation within Helm's Deep. However, before the discussion has really progressed, Jakan cuts in and says, "My lord, I fear that this discussion will, in the end, be of little use to us. Saruman will have nothing to gain from a prolonged siege. He wants Rohan destroyed quickly. Therefore, I feel it almost certain that what we should expect in an all out attack some time very soon."
"I appreciate your concern, Jakan. However, until now, attacks by Saruman have been little more than raiding parties. These do not suggest a particularly large total force in his possession," Theoden says.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, our Fellowship faced over a hundred Uruk-Hai at Amon Hen. There has been plenty of time for Saruman to breed far more Uruk Hai. I think we need to be prepared for a massive assault. We need to prepare any defenses we possibly can, and assemble any defensive weapons such as catapults you may have," Jakan says.
Hama speaks up and says, "We have no such defensive weapons, Jakan. All we have is our arrows, as well as rocks to throw at anyone who attempts to attack the gate."
Jakan wishes he had his helmet on so that he could let his facial expression reflect his mood instead of forcing himself to look calm. He's genuinely beginning to feel worried about the ability of the Rohirrim to defend Helm's Deep with the numbers they have at the moment, especially as the battlefield will prevent them using the Rohirrim's best weapon: their superb cavalry.
Right then, the doors are thrown open. Everyone turns to look at who did it, and are shocked to see Aragorn walking into the room. Jakan's eyes shoot open.
"If people keep coming back from the dead, I'm gonna start freaking out," Jakan whispers to himself.
Aragorn explains that he had survived the fall into the river, and had been found by Theodred's old horse Brego, who he rode to Helm's Deep. He then explains he had seen a massive army of Urk-Hai marching towards the fortress.
"A great host you say?" Theoden questions.
"All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn confirms.
"How many?" Theoden asks, needing Aragorn to be more specific.
"Ten thousand strong, at least," Aragorn says.
Jakan can't keep his eyebrows from rising a bit in surprise. He had known they were going to be heavily outnumbered, but he hadn't expected 10,000 Uruk Hai.
Theoden is equally shocked. "Ten thousand?" he asks in horror.
Aragorn stares back at the king as he replies simply, "It is an army bred for a single purpose. To destroy the world of men." He pauses for a moment, then adds, "They will be here by nightfall."
Now Jakan feels more alarmed. This doesn't really give them any time to prepare any more defenses.
Theoden stands there for a few moments. Then, he turns and starts walking towards the door as he declares, "Let them come!"
Everyone follows Theoden out of the hall and out into the courtyard outside. As they walk down towards the gate, Theoden turns to Hama and says, "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall." Hama nods and hurries off.
Jakan, wearing his helmet again, allows his eyes to shoot wider, hardly able to believe what he's hearing. He's starting to wonder whether or not Saruman's sorcery has had any lingering effect on Theoden that would cause him to conscript men and boys not really suited for war. Jakan feels strongly that these conscripts will mostly just end up being sword fodder for the Uruk Hai.
Theoden walks out onto the causeway, past men who are reinforcing the gate. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and Jakan all walk out with him.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall, or set foot inside the Hornburg!" Theoden declares confidently.
"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-Hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad," Gimli says warningly.
Theoden walks up to the dwarf, eyes slightly narrowed. "I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep," he says with a hint of irritation before walking back through the gate. Gimli looks a little miffed, but follows the rest of the Fellowship as they follow Theoden.
As Theoden walks up to the courtyard outside the main keep, he says, "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown. Homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!" Aragorn declares, fearing Theoden is in denial about the threat facing them, a fear shared by the rest of the Fellowship.
Theoden whips around and steps up right in front of Aragorn, his face just inches away. "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."
Jakan had started to feel hopeful at Theoden's first few words, but that last line drops his spirits again. He begins to fear for the morale of the Rohirrim if Theoden has already seemingly decided they're doomed.
Theoden continues to stare at Aragorn for another moment before turning and starting to walk away. He makes it about two steps before Aragorn says, "Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid."
Theoden walks slowly back up to Aragorn. "And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? Mandalorians? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead, and I do not see new ones forming so soon," he says somewhat cynically.
Boromir has been paying attention to all this, and feels he must now defend his own land. He steps forward and says, "No matter whether other lands will send aid, Gondor will answer Rohan's call, King Theoden."
THeoden turns to Boromir angrily, Boromir's words dredging up his enmity for his father, Denethor. "Gondor?! Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where were you, Lord Boromir, when…" Theoden manages to stop himself from mentioning his son, fearing that might brake the brave façade he is trying to maintain for his people's sake. He recomposes himself before saying, "No, Lord Boromir. We are alone."
Theoden walks away, Gamling following close behind. Boromir remains standing where he was, a little stunned. Through all this time, he had thought other people still thought highly of Gondor. Now, Theoden's words are beginning to open his eyes to the truth, and he begins to feel ashamed. Jakan notices, and lays a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder before following after Theoden.
Jakan stands in the middle of the armory, watching as the soldiers and Royal Guards hand out weapons and armor to the conscripts. It's been hours since Aragorn's return, and night has now fallen. Jakan has removed his armor for the first time since Lothlorien so it could be cleaned and so he could have a little bit of a breather.
Jakan had spoken to Gamling not long ago. The man had told Jakan that, as of that time, Helm's Deep was comprised of 352 individuals, not including the Fellowship and Theoden. That included 35 Royal Guards, 107 regulars, 20 yeomen archers, and 190 conscripts. Gamling had made certain to make sure Jakan knew that had he not been there for the battle against the warg riders, there would likely be only around 300 defenders right now. While that statement helped ease Jakan a tiny bit, it didn't fully calm him, knowing that the odds, number wise, were about 28.5 to 1 against the Rohirrim. But the Uruk Hai were superior to over half of the defenders.
Aragorn walks up beside Jakan, looking around at the conscripts. "Farmers. Ferriers. Stable boys. These are no soldiers," he says.
"I have to agree with you there, Aragorn. Their faith in their country will not be enough to carry them through this battle," Jakan says.
Boromir walks over, wearing the armor of a Royal Guard who had been wounded in the battle with the warg riders. "I fear these conscripts will prove little better than sword fodder for the Uruks," Boromir mutters.
Gimli pipes up and says, "Most have seen too many winters."
"Or too few," Legolas adds. He glances around again and says, "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."
Legolas' words are heard through the armory, and everyone in the armory stops look at Legolas, his words striking a chord. He starts to turn and walk away, then turns around and begins speaking to Aragorn in Elvish.
Legolas has been teaching Jakan how to speak Sindarin since they left Rivendell. While he doesn't know enough to carry on a fluent conversation, Jakan is able to understood a large number of words. He can't really make out Legolas' first sentence, but recognizes him say, "352…against ten thousand."
Aragorn replies, and Jakan is able to make out the words, "than at Edoras."
Legolas responds in a grave tone. This time, Jakan understands the entire thing as Legolas says, "They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die."
"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn replies loudly, switching back to the Common Tongue, stepping up right in front of Legolas. The two stare at each other for a few moments before Aragorn turns and storms out of the armory.
Legolas goes to follow him, but Jakan lays a hand on his shoulder and says, "I'll talk to him, Legolas."
Jakan walks out of the armory and follows Aragorn out to the courtyard outside the armory.
"How much did you understand?" Aragorn asks.
"Enough," Jakan replies.
Despite himself, Aragorn manages a slight smile, and says, "Your Sindarin is improving."
The two exchange grins before their faces fall again, and Jakan sits down on a step next to Aragorn. He says, "I agree with both of you. Legolas perhaps should have not said what he did, let alone in front of all the Rohirrim when they need morale more than ever, but he was not wrong either. 352, plus us, is not enough to defeat the Uruk Hai."
Aragorn nods. But Jakan then says, "But, I haven't given up hope. Maybe it's my Force sensitivity, but I get the feeling we're not going to fight this battle alone."
"You believe your people are coming?" Aragorn asks.
"I have no idea. But I just feel that someone will come to our aid," Jakan says.
Aeagorn nods slighty, then notices someone behind Jakan. He looks over Jakan's shoulder, and Jakan turns to see where he's looking, and sees a young boy, maybe 12 or 13, wearing a suit of armor and holding a sword.
"Give me your sword," Aragorn calls to the boy. The boy turns to him, then slowly walks over. As he hands the sword to Aragorn, Aragorn asks, "What is your name?"
"Haleth, son of Hama, my lord," the boy says. Aragorn looks down at the sword, and Haleth adds, "The men are saying we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless."
Aragorn looks back at Haleth briefly, then stands up. He whirls the sword around a few times, testing it, before examining it one more time. He then turns to Haleth and says, "This is a good sword, Haleth son of Hama." He then hands the sword back, rests a hand on his shoulder, and adds, "There is always hope."
As Haleth walks away, Aragorn turns to Jakan and says, "It is time." Jakan nods, and the two walk back to the armory.
As Aragorn begins donning his armor, Jakan walks over to his, freshly cleaned and ready for combat again. He looks it over once, then begins to don it. His leg armor, pauldrons, chest piece, wrist guards, and back piece. He slides his crushgaunts on, followed by his vambraces. He slides his jetpack onto his back, the Darksaber still attached to it. He slides his two blaster pistols into their holsters, and slides Hadhafang into its sheath. He slings his blaster rifle across his back, then fixes his other gear to his belt. He makes sure Vilya is still secure on his finger, then reaches for his helmet and slides it on.
He turns around right as Aragorn is reaching for his sword, only for it to be handed to him by Legolas. Aragorn slowly takes the sword, and Legolas says, "You and Jakan have led us this far, and you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair."
Aragorn sighs a bit, then says in Sindarin, "There is nothing to forgive, Legolas." The two then clap each other on the shoulder.
As they lower their hands, they see Gimli walking up. "If we had time I'd get this adjusted," he says, before letting go of the chain mail shirt he's bunching up, and the shirt falls all the way to the ground. Aragorn and Legolas trade amused looks, and Jakan tries to contain himself from chuckling.
Gimli looks back at his friends. "It's a little tight across the chest," he says.
"I think there's more problems with the armor than just that, Gimli," Jakan says teasingly.
Gimli narrows his eyes at Jakan. Right then, the piercing sound of a horn echoes through Helm's Deep. Everyone looks towards the door, and Legolas says, "That is no Orc horn."
"And it's not Boromir's," Jakan says. The group hurries out of the armory.
Marching up the causeway is a small army of two Galadhrim, wearing blue cloaks, intricate Elvish made armor, and helmets. Each is carrying their bow, with their other weapons hidden beneath their cloaks.
The Elves march into the fortress, passed the stunned Rohirrim, who recognize where they're from based on their two banners, which identify them as Elves of Lothlorien.
The Elves march up to the courtyard, where Theoden is coming down to see what the cause of surprise is. To his shock, he sees the Galadhrim, with Haldir as their leader.
"How is this possible?" the stunned Theoden asks as Haldir inclines his head in respect to the king.
Haldir straightens up, and as the Galadhrim come to a stop behind him, says, "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago, we fought and died together." Haldir then notices the three men of the Fellowship, as well as Legolas and Gimli, arriving on the stairs above him. He smiles in their direction as he says, "We come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn greets Haldir in Sindarin as he hurries down the stairs, then embraces Haldir. Haldir looks surprised, but after a moment embraces Aragorn in return. Aragorn pulls back a moment and says emphatically, "You are most welcome."
Legolas then steps forward to greet Haldir. As he does, the Galadhrim all turn as one to face Theoden, setting their bows down in sync. Haldir looks at Theoden again and says, "We are proud to fight alongside Men once more."
Jakan smiles as he looks down the Elves' formation. Now, perhaps, they have a chance.
And, I'll end there.
I hope you liked this chapter. I also hope you like it that I'm having Jakan learn Sindarin. I just think it would be realistic for him to ask Legolas to trach him.
Next chapter will start the Battle of Helm's Deep. I'm not sure yet whether I'm going to try and do the whole battle in one long chapter, or split it up. You'll find out next chapter, which will be up soon. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!