Thanks for the many reviews… I am glad to know that you like this little piece of
retelling an story we all know quite well !!!
yes, somehow this turned out to be more movie verse than book verse… much more
:-)… well, I hope you still like it…
and no, I will not forget about 'Encounters with the Past' – promise :-)
so, on with it – and please… let me know if you like it
___
Darkness was falling, swallowing the shadow Legolas had watched crawling closer
and closer. Around them men were starting to take their positions, making the last
preparations for battle.
'Come, Legolas,' Gimli spoke. 'It is time for us to prepare ourselves.'
The elf looked at him questioningly, his fingers stroking the bow he held. His
weapons he had checked, his knives were sharp, his arrows ready. What else was
there to do?
But he followed his friend as Gimli led him down once more. The dwarf stopped in the
wide room where weapons and armor were being handed out.
Gimli had worn mail ever since setting out from Rivendell but it was light, made for
traveling. In a battle like the one they were about to face, he wished for something
better to protect himself. His eyes wandered over the things he could see and he had
to suppress a sigh. He should have remembered that men, not dwarves, had made
this armor. Even if he ignored the lack of craftsmanship he could see in many of the
items, there was still the problem of size.
He cast a glance at Legolas to see how the elf fared in choosing something, only to
find him standing there as if this matter was of no interest to him.
'Will you not choose something?' Gimli asked. His voice took on some of the
frustration he felt, and it came out more a command than an inquiry.
Legolas shot him a slightly annoyed look.
'My people do not…'
'I did not ask what your people usually do, Legolas,' Gimli interrupted the elf's
speech. He knew well that Thranduil's folk were ill-equipped with armor or weapons
in comparison with the Eldars of the West. Their losses had been great in the War of
the Last Alliance because of this Oropher himself was slain and his son Thranduil
had led back home barely a third of the army that had marched to war.
But no matter what the elves of Mirkwood were used to, he would not see Legolas
face a battle like this with no more than his tunic to protect him.
'I ask you to choose here,' the dwarf said, his voice more gentle now.
The elf shot him another look but for once refrained from voicing his protest. Gimli
watched as he let his fingers wander over some pieces, finally choosing one.
A frown appeared on the dwarf's face as he studied what Legolas had chosen. His
eyes wandered to the slender shoulders.
'This one is too heavy,' he finally said. 'It will hinder you with the bow.'
With a sigh of exasperation Legolas dropped it back, the clattering drawing attention
to them that both ignored with practiced ease.
Folding his arms in front of him, the elf's expression turned to annoyed amusement
as Gimli's eyes turned away to once more drift over the assortment. The dwarf's
fingers started to wander as he quickly checked over several pieces ere he found one
to his liking. He held the armor out to the elf who stared at it for a moment before
accepting it. He donned it without a word, not protesting as the dwarf helped him,
making sure it fit without constricting the elf's movement in any way.
'Aye,' Gimli finally said, plucking at it one last time. 'This one will do.'
An eyebrow rose and Legolas's eyes sparkled as he said, 'You seem much
concerned over my well-being, master dwarf.'
'Your bow will be one of the mightiest weapons wielded here tonight,' Gimli
answered. 'I would be a fool to not make sure it will not be rendered useless by your
carelessness.'
'Careless? I have fought many battles ere you were even born, but it has been a long
time since someone called me that!'
'Then maybe it is time for you to hear it again.'
Legolas laughed at that, and with relief the dwarf heard the long missed sound. The
elf was a merry being at heart and never before had Gimli seen him in such a dark
mood as today. To see the sparkle back in his eyes eased Gimli's own mind.
'Now, let me choose something for you, my friend.'
With a groan, Gimli tried to stop him but found his arms quickly laden with heavy
chain mail.
'Try this!'
He was about to protest that there was no way it would even fit him, when he saw
Aragorn enter. He seemed not to take notice of them, his mind focused on something
entirely different as he started to get dressed for the battle.
Legolas had expected an argument from the dwarf and was surprised as none came.
Instead he found Gimli's gaze focused on something behind his back, and turned his
head to see for himself what had captured the dwarf's interest. As he turned back to
Gimli, the dwarf could see the troubled look in his eyes.
'I need to speak to him,' he whispered and Gimli nodded, stepping away. Having
nothing else to do he decided to at least try on what Legolas had chosen, although
he held not much hope.
The man was almost finished with his task as silent steps took Legolas to Aragorn.
For a long moment the elf stood, watching his friend. Then he reached down to pick
up the sword Aragorn had laid down and offered it to the man.
Their eyes met. Surprise shone in Aragorn's as he had not heard the elf approaching.
After a heartbeat he reached out, accepting the offered sword.
'We followed you this far,' Legolas spoke, his voice soft. 'You never led us astray.
Forgive me, I was wrong to despair.'
He waited, his heart heavy, for the man's response.
A smile broke out on Aragorn's face as he took in the words as well as the slightly
dejected look upon the elf's face. Thoughts of protest rose, as he remembered well
decisions made that had led them into situations that could have been avoided, had
the elf's warnings been heeded. But seeing the trust in the dark eyes before him, he
realized it did not count. They had followed him to this place and they would face this
night with him, staying at his side with nothing but loyalty binding them there.
'There is nothing to forgive, Legolas,' was all he could say. The relief on his friend's
face made him wonder for the smallest moment how he had come to earn such
friendship and trust.
The strong grip of the elf's hand on his arm spoke of support and strength, and he
was glad for the small feeling of security it evoked.
A sound broke the moment and both turned to see Gimli stepping forward. It was a
ridiculous sight, only enhanced when the dwarf let the ends of the mail fall to the
ground.
'I wish I could have it adjusted.'
They stared at him as he stood, unfazed by the amusement that shone from both
faces.
'It is a little tight around the chest,' he explained, completely ignoring the fact it was
long enough to cover him twice.
Legolas's laughter died in his throat as the sound of a horn echoed through the room.
For a moment their hearts stopped.
Then Legolas cried out, 'This is no orc horn!
And without another moment of hesitation the elf darted away, to see with his own
eyes what his ears had told him. Aragorn was right behind him and within a few
heartbeats Gimli found himself alone. Looking down at himself he mumbled, 'A good
thing it is not. I would not have been dressed for the occasion.'
With a sigh, he turned to get rid of the hideous thing the elf had chosen for him. His
own mail would serve him best.
@@@
It was a glorious sight. No one had seen their approach--the sounding of the horn as
they stood before the gate the only warning of their arrival.
Haldir stood proudly, dressed in the battle gear of Lothlorien, a hundred archers
behind him.
His words sounded clear in the silence that had fallen and they lifted many hearts,
gave hope anew to those who had almost given up.
Aragorn rushed forward to meet him, a warrior's greeting turning into a heartfelt
embrace that took the elf completely by surprise. It spoke much of the doubt that had
started to wear on the man.
Legolas's greeting was more restrained, but his eyes spoke of the joy he felt upon
seeing his own kin joining them in this fight.
Gimli arrived, dressed in his own gear once more, just in time to hear Haldir's words.
'We are proud to fight on the side of men once more.'
He took in Legolas standing tall next to the Lorien elf. Men looked at them in wonder;
it had been a long time since elves had joined them in any kind of battle. Had the
arrival of one elf astonished them, so the sight of a hundred filled them with awe.
But night had fallen and the battle was drawing nearer. Already they could feel the
ground beneath their feet shaking as ten thousand continued their march against
Helm's Deep.
@@@
Positions were taken, last instructions spoken.
Legolas had taken his place in front of the elven archers, staying close to his kin. Yet
he stood not with them but a little apart, Gimli at his side. His eyes wandered over the
advancing army, too many to count. The evil they emitted seemed to wash over
everything, attacking the mind and evoking terror.
But for the men in this fortress it was no longer a fight between good and evil, it was
a fight for survival, and in Legolas's experience a desperate adversary is a much
more dangerous one. The hundred elven archers had given hope and as they stood,
tall and proud, men stood next to them with newfound determination.
The feeling of foreboding still tugged at his mind, but as anticipation for the battle
filled him it became easy to ignore. Whatever would come to pass, he would face it.
'You could have chosen a better place,' the dwarf complained, the height of the
breastwork concealing his view of the enemy. He did not miss the smirk on the elf's
face but chose to ignore it. He could have found a better place himself, one that
would allow him to see, but that would have meant leaving the elf. And he found
himself far more comfortable in the calm presence beside him that in that of any
other.
'May whatever brings you luck, lad, last the night,' he spoke, a heartfelt wish to his
comrade.
He could sense Aragorn stepping behind them, looking out towards the dark masses
advancing towards them.
'Your friends are with you, Aragorn,' Gimli could hear the elf say, and it voiced all he
could have said himself.
'May they last the night as well,' he added, the soft chuckle it evoked from the elf
beside him lessening his own tension.
Then the rain started to fall.
Deprived of sight, Gimli could only hear the sound of Saruman's creatures getting
closer.
'What is happening?' he growled out in frustration, his eyes turning to Legolas.
'I could describe it to you,' the elf offered, turning his head to look at him. His wet hair
was plastered to his head, drops of rain running down his face, but his eyes shone
with a mixture of battle-lust and mischief. 'Or would you have me bring you a box?'
For a moment they stared at each other, then Gimli let out a laugh. Trust the elf to
tease him in the worst of moments.
'So you would have something to hide in when my count tops yours?' he shot back,
but whatever answer he might have received was drowned out by the rising voices of
the creatures standing before Helm's Deep.
And then it began.
@@@
He had lost sight of Legolas again. Not that he was worried, no. He only wished to
compare counts, to see if he had finally topped the elf.
Gazing around, he could not make out the familiar form.
Well then, he would increase his count a bit more.
With that thought, he turned to the battle once again, his axe finding another target
easily. Thirty-four.
@@@
'Legolas! Bring him down!'
His eyes quickly found what Aragorn spoke of. The arrow hit, but the orc was not
stopped so easily.
'Kill him, Legolas!'
Another arrow had already been fired, its aim once again true. But the orc kept on
running, the torch in his hand ablaze. The next arrow missed as the target suddenly
flung itself forward, towards the wall.
And then an explosion rocked the wall.
He could see men that had been standing on top of it falling with the hunks of stone,
Aragorn among them. Uruk-hai rushed into the breach and for one dreadful moment
all seemed lost.
Legolas stood frozen, wide eyes on the still form of the man. Only when he saw him
stir did conscious thought return to him. A quick glance around and his bow sang
again, hardly slowing the advance of the beasts.
But then Aragorn was on his feet again and at his cry, the elves of Lothlorien came to
defend the wall that no longer could keep the enemy out.
It was the sight of Gimli amongst them that made him move, acting without much
thought as he used a shield to get down the stairs as quickly as possible.
He could not let the dwarf face this alone. He might top his count, after all.
@@@
'Get back!'
An order he would have ignored had it not been for Legolas grabbing him and bodily
carrying him off, with the help of another elf. Gimli fought their grip, looking back at
the fight still going on behind them. What he saw there made him lose his voice.
In midst of the bodies of his fallen allies, Haldir of Lorien sank to his knees.
Aragorn's cry made Legolas whip around, his grip on Gimli loosening. Gimli could
see his eyes widening, his mouth opening in a cry of denial. He turned and had the
dwarf not grabbed him, he would have dashed back.
'No, you fool of an elf! There is nothing you can do!'
For a moment Legolas seemed not to heed his words, his strength fighting against
Gimli's. But the dwarf was not ready to let him go, knowing it would be madness to go
back there.
Then Legolas went still and Gimli knew that reason had returned to the elf, and he
relinquished his hold on him. He could not see his face as he turned away from the
battlefield to make his way inside.
Aragorn was the last one to retreat; all others had followed his order to get back into
the fortress.
@@@
The wooden gate had been destroyed by battering rams and the situation was dire.
For a long moment Legolas's eyes met Gimli's. Then he turned and left, the elven
archers following his command. Their bows would be of more use from the top of the
Hornburg than in here.
retelling an story we all know quite well !!!
yes, somehow this turned out to be more movie verse than book verse… much more
:-)… well, I hope you still like it…
and no, I will not forget about 'Encounters with the Past' – promise :-)
so, on with it – and please… let me know if you like it
___
Darkness was falling, swallowing the shadow Legolas had watched crawling closer
and closer. Around them men were starting to take their positions, making the last
preparations for battle.
'Come, Legolas,' Gimli spoke. 'It is time for us to prepare ourselves.'
The elf looked at him questioningly, his fingers stroking the bow he held. His
weapons he had checked, his knives were sharp, his arrows ready. What else was
there to do?
But he followed his friend as Gimli led him down once more. The dwarf stopped in the
wide room where weapons and armor were being handed out.
Gimli had worn mail ever since setting out from Rivendell but it was light, made for
traveling. In a battle like the one they were about to face, he wished for something
better to protect himself. His eyes wandered over the things he could see and he had
to suppress a sigh. He should have remembered that men, not dwarves, had made
this armor. Even if he ignored the lack of craftsmanship he could see in many of the
items, there was still the problem of size.
He cast a glance at Legolas to see how the elf fared in choosing something, only to
find him standing there as if this matter was of no interest to him.
'Will you not choose something?' Gimli asked. His voice took on some of the
frustration he felt, and it came out more a command than an inquiry.
Legolas shot him a slightly annoyed look.
'My people do not…'
'I did not ask what your people usually do, Legolas,' Gimli interrupted the elf's
speech. He knew well that Thranduil's folk were ill-equipped with armor or weapons
in comparison with the Eldars of the West. Their losses had been great in the War of
the Last Alliance because of this Oropher himself was slain and his son Thranduil
had led back home barely a third of the army that had marched to war.
But no matter what the elves of Mirkwood were used to, he would not see Legolas
face a battle like this with no more than his tunic to protect him.
'I ask you to choose here,' the dwarf said, his voice more gentle now.
The elf shot him another look but for once refrained from voicing his protest. Gimli
watched as he let his fingers wander over some pieces, finally choosing one.
A frown appeared on the dwarf's face as he studied what Legolas had chosen. His
eyes wandered to the slender shoulders.
'This one is too heavy,' he finally said. 'It will hinder you with the bow.'
With a sigh of exasperation Legolas dropped it back, the clattering drawing attention
to them that both ignored with practiced ease.
Folding his arms in front of him, the elf's expression turned to annoyed amusement
as Gimli's eyes turned away to once more drift over the assortment. The dwarf's
fingers started to wander as he quickly checked over several pieces ere he found one
to his liking. He held the armor out to the elf who stared at it for a moment before
accepting it. He donned it without a word, not protesting as the dwarf helped him,
making sure it fit without constricting the elf's movement in any way.
'Aye,' Gimli finally said, plucking at it one last time. 'This one will do.'
An eyebrow rose and Legolas's eyes sparkled as he said, 'You seem much
concerned over my well-being, master dwarf.'
'Your bow will be one of the mightiest weapons wielded here tonight,' Gimli
answered. 'I would be a fool to not make sure it will not be rendered useless by your
carelessness.'
'Careless? I have fought many battles ere you were even born, but it has been a long
time since someone called me that!'
'Then maybe it is time for you to hear it again.'
Legolas laughed at that, and with relief the dwarf heard the long missed sound. The
elf was a merry being at heart and never before had Gimli seen him in such a dark
mood as today. To see the sparkle back in his eyes eased Gimli's own mind.
'Now, let me choose something for you, my friend.'
With a groan, Gimli tried to stop him but found his arms quickly laden with heavy
chain mail.
'Try this!'
He was about to protest that there was no way it would even fit him, when he saw
Aragorn enter. He seemed not to take notice of them, his mind focused on something
entirely different as he started to get dressed for the battle.
Legolas had expected an argument from the dwarf and was surprised as none came.
Instead he found Gimli's gaze focused on something behind his back, and turned his
head to see for himself what had captured the dwarf's interest. As he turned back to
Gimli, the dwarf could see the troubled look in his eyes.
'I need to speak to him,' he whispered and Gimli nodded, stepping away. Having
nothing else to do he decided to at least try on what Legolas had chosen, although
he held not much hope.
The man was almost finished with his task as silent steps took Legolas to Aragorn.
For a long moment the elf stood, watching his friend. Then he reached down to pick
up the sword Aragorn had laid down and offered it to the man.
Their eyes met. Surprise shone in Aragorn's as he had not heard the elf approaching.
After a heartbeat he reached out, accepting the offered sword.
'We followed you this far,' Legolas spoke, his voice soft. 'You never led us astray.
Forgive me, I was wrong to despair.'
He waited, his heart heavy, for the man's response.
A smile broke out on Aragorn's face as he took in the words as well as the slightly
dejected look upon the elf's face. Thoughts of protest rose, as he remembered well
decisions made that had led them into situations that could have been avoided, had
the elf's warnings been heeded. But seeing the trust in the dark eyes before him, he
realized it did not count. They had followed him to this place and they would face this
night with him, staying at his side with nothing but loyalty binding them there.
'There is nothing to forgive, Legolas,' was all he could say. The relief on his friend's
face made him wonder for the smallest moment how he had come to earn such
friendship and trust.
The strong grip of the elf's hand on his arm spoke of support and strength, and he
was glad for the small feeling of security it evoked.
A sound broke the moment and both turned to see Gimli stepping forward. It was a
ridiculous sight, only enhanced when the dwarf let the ends of the mail fall to the
ground.
'I wish I could have it adjusted.'
They stared at him as he stood, unfazed by the amusement that shone from both
faces.
'It is a little tight around the chest,' he explained, completely ignoring the fact it was
long enough to cover him twice.
Legolas's laughter died in his throat as the sound of a horn echoed through the room.
For a moment their hearts stopped.
Then Legolas cried out, 'This is no orc horn!
And without another moment of hesitation the elf darted away, to see with his own
eyes what his ears had told him. Aragorn was right behind him and within a few
heartbeats Gimli found himself alone. Looking down at himself he mumbled, 'A good
thing it is not. I would not have been dressed for the occasion.'
With a sigh, he turned to get rid of the hideous thing the elf had chosen for him. His
own mail would serve him best.
@@@
It was a glorious sight. No one had seen their approach--the sounding of the horn as
they stood before the gate the only warning of their arrival.
Haldir stood proudly, dressed in the battle gear of Lothlorien, a hundred archers
behind him.
His words sounded clear in the silence that had fallen and they lifted many hearts,
gave hope anew to those who had almost given up.
Aragorn rushed forward to meet him, a warrior's greeting turning into a heartfelt
embrace that took the elf completely by surprise. It spoke much of the doubt that had
started to wear on the man.
Legolas's greeting was more restrained, but his eyes spoke of the joy he felt upon
seeing his own kin joining them in this fight.
Gimli arrived, dressed in his own gear once more, just in time to hear Haldir's words.
'We are proud to fight on the side of men once more.'
He took in Legolas standing tall next to the Lorien elf. Men looked at them in wonder;
it had been a long time since elves had joined them in any kind of battle. Had the
arrival of one elf astonished them, so the sight of a hundred filled them with awe.
But night had fallen and the battle was drawing nearer. Already they could feel the
ground beneath their feet shaking as ten thousand continued their march against
Helm's Deep.
@@@
Positions were taken, last instructions spoken.
Legolas had taken his place in front of the elven archers, staying close to his kin. Yet
he stood not with them but a little apart, Gimli at his side. His eyes wandered over the
advancing army, too many to count. The evil they emitted seemed to wash over
everything, attacking the mind and evoking terror.
But for the men in this fortress it was no longer a fight between good and evil, it was
a fight for survival, and in Legolas's experience a desperate adversary is a much
more dangerous one. The hundred elven archers had given hope and as they stood,
tall and proud, men stood next to them with newfound determination.
The feeling of foreboding still tugged at his mind, but as anticipation for the battle
filled him it became easy to ignore. Whatever would come to pass, he would face it.
'You could have chosen a better place,' the dwarf complained, the height of the
breastwork concealing his view of the enemy. He did not miss the smirk on the elf's
face but chose to ignore it. He could have found a better place himself, one that
would allow him to see, but that would have meant leaving the elf. And he found
himself far more comfortable in the calm presence beside him that in that of any
other.
'May whatever brings you luck, lad, last the night,' he spoke, a heartfelt wish to his
comrade.
He could sense Aragorn stepping behind them, looking out towards the dark masses
advancing towards them.
'Your friends are with you, Aragorn,' Gimli could hear the elf say, and it voiced all he
could have said himself.
'May they last the night as well,' he added, the soft chuckle it evoked from the elf
beside him lessening his own tension.
Then the rain started to fall.
Deprived of sight, Gimli could only hear the sound of Saruman's creatures getting
closer.
'What is happening?' he growled out in frustration, his eyes turning to Legolas.
'I could describe it to you,' the elf offered, turning his head to look at him. His wet hair
was plastered to his head, drops of rain running down his face, but his eyes shone
with a mixture of battle-lust and mischief. 'Or would you have me bring you a box?'
For a moment they stared at each other, then Gimli let out a laugh. Trust the elf to
tease him in the worst of moments.
'So you would have something to hide in when my count tops yours?' he shot back,
but whatever answer he might have received was drowned out by the rising voices of
the creatures standing before Helm's Deep.
And then it began.
@@@
He had lost sight of Legolas again. Not that he was worried, no. He only wished to
compare counts, to see if he had finally topped the elf.
Gazing around, he could not make out the familiar form.
Well then, he would increase his count a bit more.
With that thought, he turned to the battle once again, his axe finding another target
easily. Thirty-four.
@@@
'Legolas! Bring him down!'
His eyes quickly found what Aragorn spoke of. The arrow hit, but the orc was not
stopped so easily.
'Kill him, Legolas!'
Another arrow had already been fired, its aim once again true. But the orc kept on
running, the torch in his hand ablaze. The next arrow missed as the target suddenly
flung itself forward, towards the wall.
And then an explosion rocked the wall.
He could see men that had been standing on top of it falling with the hunks of stone,
Aragorn among them. Uruk-hai rushed into the breach and for one dreadful moment
all seemed lost.
Legolas stood frozen, wide eyes on the still form of the man. Only when he saw him
stir did conscious thought return to him. A quick glance around and his bow sang
again, hardly slowing the advance of the beasts.
But then Aragorn was on his feet again and at his cry, the elves of Lothlorien came to
defend the wall that no longer could keep the enemy out.
It was the sight of Gimli amongst them that made him move, acting without much
thought as he used a shield to get down the stairs as quickly as possible.
He could not let the dwarf face this alone. He might top his count, after all.
@@@
'Get back!'
An order he would have ignored had it not been for Legolas grabbing him and bodily
carrying him off, with the help of another elf. Gimli fought their grip, looking back at
the fight still going on behind them. What he saw there made him lose his voice.
In midst of the bodies of his fallen allies, Haldir of Lorien sank to his knees.
Aragorn's cry made Legolas whip around, his grip on Gimli loosening. Gimli could
see his eyes widening, his mouth opening in a cry of denial. He turned and had the
dwarf not grabbed him, he would have dashed back.
'No, you fool of an elf! There is nothing you can do!'
For a moment Legolas seemed not to heed his words, his strength fighting against
Gimli's. But the dwarf was not ready to let him go, knowing it would be madness to go
back there.
Then Legolas went still and Gimli knew that reason had returned to the elf, and he
relinquished his hold on him. He could not see his face as he turned away from the
battlefield to make his way inside.
Aragorn was the last one to retreat; all others had followed his order to get back into
the fortress.
@@@
The wooden gate had been destroyed by battering rams and the situation was dire.
For a long moment Legolas's eyes met Gimli's. Then he turned and left, the elven
archers following his command. Their bows would be of more use from the top of the
Hornburg than in here.