~ Sightseeing in Middle-Earth ~
~ Disclaimer: ~
Everyone and everything but Erin is not mine.
~ Chapter XIII~
~ Helm's Deep, Part 2 ~
I'm pretty sure I screamed Boromir's name when the wall blew up, and I know I started running towards the now-gaping hole, but someone caught me and held me back. I glared up at the Rohirrim who had caught me, and they quickly let go. The pause had been long enough for my common sense to pipe up, however, and now I rushed to the back of the wall to see if I could spot Boromir on the field. It was already thick with Orcs and Rohirrim, however, fighting, and it was too dark, besides. So I decided to try another approach. I glanced around, and spotted Haldir a few feet away, fighting an Orc. I ran up behind him, stabbed the Orc in the throat, my sword going right over Haldir's shoulder, then yanked my sword back, grabbed Haldir's arm, and dragged him with me towards the nearest stairway down to the field.
"Lady Erin, what -" the rest of Haldir's question was drowned out by the death scream of a nearby orc.
"Boromir was on that wall when it blew, and you're the first Elf I saw that I know knows what Boromir looks like." I shot back at Haldir grimly, hoping that answered whatever his question had been. Evidently it had, because suddenly he was running even with me as I dashed down the stairs to the field. He headed straight for the slight rise in the field, then stood, poised on the hill, scanning the field. To my surprise, he left his defense completely up to me - not that I had to do any more then kill a few Orcs that came our way. Then Haldir grabbed my arm and was pulling me along, weaving in and out between individual battles between Orcs and Rohirrim, and we were suddenly at the base of a large chunk of the wall.
"Um..." I said uncertainly, looking around. Then I spotted what Haldir had seen - Boromir's shield.
"Well, he WAS here." I said, picking up the round shield. Haldir, however, was not paying attention to me, having scrambled to the top of the rock and started looking around. Honestly, I was rather surprised Haldir was being so agreeable in helping me look, but I still didn't trust his motives completely, and I was determined to try and reach Boromir first, if we ever spotted the Gondorian.
"I think I see him over by the gap, fighting." Haldir said, jumping down. "This light is not good, and he blends into the Rohirrim well."
"Well, let's go see." I said, and Haldir and I went off. The Orcs got thicker the closer we went to the gap in the wall, and several times we became completely surrounded by Orcs and had to stop to fight them off. We weren't delayed for very long, though, since every delay got me more impatient - and more deadly, as Haldir remarked once after we finished off a collection of Orcs.
We were surrounded by another collection of Orcs when I heard a sound that I hadn't since Amon Hen - the Horn of Gondor. Instantly, I turned from the Orc I had been fighting, whacking it aside with Boromir's shield, and ran towards the sound of the horn. Haldir was close behind me, fending off the Orcs that I ran right by, completely ignoring.
Finally, I ducked around a large group of Orcs, and came upon a grim sight. There, right on the edge of the gap in the wall, stood five Rohirrim gathered around Boromir, who was letting loose more blasts on his horn, a gash visible above his left elbow, and a cut standing out on his cheek. He was unarmed, and around the six fighters were several dozen Orcs. I eyed Boromir's shield, then the distance between me and him. Well, my aim wasn't the best, but I figured I could do it.
"Boromir!" I called, and his head snapped in my direction. "Catch!" I called, and threw Boromir's shield to him like a frisbee. He stepped aside, slightly, then caught the shield neatly, and I smiled - it was nice to have my aim perfect when I needed it to be. Then an Orc swung at my head, and I got busy fighting Orcs.
"We need more help!" Haldir called from behind me.
"If we can work our way to the Rohirrim and Boromir, we'll have help!" I replied, and I glanced back to see Haldir nod, and somehow we started moving in the right direction. It seemed like hours, but finally, when the Orc in front of me fell, I saw the back of another, and Rohirrim fighting it just beyond. I stabbed the Orc in the back, then jumped through the gap, Haldir right behind me, and turned to fight the Orcs following us. The Rohirrim were surprised, and the two closest half-turned as if to attack us, but quickly realized we were friends and turned back to the Orcs.
"Thanks." I heard Boromir say quietly in my ear during the fight. "But you wouldn't happen to have a sword I could use?" I hesitated a moment, then glanced down at the scabbard that hung close to the one for the sword I was using.
"Only if you can put that shield to good use." I said, and Boromir's shield suddenly appeared in front of me. I shifted the sword I was using to my left hand, drew the Elven sword from Galadriel, and handed it to Boromir.
"Galadriel's gift?" Boromir asked in surprise. "I cannot use this - it was given to you. You must use it." Boromir tried to give the sword back to me, but I didn't let him.
"I will not use that sword, be it the last one on Middle-Earth and I facing Sauron himself. Now use it, or grab an Orcs sword." I said grimly, and pushed Boromir's shield aside, attacking the Orc that was beyond it. There was a pause, then Boromir was beside me, fighting.
Then the call came to retreat. The Rohirrim, Haldir, Boromir and I glanced around, and as one, made noises that had various meanings along the line of 'yeah, right'. From where we were, it looked to be virtually immpossible to get out. But none the less, we started working our way back along the wall, and gradually the Orcs thinned out.
Then we turned and ran. As we ran, we noticed we were practically the only ones out on the field that were NOT Orcs. I could see Aragorn slightly ahead of us, fighting off some Orcs, but he was the only other being not Orcish I could see besides those running with me. And when we reached Aragorn, he turned and ran with us. It hit me, then, that Haldir was supposed to be dieing right now on top of the wall. But he was down here with me - I'd unconsciously saved him. The thought made me grin. I really hadn't wanted the Elf to die. Hell, I didn't want ANYONE to die, (except maybe my parents and the Orcs) but this was war, and I'd tried to accept that I'd lose people I knew. Somehow, however, every person who I knew who was supposed to die had managed not to. Galadriel would not be happy.
I really don't know what those in Theoden's hall thought when we came running in, all grim except for me, who was grinning. When the Rohirrim that had come in with me saw me grinning, they started to edge away, while Aragorn and Boromir looked at me curiously. Haldir just rolled his eyes.
"Did you find that fun?" Haldir asked.
"Nah. I'm grinning because certain people who should be dead aren't." I said happily, flopping down on the floor. "Hey, how close is it to dawn, anyways?"
"It should be soon, why?" Aragorn asked.
"Sunbeams are pretty." I replied dismissively, and once more, everyone looked at me strangely. Aragorn, however, seemed to realize that there was a more specific reason, and seemed about to come over to me when understanding suddenly lit his face. He had, quite obviously, just remembered what Gandalf had said about his return.
"I think the troops could use some rallying. Maybe you and Theoden could lead a charge?" I said innocently to Aragorn, who arched an eyebrow before goign and proposing just that idea to Theoden. The king quickly agreed, and made some comment about dieing honorably, then Aragorn and Theoden's horses were found and brought into the hall - how, I still don't know - and they mounted, then charged out. I hauled myself to my feet, and Boromir, Haldir and I followed them, along with the Rohirrim that had come with us.
When I stepped out into the fighting, again, however, my senses reeled. The stench, which had been dampened in the hall, along with the sounds, came back full blast, and my stomach churned as a headache sprang up in my head. I raised my sword and made as if to attack a nearby Orc, but then stopped and shook my head slightly. I was not going to fight while in danger of throwing up at any second, and besides that, I couldn't concentrate with my headache.
"I have to go back inside." I told Boromir heavily. "I've had it with fighting for today." He glanced at me, concerned, but nodded, then I turned to Haldir.
"Bring him back alive, or your death-that-didn't-happen will suddenly happen." I hissed in the Elf's ear, and he looked at me, surprised, then nodded.
"I cannot believe the Lady would order the breaking of a pair such as you, besides." Haldir replied, and I looked at him strangely.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Elves see many things humans do not." Haldir said mysteriously. "But that is a discussion for another time."
"Indeed." I said, feeling my stomach close to emptying itself, and I dashed back inside the hall. When I entered, the servants inside looked at me strangely. I was apparently slightly greenish, however, since they quickly came over and started murmuring supposedly comforting words and leading me towards where the wounded that had been brought in were being tended. Their speaking however, was more painful then helpful, as every word they mumbled made my headache flare. They stopped speaking, finally, when I managed a groan and hold my head. But the headache kept growing, and as I was blinded by the pain, it occurred to me that the pain of the headache was almost...pulsing.
I was vaguely aware when I was set down on the floor, but blackness clouded my vision, and I saw everything as shadows, pulsing in and out of visibility with the pain of my head. Then I cried out as the pain flared, and my vision went blood red. I slammed my eyes shut, and then...
I have to give the movie makers credit, they did a wonderful job with Sauron's eye, trying to make it look imposing, and the actors did very good at expressing the terror it set in ones mind. But what they couldn't capture was the malleable EVIL that radiated from the thing, and the heat - they couldn't capture that. I felt like I was burning to a crisp, like I'd been stuck in the center of the sun. And the evil - oh god, I've never felt anything so terrible. There wasn't a speck of good within it, and under it's gaze, no good could exist. And the terror and evil only became stronger when he spoke.
//So you are who is at the center of the ripples.// The voice said, sounding amused. The voice was oily, and SOUNDED evil, if something can actually sound evil. If you've ever given thought to what the devil would sound like - that's what Sauron sounds like.
//I had expected someone greater - of more power. But no matter. I will defeat your spirit and you will tell me what I want to know, whatever your strength.//
"Like hell." I spat, working up some courage.
//Ah, but hell is a much more agreeable place then you would think, child.// There was harsh laughter, and I cringed. Abruptly, the laughter stopped, and the voice continued, sounding pleased. //Good. You already fear me.//
"I cringe only from your evil. I do not fear you - you cannot harm me while I am still at Helm's Deep." I said, working up more courage as that thought sprang into my mind.
//True, I may not be able to harm your body. But I have caught your spirit, and now it is mine to do with as I wish.// The laugh came again, and the tenuous hold I had on my courage wavered.
"Gandalf will be in Helm's Deep soon - he'll be able to fight you." I said, trying to hold onto my courage. The voice laughed again.
//Gandalf Greyhame! That petty wizard - he cannot stand against me. His betters died fighting me the last time I rose! None can stand against me, unless they wield my ring. Now tell me child, where is that ring?//
"Aw, the all-powerful sorcerer lost his pretty little ring and can't find it again." I said, clinging to sarcasm as a last false courage.
//Do not toy with me child - I hold your spirit, and I can make you feel such torment as you never have before!// The flames around the eye flared, and I raised my hand to shade my eyes against it. I blinked when I realized I had a hand to shade my eyes with, then got caught up in realizing that I had an entire rest of my body.
//WHERE IS THE RING?// The voice roared suddenly, apparently annoyed with my complete non-caring. The brief interlude had let my mind order itself, however, and when I looked up, it suddenly occurred to me how absurd this scene was. Me, talking to a giant eyeball in the middle of a bunch of black, and the giant eyeball wanted a ring. I started cackling.
"You want a ring? Where are you gonna wear it? You're a giant eyeball!" I gasped out while laughing, and the fire behind the eye flared again. I stopped abruptly, however, when pain shot through me, and I gasped at its strength.
//Do not mock me! I could kill you where you stand - the death of ones spirit will cause the death of ones body!// the voice roared through the pain.
"Oh, go fuck an orc." I gasped, then smirked as the pain faltered. Apparently Sauron had no clue what 'fuck' meant. Though he obviously realized it was an insult, as the pain came back, strong as ever. It seemed like years passed in searing pain. And then it was gone, and I collapsed on the 'ground', gasping.
//Do you wish to die, child?// the voice asked, low and menacing.
"Well, you see, it's like this." I said slowly as I recovered, sitting up. "If I don't tell you where the ring is, your gonna kill me. And if I tell you where the ring is, you're going to take over all Middle-Earth, drive out all that is good and make it a generally horrible place for me to live in. Either choice isn't very good. But, if I don't tell you where the ring is, then there's a chance that you will lose, and Middle-Earth will be saved. So I'll just let you kill me, and hope that someone realizes how I died, and sings a song about me sacrificing myself for a world that isn't mine." There was silence.
//If you tell me where the ring is, I will send you home.// The voice said, sounding as if it had just realized something extremely clever. I laughed.
"Threats as rewards don't work very well." I said sarcastically. There was more silence.
//You are a strange one, child.// Sauron's voice said finally. //But I will find your weakness, and you will tell me where the ring is.// I snorted, and then, to my surprise, the eye faded out, and I slipped into blackness and lost consciousness.
~ Disclaimer: ~
Everyone and everything but Erin is not mine.
~ Chapter XIII~
~ Helm's Deep, Part 2 ~
I'm pretty sure I screamed Boromir's name when the wall blew up, and I know I started running towards the now-gaping hole, but someone caught me and held me back. I glared up at the Rohirrim who had caught me, and they quickly let go. The pause had been long enough for my common sense to pipe up, however, and now I rushed to the back of the wall to see if I could spot Boromir on the field. It was already thick with Orcs and Rohirrim, however, fighting, and it was too dark, besides. So I decided to try another approach. I glanced around, and spotted Haldir a few feet away, fighting an Orc. I ran up behind him, stabbed the Orc in the throat, my sword going right over Haldir's shoulder, then yanked my sword back, grabbed Haldir's arm, and dragged him with me towards the nearest stairway down to the field.
"Lady Erin, what -" the rest of Haldir's question was drowned out by the death scream of a nearby orc.
"Boromir was on that wall when it blew, and you're the first Elf I saw that I know knows what Boromir looks like." I shot back at Haldir grimly, hoping that answered whatever his question had been. Evidently it had, because suddenly he was running even with me as I dashed down the stairs to the field. He headed straight for the slight rise in the field, then stood, poised on the hill, scanning the field. To my surprise, he left his defense completely up to me - not that I had to do any more then kill a few Orcs that came our way. Then Haldir grabbed my arm and was pulling me along, weaving in and out between individual battles between Orcs and Rohirrim, and we were suddenly at the base of a large chunk of the wall.
"Um..." I said uncertainly, looking around. Then I spotted what Haldir had seen - Boromir's shield.
"Well, he WAS here." I said, picking up the round shield. Haldir, however, was not paying attention to me, having scrambled to the top of the rock and started looking around. Honestly, I was rather surprised Haldir was being so agreeable in helping me look, but I still didn't trust his motives completely, and I was determined to try and reach Boromir first, if we ever spotted the Gondorian.
"I think I see him over by the gap, fighting." Haldir said, jumping down. "This light is not good, and he blends into the Rohirrim well."
"Well, let's go see." I said, and Haldir and I went off. The Orcs got thicker the closer we went to the gap in the wall, and several times we became completely surrounded by Orcs and had to stop to fight them off. We weren't delayed for very long, though, since every delay got me more impatient - and more deadly, as Haldir remarked once after we finished off a collection of Orcs.
We were surrounded by another collection of Orcs when I heard a sound that I hadn't since Amon Hen - the Horn of Gondor. Instantly, I turned from the Orc I had been fighting, whacking it aside with Boromir's shield, and ran towards the sound of the horn. Haldir was close behind me, fending off the Orcs that I ran right by, completely ignoring.
Finally, I ducked around a large group of Orcs, and came upon a grim sight. There, right on the edge of the gap in the wall, stood five Rohirrim gathered around Boromir, who was letting loose more blasts on his horn, a gash visible above his left elbow, and a cut standing out on his cheek. He was unarmed, and around the six fighters were several dozen Orcs. I eyed Boromir's shield, then the distance between me and him. Well, my aim wasn't the best, but I figured I could do it.
"Boromir!" I called, and his head snapped in my direction. "Catch!" I called, and threw Boromir's shield to him like a frisbee. He stepped aside, slightly, then caught the shield neatly, and I smiled - it was nice to have my aim perfect when I needed it to be. Then an Orc swung at my head, and I got busy fighting Orcs.
"We need more help!" Haldir called from behind me.
"If we can work our way to the Rohirrim and Boromir, we'll have help!" I replied, and I glanced back to see Haldir nod, and somehow we started moving in the right direction. It seemed like hours, but finally, when the Orc in front of me fell, I saw the back of another, and Rohirrim fighting it just beyond. I stabbed the Orc in the back, then jumped through the gap, Haldir right behind me, and turned to fight the Orcs following us. The Rohirrim were surprised, and the two closest half-turned as if to attack us, but quickly realized we were friends and turned back to the Orcs.
"Thanks." I heard Boromir say quietly in my ear during the fight. "But you wouldn't happen to have a sword I could use?" I hesitated a moment, then glanced down at the scabbard that hung close to the one for the sword I was using.
"Only if you can put that shield to good use." I said, and Boromir's shield suddenly appeared in front of me. I shifted the sword I was using to my left hand, drew the Elven sword from Galadriel, and handed it to Boromir.
"Galadriel's gift?" Boromir asked in surprise. "I cannot use this - it was given to you. You must use it." Boromir tried to give the sword back to me, but I didn't let him.
"I will not use that sword, be it the last one on Middle-Earth and I facing Sauron himself. Now use it, or grab an Orcs sword." I said grimly, and pushed Boromir's shield aside, attacking the Orc that was beyond it. There was a pause, then Boromir was beside me, fighting.
Then the call came to retreat. The Rohirrim, Haldir, Boromir and I glanced around, and as one, made noises that had various meanings along the line of 'yeah, right'. From where we were, it looked to be virtually immpossible to get out. But none the less, we started working our way back along the wall, and gradually the Orcs thinned out.
Then we turned and ran. As we ran, we noticed we were practically the only ones out on the field that were NOT Orcs. I could see Aragorn slightly ahead of us, fighting off some Orcs, but he was the only other being not Orcish I could see besides those running with me. And when we reached Aragorn, he turned and ran with us. It hit me, then, that Haldir was supposed to be dieing right now on top of the wall. But he was down here with me - I'd unconsciously saved him. The thought made me grin. I really hadn't wanted the Elf to die. Hell, I didn't want ANYONE to die, (except maybe my parents and the Orcs) but this was war, and I'd tried to accept that I'd lose people I knew. Somehow, however, every person who I knew who was supposed to die had managed not to. Galadriel would not be happy.
I really don't know what those in Theoden's hall thought when we came running in, all grim except for me, who was grinning. When the Rohirrim that had come in with me saw me grinning, they started to edge away, while Aragorn and Boromir looked at me curiously. Haldir just rolled his eyes.
"Did you find that fun?" Haldir asked.
"Nah. I'm grinning because certain people who should be dead aren't." I said happily, flopping down on the floor. "Hey, how close is it to dawn, anyways?"
"It should be soon, why?" Aragorn asked.
"Sunbeams are pretty." I replied dismissively, and once more, everyone looked at me strangely. Aragorn, however, seemed to realize that there was a more specific reason, and seemed about to come over to me when understanding suddenly lit his face. He had, quite obviously, just remembered what Gandalf had said about his return.
"I think the troops could use some rallying. Maybe you and Theoden could lead a charge?" I said innocently to Aragorn, who arched an eyebrow before goign and proposing just that idea to Theoden. The king quickly agreed, and made some comment about dieing honorably, then Aragorn and Theoden's horses were found and brought into the hall - how, I still don't know - and they mounted, then charged out. I hauled myself to my feet, and Boromir, Haldir and I followed them, along with the Rohirrim that had come with us.
When I stepped out into the fighting, again, however, my senses reeled. The stench, which had been dampened in the hall, along with the sounds, came back full blast, and my stomach churned as a headache sprang up in my head. I raised my sword and made as if to attack a nearby Orc, but then stopped and shook my head slightly. I was not going to fight while in danger of throwing up at any second, and besides that, I couldn't concentrate with my headache.
"I have to go back inside." I told Boromir heavily. "I've had it with fighting for today." He glanced at me, concerned, but nodded, then I turned to Haldir.
"Bring him back alive, or your death-that-didn't-happen will suddenly happen." I hissed in the Elf's ear, and he looked at me, surprised, then nodded.
"I cannot believe the Lady would order the breaking of a pair such as you, besides." Haldir replied, and I looked at him strangely.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Elves see many things humans do not." Haldir said mysteriously. "But that is a discussion for another time."
"Indeed." I said, feeling my stomach close to emptying itself, and I dashed back inside the hall. When I entered, the servants inside looked at me strangely. I was apparently slightly greenish, however, since they quickly came over and started murmuring supposedly comforting words and leading me towards where the wounded that had been brought in were being tended. Their speaking however, was more painful then helpful, as every word they mumbled made my headache flare. They stopped speaking, finally, when I managed a groan and hold my head. But the headache kept growing, and as I was blinded by the pain, it occurred to me that the pain of the headache was almost...pulsing.
I was vaguely aware when I was set down on the floor, but blackness clouded my vision, and I saw everything as shadows, pulsing in and out of visibility with the pain of my head. Then I cried out as the pain flared, and my vision went blood red. I slammed my eyes shut, and then...
I have to give the movie makers credit, they did a wonderful job with Sauron's eye, trying to make it look imposing, and the actors did very good at expressing the terror it set in ones mind. But what they couldn't capture was the malleable EVIL that radiated from the thing, and the heat - they couldn't capture that. I felt like I was burning to a crisp, like I'd been stuck in the center of the sun. And the evil - oh god, I've never felt anything so terrible. There wasn't a speck of good within it, and under it's gaze, no good could exist. And the terror and evil only became stronger when he spoke.
//So you are who is at the center of the ripples.// The voice said, sounding amused. The voice was oily, and SOUNDED evil, if something can actually sound evil. If you've ever given thought to what the devil would sound like - that's what Sauron sounds like.
//I had expected someone greater - of more power. But no matter. I will defeat your spirit and you will tell me what I want to know, whatever your strength.//
"Like hell." I spat, working up some courage.
//Ah, but hell is a much more agreeable place then you would think, child.// There was harsh laughter, and I cringed. Abruptly, the laughter stopped, and the voice continued, sounding pleased. //Good. You already fear me.//
"I cringe only from your evil. I do not fear you - you cannot harm me while I am still at Helm's Deep." I said, working up more courage as that thought sprang into my mind.
//True, I may not be able to harm your body. But I have caught your spirit, and now it is mine to do with as I wish.// The laugh came again, and the tenuous hold I had on my courage wavered.
"Gandalf will be in Helm's Deep soon - he'll be able to fight you." I said, trying to hold onto my courage. The voice laughed again.
//Gandalf Greyhame! That petty wizard - he cannot stand against me. His betters died fighting me the last time I rose! None can stand against me, unless they wield my ring. Now tell me child, where is that ring?//
"Aw, the all-powerful sorcerer lost his pretty little ring and can't find it again." I said, clinging to sarcasm as a last false courage.
//Do not toy with me child - I hold your spirit, and I can make you feel such torment as you never have before!// The flames around the eye flared, and I raised my hand to shade my eyes against it. I blinked when I realized I had a hand to shade my eyes with, then got caught up in realizing that I had an entire rest of my body.
//WHERE IS THE RING?// The voice roared suddenly, apparently annoyed with my complete non-caring. The brief interlude had let my mind order itself, however, and when I looked up, it suddenly occurred to me how absurd this scene was. Me, talking to a giant eyeball in the middle of a bunch of black, and the giant eyeball wanted a ring. I started cackling.
"You want a ring? Where are you gonna wear it? You're a giant eyeball!" I gasped out while laughing, and the fire behind the eye flared again. I stopped abruptly, however, when pain shot through me, and I gasped at its strength.
//Do not mock me! I could kill you where you stand - the death of ones spirit will cause the death of ones body!// the voice roared through the pain.
"Oh, go fuck an orc." I gasped, then smirked as the pain faltered. Apparently Sauron had no clue what 'fuck' meant. Though he obviously realized it was an insult, as the pain came back, strong as ever. It seemed like years passed in searing pain. And then it was gone, and I collapsed on the 'ground', gasping.
//Do you wish to die, child?// the voice asked, low and menacing.
"Well, you see, it's like this." I said slowly as I recovered, sitting up. "If I don't tell you where the ring is, your gonna kill me. And if I tell you where the ring is, you're going to take over all Middle-Earth, drive out all that is good and make it a generally horrible place for me to live in. Either choice isn't very good. But, if I don't tell you where the ring is, then there's a chance that you will lose, and Middle-Earth will be saved. So I'll just let you kill me, and hope that someone realizes how I died, and sings a song about me sacrificing myself for a world that isn't mine." There was silence.
//If you tell me where the ring is, I will send you home.// The voice said, sounding as if it had just realized something extremely clever. I laughed.
"Threats as rewards don't work very well." I said sarcastically. There was more silence.
//You are a strange one, child.// Sauron's voice said finally. //But I will find your weakness, and you will tell me where the ring is.// I snorted, and then, to my surprise, the eye faded out, and I slipped into blackness and lost consciousness.