Part 8
"Wolf Riders? What are Wolf Riders?"
Before Legolas could answer her Aragorn was at their side, "Legolas, Go!"
Legolas kneed his horse into a gallop and took off over the hills.
"Okay, I'm guessing this is bad." She noticed the people of Rohan were beginning to panic as word spread down the line.
"Willow, go with Eowyn and take the people to safety."
Willow looked over and saw that Eowyn was arguing with her uncle. Seems she didn't want to leave either. She saw Eowyn nod her head and reluctantly turn around toward the people. Without a backward glance at Aragorn she turned and followed her.
Gimli saw the look of disappointment on Willow's face. He knew she was a capable warrior and definitely a capable witch but he would feel better if he knew she was safe.
Eowyn watched as Willow approached with a determined look on her face. She smiled when she heard her mumbling about the stupidity of the male of the species.
"I am not some helpless female. I CAN fight. Okay, better with magick but with no Gandalf they'll need magick. Okay so I have no idea what a Wolf Rider is or how to defeat it but hello Hellmouth veteran. Been up against the worst of the worst without a clue." Willow stopped mid-tirade. "That last part didn't come out right."
Eowyn placed a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder. "I am forced to help my people because it is expected of me. With Eomer gone and Theoden in the fight they cannot lose us all. But Willow, you need not stay here."
Willow's Resolve Face was firmly in place, "Oh I have no intention of staying back here. Just waiting for them to get a little ahead and join in before they notice and too late for them to do anything about it."
Eowyn wished she was free to join Willow in the fight but knew her duties lie elsewhere. She wished Willow luck and turned to take the women and children on to Helm's Deep.
Willow waited until she heard sound of fighting before kneeing her horse into a gallop. Silently thanking Legolas and Gimli's foresight in teaching her how to handle a bow on a moving horse she pulled the bow around to the front and notched an arrow.
Galloping over the rise she saw Legolas fire arrows at the strange creatures. She watched in horror as he turned and faced the oncoming horses. Holding her breath she watched as a horse bore down on him and he didn't move or flinch. Getting ready to use a protection spell she was awestruck at the grace with which he mounted the moving horse. He was SO going to teach her to do that if they made it out of this fight alive.
Willow saw Gimli on the ground fighting the creatures with his axe. He was bloodstained but all right. Turning her attention to the oncoming creatures she fired her bow.
Aragorn saw arrows hit their targets and wondered who the marksman was. He knew Legolas was ahead of him firing his weapon. Risking a quick glance over his shoulder he was stunned to see Willow riding her horse and firing at the Wolf Riders.
Willow saw Gimli fall with a horse on top of him. She turned her horse in his direction to help.
Gimli struggled with the weight of the horse and had managed to lift it a little when he noticed a Wolf Rider standing over him with his weapon raised. Before he could do anything the creature's eyes grew wide and he then added his dead weight to the horse. Legolas was standing behind the rider with a smile on his face and the bow in his hand.
Willow knelt next to Gimli, "Are you okay?"
"Willow? What are you doing here? I thought you went with Eowyn to Helm's Deep."
"And leave you and Legolas to have all the fun?"
Some warriors of Rohan stood nearby and watched as the slight red head raised her arms over the horse and Wolf Rider. As her arms rose, the dead weight lifted itself off of Gimli.
Gimli smiled his thanks at Willow and stood. Hearing more creatures approach Gimli stood at Willow's back with his axe at the ready. Murmuring words Willow called forth fire and threw fireballs at the incoming riders. The riders screamed as their bodies were engulfed in flames.
Aragorn noticed that Willow was holding her own in the fight. Gimli had her back and she had his. He watched with pride as her arrows struck true and she began to use her magic. A small smile lifts the corners of his mouth as he watched the riders get hit with her fire. It seemed she truly was the daughter of Heaven's Fire.
He noticed a Wolf Rider take aim at Willow. Her attention was on more riders that were rapidly approaching and Gimli's attention was on a particular creature. Aragorn knew if he didn't get to the rider Willow would be wounded if not killed.
Running toward the Wolf Rider, Aragorn took no heed to the cliff's edge. All thought was focused on knocking the rider down and protecting Willow. Aragorn's aim was true as his sword drove into the stomach of the rider. The rider grabbed onto Aragorn but was unable to find purchase. All he grabbed was the necklace that hung around Aragorn's neck.
Aragorn felt a tug around his neck as the momentum of his run carried him to the cliff's edge and finally beyond. The last thought before hitting the water and blacking out was that at least he had saved Willow.
The last sight the Wolf Rider saw was of Aragorn tumbling over the cliff. His vision began to blur and he fell to his knees.
The fighting finally came to an end with the people of Rohan the victors. Willow watched as Legolas rode up to where she and Gimli were standing.
With a smile Legolas quickly dismounted and grabbed Willow into a hug, "You had me frightened, little one when I saw you ride up into the battle. You were as deadly as any Elven marksmen. I have taught you well."
Letting Willow go he turned to Gimli, "And you, Gimli how many riders did you kill?"
"Twenty seven at least. I lost count after so many."
Willow just rolled her eyes at the two friends. She looked around the grassy plain and didn't see the familiar face of Aragorn. "Where's Aragorn?"
Legolas looked over the battlefield and didn't see his friend. Now he was beginning to worry. "Last I saw him he was over there."
Willow and Gimli followed close behind Legolas as he walked to the top of the cliff.
A Wolf Rider lay with Aragorn's sword by his side. Leaning down over the creature Legolas saw that he was still alive. "Where is the one that struck you?"
With an evil smile he replied, "Gone."
"Gone?" Willow looked around and didn't see his body. "If he is gone where is his body?"
"Don't worry, Willow Aragorn is not gone. There is no Wolf Rider that can defeat Strider."
The Wolf Rider coughed and said, "If he is not gone how did I come by this?" He held out his hand and Legolas saw the sunlight glinting off of something in his hand. Looking closer he saw it was the necklace that Arwen had given to Aragorn. Even though he had begun to move on Legolas knew that Aragorn would not part from it while there was still breath in his body.
With a sad heart he turned to show Willow and Gimli the necklace. Gimli bowed his head in grief.
"No."
Gimli and Legolas looked at Willow, "No?"
"No, it's like your hobbit friends. You thought they were dead but Aragorn found their tracks. There has to be tracks here somewhere. Where's his body? Until I see a body I won't believe it."
The Wolf Rider laughed, "His body is over there." He pointed toward the cliff's edge.
The three friends walked to the cliff's edge and saw the signs of scuffle. It was a long way down and at the bottom was a rapidly flowing river.
Willow had her Resolve face firmly in place, "I'm not going to believe it until I see a body. He could have easily fallen into the water. Maybe he swam to the other side and is making his way back."
Legolas and Gimli didn't have the heart to dissuade her. With a sad smile Gimli replied, "Perhaps. We must still go on to Helm's Deep. If Aragorn did swim to the other side he would meet us there."
Willow turned to follow them back to where Theoden was waiting.
