Part 10
Theoden walks outside the room and tells a waiting guard, "I want every man and strong lad to be ready for battle before nightfall." He turns back to the travelers, "No army has every breached these walls or set foot inside."
"These are no mindless Orcs, these are Uruk-hai."
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."
"You may know how to defend your keep against armies but they are ten thousand strong."
"They may destroy our crops and homes but we can outlast them within these walls. Rohan can rebuild."
"They are not after your crops, King Theoden. They are here to destroy your people. Down to the last child."
Theoden turns to Aragorn, "What would you have me do? Look at them . . . they need a King. If this is to be our last battle then I will make our last battle a thing worth remembering."
"You must send for aid."
"And who will come? We are not all so fortunate to have Elves, Dwarves and Wizards as friends."
Willow laid her hand on Aragorn's arm. "He's right." Before Aragorn could protest Willow continued, "No, I mean he's right about the people needing a King. My friends and I aborted a lot of apocalypses and with only 5 or more people. They need hope and to believe in a leader. If you think there is hope and you have a strong leader anything is possible. I'm not saying we shouldn't get help also but until that help arrives we need to prepare for battle."
Theoden smiled his thanks. "Get the women and children to the caves."
"Okay, now wait just a minute. You're willing to sacrifice the boys in this battle but not the women?! Have you ever seen a woman protect someone she loves from a threat? We'll fight to the death to protect those we love and I don't think you're in any shape to be overlooking warriors." Willow pauses for breath, "Okay, I don't feel better now but you know I'm right."
Eowyn came to stand beside Willow. "You know we can fight, uncle. Willow's right, you'll need every able bodied person in this upcoming war."
Theoden wearily nodded his head. "Take the women and children that can't use a sword to the caves and then return with the others. Secure the gate!"
Theoden's men gather any of the men or boys that can hold a sword while Eowyn brings back the women who can fight.
They watch as both young and old try on their chain mail and pick a sword.
"Farmers and stable boys. These are no soldiers."
"Most have seen too many winters."
"Or too few, look at them. Nedin dagor hen ú-'erir otheri. Natha daged dhaer." They cannot win this fight they are all going to die.
"Then I shall die with them." Aragron turns away but stops when Willow lays a hand on his arm.
Willow looks at both Legolas and Gimli, "Every time we went to battle we knew it might be our last. I don't want to die here without letting my friends know what happened to me but I can't sit back and watch as evil tries to wipe out an entire population. If it is my destiny to die here in this battle then I'm glad I'll have you guys by my side." Willow gave both Legolas and Gimli a hug.
Aragron watched Willow with Legolas and Gimli. He didn't want to think about her fighting in this war but knew that Galadriel had foretold of her magickal powers. Leaving Willow with her friends he walked among the people of Rohan.
Legolas saw Aragorn leave and moved to follow. Willow laid a hand on his arm stopping him. "He needs to be alone with his thoughts now. Besides Theoden and Eowyn, the people will look to Aragorn to lead them in this battle."
Aragorn sees a young boy trying to lift a sword. Thinking back to when he was a young boy and first learned to wield a sword Aragorn approaches the boy. "Hand me you sword."
The boy hands over his sword to Aragorn.
Aragorn looks it over testing the weight and the feel of it. "What is your name?"
"Haleth, son of Hama, my lord. The men say it is hopeless and we will not last the night."
Aragorn swings the sword around his head and upper body, "This sword is very nicely balanced, Haleth son of Hama." Aragorn hands the sword back to Haleth and places his hand on the boy's shoulder, "There is always hope."
Willow and Legolas lean against the wall watching Aragorn with Haleth. She turns to Legolas, "He'll make a great king one day."
Legolas smiles and leans down to whisper, "And a good father."
Willow blushes a deep red causing Legolas to laugh.
Aragorn turns as he hears Legolas laughing. Curious as to what could cause him to laugh at such a serious time, he sees Willow blushing and the twinkle in Legolas' eyes.
Before he can rescue Willow from the teasing Elf they hear a horn.
"That is no Orc horn."
"How can you tell? It just sounds like a horn?"
"Each horn has a different sound when you're used to hearing it."
They rush outside to see what made the sound.
A man at the top of the gates is yelling, "Send for the king. Open the gate!"
The gate opens and an army of Elves march in. Willow watches as a long line of beautiful people with bows enter the gates. Willow turns to Gimli, "Who are they?"
"Elves."
"Is it a prerequisite that you must be beautiful to be an elf?"
Legolas smiled, "It is said that the older we get the prettier we get."
"Stupid elf hearing." Willow mumbled.
Theoden stands in awe, "How can this be?"
Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli see that Haldir is at the front of the line.
Haldir stops in front of Theoden, "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance."
"Mae govannen, Haldir!" Welcome Haldir
Aragorn and Haldir clasp forearms in greeting.
Haldir steps back and turns to Legolas and they briefly embrace.
Aragorn places his hand at the small of Willow's back and brings her to Haldir.
"Haldir, this is Willow. You may know her as yelde ned naar."
The others watched as Haldir gave a regal bow. "It is indeed an honor to meet you yelde ned naar."
Willow smiled shyly, "It is an honor to meet you as well, Haldir."
While the elves and women took their positions among the men along the high walls Willow held Aragorn's hand and led him to a small alcove.
When they stepped into the shadows Willow pulled him into her embrace and looked up at him, "I just wanted you to know that if I die in this battle, I don't regret coming to this realm for it brought me to you."
Aragorn caressed her cheek, "When I was lost, I had a vision of Arwen. As I looked into her face she changed into you and I knew that it was time to accept the feelings that I was beginning to have for you. If I too am to die in this battle you should know the truth of my feelings. Arwen will always have a piece of my heart but it is of the past. You are my future."
Willow smiled through her tears. Now she finally understood the feelings of Buffy and Angel. If she lost Aragorn it would be like losing a part of herself.
Aragorn leaned down to kiss Willow. If he was to die he wanted the taste of Willow to be the last thing on his lips. They each poured their feelings for the other into what might be their final kiss.
Through the haze they heard loud noises. It sounded like a giant stomping. Gently disentangling themselves they walked to the wall.
"Oh my god!"
The valley was full of Uruk-hai banging their weapons into the ground. Willow sincerely hoped help would arrive soon. Gandalf had gone to get Eomer and she hoped they came in time.
