Part 15

Theoden paced as he listened to Aragorn and Buffy relating what they saw on their way to the keep.

"Thousands you say?"

"Tens of thousands."

"Yeah, they looked like a dark flood. It wasn't until my eyes focused that I noticed they were living beings."

"Let them come."

Buffy and Willow stared open mouthed at Theoden. Surely he couldn't be that stupid.

"Let them come?! Are you insane? What kind of plan is that?" Buffy yelled.

Willow laid her hand on Buffy's arm.

Theoden narrowed his eyes at her, "No army has ever breached this wall or set foot inside Hornburg."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Oh well then let's just tell that to the approaching army. I'm sure they'll turn around and leave."

Gimli began chuckling at the Slayer.

Aragorn tried to calm the situation. "These are no mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Bred for one purpose, to destroy your people, down to the last child."

Theoden sighed wearily, "What would you have me do? Look at my men, they have been through much all ready. If this is to be our end, then it'll be an end that will be remembered."

"Gandalf has gone to get Eomer. Isn't there anyone else that can help you? What about the Elves or Dwarves?" Willow asked.

"The old alliances are dead. We aren't as lucky in our friends as others."

"Well with that attitude it's no wonder no one comes to your aid." Buffy mumbled.

Gimli hid his laugh in a cough.

Theoden turned to Eowyn, "Get the women and children into the caves."

"Wait! You're ignoring half your warriors. I've seen Eowyn with a sword and she's very good. I've also been told that there are other women that are good with weapons. They have just as much to lose as the men. Haven't you seen how a mother fights for their young? You would deny your own people that right?" Willow argued.

Eowyn approached her uncle, "You know she speaks the truth. Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords might still die. Let us arm ourselves and fight among you."

Theoden looked at those around him and finally nodded. "Get those that wish to go to the caves and then return with the others." He turns to announce, "Secure the gates!"

Legolas gently lays a hand on Willow's back and leans down to whisper, "Come, melde. We should do some more weapons training."

 

Willow nodded and reached for his hand. As they passed Buffy she said, "Legolas and I are going to work on my weapons training."

 

Buffy smiled and winked, "So that's what they're calling it these days."

"Buffy!"

Buffy turned wide, innocent eyes to Willow, "What?" But she ruined the look with her twinkling eyes. "Go ahead. I need to rest and regain my strength."

Willow looked on in concern, "Are you all right? Do you need me?"

Buffy knew the unspoken question, Willow was able to feel the Earth's energies and use it to heal and with Buffy's Slayer recuperating abilities she would heal that much faster. Buffy smiled and shook her head no. "I'm okay, Will. You go ahead and practice." Buffy waggled her eyebrows at Willow who just smiled at her friend and entwined her fingers with Legolas as they walked away.

Legolas led Willow to an area where they wouldn't be interrupted. If this was to be their final battle he needed to say what was in his heart.

Willow looked at him curiously when he led her to an alcove. She thought he had been serious when he said they were doing weapons training, maybe Buffy was right. Elf smoochies were in her future.

Legolas smiled at the confusion on Willow's face as he pulled her into his arms. "We will train, but if this is to be my final battle I wanted to tell you that a part of me wishes you hadn't joined this fellowship."

Willow stiffened but relaxed when Legolas leaned down to kiss her softly.

"It is the part of me that wants to keep you safe but my soul sings that you joined the fellowship. I do not know where my life would have led if Galadriel and Gandalf hadn't brought you to this dimension but I trust this feeling that we would have met somehow."

Legolas brought Willow's hand up to his chest and held it against his heart. "No matter what happens in this battle trust this." He squeezes her hand as he presses into his chest and then leans down to kiss her. Pulling back he leans his forehead against her, "Trust in us."

Willow smiled with tears in her eyes and kissed him softly, "I guess this is as good a time as any to tell you that I had already decided to stay here and not go back."

Willow watched in awe as his handsome features glowed with joy. "Are you sure? I would have followed you to your land."

Willow gently caressed his jaw, "I did think about that but I think my path lies here in this dimension. My connection with the Earth is stronger here than at home. My magick is also stronger here. I will miss Buffy and my friends but I want to stay here . . .with you." Willow bit her lip as a thought just occurred to her.

Legolas saw the wheels turning in her mind, "What is it, melde?"

"It's nothing." At Legolas' raised eyebrows she continued, "I just realized that you're immortal and I'm not."

"Elves are not immortal, we do die but we ARE long lived. I would give that up for a life with you." Legolas put a finger to her lips before she could protest, "but I do not have to. You can be bestowed with Elvish immortality. It is rare but it can be done."

Willow nodded, "Well then . . .I guess we should train. If I'm gonna be an Elf I guess I should be an expert in using the bow." Willow reached up and softly caressed the pointed tip of his ear. "Hey, if I get some elfishness will I have pointed ears, too?"

Legoals' eyes rolled back and he bit his lip to keep from moaning out loud. His ears had always been sensitive to touch and Willow's touch just ignited it further.

The last thought Willow had as Legolas backed her up to the wall was . . .Hmmm, note to self, Legolas' ears are sensitive.

~~~~

Gimli sat sharpening his axe and watched as Buffy helped the women go through weapons training. They weren't all skilled in warrior training but they held the swords correctly and she could tell that they had used them before.

Aragorn watched as the women, men and boys of Rohan picked up their weapons and began to train with them. Most of the men had seen many winters while the boys saw too few. He hoped that Gandalf would be able to get to Eomer in time. Three hundred against Ten thousand were not very good odds.

Aragorn smiled at a young boy who was practicing with his sword. He reminded him of himself when he first learned to wield a sword.

Aragorn approaches the boy. "Hand me your sword."

The boy nervously 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."

Suddenly a horn echoes in the air. Buffy and Gimli rush to Aragorn's side.

"What's that? The horn of Gondor again?"

Aragorn smile widens, "No that is an Elf horn."

The third blast of the horn finally penetrates Legolas' hearing and he tenderly pulls back from Willow. "That is no ordinary horn. That's an Elf horn."

He and Willow rush to the gate just in time to see an Elvish army enter Helm's Deep with Haldir leading them.

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."

Aragorn and Haldir clasp forearms in greeting. "Mae govannen, Haldir!" Welcome Haldir

Haldir steps back from Aragorn and sees Buffy who just raises an eyebrow at him and crosses her arms, "What took you so long? You should know better than to keep a lady waiting."

If it weren't for Galadriel and Celebron's favor he would dispatch this one. She irritated him like the Dwarves irritated him.

Buffy smiled inwardly at Haldir. She could tell she pushed his buttons. He got the eye twitch like Giles used to get in high school. She hadn't given a good eye twitch in a long time. It felt good.

Haldir looked down at Buffy, "I see joining the fellowship hasn't changed you."

Before Buffy could reply Willow and Legolas joined them. Haldir turns to Legolas and they briefly embrace. He smiles a greeting to Willow. Buffy leans over to whisper in her ear, "Elf's pet."

Willow turned to smirk at Buffy, "I'm just likable."

Legolas pulls Willow next to him and keeps a hand on her waist. Haldir notices their closeness and smiles. Willow was a good match for his friend even though she wasn't an Elf.