He! He! I'm glad you like that Gimli/Arod scene! Now on to the next chapter!
*******************************
"Who is it?" Theoden asked in authoritative voice as he immediately straightened up to his full stature. The lone rider had come into view, looking so dusty and travel weary.
"It's Ramol from Erkenbrand's company!" Eomer exclaimed as he recognized the other man.
Erkenbrand, the other Marshal of Rohan, led the Rohirrims in the western border. His company was much closer to Isengard, so there must be a great reason for him to sent out a messenger.
Ramol was quite startled to see his king among the large troop but he immediately recovered. After he dismounted, he bowed to Theoden. "Good eve to you, sire! I bring forth an urgent message from Lord Erkenbrand!"
"Speak, then," Theoden urged, a shiver of dread already ran up and down his spine.
"Saruman has deployed his army. Their target is Rohan and they are already moving as we speak."
"Are they coming our way?"
"No, my lord. It's heading directly for Helm's Deep!"
A wave of alarmed cries and murmurs instantly went up. The Rohirrim warriors looked at one another with wide eyes, panicked and worried about their families at the refuge.
"So, he is a lot faster than I thought! He has deduced our moves," Gandalf said thoughtfully.
"Can't your company stop them?" Eomer asked.
"It's a lost hope, my lord. Even if we try, we know it will be a vain effort. They are too many!"
"How many?"
"Ten thousand strong at least!"
The words were met with a long uncomfortable silence. Theoden was totally speechless. "T…ten thousand?"
"How did Saruman come out with such a big number of army?" Hama, who stood right beside the king, wondered out loud.
"By pure devilry," Gandalf replied. "Where is Erkenbrand?"
"He's waiting for the king's next orders in the Westfold. If no reply came forth to him, he will lead our company to charge against Saruman's army to delay them..."
"Even though he knows they'll die in the process," the wizard said, finishing the sentence. He closed his eyes briefly, pondering. After releasing a soft sigh, he reopened his eyes and turned to the king. "Lead them all to Helm's Deep, Theoden."
Without being called, Shadowfax was immediately at Gandalf's side. They all watched questioningly as the wizard mounted the stallion.
"What are you to do, Gandalf?" asked Theoden.
"I'll be off on an important errand. Try your best to hold the fort."
"It will hold," Eomer promised.
The wizard then turned to Aragorn. "Lend them aid, Aragorn. You know what to do."
The ranger nodded. Legolas locked his gaze with Gandalf's. The wizard gave him a small smile. "You are not alone, son of Thranduil," Gandalf said in Sindarin.
The elf softly replied in the same tongue, "I know it now, Mithrandir."
"Look to my coming," Gandalf addressed the others once more. "On the second day at sunrise, look to the east."
Then with the kick of his heels, the white wizard sped away and vanished into the darkness.
***************************
They arrived at Helm's Deep in the morning after a full night of hard riding. The big sturdy door of the large fort made of stone was immediately closed behind the last rider.
The people of Rohan had filled the place near to its capacity. They were scattered about here and there with a look of utter misery and loss hope on their faces. Among them were also some people that had to flee their villages after the wild hillmen and the herdfolk of Dunland came plundering under Saruman's command.
Several innocent children were running and playing around, totally oblivious to the tense mood. The women tried to control the youngsters' excitement but only doing it halfheartedly. They knew that the children's future was no longer clear. They might not live long enough to feel so cheerful again.
Lady Eowyn rushed outside from the Deep to meet them as the warriors dismounted. There was great relief on her face when she saw no harm had come to his brother and the king. Her eyes also strayed towards Legolas, gazing all over him in concern. Assured that the elf was completely well, Eowyn turned to Eomer. "I'm glad you return safely. Have you finished them all?"
Her question was met with silence for several moments. Then Eomer reached over and pulled her into his arms. "We haven't met them."
She looked up quizzically, waiting for her brother to say more.
"They are coming here. We must be prepared for their arrival. A big battle is imminent."
Several people nearby that had heard Eomer's words began to make sounds of distress. They knew that the enemy was promising them harm, but they had also hoped that it would not come to this.
Theoden's raised his arm, asking for his people's attention. "We will hold this fort! We will not admit defeat and let them take us that easily without fighting back! We are no weaklings! We are the Rohirrims!'
The people of Rohan shouted back their allegiance to the king. Their faces lit up once more as determination, if not hope, spurred them into movements. Some of them were already approaching to offer their assistance.
Theoden leaned forward to Hama. "We need every strength we can get. Take on every man that can lift a sword and arm them to the teeth! Helm's Deep will not fall into the darkness' hands!"
******************************
He saw massive blood poured freely as the evil servants of Saruman swung their poisoned blades through the neck of every man of Rohan.
He saw the young children cried out in terror as the monsters pounced upon the helpless little bodies and dug out the small and still beating hearts and ate them raw.
He saw the women and young girls struggled in vain as they were forced onto their back to be mercilessly violated.
He tried to escape from the ghastly sights and the horrible sounds but they kept growing clearer and louder in his mind. He tried to reach to lend some aid but he couldn't move. He could only see and hear in paralyzing dread and fear like a useless outsider.
Then the scene changed. He saw himself lying among the limp bodies of the ravaged women and children; naked, battered, tormented…dead.
Enraged, he screamed then.
"Legolas?"
The elf snapped awake when a gentle hand touched his shoulder. Blinking, he looked up and saw Eowyn's concern face hovering above him. She smiled when she finally caught his attention. "I'm sorry if I startled you, Legolas. You've fallen asleep sitting up. I have prepared some herbal tea to revive you."
Legolas straightened in his seat and quickly glanced around. The Deep receiving hall had been turned into an immediate armory and discussion room. The Rohirrims were busy putting on armor and chain mail onto their body in preparation for the coming battle. They could barely register the elf's presence. He sighed, relieved to find out that nobody else in the hall had seen his slight flaw just now. He must be incredibly tired to fall asleep so easily…and dream those terrible dark dreams.
With hands that faintly trembled, Legolas took the cup of tea that Eowyn offered, whispering his thanks. She nodded in return but didn't leave. Instead, she sat down beside him on the long bench and watched the men of Rohan get ready.
"I have been wondering," she said softly. "Why are you here, Legolas? Surely not only for Lord Aragorn?"
He mulled over her question as he sipped his drink. When he didn't reply, she looked directly at him. "Have I offended you with the question, Legolas?"
With a forced smile, he shook his head. "No, Eowyn. I'm merely trying to find the courage to answer."
She frowned slightly. "Then do not answer if it troubles you. I understand."
"Believe it or not, Eowyn, I'm also here to find myself," Legolas said, putting the now empty cup on the table behind him. "I got lost. I got broken to pieces. I'm putting myself back together to feel completely whole again."
She was silent for a long while before replying, "That explains the sad look in your eyes even when you're smiling."
"Am I that obvious?"
"Only to the eyes of those who care for you."
He gazed steadily at her. "Do you? Care for me?"
"Yes. And it can be much more if you'd let me."
It took Legolas a long time to reply, "Love me as you love your brother, Eowyn. I can never ask for more."
She bit her lips and looked down at her folded hands. "That will be an honor, Legolas. Thank you."
He reached down and gently pulled her hand to his lips. "No. Thank you. You have helped me chased away my fatigue."
Tilting her chin up, he made her look at him. "You'll find the true person for your heart someday, Eowyn. I'm not a seer, but I can assure you this; you are meant to be passionately loved with full devotion. He is going to come to you, seeking for you, and you will know that your soul is already bound to his. You will know who he is, Eowyn. He will come."
There were tears in her eyes as she heard those words. "I believe you, Legolas."
"Is something wrong here?" They both looked up at that sudden voice.
Eomer was staring down at them worriedly.
TBC….
Dun! Dun! Dun! Is Eomer going to beat our favorite elf to a pulp for getting near to his sister? Sorry. I'm not talking now!
Just to let you guys know, a friend of mine named Shawna (Hi, Shawna!) has put up a site especially for the Manyan Series. You can find all my stories there. It is cool and wonderful! I love it! To know that someone out there has taken such effort to do it for me really touched me to the core. Thank you so much, Shawna! You're awesome. And guys, go check the link at my bio page!