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A/N: Eeeek! I was attacked by reviews! It was great! Due to popular vote, Haldir will LIVE! Thanks to all who reviewed and e-mailed with votes!
Chapter Two: A Vision and Rescue
Theoden, Aragorn, and Haldir gave orders, placing men on the wall. Soon all was ready and they waited. As the army of Uruk-Hai came into sight it began to rain. The icy cold water fell relentlessly, soaking everyone to the bone. It dampened spirits as well as armour and clothing.
The Uruks stopped before the wall and began pounding and roaring, making an awful racket. Aragorn glanced at Haldir. Suddenly the Ranger's eyes glazed as his foresight asserted itself.
The battle raged. The Uruks were forcing them back. Haldir was on the stairs, fighting. Theoden called a retreat to the Keep. Haldir turned as Aragorn called to him and signaled agreement. Haldir turned and called to his men. As the Elf turned around to head into the Keep, an Uruk sliced his shoulder. The Captain lurched in surprise. Another Uruk drove an axe into the Elf-warrior's back as Aragorn fought to get to him. Aragorn caught Haldir as life fled the Elf's body...
Aragorn came to with a gasp. Haldir was going to die! No! Now that he knew, Aragorn would stop it! He would not allow his friend's immortal life to be cut short! Legolas grasped his shoulder and Gimli gruffly said, "Well, lad, that luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."
"Don't worry Aragorn, your friends are with you," Legolas reassured.
"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli grumbled. Aragorn froze and Legolas looked into his eyes, "What is it, Estel?"
"Haldir...He will die...I saw...He will die..."Aragorn whispered brokenly.
"Haldir?!" repeated Legolas.
Aragorn nodded and Legolas continued, "The future is not fixed, but fluid. We will not let our friend die! Fear not Aragorn, Haldir will live."
Aragorn nodded, only reassured a little. He knew Legolas and Gimli would do all they could to protect the Marchwarden.
The battle raged. It had been nearly five days and it was becoming desperate for the men defending the Deep. The Uruk-Hai were so many...Too many. And some terrible device had destroyed the outer wall. Suddenly, Theoden's voice rang out, "Aragorn! Get your men out of there! To the Keep! Retreat! Retreat to the Keep!"
For a moment Aragorn froze as the vision came back to him, but then he yelled, "To the Keep! To the Keep!" He looked for Haldir and called, "Na Barad! Haldir, na Barad!"
Haldir acknowledged him and the Man saw an Uruk come up to the Elf's side as the Captain called for the Elves to retreat. Aragorn began to run toward the Elf, desparate to stop what he knew was coming. "Haldir! Haldir!" he yelled. Legolas looked over to where Aragorn gestured, hearing the frantic note in the Man's voice. He realized what was going to happen, how Haldir would be injured and killled and sent an arrow at the Uruk that threatened to carry out what Aragorn had foreseen.
The arrow hit the Uruk squarely, killing it. The prince watched as Aragorn arrived at Haldir's side and killed another Uruk that would have buried an axe in the Marchwarden's back. Haldir looked at the man in shock and nodded gratefully. Together, the two made a quick retreat to the Keep.
They found some of Theoden's men barricading the door as the King looked around desolately.
"It is over. We are defeated. Helm's Deep is taken," Theoden said. Aragorn turned on the man incredulously, "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it! They still defend it! They have died defending it!"
"Is there another way for the women and children to escape the caves?" asked Haldir. Theoden did not respond so one of the men said, "There is a passage that leads to the mountains...But the Uruks are too many, they will not get far..."
"Start evacuating the caves," Haldir said.
"What can men do agianst such reckless hate?" whispered Theoden. Aragorn looked at him, "Ride out with me."
"For death?" asked Theoden.
"For Rohan. It is nearly dawn. Ride out with me and meet them!" urged Aragorn, as Gandalf's words at Edoras came back to him, *Look for me at dawn of the fifth day. When the sun rises, look to the East.*
Theoden looked up, also remembering and said, "Yes. Let the Horn of Helm Hammerhand sound one last time. Let this be the hour in which we draw swords together!"
"Yes!" shouted Gimli and raced to the horn.
"Now for wrath! Now for ruin! And the Red Dawn!" shouted the king as he and the men rode out, killing Uruks as they went.
Suddenly, up on the hill to the East, Gandalf appeared, flanked by Eomer and his men. Seeing the new host, the Uruks knew they were defeated and those who were not killed, ran only to be taken out by the new reinforcements. The battle was won. The remaining men let up a cheer that echoed off of the stone walls. Aragorn smiled at his friends. As long as he had them, he could face anything.
The End
A/N: Okay, so this chapter was short and terrible...I'm sorry! Thanks for reading! Please leave me a REVIEW! Hugs and bunnies to all of my reviewers!
