Chapter 12, Wild Angels
By: SilverRose82
I went a bit elvish crazy in this chapter. Putting together a few long sentences and everything. Erm some reviews were seen in Ch 11 when I first put it up. Well, it would confuse me days, weeks, months later as to why I have so many reviews for 11 but only so many on the page……. Erm if you're up here twice, well there's the reason I'm to lazy to fix it.
Calli-chan : Yes, well it happened to be a server virus we believe, stupid little thing started working again on Saturday.
Bluejello : My computer's fine, an annoyance but fine.
Nimerea : Don't worry, I got this chapter finished a few days after posting chapter ten, now all I have to do is Merry and Pippin, Ents, Ren on her own, rework Helm's Deep and then fly off into never never land.
BenRG : Possibly and possibly to both. Erm, the Faramir bad movie image, I've heard from others that that never happened, I know from all facts that I have read that the hobbits never went there. So why make them go somewhere that Tolkien never had them go? Yup, we're leaving Jackson's movie script behind after Helm's Deep. Erm, another possibly.
Callisto Star : You know, I've never read the books. So for some who has, saying that I'm combining both is good to know. As stated above, I know Faramir wasn't as bad as they made him to be in the movie, while worried for his land I don't think he would do all of that.
Rheia : You'll have to see, while I had an idea of who it was, it may be some one else completely different.
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Ren walked silently though the stone halls of Helm's Deep, gazing out barred windows, upon the yellow hill top she could see a chestnut horse standing proudly. His rider looked relieved to have made it to the stone keep of Rohan. His black hair lay damp against his forehead, dark moss green clothes showed their wear and age. Glancing around she watched as guards moved about, having spotting the rider from their posts.
Turning away from the window she gazed at the blue grey stone that surrounded her, drapes and paintings lined the walls bring life into the dreary hall. Slowly making her way down the hall she stopped at one of the tapestries. A battle raged on the woven strands, running her finger tips over the wool stands. Closing her eyes she could hear the sound of the guards hollering to each other about opening the doors. Turning away from the tapestry she gazed at the blank wall behind her, peering around she nodded, the hall had remained deserted.
Continuing down the hall she lay a pale hand against the small dagger strapped against her thigh. She wore tight fitted black leather pants, a wide brown leather belt lay on her hips. Over a silver no sleeved shirt was another leather shirt, it too, had no sleeves and the neckline went halfway down her chest, nothing was visible for the silver shirt underneath kept her chest covered. The outline of the leather shirt was a braided cord of dark brown leather, it wrapped around her shoulders and neckline before running down a single cord in the center of her shirt to fade into the belt. The cord keeping her small elven dagger from falling off was another braided cord. Her boots when a bit past midway up her calves. Two sets of arm bands wrapped around her upper arms. Her hair pulled back in a braid to stay out of her way.
Sighing she made her way into the main hall of Helm's Deep. The guards at the door allowing her to pass without second glance. Entering the room she watched in silence as Aragorn pushed open the large wooden doors. Silencing all in the room as they turned to gaze at the newcomer.
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"Why does this pain me so?" Éowyn asked as she gazed sullenly towards Lady Ren. The older woman squinted her eyes as she gazed silently into the caverns where the women, children, and elderly were being brought. Turning to face Éowyn she closed her eyes for a moment. "He speaks of another."
"He has loved her since he first lay eyes upon her." Ren told her as she placed the basket she had been carrying down. Éowyn following her example turned to leave the cavern to gather more supplies. "I can give no comfort to your questions for trying to destroy the love they have, would be to destroy my great, great granddaughter's heart. That I cannot do."
"Granddaughter?" Éowyn spun on the word and gazed into the elven woman's eyes. Defeat seemed to pass over the niece of Théoden as she realized no hope in her questions. Ren placed a hand on Eowyn's shoulder, the young woman lowered her gaze as Ren moved to stand before her. Reaching out Ren lifted Eowyn's face so she could study the girl before her, smiling softly Ren bid her to follow after her, more baskets had to be brought into the caverns.
"Aye, his heart had been given to my great great granddaughter. Though, had it not, you would have been a wonderful match for him. Maybe you are the better match, but with hearts no one can question their choice. Great things lay ahead of you Éowyn. Your path is yours alone to make and follow, do not fear it." Ren told the girl beside her as she reached over to grasp the handles on another woven basket, the dark woods bent around the handmade frame gave a bit as they shifted to carry the weight better. Glancing into the basket she carried, many woven wool blankets, dyed in earthen colours, were folded.
"Why do you travel with this band? You have the statute of a great queen." Éowyn asked as she watched Legolas walk into the meeting room where Théoden was speaking to Aragorn and the head of his guards. Ren watched silently as Éowyn stared at the doors that kept her from the room she wished to be in, wished to be a part of. Turning away she continued moving back to the stairwell that lead into the caverns were the towns people were beginning to fill.
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"Um gosta, Legolas." Ren whispered from the door way she stood in behind the upset elven prince. She had come back into the weaponry room only to hear the ending argument from him and Aragorn. When Aragorn had stormed out of the room in anger she had slowly made her way into the windowless room. (Do not despair, Legolas.)
"Huin uva aen, lle sinte yana!" Legolas countered quickly in anger as he cast an armor covered arm in the direction of the remaining men. Gimli glanced between the two before turning to await Ren's answer, the men and men-children watched in fascination as they listened to a language they had never heard before. (They will die, you know that!)
"Uma, huin uva. Narhuni uva aen elaite a an ana huin uva usale Caldron. Enosta tirtanya mad aen si adome, Legolas. Lle ila lala adan ho laita, numa ner hant lle udaro auth." Ren nodded towards him as she gazed around at the faces before her, silver orbs taking in faces that held fear. Men that were far to old to hold their own and children, stared back at her. Children as young as she was when she first started battling were going into this war tonight. (Yes, they will. But they will die in honor and for that they will travel to the Caldron. Rebirth awaits those who die here tonight, Legolas. You cannot deny a man his honor, no more than you can halt a war.)
"Lye waith lemb hain si aen." Legolas pointed out with a prominent glare. Squaring her shoulders, the elder elf stared the younger down. Legolas could only stare into endless steel coloured eyes, within the depths he saw the universe. Countless numbers of stars and planets swirled around her eyes. (Our people leave them here to die.)
"Legolas, nat eina hiesse palurin an man lye uil dangweth. Estel na I erenat lye u anira an." Ren told the elven prince, glancing around the crowded armory she gazed into frightened but courageous eyes of the Rohan men. Turning to Gimli she placed a hand on his shoulder. The dwarf lord nodded as he moved to follow her out of the room. Ren turned once to glance back at the fuming elf, clasping the door for a fleeting moment she turned away. The door creaked closed as it slowly reached the frame, a loud click deafened the silent room as the lock moved into place. (Legolas, things happen in this world for which we cannot answer. Hope is the only thing we can wish for.)
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Gimli followed silently after Ren as they made their way to the stables. The sweet smell of hay rushed over them as they slowly opened the doors that separated them from the creatures they searched for. A gust of wind rushed past them causing Ren's braided hair to sway behind her. Walking past rows of horses, and tack polished until it shone lay neatly beside each stall. Every horse had been groomed and fed, now all were sticking their heads over stall doors, watching the two walk past them heading towards the last to stalls in the stone stable. Two, proud white heads glanced over at them, waiting patiently for the two.
Gimli watched silently as Ren moved to stand between the two stallions. The stable empty of men, no sound was made as Ren lay ivory hands on the foreheads of Artemis and Helios. Lids closed over lavender and azure eyes as Ren slowly dropped her hands back to her sides. Taking a few small steps towards Gimli, she turned around to gaze over the two stallions. Helios kept her gaze as he waited for her to speak.
"Your strength is needed once more my friends." Ren whispered as she lowered her head, a faint glow of gold surrounded the two stallions, seconds later standing in place of the two majestic white horses were two men. Regal in appearance they were a good few inches taller than Lady Ren herself.
Both men had shocking white hair, only Helios' was short wind blown hair while Artemis' fell to his waist as though it were long grass. Their eyes no different then in their horse form shone in the torch light. Upon their brows were the signs of the Cosmos or the Moon respectively. Helios was grabbed in black leathers with intricate silver designs stitched across his chest, shoulders and arms, a long broad sword lay at his waist, the hilt shone of polished onyx, ready to be pulled out at a given moment. Artemis wore deep greens similar to the outfit Helios wore only a cloak finished off his outfit, a short sword and deep bronze gold bow and quivers were his weapons of choice. Ren smiled as she watched their insignia slowly flickered before fading from normal sight.
"It is a pleasure to serve you once again Neo-Queen Serenity." Artemis told her with a broad smile. Ren glared at him with a soft smile before turning to Gimli. The dwarf lord looked baffled for a moment or two before he remembered the two standing in front of him.
"You haven't changed lad." Gimli laughed as he walked up to Helios, the tall guardian smiled as he shook Gimli's outstretched hand. Glancing over at Artemis the two moved to stand in guard position behind their mistress.
"I don't believe that in the short years since we last spoke that I would." Helios grinned as seriousness began to settle over the four in the stable. "How much time before the battle, milady?"
"When my home no longer shines over Helm's Deep and the skies cry of innocent deaths that will fall on this night." Ren told him, her face grim and calculated to give away no other answers. He nodded, gazing around the stable once he watched as Gimli and Artemis slowly made their way to the stable doors. "Lady, I promised to serve you the day that you saved me from meeting my death."
"I know, Elios, and I thank you for your devotion." Ren whispered as she glanced at the stone floor below her feet. Clear of the debris that covered most stable floors, Ren sank to the ground with a sigh. Placing her head in her hands she muttered, elven and Lunarian prayers. Helios stood guard a few feet in front of her, allowing no one to pass by him to bother her. "So many are to fall tonight. While I know most of them will await rebirth or the heavens, what of the mothers that will lose their children, husbands? I fear that even with all my power of foresight given to me by my mother and Pluto, I no naught of the outcome. Though many times I wish to never know those odds I wish I do now."
"Tis a great cause in which we fight, milady. They will mourn but in the final hours they will rejoice." Helios told her as he walked over to her, offering Ren his milk white hand, she silently allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. Within a few steps Ren wrapped her arms around her long time guardian and friend. The dream guardian did nothing but hold onto his lady who needed the simple comforts of a friend. Neither were startled when Artemis appeared behind her both enclosing her from the world. A world that she should have been allowed to enjoy and not worry over.
"You'll not be alone in this Serenity. We will fight along side you." Artemis whispered as she pulled away from them, nodding her head she closed her eyes allowing the tranquility of the stable to wash over her she took a deep breath. Opening her eyes she gazed around, her eyes finally landing on Artemis and Helios. Smiling at them she stood proudly, shaking her head to clear away nervous thought that would follow her into battle. She slowly walked past them heading to the large oak doors, pushing them open she smiled as Helios and Artemis followed after her. Gazing in front of her she could see Legolas and Aragorn speaking quietly to each other, the elf looked apologetic as Aragorn only waved off the need for apology.
Leading them down a separate hallway, they made their way back to the main room where the guards and warriors awaited for orders. Gimli rushed over to them as he lead the group towards a window nearby, clouds were starting to roll in. Deep violet and prussian blues carpeted the horizons, looming before them fiercely. The small group listened quietly as Théoden spoke to his people. Artemis watched in silence as the fear the people before him were feeling blanket their eyes, even as their king spoke words to comfort them their fear grew.
"No dawn for man." Artemis spoke silently. "There will be none if their hope falters."
"No dawn for man." Ren whispered repeating his words, her eyes lowering to the ground as she tried to remember something. Something important, something that had made her what she was today. "Chaos. Artemis, Chaos spoke those very same words. Those very same words when he destroyed our homes, our lives. As did Darien, when he knew nothing would be able to save the world."
"We will not allow what happened those years ago to happen once more, Serenity." Artemis told her as he watch Legolas and Aragorn walk into the filled meeting hall. Studying the young elf prince he gazed at Ren, her eyes never faltering from the horizon. Pushing his long white hair behind his ears he moved to speak to the two warriors, however, a hand shot out and wrapped around his wrist halting him from leaving. Looking around he turned to see Helios was the one that refused to let him leave.
"Now is not the time to speak to them. We need to assist the lady." Helios hissed as stared at the old advisor to Ren's mother and the guardian to Venus. Gazing over at Ren he could see her tense up with anticipation, the smell of battle was among them and the long time veteran could sense it. Nodding he placed a comforting hand on Ren's shoulder, she looked up, piercing her lips together she lowered her head. Glancing over at Gimli she gave him an encouraging smile before they slowly made their way through the group. Walking towards the door, Ren glanced over the group of men and children. Nodding silently, she lifted her cloak over her head, the deep blue hood covering her from sight as the three of them walked out of the room.
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Um gosta, Legolas. : (Do not despair, Legolas.)
Huin uva aen, lle sinte yana! : They will die, you know that!
Uma, huin uva. Narhuni uva aen elaite a an ana huin uva usale Caldron. Enosta tirtanya mad aen si adome, Legolas. Lle ila lala adan ho laita, numa ner hant lle udaro auth. : Yes, they will. But they will die in honor and for that they will travel to the Caldron. Rebirth awaits those who die here tonight, Legolas. You cannot deny a man his honor, no more than you can halt a war.
Lye waith lemb hain si aen. : Our people leave them here to die.
Legolas, nat eina hiesse palurin an man lye uil dangweth. Estel na I erenat lye u anira an. : Legolas, things happen in this world for which we cannot answer. Hope is the only thing we can wish for.
Review, Thanks, and Goodnight:
~*~ SilverRose82 ~*~