Author's Note: Ah, I have finished school finally. Go me! Now I can give more of my attention to working on this story and others that are in the making.

Here is the long awaited for chapter! Don't forget to let me know what you think! Thanks to my faithful readers, foremost Herculeha – you will update soon, right?! – and Aemilia Rose.

Chapter 6: The Battle Begins

Footsteps from behind Eowyn cause her to whirl around. She grips her sword tightly.

"Lady Eowyn!" an urgent call reaches her ears.

Eowyn watches in surprise as three torches draw closer. It is a dozen women; among them are Laesien, Thathien, Tralede, Larewen, Mowen, Freda, Neisa, and Ethoethien. They look in horror at the dead orc, then at Eowyn. They then become aware of the approaching growls and footsteps.

"Where are the others?" Eowyn asks.

Larwen gestures behind her. "They are not far."

Eowyn frowns, trying to decide what to do. They cannot go forward. They will have to wait for the orcs to come to them.

Eowyn surveys the twelve faces that look at her; fear and uncertainty shine in their eyes.

"Tell the others to be quiet and not come any further. Put the children in the middle, so there are women before and behind them. Have those that have anything that can be used for defense to stay at the front. If –" Eowyn trails off a moment, composes herself, and continues, "if some of the orcs break past us, or we all fall, I wish for the others to have a chance to try to defend themselves. Have some women start leading the children back if all seems lost." Eowyn once more falters. All hope does seem lost. There is nowhere to turn. Whichever way they flee, they will run into death's open arms. There is no refuge this time. Fighting and fleeing will only delay them in facing their final fate.

The women all nod understandingly and look upon their Lady with total acceptance and trust, leaving their fate in her hands. Eowyn is almost overcome with emotion at the trust and loyalty in their eyes. However, she remembers their situation and quickly orders four of the women to run back and deliver her instructions. They hurriedly turn back down the passage, their torch getting smaller and smaller.

Eowyn turns and faces ahead, the passage becoming brighter from the torches that are just round the bend. She holds her sword in front of her and tenses. The other eight step up closer to her and ready their daggers and torches.

"Your friends stand with you!" Laesien shouts over the screeches to Eowyn.

"Thank you – my friends," Eowyn whispers in reply, though none can hear her.

"For Rohan!" Neisa shouts proudly.

"For the king!" Freda proclaims.

The shouts are echoed.

"Rohan will forever be in your debt." Eowyn's voice reaches their ears.

The nine women then stand taller and prouder, waiting for the enemy. Their fear slips away as a fierce desire to protect perhaps all that is left of their people burns in their hearts. They are led by the shieldmaiden of Rohan.

Then the attack comes.

The passage is flooded with light as the orcs charge round the bend and towards the women. They do not slow their pace even though they are surprised by seeing them blocking their way and their weapons. But they will all be dead shortly. One orc growls in rage, having caught sight of the fallen orc.

The women cannot tell how many orcs there are, but they are obviously outnumbered. Their swords are long and deadly. Their evil grins are hideous, causing some of the women to drop their eyes in horror. Their eyes hold nothing but menace.

Eowyn lunges forward with a cry and stabs an orc. The others rush into the battle and swing at the beasts with their metals of steel and fire.

The smell of the orcs makes Eowyn feel nauseated, but she wills herself to be strong. She kills orc after orc with her sword. The clashing of blades is deafening among the blood-curdling screams of orcs as they fall. It is impossible to tell how many they have killed and how many yet remain; otherwise, they themselves will meet the same fate as their enemies.

Something caches her eye, and she swings her gaze to her right. Ethoethien lies on the ground and tries to back away from the orc that towers above her. Her progress stops when she slides up against the wall. She looks up at the advancing creature, panic in her face. Eowyn freezes, watching in horror. She has no way of reaching her in time.

"Eowyn!" Tralede screams a frantic warning.

Eowyn throws herself to the ground and the orc growls in rage as his sword just misses her. She rolls onto her back and blocks the sword with her own. Her jaw tightens as she struggles to keep the orc's sword at bay. Her arm is getting heavy, though, and she moves more slowly now. It is hard for her to fight while on her back. Her enemy also realizes he has the upper hand. He brings his blade down which she manages to block. He quickly brings his sword down again.

Eowyn is not ready. She rolls, and a sharp cry of pain flees from her lungs. She drops her sword. She breathes in short gasps and brings both hands tightly to her side. She feels warm sticky blood that flows from her wound and onto her hands. She feels lightheaded.

She lies on her side and then rolls slowly onto her back. Steadily she lifts her gaze up to the orc towering above her triumphantly. It readies itself, about to bring its sword down for one final blow.

Eowyn leans back on the floor. Please, she prays, let the others survive - and the women and children. Protect them. She wonders if Théoden and Aragorn are already dead. And what has become of Eomer? "I fear neither pain nor death." The words she had shared with Aragorn come back to her. She does not fear what is about to happen to her. But she fears for the others. Oh, may the Valar help them!

All these thoughts races through her mind in mere seconds. She looks into the eyes of her enemy and waits. She does not close her eyes; instead she watches the blade glisten in the firelight… Then of their own accord, her eyes close.

Author's Note: This is what? My third cliffhanger? ;)