A/N: No changes other than Elvish

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Chapter 4: The Battle of Helm's Deep

Aragorn opened his eyes and stared up. He could see where he had fallen from and it was now silent. He got up slowly, making his way around the cliff to look for a way up. He found one of the horses that had been left behind and mounted it. Riding slowly along the river's edge, he found himself staring over the plans to Helm's Deep.

He turned the other direction, spotting a very large black mass slowly moving in the same direction. Saruman's army is coming, he thought. He turned his gaze back to Dunharrow and with all speed set off. Théoden must know. It is time for battle.

He raced along the flat for hours; slowly Helm's Deep became bigger. He reached the gates and entered the Hornburg. Gimli noticed him.

"Where is he? Where is he? I'm going to kill him!" roared Gimli, as he pushed his way passed refugees.

"It's good to see you too, Gimli," replied Aragorn wittily.

Éowyn had heard the commotion and hurried out to see what it was. When she caught sight of Aragorn, she ran to meet him, throwing her arms around his neck. They held each other, unspeaking.

"Anuir na caned lîn glas," (Ever is thy sight a joy,) he whispered.

"Emel nîn linna cenatel," (My heart sings to see thee,) she said

Éowyn handed the golden chain to him.

"Garo han, han na lîn." (Take this, it is yours.)

"Celithon ant lîn emel nîn," (I shall treasure your gift in my heart) he replied.

Legolas approached him now.

"Na mae ceni le, mellon nîn," (It is good to see you, my friend) he said.

Aragorn smiled. "Hannon le, Legolas." (Thank you, Legolas)

"I must speak with the king urgently," Aragorn started again, "Where is he?"

Éowyn stepped forward. "I shall take you to him," and led him up the stairs to the King's Hall.

            Théoden sat with Háma and Gamling, discussing the defence of the Keep, when Aragorn burst through the doors. They all looked up, shocked and amazed.

"Théoden, I have seen Saruman's army on my way here," said Aragorn, "they will be here by nightfall."

"How could he know we have fled here?" asked Théoden.

"He has spies and still holds the Palantír of Isengard," he answered.

"We must gather all those who can fight," suggested Gamling, "we need as many men and boys as we can."

"We cannot fight them just as we are," said Aragorn, "we need more forces."

"From where?" argued Théoden, "they will not make it in time." He turned to Éowyn who was standing near Aragorn.

"Éowyn, you must gather all the women and children into the caves and defend them there."

Éowyn tried to protest but Théoden looked pleadingly at her. She retreated from the hall.

A horn sounded outside. They looked confused and walked outside. From the wall, shouts came.

"What could it be?" asked Théoden, turning to Aragorn.

Aragorn peered over the wall and ran down to the gates to meet them. The gates opened to reveal Haldir, leading a host of Elven archers.

"Haldir! Mae govannen!" (Haldir! Welcome!) cried Aragorn, "But how?"

"Galadriel watches over you, Elessar," he said, "she sent us to honour the allegiance between Men and Elves once more."

            The Elves processed into the Hornburg and took their positions along the Deeping Wall. Aragorn stood beside Gimli and Legolas. The marching grew louder.

"Well Aragorn, whatever luck you've lived by, let's hope it lasts the night," said Gimli.

"Your friends are with you Aragorn," added Legolas.

"Let's hope they last the night," emphasised Gimli.

The army grew closer; they could see the sea of fearsome Uruk-hai. It had also started to rain.

Aragorn was giving orders to the Elvish archers.

"Ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas!" (Show them no mercy, for you shall receive none!)

"What's happening out there?" demanded Gimli, jumping up and straining to see over the wall.

"Shall I describe it to you?" replied Legolas, "Or would you like me to find you a box?" He grinned. Gimli began to laugh.

All were still, each side awaiting a command to attack. An arrow was accidentally released from the Deeping Wall, hitting an Uruk-hai in the neck and killing it.

"Dartho," (Hold,) shouted Aragorn.

This was it. The Uruk-hai were mad. Their leader ordered the charge.

"So it begins," said Théoden quietly.

"Tangado a chadad!" (Prepare to fire!) shouted Aragorn. The Elves drew their arrows.

"Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc," (Their armour is weak at the neck and underneath the arms) cried Legolas.

The Uruk-hai were running towards them now.

"Hado i philinn!" (Release the arrows!) roared Aragorn.

A hail of arrows descended upon the Uruk-hai, several fell in the first strike. More came from behind, carrying ladders.

"Prepare yourself, Gimli," said Legolas from beside him, "they are coming."

Gimli drew out his axes readying himself. Legolas brought out his fighting knives, as did all of the other Elves. Aragorn had his sword drawn as the first of the Uruk-hai swarmed over the walls. Aragorn turned his attention to the causeway in the wall where a group of Uruk-hai had begun to batter it. He ordered the Elven archers to fire on them, but more continued to come. Through a pathway made, an Uruk-hai ran carrying a torch of explosives.

"Legolas, togo hon dad!" (Legolas, bring him down!) shouted Aragorn.


Legolas fired a series of arrows at the Uruk-hai, one hitting him in the shoulder. The Uruk-hai stopped. He pulled the arrow out and continued to run towards the causeway.

Aragorn was frantic. He must not reach the wall, he thought. He called to Legolas again.

"Dago hon! Dago hon! Legolas, daro hon!" (Kill him! Kill him! Legolas, stop him!)

Legolas fired again frantically, shooting him in the leg, but the Uruk kept going. He reached the causeway and threw the torch at it.

The Deeping Wall exploded, blasting both Elves and Men from it. Aragorn charged down to where the Uruk-hai had begun to swarm inside, calling Elvish archers with him and grabbing Gimli who was struggling to get back up. They fought back the oncoming Uruks as they tried to push through.

"Call your men back, Aragorn!" yelled Théoden, "To the Keep!" Aragorn nodded at called to Haldir.

"Haldir, nan barad! (To the Keep!) We must retreat!"

Aragorn carried Gimli away, kicking and struggling the whole way. Haldir followed them, until he was stopped by a small group of Uruks. He killed them easily but one struck him from behind, knocking him down.

"HALDIR!" cried Aragorn, rushing to his friend's side. He seized the ladder of orcs just coming over the walls and threw them down, killing all. He knew he had to leave him here but it hurt him.

            Aragorn made his way to the Keep and helped Théoden's men to bar the doors.

"Sire, we cannot hold them for much longer!" shouted Gamling. Aragorn stepped forward, Gimli at his side.

"How long do you need?"

"As long as you can give me," Théoden said.

"Gimli, come with me," ordered Aragorn. They snuck out of a side door and outside to where the Uruk-hai were barging the gate down. They peered around the corner. Gimli held back a little.

"It's a long way," said Aragorn.

"Toss me," mumbled Gimli.

"What?" asked Aragorn.

"I cannot jump the distance, so you'll have to toss me!"

Aragorn picked him up but before he could throw him, Gimli stopped him.

"Don't tell the Elf."

"Not a word."

He threw Gimli across onto the bridge and followed himself. They began to hack away at the hoards of Uruks who were lined up along the bridge. Their plan did not go as well as they would have liked. They managed to hold them off long enough for Théoden to order their retreat to the Keep, as they broke through the gates.

Legolas threw Aragorn and Gimli a rope and pulled them up onto the wall. They made for the hall.

"What do we do now?" asked Théoden.

"We ride," said Aragorn, "a last charge. For Rohan, for glory. Ride out with me Théoden King, ride out and meet them."

"Let this be the hour when we draw swords together," said Théoden, resting a hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "Sound the horn," he cried, "and fetch my horse!"