A: N/ I would be mixing both the books and the movie. So to avoid
confusion, here's a brief summary of what happens next till the end of the
battle for Helm's Deep.
There would be a warg attack, yes, but Aragorn does not fall over the cliff. I see absolutely no importance of that scene Peter Jackson created.
The elves of Lothlorien DO not come to the aid of the people. They are already facing assaults from the Dark Lord on their own, how can they provide help? Erkenbrand comes in time, brought by Gandalf the White and aided the people of Edoras. Not sure who Erkenbrand is read the books.
Norie Ape: Thank you!
CityofAngel: Nay, Legolas won't blow up. Sorry. Haha. About the kiss.hmm, sorry to say but you have long to wait. Elves are immortal, and they take things slowly, though they might be in love, yet they do not rush into things. I am going to try to implement more romance, wish me luck!
Ling: Ahahaz.ok, seeya soon.
Tap dancing Hobbit: I went back to my previous chapter and started looking for grammar mistakes, but found two! Oh elbereth! I really have to improve. My English teacher says that too.
Rena: I prefer Tolkien to Shakespeare though, thanks for reviewing!
Sindacirwen/Luna the angel: Thanks! I definitely will.
Chapter 16
Dawn came and the whole of Edoras emptied of its people. For many hours a long string of people, young and old, healthy and sick, wagons carrying food and necessary supplies trudged up the path leading to Helm's Deep.
Ariel and Legolas were ever in front, on the look out for enemies.
Ariel wondered about her encounter with him last night. Why was her reaction towards him so arousing? She did not voice her thoughts out aloud, for she had a feeling Legolas would be smugly pleased about it. Yet it was what attracted her so, his arrogance.
He glanced at the slender form of Ariel, and knew looks could be deceiving. Underneath the fragile appearance, was a resolve of steel, a will as hard, and a spirit not easily broken. She shot with a deadly accuracy, and blade in skill surpassed his by only a thin margin.
Then, his attention shifted as the wind brought about tidings of danger. His ears perked up and he caught sounds of movements from far.
"Something evil is afoot," he stated.
"Aye, I sense it too," came Ariel's reply.
Their fears were confirmed as warg riders made a sudden appearance. It was impossible to sight them from far off, due to the undulating plains.
Both skilled archers brought down the first rank, but more arrived to take the place of the fallen. And the wargs were not brought down easily. One got pierced by Legolas' arrow, and ran hither and thiter, rampaging about in its agony and proving a threat to the people.
Behind the elves the people of Rohan was thrown into turmoil and panic. But Eowyn, instructed by her uncle took charge, leading them to Helm's Deep whilst the King, Aragorn, and Gimli came to their aid with only a handful of Rohirrim.
Eomer and a thousand strong horsemen had ridden ahead to Helm's Deep to strengthen the Dike and the Deeping Wall. This sudden attack had been unlooked for.
Ariel drew her Blades when the wargs were too close for the bow.
"Be careful, Ariel." Legolas cautioned, his worry for her ever mounting. Even her assurance did naught to lessen it. He would have hauled her up with him on Arod but Gimli was sitting behind.
The warg riders were at an advantage, having steeds. Ariel was in danger of being trampled when Phillifax came up to her. Leaping up lightly, she felt surer of herself.
Slaying the riders was simple enough, but the wargs were another matter. They had tough hides, and blades did naught but to increase their wrath.
Sheathing her Blades, the bow of Celebrian sung, and so ends the life of one of the Enemy who was sneaking up on King Theoden.
The battle was soon over, if battle it could be called, for there were only about thirty warg riders. But it was but a taste of the terror Saruman was about to unleash upon them.
Three valiant horsemen they lost, and Ariel looked upon them with pity and sadness.
"Whiter their souls go none knows. May they find peace." Legolas said, coming up from behind.
Feeling weary, Ariel sagged against him. He caught her around the waist, bringing her close to him. She basked in his scent, of a distant woodland realm.
"Elves need no sleep as mortal men do, but mayhap you are an exception."
"Nay! Tis only weariness that came about from the grief I feel for the fallen."
"Alas! Many deaths of the Atani I have encountered. Their lives, compared to ours are but leaves being blown away by the wind."
Ariel pulled away from his arm, half wishing she did not, but to her it seemed too intimate, and.
'Oh For the love of Eru' she thought as she sighted Aragorn snickering and Gimli, who was more discreet, hiding a smug grin. Apparently they thought Legolas holding her was amusing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
With much surprise Ariel found Theoden riding up beside her.
"Lady, the horse Phillifax I give to you, and I deem the debt I owe you repaid. Please accept this gift." His words were sincere, and Ariel felt a liking towards this man.
"And how, pray tell do you owe me?"
"You saved my life just in time." She could see it took much effort for him, a man full of pride to acknowledge the fact that a lady saved him.
"I thank thee, my lord."
What a great gift he bestowed on her. Ariel could not believe her ears. She ran a loving hand over Phil's neck, and the mare neighed in delight, as if she understood that she was going to have a mistress who would love her.
Hers.
Phillifax was hers.
She wanted so much to share the joy with another, and immediately turned her head and saw Legolas, eyes sparkling, grinning at her.
Her joy was his, and so was her pain. If he were to compare the last few months and now, twas' true he was becoming more sensitive to her feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~
Helm's Deep was set in stone, and made of stone. Ariel had a sense of foreboding as they approached it. Countless battles have been fought here, and countless men have been slain.
Gimli exclaimed in delight as he tumbled out of the horse in his eagerness to see the stonework.
Legolas and Ariel chuckled as they saw Gimli studying the architecture.
"This rock is to my liking. Give me a year and a hundred of my kin and we will make it a place where armies would break like water."
"I do not doubt it, but I do not like this place, though you comfort me, Gimli." Legolas said.
"There are too few archers here. The Rohirrim are good horsemen and wielder of swords, aye, but nonetheless they are poor in archery" Ariel observed.
"What we need are a hundred good archers of Mirkwood."
Her heart was not in the conversation, noting the fact that young boys at the age of 12 are being arrayed in mail and armed. So young and they have to battle. Her heart went out to them, praying fervently that they would not be slain, ere the chance of doing great deeds in the future is lost.
Legolas gaze fell upon her, and again the urge to touch one of those gold tresses was hard to resist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ariel apologized to Phil in soft tones.
"There would be war tonight, and tis no place for a horse, but when the need to ride out arises, I will call for you."
Phillifax looked forlornly after her mistress, but chose to bear the confines of the underground stables, ever willing was she to do aught for Ariel.
The women and children were led to the caves. Ariel caught a sight of Eowyn's bitter expression, also filled with longing and passion for battle.
There was no time to ponder on that matter, as Ariel hastened to take her place with Legolas at the circuit of the Deeping Wall. War had begun.
There would be a warg attack, yes, but Aragorn does not fall over the cliff. I see absolutely no importance of that scene Peter Jackson created.
The elves of Lothlorien DO not come to the aid of the people. They are already facing assaults from the Dark Lord on their own, how can they provide help? Erkenbrand comes in time, brought by Gandalf the White and aided the people of Edoras. Not sure who Erkenbrand is read the books.
Norie Ape: Thank you!
CityofAngel: Nay, Legolas won't blow up. Sorry. Haha. About the kiss.hmm, sorry to say but you have long to wait. Elves are immortal, and they take things slowly, though they might be in love, yet they do not rush into things. I am going to try to implement more romance, wish me luck!
Ling: Ahahaz.ok, seeya soon.
Tap dancing Hobbit: I went back to my previous chapter and started looking for grammar mistakes, but found two! Oh elbereth! I really have to improve. My English teacher says that too.
Rena: I prefer Tolkien to Shakespeare though, thanks for reviewing!
Sindacirwen/Luna the angel: Thanks! I definitely will.
Chapter 16
Dawn came and the whole of Edoras emptied of its people. For many hours a long string of people, young and old, healthy and sick, wagons carrying food and necessary supplies trudged up the path leading to Helm's Deep.
Ariel and Legolas were ever in front, on the look out for enemies.
Ariel wondered about her encounter with him last night. Why was her reaction towards him so arousing? She did not voice her thoughts out aloud, for she had a feeling Legolas would be smugly pleased about it. Yet it was what attracted her so, his arrogance.
He glanced at the slender form of Ariel, and knew looks could be deceiving. Underneath the fragile appearance, was a resolve of steel, a will as hard, and a spirit not easily broken. She shot with a deadly accuracy, and blade in skill surpassed his by only a thin margin.
Then, his attention shifted as the wind brought about tidings of danger. His ears perked up and he caught sounds of movements from far.
"Something evil is afoot," he stated.
"Aye, I sense it too," came Ariel's reply.
Their fears were confirmed as warg riders made a sudden appearance. It was impossible to sight them from far off, due to the undulating plains.
Both skilled archers brought down the first rank, but more arrived to take the place of the fallen. And the wargs were not brought down easily. One got pierced by Legolas' arrow, and ran hither and thiter, rampaging about in its agony and proving a threat to the people.
Behind the elves the people of Rohan was thrown into turmoil and panic. But Eowyn, instructed by her uncle took charge, leading them to Helm's Deep whilst the King, Aragorn, and Gimli came to their aid with only a handful of Rohirrim.
Eomer and a thousand strong horsemen had ridden ahead to Helm's Deep to strengthen the Dike and the Deeping Wall. This sudden attack had been unlooked for.
Ariel drew her Blades when the wargs were too close for the bow.
"Be careful, Ariel." Legolas cautioned, his worry for her ever mounting. Even her assurance did naught to lessen it. He would have hauled her up with him on Arod but Gimli was sitting behind.
The warg riders were at an advantage, having steeds. Ariel was in danger of being trampled when Phillifax came up to her. Leaping up lightly, she felt surer of herself.
Slaying the riders was simple enough, but the wargs were another matter. They had tough hides, and blades did naught but to increase their wrath.
Sheathing her Blades, the bow of Celebrian sung, and so ends the life of one of the Enemy who was sneaking up on King Theoden.
The battle was soon over, if battle it could be called, for there were only about thirty warg riders. But it was but a taste of the terror Saruman was about to unleash upon them.
Three valiant horsemen they lost, and Ariel looked upon them with pity and sadness.
"Whiter their souls go none knows. May they find peace." Legolas said, coming up from behind.
Feeling weary, Ariel sagged against him. He caught her around the waist, bringing her close to him. She basked in his scent, of a distant woodland realm.
"Elves need no sleep as mortal men do, but mayhap you are an exception."
"Nay! Tis only weariness that came about from the grief I feel for the fallen."
"Alas! Many deaths of the Atani I have encountered. Their lives, compared to ours are but leaves being blown away by the wind."
Ariel pulled away from his arm, half wishing she did not, but to her it seemed too intimate, and.
'Oh For the love of Eru' she thought as she sighted Aragorn snickering and Gimli, who was more discreet, hiding a smug grin. Apparently they thought Legolas holding her was amusing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
With much surprise Ariel found Theoden riding up beside her.
"Lady, the horse Phillifax I give to you, and I deem the debt I owe you repaid. Please accept this gift." His words were sincere, and Ariel felt a liking towards this man.
"And how, pray tell do you owe me?"
"You saved my life just in time." She could see it took much effort for him, a man full of pride to acknowledge the fact that a lady saved him.
"I thank thee, my lord."
What a great gift he bestowed on her. Ariel could not believe her ears. She ran a loving hand over Phil's neck, and the mare neighed in delight, as if she understood that she was going to have a mistress who would love her.
Hers.
Phillifax was hers.
She wanted so much to share the joy with another, and immediately turned her head and saw Legolas, eyes sparkling, grinning at her.
Her joy was his, and so was her pain. If he were to compare the last few months and now, twas' true he was becoming more sensitive to her feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~
Helm's Deep was set in stone, and made of stone. Ariel had a sense of foreboding as they approached it. Countless battles have been fought here, and countless men have been slain.
Gimli exclaimed in delight as he tumbled out of the horse in his eagerness to see the stonework.
Legolas and Ariel chuckled as they saw Gimli studying the architecture.
"This rock is to my liking. Give me a year and a hundred of my kin and we will make it a place where armies would break like water."
"I do not doubt it, but I do not like this place, though you comfort me, Gimli." Legolas said.
"There are too few archers here. The Rohirrim are good horsemen and wielder of swords, aye, but nonetheless they are poor in archery" Ariel observed.
"What we need are a hundred good archers of Mirkwood."
Her heart was not in the conversation, noting the fact that young boys at the age of 12 are being arrayed in mail and armed. So young and they have to battle. Her heart went out to them, praying fervently that they would not be slain, ere the chance of doing great deeds in the future is lost.
Legolas gaze fell upon her, and again the urge to touch one of those gold tresses was hard to resist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ariel apologized to Phil in soft tones.
"There would be war tonight, and tis no place for a horse, but when the need to ride out arises, I will call for you."
Phillifax looked forlornly after her mistress, but chose to bear the confines of the underground stables, ever willing was she to do aught for Ariel.
The women and children were led to the caves. Ariel caught a sight of Eowyn's bitter expression, also filled with longing and passion for battle.
There was no time to ponder on that matter, as Ariel hastened to take her place with Legolas at the circuit of the Deeping Wall. War had begun.