DISCLAIMER: YES!!! MUWAHAHAHA!!! Lord of the Rings is MINE!!! I stole it!!! YAHAH – choke, cough, cough! Just kidding. Lord of the Rings still isn't mine. But Skeet and Gwen are.
Gwen shoved all traces of fear into the back of her mind. This is no time to be frightened she chided herself. Yet fear continued to wind it's icy fingers around her heart. There was one second when it seemed as if all noise became muffled and things shifted into slow motion. Then the riders and the Wargs clashed. Gwen heard a horse scream as she whirled out her sword. She charged a Warg that was heading towards the King, killing it with a stab to its side. She turned and Skeet reared up, throwing her from his back. Gwen hit the ground hard, knocking the wind from her lungs.
" Why did I have to get stuck with THAT horse?" she said as she quickly pushed herself up off the ground. Looking up, she came face to face with a very large and stinky Warg.
" Okay, that is a face only a half blind mother could love," she said. The Warg came towards her, crouching into a springing position. Gwen got her sword up in front of her. The Warg's leap was cut short by an arrow. Gwen looked up in surprise to see Legolas standing behind the dead animal.
" Legolas, you shouldn't go around killing other people's Wargs! It isn't very nice!" she yelled at him in mock irritation. He was used to her humor, so he rolled his eyes and continued on. Gwen turned and swiftly threw one of her knives at an orc rider who was standing over a man from Rohan. The orc crumbled to the ground. Gwen ran over to help the man up and grab her dagger. He nodded his thanks and turned away. Gwen turned to see a rider - less Warg feasting on a horse. An idea seized her and without a second thought she ran at the Warg and vaulted onto its back. The beast turned away from its meal and sprang to the side.
" Come on, you stupid creature!' she yelled, jerking on the reins. The Warg turned to the right and towards one of it's own comrades. Gwen spurred him towards it. The orc rider turned and slashed at her, catching her shoulder. She screamed and swung at him with her sword, taking off his head. She then stabbed downwards and slew her evil steed. Turning, she saw Aragorn being drug along by another Warg.
" Aragorn!" she yelled, running after the creature. It ran towards the cliff edge, dragging Aragorn with it. Gwen could not catch up. The Warg slipped on gravel and fell over the cliff side. Gwen continued running. She herself slipped on the gravel, falling hard on the rock. Tears brimmed over her eyes as she crawled to the edge of the drop, looking for any sign of hope. This cannot be happening she thought. The battle ended swiftly. An odd Warg or orc ran about, but they were soon slaughtered.
" Aragorn!" Legolas yelled. Gwen looked over to where he was standing. A dying orc gave a gurgling chuckle.
" Tell me what happened and I shall ease the passing," said Gimli. Placing his axe blade at the orc's throat.
" He's, cough, dead. Took a little tumble off the cliff," replied the orc, obviously relishing the thought.
Legolas grabbed his throat. " You lie!" he said angrily. The orc gave a choking sound and died.
" It's true. I saw him go over," said Gwen, her voice heavy with sorrow. Legolas walked over to the cliff edge and peered over. Gwen gave a loud sniffle.
" I tried to get to him, but I couldn't run fast enough. The Warg slipped and went over. I couldn't stop it," she sobbed. Her tears mingled with the dirt and blood on her face. Legolas was not given to signs of affection, so it gave Gwen a little shock when he walked over to her and gave her a hug. She cried on his shoulder. The King walked over.
" Get the wounded on horses. Leave the dead," he commanded one of his men. Legolas turned from Gwen and stared at Theoden.
" Come," said Theoden, placing a hand on his shoulder, knowing how the elf felt.
" I guess this means that I had better go find my horse. Goodness knows were he has gotten too," choked Gwen. Gimli smiled at her attempt to lighten the weight that had settled upon them.
" Here, milady," a man behind her said. Gwen turned to see that he was holding Skeet.
" Oh, thank you so much! He didn't bite you, did he?" she asked. The man smiled grimly.
" He just took al little nibble. It's the least I could do. You saved my life," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude.
" Of course I did. What else could I have done?" she asked.
" Well, me and my family thank you," he said, then turned and mounted his horse. Gwen turned and attempted to mount Skeet. She gave a cry and let go of the saddle and looked at her hands. She hadn't realized until then that they had been scraped badly by the fall.
" Here," she heard Legolas say. She turned and saw the strips of cloth he held in his hands. " Oh, these will make life so much easier," she said in thanks as she wrapped them around her hands. She turned around and mounted Skeet. What was left of the company headed towards Helms Deep.
Helms Deep was full of people. They all made way for the horsemen to ride through. Gwen rode and looked at the faces. They are all afraid. But hey, I would be too, having to leave my life behind and not knowing what was going to happen, she thought. Eowyn ran towards them.
" So few, so few of you have returned," she stammered.
" Our people are safe. And we have paid for it with many lives," said the King as he dismounted.
" My lady," stammered Gimli.
" Lord Aragorn, where is he?" she asked, her face filled with concern.
Gimli had trouble getting the words out. " He fell," he finally managed to stammer. Gwen walked over and saw Eowyn's face fill with grief.
" I know, friend. It is hard on us all. Yet we all must continue on," said Gwen. Eowyn turned to her.
" You are right. Come on, let's get that shoulder tended too," said Eowyn as she beckoned Gwen to follow her. Gwen sat down and untied the drawstrings at the top of her dress, loosening the collar. She pulled the dress down over her shoulder.
" Ah, how do you manage to get hurt like this?" asked Eowyn as she bathed the shoulder. Gwen clenched her teeth together.
" I have no idea. Have you seen Legolas? He comes out of battle without a scratch on him. Which is quite sickening, if you know what I mean. I guess orcs just don't like me very much," Gwen joked. Eowyn laughed as she patched up Gwen's shoulder. After she got Gwen's shoulder done, she pulled her to the side were she had a blanket lying on the ground.
" Here, why don't you lie down and rest? I'll be nearby; no one will bother you. Go too sleep. You'll fell better when you wake up," she said. Gwen lay down and drifted off.
She awoke about two hours later and went to find Eowyn.
" Eowyn, where are Gimli and Legolas?" she asked.
" Over that way," motioned Eowyn. Gwen walked in the direction she indicated and soon caught sight of Legolas. She walked up to him.
" Did I miss anything?" she asked, trying to stifle a yawn.
" No, we didn't do anything important," he responded.
" Oh, good. I'll go walk around, savvy?" she asked. He shrugged his shoulders and she walked off. After she wandered about for a while, she noticed some commotion by the doors.
" Hey, what's going on?" she asked a bystander.
" He's back!" the person replied.
" Who is back?" she asked confused. Before her question was answered, she saw the source of all the excitement.
" Aragorn!!" she shrieked, pushing her way towards him.
" Gwen!" he said, equally happy to see her, " Come with me. I am going to the King." Gwen followed happily. They encountered Legolas in the hall outside the king's door.
" You're late. You look terrible," he said. Aragorn smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. Legolas brought his hand up and Gwen saw him hand Aragorn the Evenstar necklace that Arwen had given to him. Aragorn smiled and headed inside.
" Legolas, that is no way to greet someone who has taken a tumble off a cliff and ridden all this way," she scolded with mock severity. He laughed and they walked in after Aragorn.
" A large contingent of orcs, you say?" said the King.
" All of Isengard is emptied. It is an army bred for a single purpose; to destroy the world of men. They will be here my nightfall," stated Aragorn.
" Let them come!" said Theoden. Aragorn, Legolas, Gwen, and Gimli followed Theoden as he walked outside and began giving orders to prepare the city. Gwen wandered over to where Eowyn was sitting, planning on catching up with Aragorn later. She seated herself next to Eowyn. Gwen watched as her eyes followed Aragorn's every move.
" I am assuming that you are glad that Aragorn is back?" Gwen asked nonchalantly. Eowyn looked at her and blushed.
" Am I really that obvious?' she asked. Gwen smiled.
" Just a little," she responded. Gwen still couldn't bring herself to tell Eowyn about Arwen. Eowyn would be crushed if she knew, she thought. So she busied herself with helping Eowyn herd the women and children into the caves. Gwen caught sight of Aragorn and walked over to him.
" What did the King say?" she asked him.
" The King will not call for help. As you can see, the women and children are being sent into the caves, out of the battle," he informed her.
" He places much faith in the fortress' ability to keep the orcs out," lamented Gwen.
" Yes, I know. It is a strong Hold, yet everything has a weakness," he said.
" Aragorn!" a voice cried. Gwen turned to see Eowyn pushing towards them.
" I am being sent down into the caves," she said, a tone of disappointment evident in her voice.
" That is an honorable position," commented Aragorn, trying to make her feel better.
" To mind the women and children. What chance of valor is there in that?" she demanded hotly.
" There may come a time when the people will need guidance. Then, who will they turn too?" Aragorn asked her.
" Please, let me stand at your side," she begged.
" It is not in my power to do so," he stated.
" Your friends stand with you! And they do it because they love you!" she cried. Aragorn looked at her in silence. Gwen looked at Legolas, who was standing nearby.
" I am sorry, my lord," apologized Eowyn as she turned away. Gwen watched her go. Well, that was quite unexpected, she thought. She followed Aragorn and Legolas into the armory. It was full of young boys and old men. Gwen looked about her in dismay.
" Farmers, ironworkers, stable boys. These are no soldiers," said Aragorn.
" Most have seen too many winters," said Gimli.
" Or too few," continued Legolas.
" Does Theoden expect these young ones to fight?" Gwen asked, her eyes wide. Aragorn nodded.
" Look at them. They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes," said Legolas. All eyes riveted on him.
" And why should they be? Two hundred against ten thousand?" he continued in elvish.
" Their chances are better here than at Edoras," answered Aragorn, also in elvish.
" Aragorn, they cannot win this battle. They are all going to die!" Legolas said. Gwen flinched at his words. He himself seemed frightened.
" Then I shall die as one of them!" yelled Aragorn in the common speech. He then turned and walked away. Legolas started after him. Gimli and Gwen stopped him.
" Let him go lad. Let him be," said Gimli. Gwen looked up at him.
" You are frightened," she said simply, " So am I, and so are they. Yet if we do not fight, then who will? Saruman's army did come as a bit of a shock, but we must stick it through. Give Aragorn a bit of time, I do not think that he will remain angry with you." Gimli nodded his agreement.
" You are a good friend, Gwen," Legolas said. Gwen smiled at him
" Well, someone has to keep you in line," she replied. A loud gurgling sound came from Gimli's belly. Gwen looked at him and arched her eyebrow.
" Could we find some food?" he asked. Gwen laughed and the trio set off in search of food.
" Yes, as long as it isn't a certain Dwarf's stew!" she said, dodging a light blow from that certain dwarf.
Gwen later found Aragorn in the armory. She bounced up next to him.
" Ah, getting the old chain mail on, aye? Is there one that would fit me?" she asked. Aragorn eyed her slender figure.
" I do not think so, but you can try," he answered. He went to reach for his sword and found Legolas holding it.
" You have brought us this far and have not led us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair," he apologized. Aragorn accepted his sword.
" There is nothing to forgive," he said, clasping Legolas' shoulder. Gimli clanked into the room.
" By the time I get this atrusted thing on -," the mail slid over his and piled up around his feet. Gwen stifled a giggle as she looked at Aragorn and Legolas.
" It's a little tight across the chest," said Gimli with indignation. A horn sounded through the armory.
" That is no orc horn," cried Legolas. Gwen followed him as he ran out to the gate. What she saw took her breath away. There was a large company of elves standing in front of the king. Haldir was with them. Aragorn ran forward.
" Haldir! You are most welcome," he said, embracing the stunned elf. Legolas walked forward to greet him. Gwen laughed joyfully. The elves did a neat turn and faced the king.
" We are proud to stand with our fellow men," said Haldir. Legolas was standing behind him, smiling like crazy. Gwen laughed at his face. Aragorn began leading the elves up to the top of the wall to put them in position. Gwen followed Legolas and Gimli, her heart lighter with the arrival of her fellow people.
Yes, I know this was rreeaallyy long, but bear with me now, because it is going to be good. And the chapters will hopefully be shorter.