The next morning dawned early, and Sayowyns' shoulder throbbed even
moreso with pain as she awoke. Forgetting it was injured, she used the arm
to prop herself up in the bed. When she bit her lip and squinted with the
pain, Legolas sensed it and also woke up. He gently lifted her out of bed
and onto her feet. The elves slung their weaponry over their backs and made
their way downstairs, where they then ate breakfast with Aragorn and Eowyn,
who had become fast friends.
Through breakfast, Sayowyn ate little as she was paying attention to the fact that Aragorn and Eowyn got along a little too well. She kept her mouth shut when Eowyn raved on about Aragorn as they entered the stables to saddle the horses. Sayowyn was given a new saddle and bridle, courtesy of the Golden Hall, for their acts the previous day.
Naro sniffed Eowyn cautiously as she entered the stall. "He was a horse of the Nazgul, years ago, I think. Legolas and I found him caught up in the trees of our home. He has been my friend since then." Sayowyn explained, patting the stallion on the neck.
Eowyn smiled and went to pet him, as he leaned his head against her. "He likes me." was all she said.
The city evacuated hours later, and began their long journey towards the fortress of Helms Deep. They travelled through the day and slept during the night, never noticing any sign of danger. That night, when all were asleep, Sayowyn walked a short ways. She looked up at Tathar and smiled. She then began to do what she hardly ever did, speak to the stars.
The elven stars gave her much information as she spoke to them in the elvish language of Quenya, which even Aragorn could not speak. Legolas came up behind her, and looked at her questioningly, never having seen her do this before. "The stars are veiled." was all she said, before speaking more and listening.
When she was done, she turned to Legolas, who was watching her intently. "They tell me that danger lurks near us. Tomorrow there will be an attack of somekind. They also tell me that Frodo reached the black gate, earlier today. They do not say whether or not he went inside, though they are doubtful that he did." Sayowyn concluded. Legolas escorted her back to the others and they fell asleep near their horses.
The next morning, the two elves felt tension, but they did not say anything to any other people, for fear that they may cause panic. Sayowyn left Naro in Eowyns care.
Legolas and Sayowyn strayed from the huge group of travelling citizens often, to check and see if there was something that was going to stop them from continuing. When two of the kings servants rode their horses up to the side of a rock formation, their horses became agitated. Sayowyn stood on a rock just ahead of them, and watched as their horses became more and more spooky. Sayowyn then looked up and saw a huge, dog like beast with an orc on its back just above them.
"Look out!" she cried. But it was too late, and the warg had attacked the two men. Sayowyn whipped out an arrow and hit the warg in the neck, killing it quickly. She was about to hit the orc, until Legolas appeared, slitting its throat and killing it. Sayowyn heard something and turned around. Over on the other hill top came barking sounds.
"A scout!" she heard Legolas call to Aragorn, who then alerted the citizens and small army of Edoras. Legolas then joined her on the rock Sayowyn was standing on, and looked into the horizon. At first,the elves could see nothing. Then, wargs began to appear. More and more began to make their way to the people of Edoras.
Legolas and Sayowyn carefully aimed arrows and hit the beasts, causing some to trip and fall down the hillside. Then the horses and riders arrived, to defend their people. Legolas noticed that his grey gelding was fast coming with Gimli riding, and used the horses breast plate to swing onto his back.
Sayowyn heard the hoofbeats of Naro, who had decided to run to her aid all on his own. As he galloped close enough, the elf grabbed hold of the saddle, and stuck a foot in the stirrup. For a moment she simply stood on one side of the stallion, while pulling another arrow and injuring another warg. Sayowyn then proceeded to fully mount the horse, and continue the battle that was waged.
The wargs and horses collided with great force. Sayowyn noted that the wargs intentions were as evil as the orcs who rode them, and remembered to watch out for the beasts. Sayowyn was about to pull out yet another arrow to kill an orc, until she saw 3 wargs and riders leaving, towards the people of Edoras.
They were already far gone, so Sayowyn cued the great stallion to gallop as fast as his legs could carry him. Ten seconds later, Sayowyn stopped on a hilltop. Below her, the citizens of the city were gathered , many screaming for help. Three wargs and orcs were about to wreak havoc on the group of people, and kill them all.
Eowyn tried to keep her people calm as she reassured them. But her own heart was racing. Where were her people that were supposed to be defending them? She looked up, and ontop of the hill stood Sayowyn and her great stallion, who gleamed in the sunshine. Sayowyn urged the horse down the hill at breakneck speed, until at last the horse reared up to meet a warg head on, wanting to fight. The force of the sudden stop and then rear was enough to send Sayowyn out of the saddle and onto her feet.
This was fine with the elf, who fought better on her feet. She brought out her elven daggers and slit the wargs' throat, killing him almost instantly. The orc that was riding him tried to stab Sayowyn with his sword, but was met by Sayowyns' sword, and together they fought, until at last Sayowyn was able to distract the orc with one dagger, while cutting off his head with the other. With her arrows she aimed and hit the other two wargs, but the orcs had jumped off earlier and now were in the crowd of frightened people.
Eowyn stood face to face with an orc, who held a sword in his hand. She had no weapon on her, and stood, not knowing what to do. Sayowyn was not ten feet away, fighting the other orc, who was detirmined to kill this elf once and for all. Sayowyn pulled out her sword from her belt. "Eowyn!" she cried, tossing the elven sword to her.
Eowyn took this sword in her hands and smiled. The orc smiled back and began to laugh. "Gonna knife me, are ye?" he asked her and laughed some more. The woman laughed as well, before simply sticking the sword in the orcs chest, ending his laughter. Sayowyn got the upper hand with the orc she was battling with, and cut off his arm with held his sword, before finally cutting off his head.
Now that the people were safe, Sayowyn's sword was returned and she began to look for Naro, who was no where to be found. She called for him many times, but got no answer. "He'll be back." she thought.
Eowyn rushed up to Sayowyn and thanked her. "You are a hero amongst my people." she said, smiling. Sayowyn returned the smile, and escorted them to Helms Deep, which was near.
Legolas and Gimli called for Aragorn. He, like Naro, was nowhere to be seen. An orc, who was near death, lay on the ground close to Gimli and Legolas. He coughed and laughed slightly. "Tell me where he is, and I will ease your passing." Gimli said, holding his axe to the orcs throat.
"He's...dead! Took a little tumble off the cliff!" the orc answered. Legolas grabbed him.
"You lie!" he exclaimed. The orc laughed some more and then died. Legolas saw something silver and shiny in the orcs hand. The Evenstar. He took this and put it in his pocket, then went to the cliff side, where Gimli and Theoden stood. Below them was a river, and many rocks. Aragorn would not have made it.
Gimli and Legolas looked down in sadness. They lost someone very special that day, or so they believed. Then Theoden told the elf and dwarf he was sorry for their loss, but they must reach Helms Deep before dark. Slowly Legolas turned to follow the rest of the soldiers, or the remainder of them. Then in the distance he saw a black shape. It was Naro, with no rider on his back. The stallion galloped by and into the hills.
Something hit Legolas. Where was Sayowyn? What had happened that she fell from her horse, and left it to run freely? He looked around, but the elf princess was no where to be found. Something else told him that she was probably fine, but he still worried about her all the way back to Helms Deep, which was a welcome sight.
The remaining soldiers, some injured, made their way on horseback up to the keep. When Sayowyn heard the hoofbeats against stone, she stood, ready to greet those who had just arrived. She hoped to see Naro, who might have followed the group of fellow horses back to the fortress, but was disappointed when he did not arrive. Legolas, however, did arrive. He leapt off his horse and ran to her. Sayowyn grinned when she saw he was safe and they hugged eachother tightly.
"Where did you go? I was frightened when I saw Naro run by all on his own." Legolas asked.
"Three wargs made their way to those fleeing the battle. I had to go save them. Where did Naro run to?" Sayowyn asked, hoping Legolas could help her.
Legolas shook his head. "He ran past us, from where the wargs had come from, at lightning speed. Perhaps he will return."
Sayowyn frowned. "I pray he is safe." Then she noticed Legolas holding something in his hand. The Evenstar. She looked around her and did not see Aragorn, who usually did not stray. "Where is Aragorn?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Legolas looked at the ground. "He has fallen. The Evenstar is all we will have left to remember him by."
Sayowyn sat down, bewildered. How had something so terrible happened so fast? "How am I going to tell Arwen?" she whispered. "I promised her I would watch out for him."
Legolas did not answer her. Gimli arrived at his side, seeming sad. "Well, we are happy that you are safe, mylady." he said. Sayowyn just smiled at him, though she did not feel like smiling.
Through breakfast, Sayowyn ate little as she was paying attention to the fact that Aragorn and Eowyn got along a little too well. She kept her mouth shut when Eowyn raved on about Aragorn as they entered the stables to saddle the horses. Sayowyn was given a new saddle and bridle, courtesy of the Golden Hall, for their acts the previous day.
Naro sniffed Eowyn cautiously as she entered the stall. "He was a horse of the Nazgul, years ago, I think. Legolas and I found him caught up in the trees of our home. He has been my friend since then." Sayowyn explained, patting the stallion on the neck.
Eowyn smiled and went to pet him, as he leaned his head against her. "He likes me." was all she said.
The city evacuated hours later, and began their long journey towards the fortress of Helms Deep. They travelled through the day and slept during the night, never noticing any sign of danger. That night, when all were asleep, Sayowyn walked a short ways. She looked up at Tathar and smiled. She then began to do what she hardly ever did, speak to the stars.
The elven stars gave her much information as she spoke to them in the elvish language of Quenya, which even Aragorn could not speak. Legolas came up behind her, and looked at her questioningly, never having seen her do this before. "The stars are veiled." was all she said, before speaking more and listening.
When she was done, she turned to Legolas, who was watching her intently. "They tell me that danger lurks near us. Tomorrow there will be an attack of somekind. They also tell me that Frodo reached the black gate, earlier today. They do not say whether or not he went inside, though they are doubtful that he did." Sayowyn concluded. Legolas escorted her back to the others and they fell asleep near their horses.
The next morning, the two elves felt tension, but they did not say anything to any other people, for fear that they may cause panic. Sayowyn left Naro in Eowyns care.
Legolas and Sayowyn strayed from the huge group of travelling citizens often, to check and see if there was something that was going to stop them from continuing. When two of the kings servants rode their horses up to the side of a rock formation, their horses became agitated. Sayowyn stood on a rock just ahead of them, and watched as their horses became more and more spooky. Sayowyn then looked up and saw a huge, dog like beast with an orc on its back just above them.
"Look out!" she cried. But it was too late, and the warg had attacked the two men. Sayowyn whipped out an arrow and hit the warg in the neck, killing it quickly. She was about to hit the orc, until Legolas appeared, slitting its throat and killing it. Sayowyn heard something and turned around. Over on the other hill top came barking sounds.
"A scout!" she heard Legolas call to Aragorn, who then alerted the citizens and small army of Edoras. Legolas then joined her on the rock Sayowyn was standing on, and looked into the horizon. At first,the elves could see nothing. Then, wargs began to appear. More and more began to make their way to the people of Edoras.
Legolas and Sayowyn carefully aimed arrows and hit the beasts, causing some to trip and fall down the hillside. Then the horses and riders arrived, to defend their people. Legolas noticed that his grey gelding was fast coming with Gimli riding, and used the horses breast plate to swing onto his back.
Sayowyn heard the hoofbeats of Naro, who had decided to run to her aid all on his own. As he galloped close enough, the elf grabbed hold of the saddle, and stuck a foot in the stirrup. For a moment she simply stood on one side of the stallion, while pulling another arrow and injuring another warg. Sayowyn then proceeded to fully mount the horse, and continue the battle that was waged.
The wargs and horses collided with great force. Sayowyn noted that the wargs intentions were as evil as the orcs who rode them, and remembered to watch out for the beasts. Sayowyn was about to pull out yet another arrow to kill an orc, until she saw 3 wargs and riders leaving, towards the people of Edoras.
They were already far gone, so Sayowyn cued the great stallion to gallop as fast as his legs could carry him. Ten seconds later, Sayowyn stopped on a hilltop. Below her, the citizens of the city were gathered , many screaming for help. Three wargs and orcs were about to wreak havoc on the group of people, and kill them all.
Eowyn tried to keep her people calm as she reassured them. But her own heart was racing. Where were her people that were supposed to be defending them? She looked up, and ontop of the hill stood Sayowyn and her great stallion, who gleamed in the sunshine. Sayowyn urged the horse down the hill at breakneck speed, until at last the horse reared up to meet a warg head on, wanting to fight. The force of the sudden stop and then rear was enough to send Sayowyn out of the saddle and onto her feet.
This was fine with the elf, who fought better on her feet. She brought out her elven daggers and slit the wargs' throat, killing him almost instantly. The orc that was riding him tried to stab Sayowyn with his sword, but was met by Sayowyns' sword, and together they fought, until at last Sayowyn was able to distract the orc with one dagger, while cutting off his head with the other. With her arrows she aimed and hit the other two wargs, but the orcs had jumped off earlier and now were in the crowd of frightened people.
Eowyn stood face to face with an orc, who held a sword in his hand. She had no weapon on her, and stood, not knowing what to do. Sayowyn was not ten feet away, fighting the other orc, who was detirmined to kill this elf once and for all. Sayowyn pulled out her sword from her belt. "Eowyn!" she cried, tossing the elven sword to her.
Eowyn took this sword in her hands and smiled. The orc smiled back and began to laugh. "Gonna knife me, are ye?" he asked her and laughed some more. The woman laughed as well, before simply sticking the sword in the orcs chest, ending his laughter. Sayowyn got the upper hand with the orc she was battling with, and cut off his arm with held his sword, before finally cutting off his head.
Now that the people were safe, Sayowyn's sword was returned and she began to look for Naro, who was no where to be found. She called for him many times, but got no answer. "He'll be back." she thought.
Eowyn rushed up to Sayowyn and thanked her. "You are a hero amongst my people." she said, smiling. Sayowyn returned the smile, and escorted them to Helms Deep, which was near.
Legolas and Gimli called for Aragorn. He, like Naro, was nowhere to be seen. An orc, who was near death, lay on the ground close to Gimli and Legolas. He coughed and laughed slightly. "Tell me where he is, and I will ease your passing." Gimli said, holding his axe to the orcs throat.
"He's...dead! Took a little tumble off the cliff!" the orc answered. Legolas grabbed him.
"You lie!" he exclaimed. The orc laughed some more and then died. Legolas saw something silver and shiny in the orcs hand. The Evenstar. He took this and put it in his pocket, then went to the cliff side, where Gimli and Theoden stood. Below them was a river, and many rocks. Aragorn would not have made it.
Gimli and Legolas looked down in sadness. They lost someone very special that day, or so they believed. Then Theoden told the elf and dwarf he was sorry for their loss, but they must reach Helms Deep before dark. Slowly Legolas turned to follow the rest of the soldiers, or the remainder of them. Then in the distance he saw a black shape. It was Naro, with no rider on his back. The stallion galloped by and into the hills.
Something hit Legolas. Where was Sayowyn? What had happened that she fell from her horse, and left it to run freely? He looked around, but the elf princess was no where to be found. Something else told him that she was probably fine, but he still worried about her all the way back to Helms Deep, which was a welcome sight.
The remaining soldiers, some injured, made their way on horseback up to the keep. When Sayowyn heard the hoofbeats against stone, she stood, ready to greet those who had just arrived. She hoped to see Naro, who might have followed the group of fellow horses back to the fortress, but was disappointed when he did not arrive. Legolas, however, did arrive. He leapt off his horse and ran to her. Sayowyn grinned when she saw he was safe and they hugged eachother tightly.
"Where did you go? I was frightened when I saw Naro run by all on his own." Legolas asked.
"Three wargs made their way to those fleeing the battle. I had to go save them. Where did Naro run to?" Sayowyn asked, hoping Legolas could help her.
Legolas shook his head. "He ran past us, from where the wargs had come from, at lightning speed. Perhaps he will return."
Sayowyn frowned. "I pray he is safe." Then she noticed Legolas holding something in his hand. The Evenstar. She looked around her and did not see Aragorn, who usually did not stray. "Where is Aragorn?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Legolas looked at the ground. "He has fallen. The Evenstar is all we will have left to remember him by."
Sayowyn sat down, bewildered. How had something so terrible happened so fast? "How am I going to tell Arwen?" she whispered. "I promised her I would watch out for him."
Legolas did not answer her. Gimli arrived at his side, seeming sad. "Well, we are happy that you are safe, mylady." he said. Sayowyn just smiled at him, though she did not feel like smiling.