Revised 2/21/04
See Part 1 for disclaimers and such.
Chapter 5Gandalf leaned upon his staff and as he spoke, his eyes flashed with the urgency of his words.
"Every man that can ride should be sent west at once, as Éomer has counseled you. We must first destroy the threat of Saruman while we have time. Your people that are left - the women and children and the old, should fly to the refuges that you have in the mountains. Let them take provisions, but do not delay, nor let them burden themselves with treasures, great or small. It is their lives that are at stake."
Théoden nodded. "This counsel seems good to me now. Let all my folk make ready for the journey. But you, my guests - truly you said, Gandalf, that the courtesy of my hall is lessened. You have ridden hard through the day and the night approaches. You have had neither sleep nor food. Rooms shall be made ready, there you shall sleep, when you have eaten."
"Nay, lord," Aragorn said with a small shake of his head. "There is no rest yet for the weary. The men of Rohan must ride forth today, and we shall ride with them - axe, sword, and bow. We did not bring them to rest against your wall, Lord of the Mark, and I promised Éomer that my sword and his should be drawn together."
"Now there is indeed hope of victory," Éomer declared strongly from his place beside Théoden, his eyes gleaming.
"Hope, yes," cautioned Gandalf. "But Isengard is strong, and other perils draw nearer. Do not delay, Théoden, when we are gone. Lead your people swiftly to the Hold of Dunharrow in the hills."
"Nay, Gandalf!" Théoden replied sharply. "You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself will go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be."
"Then even the defeat of Rohan will be glorious in song," Aragorn said, grinning fiercely, his words ringing in the ears of the armed men that stood near. They clashed their weapons against their shields proudly and with fierce show of strength.
"The Lord of the Mark will ride!" they shouted. "Forth Éorlingas!"
"But your people must not be both unarmed and shepherdless," said Gandalf with a frown. "Who shall guide them and govern them in your place?"
Théoden did not answer, his eyes were drawn to the two women who had just entered the hall. The others turned to see what he looked at, and their eyes opened wide in wonder and appreciation.
Erin felt very self-conscious as she followed Éowyn, well aware that every eye in the room was upon them. She caught Gandalf's eye and he gave her a quick nod, his look of approval giving her strength to complete the journey to their table.
Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn were surprised as well. Gone was the grimy, tangle-haired woman in the strange clothing. In her place stood a fair maid, dressed in russet and gold, her fine brown hair shining in the light of the setting sun that poured through the windows of the hall.
Théoden greeted Éowyn, and fixed his gaze on Erin, nodding in his approval of the changes she had wrought.
"As much as I would like to hear your strange tale, lady, it must wait. For matters of urgency press us greatly," he said gravely. "Your companions have told me of the treachery of Saruman, and we ride forth this day to meet it."
Erin saw Éowyn's blue eyes widen in surprise and trepidation, but the lady did not speak.
Théoden turned to Éomer. "Who shall lead my people to the safety of the hills?" he asked. "What is your counsel, my sister's son? In whom do we trust in this most urgent of matters?"
"In the house of Éorl," Éomer replied, glancing at Éowyn swiftly. "My sister would lead our people to the safety of Dunharrow."
Théoden's eyebrows rose slightly and he turned to his niece. "Éomer has made a logical and wise choice. I would ask you, Éowyn, if you would accept this task. Will you lead the women, children, and old to the safety of the hills?"
The woman nodded, standing proudly before him. "I will, my King."
"And what of Erin?" Aragorn asked, turning to Gandalf. "She is not a warrior, trained or blooded in battle. I would have her accompany the Lady Éowyn, if you do not have objection."
Gandalf pulled at his moustache thoughtfully, regarding the young woman in question. No guidance came from the heavens, and he did not know for certain where her true path was meant to be. He agreed with Aragorn in that it would most definitely be safer for Erin to go with the others to Dunharrow, but was uncertain if that was the right choice for her. Perhaps she was meant to go with them? He could not decide, and finally, he spoke.
"And what is your wish, Erin?" he asked, thinking that perhaps the answer to his question lay there.
"I don't think I would be any good in a fight," Erin answered honestly, fidgeting under his penetrating look. "I think I should probably go with Éowyn and stay out of your way."
Aragorn breathed a silent sigh of relief that her stubborn side hadn't demanded that she accompany them in battle. She had strength, true enough, but no skill, and Aragorn knew that he or one of the others would have to remain behind to protect her, and the battle they faced needed every strong arm available to them.
Gandalf nodded and gave her a brief smile. "So be it, then."
"If you win the fight," Erin asked hesitantly, her fingers playing with the fabric of her dress, "Will you come and get me?"
The wizard's expression was grave. "We will try, Erin, if that is the will of the Valar."
Erin finished the piece of bread and pushed her plate back away from her, her stomach finally full. Éowyn had brought her back to her rooms after the council with the king, and had a servant bring her a simple meal of bread, fruit and cheese. Erin had fallen on it like a starving dog, relishing each bite, for she hadn't eaten anything that day except a piece of fruit for breakfast early that morning.
Brushing away the breadcrumbs that had fallen onto her lap while she ate, Erin pushed away from the table and went to her door, hesitating. Éowyn had left her after her meal was brought, saying she had things to do before they left for Dunharrow. Erin was restless, and worried about her companions. She knew they were leaving soon to join with the soldiers of Rohan, to fight against the armies of Saruman. Quite honestly, she was frightened she would never see any of them alive again. In the few days they had traveled together, Erin had come to care about them all, and knowing that they were riding towards danger didn't make her happy in the least. She already felt a keen sense of abandonment having been thrown into their world so abruptly - and she felt a strange kinship with the four who had been her companions for the past few days; they were a link, of sorts, to her world.
She pushed her door open and peered out, seeing that the guards who had been stationed there were no longer present, presumably having been called to join the others for the impending battle. She closed the door behind her and headed down the hall towards the long stairway she and Éowyn had crossed earlier.
Erin wasn't sure where she was headed, but she reached the bottom of the stairs and turned left, towards the direction she thought the main hall doors were. She wanted to go outside - say goodbye to the horses, breathe fresh air, watch the sunset - anything to keep her mind off her friends.
The great doors were opened and Erin stepped through them, the cold night air hitting her face like a slap. She'd missed the sunset already, it looked like, and the sky was already dark.. Shrugging, she followed the steps down until she reached the main courtyard, looking around her in interest.
The courtyard of the hall was bustling with activity. Men - soldiers by their armor - milled about carrying torches, shouting orders, packing weapons, checking their gear. They were far to busy to notice the woman in the russet dress as she edged past them, walking around the perimeter until she found a well worn dirt pathway that gently sloped away from the cobblestones, leading towards a large building surrounded by grassy pastures and fences. If she was to take a guess, that was where the horses were kept.
The path was smooth and even under Erin's boots, sloping gently downward until it leveled out, the grass on either side of it reaching her waist. She could see torches lit by the building, lighting it up in the deepening shadows of the evening, and she could see that there were men down there as well.
They either didn't see her or were ignoring her presence as she stepped inside the large building that housed many of the great horses of the Rohirrim. The smell of hay, dust, and horse manure greeted her as she walked into the barn, pausing briefly to let her eyes adjust to the dim light. Several dark equine eyes peered at her curiously as she walked past them, sticking their noses out to be scratched. At the far end of the row of stalls, she could see the familiar gray head of Arod, poking over the edge of his stall, his black-tipped ears perked up as he watched her approach. Next to him, chewing a mouthful of hay, was Hasufel. She glanced around, but did not see Shadowfax among the horses in the barn.
Arod permitted her touch, pushing his nose under her hand with a brief snort, and she indulged him, scratching and petting his head. She'd always liked horses, but had never had the opportunity to be around them much, so she enjoyed the fact that Arod was willing to let her pet him.
"You take good care of Legolas, you hear?" she told him softly, stroking his velvet nose gently. "And don't let Gimli fall off either." The horse nickered softly, searching her palm for treats. "Bring them back safe, okay?" Seeing that her hand was empty of anything edible, Arod pulled his head away from her, pulling a large mouthful of hay from the rack by his head and chewing it placidly.
"You should be resting, not talking to the horses," an amused voice said quietly by her ear. She jumped, startled, and Arod flicked his ears at her in irritation.
"You shouldn't sneak up on me like that." She turned to Legolas, having recognized his voice. "You'll scare the horses."
Legolas laughed, his eyes lighting up with his amusement. "My apologies, Lady. I forgot to stomp."
Erin rolled her eyes, looking at Hasufel and shaking her head. "Elves," she said, shaking her head at the horse that regarded her over the door of his stall.
Hasufel snorted as if in agreement, taking another mouthful of hay.
Erin took a deep breath, looking at Legolas out of the corner of her eye. "I wasn't tired, and I wanted to say goodbye." She finally looked at him, feeling extremely tongue-tied. "I - I'm afraid I won't see any of you again."
Legolas smiled gently. "You will be fine, Erin. Even if we do not return for you, you will survive."
"What if I don't want to?" she replied shortly, turning away from him to pat Arod's neck. "I don't want to stay here."
Legolas sucked in his breath, watching the troubled young woman pet the horse as she avoided his gaze. "You must not think such things, meldis," he said finally, his hand clasping her shoulder and gently pulling her back around to face him. "Gandalf believes you have a purpose in being here. You must believe him, for he is wise."
"If you say so," Erin replied, doubtfully, trying to ignore the way her heart leapt when he touched her. "I only wish I knew what it was."
"There you are," a familiar voice said, drawing Erin's attention to the end of the row. She smiled briefly as she saw Aragorn and Gimli walking towards them.
"I came to say goodbye," she said when they came to a halt beside her. "I was hoping I'd catch you before you left."
Aragorn nodded, giving her a brief smile. "We came to tell you we were leaving, but you had left your rooms, and no one had seen you. Gimli was worried," he added, with a glint in his eye.
The Dwarf sputtered a protest. "I was merely looking out for her welfare."
Erin grinned at Gimli. "I'm touched, Master Dwarf."
Gimli's bushy eyebrows rose and he glowered at her. "Well someone has to look after you."
"And keep me out of trouble?" she couldn't resist adding.
"Aye, lass." His mock-glower faded and he gave her a quick grin.
Erin nodded dutifully, resisting the urge to hug the normally taciturn Dwarf. "I will, Gimli. You too."
Aragorn clasped her arm briefly, his expression solemn. "Be safe, Erin. Follow Éowyn's lead, and wait for our return. Gandalf may have the answers he seeks for you by then." He released his grip on her shoulder and opened Hasufel's stall door.
"Aye, lass. Do not let yourself worry," Gimli added gruffly, his dark eyes twinkling up at her. "We will see you sooner than you think."
Erin swallowed the knot that had formed in her throat and nodded.
"You three be careful out there," she said, feeling a knot form in her throat, nearly causing her to choke. "Don't get yourselves killed."
Gathering her dress so she wouldn't trip on it, she left, walking hurriedly past them without another word. She hated goodbyes, and this one was the worst she'd ever had to go through.
Erin envied Éowyn's grace on horseback, the skill and ease in which she controlled the spirited animal she rode. In contrast, Erin was riding an older, placid animal, a docile mare named Silhafel, which meant "clover" in the tongue of Rohan. Silhafel had tolerated Erin's efforts mounting her with barely a flickering ear, but she had quickly decided that on this trip, she would be the boss, not her rider, who evidently didn't have a clue. Luckily for Erin, Silhafel seemed content to follow Éowyn's horse, Mearagar, wherever he went, and Erin simply had to hold the reins to keep them from dropping onto the ground.
"How far do we have to go?" Erin asked, glancing back at the long train of people behind them. Several rode, but there were also a good number of people on foot.
"At this pace, we should reach the hills of Dunharrow in two days," Éowyn replied, leaning back slightly in the saddle as Mearagar began to descend a gentle slope.
Erin followed her lead, leaning back in the saddle, and found it helped her keep her balance as Silhafel moved downhill. In the distance, she could see the foothills of the mountains, although they were little more than tan-colored bumps from this far away. It was in this direction that Éowyn guided them, leading the women, children, and elderly of Meduseld away from the city to the safety of the great hall there.
"Will you teach me to ride?" Erin asked the other woman shyly. "I mean, it looks like I may be stuck here for a while, and it would be nice to be the rider, instead of the passenger." She gave Silhafel a frown, and ruined it by patting the horse's neck gently.
Éowyn laughed. "I will," she said. "It will give your companions a surprise to see you riding like a shield-maiden when they return."
Erin chuckled, knowing the woman was teasing her. "I doubt I will ever ride as good as you do, Éowyn. But I'd like to try."
They forded a small river that marked the halfway point between the city and Dunharrow, and Éowyn decided it was the best place to stop for the night. Camp was set up quickly and efficiently under the Lady's guidance, and Erin was impressed by the easy way she handled the problems that popped up. Handling such a large group of people and getting them settled wasn't simple - but Éowyn made it look like it was. She's a natural leader, Erin thought, a trifle enviously. She could be a queen.
Although she didn't have a lot of experience, Erin was not afraid of hard work, and she worked with the women who were setting up camp, hauling bucket after bucket of water from the river to fill several large pots. Several fires were going, and Erin stood next to another woman peeling and cutting vegetables for the stew they were making. She didn't know how to make bread, but was willing to learn, and the women of Rohan, once they got over their initial shyness of her, were willing to teach her.
One of the older women took her under her wing and patiently showed her the steps to make their camp bread.
"This is called quickbread," Donalla explained, pouring out a large measure of milled flour into her bowl. "'Tis simple to make while you travel, because it does not need to rise, like other breads do." She stepped back from the bowl, dusting her hands on her dress and motioned for Erin to take her place. "Now, add the salt and lard, like I showed ye earlier."
Under Donalla's sharp gaze, Erin followed her instructions carefully. Using her hands, she mixed the lard with the flour and salt until the mixture was crumbly.
"Now add your water and mix it together. Not to much!" the old woman cautioned, laying her wrinkled hand over Erin's arm as she poured. "You want just enough to make it stick together. Aye, that's it." She nodded in approval. "Now take the bowl to the fire there, and I will carry the pan."
Donalla showed her how to form the dough into small, and semi-flat rounds and placed them on the pan. "You will want to turn them when you see the edges start to brown."
"How will I know when it is cooked all the way?" Erin asked, turning one of the browned ones over.
"You poke it with your finger," the old woman answered with a quick grin, and showed her. "See? This one is not yet done - when it bounces back you know it is cooked."
Erin smiled, pleased with herself for learning something new. With a nod, Donalla left her to her cooking, satisfied that the strange woman would see it done properly.
When their meal was finished and the dishes cleaned, Erin returned to the spot she had decided to sleep in, next to Éowyn and their horses. Remembering Aragorn's words about her tent while they were camping on the plains, Erin decided not to set it up. Instead, she unrolled her sleeping bag, placing her pack next to it.
Éowyn joined her shortly afterwards, having finished seeing to the settling of her people, and sat next to Erin on her sleeping bag, looking up at the stars that had started to appear in the darkening sky above them.
"Dame Donalla tells me you learn quickly," Éowyn turned to look at the other woman and smiled. "I am glad to hear you found something to do."
Erin nodded. "I was glad they were willing to work with me. I hate feeling useless."
"I am certain we can find something you are skilled at," Éowyn replied, her expression turning curious. "What did you do in your home world?"
Erin pulled her knees against her chest, lacing her fingers together at the knees. "I was a student at a University, studying to earn my degree in English. I wanted - want," she corrected herself, "to be a teacher and a writer."
Éowyn's mouth dropped open slightly as she regarded the other woman in surprise. "They permit women in your world to do such things?" she asked.
Erin shrugged slightly. "Sure. Not every woman decides to go to college, of course. Some get married, have children and stay home. Some get jobs without the higher education to support themselves and their families. It just depends." She turned to Éowyn and raised her eyebrows. "Don't you get to choose what you want to do with your life?"
Éowyn was silent for a moment, picking at a blade of grass at her knees. "I am more fortunate than most women due to my high station - being the niece to the king does have advantages, but I do not have the freedom you describe to freely choose the life I would like to lead." She looked up and smiled ruefully at Erin. "If I were to choose, I would not be here, leading a bunch of women and children to safety. I would be fighting at the side of my King."
It was Erin's turn to look surprised, and a little envious. "You are much braver than I am, Éowyn," Erin said, shaking her head. "I don't know anything about fighting, and I wouldn't want to be right in the middle of a battle like that. I don't think I could do it."
"Even to save your life, or the life of a loved one?" Éowyn asked.
"Well, yes, I guess I could if I had to," she replied, thinking about her friends. "But I wouldn't go out of my way to put myself into a situation where I had to kill someone."
Éowyn was silent a moment, then she asked, "Is it because you lack the skill to fight?"
Erin nodded. "Partly, yes. And partly because of the way I grew up - for the most part, anyway, we're taught to believe that life is sacred, and to kill is a sin. Not to say that there aren't people who kill just for the thrill of it, or because they have to because they are soldiers and it's their job. But a good part of the population believes that way."
Éowyn regarded the young woman who she was quickly coming to consider as a friend with envy and a trace of sadness. "The time we live in is dangerous, Erin. I, too, have a respect for life, the life of my family, my people, and the good people of this land. I would not have their lives taken away by the evil that threatens them - and I will fight to protect them."
Unfolding her knees and straightening them out in front of her, Erin plucked at a blade of grass that had stuck to the fabric of her dress, dropping it onto the ground beside her. "I keep forgetting that I'm not in my own world anymore, and that my rules just don't apply." She sighed, shooting a wry smile at Éowyn. "I have a lot to learn."
Éowyn nodded, and the two women fell silent, looking up at the stars above them, each lost in her own thoughts.
The horseman was riding fast, a plume of dust rising behind him like a rooster tail that was easily visible from the hill where Éowyn and Erin sat on their own mounts, looking down at him.
"He wears the colors of a messenger for the king," Éowyn said, shading her eyes so she could see more clearly. "And rides as if a band of Orcs were on his tail. I wonder what he is doing so far from the king?"
"Can we find out?" Erin asked, squinting in the harsh light of the sun at the rider who was rapidly drawing nearer.
"I think that would be a good idea," Éowyn agreed, nudging Mearagar forward. Silhafel followed him, and Erin clutched the saddle as they trotted down the steep hill to the road beneath it.
The rider spotted them immediately and pulled his mount up sharply, relief evident on his face.
"My Lady, I am grateful to have found you. The enemy blocks the pass to Dunharrow, and the King has sent me to guide you to Helm's Deep, where the others have taken stand. We must move quickly, for the enemy is on the move, drawing closer to the Deep even as we speak."
Éowyn's face went pale. "Can we reach the safety of the Deep in time?" she asked, her lips tight.
"Aye, my Lady, if we go with haste."
Without another word, Éowyn spurred Mearagar into a gallop, riding back over the hill where the others were. Erin grit her teeth as Silhafel followed, determined more than ever to learn to ride properly and not be unwilling passenger.
Éowyn rode quickly, passing the word along the long train of people. They must ride and run fast. Take nothing that was not necessary, for speed was of the essence. Those on horseback would carry the children, and the elderly who could not run were placed in the carts that had held their food and water. In a matter of moments, Éowyn had them ready to run, and she led them to the road where the messenger waited.
Erin remembered seeing the movie 'The Ten Commandments' as a child, and in particular recalled the scene where the Hebrews left the city. In the movie, it took only a matter of moments for all of them to pack up and go, moving out without so much as a backward glance. The reality of it was quite different as the people of Rohan ran for the safety of Helm's Deep. It became readily apparent that, even with the children and elderly riding on horseback or in wagons, people were being left behind, and the train stretched longer and longer behind them.
Éowyn saw Erin's look and followed it, a frown crossing her pretty features as she saw that several people had fallen quite a distance behind the main group. They could not afford to slow for them, and she watched with dismay as they fell further and further behind.
"I will send riders for them the moment we reach safety," Éowyn shouted above the galloping of her horse's hooves. "But I must get as many of my people to safety as I can first."
Erin nodded, understanding the unhappy look on the other woman's face. It could not be easy for her to leave the stragglers behind, but she had to think of the safety of the majority of her people first.
They were forced to slow their pace eventually, as more and more people fell behind. Only those on horseback were able to keep up, and Éowyn bit her lips in frustration. She turned to the messenger and beckoned him.
"Ride ahead and tell them that we are on our way, and to send riders and horses for the people who walk. They will not make it much further if we keep them at this pace."
He bowed slightly and touched the flanks of his horse with his heels, galloping away from them in a rising trail of dust towards the direction of Helm's Deep.
"I hope they will arrive in time," Éowyn said worriedly, glancing back at the long line of people behind her.
Several riders pushed passed them, not wanting to wait for the others as they rode as fast as they could push their horses towards the promised safety. Erin did not blame them, but could not do the same. Even if she could get her horse away from Éowyn's, she would not leave her friend behind, alone with her heavy responsibility.
The walked onward, as fast as they could, letting the people on foot catch their breath, before picking up the pace once more.
Erin heard a strange rumbling noise coming from the left, the low sound rolling over the hills ominously. Éowyn's face tightened and paled.
"We do not have much time."
Erin and Éowyn were not the only ones who heard the marching of the army that approached, and a wave of fear swept through the line of people. They began to run, panic and fear renewing their strength.
They reached the valley that opened before Helm's Deep as riders emerged, each leading several horses behind them, and Erin breathed a sigh of release as they swept by in a flurry of hooves and jingling armor. The gates to the keep were open, and they rode through them, followed by the people who had managed to keep pace with them. Éowyn wore a look of profound relief as she watched the riders head towards where a large group of people had fallen behind.
Their horses were taken by a youth, and Erin was glad to slide out of the saddle. Her legs had grown used to riding, but she was still sore from the pace they had set. She followed Éowyn past the yard where the horses were kept and up the long stone stairs that led to the upper part of the deep.
It was really a fortress, Erin thought, looking curiously around her as she followed Éowyn past the battlements. She could see an outer wall, wide enough for a horse and cart, protected it, with a single entry point at the end of a long stone bridge. From the height of the wall, defenders could easily pick off any attackers with bows, and the bridge could be defended by a handful of well-armed men. The gate itself was thick, nearly as thick as the outer wall, and made of heavy wood. The keep was also stone, and protected by another wall, this one not nearly as wide as the first, and a large courtyard. A single door led to the inner fortress, and it was also thick and heavy.
"No one has ever breached the outer walls in all of our history," Éowyn explained, noting her curiosity. "The fortress has proven impenetrable on more than one occasion."
"Well, that's a relief," Erin said with a quick smile. "Because from the sound of things, something big and nasty is headed our way."
Guardsmen nodded deferentially when Éowyn swept past them into the inner fortress, her quiet footsteps taking them to the main hall where Théoden and his advisors met. Erin searched the group of men surrounding the king, and breathed a silent sigh of relief when she saw Aragorn's familiar face bent in conversation with the king. She did not see Legolas, Gimli or Gandalf, however, and felt her chest tighten painfully in fear and worry.
"Éowyn has brought your people to safety, my king," Éomer announced proudly, smiling at the two women who stepped into the hall.
"It is a relief to see you again, my niece," Théoden said. "I am glad to see that my messenger reached you in time." He reached out and clasped her hands warmly between his, looking up at her with pride. "You have done well, bringing the people here in safety."
Aragorn stood, and returned Éowyn's greeting politely, before turning to look at Erin. He gave her a quick smile.
"I am glad to see you have brought Erin with you, safe and sound. The others will be glad to hear of it as well."
"They're here?" Erin blurted out before she could stop herself, and she felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment as Aragorn looked at her, smiling faintly.
"Aye, Lady. Gimli and Legolas are on the outer wall, most likely discussing their prowess in battle."
"Oh!" she exclaimed, relieved. "But where is Gandalf?"
"He rides to the east," Théoden answered gravely, his blue eyes troubled. "It is his hope to return with help, for the army of Saruman is much larger than what we knew."
Erin swallowed and bowed to the king. "I hope he finds help then," she said quietly.
"As do we all," the king replied, his expression grave.
The battle was won, but at a great cost, Erin thought, wiping the sweat from her forehead as she struggled to carry the bucket of water to the infirmary. Nothing in her life had ever prepared her for the true horrors of war - the blood, the smell, and the reality of death. Even the movies she had watched what seemed like ages ago that depicted the horrors of war, did not compare in any way to the real thing.
She managed to maintain a fragile grip on her sanity by helping the other women tend to the wounded, mainly by fetching and carrying things, since she had no true healing skills, but they were grateful for the extra set of hands. By keeping her mind and body busy, she did not have to dwell on the bodies of men and elves she had seen, or on the horrific stench of death that carried off of the fields below the fortress. She would not allow herself to dwell on her fears, firmly keeping her thoughts to her tasks at hands. She would not worry about Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, though she had not seen them once since the battle had ended. She would not permit herself to think the worst.
Erin passed a group of fallen soldiers on her way back to the infirmary, trying not to look at their staring eyes and unnaturally pale faces, when the glimmer of long blonde hair caught her eye. Her bucket fell from her hands and she covered her mouth, blinking the tears of dismay and grief. Her heart cried out in disbelief, denying what her eyes were seeing as she looked at the dead.
Long blonde hair, tangled and matted in blood, lay lifeless across the chest of another soldier, and with shaking fingers, she lifted the familiar gray cloak that covered the elf's face.
It took her mind several moments to recognize what her eyes were telling her, and she gave a sob of relief as she realized that the elf lying motionless before her was not Legolas. She lost her balance, falling painfully to her knees as she cried, tears of sadness mixed with profound relief dripped down her face. She wiped at them with her dirty hands.
"Did you know him, lady?"
Erin looked up to see who had spoken and shook her head.
"No, I didn't," she replied, her voice tight from crying. "I thought it was someone else."
Éomer squatted down beside her, his dark eyes sad as he looked at the elf before them. "His name was Haldir, from Lothlórien. He brought the Elves to help us, honoring the old alliance between Elves and Men."
Erin choked, dropping her head and looking away, feeling more tears building. It was just so awful, so unfair, and so horrible. She didn't even know this elf, but grieved for his death nonetheless.
Éomer did not know what to say to comfort her, but patted her shoulder awkwardly, before standing.
"Leave the dead, lady," he said softly. "They died bravely and with honor. They will be taken care of as is their due." He bent his head briefly, closing his eyes, then turned on his heel, leaving her alone to gather her composure.
Erin did not look at the elf, but took several deep breaths, trying to push her grief and horror back in her mind where she could deal with it later. She stood up to gather the bucket she had dropped and paused, her eyes dropping involuntarily to the dead elf. Kneeling once more, she reached for his cloak to cover his face, and nearly screamed when his hand reached up and grabbed her wrist in a weak grip. The gray eyes gradually focused on her, and she saw the pale lips move as he tried to speak.
"Shh!" she said, shaking badly from the fright he had given her. "Don't try to talk." She looked wildly around and spotted one of the men of Rohan nearby. "Help me!" she shouted, waving him over.
The rider squatted down beside her and looked Haldir over critically. "I will get you a healer immediately. His wounds are bad, but may not be fatal if we act quickly enough," he said roughly. "Stay with him, lady. Do not let him go." He took off at a run, headed for the infirmary.
Erin turned back to the pale elf, taking his hand between hers and holding it tightly. "You heard the man," she said, trying to sound stern and failing miserably. "You have to stay with us, okay?" Tears blurred her vision and fell from her eyes but she ignored them, holding eye contact with the badly wounded elf before her.
Haldir managed to squeeze her fingers in return but did not speak. The pain was beyond anything he had experienced, and it was all he could do to remain awake. His eyes closed briefly and he felt the woman squeeze his hand tighter.
"Don't you die on me," Erin said frantically. "Keep looking at me. Help is on the way."
His eyes opened and she was relieved to see that they were clearer than before. Keep talking, she thought desperately; give him something to listen to.
"You don't know me," she said, searching for something to say to the elf. "I'm not from around here. I guess you could say I'm a traveler of sorts." She could see that he was focusing on her words, so she continued. "I was camping and I ended up here. Well, not here exactly, but on the plains of Rohan. Aragorn and Legolas and Gimli found me and saved me from an Orc." She was babbling, and she knew it, but it seemed to be helping. "I don't know why I'm here, but Gandalf thinks I'm supposed to be here for some reason, so I guess that's okay. Éomer says you're from Lothlórien and Legolas says that it's the fairest place in the world, and I would really like to go there someday and see how beautiful it really is. Maybe Galadriel can tell me why I am here, because Gimli says she's a very powerful lady who can do magic."
Haldir listened to the steady flow of words pouring from the woman, understanding that her fear was making her babble, but not minding it. Her voice was soft but he found that if he concentrated on it, the pain was bearable and he did not feel himself sliding towards the abyss.
Help arrived in the form of Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and another elf she did not know, and Erin was relieved beyond words to see them.
The new elf bent down beside her, skilled hands settling on Haldir's body, probing his injuries carefully. Erin felt herself pulled away by a pair of gentle hands, and looked up to see Aragorn, his face both worried and relieved as he watched the healer tend to the elf. He gave her a quick and searching look, before squatting down beside the healer.
"How fares Haldir, Elrohir?" the Ranger asked, his concern apparent on his tired face. He was relieved and overjoyed to see that Haldir was alive. He had seen the elf fall, taken down by a blow to his back, and had rushed to his side in time to see the light that shone in those gray eyes fade, but he had not had time to mourn the loss of his companion. It gladdened his heart to see that the brave elf still lived.
The dark haired elf looked up with a grim but relieved expression. "It is good that she found him when she did. Had she not, I am afraid he would have passed from this world quite soon." He placed his hand gently on Haldir's forehead, sending the wounded elf into a healing sleep and stood up. "He needs to be taken to the infirmary."
Erin felt the gloom that had surrounded her since the battle lift slightly at his words. "He's going to live?" she asked hopefully.
Elrohir nodded. "If it is the will of the Valar, he will heal." He smiled briefly at the small woman. "I am glad you found him and stayed with him until we arrived. You have very likely saved his life."
Haldir was taken away, carried gently by several elves. Erin watched them go, and for the first time since the battle began, she felt a little less devastated by the experience.
Aragorn looked at her. "We will be leaving in two days for Isengard with the King and his men. The people of Rohan will return to Edoras," he said finally. "Will you stay with them?"
"I don't know," Erin replied, finding the bucket she had dropped earlier and picking it up. "I probably should - I'm no use in battle, and that's where you guys are headed, aren't you?" She shook her head, shock and exhaustion making it difficult for her to think. "But maybe I'm not supposed to stay behind. I don't know."
Aragorn nodded. "Perhaps you should sleep on it, lady. I do not know what decision is right, and I cannot make it for you."
"Perhaps we should consult Gandalf," Gimli said gruffly, leaning on his axe and looking up at them.
"Aye," Legolas agreed. "We should ask the wizard his counsel."
Read Chapter 6
