Disclaimer: I know it already, I don't, and never will, own any characters
that JRR Tolkien has written about.
A/N: I would like to congratulate SlytherinGod for a superb job on his part of the King, in "The King and I"!! You did a great job!! Spirit Pride All The Way!! ^___^
The Black Book
Chapter 7: The Disreputable Dog
I reached the portcullis, and trotted on through. The peasants had been safely towed into the fortress, Varanadon was crouching on top of one of the many towers. He was looking to the north, flicking his tail, as if waiting for the day's catch from the ports in Osgiliath. His shimmering eyes landed on me, and he barked an approval. I bowed to the courageous dragon, and he nodded his head in return. The townspeople were looking at us oddly. Haven't they ever seen a Vampyre and a Dragon communicate together? It's as if they were brought up by barbarians. Then again, they may have..........
I walked up a staircase to my left, and up onto a wide platform. I looked down, and saw a long, stony wall reaching from one crook of the mountain to the other. Soldiers walked the ramparts, keeping a close watch on the activity to the north, even though things were too far off to see. Rohan pennants blew in the breeze, and caught the light of the setting sun. Soon it would be night. I have grown accustomed to the habits of the other folk, as they only move in the daylight. My eyes haven't yet adjusted, but my body functions have. I don't have to crouch-run anymore. The mountain shielded the sun from my eyes, as it was facing my back. Legolas approached behind me. I heard his quiet footsteps trudge slowly up to me. He poked my shoulder with a finger, "Come, food would be best." He said forlornly.
I nodded, still facing to the north. He walked away. I turned around and followed him. I walked at his heels, wondering why he wanted to eat. Food wasn't a problem right now. What was a problem, was that whoever sent those wargs to attack us would surely send more ungainly things soon. I shivered. Bad things worse than wargs hunt the plains............ like me for instance.
I looked around at the old stonework and watched the ceiling change from the sky, to a vast, moth-eaten hall. I would guess the sky is a ceiling, in a way. I turned my attention back to earth, and I walked around long, mahogany tables. Some Rohorrim sat around them, talking quietly, thanking the people who trundled food around to them. A fair-haired woman sat very still near the King, eating a few bites of some soup, solemnly staring at the grains in the wood of the table. King Theoden turned to her, and whispered something in her ear. She got up from her high-backed chair, and called all of the people in the hall to her attention she said, "All women and children are to be taken to the Glittering Caves, follow me." She strode away down the hall, the few remaining people sidling away after her. Murmurs of fear rose up around the great hall. She comforted some of the scared, and drew them out into the fading sunlight.
Legolas approached the King, and bowed. Theoden nodded, and motioned him to sit. Gimli had already sat. He was helping himself to a wooden mug of mead. The foul drink was coursing down his tangled dwarf beard. I grimaced, but still stood. Gimli reached over the table, and fetched some stale bread from a breadbasket next to Legolas's arm. Theoden sighed. I looked at him. He was shifting his dry meat around on his plate, watching the sauce make designs in his mashed potatoes.
"Is there any hope left?" He asked.
"If there are people, then there is always hope." Answered Legolas.
"And if there is hope, then nothing can be lost." I whispered. Legolas looked up at me, blue eyes sad and alone. "Why don't you sit?"
"I do not sit because there is no need to sit. If I can still stand, I will stand. If I cannot, I will still stand."
He looked at me, eyes inquisitive, his eyebrow cocked up, "But aren't you weary?"
"No." I said, "I never get tired. Nor do I wish to be."
He looked back down at his plate, and said, "Then I am disreputable. I have lost all hope. With no Aragorn, we will not last."
I looked up at the ceiling again, wishing I was not here with such hopeless, self-pitying fools. Well, I can't change anything now. Legolas grabbed a piece of bread and stuffed it in his mouth. He chewed mechanically. Gimli stopped eating, and looked at the elf, "What is wrong with ya laddie? You're eatin'!"
"Nothing, Gimli." Legolas said after he'd finished his slice of bread. The three men sat there, sitting, not doing anything. I raised my hands, exasperated, "If there is one thing I've learned from the enemy, is that they give up so easily! Aren't you fools going to do anything?! You have many men, aren't you going to round them up?! Give them weapons, they will fight for you! They look up to you, and if you give up, then they surely will!!" I yelled and huffed. I turned on my heel, and strode away, fuming.
Don't they have any sense? Do they just give up like that? No wonder they are losing! I scrunched up my face. No sense whatsoever. I reached the doors, and raised a hand to open them, but the magically opened by themselves. A dirty, muddy, bloody, smelly Aragorn trudged in.
I turned around, "See?" I said. "Things can magically happen, if you don't give up! Disreputable dogs, everyone of you!"
Aragorn sighed, and said wheezingly, "No, Medri, you are the Disreputable Dog."
I cocked my eyebrow, "And why am I the Disreputable Dog?"
"Because you are siding with the enemy, and I know that there is no honor in that."
My mouth hung open. I stood there, blubbering like a fish out of water. I tried to make a retort, but no sound came. Aragorn shook his head, chuckling, and walked away, up to the King. After a few seconds, I turned around and said, "No I am not! I do not sink as low as that! I am an evil, evil, evil, evil, evil Vampyre!" I made a face at his back. He turned his head, and said, "Right." Loudly enough so I would hear it.
I made another face, and turned back around. I pushed open the large oak doors, and out into dusk. Disreputable Dog my butt. I do not dishonor anyone! I do not do that............... I hung my head, and walked over to the nearest wall. Not the Healer again. What am I to do? This should not be happening! I AM GETTING SOFT!!!!
"I do have honor........." I mumbled to the dark. I heard something approach me. Varanadon shuffled over, taking up all the room on the terrace. "I think the only person you have dishonored, is Sauron. You have changed Medri, and I think for the good of all." I scowled at the sky.
"And now my dragon has gone to the dark-side too, huh? I remember when you stole everything and burnt every person you saw to a crisp! And you think I have changed?" I harrumphed.
"I have seen the error of my ways. And you have just realized that there are more things you can do than taking others' lives, am I right?"
An awkward silence followed that statement. The silence stretched on and on. Varanadon walked away from a petrified Medri. I am a Disreputable Dog, aren't I? I slapped my forehead.
"Stupid Elf emotions!" I grumbled. I scratched my head, and looked up at the stars. What am I to do? I heard a short blast of a horn, and then another longer song of the same horn. I looked out over the wall, and watched a whole army of brightly armored, beetle like creatures walk up the long ramp into the courtyard of Helm's Deep. I scampered down the stairs, and almost bumped into a Legolas. He was watching a whole flock of Elves march into Helm's Deep. An esteemed elf, highly snooty, in a red cape, turn to King Theoden and the group huddled on the stair, including me.
"Elves and men used to fight together, side by side. We have come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn rushed over, and enveloped the snooty elf in a hug that most resembled a bear embracing a mouse. Aragorn said, "You are most welcome." Haldir snooty elf seemed surprised, and then patted the man's back. Aragorn let go, and then Legolas walked over and acknowledged Haldir with the right hand holding shoulder thing. I never quite got that custom. They spoke some elvish, and then Legolas moved away. That left a gap in the snooty elf's vision, the vision that fell on me. He gave a cry, and all the elves had strung their bows, pointing them at me.
Oh boy. I blinked, and then blinked again. Another silence engulfed the visitors and all the people crowded around the new comers. I then spoke, "If you want to kill me, why not do so? It's a little awkward when a whole herd of you elves have arrows pointed at my face."
Haldir snooty face gave another short whimper, and said, "Well, it can talk."
I rolled my eyes, "Well, of course I can talk. I'm not some dumb-witted orc, mind you. And I don't have bat-wings either. Lets go down the list, shall we?" I paused, and held up my fingers, docking off the things I said by putting my fingers down, "I don't like to suck blood, I can talk and think, I have a name, I have feelings too, and I am a prisoner. Any further questions?" I asked the silent party around me. Everyone was staring at me. I stared lividly at Haldir, "Any more questions?"
"Uh-- no-- thank you." He said, haltingly. He turned back around and motioned for the elves to put their bows down. They complied, questioningly. It was quite obvious they knew what I was. Theoden said, "Do not worry, friends of old, she will not harm you, at least, I hope not." He shot a hard look at me. I stared back at him, "I won't." Theoden nodded, and threw open his arms toward the new comers, "Welcome."
Haldir bowed, and yipped another command. The Elves rushed up the stairs, pushing me ever so often, making me feel as though they mean to do that. When they had all filed onto the battlements, the rest of the crowd hurried down into deep hallways in the belly of Helm's Deep. They were going to get armed. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas ran down too. King Theoden swiftly turned around and waved his hand to ask his henchman to follow. I think his name is Gamling. I guessed he was going to get suited up too, after all, what else would he be doing?
"Now, what am I to do?" I asked myself, "Well, if I was going to set up a defense, I would survey the area where things need to be guarded closely. That portcullis needs to be guarded closely, and same with that opening.............. "I jibbered to myself. I looked around a few minutes. Where did that dragon go? He would be useful, no doubt. "Varanadon? Where'd you get to?"
"Right here." He said from behind me. I turned around startled, "Where'd you come from?"
He chuckled, "I was right behind you the whole time."
"Oh. Well, anyway, I need you."
He stretched his wings, and yawned. "What do you need me for?"
"Your fire."
He nodded, "Oh, as you wish," He inhaled very deep. I waved my hands around frantically, "No, No! Not yet! I mean for the attackers! You'll spoil the plan." I said more quietly. He raised and ever-so-faint eyebrow, wreathed in crests around his eyes, and said, "What plan is this? I never head of a plan. The only plan you and I have formulated was the one that was given you a week earlier. And that plan has been foiled, by that," He stuck out his forked-tongue in distaste, "Elf." I shrugged, "He only saved part of your life."
He looked at me meaningfully, "You know he cannot be trusted. None of them can."
I winked, "I know, but if I 'befriend'", I held up my hands and made two rabbit-ears, "Them, then I'll know they'll back me up in a fight. I won't get killed so easily if I'm their 'friend'." Varanadon nodded, winking right back at me, "I see."
Footsteps echoed behind Varanadon, I quickly took a big step back and said, looking at Varanadon, "Oh, the décor! Such lovely scales you have, so intricate."
He smiled, as a perturbed elf stepped from behind his massive backside. "Where is master Haldir?"
I thrust my thumb behind my back, "That way."
The elf strode forward, almost tripping down the stairs, but maintained composure as all elves have the magical power to do, and trotted down the stairs to a huddled bunch of conspiring elves. One elf had a bright red cape, which was Haldir snooty pants. He was a mysterious elf, always huddling in a corner.......... Some elves looked my way over their shoulders, and then they turned their heads back toward the bunch. I rolled my eyes, and shouted, "If you want to conspire against me together, I would suggest doing it out of my sight, so I can't listen in."
All of them swung their heads around, and stared at me. They were still huddled together, so they broke apart, and shuffled over to a corner. Elvish shouts and whispers followed them, I heard the conversation, but nothing registered. I haven't really heard good elvish, just some sayings that my mother taught me. So, I couldn't tell what they were actually saying.
The Men and Legolas and Gimli were running up from the throat of Helm's Deep, filing bleakly onto the battlements. I walked over too, silent as a grave. Some of the men were crying, and shaking each-others' hands. Another let out a wail, and pointed outward. I followed his gaze, and saw a huge army of incredible size march toward us, torches twinkling at us. I unsheathed Ilfirindulin. I was ready, she was ready, and Varanadon was ready. I took a deep breath. Roars and growls issued from the great mass of Uruk-hai.
The Uruks came closer and closer, and one strode onto a boulder, issuing out a command in the black speech, He said: "Kill them all!" It sounded more as a bear roar to human and elf and dwarf ears, but it gave me the shivers. Thunder rolled across the mountains, and the great Valar, whoever they are, brought forth rain. It plinked and spattered onto armor and ground. Lightning flashed. Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas were having a conversation, but it was drowned out by the sudden crack of the lightning. There were standing near me, eyeing the army that stood but a little feet away. Grunts and more grunts came from the battle-ready killing machines. They began to raise their poles they bore and thump them on the ground. Soon all of them were making rhythmic thwacks accompanied by the rain.
The Elves and Men strung their bows, but I didn't because I had none. Aragorn backed out of the lines, and strode up and down the battlements, screaming some pep talk in Elvish, above the clatter of poles and the torrential rain. Legolas murmured something, but I still couldn't hear anything. An arrow whizzed past me, embedding itself into the shoulder of a fellow Uruk. A sour expression donned my face, as Theoden cried, "Hold your fire!" A little late for that, on would expect.
The Uruks growled and snorted at us, their barrier before their anger yielded, and an inevitable roar burst forth. They ran forward, ladders raised that had once been hidden among the throng. The Elves let forth a volley of arrows, and so did the men behind us. Exclamations of, "Fire!" could be heard rippling around me. A ladder approached my wall, and came down to pull sharp fangs of iron down onto the sill of the wall. I growled, and pushed the ladder over with a foot, hearing strangled screams from the uruks who had tired to climb the ladder. Illy flashed a bright red, weird marks running like lightning over the steel blade. I looked at her, perplexed. She had never done that before, not even when I was in the very heat of an intense battle. Never. The light died out as soon as it glowed, yet the strange marks stayed.
I poked up an eyebrow, but it consequently came down because an extremely meat-headed uruk came bounding toward me, scimitar waving high above his head. He screamed angrily, and brought his hooked sword down. My battle- driven muscles reacted instantly, and I moved into the protective stance. The scimitar came crashing down, right onto Ilfirindulin's straight blade. The shock moved up my arms, and left them sore, but I drew my sword away, and swung Illy around. She connected with the uruk's brown flesh, and sizzled into his skin. I gasped as Illy burst into a bright red flame, eating away at the creature. It screamed a high, puncturing tone, as Illy burnt his larynx. The whole battle stopped, at least, in my range of vision. Everyone covered their ears, and watched as the tortured uruk drop dead in front of me, Illy still firmly embedded into his neck. No one moved. I couldn't even hear the ladders being pushed up. Nothing moved. Not even a whisper could be heard. It was as if everyone was stuck in time, watching me. I grabbed Illy, and immediately thrust my hand back, for Illy had died down, but was still hot, even her pommel and handle was blazing white-hot spit. Illy was melting before our very eyes.
What was happening? I asked myself as Illy started to change. Her blade grew longer, and so did her pommel and handle. What was happening? Was this the aftermath of the Disreputable Dog?
A/N: I would like to congratulate SlytherinGod for a superb job on his part of the King, in "The King and I"!! You did a great job!! Spirit Pride All The Way!! ^___^
The Black Book
Chapter 7: The Disreputable Dog
I reached the portcullis, and trotted on through. The peasants had been safely towed into the fortress, Varanadon was crouching on top of one of the many towers. He was looking to the north, flicking his tail, as if waiting for the day's catch from the ports in Osgiliath. His shimmering eyes landed on me, and he barked an approval. I bowed to the courageous dragon, and he nodded his head in return. The townspeople were looking at us oddly. Haven't they ever seen a Vampyre and a Dragon communicate together? It's as if they were brought up by barbarians. Then again, they may have..........
I walked up a staircase to my left, and up onto a wide platform. I looked down, and saw a long, stony wall reaching from one crook of the mountain to the other. Soldiers walked the ramparts, keeping a close watch on the activity to the north, even though things were too far off to see. Rohan pennants blew in the breeze, and caught the light of the setting sun. Soon it would be night. I have grown accustomed to the habits of the other folk, as they only move in the daylight. My eyes haven't yet adjusted, but my body functions have. I don't have to crouch-run anymore. The mountain shielded the sun from my eyes, as it was facing my back. Legolas approached behind me. I heard his quiet footsteps trudge slowly up to me. He poked my shoulder with a finger, "Come, food would be best." He said forlornly.
I nodded, still facing to the north. He walked away. I turned around and followed him. I walked at his heels, wondering why he wanted to eat. Food wasn't a problem right now. What was a problem, was that whoever sent those wargs to attack us would surely send more ungainly things soon. I shivered. Bad things worse than wargs hunt the plains............ like me for instance.
I looked around at the old stonework and watched the ceiling change from the sky, to a vast, moth-eaten hall. I would guess the sky is a ceiling, in a way. I turned my attention back to earth, and I walked around long, mahogany tables. Some Rohorrim sat around them, talking quietly, thanking the people who trundled food around to them. A fair-haired woman sat very still near the King, eating a few bites of some soup, solemnly staring at the grains in the wood of the table. King Theoden turned to her, and whispered something in her ear. She got up from her high-backed chair, and called all of the people in the hall to her attention she said, "All women and children are to be taken to the Glittering Caves, follow me." She strode away down the hall, the few remaining people sidling away after her. Murmurs of fear rose up around the great hall. She comforted some of the scared, and drew them out into the fading sunlight.
Legolas approached the King, and bowed. Theoden nodded, and motioned him to sit. Gimli had already sat. He was helping himself to a wooden mug of mead. The foul drink was coursing down his tangled dwarf beard. I grimaced, but still stood. Gimli reached over the table, and fetched some stale bread from a breadbasket next to Legolas's arm. Theoden sighed. I looked at him. He was shifting his dry meat around on his plate, watching the sauce make designs in his mashed potatoes.
"Is there any hope left?" He asked.
"If there are people, then there is always hope." Answered Legolas.
"And if there is hope, then nothing can be lost." I whispered. Legolas looked up at me, blue eyes sad and alone. "Why don't you sit?"
"I do not sit because there is no need to sit. If I can still stand, I will stand. If I cannot, I will still stand."
He looked at me, eyes inquisitive, his eyebrow cocked up, "But aren't you weary?"
"No." I said, "I never get tired. Nor do I wish to be."
He looked back down at his plate, and said, "Then I am disreputable. I have lost all hope. With no Aragorn, we will not last."
I looked up at the ceiling again, wishing I was not here with such hopeless, self-pitying fools. Well, I can't change anything now. Legolas grabbed a piece of bread and stuffed it in his mouth. He chewed mechanically. Gimli stopped eating, and looked at the elf, "What is wrong with ya laddie? You're eatin'!"
"Nothing, Gimli." Legolas said after he'd finished his slice of bread. The three men sat there, sitting, not doing anything. I raised my hands, exasperated, "If there is one thing I've learned from the enemy, is that they give up so easily! Aren't you fools going to do anything?! You have many men, aren't you going to round them up?! Give them weapons, they will fight for you! They look up to you, and if you give up, then they surely will!!" I yelled and huffed. I turned on my heel, and strode away, fuming.
Don't they have any sense? Do they just give up like that? No wonder they are losing! I scrunched up my face. No sense whatsoever. I reached the doors, and raised a hand to open them, but the magically opened by themselves. A dirty, muddy, bloody, smelly Aragorn trudged in.
I turned around, "See?" I said. "Things can magically happen, if you don't give up! Disreputable dogs, everyone of you!"
Aragorn sighed, and said wheezingly, "No, Medri, you are the Disreputable Dog."
I cocked my eyebrow, "And why am I the Disreputable Dog?"
"Because you are siding with the enemy, and I know that there is no honor in that."
My mouth hung open. I stood there, blubbering like a fish out of water. I tried to make a retort, but no sound came. Aragorn shook his head, chuckling, and walked away, up to the King. After a few seconds, I turned around and said, "No I am not! I do not sink as low as that! I am an evil, evil, evil, evil, evil Vampyre!" I made a face at his back. He turned his head, and said, "Right." Loudly enough so I would hear it.
I made another face, and turned back around. I pushed open the large oak doors, and out into dusk. Disreputable Dog my butt. I do not dishonor anyone! I do not do that............... I hung my head, and walked over to the nearest wall. Not the Healer again. What am I to do? This should not be happening! I AM GETTING SOFT!!!!
"I do have honor........." I mumbled to the dark. I heard something approach me. Varanadon shuffled over, taking up all the room on the terrace. "I think the only person you have dishonored, is Sauron. You have changed Medri, and I think for the good of all." I scowled at the sky.
"And now my dragon has gone to the dark-side too, huh? I remember when you stole everything and burnt every person you saw to a crisp! And you think I have changed?" I harrumphed.
"I have seen the error of my ways. And you have just realized that there are more things you can do than taking others' lives, am I right?"
An awkward silence followed that statement. The silence stretched on and on. Varanadon walked away from a petrified Medri. I am a Disreputable Dog, aren't I? I slapped my forehead.
"Stupid Elf emotions!" I grumbled. I scratched my head, and looked up at the stars. What am I to do? I heard a short blast of a horn, and then another longer song of the same horn. I looked out over the wall, and watched a whole army of brightly armored, beetle like creatures walk up the long ramp into the courtyard of Helm's Deep. I scampered down the stairs, and almost bumped into a Legolas. He was watching a whole flock of Elves march into Helm's Deep. An esteemed elf, highly snooty, in a red cape, turn to King Theoden and the group huddled on the stair, including me.
"Elves and men used to fight together, side by side. We have come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn rushed over, and enveloped the snooty elf in a hug that most resembled a bear embracing a mouse. Aragorn said, "You are most welcome." Haldir snooty elf seemed surprised, and then patted the man's back. Aragorn let go, and then Legolas walked over and acknowledged Haldir with the right hand holding shoulder thing. I never quite got that custom. They spoke some elvish, and then Legolas moved away. That left a gap in the snooty elf's vision, the vision that fell on me. He gave a cry, and all the elves had strung their bows, pointing them at me.
Oh boy. I blinked, and then blinked again. Another silence engulfed the visitors and all the people crowded around the new comers. I then spoke, "If you want to kill me, why not do so? It's a little awkward when a whole herd of you elves have arrows pointed at my face."
Haldir snooty face gave another short whimper, and said, "Well, it can talk."
I rolled my eyes, "Well, of course I can talk. I'm not some dumb-witted orc, mind you. And I don't have bat-wings either. Lets go down the list, shall we?" I paused, and held up my fingers, docking off the things I said by putting my fingers down, "I don't like to suck blood, I can talk and think, I have a name, I have feelings too, and I am a prisoner. Any further questions?" I asked the silent party around me. Everyone was staring at me. I stared lividly at Haldir, "Any more questions?"
"Uh-- no-- thank you." He said, haltingly. He turned back around and motioned for the elves to put their bows down. They complied, questioningly. It was quite obvious they knew what I was. Theoden said, "Do not worry, friends of old, she will not harm you, at least, I hope not." He shot a hard look at me. I stared back at him, "I won't." Theoden nodded, and threw open his arms toward the new comers, "Welcome."
Haldir bowed, and yipped another command. The Elves rushed up the stairs, pushing me ever so often, making me feel as though they mean to do that. When they had all filed onto the battlements, the rest of the crowd hurried down into deep hallways in the belly of Helm's Deep. They were going to get armed. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas ran down too. King Theoden swiftly turned around and waved his hand to ask his henchman to follow. I think his name is Gamling. I guessed he was going to get suited up too, after all, what else would he be doing?
"Now, what am I to do?" I asked myself, "Well, if I was going to set up a defense, I would survey the area where things need to be guarded closely. That portcullis needs to be guarded closely, and same with that opening.............. "I jibbered to myself. I looked around a few minutes. Where did that dragon go? He would be useful, no doubt. "Varanadon? Where'd you get to?"
"Right here." He said from behind me. I turned around startled, "Where'd you come from?"
He chuckled, "I was right behind you the whole time."
"Oh. Well, anyway, I need you."
He stretched his wings, and yawned. "What do you need me for?"
"Your fire."
He nodded, "Oh, as you wish," He inhaled very deep. I waved my hands around frantically, "No, No! Not yet! I mean for the attackers! You'll spoil the plan." I said more quietly. He raised and ever-so-faint eyebrow, wreathed in crests around his eyes, and said, "What plan is this? I never head of a plan. The only plan you and I have formulated was the one that was given you a week earlier. And that plan has been foiled, by that," He stuck out his forked-tongue in distaste, "Elf." I shrugged, "He only saved part of your life."
He looked at me meaningfully, "You know he cannot be trusted. None of them can."
I winked, "I know, but if I 'befriend'", I held up my hands and made two rabbit-ears, "Them, then I'll know they'll back me up in a fight. I won't get killed so easily if I'm their 'friend'." Varanadon nodded, winking right back at me, "I see."
Footsteps echoed behind Varanadon, I quickly took a big step back and said, looking at Varanadon, "Oh, the décor! Such lovely scales you have, so intricate."
He smiled, as a perturbed elf stepped from behind his massive backside. "Where is master Haldir?"
I thrust my thumb behind my back, "That way."
The elf strode forward, almost tripping down the stairs, but maintained composure as all elves have the magical power to do, and trotted down the stairs to a huddled bunch of conspiring elves. One elf had a bright red cape, which was Haldir snooty pants. He was a mysterious elf, always huddling in a corner.......... Some elves looked my way over their shoulders, and then they turned their heads back toward the bunch. I rolled my eyes, and shouted, "If you want to conspire against me together, I would suggest doing it out of my sight, so I can't listen in."
All of them swung their heads around, and stared at me. They were still huddled together, so they broke apart, and shuffled over to a corner. Elvish shouts and whispers followed them, I heard the conversation, but nothing registered. I haven't really heard good elvish, just some sayings that my mother taught me. So, I couldn't tell what they were actually saying.
The Men and Legolas and Gimli were running up from the throat of Helm's Deep, filing bleakly onto the battlements. I walked over too, silent as a grave. Some of the men were crying, and shaking each-others' hands. Another let out a wail, and pointed outward. I followed his gaze, and saw a huge army of incredible size march toward us, torches twinkling at us. I unsheathed Ilfirindulin. I was ready, she was ready, and Varanadon was ready. I took a deep breath. Roars and growls issued from the great mass of Uruk-hai.
The Uruks came closer and closer, and one strode onto a boulder, issuing out a command in the black speech, He said: "Kill them all!" It sounded more as a bear roar to human and elf and dwarf ears, but it gave me the shivers. Thunder rolled across the mountains, and the great Valar, whoever they are, brought forth rain. It plinked and spattered onto armor and ground. Lightning flashed. Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas were having a conversation, but it was drowned out by the sudden crack of the lightning. There were standing near me, eyeing the army that stood but a little feet away. Grunts and more grunts came from the battle-ready killing machines. They began to raise their poles they bore and thump them on the ground. Soon all of them were making rhythmic thwacks accompanied by the rain.
The Elves and Men strung their bows, but I didn't because I had none. Aragorn backed out of the lines, and strode up and down the battlements, screaming some pep talk in Elvish, above the clatter of poles and the torrential rain. Legolas murmured something, but I still couldn't hear anything. An arrow whizzed past me, embedding itself into the shoulder of a fellow Uruk. A sour expression donned my face, as Theoden cried, "Hold your fire!" A little late for that, on would expect.
The Uruks growled and snorted at us, their barrier before their anger yielded, and an inevitable roar burst forth. They ran forward, ladders raised that had once been hidden among the throng. The Elves let forth a volley of arrows, and so did the men behind us. Exclamations of, "Fire!" could be heard rippling around me. A ladder approached my wall, and came down to pull sharp fangs of iron down onto the sill of the wall. I growled, and pushed the ladder over with a foot, hearing strangled screams from the uruks who had tired to climb the ladder. Illy flashed a bright red, weird marks running like lightning over the steel blade. I looked at her, perplexed. She had never done that before, not even when I was in the very heat of an intense battle. Never. The light died out as soon as it glowed, yet the strange marks stayed.
I poked up an eyebrow, but it consequently came down because an extremely meat-headed uruk came bounding toward me, scimitar waving high above his head. He screamed angrily, and brought his hooked sword down. My battle- driven muscles reacted instantly, and I moved into the protective stance. The scimitar came crashing down, right onto Ilfirindulin's straight blade. The shock moved up my arms, and left them sore, but I drew my sword away, and swung Illy around. She connected with the uruk's brown flesh, and sizzled into his skin. I gasped as Illy burst into a bright red flame, eating away at the creature. It screamed a high, puncturing tone, as Illy burnt his larynx. The whole battle stopped, at least, in my range of vision. Everyone covered their ears, and watched as the tortured uruk drop dead in front of me, Illy still firmly embedded into his neck. No one moved. I couldn't even hear the ladders being pushed up. Nothing moved. Not even a whisper could be heard. It was as if everyone was stuck in time, watching me. I grabbed Illy, and immediately thrust my hand back, for Illy had died down, but was still hot, even her pommel and handle was blazing white-hot spit. Illy was melting before our very eyes.
What was happening? I asked myself as Illy started to change. Her blade grew longer, and so did her pommel and handle. What was happening? Was this the aftermath of the Disreputable Dog?
