I survived to chapter 10! I never thought I'd go that far.
Warnings: violence
Chapter 10
The valley of Helm's Deep was only dots of silver and red. Ineluki's army was marching slowly as if defying the wall's defenders. The people in the fortress moved quickly. They were archers up the wall and about a thousand of horsemen packed behind the gate, waiting impatiently for the first blow to strike. Heero was one of them while Duo stood up on the wall, knives ready to be thrown at the first sign.
After the day of their arrival, Faramir had come to meet the two boys. He was reluctant to let them out of their cell but Aseldir had warned them of the battle coming and the pilots had assured the Lord that they would fight for them if they were set free. So, there they were, ready for a battle they had believed would pass beside them.
" So, those are the bastards."
Aseldir looked to the braided boy standing beside him and gave a curt nod. He, too, had been assigned as an archer but only while supplies last. He was to go down to fight on horseback right afterwards. He doubted greatly the two boys' skills but his Lord had seemed to think otherwise. He didn't like the idea of having to baby-sit him while the battle raged.
" Why do they attack anyway?" Duo asked after a moment of silence.
" That, only the Sea Master knows. We guess he wants our lands but they are only speculations. We can only try and fight back." Aseldir replied, his eyes fixed on the oncoming army full of anger.
" That Ineluki. Why are they moving so slowly?!" Duo cried in barely contained nervousness.
" To create the perfect mood. They want us to loose our heads so that it is easier to defeat us." Answered the red-haired soldier.
The American sighted deeply and remembered what Legolas had told him on his brief stay in Rivendel. He had said that they came from the East to invade the land. He, too, hadn't known why for certain. So, another mystery was yet to be solved.
********
Heero was waiting patiently on Wing's back. The soldiers around him looked at the boy in disbelief and wondered what a kid could do in the army's front lines. None dared to look at him in the eyes in fear of his glacial look. His sword was ready at hand and the Perfect Soldier had made sure to learn to use it fairly well. He looked up at the walls and stared for a moment. He couldn't see him but he knew Duo was standing there at the archer's front line. One arrow would come quickly, he knew it, like a sword blow from behind could as easily kill Heero. The Japanese shook his head vigorously. Dark thoughts brought bad luck. He berated himself. Since when did he believe in luck anyway? Everything that happened was the fault of someone. Luck didn't exist. This time, he took a deep breath and tried to suppress the growing weight in his stomach. For the first time in his life, he was fighting a battle where he knew he wasn't the best, that he was a novice. It scared him a little but he paid it no heed. Feelings were weaknesses.
*********
Shadowfax once again shifted his balance from one foot to the other. The great Mearas was nervous and it only reflected his rider's nervousness. Wufei was also extremely edgy. He had been put with the'rear' force. They were waiting, hiding actually, at the mountain's base, hidden out of view. If Helm's Deep's defenders proved not to be enough, they would charge down in surprise and break the enemy's flank. That is, only if they were needed. It almost brought some hope in Wufei's heart. Maybe he wouldn't have to fight at all.
Not being to stay put anymore, he moved Shadowfax closer to the ledge covered by trees where they were hiding. He watched as the men marked by the red dragon eye moved slowly below them and fought the urge to behead one or two. Of course, that would mean breaking the surprise that might save them all so he contained his fury. Three things infuriated him: firstly, he hadn't found Heero or Duo when he had had the chance to briefly search the fortress, secondly, he was forced in the battle that wasn't his, finally, he was frustrated against himself for his lack of knowledge in the foreign world he had landed in.
Someone came behind him and he looked up to see Aragorn. The king was leading the small company, much to his displeasure. He had wished to be with the largest part of the army but Faramir had fiercely opposed. Even if Aragorn was the lord of Gondor, Faramir was Rohan's and was on his lands. So, Aragorn had had no choice but to follow his wish.
" Are you nervous Wufei?" asked the monarch.
The Chinese boy looked at him and tried to smile. It looked more like a grimace.
" To be franc, yes. It is my first time in a battle." Wufei replied politely.
" That is rather hard to believe. You are no amateur with that sword." Aragorn countered.
Wufei looked up in puzzlement and shook his head.
" I've spoken wrongly. I have been in many battles, true, but none quite like this." He answered.
Aragorn was about to say something else when a great cry echoed down the valley. The soldiers at their feet started running towards the battle. It had finally started.
********
Heero heard the echo and shifted his weight in his saddle. It was only seconds before they would open the gate and let them out. That is, only after the first wave was decimated by the archers. Once again, he assured his hold on his sword and pulled his reins tighter. Wing snorted in response but didn't try to free herself.
" Nervous are you?"
The Perfect Soldier looked to his left only to meet laughing green eyes. They shone from deep within. Lezthea smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
" Don't worry, it will soon be replaced by something else." Continued the little man.
Heero said nothing and sighted deeply, again. The mass of helmets before him glittered in the pale morning light. Suddenly, a great cry came from the opposite side of the gate. The Japanese took a deep breath and watched as the gate was lowered slowly and the first men move. Before he could give her a sign, Wing had lunched forward. Heero unsheathed his sword and joined his cry with those of his companions in arm.
********
Duo looked at the now running mass of horsemen and prepared an arrow, keeping his knives for later. When the enemies were in range, he let it fly. All the archers around him imitated the gesture and quickly repeated it. Some fell, an arrow in the throat or chest. The braided boy gulped and hoped he wasn't next. Down the walls, the first great wave was staled and Faramir's horsemen came out galloping. Duo quickly spotted Heero, being the smallest of them all and didn't pull his eyes off him.
The knights clashed against the enemy's front line like a great wave. They were pulled back ever so slightly but quickly gained the double of what they had lost. Duo made sure that every single soldier closing on Heero from behind or the side fell under his precise shooting. He knew the pilot wasn't experienced with a sword so any help would be needed to keep him alive in the middle of the pros.
After some time, Duo noticed that Aseldir was gone, all of his arrows spent. He was a faster shooter and was nervous to go in the tight knot. Duo himself was running short, he only had a couple left. At least he still had his knives and was even deadlier with them in hand.
********
The large man looked up from his scaly mount in displeasure. His plan wasn't working; the Lord of Rohan's armies were stronger than he had judged. Also, he could feel the presence of three unusual auras. They were imposing, foreign and powerful. The man knew whom they belonged to. They were those of the three boys Lord Ineluki had warned him against. After all the failed attempts to capture them, he hadn't hoped to see them in the midst of the raging battle. He laughed. He wouldn't even have to lift a finger to have them killed!
His mount moved uneasily under him. It wasn't really a horse, actually. Its body was covered with scales. Instead of hooves, it had three talons and spikes replaced its mane. Its eyes were a bloody red and long canines came down over its lower lip.
" Calm, Deathvoice, calm. You will have a taste of the traitors' blood, do not fear. Only wait a little longer." The man spoke quietly to his mount.
When he saw that the situation wasn't improving, he raised his gloved hand high in the air. From behind him a company of about two hundred wolf-riders appeared. The great beasts were about thrice the size of a normal wolf and snarled with pleasure at the oncoming bloodshed. When given the permission, they lunched forward and broke fiercely the defenders' lines.
*********
" We have to go! They need our help!"
Aragorn looked at the youth beside him and shook his head.
" Not yet Wufei. We have not received the signal to attack." He replied.
" We don't need a damn signal! It's pretty obvious they're falling back!" cried the Chinese boy.
Aragorn stared at him for some time then looked at the raging battle. The wolves had quickly given the upper hand to Ineluki's forces and Faramir's soldiers were falling back against the almost deserted walls. More than half of the archers had been killed.
" I believe you are right. Come, we will prepare for an assault." He finally said.
********
It was a first for Heero and the only thing he kept thinking was that he didn't like it one bit. The soldiers around him seemed to move as if in water. Everything was in slow motion and frightfully obvious; they were losing badly. The sudden attack of the wolf riders had cut their army to half of what they were and had enlightened the hearts of Ineluki's forces. They were backing against the wall, hoping for the arrows' safety. It was only a small reassurance since almost all of the arrows had been used and that two third of the archers had been killed.
Heero looked up in time to see a blur of silver. He dodged quickly but too late. The man's sword slid down his helmet to fall on his shoulder. Luckily it had become an imprecise blow and had lost almost all of its power but it still cut deep in the Japanese boy's shoulder. He froze and his vision blurred because of the pain but being used to suffer more than that, he quickly threw the pain aside and attacked. His shoulder protested but he ignored it and thrust his blade forward. The man could only widen his eyes in fear; he was still out of balance after his attack. He fell dead, his throat bleeding profusely.
Heero looked to the side only to see red obscure his vision as blood from an injury on his head dripped in his eyes. He cursed and wiped it off only to see a soldier grinning maliciously while preparing to attack. He would have died if an arrow hadn't stabbed the man in the back. He fell from his saddle, choking helplessly. The Japanese boy looked around him and wondered at all the bodies covered with arrows. Someone on the wall must be watching over him, it was plainly obvious.
//Duo.//
Another soldier came up in front of Heero. The boy dismissed all thoughts and prepared to defend himself.
*******
Duo sighted and threw his bow aside. That last soldier he had killed for Heero had used his last arrow, now he could only use his knives. He looked around and gasped. In the middle of the heat he hadn't realized how many archers beside him had died. Bodies resembling porcupines were scattered across the wall. The braided boy looked down and couldn't suppress a shudder. They were loosing, there was no doubt about that. The wolf riders had completely destroyed any chance of winning and now, only a miracle could save them. They were doomed.
" You alright kid?"
Duo turned at the voice who had spoken and recognized Aseldir. He was running down the wall towards the fortress. Blood was dripping down his arm.
" What are you doing? Aren't you suppose to be in the battle?" shouted Duo, angry at his abandon.
Aseldir grimaced and anger filled his yellow eyes.
" Trust me kid, I'd rather be there but I have a message to bring to Lord Faramir. We have to send a message to Lord Aragorn or we'll be dead before midday."
Duo nodded and turned his attention back to the throng of men. His eyes widened and he called back to Aseldir.
" Wait! They're already attacking! What the.?"
The red-haired soldier climbed quickly onto the wall and came beside Duo. Aragorn's company was going straight into the rear of Ineluki's forces, where they were the most vulnerable. They broke easily their line and forced their way through. Shadowfax burned a radiant silver and seemed to lead all the others.
" Bless them! But it won't save us. If only the wolves weren't there. What? The wolves!" Aseldir cried, surprise written all over his face.
" Convenient isn't it?" a cold voice whispered.
A shudder coursed through Aseldir's entire body. He turned slowly and frowned deeply. The boy beside him was obviously the same as before, his braid was proof enough, but his eyes had changed. They were as cold as a storm in the far north and he was smiling maliciously.
" Let's kill all those damn bastards." Duo said in an icy tone, throwing a knife which planted itself in the eye of a soldier attacking Heero.
Aseldir was frozen on the spot. He couldn't move, he couldn't do anything. The boy beside him was keeping him prisoner under his frozen glare.
*******
Shadowfax was nervous to a point were he could barely stay put for more than a minute. He kept pacing in front of the company despite all Wufei's attempts to calm him. The Chinese was also very edgy but for another reason. Aragorn was taking too much time preparing to his liking. If they didn't hurry, they were sure to lose.
For the millionth time, he sighted and assured his sword on his belt. Every second wasted seemed to kill more soldiers on their side. Those wolves, if only they weren't there!
" Wufei, we are ready."
The said pilot turned and nodded to Aragorn, sitting on his white stallion. The king gestured him to the front of the waiting company.
" If I may ask, can you please ride in front of the people? It would cheer them to see a proud horse such as Shadowfax on their side." He asked politely.
Wufei nodded but couldn't help feeling a pang of anger. It wasn't him they wanted, it was his horse. Still, he shook the dark thoughts aside and went to stand beside the King of Gondor. At the monarch's signal, they lunged forward. The horses jumped on after the other down the small ledge to clash full force in Ineluki's forces. With a great war cry, Wufei unsheathed his sword and followed his companions into the battle. Shadowfax, a great silver blur, dashed forward like a great wave preceding a tsunami.
*******
Heero heard the oncoming army before he saw it. At first, he thoughts they were reinforcements for Ineluki's forces instead of theirs but quickly realized otherwise. His mood enlightened and he fought with a renewed rage. His allies did the same and they managed to gain a bit of the ground they had lost. Still, a dozen of wolf riders appeared out of the mass and forced them back. One came up to Heero's level and raised his spear to attack. The great beast he rode jumped for Wing's vulnerable breast, fangs and claws all out. The Perfect Soldier braced himself, ready to move once his steed was down. Surprisingly, a scream of pain echoed, then was followed by many others. Heero, still expecting the blow to fall, looked up in total shock and surprise.
The wolf previously attacking him was on the ground, shaking a body like it was a doll. It took some time before he realized it was his previous rider's body. He stood, mouth agape and watched all the wolves around him do the same. Every single one threw his rider off and killed him. Then, they howled together, a great cry of fear and despair, and ran away, tail between their legs. Great bodies of light brown to black passed in front of Heero and escaped up the hill, but not without snapping at Ineluki's soldiers' throat when they met one.
As suddenly as they had fallen on them, nothing of the wolves passage was left except dead bodies painted with the red dragon eye lying everywhere.
Heero didn't have time to marvel at the happenings as an enemy came to him. They were now to even forces.
*******
The man cursed loudly and kicked his steed in his rage. The animal moved uncomfortably but held his ground.
" Damn them! They haven't won though, haven't they Deathvoice? It's time we show them how efficient are Lord Ineluki's generals." He shouted.
The man smiled maliciously and grabbed something hanging on his belt. It was a horn. The instrument was made of a single piece of black material and shone dully in the midday sun. Red ribbons were tied to it and fine runes carved elegantly covered it. The man brought it to his lips, took a deep breath and exhaled. A great sound echoed down the valley. Everything seemed to dim under it's powerful sound. Its echo resonated for some time even after he had stopped blowing. As soon as it did, explosions sounds followed the horn.
********
" We are finally back to an even battle. This is good news, we might actually win!"
Duo didn't look at Aseldir who had spoken, his attention fixed on the ragging battle. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. It was too easy and Ineluki's army was forcing the soldiers nearer to the walls even if it cost many more lives than on the other side. They had to be planning something but what?
As suddenly as if it had read his thoughts, a great sound was heard throughout the valley. It reverberated against the mountain and lost itself in the horizon. Duo stood wide-eye and shivering. When he felt the echo dying, he turned to Aseldir.
" Quick! We have to get out of here! Hurry!" he whispered in alarm, his cold eyes flashing with fear.
" What are you taking about? This is like a retreat call." Countered Aseldir with a shrug.
" No! They are calling someone, or something. We have to leave the walls! Come on!" he urged, grabbing the red-haired man firmly by the arm and forcing him to the ladder.
Aseldir went down reluctantly and looked in suspicion to the boy. He still had his cold eyes but the storm in them was covered by sheer fear. Duo followed quickly and pushed Aseldir to a run. They had barely got down when a great explosion was heard, soon followed by another. The walls where they had stood seconds before crumpled and went down in a pile of melting rock and ash. It continued like that until the whole perimeter was laying on the ground, smoking.
" Come!" hurried Duo, tugging at Aseldir's sleeve.
The man didn't move. He was staring a something on the ground. A hand was trying to free itself from the earth. It was black and scaly and had long nails closely resembling claws. Soon, a bigger, rounder shape did the same. It proved to be a human head. The thing pushed itself completely out of the ground and snickered at the two paralysed man. Around him, many other little man came out. They were about Duo's size. This time, it was Aseldir who pushed Duo back towards the mountain.
" Moles! We have to go in the mountain, they cannot dig in solid rock! Quickly or they will be the last thing you see." Shouted the soldier in alarm.
Duo didn't need to be told twice. He sprinted forward towards the safety of the caves. Around him, soldiers did the same or fell, Moles holding them and pushing them in the ground where they didn't came back.
********
Heero fought fiercely to move as quickly as possible away from the walls. Weird men cackled all around him and grabbed at the horses' feet to pull them down to the earth. Soldiers ran away from the hands pocking out of the ground in total disorder.
After slaying a soldier, Heero pushed Wing in a full run. The mare didn't hesitate as she fled, eyes wide open and mouth wide open to take ragged breath. Nobody cared who was who anymore. Everybody fled, even Ineluki's forces.
Suddenly, the Japanese boy saw a rider appear in front of him. He nearly ran into him but managed to stop Wing in time. The rider was small compared to the magnificent beast he rode. It was a large silver horse gleaming in the early afternoon light. The man was brandishing a katana and had lost his helmet. Raven hair flew in the wind, unbound.
Heero stared, unable to say a word. He felt his jaw drop but he didn't care.
" What are you doing, standing there? Come and fight, be useful!" the boy, for that was what he was, said in anger.
Heero slowly found his tongue. It was all completely unbelievable.
" Wufei?" he managed to croak because of his parched throat.
The boy froze for some time and frowned as if deep in thought.
" Remove your helmet." He finally ordered to the Perfect Soldier.
Heero realized that he must be unrecognizable under his helmet and with blood covering his face. He quickly pulled it off, grunting deeply because of the pain it caused to his injured skull. When he opened his eyes, it was to see a smiling Wufei that looked so glad he nearly cried.
" Yuy! Thank God I have found you, thank God! Where is Maxwell?" he demanded after having sighted deeply.
Heero, still confused because of the recent happenings, could only shrug and point to the mass of crumpled walls.
" I hope he escaped with his life. I wish to go and find him put we have to help the others. I've been trying to regroup the soldiers under Aragorn's banner, help me!" Wufei said sadly, obviously annoyed by the fact that Duo wasn't with Heero.
Heero nodded. Although questions filled his head until it might explode, he kept himself from asking. They had things more important and urgent to do.
*********
There! Since, as you guessed, the battle isn't finished, I was planning to write it in one chapter, but then I realized it would be about twenty-five pages, so I decided to cut it in two chapters. It'll be easier for me to type and shorter (although still pretty long) for you to read!
// Pop quiz! Here's the question! Why do you think the Easternmen are attacking Middle Earth?
for pure pleasure because of the healthy lands because Sauron lived there because of an unknown grudge none of the above all of the above
Since I gave no hints of the answer yet, you can choose what you think is best! Maybe I'll choose to change my reason for the most popular one of the above, depends!
A-chan
Warnings: violence
Chapter 10
The valley of Helm's Deep was only dots of silver and red. Ineluki's army was marching slowly as if defying the wall's defenders. The people in the fortress moved quickly. They were archers up the wall and about a thousand of horsemen packed behind the gate, waiting impatiently for the first blow to strike. Heero was one of them while Duo stood up on the wall, knives ready to be thrown at the first sign.
After the day of their arrival, Faramir had come to meet the two boys. He was reluctant to let them out of their cell but Aseldir had warned them of the battle coming and the pilots had assured the Lord that they would fight for them if they were set free. So, there they were, ready for a battle they had believed would pass beside them.
" So, those are the bastards."
Aseldir looked to the braided boy standing beside him and gave a curt nod. He, too, had been assigned as an archer but only while supplies last. He was to go down to fight on horseback right afterwards. He doubted greatly the two boys' skills but his Lord had seemed to think otherwise. He didn't like the idea of having to baby-sit him while the battle raged.
" Why do they attack anyway?" Duo asked after a moment of silence.
" That, only the Sea Master knows. We guess he wants our lands but they are only speculations. We can only try and fight back." Aseldir replied, his eyes fixed on the oncoming army full of anger.
" That Ineluki. Why are they moving so slowly?!" Duo cried in barely contained nervousness.
" To create the perfect mood. They want us to loose our heads so that it is easier to defeat us." Answered the red-haired soldier.
The American sighted deeply and remembered what Legolas had told him on his brief stay in Rivendel. He had said that they came from the East to invade the land. He, too, hadn't known why for certain. So, another mystery was yet to be solved.
********
Heero was waiting patiently on Wing's back. The soldiers around him looked at the boy in disbelief and wondered what a kid could do in the army's front lines. None dared to look at him in the eyes in fear of his glacial look. His sword was ready at hand and the Perfect Soldier had made sure to learn to use it fairly well. He looked up at the walls and stared for a moment. He couldn't see him but he knew Duo was standing there at the archer's front line. One arrow would come quickly, he knew it, like a sword blow from behind could as easily kill Heero. The Japanese shook his head vigorously. Dark thoughts brought bad luck. He berated himself. Since when did he believe in luck anyway? Everything that happened was the fault of someone. Luck didn't exist. This time, he took a deep breath and tried to suppress the growing weight in his stomach. For the first time in his life, he was fighting a battle where he knew he wasn't the best, that he was a novice. It scared him a little but he paid it no heed. Feelings were weaknesses.
*********
Shadowfax once again shifted his balance from one foot to the other. The great Mearas was nervous and it only reflected his rider's nervousness. Wufei was also extremely edgy. He had been put with the'rear' force. They were waiting, hiding actually, at the mountain's base, hidden out of view. If Helm's Deep's defenders proved not to be enough, they would charge down in surprise and break the enemy's flank. That is, only if they were needed. It almost brought some hope in Wufei's heart. Maybe he wouldn't have to fight at all.
Not being to stay put anymore, he moved Shadowfax closer to the ledge covered by trees where they were hiding. He watched as the men marked by the red dragon eye moved slowly below them and fought the urge to behead one or two. Of course, that would mean breaking the surprise that might save them all so he contained his fury. Three things infuriated him: firstly, he hadn't found Heero or Duo when he had had the chance to briefly search the fortress, secondly, he was forced in the battle that wasn't his, finally, he was frustrated against himself for his lack of knowledge in the foreign world he had landed in.
Someone came behind him and he looked up to see Aragorn. The king was leading the small company, much to his displeasure. He had wished to be with the largest part of the army but Faramir had fiercely opposed. Even if Aragorn was the lord of Gondor, Faramir was Rohan's and was on his lands. So, Aragorn had had no choice but to follow his wish.
" Are you nervous Wufei?" asked the monarch.
The Chinese boy looked at him and tried to smile. It looked more like a grimace.
" To be franc, yes. It is my first time in a battle." Wufei replied politely.
" That is rather hard to believe. You are no amateur with that sword." Aragorn countered.
Wufei looked up in puzzlement and shook his head.
" I've spoken wrongly. I have been in many battles, true, but none quite like this." He answered.
Aragorn was about to say something else when a great cry echoed down the valley. The soldiers at their feet started running towards the battle. It had finally started.
********
Heero heard the echo and shifted his weight in his saddle. It was only seconds before they would open the gate and let them out. That is, only after the first wave was decimated by the archers. Once again, he assured his hold on his sword and pulled his reins tighter. Wing snorted in response but didn't try to free herself.
" Nervous are you?"
The Perfect Soldier looked to his left only to meet laughing green eyes. They shone from deep within. Lezthea smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
" Don't worry, it will soon be replaced by something else." Continued the little man.
Heero said nothing and sighted deeply, again. The mass of helmets before him glittered in the pale morning light. Suddenly, a great cry came from the opposite side of the gate. The Japanese took a deep breath and watched as the gate was lowered slowly and the first men move. Before he could give her a sign, Wing had lunched forward. Heero unsheathed his sword and joined his cry with those of his companions in arm.
********
Duo looked at the now running mass of horsemen and prepared an arrow, keeping his knives for later. When the enemies were in range, he let it fly. All the archers around him imitated the gesture and quickly repeated it. Some fell, an arrow in the throat or chest. The braided boy gulped and hoped he wasn't next. Down the walls, the first great wave was staled and Faramir's horsemen came out galloping. Duo quickly spotted Heero, being the smallest of them all and didn't pull his eyes off him.
The knights clashed against the enemy's front line like a great wave. They were pulled back ever so slightly but quickly gained the double of what they had lost. Duo made sure that every single soldier closing on Heero from behind or the side fell under his precise shooting. He knew the pilot wasn't experienced with a sword so any help would be needed to keep him alive in the middle of the pros.
After some time, Duo noticed that Aseldir was gone, all of his arrows spent. He was a faster shooter and was nervous to go in the tight knot. Duo himself was running short, he only had a couple left. At least he still had his knives and was even deadlier with them in hand.
********
The large man looked up from his scaly mount in displeasure. His plan wasn't working; the Lord of Rohan's armies were stronger than he had judged. Also, he could feel the presence of three unusual auras. They were imposing, foreign and powerful. The man knew whom they belonged to. They were those of the three boys Lord Ineluki had warned him against. After all the failed attempts to capture them, he hadn't hoped to see them in the midst of the raging battle. He laughed. He wouldn't even have to lift a finger to have them killed!
His mount moved uneasily under him. It wasn't really a horse, actually. Its body was covered with scales. Instead of hooves, it had three talons and spikes replaced its mane. Its eyes were a bloody red and long canines came down over its lower lip.
" Calm, Deathvoice, calm. You will have a taste of the traitors' blood, do not fear. Only wait a little longer." The man spoke quietly to his mount.
When he saw that the situation wasn't improving, he raised his gloved hand high in the air. From behind him a company of about two hundred wolf-riders appeared. The great beasts were about thrice the size of a normal wolf and snarled with pleasure at the oncoming bloodshed. When given the permission, they lunched forward and broke fiercely the defenders' lines.
*********
" We have to go! They need our help!"
Aragorn looked at the youth beside him and shook his head.
" Not yet Wufei. We have not received the signal to attack." He replied.
" We don't need a damn signal! It's pretty obvious they're falling back!" cried the Chinese boy.
Aragorn stared at him for some time then looked at the raging battle. The wolves had quickly given the upper hand to Ineluki's forces and Faramir's soldiers were falling back against the almost deserted walls. More than half of the archers had been killed.
" I believe you are right. Come, we will prepare for an assault." He finally said.
********
It was a first for Heero and the only thing he kept thinking was that he didn't like it one bit. The soldiers around him seemed to move as if in water. Everything was in slow motion and frightfully obvious; they were losing badly. The sudden attack of the wolf riders had cut their army to half of what they were and had enlightened the hearts of Ineluki's forces. They were backing against the wall, hoping for the arrows' safety. It was only a small reassurance since almost all of the arrows had been used and that two third of the archers had been killed.
Heero looked up in time to see a blur of silver. He dodged quickly but too late. The man's sword slid down his helmet to fall on his shoulder. Luckily it had become an imprecise blow and had lost almost all of its power but it still cut deep in the Japanese boy's shoulder. He froze and his vision blurred because of the pain but being used to suffer more than that, he quickly threw the pain aside and attacked. His shoulder protested but he ignored it and thrust his blade forward. The man could only widen his eyes in fear; he was still out of balance after his attack. He fell dead, his throat bleeding profusely.
Heero looked to the side only to see red obscure his vision as blood from an injury on his head dripped in his eyes. He cursed and wiped it off only to see a soldier grinning maliciously while preparing to attack. He would have died if an arrow hadn't stabbed the man in the back. He fell from his saddle, choking helplessly. The Japanese boy looked around him and wondered at all the bodies covered with arrows. Someone on the wall must be watching over him, it was plainly obvious.
//Duo.//
Another soldier came up in front of Heero. The boy dismissed all thoughts and prepared to defend himself.
*******
Duo sighted and threw his bow aside. That last soldier he had killed for Heero had used his last arrow, now he could only use his knives. He looked around and gasped. In the middle of the heat he hadn't realized how many archers beside him had died. Bodies resembling porcupines were scattered across the wall. The braided boy looked down and couldn't suppress a shudder. They were loosing, there was no doubt about that. The wolf riders had completely destroyed any chance of winning and now, only a miracle could save them. They were doomed.
" You alright kid?"
Duo turned at the voice who had spoken and recognized Aseldir. He was running down the wall towards the fortress. Blood was dripping down his arm.
" What are you doing? Aren't you suppose to be in the battle?" shouted Duo, angry at his abandon.
Aseldir grimaced and anger filled his yellow eyes.
" Trust me kid, I'd rather be there but I have a message to bring to Lord Faramir. We have to send a message to Lord Aragorn or we'll be dead before midday."
Duo nodded and turned his attention back to the throng of men. His eyes widened and he called back to Aseldir.
" Wait! They're already attacking! What the.?"
The red-haired soldier climbed quickly onto the wall and came beside Duo. Aragorn's company was going straight into the rear of Ineluki's forces, where they were the most vulnerable. They broke easily their line and forced their way through. Shadowfax burned a radiant silver and seemed to lead all the others.
" Bless them! But it won't save us. If only the wolves weren't there. What? The wolves!" Aseldir cried, surprise written all over his face.
" Convenient isn't it?" a cold voice whispered.
A shudder coursed through Aseldir's entire body. He turned slowly and frowned deeply. The boy beside him was obviously the same as before, his braid was proof enough, but his eyes had changed. They were as cold as a storm in the far north and he was smiling maliciously.
" Let's kill all those damn bastards." Duo said in an icy tone, throwing a knife which planted itself in the eye of a soldier attacking Heero.
Aseldir was frozen on the spot. He couldn't move, he couldn't do anything. The boy beside him was keeping him prisoner under his frozen glare.
*******
Shadowfax was nervous to a point were he could barely stay put for more than a minute. He kept pacing in front of the company despite all Wufei's attempts to calm him. The Chinese was also very edgy but for another reason. Aragorn was taking too much time preparing to his liking. If they didn't hurry, they were sure to lose.
For the millionth time, he sighted and assured his sword on his belt. Every second wasted seemed to kill more soldiers on their side. Those wolves, if only they weren't there!
" Wufei, we are ready."
The said pilot turned and nodded to Aragorn, sitting on his white stallion. The king gestured him to the front of the waiting company.
" If I may ask, can you please ride in front of the people? It would cheer them to see a proud horse such as Shadowfax on their side." He asked politely.
Wufei nodded but couldn't help feeling a pang of anger. It wasn't him they wanted, it was his horse. Still, he shook the dark thoughts aside and went to stand beside the King of Gondor. At the monarch's signal, they lunged forward. The horses jumped on after the other down the small ledge to clash full force in Ineluki's forces. With a great war cry, Wufei unsheathed his sword and followed his companions into the battle. Shadowfax, a great silver blur, dashed forward like a great wave preceding a tsunami.
*******
Heero heard the oncoming army before he saw it. At first, he thoughts they were reinforcements for Ineluki's forces instead of theirs but quickly realized otherwise. His mood enlightened and he fought with a renewed rage. His allies did the same and they managed to gain a bit of the ground they had lost. Still, a dozen of wolf riders appeared out of the mass and forced them back. One came up to Heero's level and raised his spear to attack. The great beast he rode jumped for Wing's vulnerable breast, fangs and claws all out. The Perfect Soldier braced himself, ready to move once his steed was down. Surprisingly, a scream of pain echoed, then was followed by many others. Heero, still expecting the blow to fall, looked up in total shock and surprise.
The wolf previously attacking him was on the ground, shaking a body like it was a doll. It took some time before he realized it was his previous rider's body. He stood, mouth agape and watched all the wolves around him do the same. Every single one threw his rider off and killed him. Then, they howled together, a great cry of fear and despair, and ran away, tail between their legs. Great bodies of light brown to black passed in front of Heero and escaped up the hill, but not without snapping at Ineluki's soldiers' throat when they met one.
As suddenly as they had fallen on them, nothing of the wolves passage was left except dead bodies painted with the red dragon eye lying everywhere.
Heero didn't have time to marvel at the happenings as an enemy came to him. They were now to even forces.
*******
The man cursed loudly and kicked his steed in his rage. The animal moved uncomfortably but held his ground.
" Damn them! They haven't won though, haven't they Deathvoice? It's time we show them how efficient are Lord Ineluki's generals." He shouted.
The man smiled maliciously and grabbed something hanging on his belt. It was a horn. The instrument was made of a single piece of black material and shone dully in the midday sun. Red ribbons were tied to it and fine runes carved elegantly covered it. The man brought it to his lips, took a deep breath and exhaled. A great sound echoed down the valley. Everything seemed to dim under it's powerful sound. Its echo resonated for some time even after he had stopped blowing. As soon as it did, explosions sounds followed the horn.
********
" We are finally back to an even battle. This is good news, we might actually win!"
Duo didn't look at Aseldir who had spoken, his attention fixed on the ragging battle. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. It was too easy and Ineluki's army was forcing the soldiers nearer to the walls even if it cost many more lives than on the other side. They had to be planning something but what?
As suddenly as if it had read his thoughts, a great sound was heard throughout the valley. It reverberated against the mountain and lost itself in the horizon. Duo stood wide-eye and shivering. When he felt the echo dying, he turned to Aseldir.
" Quick! We have to get out of here! Hurry!" he whispered in alarm, his cold eyes flashing with fear.
" What are you taking about? This is like a retreat call." Countered Aseldir with a shrug.
" No! They are calling someone, or something. We have to leave the walls! Come on!" he urged, grabbing the red-haired man firmly by the arm and forcing him to the ladder.
Aseldir went down reluctantly and looked in suspicion to the boy. He still had his cold eyes but the storm in them was covered by sheer fear. Duo followed quickly and pushed Aseldir to a run. They had barely got down when a great explosion was heard, soon followed by another. The walls where they had stood seconds before crumpled and went down in a pile of melting rock and ash. It continued like that until the whole perimeter was laying on the ground, smoking.
" Come!" hurried Duo, tugging at Aseldir's sleeve.
The man didn't move. He was staring a something on the ground. A hand was trying to free itself from the earth. It was black and scaly and had long nails closely resembling claws. Soon, a bigger, rounder shape did the same. It proved to be a human head. The thing pushed itself completely out of the ground and snickered at the two paralysed man. Around him, many other little man came out. They were about Duo's size. This time, it was Aseldir who pushed Duo back towards the mountain.
" Moles! We have to go in the mountain, they cannot dig in solid rock! Quickly or they will be the last thing you see." Shouted the soldier in alarm.
Duo didn't need to be told twice. He sprinted forward towards the safety of the caves. Around him, soldiers did the same or fell, Moles holding them and pushing them in the ground where they didn't came back.
********
Heero fought fiercely to move as quickly as possible away from the walls. Weird men cackled all around him and grabbed at the horses' feet to pull them down to the earth. Soldiers ran away from the hands pocking out of the ground in total disorder.
After slaying a soldier, Heero pushed Wing in a full run. The mare didn't hesitate as she fled, eyes wide open and mouth wide open to take ragged breath. Nobody cared who was who anymore. Everybody fled, even Ineluki's forces.
Suddenly, the Japanese boy saw a rider appear in front of him. He nearly ran into him but managed to stop Wing in time. The rider was small compared to the magnificent beast he rode. It was a large silver horse gleaming in the early afternoon light. The man was brandishing a katana and had lost his helmet. Raven hair flew in the wind, unbound.
Heero stared, unable to say a word. He felt his jaw drop but he didn't care.
" What are you doing, standing there? Come and fight, be useful!" the boy, for that was what he was, said in anger.
Heero slowly found his tongue. It was all completely unbelievable.
" Wufei?" he managed to croak because of his parched throat.
The boy froze for some time and frowned as if deep in thought.
" Remove your helmet." He finally ordered to the Perfect Soldier.
Heero realized that he must be unrecognizable under his helmet and with blood covering his face. He quickly pulled it off, grunting deeply because of the pain it caused to his injured skull. When he opened his eyes, it was to see a smiling Wufei that looked so glad he nearly cried.
" Yuy! Thank God I have found you, thank God! Where is Maxwell?" he demanded after having sighted deeply.
Heero, still confused because of the recent happenings, could only shrug and point to the mass of crumpled walls.
" I hope he escaped with his life. I wish to go and find him put we have to help the others. I've been trying to regroup the soldiers under Aragorn's banner, help me!" Wufei said sadly, obviously annoyed by the fact that Duo wasn't with Heero.
Heero nodded. Although questions filled his head until it might explode, he kept himself from asking. They had things more important and urgent to do.
*********
There! Since, as you guessed, the battle isn't finished, I was planning to write it in one chapter, but then I realized it would be about twenty-five pages, so I decided to cut it in two chapters. It'll be easier for me to type and shorter (although still pretty long) for you to read!
// Pop quiz! Here's the question! Why do you think the Easternmen are attacking Middle Earth?
for pure pleasure because of the healthy lands because Sauron lived there because of an unknown grudge none of the above all of the above
Since I gave no hints of the answer yet, you can choose what you think is best! Maybe I'll choose to change my reason for the most popular one of the above, depends!
A-chan