Beauty and the Warg
Chapter Seven: At Helm's Deep
A/N: To everyone who has reviewed thus far: THANK YOU!! Messages for you at the bottom.
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings and all related characters, settings, events, etc. belong to J.R.R. Tolkien and New Line Cinemas. Beauty and the Beast belongs to Disney and their associates. The Broadway play belongs to… well, someone who is not me. I make no money from this venture.
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Legolas, mounted on Arod, and Wendy returned to the place where the Wargs had attacked the people of Rohan. Legolas hurriedly recollected his arrows, since they were pressed for time. Wendy also helped him as best she could, which he greatly appreciated. When they were ready to return, Legolas paused just before he was about to remount Arod. He looked at Wendy, a little sheepishly.
"Draugwen…" he stopped, but Wendy nudged his shoulder with her nose, telling him to go on. "This is perhaps a strange request, but would it be possible for me to ride you to Helm's Deep? I am very interested in seeing the differences between riding a Warg and riding a horse."
In answer, Wendy simply kneeled down so Legolas could climb on easier. But before he climbed aboard her back, he took off her bridle, much to her liking. Now there was no bit to add further discomfort to her sore mouth.
"Since you can understand me, there is no need for reins to control you. Now quickly, Draugwen, away to Helm's Deep!" Legolas yelled. Wendy bounded away, galloping across the plains. Legolas yelled over his shoulder, "Arod, aphado nin!" and the white horse came galloping with them. Arod, follow me!
Legolas, being an Elf, was wonderfully lightweight, especially compared to the huge Orc with his excessive armor that Wendy had previously carried. Wendy's large paws made it easier for her to maneuver across the rocky and hilly terrain, and her powerful legs soon gave her a lead on Arod. They caught up to Théoden and his men even before the warriors reached Helm's Deep.
"King Théoden, there is a Warg coming!" yelled one of the men from the back of the troupe. Théoden turned quickly and saw that the man was right, there was indeed a small Warg coming towards his men. A few drew their bows, but Aragorn quickly stopped them.
"Legolas is riding that Warg!" Aragorn yelled. As soon as the words left his mouth they all saw a white horse following Legolas and the Warg. "And there is Arod. Strange things are happening! I do not like this!"
As soon as Legolas reached the Riders he went right up to Aragorn. A few of the men yelled in fright and some took steps backwards as if hoping they could outrun the Warg that was now in their midst. The horses began to prance nervously and whinny in fear until they saw that Arod had no fear in being close to the terrifying beast.
"Legolas, what is the meaning of this?" Gimli asked from his seat behind Aragorn on Hasufel.
"Greetings, my friends. I am sorry for taking so long, but I met this Warg along the way and stopped to see what she was doing," Legolas explained.
"She? I did not know Wargs even had gender," Théoden commented, his brow furrowed.
"Well this one does. I would like you all to meet Draugwen. She is my friend now and has sworn that as long as no man harms her, she will not bring harm to any of my friends," Legolas said, directing his comments to the entire company. They all stared at him in disbelief and utter incomprehension.
"What do you mean, she is your 'friend?' How can a Warg be a friend? They are ruthless bloodthirsty servants of Saruman!" Gimli demanded. Wendy started to sniffle again, and a few mistook that as a threatening growl.
"Stay back! Stay back, men! Legolas, I order you to kill this Warg right now before it kills one of us!" Théoden commanded. But Legolas refused to kill Wendy.
"King Théoden, please, just give her a chance. Look into her eyes and you will see that she is not like the other Wargs who kill and slaughter mercilessly," Legolas pleaded.
Théoden dismounted and stepped in front of Wendy. Although on the inside he was frightened of being so close to a beast so large, he stood straight and tall. Wendy was impressed by his kingly stature and, to be respectful, she bowed low. With a laugh, Legolas tumbled off of her. Even Théoden cracked a smile, but quickly stifled it.
"Draugwen, Lady of the Wargs, do you swear, upon pain of death, that you will not attack or do any harm to any of my people without reason?" Théoden asked, looking Wendy right in the eye. His hard stare made her shiver slightly. She nodded solemnly, holding her right paw to her heart.
Théoden really did smile, a full smile that made Wendy want to smile back. (But she didn't, remembering Legolas' reaction to her smile.) "Well then welcome, Lady Draugwen, friend of Rohan!"
Wendy bowed low again, then licked Théoden's hand. It was the only way she could think of to convey her thanks. A few man put their hands to the hilts of their swords, fearing that this beast was about to make a snack of their king. But Théoden just laughed.
"You are welcome, Lady Draugwen," he said. "Now, onward, men! To Helm's Deep!"
Théoden led the remaining Riders of Rohan towards Helm's Deep. Legolas quickly remounted Wendy and the two of them rode near the back of the pack so as not to upset the horses or riders. Arod cantered alongside them.
When they came to Helm's Deep, Wendy was put in the stables with the other horses. Théoden did not want to cause a panic amongst the women and children by bringing her into the caves. It was somewhat cramped, since the stalls were designed to fit only normal-sized horses, but there was straw on the floor and cool water to drink, so Wendy wasn't complaining. Being a Ring geek, she already knew what the outcome of the battle would be, so she wasn't frightened, even when she heard explosions and loud footsteps seemingly very close to the stables. She wondered vaguely if the Lórien Elves had come, as they had in the movie, but otherwise relaxed in the warm straw without a care in the world.
The one thing worrying Wendy was the small matter of finding true love so she could get out of this horrid Warg body.
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A/N: Please leave me a review on your way out! Thank you for reading!
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