Many thanks for the kind reviews…

AN: I will be mixing book and film here, Eomer fights inside Helm's Deep but Haldir and his merry lads also make an appearance.

Chapter Fifteen –Helm's Deep

The last of the stragglers passed through the thick gates of Helm's Deep. Arlannis stood with her brother on the walls and watched the gates swing shut with heavy finality. 'And here the men of Rohan make their stand,' said Aragorn pensively. Arlannis looked at him, 'Something troubles you?' she asked quietly. 'They are brave men, Eomer is here and he gives the men heart. Theoden is returned to his true self and leads as well as ever,' she added.

Aragorn shrugged and would only say, 'I hope that is all that is required, sister. The white wizard is cunning and any trap he springs will be swift and sure.'

'But we have a white wizard of our own, brother. Gandalf will not fail us. He will find Erkenbrand and bring him to our aid. Whatever devilry Saruman has planned will not prevail. Have faith in the strength of men.'

Those words seemed empty now as Arlannis gazed in disbelief at the host of Saruman approaching the walls of Helm's Deep. They had heard it before they saw it. The tramp of ten thousand pairs of Uruk Hai feet shook the foundations of the earth and vibrated along the thick stone walls of their retreat.

She had never seen a force so strong. All her previous battles had been mere skirmishes in comparison to this. Arlannis gripped the hilt of Gilraen's sword tightly. It felt cool and welcoming to her hand and she drew quiet strength from its presence.

She deliberately took deep breaths and schooled her features to calm before turning from the wall. The Uruk Hai were outside (for the moment) but Haldir was inside and watching her from his place with the Lorien archers. In truth, she could not say which troubled her more. She avoided his gaze and took herself below to see to the younger boys' arming.

Haldir's arrival had taken everyone by surprise, her most of all. Arlannis had said her goodbyes and had not expected to see him again in this life. The others had been delighted at his appearance, even Aragorn. And Legolas had not taken it amiss either, she thought.

Haldir sought her out but she had avoided him. The shock of his arrival meant she needed time to compose herself. And Arlannis was composed or so she told herself. After all, she has survived a vicious encounter at the hands of the Orcs and survived intact. Haldir was now a much needed ally. Nothing more.

'Arlannis!' cried Eomer

'I'm here,' she answered and straightened up from fitting a young boy with a helmet. Thrusting a nicked but still sharp sword into the child's hand, Arlannis followed the sound of Eomer's voice.

'Miss?' said the boy nervously, 'I've never used a sword, miss…' his voice trailed away anxiously. He was obviously trying not to be a disappointment. Arlannis paused, 'Allow me a moment here, Eomer,' she called. Eomer took in the scene and nodded tersely, 'Make it brief, you are needed on the wall.'

Arlannis hunkered down so her face was on a level with the youngster's. 'Are you from off one of the farms, lad?' she asked. He nodded miserably, 'Farm's been burnt, miss.'

'What's your name, lad?'

'Gram, miss.'

'I'm sorry to hear about your farm,' said Arlannis with genuine sympathy in her voice, 'but this is your chance to punish those that burned it. Here is your sword. Grip it firmly in your strongest hand and when it comes time to strike put all your weight behind the stroke.'

Arlannis guided the boy through a few practice swings and thrusts all the time cursing the fate that made children go to war. He smiled up at her when she praised him and her heart contracted inside her chest. Would anyone see that smile again after tonight's bloody work?

Eomer's voice called to her through the night air.

'I must go, they are calling for me,' she said. 'Take care of yourself, Gram and remember, when you do strike, strike hard!'

'I will, miss! Thank you, miss!'

I must send him to Fromas in the caves, she thought urgently, he will look after Gram.

Arlannis made for the wall, her mind on the keep's defences when she saw a shocking sight. The familiar face of the old healer of Edoras in the unfamiliar guise of a warrior, complete with helm and hauberk.

'Evening!' he said jauntily, waving his unsuitably long sword haphazardly. The men around him backed out of range quickly.

'Fromas?' said Arlannis in disbelief. She closed her eyes and opened them again but it did no good. He was still there.

'I got called up,' he said happily. 'Never used a sword before. Is it hard?'

Arlannis pounded up the steps to the wall to be met by Eomer, Aragorn and Theoden.

'Finally,' said Eomer as she appeared, 'we are arranging the final defences.'

'Eomer!' said Arlannis breathlessly, 'Fromas is armed! He said he was called up! I think he's hit a few of our own men by accident already.'

Eomer blanched at this and immediately sent a runner to relieve Fromas of all military duties.

The discussion turned to the defence arrangements. Aragorn did not look pleased and Arlannis soon found out why. She, Aragorn and Eomer had been given the dangerous job of defending the Hornburg gates should they fall under threat. It was clear that Aragorn had wanted his sister within the relative safety of the Deeping Wall, but it was not to be. Theoden, as befitting the Lord of the Mark, was to direct the battle from the inner keep.

Legolas and Gimli approached as Theoden left to confer further with Eomer and his household knights.

'We are to stay on the wall,' complained Gimli, 'where his arrows can do the most good and my axe none at all!'

Arlannis smiled. She had seen nothing that could dampen the dwarf's spirits. The more dire the threat the happier Gimli was. He saw every enemy as simply another feather in his cap; the bigger the better.

In the distance, her elven hearing caught a plaintive cry as Fromas was relieved of his new sword.