**And so it Begins**
Helm's Deep was an ancient fortress that sat cradled within the cliffs of the mountains. The entrance to the gorge was called Helm's Gate and it was guarded by a thick stone wall that ran from cliff to cliff. There was a great keep with a tall tower called the Hornburg at its center. It was a well built castle with a long history of victories, but the army that was advancing was larger than any it had ever seen.
It was dusk, and every man within the walls of the fortress was donning armor and taking up swords from the youngest boy to the oldest man. Miranda kept watch on the wall and tried to stay out of the way. The advancing army was not far and she had butterflies in her stomach. She tried to concentrate on her friends and why she was here, but it wasn't working and she was terrified. Háma came up behind her and broke into her thoughts.
"Théoden was looking for you," Háma said. "He is inside."
Miranda couldn't imagine why the king would want to see her at a time like this, but followed anyway. Háma led her into the keep and Théoden stood with two of his guards, putting on the last pieces of his armor. Háma announced her, and the king turned.
"You persuaded Háma here to disobey one of my orders," Théoden said with a stern expression.
"I am sorry, sir," Miranda said quietly. "Don't blame him, please. I promise not to disobey anymore of your orders, sir."
Théoden's expression softened and he stepped closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Do not apologize, lady seer," Théoden said. "I should reward you for finding Lord Aragorn. I would send you to the safety of the caves, but the Elf assures me you would refuse."
"Legolas is right," Miranda said. "I would refuse."
"Then go with Háma to find some suitable armor," Théoden said.
"Thank you your majesty," Miranda said.
*****
The armory was a bustle of activity, and Miranda found her companions there, in the middle of a discussion. She stayed out of sight and listened.
"Farmers, furriers, and stable boys…these are no soldiers," Aragorn said.
"Most have seen too many winters," Gimli said.
"Or too few," Legolas added. He frowned as he looked at the growing crowd of draftees. "Look at them;" Legolas said harshly, "They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."
Miranda was surprised by his callous words. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at him, and Aragorn became angry. He and Legolas argued in elvish for a moment, and Miranda wished she could understand what they were saying. Finally, Legolas said something that set Aragorn off…
"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn said heatedly. He and Legolas stared at each other with determined expressions, and then Aragorn stormed out. Legolas was going to follow, but Gimli stopped him.
"Let him go, lad. Let him be," Gimli said.
Miranda didn't know who needed to talk more, Aragorn or Legolas. She stepped out of the crowd to look at her armor choices. She frowned at the heavy mail and helmets. She'd be better off without anything weighing her down.
"What are you doing down here," Gimli asked when he spotted her.
"The king said I should come down and get some armor, but I think I'd be better off without the extra weight," Miranda said.
"I'd feel better if you at least wore a leather shirt like mine," Legolas said. "Come, we'll find you something."
"I'd feel better if she waited in the caves," Gimli said.
"No," Miranda said. "I have seen more fighting than most of these men here. Besides, I thought you told the king I had earned my place in the fellowship."
"Aye, you have. I just don't want to see you get hurt. This is going to be bigger than any battle you've ever seen," Gimli said. "Worse than any I've seen," he added under his breath.
Miranda gave Gimli a smile and then went to the table with Legolas to find that shirt. She picked through the pile and watched Legolas' brooding expression.
"Want to talk about it?" she asked.
"Gimli is right," Legolas said. "The odds are not good."
"You surprise me, Legolas," Miranda said with a smile. "You know we'll all be looking out for each other, just like always."
Legolas immediately recognized his own words. He looked at her and laughed at her smirk. "You are over your own fears, I see," Legolas said.
"I still have fears," Miranda said. "But there is nothing we can do but fight. Our path was leading us here since the beginning, and it will lead away from here again. Try not to worry."
"All of us?" Gimli asked.
Miranda glanced around at the men shuffling in to get weapons and armor. She tried not to look at their faces, but she couldn't help it. She knew that many of them would not live through the night, and she realized she didn't like knowing. Being a seer was getting harder every day. Miranda's expression was bleak as she backed away, turned and ran out of the armory.
Legolas and Gimli exchanged looks. "I should quit asking questions like that," Gimli said.
"I should go talk to her," Legolas said.
"You should go talk to Aragorn," Gimli said firmly. "I'll go talk to her."
*****
Legolas found Aragorn in the keep donning his armor. He put on a chain mail shirt, and thick leather vest. Legolas picked up the sword Aragorn had set down while he was suiting up, and handed it to him. Aragorn smiled at his friend, and Legolas felt guilty for his harsh words.
"We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray," Legolas said. "Forgive me, I was wrong to despair."
"There is nothing to forgive, Legolas," Aragorn said in elvish as he laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. They had been friends for too long to let angry words spoken under stress to come between them. They shared a silent smile that said far more than any words as they mentally prepared for the coming battle. The sound of a war horn pierced the silence, and Legolas turned to the door with a look of surprise and recognition.
"That is no orc horn," Legolas said firmly and headed for the door with Aragorn on his heels.
*****
Miranda settled back into her quiet spot on the deeping wall. She could stay out of the way of the preparations, but had a good view. It was getting dark, and she could see the light of torches in the distance. She pulled her cloak around herself in defense against the growing chill, more from her nerves than the weather.
"I'm sorry," Gimli said as he came up to stand beside her.
"Gimli, there is nothing to apologize for," Miranda said. "I've just been a bit sensitive lately."
"It's difficult, isn't it, always knowing?" Gimli asked.
"That's just the problem, I don't know enough," she said.
"It'll be all right, you'll see," Gimli said.
"My lord, dwarf, are you a seer too?" Miranda asked humorously.
Gimli laughed. "No, I'm just a good hand with an ax, especially with orcs to swing at."
"With so many targets, you can hardly miss," Miranda said with a smile.
Miranda and Gimli laughed heartily at that, and it lightened their spirits. But their laughter was interrupted by the sound of a horn. Miranda looked down toward the gate, and tried to see the approaching company.
"What can you see?" Gimli asked, unable to see over the wall.
"You'll never believe it," Miranda said in astonishment. "It's the elves, a whole company of archers!"
"I believe I am beginning to like those elves," Gimli said with a smile.
Miranda just smiled at his comment. Gimli already liked elves. He and Legolas had become good friends since they started traveling together. Not to mention his fondness for Lady Galadriel. Miranda looked back at the elves as they entered the gate and noticed a familiar face.
"Haldir!" she said brightly when she recognized him. "Excuse me, Gimli," she said quickly as she headed down to greet him.
Théoden was waiting to meet Haldir when he reached the steps of the Hornburg. "How is this possible?" he asked in astonishment.
"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together," Haldir said to the king. He looked up the steps of the Hornburg and smiled as Aragorn and Legolas came down to meet him. "We come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn couldn't believe it. "Haldir, you are most welcome here," Aragorn said as he gave Haldir a big hug, catching the elf captain off guard. Elves are rather reserved and do not usually show such displays of affection in public. Legolas also greeted his friend, though not with a hug. The Elves halted their advance and turned their formation to await instructions while Haldir stood tall and faced Théoden.
"We are proud to fight along side Men once more," Haldir said to Théoden.
Miranda was excited to see Haldir, but stayed out of the way and waited until all the greetings and orders were given. Haldir gave the command for his men to line the top of the deeping wall, and then he noticed Miranda waiting in the shadows.
"There is my sword wielding seer!" Haldir said with a smile. "It is good to see you again, Miranda."
Miranda walked up to him and gave him a hug. This hug he accepted readily, and smiled.
"This wouldn't be my first choice of places to see you again, but I'm glad you're here," Miranda said. "I just wish the orcs weren't here."
Haldir laughed as he released her from the hug. "Come to the battlements, Miranda. I would be honored if you would stand with me."
Miranda was moved by his sincere compliment. "It is you who honor me, Haldir," she said. "We'll send these orcs running back to Isengard before this battle is over."
Haldir smiled at her brave words though he could tell she was scared. He'd keep an eye on her during the battle. She wasn't a warrior, by any means, but she had courage. He'd taught her a few things about swordplay. She would be a better help than most of the young boys he saw as they ascended the steps to the battlements.
There was silence among the ranks as they watched the approaching horde of orcs. The moon was nearly full, but its light was threatened by storm clouds. Legolas and Gimli waited on the wall, and Aragorn was checking the ranks.
"You could have picked a better spot," Gimli complained to Legolas as he tried to see over the parapet. Legolas just smiled.
Aragorn stopped behind them, and Gimli looked up at him. "Lad, that luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."
"Your friends are with you, Aragorn," Legolas said.
"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli said under his breath.
Aragorn smiled and went back to checking the ranks. The orcs stopped their advance about fifty yards from the wall. They growled and roared, beating their spears on the ground. It was like some ritual meant to frighten the enemy and to psyche themselves up for the battle.
"Where's Miranda?" Gimli asked Legolas.
"She stands with Haldir," Legolas said.
"Funny how you elves take to her," Gimli said.
"And you don't?" Legolas said with a smirk.
Gimli laughed, and turned his attention back to the noisy orcs. He frowned in frustration at his disadvantage. "What's happening out there?"
"Shall I describe it to you?" Legolas asked humorously as he turned to look at the dwarf. "Or shall I find you a box?"
Gimli eyed him with annoyance briefly then burst into laughter.
Aragorn was shouting instructions to the elves in their language, and Miranda leaned over and quietly spoke to Haldir.
"What is he saying?" she asked.
"Show no mercy," Haldir said, and then turned to her. "Remember our lessons, go for the swift kill and keep moving."
"I will," she said firmly.
"Good," he said quietly as he turned back to the enemy. "You'll do fine."
Théoden looked out over the horde of Uruk-hai as the heavens opened and rain poured down. He thought of his men, so few against so many. He thought of his people helplessly huddled in the caves. And he thought of his son, killed by orcs like these.
Someone on the wall released an arrow, killing an orc at the front of their ranks. Aragorn shouted for them to wait, but it was too late. The orcs were shocked out of their noisy display and charged the wall.
With eyes full of sadness over what could be the end of Rohan, Théoden whispered, "And so it begins…"