**The Fifth Day**
Haldir and Miranda entered the main hall of the Hornburg where most of the wounded were gathering. There was a bustle of soldiers coming and going but Haldir just ignored the din and steered Miranda to a quiet corner to have a look at her injury.
"Miranda, take off the leather and have a seat," Haldir said as he pointed to a bench against the wall. "I'll be right back with some bandages."
Miranda pulled off her cloak and her heavy leather shirt, but stopped when she noticed the amount of blood on Haldir's side. "Stop!" she said before he could get too far. "You first."
Haldir turned to look at her. She stood with her arms crossed and a very unyielding expression. He sighed, sat down, and Miranda helped him take off his armor and shirt. He had a nasty gash in his side, and she cringed at the sight of it. It looked like it might need to be stitched.
"And you were worried about my shoulder," she remarked angrily. She spotted one of the young boys that had been recruited that morning and motioned for him to come over. "Bring some water and bandages."
"Yes, my lady," he said and ran off.
Haldir watched her as she carefully checked the wound. "You seem to be comfortable giving orders," he said.
"Not really," she said quietly. She was too busy checking for broken ribs to give that comment much thought. "You don't seem to have any broken ribs. You were lucky, this could have been much worse."
"It will be fine," Haldir reassured her. "Elves heal quickly."
The young soldier returned with water and supplies. She gently washed the wound. She was thankful to see it wasn't deep, and would probably heal just fine. She wrapped the bandages tightly, and tied the ends.
Haldir couldn't help smiling at how carefully she tended the injury. "You would make a good healer," he said.
"I don't think so," Miranda said with a smirk. "I'm too squeamish."
Miranda helped him get his shirt back on, and then stood up to leave. Haldir quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"Your shoulder," he reminded her.
"There are others who are hurt worse and need help," she said. "My shoulder will wait."
Haldir just gave her wrist a squeeze and quietly ordered, "Sit down, Miranda."
Miranda turned to look at him and his expression was kind, but firm. She sighed and sat back down on the floor in front of the bench. While Haldir buttoned his shirt up, Miranda unbuttoned her velvet riding jacket. Haldir helped her get it off, and he nearly gasped when he saw the amount of blood that soaked the sleeve of her white linen shirt. She hadn't made a sound, but he could see it was painful.
"I'm going to have to cut this sleeve off," Haldir said softly and produced a dagger from his belt. Miranda silently nodded, and he carefully removed the sleeve. After he got a better look at the wound, he could see it was a stab wound that went right through the shoulder.
"This is no scratch, Miranda. You're lucky that orc didn't take your arm off," Haldir said as he cleaned and bandaged it, and helped her get her jacket back on.
"Thank you," Miranda said softly. "You saved my life today, several times."
Haldir helped her up off the floor and had her sit on the bench beside him. "You did well today," he said proudly. He really liked Miranda, and he never would have thought he could have such strong feelings for a woman who wasn't an elf. He wanted to say more to her, but their conversation was interrupted by the rush of soldiers coming inside and barring the doors.
"They have broken through the gates," someone shouted.
"So, that's it?" Miranda asked.
"No," Haldir said quickly, trying to put her mind at ease. "The keep is strong. It will hold them off for a little while."
Miranda looked up and saw Théoden scowling. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas were helping to fortify the doors. She and Haldir stood, grabbed the bench they were sitting on, and ran to help shore up the doors.
"The fortress is taken," Théoden said angrily. "It is over."
"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it," Aragorn said. "They sealed it, they died defending it!"
Outside, the orcs were already trying to beat down the doors to the keep with a large battering ram. Everyone was using whatever they could find to reinforce the doors.
Gimli spotted Miranda and Haldir bracing the door and greeted them, "It's good to see you both in one piece."
Legolas helped put leverage on the bench, and noticed Miranda's injury. "You're hurt?" he asked.
"Just a scratch," she said quickly. "Haldir already bandaged it. His cut was worse than mine, but we're still here."
"She did well," Haldir said as he grabbed another bench to wedge against the door. "My best student."
Legolas and Gimli both smiled at Haldir's praise. Legolas knew that elves don't give compliments lightly.
As the pounding on the doors continued, Aragorn turned to Théoden and asked, "Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" He looked back to the cave entrance and waited for a response, but no one spoke.
The orcs continued to beat against the doors, and the guards were using their bodies to help brace them against the attack. Miranda stepped out of the way and looked back at Théoden. He looked lost. The weight of his responsibility to his people was crushing him. She could see that he felt guilty for the loss of so many and she wished she knew what to say to comfort him.
Aragorn looked back at the king and repeated his question, "Is there no other way?"
"There is one passage," the king's guard answered. "It leads into the mountains, but they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many."
"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass," Aragorn ordered. "Then barricade the entrance!"
"So much death," Théoden said dejectedly. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"
Miranda's breath caught in her throat at the sorrow in those words. If the king thought it was hopeless, then what would they do? She had no idea what to expect this time. Her sight had deserted her and she was scared.
"Ride out with me," Aragorn said. "Ride out and meet them."
"For death and glory," Théoden said, somehow gaining strength and determination from the idea.
"For Rohan," Aragorn continued, "for your people."
"The sun is rising," Gimli said.
Aragorn looked up to the tower window and saw the early morning sun shining in. He remembered Gandalf's words, Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day…at dawn, look to the east.
"Yes…" Théoden said thoughtfully. "Yes! The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time." His voice rose like a crescendo with each word.
"Yes!" Gimli shouted anxious for the glory of battle, even a last stand.
Théoden walked over to Aragorn and put a hand on his shoulder. "Let this be the hour when we draw swords together," Théoden said.
The remaining guards and soldiers mounted their horses, including Legolas, Haldir and Aragorn. The pounding on the doors was increasing in strength and they were starting to give way.
Gimli ran up the long winding stairs that led to the horn of Hammerhand that was built right into the tower of the Hornburg, giving the keep its name. Miranda couldn't fight from horseback, so she went to the tower with Gimli to watch. She knew the orcs would get in, and she didn't think Gimli should meet them alone. Gimli stepped up to the mouthpiece and blew out a note that reminded Miranda of a foghorn. It was a low deep penetrating sound that echoed in the canyon. It was the sort of battle horn designed to strike fear in the enemy.
*****
"Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin and the red dawn!" Théoden shouted as he donned his helmet and mounted his horse.
The doors finally gave way, and as they burst open, Théoden shouted, "For Rohan!"
The riders charged at the open doors and engaged the incoming horde, driving an opening through the mass. They were at an advantage over the enemy who were all on foot, and they headed out the main gates, slashing the enemy along the way. As they rode through the gates and down the long ramp, they killed every orc in their way.
The ramp led down into a sea of orcs, and Miranda would have thought it was hopeless, but then she saw Gandalf. He was seated on Shadowfax at the top of the distant ridge, and the morning light was shining behind him. The battle seemed to pause as every orc eye turned to see the white rider on the hill. Miranda smiled when she saw an armored soldier ride up to stand beside Gandalf, and she immediately knew who it was.
"Gimli! Ẻomer and Gandalf are here," she said excitedly. "Give that horn another good blow because this is going to get good!"
Gimli blew on the horn of Hammerhand as Gandalf, Ẻomer, and his men charged down the hill to engage the orcs. The horn echoed through the canyon and Miranda suddenly felt goosebumps rise on her arms. She closed her eyes and knew they were going to win.
With the sun rising behind them, the riders had a double advantage over the orcs who were not only on foot, but blinded. The riders cut them down like so much wheat in the field. The soldiers within the keep drove the enemy out while Ẻomer's men attacked those outside the keep. The orcs were caught in the middle, and that was their downfall. The battle was won!
*****
It was late afternoon when Miranda finally caught up with her friends again. She and Gimli had rejoined the battle, helping to drive out the few remaining orcs that morning. After the Keep had been cleared, Miranda helped to tend the wounded. The army was getting ready to leave Helm's Deep, and Miranda packed what was left of her things and prepared to join them. She saw Legolas and Gimli getting ready to mount up, and she looked for Aragorn and spotted him talking to Théoden and Ẻomer. She shouldered her leather bag, over her good shoulder, and headed for them.
"I'm ready," she said to Aragorn.
"Lady Miranda," Théoden said in surprise. "I thought you left with the women and children."
Haldir spoke up from behind the king, "Miranda fought bravely by my side all night, and then tended the wounded all day."
Miranda felt her face getting hot and turned away to keep anyone from seeing her blush, but Ẻomer caught her arm. Miranda bit her lip to keep from flinching at the sudden pain in her shoulder. She turned to look at him, and he was smiling at her.
"It's good to see you again, my lady," Ẻomer said.
"And you as well, Lord Ẻomer. It appears you and your riders have saved the day," she said with a smile.
Aragorn looked from Ẻomer to Miranda and just smiled as he mounted his horse. Miranda walked over to him as he offered her a hand for her to ride with him, as usual, but Théoden spoke up.
"Have we no horse for such a brave lady?" Théoden asked Ẻomer.
Ẻomer smiled and motioned to one of his men, and they led a pale grey horse to him. The soldier smiled at Miranda as he held out the reigns to her.
"This is Tempest," Ẻomer said. "He's a very fast and loyal horse."
Miranda took the reigns, and Ẻomer offered his hand to help her mount up. She found the stirrups a little long, and Ẻomer adjusted them for her.
"He's beautiful," Miranda said with a smile as she patted the horse on the neck.
"He's yours," Théoden said.
Miranda looked over at the King who rode over to her. He smiled at her and added, "Thank you for staying, Lady Seer."
Everyone mounted up when Gandalf joined them, and the army rode out of the gorge. At the head of the riders was Théoden, Gandalf, Aragorn and Ẻomer. Directly behind them were Legolas and Gimli, Haldir, Miranda and Háma followed by the rest of the king's guards, the riders and soldiers.
As they reached the ridge, and looked out over the plain, Gandalf spoke, "The battle for Helm's Deep is won, but the battle for Middle Earth is just beginning."
"To Isengard," Théoden said.
As they left the gorge, Miranda sighed in relief. She was exhausted and thankful to be leaving the site of such a horrendous battle. Her friends were all okay, and she was glad that Gandalf was back. For the moment she felt safe, and she was finally able to relax. She gave Tempest a pat on the neck and smiled as they rode to Isengard.