Disclaimers: Blah, blah, blah..... Don't own anything LOTR, I still own all original characters. A reminder that this story does take place during the movie(s), so there are many scenarios that I use as basis for my own ideas. Any direct quotes and/or scenes that I use from the movies are the property of New Line Cinemas and LOTR.
Chapter 5
After seeing to those in the caves, Alina and Eowyn went out to the courtyard of the Hornberg. Legolas spotted them, and waived to Alina to join him as he cleaned and sharpened his weapons. Alina excused herself from Eowyn, who watched her go to the elf, amused. 'There is definitely something going on between those two,' Eowyn thought.
"Where is your ever-present companion, the dwarf?" Alina asked, looking around.
"Gimli decided that he wanted to inspect the craftsmanship of the walls. Dwarves are usually very skeptical of how others build their cities and homes." A look of fondness swept across his features.
"Hopefully he will find everything to his liking." Alina said with a smile.
Legolas laughed, "The one thing you should know about Gimli is that nothing is good enough for him! He always thinks he can improve upon anything!"
"Ha maer lathar gladha, Legolas."6 She said, her smile even larger than before.
His eyes were on hers, "The further we go on our journey, the more things I find that bring me joy in the gathering darkness."
She blushed a little, and looked away.
The moment was broken by shouts of men. Alina and Legolas both looked up, startled out of their reverie. So many of them were talking, Alina couldn't make out what they were saying. One voice broke through above the others. "It is Lord Aragorn! He's alive!"
In an instant, Legolas was up, moving toward the crowd of people that were gathering. Alina followed, wanting to see this miracle for herself. Legolas met Aragorn as he strode toward the doors to the hall to see the king. Alina watched as Aragorn stopped suddenly, inches from Legolas.
"Le ab-dollen."7 Legolas said. "You look terrible!" Alina stifled a giggle.
Then, Legolas handed Lord Aragorn the pendant that had been snatched off of his neck by the warg rider.
"Hannon le."8 Aragorn said, taking the pendant.
Eowyn came over as Aragorn went into the hall.
"Can you believe it!" Eowyn said to Alina. "He made it!"
"He is blessed indeed to have been able to survive." Alina replied.
Within moments, Legolas and Gimli were in the hall with Theoden, Aragorn and several of Theoden's captains. Alina got the feeling that something big was going to happen soon. Her fears were confirmed when the doors to the hall reopened, and the call was made for the preparations for the battle to begin.
Alina went to the armory to get some chain mail.
"You should be in the caves with the rest of the women."
Alina spun around, eyes flashing. "How dare you, Gamling! You of all people! You know there is no way that you could keep me from fighting!"
"He's right," Aragorn said from behind Gamling. "You are a most worthy fighter, Alina, but we can't protect you out there once the battle begins."
"I do not ask for your protection, Lord Aragorn." She said hotly. "Nor do I ask for permission to fight. I will not begin to debate it. I will fight." With that, she turned and stalked away to get her sword.
"She's a feisty one, isn't she?" Gimli said.
"Yes, she is." Aragorn said with a look of concern to where Alina had just been. A knowing smile flitted across his lips. He knew well how hard it is to keep yourself from battle when you had lived your whole life out in the open wilderness. "I hope it doesn't get her into trouble."
Outside, Alina's mind was wheeling. 'Just what did Gamling think he was doing to chide me for wanting to help in this fight? We are too few as it is!' She angrily shoved her sword into its sheath and bent to pick up her knives.
"What are you doing?" Legolas asked. He knew full well what she was doing, and also knew that there was no way to stop her.
"Exactly what it looks like, I'm preparing for those things to dare to attack us!" Alina said, her voice warning him not to press his luck and try to talk her out of it.
"Alina, these are not everyday orcs and goblins. These are Uruk Hai. They are stronger and harder to kill than their smaller cousins. You place yourself in great danger."
"I don't care what they are. They could be trolls, or wargs, or dragons, I would still fight them!"
"There is nothing I can say to make you change your mind." Legolas said, "Just be careful. If you need help at any time, call for me. I will come."
"And if you need my help at any time," she said defiantly with a sarcastic smile, "call for me."
He couldn't help but to smile back. "I will."
Legolas left to find Aragorn, who was still in the armory, inspecting the weapons with dismay.
Alina continued to ready herself, feeling a little better since at least Legolas had not tried to dissuade her from her course. She sighed, looking out at the ravine floor. A few hours, and the enemy would be at their doorstep.
A short time later, a strange horn sounded. Alina's memory went back to a time when she had heard that sound before. She couldn't quite grasp it. Instead, she turned, making it to the stairs just as Theoden started down them. Alina was close behind him, quickly descending the steep steps. Once at the bottom, she let out a small gasp. An army of elves had arrived, and were marching up the causeway and into the fortress. She stood, stunned, watching as the great host filled the entire area. They stopped, and their leader stepped forward, addressing the king.
"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell." The elf said proudly, "An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought, and died together." He paused and looked up to see Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli coming down the stairs. "We come now to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn welcomed Haldir, for that was the elf's name. Then, when Legolas greeted Haldir, the host of elves suddenly turned their heads in recognition of Legolas, and then turned fully and presented arms in salute to the Prince.
"We are proud to fight alongside men once more." Haldir finished. He glanced around, his gaze falling on Alina. She looked away from his glance. It felt as though he could see into her, through her. She realized that it was a gift of the elves that did that to all upon whom they looked. Alina wondered if her gaze had the same effect on others, since she was half-elf.
The call was made for the men to take their places along the wall and inside. Alina began to move, then noticed that Legolas and Haldir were having a quiet discussion. It became clear just what that discussion was about when they both looked over at her. Alina felt like she'd been caught evesdropping, though in truth she hadn't heard a word they were saying. She turned away and made her way to the place she had chosen to stand, thinking. 'When this is over, I will have to have my own discussion with Legolas about this!'
Some hours later, they were still standing at the ready, and Alina heard a low rumble in the darkness. Another, louder rumble followed it, and Alina realized that the first sound she heard wasn't thunder, because it hadn't stopped. In fact, it seemed to be slowly getting louder. Lightning flashed. 'Great.' Alina thought, 'Just what we need!'
Real thunder announced the arrival of a storm, and another bolt of lightning flashed through the sky. What Alina saw in that flash of light made her blood run cold. There was a sea of Uruk Hai coming at them, filling the entire mountain entrance to Helm's Deep. She looked down the line on the wall to where Legolas and Gimli stood. Legolas felt her eyes and tore his from the army that was advancing. He saw her fear, her doubt, but also her resolve to protect those in the caves at whatever cost. He nodded reassuringly, the promise he made earlier flowing between them. If you need help, call for me. Alina nodded back, and took a deep breath. 'I will' she thought silently to herself.
OK, so the reason for the 'R' rating did not come in Chapter 4, nor did it come in Chapter 5 – I was a little premature when I said that. However, I PROMISE it will be in Chapter 6. As we all know, the battle of Helm's Deep is very violent.... Let me know what you think so far.....