Crystal Moon Magic: Thanks. Their fights were fun to write.
Myri78: I'm glad you like it.
immortalwizardpirateelf-fan: hehe Yea, well men need to learn that women are always right. LOL
TriGemini: Actually the bit with the stew had nothing really to do with the story but I love that part in the movie so I had to use it.
GreenEyedElfGoddess: First off, thank you. I'm glad you like it. Second, the characters look much like they did in the movie except the elves are maybe a little taller and more, I guess you could say enchanting? Orophin and Rumil look a lot like Haldir without the "stick up his ass" look about them. And Diana well I deliberately left her looks up to your imagination. But I think my vision of her pre-elf/star child would be med-length, sandy blonde hair, blue-grey eyes, average height, just a few freckles splashed across her nose and cheeks.I guess you could call her cute. Post elf/star child long straight blonde hair (same color as Haldir's) unnaturally bright slivery-blue eyes, flawless skin and tall.
Shero: Thank you. Here's your update. :)
dizzy izzy: Thanks!
Lady Phoenix Slytherin: Thanks. I'm glad I haven't made you run screaming from the story and hopefully that won't happen in the future. LOL.
A/N: I had planned on posting this chapter yesterday but some fool leveled one of the main phone line boxes for this area and the phones were dead until about 15 min ago.Also as usual things in bold are spoken in Elvish and I'm just to lazy to look it up.
"Theoden is a fool. No fortress is unbreachable. They all have their weaknessess, including this one," Diana grumbles as her and Legolas leave the main hall.
Legolas stops suddenly but Diana isn't paying attention and almost runs into the person standing in front of them. She looks up, startled and grins when she sees who it is.
"You're late" Legolas smirks and looks him over. "You look terrible."
Diana looks up at Aragorn as she hugs him. "And you stink."
Aragorn chuckles and when Diana lets him go he looks down at Legolas' outstretched hand.
"This belongs to you." Legolas smiles and hands him the pendant.
"Thank you." Aragorn puts the necklace on as he fights to hold back his emotions and then turns to look at Diana. "We're 'in a shitload of trouble.' Where is the King?"
"In there." Diana nods her head in the direction she and Legolas had come from. "And you do know that's my line, right?" She questions as she fall into step with him.
"Yes, but it seemed appropriate."
They stop at the doors and she looks over at him. "I'll let you use it just this once because I know your news and you're right it is very appropriate."
Aragorn chuckles and shoves the doors open. Everyone turns and stares in surprise at the not so dead Aragorn. "A great host of orcs are marching this was as we speak," Aragorn says walking into the room with Diana and Legolas right behind him.
"A great host you say?" Theoden questions.
Aragorn nods. "All Isengard is emptied."
"How many?" Theoden questions curiously.
"Aragorn steps forward. "Ten thousand strong at least."
Theoden looks at him, fear in his eyes. "Ten thousand?"
Diana steps beside Aragorn. "This is what I was trying to tell you, my lord. It is an army bred for a single purpose: To distroy the world of Men."
Aragorn nods in agreement and looks Theoden directly in the eyes. "They will be here by nightfall."
Theoden turns away from them in thought. A minute later he straightens his shoulders and turns back to them with determination in his eyes. "Let them come!"
The three companions follow the King out onto the causeway, running into Gimli just outside the main hall. Diana quietly informs him of what's going on along the way.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg!" Theoden says confidently.
Gimli leans on his axe and looks up at the King. "This is no rabble of mindless orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armour is thick and their shields broad."
Theoden steps toward him barely containing his anger. "I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know hos to defend my own keep."
"No one is saying that you don't but this army is like nothing you have fought against before." Diana sighs.
Theoden glares at her a minute before walking back through the gate. Diana looks over at Legolas. "I take back what I said earlier. He isn't just a fool. He's a stubborn, pig headed fool." Legolas grins and gives her a chaste kiss before turning to follow the others.
They catch up to Theoden as he continues to ramble about crops and homes.
Diana steps forward angrily. "They don't come here to destroy Rohan's crops or villages! They come for blood, to destroy its people down to the last child!"
Theoden leans closer to her in anger, their faces just inches apart. "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of rememberance."
Aragorn puts his hand on Diana's arm to stop her retort, knowing that she's extremely angry. "Send out riders, my lord," he says calmly. "You must call for aid."
Theoden regains control of his anger and sighs. "And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? we are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
Diana sighs and walks of, tired of listening to the King's foolishness.
After they're done talking with the King, Loegolas looks for Diana. He finds her standing on the wall, looking out across the plains. "Still angry?"
"No," she sighs and looks up at him. "I can't be mad at a man for his fear. Not when I'm just as scared as he is."
Legolas pulls her to him and holds her tightly. "We better go find Aragorn and make him get some rest," Diana says, pulling away from him.
They find Aragorn as soon as they get to the ground. He begins talking about soldier placement as they make their way through the crowds and they try to convince him to rest with no luck.
Eowyn approaches Aragorn, upset. "I'm to be sent with the women into the caves."
Aragorn raises his eyebrow. "That is an honorable charge."
"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that?" she questions, hoping that he will agree with her.
"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. who then will your people look to in their last defence?" Aragorn turns away, starting to get irritated.
"Let me stand at your side," she tries again.
Aragorn turns back to her. "It is not in my power to command it," he says harshly.
"You do not command the others to stay!" Eowyn says, not knowing when to give up. "They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you." Eowyn looks pointedly at Diana.
Aragorn follows her gaze and then turns back to her. But before he can say anything she quickly walks the other way. He turns and looks back at Diana, confusion written all over his face. "What was that?"
"I think I know," Diana laughs. "I'll be back later." She heads in the same direction Eowyn went and easily catches up to her.
"I made such a fool of myself. I only want to fight." Eowyn tells her as she paces back and forth.
"He's a man. He didn't catch on to what you meant and I won't tell him that you love him," Diana grins and then turns serious. "But Eowyn, you're looking for honor and glory where there is only death and destruction. Go to the caves and protect your people."
Eowyn's eyes flash in anger. "How dare you! What right do you have to tell me to go to the caves when you go to battle?"
"Eowyn," Diana says calmly. "Just trust me ok? You will get your chance in battle at another time and you will do something that no man can do. You will understand what I mean when the time comes but for this battle you will be needed in the caves. If we fail you are their last defense."
"Are you a seer?" Eowyn questions curiously.
"In a way, but no one can know," Diana warns and Eowyn agrees to keep her secret.
Diana watches Eowyn as she makes her way toward the caves and turns when a hand falls onto her shoulder.
"I would command you to the caves if I thought you would actually go." Aragorn laughs at the look she gives him.