Tough as stone
Boromir and the girls walked swiftly behind Gandalf, the king, Gimli and Legolas. The elf and dwarf were talking a matter of horses and the king and wizard were silent. Down to the gate they all went and waiting for them was a great host of men ready in the saddle. Many were very old, and others very young. The youngest Demi saw was a boy who looked no older than twelve. How scared they must be. They were very loud and happy when they saw that Théoden was well.
The horses they were to ride were held ready and an extra two were given. A black horse with a white sock on his left fore leg whose name was Raiden and a bay horse whose name was Galroy. Boromir took Raiden and Rhia took Galroy. Gimli was asked by Éomer to ride with him, which Gimli accepted. Demi again rode Brytta. Éomer sat next to Demi and spoke with her a while.
"So, you say you have a gift, pray, is that why you join the Lord Aragorn?"
"Well, yes sort of." She said, looking around.
"Why him? Is there a secret other than his royal background that makes you keep a watch on him?"
"My lord, pardon my rudeness, but you will find out soon enough." She said kindly, hoping to get him off the subject. Éomer laughed.
"Very well Lady Vairarista. I shall for now." "
Thank you." Demi smiled at him, "And congratulations for being the heir to the throne."
"Many thanks milady, though the outlook that I shall ever rule is a grim one. There is not much hope where we go."
"Ah, but that is where you are wrong my lord. Our doom lies to the east, naught to the west. And the outlook matters not, it is the outcome that makes all the difference. You will see in time to trust hope." She said, rather mischievously. Éomer laughed again and Gimli approached the pair.
"Now what's so funny? Vaira? You haven't tried any pranks on me have you, or are you still planning?"
"No, No Gimli my friend. It is nothing like that." She said.
"It had better not, but keep your light-heart on this road, I fear we may all need it." Gimli said and was pulled up behind Éomer.
The trumpets were sounded and they moved out the gate. The horses were excited, they neighed and Théoden raised his hand. Demi looked to Éomer who smiled and the king's hand was let down. Then in a tumult, the riders of Rohan and their guests took off, a noise like thunder echoing towards the west. They rode with such speed that day as they could muster. Many feared it too late.
As night finally came they made camp. The country here was beautiful, but they were out in the open, with nowhere to hide or take shelter save their tents. Scouts were sent out to collect any news they could. All seemed to be able to sleep. Even the ones on watch had to be relieved. All that is except Legolas and Demi. They sat on the outskirts of the camp, staring at the stars in all their glory.
"Legolas? Do you think it was wise for me not to tell the king of my gift?" she asked quietly, after hours of pondering this thought.
"In a way yes. We do not know what he may do to you if he knew. Gandalf seems to have faith in him, but it is still too soon since his mind was reclaimed. I do not think that it is safe just yet." The elf prince answered fondly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, much like an elder brother would. She leaned into him, but still, something worried her. She wished that she had foresight now. She was scared of this war, not only for herself, but her friends also. She was afraid of losing them and the prospect of death seemed very real.
Slowly, dawn came about once again. Though the long days without sleep were upon her, Demi felt herself more alert than ever. She could not sleep even if she wanted to. Though you could not see it, rain was approaching, just another thing to dampen the spirits of men. They rode on again after a quick breakfast and all were packed to go.
In the afternoon, Demi rode up to Gandalf and pulled him aside from the troop.
"Gandalf, I'm not sure if my powers will outlast for the duration of the war. I'm scared." She confessed upfront.
"I do not think you have to worry so much Vaira. Have a little faith as you tell all else. Just follow your instincts. I trust you have practised your magic." The wizard said, his eyes twinkling like they used to so long ago it seemed.
"I have, but not for many days, I have not the chance for such." She said. And noticed Éomer following Legolas' gaze, both of which had just rode past them. Aragorn came over to them.
"Everything all right?" he asked. "Um, yeah, everything is fine Aragorn, do not worry." Demi said, rejoining the bigger group.
"Something is wrong, isn't it Gandalf?" Aragorn asked worriedly.
"She doubts herself, that is all, she will realise soon what she was born to do." The wizard said and rejoined with the king, whilst Aragorn rode up to Boromir where he was previously.
As evening came, so did a horseman. His helm was pushed in at the tip and his shield had been hit many times. He did not look too good at the moment to say the least. He lowered himself from his horse and regained his breath, then at last spoke to them.
"Is Éomer here? You are too late and with not enough strength." He told them all that his troop had been driven back yesterday over the Isen and many had been lost. Still more of the enemy came to the Rohirrim camp that had been set up and still many were lost. "Erkenbrand of Westfold has drawn off those men he could gather towards his fastness in Helm's Deep. The rest are scattered. Where is Éomer? There is no hope ahead. Tell him to return to Edoras before the wolves of Isengard come here."
Théoden had been hidden and at last called to the wounded soldier. "Ceorl, stand before me." The king said and the soldier stood there stunned for a moment, then his face became alight with wonder and delight. "Your king is here and the last of the Eorlingas, both of whom will not return without battle."
"My lord! Command me and give me pardon, word had not come that you..." Ceorl started.
"I no longer sit withered on my throne. Give this man a fresh horse and let us ride on to war!" Théoden commanded, then Demi made her way forth.
"My lord, this man needs healing, allow me to help him first." She said, taking the silver flask she was given in Lórien. "Good sir, I am Vairarista, take one drop of this and you will be well mended." The man nodded and did as he was told, then a white light surrounded him, blinding him from all sight. The light died away and he was now as though he had been well rested for days and healed perfectly. He looked upon Demi in amazement.
"Thank you milady!" he cried, "I have not felt like this since I was young."
"It's nothing, now let us continue. We are needed." She said, waving the thanks off.
"You will go to battle? What of this." The man asked.
"Yes, now let us away!" Demi said and she mounted Brytta again.
"No, we must ride to Helm's Deep, not the fords!" Gandalf said "I must leave you for a while, but I will return. Await me at Helm's Gate and keep well, lord of the mark." He then spurred Shadowfax on and soon left all sight. Everyone stayed still and quiet.
"Well you heard the wizard! Get going!" cried Rhia as she took off North until she stopped and came back. "I was going the wrong way...right." She said quietly.
"Yes, I am afraid you were." Legolas said smirking at her apparent bad sense of direction. She obviously did not inherit much from her forefathers in that department.
The troop then rode away from the road towards the Isen and went south. Even during the night they did ride, in such a need of haste now. Ahead, still some miles to go, Legolas and Demi could see a gorge open in the mountains, this was Helm's Deep. Made completely of stone, a large wall swooped around in a semi-circle and a large tower stood tall within it. This was the Hornburg, but it had been repaired. Scouts were sent forth and returned swiftly. They reported that there were wolf-riders in the valley. There were a great number of orcs and wild men coming from the Fords of Isen. They said they had seen Gandalf passing through the trees and no sign had been seen of Erkenbrand. Also, Wormtongue had been seen riding towards Isengard.
"Then let us be swift, let us drive through such foes as are already between us and the fastness. There are the caves of Helm's Deep where hundreds may lie hid; and secret ways lead hence up on the hills." Said Éomer.
"Trust no secret ways for Saruman has long ventured and spied out these lands. Still in that place our defence may last long. Let us ride forth!" said Théoden. Aragorn and Legolas rode on forth with Éomer in the advance guard whilst the girls hung back with the king.
"Milady, if your gift truly does exist, it will be needed soon." The king whispered to Demi. She nodded and said,
"Fear not lord, I will use it before the night is out. But it is not just in healing where the gifts do lie."
They found themselves at the mountains feet not too long after. Many riders were fighting off bands of orcs to allow the king and his company in the strong hold. They rode on through Helm's gate and found Éomer speaking with a guard. They got off their horses, which were taken deep into the caves for safekeeping. Men were being set upon the walls of both the Kings Company and Men of the Westfold. The king, a few of his captains and the girls were taken back further from the walls to a little raised platform before the main hall. From there they would see the battle.
"Bring any you can back here to be healed," the king said to his men, "For here we have a great elf that has many gifts, and one is too heal those in great need." He nodded towards Demi and she smiled.
"Then this is great news indeed." Said one of the captains. "We may well stand a chance if our men can be healed. It may seem as though we have twice the man power we brought hither."
"That it may, but timing is needed and those injured must be brought to me at once." Demi said.
"I will help you in any way my friend." Rhia whispered and gave her the thumbs up. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Éomer came before them.
"Stay well my friends." Aragorn said, "And keep safe." He added, in particular to Rhia.
"Aye, I would sleep all the better to know that you were back with the Lady Éowyn, but I know any attempt to keep you there would have been futile." Gimli said.
"But you cannot crush those with the fighting spirit, master dwarf, as you know all too well." Legolas added.
The group bonded for a moment and many hugs were shared. Then Éomer turned to Demi.
"I would have hoped to have had more time to get to know you better, milady, but unfortunately, your need to get to my home was for this need, even if you did not know it. If this ends well for us, I would be honoured to know all about you. Maybe then you would have time for rest in the golden hall."
Demi blushed, she didn't know what to say. "Thank you milord. Such an honour would be mine, but in such dark times, I have a job to do, and I cannot rest 'til it is done." She said finally.
Éomer smiled and bowed to the girls then descended the stairs to get to the wall. Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn waved good-bye and followed him, then Legolas said to the marshal, "It would do you well to know that Lady Vaira is spoken for."
"What are you talking of, master elf, she said she loved no man." Éomer said, rather confused.
"She loves no man, that is correct, but she has feelings for one of my kindred. Do not come between that, for you will break her heart and the one that she has interest in, for he loves her."
The elf prince said and ran ahead. Éomer stopped still for a moment, trying to digest what the elf had said.
AE: Sorry to cut it short there, but it just seemed like a good place to leave the chapter and have the battle for the next. I'm really sorry for how long it took to update, things have been so crazy for a long time now and I have about four assignments due within days of eachother, which i haven't fininshed. You know, I just realised how long this story will go for, (all parts totalled), coz there will be three. Also, I have realised, I never know where the story is going, even with following the books, coz I'm always adding my own lil twists here and there. Anyway's, I'll stop blabbering on, here are the replies to the reviews:
Levanna : I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you get way better and things go your way. You deserve it girl. Thank you for your reply even under the circumstances. You're a champ.