Part 8:

They had walked for several days now, and to Scott's surprise the journey had turned out to be rather pleasant for him, even with the eminent threat of death hanging over their heads.

The city had been given one day to pack up, and they had left for Helm's Deep early the next morning. He estimated at least five thousand people had begun the long journey with them. He walked at the head of the convoy together with the rest of the Fellowship, the King, and his entourage. The princess Eowyn had dressed down in a plain brownish dress, but it suited the blond woman very well. She had tried to start a conversation with Aragorn and had among other things asked about his jewel. He had explained that Arwen had given it to him; the Elven Princess who he was sure had by now left these Lands, and whom he loved more than life itself. Seeing the love and despair in the young King's eyes she had given him a comforting smile before she left him to the privacy of his memories and thoughts. She had quickly fallen in beside Scott. He had been a little hesitant at first; after all what could he have in common with a princess? He had lost his parents as a child and had grown up in an orphanage, then lived on the streets until finally Xavier had found him and taken him in. What could he talk about with a woman who had grown up to riches and privilege in a palace? To his surprise he had found they had had quite a lot to talk about and a lot in common. They were both strong-willed individuals who had refused to be labelled by society. They both had clear definitions of wrong and right and they were both willing to fight for their dream. Even his mutation was no problem to her; in fact she found it fascinating. The previous night when they had been sitting close to the others - but still a little apart - she had asked to see his eyes behind his glasses. He had been hesitant but had decided to trust her. He had closed his eyes and taken off his glasses, explaining that he couldn't open them without having the glasses on without hurting someone. He wasn't sure what he had expected as he held his breath in fearful expectation but her soft fingertips running over his closed eyes with such trust and care hadn't been what he had had in mind. She had then taken his glasses and put them back on for him. Able to see her face again in shades of red there was no mistaking the warm glow in her eyes nor how her very being made him smile back.

He hadn't missed her growing affection nor his own heart warming up to her and Logan's words about her infatuation haunted him. He was a married man, a happily married man, he sternly reminded himself. He loved Jean; he had always loved Jean. She had been his first and only love. But with Earth so far away, the threat of death so close, and nightmares of Phoenix, a dark and twisted image of his beloved, killing him each night in his sleep, he knew he wasn't immune to Eowyn's charms. It was more than her strength and her lack of fear of his mutation that made him interested in her. She possessed a grace and innocence, which he had never seen before. Jean was older than him by several years, had always been more experienced and held a higher degree than him. That hadn't bothered him and it still didn't, but it was amazing to see such strength mixed with such sweet innocence in Eowyn. She was a warrior but also an innocent woman closer to his own age than Jean was. She would look to him for guidance in matters of the heart…she already looked at him with this warm infatuated look in her eyes. A look he began to love more and more. She was always willing to listen to him but more than that; she truly understood the burdens of leadership and responsibility he carried.

Scott walked in silence, his thoughts occupied with images of Jean and Eowyn. He felt bad and guilty for even liking the princess and even more so as he was forced to admit that his heart was beginning to warm up to her. Even this, walking in comfortable silence was possible with her. She saw him as a great leader and warrior yet laid neither bonds nor obligations on him.

"I hear something approaching," Legolas suddenly warned. He walked before Scott and Eowyn, beside Aragorn, Ororo and Gimli.

Logan who walked with Rogue to Scott's left stood still and listened as well. "It's faint but…it sounds like something's coming this way," he warned grimly, agreeing with Legolas's words of warning.

Ororo flew up and began to scout ahead on the hill filled green plains.

"Watch out for arrows!" Scott yelled lightly concerned after her, having not forgotten her near miss shortly before Boromir's tragic death.

"I will," she yelled over her shoulder at him. Legolas cast a quick worried look at Ororo but then continued to run up a hill in hopes of seeing any approaching enemies more clearly.

Eowyn looked worried but fearlessly at Scott.

"Do you think it's Orcs?" she asked calmly. "The civilians would be in great danger were we attacked here." Just this show of calm and concern for her people made Scott care even more for her.

"Let's hope not," Scott said grimly but feared she was right. Aragorn jumped on his horse and followed the fast Elf who had already almost reached the top of hill to try and see even further. Scott looked ahead on the green plains but could see or hear nothing. Suddenly several figures appeared. Orcs riding large animals that to Scott looked like a cross between a panther and an overgrown dog that looked very hungry. Just the sight was fearful, and then to imagine doing battle with such monsters…

"Shit!" Logan said what Scott was thinking. The old Rohanic King appeared before Eowyn, talking to her from atop his horse. His face and voice showed his worry and strain.

"Take the people to safety in Helm's Deep. We will hold them back as long as we can."

"But I want to help. I want to fight," Eowyn argued. The King looked sternly at her.

"Do as I say," he instructed, more worry for his niece's safety in his voice than any real command.

She nodded, giving in. She turned to Scott as if to speak yet found no words to express what she felt. This could be the end; she might never see him again and the thought made her heart feel cold as ice. Scott saw the Orcs beginning to appear and his heart rate quickened in anticipation for the upcoming fight. Not thinking, only feeling he grabbed Eowyn around the waist and planted a quick kiss on her lips. Her arms managed to go around his neck before he released her and pulled back. Eowyn blushed prettily but smiled a warm and large smile at him. He felt a stab of guilt at having kissed her but it got overshadowed by the feelings of the moment; warm, loving feelings mixed with fear and anticipation for the coming battle.

"Nice goin', Scooter," Logan teased though his eyes remained serious as he saw the approaching enemy. He had heard the enemy riders just a few seconds before they had appeared but it hadn't been enough to warn the others.

"Be safe," Eowyn whispered to Scott and worry and warmth was in her eyes. He nodded and helped her up on her horse.

"You too, Princess," their hands met briefly before he slapped the horse on the back and sent it away. Eowyn didn't look back as she called her people to her and began to move out and towards Helm's Deep as quickly as possible. Scott frowned as a thought occurred to him. What if Sauron wanted them to go to Helm's Deep? What if….

Scott's thoughts was interrupted as Legolas came running back to get up on a horse with Gimli after having been able to slay several Orcs with his bow before anyone else had a chance to even aim at them. All that mattered here and now was to keep them all alive, Scott thought grimly. He wouldn't lose anyone else.

"Rogue, you should go with the Princess," Logan began but Rogue shook her head stubbornly.

"I stay!" she insisted. This was her chance to help. She had felt something powerful growing inside her; she could do this. She had to do this. 

Logan looked set to protest.

"We don't have time for that. Saddle up and let's go slay some Orcs," Scott instructed as he went up on his own horse. He eyed his opponents. With his beams he could kill a lot of them from a distance. He looked where Ororo was and saw she was throwing lighting bolts at some of them, flying in an irregular pattern to avoid arrows. He would have to know where she was before firing, as well as anyone else to be sure he wouldn't hit anyone from their side by accident.

"Hold your horses, Scooter. Rogue's riding with me," Logan began but then looked in shock and surprise as his wife mounted her own horse and smiled sweetly at him. He quickly got up on his horse as well.

"Sugah, you really should try and keep up," she said in a sweetened tone and then rode right past both Scott and Logan, right into the heart of the enemy.

"Fuckin' great!" Logan swore hotly, concern carved into every curve of his face. "Remind me to kill Gandalf when this is over." It was all that wizard's fault. Every since she had touched him she had been different. If Rogue got hurt he would kill that old man as painfully as he possibly could!

With those words Logan began to ride after her, Scott right beside him. Scott nodded at Logan's words. Rogue had been different since she had touched Gandalf. Not only just stronger in her fighting abilities but she had seemed stronger mentally as well; more eager to take on the world on her own. Trouble was, her only mutation she couldn't use. If Gandalf got her killed Logan wouldn't be the only one waiting in line to get a piece of the old wizard. 

Scott fired his eye beams at the enemy whenever he saw the opportunity. By now he didn't only have to watch for Rogue and Ororo, but the rest of the fellowship and the Rohan warriors as well as they had also engaged the enemy in heavy battle. It was hard to tell how the battle was going because Orcs seemed to arrive constantly and the battle was one big confusing mess of screams, blood, dying, dead, wounded and dirt all around. Fighting their way through, Logan and Scott saw to their relief that the Orcs hadn't touched Rogue at all. Then he looked more closely. No, the Orcs did try to kill her…only she put up a hand and the sword broke before it even touched her skin. Scott breathed in sharply.

"Did you see that?" Scott yelled over the terrible noise of battle at Logan though the other man rode just beside him. They were now so deep into the Orcs rows that he had to use his sword as well as his eyes. He had to carefully calculate it each time he wanted to use his powers because he would be momentarily blinded when he took off the glasses and it was a large risk, even with Logan watching his back. Logan used his claws and a sword as he fought the Orcs, looking at Rogue whenever possible.

"She's alright!" Logan yelled back relieved.

"Yes. I think Gandalf touched her…to give her some of his magic. She absorbed it," Scott tried to calm Logan but he wasn't sure he was heard. Suddenly a large bright light emanated from Rogue and all Orcs within a 30 feet radius of her turned into dust. Logan looked momentarily stunned, as did everyone else before the battle resumed.

"Wow. She's truly magic," Logan breathed in wonder and joy at knowing she would be safe now. It was the last Scott could hear before the battle intensified and it demanded all his attention. Rogue used her powers eleven times more before the battle died out. She retuned to Scott and Logan, a satisfied smile on her lips though she looked extremely tired. Logan jumped off his horse and helped Rogue down off hers. They embraced and Logan kissed the top of her head, mumbling over and over again how much he loved her. She drew a little back and smiled at him.
"I love you, too," she said softly before promptly passing out in his arms from the strain of using her new powers and the intensity of battle. Logan looked panicked but Scott jumped from his horse and lay a calming hand on his friend's shoulder and spoke softly and reassuringly to him:

"She'll be alright. She's just tired."

Logan calmed down and carried Rogue off the battlegrounds, to where the surviving soldiers were beginning to gather, helping the wounded. He sat with her in his embrace, keeping her safe. Scott waited with the soldiers as well, standing a little away from them, closer to the battlefield. He tried to see Ororo or some of the others he knew but couldn't. Every time a new soldier returned he had to fight down his disappointment and anger at the soldier for not being someone he knew. Finally the King and most of his men returned. Then Gimli but no sight of Legolas, Aragorn or Ororo. Gimli wanted to search for the Elf but Scott convinced him to stay a little longer. Finally Legolas emerged over the plains. Scott's joyful smile died, as Legolas got so close so he could see the deep sorrow in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Scott couldn't keep the fear out of his voice. Please…don't let it be Ororo, he silently prayed. He cared a lot for Aragorn but Ororo he had known for years and so he couldn't help but to play favourites. He could see on Gimli's face that the Dwarf did the same for though worried he couldn't hide his joy at seeing the Elf alive and well. Legolas didn't reply but simply handed Scott something he had had crushed in his hand. Puzzled Scott took it and looked at it.

"Oh, God," he breathed, strangling his sorrow. It was Aragorn's necklace. It was the jewel Arwen had given him. He would never have taken it off; never. It could only mean one thing…

"We have lost Aragorn?" it wasn't really a question that Logan asked from behind him where he still sat with Rogue. It was more a soft statement of fact. To Scott who knew Logan well the pain in his voice over the thought of another lost friend was clear in his voice and if he turned to look at him Scott was sure he could read pain in his eyes as well.

"Yes," Scott forced the word out, almost choking on it. "God damn it!" he swore hotly and closed his hand hard around the jewel. He should have looked after the young King, no matter how well trained in battle he was. He should have taken care of him. He had failed him. He should have done something; anything!

"Don't break it. He would have wanted to keep it safe," Legolas said softly and unfolded Scott's hand and took the jewel back. He had found the jewel on the ground after the battle; it must have been torn from Aragorn's neck in his struggle to save his own life. Legolas let one hand run fondly but sadly over it before he placed it around his own neck and tied the broken chain securely together. Scott eyed the Elf worriedly. He knew he had shared a deep bond with Aragorn and he had heard of how Elves could die of grief. Legolas looked more grief stuck now than he had when Gandalf and Boromir had died. He prayed he wasn't going to lose another friend.

"Do you command the strangers?" A young Rohan soldier asked him, breaking through his worried thoughts. He saluting him when Scott turned his attention on the battle worn young man. Scott returned his greeting in right military manner.

"Yes." He had a very bad feeling about this. Please don't say what I fear you will, Scott silently prayed.

 "I saw one of your people, the flying white haired woman, take a hit and fall towards the river that runs through these lands."

Scott had seen that not far from the battlefield there had been a sharp cliff, which ended in a small river. If Ororo had been hit and then had fallen from so high into shallow water…

"No. No. No. NOO!" Scott shook his head fanatically, fighting tears. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't. He was losing them all. He was failing. Ororo, his sweetest friend…he had failed her. He had failed. He was losing everything. Xavier's trust in him as leader had been misplaced. He had failed her. She was…. This couldn't be happening! He couldn't let it happen. He couldn't!

"It's okay," suddenly Logan stood beside him and he saw that Gimli was now guarding the sleeping Rogue. Looking at his friend Scott could see the grief so clear in Logan's face.

"It's not fair!" without thinking he began to hit Logan in the chest with his fists, over and over again as tears ran down his tears unnoticed to him. Logan just stood still unless the anger faded and Scott began to sob softly into Logan's shoulder.

"It's never fair," Logan admitted, his voice filled with pain as he fought to keep his tears ago. He closed his arms around the younger man to keep him from falling to the ground as his legs seemed to give in under him and his strength seemed set to leave him. God damn it, 'Ro. Why did you have to be so brave? He thought sadly.  

After what felt like a lifetime Scott was able to tear himself free of his embrace and stood back from Logan. He gave the other man a small grateful smile but then all traces of the vulnerable and grief stuck young man faded as he turned to Legolas. In his own sorrow he didn't see the agony that shore in the Prince' eyes.

"Why didn't you…?" Scott's voice was cold and hard but then died out. He wasn't sure what he had wanted the Elf to do but something; anything. Legolas shook his head sadly.

"I felt both Aragorn and Ororo getting hit. My heart got torn in two but I couldn't get to them; I was too far away. At the time I reached the abyss and looked into the river I could not see any of them."

Pain and guilt fought for dominance in Legolas's voice but Scott was too caught up in his own grief to see the warning signs.

"You should have done something!" Scott yelled pained. Legolas eyes got even more pain filled though Logan wouldn't have thought that possible.

"You did what you could," Logan said softly to Legolas, knowing that if not Scott had been so caught up in his sorrow he would say the same. He could see that Legolas wasn't by far convinced and looking at Scott he found guilt in his eyes as well; they both blamed themselves for Ororo's death and he guessed he couldn't say anything against that for he blamed himself as well. If he had just looked for her, had been stronger, more observant, more…

"Your friend saw Aragorn take a hit and fall to the abyss, I saw it as well," the young soldier broke in. "She flew to catch him but was hit and fell as well."

Loan wasn't sure if the soldier tried to make them feel better by letting them know that she had died trying to save Aragorn, or if he had said it to assure them that their friends had been together when it had happened. Whatever it was it didn't lessen their sorrow. Time seemed to stand still for them all as they remembered their two lost friends, none of them noticing the soldier saluting Scott and then leaving. Then the King spoke loud and clear and awoke them from the web of memories and sorrow they had been caught up in:

"We must continue towards Helm's Deep as soon as all the wounded has been gathered and the dead buried. Get to work," he ordered and the soldiers got ready to leave, making the last preparations. With his heightened sense of smell Logan was only too happy at the thought of moving on; this place stank of death and blood.

Logan tried his best to comfort Legolas and Scott but he wasn't good with words and didn't know how to make them feel better. Both men had fallen silent, lost in their own grief and pain. Though deeply worried for them both he was most concerned for the Elf. Scott at least he knew couldn't die from his grief, the Elf could. If there was one thing neither of them needed it was another death. Though what should he say to a man who had lost his best friend and the woman he cared for…all in one day? He hoped Rogue would soon regain her strength in hopes she would have a gentle touch that could bring their friends out of the dark place of sorrow, guilt and pain they had placed themselves in.

Soon they were moving again, slower, more broken but still going strong towards Helm's Deep. The cries of pain fro the wounded echoed through the air and a dark cloud hang around them all as their screams reminded them of all the ones they had had to bury and who would never again speak a word. Rogue still seemed to sleep peacefully so he held her in a tight embrace as he rode with her, her face lying on his chest, listening to the steady and strong rhythm of his heartbeat.

Gimli eyed Legolas concerned as the Elf walked beside him, while Logan tried to keep an eye on both Scott who rode beside him and Legolas at the same time. Both had dry eyes but their eyes now seemed dead and held a far away look and neither had spoken more than they absolutely had to. Logan ran a frustrated hand through his hair as he looked at his friends. He had a bad feeling that he could be losing at least one more friend if not something didn't give soon. He briefly turned his eyes to the dark Heavens. He hadn't prayed for years though Rogue often did and also often attended church. He wasn't even sure he believed in a God but he was getting desperate.

"If You're there...if You even listen to me…give us a fuckin' break here, okay? A little help wouldn't be dismissed either," he mumbled at the unmoving dark heavens. He got no reply and a cold hand got a hold of his heart. He felt as if he stood to lose everything and his arms tightened around Rogue. He still didn't understand these new powers of hers and what was happening to her, he had just lost two friends and if he lost two more…. He shook his head. Every time he thought things couldn't get much worse, they just got disastrous. He began to lose all hope that any of them would ever get through this alive.

TBC

Author's notes:

Okay, this chapter is kind of a turn around in many ways. Scott breaking down, Aragorn and Ororo presumed dead, Rogue showing her new powers and Logan being the one to try and keep it all together. 

For those who doubt Scott's breakdown: Scott broke down in much this same way when Jean 'died' at the end of the movie X2. The background information on Scott is based on the comics.

On Rogue and powers: As said this Rogue is based on the movies though of course set some years after. However in the movies and in this story she has only one power; to absorb other beings life force and powers if they have any. However she also gets some of their memories and personality for a while so it wasn't a power she could really use. Sword practice she got late and as someone who had never fought or been trained with antic weapons she needed some help to get really good. Now she has some of Gandalf's magic so she's all set to go take over the world *he,he*

So for Rogue this journey has also been a personal journey of strength and power.

I can't please you all and this wasn't what all of you wanted. Some wanted Logan to save Rogue more; some wanted her to do more on her own. Try and stay with me for a little while and see if not you can accept the changes I made. Remember there is 3 books/films to go through so a lot can, and a lot will, happen.

To LOTR fans: I do not know if the numbers given here (1 day to pack before leaving for Helm's Deep/at least 5000 people going…) are correct but that's not important in this context so I pray you will bear over with me.

Thanks to Isis for great beta.

Thanks for reading and staying with me so far. An even greater thanks to those readers who have supported me and given me the benefit of the doubt from the beginning. This is as you all know a work in process…don't judge it too harshly when we're only halfway through.

Thanks again and if you have any ideas or suggestions I would love to hear them and I'll see what I can do. But again, I can't follow them all as I have ideas of my own and then because some of your requests contradicts each other.

Again, thanks for reading and I hope you've enjoyed it so far and will continue to do so.