The snow is gone, it melted and now it's raining very hard. :( I had so
much fun yesterday. I bought two cute shirts, a black one with long sleeves
and a brownish one with a heart on it and I SAW TTT!!!!! It was so good,
even better than FotR. Can Orlando Bloom get any cuter??? And Viggo was
kinda hot as well and mmmmmmmm the guy that played Éomer (forgot his name)
yummy. . . I'll stop drooling now so I can start this chapter. Oh one more
thing. . . Haldir is dead *sobs hysterically* WHY???? HE IS SO CUTE AND
SWEET AND STRONG!!!!! Just so you know I am NOT gonna kill him, I like him
way to much. . . ok I know. . . stopping my babbling right now.
Arwen-evenstar: I am offended, you should have stayed home behind your pc until I updated. . . just kidding, relax girl I'm happy with every review.
Rosa: Nope you didn't tell me before so thanks, writing in process.
Elvish princess: No more snow :-( I'm updating though. I'd sent some snow to you but that's not in my power.
Shinigami29: Hey Audrey you finished. . . happy you liked.
Punkpunk: You really should be more careful, what happened to you is exactly the reason I won't go near snowboards or skis. Strawberry. . . yummy. Can I have some please?
Musicgrl: Thank you so much for your review, glad you like both my writing as my plot.
Princess of the Leaves: I'm writing, I'm writing
LanierShazar: It's ok, I don't expect you to review every chapter just review when you can.
Aurumlupi: Hmmm, butkicking is an option, I have to think about that.
Meggers: No tissues needed though I don't know about this chapter, I saw Haldir die yesterday!!!! That means I am now very emotional and . . . just read ok.
Nyssa Ravenshift: I try to update every day and I'm glad you like. I still love your constructive criticism.
Sindamellonwen: I feel so special!!!! So glad you liked it and hope this chapter will do as well.
Sugar-is-sweet: I can come to Canada??? Really I would love to come but time and money are issues. I am going to Canada one day though. . .
THEwriter Lioncub: Thanks for reviewing again and I hope you will like my combo of the movie and the book.
Luna: No need to be sad anymore, I update see.
DISCLAIMER: I have taken components from the book and the movie and mixed them up with my own twirl on the happenings. So don't sue me. . . .
After a few hours the riders finally reached Helm's Deep. Rita had to gasp when she saw the huge fortress that looked like it was carved out of the stone, it fit so good in its surroundings.
The gates were opened for them and an old man that listened to the name of Gamling met them. He explained to the men that Erkenbrand, the leader of the men in Helm's Deep, had left a great number of men to defend the fortress. Also there were refugees from surrounding villages who had come for safety.
The king was starting to get a bit optimistic again, there was a total of approximately a thousand men. Surely that would be enough to hold the fort.
Aragorn and Éomer left with the king to go over their plans and Rita stayed behind with Legolas and Gimli.
The dwarf was getting restless, he wanted to kill orcs. Legolas was as serene as he always was and that annoyed Gimli very much. They started a bickering match again and Rita wondered if they would ever stop.
The three sat down in a corner and talked softly for a while until they fell silent. Then a man approached them and asked Legolas and Gimli for their help with building defenses to barricade the gates. The two consented and left.
The same man showed Rita to the caves. She snorted after he left, did he really expect her to stay there? She looked around and saw that the cave was filled wit women and children. Two of them approached her.
"Are you a warrior?" asked the girl with awe in her voice.
The boy, whom Rita expected to be her brother, said. "Don't be ridiculous Freda women are no warriors, only men battle."
Rita smiled at the two. "But this woman is a warrior, I have come here for searching for two people who can do a very important task and I think I just found them."
The boy looked at her with wide eyes, him doing an important task. He had begged to be allowed to fight but he was told that he was too young. "What kind of task?"
"See this?" Rita grabbed her pack from her back and placed in on the ground. "In this bag is everything important to me, but since it would be harder to fight while I have it on I was wondering if you two could look after it."
"What is in it?" asked the girl.
"Clothes and gifts from my friends. Will you accept this task? I would like to ask you that you do not open it and will not let others do so either. This is very important to me understand?"
The boy seemed to grow. "Yes Ma'am" he said "We understand and we promise to look after your things." Rita smiled at him when she heard the sound of a horn. *That's no orc-horn* she thought.
She waved once more at the two children and ran to see what was happening. The sight that she was seeing made her smile even more.
Elves had come to aid the men of Rohan. They were elves from Lothlorien and Rita recognized Orophin and Rumil and many others. The leader of the formation was none other than Haldir. He was talking to the king about how men and elves had once stood together and they would do so once again.
She stifled a giggle at the elf's astonished face when Aragorn hugged him and ran to catch up with them. When she finally reached the elves she hugged Orophin and Rumil at the same time. "You're here, I missed you guys, how is everybody, will you stay to fight?
All eyes were now upon the girl and the way she was greeting her friends. Orophin and Rumil hugged her back and answered all her questions.
Rita greeted some other elves until she finally reached Haldir who was looking at her with a cool expression. She looked back at him with an expression that was just as cool and raised an eyebrow. "So you showed up, but what are you doing in those clothes. Surely the Lady didn't let you lead the group."
Gasps were heard as she said this; she had just offended the leader of their aid. The two were currently in a staring contest and suddenly Haldir grinned. "You silly girl."
Rita just hugged him tight. "I'm glad you guys are here, we can use all the help we can get." He tentatively returned her hug and she giggled again. "You really need to improve your hugging skills Captain. I mean you are the only one in your family who isn't married yet. And with that kind of hugging I understand why." This made Haldir grin even more, he had missed the insanity of this girl.
Then the king spoke in a cold voice. "If you are done greeting the elves, maybe they would be able to help us."
Aragorn frowned, he did not like the tone that was being used and he could see Rita stiffen her jaw. This was being very hard on her, the Rohirrim had been very cruel at times.
"Just saying hello to my friends Milord" that last sounded sarcastic "Is that allowed?" Then she stalked off fighting to keep her anger in check.
Haldir shot Legolas a questioning glance and the other elf just shook his head with a sad look. Then the elves were shown their positions and they were getting ready for battle.
Meanwhile Rita had walked back and forth, trying to calm down and find her friends. She could hear the whispers around her, the men were calling her names and exchanging so called 'facts' about her. So far she was the child of a demon and a witch, a scorned woman and a whore.
She scoffed, these men really didn't understand her. She heard a venomous voice behind her. "Why are you here woman. Go back to the caves and let the men do the fighting. You are not welcome here."
Turning around she answered him. "Frankly I don't care what you think. I am not here to help you, I am here to stand alongside my friends, and there is nothing you can do to stop me."
"Ah yes" the man said "Your 'friends'" his tone was very suggestive, he was hinting that they were more than just her friends.
"What?" she asked "You think I haven't heard the things you are saying, I know the truth and so do my friends. Your opinion has no meaning to me."
She saw that the man had drawn his sword. "I told you to leave, you are not wanted here, now return to the caves or. . . "
"Or what?"
"Or I will slit your throat."
She let out a laugh. "You really think you could take me, go ahead take your best shot."
The man was about to strike when he shunned away. Rita could hear the cold, very cold voice of Haldir. "It is best if you drop your sword right now human. For I will not hesitate to release this arrow."
She turned around and saw Haldir standing beside her with his bow drawn, an arrow aimed at the heart of the man who had threatened her. Now he addressed her in Sindarin.
"Come Rita, you will stay with the elves." She turned to follow him and the two of them made their way back to the elves.
She could see that there was a fire burning in her friend's eyes and tried to calm him. "I'm ok Haldir, he wouldn't have been able to hurt me. The way he was holding his sword clearly showed he has rarely held one."
"They treated you with malcontent, I have heard what they said about you."
"Their just words Haldir, words don't hurt." They reached the elves and Haldir left her in the care of her brothers before he stormed off.
Aragorn watched with concern as he saw Haldir stride towards them while fury was blazing in his eyes. The elf addressed the king. "I think it's best you control your men Theoden King of Rohan. Let it now be stated that none will be able to harm Lady Rita, for she now falls under the protection of the elves. Harm her and you will harm us. I will not stand for her to be attacked again."
"Attacked?" uttered Aragorn. "When? Is she alright?"
"She is fine yet angry, very angry." Then he walked away again while Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and strangely Éomer followed him.
Rita was pacing back and forth while Rumil tried to calm her. "What happened Rita, why is Haldir so angry?" He got no answer but saw his brother return with the men that followed him.
Aragorn ran past Haldir and straight towards Rita. "Are you alright?" he asked her.
She nodded and grimaced when he pulled her in a tight embrace. Then Éomer stepped forwards and began to speak.
"I feel I must apologize for the behavior of the man that attacked you, it was a dishonorable thing to do. This was exactly the reason we do not women to fight: when they are attacked they aren't able to defend themselves and they would see too much evil."
He was getting glares from all that cared about her and she stepped forwards as well and started to laugh. It was no pleasant laugh but it was a sarcastic laugh, tinged with pain and darkness.
"You think I cannot defend myself? Let me tell you I can defend myself perfectly. You want to shield me from evil?" she laughed even louder and the men around her shuddered "I have seen more evil and lived through more pain than your mind could even begin to imagine so don't lecture me about those things."
The marshal stared at her in shock, her appearance and her words were striking him as if they were blows. Her eyes were no longer the calm blue he had seen, nor were they the light blue when her eyes expressed her fear.
They were the darkest blue he had ever seen. Anger was making them look like the raging ocean and fury burned in them. Her hands were clutched into fists and she was shaking hard in order to keep her temper.
"Leave" she said "There is nothing you have to shield me from and nothing you can say to change my mind about going into battle. You need not worry about me Éomer son of Éomund. I hereby relieve you of your 'burden' go and be with your king."
She turned around and stared in the distance. For the marshal there was nothing to do but obey her command and he walked off.
Rita could feel somebody standing beside her but didn't turn, she just hollered to Legolas. "Are the orcs here yet?"
"No Rita" was his answer "They are still too far away for me to see so it will probably be a few more hours."
"Great" she muttered "When you don't want them they're coming after you and when you need some around to release some serious anger they're nowhere to be seen. Just my luck."
By now Aragorn, who was the person beside her, took her hand and tried to calm her. "You must calm yourself Rita for this will not help you. Remember when Gandalf told you to let it go for the Rohirrim are not so agreeable when it comes to the role women play. I am asking you to let it go once more."
She didn't answer him and he left her alone while telling the others not to disturb her either. They didn't dare to do so for none had ever seen Rita act in such a way.
It started to rain and Rita closed her eyes as she felt the drops of water fall on her. She tipped her head backwards and let the rain stream down her face. The water had a calming affect on her as it always had and started to think.
She thought about all the times her father had abused her, both mentally as physically. She thought about how some of the Rohirrim remembered her about him. She remembered the long conversations she used to have with Boromir.
The memory of Boromir hit her hard, especially now she had combined the thought of him with water in her mind. As the rain drenched her she remembered his final words. 'You will never be alone'.
Then why did she feel alone? Sure her friends cared about her and the three hunters had a good idea about what pain had caused her to act the way she did. But they didn't seem to understand the depth those things had.
Pain was woven through her entire life. Even Elladan could not take away the pain she hid deep down her soul. Elladan, God she missed him so much.
His face, his eyes, the way he held her and the way he tasted. She touched the ring around her neck as she pondered her fate.
Her friends were watching her from a distance shooting worried glances at her. Then she moved, she almost skipped down the stairs and joined the group of friends and the first thing she did was hug Aragorn.
"Sorry I ignored you, but I had much to think about."
He looked deep in her eyes and saw that though most of the anger had died, some of it was still lingering and the pain she tried so hard to hide was even harder to see. *She is rebuilding her walls* he thought sadly.
"It is alright Rita, I should not have pushed you so." He noticed the king motioning for him and went to join him.
Most of the elves were already at their stations but Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, Legolas and Gimli stayed with her. The last tried to offer her a blanket but wasn't succeeding.
"Come on lass, you are going to get sick if you do not get dry. Now if you do not want the blanket, at least get something warm to drink. You must be freezing in this awful rain."
"Awful rain Gimli? The rain is far from awful it gives hope. Hope that we may win this battle."
"How can rain bring hope?" asked Orophin.
"It's water." Rita stated as if it were so obvious. When she saw that Haldir cocked an eyebrow she explained herself further.
"Water is everlasting, you know that right? It doesn't matter what happens to it, it always survives. If it gets to hot, it turns into steam allowing it to remain. If it gets to cold in turns into ice. Yet if you melt the ice or freeze the steam it turns back into water, and it never fades. Water also gives life. No creature would be able to live without it."
"So" Legolas said with a (for him) confused expression "Water brings life and therefor rain is hope?"
"Yep you nailed it. That's exactly what I am saying. And they say that elves are smart."
Rumil was about to say something but was interrupted by a cry that came from one of the elves. "Orcs, orcs are upon us, the battle will begin within an hour for they are moving with great speed."
All stormed to the walls and peered in the distance. Rita could only see a vague spot on the horizon but trusted the word of the elf who had yelled the warning."
"Elbereth" she heard beside her "There are so many." She gave Rumil a sympathetic smile as she kept staring over the wall.
Suddenly she could hear Aragorn shout out for all to arm themselves and get ready for battle. Éomer was doing the same.
Rita decided to stick with the elves, as she had no desire to fight alongside the Rohirrim. She noticed that Haldir and Legolas had placed themselves on both her sides as if they should protect her.
Strangely she didn't feel irked about that but oddly comforted. She had the two best archers in Middle Earth beside her, what more could she ask for.
The orcs (I know they are Uruk-hai but Rita has not noticed this. She thinks they are just large orcs) were approaching and Rita felt herself tense. She glanced at Gimli and knew the dwarf was having the same thoughts as her.
She was not able to do anything in this battle until the orcs finally reached the wall, her swords didn't reach that far down.
Aragorn was waling past the elves while addressing them in Elvish. Rita grimaced as she realized that it was a pep talk, she hated pep talks. They were usually filled with lies and false hope, but when she heard Aragorn speaking her heart began to burn with pride.
She was making a difference, here she was standing beside some of the best warriors Middle Earth had to offer and she was fighting alongside them.
Flashes of lightning were illuminating the plane before them and Rita could see the ugly faces of the orcs that were approaching Helm's Deep. She giggled when Gimli asked Legolas what was going on and Legolas gave a dry reply.
"Do you want me to describe it to you, or shall I find you a box to stand on?" Gimli laughed loudly at this comment as well and Rita saw that the elves around her were fighting a smile.
*You can always count on Gimli to make things a little lighter, especially when times are dark. I really wish I could hear one of Pippin's funny comments right now.*
The approaching army halted and snarled and banged on their chests until one of the archers from Éomer's side released an arrow and it struck its target.
This angered the orcs so that they immediately attacked. Aragorn gave the order for the first row to fire and Rita heard Legolas tell his kin what the weak points of these monsters were. She saw that all arrows struck their targets and the creatures fell dead on the ground.
It didn't stop the other orcs from storming the walls though and soon a second wave of arrows from the platform below the first hit their targets.
Rita was itching as she saw elves fall around her as the orcs fired arrows back at them. Luckily they hit none she knew, or so she thought.
The singing of the bows of Legolas and Haldir and all the others was almost musical and Rita felt her impatience increase with every orc that fell. She needed to fight.
When Aragorn yelled that there were ladders both she and Gimli let out a scream of joy and rushed to get those who climbed the ladders.
The orcs didn't even have time to step a foot on the wall when Rita sliced their necks and kicked at their ladders, making them tip over and fall to the ground.
The sound of swords being drawn was heard as all elves put away their bows and made themselves ready for hand to hand combat.
Rita was focussed on her task but kept checking on her friends as often as she could. She saw the orcs carry some sort of device and heard a thump as they placed it against the wall. She wondered what was going on down there.
Then she heard Aragorn yell at Legolas to shoot it. She saw what he meant: an orc who was holding a torch was running towards the wall. *A bomb* she realized *Those things placed a bomb* Rita knew they had to get everybody of the wall before it blew up.
Legolas shot at the kamikaze-orc twice but it kept on running. Rita made a decision right there and then. She looked down and saw that the orc had almost reached his destination. She took a deep breath and jumped over the edge of the wall.
"RITA!!!!" She could hear her name being shouted out as she fell down and dropped right on the suicide orc. She killed it with a swift strike of her sword and kicked the fire away.
Placing herself between the bomb and the orcs, Rita began to fight all that neared her. The orcs were surrounding her but her back was safe as it was almost pressed against the gap where the bomb was placed and no orcs were there.
She drew her dagger as well and started to chop everything down that dared to come in her direction while she was screaming at the top of her longs.
"GET OF THE WALL, GET OFF THE WALL, GET OFF THE WALL." She kept repeating that sentence over and over again and was desperately fighting off the orcs that were trying to get to the bomb.
She deflected blows and torches that were being thrown at her. One of the torches burned her arm and she bit her lip to keep herself from screaming. Burns hurt a lot, even more than bruised ribs. She knew she was fighting a lost battle but wouldn't give up.
Full with the idea that she bought those on the wall some time she suddenly noticed that the orcs on her right side were falling down, arrows sticking out of their dead bodies.
She saw from the corner of her eye that elves had positioned themselves away from the hazardous place on the wall and were clearing a way for her.
Aragorn was yelling at her. "RITA. . . GRAB THE ROPE!"
Then she noticed the rope that was being thrown down and started to sprint towards it. Orcs tried to stop her but only found the sharp edge of her sword or dagger.
Arrows were flying past her as they killed the orcs who were chasing her and one of the arrows scraped her cheek, it had flown so close past her.
The rope was getting nearer and nearer and soon Rita grabbed it with after she had put her dagger into her belt. She held the rope with her left hand while her sword was in her right. Chopping at any orc that was still able to reach her, Rita felt herself being pulled up.
Her skin was scraping over the rocks but she didn't care, she wanted to get up and she wanted to get up now. She felt herself being pulled over the wall and she toppled over the wall when she suddenly saw another orc with a flame near the bomb.
"GET DOWN!!!!!!!" she yelled and saw with relief that there were none still standing on that part of the wall. She looked around to see Aragorn had moved down to fight the orcs who were now swarming the breached wall.
The Rohirrim were fighting bravely as well but she didn't had the time to look around calmly. She smiled at Rumil, who had been the one to pull her up, when Aragorn gave the order to fall back. The two nodded at each other and started to make their way back.
Rita heard Aragorn shout at Haldir to fall back and the elf nodded and started to make his way down as well when he was attacked by some orcs. He disposed of them quickly but failed to notice the orc behind him.
There was no time to think and Rita reacted like her gut told her to. She left the side of Rumil who was now teamed up with one of his friends and some Rohirrim and started to run towards Haldir. "Haldir behind you!" she yelled as she made a rash decision.
She threw her dagger at the orc that was sneaking up on him and prayed it would hit its mark for she had never thrown a dagger before.
Lucky for both Haldir as her it hit the target perfectly. The orc fell down while the dagger was sticking out of his head.
Haldir grabbed the dagger from the orc and ran towards Rita who was now fighting a small band of orcs. He tossed her the dagger and she grabbed it mid-air and twisted it in the heart of an orc.
The two made their way to the keep and were the last ones to enter as the gates closed after them. Everyone positioned themselves and made themselves ready for another attack as the orcs were trying to break the doors.
Rita panted and wiped the sweat of her brow. "That was a daring move you pulled there Rita." Haldir said to her and she smiled at him.
"What part?" she inquired with a thoughtful look and he was about to answer when the gates finally collapsed and the orcs started to run in.
They gave each other one last look before they turned to the battle once again. Haldir ran to the gates to help them stop the orcs from flowing in and Rita ran with him until she saw something that made her heart stop.
There was Orophin terribly outnumbered and loosing his part of the battle, he was standing on the side almost out of sight. She killed the orc that was going to strike Éomer but when he turned to thank the person that had saved him, he was staring at her back.
He watched how she leaped into a group of orcs wildly swinging her sword from left to right until he had to focus his attention on other things again.
Rita had one thought in her mind, she had to get Orophin out of there. She had lost track of her other friends but she would be damned if she would let this elf die today. The picture of his two little girls drifted into her mind and that made her fight even faster.
He had fallen on the ground but she noticed that he was still breathing. She put one foot at both of his sides and killed any orc that came near. The row of orcs seemed endless and Rita feared for the first time that she might not make it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
While Rita was fighting her impossible battle Aragorn saw a light in the darkness. Gandalf had showed up with Erkenbrand and his men. With the reinforcements the Rohirrim and the elves were able to drive the orcs away.
A loud cheer was let out while the archers shot several more arrows at the retreating backs of the orcs. Aragorn found his way to Gandalf who was speaking with the king. Soon Legolas and Gimli joined them and all were looking around for Rita.
Legolas motioned for Haldir to come over. "Haldir have you seen Rita? She was with you earlier right?"
Haldir nodded his head and froze. "We were both running towards the gates when they ahd breached and suddenly she was not by my side anymore, I have not seen her since."
All began to worry and looked around to find her. Rumil ran up to his brother, a worried expression on his face. "Have you seen Orophin my brother, we lost each other as we ran to different directions to flee from the wall."
"Nay" the Captain of the archers of Lothlorien answered. His normal cool face was now flooded with emotions.
Éomer neared the group that was searching for Rita and told them he had last seen her as she threw herself into a group of orcs.
"Where could she be?" asked Gimli and it was king Theoden who voiced his opinion in a cold manner.
"She is probably dead, what else could we expect from a woman on the battlefield. She lacked the strength to make it out alive."
Aragorn could see the fury burning in his friend's eyes and knew he had a similar look. To his surprise it was Éomer who defended her.
"She is a good warrior uncle, she held her own better than some of the men we forced to fight."
Gimli slid to the ground and held his head in his hands. "She can't be dead, not after all the dangers she survived."
"We have to find her and give her a proper burial if she truly is dead." Said Legolas and the others agreed. They only had no idea where to start.
A group consisting of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Haldir, Rumil and several other elves started to look at the bodies of those fallen. All were looking for a sign of Rita, and in the case of the elves, a sign of Orophin as well.
Gandalf stayed with the king and Éomer stayed with Theoden as well though he was looking at those who were searching between the dead for their friends.
Suddenly Aragorn groaned and all rushed towards him thinking he had found her. It was not the case however and they wondered what was wrong as he grabbed his head.
"Aragorn what is wrong?" asked Legolas.
"Elladan" Aragorn croaked "What do I tell Elladan once he joins us, how do I tell him she is dead."
Haldir had been staring in the distance and a grin started to break out on his face. "Maybe you needn't worry yourself with that my friend, look."
All whipped around and looked in the direction that was pointed out and saw two figures near them. One was supporting the other who was limping badly. Soon Rita and Orophin were recognized and they all started to run towards them.
Rumil and Haldir grabbed their brother and supported him, taking the burden from an exhausted Rita who was having trouble with standing.
She felt herself sway and was happy to be caught by Aragorn who produced a water skin and made her drink some water.
The liquid felt very cool to her dry throat that was still hurting from all the yelling she did. "Is he alright?" she managed to say. With him she meant Orophin of course.
Aragorn gave Legolas a look and the elf soon supported as Aragorn started to examine Orophin. After looking at his wounds he made the call. "You will live Orophin" he said "You have a cut on your leg but that stopped bleeding by itself and you might have a head ache for a few days. Other than that you are fine."
Rita smiled at this news and asked Legolas if he had a piece of lembas left. Thankfully he did have some left and was willing to share it with her. After eating a piece of it she felt some of her energy return though she still felt weak.
Then Aragorn picked her up and carried her to where the king and the other men were. Haldir and Rumil followed with Orophin and the others trailed after them.
Éomer saw their approach and grabbed a few bandages and called for Gandalf. The wizard soon joined him as he waited for the group to reach them. Haldir and Rumil carried Orophin straight to the elvish part of the keep.
Aragorn put Rita down and hugged her hard when her feet were on the ground. He pulled back when he heard her wince as he grabbed her arm.
He pulled up the sleeve of her left arm and noticed the bad burn that was on it. Then he also noticed the scrapes on both her legs, arms and the one on her cheek. Yet he was more concerned about the burn.
A blister was starting to form and Aragorn knew what he should do but he also knew that it would be a very painful process.
"Rita" he said in a soft tone "I must cut the blister that is forming on your arm to prevent the burn from swelling even more and keeping the infection from it. Do you see that pus is starting to pile up under it. The procedure will be very painful though."
She swallowed and grimaced before she nodded her ok. Aragorn rushed off to find a bowl of water and he returned with one of the women who had come out of the caves to help the wounded.
"I am Éadra, I will aid you." she said to Aragorn when he shot her a questioning glance.
Legolas was sent out to heat a dagger to sterilize it and Gandalf was already preparing a healing salve. When Legolas returned with the dagger Aragorn started to cut around the blister, making the pus ooze out.
Rita pursed her lips as he cut away the blister that had formed over the burn and trembled to keep her control. She did not utter a word though.
A lot of Rohirrim had joined to watch her, some to mock her injury and some out of curiosity, and all were stunned at the fact that she could endure such pain without screaming.
In her mind Rita WAS screaming and fighting against the urge to yell out loud as well. When she thought she had reached her limit, the cutting stopped and another pain was inflicted upon her.
Aragorn started to clean the wound with water that contained some healing herbs. He watched as her eyes grew wide when she felt the stinging and regretted he had to hurt her so. "It will be over soon Rita, only a few more minutes."
She clenched her teeth and screamed even louder in her mind, rarely had she felt this kind of pain before it went beyond the pain of normal beatings and rivaled the pain she had felt when good old pops hit her with the baseballbat. (remember the incident from chapter 15 that Rita told Elladan about?)
Her breath grew faster and faster and she focused her stare on the sky. The sun was shining again and all clouds had seemed to have disappeared.
Rita closed her eyes when she felt a cool salve being spread out on her wound. Then she felt a bandage being tied around her arm and she was pulled against Aragorn's chest.
He kissed the top of her head as he whispered comforting words to her. "You did very well Rita, there are not many who would have been able to stand this procedure without screaming. You are the bravest and stupidest person I have ever met."
Her eyes flew open. "Stupid?" she croaked.
"Aye Rita, stupid. I thought we had an agreement about you not putting yourself at risk and look what you did today. You jumped of the wall to fight against the uruk-hai on your own."
"To keep them away from the bomb" she protested but Aragorn wasn't listening.
"And then you go to fight a group of them on your own again and nearly got yourself killed."
Again she protested. "I was helping out a friend."
The man gave her a stern look and Rita could read the fear and relief in his eyes. She rested her head against his chest and felt herself give in to the sleep her body was craving for.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn noticed her even breathing and carried her to the part of the keep where the elves resided. The others stayed behind and were talking. He didn't trust the Rohirrim enough to take care of her and saw to his satisfaction that the elves that saw him approach with her in his arms cleared a spot next to Orophin.
Then a boy came out of nowhere and he was carrying Rita's beloved pack. He paled when he saw her. "Will she be alright?" he asked.
"She will be fine young one, she just needs rest. How did you acquire her bag if I may ask?"
The boy seemed to grow an inch as he answered this question. "The Lady had asked me to look out for it because it contained very important items to her. I was wondering if she was looking for it because I will be leaving with my family now. We are going back home."
Aragorn nodded at the boy. "I will tell her you kept your promise and have said farewell. I am sure she would have thanked you as well."
He watched with an amused expression as the boy bowed and placed the bag on the ground. Aragorn asked Rumil, who had returned with a bowl of water for cleaning the wound on Orophin's leg, to spread out her bedroll.
After it was laid out an elf donated a blanket to put on the ground as well, in order to make her as comfortable as possible. Aragorn put her on it and pulled her blanket over her but noticed a huge hole in it.
Another blanket was found and he put it around her too and smiled when she snuggled deep into the source of warmth. He sat beside her and stroked her hair, his mind still reeling from the thought that she might have died.
He helped Rumil and Haldir as they healed their brother's leg and sat with the elves until Gandalf came to collect him.
"We must go Aragorn, I wish to speak with Saruman. Theoden has already agreed to join me as have Legolas and Gimli. Will you join us as well?"
The future king was torn. On one side he wanted to follow the advice of the wise wizard but on the other side he didn't want to leave Rita as she was not well enough to travel yet.
Haldir solved his problem. "Go Aragorn, we will look after Rita until you return. I will keep her safe, you have my word."
Aragorn nodded and kissed her temple before he left, leaving a sleeping Rita and her guards behind.
A/N: Ok what did you guys think. I was totally inspired by TTT and made my own version, hope you guys won't kill me cause that way I wouldn't be able to update anymore. I made up for the short chapter with this one right??? Review to let me know what you think about this chapter.
Arwen-evenstar: I am offended, you should have stayed home behind your pc until I updated. . . just kidding, relax girl I'm happy with every review.
Rosa: Nope you didn't tell me before so thanks, writing in process.
Elvish princess: No more snow :-( I'm updating though. I'd sent some snow to you but that's not in my power.
Shinigami29: Hey Audrey you finished. . . happy you liked.
Punkpunk: You really should be more careful, what happened to you is exactly the reason I won't go near snowboards or skis. Strawberry. . . yummy. Can I have some please?
Musicgrl: Thank you so much for your review, glad you like both my writing as my plot.
Princess of the Leaves: I'm writing, I'm writing
LanierShazar: It's ok, I don't expect you to review every chapter just review when you can.
Aurumlupi: Hmmm, butkicking is an option, I have to think about that.
Meggers: No tissues needed though I don't know about this chapter, I saw Haldir die yesterday!!!! That means I am now very emotional and . . . just read ok.
Nyssa Ravenshift: I try to update every day and I'm glad you like. I still love your constructive criticism.
Sindamellonwen: I feel so special!!!! So glad you liked it and hope this chapter will do as well.
Sugar-is-sweet: I can come to Canada??? Really I would love to come but time and money are issues. I am going to Canada one day though. . .
THEwriter Lioncub: Thanks for reviewing again and I hope you will like my combo of the movie and the book.
Luna: No need to be sad anymore, I update see.
DISCLAIMER: I have taken components from the book and the movie and mixed them up with my own twirl on the happenings. So don't sue me. . . .
After a few hours the riders finally reached Helm's Deep. Rita had to gasp when she saw the huge fortress that looked like it was carved out of the stone, it fit so good in its surroundings.
The gates were opened for them and an old man that listened to the name of Gamling met them. He explained to the men that Erkenbrand, the leader of the men in Helm's Deep, had left a great number of men to defend the fortress. Also there were refugees from surrounding villages who had come for safety.
The king was starting to get a bit optimistic again, there was a total of approximately a thousand men. Surely that would be enough to hold the fort.
Aragorn and Éomer left with the king to go over their plans and Rita stayed behind with Legolas and Gimli.
The dwarf was getting restless, he wanted to kill orcs. Legolas was as serene as he always was and that annoyed Gimli very much. They started a bickering match again and Rita wondered if they would ever stop.
The three sat down in a corner and talked softly for a while until they fell silent. Then a man approached them and asked Legolas and Gimli for their help with building defenses to barricade the gates. The two consented and left.
The same man showed Rita to the caves. She snorted after he left, did he really expect her to stay there? She looked around and saw that the cave was filled wit women and children. Two of them approached her.
"Are you a warrior?" asked the girl with awe in her voice.
The boy, whom Rita expected to be her brother, said. "Don't be ridiculous Freda women are no warriors, only men battle."
Rita smiled at the two. "But this woman is a warrior, I have come here for searching for two people who can do a very important task and I think I just found them."
The boy looked at her with wide eyes, him doing an important task. He had begged to be allowed to fight but he was told that he was too young. "What kind of task?"
"See this?" Rita grabbed her pack from her back and placed in on the ground. "In this bag is everything important to me, but since it would be harder to fight while I have it on I was wondering if you two could look after it."
"What is in it?" asked the girl.
"Clothes and gifts from my friends. Will you accept this task? I would like to ask you that you do not open it and will not let others do so either. This is very important to me understand?"
The boy seemed to grow. "Yes Ma'am" he said "We understand and we promise to look after your things." Rita smiled at him when she heard the sound of a horn. *That's no orc-horn* she thought.
She waved once more at the two children and ran to see what was happening. The sight that she was seeing made her smile even more.
Elves had come to aid the men of Rohan. They were elves from Lothlorien and Rita recognized Orophin and Rumil and many others. The leader of the formation was none other than Haldir. He was talking to the king about how men and elves had once stood together and they would do so once again.
She stifled a giggle at the elf's astonished face when Aragorn hugged him and ran to catch up with them. When she finally reached the elves she hugged Orophin and Rumil at the same time. "You're here, I missed you guys, how is everybody, will you stay to fight?
All eyes were now upon the girl and the way she was greeting her friends. Orophin and Rumil hugged her back and answered all her questions.
Rita greeted some other elves until she finally reached Haldir who was looking at her with a cool expression. She looked back at him with an expression that was just as cool and raised an eyebrow. "So you showed up, but what are you doing in those clothes. Surely the Lady didn't let you lead the group."
Gasps were heard as she said this; she had just offended the leader of their aid. The two were currently in a staring contest and suddenly Haldir grinned. "You silly girl."
Rita just hugged him tight. "I'm glad you guys are here, we can use all the help we can get." He tentatively returned her hug and she giggled again. "You really need to improve your hugging skills Captain. I mean you are the only one in your family who isn't married yet. And with that kind of hugging I understand why." This made Haldir grin even more, he had missed the insanity of this girl.
Then the king spoke in a cold voice. "If you are done greeting the elves, maybe they would be able to help us."
Aragorn frowned, he did not like the tone that was being used and he could see Rita stiffen her jaw. This was being very hard on her, the Rohirrim had been very cruel at times.
"Just saying hello to my friends Milord" that last sounded sarcastic "Is that allowed?" Then she stalked off fighting to keep her anger in check.
Haldir shot Legolas a questioning glance and the other elf just shook his head with a sad look. Then the elves were shown their positions and they were getting ready for battle.
Meanwhile Rita had walked back and forth, trying to calm down and find her friends. She could hear the whispers around her, the men were calling her names and exchanging so called 'facts' about her. So far she was the child of a demon and a witch, a scorned woman and a whore.
She scoffed, these men really didn't understand her. She heard a venomous voice behind her. "Why are you here woman. Go back to the caves and let the men do the fighting. You are not welcome here."
Turning around she answered him. "Frankly I don't care what you think. I am not here to help you, I am here to stand alongside my friends, and there is nothing you can do to stop me."
"Ah yes" the man said "Your 'friends'" his tone was very suggestive, he was hinting that they were more than just her friends.
"What?" she asked "You think I haven't heard the things you are saying, I know the truth and so do my friends. Your opinion has no meaning to me."
She saw that the man had drawn his sword. "I told you to leave, you are not wanted here, now return to the caves or. . . "
"Or what?"
"Or I will slit your throat."
She let out a laugh. "You really think you could take me, go ahead take your best shot."
The man was about to strike when he shunned away. Rita could hear the cold, very cold voice of Haldir. "It is best if you drop your sword right now human. For I will not hesitate to release this arrow."
She turned around and saw Haldir standing beside her with his bow drawn, an arrow aimed at the heart of the man who had threatened her. Now he addressed her in Sindarin.
"Come Rita, you will stay with the elves." She turned to follow him and the two of them made their way back to the elves.
She could see that there was a fire burning in her friend's eyes and tried to calm him. "I'm ok Haldir, he wouldn't have been able to hurt me. The way he was holding his sword clearly showed he has rarely held one."
"They treated you with malcontent, I have heard what they said about you."
"Their just words Haldir, words don't hurt." They reached the elves and Haldir left her in the care of her brothers before he stormed off.
Aragorn watched with concern as he saw Haldir stride towards them while fury was blazing in his eyes. The elf addressed the king. "I think it's best you control your men Theoden King of Rohan. Let it now be stated that none will be able to harm Lady Rita, for she now falls under the protection of the elves. Harm her and you will harm us. I will not stand for her to be attacked again."
"Attacked?" uttered Aragorn. "When? Is she alright?"
"She is fine yet angry, very angry." Then he walked away again while Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and strangely Éomer followed him.
Rita was pacing back and forth while Rumil tried to calm her. "What happened Rita, why is Haldir so angry?" He got no answer but saw his brother return with the men that followed him.
Aragorn ran past Haldir and straight towards Rita. "Are you alright?" he asked her.
She nodded and grimaced when he pulled her in a tight embrace. Then Éomer stepped forwards and began to speak.
"I feel I must apologize for the behavior of the man that attacked you, it was a dishonorable thing to do. This was exactly the reason we do not women to fight: when they are attacked they aren't able to defend themselves and they would see too much evil."
He was getting glares from all that cared about her and she stepped forwards as well and started to laugh. It was no pleasant laugh but it was a sarcastic laugh, tinged with pain and darkness.
"You think I cannot defend myself? Let me tell you I can defend myself perfectly. You want to shield me from evil?" she laughed even louder and the men around her shuddered "I have seen more evil and lived through more pain than your mind could even begin to imagine so don't lecture me about those things."
The marshal stared at her in shock, her appearance and her words were striking him as if they were blows. Her eyes were no longer the calm blue he had seen, nor were they the light blue when her eyes expressed her fear.
They were the darkest blue he had ever seen. Anger was making them look like the raging ocean and fury burned in them. Her hands were clutched into fists and she was shaking hard in order to keep her temper.
"Leave" she said "There is nothing you have to shield me from and nothing you can say to change my mind about going into battle. You need not worry about me Éomer son of Éomund. I hereby relieve you of your 'burden' go and be with your king."
She turned around and stared in the distance. For the marshal there was nothing to do but obey her command and he walked off.
Rita could feel somebody standing beside her but didn't turn, she just hollered to Legolas. "Are the orcs here yet?"
"No Rita" was his answer "They are still too far away for me to see so it will probably be a few more hours."
"Great" she muttered "When you don't want them they're coming after you and when you need some around to release some serious anger they're nowhere to be seen. Just my luck."
By now Aragorn, who was the person beside her, took her hand and tried to calm her. "You must calm yourself Rita for this will not help you. Remember when Gandalf told you to let it go for the Rohirrim are not so agreeable when it comes to the role women play. I am asking you to let it go once more."
She didn't answer him and he left her alone while telling the others not to disturb her either. They didn't dare to do so for none had ever seen Rita act in such a way.
It started to rain and Rita closed her eyes as she felt the drops of water fall on her. She tipped her head backwards and let the rain stream down her face. The water had a calming affect on her as it always had and started to think.
She thought about all the times her father had abused her, both mentally as physically. She thought about how some of the Rohirrim remembered her about him. She remembered the long conversations she used to have with Boromir.
The memory of Boromir hit her hard, especially now she had combined the thought of him with water in her mind. As the rain drenched her she remembered his final words. 'You will never be alone'.
Then why did she feel alone? Sure her friends cared about her and the three hunters had a good idea about what pain had caused her to act the way she did. But they didn't seem to understand the depth those things had.
Pain was woven through her entire life. Even Elladan could not take away the pain she hid deep down her soul. Elladan, God she missed him so much.
His face, his eyes, the way he held her and the way he tasted. She touched the ring around her neck as she pondered her fate.
Her friends were watching her from a distance shooting worried glances at her. Then she moved, she almost skipped down the stairs and joined the group of friends and the first thing she did was hug Aragorn.
"Sorry I ignored you, but I had much to think about."
He looked deep in her eyes and saw that though most of the anger had died, some of it was still lingering and the pain she tried so hard to hide was even harder to see. *She is rebuilding her walls* he thought sadly.
"It is alright Rita, I should not have pushed you so." He noticed the king motioning for him and went to join him.
Most of the elves were already at their stations but Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, Legolas and Gimli stayed with her. The last tried to offer her a blanket but wasn't succeeding.
"Come on lass, you are going to get sick if you do not get dry. Now if you do not want the blanket, at least get something warm to drink. You must be freezing in this awful rain."
"Awful rain Gimli? The rain is far from awful it gives hope. Hope that we may win this battle."
"How can rain bring hope?" asked Orophin.
"It's water." Rita stated as if it were so obvious. When she saw that Haldir cocked an eyebrow she explained herself further.
"Water is everlasting, you know that right? It doesn't matter what happens to it, it always survives. If it gets to hot, it turns into steam allowing it to remain. If it gets to cold in turns into ice. Yet if you melt the ice or freeze the steam it turns back into water, and it never fades. Water also gives life. No creature would be able to live without it."
"So" Legolas said with a (for him) confused expression "Water brings life and therefor rain is hope?"
"Yep you nailed it. That's exactly what I am saying. And they say that elves are smart."
Rumil was about to say something but was interrupted by a cry that came from one of the elves. "Orcs, orcs are upon us, the battle will begin within an hour for they are moving with great speed."
All stormed to the walls and peered in the distance. Rita could only see a vague spot on the horizon but trusted the word of the elf who had yelled the warning."
"Elbereth" she heard beside her "There are so many." She gave Rumil a sympathetic smile as she kept staring over the wall.
Suddenly she could hear Aragorn shout out for all to arm themselves and get ready for battle. Éomer was doing the same.
Rita decided to stick with the elves, as she had no desire to fight alongside the Rohirrim. She noticed that Haldir and Legolas had placed themselves on both her sides as if they should protect her.
Strangely she didn't feel irked about that but oddly comforted. She had the two best archers in Middle Earth beside her, what more could she ask for.
The orcs (I know they are Uruk-hai but Rita has not noticed this. She thinks they are just large orcs) were approaching and Rita felt herself tense. She glanced at Gimli and knew the dwarf was having the same thoughts as her.
She was not able to do anything in this battle until the orcs finally reached the wall, her swords didn't reach that far down.
Aragorn was waling past the elves while addressing them in Elvish. Rita grimaced as she realized that it was a pep talk, she hated pep talks. They were usually filled with lies and false hope, but when she heard Aragorn speaking her heart began to burn with pride.
She was making a difference, here she was standing beside some of the best warriors Middle Earth had to offer and she was fighting alongside them.
Flashes of lightning were illuminating the plane before them and Rita could see the ugly faces of the orcs that were approaching Helm's Deep. She giggled when Gimli asked Legolas what was going on and Legolas gave a dry reply.
"Do you want me to describe it to you, or shall I find you a box to stand on?" Gimli laughed loudly at this comment as well and Rita saw that the elves around her were fighting a smile.
*You can always count on Gimli to make things a little lighter, especially when times are dark. I really wish I could hear one of Pippin's funny comments right now.*
The approaching army halted and snarled and banged on their chests until one of the archers from Éomer's side released an arrow and it struck its target.
This angered the orcs so that they immediately attacked. Aragorn gave the order for the first row to fire and Rita heard Legolas tell his kin what the weak points of these monsters were. She saw that all arrows struck their targets and the creatures fell dead on the ground.
It didn't stop the other orcs from storming the walls though and soon a second wave of arrows from the platform below the first hit their targets.
Rita was itching as she saw elves fall around her as the orcs fired arrows back at them. Luckily they hit none she knew, or so she thought.
The singing of the bows of Legolas and Haldir and all the others was almost musical and Rita felt her impatience increase with every orc that fell. She needed to fight.
When Aragorn yelled that there were ladders both she and Gimli let out a scream of joy and rushed to get those who climbed the ladders.
The orcs didn't even have time to step a foot on the wall when Rita sliced their necks and kicked at their ladders, making them tip over and fall to the ground.
The sound of swords being drawn was heard as all elves put away their bows and made themselves ready for hand to hand combat.
Rita was focussed on her task but kept checking on her friends as often as she could. She saw the orcs carry some sort of device and heard a thump as they placed it against the wall. She wondered what was going on down there.
Then she heard Aragorn yell at Legolas to shoot it. She saw what he meant: an orc who was holding a torch was running towards the wall. *A bomb* she realized *Those things placed a bomb* Rita knew they had to get everybody of the wall before it blew up.
Legolas shot at the kamikaze-orc twice but it kept on running. Rita made a decision right there and then. She looked down and saw that the orc had almost reached his destination. She took a deep breath and jumped over the edge of the wall.
"RITA!!!!" She could hear her name being shouted out as she fell down and dropped right on the suicide orc. She killed it with a swift strike of her sword and kicked the fire away.
Placing herself between the bomb and the orcs, Rita began to fight all that neared her. The orcs were surrounding her but her back was safe as it was almost pressed against the gap where the bomb was placed and no orcs were there.
She drew her dagger as well and started to chop everything down that dared to come in her direction while she was screaming at the top of her longs.
"GET OF THE WALL, GET OFF THE WALL, GET OFF THE WALL." She kept repeating that sentence over and over again and was desperately fighting off the orcs that were trying to get to the bomb.
She deflected blows and torches that were being thrown at her. One of the torches burned her arm and she bit her lip to keep herself from screaming. Burns hurt a lot, even more than bruised ribs. She knew she was fighting a lost battle but wouldn't give up.
Full with the idea that she bought those on the wall some time she suddenly noticed that the orcs on her right side were falling down, arrows sticking out of their dead bodies.
She saw from the corner of her eye that elves had positioned themselves away from the hazardous place on the wall and were clearing a way for her.
Aragorn was yelling at her. "RITA. . . GRAB THE ROPE!"
Then she noticed the rope that was being thrown down and started to sprint towards it. Orcs tried to stop her but only found the sharp edge of her sword or dagger.
Arrows were flying past her as they killed the orcs who were chasing her and one of the arrows scraped her cheek, it had flown so close past her.
The rope was getting nearer and nearer and soon Rita grabbed it with after she had put her dagger into her belt. She held the rope with her left hand while her sword was in her right. Chopping at any orc that was still able to reach her, Rita felt herself being pulled up.
Her skin was scraping over the rocks but she didn't care, she wanted to get up and she wanted to get up now. She felt herself being pulled over the wall and she toppled over the wall when she suddenly saw another orc with a flame near the bomb.
"GET DOWN!!!!!!!" she yelled and saw with relief that there were none still standing on that part of the wall. She looked around to see Aragorn had moved down to fight the orcs who were now swarming the breached wall.
The Rohirrim were fighting bravely as well but she didn't had the time to look around calmly. She smiled at Rumil, who had been the one to pull her up, when Aragorn gave the order to fall back. The two nodded at each other and started to make their way back.
Rita heard Aragorn shout at Haldir to fall back and the elf nodded and started to make his way down as well when he was attacked by some orcs. He disposed of them quickly but failed to notice the orc behind him.
There was no time to think and Rita reacted like her gut told her to. She left the side of Rumil who was now teamed up with one of his friends and some Rohirrim and started to run towards Haldir. "Haldir behind you!" she yelled as she made a rash decision.
She threw her dagger at the orc that was sneaking up on him and prayed it would hit its mark for she had never thrown a dagger before.
Lucky for both Haldir as her it hit the target perfectly. The orc fell down while the dagger was sticking out of his head.
Haldir grabbed the dagger from the orc and ran towards Rita who was now fighting a small band of orcs. He tossed her the dagger and she grabbed it mid-air and twisted it in the heart of an orc.
The two made their way to the keep and were the last ones to enter as the gates closed after them. Everyone positioned themselves and made themselves ready for another attack as the orcs were trying to break the doors.
Rita panted and wiped the sweat of her brow. "That was a daring move you pulled there Rita." Haldir said to her and she smiled at him.
"What part?" she inquired with a thoughtful look and he was about to answer when the gates finally collapsed and the orcs started to run in.
They gave each other one last look before they turned to the battle once again. Haldir ran to the gates to help them stop the orcs from flowing in and Rita ran with him until she saw something that made her heart stop.
There was Orophin terribly outnumbered and loosing his part of the battle, he was standing on the side almost out of sight. She killed the orc that was going to strike Éomer but when he turned to thank the person that had saved him, he was staring at her back.
He watched how she leaped into a group of orcs wildly swinging her sword from left to right until he had to focus his attention on other things again.
Rita had one thought in her mind, she had to get Orophin out of there. She had lost track of her other friends but she would be damned if she would let this elf die today. The picture of his two little girls drifted into her mind and that made her fight even faster.
He had fallen on the ground but she noticed that he was still breathing. She put one foot at both of his sides and killed any orc that came near. The row of orcs seemed endless and Rita feared for the first time that she might not make it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
While Rita was fighting her impossible battle Aragorn saw a light in the darkness. Gandalf had showed up with Erkenbrand and his men. With the reinforcements the Rohirrim and the elves were able to drive the orcs away.
A loud cheer was let out while the archers shot several more arrows at the retreating backs of the orcs. Aragorn found his way to Gandalf who was speaking with the king. Soon Legolas and Gimli joined them and all were looking around for Rita.
Legolas motioned for Haldir to come over. "Haldir have you seen Rita? She was with you earlier right?"
Haldir nodded his head and froze. "We were both running towards the gates when they ahd breached and suddenly she was not by my side anymore, I have not seen her since."
All began to worry and looked around to find her. Rumil ran up to his brother, a worried expression on his face. "Have you seen Orophin my brother, we lost each other as we ran to different directions to flee from the wall."
"Nay" the Captain of the archers of Lothlorien answered. His normal cool face was now flooded with emotions.
Éomer neared the group that was searching for Rita and told them he had last seen her as she threw herself into a group of orcs.
"Where could she be?" asked Gimli and it was king Theoden who voiced his opinion in a cold manner.
"She is probably dead, what else could we expect from a woman on the battlefield. She lacked the strength to make it out alive."
Aragorn could see the fury burning in his friend's eyes and knew he had a similar look. To his surprise it was Éomer who defended her.
"She is a good warrior uncle, she held her own better than some of the men we forced to fight."
Gimli slid to the ground and held his head in his hands. "She can't be dead, not after all the dangers she survived."
"We have to find her and give her a proper burial if she truly is dead." Said Legolas and the others agreed. They only had no idea where to start.
A group consisting of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Haldir, Rumil and several other elves started to look at the bodies of those fallen. All were looking for a sign of Rita, and in the case of the elves, a sign of Orophin as well.
Gandalf stayed with the king and Éomer stayed with Theoden as well though he was looking at those who were searching between the dead for their friends.
Suddenly Aragorn groaned and all rushed towards him thinking he had found her. It was not the case however and they wondered what was wrong as he grabbed his head.
"Aragorn what is wrong?" asked Legolas.
"Elladan" Aragorn croaked "What do I tell Elladan once he joins us, how do I tell him she is dead."
Haldir had been staring in the distance and a grin started to break out on his face. "Maybe you needn't worry yourself with that my friend, look."
All whipped around and looked in the direction that was pointed out and saw two figures near them. One was supporting the other who was limping badly. Soon Rita and Orophin were recognized and they all started to run towards them.
Rumil and Haldir grabbed their brother and supported him, taking the burden from an exhausted Rita who was having trouble with standing.
She felt herself sway and was happy to be caught by Aragorn who produced a water skin and made her drink some water.
The liquid felt very cool to her dry throat that was still hurting from all the yelling she did. "Is he alright?" she managed to say. With him she meant Orophin of course.
Aragorn gave Legolas a look and the elf soon supported as Aragorn started to examine Orophin. After looking at his wounds he made the call. "You will live Orophin" he said "You have a cut on your leg but that stopped bleeding by itself and you might have a head ache for a few days. Other than that you are fine."
Rita smiled at this news and asked Legolas if he had a piece of lembas left. Thankfully he did have some left and was willing to share it with her. After eating a piece of it she felt some of her energy return though she still felt weak.
Then Aragorn picked her up and carried her to where the king and the other men were. Haldir and Rumil followed with Orophin and the others trailed after them.
Éomer saw their approach and grabbed a few bandages and called for Gandalf. The wizard soon joined him as he waited for the group to reach them. Haldir and Rumil carried Orophin straight to the elvish part of the keep.
Aragorn put Rita down and hugged her hard when her feet were on the ground. He pulled back when he heard her wince as he grabbed her arm.
He pulled up the sleeve of her left arm and noticed the bad burn that was on it. Then he also noticed the scrapes on both her legs, arms and the one on her cheek. Yet he was more concerned about the burn.
A blister was starting to form and Aragorn knew what he should do but he also knew that it would be a very painful process.
"Rita" he said in a soft tone "I must cut the blister that is forming on your arm to prevent the burn from swelling even more and keeping the infection from it. Do you see that pus is starting to pile up under it. The procedure will be very painful though."
She swallowed and grimaced before she nodded her ok. Aragorn rushed off to find a bowl of water and he returned with one of the women who had come out of the caves to help the wounded.
"I am Éadra, I will aid you." she said to Aragorn when he shot her a questioning glance.
Legolas was sent out to heat a dagger to sterilize it and Gandalf was already preparing a healing salve. When Legolas returned with the dagger Aragorn started to cut around the blister, making the pus ooze out.
Rita pursed her lips as he cut away the blister that had formed over the burn and trembled to keep her control. She did not utter a word though.
A lot of Rohirrim had joined to watch her, some to mock her injury and some out of curiosity, and all were stunned at the fact that she could endure such pain without screaming.
In her mind Rita WAS screaming and fighting against the urge to yell out loud as well. When she thought she had reached her limit, the cutting stopped and another pain was inflicted upon her.
Aragorn started to clean the wound with water that contained some healing herbs. He watched as her eyes grew wide when she felt the stinging and regretted he had to hurt her so. "It will be over soon Rita, only a few more minutes."
She clenched her teeth and screamed even louder in her mind, rarely had she felt this kind of pain before it went beyond the pain of normal beatings and rivaled the pain she had felt when good old pops hit her with the baseballbat. (remember the incident from chapter 15 that Rita told Elladan about?)
Her breath grew faster and faster and she focused her stare on the sky. The sun was shining again and all clouds had seemed to have disappeared.
Rita closed her eyes when she felt a cool salve being spread out on her wound. Then she felt a bandage being tied around her arm and she was pulled against Aragorn's chest.
He kissed the top of her head as he whispered comforting words to her. "You did very well Rita, there are not many who would have been able to stand this procedure without screaming. You are the bravest and stupidest person I have ever met."
Her eyes flew open. "Stupid?" she croaked.
"Aye Rita, stupid. I thought we had an agreement about you not putting yourself at risk and look what you did today. You jumped of the wall to fight against the uruk-hai on your own."
"To keep them away from the bomb" she protested but Aragorn wasn't listening.
"And then you go to fight a group of them on your own again and nearly got yourself killed."
Again she protested. "I was helping out a friend."
The man gave her a stern look and Rita could read the fear and relief in his eyes. She rested her head against his chest and felt herself give in to the sleep her body was craving for.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn noticed her even breathing and carried her to the part of the keep where the elves resided. The others stayed behind and were talking. He didn't trust the Rohirrim enough to take care of her and saw to his satisfaction that the elves that saw him approach with her in his arms cleared a spot next to Orophin.
Then a boy came out of nowhere and he was carrying Rita's beloved pack. He paled when he saw her. "Will she be alright?" he asked.
"She will be fine young one, she just needs rest. How did you acquire her bag if I may ask?"
The boy seemed to grow an inch as he answered this question. "The Lady had asked me to look out for it because it contained very important items to her. I was wondering if she was looking for it because I will be leaving with my family now. We are going back home."
Aragorn nodded at the boy. "I will tell her you kept your promise and have said farewell. I am sure she would have thanked you as well."
He watched with an amused expression as the boy bowed and placed the bag on the ground. Aragorn asked Rumil, who had returned with a bowl of water for cleaning the wound on Orophin's leg, to spread out her bedroll.
After it was laid out an elf donated a blanket to put on the ground as well, in order to make her as comfortable as possible. Aragorn put her on it and pulled her blanket over her but noticed a huge hole in it.
Another blanket was found and he put it around her too and smiled when she snuggled deep into the source of warmth. He sat beside her and stroked her hair, his mind still reeling from the thought that she might have died.
He helped Rumil and Haldir as they healed their brother's leg and sat with the elves until Gandalf came to collect him.
"We must go Aragorn, I wish to speak with Saruman. Theoden has already agreed to join me as have Legolas and Gimli. Will you join us as well?"
The future king was torn. On one side he wanted to follow the advice of the wise wizard but on the other side he didn't want to leave Rita as she was not well enough to travel yet.
Haldir solved his problem. "Go Aragorn, we will look after Rita until you return. I will keep her safe, you have my word."
Aragorn nodded and kissed her temple before he left, leaving a sleeping Rita and her guards behind.
A/N: Ok what did you guys think. I was totally inspired by TTT and made my own version, hope you guys won't kill me cause that way I wouldn't be able to update anymore. I made up for the short chapter with this one right??? Review to let me know what you think about this chapter.