Authors Notes: I AM SO SORRY! You have NO IDEA how bad I feel about this late update. I have had so much homework! I also had a strange dream I decided to write about on fictionpress.net, so I began to write that. Like a week later, when I had finished all my homework, and I was writing the third chapter of this new story I say Hey, that's something I would expect Kat to say, not her! And i'm like, oh my god, Kat , Jem, I FORGOT ABOUT WARMING UP TWO HEARTS!!!! I ran ( well, more like jogged) to the nearest blockbuster, rented TTT, and watched it. I'm writing this now at like three in the morning because I am wracked with guilt. PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

Chapter 18


Maybe the Elf did have a weakness after all.

The Uruk hi soldier watched, sickened at the sight of the two staring at each other. He watched when the girl set fire to another of his comrades. He knew what had to be done. He slowly drew his bow and put an arrow in it. He aimed carefully, and let the arrow fly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas was looking in another direction when he heard a piercing scream. He quickly turned his head in the direction of the yell. Kat. He turned just in time to see Kat get shot in the chest with an Uruk hi arrow, and fall to the ground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Authors Note: That's it! Well, that's the end of this chapter! Readers throw things at Rhianikki, she ducks as random objects are hurtled her way Hey! Not my fault, well, actually, it is. Runs as someone sicks their dog on her screaming Go get her Princess!'. The writer comes back to the computer, out of breath. Fine! You people win! I'll continue!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas stood, transfixed, and watched her fall. He ran up to her, holding her in his arms. He saw Jem come up behind him, but he was numb with the shock of what had happened. She was lying still, unmoving, and arrow protruding from her chest. Jem started sobbing beside him, silent tears ran down his face.

Are-aren't you going to pull it out? Jem asked between sobs.

Legolas looked down at Kat, and put a hand over the arrow, and quickly yanked it free. A yell of protest burst from Kat's mouth, and the entire group stepped back, shock written on their faces. Kat sat up slowly, putting a hand over the gaping wound in her chest, and moaning in agony.

Ow! Oh I have never been in so much pain! This hurts so badly, what happened!? She said, having trouble getting the words out of her mouth. With a wordless cry, Legolas drew Kat into his arms, holding her tightly.

How can this be? Aragorn asked, while holding a furious Jem away from Kat.

You let me think you were dead! Jem screamed, reaching her arms out to Kat, as if to strangle her.

What? I was dead? I can't- I can't remember, but, oh it hurts so badly! Kat said, tears in her eyes, as she held her chest. Legolas was smoothing her hair from her face, still holding onto her tightly.

You were shot with an Uruk hi arrow, you fell, but, you are still alive! Jem stared at Kat in shock, only just understanding as she said this. How can that be?

Kat opened her shirt to where the arrow entered, and the group was shocked to see the skin stitching itself back up again! They watched in awe as the wound slowly healed itself in a matter of minutes. Kat stared in shock at the new pink skin where the mortal wound had been only minutes before. She tentatively placed a hand on the spot, only feeling a slight warmth where her fingers traced.

Gandalf She sighed in wonderment. He must have done something to make our wounds heal, but it must only work with mortal wounds, because this still hasn't healed Kat said, gesturing to the slash on her arm. I think it must only work on Jem and I, because he was the one that sent us here after all, he must have known that we didn't have your fighting skills, and would need all the help we could get in battle Kat had a gleam in her eye now. Hey, let's test Jem! She said, a sly grin on her face.

Let's not! Jem protested, stepping away from the, now giggling, Kat.

Oh fine, spoil my fun! Kat said, still smirking, her brush with death completely forgotten.

Retreat! They have breached the gate! Get inside! Soldiers were screaming around them. Legolas gathered Kat into his arms, and the group ran towards the castle, in the safety of the main room, the only safe room of the castle, the king sighed in defeat.

The fortress is taken The'oden said, running a creased hand through his hair. It is over.

You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it, they have died defending it. Aragorn was not letting the King give up, they had tried too hard, and fought too long to just give up. Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves? Aragorn asked, searching the King's face, desperate for any sign of hope. When no answer came, he persisted. Is there no other way? He asked once more, this time with force, and anger fueling him.

The'oden's right hand man turned towards Aragorn a determined look on his face. There is one passage, It leads into the mountains, but they will not get far. The Uruk hi are too many. He said dejectedly, hanging his head in disgrace.

Aragorn would not be deterred. Tell the women and children to make for the mountain pass, and barricade the entrance! Aragorn said, shoving the soldier towards the entryway.

So much death The'oden said, staring at Aragorn and not understanding his optimism. What can men do against such reckless hate? He asked, looking to the ground forlornly once more.

Ride out with me Aragorn said with renewed hope. Ride out and meet them The'oden looked towards Aragorn, with some interest.

For death and glory The'oden said, unsure.

For Rohan, for your people Aragorn corrected.

The sun is rising Gimli said to Aragorn, indicating to the window. Aragorn followed his gaze, and saw the sky lighten. He remembered Gandalf's words Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day, at dawn, look to the east. His words rang in Aragorn's ears, and he looked to the King.

Yes, Yes, the horn of Helm Hammerhand, shall sound in the deep, one last time! The king said, determination written on his face.

My lord, can that man give a pep talk! Jem whispered to Kat who smiled in response.

Let this be the hour, when we draw swords together The'oden said, putting a hand on Aragorn's shoulder. Aragorn nodded, all thoughts of anything else, lost from his mind. Fell deeds awake, now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn! The'oden had a passion in his eyes now.

Gimli began to blown the horn in the distance ( which sounded suspiciously like a didgeridoo to Kat, but oh well).

The group mounted their horses, this time everyone rode separately, even Jem and Kat. They rode through the great halls, slashing Uruk hi they passed, and having a small advantage because of the horses. As they rode through the keep, none showed any mercy. Jem was freezing, and cutting everywhere, with the news that mortal wounds would probably heal on her, she was a force to be reckoned with. Kat was being her pyromaniac self, and leaving a trail of fire behind her.

A lone Uruk hi soldier ran up to Jem's horse, and slashed her leg. Oh, you bastard! You are sooo lucky i'm on a horse! Jem said, deciding freezing him was to impersonal, and stabbing him through the neck. She was holding onto her leg in pain, and was focusing on her battle strategies. The other riders continued on, riding with a fury through the keep, and going down the causeway.

Aragorn looked up, towards the east, and saw his savior, Gandalf. The rest of the riders looked up as well, seeing a huge army, of possibly thousands, gather behind Gandalf. To the King! E'omer shouted, as the huge group began to race down the slope of the hill, towards the waiting Uruk hi.

It was such an amazing sight to behold. Black and white, good and evil, Uruk hi vs. man, the battle of Helms Deep. The army of men had the rising sun to their backs, and the forces of good behind them. The light shining down temporarily blinded the Uruk hi, and gave Gandalf and Rohan's army the advantage. Uruk hi were being slain every which way, and there were very few casualties on the side of good. The Uruk hi began to retreat, knowing they could not win this battle after all.

Victory! A soldier yelled in the distance. We have victory! and all knew this to be true. All around people began to celebrate, some were jumping in the air, some dancing, some kissing ( * cough*AragornandJem*cough*), and some just smiling, and basking in the glory.

There was peace, but what people didn't notice was that an important member of the fellowship had fallen in battle, and it did not seem that they would make it to share in the joy of the aftermath.


Authors Notes: Who am I picking on now? Why am I being such a meanie? Why can't I let you be happy for once? How the hell am I gonna keep on going with the series when ROTK doesn't come out until December 17th? All will be revealed in the next chapter!

~*~*~*~*~Thank You~*~*~*~*~

MaverickGirl:
Wow, yea, as always, you are right. I probably should be working harder on my schoolwork, but who's side are you on?! You are supposed to be like Grrr, who cares about school? I need the next chapter! Darn you Mav! You're like my conscience! OK, ok, i'll work harder. * Goes off in a huff*

Oracle 10: I'm sorry, but I live for writing cliff hangers! I would write a longer chapter, but its like 4 in the morning and I have school tomorrow! I promise the next chapter will be MUCH longer though, ok?

brimngrl: Hey hun, thanx for the review, but how come you said that you liked chapter fifteen, in chapter seventeen? Ok, I guess i'll never understand you brynn, ta, but please keep reviewing! ( You're a lot easier to deal with than Jenn ^_- )

Rori: Omg! I laughed soooo hard when I read your review! That was really funny to me, and as you see, Kat is alive, so you can breathe a little easier now, and also, I wouldn't kill Legolas, I know what that would do to some of the readers ( let alone me!).

Hollywood: Hehe, just imagine yourself as Kat and u'll be in heaven, I know I am! Well, I promise to update more, and get longer chapters up, but I wanna get some of Legolas as well, you can't hog him all to yourself ( even though I know I would)!