As always, thanks for the reviews! You know I love to hear what you think! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris.
Note: Dialouge in bold is spoken in elvish.
Number 33: Arrival of Friends and Battle Begins
They ran to the top of the stairs only to find troops of elves lead by Haldir standing at the base. Theoden looked at them all in awe. "How is this possible?" he asked surprised. Haldir stepped forward and looked at the king.
"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together," Haldir said. He paused and looked up to Aragorn, Legolas, Amaris, and Gimli before he continued. "We come to honor that allegiance." Aragorn smiled and ran down the stairs. Legolas and Gimli followed. Amaris slowly made her way down with a smile on her face.
"Mae govannen, Haldir! (welcome Haldir)" Aragorn exclaimed putting his hand on Haldir's shoulder before embracing him in a hug. Haldir smiled and patted Aragorn's back. He pulled away and smiled at Haldir. "You are most welcome." After Aragorn stepped away Legolas stepped down and greeted Haldir. After that Amaris had made her way down to stand in front of Haldir. She had not really spoken with Haldir in Lothlorien but when she did they had interesting conversations.
"It is good to see you Haldir," Amaris said with a smile. Haldir went to bow his head at her but she stopped him by raising her hand and embracing him tightly. Haldir smiled and hugged her back. She stepped away from him and stood next to Legolas whose face was now more determined and happy to see his people standing with him. Haldir turned back to Theoden and his face grew serious.
"We are proud to fight alongside men, once more," Haldir said and the king was too shocked to say anything but bowed his head in appreciation.
Everyone had taken their positions. Amaris stood at Legolas' right and next to an unknown elf. Everyone's attention was drawn to the black mass that marched towards Helms Deep. Everyone was standing so quiet Amaris was certain everyone, including the men, could hear her heart beating. Gimli sighed. "Argh. You could have picked a better spot," Gimli said as he tried to peer over the wall. Legolas just grinned at his friend but kept his eyes forward. Soon, Aragorn was standing behind Gimli and Legolas. "Well, lad, the luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night," Gimli said to Aragorn. Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder rolled loudly. The lightning provided everyone with a glimpse of the approaching Uruks. Amaris took a sharp breath but kept her face steady. Legolas quickly glanced at her before returning his attention back to the moving mass.
"Your friends are with you Aragorn," Legolas said to Aragorn, his eyes never leaving the Uruks. Gimli looked up at Aragorn.
"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli said. Amaris sighed as she watched the approaching mass. She turned to the elf on her right and noticed that he was about the same height as Legolas, which was about three to four inches taller than her. She looked at the others who kept their eyes ahead. Amaris turned back to the unknown elf and decided if she might die, she wanted to know who she was fighting beside.
"Excuse me?" she asked the elf only to have him and Legolas look at her. She smiled at him. "My name is Amaris. What is yours?" The elf raised an eyebrow at her and looked to Legolas who was smiling. He turned his attention back to Amaris.
"I am Galdor milady. May I ask why you are out here and not in the caves with the other women?" Amaris smiled at him.
"Well, Galdor," she paused before she continued and turned her attention to the approaching Uruks. "I would not be locked in caves awaiting my destruction. If my death is to be tonight, it will not happen while I am cowering away. I will face it head on along side my friends and those that I love." Amaris' voice was strong as she looked at the intimidating mass. Galdor smiled at her and at Legolas.
"Then it is an honor for me to fight along your side milady," Galdor said before he returned his attention ahead. For some reason just hearing the determination in the elleth made him stronger and more ready to defend the fortress at all costs. Amaris smiled and looked at Legolas who was looking at her. He was about to speak when the rain began to fall down on everyone. He sighed and turned his attention ahead as did Amaris. Aragorn began to shout orders to the elves.
"A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas. (Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!)" Aragorn shouted as he walked along the wall and turned to face the Uruks who had stopped and were slamming their long spears and shields together. Gimli was beginning to grow impatient and began to jump up and down to see over the wall.
"What's happening out there?" Gimli exclaimed.
"Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?" Legolas asked as he turned to Gimli with a smile. Causing Gimli and Amaris to laugh. Legolas looked at Amaris and gave her a smile. "Be careful." Amaris nodded.
"You too," she said to him as she readied her bow and Legolas did the same. The men and elves had their bows taught and their arrows pointed at their targets, readied to be fired. Suddenly, an arrow is released from where Amaris and the others didn't know. The arrow hit an Uruk and it fell down dead.
"Dartho! (hold)" Aragorn exclaimed. The Uruks howled in anger and began to charge the wall. All of the elves had their arrows ready and were waiting the command to fire.
"Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc! (Their armor is weak at the neck and under the arms)" Legolas said as he studied their targets.
"Leithio i philinn! (fire)" Aragorn exclaimed. Amaris, Legolas and all the other elves released their arrows causing many Uruks to fall dead. The men followed the elves by firing their arrows and Aragorn gave the elves the order to keep firing. They released arrow after arrow. All too soon for Amaris' liking the Uruks brought up ladders. Gimli seen them coming and got excited.
"Yes!" he exclaimed as Amaris and Legolas continued to fire upon the Uruks. Soon Uruks make their way upon the wall. Amaris drew her sword and began to slice through the Uruks as they tried to climb on. More and More Uruks came. Somehow in the confusion, Amaris got separated from the others. She found herself further down the wall fighting closer to Haldir.
An Uruk kicked her in the back causing her to fall onto the wall. She whimpered quietly when her palms skinned across the stone floor. Amaris heard it draw it's sword back and she quickly griped her sword and sliced the Uruk across the leg and then reached up and stabbed the Uruk in the stomach under it's armor. She pulled out her sword and stood up quickly turning and slicing through another Uruk. Suddenly a great explosion rocked the fortress walls. She turned and looked to find the wall close to where she once stood in crumbles and Uruks charging in. Her heart began to beat faster as she continued to fight. Amaris heard Aragorn call to Haldir to pull back to the keep. Amaris looked up at Haldir only to see an Uruk raising it's sword to strike him in the back. Amaris' eyes grew wide and she drew her bow and arrow and fired at the Uruk hitting him right in the face causing him to fall before he could strike Haldir. Haldir looked behind him and then turned to Amaris. She smiled at him before rushing towards him and pulled him and called for the elves. "To the keep! Pull back!" Amaris screamed to the elves and they were soon following her and Haldir. Haldir and Amaris helped Theoden and his men to hold the gate. She watched as Aragorn and Gimli disappeared and she prayed that they would be alright in whatever they were doing. After a few moments the king yelled through the door.
"Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!" Theoden yelled and Amaris' heart beat once again quickened. She turned to Haldir.
"We must get the men inside. Come on!" Amaris exclaimed as she pulled Haldir. She glanced around and saw Aragorn, Gimli, and thankfully Legolas.
"To the keep! Inside! Retreat!" Haldir exclaimed to the elves. Everyone fought as they ran inside. Once inside, Amaris stopped with Haldir to catch her breath. Haldir put his hand on Amaris' shoulder and she looked at him. "You saved my life Amaris. I am forever in your debt." Amaris smiled and shook her head.
"No, my friend. You owe me nothing." Haldir managed a small smile but it fell when he heard the commotion and turned to face the others, Amaris did the same.
"The fortress is taken. It is over," the king said with a heavy heart.
"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it!" Aragorn exclaimed. He paused and looked to Gamling and then the king. "Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" They remained silent for a moment before they answered.
"There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many," Gamling said as he looked at Aragorn. Aragorn walked over to Gamling and grabbed him by his shoulder.
"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!" Aragorn said as he shoved him gently to get moving.
"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" Theoden asked a lost look on his face.
"We must ride out and meet them!" Amaris exclaimed as she ran next to Aragorn. Everyone looked at her. Legolas was relieved to see her still alive and he smiled at her bravery. Amaris looked between the king and Aragorn. Aragorn smiled at her and then turned to the king.
"Ride out with us," Aragorn said to the king. Theoden looked at Aragorn then at Amaris with shock on his face.
"For death and glory?" the king asked. Amaris shook her head.
"No, my lord. For Rohan. For your people," Amaris said as she looked at the king pleading with her eyes.
