Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Review Responses:
Slayer3: Yes she is still good, just reckless. (I am resisting the urge to take your comment and turn it into a plot line all it's own. But no turning her bad would be pushing it to far. I must resist. I must resist.)
Yes a novel, book, original work. What ever you want to call it. My husband insisted if I could right stories for ffnet, that I could write my own stuff too. So the Plot line is beginning to work out, and the characters are created. Now I just have to get the dang thing down on paper.
Karone Evertree: I'm trying to imagine Legolas wearing a black duster, and cowboy hat, and carrying a rifle. But for some reason it just doesn't work for me. So I have resolved my problem. I am now in the progress of writing three stories. This one of course, my original work I'm trying to get off the ground, and a fanfic for a website totally devoted to my cowboy heroes, which have absolutely no following whatsoever on ffnet. Two stories on the whole darn site. It's disgusting. So if my updates are a little farther apart in days to come don't worry. It's just me obsessing over something else, or someone else I should say, but don't worry I won't forget my Lotr. Anyhow back to your review. Yes what is Atavus up to?
Manveri mirkiel:
Chapter 5: God I gotta love my twin. No apologies necessary. I can understand that life can get crazy sometimes. And when you do review I enjoy reading them so much that I'm usually laughing my butt off.
So on to your review points. Yes our dear little Atavus would make a great patient for any decent shrink don't you think. Guess that's my fault. I made her that way. And yes I am good about taking review comments and turning them into plot lines aren't I?
Oh my I think it's a first. I've actually managed to get a Leggy fan girl mad at Legolas. Now that's something to be proud of. (Pats Evil self on shoulder)
Yes this chapter was difficult. Everyone ended up hurting in the end, and even though it's almost tolerable to be hurt by an enemy, it's completely horrendous to be hurt by a friend.
Chapter 6: Yeah right they'll go back to Rivendell. You are dreaming. Yes Legolas was being mean, but you noticed how easily his bitterness faded when he realized how much she needed him. Now that is a true friend.
Thank you for the comment about not disturbing the plot line. I'm trying. I was seriously going to try book verse, but after rereading it decided that it would be impossible to do so without disturbing the work, and I don't feel as bad about changing Peter Jackson's interpretation (which is a far cry from book verse itself) slightly at least. He left me a few little gaps in time to work with. Thank you Mr. Jackson.
I knew you'd ask about the blood thing. I just knew it. Let's see. Do you know the true story behind the legend of Count Dracula? I mean the story of Vlad the Impaler. If you do that will give you a hint. If not just ask I'll explain some scary similarities. And before you ask no I don't drink blood. (Not on a regular basis at least. Mrhaha.)
Chapter 7: Yes I am writing a novel. And yes I already planned on sending you, Slayer and probably three other reviewers copies if I ever get published. I do believe you will like it. It has at least one very familiar character in it.
Actually the clucking noise is reserved for my husband usually when I'm exasperated with his behavior.
There is something I have figured out. If you find a close friend, as close as my characters in these stories, no matter what don't let them go. I've done that too much already, and you just can't replace them.
Ah yes it's time to write typical Atavus. Here we go.
Larien: You reviewed right before I was ready to post the new chapter. So this will be a quick update for you. Yes I like writing scenes like the one between Legolas and Atavus. They pull at your heartstrings. I will fix the grammatical error. I promise. I'm usually a stickler for grammar too, but I missed that one completely. And yes I am writing my own original work, and if you read my response to manveri (which is a book in itself) you'll see that it includes one of our favorite characters. (Hell she's mine. I well as use her.) And I'll make a promise to my faithful reviewers. After it's published I'll send out a few copies of it to those of you who are seriously interested, and if you like it, you can suggest it to your friends. Deal?
Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to one of my favorite characters, which Peter Jackson decided to unfairly kill off in the movie. (Yes I left him dead, but I didn't want to.) And also the numbers of the men and elves killed at Helm's Deep are just numbers I pulled out of the air, and do not include any of the Rohirrim that might have been killed in the final attack. Don't kill me if they sound unrealistic.
Orders Are Meant To Be Broken
She waited until everyone had left the armory, and slipped quietly in picking up the items she would need. She had her orders from the King, but she also had her inner sense of duty to answer to. She had always fought beside men, but now someone was telling her to hide in the caves with the women and children. That just would not do. She slipped the light chain mail over her tunic. It was not as sturdy as the heavier mail and fit awkwardly, but she would need the lighter material to be able to move freely. She also selected a helm that would cover her hair and most of her face just in case she ran into one of her friends. They would not be happy to know she was taking such a risk.
As she turned to leave the armory a lone figure was standing near the door. She had seen the arrival of the elves, but had stayed away from them, not wanting to answer any questions. She recognized Haldir, the leader of the marchwarden of the Galadhrim of Lorien. She had never met him, but had heard tell of his remarkable skills in warfare.
"My lady." He greeted her. She removed the helm realizing it was pointless at the moment.
"My Lord." She greeted him back.
"I bring you a present from the Lady Galadhriel." He smiled as a look of shock crossed her face.
"But no one knew I was here." Then it dawned on her. "She saw me in her mirror?"
He nodded. "She said to tell you that it would not be fitting for one such as yourself to dress as one of the men of Rohan. I would have to agree with her." He said holding a package out in his hand. She unfurled the paper exposing a set of elvish armor and clothing matching the uniform of the marchwarden.
The material was light as can be, but sturdier than any chain mail made by men. "I am not worthy of the uniform of the marchwarden." She said trying to hand the package back to him.
He pushed the package back towards her. "The Lady also said to tell you that it matters not what is in the blood. It is only your own actions that determine your worth. And you have been determined very worthy. She insists, and so do I."
"But would you insist if you truly knew what I was?" She asked. She was tired of hiding her origin for fear of being rejected.
"Who says I don't already know?" He asked moving closer pressing the uniform to her chest. "I know what you were born, but thanks to my Lady's mirror I also know what you have become. I would be proud to fight by your side."
"I thank you Haldir." She bowed her head slightly showing the proper respect, and her gratitude at his words.
She took up a position among the elvish archers on the ground behind the main gate. She was where she could keep an eye on her friends, but still remain unnoticed. She would be there if they needed her, but would not distract them with worry for her.
She heard Estel's order to fire and did so wishing she was where she could see the enemy. It would not be long though. As the orcs climbed over the walls of the keep she used her bow to pick off as many as possible.
Things seemed to be going well. They were holding back the tide of invaders with minimal casualties. But that was about to change. She heard Estel yell to Legolas to shoot someone she couldn't see on the other side of the wall. But then she watched in horror as an explosion rocked the area sending pieces of wall flying in all directions. She was hit by flying debris knocking her to the ground and dazing her for a moment. When the confusion of her mind dissipated she looked around and noticed Estel fighting orcs near the wall before her. She heard the order to charge the attackers and immediately leapt to her feet with her sword drawn.
Time seemed to slow. She slashed to the left and then the right dispatching the orcs pouring towards her. It seemed like an endless stream, and she wondered if they would ever stop coming. She heard King Théoden's order for Aragorn to retreat and get his men into the Keep. She watched as most of the other elves that were left standing made thier way into the Keep, and was about to follow when she saw three elves pointing towards a lower door in the Keep that led to the caves. It was being set upon by a small band of orcs. She changed direction knowing that if the orcs got through that door the women and children of Rohan would be dead. She and the three elves that she had never seen before made their way to the door and blocked the entrance killing any orc that dared to come close.
They were distracted but a moment when the sun finally rose, but that moment was all it took for an orc to sneak in low and land a sword blow to her side. She crumpled to the ground next to the door holding her side. The orc would have finished her if one of the elves beside her hadn't stepped in and defended her. She took deep breaths willing the pain away knowing she could not stay crumpled on the ground while surrounded by orcs.
But the orcs themselves were distracted seeing King Théoden and several riders barrel out the keeps doors, and then out the front gate destroying every orc that got in their way. "Good for you my King." She whispered. She stood then and continued to slash away at any attacker that might try to slip by her. She hadn't realized when the orcs had stopped coming and she just stood there with her sword hanging limply at her side. She could hear cheering all around her, but to her own ears it was shadowed by the calls of pain from injured men around her.
She dropped the sword as the healer in her took over searching for those that needed her help. She also removed her helm and sent someone into the keep to retrieve her pouch of healing supplies. There were many more dead than alive. But those that were still alive needed her help. She worked the rest of the day, giving orders to anyone that would help her. Most of the women who had been hiding in the caves volunteered their help. She personally checked every body for life, Out of the three hundred men and one hundred elves that had fought inside the keep one hundred and ninety six men had perished and eighty-four elves. That number was staggering. None of the elves that were left alive had life threatening wounds, but there were eight men taken inside the Keep with poisoned wounds, that she would have to see to personally. She would leave the lesser injuries to the healers she had trained.
She was checking the last of the bodies on the top of the wall closest to where it had been breached when she came across a body that she had hoped not to see. She kneeled beside the leader of the marchwarden, and bowed her head. She had not known him personally, but the moment they had spent in the armory, and the words he had said had left an impression on her that she would carry the rest of her life. "If only I had known you longer it would have been easy to call you mellon-nin, for even one such as I could see your soul burned brighter than any flame in all of Middle-Earth. You will be missed Haldir." She whispered, as the tears streamed down her face.
She heard the almost silent footsteps behind her. "Atavus?" A voice questioned.
She turned seeing Estel standing behind her. He could see the tears sliding down her face. She stepped the few feet forward wrapping her arms around the man.
He looked down at her appearance. She was muddy and covered in both red and black blood. But he also saw the uniform of the marchwarden. "What have you been doing Atavus?" he said pulling her away slightly so he could look at her face. "Where did you get that uniform?"
"It was a gift from Haldir, and the Lady of Lorien. They said it would not be fitting for me to fight dressed as a man of Rohan." She explained.
"You were fighting." He looked her over checking for injuries, but the black material of her uniform covered the wound in her side, and she had too much work to do to worry about it yet.
"Yes. I'm fine Estel. But Haldir." She turned back to where his body was laying.
"Yes I know. I came to remove his body. I was here when he died." Estel explained.
She just nodded. "Legolas and Gimli. Are they all right?" She asked.
"Yes. They are just fine. Are you sure you are all right?" He asked worried for her.
"Yes. I have work to do though." She said starting to walk back towards the keep.
"Atavus the King wants you to load the wounded into wagons and take them back to Edoras to be treated. We are going with Gandalf to Isengard to confront Saruman. We will meet you back at the Meduseld in couple of days time." He said walking beside her.
"The wounded are stable enough to be moved I believe, and it is less than a days walk to Edoras. That shouldn't be a problem." She answered, and thought to herself that, that would give her a chance to heal before she used her gift.
As they parted she looked to Estel and said. "I'm glad you made it."
"I'm glad we all made it." He said. She knew he was talking about his closest friends.
Author's Note: So is Atavus enough like herself yet. I've gotta get in a scene where she is being a smart-ass though. I miss the banter she had with Ugluk. Oh I might have to wait until the next story. Dang it. Anyway there are only a couple of more chapters left to this one (Unless a stray plot bunny hit's me again. I need to learn to duck while around certain reviewers.) Then I promise I will dive right into the sequel.