Author's Apology: Sorry it took so long for this chapter. School has been… evil, to say the least.

-Two-

Darkness fell over Helm's Deep quite rapidly, as if the author was in a hurry to get to all the action. Runya Rinuialrilwen stood on the battlements, letting the wind toss her onyx black hair streaked with tinges of gold back in forth in front of her face as her large glittering eyes beheld the movement around her. The men were preparing for battle in the least descriptive way; swinging their swords at one another, and stretching.

"Lady Rinuialrilwen?" Called a voice. Runya turned her piercing gaze to Boromir, who joined her.

"You may call me Runya," she requested. Boromir sighed with relief, and tried to remember what he was going to say. Something about battle that was sure to spur her anger... What was it? He finally remembered, and said bluntly, "You can't fight this battle."

Runya spun around and glared at him, her golden eyes turning to burnished ruby, "How dare you tell me I cannot fight! I brought aid to your pathetic army and you think you can deny me of such? Truly you are an arrogant and selfish mortal."

Boromir frowned, wondering what her grounds were for calling him selfish. His inner consciousness began to writhe in pain as he found himself uttering the next words.

"Runya, you are even more beautiful when you are angry."

The Elf woman drew herself up to her impressive slender height, her coral lips now pouting with practiced skill.

"I will engage in combat this evening, and you have no authority over me." She declared, drawing her sword that the author had forgotten to mention in chapter one.

Boromir looked interestedly at the sword, which was made of a black metal with a golden hilt. Rubies and yellow diamonds were inlaid on the handle in such a way it looked as if it were more for aesthetics than practicality.

"I will fight." Runya hissed, aiming the sword point at Boromir's chest. A convulsive fear seized him and he jumped away. He couldn't help this feeling of amiration and love welling up within him for this red-clad Elf.

Glancing at her once last time, he realized he was smiling, and, to his lasting disgust, couldn't smother the grin. Without another word, he departed.

Runya continued her gazing, and then felt a sudden heat grow near her heart. Making sure no one was around, she withdrew the necklace and held the pendant at eye level. It was made of black iron in the shape of an eye, with a curious faceted black stone in the middle framed with small rubies creating the iris and pupil.

The black stone in the middle, which was actually a small palantir, began to glow orange, and Runya heard a voice calling her.

"Runya, unlock the front gate so my army may enter" it commanded. A frown passed over Runya's crimson lips as she realized who was commanding her. It was not her creator, Sauron, but his servant, Saruman.

Nevertheless, she had been instructed to follow his orders also, so she silently stole down to the front gates and heaved the heavy bar that spanned it away, panting only slightly from the effort.

"What are you doing?" demanded Aragorn from behind her. If Aragorn was shocked at her ability to lift a nearly thousand pound block of solid wood, he failed to show it.

"I wanted to go for a walk. Would you like to join me?" She asked silkily, letting her voice calm his suspicions.

Aragorn consented, and opened the doors with no hesitations. Runya slipped her fair hand into his and the two walked down the bridge.

"What do you hide around your neck, lovely maiden?" Aragorn asked, nearly choking on his own words. Runya smiled secretively, and said nothing.

"Do you love me, my lord?" She inquired suddenly.

Every ounce of logic and love for Arwen screamed in frustration as his mouth answered, "You know I do, sweet lady."

"Will you talk sense into Lord Boromir, then?"

"What must I tell him?"

"That I am a warrior, and long for combat." Runya said playing with a strand of her dark hair. Her golden eyes never left Aragorn's face as it changed from captive love to concern.

"Nay, my darling, I wish you would stay in the caves with the woman. You might die!" Aragorn briefly wondered why he even cared, but suddenly his actions were seized once again.

"You men are all the same!" Runya screamed her amber eyes shifting again to blood red, and storming back up to the gates.

For one blissful second Aragorn found control of his limbs and made all haste to pummel the ever-loving crap out of Runya-

No, no, no, and arrogant voice resounded in his head, and Aragorn's arms snapped back to his sides, and he found his feet chasing after Runya, and his mouth opening to say, "But wait my darling! Fight by my side tonight, I beg of thee!"

With a triumphant smile curling around her dark lips, Runya gave a soft laugh, and outstretched her slender porcelain-white hand to take Aragorn's.

"I will destroy your proud soul," she whispered to herself dramatically, "and make you plead for mercy before the end."