AnimeSiren: Thanks.

Aragorn waits for Arwen: Yeah, I thought Arwen would be quite stubborn too: I would be if I'd come all that way!

Swift tales: Thank you! Again, was the update soon enough for you?

Lady Urquentha: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it (unless you mean the kind of 'interesting' where you mean it's a bit odd!)

Luthien and Beren: Did I add the next chapter soon enough! I'm glad you 'love' my story! Thanks for your review.

Lotrfreak: Thanks, glad you liked it. Enjoy this chapter!

Mirax: I know Aragorn was an only child, but wasn't too sure about his father. But that's the best thing about fanfiction, being able to experiment with the characters and change odd details. I agree, it would have been bad to have Arwen at Helm's Deep in the movie as it would have messed up the entire story line, but I thought it might make a good story on here!

I did explain slightly (at least I think I did) why Arwen did not have quite as good ability as the others in battle: mainly that she is not used to it. I don't imagine Elrond would let Arwen go off with her brothers fighting Orcs all the time, especially after Celebrian was so badly injured by them she had to sail to Valinor. Practice makes perfect, as they say, so logically lack of practice means people are less than perfect at things!

I'm sure you want to get on to the story now, so thanks for your review! For once I actually have something to respond to, rather than having to write "thanks, glad you like it" all the time! Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy the chapter! Oh, and review again at the end.

Start of chapter

Arwen was interrupted as the huge battering ram crashed into the door. She struggled to lift pieces of wood to help barricade the door.

The battering ram hit the doors a second time.

"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" Asked Aragorn. There was no reply. "Is there no other way?!" He repeated.

"There is one passage," answered a soldier. "It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far, the Uruk-Hai are too many!"

"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain paths, and barricade the entrance!" Aragorn ordered, giving the man a shove towards the cave entrance.

"So much death," said Théoden suddenly. "What can Men do against such reckless hate?"

"Ride out with me," Aragorn's voice was quiet at first, growing stronger as he said: "Ride out and meet them."

"For death and glory," Théoden replied, slightly disapprovingly.

"For Rohan. For your people," Aragorn returned with force.

"The sun is rising," Gimli interjected.

Aragorn looked at the window, a look of hope on his face.

"Yes," Théoden whispered.

"Yes," he said more strongly. "The horn of Helm Hammerhand, shall sound in the Deep." Théoden smiled slightly. "one last time."

"Yes!" Cried Gimli, and ran off to climb up to the ancient horn.

As the battering ram crashed into the gates again, Théoden turned to Aragorn. "Let this be the hour, when we draw swords together."

Aragorn bowed his head, and turned towards the gathered Dunedain. "Fetch the horses."

They were ready just in time. With an almighty crash, the battering ram broke through the door, and the horses charged at the shocked Uruk- Hai. They galloped through the fortress and down the causeway onto the plain, slashing at Orcs. Those left without horses stayed fighting on foot within the fortress, but Arwen had been given a horse belonging to one of the refugees.

Suddenly, Arwen heard a horse's neigh coming form above her. Looking up, she saw a majestic grey horse rear against the rising sun. It bore no saddle or bridle, only a sole rider upon its back. Straining her eyes, Arwen recognised Gandalf.

More horses lined up behind the old wizard, one of whom being an important- looking Rohirric warrior on a dapple grey horse.

Suddenly, the army leapt into motion, flowing down the hill, turning the Orcs already fearful expressions into ones of absolute terror as the wave of riders and horses descended upon them.

The horses leapt gracefully over the Orcs pointed spears, their riders slashing at the foul creatures with fluid arcs of their swords.

When the Orcs fled, Arwen saw trees which had not been their before. Squeals of terror came from the Orcs who had fled into the woods for sanctuary, and Arwen dared not think what was happening. It was hard sometimes for an elf not to feel some pity for Orcs. After all, they (or at least their ancestors) were once Elves.

When the battlefield was made safe, Arwen saw tow groups of people approaching from opposite directions.

The larger group were the refugees, asking anxiously after fathers, husbands, brothers and sons.

Arwen could also see a pair of riders on Elven horses approaching down the slope. She could make out the faces of her father and Lindir.

Arwen squeezed her legs on the horse's side, urging him forwards towards her father. She did not wish her father to think her dead, even for a moment, though she did not particularly wish to speak with him, considering the mood he was likely to be in.

"Ada!" Arwen cried as she neared him.

Elrond turned in surprise, and galloped his horseback towards his daughter. They both leapt form the horses and embraced.

"Thank Eru you're safe," her father whispered.

After his initial relief had worn off, however, Elrond's anger began to show through, though Elrond did not direct this at Arwen, but (rather unfairly) at Aragorn.

"Aragorn!" Elrond shouted.

"Ada, do not blame him, he did not know…"

"My Evenstar, you are no longer disguised. He must have recognised you. He should have stopped you…"

"I refused to leave him! It's not…"

"Lord Elrond?" Aragorn's resigned voice cut through their conversation. He had obviously prepared himself well for a lecture.

Elrond led the unfortunate Ranger away from Arwen and Lindir. He then turned angry eyes upon Aragorn. "Were you aware…"

"I had no idea Arwen was in that Elven army until the battle was well underway, my Lord. I tried to persuade her to return to the caves, but she was determined to stay and fight."

"What if she had been killed?"

Aragorn was silent, and a single tear trickled down his cheek. The subject of Arwen being harmed was the only thing that would ever bring him even close to tears.

"I am sorry, ion nin," Elrond said gently. "I should never have been so harsh, it is not your fault."

"Nay, you are right, my lord. I should have forced her to go. She asked me though, why the Ranger women were allowed to fight, and she not. I had no real answer to that, other than their having been taught to fight, but Arwen also has, though perhaps she has not had as much practice."

"I understand, Aragorn. I would not wish you to force my daughter to do anything she did not wish to do, and perhaps it was impossible to persuade her as she can be adamant about those things she really wishes to do. I no longer hold this against you."

"You may hold it against us." Halbarad approached, flanked by Miriel, Nimwen and Calion. Rochwen watched from a distance.

"How do you mean?"

"We must confess to having helped, nay, even encouraged Arwen to go to war," said Nimwen. "Halbarad did try to advise us against it, but we thought it would be for the better for her to come with us rather than trying to find another way to find Aragorn, alone. We found her in the woods between Imladris and Weathertop. It is a dangerous place to journey alone: we often see Orcs and evil Men there, and Arwen was attacked by Orcs, but luckily we were there to intervene. We brought her back to camp and helped her in her plan. She left Imladris as one of the Galadhrim."

"You would be justified to be wroth, my lord," added Miriel.

"I am not. You saved my daughters life, and for that I am most grateful."

"And I. You did what was right," said Aragorn.

End of chapter.

Please Review! Constructive criticism is welcome. I am trying to make chapters longer, improve the dialect and imporve the flow of the story. Tell me if I'm succeeding, or if not, how I could succeed!