- - - Aragorn - - -
Grace took it upon herself to clean my shoulder (the one she had hit when she had hit me, by the way!). Legolas stood by watching and interjecting every once and a while when she was about to do something wrong. Gimli talked to me and I realized just then how much we depended on each other. But they didn't know that at least ten thousand Uruk-hai were headed in that direction as they laughed and talked. I talked with them, and for a moment, I forgot too.
I decided to break the news to them. Better that Gimli and Legolas knew sooner than later. And Grace. She would be in the caves, there would be nothing to worry about. Yet, still I worried. What if the defences weren't strong enough? The women and children would be helpless in the caves below. And I think we all knew that Uruks were ruthless and took what they wanted. There would be much bloodshed that night.
"Legolas," I started in elvish. "The Uruk-hai will be here by nightfall."
He nodded and also replied in elvish. "It is as I expected. How many?"
"Ten -" I swallowed, "Ten thousand strong."
I saw Legolas catch his breath and Grace looking from me to him in annoyance. Gimli let out a gruff cough. Grace started looking worried. I knew that she knew something was wrong. She knew I would have said it in common tongue if it wasn't that serious. Her eyes were large and full of fear. She wanted to know.
"Aragorn," she said softly. "Please tell us." I watched her hands tremble as she started to wrap my arm.
"There are ten thousand Uruk-hai headed this way. They will be here within hours." Her hands that were tying the cloth jerked at this. Quickly she regained her composer. I saw her jaw clench but her hands were still shaking. She seemed to be trying to steady them, without success.
After fumbling with the cloth for several minutes, Legolas gently took both her hands in his, steadying them. Then he moved them away from my arm and tied it. His hands did not shake. Grace had moved back to give Legolas space and she now had her knees drawn to her chest and head in her hands, gripping her hair so tightly her fingers were turning white.
I stood up and rested a hand on her shoulder. She looked up, her odd eyes burning into mine. I saw many things in there. She was scared of what would happen. Yet she did not want to be left behind. She knew we were going to tell her to stay in the caves. She wouldn't go without a fight.
I sighed. "We should go tell the king. Prepare him for what is coming."
After helping Grace up, we all left the room together. I think we all knew that there was no way to prepare ourselves for what was coming. For the first time in my life, I started to despair.
- - - Éowyn - - -
I watched as Grace, Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn entered the Main Hall to find my uncle. Both Legolas' and Aragorn's faces were set. Grace looked frightened, but determined. I couldn't read Gimli's expression behind all that hair.
I saw them approach Théoden, my uncle. There was nothing I wanted to do more than go and hold Aragorn and never let go of him. But, being used to not being able to do what I wanted most, I didn't. Instead, I turned around and started to take some smaller axes and swords out of a chest. I had to see if they would be good enough for battle.
On top of all the swords and axes, there was a small bag. Inside, I found knives. Not just knives. Elvish knives. Who knew how long they had been there, waiting for someone to find them? They looked almost new. No chips like you often find in swords. I did not know how to wield them, but I knew Grace did. I set them down on the ground, hoping I would remember to give them to her later.
I picked up a sword and started to swing it. I had learned long ago how to use a sword properly. I was a Shield Maiden. Born to wield a sword. I flicked my wrist and turned. The sword hit something. For a second I thought I had wounded someone. That's all we needed right before battle. Instead, I found Aragorn, knife out, right in front of me.
"You know how to wield a sword, my lady."
I nodded breathlessly. "I want to fight."
"You can not," he said to me.
"I can ride and wield blade, and I do not fear either pain or death!"
"What do you fear, lady?" he asked.
"A cage," I said. "To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire." ¹
He lowered his small sword slowly. His eyes studied mine. I looked at his lips. I took in his eyes, the stubble on his chin, a small scar near his left temple. He was so strong. There was nothing more I wanted right then but to kiss him. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but he beat me to it.
"I do not think that will be your fate," he said simply and turned away.
I put the sword away with shaking hands and went to find Grace to deliver my gift of the elvish blades. Legolas would instruct her if they needed special care. Smoothing my skirt, and trying to smooth my nerves, I exited the Main Hall.
- - - Legolas - - -
Éowyn approached Grace. I had been watching her from afar. She had been talking with Hásfeld, who had somehow cornered her. I knew she did not like him, it was him we had ran from only the day before. I started to think about how she had touched my ear. I knew it was only curiosity, not any feelings, that had made her do that.
I knew I had to tell her soon. Hopefully that very day. If there was over ten thousand Uruk-hai headed our way, with as small an army as we had, there was little hope I would get another chance. Maybe I thought she deserved to know; maybe I thought she wanted to know; maybe I wanted her to know. No, I needed her to know. I would not die or let her die without me telling her how I felt. I would not let her die at all. I would not let Helm's Deep fall.
Again, I looked to Grace. She had brushed Hásfeld off and was now speaking with Éowyn. A bag went from the fair haired girl to the dark haired girl. Grace's eyes widened when she looked in the bag. I could hear her yell of happiness even though I was quite far from them. Éowyn's eyes also widened when Grace launched herself into the older girl's arms. Their laughter was beautiful. We would soon not have any reason to laugh.
"Legolas!" Grace called as she came running up the stairs towards me. "Legolas! Look what Éowyn gave me!" She was waving the bag around wildly.
Gently, I took the bag from her. Looking inside, I found two elvish blades wrapped in cloth. I was not surprised to see them in very good condition. It takes more to wear the knives of the Eldar down than time. Instead of congratulating her and asking many questions, I simply took her hand.
"Grace," I said, starting to lead her away, "There is something you need to know."
A puzzled look crossed her face. I must have looked very serious right then. I did not know what I would do if she pushed me away when I told her. Trying to lessen her discomfort, I let go of her hand and walked beside her. I could sense that she was apprehensive about what I was going to say. She almost seemed to get smaller when scared.
When we entered a small, deserted room, I turned around to face her. Her face was solemn and her eyes frightened. I hated to see her look like that. Smiling a bit, I touched her cheek. She seemed to visibly relax at my smile. I opened my mouth to tell her what I had come to say. I would have to pick my words carefully.
(A/N: Uh oh, did I leave ya hanging? Yes! Go me! And yeah, someone told me to take the inch that I had left. I am, oh, I am. Admitting it's the first step, isn't it? I think so! Well, things are progressing at Helm's Deep. Next chapter: Legolas admits his love, Grace's reaction, and a visitor! I'm sorry if I messed something up hardcore in this chapter or any other. Oh, and in a Review, someone asked who Hásfeld is. He's basically just a character I made up. A citizen of Rohan. He wants Grace [who doesn't?] but she thinks he's annoying. He's not going to be a main character, don't worry! Maybe I'll kill him in the battle scene? What do you think? I wanna have 100 Reviews after this chapter! So, GO REVIEW!)
¹ The Return of the King, page 767.