LaliathIell: Well, at least you said "so far, so good." Thanks for the review, and TRUST ME about the Mary Sue thing. I know what I'm doing.

Morwen: lalala. More of the same. Well, thank you for the review anyway. And fine, I took the litmus test and got a good score on it. So maybe now people can stop bugging me about it. . .

ArwenEvenstar83: Thanks: ) I hope you like this one!

The journey to Helm's Deep was mostly uneventful. Olivia returned a few lost children to their parents, comforted a few angsty mothers and wives, worried about their men in the battle, and even helped a senile old lady back to her family. The woman had wandered off about halfway through the journey, and when Olivia found her, insisted on calling her "Reanae".

Eowyn stayed up front, tirelessly leading the group on. Olivia admired her for her courage and her strength. I hope I can be like that when I'm older. She thought.

Soon enough, the group reached a hilltop, and down below lay a valley. Across that valley towered a vast cliff, and built into that cliff was the long-awaited Helm's Deep. A cry rang up throughout the crowd. "We're saved!" "There it is!" "We're saved!"

A lady grabbed Olivia's arm.

"We're safe, my lady!" she cried, before rushing off. Olivia felt a warmth run through her body, and grin spread across her face. They were safe at last!

The mob surged down the other side of the hill and across the valley. With everyone running, it didn't take long for the people of Edoras to reach the fortress, where they were welcomed with open arms.

Everyone was given a room, and Olivia shared with Eowyn. The two girls wearily sat down for a quick rest, but they knew their duties were far from over.

"The men should be arriving soon," Eowyn explained. "We have to prepare a meal for them, as they'll be weary from fighting. We also have to organize the children together to be led into the caves. A battle is expected this evening. Once the women are done with their duties, they will go into the caves as well."

"And what about you?" I teased. "You told me that someday you want to disguise yourself as a man. Will you do it now?"

"No!" Eowyn playfully shoved Olivia, who giggled. "People would be expecting that. I think I'll wait until a time when I know less of the people fighting."

"Good choice." Though she would never admit it, Olivia was a little disappointed that Eowyn was not going to fight. If Eowyn fought, there was more of a chance of convincing her to help her disguise herself, too. Olivia shook her head ruefully. A few days ago, the thought of fighting in a battle would have made her cringe and shudder. You could hardly expect to come out of battle with perfect hair. And heavy armor was sooooo out. But now, she wanted nothing more than to stand and fight, helping to defend the people of Rohan.

"So, I'm ready. I'll help with the cooking, if that's okay with you." In truth, Olivia was a terrible cook, but she would be more likely to see the men coming in from the kitchen. She wanted to make sure Legolas was all right.

Eowyn looked puzzled at first, then apologetic. "Oh, no, Olivia, you misunderstood me. You will be going back into the caves with the other children."

Olivia was speechless. She had always thought that Eowyn understood that she didn't want to be treated like a little kid who couldn't take care of herself. Eowyn, of all people, should understand that.

"No!" she exploded. "I want to help! No one lets me to anything, and I'm sick of it!"

"Liv, you're just a. . ."

"Don't say it." Olivia spat. "Don't you dare say I'm just a child. I'm fourteen years old. I've been a teenager for more than a year, and I'm fully capable of helping out!" Olivia got up and stormed toward the door. "I'm going to prove to everyone just how able I am. You'll see!" and with that, the door slammed, and Olivia had disappeared down the corridor.

Olivia ran down the stairs toward the kitchen. She'd show that Eowyn what she could do! She remembered from the movie that Aragorn had fallen over a cliff, and would appear hours later. Well, she was going to make sure that 'hours' would be reduced to 'minutes'.

She knew that Brego would save him from the river, and then slowly but surely take him to Helm's Deep. With Aragorn close to unconsciousness, there was no way they could go any faster than a walk, or he would fall off. If she rode over and found him, she could get on Brego in front of him and make sure he didn't fall off. Then they could gallop back to Helm's Deep way before the battle began. The only problem was that she had never ridden a horse before. But she'd seen plenty of people do it on TV, and it didn't look too hard. All I need to do is jump on, grab the reins, and hang on! She told herself as she tried to figure out how to put a saddle on one of the barn horses.

Oh, forget it. She finally thought. I'm wasting precious rescue time here! By climbing up onto the side of the stall and getting on that way, Olivia was able to mount the horse on only her second try. She was glad she had chosen a docile old mare rather than a feisty stallion, who probably would have galloped off at the first opportunity.

"Okay. . .um, walk?" Amazingly, the horse started to clop down the barn aisle with no other encouragements. When they got outside, Olivia paused for a second. C'mon girl, you can do this! She told herself. Just say gallop, and you'll be on your way. But her mouth wouldn't open. What are you so scared about? She scolded herself. Even if you do fall off, it's not the end of the world. . .unless you crack your head open. Olivia gulped. Maybe she shouldn't have thought of that. Suddenly, a phrase she had programmed into her alarm clock came to mind. "Think about it, Liv. If you don't get up, you won't get to talk to Leon today!" Think about it, Liv. If you don't get this horse moving soon, you won't be able to save Aragorn in time. But just picture Legolas's face when you do! That got her going. "Giddy-yap!" she yelled to the horse, and they were off and running.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Olivia screamed, as she almost fell off. The ride was a lot bumpier than she imagined, and it was all she could do not to pull up and stop, at least for a second. But she knew that if she stopped, she'd never have the courage to start again.

"C'mon, you can do it!" she whispered to herself. "Save Aragorn, and everyone will know what you can do. . .especially Legolas." The thought of the elf smiling at her admiringly spurred her on.

"Amazing, Olivia!" he would exclaim in his soft Elvish lilt. "I never thought you had it in you! You're really something!"

"Thanks." She would answer shyly. "But it was nothing compared to what you've done." Suddenly, Legolas would notice how beautiful she really was. How could he have not noticed her beautiful emerald green eyes, or her silky honey-brown hair? He would start to feel as though he needed her at his side, as his queen, forever and forever. . .

Olivia was so absorbed in her daydream, she might have flown right past Aragorn if he hadn't called out weakly. "Olivia. . ."

She tugged hard on her horse's reins, bringing him to a quick halt. "Aragorn! There you are! I've been looking for you ever since I heard what happened! I'll get on Brego in front of you, and ride him back to Helm's Deep. You don't look in much shape to do anything right now." She started to dismount, then, remembering how wild and untamed Brego had seemed in the stable scene in The Two Towers Extended Edition, thought better of it. "Um . . .on second thought, why don't you come over here?"

Aragorn obliged, dismounting and pulling himself into the saddle with ease. Olivia tied Brego's reins to her horse's, then turned back to Aragorn. "Ready?"

"Ready."

Olivia was more prepared for the sudden start this time, and didn't even come close to falling off. By the time they were halfway back to the fortress, she was guiding her horse with ease.

"I thought you said you didn't know how to ride!" yelled Aragorn through the whipping wind.

"Let's just say I had to learn really fast!" Olivia called back.

By the time the castle was in view, Olivia was exhausted. Constant exercise can really take it out on a girl, she thought wearily.

At the gate, she dismounted and untangled Brego's reins from her own. "I'll put these guys back in the stable. You'd better go tell everyone you're okay. I hate to say it, but they all think you're dead." Olivia frowned.

Aragorn smiled at her. "And without you, it is likely that I would be."

Olivia started to protest that even if she hadn't come, he would have made it back on his own, but she decided not to say anything. Once the horses were put back in their stalls, Olivia followed Aragorn back to the main building. He did his thing with the doors, and everyone looked up. Shouts of joy came up from the crowd.

"He's alive!"

Off to the side, no one but Olivia seemed to notice Legolas. He was standing there, arms folded across his chest, and he was looking at Olivia with a new light in his eyes.

A/N: Next chapter soon! Thanks for all your reviews and support: )