A/N:  We thought this chapter would take a while so we weren't sure we'd get it out in time.  Luckily we did because we wrote most of it at the same time that we wrote the last chapter and just finished it up this weekend.  We didn't go into details with a lot of the hand to hand fighting because...well...we'd like to keep what little, tiny shred of sanity we have left for as long as we can.   So, here's the battle of Helm's Deep.

Drag out your swords and bows...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 26

March 4 night to March 5 dawn

All along the walls of the keep elves and men stood stiffly, watching as the Uruk Hai approached.  They appeared as no more than a veritable sea of black in the night, all brandishing deadly looking spears and torches.  While the elves remained silent and emotionless, as was their way, around them the men couldn't stop small gasps of dismay.

Legolas stood among his kin from Lorien with Gimli beside him.  The dwarf had vowed to 'protect the elf and the wee one at all cost' after Aragorn had given up trying to talk Legolas into staying in the caves with the women and children where he would be safe.  As much as he knew his husband feared for him, he couldn't bring himself to cower with the women while everyone he loved risked their lives in battle.

"You could have picked a better spot!" Gimli grumbled suddenly, standing on his toes to see over the wall.

Legolas just barely hid a grin and started to reply but was waylaid by Aragorn's arrival.  Gimli looked up at the ranger, "Well, lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."

Aragorn barely reacted as he gazed out at the approaching Uruk Hai, thoughts of all that could happen to Legolas and their unborn daughter flooding his mind. Once again he debated trying to talk Legolas into going to the caves but just as he started to open his mouth to speak he was cut off by Legolas.

"Your family is with you, Estel.  As are your friends," the elf said, almost as if he knew what Aragorn was thinking.

"Let us hope they last the night." Gimli added in a mumble.

Aragorn glanced down at the dwarf before turning to his husband.  He lightly ran his fingers through Legolas' hair, "I cannot talk you into staying in the caves, my love?"

Legolas gave a small sigh and dropped a quick kiss on Aragorn's jaw, "I already told you, I cannot hide while my loved ones wage war over my head.  I will not."

 Aragorn released a breath and he shook his head, "If something happened to you…"

Legolas pressed a finger across Aragorn's lips to silence him, his eyes pleading for the ranger to understand, "I will be fine, my Estel, better off than I would be locked in a cave."

Aragorn closed his eyes and took a deep breath before once more meeting his husband's gaze, "Alright.  But I had to try."

"I know," the elf whispered before smiling slightly, "Now go give our son his little pep-talk.  I know you want to."

With a final small tug on one of Legolas' small side braids, Aragorn squeezed Gimli's shoulder in a silent show of affection and a bid of good luck then went to speak to Farothen.  And maybe he'd find Boromir too, just in case.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Farothen swallowed as he took in the sight of the Uruk Hai marching toward the keep.  His breathing came in quick, short pants and he suddenly wondered why he hadn't listened to his father and went back to Lorien when he had the chance.  Fear nearly immobilized him.

He'd fought countless groups of orcs over the ten years he'd traveled with his father and the Dunedain but he'd never been faced with true war against such an overwhelming number of enemies.  He honestly didn't think he could withstand such a force.

Rivendell was a peaceful place, so the first 16 years of his life had been safe; the most danger he'd been in had been childhood mishaps and the occasional wound during training.  And though orcs had always roamed Middle-Earth, they were unorganized rabble that were, on the most part, leaderless.  Now, with Sauron and Saruman holding their leash and creating these Uruk Hai, Farothen feared he was horribly out of his depth.

He glanced to his left where Boromir stood seemingly emotionless except for a rather sadistic glint in his ocean blue eyes.  The man of Gondor was in his element, he'd spent the majority of his lifetime fighting an ongoing war, defending his home against hordes of orcs and other servants of the enemy.  Just having his husband by his side gave Farothen a sense of faith that he could defeat their common enemy.

As if he felt Farothen's gaze Boromir looked over, seeing the fear in the half elf's eyes, "Farothen, we will get through this.  We will be the victors.  Trust me, my love.  The enemy has not claimed me yet, and it won't now.  Nor will I let it claim you.  You are mine; I will not give you up so easily."

Farothen forced a smile, "I trust you, my jewel."  He looked back at the advancing Uruk Hai before whispering loud enough for Boromir to hear, "How do you do this?  How could you face this everyday of your life?"

"I had to." Boromir said simply.

Before either of them could continue Aragorn walked up.  He took one look at Farothen and put a hand his son's shoulder, "It's okay to have fear, Farothen.  But you cannot let it control you."

Farothen shook his head, half whimpering, "I don't think I can do this, Ada.  These odds are…"

"I have faith in you, Farothen." Aragorn whispered, hugging his son, "You can do this.  Besides, Boromir is right here.  There's no one I'd trust more to keep you safe in this battle, save Legolas and myself."

Farothen forced a chuckle before meeting Aragorn's gaze seriously, "I won't disappoint you, Ada."

"You could not do that." Aragorn said, giving Farothen's shoulder a final squeeze before turning to Boromir. 

For a moment he studied the younger man.  Boromir met his gaze, both of them remembering the scene between them earlier when Aragorn had caught Boromir and Farothen kissing.  It was more than obvious Aragorn didn't like the direction their relationship was going.  It would only get worse when Aragorn found out his son was actually married to the Gondorian.

Finally Aragorn spoke, "You don't need me to tell you how to fight this battle.  So I won't undermine your skill and experience by giving doing so.  I'm sure you know all too well what war is like.  Just…protect him…please.  He has no idea what he's gotten himself into."

Boromir nodded, "I will protect him, Aragorn.  With my life if need be."

Aragorn sighed, "Thank you.  But stay alive yourself, Boromir.  You are a good friend.  I do not want to lose you either."

With a last little nod to the younger man Aragorn continued along the wall.  There was a war to fight.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn paced back and forth along the wall, ignoring the rain as it started falling and shouting out advice and orders as he watched the Uruk Hai halt several yards from the wall, "A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas!"

Legolas barely paid attention to his husband's words, well aware of how the Uruk Hai engaged their enemies, having fought them at Amon Hen.  Beside him Gimli jumped, failing miserably in his latest attempt to see the enemy.  The dwarf looked up at him, "What's happening out there?"

"Shall I describe it for you?" Legolas asked innocently before grinning down at his friend, "Or would you like me to find you a box?"

Gimli gave the elf a startled look that only lasted a second before he laughed.  Turning his gaze back to the Uruk Hai Legolas' smile fell as they started hitting their spears on the ground in challenge.  Some of the men along the wall strung arrows to their bows.  One arrow was released and Legolas blinked, shaking his head.

In the sudden silence as the Uruk Hai watched their companion fall with an arrow piercing his throat Aragorn's voice rang clear as he yelled, "Dartho!"

After another moment several of the Uruk Hai released furious growls and the leader, standing on a large boulder, motioned for them to start the attack.  As one they began to charge at the wall.

Once again Aragorn's voice yelled above the sounds of growls and the thundering from the sky and the footsteps of the Uruk Hai as they charged, "Tangado halad!"

A moment later he added, "Leithio i philinn!"

All along the wall the elves released their arrows, each one finding it's mark.  From another part of the wall a call came in Westron to fire and another volley of arrows, from men and elves alike, was released.

As the arrows once again found their marks Aragorn shouted once more, "Ur na innas!"

At that order the elves strung and released arrows at their own considerable pace, cutting through the front line of the Uruk Hai even as the enemy kept coming with sheer unbeatable numbers and quickly positioned large ladders, intending to scale the wall.

"Pendraid!" Aragorn yelled, "Swords!"

Swords quickly made their appearance along the wall.  Legolas drew his twin knives as Gimli shouted, "Good!  Come on!"

Legolas had a split second shot of amusement at his friend's reaction to the ladders before he was forced to concentrate on battling back the Uruk Hai climbing over the wall.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Farothen took his place at the wall, surrounded by elves, and strung an arrow at his father's command.  A second later the call came to release the arrows and Farothen's joined the countless others fired by the elves all along the wall.  Beside him Boromir ducked as an Uruk Hai arrow flew mere inches past his head.

"Perhaps you should stay behind me, my jewel," Farothen managed to say mock seriously, "Where I can protect you from stray arrows."

Boromir gave him a glare, "I hide behind no one, little elf.  Most especially those I've been ordered to protect."

Farothen chuckled, "But you do not have a bow."

Boromir never got a chance to reply as Aragorn's shout of 'Pendraid!  Swords!' rang through the air.  A grin graced Boromir's fair face as he drew his sword.  He met Farothen's gaze, "Now comes my part in this fight."

Farothen gave his husband a small smile as he unsheathed his own sword.  All along the wall ladders were raised and the Uruk Hai started ascending them.  Several were pushed back, sending them and those climbing them into a freefall.  The Uruks climbing the ladders that couldn't be pushed back in time were met with swinging swords.  Within seconds the walls of Helm's Deep were dotted with mini battles between elves, men and Uruk Hai.

Farothen much rather preferred the bow but he guessed now wasn't the time to be choosey.  Pushing fear and doubts to the back of his mind he concentrated on the battle and threw himself into it at Boromir's side.  Together they made a formidable team as the enemy fell under their combined effort and experience.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn pushed thoughts of the danger his family was in to the back of his mind as Uruks swarmed over the wall toward him.  Swinging his sword he sent one falling backward off the wall, another he let tumble at his feet and the third he sent falling inside the wall as he crouched and cut off the lower half of it's leg.  All the while he ducked and danced away from the enemy weapons that were swung in his direction.

Further along the wall Legolas had moved far enough back that his bow was once again the more helpful weapon and was releasing arrow after arrow at any Uruk who dared lift his head over the wall.  Several feet away, at a lower level, Gimli easily swung his axe in the crush of warriors and enemies.

"Legolas!" Gimli yelled, looking up at the elf.  When he had Legolas' attention he held up two fingers, "Two already!"

Legolas grinned as he released an arrow, "I'm on 17!"

"Ah!" Gimli grumped, "I'll have no pointy-ear out scoring me!"

Legolas released a couple more arrows and looked back at the dwarf with a smug grin and shouted, "19!"

Before he could see Gimli's reaction Legolas heard Aragorn yelling again about the causeway leading toward the main door of the keep.  Looking over he saw a large column of Uruk Hai slowly ascending the causeway with their shields creating a solid wall of protection at the front of the column and along the top.

Even as the elves from further down the wall started shooting Legolas armed his own bow and fired at the column, knowing all the while it was a pretty pointless exercise.  No amount of arrows would be able to stop them before the reached the doors to fulfill their purpose.

Legolas' attention was suddenly pulled away from the causeway when he heard his husband shouting, "Togo hon dad, Legolas!  Dago hon!"

Looking over he saw Aragorn pointing down just below the place on the wall where the ranger was standing.  The Uruk Hai had split apart to create a path for one of their own that was carrying a torch and running toward the drain pipe right below the ranger.  Legolas notched an arrow to his bow and released it in one smooth move, cursing when it pierced the creature's shoulder in a fairly unfatal wound.  As he notched a second arrow he was vaguely aware of Aragorn once again yelling, "Dago hon!"

The second arrow hit the Uruk's other shoulder mere seconds before the creature made a final couple steps before diving into the drain pipe.  Legolas felt his heart constrict as the wall exploded beneath his love, sending elves and men flying.  The only thing Legolas was aware of was his husband hitting the ground several feet inside the wall and he didn't get up.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Farothen and Boromir instinctively ducked along with everyone around them when the explosion vibrated along the whole wall.  It only took Farothen a second to realize the wall where he knew his human father had been standing was now no more than a gaping hole.  Without thought the half elf forced his way through the elves and men still battling the enemy.  Behind him Boromir shouted his name but he ignored his husband.  He had to reach his father.

He got to the hole in the wall just as Gimli dived off the edge from the other side of the gap shouting, "Aragorn!"

Not quite brave enough to follow the dwarf's example Farothen searched the ground for his father.  He saw Aragorn just as he slowly climbed to his feet and faced the Uruk Hai swarming through the gap in the wall.  A host of Elven archers stood behind the ranger, arrows ready as they waited for his order.

Lifting his sword high Aragorn motioned toward the enemy shouting, "Hado i philinn!"  Once the arrows were away he pointed his sword at the Uruk Hai, "Herio!"

At that Aragorn led the elves behind him in a charge toward the enemy.  Farothen quickly made his choice and jumped, hoping against hope it wasn't a suicide mission.  Seconds later he hit the ground, taking two Uruk Hai with him.  Taking a millisecond to shake himself to make sure he was still alive he got to his feet swinging his sword.

At the same time, at the top of the wall, Legolas picked up the fallen shield of an Uruk Hai and threw it on the ground toward the steps before jumping on it as it slid down the stairway.  As he slid, miraculously managing to keep his balance with the sudden wave of dizziness brought on by the sudden rush down, he fired three arrows, not bothering to really aim since with the number of Uruks there was no way he could miss.  At the bottom of the steps he kicked the shield toward another Uruk Hai and threw himself into the battle at the gap in the wall.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn was vaguely aware of Farothen and Gimli fighting at his side.  Surprisingly, the occasional glimpse he got of his son's face told him the young half elf was actually sort of enjoying killing the enemy.  Seeing Farothen's familiar grin, though, made Aragorn think of Legolas and he looked up to search out his husband on top of the wall.  His heart nearly stopped when he saw Legolas sliding down the steps on a shield shooting arrows as he descended.

Shaking his head he turned back to the Uruk Hai rushing at him to take his fear and annoyance at his husband out on the enemy.  What was Legolas thinking?  Four and a half month pregnant elves should not foolishly slide down stone steps on a shield.  Oh, was that elf going to get it when the battle was over.

That was as far as his thoughts got before he heard Theoden yell his name.  He looked up at the king of Rohan as the younger man yelled, "Fall back to the keep!  Get your men out of there!"

"Am marad!" Aragorn yelled to the elves around him as he grabbed Farothen's shoulder and pushed him toward the keep.  He barely even noticed when two elves each hooked an arm under Gimli's and carried the dwarf, kicking and screaming, into the keep.  He swept his gaze along the wall looking for Boromir, once again shouting, "Am marad!"

He failed to find Boromir but he did catch Haldir's gaze and he yelled, "Haldir, am marad!"

Haldir gave him a small nod and Aragorn turned his attention back to getting Farothen into the keep.  He was only slightly surprised when he was suddenly joined by Boromir.

The younger man grinned, hacking at any Uruk Hai who got in their way, and met Aragorn's gaze, nodding toward Farothen, "So you found him.  He ran away when the wall blew up."

Farothen scowled at his husband, "I didn't…"

"We'll discuss this later," Aragorn said, "Into the keep."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Legolas jerked one of his knives out of an Uruk Hai's throat just as he heard a familiar voice yell from above him.  He turned just in time to see Haldir fall to his knees holding his side. 

Blindly cutting down any Uruk that got in his way he kept his gaze on his friend as he made his way back to the steps, shouting the Lorien elf's name.  Making his way up the stairs he reached his friend just in time to kill an Uruk coming up behind the wounded elf.  Calling to two other elves he recognized he helped Haldir to his feet.

"Bring him to the keep," he ordered in Elvish letting the two elves take Haldir into their care.  Without another word he ran further along the wall.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn forced his way through the group of Rohan soldiers working frantically to fight back the Uruk Hai breaking through the door so they could block the hole made by the battering ram.  He looked at Theoden who was having his shoulder tended to as he yelled, "Hold them!"

Aragorn nodded, "How long do you need?"

"As long as you can give me!" Theoden replied.

With another nod Aragorn made his way toward a side door, shouting for Gimli, who was helping fight off the invading Uruk Hai, to follow him.  The two snuck out while Farothen and Boromir set about helping the men of Rohan fix the door.

Stopping on a small ledge across from the causeway the ranger and the dwarf glanced over at the Uruk Hai.  Gimli looked up at Aragorn, "Come on!  We can take them!"

Aragorn looked down at the dwarf, "It's a long way."

Gimli took another look and sighed before mumbling, "Toss me."

Aragorn cocked an eyebrow in mock disbelief, "What?"

Gimli growled at the amusement lurking behind the man's eyes, "I cannot jump the distance!  You'll have to toss me."

Aragorn nodded slowly and reached down to grab his companion.  At the last minute Gimli stopped him, "Oh!  Don't tell the elf."

"Not a word." Aragorn vowed before throwing Gimli across the gap between their ledge and the causeway before jumping over himself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Legolas spared a glance down at the causeway in time to see Aragorn jump across and engage the enemy in battle, with Gimli at his side.  Turning back to his companions he pointed to a rope one of them held, "We'll need that."

Legolas kept part of his attention on his husband and Gimli, while the rest was on keeping the Uruk Hai from raising more ladders.  One of the huge grappling hooks the Uruks were using to pull up the huge ladders caught one of the men off to Legolas left sending him flying back.  Legolas winced, knowing the man was dead before he hit the far side of the wall.

From inside the door below Legolas, Theoden shouted, "Gimli, Aragorn, get out of there!"

Taking the rope Legolas stepped toward the wall and looked down at Aragorn and Gimli, "Aragorn!"

When the ranger looked up Legolas threw down one end of the rope.  Aragorn wrapped one arm around Gimli and the rope around his other wrist, letting the elf and men on the wall pull them to safety.  At the top Legolas spared him a quick hug and kiss before arming his bow with an arrow and shooting at one of the ropes holding a ladder full of Uruk Hai suspended several feet in the air.  The rope snapped and the Uruks let out startled growls as they plummeted to the ground.

Aragorn pushed Gimli and Legolas toward the upper door to the keep, "Hurry!  Inside!"  He looked around at the men helping the wounded stand and stepped forward to help one old man, "Come, get them inside!"

While they made their way toward the door Legolas remained at the back of the group, shooting arrows at the Uruks who managed to get onto the wall.  At the door he managed to shoot one final arrow before he was jerked inside by Aragorn.

Aragorn pressed a rough kiss to Legolas' mouth before grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the main hall.  Legolas blinked, startled, and stumbled along behind his husband.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the main hall men ran back and forth with anything that would work to strengthen the door against the resumed pounding from the Uruk Hai battering ram.  Even a few elves were assisting in the repairs.  Theoden watched with an air of defeat as Farothen and Aragorn rushed past carrying a bench.

"The fortress is taken," the king of Rohan said dully, "It is over."

Aragorn dropped his end of the bench and spun to face Theoden, "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it!  They still defend it!  They have died defending it!"

"There are too many of them…and too few of us." Theoden said.

"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?!" Aragorn suddenly asked frantically.  He began to get even more discouraged when no one answered, "Is there no other way?!"

Gamling reluctantly answered for his king, "There is one passage.  It leads into the mountains.  But they won't get far.  The Uruk Hai are too many."

Aragorn shook his head to indicate that it didn't matter, "Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass.  And barricade the entrance."

As Gamling ran to do as Aragorn said Theoden turned to the ranger with a forlorn expression on his face, "So much death.  What can men do against such reckless hate?"

Aragorn suddenly got a strange look in his eyes.  One his friends knew all too well.  It meant that he was getting a crazy idea, "Ride out with me.  Ride out and meet them."

Theoden gave Aragorn a look as if he was saying 'what's the point?'  His tone was skeptical when he asked, "For death and Glory?"

"For Rohan," Aragorn said with a hitch to his voice, "For your people."

"The sun is rising," Gimli added softly, hoping to give Theoden some hope.

However, his words also gave Aragorn some hope.  As the ranger looked at the faint shaft of light streaming through the window he remembered Gandalf's words of a few days earlier.  Nervously, Aragorn looked at Theoden, awaiting his decision.

"Yes," Theoden said, answering Aragorn's unspoken question, "Yes!  The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the Deep one last time!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn had glared at Legolas when he mounted Arod right alongside him.  Legolas had merely returned the glare, as if daring his husband to say anything.  Boromir, Farothen, Theoden and several other Rohirrim were also mounted and ready to go.

"Now for wrath.  Now for ruin...and the red dawn." Theoden said before shouting, "FORTH EORLINGAS!"

At those words all the riders urged their horses and the door to the hall was thrown open by some who were too wounded to ride out.  Uruk Hai came pouring into the hall but Theoden and the other riders pushed past all of them like a large wave and cut down Uruks as they went.  The enemy almost seemed to shrink from the riders and this continued as they rode out the gate and down the causeway, fighting with renewed fury.

Aragorn was in the midst of the battle when he saw a brilliant white light coming from the east.   Gandalf had come.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Theoden King stands alone," Gandalf said as Eomer rode up beside him.

"Not alone," Eomer replied, raising his sword, "Rohirrim!"

Theoden, Aragorn and the other riders all felt like cheering as they noticed the Rohirrim pulling up behind Eomer and the panicked looks the Uruk Hai were giving the fresh army.

'If he wasn't my brother's lover I'd kiss him,' Boromir thought to himself.

"To the king!" Eomer shouted, motioning with his sword, and the whole company Gandalf included, rode down the slope.  The Uruk Hai reacted by running toward the slope and bringing their spears down to point at the riders.  Since the slope was steep, the riders would not be able to stop, so the front riders all braced themselves.  However, at the last possible moment the sun rose over the crest of the slope, momentarily blinding the Uruk Hai.  Luckily, the moment was long enough for the Rohirrim to break through the front line of Uruks.

Legolas was still battling at this point, and he felt a sudden burning pain on his right side.  Crying out in pain he turned his head to see a grinning Uruk Hai reposition it's spear.  The first attempt to impale Legolas had merely grazed the elf's side.

Legolas felt a moment of panic just before a sword was thrust through his would-be assassin and he found himself lifted from Arod's saddle.  He gave another pained cry as the movement sent fiery pain through his side.  He knew it wasn't fatal, but the spear had cut up his side very badly.  His tunic was ripped and he could feel his blood flowing.

Not to mention that the sights, sounds and smells of the still engaged battle were now making him lightheaded and dizzy.  Weakly, Legolas turned to see his savior.  He found himself face to face with a scowling Boromir.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed, elf!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Elvish translations...

A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas! – Show them no mercy, for you shall receive none!

Dartho! – Hold!

Tangado halad! – Prepare to fire!

Leithio i philinn! – Release the arrows!

Ur na innas! – Fire at will!

Pendraid! – Ladders!

Togo hon dad, Legolas!  Dago hon!  Dago hon! – Bring him down, Legolas!  Kill him!  Kill him!

Hado i philinn!  Herio! – Hurl the arrows!  Charge!

Am marad!  Am marad!  Haldir, am marad! – To the keep!  Pull back to the keep!  Haldir, to the keep!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Replies to reviews...

Peace hope and a little madness:  The family needs Jerry Springer.  That would be interesting.  We wouldn't know how to right it, but hey, if you can figure out how, type it up and email it to us if you can.  We'd be interested in your take on it.  Our email is on our author page.  We'd even post it if you wanted us to, making sure it's clear you wrote it, of course.

For everyone who was hoping Haldir would live...you're all in luck.  We may have future plans for the dear little March Warden (a possible sequel where he plays a big role...we haven't decided yet.  Depends on how many people would read it.  We also have a couple other stories we want to write before...and a couple we want to finish).

Hope everyone liked this chapter.  It was HELL to write.

Thanks again for the reviews, they keep us going.

~Becky and Brina~