A/N: For those of you who don't know them, Berethor, Idrial, Morwen, Elegost, Hadhod and Eaoden are from the Lord of the Rings RPG game, The Third Age. (For those of you who do know who they are and want a challenge, look in my profile). Anyway, I practically worship the game and the movie and the book, so I couldn't resist writing this. This opens at Helms Deep, the afternoon before the fight.

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"Open the gates!"

Six riders, all on chestnut colored horses, rode at a steady pace up the long and winding bridge to the main doorway of Helms Deep. One of them, a human man, appeared to be leading the group. He was young, maybe in his thirties, with rust colored hair and dark eyes. He wore armor bearing the symbol of Gondor, a white tree. He carried a long, large sword on his wait, which rhythmically tapped against his leg in pace with the horse's movement.

Behind him rode a female elf. She had long, blonde hair in one long braid that went to about her waist, and icy blue, though not unkind, eyes. She wore a dark red coat with matching pants, and thigh-high red boots that laced all the way up. She had a lethal looking sword strapped to her side that she frequently glanced at, as though to make sure it was still there.

The only other female in the group rode close to the elf, though keeping a deliberate distance between them (She suspected that the elf wasn't entirely pleased with her joining the group). This woman was a young human, with dark red hair tied into two short, messy braids on either side of her head, and emerald green eyes. Her shirt and knee length skirt was torn and slightly burned in some places, indicating that she was no stranger to battle. There were two, small battle-axes strapped at her side.

A short, dwarven man on a horse followed the human woman. He had a black beard and hair, with equally dark eyes. He was clad in armor as well, though it was less conspicuous as the first man's armor. One large, rather intimidating looking axe was strapped onto his back in a slanted position.

Yet another human man kept his horse up next to the dwarf's. He had shoulder length, dark brown hair (And a mustache) and dark blue eyes. He wore a dark, weather-beaten cloak that concealed much of the clothing he wore under it. On his back was a bow and a case of sharp to the very point arrows, and at his side was a jagged looking dagger.

The last man, also a human, brought up the rear of the group. He had shoulder length, dark blonde hair and intelligent hazel eyes. He was clad in armor bearing the symbol of Rohan, a (You guessed it) horse. A sword and a spear were in sheaths at his side, bumping against his arm and leg when the horse's hooves pounded into the ground.

The large and wide doors creaked open, and the riders passed through. A fair number of Rohirrim soldiers stood on the other side, observing the new arrivals with clear distrust. The man bearing the symbol of Rohan rode to the front of his companions, as though to protect them should the soldiers advance. Some of the soldiers visibly relaxed when they saw the man, and one soldier pushed through the others and stopped in front of him.

"Eaoden," Gamling said, obviously relieved. "Thank the Gods. We had thought you dead." Eaoden smiled and climbed down from his horse.

"Please, Gamling. I thought you would realize by now that it takes more than a couple of Wargs to slow me down." Eaoden playfully chided the man. The other riders climbed down from their horses as Eaoden continued. "They are trustworthy. They have been looking for Lord Aragorn and his companions for a long time, and they wish to aid us in the upcoming battle." Gamling nodded.

"I am pleased. We will need all of the swords we can get. If they are looking for Lord Aragorn, then I suggest they check the main hallway. He showed up only an hour ago, after we had presumed him dead as well." He said. The dwarf snorted quietly.

"Do they presume all who fall behind dead?" He muttered to his friend, whose name was Elegost. The man smiled wryly.

"Bite your tongue, Hadhod- they seem hostile enough as it is." He said quietly. "And we don't know how sharp their hearing is." Hadhod shook his head.

"Whatever you say, Ranger, whatever you say." He said, taking the reigns of the horse and leading it after the others, who were now being led to the stables.

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After having stored away their horses, the new comers split up. The first man, whose name was Berethor, went in search for Aragorn so that he may find information on where his captain, Boromir of Gondor, was. The elf-woman, whose name was Idrial, went to explore the fortress she had heard was impenetrable. The other woman, whose name was Morwen, went to look for Gimli, so of Gloin; apparently, they had met before.

Eaoden was to be brought before Theodan and give a formal report on his companions, still strangers and regarded with suspicion within the walls of Helms Deep. Hadhod and Elegost, both of which had not had much of a decent meal in weeks, had set off in search of something to eat.

Berethor had taken Gamling's words seriously, and was making his way up to the main hallway, combing it for any sign of the man he had searched for since the day after the Fellowship has set off from Rivendell. Through Eregion to Moria, from the Emnet Gullies to the Plains of Rohan, all the way to Helms Deep. Frankly, Berethor was sick of looking.

"At least now I can find Lord Boromir," He muttered. Another thing that was plaguing him was the jealousy Idrial, the first person to join his quest (Though she had other motivations), had for Morwen, the human woman he had become rather infatuated with. Idrial had shown interest in him before, especially after she gave him that kiss in Moria. Now she took stabbing blows (Thankfully, they were figurative speech stabs) at Morwen whenever she got the chance, and never missed a chance to slide a glare at the Rohan woman.

As Berethor arrived in the main hallway, he looked around to look for a man fitting Aragorn's description: Rugged, fairly dirty, and around the age of thirty, or so it would appear. Elegost, being a Ranger himself, was somewhere in his seventies, as far as Berethor knew, but looked like he was no older than thirty-four or so.

The hall had many people loitering around, though they were mostly soldiers and village people from Edoras and other cities; not people you'd expect to be a Ranger. Up ahead, Berethor saw Morwen entering the dining hall, and went to go after her. But before he could call to her, his eyes froze on someone.

He saw one man sitting at a table, rubbing his face in a tired manner. He fit the description of the man he searched for, and ironically, had an uncanny resemblance to Elegost. This man also looked as though he had just been thrown off a cliff into a river and carried away by the rapids (I couldn't resist LOL). Approaching slowly, Berethor walked up to the bruised man.

"Greetings," He said in a cordial manner. The man looked up, and offered Berethor a tired but friendly smile. "I am Berethor. I have been told that I could find Aragorn, son of Arathorn here. Are you him?" He continued. The man nodded.

"Yes," Aragorn said. "I am him." He indicated for Berethor to sit down on the bench across from him, and Berethor obliged. "Why were you looking for me, Berethor?"

"I was told that you knew the whereabouts of Lord Boromir, my captain. I have followed you and your fellowships progress since you left Rivendell, though I have lost track of you many times." Berethor explained. A look of sorrow flashed across the Ranger's face.

"Berethor," He said. "I am sorry, but I bear only ill news concerning your captain." Berethor felt as though an icy hand was squeezing his heart. He knew what was coming before Aragorn even said it. "Boromir is dead. He was slain by Orcs near the falls of Rauros. I am so very sorry." Berethor swallowed hard. He was honestly upset at Boromir's demise, but he was also wondering how in the name of the Gods he was supposed to tell Lord Denethor that his son was dead. Even though Berethor had the utmost respect for the Steward, he had his doubts about Denethor's mental stability.

There was no way this could end well.

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Okay, this is a very weak start, but I swear it'll get better!