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Chapter 11

Helm's Deep

Tigerlily rode silently on Arod as they carried on their journey to Helm's Deep. She didn't say a word to Legolas and Gimli. It was a very solemn journey, a silence for Aragorn. The great fortress of Helm's Deep stood set into the side of a mountain. There were guards walking on the outer wall. One of them recognized Theoden as the party rode up the causeway. "Make way for Theoden!" cried a soldier, "Make way for the king." The horses rode through the gates and their riders dismounted. Éowyn ran up.

"So few," she said, "So few of you have returned."

"Our people are safe," said Theoden, "We have paid for it with many lives." Gimli left Legolas' side and approached Éowyn. "My lady," he said, quietly.

"Lord Aragorn," said Éowyn, "where is he?"

"He fell," said Gimli. Tigerlily climbed down from Arod and quickly walked away. Legolas followed her. Tigerlily pushed her way through the people with Legolas following her. Tigerlily didn't stop until she came to a small, empty hall. She fell to her knees and truly cried. They were not the stifled sobs from earlier. Tears were pouring down her face and she had no control. She was breaking down. Legolas stood for a moment in the doorway, watching her. The sound of voices made him turn around. Two guards were stood nearby, staring at Tigerlily. Legolas slowly closed the door, blocking their view.

He stood there for a long time, watching her cry. He could do nothing and he hated it. He hated not being able to stop her pain. He hated that she was feeling pain. He hated that she should be forced to feel hurt. When her tears slowed, he went up to her and gently touched her shoulder. She put her hand over his and gripped it. She turned and stood up to face him. A tear was on her cheek. Legolas gently wiped it away with his thumb. His hand lingered on her cheek. She lifted her own hand and traced his ears to their pointed tips. He took her wrist and brought it to the front of his face. He gently kissed her fingertips and placed her hand over his heart. "You don't have to feel pain alone, you know," he said, "I've known Aragorn a good many years before you were born." Tigerlily remained silent and rested her head against his chest. A few tears fell from her eyes. Legolas knew Tigerlily saw Aragorn as like a second-father so he couldn't even begin to imagine the pain she was feeling. He just knew he didn't want her to feel it. He wanted to protect her from it. "Come," he said, "We must find Theoden." The two walked in silence back to the main hall. Tigerlily watched as the doors opened and Aragorn strode in as if he hadn't been gone. Legolas saw him too. The pair walked up to him and blocked his way. He looked up, saw them and took a surprised step back. "Lle ab-dollen," said Legolas.

"You look terrible," said Tigerlily. Aragorn laughed and pulled Tigerlily into an embrace. When he released her, he turned to Legolas. "Where is the king?" he asked.

Legolas led the way to another small hall where Theoden was stood with Gamling. Aragorn told him what he had seen. "A great host, you say?" said Theoden.

"All Isengard is emptied," replied Aragorn

"How many?" asked Theoden

"Ten thousand at least," said Aragorn. Tigerlily looked down at her feet, knowing it would be a miracle if they could win. "Ten thousand?" repeated Theoden, in disbelief.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose," said Aragorn, "To destroy the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall."

"Let them come," said Theoden. He left the hall. Aragorn followed him. Theoden was heading out to watch the preparations for the attack. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall," he barked to one soldier as he headed towards the gate. He stood on the causeway. Aragorn, Legolas, Tigerlily and Gimli followed him out. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above," he said, "No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg!"

"This is no rabble of mindless orcs," said Gimli, "These are Uruk-Hai. Their armour is thick and their shields broad."

"I have fought many wars," snapped Theoden, "Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep." Theoden left to go back to the Hornburg. Aragorn and the others followed him up to the battlements. "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock," said Theoden, "Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be re-sown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages," said Aragorn, "They come to destroy its people, down to the last child." Theoden turned to face Aragorn.

"What would you have me do?" asked Théoden, "Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to worthy of remembrance."

"Send out riders, my lord," said Aragorn, ignoring Tigerlily's elbowing him in his side in an attempt to make him stop digging himself into a hole, "You must call for aid."

"And who will come?" snarled Theoden, "Elves? Dwarves? Enedwaith?"

"We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead," hissed Theoden.

"Gondor will answer," said Aragorn confidently.

"Gondor?" said Theoden, "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon…! No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone." He turned and left Aragorn and the others on the battlements.

Aragorn quickly took charge, helping the soldiers to organize themselves. "We'll place reserves along the wall," he said, "They can support the archers from above the gate."

"Aragorn, you must rest," said Tigerlily, "You're no use to us half alive."

"I appreciate your concern, Tigerlily," said Aragorn, "But I'm fine."

"You just had a near-death experience," said Tigerlily, "You are not fine!"

"You sound just like your mother," said Aragorn.

"Don't bring my mother into this and don't change the subject!" said Tigerlily, firmly. Éowyn came marching up to Aragorn. "Aragorn!" she said, "I'm to be sent with the women into the caves."

"That is an honorable charge," said Aragorn, softly.

"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return," said Éowyn, "What renown is there in that?"

"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown," said Aragorn, "Who then will you people look to in the last defense?"

"Let me stand at your side," she said.

"It is not in my power to command it," said Aragorn.

"You do not command the others to stay!" said Éowyn, "They fight beside you because they love you. Because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you!"

Éowyn realised what she had said. "I'm sorry," she said. She pushed past Aragorn and left for the caves. Aragorn watched her go and then turned to face Tigerlily. "Two things," said Tigerlily, "One, get some rest. Two, not a hope in Mordor of me going in those caves."