Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings but I do own Tigerlily.

Chapter 12

Battle for Helm's Deep

Aragorn watched the men and boys of Rohan as they put on their armour and received their weapons. He closely examined a sword then threw it back on the pile. He sighed and turned to look at his friends. Gimli and Legolas were watching the men; Tigerlily was looking at her feet. Try as he might he hadn't been able to convince her to go to the caves with the other women and children. "Farmers, farriers, stable boys," he said, "These are no soldiers."

"Most have seen too many winters," grumbled Gimli

"Or too few," added Legolas. He started pacing the room and looking at the men. His eyes were dark and cold and made Tigerlily feel uncomfortable. "Look at them," he said, "They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes." Silence fell upon the room. Everyone was looking at the elven prince who was questioning their courage. "Boe a hyn: neled herain... dan caer menig?" said Legolas, changing back to his native tongue.

"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras," said Aragorn.

"Aragorn," barked Legolas, "Nedin dagor hen ú-'erir ortheri. Natha daged dhaer." Tigerlily's eyes filled with disbelief as Legolas said the last words. Ha had no faith in these people. He expected them to die. "Then I shall die as one of them!" shouted Aragorn. He stormed off. Legolas turned to face Tigerlily and Gimli. The look on Tigerlily's face was one that he would never forget. It was one of complete disgust. "What about me?" she said, "Do you expect me to die too?" She walked past him. Legolas caught her arm in an attempt to talk to her. "You disgust me," she said softly before pulling her arm from Legolas' grip and walking outside.

The wind was colder than she had thought. She raised her hands to her eyes to wipe away tears. How could Legolas think such a thing? She had as much chance of dying as these men. He had said that he loved her, yet he said he expected her to die. She tried to stem her tears as she climbed up to the wall but she couldn't. Sobs tore through her body and she couldn't stop them. What was with her? She rarely cried yet she had cried twice today. Her memories drifted back to that fist kiss in the trees of Amon Hen. She remembered how safe she had felt, how warm and loving Legolas' arms were. She placed her hands on the cold stone, feeling her blood chill. Out of the blackness around her, a hand came and covered hers. "I'm sorry for what I said," said Legolas' voice, his warm hand closing around her ice cold fingers, "I don't want you to die." Tigerlily looked up and met Legolas' blue eyes. "Why do you have no faith in them?" asked Tigerlily.

"I…I just don't see how it's possible," he said.

"My mother once told me, 'With a little faith and hard work, you can achieve anything you want'," said Tigerlily, "I have faith in these people. I have to."

"I'm sorry," said Legolas, his eyes filled with sadness. Tigerlily gently drew him into her eyes. His arms wound themselves around her tightly. His forehead rested on her shoulder as she gently stroked his hair. Tigerlily turned her head and buried her face in his neck. "Legolas," she said, "I'm scared." She sniffed back a few tears and inhaled Legolas' scent. "It's alright," said Legolas, "I'll protect you." He lifted his head and looked at her. He could see the fear she had been trying to hide. He gently kissed her. Her hand slipped around his neck as the kiss deepened. His lips gently played with hers, driving her wild with desire. She whimpered gently. "I love you," said Legolas, "But we have to find Aragorn." Tigerlily nodded.

They found Aragorn putting on his chain-mail. Legolas had adopted little armour and Tigerlily had borrowed none. She was relying on her own skill to defend herself. Legolas was very unsure about it but trusted her judgment. Aragorn didn't hear Legolas and Tigerlily enter. He was surprised when Legolas handed him his sword. "We have trusted you this far," said Legolas, "Forgive me, I was wrong to despair."

"Ú-moe edhored, Legolas," replied Aragorn. Gimli entered grunting slightly. The three looked at him. "If we had time, I'd get this adjusted," he muttered. He dropped the chain-mail and it hit the floor. "It's a little tight across the chest," he stated, embarrassed. Being around all these humans only reminded Gimli of some of the disadvantages of being a dwarf. A horn sounded in the distance. Legolas looked at the passage that led outside. "That is no orc horn," he said before running outside with the others following. Theoden was starting in disbelief at an army that stood before him. "How is this possible?" he said. An elf walked forward, it was Haldir. "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell," he said, "An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago, we fought and died together. We have come to honour that allegiance." Aragorn ran down the steps from the hall and embraced Haldir. "You are most welcome," he said.

"We are proud to fight alongside Men once more," said Haldir.

"Oh, they look thrilled," said Tigerlily, looking at the Elves expressionless faces. Legolas gave her a gentle warning hit with his hand to her stomach. "Mae govannen, Tigerlily," said Haldir, noticing the young woman, "I am glad to see you are well." Tigerlily smiled. She turned and went back inside. She sat down on a bench, lost to her thoughts. She was the only woman left outside the caves now. All the others had gone to safety. She felt sort of lonely. She was surrounded by her friends and allies but she felt lonely. Like she had when she had lived in Bree. She missed her mother and her father. She missed her brothers and her sister-in-laws. She missed her nieces and nephews. She had missed them growing up. She wondered why Aragorn had taken her away. Why had her parents not told her why? What had that orc been talking about? Aragorn hurried past her. "Aragorn!" she said. He stopped and walked backwards a few steps to her.

"What is it, Tigerlily?" he asked, patiently.

"I want to know why you took me from my parents," she said, "I don't want to die not knowing." Aragorn let out a sigh and sat down beside her.

"My dear Tigerlily," he said, "I wish I could tell you but it is not my place to. I'm afraid the reasoning will have to wait until the time is right. I taught you that much, didn't I?"

"You did," said Tigerlily, disappointed that she hadn't received an answer. It wasn't that surprising. Aragorn always tried to avoid the subject. He carried on his way and left Tigerlily, once again, on her own. She stared at her hands. "If I didn't know better, which I don't really, I'd say he was protecting you," said Theoden. Tigerlily raised her head and looked at the king. "Hello, Theoden King," she said.

"There's no need for all the formality," said Theoden, "Just call me Theoden." Tigerlily nodded. "I'll be honest with you Tigerlily," he said, "You are one of the first of our Enedwaith neighbours I've ever met. You don't journey beyond your own lands much."

"No," said Tigerlily, "Just me and my father."

"Yes, your father, Meryn Solaris?" said Theoden, "Tall man, dark hair, blind in one eye, a little cocky sometimes?"

"That's my papa!" said Tigerlily, "Only he's had grey hair all my life."

"I met him when I was a lot younger," said Theoden, "He said he was traveling north to find a wife. I never saw him after that."

"Well, I can tell you that he went up to the Shire and met my mother, Rose," said Tigerlily, "He married her and brought her back to Enedwaith. And here we are forty-nine years and seven children later." Theoden laughed.

"I hope to one day see your father again," said Theoden.

"So do I," said Tigerlily.

"I'm sure you will," said Theoden. He gently patted her on the shoulder and left.

Tigerlily shivered as she stood on the wall, next to Legolas. Legolas noticed and took one step to the side so he was pressed against her. His touch brought her some warmth and made her shiver for a completely different reason. "You could have picked a better spot," grumbled Gimli, feeling insignificant because everything around him was made for tall people. Aragorn came up towards them and Legolas quickly stepped away. "Well, lad," said Gimli, "Whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."

"Your friends are with you Aragorn," said Legolas.

"Let's hope they last the night," said Gimli. At that moment the heavens opened and clod rain fell onto the background. "It's not that bad," said Tigerlily, "Maybe the orcs will get stuck in the mud and be sitting ducks." Legolas and Aragorn laughed gently at Tigerlily's comment. The rain was rapidly wetting her hair and it was starting to fall into her eyes. Aragorn moved on and spoke loudly to the nervous elves. "A Eruchînú-dano i faelas a hyn, an uben tanatha le faelas!" he shouted. A Uruk-Hai outside Helm's Deep roared.

"What's happening out there?" he barked.

"Shall I describe it to you?" asked Legolas.

"Or would you like us to find you a box?" said Tigerlily, shivering from the cold again, "Brrr! I'm freezing!" Gimli laughed at the box comment. Somewhere amongst Theoden's men, a hand slipped. An arrow flew and hit an Uruk-Hai in the neck. The Uruk groaned and fell to the ground. "Dartho!" cried Aragorn. There was a moment of silence where no one not even Aragorn dared to breathe. Then the Uruk-Hai's charged towards Helm's Deep. "Tangado a chadad!" called Aragorn.

"Faeg i-varv... dîn na lanc a nu ranc," muttered Legolas.

"Right," replied Tigerlily, fitting an arrow in the small Rohirrim bow she had borrowed. She focused her sight on the Uruk that was stood on a rock. He seemed pretty far away but Tigerlily had learnt that distance meant nothing if you put your back into it. "Leithio i philinn!" called Aragorn. Hundreds of bows sang as arrows were released. Tigerlily successfully hit her target and she felt immensely proud of herself. "Did they hit anything?" asked Gimli. A volley was sent from Theoden's men. Many more orcs fell to the ground. "Send them to me!" roared Gimli, "Come on!" The Uruk-Hai still ran forward. Tigerlily vaguely recognized the dark objects they were carrying. "Pendraith!" she cried, "Aragorn, they're a little more prepared than we thought!" Aragorn ran amongst the Elves, shouting the warning, "Pendraith!"

"Good," muttered Gimli, finally he was going to be useful.

"Swords! Swords!" cried Aragorn. Tigerlily threw aside her bow and drew her sword. The Uruk-Hai ladders slammed against the walls of the Deep and the Uruk-Hai quickly climbed them. They attacked the soldiers on the battlements. "Legolas!" cried to Gimli, "Two already!"

"I'm on seventeen," replied Legolas.

"What?" said Gimli, "I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me."

"Nineteen," cried Legolas.

"I think you two should concentrate more on killing them than how many you have!" cried Tigerlily.

"Tigerlily, look out!" cried Legolas. Tigerlily turned to find a large Uruk-Hai behind her. It knocked her off the wall into the Deep. Legolas quickly shot it and looked down. Tigerlily had climbed to her feet. She stumbled, slightly dizzy from the blow. She noticed she was standing in a large pool of water. She looked and saw the drain. An Uruk-Hai was grinning at her through the metal. He stepped back and two more came forward and lodged a heavy, spiked metal ball into the drain. Tigerlily was confused. One of them laughed and said simply, "Boom!" Of course, they were Saruman's orcs. This was one of his wizard devices. "Aragorn!" she cried, "They're going to blow up the wall!" Aragorn looked out and saw an Uruk carrying a flame. "Togo han dad, Legolas! Dago hon! Dago hon!" he cried. Legolas fired at the Uruk-Hai but it jumped into the drain and the bomb exploded. Tigerlily jumped out the way as the wall exploded and Uruks poured through. Tigerlily reached for her sword, but couldn't find it. She instead found her elven daggers. She drew them, climbed to her feet and started to fight off the Uruks. Gimli jumped off the wall and into the water, just in her peripheral vision. "Gimli!" she cried. He had disappeared beneath the surface. She fought off the orcs. When they had left her alone and focused more on the elves, she took a rough guess. She plunged her hand into the water and pulled something up. It roared. "Oops," she said, realizing it was in fact an orc. On her second try she managed to find Gimli. "Are you stupid or just plain crazy?" she barked at him. "Thought you were in trouble," said Gimli.

"I'll take that as stupid," said Tigerlily. Theoden's voice filled the air.

"Aragorn!" he called, "Fall back to the Keep! Get your men out of there!"

"Nan Barad! Nan Barad! Haldir! Nan Barad!" called Aragorn. Tigerlily grabbed Gimli's arm and dragged him away. She handed him over to two elves before returning to help Aragorn. He was facing away from her, calling to Haldir. Tigerlily's eyes widened as she saw a Uruk stab Haldir in the stomach. Haldir killed the orc only for another to hit him in the head. Haldir fell to the ground. Aragorn ran up to him. He was too late. Haldir was dead. He sadly left Haldir and went with Tigerlily to help Theoden.

Theoden stood with his men, urging them to hold the orcs off. "Hold them!" he cried.

"How long do you need?" asked Aragorn.

"As long as you can give me," said Theoden. Aragorn nodded and tapped Gimli and Tigerlily on the shoulder. He took them down a side passage. They came through a door to the side of the Causeway. "Come on," said Gimli, "We can take them."

"It's a long way," said Aragorn. Gimli looked at the leap.

"Toss me," he said.

"What?" said Aragorn and Tigerlily.

"I cannot jump the distance! You'll have to toss me," he said. Aragorn took hold of Gimli's clothes and nearly threw him. "Oh!" said Gimli, "Don't tell the elf."

"Not a word," said Aragorn.

"My lips are sealed," said Tigerlily. Aragorn threw Gimli across and jumped over himself, shortly followed by Tigerlily. They managed to hold the orcs off long enough for Theoden and his men to brace the doors. "Gimli! Aragorn! Tigerlily!" called Theoden, "Get out of there!"

"Aragorn!" Legolas' clear voice was heard. Tigerlily looked up. Legolas threw down a rope. Aragorn grabbed Gimli and held onto the rope. Tigerlily clung to Aragorn as they were pulled to safety but her hands slipped and she fell. Legolas hardly dared to breathe but Tigerlily grabbed the very end of the rope. Aragorn and Gimli were able to haul themselves over the wall but Tigerlily was worn out from her falls and beatings. Legolas pulled her over the wall out of the reach of orc arrows. She collapsed against him. Her heart was pounding and adrenaline was flowing through her veins. "Are you alright?" he asked. Tigerlily nodded, "Yes, I think so." There was a crash below them. A soldier cried, "They have broken through! The castle is breached. Retreat! Fall back! Retreat!" Tigerlily stood up straight. Legolas gently traced her cheek. "Legolas! Tigerlily!" called Aragorn, "Retreat!" Tigerlily drew away from Legolas, regretting it as his warm touch disappeared. She walked away toward to the hall. She knew Legolas was right behind her. She just wanted to hide in Legolas' arms and be lost in their warmth and strength but she really needed to fight. If the orcs weren't defeated here, they could turn their attention to Enedwaith. She couldn't allow that to happen, she never would allow that to happen.

Elvish translations

Boe a hyn: neled herain... dan caer menig? – And they should be…300 against 10,000?

Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras. – They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras.

Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-'erir ortheri. Natha daged dhaer. - Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!

Ú-moe edhored, Legolas. - There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.

A Eruchînú-dano i faelas a hyn, an uben tanatha le faelas. - Show them no mercy, for you shall receive none.

Dartho! – Hold!

Tangado a chadad- Prepare to fire!

Faeg i-varv... dîn na lanc a nu ranc. - Their armor is weak at the neck... and under the arms.

Leithio i philinn- Fire the arrows!

Togo han dad, Legolas! Dago hon! Dago hon- Bring him down, Legolas! Kill him! Kill him!

Nan Barad! – To the Keep!