Disclaimer: I own nothing except the original characters. Everything else belongs to Tolkien.
A/N: As usual the things in bold are spoken in Elvish.
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After arriving at Helms Deep, Brianna is shown to the keep where her troop will prepare to care for the injured and wait for the battle to begin. Once things are done to her satisfaction, Brianna slips out to the wall. As she makes her way through the mixture of Rohan soldiers, old men and young boys her chest tightens knowing that many will not live through the night.
Brianna stops to speak with several of the Elves she knows as she makes her way up the line of Lorien archers. She steps in between Rumil and Orophin and looks out at the approaching orc army with fear. "Promise me you two will be careful tonight."
Orophin places his hand on her shoulder. "As long as you promise us the same."
Brianna nods before turning her attention back to the mass of evil before them as it thunders closer. She shudders involuntarily at the sight as lightening streaks across the sky. Realizing its probably time to return to the keep she turns and hugs Orophin. "Be safe," she whispers. As she turns to Rumil, she notices Haldir walking up the line.
Haldir has just finished making a final inspection of his troops and is returning to his position on the wall. Fear grips his heart when he sees Brianna standing with his brothers. The orcs are close enough that she is in danger if they begin their attack. He uses his millennia of training to mask his fear for her safety as he stops in front of her. "Shouldn't you be with your command in the keep, Captain?" he questions.
Brianna takes a deep breath to keep from lashing out at his tone. He is her superior and any reaction would be outright insubordination. And now is not exactly the time for personal matters, not with the enemy in sight. "Yes, sir. I needed to see what we were up against so that we were not caught off guard. I was just returning to the keep," she replies calmly.
Haldir gives her a curt nod and she turns and hugs Rumil. "Keep him safe," she whispers.
Rumil kisses her on the cheek. "I will," he says before pulling away.
Rain begins pouring down and Brianna glances at Haldir one last time as she passes him, knowing that this may be the last time she sees him alive. Thankfully the rain disguises her tears from the three brothers.
Haldir watches her leave and then looks out at the army of orcs. "If our defenses do not hold and we fail…" He looks over at his brothers with a look in his eye that scares even them. "Do whatever you have to do to protect her from the torture they will inflict upon her if she's caught."
Rumil looks at his brother wide-eyed. "Haldir! I cannot do what you ask!" he whispers harshly.
"You would leave her to that kind of torture!" Haldir questions, his voice dangerously low.
"No ,but…"
Orophin places his hand on Rumil's shoulder. "Look around. We are trapped if they break through our defenses, and no one will make it out alive. You know what they would do to a female…" he trails off.
"I understand," Rumil whispers.
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Brianna watches from the inner wall as the soldiers are ordered to ready their bows. She finds the brothers and sends a silent prayer to the Valar as Aragorn gives the order to release their arrows. Valandil rests a comforting hand on her shoulder as orc arrows fly through the air toward the Men and Elves, many hitting their target. Brianna closes her eyes and turns her head away from the sight. "Start retrieving the wounded," she orders, choking back a sob.
Valandil leads her inside and soon she is kept busy as the injured are brought in. A couple of hours into the battle a large explosion rocks the entire keep.
"What was that?" Valandil questions in surprise as he steadies a water pitcher that's in danger of falling off a table.
"They've breached the wall," Brianna whispers in fear. She knew it would happen and that they would be safe inside the keep but it doesn't stop her from being scared out of her mind.
Brianna finishes stitching a wound and turns to see Rumil walking over to her soaked in blood. "Oh my God, Rumil" she gasps and searches him for any wounds. "Where…?"
"It's not mine, Bri," he tells her as he tries to wipe some of the blood off his face and hands. "Huor's arm is almost severed completely."
Brianna turns and moves to the bed their friend is lying on and Rumil follows her over to the unconscious elf. She checks Huor's vital signs and then begins to examine his arm. She immediately calls out orders to the nearby healers as she begins preparing for surgery.
"Will he be alright?" Rumil questions hopefully.
"Honestly, I don't know, Rumil. He's lost way to much blood but so far his vitals are still strong. If I can get the bleeding under control he may have a chance. Do you know anything about your brothers?"
He nods. "They were both well before I came to the keep." He readjusts his bow and quiver and draws his sword. "I should return to the battle."
Brianna turns from her patient and hugs Rumil tightly. "Be careful."
Rumil kisses her on the cheek before pulling away and heading out the door.
Another couple of hours pass and after she's unable to save the life of a boy no older then the age of fourteen Brianna's had enough and needs a break. She checks on Huor and then starts out of the keep but Valandil stops her at the doors. "It's not safe out there."
"I don't care. I need to get out of here," Brianna says. "I just need some air."
"Then I will go with you," Valandil says as he grabs his weapons. They walk out of the keep and Brianna gasps at the sight before her. A large portion of the outer wall is completely gone and scattered warriors are surrounded by masses of orcs. Bodies of both orc, men and Elves are strewn everywhere as the fighting goes on around them.
She hears the order to retreat to the keep and then her breath catches in her throat when she hears Aragorn call from below her for Haldir to retreat. She frantically searches the wall for Haldir and spots him just as he is stabbed in the side. Brianna screams and then sees an orc approaching Haldir from behind with his sword raised.
"Haldir! Behind you," Brianna screams. She watches in horror as Haldir manages to avoid the blow and kill the orc but is struck in the chest by an orc arrow and collapses to his knees. Haldir looks up and his eyes lock with hers for an instant before he falls backwards. Brianna tries to get to him but Valandil and a couple of nearby guards drag her back into the keep.
"Let me go!" she yells as she fights to get away from them.
"You can not go out there! There is nothing you can do for him. That arrow was to the heart. His death would be quick," Valandil says sadly.
"No!" Brianna shouts. "No!" she yells over and over through her tears until she collapses into Valandil's arms, her whole body shaking with grief..