Chronicle 7

"By order of the King, The city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep." Théoden's chief guard, Háma, told the people of Rohan, "Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."

Nienna followed Aragorn down the stone steps.

"Helm's Deep!" Gimli exclaimed, "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?"

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn told him, as they entered the stables.

"Aragorn, There is no way out than that of ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap." Nienna said, "He thinks he is leading them to safety, but what he'll get is a massacre."

"Théoden has a strong hold but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan." Gandalf fixed Shadowfax's reigns, "He will need you before the end Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defences have to hold."

"They will hold." Aragorn assured him.

Gandalf turned to face Shadowfax and placed a hand on his mane, "The Grey Pilgrim. That is what they used to call me. 300 lives of men I've walked this earth and now, I have no time." He swung onto the horse, "Good luck. My search will not be in vain. Look to my coming, at first light, on the fifth day; at dawn, look to the East."

"Go." Aragorn spurred him on.

"Théoden knows what is best for his people."

"Legolas, he is backing them into a corner." Nienna argued with Legolas, "There is no way out from there. I fear for these people, just as if they were my own."

"If I recall correctly; you left your people." Legolas said.

Nienna shot him a glare. "We elves may be peaceful people, but we are not afraid to fight when needs be." she threatened.

They laughed together. She looked back at the line of men following them, "I wish them not to see harm; especially the children."

"That is why we are here; to protect them." Legolas replied.

She opened her mouth to say something when her ears pricked. Something was coming but whether it was friend or foe she could not tell. She knew that Legolas could sense it too. Her instincts told her to drop into a defensive stance. It was then she heard it; the scream. The two elves turned in time to see Háma being torn apart by a Warg.

Legolas shot the Warg and called out to warn the others, "A scout!"

"Legolas," Nienna turned him to face the warg troops coming the other direction. She knelt and they both fired arrows, killing a number. They could hear horses behind them as the men came to join the battle.

Legolas grabbed her arm and dragged her up, "Go."

"What?"

"Go… with the women and children."

"No… I fight!"

"Yes, so you must protect them; you are their only protection." Legolas looked up at Gimli coming towards him, "Go."

She shot him one last exasperated look and ran towards Éowyn. "Go! Make for Helm's Deep!" she shouted to the people. She and Éowyn looked at each other and then at the warriors. Théoden, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli each looked back at them momentarily. "Come." Nienna said quietly to her, pushing her onwards.

Nienna looked up at the fortress as she walked. She let down the small child from her back and lifted a bag off an old man. She and Éowyn walked side-by-side, but in silence; each wondering about the fate of the warriors.

There were many already there, waiting. She attended to any wounds the best she could with the limited supplies while Éowyn shared out blankets and food. Their attention was caught by the sounds of hooves on the stone pathway outside. They looked at one another and ran to the edge of the wall, looking over. They parted and ran down either set of stairs, pushing their way through the crowd.

Nienna reached Legolas as he dropped from his horse and threw her arms around his neck. After a moment she pulled back, embarrassed. "You are safe." she said.

"Yes," Legolas replied.

"And yet so few of you."

"Nienna…" Legolas tried to catch her attention as she looked round.

"Legolas," she turned to face him, "Where is Aragorn?"

His eyes dropped from her gaze. "Where is Aragorn?" Panic rose in her voice, "Legolas."

"I'm sorry," he said, apologising for his own inabilities, "I did not prevent it." He looked at her, "He fell."

She backed away; bile rising in her throat. She looked around frantically for proof that Legolas spoke true. Her eyes fell upon Gimli and Éowyn. Éowyn looked up at her and she felt her eyes welling. Her legs gave way and she felt someone strong catch her and lift her, carrying her into the inner fortress.

She was set gently on a bench and Legolas crouched until his face was just below hers. "Nienna," Legolas took her hand, "I feel the same pain that this lose brings."

Tears fell silently over her cheeks and Legolas reached up with a gentle hand to wipe them away. They fell harder and with them came sobs; retching cries. "Shall I get someone to attend to you?" he asked quietly and stood up.

She shook her head and grabbed his hand, whispering out, "Just stay." He sat on the bench and pulled her to him.

Two days later, she was walking through the people speaking with the old women. The young girl, Freda, took her hand. "Thank you; you helped me find mama."

She crouched down to the child's level, "Your mother is one of the most important people in your life; always remember that." She tickled the girl who giggled. She looked over towards Éowyn when she saw him; talking with Legolas.

Her breath caught in her throat. She stood and moved towards them. Legolas handed him the Evenstar and he replied, "Hannon le."

She tried to decide whether to hit him or hug him. In the end she threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him off his feet in his surprise, exclaiming "Aragorn!"

"You are a strange one," Gamling told Nienna later, as they sat eating.

"How so?" she asked.

"A woman, so far from home, and on her own," he tore his bread, "It is seldom heard of."

"Many elfish women have been known to travel far from home, fending for herself," she replied.

"But you are like a warrior."

"She is a warrior," Legolas spoke up, his blue eyes sparkling, "Nienna has fought many battles by my side."

"My lords," a servant entered the room, adding "… and ladies." as he noticed Nienna and Éowyn. "The King has ordered that every soldier prepare for battle."

"Thank you." Aragorn replied. The servant nodded and left.

"It is time." Legolas noted.

"How many must I kill to be on par with you?" Gimli asked Legolas.

"Let us start with a clean slate this evening." Legolas replied.

"Good luck Gimli." Nienna smiled at him.

"Do you not wish me luck?" Legolas asked, feigning hurt.

"You don't need luck." she laughed.

"Come." Aragorn rose from the table, "We must ready ourselves."

Nienna looked at the shoddy armour the men were to wear and their roughly made weaponry. It would not defeat a nymph.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys." Aragorn looked around himself, "These are no soldiers."

"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli replied.

"Or too few." Legolas added. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes." He looked at Aragorn, "Boe a hyn neled herain dan caer menig (And they should be. 300 against 10,000)?"

Cálena looked over her shoulder at them and the room went deathly quiet.

"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras (They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras)." Aragorn argued.

"Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hýn ú…" Legolas set his mouth in a firm line, "ortheri. Natha daged aen. (They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die)!"

"Then I shall die as one them!" Aragorn exclaimed, coming towards Legolas until they were eye-level.

"Stop it!" Nienna pushed them apart, "Stop it. These men are scared enough as it is; they don't need you to add to their fear." She glared at the two.

Aragorn turned and walked off. She shook her head and Legolas moved to go after him.

"Let him go lad," Gimli advised, "Let him be."

Legolas turned to leave and Nienna grabbed his arm. He looked down into her eyes. "Your friendship is worth too much," she told him, "Don't let the sun set upon this argument."

Legolas pulled his arm out of her grasp and stalked out of the room. She looked down at Gimli.

"Worse than dwarvlings." he muttered.

Nienna smiled weakly as she watched him walk away.

Nienna walked across the top of the fortress walls, inspecting their strength, wondering if they would hold. The sound of horn in the night made her jump and she pulled an arrow from its sheath. The horn sounded again and she realised she knew the sound well.

"Send for the King!" a man's voice cried form below her, "Open the gate!"

"They came…" she murmured to herself. She sprung over the edge of the wall onto the steps and ran into the courtyard. An army of elves marched through the gates led by Haldir. "I knew they would come."

Théoden watched in awe as more elves poured into the fortress, "How is this possible?"

Haldir greeted him, "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together… we come to honour that allegiance."

Aragorn rushed down the steps past Nienna, "Mae govannan, Haldir (Welcome Haldir)." He pulled him into a strong embrace, surprising Haldir and releasing him said, "You are most welcome."

Legolas and Nienna each embraced Haldir. "I knew you would not leave us to our fate," she told him.

Haldir pulled away from her, avoiding her eyes and looked at the men around him, "We are proud to fight alongside men, once more."