Chapter 19
Adette's POV
When I heard the explosion, I grabbed Faina and Freda. I pushed them to the ground and covered them as the caves shook, rocks falling from the ceiling and from the walls. I could hear Freda's screams of fright from beneath me, and held her protectively against me to comfort her. Once the shaking ceased, I slowly crawled off of the two.
"Are you both alright?" I asked, looking them over. I was trying desperately to think good thoughts about Legolas, about my brother, Èothain, Gimli…
"We are fine Adette. You?" Faina looked to be looking me over as well, and I reassured her with a nod. I searched the caves with my eyes, scoping out any injured or shaken from the sudden explosion. Everyone seemed fine – and the door was busted open.
"Faina, I am going to the battle." I got to my feet, making sure that I had all of my weapons quickly before heading towards the door. A hand took my wrist gently and I turned to see Freda.
"I'm coming too."
"No Freda." I kneeled down in front of her. "You must stay with your mother and keep her company."
"But what about Èothain?" I saw tears rising in her small, blue eyes. I hesitantly went to put a hand on her shoulder but stopped.
"I will bring him back. I promise." The girl then threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. She squeezed a few tears from my eyes, and I held her back tightly. I made a soft sobbing noise by her ear and quickly pulled away before I could cry. I offered her one last smile before running through the door.
There were parts of the castle walls that were crumbling a bit, pieces of rock lying in the middle of the halls and on the stairs. I ran faster than I ever had before, and reached the top of Helm's Deep in record time. I stopped when I reached the top of the stairs, a gasp escaping my throat as I surveyed the area. Uruks were fighting elves and men alike, swiping swords at each other. The dead lay strewn across the stone, arrows protruding from their chests and limbs hanging on by a tendon.
I looked out over the wall and saw that a mass of warriors were fighting, the barren fields stained with the blood of both beast and man. I saw the hole made from the explosion, thanking God that it hadn't brought down Helm's Deep.
Suddenly I heard the sound of a boy calling for help. I recognized that voice although I had only heard it very few times.
"Èothain." I breathed, running in the direction of his voice. I turned the corner and saw that he was battling four Uruks while defending what looked to be a person lying face down behind him. The darkness shielded my eyes from seeing any further than that. He saw me coming and I thought I saw him breathe a sigh of relief. "Pick on someone your own size!"
The Uruks all turned simultaneously at the sound of my voice. They all had the looks of a decaying piece of flesh colored ashen black with tangled, knotty hair and sharp teeth. They all carried blades and I was thankful to not see a bow.
"The lady wants to play." One of them growled. "Well then let's play."
I charged at them, swinging my sword about. I heard the blades crash and was angered furthermore to see two of the Uruks still trying to kill Èothain. He was defending himself pretty well, but he was tiring. He rolled underneath one of the Uruk's legs and lunged out with his blunt blade. It went through the Uruk's back and came out the other side. He let out a strangled cry before falling over.
Meanwhile, I fought off the other two Uruks who had ganged up on me. I trapped one in a corner, sending my sword through his shoulder, and cutting downwards to detach his arm. As I heard the other one advancing from behind I ducked and kicked my leg out, making contact with what felt like the creature's abdomen. I turned slightly to see him fall on his back. Èothain descended on him quickly, stabbing him in the middle of his chest.
I then turned back to the other Uruk, who lashed out at me with the back of his hand. I flew into the opposite wall, feeling a gash on my cheek. The damn thing was wearing gauntlets, and sharp ones at that. I ignored the blood and waited patiently as the Uruk ran at me. When he got closer I stepped to the side and got behind him. I then brought my sword down vertically and watched the two separate halves fall down.
"Èothain." I went to his side and helped him to extract his sword from the Uruk's chest. He fell back on his butt, breathing heavily. "Are you injured?"
"No…but…" He pointed to the person he had been defending, and I looked to see my worst fears come alive. Even face down I knew who it was. His long, blonde hair was strewn across his back, tangling with his quiver. I saw that near the top of his head, some of his hair was marred with blood.
"Legolas!" I screamed, getting up and rushing to his side. I turned him over on his back, watching his chest for his breathing. The darkness, again, worked against me. I leaned over, despite the sharp pain from my wound, and pressed an ear to his chest. He was alive, but knocked unconscious.
"Milady, what should I do?" Èothain asked tiredly, coming to my side. I looked up at him, seeing that he was exhausted. I quickly thought of a plan, and went into action. I pulled Legolas's arm around my neck and hoisted him up, my free arm around his waist. His head lolled against my shoulder, his hair tickling my neck.
"Èothain, I need you to come with me. Do you know the way down to the caves?"
"Yes milady, I do."
"Good. I need you to stay in front of me, we're going to the caves. If we're ambushed by any Uruks," I motioned to Legolas with my head, "I need you to drag him to the caves while I fight. Can you do this?"
"I think so milady."
"Èothain, please call me Adette." I insisted, offering a smile. On the inside I was screaming but I couldn't worry the boy. He returned the smile and began to lead the way down to the caves. He walked quickly and I tried my best to keep up. How Legolas found it so easy to carry me as much as he did, I didn't know. Although, elves were perfect.
As we neared the stairs I saw an elf fighting bravely many feet away. When he turned his head I saw that it was Haldir. He must have spotted me, for his eyes grew wide and he rushed from where he stood to where I was.
"Adette, I thought you wounded." He said, eyeing Legolas's still form.
"I am, but I'm fine. Legolas is unconscious and I need to get him to the caves."
"I will help you." He began to move forward to take Legolas from me when I saw many Uruks heading towards us. Haldir saw my frightened eyes and turned to see them approaching. "Go, I will hold them."
"Haldir-"
"Go!" He urged me, turning on his heel. I watched as he ran into the huddle of Uruks, fighting just as bravely as I had seen him only moments before. I watched only a moment more before following Èothain down the stairs.
It was difficult to rush down the stairs while supporting Legolas. Èothain saw my struggle and returned to help me. He took his other arm and put it around his own neck and so I took my arm from around his waist. We then hobbled down the stairs.
"You're a brave boy Èothain." I said softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Thank you. You are a brave woman, the only one I've seen fight. My mother and sister don't fight." He sounded ashamed of them, but I was quick to defend them.
"Nonsense, you should have seen them in the caves. Your mother kicked two guards and Freda wanted to come to battle with me to help you."
He looked up at me with a surprised look on his face.
"Really?"
"Really. You must remember that although they don't always fight like men do, they are still brave women."
We reached the bottom of the stairs and we regained our normal positions. As we continued down the hall I heard Legolas groan from beside me. I turned my head to see him trying to lift his, but it merely lolled against my shoulder.
"Adette." He whispered weakly, his head falling back. I watched his eyes roll back in his head and gently tipped his head forward once more.
"Rest Legolas, I have you. Everything is fine." I assured him quietly. Although I was still angry with him for leaving me in the caves, he was injured and it would have been wrong to take advantage of him.
"Adette…please for…forgive…me."
"Hush Legolas, we can argue later." We had nearly reached the caves, and I continued to urge Legolas to rest while he continued to try and apologize to me. When we finally got to the door I rushed to find Faina and Freda.
"Èothain!" Faina threw her arms around her son, hugging him close. Èothain hugged her too, dropping his sword to the ground. "Are you alright?"
"Adette saved me." He said as he pulled back. Freda tackled him to the ground, and Faina looked up, smiling gratefully at me until she saw Legolas. She frowned and helped me to lower him on his back.
"What happened?" She asked, placing a bundle of clothing beneath his head.
"He was hit in the head with something. I'm not sure if he's injured anywhere else, but he was speaking pretty clearly moments ago." I ripped off a piece of my tunic and wrapped it around his head. "Would you please stay with him?"
"Of course Adette." Faina was already going through her things to find a bowl, ordering Freda to fill it with water.
I bent down again and kissed Legolas on the forehead, being mindful of the place he had been hit. I then rose to my feet and I was on my way once again. Although instead of returning to the top of Helm's Deep, I stopped in the room where the castle doors were. Théoden, Aragorn, Gamling, and Gimli were all standing in there.
"Adette!" Aragorn did a double take when he saw me, and rushed towards me. "How did you get out?"
"The door was blown open. What is going on? Where is Haldir?" I watched Aragorn's face fall and I knew that he was dead. I hung my head. "He died defending me."
Aragorn lifted my chin, shaking his head.
"He died defending us." He looked around, his eyes suddenly becoming troubled. "Legolas?"
"He was knocked unconscious, and I took him back to the caves along with Èothain."
"The fortress is taken. It is over." Théoden said suddenly. Aragorn whipped around and left me to stand before him.
"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it." He argued nobly. "Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?"
"Wait…get out? I just took Legolas down there!" I cried, turning to go back. Gimli grabbed my arm and I turned back to face him.
"Calm down lass." He murmured, still holding my arm gently.
"There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many." Gamling answered solemnly. Aragorn grabbed his shoulder.
"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance." He ordered. I marveled at my brother's leadership skills. He really would make a great king someday.
"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" Théoden continued to wallow in despair.
"Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them." Aragorn said, turning to face Théoden. His eyes sparkled in the light of the room as he spoke.
"For death and glory?"
"For Rohan. For your people."
Gimli then tugged my arm and I looked to see what he wanted. His eyes were raised, looking out the window. I looked as well and saw that daylight was beginning to pour through the window.
"The sun is rising." He announced.
"Yes. Yes! The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep, one last time." Théoden said passionately, beginning to regain his self confidence. Gimli cheered from beside me, and I smiled. "Let this be the hour when we draw our swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath. Now for ruin. And for the red dawn."
Gimli, Gamling, and Théoden raced to go and sound the horn and to ready their horses. Aragorn came to me, taking my hand into his.
"Adette-"
"Aragorn, I have to go to Legolas. Faina can't carry him herself, nor can Èothain. What if they drop him or forget him?" I felt tears in my eyes. "Please Aragorn, I love him."
"Adette I know, and that's why you have to ride with us. If you love Legolas then you will help us protect the people so that the Uruk-hai can't hurt them." He squeezed my hand. "Come."
I nodded and he led me out into the main hall. I looked up to see daylight continuing to break, praying that the sun would rise up high into the sky so that I could lay eyes upon it. Aragorn let go of my hand to saddle his horse, and I did the same.
"Gimli, you ride with me." I told him, saddling Arod. I lifted him up onto the front of the saddle easily and climbed on after him. I steered Arod and halted him right beside Théoden.
"Forð Eorlingas!" He cried.
We then rode down the causeway and into the depths of the Uruk army. I stared ahead at the sea of black, swimming with torches and shining swords. I then lifted my eyes to see a familiar white horse on the top of the hill. Gandalf raised his staff high into the air, and a new ray of hope shone through for us. I saw behind him that Èomer and his men were behind Gandalf, and watched proudly as they rode down the hill and into battle.
I rode into the Uruks, swinging my sword at those who dared to approach Arod. Thoughts of Legolas filled my mind, thoughts of Faina, of Freda, of Èothain, and of Haldir. I had to fight on for them so that they could be protected. I had to fight the Uruk-hai, or else Frodo's cause would be made harder. I gritted my teeth angrily and beheaded a passing Uruk.
Gimli just cheered me on, encouraging me. He used his axe to attack an Uruks that I missed with my sword.
"You teach 'em lass! Get revenge for all they've done to you!" He shouted over the sounds of swords singing and yells of agony. I looked down and he turned his head to grin at me. I grinned back, and lifted my head to see something that made my heart jump at least fifty feet high – the Uruk-hai were retreating.
"Stay out of the forest! Keep away from the trees!" Èomer warned loud enough for all to hear. I watched as the Uruk-hai vanished into the forest and the trees groaned. They swayed back and forth, and I heard terrible sounds emerging from the trees.
"My final count is 43." Gimli said proudly when I had lowered him from the horse. I followed pursuit and watched him smile sadly. "But the elf isn't here for me to boast to," he then looked up towards Helm's Deep and smiled, "or perhaps he is."
I whirled around to see all of the women and children coming from the opening of Helm's Deep, standing in a large group before the causeway and in the front, supported by Faina, was Legolas. I ran from where I stood and began towards the causeway as I watched Legolas stagger forward. We met in an embrace, most of his weight collapsing onto me but I didn't mind. I kneeled down, holding him in my lap.
"Legolas." I whispered as his head rested on my chest.
"Adette." He tipped his head back and I brushed my lips over his for a moment, but he used his remaining strength to pull me back for a deeper kiss. I heard the women laughing, and some ran around us to their loved ones.
"Legolas, Gimli's final count is 43." I told him when our kiss ended.
"Same."