Chapter 19

Elizabeth stared straight ahead, staring at nothingness as she walked with Eowyn. She barely even listened to what Gimli was saying to Eowyn.

"It's true, you don't see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance that they're often mistaken for dwarf men." Gimli said.

Now THIS caused Elizabeth to snap back to reality.

"So how would a baby know which one was mother and father?" she asked. "What if the baby grew up calling their daddy 'mommy' and their mommy 'daddy'?"

Gimli frowned. "They tell us of course which one's which."

Elizabeth sighed. At the mention of parents and families, her heart ached for her own mother and father. Goodness knew what they were doing at the moment. She could remember that lullaby her mother would always sing to her. And although her father didn't really have a lot of time to spend with her, when he did, they would kick a soccer ball around. Her cousin Bart would always be telling her the funniest of jokes, if not the grossest and her grandmother would always bake her favorite cookies. Elizabeth turned her deadened and emotionless eyes on the many Rohan children who were playing with their friends. Several were being held close by their mothers or holding hands with their fathers. Elizabeth could barely remember the last time she'd felt her mother hold her like that. It seemed like it had been forever since she'd even seen her mother.

And no one seemed to care, either, that Elizabeth had no mother to hold her. The only person closest to her parents was Gandalf and that was barely close. Then again, there was Lord Elrond. He'd spoken and treated Elizabeth like he would to his own daughter. But he wasn't here with Elizabeth. He was far away in Rivendell. Haldir was like a brother, not a father and even he hadn't said anything to Elizabeth in a while. But maybe that was because he and his troops weren't exactly with them at the moment. Even so, Elizabeth's heart ached for her family. She'd give anything, yes anything to see them at least once more before she continued on her journey. But not even Gandalf could do such a thing. If he could, he would have already done so.

Suddenly, Gimli's horse sprang forward and he fell off, landing on his back and quite unable to get up.

Eowyn left Elizabeth in her place to help Gimli. Elizabeth stopped dead in her tracks and watched Eowyn as she smiled and tried to help Gimli to his feet. A horse stopped next to Elizabeth as she stood there.

"Elizabeth? Would you like to ride with me?" Aragorn's soft voice asked. Elizabeth looked up at Aragorn and nodded silently. Aragorn reached out his hand and lifted Elizabeth onto his horse.

Théoden watched Elizabeth silently.

"What is the matter, child? Are you ill?" Théoden asked.

"No, sir. I want my mommy and daddy." Elizabeth answered softly.

Théoden sympathized for the little girl. Noticing that the child was human, he thought that perhaps Gandalf had saved her from a village.

"Will you not see them at Helm's Deep?" Théoden asked. Elizabeth shook her head. "And why is that?"

"They live too far away. And I'll never see them again." Elizabeth answered.

"Where do your parents live?" Théoden asked, trying to help.

"London," Elizabeth said softly, tears forming in her eyes.

Théoden frowned. "I have never heard of this London."

Aragorn sighed. "She is not from this world. We call this earth Middle Earth. Where she is from, theycall their home'Earth'.

"She first appeared in front of a hobbit's home whom Gandalf was visiting. Gandalf took care of her until she began to exhibit certain signs of being someone that was meant to be in Middle Earth." Aragorn said, speaking lower. "She has grown on all our hearts. We cannot bear to see her harmed."

"And she has traveled all these ways from Hobbiton to Rohan?" Théoden asked incredulously.

"No, she was left behind in the forests of Lothlorien to train with the elves." Aragorn answered. "Her tutor in battle was the Marchwarden of Lorien."

"Surely you do not mean her to battle?! She is but a child!" Théoden exclaimed.

"It should be Gandalf's choice. But as he is unavailable, I shall have her stay with the women and children." Aragorn said.

"That is a good choice, my friend." Théoden said. "You would not want her dead before the end."

Elizabeth pouted. Gandalf had said that she could fight with he and Aragorn. No one was going to stop her from fighting at Helm's Deep. It was what she'd trained for.

The next morning, Elizabeth walked alongside Eowyn once more, and did not listen to their conversation at all. Her thoughts of Gandalf grew ever constant and she barely even noticed that Aragorn had run off until he came back over the hill.

"WARG!" He shouted. "We're under attack!"

"All riders to the head of the column!" Théoden shouted. He approached Eowyn and Elizabeth. "You must lead the people to Helm's Deep. And make haste."

"I can fight." Eowyn said stubbornly.

"No!" Théoden said. "You must do this for me. And for her."

Théoden nodded towards Elizabeth. "Fight and you will be leaving her alone. All her friends are fighting; she has no one left at the moment."

Eowyn nodded reluctantly and pulled her horse towards the front of the people to lead them on.

Aragorn quickly mounted a horse and rode forward with the other riders, glancing only once at Eowyn and Elizabeth before turning away.

Eowyn held tight on Elizabeth's hand so that she would not be able to follow. With the entire crowd moving around them, the horse spooked and Elizabeth's hand was free from Eowyn's as she tried to calm the horse.

Elizabeth ran to a nearby rock where she could see her friends, but where was Aragorn?

Legolas and Gimli were calling out his name and Elizabeth was becoming to believe the worst. Had another of her friends left her behind? Elizabeth watched as Legolas, Gimli and Théoden walked over to the cliff and looked down.

He had fallen off the cliff, she just knew it. Elizabeth couldn't take it anymore. One by one all her friends were leaving her behind. It had started in Moria, when Gandalf had gone. Then the rest had left her in Lothlorien. Then Gandalf came back and Haldir became her friend. Then Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli came back. But Merry and Pippin had left to go with some other person.

Frodo and Sam had left while Elizabeth had been in Lorien and now Gandalf and Aragorn had left.

Feeling tears stinging her eyes, Elizabeth ran along the cliff looking for a way to get to the river. No one would notice her missing because no one cared anymore.

"Make way! Make way for Théoden! Make way for the king!" a man shouted. Eowyn hurried through a side passage and looked to her Uncle.

"So few. So few of you have returned." She said breathlessly.

Théoden looked hesitant to answer.

"Our people are safe." He said after a moment. "we have paid for it with many lives."

"Is Elizabeth with you?" she asked. Théoden turned back to her, his eyes wide and worried.

"She went with you, is she not here?" Théoden asked.

"A horse spooked and she pulled out of my grasp. By the time I turned around, she was gone." Eowyn admitted.

Théoden sighed. "I can spare no soldiers to look for her. She must find her way on her own."

Eowyn looked angrily at her uncle but turned away as he turned to help one of his men.

"My lady," a voice called.

It was Gimli. He had taken his helmet off.

"Lord Aragorn," she said. "Where is he?"

"He fell." Gimli said, obviously trying not to cry. Eowyn was shocked. Two, today that were in her heart and care had fallen.

Aragorn awoke to a horse kissing him on the mouth. Ugh. What a wonderful thing to wake to. He would have rather it been Arwen instead of Brego, his horse, but hey, at least he knew his horse loved him too.

"Brego," he moaned. Little did he know that where the river came to the dry land that lead to Helm's Deep, a small girl was running away to look for him.

"Aragorn!" she cried.

Aragorn frowned. His imagination must be wild. But the horse backed off and Elizabeth's face came into view.

"Elizabeth?" he whispered.

"Come on, you hafta get up, Aragorn. They need you at Helm's Deep." Elizabeth said. But Aragorn moaned softly and wouldn't budge.

Elizabeth growled. "Lazy bones."

She stood back and let the horse kneel down next to Aragorn. Aragorn pulled himself onto the horse and Elizabeth mounted also, sitting herself in front of Aragorn.

They rode along through the fields and plains in silence. Even though he was in a state of half conscious, half unconscious, Aragorn had a protective arm around Elizabeth as she watched the scenery. But it was as they rode past some large rocks that Elizabeth heard something akin to the stomping of thousands of feet. They passed the rocks and both Elizabeth and Aragorn's eyes widened at the many thousands of Uruk-Hai approaching.

At this awful sighting, Aragorn seemed to wake up and he urged the horse on faster as he held Elizabeth closer to himself.

It seemed to take forever to get to Helm's Deep and Elizabeth kept Aragorn awake constantly so he wouldn't fall off.

"Are we there yet?" Elizabeth asked loudly as she noticed Aragorn's eyes falling. Aragorn's eyes snapped open and he looked around.

"No Elizabeth, not yet. A little further."

Elizabeth folded her arms and pouted. "That's what you said a trillion minutes ago."

FINALLY, Helm's Deep was in sight and Elizabeth found herself clapping for joy. Her butt ached because she'd been sitting on a horse for a long time. And she was starving. Aragorn simply smiled and pat his horse on the side.

"Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn. (Well done, Brego my friend.)"

Aragorn rode into the gates of Helm's Deep and dismounted, carrying Elizabeth. She turned herself around so that she could see the people in front of Aragorn and not behind.

"Where is he?! Where is he?!" a voice yelled. "Get out of the way, I'm going to kill him!"

Elizabeth giggled. Gruffness such as that could only be found in the voice of Gimli. Gimli looked up at Aragorn and Elizabeth.

"You are the luckiest, the canniest and the reckless man I ever knew." Gimli said. "Bless you laddie."

Elizabeth giggled as Gimli hugged both she and Aragorn. Gimli looked sternly at her.

"And you, young lady," Gimli scolded, brandishing a finger. "You should never run away like that. Everyone's been worried about poor little you!"

And in a lower tone he added. "But it was a good thing to do since no one else was brave enough."

For that he earned a soft shove from Aragorn and a hug from Elizabeth.

"Gimli, where is the king?" Aragorn asked softly. Gimli nodded in the direction and Aragorn grabbed Elizabeth's hand and began dragging her away. Elizabeth turned around and waved to Gimli as she was dragged away from the dwarf. Her back was turned to Aragorn so she was walking backwards. When Gimli was out of sight, Elizabeth turned around to walk properly and almost walked into someone a good deal taller than her. Elizabeth's reaction was something akin to that of someone looking up and noticing that they're standing in front of a brick wall AKA surprise.

"Le ab-dollen. (You're late)" Legolas said. "You look terrible."

Elizabeth giggled loudly this time, causing Legolas to notice the small girl. He smiled down at her. Legolas put something in Aragorn's hand and smiled.

"Hannon le (Thank you)" Aragorn said softly. He held Elizabeth's hand and led her through the doors and towards the king. Elizabeth was told to sit at one of the tables and eat while the king and Aragorn spoke. She listened somewhat to their conversation and her ears perked up when she heard Aragorn's words of terror.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose. To destroy the world of men."

Elizabeth gasped and she locked eyes with Aragorn.

"They will be here by nightfall." Aragorn said, not taking his eyes off Elizabeth.

Elizabeth held Théoden's hand as they walked through Helm's Deep. She munched on an apple slicewhile the king gave out orders.

"I want every man and lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall." Théoden ordered. He felt a tug on his sleeve and looked down at Elizabeth.

"King Théoden, sir, Galadriel and Haldir trained me. Can I fight too?" Elizabeth asked.

Théoden glanced at Aragorn before kneeling down and resting his hands on Elizabeth's shoulders.

"My dear," Théoden started. "You are too young and fragile to fight. Besides, you do not want to die, do you?"

Elizabeth shook her head seriously. Gandalf, nor Galadriel, nor Haldir had never mentioned dying.

"There," Théoden said, standing. "Then it's settled. You will stay inside with the women and children."

Théoden looked to one of the soldiers. "Take her inside with the women and children. Make sure she is safe."

The soldier nodded and took Elizabeth's hand.

"What's your name?" Elizabeth asked as they were walking.

The Soldier seemed startled by her question.

"My name is Hama, miss."

"Wow. How old are you?"

"24, miss."

"Why do you keep calling me 'miss'?"

"Because it is what I am supposed to do, miss."

"Well don't call me miss."

"Whatever you say, miss."

"I told you not to call me miss!!!"

"My apologies, my lady."

"AGH!!" Elizabeth yelled, frustrated.

"Where are you taking Elizabeth?" a female voice asked suddenly.

Elizabeth stopped and looked up at Eowyn. She had never really taken the time to realize how pretty Eowyn looked. Even in civilian clothes, Eowyn looked like a princess. Elizabeth's heart panged. She used to play 'Castle' with her mother. Her mother would be the big evil bad scary dragon and she would be the princess. The princess would defeat the big evil bad scary dragon and it would turn into a prince. Her thoughts were constantly falling on her mother and father, her family. Elizabeth shook the thought from her mind and returned to the present.

"Into the caves, my lady." The soldier answered. "The king ordered her to stay there during the attack."

Eowyn looked down at Elizabeth and saw much of herself in the little girl. Elizabeth, too, had not been allowed to fight. Why would her uncle not see it? Women had just as much reason to go to war as men did.

"Give her to me," Eowyn said. "I shall take her."

The soldier nodded and released Elizabeth and walked away.

Elizabeth was bored. Eowyn had left her alone to tend to the other Rohannian women and children. She sighed loudly. Nothing happened. But there were a lot of people. Elizabeth wondered why all of them weren't fighting. And some of them were sad too.

Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth stood and crept outside. She wandered around until she saw Aragorn putting on armor—funny looking armor that looked like chain thingies.

She watched as Legolas handed him his sword and Gimli looked around for some armor. Gimli came forward trying to put the armor on.

"We had time, I'd get this adjusted." He grumbled.

Finally he got the armor past his chest.

"It's a little tight across the chest." He said. Elizabeth giggled out loud causing the three friends to look in her direction. She froze as Legolas approached her.

Covering her eyes with her hands as Legolas kneeled in front of her, she said, "You can't see me!"

Legolas chuckled and removed Elizabeth's hands gently from her face.

"What are you doing out here, little one? You are supposed to stay with the women and children."

Elizabeth looked away and rocked back and forth on her heels. "I was…uh…bored…YA, Bored!" she said.

Legolas arched an eyebrow at that but only smiled. Suddenly a horn blew.

"That is no orc horn." Legolas said. Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"HE'S HERE!!!" she shouted. "HE CAME, HE CAME!!!"

She ran out of the armor room and down the steps and headed towards the place where king Théoden stood.

"How is this possible?" Théoden asked as the leader of the army bowed.

"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together." The leader said. His eyes turned to three figures who came running down the steps. It was Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Behind them, Elizabeth hid behind the stone wall, watching him.

"We come to honor that allegiance." Haldir finished.

"Mae govannen, Haldir! (Well met, Haldir!)" Aragorn greeted. He hugged Haldir and Haldir smiled. "You are most welcome."

Legolas and Haldir greeted and the elven army turned and faced the king.

"We are proud to fight along side men once more." Haldir said. He heard a soft giggle coming from behind the small wall. He watched the wall silently until a little head poked out and then quickly pulled itself behind the wall once more.

Haldir smiled, signaled his army and friends to wait and silently crept up the stairs. He poked his own head around the small wall, startling Elizabeth and causing her to let out a short scream. He grabbed her and picked her up, holding her in his arms as an elder brother would a little sister.

Théoden looked shocked. "You know this child?"

Haldir smiled. "Know her? I trained her, my lord. She is a little sister to me."

"Then perhaps you could return her to the caves. She is not to fight." Théoden said sternly.

Haldir frowned. "She is trained to fight. I taught her everything I know."

"She is too young." Théoden simply responded. Haldir glared daggers at the king.

"If you wish her not to fight, than have one of your own soldiers return her, not I." Haldir said.

Théoden nodded. "Very well. Hama, take the child back to the caves and make sure she stays there."

Hama nodded. "Yes sir."

Elizabeth was taken from Haldir and carried away.

"Haldir!" she cried, reaching out with one hand. Haldir could not disobey one of the king's men, though. He had to keep the peace. As much as he despised Theoden's decision at the moment, he could not go back.

((Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to update. I know you probably don't want to hear my excuses but I had a real problem this time! I preordered Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Extended Version and it came 2 days later than I had expected. And I needed it to continue writing. It came yesterday, so I decided not to wait any longer and just upload this chapter instead of allowing myself to get ahead. It turns out that there are a lot of extended parts so I had to change a huge chunk of my plot!

Thanks to everyone for reviewing and I hope I'm not taking too long. I'll try to update in a few days since I have two weeks of no school starting tomorrow!! Happy Chrismahanakwahnzika!!! I don't blame you if you can't read the word I just typed.

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!))