Hi guys! Next chapter up and it's the start of the battle! You'll find out Haldir's fate in this one. . .hope you enjoy!
Review responses;
Dinosaur Imperial Soldier – That's okay, it happens to all of us! And you'll find out Haldir's fate in this chapter.
MajesticLunicorn – Smooth. Very smooth. I'll let you off with that nice rewview. Love it!
Defending the Keep
Later that night, the men and elves are soon lining up on the battlements and the wall, facing the oncoming Uruk-hai, hearing them shouting and rumbling as their torches get closer. Looking down the line, my gaze catches Haldir's and we give each other reassuring nods before turning to look back out.
"Argh. You could have picked a better spot." I hear Gimli grumbling from beside Legolas.
Looking past Legolas, I grin as I see the only thing that is peeking from above the wall if the top of Gimli's helmet. Glancing at the elf next to me, I have to bite my tongue to keep my laugh from bursting forth as I see the mischievous grin on his face.
We glance back at Aragorn as he appears behind us.
Gimli looks up at him. "Well lad, the luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."
There is rumble of thunder and flash of lightning.
"Your friends are with you, Aragorn." Legolas says to him.
"Let's hope they last the night."
Aragorn pats their shoulders and squeezes my hand before he walks back down the line of elves to his position just as another rumble of thunder is heard and lightning flashes just before the rain starts pouring, the drops clattering on the metal armour.
The troops of Saruman walk forward, carrying torches and long spears, getting closer and closer. I could only imagine how the poor women and children are feeling right now, the fear they must be feeling. . .
"A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas!" I hear Aragorn shouting out to the elves.
The Uruk-hai stop at the command of their leader. Each side standing and glaring at each other in the rain.
"What's happening out there?" Gimli asks as I see him hopping up and down, trying to peer over the wall.
"Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?"
I grin at the obvious teasing in Legolas's voice before Gimli starts laughing. That's when the Uruks begin pounding their spears and roar. Lifting my bow, I notch an arrow onto it along with the other archers as we prepare to fire. Suddenly, an arrow whizzes past from one of the men, hitting one of the Uruks
"Dartho!"
Everything goes silent, as the orc falls down, dead. After a few moments, the Uruks roar in anger and charge.
As the army below runs forward, the elves and I prepare to shoot our arrows at Aragorn's call.
"Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc." Legolas says to the elves around us.
"Leithio i philinn!"
The bows are released and the Uruks showered with arrows.
"Anybody hit anything?" Gimli asks as we continue to fire.
The order from the men is called and more arrows are shot from them.
"Tangado a chadad!"
"Send them to me! Come on!"
Many Uruks fall dead from our arrows, until the Uruks suddenly shoot arrows back. Elves die aruound me, one falling from the wall and into the crowd of Uruks. The elf to my right falls into me as he is shot. Taking hold of him, I see he is already dead and gently lower him to the ground before continuing to fire as the Uruks begin putting up ladders.
"Pendraid!"
"Right!" Gimli says, preparing his axe as I translate for him.
The Uruk-hai climb the ladders. I swap my bow for my dual blades as the others take out their own swords just as the Uruks climb over. I slice my blades, killing any that get close.
"Legolas, two already!" Gimli shouts out.
"I'm on seventeen!" Legolas brags.
"Argh! I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!" he then swings around and as an Uruk stands on the wall, hits him in the privates, sending him to fall before Gimli can kill it.
"Nineteen!"
I just grin at the two of them as I continue fighting, staying by Gimli.
"Northway! Nauthannen!"
Looking to the walkway, I see the Uruks marching upon the gate, shields surround them from above and the sides to protect them. The elves shoot, and many of the Uruks fall down.
"Togo hon dad, Legolas! Dago hon!"
Looking to see what Aragorn is shouting about, I look over the wall and sees an Uruk-hai running towards the wall, a torch in hand. I take out my own bow and shoot a couple of arrows as well, but none of them take him down. He continues to run before throwing himself at the wall. The next thing I know, part of the wall to my right explodes, sending rock, water and dirt into the air, along with bodies flailing, including my own and Gimli as we fall back. The back of my head slams against the ground and I black out.
At the explosion, Legolas looks up as he sees rubble and dirt soaring into the air, cursing to himself that he couldn't stop the Uruk in time. As he fights the Uruks around him, he heart stops as he sees Faron fall to ground along with Gimli, neither of them moving.
Not being able to reach her as the Uruks surround him, he panics, thinking the worst, until he breaths a sigh of relief as he sees Faron shake her head before moving to Gimli, who waves at her. Relieved the both of them are alright, he continues with the fight.
Waking up a few moments later, I shake my head of the daze I am in and rush to Gimli who is laying next to me.
"Gimli? Gimli, can you hear me?" I ask as I shake him.
He groans as he waves his hand. "I'm alright. I'm alright."
He sits up before suddenly shouting Aragorn's name. As he jumps up, I look back and see Aragorn was also flown back in the explosion as he sits up. Hearing Gimli roar, I turn to him and my eyes go wide as I see him jump off the wall, straight into a horde of the Uruks.
"Gimli!" Aragorn and I shout at the same time.
Looking over the wall to him, I see him standing in a small pool of water, attacking and getting attacked by the Uruks. Aragorn leads the elves around him to charge the Uruks and getting to Gimli. Relief coursing through me, I turn that to anger as I stand and continue the fight, seeing out of the corner of my eye, Legolas tossing a shield and rides it down the stairs, shooting arrows as he goes. I grin as I remember the last I saw him do this as the Company and I escaped Mirkwood. He still has a knack for showing off.
It is now long into the night and the fight still continues without a sign of stopping. I know Aragorn said there were ten thousand Uruks, but the fight seems never ending, the Uruk-hai seem to appear from nowhere, you take down one and three seem to take its place.
I suddenly hear Théoden shouting something to Aragor, what I cannot hear properly as my main focus is on the Uruks. Hearing Aragorn call for Haldir and I, I look to him as he gives the order to pull back. I nod and shout at the elves around me to fall back to the keep. Looking around, I freeze as I see Haldir staggering from getting attacked, not noticing an Uruk stalking behind him, weapon poised to strike.
"HALDIR!" I scream out as I rush forward.
He looks to me as I near him and push him away as the Uruk swings down. Raising my now crossed blades up, his sword strike my blades hard, sending painful vibrations through my arms. Not able to push him off, he forces me to my knees, growling and sneering at me until Aragorn runs up behind him, stabbing him in the back and allowing me to push his sword and cut his head from his shoulders. Aragorn tosses the body aside as I get to my feet, panting from the effort of keeping him back.
"Are you alright?" Aragorn asks.
I nod before turning to Haldir who is sitting against the wall, breathing heavily. Falling next to him, I see a stab wound on the right side of his waist, luckily it's not too deep, so not life threatening.
"You'll be fine, come on, on your feet."
Wrapping an arm around our shoulders, Aragorn and I get him to his feet before passing him off to two elves with orders to get him inside and patched up. Before I can leave, Haldir grips my hand. Looking to him, I see the fear in his eyes, not for himself but for me. I reach out and place a hand on his cheek.
"I'll be alright, I'll come back to you. I promise." Kissing his cheek, I send him off with the elves.
Watching them leave, I then turn to the Uruks, anger coursing through me at the thought of them almost killing my brother. I have already lost two brothers, they will pay for trying to take a third. Punching an Uruk from a ladder, Aragorn grab it and push off, falling back into the swarm below. Taking out my blades, I jump up and begin swinging at them, managing to kill a few before Aragorn pulls me back and I follow him up the stairs, meeting Legolas at the top.
Aragorn and Gimli, along with a few elves, go to the gate while Legolas and I head to the wall above it. As we fight the Uruks around us, the ones on the ground shoot massive claw hooks which grip onto the wall so they can raise larger and thicker ladders, allowing more Uruks to attack.
Noticing Legolas aiming an arrow at the ladders, I stay be his side, attacking any Uruks that decide to get close until he shoots and snapping the rope, sending the ladder and the Uruks squealing and crashing to the ground.
After a few moments, I hear him shout Aragorn's name and see him tossing a rope over the wall. Guessing he is down there, I help him pull on the rope after commanding the elves and men with us to cover for us. A couple of men help Legolas and I pull Aragorn, who I assume has Gimli from the weight, up and over the wall.
"Fall back! Fall back!" Gamling suddenly shouts.
There's a sudden crash as the Uruks break through the gate.
"They have broken through. The castle is breached! Retreat!" Théoden orders.
"Fall back! Retreat! Retreat!"
"Hurry! Inside! Get them inside!" Aragorn shouts out, pushing Gimli ahead of him as we run to the castle.
I stand by the doors, fighting off the Uruks with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and a few others, giving the remaining men and elves a chance to get inside. Once the survivors have made it, those of us still outside run through the doors, Aragorn being the last before the men slam the doors shut.
Haldir lives! Honestly, how could I let him die and have more hurt put onto Faron? I couldn't do that to her! Please stay tuned for the next chapter, which will end the Two Towers! Woohoo!
Translations;
"A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas!" - Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!
"Dartho!" - Hold!
"Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc." - Their armor is weak at the neck and under the arms.
"Leithio i philinn!" - Fire!
"Tangado a chadad!" - Keep firing!
"Pendraid!" - Ladders!
"Togo hon dad, Legolas! Dago hon!" - Legolas, stop him! Kill him!
"Nan barad! Haldir! Faron! Nan barad!" - Pull back! Haldir! Faron! Pull back!