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Disclaimer: I own nothing assoicated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 37: Battle

Arrows bombarded them and many men around Ana fell as they charged. She didn't dare pull her bow and arrow, for she knew her balance wasn't well enough for the speed they rode so she merely tightened her grip on her sword as the Rohirrim around her just shouted and charged on without hesitation and without doubt. The sunlight shined behind them as they charged and as the horns of the Rohirrim sounded she saw the orcs falter and start to retreat. She only smiled and prayed silently that all those she cared about would live to see the end of the battle.

Haldir stood anxiously on the deck of the boat he rode on with Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. He knew that Ana and the other men were more than likely already engaged in the battle, but he also knew that Ana was still alive. He could still feel her in him.

"What troubles you?" Aragorn asked as he stepped over to the Marchwarden. Haldir sighed and looked at the man.

"The same matters that trouble you, my friend," he said as he looked back at the shore they passed. "The others are probably in the heat of battle while we sail along the river in silent peace all the while readying ourselves for a battle that many of our friends will not live to see the end of." Aragorn put his hand on Haldir's shoulder.

"Many will live, not all will be lost. We will be there within the hour and with the men of the mountain fighting with us, the win will be swift," Aragorn said. Haldir looked once more at Aragorn and nodded his head.

"Perhaps you are right, but every minute we take is a minute another soldier may fall." Aragorn lowered his hand and nodded. Haldir was right, but it would only be mere moments and they would soon be there to help defend Minas Tirith.

Ana growled as she slashed through another orc. The Rohirrim were doing well. "Drive them to the river!" Éomer shouted and the men were fighting hard.

"Make safe the city!" Theoden shouted and Ana glanced around and spotted Éowyn and Merry holding their own. She returned to her task at hand when a horn sounded behind her. She turned her horse and her eyes widened when she saw at least five elephant like animals coming towards them. Ana noted the large spikes tied around their ankles and long tusks and she knew that wouldn't be a pleasant fate to be struck by. "Reform your line! Reform the line!" Theoden shouted. Ana urged her horse over and put her in line with the other soldiers. Her breathing was labored as she waited for the others to strengthen the line and while she waited she sheathed her sword and drew her quiver. She was deadlier with her arrows and she knew Mildburh wouldn't let her fall. "Sound the charge! Take them head on! Charge!" Gamling blew the Rohirrim horn and with shouts and screams, the Rohirrim and Ana charged the large elephants.

She shot her arrows at the men that sat on top. She brought down many before she aimed for the mouths of the elephants as they screamed, however, that only seemed to anger them more as they charged on. She sighed and tucked away her quiver before she drew her sword and prepared herself to ride under one of the elephants when suddenly, she was knocked from Mildburh and crashed the ground. She slowly sat up and shook her head to fight away the dizziness. Something was coming towards her and she stood and held her sword out just in time to block a blow from an orc.

Haldir crouched down behind Legolas his bow in his hand the dock was quickly approaching and they were ready to fight by using the element of surprise. As the boats came to a stop his grip tightened on his bow. "Late as usual! Pirate scum! There's knife work here that need doing! Come on, you sea-rats. Get off your ships!" a voice yelled from shore and Haldir smiled to himself.

Aragorn jumped from the ship followed by Gimli, Legolas, and Haldir. Haldir stood proudly with a fierce look upon his face. The orcs seemed startled at first but then they smiled when they only saw the four of them standing there. Gimli shifted his axe and grinned before he spoke to Legolas and Haldir.

"There are plenty for the three of us. May the best dwarf win," Gimli said and the four of them charged. The orcs just smiled but their smiles soon fell when the dead army made its way over the water and shore.

Ana swung her blade and brought down yet another orc, but she had not gone unharmed. She pushed with her left hand on the gash that was across her middle. She paused for a moment and took a deep breath when she heard a hissing voice.

"You fool. No man can kill me. Die now," the voice said and Ana turned around and saw a large black figure holding a rider by the throat. Ana's eyes widened when she saw Theoden laying under his dead horse his breath labored and it did not take a genius to see that he was dying. Ana began to walk over to help the rider when she was attacked again. She fought the orc and then another and as she turned to aid the rider she was jolted by a wave that came from them. She steadied her feet and saw Éowyn fall to her knees in front of the crumbled black figure.

"Éowyn," Ana whispered before she moved to run. However, before she could take two steps she was whacked in the back of the head by a flying Rohirrim shield and she fell to the blood soiled ground as she was enveloped by darkness.

The fight raged on. Legolas had taken down a large mumak with little effort and Haldir fought just as fiercely. Soon, the dead army had the upper hand and every last enemy was slayed.

Haldir stood and looked around the quieted battlefield and took slow deep breaths. He saw Gandalf, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Éomer were well, but he did not see the one he wanted to. As Aragorn released the army of the dead Haldir moved through the soldiers that had fallen all the while opening he would not find Ana among them. Suddenly, the screams and cries of someone broke through the silence around them.

"No!" the voice screamed. Haldir turned and saw Éomer running towards a fallen solider and it only took Haldir one glance to know that it was Éowyn. Haldir's eyes widened as he watched Éomer cradle her in his arms as he shook his head and cried out once more. Haldir's turned away from them and feverishly began his search once again.

Ana sighed as she slowly opened her eyes. She blinked several times and winced at the sharp pain in her head and in her stomach. Ana stood slowly and propped herself up with her right arm while she pressed her hand to the wound on her stomach. She closed her eyes and let out a heavy breath. It was oddly quiet around her now and she once again opened her eyes and looked around. The enemy laid dead all around her as well as men riders. She shifted and sat up too look around further when a familiar voice echoed in the air.

"Ana!" his tone was urgent and she moaned quietly as she turned her head to the right and saw Haldir looking around. His back was to her at that moment and she took a slow breath.

"Haldir," she said quietly and his head turned quickly before he turned completely around. His eyes widened at seeing her and he ran to her. The next thing she knew he was kneeling before her and raised his hand to her neck and held it gently.

"Ana, where are you hurt?" he asked quickly and she pulled her hand away from her stomach and showed him her blood filled palm. He sighed and when he pulled his hand away from her neck, blood was on his hands. "Ana?" he asked and she sighed.

"Something hit me in the back of the head," she said quietly as another waive of dizziness hit her and she braced herself on his forearm with her right hand. "Haldir, I think . . ." she trailed off before her eyes rolled back and she collapsed back and into his arms.

"Ana!" Haldir shouted and looked down at her. "Ana!" he exclaimed once more and when she did not answer he swiftly picked her up and started to carry her to the city.