For Disclaimer please view Chapter 1.
Author's Note: Hi everyone! I decided to let the Elves join in at the battle at Helm's Deep, as it will help with future story development. Sorry to those who would rather I stay more in tune with the book and leave them out of this battle. The battle scene will be short to non-existent in this chapter. Thanks to all my reviewers and I hope you enjoy this chapter. –Kersi-
Chapter 15: Tirn and the Fallen
Aragorn looked at them from the distance. He felt the pang of jealousy as he watched Legolas take Aurel into an embrace; it had not bothered him so much before when they were in Lothlorien. Legolas and Aurel had become inseparable then, coming and going together, his only guess was that they were lovers, what else would he expect? A journey such as the one they were undertaking, was straining, and to cling on to that which you knew best was understandable. Being the only Elves it was natural for them to be re-forging a bond. But why did Aragorn feel this jealousy? Was he not the one who pushed for Legolas to try and comfort Aurel when no others could? Was he not also the one who encouraged Legolas to persuade Aurel in matters that he, himself, could not anymore? He continued to look at them and shook his head in disappointment of himself, trying to will his separation from this jealousy that was taking hold of him. But he could not, for so many years Aurel spared only attention for him, and no other. His thoughts grew dim, especially with the recent departure of Gandalf. Gandalf, who had told him to look for his coming at dawn, had gone in search of aid in Gondor. He had ridden swiftly away and left Aragorn in more doubt and confusion that he cared to admit. Aragorn held on to the hilt of his sword.
Gimli's laugh could be heard close by and Aragorn turned around to see what he was laughing at, finding Gimli looking straight at Aragorn. "What is the reason for such hearty laughter at a time like this Master Dwarf?" he asked.
"You have the same look on your face that the Prince-ling had around the guards who dared to look at Lady Aurel when we first came to Meduseld."
Aragorn tried to brush it off. "We better start heading outwards, where is Eomer?" He walked past Gimli in haste. Gimli began to chuckle to himself, proud to have been right.
The ride towards Helm's deep was a silent one. Eomer had asked that Aragorn ride along side him, as they had promised to do the first time they had encountered one another on the plains of Rohan. Gimli rode with Legolas and Aurel rode on her own, a horse given to her by Theoden-king. She had appreciated the gift, especially after the way he seemed to have looked down upon her for being female and for wielding a weapon. Not only did she ride alone, but she chose to ride in the back of the formation, she did not wish to cause any more trouble than she had already brought, and to be put ahead of other men would have brought that trouble she was trying to escape from. Legolas, from time to time, would look back to her, and she would catch his eyes for a second before looking away. Every being present felt that they were riding towards an already written fate, what hope did they have against an army bent on the destruction and annihilation of everything in their path?
On their way into the fortress, the army of Sauron was already near by, and their grunts and cries could be heard not too far off. Not having yet rested from the trek, the men began to bring out more weaponry, and more armour, locking all main entrances with large wooden planks.
Legolas stood together with Gimli as they looked up from the highest point. The lit torches of the orc and uruk-hai made it seem like a river of fire was heading their way. "What I would not give for the skill of the Mirkwood Archers." said Legolas. Gimli grunted.
Aurel had stayed close to Aragorn and helped him put on more armour. She never once looked him straight and Aragorn stopped her. "Are you ready for this night sister?" He held on to her hand. She nodded her head and looked at him in question. His head dropped, his voice lowered. "I do not know if I am ready, if any man here is ready."
Aurel took her hand and lifted his gaze up to hers. –Why do you doubt yourself?-
"You taught me how to wield a sword; can you teach me how to wield this fear inside?" He took the hand that was placed under his chin and smiled, "You are not meant for this, you are meant for better things than war, if I knew it would do any good I would ask you to leave this place. But, I would rather have you near than have you far and not know how you fared." Now it was he caressing her face, "There is strength in you that I will never have, the same strength your sister has… all I ask is that you stay by my side this night."
-It would not have been otherwise- Thought Aurel.
Interrupting them, Legolas came running in, "Aid has arrived, come and see!"
Aurel and Aragorn looked to one another and then followed Legolas out the doorway and out into the open of the fortress. Some wooden planks were being removed from the main entrance and what seemed like an army was being let it. It was a host of elves. Aragorn's eyes lit up with hope and Aurel's whole being was filled with joy as she saw the leader of this host. –Tirn- She thought.
"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 honor that allegiance." Haldir said proudly and looking towards Theoden.
Aragorn was the first to greet them and nearly knocked into Haldir. "You are most welcome!" he exclaimed and embraced him. Haldir, not being used to this human way of expression, smiled worriedly.
"We are proud to fight alongside Men once more."
Legolas and Aurel walked down the steps to join them, as they approached Legolas smiled and clasped Haldir's shoulder in thanks, while Aurel waited patiently.
"Hiril Nin, cast away my fears and tell me you are not here to fight." said Haldir.
"She is stubborn and will only do as she pleases." said Legolas.
Haldir went to say something, but the horn of the orc army approaching interrupted and everyone was reminded that this was not a joyful reunion. Nor would it turn out to be as they had expected. The battle began and they fought hard during the night, nearly losing will but regaining it swiftly and when all seemed to be lost, Gandalf arrived as he had promised at dawn. Theoden had shown his courage as had they all.
During the battle Aurel had been separated from Aragorn, and nearly everyone she knew. The only one she could still see was Gimli, there were many fallen around her, and a slow throbbing in her chest warned her that something was wrong. She went to Gimli and scanned his body for injuries, he huffed. "I am intact Lady, stop handling me so!"
She quickly left him in search for the others, it was a sea of bodies she was walking through- orc, men and elves, alike. –Many prayers will have to be said this day-
Her fears were consumed her when the throbbing become stronger and she went in search a little faster. There was only so much she could do in her state, she was tired and weary, and the stench of death made her ill. Until at last she did find them, Gandalf, Aragorn, and Legolas, all together, though something was wrong. Legolas was kneeled on the ground and held a body in his arms, Aurel quickly rushed to him. –Legolas! Are you hurt?-
Aragorn quickly stopped her reaching to Legolas, "Aurel." He embraced her and held on to her tightly, "You are alive." Aurel had not cared to think that they would worry about her. Gandalf held a look of woe, and Aurel pushed herself away abruptly from the embrace.
-Legolas?-
At first, Aurel believed the body that Legolas held close to him was a fallen comrade, but she noticed right away that the body still moved, and it was an elf he held. A young elf it was.
"You need to help her." said Legolas.
Aurel thought nothing of it; she immediately dropped her sword and knelt next to Legolas, examining the body. –She has lost too much blood, her wounds are deep…- she continued to scan the body, and tore away at pieces of clothing, taking the armour this elf wore off. Suddenly, the pain consumed her and she held on to her chest as if suffocating.
Aragorn went to her noticing her pain, "You are injured?"
-Something is wrong.-
The elf lying on the ground gave out a moan and Legolas's attention was once more diverted. Aurel took a deep breath and resumed her concentration on the body. –We must get her to the houses of healing- Even her thoughts were causing her to strain, and she put her fingers to her temples to try and calm herself, but the throbbing, the feeling of suffocation were still there, and she began to tremble.
"Enough Aurel, you are not well." said Aragorn, pulling her away.
Legolas, too involved in worry with the elf he held in his arms, could not do anything but watch. –Legolas! Get her to the houses of healing! - She commanded and held out her hands. –Something is terribly wrong, I can feel it- It was then she noticed that she had not found one of those she had been looking for, and that was Haldir.
She looked at Aragorn and Gandalf, and then she asked Legolas, -Haldir…where is he, have you seen him?-
Legolas looked confused and he looked towards Aragorn, "She asks for Haldir." Was all he said, and he tried to calm the moans the elf he had in his arms, was letting out. "I must get to the houses of healing." He lifted the elf into his arms, "Aurel," he looked grieved, "You must help her."
"She is exhausted; she would be of more harm than help!" argued Aragorn in her defense.
Aurel shook her head trying to ignore what was happening around her. –Where is Haldir?!-
"Please Aurel." asked Legolas.
"Are you not listening!? There are many fallen here, many injured, to ask her to help one over the other…" said an angered Aragorn.
"Enough!" bellowed Gandalf.
-Tirn? - She pulled herself away from the grasp of Aragorn and began to search for Haldir.
"Aurel!" shouted Legolas. Aragorn followed her.
Gandalf looked at Legolas, "Take your friend to the houses of healing, we will meet you there." Gandalf went after Aragorn and Aurel.
Aurel began to take off her armour as she walked looking for Haldir, she scanned all the bodies on the ground, crying as she went along, she could feel that he had fallen. The feelings had become clear to her. Every time Aragorn tried to get a hold of her she would push him away. When she found Haldir, she fell to her knees, and cradled him to her. His fair complexion was pale, his lips blue, his eyes closed, his clothes stained with the blood of orc and elves and men. His Golden hair was dulled by the lack of life. She pressed her forehead against his, and prayed for his rest. Aragorn began to pull her away, and with all the strength she had left pushed him away so harshly that he fell backwards. He looked at her, and her eyes had become dark with anger and fury. When Gandalf had caught up with them, Aragorn stood away from Aurel, who still held her forehead pressed against that of Haldir's.
"Legolas will need her to help." said Gandalf to Aragorn.
"She will not leave Haldir here; she will want to bury him."
"Bury him?" Gandalf walked over to Aurel, "Aurel." He looked down upon her, but she remained still, "Aurel." Still she did not move. "His soul no longer dwells in that body, child. Get up and come to where you are needed." He waited for her to stand, but she did not. He gently grabbed her arm and began to pull her away, and she let him, she looked up to face Gandalf. "He did not fall for a useless cause, you will see. Now come, Legolas needs you."
She gave one last look to her fallen guardian and walked on with Gandalf and Aragorn to the houses of healing as if she were walking to her death.
Legolas barely recognized her when she walked into where he was waiting, her armour had been removed and the blood stains from the battle where still upon her. Had she looked this way when he had first seen her after the battle? Aragorn walked in with her, and she walked straight to the elf she knew Legolas wanted her to help. It seemed that Legolas had cleaned her up, and it was clear now where she was wounded and what needed to be done. Aurel looked at this elf, she was pretty, though Aurel could not really decide why, there was nothing extraordinary about her. Her lips were very thin, her hair was a golden colour, her complexion was paler than Legolas's, and her body seemed too fragile, like that of a starved child. How was it that she was allowed to have fought in the battle? All these questions passed through her mind as she tended to her, and Legolas looked on fervently.
Aragorn stood close to Legolas and watched on as well. "She knows about Haldir."
Legolas bowed his head for a moment. "She could feel that he had fallen, she feels the void still, how is it that she was brought back?"
"Not without a struggle, she would not let me touch her until Gandalf came to speak to her; she came here to help your friend."
Legolas nodded.
"Who is she?"
"Who?" asked Legolas.
"The elf that my sister is tending to…who is she?"
Legolas froze at the question, "Someone who should not have been here."
"It is obvious she is of importance to you."
"Not in the way that you would think."
"Tell me what I am thinking then, and I will tell you if that is correct." Aragorn said sternly and crossed his arms. Legolas stayed silent. "Aurel has pulled herself away from anything of importance to her, to help you, Legolas, why will you not name the person she is tending to?"
Legolas looked at Aurel for a moment and frowned. "Her name is Lothluin. She is my betrothed."
