Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)
~ LVI: The Battle of the Hornburg ~
Helm's Deep, 3019 TA, March 4
It was nearly midnight now. The darkness grew like a black angel with wings awaiting the onset of mayhem. The sky was absolutely gloomy, and the heavy air's stillness foretold a storm. An instantaneous blinding flare scorched the skies. Branched lightning struck the hills to the east. For a time, the observers on the walls saw the whole area between them and the Dike illuminated with white light; it was teeming with black figures, some short and wide, others towering and menacing, with lofty helmets and sable shields. Hundreds upon hundreds of other individuals poured over the Dike and into the gap. From cliff to cliff, the black wave surged up the walls. There was thunder in the valley.
Doom! Doom! Clang!
A source of anxiety plagued their thinking, disrupting their calm. Men and elves were already in place, observing the broad area in front of the stronghold. The army of Saruman has been strengthened and would move at a leisurely speed on foot, revealing each second. Long before they saw the boots, they heard them. In both distance and time, they drew closer to Helm's Deep as they screamed out loudly and fiercely. The persistent, deep, resonant sound of the Uruk-Hai caused the Rohirrim to become progressively melancholy.
Doom! Doom! Doom!
Gimli and Legolas were in an upright position of their feet at the fortress. Next to them stood the human. Gimli was deeply troubled as he was lacking the skill to perceive with his eyes over the wall. Legolas remained firmly on the right side of the dwarf, veering against his bow. Half of the time he would observe the army lining along, and the other half he would stare at Xena; who was standing on the left side of Gimli. The elf, aware of the dangers that this war was held, tormented himself with the girl's foolishness. The foolishness to share a part in this war.
Doom! Doom! Clang!
The foretaste of nervous energy tingled through Xena like electrical sparks on the way to the ground, gathering in her toes. The roar waves of the Wizards' army before she became the roar of her wrath-in desire to fight. The Ellon's bow, that was gifted to her, was placed in her right hand. She was right-handed; though her left hand was equally dominant. She wore braces on her forearm, which was holding the bow. An arrow resting inside the other. The large quiver that was gifted to her by the Lady of Light was resting against her back. It would fit 25 arrows.
Her old leather armour was cleaned and fixed, and nothing would reveal all damage it went through. The blade Agaraic [Bloodsword] was resting against her back and the double Chakram on her side waiting to slay the enemy. Her hair was styled in those strange locks that the elf had braided for her, and she somehow managed to copy. Xena grew up for a simple purpose, to fight and battle. That's what she did best. In this hour, as the war was upon them, how could she hesitate to act. For not allowing Evil to win! And more of all, not to forsake utterly her friends. She stood there. This time she was not showing a lack of fear. A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger while watching the numbers of Uruk-Hai. Yet, not for herself, but for the people she held dear.
Doom! Doom! Doom!
Estel, with his courageous endurance on the battlefield. He cast a glorious blend of gender nature, courage, daring, and loyal. A true King that had not yet, admitted his abilities with his competent excellence in performance in all aspects. The elf, who dared to stand proud and shine, at a time like this. The dwarf, with his plain and rustic silliness. He held a pure and benevolent nature in his heart, and the capacity to dint his axe like no other.
As for the Mithrandir, the leader, the soul and heart of that fellowship, he was the last hope who should return with help. The hobbits were the most peaceful and serene beings of middle-Earth. The elves and humans, who crossed her path until now. All those, who accidentally (or maybe not) sparkled a thin trace of truthfulness in her soul. She would answer today, next to them.
Doom! Doom! Clang!
The storm's strength was characterised by an absence of the usual lightning flashes and thunderclaps. Aragorn wiped his wrinkled face with his palm to remove the wetness that had accumulated there. Behind him, the elf forces awaited the start of the conflict, while the forces of Saruman gradually closed the gap. With the elf troops assisting them, the ranger understood there was little chance of survival. Regardless of the result, they would battle until the last end.
"A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas!" [Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!] Aragorn said as he was aware that it would not take long before the battle of the Hornburg would begin. The waiting was only adding to their nerves and fears. The Uruk was trying to terrify them before charging the forward.
Doom! Doom! Doom!
"You could have picked a better spot," Gimli complained as he tried to stand on his toe, to look over the wall. But he could not succeed. "What's happening out there?"
"Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?" Legolas scoffed causing the dwarf to laugh.
"Move a few steps on the right," she said pointing at the opening that was next to the dwarf afar from him and it caused Legolas and Gimli to both stares at her dumbfounded. She rolled her eyes and turned to look under the wall as the sounds of the pounding of spare shafts against the ground was increasing. No one was moving from both parties, just waiting to see who would strike first.
Clank! Dink! Clang!
Sears and roar were pounded by the troops of Saruman. The elves rose their bows and brought the arrows between their fingers. Legolas and Xena mimicked the action. The rest of the men draw their blades. An elderly man lost his balance. An arrow was loosed and stroked against an Uruk-Hai and it fell dead.
Silence.
The assailing hosts halted, foiled by the silent menace of rock and wall. Ever and again the lightning tore aside the darkness. Thunder rolled in the valley. The rain came lashing down. Then the Uruk-Hai screamed and roared waving spear and sword, and shooting a cloud of arrows at any that stood revealed upon the battlements, and the men of the Mark amazed looked out. Arrows thick as the rain came whistling over the battlements, and fell clinking and glancing on the stones. Some found a mark. The assault on Helm's Deep had begun.
Bam! Doom! Doom!
"Dartho!" [Hold!] Aragorn ordered the Elves, as the army of the Uruk-Hai roared with angry vibrations transmitted through their body and voices.
The elves aligned with their bows ready to shoot their arrows. Legolas positioned his bow aiming his target at the right spot. "Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc." [Their armour is weak at the neck and under the arms.] the elf said while Xena last drew the arrow between her fingers. Rain poured against them as the ranger cried out.
"Leithio i philinn!" [Fire!]
At first, rain drifted in soft waves, then gradually became stronger. It lost the ambient temperature of early spring, causing the men's skin to freeze and peel upon touch. No wind arrived that night; only arrows soared through the rain to their intended targets. On the other side of the wall, the King delivered his word, and the warriors began firing arrows.
Outwardly, Legolas looked to assume a standard shooting stance. His right hand, shielded by his torso, grabbed his bow, then gently and discreetly pulled the first arrow, followed by the second. His body seemed calm and indifferent, yet every muscle was stiff and prepared to contract. Before every combat, he always felt a familiar fire blazing in his veins, accompanied by a sense of eager expectation.
Xena held a draw with her finger not for too long. As the wooden bow wasn't using the gear and pulley system. Those were designed to hold the weight of the archer when at full draw. That meant she could draw for a long time and not get tired. Though her bow was different. As it was a traditional elf bow she was holding that weight on her own. She had an Elfish longbow with a draw weight, which meant she was back to hold the equal weight.
Her upper limbs would soon get fatigued and tremble. This would have an influence on targeting the Uruk. Her head whirled as she saw the elves' effortless ability to draw and shoot. Especially, Legolas. As her first arrow had already killed one Uruk-hai, she refused to give up and drew back the second arrow, despite the fact that her first arrow had already slain a member of the Uruk-hai. The activity resulted in sore fingertips. She despised bows! It was considerably simpler to utilise blades.
"Tangado a chadad!" (Keep shooting!)
The air became thick, and arrows were shot from every part of the wall. Most pummelling the Uruk-Hai, tearing through their insides and slicing through their grey and hideous forms, resulting in the deaths of many. Down in the fields, there was nothing but chaos and bloodshed as Uruks responded to the onslaught with a barrage of arrows. The first elf was killed by a fall. Then a third followed. The Uruk-hai slowly ascended the wall by laying gigantic ladders and thick robes along with their height. Uruks scaled the wall one by one.
The air was filled with the sound of trumpets that emitted a harsh tone. The adversary advanced, some towards the Deeping Wall and some towards the causeway and ramp leading to the Hornburg-gates. There, the largest Uruk and the wild men of the Dunland fells gathered. After a moment of hesitation, they moved forward. The lightning flashed, and the dreadful hand of Isengard was seen emblazoned on every helmet and shield. They reached the crest of the cliff and advanced towards the gates.
"Finally!" Xena shouted, laying her bow against her back and drawing and splitting her Chakram. Her smile was devilish. She twisted her neck laterally. Her eyes were malicious. A few feet distant, Legolas vertically slashed his two blades at the next Uruk-Hai to be murdered. The Uruk jumped away from the heat. Before the elf could again draw his swords, Xena tossed the Chakram between the Elf and the Uruk. Its blade severed the neck of an Uruk, and the chakram returned to her. She advanced and flipped catching it in the air and re-throwing it.
"Legolas, two already!" Gimli announced suddenly as he was wielding his axe against an orc proud.
"I'm at seventeen!" the elf responded smiling at Gimli.
"Argh! I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!" said the dwarf annoying.
"Nineteen!" cried out Legolas proudly.
Xena gazed at them as she was killing the third Uruk, and it wasn't an easy task. Gimli and Legolas had fun, and they didn't seem yet injured or tired. She was not either, she just found their contest foolish, but without realizing she had started to count how many she had killed as well.
"Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Twenty-one. Twenty-two." Gimli counted as he raised the axe over his head with both hands and swung down Uruks.
In the meanwhile, an order of shielded Uruks approached the Main Gate. The ranger saw their presence and yelled "Nauthannen!" [Northway!] Xena abruptly turned and regarded the ranger, but she was unable to comprehend what Aragorn was saying. As many Uruks as the elves could strike and damage with their arrows, they do. Many of them tumbled to the ground. On the front side, underneath the wall, soldiers were implementing their strategy. Saruman was responsible for the concept. The soldiers transport explosives to a sewer. The sole need is to fire it. A soldier with a bright light suddenly emerged while dashing across the drain.
"Togo hon dad, Legolas! Dago hon!" [Legolas, stop him! Kill him!] Aragorn shouted, catching the Elf's attention.
Legolas stepped back in search of the Uruk soldier. He simultaneously drew two arrows between his fingers. Xena, now aware of the situation, sprinted behind Legolas to secure him. The Uruk has been struck by two arrows, but it has not been slain. Then, it managed to use the flame to ignite the explosives. Everyone was surprised when a significant portion of the wall suddenly broke into pieces and shattered violently with a loud noise.
Large boulders collapsed. The ranger was crushed against the ground unconscious. The wall was cracked, finally offering an opening for Saruman's army to pass through. At the same time at the North Main Gate, the more Uruk-Hair tried to break through the gate again. Théoden and his men were trying to hold the gate as long as they could to prevent the enemy to enter.
The men ran over holding the gates, as the Uruk-Hai were pressing and pushing with great force against the massive gate. Others were throwing rocks and spears down trying to distract them towards the gate and trying to hold it, as the Uruks pound from the other side. Aragorn lightly wounded, regained consciousness. Uruks and Orcs had already passed through the hall. They ran through, ready to attack.
Gimli, who was still standing upon the wall, noticed the attack. Without delay, he leapt himself down from the wall. He landed in a pool of water, and without waiting wield his axe and rushed towards them.
"Gimli! Prepare to charge!" Aragorn said with a loud voice as the dwarf kept his place between the Uruks and battled them on. Next, he lost his balance crushing back in the same pool he had hit before. Aragorn cried to the Elves to lose their arrows. With Aragorn leading the elves the attack went on.
"Hado I philinn! Hero!" [Hurl the arrows! Charge!]
Xena and Legolas were still perched on the wall next to the steps. Legolas seemed faintly soiled, but his hair was unaffected. His swords slashed into the flesh of the Orcs and Uruk with incredible speed. He saw Gimli fall to the ground, and Aragorn led the assault. He placed the cases containing his swords behind his back. The Hobbit actor Legolas picked up a shield from the ground. He brought the shield down the steps while he fired arrows at the Uruks. The human dazzled for a second.
But the awe in her eyes lasted only a couple of seconds. She skipped forwards and rushed to the corner of the stairs only to flip more than twice in the air and land next to the elf with a smooth and flawless action. She noticed the elf staring at her with the same dazzling gaze she looked at him earlier, and then both continued their attack.
All around was nothing but violence and corpses, blurred blood colour and vicious motion. Those who were still alive started to retreat to the keep. Gimli was dragged away by two Elves. He was struggling and complaining, wanting to keep fighting. They had already warned him a number of times, though he was devoted to fighting the Uruks. Legolas, Aragorn and Haldir were making sure that everyone was following.
Xena ultimately fought alongside Haldir. Blood pounded deafeningly each time she slid and stabbed her blade with rapid twirls. From wound to wound and cut to cut, blood gushed. Blood was spilt and dripped over the wet ground in waves. The majority was not hers. She was in combat mode. Her clothing and body were smeared in filth, Uruk blood, and mud. Every muscle in her body was rigid. Her mind was racing with thoughts of her next move.
An Uruk-Hai was suddenly about to attack her from behind. When she realised it, it was too late. However, Haldir appeared behind her, pushed her out of the way, and struck him on the back. He attempted to defend himself but was again cut off. Everything transpired too quickly. Xena turned and slipped the Uruk that first struck him. And before the following assault, Aragorn averted it.
Haldir sank to his knees as if his life had been taken away. As his head approached the earth, Aragorn grabbed him in his arms. Then and only then did Xena cease her vicious cycle of assaults and walk beside them. She also kneeled near Haldir with concern. Haldir took one last glance at her. Aragorn put his fingers on the man's neck to confirm that he was dead.
Xena's eyes were closed. To die to rescue her seemed immoral. Her demise was meaningless to her. She was unable to deal with the prospect of being rescued. It had occurred too often, and it began to annoy her. She looked at Aragorn, who was shaking his head and indicated that Haldir had perished.
The struggle went longer, with Aragorn and Gimli securing the gate and Legolas pulling them up. They battled with all their might, but the Uruks were too numerous and they kept coming and coming. They ended up retiring back within the keep. Every soldier alive was instructed by the King to retire. The morning came upon them and the king felt that they had lost the battle.
Aragorn, recalling Gandalf's warnings from before he left Edoras, accompanies Théoden, Legolas, Xena Gimli, and the surviving Rohirrim on one final valiant ride to battle the Uruk-hai army in an attempt to let the Rohirrim's women and children escape to the mountains. The horsemen charge out of the Keep and make their way to the fortification's entrance. As the riders emerge into the crowd of Uruks, the first rays of dawn fall into the valley, and Gandalf, escorted by Éomer and his troops, arrives on the eastern hill.
They descend upon the astonished Uruks and defeat them; the scared Uruk-hai retreat into Fangorn, where the Ents and their Huorn allies take quick vengeance. In the meanwhile, the Ents had seized possession of Isengard. They slaughter the last Uruk-hai and release the dam on the River Isen, which floods the plains around Orthanc, drowning the remaining Orc defenders, extinguishing the flames of its industry, inundating Isengard, and isolating Saruman in his tower.
The battle of the Hornburg was won! However, they were now Rising to war, all Middle-Earth was!
((Upcoming Chapter Fifty-Seven))
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