Down in the caves, the women and children did their best to find a free and comfortable place to hide. It wasn't easy as orders had been given to keep a pathway clear in the need that they were to escape through the mountains. This great cavern was a waiting cell that stood around a large pool of water resembling a vast mirror. It reflected beautifully the shimmering surfaces of the cave walls and filled the place with iridescent light. A contrast of the fears and concerns of the people housed in it at the moment.

Lothiriel found her way down the narrow passageways with Eowyn and found a group of women they recognised from Edoras. They were all quite young and had no children with them. Some were recent widows whilst others were new wives who had relinquished their spouses to complete the King's work. They sat in uncomfortable silence for a long while, listening to the high pitched trickling of water dropping into the large lake. The innocent seemed to echo for an eternity. Every now and then there came a sob from one of the women across the cave, interspersed with cries from a hungry babe. This uncalm nervousness would be the princesses undoing.

Rubbing her hands together for warmth the young woman shuddered and shift her feet uncomfortably. Eowyn saw her unrest and reached out to cover her hands with one of her own. She smiled reassuringly to her friend, as best she could in that moment.

Lothiriel looked at her longingly for a moment and uttered the question that had remained unanswered,

"Where is Theodred...Eowyn? I know you know...please whatever the outcome I would have you tell me."

The princess didn't really need her friend to tell her the truth. She knew her husband's absence at a time like this could only mean one thing. The young woman found it strange at this moment that her thoughts and feelings would be turning to him. When she had arrived in Edoras, they had both understood that their marriage was only a political match. One that hopefully would have secured the future of Rohan. Lothiriel had had no say in her going there, but had always known that her marriage would have been similar to her mother's and aunt's. The best she could have hoped for was a man that treated her with respect and one she could respect in turn. Lothiriel had definitely found that in Prince Theodred. The princess knew her emotions were no stronger than that, as she barely knew him still, but to have Eowyn confirm it for her, would close that chapter in her heart forever.

"He is gone Lothiriel."

Lothiriel simply nodded and stared had her cold hands in her lap.

"I am so sorry my Lady. We dared not risk telling you." Eowyn replied carefully.

"We?" Lothiriel said accusingly.

"Eomer and I. He knew as well as I... to send word to you could compromise your safety."

"Yes I suppose that was wise."

Eowyn moved to sit opposite her young sister-by-law and continued their conversation more privately.

"Truth be told...I don't think he would have allowed anyone else to tell you."

"He loved Theodred fiercely." Lothiriel said, attempting to deflect Eowyn's knowing stare.

"Yes." Eowyn said flatly.

She had not spoken to him of it, but her suspicions were growing stronger everyday. Eomer felt something for Lothiriel this was obvious, yet it was her friends feelings she was trying to discover. If she loved her brother as he did her, when the fighting was done, she would advise them to seize the opportunity and hold on to it for as long as they could.

Lothiriel was wrestling with her own worries now. Her husband was gone and as Rohan law - Gondor law for that matter- dictated a women with no family ties was no longer under the protection of her assumed family. Theodred and she had not been married long enough to conceive a child, therefore she wondered what would become of her now? The troubled princess pushed the thoughts from her mind. At the present moment all that she should have been concerned about, was praying the brave men that were still there lasted out the night.

Eowyn was starting to feels restless too and wanted nothing more than to defy her uncle and brother, and retrieve a sword and shield from the armoury. However she had agreed to stay with the woman and started searching around to see what help she could be now down in the caves. Taking control the white lady began sorting through the things that had been brought down earlier. She found blankets for as many as she could and began distributing them amongst the gathered. They were received gratefully by some, whilst others refused. Eowyn did not mind, she knew that the gesture may have been seen as fruitless by some, but was determined to carry on regardless. The resourceful woman found a crate of food and began preparing it on a rock by the lake's edge, cleaning what she could in the clear pools before dividing it into smaller pieces. After a short while Lothiriel joined her, and carried as much as she could in the folds of her outer skirt. She wandered around the periphery with Eowyn handing out the meager food to anyone that wanted it.

It wasn't long before the first signs of battle could be heard. It was quiet at first, but soon the unmistakable sound of marching feet grew louder overhead. No one in that cavern could know how many were up there, but from the sounds of it Eowyn would have guessed thousands. The rhythmic marching eventually stopped right above their heads and every woman sat in fearful silence with bated breath. Suddenly a great roar exploded above and they knew that the battle had started. Orders, shouts and screams could be heard for many hours and at times some of the women were hysterical with fear. Those that remained calm did their best to support the others, but many were terrified with panic and ideas of what was happening up in the Hornburg; or worse what could happen to them if the walls were breached.

The time passed like an agonising age, and no one in that cave could do anything to stop the chaos going on up in the castle. It was some time close to dawn, when the cacophony of noise seemed to stop. Every now and then the frightened women would hear some distant noise of a skirmish. But as daylight was creeping over the horizon the battle was finished. It wasn't long before soldiers were venturing into the cave to relay the good news to their womenfolk. Noise erupted in the cavernous room of a distant sort. Screams of joy and laughter filled every corner of the vast cave.

As the men, women and children regrouped above ground, their early displays of victory subsided as the horror of battle was revealed. Countless men lay hewn all throughout the Hornburg, their bodies intermixed with the vile creatures that had come to slaughter them. The once grey stone of Helm's Deep had been covered in thick black-red blood, painting the floors and wall of the great castle as a monument to the Rohirrim sacrifice. Most whom were there had seen their fair share of bloodshed and anguish in recent years, but the sight was all but new to the young princess of Rohan.

Lothiriel picked her way slowly through the ramparts of the Hornburg making her way to the front gates. King Theoden had ordered his people back to Edoras. Though they had been victorious, the devastation left in the Uruks wake had left the fortress vulnerable. The warrior King knew he would need his people to go back to their homes, at least for the time being. As Lothiriel made her way to the entrance, she had to sidestep bodies, limbs and other such debris from the battle. Feeling nauseous as she traipsed through the death and decay. The princess finally made it to the gateway and felt a slight breeze blow through the archway. It eased her sickness somewhat but left Lothiriel feeling unsettled.

Lothiriel moved to one side and awaited her instructions. She remembered now she was in no position to issue orders herself so dutifully stood until she was bade to do something. From her secluded corner by the gate she watched as some men were reunited with their wives and children, and then quickly made their way out of the fortress. Whilst lone Riders were busy organising the remainder of their forces, and ushered the last few women and children out of the gateway. Surprisingly it did not take long to vacate the castle, Lothiriel mused this was down to the fewer numbers that would be leaving than arrived. With a heavy heart she spoke a silent prayer to herself for those that were slain and gave thanks that so many were saved.

At last Theoden King arrived with his war council at the entrance of Helm's Deep. It was time to go. Lothiriel looked around the place that had saved them and spotted a figure across the courtyard readying his horse. He looked weary and the armour he wore was heavily stained with blood, yet he moved so easily it couldn't have been all his own. The man looked so engrossed in his work Lothiriel feared he would never look up. But eventually he did. Eomer looked straight towards her as if he had known she was there the whole time. The tired soldier gave her a brief relieved smile, which she returned. The kind gesture was taken away as soon as it was offered and the princess looked with a heavy heart as he mounted his large steed and prepared to leave with the King's party.

Lothiriel found a spare place on a wagon ride back with some of the other women. She chose this seat strategically as the cart was bound to be slow on its return journey. This allowed her much time for contemplation and kept her a safe distance from unwanted conversation and prying eyes.

A/N - Thank you to those whom are reading and keep coming back to this story. I hope you like this new chapter. Has anyone guessed yet? Thanks, R&R Mrs-E x