Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material written by Tolkien or Peter Jackson.
A/N: Oh joy! We have reached the battle of Helm's Deep, and I stink at writing battle scenes. Here we go...
Many thanks to...
Tibblets— (Nope! Not critical at all! :) And you were right, I did not mean to post the same chapter. Thanks for telling me!)
Rosiethehobbit17— (Yup. Whoops! And thanks for the heads up!)
sephchipmunk— (Fixed it!)
Sweetdixie.17— (I'm not going to thank myself— that would be stupid, and I've already been that today.)
1 fan of pj . hp . lotrh . con . ra— (It's all better!)
1 fan of pj . hp . lotrh . con . ra— (That's okay! I've done the exact same thing!)
Imamc— (Ha ha! I thought of that at the last moment!)
dutchangel1979— (Thank you! And I'm just glad that you kept reading after your absence! Here is your update!)
Me And Not You— (All you have to do is ask! And tell me where to find it of course!)
LilactheDryad— (I wanted to add a bit of humor to the filler chapter, so I added that! And I liked all of them!)
Izzy bug— (Thanks! I like kids, so I wanted to add some cute little scenes!)
Eragon— (Thank you! And I will definitely try. May God bless you too!)
We had traveled a mere mile away from the battle when I heard my name being called.
"Rielásse!" I turned from directing a group of women in the right direction just in time to grasp the reigns Éowyn shoved in my direction.
"Lead them on!"
"And where are you going?', I asked Éowyn sternly. I've already caused enough havoc on the story plot; if Éowyn decided to fight before her time she could die, and I did not relish the thought of facing off with the Witch King. That was just asking way too much.
By her guilty look, I knew I had guessed her intentions rightly.
"Éowyn! You cannot abandon your people— they need you here!', I snapped.
"I have full faith in your capabilities to lead them! I can fight beside my kin!', she shot back as she turned. I snatched her arm with my free hand and hauled her behind me.
"Heck no. You are not leaving me to babysit your people. Valor can wait; you must fulfill your promise to your uncle. You give the people hope.
She froze and forlornly glared at me.
"Hope has abandoned us."
"Strange. I heard your brother say the very same thing when our 'assumed dead' companions were lost, and yet they are very much alive. Now stop acting like a child and let's get this show on the road!"
Éowyn continued to stare at me for a moment before shaking her head in defeat and following my instructions. I looked down at the reins in my hand before glancing back to see whose horse I was leading. Freda and Eothain were watching me with wide eyes, glancing first at Éowyn before letting their eyes drift back to me.
"What?', I yelped when I could not take their serious perusal any longer.
Freda hiccuped a giggle before Eothain whispered something in her ear about catching flies, which made her shut her gaping mouth. Eothain held back his own laugh, but his eyes sparkled with unspoken mirth.
"Helm's Deep!', came the joyful cry.
"Praise the Lord!', I muttered.
Éowyn, who had not spoken to me since our argument, finally spoke.
"Which one?"
"Huh?"
"Praise Lords Boromir, Aragorn, or Legolas?"
I blinked in confusion before laughing.
"It was just an expression, Éowyn!', I giggled.
She smiled cheerfully, but her grin soon faded into seriousness.
"Forgive me for earlier, Rielásse. I was wrong to try and abandon my people."
I nodded in acknowledgement as we made it to the gate of the stronghold. It was quickly opened by the door wards and we entered Helm's Deep.
As I walked through the gates, I watched two young boys who were mock-swordfighting with small twigs and my stomach twisted as I realized that they would likely be fighting for their lives tonight. Their harmless imaginings were about to become their worst nightmare. I shuddered before continuing.
Helping Freda and her brother down from their horse, I watched as they ran off into the arms of their tearful mother. She held them closely to her chest as they wept into her hair. I heard Eothain murmur something and her gaze slowly turned to me.
"Thank you.', she whispered. "Thank you for caring for them while I could not."
Giving a soft smile, I watched until the sound of hooves against pavement made me spin around. I caught sight of Éowyn's blonde head weaving through the crowd and I quickly followed her.
"So few', she murmured worriedly as she searched for Aragorn among the crowd. "So few of you have returned."
I blocked out the rest of their conversation as I felt someone come to stand tensely beside me.
"You knew.', Boromir accused, his breathing unsteady as his fists and jaw clenched with heavy irritation. "You knew and you did nothing."
"Yes.', I answered slowly.
"Then why did you sit in silence? Aragorn is gone, his body was swept away by the river."
I turned on my heel and strode away, only to be yanked backwards.
"Do not be a coward.', he snarled as he spun me to face him.
"Coward?', I growled back. "Do you know how much courage it takes to do nothing as the people you love suffer? I cannot change the outcome of this war! I have already changed too much by simply being present at the wrong time!"
"And what did you change?', Boromir barked gruffly.
"You are alive.', I spat back before wrenching my arm from his grasp and storming away, leaving him dumbfounded behind me.
I paced the one street that ran through Helm's Deep as the sun rose higher into the afternoon sky. Storm clouds were starting to appear on the northern horizon, most likely courtesy of Saruman.
Pausing, I listened carefully for the footsteps of approaching doom. And I heard it– thousands upon thousands of metal boots pounding the earth over and over again.
Gritting my teeth in frustration, I briskly walked through the servants entrance and down stone corridors of the keep hunting for the healers wing. I found it by the pungent smell of drying herbs.
"Hello?', I asked as I knocked on the entrance. "Anybody home?"
The oak doorway slowly creaked open and I entered into the heavily fragrant room.
"Can I help you, my lady?"
I tried to shake the heady aroma of plants from my senses as I smiled at the elderly man.
"Yes, I believe you can. How are your supplies?"
He eyed me strangely for a moment.
"My supplies?', he muttered as he scratched his head in confusion.
"Do you have a good stock?"
"Well, yes. I suppose."
"Supposing is not good enough. Are you prepared for a war? Because there seems to be one on the radar, and I sure as heck don't think it will be a nice little spring shower."
"War?', he squeaked nervously, ignoring my odd figure of speech. "No, I don't think we're prepared for a war..."
"I would suggest you get on it then. And if you get a chance, tell the people to start gathering provisions."
He stuttered something inaudible as I exited the room.
"Oof.', I exclaimed as I ran into a hard mass. Backpedaling, I tripped in my hurry and landed on my butt.
"Ow!', I yelped as I tried to sit up.
"May I ask why you are on the floor?"
"Gravity, duh."
The mass chuckled and I accepted the hand offered to pull myself up.
"Are you alright?', Legolas asked as he watched me brush my tunic off.
"I'm fine— physically anyway."
"And emotionally...?', he inquired seriously.
"Also fine.', I mumbled, withdrawing my hand and refusing to meet his gaze.
"Look at me." He gently grasped my chin and turned it towards him.
"Nope! I'll just keep my eyes closed, thank you very much!"
"Penneth...', he growled warningly.
"Okay, okay. I got into a fight with Boromir about Aragorn."
Legolas' lips tipped into a smile.
"Why are you grinning?!', I wailed. "I fail to see what is so amusing!"
"The puny mortal has not figured it out yet, has he?"
It dawned on me what he was talking about and I began to laugh.
"You little—"
"Language, little one."
"Sneak. I was going to say sneak."
"Of course.', he finished lamely. "So when do I get to see my friend again?"
"Any moment now. I suppose you know where he'll head first?"
"The throne room."
I nodded in affirmation before searching for Gimli. And just as I found the healers wing, I found the dwarf. After all, in the famous words of Gandalf: When in doubt, follow your nose.
Sweaty, earthy, dwarfy... that is Gimli's signature odor. And I found him just in time to keep him from committing a murder. Sort of.
"Where? Where is he? I'm gonna kill him!', he grumbled as he pushed his way through the crowded courtyard towards Aragorn. "You are the luckiest, the canniest, and the most reckless man I ever knew! Bless you, laddie!" The dwarf barreled into Strider, squeezing the man's waist in a bear hug.
Boromir arrived on the scene, disbelief written across his face.
"Aragorn? H-how? Oh dear gods! Rielásse is going to kill me!"
"What happened, Boromir?', Aragorn inquired worriedly, scanning the crowd for my face. I ducked behind one of the villagers.
"I am afraid I may have ruined a good friendship.', he groaned. "I took your disappearance as your death and accused her of being a coward for not..."
Boromir trailed off, not wanting the villagers to know of my foresight, and Aragorn filled in the gaps.
"Riley has a level head on her shoulders. She will forgive you.', the ranger reassured him as he gripped Boromir's shoulder.
"Hey! Don't I get to give a hug?', I pouted. "I mean, you fell off a cliff and I got blamed, even though it was you who sent me away in the first place..."
Aragorn spun around and smirked in my direction.
"I thought Elrond told you that eavesdropping was not ladylike.', he scolded as my human shield scooted away, horrified that I had been using her as a hiding spot.
"When have I ever been ladylike?', I sniggered as I followed Gimli's example of making Aragorn into a pile of ranger mush.
"Never. Such a thing is beyond your capabilities.', he teased, playing along with my little game before growing almost unbearably serious. "Where is the king?"
"The throne room." Déjà vu.
He gave me a small bow before leaving. Boromir also bowed, giving me an apologetic glance. I smiled sadly and nodded, showing that no words needed to be spoken for me to understand.
"Aragorn!', Legolas pleaded. "You must rest! You are no use to us half alive."
"I may not be of any use at all, mellon nin."
Legolas opened his mouth to argue when Éowyn called out.
"My lord!"
Smirking slightly at how Strider's stride seemed to quicken at his admirer's voice, I waited.
"Aragorn!"
The Dúnedain whirled around at her second cry.
"I am to be sent to the caves with the women and children!', she protested.
"That is an honorable charge.', he replied indifferently.
"To mind the children?', Éowyn bemoaned incredulously. "To find food and bedding for the men once they return? What renown is there in that?"
"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"
"Let me stand by your side!', the shieldmaiden pleaded. "Let me fight!"
"It is not in my power to command, my lady." He turned and stepped into the busy path.
"You do not command the others to stay!"
Was it just me or did she just send me a death glare? Did anybody else just see that?
"They fight beside you because they will not be parted from you! Because they love you!', Éowyn finished desperately.
Aragorn froze in place, then slowly turned to face the pleading woman.
"I'm sorry.', she whispered, lowering her defeated gaze before hurrying off into the crowd.
Those who could not fight were quickly moved into the caves and those who could were sent to the armory. I slipped quietly into the armory, following my friends. Which meant I got to see Legolas and Aragorn fight like highschool girls. And I would have told them that, but I didn't exactly want to be noticed at the moment. Call me paranoid, but I just know Aragorn is going to try and send me to the caves.
"Let 'em go, lad. Let 'em be.', Gimli counseled his elf-friend as Aragorn strode angrily from the room.
I watched as Legolas crept behind Aragorn and snatched his sword. The man jumped and eyed the place his blade had been before turning to face his friend.
"We have trusted you this far, and you have not yet led us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair.', Legolas murmured with a apologetic smile.
"There is nothing to forgive, Legolas."
They did their weird little bro-hug as Gimli waddled into the room.
"If we had time I would get this adjusted.', he groused as he let the chain-mail he was donning fall to the floor. It was a good two feet longer than what he needed it to be.
Boromir's eyebrows shot into his hairline.
"It's a little tight across the chest.', Gimli clarified uselessly.
Legolas and Aragorn exchanged an amused glance before a merry trill rang through the air. The Mirkwood elf went stiff as he listened to the second note.
"That is no orc horn."
"We come to honor that allegiance." We barely caught the snatches of Théoden's conversation with Haldir as we ran into the courtyard.
"Mae govannen, Haldir!', Aragorn greeted as he ran down a small set of stairs. "You presence is most welcome!"
The elf held his hand to his heart in greeting, sweeping it gracefully outwards. The ranger followed his example before giving the marchwarden a enthusiastic hug. Haldir awkwardly returned the hug, giving Aragorn a pat on the back.
"Tree hugger!" I bolted down the stairs and joined the hug, knowing it would make them squirm a bit. "Come here ya hippie!"
"I am going to die of humiliation and the battle has not even started.', Haldir said under his breath.
Scowling, I playfully punched his arm.
"Snooty princess.', I teased.
"Brat.', he shot back.
"I missed you, you grumpy old thing."
"I wish I could say the same, Lady Rielásse.', Haldir retorted.
"Could you release me from your little reunion?', Aragorn gasped from in-between us.
I stepped back and beamed with satisfaction as their cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Valar forbid that they ever be hugged in front of that many people without being thoroughly uncomfortable.
Hurrying away from my friends, I reentered the keep and quickly found my weapons. I was strapping on my second vambrace when Boromir's voice made me jump.
"What are you doing?"
"Preparing for battle. Obviously.', I snorted without even turning around.
"No."
"It is not your decision, Boromir."
He blocked my way as I swiveled around. Speedily stepping past him, I found my way to Aragorn's side.
"You are supposed to be in the caves', he reprimanded gently. "I sent Boromir to find you."
I scowled at the ranger.
"Boromir needs to work on his persuasion skills. The caves? Nope, not happening."
"Rielásse, you are not fighting in this battle."
"I am."
"I will not be responsible for Elrond losing another daughter!', he roared, barely keeping his voice from a shout.
"There are children fighting in this battle, Aragorn. I will not sit and do nothing while they are fighting for survival.', I argued defiantly as I set my jaw in a hard line.
"Go. To. The. Caves.', he hissed through clenched teeth.
I spun around and disappeared, but I did not go to the caves. Aragorn is going to kill me for this, if of course, the Uruk-hai don't beat him to it.
Only one word could sum tonight up: hell. And it is not a word to be used lightly either. Death surrounded me on all sides, and I shuddered as I realized that this was real. It was not some figment of the imagination, it was real. Elves were dying, men were dying, and I could very well be dying before the night was over. How I had even managed to survive this long was beyond my reckoning.
The grating battle cries of the Uruk-Hai filled the air and made me want to pull my ears out as they stomped across the grounds outside of the Deep. I had began to use my arrows sparingly, knowing that I would have need of them in a few minutes. Instead, I used my twin knives to slash at any orc that dared to come close.
My companions were still unaware of me, and I could hear Gimli counting his kills from the ramparts as he swung his axe. Positioned behind the walls and off of the parapets, I was located among the archers. Rain was dripping down my back, plastering my brown hair to my forehead as I watched the orcs swarm the defensive walls.
And then, to put the icing on the cake, the wall exploded. Just poof! Gone! The orcs flooded into the Deep as jagged bits of stone flew past my head. Aragorn was knocked unconscious and in a brave attempt to save his friend, Gimli jumped from the wall to land on the oncoming Uruk-hai. It may have slowed them down a bit, but it held almost no purpose seeing as Strider leapt to his feet as soon as he heard the dwarf's battle cry.
The archers drew back their bowstrings and waited for Aragorn's command.
"Hado i philinn! Release the arrows!"
I let loose the string that was woven from my daerada's hair and the arrow sped towards the still-smoking gap in the wall, meeting foul flesh and hindering only a small part of Saruman's army from entering.
"Delegs! Swords!"
Glandúr shone a bright blue as the orcs continued to run towards us. The inscription was glowing silver, and I mentally repeated it over and over again.
Courage is found in unlikely places.
"Herio! Charge!"
And that is how I found myself running pell-mell towards a bunch of barbaric monsters. A loud series of clanks drew my attention to the left of the keep, and I watched Legolas do his circus act. Maybe one day I can be cool, but I will never be Legolas-surfing-down-the-stairs-on-a-shield cool. That was just freaking awesome!
I swung my blade towards an orc, blocking the blow that had been aimed for my head and cutting its throat. It fell dead, and another one quickly took its place.
"Aragorn! Pull your men back to the keep! Get them out of there!', Théoden yelled from his post.
"Haldir! Pull back to the keep!', Aragorn shouted, passing on the king's message.
Haldir gave an exhausted nod before turning back to his opponent. Knowing what was supposed to happen, I reached for another shaft only to find that I had used my last arrow a few minutes ago. Instead, I yanked an arrow out of a uruk's skull and strung it into my bowstring. Pulling it back to my cheek, I let it fly. And it met its mark.
The marchwarden spun around and his eyes widened in shock at the Uruk-hai behind him before they searched me out. I winced as he found me among the crowd and quickly ran to Legolas' side and helped him drag Gimli away from the battle, my cloak pulled over my head to hide my face.
"Hrrrhh!, the dwarf yelled roughly as he struggled and kicked his legs into the air. "Why are we stopping? Let me at 'em!"
"Stupid dwarf.', I complained as I hefted his bulky weight.
"What was that, laddie?"
I didn't answer and Legolas reached over and tugged the gray material from my hair.
"Mahal's hammer! You aren't supposed to be here, lassie!', Gimli gasped as he and Legolas frowned.
"You aren't the only stubborn one here, Gimli. I can be thick-skulled when I want to.', I grinned cheesily.
"You could have died!', the dwarf mumbled incredulously.
"But I didn't!', I argued back.
"You do know Aragorn is going to be infuriated?', Legolas asked as he snatched my hand and hauled me behind him as we ran towards the entrance to the castle.
"Yup. But what he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"Are you suggesting that we lie to Aragorn?" The silvan's eyes narrowed.
"No, ya doughnut. Just don't tell him.', I said diplomatically. Gimli huffed and shook his head.
"Aye. I suppose we can do that, lassie. After all, you did live through the battle."
"I will agree, but on one condition. If Aragorn should ask I will tell him the truth."
"I'm so happy I could kiss you!', I responded gleefully.
"Why don't you, lass? The elf could use a good smack on the lips."
"Eww!', I gagged as I cuffed the back of Gimli's head. "I was using an expression, Gimli! Yuck!"
Legolas looked equally disgusted as we finally reached the entrance. He rolled his eyes and growled something to Gimli before he nudged me into a room and left me there by myself.
"Stay here until the battle is over. Promise me that you will stay here, penneth?', he pleaded.
"I promise."
Several hours later I heard the Horn of Helmhammerhand and knew that the the dawn had come.
"She saved my life."
I woke up to Haldir's confused murmurs as I slowly uncurled my legs from where they had been tucked underneath me and stretched.
"Foolish girl!', I heard Gandalf grumble as he gave me a light whack on the forehead with his staff. "I have grown too fond of you for my own good!"
"Ouch! What was that for?', I wondered out loud as I rubbed the sore spot.
"That, lass, is for galavanting off into battle without telling anyone.', Gimli chuckled.
Glowering at him, I searched the room and moaned when I saw Aragorn giving me a stern glare.
Yikes. He doesn't look happy.
"And why should I? You disobeyed me, Riley. You could have been killed."
Whoops. Traitorous mouth.
"But I wasn't!"
"But you could have been!"
"But I wasn't!"
He sighed in exasperation as he rubbed his own head, and I have a feeling that I'm the one who gave him a headache and not the end of Gandalf's staff.
"We will speak of this later. There is to be a feast tonight, and unfortunately, you have been invited by the king."
"Why is that a bad thing again?', I inquired curiously.
"Because being invited by the king means that I cannot disallow you to go."
Yippee! Aragorn can't ground me!
The ranger's scowl deepened and I clamped a hand over my mouth.
"We ride for Isengard in ten minutes. Though I advised against it, Gandalf believes you should come. He says it will keep you out of trouble."