Okay, wow. So this chapter was not supposed to be this long. However, I said in the previous chapter that this one was going to be dealing with Helm's Deep and I'm keeping my word on that. This is actually finishing out The Two Towers portion of the story. This is the last of my prewritten story, so after this I have to do everything from scratch and I have no idea how long that is going to take me to get the next chapter done. As always, enjoy and please leave a review because I would like feedback, especially for this chapter since I've been nervous about it. Also, after you've read and reviewed, feel free to go over to my profile page to find updates of what plans I have in store for the future, news on current projects, brief summaries on series I have written, and a list of stories from other authors that you may find as enjoyable as I have.

Dawn brought with it the retreat of the Orcs attacking Osgiliath. Unlike the Uruk-hai, the Orcs of Mordor were not fond of sunlight. At the sun's first rays they had retreated from the city, but Boromir knew they would not stay away for long. The moment the sun set in the west they would return. Or it could possibly be sooner. Thick clouds were forming over Mordor and were slowly being blown in the direction of the river like a thunderstorm.

They had made it through the night, but it was doubtful they would keep the city for much longer. Word had been sent to Faramir calling for aid and Boromir had to hope his little brother would come in time.

"My lord?"

Boromir looked over his shoulder at the Rangers waiting for him. He had wanted to stay in Osgiliath and help fight, but there was little he could do to help. His wounds, while closed, could easily open up again and he couldn't do much with his arm in a sling. He was exhausted from last night and he had only been commanding the soldiers, not actually fighting.

The supply wagon left Osgiliath with Boromir in the back once more. He sat up so he could look ahead as they crossed the fields. The White Tower of Ecthelion stood proudly like pearl and silver, just as he always remembered. Soon he would be home.

Ricky went down to the caves to see if there was anything he could do. When the villagers discovered he was educated, they had him help take inventory of supplies and provisions. He wrote notes on a piece of broken pottery with his mini Sharpie.

While taking count of how much dried meat there was, Ricky heard raised voices next to him. Two men had gotten into an argument over something. They started pushing and shoving each other and sent a couple baskets of food tumbling over.

Ricky gave a shrill whistle. "Hey! Whadiya doin'?" he yelled at them.

Neither man listened, though Ricky had drawn the attention of many people nearby.

Ricky put his notes down and went up to the fighting men. He kicked one in the back of the knee and the other he punched in the solar plexus. This dropped both of them to the ground. Ricky put one hand on a dagger and glared down at them.

"We already have a limited food supply," Ricky snapped at them. "We don't need two assholes wastin' it."

The men opened their mouths to say something, possibly why they were fighting, but Ricky wouldn't let them.

"I don't give a shit what yo' problem is! But yo' makin' more problems fo' the rest of us! Now get out!"

The two men left in a hurry and Ricky was left to gather up the food that had been spilled. Luckily it was only a couple baskets of potatoes that had been knocked over and were salvageable. After cleaning up the mess, Ricky went back to inventory.

Ricky made his report about inventory and was sent on his next errand which was taking Théodred his meal. He went to the living quarters with a bowl of thin soup and a piece of bread.

Ricky knocked on the door.

"Enter," Théodred said from the other side of the door.

Ricky went in. Théodred was sitting up in bed propped up on pillows. "I brought you food," he said. He gave Théodred his food and turned to leave.

"Stay," said Théodred.

Ricky turned back.

"I have heard much about you," Théodred said. "I am told you were the one to save my life."

Ricky shrugged. "I just kept you alive until a real healer could get there."

Théodred paused in surprise at how Ricky brushed off his comment. "There are whispers of you saving the lives of some children by slaying an Orc and a Warg with only a dagger. It is being said you ran across the plain like a vengeful wraith, the Warg dropping dead at the sound of your shout before turning your wrath on the Orc."

Ricky burst into laughter, doubling over. "Oh, you're funny!" he cackled. He lifted his goggles to wipe his eyes. "A Warg droppin' dead because it was scared of me! Whoo!"

It took several moments for Ricky to stop laughing and get his breath back.

"I had two daggers," Ricky told Théodred. "The first ended up in the Warg's eye socket. The other . . . well, Elvish blades are very sharp. Could've came back with a trophy if I wanted."

"But why did you put yourself at risk like that?" asked Théodred.

Any amusement that was still left on Ricky's face vanished. "Why?" he asked. "Because no one else would. All the men were up fightin'. Everyone else was in a panic. Éowyn was havin' enough problems keepin' everyone together and quiet to keep the Orcs from findin' us. Of course the moment someone saw an Orc, they all started screamin' again." He shook his head in annoyance.

"Can you blame them?" asked Théodred. "They were frightened."

"And just about got a whole bunch of us killed," Ricky countered. "I get they were scared. I was scared, too. But do you know what I didn't do? Run around blindly screamin' bloody murder. If you don't want someone to find you, you shut up and sneak on by."

Théodred pondered Ricky's statement. "What do they call you?" he then asked.

Ricky frowned. "By my name. Ricky."

Théodred chuckled. "You are amusing. Son of?"

"Dunno. Never knew my parents. My last name's Weiss if that's what you're askin'."

Théodred gave him a look of pity. There were many children who were orphaned in Rohan because of the enemy. "It sounds much like white, which one would not think to call you. Perhaps black or dark from your cloth, strange as it is. By your own words I believed you had gained some renown and a name to go with it. Ricky Ellenróf I name you as a testament to your courage."

"Tch, 'what's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet'," Ricky said with a roll of his eyes.

"You should be recognized for your deeds," Théodred said.

"And my own name is just fine," said Ricky. "Why waste your time givin' me a different name?"

"You do not want renown?" asked Théodred.

"I don't want to have to play a part for people all the time," said Ricky. "'Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken'. I'd rather do that than have to constantly live up to people's expectations of me over a name."

"Wise words," Théodred commented.

"I try," said Ricky. "Not that a lotta people listen. I'm too young to know anythin'."

"Young you may be, but it does not mean you are naïve," said Théodred.

"At least we agree on that," Ricky said.

Boromir had moved to sit at the front of the wagon before it entered Minas Tirith. He sat tall as the people cheered and soldiers saluted at his return. News of his return spread quickly, so quickly that when they reached the seventh level and the citadel, Denethor was rushing out the doors to greet him.

"Boromir!" he called. "You have returned!"

Boromir smiled. "Father," he greeted. He carefully climbed down from the wagon.

Denethor wrapped his arms around his eldest son.

Boromir groaned. "Father, I am wounded."

Denethor quickly let go. "You shall see the healer immediately."

"I already saw the healer in Henneth Annún and my wounds were treated by a skilled healer moments after they happened," assured Boromir. "The only thing the healer is going to tell me is to keep my arm in this sling."

"Come inside," said Denethor. "We have much to discuss."

They went into the tower hall. Denethor called for food and a table was set up with plates of meats, cheeses, and fruits. Boromir savored the food in front of him. Denethor sat next to him and filled his own plate.

"Did you find it? Was it there? The Ring?" Denethor asked eagerly.

Boromir became solemn. "Yes, it was there."

Denethor's face lit up. "Where is it?"

"I had to let it go."

Denethor stared at Boromir for a moment. His face turned to anger. "You failed? I give you this one mission and you failed!" He jumped up and began to pace the chamber. "That was our only weapon against the enemy! What are we to do now? Gondor will fall."

Boromir slowly got to his feet. "Gondor would fall with the Ring."

"It was our only hope!" Denethor raved. "You have doomed our people!"

"Doomed?" Boromir asked, raising his voice. "My foolish belief that I could take the Ring almost cost me my life and the lives of my friends! I almost doomed all of Middle Earth because of my pride!"

Denethor stared at his son in shock.

Boromir sat down, concealing the pain he was feeling in his chest from yelling. "There is so much to tell you, Father." He gestured to the chair.

Denethor moved back to the table and sat down stiffly. "Very well. Tell me of your journey."

When Ricky heard there was a man riding to Helm's Deep, he stopped what he was doing and ran outside. Aragorn rode into the courtyard with his clothes torn and filthy and looking like a drowned rat. People were chattering in amazement that he was alive.

"Where is he?" Ricky heard Gimli bark. "Where is he? Get out of the way! I'm gonna kill him!"

The crowd parted as the angry Dwarf shoved his way through. Ricky ducked in and followed closely behind him.

Aragorn dismounted the horse and passed the reins to a soldier.

Gimli pushed his way through the crowd and stared at Aragorn in amazement. A smile broke out under his fiery beard. "You are the luckiest, the canniest, and the most reckless man I ever knew!" Gimli embraced Aragorn and Aragorn returned the embrace. "Bless you, laddie!"

"And what's dat make me?" Ricky asked with a smile. "Chicken shit?"

Gimli whirled around. "You! You should hear what they are saying about this lad, Aragorn!"

"No, he doesn't!" Ricky yelled.

Gimli chuckled. "He never lost hope you were alive," he said to Aragorn.

Aragorn was solemn. "Gimli, where is the king?"

Gimli nodded in the direction of the hall.

Aragorn walked off, his strides long.

Ricky turned to Gimli. "Am I the only one who thinks all hell is about to let loose?"

Gimli huffed.

It was not long after that Aragorn stood in the hall telling Théoden about the army of Uruk-hai he saw marching across the plains towards Helm's Deep. Behind him, Legolas, Gimli, and Ricky listened along with Théoden's advisors.

"A great host, you say?" said Théoden.

"All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn replied.

"How many?" asked Théoden.

"Ten thousand strong at least."

Théoden stared incredulously at Aragorn. "Ten thousand?" he repeated in disbelief.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose," Aragorn told him grimly. "To destroy the world of Men."

There was true fear on Théoden's face.

"They will be here by nightfall," Aragorn finished.

Théoden turned away slowly, considering what he was going to do.

"God help us all," whispered Ricky.

Théoden turned resolutely and walked from the hall. "Let them come!"

They walked outside to the battlements.

"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall," Théoden told Gamling.

Gamling gave a nod and went to carry out his king's orders.

They continued to the gates. Men were already reinforcing them from the inside.

Théoden told them his plan. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg!"

Gimli stood leaning almost bored against his axe. "This is no rabble of mindless Orcs."

Théoden turned to Gimli, a little surprised to hear from the Dwarf.

"These are Uruk-hai," Gimli continued. "Their armor is thick and their shields broad."

Théoden straightened up. "I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."

Théoden walked back into the keep. Aragorn and Legolas walked passed a very put off Gimli. Ricky gave his arm a slap as he followed them.

Théoden led them across the battlements overlooking the expansive plains. "They will break upon this fortress like water on rocks. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown; homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."

Aragorn followed the king closely. "They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people, down to the last child."

Théoden whirled around. "What would you have me do?" he asked angrily, careful to keep his voice down. "Look at my men! Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance." Théoden walked away.

"Send out riders, my lord," Aragorn pleaded. "You must call for aid."

Théoden turned back and drew close to Aragorn again. "And who will come?" he asked doubtfully. "Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."

"Gondor will answer," Aragorn told them.

"Gondor?" Théoden replied angrily. "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon -?" Théoden cut himself off. He calmed himself slightly. "No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone."

Théoden turned away again and Aragorn watched him go. The Ranger was unprepared for when Ricky shot passed him and ran in front of Théoden.

"What's wrong with askin' Elves and Dwarves for help?" Ricky asked. There was no anger in his voice, something Théoden wasn't used to hearing from the boy. "They're a part of Middle Earth as you are. So what if the old alliances are dead? At least if you ask for help, you know you did everythin' you could. And someone might come if you ask them."

A sad smile spread across Théoden's face. "Your heart is in the right place, lad, but the world does not work this way." Théoden walked passed Ricky.

Théoden walked up the steps to the hall followed closely by Gamling. "Get the women and children into the caves."

Gamling said, "We need more time to lay provisions -."

"There is no time," Théoden said curtly. "War is upon us."

Overhead a flock of crows gathered, an omen for what was coming.

After Boromir recounted his journey from Rivendell to Amon Hen, Denethor told him to go rest. Now he laid in bed propped up on a bunch of pillows. A healer had come in not long ago and had checked Boromir's arrow wounds and was amazed to find them closed over already. There was little the healer said he could do other than advise plenty of rest and give Boromir something to relieve the pain until the internal damage was healed.

Boromir wondered if he did the right thing by telling his father everything. Denethor had not taken well to the news about Aragorn, which Boromir could understand; he had been less than pleased with the idea of Gondor having a king at first as well.

Things only became worse when Denethor inquired about Osgiliath. Boromir was forced to tell him that word had to be sent to Faramir for aid or the city would not hold. This left Denethor wishing Boromir had not been wounded and would have been able to stay to keep the city he had retaken from the enemy before.

Then Denethor had told him the news the scouts brought last evening. Rohan was under attack and Théoden's people had fled to Helm's Deep. Also Easterlings and Southrons were passing through the Black Gates by the thousands. Gondor would not be able to fight a war on two fronts.

A miracle was needed. The Lady Galadriel said there was still hope, but once again, Boromir was having trouble seeing it. It was Ricky who always saw the light in things.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter," said Boromir.

Denethor came in holding a mug. "I brought you something to dull some of the pain you must be feeling."

"Father, you did not have to," said Boromir.

"Bah, a father worries," Denethor brushed off. "The healer tells me all you require is rest? No other treatment?"

"Yes," replied Boromir. "He was surprised at how well the wounds have healed in such a short time. I told you I had them treated immediately with Elvish medicine."

Denethor held out the mug to Boromir. "It will give me peace of mind," he said gently. "Please?"

"Oh, all right," said Boromir, taking the mug and drinking the herbal concoction.

Almost immediately Boromir's eyes drooped and he lost his grip on the mug. Denethor quickly took it from him and brushed some of Boromir's hair back.

"There now, Boromir," Denethor cooed. "Just rest. Sleep, my son. It will all be well. Perhaps your brother will succeed where you have failed."

Moments later Boromir was in a heavily drugged sleep.

Denethor left the room to find the healer standing outside. "Keep him asleep and unaware."

"But my lord, the draught is only to be used sparingly," the healer said. "To use it constantly -."

Denethor grabbed the healer by the front of his shirt and jerked him forward. "You would dare question an order given by the Steward of Gondor?" he asked dangerously.

"No, my lord," the healer said quietly. "I will see to it he takes the draught."

Denethor released the healer and stalked down the hall.

Back in Fangorn Forest, Treebeard walked into an expansive clearing.

"We Ents have not troubled about the wars of Men and wizards for a very long time," he told the Hobbits in his branches. He came to a stop in the clearing. "But now, something is about to happen that has not happened for an age . . . Entmoot."

"What's that?" inquired Merry.

"'Tis a gathering," Treebeard answered.

"A gathering of what?" Merry asked.

Low vibrating groans and heavy thumps came from behind Treebeard. Merry and Pippin turned around to see the trees moving. They quickly realized they weren't trees at all, but other Ents. The Ents entered the clearing and gathered around Treebeard.

Treebeard looked at the Ents in attendance. "Beech. Oak. Chestnut. Ash. Good. Good. Good. Many have come."

Merry and Pippin stared at the Ents in awe.

"Now we must decide if the Ents will go to war," announced Treebeard.

The Hobbits looked at Treebeard with fear and anticipation.

At Helm's Deep, night was coming quickly. Soldiers helped the elderly and infirm gather their personal belongings and move to the caves.

Aragorn worked his way against the throng of people filing to the caves with Legolas and Ricky behind him. "We'll place the reserves along the wall," he told Legolas. "They can support the archers from above the gate."

"Aragorn, you must rest," Legolas insisted. "You're no use to us half alive."

Aragorn ignored Legolas's words.

"Aragorn! Aragorn!" a woman's voice called out. Éowyn ran through the throng of people and up to Aragorn. "I'm to be sent with the women into the caves," she complained.

Aragorn nodded. "That is an honorable charge."

"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that?" she asked angrily.

"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown," Aragorn reassured. "Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"

"Let me stand at your side," Éowyn pleaded.

"It is not in my power to command it," Aragorn told her.

"You do not command the others to stay!" she cried. "They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you!" The last part was desperate.

Aragorn stood in front of her silently.

Éowyn looked away. "I'm sorry."

Ricky stalked around Aragorn and looked at Éowyn with a mixture of disbelief and contempt. "Are you out of yo' mind? Do you think this is a game?"

Éowyn looked at Ricky. "There is nothing wrong with one wanting to defend their people."

"Dat's somethin' we both agree on," Ricky snapped back, his accent thickening. "But yo' not doin' it to defend yo' people. Yo' doin' it fo' da glory. I don't ca'e if yo' a woman who wants to fight. I ca'e 'bout bein' able to rely on da guy next to me to carry dere weight. Ya'd be too busy tryin' to make a name fo' yo'self. Ya don' belong on da battlefield 'til you learn dat. Ya belong wit' da children you act like."

Aragorn grabbed Ricky's shoulder.

Scolded and humiliated, Éowyn pushed passed them and went into the caves.

"That was unkind," Aragorn said to Ricky.

He jerked out of Aragorn's grasp and stomped away.

Ricky was one of the first in the armory. He didn't think he would find anything to suit him. He wasn't used to using a sword and he already had his daggers. A bow would be nice, but there were none calibrated for him. The armor was too restrictive for him, but he did find a leather vest. It was small and was probably only used for training purposes. It was better than no protection at all. He swapped out his goggles for his clear lenses and put the tinted ones on his head to keep his knit hat in place. He left his cloak off as it would get in the way while he fought.

Once he was done, he looked at the men coming into the armory. There were many young boys and old men. Ricky frowned.

Aragorn came over to Ricky. "You need more armor than that," he said quietly.

"We need every advantage we can get," said Ricky, rolling up his cloak. "If I can't move, I'm a sittin' duck."

"I will find you some mail," said Aragorn.

"Save it for someone who needs it," Ricky said shortly. He looked at the boys. "God, this is messed up."

"It is the king's order," Aragorn said, defending Théoden's decision.

Ricky glared at him. "Don't try to make this sound okay. This is necessary. While I understand it, I don't have to like it, but he's doin' what needs to be done." He took a breath to calm himself. "Better late than never."

Ricky did a headcount of the small boys. There were too many for him to be comfortable with. Some of these boys were still elementary school age. Their size reminded Ricky of the Hobbits.

"You spoke out of turn," Aragorn said softly.

"With what? Éowyn? Thought you would prefer that over findin' her dead somewhere, 'cause that's what would happen. She'd be out there too busy tryin' to make a name for herself and would get herself and who knows who else killed in the process. 'There is no glory in battle worth the blood it costs.' When she's fightin' for somethin' other than glory, then we won't have a problem."

With that, Ricky moved away to allow the growing number of men coming into the armory select their weapons and armor.

Aragorn picked up a sword to examine it. He threw it down, discouraged. "Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers."

Gimli and Legolas agreed.

"Most have seen too many winters," said Gimli.

"Or too few," Legolas added.

Aragorn miserably agreed with a nod of his head.

"Look at them," Legolas said, looking around the room. "They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."

Everyone turned to look at Legolas.

The Elf turned away angrily. "Boe a hûn . . . neled herain . . . dan caer menig!"

Aragorn gathered what confidence he could muster. "Si beriathar hýn. Amar nâ ned Edoras."

Legolas turned back to Aragorn. "Aragorn, Men i ndagor. Hýn ú-. . . ortheri. Natha daged aen!"

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn exploded.

There was a beat of silence and Aragorn left. Legolas went to go after him, but Gimli stopped him.

"Let him go, lad," said the Dwarf. "Let him be."

Ricky left the armory and wandered around. This could be the last chance he had to look around an actual castle. He wasn't stupid enough to think they could get out of this unscathed. He held hope that they could get through this, but there would be casualties. And there was the chance they would all die. But Ricky wasn't one to go down without a fight.

He found a small room that looked to be used for storage judging by the furniture and the stacked crates. He hid his cloak, along with everything he thought he wouldn't need in battle, in the corner and left the room.

Ricky heard voices coming from another room. He recognized them as Théoden's and Gamling's voices. He crept over to the door like he had done back in Edoras and listened.

"Every villager able to wield a sword has been sent to the armory," Gamling was saying. "My lord?"

"Who am I, Gamling?"

Ricky almost didn't hear Théoden, he was so quiet.

"You are our king, sire," Gamling said matter-of-factly.

"And do you trust your king?"

"Your men, my lord, will follow you to whatever end," Gamling answered.

Ricky guessed Théoden said something else after that, but he couldn't hear it.

"Where is the horse and the rider?" Théoden asked. "Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west, behind the hills, into Shadow. How did it come to this?"

Ricky shook his head. To him, it sounded like Théoden was just going through the motions of battle and had already given up. There was still a chance and Ricky didn't know how to make Théoden see that.

Éowyn was helping with the women and children in the caves. Many mothers were distraught that their boys had been called to battle.

"Éowyn." The call had come from the pallet Théodred was lying on. "What troubles you?"

Éowyn frowned.

"Come now, cousin, I know when you are troubled," said Théodred. "What is it?"

"He called me a child," Éowyn replied. "He says I have no place on the battlefield."

"Who told you this?" asked Théodred.

"The boy, Ricky," Éowyn answered.

"He called you a child?" Théodred asked, unsure if he heard her correctly. "The boy is a child himself."

"And yet they let him fight!" Éowyn said angrily. "I am willing and capable. I can defend our people. No one will give me the chance. He says there is no glory in battle, yet he is the one who kills a Warg and an Orc with nothing but his daggers. He is the one gaining renown. Have you heard what they are calling him? The boy who saved Prince Théodred's life, the boy with no fear, I have even heard the name Ellenróf. A foreign boy is preparing for battle while the king's niece cowers in the caves, known only for hiding away."

"Éowyn, war is not a place where you seek renown," said Théodred. "A soldier goes into battle thinking of what he must do to return home, not about deeds that will bring him glory. If through his actions he gains renown, then so be it. He will be immortalized in song. But those only fighting for glory cannot be relied upon. A man with such thoughts will act rashly and get himself or others killed. Such a man can cost a battle. Do you understand, Éowyn?"

Éowyn hung her head. "Yes, I understand."

Théodred smiled. "One day, Éowyn, you will gain the renown you wish."

Éowyn lifted her head and returned the smile. "I am glad you believe in me."

When Pippin woke up in the grass of the clearing it was night. The Ents were still gathered, speaking in their language. He sat up and saw Merry walking over to him.

"It's been going for hours," Merry said irritably.

Pippin got up and walked over to Merry. "They must have decided something by now."

Treebeard turned to them and shook his head. "Decided? No. We only just finished saying . . . good morning." He turned back to the Entmoot.

Frustrated, Merry said, "But it's nighttime already. You can't take forever."

Treebeard turned back to them. "Don't be hasty."

"We're running out of time!" cried Merry.

Treebeard appeared to ignore him and turned back to the Entmoot.

Ricky found Aragorn sitting on the steps of the hall. He sat down beside him, pulling his knees up to his chest and resting his arms on top like he was going to try to take a nap.

"You seem at peace," said Aragorn.

"How pissed off would you be if I told you I found the whiskey?" Ricky asked.

Aragorn narrowed his eyes at him.

"Kiddin'. I wish I had a drink right now," said Ricky. He rested his chin on his arms. "You know, six months ago I wouldn't have thought twice about savin' my own ass and leavin' you here."

"Really?" asked Aragorn. "What changed?"

"You guys."

Aragorn raised his brows.

Ricky turned his head and shrugged. "I like you guys." He said nothing more about the subject and put his head down on his arms to take a nap.

Aragorn glanced across the steps. He saw a boy not much younger than Ricky at the edge of the steps, nervously looking at the sword in his hands.

"Give me your sword," Aragorn said to him.

The boy slowly walked over to Aragorn and handed him the sword.

"What is your name?" Aragorn asked, inspecting the sword.

"Haleth, son of Háma, my lord," he replied. "The men are saying we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless."

Aragorn got to his feet and gave the sword a few experimental swings. "This is a good sword." He gave the sword back. "Haleth, son of Háma." Aragorn leaned down and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "There is always hope."

With that, Aragorn turned and marched towards the armory.

From where he sat, Ricky lifted his head and smirked. He then got up and followed Aragorn to the armory at a more sedate pace.

Aragorn was already putting his armor on when Ricky reached the armory. He stood off to the side and watched. Legolas walked in when he was just about to reach for his sword. The Elf picked it up and handed it to him.

"We trusted you this far. You have not led us astray," said Legolas. "Forgive me. I was wrong to despair."

Aragorn shook his head. "Ú-moe edhored, Legolas." He put his hand on one of Legolas's shoulders, Legolas returning the gesture.

Gimli came around the corner struggling with a shirt of mail. "We had time, I'd get this adjusted." He got the shirt on and let it drop. It was more like a dress on Gimli than a shirt, the ends pooling on the floor at his feet. "It's a little tight across the chest."

While Aragorn and Legolas only smiled, Ricky let out a snort.

A horn sounded outside, loud and long.

"That is no Orc horn," said Legolas.

The four of them ran out of the armory.

When they got outside and stood at the top of the steps to the hall, they saw Théoden standing at the bottom of the stairs. Standing with him was Haldir, dressed in full armor, an army of Elves behind him.

"We have come to honor that allegiance," Haldir said to Théoden, though he was looking at Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Ricky.

Aragorn hurried down the stairs. "Mae govannen, Haldir."

Haldir extended his hand in a traditional welcome. Aragorn began to return the gesture, but instead grabbed Haldir in a bear hug. Haldir was stunned for a moment before returning the embrace lightly.

Aragorn broke away. "You are most welcome," he said with a wide grin.

Legolas was the next to greet Haldir, standing next to him afterwards.

The Elf army turned as one to face Théoden.

"We are proud to fight alongside Men once more," Haldir said to Théoden.

Ricky grinned.

They set up ranks. Thanks to the Elves, the wall was heavily manned. Aragorn was leading the Elves and Legolas and Gimli planned to be on the wall with him. Ricky also planned to be on the wall with them, but he had something he had to do first.

The boys were waiting in a group to see where they were supposed to go. A few old men were standing with them as well, some giving advice.

"Listen up," Ricky said, enunciating his words so they had no trouble understanding him. They gave him their attention. "This battle isn't going to be won by numbers and brute strength. The Uruk-hai have us beaten in both categories. This is going to be about fighting smart. The Uruk-hai's armor is weak at the neck and under the arms, but it is also weak at the knees and the groin. If you can't reach, aim for those places. If your blades can sever a major artery in the legs, they will fall just like anybody else. Use your size. You're much smaller than them, you're a little faster as well. You can get to places they can't. If you can help your neighbor, help them. This is about surviving, not a contest for renown. 'There is no glory in war, yet from the blackness of its history, there emerge vivid colors of human character and courage. Those who risked their lives to help their friends.'"

Ricky figured it would go over the kids' heads, but he had said it mostly for the older generation's benefit.

"How can a cut to the leg kill an Orc?" one boy asked.

"I'll show you." Ricky took out his straight razor, but left it folded up. He knelt in front of the boy. "The armor doesn't cover the joint fully or you wouldn't be able to move, so there is a slot you can use to get at the groin. Stick and slice." He made the motion with the folded straight razor. "That'll destroy the artery. The Uruk will bleed out in moments if the shock doesn't kill it first. And if you miss it, it'll bring the Uruk to its knees for you to finish the job." He drew his thumb across his throat. "Understand?"

The boys nodded.

Ricky looked at the men and gave them a nod before walking off. He reached into his pocket and fingered his flashlight. It was charged up and he had an idea on how to use it in battle.

He joined Legolas and Gimli on the wall with the Elves. He had to smirk a little when he saw that Gimli couldn't see over the battlements.

"Glad you could join us," said Gimli, leaning on his axe.

"Glad I could be here," Ricky sniped back playfully.

"Are you certain you do not wish to be at the keep with the other boys?" Legolas asked him.

"As much as I wanna be away from dis, I'd rather be here wit' you," said Ricky.

He looked out at the plains. In the distance, the Uruk-hai could be heard marching towards them, their torches lighting up their position.

"This is the worst part, isn't it?" Ricky asked no one in particular. "The waiting."

He stood beside Gimli and another Elf and watched the army advance into the valley, the sound of their marching becoming louder, shaking the ground.

"You could have picked a better spot," Gimli complained to Legolas.

Aragorn came through the rows of Elves to stand beside them.

Gimli looked up at him. "Well lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."

There was a flash of lightning followed by a crack of thunder. It lit up everything, including the approaching army.

Legolas's eyes grew wide at the sight. "Your friends are with you, Aragorn."

"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli added.

There was another flash of lightning and crack of thunder. Ricky felt something hit the tip of his nose. He looked up. A few raindrops landed on his face before it began to pour heavily.

Aragorn moved through the ranks of Elven archers, shouting to them.

Ricky looked over at Legolas for translation.

"Show them no mercy for you shall receive none," Legolas said quietly.

The Uruk-hai army stopped about a hundred yards from the wall.

Gimli jumped to try to see over the battlements. "What's happening out there?"

"Shall I describe it to you?" asked Legolas. He turned to Gimli with a grin. "Or would you like me to find you a box?"

Gimli laughed.

A single Uruk let out a roar and the rest of the army began roaring, stomping, and banging, trying to intimidate the soldiers.

The Men drew their bows and waited.

The Uruk-hai continued to carry on for several moments. They were becoming impatient, bellowing louder, trying to unnerve the soldiers. Ricky was glad. The more the Uruk-hai moved around and wasted their energy on scare tactics, the better their chance were that they would be able to win because the enemy was too exhausted.

The pros and cons of the weather went through Ricky's mind. He could use it to his advantage, but some of his maneuvers would be very risky on slick stone.

An arrow flew from the battlements and embedded itself in an Uruk's neck. Everything went silent. Ricky heard Aragorn shout an order in Elvish. Since nothing happened afterwards he guessed it was to wait. The Uruk that was hit keeled over dead.

The Uruk-hai roared in rage and charged.

"Here we go," muttered Ricky.

Aragorn gave an order and it was passed down the ranks. All the Elves readied their arrows as one.

"Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc . . . a nu ranc," Legolas said.

Another command from Aragorn had all the Elves shooting.

"Did they hit anything?" Gimli yelled.

"Yeah," Ricky replied. He watched as the fallen line was simply replaced by more Uruks.

The Men on the battlements and the Elves behind the wall all started firing their arrows.

Gimli gripped his axe and shook it. "Send them to me! Come on!"

The Uruks ran up to the wall. Ricky jumped as he saw a few Elves fall with crossbow bolts in them. He ducked next to Gimli to keep from getting hit.

"Pendraid!" Aragorn yelled.

"Ladders!" Legolas translated.

"Good!" Gimli said gleefully.

Ricky peered over the battlements and saw ladders being raised, Uruks already perched on them.

"Swords! Swords!"

Not having a sword, Ricky drew his daggers instead.

The first Uruk to reach the top was immediately struck down by Gimli's axe as it hadn't seen the Dwarf.

Ricky went low as an Uruk jumped down and cut down two Elves with its broad sword. He came up behind it and stabbed it in the back and sliced its throat open.

"Legolas! Two already!" Ricky heard Gimli shout.

"I'm on seventeen!" Legolas called back.

"I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!" Gimli yelled, outraged.

Ricky was focusing on severing tendons and stabbing through the weak points of the Uruk-hai's armor. He ducked under a sword swing and brought his dagger up between an Uruk's legs. He thrust his other dagger up under its armor and into its chest.

"Nineteen!" he heard Legolas yell.

Ricky came to an Elf's aid by cutting the back of an Uruk's leg and allowing the Elf to finish it off. He saw another Uruk coming towards him. He put his dagger in his mouth and grabbed his flashlight. He shined it directly in the Uruk's face. The sudden flare of light blinded it. Ricky charged in and sliced open its unprotected middle.

It didn't feel like they were making a dent in the Uruk-hai's ranks. More and more ladders kept appearing up against the wall. It was going to be a long night.

Treebeard turned from the Entmoot.

Pippin looked up from his pacing and noticed. "Merry."

Merry ran over and they met with Treebeard.

"We have agreed," said Treebread.

When Treebeard went still and said nothing else for a few moments, Merry said, "Yes?"

Treebeard shook himself and looked at the Hobbits. "I have told your names to the Entmoot and we have agreed . . . you are not Orcs." He gave them a smile.

Pippin and Merry stood still, confused.

"Well, that's good news," said Pippin.

"And what about Saruman?" Merry asked impatiently. "Have you come to a decision about him?"

Treebeard stood up to his full height and waved his hand. "Now don't be hasty, Master Meridoc."

"Hasty?" repeated Merry. He stepped forward. "Our friends are out there. They need our help. They cannot fight this war on their own."

"War? Yes," Treebeard said slowly. "It affects us all. Tree, root, and twig. But you must understand, young Hobbit . . . it takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish . . . and we never say anything unless it is worth taking . . . a long time to say."

Both Hobbits looked at each in frustration. If the Ents could not come to a decision soon, there could be nothing left to make a decision on.

Ricky slipped around, slicing as he went. The rain had stopped which made visibility a bit easier. He aimed mostly for the legs, giving the soldiers the chance to finish them off. What the soldiers didn't kill, Ricky took down.

He could hear Gimli counting over the noise of everything and Aragorn shouting orders. He couldn't hear where Legolas was, but he was sure he was somewhere around.

Ricky shined his flashlight at an Uruk only to have the light die. He dodged the sword swing and stabbed it in the stomach. He was moving to finish it off when its head came off by an Elf's sword.

"Thanks!" Ricky called over his shoulder.

He heard Aragorn shouting again. However this time it seemed desperate and he was yelling at Legolas. Ricky looked around for Legolas, but couldn't see him. He looked over the wall to see the Uruk-hai part for a single runner carrying a sparkling torch. It was running straight for the drain.

Ricky's eyes widened in horror. "Get off the wall!" he shrieked. He took about three steps before he was knocked off his feet by a great explosion. Ricky hit stone and something heavy landed on top of him.

Théoden stared in horror at the breeched wall. He then turned to the causeway. A group of Uruk-hai had made their up the causeway, their broad shields surrounding them, protecting them from the spears and stones the men at the gate threw at them. A few Uruk-hai were shoved off as something made its way through the middle. The shields at the front pulled back to reveal a battering ram.

"Brace the gate!" Théoden shouted.

Aragorn began to pick himself out of the mud, having been thrown off the wall by the explosion. He got to his feet and turned around to see the Uruk-hai rush through the massive gap in the wall at him.

"Aragorn!" Gimli threw himself from the wall and into the sea of Uruk-hai.

"Gimli!" Aragorn cried.

Gimli fought a few of them off, but was soon overpowered.

"Hado i philinn!" Aragorn commanded the Elves stationed behind the wall.

A volley of arrows flew through the air killing many of the Uruk-hai, but more only followed in their wake.

Aragorn held his sword at the ready. "Herio!" He and the Elves charged the approaching wave of Uruk-hai.

Legolas came to help. He threw an Uruk's shield down and slid down the steps on top of it, firing off as many arrows as he could on the way down.

Aragorn reached into the stream and pulled Gimli out of the water, dragging him to temporary safety.

Treebeard stood over the Hobbits, the other Ents behind him.

"The Ents cannot hold back this storm," he told Merry and Pippin. "We must weather such things as we have always done."

"How can that be your decision?" Merry asked angrily.

"This is not our war," was Treebeard's calm response.

"But you're part of this world!" Merry shouted. He looked at the other Ents. "Aren't you?"

The Ents looked at each other, surprised at the Hobbit's outburst.

"You must help," said Merry, becoming desperate. "Please. You must do something."

"You are young and brave, Master Merry," Treebeard simply said. "But your part in this tale is over. Go back to your home."

Merry stared speechless at the Ents. He then turned and stormed off.

Pippin slowly approached Merry as he gathered his things. "Maybe Treebeard's right. We don't belong here, Merry. It's too big for us. What can we do in the end? We've got the Shire. Maybe we should go home.

Merry's voice was distant. "The fires of Isengard will spread and the woods of Tuckborough and Buckland will burn." He turned to Pippin, angry. "And all that was once green and good in this world will be gone. There won't be a Shire, Pippin."

Pippin stared at him, taking his words in.

Ricky groaned and tried to get up, but found he was pinned. He turned his head and caught a glimpse of shining armor. It was an Elf on top of him. Ricky gave him a shoved, but he didn't move. The Elf was dead.

Ricky used all his strength to roll the Elf's body off of him. His ears were ringing and he was having a hard time hearing anything. A few Elves ran by him to the keep.

"Na barad!"

Ricky had no idea what the Elvish command meant and it wasn't Aragorn shouting it either. He looked over to where the shouting was coming from and saw the red cape and gold armor of Haldir as he spun around. He was looking at his arm and holding it close to his side. An Uruk came up behind him, sword raised over its head.

A scream of rage was the only warning Haldir had before something ploughed into his chest, knocking him backwards. His back collided with something else and then he was falling. He landed trapped between to living bodies, the one on top of him climbing up his chest. He caught a glint of metal as it was held above his head.

Ricky brought his dagger down into the Uruk's neck, black blood spraying everywhere as he lined up his next stab. After a second stab, he was sure the Uruk would not be getting up. He climbed off Haldir's chest.

"Haldir!" Aragorn shouted.

"Get up!" Ricky yelled, swinging around to kill another Uruk. "Up! Up!"

Then Aragorn was there helping Haldir to his feet. They ran for the keep, Aragorn guarding their backs with his sword.

They made it into the keep and to relative safety.

"Help him," Aragorn told Ricky before running off.

Ricky examined Haldir's injured arm. "Dat's gonna need stitches." He pulled off his knit had and bandana. He pressed the bandana into the wound. "Keep pressure on it."

Haldir held the bandana in place and watched Ricky struggle to get his hair back under his hat and his goggles in place.

"You'll be okay," Ricky said, his voice shaking. "You'll be okay. You'll be okay."

Haldir couldn't tell if Ricky was trying to assure him or himself.

"Dammit, I don't have my suture kit wit' me!"

"Ricky."

Green eyes snapped up from Haldir's injured arm to his face.

"My wound is not life threatening, mellon-nin," Haldir told him.

"Mel-lon?" Ricky repeated slowly.

"It is the Elvish word for -."

"Friend," Ricky finished. "Gandalf told us. It's da only Elvish word I know."

There was a commotion that came from the gate.

"You gonna be okay by yo'self?" Ricky asked Haldir.

"I will be fine," he replied.

Ricky sprinted off for the gate. As he got closer, he ran into a group of men who carrying long boards.

"You are of no help at the gate, Ellenróf!" one man said to Ricky. "Help those on the battlements!"

Ricky nodded and raced off to the upper battlements.

The Uruk-hai were now shooting harpoons up to the battlements with ropes attached. They were using them to raise metal ladders that hooked onto the stone. Already there were two in place with more ladders being raised.

Ricky dashed out under a few sword swings and hopped onto the edge of the battlements. He reached out as far as he could and tried to cut one of the ropes, but he couldn't reach. An arrow whizzed by his ear and severed the rope he was trying to cut. The ladder in the process of being raised wobbled and fell back, taking out the Uruk-hai already climbing it and many more on the ground.

He turned to see where the arrow had been fired from and saw Legolas. He hurried to join him. "Glad t' see you in one piece."

"And you as well," Legolas responded. He grabbed a coil of rope and leaned over the wall. "Aragorn!"

Ricky looked over the wall and saw Aragorn and Gimli fighting alone on the causeway.

Legolas dropped the rope over the side for Aragorn and Gimli. Aragorn grabbed Gimli and Legolas, Ricky, and some men began pulling them up.

"Fall back! Fall back!"

Everyone began pulling back.

"They've broken through!" Aragorn shouted. "The castle is breached! Retreat! Retreat! Hurry! Get inside!"

They ran to the hall and barricaded themselves inside.

Merry and Pippin rode in Treebeard's branches once again as he slowly made his way through the forest.

"I will leave you at the western borders of the forest," said Treebeard. "You can make your way north to your homeland from there."

Neither Hobbit said anything.

Pippin suddenly looked up with a gleam in his eye. "Wait! Stop! Stop!"

Merry looked at Pippin curiously.

Treebeard stopped.

"Turn around," said Pippin. "Turn around. Take us south!"

"South?" asked Treebeard. "But that will lead you past Isengard."

Pippin smiled. "Yes. Exactly. If we go south we can slip past Saruman unnoticed. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm. It's the last thing he'll expect."

Treebeard pondered the thought for a moment. "That doesn't make sense to me. But then, you are very small. Perhaps you're right."

Pippin breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"South it is then. Hold on, little Shirelings." Treebeard changed direction. "I always liked going south. Somehow it feels like going downhill."

Merry stared incredulously at Pippin. "Are you mad? We'll be caught."

"No, we won't," said Pippin. "Not this time."

The sky was lightening with dawn as the Gondorian Rangers approached Osgiliath with Frodo, Sam, and Gollum.

"Look!"

Everyone stopped. Before them on the river's edge was a city, plumes of smoke rising from its buildings.

"Osgiliath burns!" Madril said in horror. "Mordor has come."

Frodo turned to Faramir. "The Ring will not save Gondor. It only has the power to destroy. Please . . . let me go."

Faramir hesitated for a moment. "Hurry!" he commanded his men.

Frodo and Sam were pushed forward.

"Faramir!" Frodo screamed desperately. "You must let me go!"

Treebeard trudged along the forest. "And a little family of field mice that climb up sometimes and they tickle me awfully," he told the Hobbits. "They're always trying to get somewhere where they . . ." He trailed off, eyes growing wide.

Before them was what should have been the edge of the forest. Now it was gone with only burnt stumps and bits of trees remaining.

"Many of these trees were my friends," Treebeard choked out in grief. "Creatures I had known from nut and acorn."

"I'm sorry, Treebeard," Pippin said.

"They had voices of their own," Treebeard went on. He looked to Isengard in the distance. All the land had been cleared and smoke rose from caverns within Isengard's walls. "Saruman. A wizard should know better!"

Merry and Pippin had to hold on as Treebeard threw his head back and let out a furious howl that carried across the forest.

"There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men for this treachery," Treebeard said.

"I'm sure Ricky could make one," Merry absently, remembering the foul mouth the boy had.

A strange sound came from the forest behind them.

Pippin whipped around and his eyes grew wide in surprise. "Look! The trees! They're moving!"

Howls echoed over the landscape as the trees moved out of the borders of Fangorn.

Merry looked at Treebeard. "Where are they going?"

"They have business with the Orcs," said Treebeard. "My business is with Isengard tonight . . . with rock and stone."

There were more howls behind them and dozens of Ents came out of the trees and stood behind Treebeard.

"Yes!" Merry whispered triumphantly.

Treebeard started down the slope towards Isengard. "Come, my friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. Last march of the Ents!"

The Ents followed behind Treebeard down the slope as the sky lightened.

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum were dragged through the battleground that was Osgiliath by the Rangers. The group was forced to duck from friendly fire and avoid the catapults the enemy was firing.

"Faramir." Madril hurried up to him with a few other men. "The Orcs have taken the eastern shore. Their numbers are too great. By nightfall we'll be overrun."

Frodo moaned, feeling the evil of the Ring and Sauron.

"Mr. Frodo?"

"He's coming, Sam," Frodo said, terrified. "His eye is almost on me."

"Hold on, Mr. Frodo," Sam told him. "It'll be all right."

To Frodo, Sam's voice sounded far away and continued to become more distant. There was a humming in his ears that drowned out all sound. He could see Sam's mouth moving, but he couldn't hear him.

Faramir glanced at the Hobbits. "Take them to my father," he told Madril.

The Hobbits were manhandled forward.

"Tell him Faramir sends a might gift," he said proudly. "A weapon that will change our fortunes in this war." Faramir began to walk away.

Sam struggled against the Ranger holding him. "Do you want to know what happened to Boromir?"

Faramir turned around.

"Do you want to know why your bother almost died?" Sam shouted. "Apparently he didn't tell you! He tried to take the Ring from Frodo! After swearing an oath to protect him, he tried to kill him! The Ring drove your brother mad!"

Faramir stared down at the angry Hobbit. What a fool he had been! Boromir had told him what happened and here he was doing the exact opposite of what his brother told him to do.

"Watch out!" someone yelled.

A boulder from the enemy's catapult destroyed a tower.

Frodo slipped into a trance. His head lolled to the side and his eyes rolled back as he looked up to the sky.

Sam looked over and saw the change. "Mr. Frodo?"

"They're here," Frodo said, oddly calm.

Faramir looked down at him.

"They've come," Frodo continued.

There was a shrill, bloodcurdling cry.

"Nazgûl!" Faramir cried.

Everyone looked up and shrank away.

A single Nazgûl came flying on the back of a Fellbeast, a gigantic, slender, dragon-like creature with grey skin.

Frodo stared up at it, transfixed, while everyone else ran for cover.

Faramir grabbed him by the arm and rushed him over to a ruined tower. "Stay here. Keep out of sight."

Sam was practically thrown into the same ruined tower by another Ranger.

Faramir ran out and shouted up to the battlements, "Take cover!" He ducked as the Fellbeast shrieked overhead.

The Fellbeast flew around Osgiliath keeping close to the rooftops. The Nazgûl was searching for the Ring.

Inside the hall of Helm's Deep, soldiers worked to barricade the door using whatever they could find.

Théoden and Gamling stood in the middle of the hall.

Théoden turned to them. "The fortress is taken," he despaired. "It is over."

Aragorn ran over and grabbed a bench with Legolas's help. "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it." He advanced on Théoden while Legolas took the bench to the door. "They still defend it. They have died defending it!"

The loud crack caused by the Uruk-hai's battering ram caused the door to give some. Ricky was knocked back from the force, too tired to hold the door.

"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" Aragorn asked.

Théoden just stared at the floor in silence.

"Is there no other way?" Aragorn asked again.

"There is one passage," Gamling answered. "It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many."

"But it'll give 'em a chance!" Ricky shouted from his place on the floor. "A chance is all they need. Sometimes it's all it takes!"

"Send word to women and children to make for the mountain pass," Aragorn told Gamling. "And barricade the entrance."

Théoden looked at Aragorn and Gamling. "So much death," the king said hollowly. "What can Men do against such reckless hate?"

"The same t'ing Men have been doin' for centuries," Ricky said. Legolas helped him to his feet. "Stand against it!"

Aragorn thought for a moment. "Ride out with me," he said quietly.

Théoden turned to him, confused.

"Ride out and meet them."

"For death and glory," said Théoden.

"For Rohan," said Aragorn. "For your people."

"The sun is rising," Gimli told them.

Aragorn and Ricky looked at the window. Sunlight was coming through.

"'Look for my coming at first light on the fifth day,'" Ricky whispered. "'At dawn, look to the east.'"

Aragorn turned back to the Théoden.

"Yes," Théoden said quietly. Louder, he said, "Yes. The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time."

"Yes!" cheered Gimli, giving his axe a shake. He turned to Ricky. "Come on, lad!"

Ricky followed Gimli out of the hall and up the steps. He tripped twice before Gimli grabbed him by the arm and dragged him up the tower to where the horn was.

At the summit, Gimli let go of Ricky and stepped up to the mouthpiece. Ricky stumbled over to a window and looked out at the sea of Uruk-hai.

Gimli blew into the horn. The deep sound shook the stones of the fortress.

Ricky watched as Gimli continued to blow the horn. He saw Théoden, Aragorn, Legolas, and several other riders ride out of Helm's Deep and across the causeway, cutting, trampling, and pushing the Uruk-hai over the side as they went.

Then it all stopped. Ricky frowned as everyone turned to the east and looked up the hill. He looked up the hill as well and saw a single horse and rider, both white, on the hill.

"Gandalf," breathed Ricky.

Another rider joined Gandalf and raised a sword. Soon the top of the hill was filled with Rohan's riders, the Rohirrim. The Uruk-hai hurried to organize their pikes on the east side. Gandalf and the Rohirrim charged over the hill. Just as they were about to meet the Uruk-hai, the sun rose over the hill at their backs. The Uruk-hai were blinded and the Rohirrim took the advantage to get the first strike.

"Yeah!" screamed Ricky at the top of his voice. "Yeah! Gandalf! Whoo!"

The Ents stormed into Isengard. They threw boulders at the Orcs, crushed them underfoot, threw them around, and brought down their structures on top of them. The Orcs fought back, flinging ropes around the Ents to drag them down and hack at them with axes.

Treebeard threw a boulder at some Orcs who had another Ent pinned down. From his branches, Merry and Pippin threw rocks at the Orcs' heads.

Saruman rushed out onto the balcony. He saw that Isengard was under attack by dozens of Ents destroying everything he had worked to build up. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Pippin threw a rock at an Orc's head and knocked it over the edge of the caverns.

"A hit!" Treebeard said. "A fine hit!"

Pippin tossed Merry a rock and Merry promptly hurled it at another Orc.

Saruman continued to watch in horror as the Ents continued their assault.

Some Orcs lit their arrows on fire and shot them into the branches of the Ents, setting them ablaze.

Several Ents went up to the dam, one of them working on breaking the supports.

"Break the dam!" Treebeard shouted to them. "Release the river!"

The Ent succeeded in pulling the supports away and the dam crumbled. The river gushed down the mountain and into Isengard.

Merry and Pippin saw the water coming.

"Pippin, hold on!" Merry cried.

Orcs ran for their lives while the Ents braced themselves.

"Hold on, little Hobbits!" Treebeard yelled.

The water hit the Ents, but they were unmoved. The same could not be said for everything else. Structures, machines, and Orcs were all washed over the edges of the caverns. The water filled them, drowning out the fires of the forges and causing great plumes of steam to rise from the ground.

Frodo slowly walked out of the corner where he was hiding, caught in some sort of trance.

"What are you doing?" Sam asked him as he passed by.

Frodo ignored him. He walked out into the crowds of rushing soldiers, completely oblivious to their panic.

"Where are you going?" Sam cried after him.

Frodo continued to ignore everything around him and walked out to stand on a high wall. The Fellbeast flew up to him and hovered in front of him. Frodo held up the Ring, watching the Nazgûl.

On another wall, Faramir saw what was happening.

Frodo made to put the Ring on.

Sam ran as fast as he could up the stairs of the high wall and grabbed Frodo's hands, forcing the Ring away. He then tackled Frodo away from the Fellbeast as it made a grab for him with its talons.

Faramir shot an arrow into the Fellbeast. It shrieked and flew off.

Frodo and Sam tumbled down the steps and came to rest at the very bottom with Sam on top of Frodo. Frodo rolled them over so he was pinning Sam down. He drew his sword and held it to Sam's neck.

Sam stared up in shock. He didn't recognize this Frodo. This was some twisted monster with Frodo's face.

"It's me," Sam said. "It's your Sam."

Frodo didn't move.

"Don't you know your Sam?" Tears rolled down Sam's cheeks.

Frodo slowly moved away in horror and dropped his sword. He leaned back against a doorway. "I can't do this, Sam," he said, still in shock of what he had almost done.

Sam stumbled to his feet and leaned against a wall. "I know," Sam said with a sob, getting to his feet. "It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are." He leaned against a wall.

The Fellbeast circled around the ruined city again, searching for Frodo.

Sam watched it fly above another part of Osgiliath. "It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo," he said. "The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something."

"What are we holding on to, Sam?" Frodo asked.

Sam said nothing at first.

Gollum, who slunk over during Sam's speech, looked up, waiting for Sam's answer.

Sam walked over and lifted Frodo to his feet. "There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo," he said resolutely. "And it's worth fighting for. Even Mr. Weiss believes it."

Ricky's words echoed in Frodo's head.

The Ring is evil. You are good. You carry love and hope in your heart. The Ring carries empty promises.

Faramir and a few other Rangers surrounded them. Both Hobbits were taken by the shoulders to keep them from running away.

Faramir knelt down in front of the two Hobbits. "I think at last we understand one another, Frodo Baggins."

"You know the laws of our country," Madril said from behind Faramir.

Faramir stood up and turned to him.

"You know the laws of your father," Madril went on. "If you let them go, your life will be forfeit."

Faramir looked at him unwaveringly. "Then it is forfeit. Release them."

Frodo looked at Faramir in gratitude while Sam shook the Ranger's hand off his shoulder.

Ricky watched the Uruk-hai flee from Helm's Deep with the Rohirrim chasing after them. As they crossed the plains, Ricky noticed something out of place. There was a forest where there hadn't been before. The Uruk-hai ran into the forest and the Rohirrim stopped chasing them. Once all the Uruk-hai disappeared into the trees, there were horrible shrieking sounds and the tops of the trees thrashed violently.

"Damn," muttered Ricky in awe.

Gimli and Ricky came down from the tower to take care of any Uruk-hai that remained in the fortress. They came across a few, but Gimli quickly dispatched them with his axe.

They went out to the destroyed wall. Men were already searching for survivors and piling the bodies of the Uruk-hai off to the side. An Uruk on the ground moved and Gimli promptly buried his axe into its head. He then sat down and took out his pipe for a smoke. Ricky rolled his eyes at Gimli's antics, but was too tired to make a comment.

"Have a seat, lad," Gimli said. "I'm sure you can find a dead one to suit you."

"If I sit down, I don't think I'll be able to get back up," said Ricky.

Legolas walked through the carnage and spotted them. He came to stand in front of Gimli. "Final count: forty-two," he announced, stroking his bow.

"Forty-two?" Gimli asked in mock admiration. "Oh. That's not bad for a pointy-eared Elvish princeling."

Legolas's face fell at Gimli's tone.

"I myself am sitting pretty on forty-three," gloated Gimli.

Legolas suddenly shot an arrow between Gimli's legs and into the Uruk he was sitting upon. "Forty-three," he said proudly.

"He was already dead," Gimli deadpanned.

"He was twitching," Legolas argued.

"He was twitching because he's got my axe embedded in his nervous system!" Gimli said. He demonstrated by giving the axe handle a shake. The Uruk's arms and feet twitched as he did so.

"Ya'll kept count?" Ricky asked incredulously.

Gimli turned to him. "How many did you kill? I know you got a few of them."

"I was too busy tryin' to keep myself and others alive," said Ricky. "Which reminds me, I need to find my suture kit for Haldir."

"Haldir was wounded?" asked Legolas.

"Got his arm sliced up," Ricky answered.

With that, Ricky went to retrieve his suture kit along with his other belongings.

Merry and Pippin stood in waist-deep water looking up at the Orthanc. On the balcony, Saruman and Wormtongue looked hopelessly down from their new prison.

"He doesn't look too happy, does he?" Merry asked.

"Not too happy at all, Merry," said Pippin.

"Still, I suppose the view would be quite nice from there," said Merry.

"Oh, yes, it's a quality establishment," agreed Pippin. "I hear the staff are very good."

From behind Pippin, Merry held up his hand to his head and measured his height against Pippin's. Pippin caught him doing this out of the corner of his eye and looked over his shoulder. Merry quickly pretended he was playing with his own hair.

"What are you doing?" Pippin asked suspiciously.

"Nothing," Merry lied. "The world's back to normal, that's all."

"No, it isn't," said Pippin. "I'm starving."

Merry picked up a basket floating by and tossed out its contents. "Good luck trying to find something decent to eat around here. Probably dead rats and moldy bread."

Pippin looked down and found a floating apple. He grabbed it and looked up, trying to figure out where it came from with no trees around. Another apple floated by him and then another.

Merry noticed the floating fruit and they followed the trail of apples. They found a roasted turkey and a basket full of apples. They continued to follow the trail of food until they found a doorway in the wall. Looking inside, they saw they had found a storage room.

"Saruman's storeroom!" Merry said.

On a shelf, two barrels labeled South Farthing caught their attention.

"I don't believe it," said Pippin in reverent awe.

"It can't be," said Merry.

They got the barrels down from the shelf and opened one of them. Inside were brown dried leaves and a familiar scent.

"It is!" cried Merry.

"Longbottom Leaf," said Pippin.

Merry took a huge sniff. "The finest pipe-weed in South Farthing."

"It's perfect! One barrel each." Pippin paused. "Wait. Do you think we should share it with Treebeard?"

"Share it?" Merry shook his head. "No. No. Dead plant and all that. Don't think he'd understand. Could be a distant relative," he added quietly.

Pippni smiled and tapped the side of his nose with his finger. "I get it. Don't be hasty."

Merry whipped out his pipe. "Exactly." He sucked on his pipe for a quick moment. "Bah-hrhm!" he said in a deep voice.

Pippin was sent into laughter and Merry joined in with him.

Outside, Treebeard walked closely to the storeroom. He could hear the Hobbits laughing and a plume of smoke wafted out of the room. He knelt down and looked in on them.

In Osgiliath, Faramir led Frodo, Sam, and Gollum to a waterlogged tunnel. "This is the old sewer. It runs right under the river through to the edge of the city. You'll find cover in the woods there."

"Captain Faramir," Sam started, "you've shown your quality, sir."

The surprise was clear on Faramir's face.

"The very highest," Sam added.

"The Shire must truly be a great realm, Master Gamgee, where gardeners are held in high honor," said Faramir.

Sam looked down, embarrassed.

"What road will you take when you reach the woods?" Faramir asked Frodo.

"Gollum says there's a path near Minas Morgul that climbs up into the mountains," Frodo replied.

"Cirith Ungol?" In a blink, Faramir snatched Gollum up by the neck. "Is that its name?"

"No, no!" Gollum cried. Faramir tightened his grip. "Yes!"

Faramir turned to Frodo. "Frodo, they say a dark terror dwells in the passes above Minas Morgul. You cannot go that way."

"It is the only way," said Gollum. "Master says we must go to Mordor. So we must try."

Faramir looked at Frodo, pleading with his eyes to stop before he got killed.

"I must," Frodo said.

Faramir threw Gollum to the ground. "Go, Frodo. Go with the good will of all Men."

"Thank you." Frodo led the way down the tunnel, Sam following him.

Gollum began to follow when Faramir grabbed him again.

"May death find you quickly if you bring them to harm," Faramir promised.

Faramir tossed Gollum into the tunnel and Gollum went on his way, giving Faramir a scathing look.

Frodo and Sam found it easy to walk down the tunnel, but Gollum was limping behind.

"Come on, keep up," Frodo called behind him.

Gollum slumped to the ground.

Sam stopped. "Mr. Frodo didn't mean for them Rangers to hurt you. You know that, don't you? He was trying to save you, see?"

Gollum looked up at Sam in wonder. "Save me?"

"So there's no hard feelings," Sam went on. "Forgive and forget."

Gollum shook his head. "No, no, no hard feelings." He coughed. "Gollum, Gollum. Yes, master."

Sam stepped aside.

"Nice Hobbits," Gollum commented.

"Very decent of you," Sam said. "Very decent, indeed, Gollum."

Aragorn found Legolas and Gimli by the ruined Deeping Wall. "Have you seen Ricky?"

"He said he was going to get something for Haldir," Legolas replied.

"I have just come from the healers. Haldir says he has not seen him since he was wounded," said Aragorn.

"Perhaps he cannot find what he is looking for," said Gimli.

Legolas frowned. "You do not believe he was attacked, do you?"

"There may be a few Uruks alive in the fortress yet," said Aragorn. "We need to find him."

The three of them hurried off in different directions in search of their missing companion.

Aragorn was searching the living quarters, knocking on doors and waiting for someone to answer. When no answer was given, he opened the doors to see if there was anyone inside. One door he knocked on belonged to a storage room. There was a thump on the other side of the door. Aragorn opened the door a bit and found a chair had been pushed up against it. It didn't hold the door in place, but it made noise when it scraped across the floor.

"You can come out," Aragorn called. "It is safe. We have the victory. The Uruk-hai are gone."

"Shit!" he heard being whispered harshly behind a stack of crates in the corner. An unnatural beam of light shined across the floor.

"Ricky?"

The light disappeared. "Yeah? Whadiya want, Aragorn?" Ricky asked from behind the crates.

"We have been looking for you. Legolas said you had gone searching for something for Haldir."

"Uh, yeah, my suture kit," Ricky replied. "Got a little side tracked. Can you give me a few minutes?"

Aragorn pushed the door open more and stepped into the storage room. "Are you injured? Do you need help?"

"No, I'm fine," Ricky said quickly.

Something wasn't right. Aragorn went around to the side of the crates, stepping on something laying on the floor. It was a pile of clothes, Ricky's clothes.

"Don't come back here!"

"Ricky."

"I'm okay, really. Just wanted to check a bruise. You don't need to come back here."

Aragorn ignored Ricky and stepped around the crates. Ricky had most of his clothes off from what he could tell and was wrapped in his Lothlórien cloak. He had marks around his eyes from where his goggles had been. A few strands of long black hair stuck out from under his knit hat, like he had hastily put it back on.

Aragorn took a step forward. "Ricky, how badly are you –."

Ricky retreated against the wall, terrified. "Go away, Aragorn," he told him, his voice shaking.

Aragorn took another step forward and Ricky's face went white. He reached for Ricky. "Let me see."

"No!" Ricky screamed desperately. "I'm fine, Aragorn. Just leave me alone."

Aragorn reached out and grabbed Ricky by the shoulder and tried to pull him away from the wall. Ricky pushed at Aragorn with one hand while holding his cloak to himself with the other.

"Get da fuck away from me!" he screamed at Aragorn.

"Ricky, stop! You will hurt yourself more!" Aragorn tugged the cloak away.

Ricky let out a cry of anguish and hugged himself.

Aragorn saw Ricky was indeed in his underclothes. His body was covered in red marks that would turn purple in a day or two. Aragorn then noticed how Ricky was hugging himself, his arms across his chest. He reached for Ricky's arm and pulled one away.

"No! No!" Ricky struggled and punched Aragorn in the shoulder.

"Ricky!" Aragorn scolded.

They struggled for a moment. Ricky tried to kick Aragorn's feet from under him and succeeded in knocking them both to the floor. Aragorn turned Ricky onto his back and pinned his shoulders down. Rick let out a wail. There were bandages around Ricky's chest.

"Ricky, when did this wound happen?" Aragorn asked. "Why did you not tell us?"

Looking from Ricky's chest to his face, he saw tears running down his cheeks. Green eyes stared at him in fear. Then it dawned on Aragorn.

"These bandages are not for a wound, are they?" Aragorn asked quietly.

Ricky let out a sob. "No."

Aragorn sat on the floor and gathered Ricky into his arms. "Why did you not tell us?"

"Dat I'mma girl? Would you have treated me da same?"

Aragorn sighed. They all would have treated Ricky differently if they had known.

"Don't tell da others," Ricky begged. "Please. They can't know."

"Ricky, you cannot hide this from them," said Aragorn.

"No one knew until now," Ricky said. "You keep yo' mouth shut and no one will know."

"Ricky."

"No! It's never mattered before. Why should it matter now?"

"You cannot keep this secret any longer," said Aragorn.

Ricky was quiet for a moment. "You're not gonna let this go, are you?" Seeing Aragorn would not budge on the subject, Ricky pushed herself out of his arms. "Can I get dressed now?"

"I will give you some privacy." Aragorn got up and left the storage room, pulling the door closed behind him. He came face to face with Legolas. The expression on the Elf's face told Aragorn he had heard enough.

"How could we have not noticed?" Legolas asked.

"I do not know," said Aragorn, shaking his head. "She hid it very well."

"We do not have the time to ponder it now," said Legolas. "Gandalf wishes to leave for Isengard. Théoden and Éomer will be accompanying us."

Aragorn gave a nod in understanding.

"Will Ricky be coming with us?" Legolas asked.

"You do not believe she should stay behind?" asked Aragorn.

"For being female? Ellith have served in my father's guard. I see no reason to leave her here for being a girl, unless you are punishing her for her deception."

"But she is not an Elf," Aragorn pointed out.

"No, she is not." Gandalf walked up the hallway towards them. "She is a girl who has done what has been needed to survive."

"You knew?" Aragorn asked.

"I had my suspicions," admitted Gandalf. "Though I am certain Lady Galadriel knew Ricky's secret."

The storage room door opened and Ricky looked at them. "Well, we're just missin' Gimli. Or is he gonna yell at me later?"

"No, my dear," said Gandalf. "But we will be leaving for Isengard soon. And I hope you will be joining us."

Ricky looked at them suspiciously. "So, Isengard? As in goin' to see a certain wizard? You bet I'm comin' wit'."

Before she went to leave, Ricky ran down to the healers to find Haldir. She found the Elf with his arm bandaged and in a sling.

"Guess you didn't need this after all," said Ricky, holding her suture kit.

"No, but thank you," said Haldir.

They stood there in awkward silence for a moment.

"So, you headin' back to Lothlórien?" asked Ricky.

"As soon as the wounded are able to be moved," Haldir replied.

Ricky nodded. "I'm goin' wit' the others to Isengard. Dunno where we're goin' from there."

"You will most likely return to Edoras," said Haldir.

"Guess this is goodbye then," said Ricky.

"Before you go, Lady Galadriel tasked me to give this to you after the battle." Haldir reached under his collar and pulled out a silver chain with a small charm attached. With a little difficulty, he unhooked the necklace and presented it to Ricky.

Ricky took the necklace and turned the charm over in her hand. It was about the size of a nickel, blank on one side and engraved on the other. She recognized the engraving as Elvish lettering, but she didn't know what it said.

"What does it say, Haldir?" she asked.

"You should ask Aragorn or Legolas," said Haldir.

"I'm askin' you," Ricky said with a smirk.

Haldir smiled. "Thank you for saving my life," he said, refusing to answer her.

They said goodbye and Ricky left for the stables.

When Ricky reached the stables, she was surprised that Aragorn hadn't saddled Hasufel, but Brego. She looked at the horse warily.

"It was Brego who bore me to Helm's Deep," Aragorn told Ricky.

"Does Théodred know you have his horse? These guys don't like horse thieves all that much," she said, remembering her experience at the gates of Edoras.

"Théoden knows and I have his blessing," Aragorn answered.

"King overrules prince," Ricky said with a shrug.

They rode out, Gandalf on Shadowfax leading, Ricky sitting behind Aragorn on Brego, Legolas and Gimli riding next to them on Arod, and Théoden, Éomer, and Gamling on Gandalf's other side.

At the top of the rise in front of Helm's Deep, they stopped and looked to the east. In the far distance, the sky over Mordor was dark and crackled with lightning, the thick clouds spreading over the land.

"The battle for Helm's Deep is over," said Gandalf. "The battle for Middle Earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little Hobbits."

Frodo and Sam had left Osgiliath behind them and they now travelled through the woods.

"I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or tales," Sam suddenly commented.

"What?" asked Frodo.

"I wonder if people will ever say, 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring.' And they'll say 'Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, dad.' 'Yes, my boy, the most famousest of Hobbits. And that's saying a lot.'"

Frodo laughed. "Well, you've left out one of the chief characters: 'Samwise the Brave.' I want to hear more about Sam." He turned to Sam, his laughter gone. He added seriously, "Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam."

"Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't make fun. I was being serious."

Frodo smiled. "So was I." He walked on.

"'Samwise the Brave,'" Sam said dreamily.

Realizing they had lost track of Gollum, Frodo called out, "Sméagol!"

"We're not gonna wait for you," Sam yelled. "Come on!"

When Gollum didn't appear, they turned back and started looking for him.

"Where has he gone?" Sam asked. "Hey, Gollum! Where are you?"

"Sméagol!" shouted Frodo.

A few moments later, Gollum leapt out from behind some trees. "Come on, Hobbits. Long way to go yet. Sméagol will show you the way. Follow me."

In the back of his mind, Frodo could hear Ricky. You gotta make a judgment call. He hoped he was making a good one by trusting Gollum.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. –William Shakespeare

Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. –Oscar Wilde

There is no glory in battle worth the blood it costs. –Dwight D. Eisenhower

There is no glory in war, yet from the blackness of its history, there emerge vivid colors of human character and courage. Those who risked their lives to help their friends. –Silvia Cartwright

So yeah, that just happened. Krysten Lee Wheeler, give yourself a cookie because you were right. Coming out with Ricky's true identity has always brought me some anxiety. I had contemplated coming up with a different secret and keep Ricky as is since a few people said they loved the character like this. In the end I went with my original idea. I guess I'll see how many of you jump ship and rage quit or stay on and see how the Fellowship takes the news.