Hi new followers, and thanks to those reviewers. You make me smile and smiling writers are writing writers. :)
Aralinn - I am a bit, but I do want to get this story finished and it is the flavor of the fortnight for me at the moment. Glad you liked the healing, in future chapters, it will be explained in detail which you will hopefully find fascinating as I thoroughly enjoyed creating it.
WickedGreen13 - We are here! To your left, you will see a great big rock wall. To your right, more rock wall! The battle is about to begin! It is one of my favorite parts in both book and film too. Yes, this is the first time, forget that terrible slaughter of all things good, which was the first attempt. Although, I have saved it for old times sake to remind myself I'm not that awful anymore!
TMNinjaGinga - Hey! Thanks for reviewing and glad you are enjoying it! The first writing sucked. I mean, it was clearly loved but the grammer, the flow, ugh, it made my eye twitch! I did write most of it bedbound with a broken hip though so... haha. Figured there would be spoilers but, all it would take is for anyone to read the two prequels to figure it out too. Although, thanks for actually reading my review comments! :)
"A great host you say?"
"Ten thousand strong at least." King Théoden stopped pacing, turning at the Ranger's words.
"Ten Thousand?" Surely I hear him wrongly? The grave look in the Ranger's eyes said it was true and his heart sank although he did not show it, keeping his stance strong.
"It is an army bred for a single purpose; to destroy the world of men." Aragorn went on when he did not speak. "They will be here within an hour, maybe two, after nightfall." Fear kindled in his heart now as he glanced outside to where the sun had just begun to sink on the horizon, the peak of the deep already dark in the East. We have an hour, two if lucky. We are not prepared for this.
"Let them come." He said dismissively and strode towards his men, Gamling and Hama. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms, to be ready for battle by nightfall." He ordered, barely pausing as he made his way outside.
He ignored how both men exchanged worried looks. None had breached the Hornburg, no one would. Théoden decided, finding comfort in the solid stone beneath his feet as he made his way along the wall.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping wall or set foot inside the Hornburg." He reassured the Ranger, two Elves and Dwarf who followed him uneasily.
"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad." The Dwarf spoke up in a warning baritone.
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf, I know how to defend my own keep." Théoden retorted, harder than he intended. "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we've seen it before. Crops can be re-sown. Homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them." He added, but in his heart, in an ever-growing shadow in his mind, he knew this time, it might not be.
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people; down to the last child!" The Elfhorse stated fiercely, turning to him. "Do not think the hand of Saruman will not wipe out an entire race or kin. Do not forget, Théoden King, there is a reason I stand before you now instead of my brother." She finished pointedly and he fought the urge not to pale under the gaze of her cool, piercing blue eyes. Her words held all the truth he shied away from believing.
"What would you have me do?" Théoden replied to her in exasperation. "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!"
"Send out riders, my Lord. You must call for aid." Aragorn pleaded quietly.
"And who will come. Elves? Dwarves?" He cast his eyes pointedly over Legolas and then Gimli. "We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead." He stated flatly.
"Gondor will answer." The Ranger insisted and he heard the determination and hope in the man's voice. Such honor he has but in these dark day's honor means naught and Gondor never honored any previous call for aid. His blood nearly boiled at the thought of Gondor and its selfish leader.
"Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us!?" He snapped angrily. "Where was Gon..." He stopped himself, unable to continue, for what was the point, no amount of wishful thinking would bring the soldiers of Gondor to their aid.
"No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone." He finished wearily and turned away to face Hama, who approached.
"Get the women and children into the caves." He instructed and with a nod, the man rushed away, only to be passed by Gamling, who ran, a deep frown worrying his expression.
"We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, Lord..." Théoden put up a silencing hand to the harried man.
"There is no time. War is upon us!" He spoke dismissively, and unable to handle more of the overwhelming doom hanging over them all, swept back into the keep, intent on seeking solace.
…
With the King seemingly in denial, Aragorn took it upon himself to see just what preparations were taking place. He re-entered the entrance hall, finding a hive of activity.
He noticed all children and women being directed towards a corridor and was glad for it. There would undoubtedly be many deaths and Aragorn doubted they would all survive in any case.
The army of Urak-hai storming towards the keep would be unstoppable. They were bred and trained to kill, there would be no mercy.
He glanced quickly at those in the hall. Only a third were soldiers, the rest terrified. The fear and uncertainty was palpable. Feeling uneasy, he made to leave the hall once more.
"Aragorn!" He paused at his name, motioning for his three companions to continue. A hand grasped his forearm and he turned to face the young woman.
"I'm to be sent with the women into the caves." She spoke dispassionately. He should have known she would wish to fight beside the men. This was no battle for any woman, he'd been constantly reminding himself, Aerlaer was capable enough.
"That is an honorable charge." He replied carefully, hoping to convince her of the importance of her part in the siege. By the flash of annoyance in her eyes, he realized it would take more to console her.
"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return?" A bitterness tainted each word. "What renown is there in that?" She pressed on fiercely.
"My Lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in their last defense?" He replied gently. If Aragorn knew her better, he would speak to her no differently than to Aerlaer, or Legolas. She needed hard reasoning, but it was not his place.
Éowyn gazed up at him with unwavering determination.
"Let me stand at your side!" She beseeched. Aragorn sighed inwardly.
"It is not in my power to command it." He again answered gently. "I must go." He added, turning toward where the others waited.
"You do not command the others to stay! They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you!" Éowyn tugged on his arm desperately. "Because they love you." Her voice broke quietly and she let her hand fall away. "I, I am sorry." She mumbled, shame-faced and, swiftly turning, hurried away.
Slightly bewildered by her passionate outburst, Aragorn hastily strode to the others and beckoned them outside.
"Aragorn, I still need to fix your arm." Aerlaer murmured quietly.
"It's fine." He briskly brushed her concern aside and strode forward towards the deep's great wall.
Sighting the man, Gamling, barking out orders to harried soldiers, Aragorn strode forward. The others followed silently.
"If you place the reserves along the wall, they can support the archers from above the gate." He suggested after noting more of the fortress's layout. Gamling thought on his words a moment before nodding. He turned back to the men rushing about him.
"Come on people! Quickly, now!" He called out to them.
Aragorn turned to head back into the hall and found Legolas blocking his way. "Aragorn, you must rest. You're no use to us half-alive." The Elf said worriedly but he shook his head, sidestepping around him.
"Pin him down and heal him." He heard Gimli mutter.
"No, we cannot force him to rest or heal." Came Aerlaer's rueful answer." Aragorn let out a sigh. His arm was bothering him and it would be useless to him in the battle.
"Very well, you may heal me, Aerlaer."
"Finally!" Gimli rumbled as they re-entered the hall.
"But I am not resting." He shot a meaningful look at Legolas who merely narrowed his eyes but nodded.
As Aerlaer quickly set to work where he stood, Aragorn felt the waves of despair rolling off the people around them. He watched as a boy, who looked to be but twelve, farewelled his tearful mother. He held a sword, and a helm, his knuckles white.
"Pity." He heard Gimli grumble and he felt slightly foolish for not allowing her to heal him sooner. So much had happened in such a short time and still there was barely time to be healed but he could not deny his arm was bothering him. He turned around to face his three companions defeated.
A coldness set in Aragorn's heart. That boy, to young to be wielding such a weapon, would likely be dead before dawn.
…
While Aerlaer placed her hand gently over the damaged area of Aragorn's shoulder and willed muscle tissue and ligaments to re-attach and grow, Legolas observed the people around them, readying for battle. He was swiftly becoming more and more despondent by the men that he saw, and the growing heaviness of despair which seemed to radiate off some of them in smothering waves.
"Farmers, Farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers. He muttered, watching an old, frightened looking man accept a sword and shield. He will barely be strong enough to parry an orc. He realized sadly. He has no chance, he is being sent to his death. We all are.
"Most have seen to many winters." Gimli mused, standing beside him.
"Or too few." Legolas replied, now watching a young boy of maybe fifteen, embracing a crying woman who looked to be the boy's mother. He noticed the boy was crying too by the way he shook slightly. It was too much.
"Look at them. They are frightened. I can see it in their eyes, I can feel it in the air." Legolas spoke his thoughts aloud, overcome with the weight of what lay less than two hours ahead of them. The hall fell silent around him and he felt, many wary eyes on him.
"Legolas, avo!" He heard Aerlaer say low and warningly from beside Aragorn, not looking up as she focused on the Ranger's arm. He ignored her but thought to have the decency to speak so the people around him might not be more alarmed by his honest words.
"Boe a hyn neled herain… dan caer menig!" He said seriously, eying Aragorn.
"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras." Aragorn replied he could hear the strain in his friend's voice but he could not stop himself and pressed on with what lay heavily on his mind.
"Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hýn ú ortheri. Natha daged aen!" Legolas said darkly and then stopped as Aragorn rounded on him, leaving Aerlaer's still lightly glowing hand to heal thin air.
"Then I shall die as one them!" He yelled at back and Legolas saw the flash of anger in his friend's eyes and returned it with a look of defiance.
He stared at Aragorn for a moment or so and saw the anger change to great sadness and then the Ranger broke eye contact and turning on his heel, stormed out of the hall. Legolas stood there, unsure what to do. He could feel the eyes of the Rohirrim flitting warily between the direction the Aragorn had left and to where he stood.
"I had not finished!" Aerlaer said from just behind him in exasperation and felt a ripple of air as she spun and stalked agitatedly towards a bucket and towel to cleanse her hands. Shame washed over him for his thoughtless words and for causing the Ranger to leave still not completely healed. He made to run after Aragorn but Gimli put a firm hand on his arm stopping him.
"Let him go, lad. Let him be." Gimli advised and he slumped a little feeling horrible for his actions.
"Garhartha." Aerlaer murmured to him as she returned and he looked around to her but she was examining her fingernails with interest. "An Elf once told me, 'All we can do is hope.' I think maybe that Elf should remember his console. I believe that same Elf mentioned something about having a wizard on our side?" Aerlaer looked up at Legolas from the corner of her eyes and he felt hope begin to stir in his chest and his heart warmed that Aerlaer remembered a conversation they had had in the early days when they had set out from Imladris.
"I had forgotten Mithrandir." He murmured, wondering where the wizard was at this very moment. Would he be able to help them?
"And if there's five hundred of us and ten thousand of them, well that is only twenty Orcs we must kill each." Gimli added and then grinned at the elves. "I, of course, plan on slaying many more than the two of you."
"Is that so?" Legolas finally smiled, grateful to his dwarf friend for lightening his heart and mind. "Challenge accepted."
"Prepare to lose!" Aerlaer chuckled deviously and Gimli raised his axe and growled at her menacingly. "You'll be the first, you rascal of an Elf! He growled at her playfully and she fled from the hall laughing and Gimli gave chase, brandishing his axe. Legolas shook his head and amused followed his two companions from the hall, feeling a little better.
…
"I don't think I'll ever understand the way of Elves, or Dwarves for that matter." Hama muttered and shook his head as the three strange companions disappeared out of the hall and from sight. He had witnessed the entire altercation with the male Elf and Ranger. He'd then watched as the she-Elf and Dwarf had consoled the male Elf and effectively made fools of themselves in front of everyone just to cheer him up. Their relationship was odd to him. Two Elves and a Dwarf, such good friends. It was truly commendable, if only all men could strike up such loyal friendships.
"They are hopeful again and so too should we be." Rodwen murmured from where she stood beside him. He nodded, realizing that hope had spread to the men about him. Maybe, just maybe, they would live to see the sun rise.
…
They found Aragorn in the armory, clad in the mail and armor of the Rohirrim. He was finishing buckling the guards upon his arms. Aerlaer remained with Gimli in the doorway as Legolas approached. Aragorn had not yet seen them and as he turned to pick up his sword, Legolas handed it to him.
"We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." Legolas spoke q said sincerely, hoping his friend would forgive him.
Ú-moe edamed, Legolas." Aragorn quietly replied. Aerlaer smiled, motioning for Gimli to follow her into the armory as Aragorn placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder and the Elf returned the gesture. She could see the way his shoulders relaxed in relief.
He'd been scared. Truthfully, so was she. Already she had fought these evil creatures, seen them slaughter her herd. The Urak-hai would not be so easily stopped. Aerlaer just hoped they could be.
"Ah Gimli, Aerlaer and you, Legolas, I have armor for you all if you would come over here." King Théoden emerged from the back of the armory and a younger man, following him, added more armor to a wooden the table beside Aragorn.
"Weapons you have no need of for the ones you carry are superior to any I could offer you, but I would not send you to battle without armor." Théoden gestured to the armor. "There are helms and coats of mail of cunning work, gifts to my for-father's, out of Gondor. Choose from these and may they serve you well." The King smiled to them all politely and left the armory.
"Hmm well this will be interesting, for not one of us is the size of a man of Gondor or Rohan." Gimli said as he picked up one of the chain mail coats and held it up to himself, its length falling in a heap at the floor. "You could wear this as a dress, lass!" He chortled to Aerlaer and she let out a quiet chuckle,
"There is smaller mail here although these are too narrow for you Gimli but perhaps this one might fit Legolas?" She passed one of the silvery mail coats to the other Elf who examined it.
"I think it will fit, although I am not used to wearing so much armor." He turned to Aerlaer. "Could you help me with it?" Surprised he'd ask her and not Aragorn, she nodded, leaping nimbly up onto a nearby bench. Legolas handed the mail up to her before holding his arms up.
Carefully she lowered it over his head and he shrugged, moving about. "It does indeed fit well." He decided gladly.
"It does, it makes you look quite...scintillating." Aerlaer decided, choosing her comment carefully and ignoring the words that had come to the forefront of her mind.
The mail of chain truly was fashioned not just cunningly but beautifully, with intricate designs of a lighter metal woven through some of the links. Legolas found arm and shoulder guards from the pile which had the same pattern etched into the metalwork and clasped them on too.
"Worthy of a Prince." She snickered and he looked pointedly at her but his eyes were bright with mirth.
"Your turn then, Princess." He smirked and motioned for her to get down and choose from the armor.
"This should fit you lass." Gimli said and passed Legolas a chain identical in pattern to his but smaller. It was not silver but a washed, white gold, with rose gold patterns similar to those on Legolas's armor.
Aerlaer lifted her arms and let the other Elf drop the coat of mail upon her, gladdened the dress she wore was long sleeved and comfortable. It seemed to fit well, and she went to move to test it.
"Don't move yet!" Legolas warned and she froze. "Your hair is tangled in the chain links." He laughed quietly and she felt deft fingers suddenly at her hair, untangling loose tresses from her braid.
"Oh, thanks." Aerlaer said barely keeping her voice level at the unexpected contact. Her heart skipped a bit, reminding her of her conversation with Rodwen. She'd pushed those thoughts aside, although, doing so had been hard. It seemed now she had been enlightened into acknowledging them, they would not go away.
"You're free now." Legolas said quietly, his hand falling away as he turned to the table. Aerlaer turned too, finding he now held out shoulder and arm guards.
"They should fit yeh, lass." Gimli rumbled as Aragorn dropped a chain over his head of copper hair. Aerlaer noted they were also a rose gold to match the design of the mail, as she clasped them on.
"They do fit exceptionally well." She commented, flexing and moving about.
"I think they must have been made for the King's late Queen, Elfhild." Aragorn said quietly.
"Well they certainly befit our lass here." Gimli said kindly." Testing his own mail coat, walking around the table. "Now the length of this mail is an improvement, but it is a little tight around the chest." He chuckled and Aerlaer found herself grinning along with the others. The light cheer amongst them warmed her heart.
…
"My Lady Aerlaer?" They paused from returning to the main hall as Hama intercepted them. "Would you please accompany me; the King wishes to see you."
"Of course." Aerlaer nodded, motioning for the others to go on without her.
"We will be on the wall, with the archers." Aragorn said, signaling the others to follow him.
"I'll meet you out there." She narrowed her eyes at Gimli. "No cheating by killing any orcs before I get there!" She warned affably and the Dwarf's deep, rumbling laughter followed her as he strode away after Aragorn.
"How are you feeling? Breathing well?" Aerlaer asked the man as they walked side by side down a corridor she had not yet been down, followed by a wide stair.
"Yes. Thank you again for what you did for me. I can now fight in this battle." He replied, deep gratitude in his words.
"You are welcome, Hama." She said, cheered she had helped not just healed his wounds but kept his pride intact. "Where are we heading?"
"Right here." He stopped at two large, oak doors and before he had opened them she heard the horses within. Hama flung the doors open to an indoor stable which would easily house near eighty horses comfortably. It was enormous.
She followed Hama into this stable cavern, silently greeting horses as she passed them, placing a chaste hand on Arod's grey cheek as she passed him.
"Ah, Aerlaer, I am gladdened to see my Elfhild's armor fits and suits you well." Théoden said as he looked away from his own horse.
"How may I be of assistance, my Lord?" Aerlaer asked the King, realizing it was something to do with the horses.
"Actually, it is I who can be of service to you, my Lady." He stepped aside and two stable boys, also clad to fight, stepped forward holding horse armor. "This was fashioned for my Snowmane's dam, Swiftwind. She was of a similar build to you, not so refined but I think her armor will help protect you should you need to shift to horse. It is yours if you want it." He said offhandedly and she found his weary eyes.
"Thank you, for this and for cladding my companions so well also." She replied gladly and hoping to ease the King's mind added: "There is hope still. Aragorn will not allow the defenses to fall, he is a worthy commander."
The King sighed tiredly. "If you say it is so, I will trust your word. All of you be safe out there." He turned to go and paused. "Aerlaer, you have lightened an old King's heart. I am glad one of the Elfhorse has run across our plains again." He made to leave the stable. Aerlaer gazed after him a moment. It seemed the King's hope had failed. It would now be up to Aragorn to see them through the night.
…
Gimli stood beside Legolas along the wall, surrounded by archers. He was of entirely no use in this position. The top of his helm did not even reach over the top of the wall and he was no archer.
He could not see anything and it did not help that Legolas was fidgeting slightly beside him. Since when does the lad fidget? That can't be a good sign. He glanced around and finally saw Aerlaer striding along the wall towards them.
"Ah here comes the lass." He said and Legolas whipped his head around toward the other Elf. There was a flash of lightning which lit up the archers and Gimli looked up to say something to the Elf but he appeared to be fixated on Aerlaer approaching. He turned his gaze back to the she-Elf, noting how the flashes of lighting had illuminated her pale gold armor, and the slight breeze was blowing her long hair back, despite the loose braid in it.
"She is light in a dark world." Legolas said quietly and he looked back up to the Elf to see a small smile tugging at his mouth.
"Aye lad she is, but have you not seen yourself? She may be like gold but you shine in silver. Those Orcs will fear you both."
Thunder rumbled and echoed off the surrounding rock of the deep and then the skies opened and rain fell as Aerlaer reached them. Lighting lit up the sky again and Gimli watched as both Elves observed whatever was happening over the wall.
"It seems all of Isengard has decided to pay us a visit." Aerlaer mused.
"Too bad their visit will be a short and inhospitable one!" Gimli grinned up at them both and Legolas smirked.
The rain soon had them all saturated and Gimli felt rivets of water trailing from his helm onto his face. The Elves too were now saturated, their long hair slicked to their heads as the rain splattered onto their armor. Thunder still rumbled but he was sure he could hear something else, increasing steadily in volume. It sounded like feet, heavily stomping on earth along with the sound of weapons hitting armor.
"Ahh you could have picked a better spot!" He grumbled in frustration and attempted to jump up to see over the wall, but only caught a glimpse of dark masses before he landed back down. "What's happening out there?"
"Shall I describe it to you, or would you like me to find you a box?" Legolas asked seriously but when he turned to look at him, Gimli found him to be smirking mischievously.
"Ah ha ha!" He rumbled and Aerlaer looked sideways at the two of them, grinning. It was then, he noticed Legolas was no longer fidgeting despite the Orcs now being closer. Ah of course, he was waiting for the lass. He smirked to himself as both Elves resumed their gaze, out over the wall.
…
"Get ready!" Aragorn called out and Aerlaer, along with Legolas and the rest of the archers along the wall, under the Ranger's command, pulled an arrow back on their bow strings and waited.
"What does the winner of our little game get?" Legolas whispered to Aerlaer and Gimli.
"Bragging rights." She grinned, not taking her eyes off the vile army before her.
Seemingly out of nowhere, an arrow from the wall sailed, whistling down and embedded itself into an Orc. The entire army of Urak-hai became silent as the Orc cried out in pain, gasped, stumbled and then fell to the ground dead. The archers on the wall watched the army uneasily.
"Hold." Aragorn called out from his nearby post. Aerlaer watched the enemy below as they glanced at one another angrily. A blood chilling roar sounded and the other Uraks and Orcs to took up the roar and ran forward, spears and swords raised, their tips flashing as lighting struck off the high cliffs.
"Fire!" Aragorn bellowed and Aerlaer released her arrow, watching it sail with at least a hundred others down into the enemy bellow. More arrows joined their first volley, flying over from the inside of the Deeping wall, where the King commanded. Many hit targets and orcs fell but many more just ran over the bodies of the dead or dying.
"Keep firing!" Aragorn commanded and the archers on the wall let fly arrow after arrow, through the incessant rain. Aerlaer made sure every arrow she shot counted, and did not miss a single Orc or Urak. She found Legolas was doing the same, noting how one of his yellow and brown fetched arrows struck down an Orc beside the one she had just shot.
"It's nearly teamwork!" She called to him and heard a light laugh.
"No, still competing!" He replied and she caught his grin form the corner of her eye as she loosed another arrow toward another Orc's neck.
"Ladders!" Warned Aragorn from somewhere to her right, and Aerlaer aimed diagonal along the wall and shot at the Orcs trying to hold tall ladders to the high walls.
"Come on! Send them to me!" Gimli growled fiercely nearby. As much as she commended his eagerness to throw himself into the fight, she didn't want those Orc's reaching the wall. Instinctively she shifted as she heard a spear, throne by an Urak, shatter against the top of the wall. Another hit a nearby archer and he from the wall, screaming.
He was the only one on their side screaming, not the only one falling to the enemies' weapons. Aerlaer blocked it out, focusing on bringing down as many of the enemy as she could. Their efforts were not enough and soon, along the wall, Orcs were clambering from ladders, over the wall.
The Rohirrim made fast work of slaying those which reached the top of the wall, but more kept coming. Soon, there were too many Orcs on the wall, too close to simply fire arrows at and Aerlaer swapped her bow for fighting knives. Every Orc which came at her, she attacked with swift, vicious movements.
"Their armor is lacking at their necks and a little below their shoulders!" She called out to those around her who were also now using blades and not bows against the onslaught.
"Two already!" Gimli suddenly called out from nearby.
"I'm on seventeen!" Legolas called back smugly."
"Eighteen!" Aerlaer stated gleefully, in the lead.
"Argh! I'll have no pointy-ears outscoring me!" Gimli growled determinedly and Aerlaer saw his axe raised at an Orc, from the corner of her eye.
"Nineteen!" Legolas spoke near her a moment, before whirling away.
Aerlaer looked along the wall to her right and realized the men there were beginning to become overwhelmed. She fought her way towards them, knife blades a blur of silver and gold as she struck and slashed and stabbed her way through the enemy. Twenty four.
"Northway!" Cried out Aragorn somewhere close by and she looked to see a solid formation of shielded Urak-hai marching toward the main gate. A volley of arrows was sent in their direction and many fell.
Aerlaer turned back to the foes before her and swapping knives for her sword, swung and cut down the three Orcs before her which were no match with their crude weapons. Two, large Urak-hai leapt up a ladder and advanced on her and she found herself in combat with both, dodging one as she parried the other. Orcs were simple enough, but Urak-hai were larger, stronger and smarter.
…
A group of Uraks, covered by shields, moved swiftly holding strange metal balls, towards the wall. Legolas saw them too late and only managed to pick off the last two as they threw the balls into the walls single, barred drainage gap in the wall. What are they doing?
He swung around and stabbed at an Orc which had come up behind him, followed by a second and third. More Orcs were on the wall now and he knocked another one down and arced his knife around to slash another's throat. A fourth leapt over the wall at him and he grabbed at it and thrust it back over the ledge.
"Legolas! Togo hon dad!" Screamed Aragorn and he looked over to where he heard the Ranger's voice to see him pointing frantically. He swiftly looked down, a flaming torch catching his eye, held by a towering Urak, sprinting toward the wall. Those metal balls are explosives! Dread filled him and he hurriedly reached for an arrow, dropping his bow from his shoulder to his hand and aimed.
As he released, the Urak leapt up over a rock and the arrow hit his shoulder. He stumbled but to Legolas's dismay, ran on. Lightning flashed and illuminated the deep and he caught a glimpse of pale, shining gold up on the wall the urak ran towards. He couldn't miss. Swiftly, he fired another but only caught its armor.
"Faica!" He cursed, knocking another arrow.
"Legolas! Dago hon!" He heard Aragorn screaming out to him and he felt fear wash over him.
"Aerlaer! Noro Aerlaer! Noro!" He called out to the elleth, hoping she would hear him as he desperately shot again at the Urak. This time Legolas caught it in the leg and it stumbled and fell. That was too close. He sighed and then his breath caught in his throat as he watched with horror as the Urak, he thought he had stopped, flung the flaming torch towards the wall.
For a moment, there was nothing, as he held his breath, and then the wall erupted ahead of him, with an ear-splitting explosion of fiery light, which shook the entire deep.
"Aerlaer!" He gasped, stumbling to regain his feet as the quake subsided. He stared in disbelief at the large gap, where the wall had been. Where Aerlaer had been standing but moments before. He could no longer see her and an unknown fear wrapped around his heart.
Translations:
Legolas avo! - Legolas dont!
Boe a hyn leben herain… dan caer menig! - And they should be, five hundred... against ten thousand!
Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras. - They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras.
Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hýn ú ortheri. Natha daged aen! - Aragorn,they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!
Garhartha. - Have hope.
Reviews welcome. Always.