Aragorn grunted as he lifted the large boulder to brace the door. It would not last long, the Uraks would break down the door in a
matter of minutes. He was worried, for he had not seen Mariell since she went to look for Eothain. But he could not think about that
now.
"It is over," Theoden said from where he leaned against the wall, his hand clutching his wounded arm. "The fortress is breached."
Aragorn turned to the king furiously.
"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it, they still defend it." The king looked away from him. Aragorn grabbed
Gamling.
"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out?" he asked. "Is there no other way"
"There is one passage," the guard said. "Through the mountains. But they will not get far the Uraks are too many." Suddenly a voice
filled the air.
"Lindela, Selendil, Jonales, Jonalir. Midawa. Falina, Elomin, Aleana, Yohnkar"
It was Mariell's voice.
"Aragorn, you must come see this," Legolas called. Aragorn rushed to the elf's side and peered out a small hole in the wall. There
standing amongst the Uraks was Mariell, looking as she did when she'd come to him at the bottom of the cliff.
" Sali un corran, diala me rubima"
"I summon the powers of my ancestors," Legolas translated.
" Telith an un corran. Lineth nin Kingoris.
"Fill this place with your power. Protect my brothers"
" Lineth del grili. Lineth delhala. Lineth del pietra. Lineth del Pietra…."
"Protect from harm. Protect from evil. Protect from darkness."
"She is expanding the pendant's power. So that it may encompass all of us." At that moment a sword broke through the wall and
stabbed Aragorn in the chest.
"Aragorn!" Legolas cried pulling him back. In shock Aragorn reached down and felt the wound.
"I'm not hurt"
"The spell," Legolas said. "It is protecting all of us"
"So much death," the king moaned. "What can men do in these times?" Aragorn stood and faced the king.
"Ride out with me. Mariell's spell is protecting us from harm. Now is the time to ride out and meet them"
"The sun is rising," Gimli said. Aragorn looked toward the window, Gandalf's words echoing in his mind.
"Yes," Theoden said. "Let this be the hour in which we draw swords together. The horn of Halhammahand shall sound one last time"
"Yes!" Gimli shouted. They grabbed their horses and mounted quickly. Outside they could still hear Mariell chanting.
"Forth Eorlingas! " Theoden cried. "Charge!" They rode out into the Uraks knocking them down as they went. The Uraks stabbed
back but all wounds received healed in a matter of seconds. Up the hill Aragorn saw Gandalf. Behind him were Eomer and the rest of
the Rohirrim. They charged down the hill and into the protection that Mariell had created. The Uraks, who now realized they were
outnumbered and that their foes were invulnerable, dropped their weapons and began to retreat until every last one of them was gone.
"Victory!" shouted the king. Shouts of victorious joy filled the fortress. Aragorn dismounted from his horse and walked toward Mariell's
image. She stood for a moment looking at him, then vanished. Aragorn frantically raced into the keep and up to the wall where he had
last seen her. Legolas, Gimli, Eomer, Theoden, and Gandalf followed him. He searched through the corpses of men and Uraks until at
last he saw a red tunic. He hurried to his wife's still form and cradled her in his arms. She was alive. He ran his fingers down her face
willing her to wake up. Finally her eyes opened and she stared at him with a faraway look.
"Did we win?" she said softly.
"It's over," he told her. "You saved us all Mariell." She smiled weakly. The others joined them at that moment.
"Hello, Gandalf," Mariell said softly. "I've fulfilled my destiny"
"You did well, my dear," the wizard said. "Your mother would be very proud." Mariell smiled again and slowly her eyes drifted closed.
Aragorn was frightened and desperately felt for a pulse. She couldn't leave him now. Not after everything they had fought for.
"Mariell," he cried desperately.
"She's is alive, Aragorn," Gandalf assured him. "Let her sleep. She has had a very trying day."