Hello all! I am very glad you all liked the last chapter, and I hope you all like this one. As I say every time, thank you all very very much for your reviews. Let me know what you think.

Note: Dialogue in bold is spoken in Elvish.

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 23

Legolas and Gimli rode in silence along side King Theoden and Carita rode behind them on top of Moonlight. They slowly made their way into the keep of Helms Deep but she paid no mind to the splendor and craftsmanship of the Rohan people of the past. Their fortress was strong and well built enough to keep their enemies of the past at bay, but this fight she knew would be different.

"So few," she heard a soft voice say as they stopped and started to dismount. Carita looked up and saw Éowyn standing there with sad eyes. "So few of you have returned."

"Our people are safe. We have paid for it with many lives," Theoden said as he dismounted and moved to help a wounded rider from their horse. Carita dismounted and allowed a man to lead Moonlight away. Gimli walked past her and removed his helmet as he moved to Éowyn

"My lady," Gimli said and Éowyn looked at him.

"Lord Aragorn, where is he?" she asked Gimli and the dwarf sighed heavily before he looked at her face once more.

"He fell," Gimli said his grief still evident in his voice. Carita saw tears instantly come to Éowyn's eyes and she looked away before she walked away to find a place where she could wash her hands and face free of the blood she knew was there.

After washing up, finding something to eat, and a place to rest did Carita let her tears fall silently. Aragorn had become her friend and she knew that their journey would be lost without him. Slowly, her tears stopped and she closed her eyes searching for Aragorn, reaching for him to see if she could find him.

A flash of a familiar horse filled her mind and a weary rider on his back. The figure was too dark for her to see their features, so, she concentrated harder. Another flash filled her mind, but this time she could see the man's beard, tired grey eyes, and features. She gasped and opened her eyes before a slow smiled came to her face. Aragorn was alive. She was sure of it and he was on his way.

Carita sat on her own for a time before Legolas found her, but she knew he was not looking for her. He just looked at her and she wiped away her tears.

"Hello," she replied quietly and Legolas moved over to sit with her. He sighed softly as he sat down next to her, and she was surprised when he took her hand. She squeezed his hand tightly in her own and he looked at her.

"I never expected to lose him," Legolas said quietly and Carita frowned at seeing the sadness in his eyes. She had not seen such sadness, not even when Gandalf or Boromir fell did she see that much sadness. "His skills in battle were so great I never though he would fall." Carita shook her head and laced her fingers with his.

"Legolas, he is not gone," she whispered and Legolas frowned. "I have seen him."

"How?" Legolas asked her, unable to believe what she was saying, and she gave Legolas a small smile.

"A gift from My Lady," she said gently. "Just as that night I was in such a hurry to save Merry and Pippin, I used my gift and I saw him. He is alive and he is coming," she said in a whisper. Legolas squeezed her hand tightly before he gave her a smile, the first since before the attack on the people. He ran his thumb along the back of her hand.

"Why have you not used it before?" he asked and she shook her head.

"It does not always work," she said quietly and sadly. "I have to concentrate hard and on nothing else other than what I want to see, and it takes a great deal of energy. I did not see where he was, but I saw that he was alive, on top a horse, and on his way here."

"A horse?" Legolas asked and she nodded.

"He should here soon," she told him and Legolas sighed before he leaned into her kissed her lips briefly. When he pulled away and leaned back against the stone wall, Carita laid her head on his shoulder and sighed quietly.

"Thank you," he whispered and she raised her head and looked at him.

"For what?" she asked.

"For easing the pain in my heart." Carita smiled and raised her free hand to the side of his face and ran her fingers down his cheek.

"I will always be here to do just that, no matter what Legolas," she told him as she pressed her palm against his cheek. He raised his free hand to hers on his face and smiled.

"And I shall be for you," he said and Carita nodded with a smile before she lowered her hand and once again laid her head on his shoulder. Separate they were strong, but together they were stronger.

"Let me help you," Carita told Éowyn as she took the bundle of blankets from the blonde haired woman. Éowyn gave her a smile and handed Carita the bundle before she took another. There was a commotion on the stairs and fevered whispers, so, Carita and Éowyn looked towards the opening in the pillars that led to the door of the keep and Carita smiled when she saw Aragorn stop before Legolas. Éowyn threw down her blankets and took a few steps forward, but Carita sat hers down and walked over to the man who was wet, very dirty, and smelt a little funny.

"You look terrible," Legolas said and Carita put her hand on Aragorn's shoulder. The man looked at her and she gave him a small smile. However, Aragorn's smile faltered when she whispered something softly and then warmth spread through him from her hand on his shoulder all throughout his body. She lowered her hand and Aragorn looked at her curiously.

"He may look terrible, but I trust you feel better," she said and Aragorn nodded. It was true, his muscles no longer ached and he felt as if he slept for hours. Legolas smiled and held out his hand to Aragorn. The man looked at him and then down at Legolas' hand that held the Evenstar pendant. Aragorn looked at it in surprise before he took it and then turned his eyes to Legolas once more.

"Hannon le (thank you)," he said as he put his hand on Legolas' shoulder. The elf nodded and smiled at him before he allowed Aragorn to pass and go into the keep where he had something important to discuss with the king. Carita watched him go and then looked at Legolas as Gimli came rushing up the steps.

"I told you," she said and Legolas smiled as he nodded and the three of them went into the keep.

"A great host, you say?" King Theoden asked as he turned and looked at Aragorn.

"All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn said and Carita sighed quietly as she turned around and looked at the wall.

"How many?" Theoden asked.

"Ten thousand strong at least," Aragorn said and Carita turned and looked at the man in disbelief.

"Ten thousand?" Theoden asked his voice reflecting just what Carita was feeling.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall," Aragorn said calmly. Theoden bristled and took a deep breath.

"Let them come," Theoden said before he walked from the keep and walked out along the tall wall of the keep. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall," Theoden told Gamling while Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Carita followed behind them. The other man nodded and went off to gather the needed hands while Theoden stopped and looked at the others. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg." Carita shook her head, the king did not know what it was they were about to face.

"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad," Gimli said and Theoden looked at him.

"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep," Theoden said and Gimli huffed. Legolas patted Gimli's shoulder when the King and Aragorn began to walk away. Legolas, Carita and Gimli followed, Gimli a little more reluctantly than the others. "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."

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!" Aragorn exclaimed and Theoden looked at him before he moved closer to him and whispered fiercely.

"What would you have me do?" he asked. "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." Aragorn looked at him before he sighed.

"Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid," Aragorn told him and Theoden stepped back from him before he glanced around.

"And who will come?" Theoden asked. "Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."

"Gondor will answer," Aragorn said and Theoden grew angry.

"Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon -," Theoden stopped and took a deep breath before he shook his head. "No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone," he said and turned around and walked away giving orders. "Get the women and children into the caves."

"We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, lord –," Gamling started as he came to the King's side once more but Theoden cut him off.

"There is no time. War is upon us!" Theoden exclaimed and walked away with Gamling following. Aragorn turned to his friends.

"Come, let us help get the fortress ready," Aragorn said the four of them made their way through the keep helping those that needed it.

They were walking form the caves when Aragorn was giving them further instruction. "We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate," Aragorn said as he walked through the rushing people. Carita heard Legolas sigh heavily and she looked at him.

"Aragorn, you must rest! You're no use to us half alive," Legolas said and Aragorn just glanced at him.

"He'll be alright," she chided the elf and Legolas looked at her before he looked at Aragorn once more when the man stopped.

"My lord! Aragorn!" came Éowyn's voice and their groups eyes turned to her as she moved to Aragorn and looked up at him. Carita could tell by the look on her face that she was not happy. "I'm to be sent with the women into the caves," she said bitterly and looked at Aragorn for guidance, but he simply bowed his head.

"That is an honorable charge," he told her and she looked offended.

"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that?" Éowyn asked and Carita took a step forward.

"You're people will need your strength there," Carita said and Éowyn looked at her before Aragorn spoke once more.

"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in the last defense?" Aragorn asked her and Éowyn moved her eyes to the man once again.

"Let me stand at your side," Éowyn said and Carita stepped back to her place next to Legolas once more.

"It is not in my power to command it," Aragorn told her and he turned and started to guide his friends away from the woman when she called out.

"You do not command the others to stay!" she called and the four of them looked at her. "You do not command Carita to the caves when she is just as much a woman as I am. She and the others fight beside you because they would not be parted from you." She paused and took a deep breath as tears were in her eyes. "Because they love you." Carita sighed once more. The blonde woman was in love with a man that would never return that love, even though it would be less complex and easier to manage than the one he held so fully in his heart. They stared at each other before Éowyn looked down, ashamed at her words she had spoken so rashly. "I'm sorry," she whispered before she turned and was gone from their sight. Aragorn sighed quietly and watched her walk into the caves.

"We must ready for battle," Carita said. "We should make for the armory where we can get some protection." Aragorn looked at her and she met his gaze evenly before he slowly nodded and they once again made their way through the bustle of people.

As they stood in the armory, Carita was surprised to see young boys, some she figured no more than eight summers suiting up for battle with the aid of the Rohirrim riders that were there.

"Farmer, ferryers, stable boys; these are no soldiers," Aragorn said as he put down a worn sword.

"Most have seen too many winters," Gimli said and Legolas looked about taking in the same scene Carita had.

"Or too few," Legolas said. "They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes," Legolas said and the men grew silent, turning and looking at him. Carita looked at him with a frown as he turned and then looked at Aragorn. "Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig! (And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand)" he exclaimed.

"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras. (They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras)" Aragorn reasoned but Legolas' eyes narrowed.

"Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-'erir... ortheri. Natha daged dhaer! (Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die)" Legolas said and Carita looked away from him.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn exclaimed in anger causing the men to fall silent once more. The elf and the man just stared at each other before Aragorn turned and quickly make his way out of the armory. Legolas made to follow but Gimli stopped him.

"Let him go, lad. Let him be," Gimli said and Legolas sighed. Carita, however, found her own anger with the elf and turned around and looked at him.

"To you there may be no hope for these people," she said calmly and Legolas looked at her. "But there is always hope. You should never let it fade, and yet you do so again."

"This is not your battle. I will no have you fight," Legolas said and Carita scoffed.

"You have no power to order me, Legolas son of Thranduil," she said bitterly. "You have no rule over me just as you have no rule over Aragorn."

"Carita, I-," he began but she shook her head.

"Be silent," she hissed and he stopped. "There is always hope Legolas for as long as there is good in this world there is hope. Do not dismiss it when the numbers seem unfavorable to your position. You know what we are about to face, just as Aragorn, Gimli, and I, but we cannot let these people see our fear. They need our strength just as much as we need each other. Think before you speak next time, and maybe your words will bring a better outcome." Turning and brushing past the curious stares from several of the men, she went outside. For the first time since meeting Legolas she wanted to throttle him.