Notes, Warnings etc
I've modified the timeline a little. The Dúnedain, in the book, didn't arrive in Rohan until after the Battle of Helm's Deep. In this tale, they arrive as Aragorn and Théoden are heading towards Helm's Deep.
The Battle of Helm's Deep is a mixture of book and movie i.e. Éomer is there, though still working to clear his name as a traitor, and so are the Elves. Éowyn is not there and neither are the people of Edoras.
Conversations which involve only the elder set of Dúnedain twins take place in Sindarin.
Chapter Nine - When A Whisper Becomes A Shout
"We seek one Aragorn, son of Arathorn!" called Halbarad as the Rangers caught up with Théoden's swiftly moving entourage less than a day later. "We are told he is in Rohan."
Aragorn's head shot up in surprise, not least because Halbarad knew where to find him. As it was, he was only in Rohan due to a series of misadventures earlier in the Quest. If all had gone to plan, he and his companions would be heading to Mordor, still with Frodo under their protection.
"You have found him," he called back before Théoden or his aides had the opportunity. He slid off Hasufel's back, Legolas quickly catching the animal's reigns, and weaved between the Rohirrim to come face-to-face with his people.
"What are you doing here?" exclaimed Aragorn as Halbarad dismounted.
"Did I not say we would meet again, east of the Mountains?" asked the second rider. Aragorn blinked while Théoden did a double take. He recognised that voice!
"What are you doing here?" repeated Aragorn after he had recovered from his initial shock.
"You have got more trouble than you imagine," replied Dídauar.
"There is an army of 10,000 on your trail," said Halbarad. "The defence of the Isen has been forced into retreat and Isengard has emptied. The foul creatures of Saruman's command are headed straight for you."
"How many of you have come?" asked Aragorn, having paled slightly at the news.
"Thirty. It is all that could be gathered in haste."
"Even one extra soldier is welcome in times of need," said Éomer as he led Firefoot to where Aragorn stood. "Will you ride with us?"
"'tis why we are here, my Lord," said Dídauar. "Such a fair country as Rohan should not be spoiled further by the evil of Saruman and his master."
"You speak as one who knows of our troubles," said Éomer, sounding slightly suspicious. Dídauar inclined her head.
"I have seen," she said, her eyes seeking Théoden out within the muster. "And I wish that I could have prevented." Théoden's eyes widened but before he could make any comment Halbarad spoke.
"My Lords, we do not have the time to linger here. The Enemy presses closer and lest you wish to meet them on the plains I suggest we continue on our journey."
"I have a thousand who are able to defend but many have seen too many winters. Or too few," reported Gamling, the commander of those who guarded the Deep, as Théoden stood in the chamber of Helm's Deep, looking over a plan of the Keep.
"What of provisions?" asked Háma. "We rode to open battle not a siege."
"Many of the Westfold have sheltered behind us in the caves. They have food, beast and their fodder," replied Gamling.
"'tis well, since the enemy is burning every rick, cot and tree as they come," said Théoden in despair.
"If they come to bargain at Helm's Deep they will pay a high price," said Gamling pulling himself up proudly.
"And they will break upon the walls like water," agreed Háma.
"My Lord?" said Dídauar stepping from the shadow. "You are heavily out numbered against a force who's only task is to kill your people."
The four Rohirric commanders all turned her with a mixture of amazement and incredulity. Female warriors in Rohan were not unheard of, indeed stories were still told of the Shield-maidens of old and Éomer had been raised on tales of Faerlain, the Wild-child of the Plains, but it had been years since such a thing had been seen.
"If this battle goes ill, your people have no way of escape. For the sake of those who shelter behind, I beg that you call for aid," Dídauar continued.
"And who would you have us call?" asked Théoden. "Elves? The old alliances are dead and they are departing these lands. The Dwarves hide away in their mountains, caring for nothing but riches. Gondor is too far away. A rider would barely be across the border before we are overcome."
"There are many of your own people who would gladly answer a call from their King," said Aragorn.
"Erkenbrand is riding within the Westfold. Send out riders. Beg him to make haste," added Éomer. "Or send from the Eastfold."
"That would leave the people there unprotected," replied Théoden, dismissing the idea.
"If you lose this battle, the defence of the Eastfold will be the least of your worries," said Dídauar.
Théoden stood gazing at the Dúnedain twins and his nephew but before he could say anything another Rohirric warrior spoke up.
"My Lord, are you to let two vagabonds of the north and a traitor decide the fate of your people?" he asked. Háma immediately stiffened as did Aragorn and Éomer.
"Do not whisper the words of Wormtongue in this hall," hissed Háma.
"At least he kept this country safe," replied the man.
"This country faired well enough without that snake," said Gamling. "It is because of his poison that Théo……"
"The Prince was foolish. If he had heeded Grima's counsel and the King's orders, as was his duty, then he would be here," interrupted the other. Théoden's shoulders slumped forward as he was once again reminded of his son's premature fall causing both Éomer and Gamling both snarled, Éomer being the one to voice his anger first.
"It is because of Théodred that we still have a country to defend!" he snapped, banging his fists down on the table before him and his eyes narrowing dangerously. "And if I ever hear you slander his name or his honour again, Béma help me, you had best hope your horse is fit!"
"That is enough, Éomer! Gamling, Háma the same applies to you also," said Théoden straightening up. "The eve of battle is not the time to seek vengeance or make threats to the ones you expect to watch your back."
"Sorry, my Lord," murmured Gamling and Háma, ducking their heads in acknowledgement. Éomer remained defiant.
"What does the King command?" asked the warrior, his haughty gaze flicking between Dídauar and Éomer. Aragorn growled in warning while Háma's eyes narrowed.
Théoden glanced once more at the map before making his decision. "I want every man and boy, able to bear arms, ready for battle by nightfall."
Éomer wandered around the Keep, Dídauar at his side, both trying to work out how to best protect the people who sought shelter behind them. Dídauar had done this before but then the Dúnadan had borne the name Faerlain and she and Théoden had worked as a team. Admittedly, Rohan's first-marshal now had the larger task of trying to organise the whole plan rather than just a section, but it stung that he no longer heeded Dídauar's advice. Maybe she had imagined the recognition that shone from Théoden's eyes when he looked at Dídauar.
"You look troubled," said Éomer as they wandered the battlements, a blueprint of the Keep in hand.
"Nay, I was simply remembering a time when your Uncle and I worked side by side," replied Dídauar. Éomer cocked his head.
"You have been in Rohan before?" he asked, hope in his voice. Dídauar smiled at the young man.
"I served your grandfather. I was his Captain, for seventeen years. For six year before that I was a field soldier," she said. Éomer's eyes widened considerably.
"Thengel died nearly forty years ago!" he exclaimed. "You do not look a day over that."
"If only that were true," said Dídauar with a small, slightly sad, smile.
"Did you know Thorongil and Faerlain?" asked Éomer, sounding, and looking, like an eager school boy. "I never knew them but the stories say that they were formidable warriors, especially if they fought together."
"I knew them," Dídauar said. "But now is not the time for a history lesson. If we both survive this battle, I will tell you as much as I can."
"I will hold you to that," said Éomer. "But for now, I must consult with the King." Dídauar inclined her head and as Éomer hurried away to the inner chamber of the Keep, Dídauar continued along the battlement to where Aragorn stood watching over the Plain which was growing steadily blacker as Saruman's forces drew closer.
'We are lost,' murmured Aragorn without turning around.
'If we cling to hope, then we will stand a chance,' she said, resting a hand on her brother's shoulder.
'Against that?' asked Aragorn, gesturing to the mass. 'It will take a miracle for us to win this battle.'
'Which have been known to happen on occasion,' said Dídauar with a small smile. 'But it is not only Saruman's hordes that have you searching the field like a hawk looking for a mouse.'
'I sent Culas and Nemír out to search for Erkenbrand,' said Aragorn. Dídauar stiffened.
'You did what?' she hissed. 'You sent out my youngest men when you knew perfectly well what was standing in their path!'
'They are my men,' Aragorn reminded her. 'Why did you bring them with you if you did not want them facing such a foe?'
'I brought them with twenty-eight other men,' said Dídauar sharply. 'I did not send them out alone against 10,000 Orcs who's only purpose in this world is to kill the race of Man!'
'Someone had to take a message to Erkenbrand,' said Aragorn defiantly. 'They are the best trackers we have, other than Elladan and Elrohir, who we cannot afford to lose. They were the obvious choice.'
'My men are not expendable!' snapped Dídauar turning away in disgust. 'Least of all the young.'
Aragorn reached out and caught her arm. 'I sent them to keep them safe. There is little chance that we can win this battle. Saruman has us penned like a fox cornered by the hunters dogs. If we send away the young then at least our people will not be lost to history yet.'
'Then why not Arahael and Tarcil?' asked Dídauar. 'Their skills are equally sound.'
'You need them,' replied Aragorn. Dídauar stared.
'I need them all!' she snarled. 'For a reason to fight if nothing else.'
'I did what I thought was best. For all concerned,' said Aragorn, turning back to the Plains. Dídauar simply stared at Aragorn's back for a few minutes before turning on her heel and marching to find Halbarad.
Night came to quickly for those charged with guarding the Deeping Wall. Come dusk the Plain before them was a sea of black and the marching of feet echoed around the valley like thunder. Clouds, dark and heavy with the threat of a storm, gathered across the sky cutting out the sun. In the Deep itself, the women, children and old had been guided to the caves while those able to bear arms made their way first to the armouries and then to the battlements.
It was a youth, no more than fifteen years old and barely able to lift the broad sword that had been set in his hand, that spotted the breakaway group from the main army and yelped in horror. The man beside him, who had seen substantially more confrontations if his multitude of scars was anything to go by, laughed at his terror only to have Háma snarl at him.
"What is it lad?" asked the Royal Guard. The youth pointed to the group that looked like a fly when compared to the main host, and was making its way swiftly towards the fortress. Háma gripped the youth's shoulder briefly before turning and hunting out his King.
"My Lord, a small patrol approaches the Keep at a great speed," he reported having come across Éomer on the central battlement, Gamling at his side.
"Why not shoot?" asked Éomer.
"They do not move as Orcs," replied Háma. "Their movement is fluid and swift."
"As are those of a mountain cat before she strikes," said Gamling.
"But as with a beast who has fed, these creatures do not need to send a scouting party," said Dídauar, who had easily slid back into the role of Théoden's councillor, as she approached with Aragorn. The elder child of Arathorn was not normally one for taking a submissive role but Dídauar's relationship with Théoden was a lot healthier than his own and could be the key to Rohan's survival.
"It is too small to be Erkenbrand," said Háma. At that moment a horn sounded in the valley and the twins' heads snapped towards the gate before they turned to each other.
"Lórien?" asked Dídauar in amazement. Aragorn nodded just as the horn sounded again and cries of 'open the gate' could be heard from below. The twins gave Éomer a swift nod before running to the gate, nearly colliding with Legolas as the three met at the top of the steps.