Chapter 22: Three Days Ride
The Rohirrim stopped to give the horses a rest for a couple of hours, which would give them enough time to eat and get some rest before riding to Helm's Deep.
"How many do you think we're up against, Gandalf?" a soldier asked. Gandalf shook his head.
"I am not sure. Maybe…a thousand, maybe more."
This dismayed the soldier and he sulked back to his horse.
As the sun began to sink in the sky, they remounted their steeds and urged them to gallop as fast as they could. Gandalf and Eomer rode in front, keeping an eye out for orcs, or the Nine…
They needed to go around. Saruman's army was too many and too great for them to just bulldoze through it. Gandalf led them around to the East entrance and dawn approached. Gandalf and the Rohirrim unsheathed their swords and charged.
The orcs seemed nervous as the Rohirrim raced to meet them as fast as their steeds could carry them. The gap between the two armies closed and the blood of orcs were shed. It didn't take as long as they thought to drive the army away.
"It moved because my bloody axe is embedded in it's bloody head!!!" Gimli shouted at Legolas. Gandalf blinked and turned to Aragorn, demanding an answer.
"They made a game. The winner is determined by how many orcs are killed. Gimli won, though it didn't look like he would at first. I think the thought that Legolas believed he was in the lead dulled his movements a little or something like that."
"Wow," Gandalf said sarcastically. "And they started out rivals. Now you could see them dining in a pub or something."
"That would be a sight to behold."
"Gandalf," Théoden addressed, rushing towards them. "Glad to see you could make it."
"Glad to know I could make it also. And I brought delightful company."
Theoden stared at him, then at Eomer, who smiled sheepishly and went out to help Legolas and Gimli get the axe out of the Orc's head.
"Well, I'll be damned, you did! Gandalf, I have a new respect for you."
Great, Gandalf muttered. I don't need to be known as Gandalf army bringer…Where did that come from!?
"HARRY JAMES POTTER!!! WHEN I GET MY HANDS…MY EYE...GAH!!! I REALLY HATE YOU RIGHT NOW!!!"
Gandalf repressed a snicker as Sauron grumbled in the corner of his mind. Why she stuck around was beyond him. Maybe it was a connection that developed after her body was destroyed. Gandalf grunted and went to Shadowfax.
