Hey all! Sorry about such a long delay, but I was in my school's play production and as it came nearer to performance nights I got busier and busier, then when performance nights did arrive, I had no free time at all. But things have finally mellowed down, and as I wanted to get the Two Towers part of this story done with before Thanksgiving, I'm posting it all now :) So here ends The Two Towers, and I will hopefully get Return of the King up very soon! Please read and review - thank you, loves! xx
Disclaimer: I own none of LOTR - it is entirely Tolkien's genius. And any dialogue and such from the movies are credit to P. Jackson and Co.
Without another thought, Alandria dashed towards the great wooden door at the cave's entrance, struggling to lift the bolt they had just put back in place, and then heaving her entire bodyweight against the wood. It gave way slowly, and she slipped through the small space impatiently, stumbling a moment, and then running down the hallway. She was nearly to the Keep when she skid to a halt, realizing what she was doing. Running out there, to what sight she could only imagine, on foot would be ridiculous. Gamling had said Aragorn wanted to ride out. Quite likely, they were going to do just that. She ran back a few meters, finding the branch of path that headed towards the Keep's small stables, and running inside. Or they had already ridden out, she realized upon seeing only three horses still stabled. But there was a sight that cheered her - Dustling was among them.
"Hey, my boy." She greeted, quickly grabbing his saddle, which was nearby, and slipping into the stall with him. "Earlier I told you we were not to fight then. Now, we fight." She checked the girth, pulling it slightly tighter, and then swiftly slipped his bridle on, and the bit into his mouth. "We fight for the King, and the Lady, and all of Rohan. We fight for Frodo and the Ring. But, even more so," She led him out of the stall, then smoothly leapt into the saddle. "We fight for him, eh? For him." She patted his neck, and then jumped, as the bellowing echo of a horn sounded about them. Dustling whinnied sharply, stamping uneasily, as the throaty rumble continued. Alandria slowly realized what it was - Helm Hammerhand. Something told her the horn's bellow was not for victory, and she smiled grimly, before digging her heels into her steed's sides.
The strong horse took off down the narrow hallway, and quickly came upon the Keep's backdoor. Surprisingly enough, it was left open, and horse and rider charged through boldly. Alandria reined Dustling in for a second, seeing the broken Keep door, and the just-disappearing rears of other horses. A handful of Uruk-hai stood at the broken doorway however, and spotted her, roaring their anger. Alandria merely bared her teeth, kicking Dustling on, and shouted "Rohan!" before plowing into the monsters.
Her adversaries fell back easily, Dustling's powerful legs knocking them aside as Alandria drew her sword. She could see the figures of the horses and their riders ahead of her, and Dustling followed easily. She swung at any Uruk that came too near, and was soon out of the Keep, galloping down the bridge, Dustling trampling many fallen bodies as he went. Alandria felt a chill of fear strike her, seeing the black mass of Uruk-hai that still stood, surrounding the stone fortress of Helm's Deep. A handful of soldiers on horseback were in their midst, and Alandria was able to catch glimpses of King Théoden and Aragorn, but nothing more, as she herself was thrown into the battlefield.
To her left, she swiped across the bared collar of an Uruk-hai, then turned to her right, and thrust into the lower shoulder of another. She wheeled Dustling around, using his powerful body to knock aside the adversaries. They stumbled, and she rushed forward, knocking two down, and cutting through another few. She cried out at a sharp pain in her right leg, and looked down to see a stream of red blood seep from a gash above her knee. She had no armor on, nothing but her travel-clothes, and the Uruks crude weapons could pierce it easily. She hadn't realized how foolishly she'd plundered into the mess, but now, it was too late to turn back. So with another yell she swung her strong blade down on another monsters neck, then hacked across another's throat, a cruel joy coming from the leak of black blood. She swung Dustling in a circle again, pushing around more of the monsters, and continued to swing freely at any that came too near. Her attempts were bold, but steadily becoming futile as still more and more Uruk-hai pressed in around her and the other riders, singling them each out and separating them. Alandria turned her steed in a tight circle yet again, but it did little to the black mass surrounding her. She bared her teeth in defiance and swung again, cutting down another handful of the creatures.
Suddenly, many of the foul monsters stopped their attack, and turned to face another direction. Alandria had her sword raised, but paused, as few of the enemies were moving. They had turned to look towards a warm light that shone from behind her, and cautiously, she turned Dustling to face the light's direction. The sun was shining barely over the crest of a large hill, and at it's peak stood a single rider. He glimmered white and silver, and stood out boldly in the golden sunlight. The words of Gandalf rushed back to her then, and she realized this dawn indeed marked the fifth day since he had set out from Edoras. Now the White Rider perched above their bleak battlefield on the back of his brilliant stallion, and they were enough to cause a silence. But Alandria was quick to realize that the single Wizard would be little help to their cause. Even the great Gandalf the White could not win them this battle.
Her worries were cast aside, however, as another Rider appeared at the Wizard's side. He shone in a flash of bronze and gold, shimmering with the sun rather than against it, such as the White Rider did. The hill was too high, and the distance between Alandria and the new arrivals too great, and she could not see the Rider's face. Somehow though, she knew it was the Lord Éomer, and he had been found by Gandalf and brought to aid them. Her thoughts were confirmed, as a wall of Riders appeared, lining the hill behind their two leaders. Éomer drew his sword, and at his signal, the Riders flowed down the hillside with a yell, the bright, White Rider at their lead. A wave of relief washed over Alandria, as she realized that in this battle, she was not yet ready to die. This was not that battle. So she held Dustling still, regaining some breath, as she watched the flood of valiant and powerful Riders approach the front lines of the Uruk-hai. The black monsters roared, holding their place, and aiming their large spears forward, at the approaching adversaries. Just as the Riders were nearly upon the Uruks tho, the sunlight came up even further from the hillside, blindingly bright, and caused the servants of Saruman to shield their eyes, losing view of the oncoming attack for but a moment. That moment was all that was needed, and the hundreds of horsemen charged into the Uruk-hai's ranks, pummelling them beneath sharp hooves, skewering them with strong lances.
Alandria felt odd, something was happening with her that felt out of place and almost new. It took her another moment of watching the seiging waves of Rohirrim to realize what the feeling was - she was smiling. Her lips had parted widely, revealing bright teeth and flushed cheeks, in a true smile. One such as she had not shown since before the soldier of Gondor fell. Her smile was not unnoticed - Legolas had noticed her dark hair in the midst of the battle, and now saw the joy on her face. Aragorn too caught sight of her once the turmoil of battle slowed, and his own soft smile loosed as he saw her's. Alandria was oblivious to their gazes, seeing only the golden wave of Riders overtaking the black Uruk-hai with ease, and feeling hope resurface, strong and fresh.
She regained her bearings after a moment, and slashed and swiped at the monsters around herself once again, but it was hardly needed. The ranks of Uruks dissolved quickly and easily, soon becoming scarcely a few hundred. They fled then, in the only the direction they could - to the dark forest, West of the wide valley.
"Victory!" She heard Théoden yell, and was relieved to hear he was still alive. "We have victory!"
The hundreds of Riders remaining charged after the retreating Uruks, thoroughly running them off. Alandria galloped beside Legolas, slightly behind Aragorn, but drew up to a halt with the rest of the line. Éomer charged before them, gesturing with his sword. "Don't go into the forest!" He yelled. "Keep away from the trees!" Only at his words did it dawn on Alandria that the forest hadn't been there before, and had never existed. What madness had suddenly created it, she did not know, but she had no intention of going any nearer to it. Instead she sat, with what remained of the Fighters For Helm's Deep, and watched the forest with interest. The Uruk-hai ran blindly in, fleeing the slaughter behind them. Once they had all disappeared inside the wood, however, the trees started to move. Alandria watched with wide eyes as the great, dark trees twisted and swung, and hundreds of pained screeches came from the forest's depth.
"What in the Valar is happening?" She whispered, glancing at Aragorn and Legolas, who each were beside her.
"The trees have come to help." Gandalf answered instead. "It seems Treebeard knew that we'd be having trouble, so he sent aid." The old Wizard smiled faintly, before sighing and turning Shadowfax around. "Come, let us go and find the women and children, and let them know they are safe!"
All eagerly followed the Wizard, and they soon loped back down to the great fortress of Helm's Deep. Alandria took in the sight of the massacred bodies - Uruks, Men, and fair Elves - and the rubble of the ruined Deeping Wall. "What happened there?" She asked, more to herself than to any one person.
Aragorn answered her though, closer to her than she had thought. "Saruman had created some new evil, and it exploded the wall."
"We heard it, in the caves, but could not think of how it could be done."
"The Wizard has many powers he shouldn't."
"I am seeing that now." She sighed, gazing once more at all the corpses. "The Elves, we heard them arrive. Where were they from? I do not know Elven clothing well enough to be able to identify them."
"Both Rivendell and Lothlórien. Lord Elrond sent them."
"Did you know any?" She asked gently, sensing the pain on the weary Ranger's face.
He sighed softly, before nodding. "Many. Haldir especially was among them."
"Haldir..." Alandria murmured, trying to place the familiar name. "He was of Lothlórien? When the Fellowship entered?" Aragorn nodded and Alandria glanced at the bodies again, with heavier sorrow. "That is ill news indeed.."
"Aye, indeed it is." Aragorn bowed his head for a moment, then studied her. "I should scold you for not being the caves." He commented, so randomly she almost laughed.
"Maybe."
"But what good would it serve, right?"
Alandria smiled again, satisfying his taunts. "Right."
He smiled gently in return, nodding. "I thought as much. And honestly my lady, I am glad to have you here to see the victory."
"So am I, Aragorn." She smiled faintly, as their horses plodded slowly into Helm's Deep. The empty streets had only a few dwellers, but Alandria could hear the murmur of many more approaching. Some Riders must have gone ahead and fetched the retreating people, bringing them back just in time. Both Alandria and Aragorn dismounted, and Alandria caught sight of the Lady Éowyn.
She nudged the dark-haired man beside her, and her glanced at her, then towards where she nodded. The golden-haired Lady of Rohan stood uneasily before the crowd of Riders and soldiers, searching for the faces of those she knew and loved. Alandria urged Aragorn forward and he smiled faintly at her, before stepping towards the Lady. Alandria did not watch to see their reunion, for she didn't know if it was her place. Instead she looked for a face of her own loved one, but had difficulty in the thick throng of the crowd.
"Legolas!" She cried, as his fair face passed by. He turned, and smiled softly when he saw her.
"My lady Alandria."
"I am glad to see you alive!" She embraced him warmly, and he returned it gently. "And Gimli?" She pulled away, glancing around with concern. "I thought I saw him earlier..."
"He's here, my lady, do not worry. Busy tallying up his kills though, I think. I need to go declare my proud slaying of forty two." The Elf grinned, and Alandria smiled softly in return, chuckling.
"You two are fools. But I will let you carry on with your games if you will tell me - have you seen my father?"
The gentle blue eyes softened, growing weary and sad. He sighed gently and rested a light hand on her shoulder. "Alandria.." He started, but she shook her head, backing away.
"No." She whispered, as hot tears burned her vision. "Not him too. No, not my father.." She murmured, and the tears ran slowly down her face, as Legolas spoke softly.
"He caught the blows of an Uruk that had nearly gotten Aragorn. Aragorn did not see the creature behind him, and Elrendyn intervened. He killed the Uruk, I saw it myself, but...there were too many others. He was overtaken. I am sorry, Alandria. So sorry."
Her tears still fell, but her sobs were soft as she spoke through them. "My father died...saving..Aragorn? I knew he..he thought well of...the Ranger, from what..I'd told him, but..." She stopped, crudely wiping away the tears with her hand, and taking a shaky breath. "Aragorn did not think to..to tell me this?"
"I do not think he knows, my lady. I do not believe he saw your father." She nodded, and already seemed to have a better grasp on her sorrow, but did not reply. "I am sorry for the losses you have suffered, Alandria. Both Boromir and your Lord Théodred, and now your father. I am very sorry."
"It is not your fault, my lord. And nothing you can do about it." She sighed again, her eyes falling down as she ran a hand across her sweaty brow. "I will be fine, I suppose, in time. And I must be, for this battle is not the end of it."
Almost as if he had heard her words, the White Wizard appeared in the midst of the surrounding reunions. He watched the few families reunited, many grieving, and sadness dwelt in his gentle gaze. He noticed the tears already drying on Alandria's face and shook his head gently at them. "Lord Théoden, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and you, Alandria, come." He commanded, and then said nothing more, and the five followed him, guards for Théoden accompanying as well. They wove their way out of the large group of Riders, each finding their mounts again at the Wizard's command, and Gandalf led them to the brink of another, more grassy hill - facing East. The sky in the East was dark and clouded, the clouds flashing with red sparks. "Sauron's wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift. The battle of Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little hobbits, somewhere in the wilderness. Take pride in this victory, yes, but remember how close it was to defeat. We have no time to waste, and must hasten to Isengard."
"Isengard?" Théoden asked, looking at the Wizard curiously.
"Yes, Isengard. There is a Wizard there that must be dealt with, and two little hobbits that need looking after once more. Only a few of us need go, however. Preferrably those of us gathered here, only. The rest may stay behind and bury the bodies, then hurry back to Edoras, where all can re-group and re-think our plans."
"What about Lord Éomer?" Alandria asked. "Should he not come with to Isengard as well? He's as large a part of this now as we are."
Gandalf nodded in agreement. "Quite right, my lady. Yes, the young Lord Éomer shall come as well."
"And Lady Éowyn?"
"No, not Éowyn." The King interrupted, before Gandalf could reply. "I want to keep her out of this as much as possible. Already she has seen too much war."
Gandalf nodded. "As you wish, lord. All agreed with these decisions?" He glanced around, and all nodded, just as expected. "Good." He smiled slightly. "Now, let us fetch the Third Marshall and quickly be on our way. There is not enough time left to be any less than swift!" He turned Shadowfax 'round, and nudged the stallion, before bolting back down to Helm's Deep, his company following eagerly behind.