Chapter 4:

Before the Battle

Darsul stared at Helms Deep in amazement. The thick stone walls stretched around the valley. Behind the thick walls was a piece of ground before the keep, known as the Deeping Coomb. The wall of the keep was called the Deeping wall and the keep was called the Hornburg. Outside the outer wall, there was a long stone walkway that sloped steadily upwards to the large, wooden gate. It was the great fortress of Rohan and could house their entire nation in times of war.

As they rode through the gate, a horn sounded, anouncing the arrival of the king. Inside the keep, hundreds of people were crowding the streets. They cheered when they saw that the king had returned safely. Darsul saw many women look at the survivors and turn their heads with tears in their eyes. She then realized how many men had perished on the plain. Many of them had wives and children!

The day was filled with confusion as Theoden prepared for an attack from Isengard. He was busy counting the men that he had. 178. That measly number couldn't protect Helms Deep! Just as he was thinking about what he was to do, a horse was spotted galloping into the valley! Legolas, Theoden, Gimli and Darsul ran up onto the battlements to watch the lone riders approach. He was slumping over his horses neck. Obviously he was hurt. The gate opened with a loud bang. The rider rode into the center of a crowd of people.

''Lord Aragorn...He has returned!''The watching people cried. Theoden, Legolas and Darsul heard the cries. They ran and leaped through the crowd, trying to get to Aragorn. When they finally came to the gates, they were just closing. Aragorn rode through the people, half alive, but alive all the same. He dismounted his horse and walked forwards. He stopped in front of Legolas and Darsul. There was a moment of tense silence, then Legolas spoke,

''You look terrible.''He stated after looking over Aragorn. He was covered in dirt and blood. They stood there for a moment then all began to laugh. Darsul reached into her pocket and gingerly pulled out the Evenstar. She placed it in Aragorn hand. Aragorn looked down at it, then up at his friends. A single tear tracked across his face. Aragorn hugged them both fiercly, then stepped back to survey them.

''All Isengard is emptied!''He said quietly. Only Legolas and Darsul could hear him say it. King Theoden then marched over to Aragorn. He clasped Aragorns hand in a friendly greeting.

''How many Orcs march upon Helm's Gate?''Asked Theoden after a while. The crowd became silent at this point, all hoping for good news, But it was not to be.

''Not Orcs my Lord...''Aragorn said slowly. A cheer erupted from the crowd but then Aragorn took a deep breath and continued.

''My Lord...At least 10 000 Uruk-Hai march on Helms Deep, Less than 1 day away...''

There was a shocked silence following his words. Somewhere in the fortress, a baby started to cry loudly.

''10 000''stuttered Theoden. It took a moment for the gargantuan number to register in his mind. Aragorn nodded slowly. Without another word, the king began shouting orders and organizing troops. He ran off through the crowd of people. Aragorn grimaced at Legolas and Darsul, then followed Theoden. Legolas put his hand on Darsul s shoulder.

''Come!''He said.''We must help!''

Darsul turned mechanically and allowed him to pull her towards the keep.

Legolas stood in the armory handing out weapons. Aragorn sat on a bench and looked around the room.

''Farmers, Farriers, Stable boys...these are no soldiers.''He murmured sadly. Legolas' expression hardened at these words.

''They're afraid! I can see it in their eyes!''He said coldly. Everyone in the room became silent. They were staring at Legolas and Aragorn.

''Allalle dîn...dán karamunûk!'' 300!...against 10 000! Said Legolas, easily slipping into elvish. The men then turned to look at Aragorn. How would he react?

Aragorn looked as if he hadn't even heard Legolas. Except for his hand. His fingers twitched slightly.

''Alla ne krof nammén!'' They are all going to die! Legolas yelled. A vein in Aragorn's temple throbbed. Then he lost it completely.

''THEN I SHALL DIE AS ONE OF THEM!''Yelled Aragorn so loud that people near him covered their ears. He turned and stalked out of the room. Legolas instantly regretted losing his temper. He tried to run after him but Darsul held him back.

''Let him go Legolas.''She said soothingly. He looked as if he wanted nothing more than to run after Aragorn, but he let Darsul hold his hand and gently pull him away from the area.

Legolas, Gimli and Darsul went to their quarters at Helms Deep. It was time to get themselves prepared for battle. Darsul gently eased the sling carrying her armor open. She pulled out the thin, metal plates one by one and attached them together in a suit of very light, but strong elven armor. When she was finished, she looked formidable. Her sword Naldgrim was strapped to her waist and her hair was concealed under a lethally curved helmet. On the helm, was the crest of her family. She sighed and took of the helmet, It was too hot to wear it now. Darsul watched Legolas prepare. He did not put on any armor. Legolas twirled his daggers into their scabbards at his side. He handed Darsul her bow and they both attached their quivers to their backs. They heard Gimli grunt. Darsul look ed over at him and laughed.

He had squished himself into a small piece of chain mail that was quite small. At first, Darsul wondered why he had grunted until...A piece of the chain mail, that had been stuck on Gimli's protuberant belly came loose and rested on the floor about a meter to tall for him! Legolas and Darsul grinned at Gimli, who's face was growing steadily redder. He coughed rather loudly and said

''It's a bit tight around the chest!''

They were all laughing for a moment until Aragorn stepped into the room. Legolas immediately ceased laughing. It was extremely tense for a minute, then Legolas stepped forwards,

''I am deeply sorry Aragorn...I should not have despaired...''He said softly. His voice filled with remorse. Aragorn regarded his friends face for a moment, then smiled.

''It is alright Legolas.''

Suddenly a clear horn note blasted out from the valley. Gimli grabbed his ax and jumped up. Clearly ready for action. Darsul's face lifted and she cried out.

''That is no Orc horn!''

She charged up the stairs to the front gate. The four of them stared in awe at the sight before them. One hundred figures cloaked in dark blue were marching through the gates. There faces were hooded and they made no noise on the stone walkway. In their left hands, they carried long, menacing, double-ended blades. The blades were gold and very sharp. They glinted in the torchlight. The three figures leading the figures stopped suddenly in front of Theoden. The turned to face him. Their troops turned with them and stamped there weapons and stood at attention. The lead figures stepped towards Theoden. They lowered their hoods slowly.

''Haldîr! Rumil! Orophrin!''Yelled Darsul in shock. She lightly ran down the steps and hugged Haldir and Orophrin, then stopped in front of Rumil.

''Hello.''He said not to warmly. She scowled at him, then went to stand behind them. Legolas came down the stairs and greeted the elves as well. He then joined Darsul.

''We elves once had an alliance with men...we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance.''Said Haldîr. With a small smile on his face. Theoden could only stutter his thanks. Darsul, Legolas and Darsul's brothers quickly split the elven warriors into 5 groups of 20. Just as they finished, a horn sounded. The first line of Uruk-Hai came over the ridge at the other end of the valley. It was time.