Alright guys! New Chapter up! Yay! Sorry its taken so long, but here it is! I want to thank all my readers and especially my reviewers! Love you all! Enjoy!

She was up to high to tell what it was, but it was indeed more than she had found in the last four hours. Not letting herself have too much hope, she dropped lower and soared back over. She let out an excited roar when she realized it was indeed Aragorn. She flew down to him, and was afraid he was dead. She grew larger and scooped him up in her front paws. She let out a jet of fire when she felt his heart beating beneath his chest. She flew up above the water a few feet and searched the surrounding area for somewhere to rest. She spotted a small inlet between two rocks and flew to it. She was far too big to fit so she put Aragorn in the shallows and got as small as she could. She dropped into the water beside him and grew to the side of a small horse and gently took hold of Aragorn's cloak. Once she had pulled him out of the water and onto a patch of soft moss she turned back into an Elf.

"Aragorn?" she said quietly as she moved the soaked hair from his face. "Aragorn, can you hear me?"

He didn't move. Mayleea glanced up toward the sky judging the time of day. She would never be able to make it to Helms Deep before nightfall, especially carrying an unconscious person, but she had to try. She looked down at Aragorn, still unconscious then back at the sky. She knelt next to Aragorn and leaned down over him. She put her lips against his ear.

"Do not fear my king. We will get to Helms Deep."

He didn't so much as flutter an eyelash, but Mayleea changed back to a dragon and picked Aragorn up in her front feet again. She held him against her plated chest carefully and looked up at the sky. She crouched letting her spring like legs gather tension before launching thirty feet into the air. She opened her wings and began flapping, but found they were too wide. Not able to flap fully, she came crashing to the ground. She growled as she pushed herself to a sitting position, still holding onto Aragorn. The whole gully where the water was, was too narrow to fly out of with how large she had to be to carry Aragorn. She set her king back on the moss and glared up at the cliff high above.

She glanced down at Aragorn then jumped to a rock twenty feet above the ground. From there she scrambled up the wall to the cliff. She sat at the top panting. It was hard to climb with all four feet free. Carrying Aragorn and trying to scale the wall would be disastrous. Smoke billowed from her nostrils as she tried to figure out how to get him out. Finally she thought she had an idea. She dropped down into the ravine and searched the bushes for a vine. After a few minutes she managed to get one that was thick enough for what she wanted. She turned back to an Elf and tied the vine securely over both his shoulders and around his waist. When she was sure it was tight she turned back into a dragon, grabbed the rope in her back foot and flew up to the top of the cliff. When she had cleared the sides, she grew large enough to carry Aragorn's weight. She took the vine in her mouth and flew up high enough for Aragorn to clear the cliff. She set him down gently and landed. She easily bit through the vine and lifted Aragorn into her front arms. She felt him stir, but he didn't awake so she took off.

The sun was going down as she banked to her left toward Helms Deep. As she came over a hill, she was met head on with the army of Orc soldiers headed to Helms Deep. She pulled up, but not in time to stay hidden from them. They saw her, that she was sure of, but other than look very surprised, they did nothing to attack her. She wrestled for a moment with the idea of attacking them, but their numbers far exceeded any she could fight on her own, especially with Aragorn unconscious in her arms. She let out a frustrated burst of fire and continued ahead of them to Helms Deep. The sun was gone behind the mountain and she was very tired, but Mayleea decided to fly through the night to get as far ahead of the Orcs as she could. Finally as noon was approaching the next day, she rounded a mountain and could see the hill in the middle of the valley that looked over Helms Deep. She kept low to the ground, using is lack of wind resistance to go faster. She soared up and over the hill just as Aragorn awoke. She felt his heart rate quicken so she entered his mind.

"You are safe my king," she assured him.

She landed on the top of the hill and set him down gently.

"Mayleea?" he said rubbing his forehead. "What happened?"

"You went over the cliff. I followed the river until I found you. We are now at Helms Deep."

Aragorn sat up and looked around.

"Well almost," Mayleea said with a smile.

"You carried me all the way here?" he asked looking back at her.

"Of course," she said. "Come, we must get to Théoden and warn him of the size of the army that is on its way."

"You saw it?"

She nodded as she knelt so he could get on. He shook his head trying to clear it.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," he assured her and stepped up on her front foot.

She lifted her foot, giving him a boost. He secured his legs around her shoulders and held onto her spine spike. Mayleea could feel his fatigue and worried he might fall from her back.

"You are sure you are alright?" she asked.

He laughed lightly.

"Yes. I will be alright. Just get us to Helms Deep."

"Gladly," she said with a grin.

She took off and in just a few minutes she landed on the elevated walkway up to the wall. Aragorn slid off and Mayleea turned back into an Elf and together they entered the stronghold. They walked through crowds of people easily. The people of Rohan parted for them instantly. Aragorn led the way up to the inner most part of Helms Deep where Gimli could be heard shouting.

"Where is he? Where is he? Get out of the way! I'm going to kill him!"

He burst through the crowd right in front of them.

"You are the luckiest and the most reckless man I ever knew!"

Gimli fell into Aragorn's arms.

"Bless you laddie!"

Mayleea smirked over the Dwarf's head at Aragorn who gave Gimli a moment then pushed him away.

"Gimli, where is the king?"

Gimli nodded into the inner court. Aragorn nodded and left him. Mayleea followed with a smile and a pat on the Dwarf's shoulder. He caught her arm. She was not used to the touch of a Dwarf so she bristled and turned, ready to literally bite his hand off.

"You did well my lady," he said patting her hand.

She blinked feeling ashamed she had thought ill of the Dwarf.

"Thank you," she said smiling softly then turning and following her king.

Mayleea caught up to Aragorn as he was greeting Legolas. The Elf held up the jeweled necklace and put it in his friend's hand. Mayleea came to a stop behind Aragorn and watched his reaction to the necklace. He looked up and thanked Legolas who smiled and nodded. Mayleea suddenly felt someone watching her. She turned and surveyed the area and quickly found the source of her feeling. Eyowen was peeking out from behind a rock arch. There were tears in her already watery eyes. Mayleea rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the two men. Aragorn was already going around Legolas to where the King was, leaving the Elf to grin at Mayleea.

"You roll your eyes at her?"

Mayleea grinned and moved closer to Legolas so she wouldn't have to talk as loud.

"I find her rather pathetic and childish," she said quietly.

Legolas laughed and put a hand on her shoulder. He inclined his head and let his forehead rest against hers.

"I am glad you are alright. I was worried."

Mayleea smiled and put her hand on the back of his neck.

"There was no need to worry, but thank you for your concern."

Legolas grinned and looked up into her eyes. She blinked, suddenly feeling how close they were. She leaned away.

"Come. We have much to tell the king."

He nodded, though he was reluctant to let go of her shoulder. They followed Aragorn into the thrown room. Mayleea then proceeded to tell everyone just what she had seen.

"Great hosts you say?" Théoden asked after she had told him.

"All of Isenguard is emptied," she confirmed as she leaned heavily against a piller.

A sudden wave of exhaustion crushed her.

"How many?" Théoden asked.

"Ten thousand strong at least."

"Ten thousand," Théoden breathed turning to face them.

"It is an army bread for a single purpose. To destroy the world of men."

"They'll be here by nightfall," Aragorn said, his blue eyes urgent.

"Let them come," Théoden growled.

He left the throne room and Aragorn, Legolas and Mayleea followed. They walked through the streets, through the crowds of people. Mayleea was already exhausted from flying all night, and it made her ill to see all the people. The old, the sick and the dying, sitting in the streets waiting for something to happen. As they walked, Théoden spoke orders to his second.

"I want all men and strong lads. Able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall."

Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Mayleea followed Théoden out of the gate, passed soldiers who were nailing long pieces of wood to the gate.

"Like that would do anything," Mayleea thought to herself.

"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall, or set foot inside the Horneburge."

"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs," Gimli said leaning on his ax. "These are Uruki. Their armor is thick, their shields broad."

Théoden advanced on Gimli making the Dwarf have to look up to see his face. Mayleea bristled. She didn't like the way the King was acting about any of this.

"I have fought many a war master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep," he spat then walked past him back into the city.

Legolas, Mayleea and Aragorn followed.

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock," Théoden assured them. "Saruman's armies will pillage and burn. Crops can be re – sewn. Homes, rebuilt, but behind these walls, we will outlast them."

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops and villages, they come to destroy its people. Down to the last child," Aragorn said.

He sounded exasperated. When Théoden ignored him and kept walking, Mayleea spoke up.

"King Théoden, I have been alive long enough to know that no one would send that kind of force if they didn't know for sure they would at least have a chance of winning. They have to have something planned. Something we could never see coming."

He turned and got very close to their faces.

"What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread."

He paused.

"If this is to be our end, then I would have us make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."

"Send out riders my Lord!" Aragorn tried again. "You must call for aid."

Théoden turned.

"And who would come? Elves? Dwarves? Dragons? We are not so lucky in your friends as you. The old alliances are dead."

"Gondor will answer," Mayleea hissed, sensing Aragon was going to say the same.

"Gondor?" Théoden growled advancing on her.

Legolas uncrossed his arms and stood a little taller.

"Where was Gondor when the west fall fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon –" but he cut himself off and took a breath. "No my lady. We are alone."

He watched her eyes for a moment then walked away.

"He has no idea what he's doing," Mayleea growled looking after him.

"He is trying to protect his people. That is all we can ask for," Aragorn said calmly.

"No," Mayleea said turning flaming eyes on him. "No the people who put their lives on the line for him have the right to ask for a lot more."

Aragorn regarded her with thoughtful eyes. She growled and leapt off the wall, changing back to a dragon and flying up to the top of the mountain, far from any of them. Legolas watched her go. She was large and easy to see on the far cliff. She landed with a crash and a roar. He could see her form pacing back and forth now and then shooting jets of fire into the sky. She roared and flapped her wings wildly and stomped her feet sending large rocks falling. He watched in awe as she ripped out a tree with her jaws and tossed it in the air and with the accuracy of a sharpshooter lit it on fire while it was in the air. The flaming foliage fell down past the cliff and continued burning on the ground. Finally she growled and flew back to where Legolas was waiting. He smiled as she changed back to an Elf and followed him down to where people were being ushered into the caves.

"What?" she asked glancing at Legolas out of the corner of her eye.

He just glanced down at the burning tree. Mayleea shrugged.

"Better than taking out my anger on the King."

Legolas raised his eyebrows and smiled. By then they had caught up to Aragorn.

"We will place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate."

"Aragorn you must rest," Legolas said pressing through the crowd.

Aragorn ignored him.

"You're no good to us half alive."

He turned to talk to the Elf when a voice Mayleea had come to despise rose above the din of the people.

"My lord! My Lord Aragorn!"

They turned and spotted the golden haired woman rushing toward them. Legolas hung back helping people into the caves while Mayleea stood a little closer to Aragorn.

"I am to be sent into the caves with the woman and children," she fumed.

"Thank god," Mayleea thought.

Legolas smirked at her.

"That is an honorable charge," Aragorn said, trying to keep her calm with his attitude.

"To mind the children! To find food and bedding when the men return! What renown is there in that?" she practically shouted.

"My lady," Aragorn began. "A time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in their last defense?"

"Let me stand at your side," she practically begged.

"It is not in my power to command it," Aragorn said turning his back on her.

Mayleea could tell he was losing patience.

"You do not command the others to stay!" she shouted making Aragorn turn back. "They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you!" She paused and looked pointedly at Mayleea. "Because they love you."

Aragorn sighed and looked down. She realized her mistake instantly.

"I'm sorry," she said then fled back he way she had come from.

Mayleea watched her go then her attention was drawn to the soldiers standing at the entrance to the caves stopping any boys old enough to talk and pulling them from their families. She frowned and stormed to the nearest soldier who had just roughly ripped a young boy from his mother and was shoving her, kicking and screaming toward the cave. Mayleea grabbed the soldier by the arm and yanked him away. She spun him around and threw him against the wall.

"What are you doing," she asked harshly.

"Getting all able bodies to assist in the defense of this city," he said pushing her back.

She was forced back a few feet, but she was back and had him pinned against the wall within seconds.

"It's… it's the king's orders," he stammered.

"I don't care. He has barley seen eight summers. You put him in this fight, he won't see anymore Not. Him."

The soldier forced his elbow between her and him and shoved her off. Mayleea went to jump at him and pin him to the ground rather than the wall, but Legolas caught her.

"Leave," Aragorn told the soldier. "Now."

He frowned at Mayleea, who was only being held back by Legolas' arm around her waist and Gimli's hold on her arm.

"Go!" Legolas shouted. "Before you don't have limbs."

"Yes run! Just make sure you don't run away when the Uruki show up!" Mayleea growled trying to pull free of Legolas.

The soldier rounded on her, but Aragorn got between them and placed a hand on his chest, and the other on the hilt of his sword. The soldier looked around Aragorn.

"You are one to talk about running. What has your race ever done for anyone besides hide? Where have you been for a hundred generations? HIDING!"

"WHAT?" she shouted. "My kind ruled this land before your father's father was even a thought!"

"Do not pretend you care for us! You did not even know of your parentage until a few days ago! What do you know about –"

"That is enough!" Aragorn shouted over him. "You have better things to do than argue with a creature that is older and smarter than you will ever be. Leave!"

With a push from Aragorn, he went on his way. Aragorn turned to Mayleea.

"Come. We have things we must do."

She sighed and Legolas let her go, though she found herself wishing she could stay in his embrace. They made their way to the make shift armory where the soldiers were handing out weapons. Aragorn looked over a sword and tossed it back, disgusted.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers."

"Most have seen too many winters," Gimli said, concern flooding his voice.

"Or too few," Legolas said.

Mayleea leaned gently into his shoulder. He instinctively pulled his shoulder back so she would be closer to him.

"Look at them," Mayleea said weakly.

"They are frightened," Legolas said pulling away from Mayleea and beginning to pace. "You can see it in their eyes."

The whole room stopped talking and began listening to him. He turned back to Aragorn and spoke in Elvish.

"And why shouldn't they be? Three hundred against ten thousand?"

"They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras," Aragorn tried.

"Aragorn, they cannot win this fight," Legolas said. "They are all going to die!"

Aragorn and Mayleea were the only ones in the room that understood what Legolas said, but Aragorn made it clear when he answered in English.

"Then I shall die as one of them!"

The two glared at each other for a moment until Aragorn turned and stormed out. Legolas tried to follow, but Gimli held his arm.

"Let him go lad."

Legolas clenched his jaw and Mayleea tentatively leaned into his side. He looked at her and forced a smile.

"Come," she said to him. "You and I both deserve a rest."

Legolas nodded. She led him outside where the sun was getting low in the sky. She changed into a dragon and offered him her front food. He smiled genuinely at her and swung up onto her back. They soared up and away from the crowded streets below. Mayleea dropped onto the top of the cliff. Legolas jumped to the ground and Mayleea stretched and shook.

"We could get away from this you know. Just fly over the cliff and disappear. You, me, Aragorn and even Gimli."

"You could carry all of us?" he asked skeptically.

She snorted.

"What do you think I am, a horse?"

He laughed.

"We can't just leave, but I suspect you already know that," Legolas said running a hand over his face.

She nodded.

"I did."

She turned her golden eyes on him.

"Do you honestly think everyone is going to die?" she asked.

"Yes," Legolas answered quickly.

Mayleea flicked the end of her tail and searched his face.

"Then we must do something about it."

"Like what?" he asked.

"We must keep them alive at all costs," she said, determined.

Legolas laughed and earned a snort from her.

"There are 300 of them," Legolas reminded her. "Some will die."

Mayleea growled and Legolas crossed the space between them. He put a hand on her black shoulder.

"We will do all we can, but we need rest."

Mayleea agreed with a nod and stretched out on the rocky earth. Legolas leaned back against her side using her shoulder as a pillow. She made a purring sort of noise, curled her neck around and laid her big head on the Elf's lap. He smiled and had the intense urge to pet her like an animal. It was hard to remember she was an Elf half the time. He didn't have time to meditate on this however because sleep soon took them both.

It was after nightfall when Mayleea woke with a start. Legolas was still asleep, but she could sense the armies of Isengard very close. She entered her comrade's mind gently.

"Legolas, we must go."

He woke with a start and jumped up. There was little to be said between them as she got up and Legolas jumped on. They flew back to a city preparing for battle. Mayleea circled the city until she found Aragorn. He was walking into one of the caves, Mayleea assumed to get ready. She landed and turned back into an Elf. They followed their King, and Legolas picked up his sword from where it lay behind him. When he went to find it, Legolas held it out to him. Aragorn smiled and took it as Legolas began his apology.

"We have trusted you this far, you have not led us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair."

Aragorn shook his head and extended a hand to the Elf.

"There is nothing to forgive Legolas," he said in Elvish.

Mayleea smiled just as Gimli walked in holding his chain mail in a pile.

"It's about time I got this adjusted," he said dropping it.

It was far too long and Mayleea snorted. Legolas and Aragorn grinned at each other.

"It looks good on you," Mayleea said crossing her arms.

There was no doubt in Mayleea's mind that Gimli would have responded if given the chance, but a horn sounded outside. They all looked up at the door.

"That is no Orc horn," Legolas said and hurried upstairs.

The other three followed. They ran out onto the landing where the King and soldiers were. The second Mayleea saw the hooded figures with their golden hair and long bows, she knew exactly who they were. Haldir of Lorian. Mayleea had met him on several occasions, but never as an Elf.

Aragorn greeted him with a hug. Haldir was surprised at first, but fell easily into the embrace.

"You are most welcome here," Aragorn said, a big smile on his face.

Legolas was next. He greeted his brethren with a quick embrace and Mayleea bowed slightly to him. She and Legolas stood behind him as the army of archers.

"We are proud to fight alongside men once more."

Haldir's men dispersed to find the best spot to shoot from and Haldir turned to Mayleea.

"Why have I not met you?" he asked smiling at her.

"You have," she answered, a sly smile crossing her face.

She glanced at Legolas and before he could ask any more, she phased back to a dragon and floated in front of him. Confusion flashed before his eyes for a moment until realization took over.

"Mayleea?" he asked.

"It is I," she confirmed.

"You are not just a dragon?" he asked as she turned back to an Elf.

Legolas noticed it was getting faster and easier for her to change on command.

"They call me an Elemental," she said hugging her friend.

"An Elemental?" Haldir said, surprise flooding over his face.

That was the reaction she was getting from everyone recently.

"Well this is blessing indeed! With a dragon on our side, we cannot lose!"

Mayleea admired his faith in her. She was not so sure.

"Come! There is little time!" Haldir said turning toward the wall.

The sight of Mayleea seemed to have put him in a downright jubilant mood. Mayleea laughed and she, Legolas and Gimli went to find spots on the outside wall.

It was another hour before the lights of the enemy came into view. The city went quiet. No one talked or moved. They hardly breathed. Mayleea was a dragon and was sitting on Legolas' shoulder. With everything so quiet, the marching of the enemy was loud in everyone's ears.

"Ugh you could have picked a better spot," Gimli said.

Mayleea looked down at him and smiled. The wall was just as tall as he was and therefore he could not see over it. Legolas didn't answer but smiled as well. Aragorn suddenly appeared behind them.

"Well lad, by the luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night," Gimli said, looking up at Aragorn.

Lightning flashed illuminating the enemy's forces for just a second. That second was plenty to strike fear into the hearts of everyone.

"Your friends are with you Aragorn," Legolas reminded him.

"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli said quietly.

Mayleea snickered and Aragorn walked away just as the first raindrops of the night began pinging off everyone's armor. The Uruki were closing quickly and Mayleea felt the familiar surge of energy. She unconsciously began shifting her weight on Legolas' shoulder.

"Are you anxious?" he asked quietly.

"I could be evening our odds considerably," she said looking sideways at him.

He nodded.

"That you could."

"Should I?" she asked.

"It does not matter what I say," Legolas answered. "Whatever you have decided is what you will do."

Mayleea frowned at him. He met her gaze.

"Am I wrong?"

She snorted.

"I suppose not."

Legolas smiled. There was nothing Mayleea could do now. They were at the wall and Aragorn was yelling his battle speech.

"Show them no mercy, for you shall receive none!"

The Uruki were one charge away from the wall. They were stopped in a line waiting for something. Mayleea scanned the line. She could tell they were impatient by their roaring and grunting.

"What's happening out there?" Gimli asked jumping up and down trying to see.

"Shall I describe it to you, or would you like me to get you a box?" Legolas asked glancing down at his short friend.

Mayleea smiled and Gimli laughed. At that moment an Uruki roared and the rest began beating their spears on the ground. Aragorn pulled out his sword, signaling the archers to string their bows. It only took a few seconds before someone loosed an arrow. Aragorn put his hand up and yelled for them to hold fire, but the damage was already done."

"And so it begins," Mayleea sighed.

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