The quick hoof falls of the horses mimicked the heart beats of their riders as they made their way across the barren plains of Rohan. 10,000 orcs now stood between the people of Rohan and the next sunrise and they remained oblivious.
After about an hour Legolas could see the walls of Helm's Deep and they arrived at the gate soon after. Both were greeted with gasps and surprised stares. Few people had seen Legolas return from his scouting mission, and all had heard of Aragorn's supposed demise. None expected to see either of them again. But there was one there to greet them at the courtyard who was especially overjoyed.
Gimli had fluctuated between anger and despair many times in the days past. He had experienced what this journey would be like without Aragorn and Legolas; humorless, empty and lonely. He had found true friendship with them, and after the loss of his cousin, that was exactly what he needed.
Both the elf and the man dismounted their horses. Aragorn was immediately greeted by an extremely excited Gimli and received a very firm embrace from his dwarf friend. Aragorn would have been more enthusiastic about the reunion but he had to tell Théoden of the army now marching on them.
"Where is the King?" he asked anxiously. Gimli gestured towards the throne room at the top of the keep. Aragorn turned to Legolas who gave him a nod to go ahead without him. The ranger left Legolas and Gimli in the square along with the onlookers and gossipers that filled the elf's ears with theories, conspiracies and other nonsense. But Legolas was not concerned with them.
As he looked down at his companion he could see the tinge of anger in his eyes. After all, Legolas had abandoned him without so much as a friendly word. Gimli could see the regret in the elf's ice blue eyes, however he was truly hurt by his blatant refusal to allow him to accompany him in his search for Aragorn.
"I am sorry for leaving you." Legolas said, after a long while of studying Gimli's stern face.
"You know, as a young lad, I couldn't even begin to imagine traveling all the way across Middle Earth with an elf." Gimli said disdainfully, his tone both surprised and confused Legolas, "But these past several days have showed me that trying to travel across Middle Earth without one would be the most dangerous decision I could make."
Legolas gave a small smile in response to Gimli's words. To any other elf this would mean nothing, he knew in his heart, however, the true meaning of his friend's words.
"But listen closely laddie," Gimli said sternly, "The next time you tell me I'm going to slow you down, ya best be runnin the other direction when you say it." Legolas, still smiling, bowed his head to his friend in understanding. It did not take much for either of them to forgive each other and soon the unlikely friendship was back to it's unusual dynamic.
"Come," Legolas said finally, bringing them back to the present moment, "There is something you need to know."
The elf and the dwarf made their way up to the throne room. Legolas quickly went through the series of events that had just passed. They entered through the large double doors just as Aragorn was telling Théoden about the army.
"A great host you say?" the King asked quizzically, "How many?"
Aragorn looked at Legolas, who nodded to him, not wanting to be the one to explain the dire situation,"10,000 strong at least".
"10,000?" Théoden was awestruck. In all of his years he had never seen an army more than half that size, "You saw this?"
Legolas looked up from where he stood behind Aragorn, "Yes".
"And in all of your years, have you ever witnessed anything like it?"
The elf was not sure of the King's motive behind this question. He hesitated before answering, looking to Aragorn for some sort of indicator as to how he should reply. Aragorn gave nothing away except for the worry in his eyes. "Never," he said finally.
This answer did not give Théoden any comfort. He now had more questions than ever; how many men would he be able to put at arms? How well trained are these soldiers of Isenguard? When will they get here? Why were they coming?
"It is an army bred for a single purpose," Aragorn said after seeing the King try to process all of the thoughts in his head, "To destroy the world of men. They will be here nightfall."
Théoden's heart began to race. He could not stop them, and he had nowhere to run. It was fight or die, and Théoden certainly was not planning on dying tonight.
"Let them come."