A/N: I own nothing, as always.
***Chapter 22***
**Saffy's POV**
I leaned against one of the walls in the armory, trying to stay out of the way, while Aragorn inspected the weapons. He picked up a sword, looking at the blade for flaws, and then puts it back down. He moved over toward Gimli, I slipped along the wall in that direction as well.
"Farmers, ferriers, stablehands. These are no soldiers." He stated sadly.
"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli stated gruffly, smoking on his pipe.
"Or too few." Legolas added, looking at the young boys given weapons. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."
Silence fell in the armory in place of the noisy bustle that was there only a moment before. Everyone is staring at Legolas, shocked that he would be willing to say that for all of them to hear.
"Boe a hyn: neled herin dan leben menig." And they should be: three hundred against five thousand. He switched into elvish.
"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras." They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras. Aragorn replied.
"Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-'erir... ortheri. Natha daged dhaer!" Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die. Legolas told him honestly.
"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn yells at Legolas.
There was a collective gasp at what was said, from what they understood from Aragorn they could guess what the rest of the conversation had been. While Aragorn and Legolas glared at one another, the whole of the armory began whispering about what they had implied from the small part of the conversation they had understood.
Aragorn stormed off away from Legolas, walking out of the armory. I followed after him, moving through the path created in Aragorn's wake. I finally caught up to him on the walls outside, he was still fuming.
"I understand that you are upset, Aragorn. But you need to calm down. You are beginning to frighten the men." I told him quietly, eyeing the soldiers who were warily eyeing him.
"We have to have hope that we can win this fight, otherwise we will surely fail." He told me.
"To be honest, things are actually looking pretty good from my perspective." I told him, earning me a harsh glare. "You know how I sometimes seem to know what is going to happen ahead of time?"
"Yes, I was curious about that." He stated, staring intently at me.
"Well, Di and I's world has all the events that are going to happen here as common knowledge. Stories that people around the world know." I explained. To which he nodded showing he understood what I was saying. "But it seems that DiDi and I are affecting things. Instead five thousand Uruk-hai coming to attack us, it's supposed to be ten thousand."
"Ten thousand?" he questioned then a light went off in his head. "That is why you said that I had the numbers wrong."
"I thought that there would be ten thousand Uruk-hai coming. Because that is how I know it to go. If you win the fight against ten thousand Uruk-hai, then five thousand is looking really good."
He smiled, but then his face fell into a frown. He looked me straight in the eye, concern flashing through his eyes.
"Do you know why things are changing?" he asked me seriously.
"I think that DiDi might have something to do with it." I said cautiously. "I don't know how or what she is doing but I can only hope that it is good."
"You are beginning to doubt her." He stated.
"She's my best friend, but I just don't know anymore. I mean, what happened to the other half of the army?"
"You think that she truly has betrayed us then?" he asked.
"I don't think so. She has always been incredibly loyal, threatening anyone who hurts her friends. But this is making me really nervous." I answered. "Please don't tell Legolas, he doesn't need to hear this, it's just speculation after all."
Aragorn nodded his head, then looked over at a young boy in armor with his sword in his hands. Aragorn moved over to the boy, planning on offering the boy some comfort. I slowly approached them with a smile.
"Give me your sword." He instructed the boy, who followed his directions and offered the blade to Aragorn.
"What is your name?" Aragorn questioned as he took the sword to examine it.
"Haleth, son of Hama, my lord. The men are saying we will not live through the night. They say it is hopeless." The boy tells him sorrowfully.
Aragorn sighed at the despair working its way through the people. He extended the sword out in his hand and took a few swings with it, checking the balance. He then handed the sword back to Haleth.
"This is a good sword." Aragorn stated, looking the boy directly in the eye. "Haleth, son of Hama, there is always hope."
Haleth gives Aragorn a small smile, silently thanking him for the reassurance. Then Aragorn heads back into the armory, I followed after him knowing that I need to get ready myself, even though I am already wore my elven armor. Aragorn found some chainmail for himself and removed his over shirts, leaving only his red undershirt. He pulled on the chainmail and began to redress in his other shirts. He tightens the leather vest across his chest and the bracers on his forearms. Then he reached for his sword only to be handed the blade by Legolas.
"We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." Legolas apologized.
"Ú-moe edaved, Legolas." There is nothing to forgive, Legolas. Aragorn replied with a smile.
They both smile at one another, putting a hand on the others shoulder. I turn to see Gimli struggling with his chainmail, trying to force it down over his barrel-like chest.
"We had time, I'd get this adjusted." Gimli grumbled, letting the shirt drop only to pool on the ground around his feet. "It's a little tight across the chest."
I laughed at him, standing there complaining about how the shirt, which looked like a dress on him, was tight across the chest and not that it hit the ground.
"Did you get the largest size they offered?" I asked with a laugh.
He humphed and looked away from me. The sound of a horn carried through the open doorway.
"That is no orc horn." Legolas said, as he led the group of us rushing to the front gate.
We found ourselves on the steps leading down to the entrance of the keep, staring at an army of Elves, led by none other than Haldir.
"How is this possible?" Theoden asked, shocked at there was aid after all.
"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together." Haldir stated, spying the four of us in the crowd behind the king. "We come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn runs down past the king to Haldir, greeting him. He stands just before Haldir a bright smile on his face.
"Mae govannen, Haldir." Well met, Haldir. Aragorn states, then hugs the shocked elf. "You are most welcome."
Legolas is the next to hug Haldir, causing all the elves to turn militaristically toward us. Legolas moves to Haldir's right side. I embrace the elf as well, until my eye is caught by an elf standing just to Haldir's left. There in all her armor and weapons, is Nimiwen. Haldir nodded his head once and she breaks formation pulling me tightly into her arms.
"Nimiwen." I said excited, without a thought I pull back and kiss her fully on the lips.
There is a gasp from many of the people of Helm's Deep. But I couldn't care less, Nimiwen was here even though she was in danger being here. I hugged her once more, not wanting to let go of her. When I pull away once more, her hand moves to my neck. She fingers the pendant that is placed at the hollow of my throat, the one that she gave me. It was very similar to the Evenstar pendant that Aragorn wore, but mine had silvery vines wrapping around the sides. She smiled softly, but removed her hand knowing that she probably should retain some of the regality of the elves.
Apparently we had missed what had happened next with Haldir and the king, as we were standing in the same place while most all of the other elves were gone.
"Where is Deirdre?" Nimiwen asked softly.
"Isenguard." I said sadly, she wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
"I'm sorry, meleth." I'm sorry, love. She said, trying to sooth my sorrow. "Are you going to fight tonight?"
"Yes, I was going to. Why?" I questioned.
"I don't want you to be harmed in anyway." She admitted, expressing her desire of wanting me not to fight.
"I feel the same way about you. But it seems that both of us will have to accept it tonight." I told her.
I grabbed her hand and dragged her along, finding Aragorn with Haldir setting up where the Elves would be.
"Nimiwen," Haldir greeted her. "Saffron, I was wondering when you two would decide to come and find us."
"Sorry about that." I said quietly.
"It is fine. Nimiwen, you may fight alongside either myself or alongside Saffron with Legolas and Gimli." Haldir gave her the options.
"I will fight where you need me the most." She stated, although it was obvious where she would rather fight.
"Fight alongside Saffron, it will make you more effective in battle if you two are not worrying about the other's wellbeing." He replied.
We both smiled at him, thankful that he was letting us stay together. Aragorn pointed in the direction that Legolas and Gimli were in. We walked hand in hand to Legolas and Gimli, who were standing at the wall.
"Hey." I said, taking the spot next to Legolas while Nimiwen stood on my other side.
"Are you ready?" Legolas asked me.
"Yep, bring on the Uruk-hai." I said rather cheerily.
However my cheer dissipated when the army of Uruk-hai approached, the walls of Helm's Deep shook with each step of the massive army. I kept telling myself that this was better than having to fight ten thousand, but it wasn't really helping all that much.
"You could have picked a better spot." Gimli grumbled, I smiled at how he was too short to look over the wall.
Aragorn, who had been walking along the line of the elves, stopped behind us. We all glanced back at him, a slight smile of encouragement was on my face.
"Well, lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night." Gimli told him, sounding slightly worried.
"Your friends are with you, Aragorn." Legolas reassured.
"Let's hope they last the night." Gimli grumbled in response.
I looked back at him, smiling. He gave me a half-hearted smile in response. Then I looked back down at the army before the walls.
"Well, it could be worse." I said. "Could be raining."
Nimiwen gave a small laugh. But as soon as she did, there was a crack of thunder and the sky was lit for a moment by lightning, as the sky opened upon us and the rain began. Everyone around me shot me a look, to which I shrugged my shoulders amused that my timing was that fantastic. Aragorn continued to walk along the line of elves, giving orders in Elvish.
"A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas!" Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none! He called out.
The lead Uruk holds his hand up to stop the army, they stand grunts and grumbles echoing out from them. I glance over to see Gimli jumping up and down, trying to see over the wall. Even with the seriousness of the battle, I barely contain the laughter bubbling up inside me.
"What's happening out there?" Gimli asks, still trying to see over the wall.
"Shall I describe it to you?" Legolas asked. "Or would you like me to find a box?"
I laugh at them, as do Gimli and Legolas. My attention returns to the Uruk-hai army, as the Uruks below began to stamp their spear butts against the ground. An arrow whizzes past us, lodging itself in the neck of an Uruk-hai.
"Dartho!" Hold. Aragorn commands, holding his hand up.
There was silence as the Uruk fell to the ground, then the shouting of the Uruk-hai resumed. The lead Uruk thrust his scimitar forward and shouts something. The Uruk-hai began charging the walls at a run.
"Tangado a chadad!" Prepare to fire. Aragorn ordered.
All the Elven archers put an arrow in their bows, including the two on either side of me.
"Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc. " Their armor is weak at the neck and beneath the arm. Legolas told the Elves around him.
"Leithio I philinn!" Release the arrows. Aragorn shouted.
Arrows are released from the bows of the elven archers, each arrow seemed to strike an Uruk-hai, who fell to the ground, and was trampled by the Uruk behind it.
"Did they hit anything?" Gimli asked.
More arrows were released in a volley from behind us, as the arrows of the men of Rohan sailed toward the army. Not as many Uruk-hai fell under this second volley, but still many met their end.
"Ribed bant!" Full volley. Aragorn ordered.
Another set of arrows flew down, striking the charging Uruk-hai. Many more fell, but still there were more Uruk-hai that stood before the walls of Helm's Deep.
"Send them to me! Come on!" Gimli growled, impatient to start in on the killing.
As Uruks steadily dropped under the assault of the arrows, the Uruk-hai army began firing at the elves with crossbows. Several of the elven warriors fell off the walls, crashing against the ground that was so far down. While more of the Uruk-hai raised ladders up so that the battle could come to hand to hand combat.
"Pendraith!" Ladders. Aragorn shouted.
"Good!" Gimli cheers.
I whipped my swords out, waiting for my chance at battle. I can see the ladders rising nearer and nearer. The Uruks standing atop the ladders are larger than the others that we had seen previously.
"Swords! Swords!" Aragorn orders, many of the Elves comply with his order and draw their swords.
I stood near the anchor points of one of the ladders, my swords in my hands. The first Uruk who comes over the top is shot down by one of the archers before I can attack. But the next is all mine as I sliced the neck and the Uruk fell backwards, knocking another off the ladder below him. I continued to slice through every Uruk that I could, venting all my anger that my best friend had left me and undoubtedly had something to do with this attack.
"Legolas!" I heard Gimli call. "Two already!"
"I'm on seventeen." Legolas replied.
My swords were fast at work carving through the Uruks who climbed up trying to cut down the people of Rohan, but I wasn't having any of it.
"I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!" Gimli shouted, slicing into another Uruk.
"Nineteen." Legolas replied.
I started ignoring their banter and focused on slaying the Uruk-hai that came over the wall. To one side I saw Aragorn slicing the wires connecting the ladders, I mimicked his action and sent another ladder crashing down on the army below.
The battle raged on, mind-numbingly so. There was little thought other than for preservation, but out of the corner of my eye I saw the berserker Uruk running with the sparking torch toward the drain that was only a few feet away.
"Togo hon dad, Legolas!" Bring him down, Legolas. Aragorn called, having spotted the same Uruk as I had.
An arrow flew into the charging Uruk, but it simply wouldn't stop. Another Uruk arriving on top of the wall distracted me, as I sliced through it I heard Aragorn calling once more.
"Dago hon! Dago hon!" Kill him! Kill him! Aragorn called again.
Another arrow connected with the flesh of the rampaging Uruk-hai, but it wasn't enough to stop it from tossing itself into the culvert where the explosives were below. The world paused for a second, I could feel the ground shake beneath me. The sensation of flight came to me, as I was tossed backwards from the now broken wall. Parts of the wall were all around me, I looked around shocked at what was happening. Seeing it in the movies was one thing, but actually being thrown backwards by the force of the blast was entirely different. I was falling now, my body slammed into the water with incredible force. Pain rocketed through my body, the water closed around me. I barely shut my mouth in time to keep it from surging into my lungs. Everything was black for a moment. There was the sound of footsteps pounding against the ground, but it sounded so far away.
Color began to flood into my eyes once more, I pulled myself from underneath the water. Thankfully my swords had remained at my sides, I hastily grabbed them looking at the approaching forces of the Uruk-hai. In the water next to me, Aragorn also comes to. My mind races on whether or not Nimiwen is safe, but I don't have time to check for her.
"Aragorn!" Gimli calls, drawing Aragorn's attention to the advancing Uruk-hai.
Gimli proceeded to jump from the wall and smashed into the Uruk-hai below, crushing several of them and landing safely in the mass of spear bearing Uruks.
"Gimli!" Aragorn called.
Gimli rose from his place among the fallen Uruks, taking his axe and slicing into them. However, he gets thrown back by one of the berserkers and fell into the water nearer to us. Aragorn raised his sword, directing it at the Uruk-hai.
Hado I philinn!" Release arrows! He calls to the Elves.
Arrows go flying at the Uruk-hai, several fall to the ground. Although the elves managed to slay several of the Uruk-hai there were still a large amount racing forward to attack us.
"Herio!" Charge! He calls.
That is all I need as I race toward the Uruk-hai with my swords drawn. An Uruk-hai falls to either of my blades, having swiped cleanly through their throats. Another Uruk attempts to bring a sword down on my, but I block with one blade and impale the Uruk on my other sword. There are hundreds of elves behind us, attacking the Uruk-hai as well, but it still isn't enough to push them back as we are getting close to being overrun. Gimli resurfaced from underneath the water, Aragorn grabs him. But Gimli still tried to fight the Uruk-hai. I sheathed one of my swords and grabbed Gimli's other arm, helping Aragorn drag him backwards.
The battle rages on, blades slice through armor and flesh. The sounds of death echo through the air, as the dying screams of many elves permeate the air. Black Uruk blood coats my swords. Some of the blood had sprayed across my face, mainly from slicing through the arteries of the Uruk-hai. Sweat ran down my face, mingling with the blood. An Uruk spear had sliced along my upper arm, so now the thick blood oozed down my arm.
There were too many Uruk-hai coming through the breached wall. It has become apparent that we can't continue to fight the swarming Uruk-hai without all dying in the process.
"Aragorn! Fall back to the Keep! Get your men out of there!" Theoden calls to us.
"Nan Barad! Nan Barad!" To the Keep! Pull back to the Keep! Aragorn calls to the elves. "Haldir, nan Barad!" Haldir, to the Keep!
Haldir began to pass on the order to his elves, I sliced through another Uruk-hai, attempting to get up to him.
"Nan Barad!" To the Keep! Haldir called once more.
I'm a few feet away when the sword of an Uruk goes into his stomach. He turned away from the attack Uruk, clutching at his stomach as blood poured out. The Uruk raises it's blade once more, bringing it down onto Haldir's back. His eyes widened with shock, but I still fought to reach him.
"Haldir!" Aragorn called out to them.
Aragorn and I reach Haldir at about the same time. But while Aragorn leans down propping Haldir up in his arms, I slice into the Uruk who felled him. There are more around as I continue to hack my way through them.
"Saffron!" Aragorn called, having risen from his place beside the now dead Haldir.
I nodded my head and he got up punching an Uruk in the face. We each grab a side of the nearest ladder, riding it as it fell onto the mass of Uruk-hai below. I tossed myself into a group of them, smashing them down and my swords dug into the bodies of two of the Uruks below me. We fought through the Uruk-hai all around us, I refused to leave Aragorn to fight these Uruks as they surrounded us. We were aided in our escape by a few of the elves, who fired arrows into the Uruk-hai around us. There was an opening in the Uruk-hai around us, and we took it. Racing back towards the keep and cutting down the Uruks as we went. We made our way back into the keep where Theoden and his men were barricading the gate to keep the Uruks out.
"We cannot hold much longer!" Gamling's voice carried to us as we approach.
"Hold them!" Theoden tells us.
"How long do you need?" Aragorn asked in response.
"As long as you can give me." The king responded.
"Gimli!" Aragorn said as he pushed the dwarf into the side passage.
I followed after them, Aragorn paused when he realized that I was planning on going with them. He shook his head at me.
"We don't have time to argue. I'm coming with you." I informed him, continuing down the hallway ahead of him and Gimli.
"Guess that ends that discussion." Gimli stated.
We slipped through the passage and out a secret door a little ways away from the causeway. I lead the way, watching them come out behind me and stick close to the wall. The distance between the edge of our rock and the causeway was too far to me to jump, I realized. I glanced back at Aragorn.
"You are going to have to toss me over." I whispered to Aragorn.
He nodded his head reluctantly, still not happy that I had insisted on coming with them. But he was beginning to accept it, he looked at the distance between the cliff side we stood on and the causeway. He smirked at me, then wiped it off his face as he looked at Gimli.
"Come on. We can take them." Gimli cheered on.
"It's a long way." Aragorn replied seriously.
"Toss me." Gimli mumbled after a moment's hesitation.
"What?" Aragorn asked quietly, he was secretly amused by this.
"I cannot jump the distance. You'll have to toss me." Gimli repeated, much to my amusement. "Don't tell the elf."
Aragorn nodded and said. "Not a word."
He then proceeded to grab me about the waist, pulling me over in front of him. Then I was airborne with my swords in either hand. I crashed into the Uruk-hai on the causeway, knocking several off. Gimli came crashing into them next, followed by Aragorn who jumped over and began slicing through the Uruk-hai. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, there was always another Uruk-hai lining up to be slaughtered. Not a single one managed to hit us. The voices of the men barricading the door begins to lessen as the sound is blocked by wood.
"Gimli! Aragorn! Saffron! Get out of there!" Theoden shouts out through the last of the gaps.
Both Gimli and Aragorn turned to look at Theoden. But they had turned their backs on the advancing Uruk-hai. One of the Uruks reached to grab them, but I dragged my sword through its neck first. Blood spurted out of the Uruk's neck and splattered across the gate, I glanced back to see some of the black blood across the face of the king. I continued to hack and slash my way through the Uruk-hai. Thankfully, Gimli and Aragorn returned to paying attention to the Uruk-hai before us.
"Aragorn! Gimli! Saffron!" Legolas' voice sounded from above us as a rope was lowered down.
The likelihood of all three of us being hoisted up on that rope wasn't that great. Luckily there was another rope lowered on the other side of the causeway, I looked up to the top of the rope and saw Nimiwen holding the rope.
"Go on, Saffron." Aragorn instructed.
I sheathed my swords and grabbed onto the rope, slowly beginning to climb it. Luckily, Nimiwen began hauling the rope up with the aid of another elf behind her. I glanced back down, seeing that Aragorn and Gimli had climbed up on their own rope and were being hauled up by Legolas. We are all dragged over the wall, and I nodded my thanks to Nimiwen. There wasn't time to get distracted by the fact that it was my girlfriend who hauled me up.
"Fall back to the Keep!" rang through the air.
We followed the order, slicing down some of the Uruks as we went. There were shouts of soldiers as we raced back to the keep, abandoning the outer wall.
"Hurry! Inside. Get them inside." Aragorn shouts as we race back towards the keep.
We barricade ourselves inside the main hall, the sun will be rising soon. The men inside the keep begin to block off the door with tables and benches and the sound of the battering ram being used on the door is heard.
"The fortress is taken. It is over." Theoden said despairingly.
"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defended it. They still defend it. They have died defending it." Aragorn shouted to the king as he ran back and forth carrying more objects to barricade the door with.
"Is there no way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" Aragorn asks the king only to receive no reply. "Is there no other way?"
"There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many." Gamling told us.
"Tell the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance." Aragorn tells Gamling, laying a hand on the shoulder of the king.
"So much death." Theoden states, obviously not entirely here. "What can Men do against such reckless hate?"
"My lord, your niece and your people are in the caves. We cannot give up now and leave them to slaughter." I argued with the king.
"Ride out with me." Aragorn said, drawing the attention of the king. "Ride out and meet them."
"For death and glory." Theoden stated almost whimsically.
"For Rohan. For your people." Aragorn persuades.
"The sun is rising." Gimli announced, looking at the sun which streamed in through one of the few windows.
"Yes! Yes!" Theoden called out to the surprise of everyone in the hall. "The Horn of Helmhammerhand will sound in the Deep one last time."
"Yes!" Gimli declared.
Several of the guards ran to the stables and found horses for everyone, luckily there was an access from the hall for specifically this reason. Our horses were saddled and ready to ride quickly. I moved over to Nimiwen, who had finally taken a break from barricading the door.
"We made it this long." I told her, taking her hands in mine. "Don't you dare die on me when we ride out there."
She smirked and we kissed once more, my hands slipped into her hair. She pulled me tightly against her once more. Then we pulled apart, ready to face the remnants of the army outside of the gate.
We mounted onto the horses, leaving behind a small amount of men who would take care of all the Uruks who survived our initial assault. Theoden was waiting on his horse in the front of our party, to his right was Aragorn with Gamling to his left.
"Let this be the hour we draw swords together." Theoden stated.
The sound of Gimli blowing the horn from above is heard. The door is trembling under the assault of the battering ram, nearing its' breaking point.
"Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and a red dawn." Theoden proclaimed as the door came crashing down before our horses and Uruks came storming toward us.
**Deirdre's POV**
I awoke early the next morning. The Uruk-hai army that I had helped send to Helm's Deep would be failing, soon to be destroyed. I rose from the bed and went to look out over the balcony. The sun was rising in the east, tainted with red streaks. Maybe Legolas was right, the dawn was red when blood was spilled. I looked out over toward the edge of the forest of Fangorn. Slowly approaching from the trees were Ents, and on the top of the closest Ent were two small shapes.
I smirked and watched as the howls of the Ents reached me on the slight wind. Today Isenguard would fall. I took one final look at the approaching Ents and some of the trees of the forest moving toward Helm's Deep, then I headed back inside my chambers. Stripping off my black nightgown and slipping into the bath. This was going to be a good day.
***End Chapter 22***
Sorry it's taken me so long to update. My account I swear hates me now, my DocX hasn't been working appropriately. Hopefully it will begin behaving and I can resume updating in a more regular manner.
Read and Review.