Who Shall Come?
She gulped, hands clenching and unclenching as she fought the emotions struggling to surface. He can't be, not really, they must be mistaken... Rosalie desperately wanted those words to be true, but panic rose with every one as she knew Gimli and Legolas would not have returned without him. Around her, women and children greeted relatives, or mourned their losses, families uniting with loved ones, or grieving for them. And now, Rosalie joined them.
Aragorn. She wanted to weep. A short red head was weaving his way through the masses of taller blondes, drawing closer. The elf had left, storming past her and Éowyn had fled into the crowds after Gimli broke the news. The dwarf climbed the stairs, keeping his eyes focused on a spot just before the girl, standing in front of her like Legolas had done earlier. They stared at each other, like before, not caring for the noise or the people around them. Hesitantly, Gimli reached for her hand, patting it in a comforting gesture that did nothing for her insides.
She was still staring at him, his stiff shoulders, his throat and beard shivering as he gulped. "C'mon," He finally said gruffly, "Let's go inside. Find that mad elf." Gimli walked round her, marching forward, Rosalie trailing behind. A head of them, Théoden and a host of guards strode quickly, a few at the back jogging to keep up. The crowds parted like a biblical story, Rosalie and Gimli in the shade of the authority. His advisors, she guessed half-heartedly, not really wanting to do anything but curl into a ball in a dark room somewhere. They were muttering and murmuring, advising, the king on something, but Théoden seemed adamant. "To all our forces inside the gate- set a watch," He ordered and one of the guards peeled away from the pack, bowing and fleeing.
"What of those who cannot fight- the women and children?" Another questioned and Théoden paused. He sighed, rubbing his eyes wearily. Part of Rosalie wanted her to speak up; wonder why one of those idiots didn't believe a woman could hold her own in a fight. He obviously hadn't seen Abby when she caught her ex kissing that girl at Lily Adderman's party.
"Take them to the caves. Saruman's arm has grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here." Was Théoden's reply and suddenly, Gimli tugged on her arm, pulling her down a different corridor as the passage split. How does he know where he's going? Rosalie thought helplessly, letting the dwarf lead her down never-ending corridors and passed identical doors. She had a feeling that it would be a bit too rude to actually ask that out loud. Eventually he reached one and barged inside, the door swinging violently into the wall beside it after Gimli's assault. Legolas was already inside, sat on the ground, propped up by the wall. He didn't glance up when the dwarf burst in, his head resting on his hands.
The silence was unnerving, and Gimli glanced at her uneasily, obviously expecting a different reaction. "... I'm feeling a little peckish myself, I'm gonna find some food..." He sounded just as awkward as he looked, shifting uncomfortably. Slowly, he backed out of the room, eyes darting between the elf and the girl, looking apologetically at her. Legolas didn't move, or even acknowledge Rosalie's presence. Gently, she padded over to where he was sat, trying to be as quiet as possible. The elf didn't stir. She slid down the wall, bringing her knees to her chest, glancing at him occasionally to see if she got a reaction. She didn't.
It was like his eyes were fixed to the wall opposite them, unable to look away. Laughter is cheap medicine... Rosalie had a feeling this wouldn't work but tried it anyway. She leaned over, careful to keep some distance between them. "That is a really interesting wall," She said quietly, looking at his face to see if she got a response. Nothing. "I mean, look at that brick work, who couldn't resist that." She grinned a little despite herself. Blue eyes flickered to her briefly before going back to the wall, face still stoic. Better than nothing. Let's try something else...
Casually, she reached over, grasping his hand in hers. It was soft and smooth, like he moisturised a lot, but she could feel small calluses from years of handling blades. Focus Rosalie, he just lost his best friend! You're meant to be comforting him! Shyly, she looked up at him, meeting shocked blue eyes. Rosalie squeezed it gently, reassuringly, ignoring the flutter inside her when he squeezed back. Neither of them said anything, just enjoying the silence and companionship as they stared in different directions, mourning a lost friend.
A scream roused Rosalie awake. In the darkness, she had drifted off, head lolling onto a comfy shoulder but the voices outside jolted her up. Suddenly, Gimli ran into the room, ruddy cheeked and bent over from exhaustion. Legolas yanked his hand out of her grip, a little harder than was necessary as she winced. "You won't believe what I've just heard," Gimli gasped, looking finally, before frowning, watching the girl struggle to get off the ground and the elf silently looking at her. "Am I interrupting something?"
They had raced down the stairs, Legolas practically sprinting, looking like a kid at Christmas. Though he stopped without warning at the bottom, causing the two behind to almost crash into him, and his face grew serious. Gimli's grin faded into a scowl and he stomped into the hall, out onto the streets of Helm's Deep. For some reason, people were gathering, surrounding the trio in hushed whispers, guards marching down the stairs towards the gates.
"Where is he, where is he? Get out of my way!" Gimli growled, pushing past people roughly. "I'm gonna kill him!" Rosalie shook my head at him. "Not if I get there first!" She said, and Legolas glanced at both of them, smiling slightly at their antics before leaning over blonde heads, searching for him.
The crowds parted, showing a dishevelled familiar man, clinging to his horse, stumbling a little as he walked up to them. His clothes were ragged and torn, covered in grime and blood, like his skin. He had a few scratches, including a deep red one on his bicep that was still oozing. His hair was dark and greasy, sticking to his forehead, his face too pale to be healthy and his eyes were dull, but she would recognise him anywhere.
Aragorn smiled faintly, looking exhausted as he took in his three friends staring at him, gobsmacked. Rosalie couldn't help herself and she hurled herself at him, hugging him tightly and he let out a very quiet groan before chuckling deeply. "I missed you too Rosalie." He whispered and over her shoulder, he looked at Gimli and Legolas. She let go of him, glaring at him suspiciously, before going round and looping an arm under his armpit, the elf rushing forward to do the same on the other side.
Wordlessly, Gimli stared at them all, mainly at the ranger who looked dead on his feet. "You are the luckiest, most canny, reckless man I ever knew." He sounded so proud, "Bless you laddie." The dwarf's eyes were shining, his voice cracking at the end and Rosalie couldn't help but smile at the moment. They had reached the threshold of the keep and gently, she unwrapped herself from the ranger, hovering nearby in case he fell. Legolas did the same, smiling at his friend as he stepped in front of him. He murmured something in Elvish, pressing a necklace into his palm. Rosalie had never seen anyone look so shocked and happy and peaceful all at the same time- especially because of a necklace. Aragorn clasped the Elf's shoulders and shook him in that weird, man way. Legolas frowned, inspecting the ranger. "You look terrible."
From the corner of her eye, Rosalie saw a flash of white and gold. She saw Éowyn standing there, a smile gracing her face but she froze, a look of horror sweeping across her face as she stared at the necklace Aragorn was holding tenderly in his hands. Seriously, why is that so important? Rosalie thought to herself, feeling guilty for some reason as the noblewoman fled.
Aragorn laughed weakly, removing his hand from the elf's shoulder, not witnessing what Rosalie had just seen. His laughter faded, and he grew serious. "Where is the King?" He asked, a desperate shine in his eyes. This is not gonna be good, Rosalie sighed internally, looking at the ranger's expression.
"Are you sure? Maybe you should be resting, have that cut looked at..." Rosalie urged as they hurried along but Aragorn shook his head. "No, this is far too important." He said, but paused at the look on her face. "But I shall do that after, if we have time." He amended, and the girl narrowed her eyes at him. Behind her, Legolas was smirking, watching the two and the ranger glared at him.
They burst into another chamber off the main hall, Théoden surrounded by men who all stopped what they were doing to look up. Rosalie flushed a little, uncomfortable under the gaze of the men who all looked at them incredulously. The King straightened, surveying them silently. The man next to him, glared at them all, the girl especially, and opened his mouth. Théoden cut him off. "I am glad you are still alive Aragorn," he said calmly, giving them his seal of approval, as the men in the room got back to work. The ranger bobbed his head. "Unfortunately, I do not come with good news," Aragorn said morosely and the King breathed deeply out of his nose. With a hand, he beckoned them to his table and the group walked forward.
Théoden walked away from them, hands behind his back. "A great host you say," he said in a hushed whisper. Before Aragorn had started, the King had ordered most of the men out of the room, only a few staying, including the man who had glared at them. She had learnt his name was Gamling. The man still seemed a little disgruntled they were there, but had kept silent, waiting for his King to order them away instead.
Aragorn nodded, "The whole of Isenguard has emptied." He murmured quietly but everyone heard it in the deadly silence of the room. An army was coming for them, an army of monsters, one that would kill them all. "How many?" The King questioned and for some reason, Aragorn hesitated before answering.
"Ten thousand strong at least." With those words uttered, the temperature, and the mood, dropped like a stone. Legolas' knuckles whitened as he clung to the table, Gimli's mouth dropped and the man, Gamling, gasped. Théoden whirled around, glaring at the ranger, looking furious. "Ten thousand?" He repeated in an icy tone, as if he had heard wrong, still glaring at Aragorn.
"It is an army bred for a single purpose- to destroy the world of men." The ranger's eyes never left Théoden's. "They will be here by nightfall." He promised and a muscle in the King's jaw twitched. His eyes drifted over his men, pausing on the door, as it was open and he could see the scared, panicked faces of his people. Everyone in the room held their breath, waiting for the King's decision. "Let them come," Théoden said, sounding brave but his eyes betrayed him.
Rosalie gulped silently, her green eyes darting everywhere. The tension in the room was palpable as Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas stiffened at Théoden's words. The King ignored their silence, turning to Gamling. "I want every man and abled lad to bear arms." Théoden said urgently, and for a brief second, something flashed in the other man's eyes before they hardened and he nodded tersely. "They need to be ready for battle by nightfall." He turned back to his table; a detailed blueprint of Helm's Deep spread over it. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above," The King continued with his battle plan, motioning to different places with his fingers. "No army has ever breached these walls or set foot inside." Gamling bowed, marching away stiffly, and out of the room.
Gimli hesitated, before speaking up, moving around the table from where he, Rosalie and Legolas were originally standing. "This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai," He stressed their name. "Their armour is thick, their shields broad."
Théoden sneered down at the dwarf, lip curling unpleasantly. "I have fought many wars Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep." He said firmly, his voice getting harder. "They will break upon us like water on rocks." He turned, hunching over his table, the frown still painted onto his face. "Saruman's hoards will pillage and burn, we've seen it before. Crops can be re-sown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them." At the end, it sounded more like he was reassuring himself, rather than the rest of them.
"Will you really take that chance?" Théoden's head shot up at Rosalie's quiet question. "Your entire kingdom is here, and what if what we have isn't enough? Will you risk everyone?" She pleaded and the King scowled at her.
"I do not know why you were invited here, but a woman's opinion, especially one as inexperienced as yours, is not helpful in war." He spat through his teeth and she reared back, flinching from the venom.
Aragorn stepped in, defending her. "They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people, down to the last child." He said, firmly but softly, and Théoden seemed to listen to him. Really? They won't listen to me because of my gender?! Rosalie was fuming, and so was Théoden.
"What would you have me do?" He exploded, eyes wide, spinning to face the ranger who didn't even blink at Théoden's outburst. "Look at my men, their courage hangs by a thread!" He shouted, taking a deep breath. "If this is our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance." He finished darkly, and slowly, the bright flush in his cheeks weakened.
"Send out riders, my lord." Aragorn implored, sounding close to begging. "You must call for aid." The king looked at him sceptically before laughing strangely. "And who will come?" He asked rhetorically, opening his arms in a sweeping gesture, as if showing the ranger all the people who would help them. "Elves? Dwarves?" Gimli made a face at Théoden's bitter accusations, and Rosalie was just glad he had his back to the dwarf. "We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead." He muttered.
Aragorn shook his head. "Gondor will answer," He said earnestly, but the King only smiled bitterly.
"Gondor?" He murmured, and the horrible smile left his face, showing the true emotions he felt. "Where was Gondor when the West-Fall fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone." Théoden's hand shook and he raised it to cover his face. With a flick of his wrist, he ordered us out, and they weren't foolish enough to test the man who already had too much on his plate.
Rosalie paced the length of the room they had been staying in before, wringing her hands. Legolas was with her, polishing his knives absentmindedly. Aragorn and Gimli had left immediately after seeing Théoden, mentioning something about going to see the preparations being made.
The girl huffed, slumping to the floor next to the elf that looked over at her. She crossed her arms, resting her head on top, refusing to look at Legolas. "Are we really alone Legolas?" She asked, and even she could hear the fear in her own voice. The elf stopped what he was doing; heaving a sigh and his legs fell to the floor, sitting cross-legged with her.
"I... have a feeling that we are," He said, sounding tired and upset at the same time.
"Do people truly view women as inferior to men?" She asked, eyebrows knotting together, and it was like she could see Legolas trying to piece together an acceptable answer. He started to blink a lot, opening and closing his mouth a few times, before sighing, apparently giving.
"I'm afraid I don't know how to answer that," he said honestly. "However, I am guessing from your tone, that has never been an issue for you." Rosalie nodded slowly, smiling a little even though all she wanted to do was cry. "Yeah, I was always told that women were equal to men, and that I shouldn't forget that. About a century earlier, women had fought tooth and nail for it, for equality and they got it." Rosalie knew she was rambling, so did Legolas but neither of them stopped her. It was nice, distracting for them both.
Rosalie peered at him. "Are you okay?" She asked, staring at him in concern. Legolas seemed... twitchy, a word the girl thought would never describe the cool, calm elf. "I'm fine," He lied, holding his breath as the woman beside him stared at him. It was like she was looking deep into his soul, that she could strip him apart and see the truth. Suddenly, she pulled back, nodding slowly.
Nervously, he cleared his throat, getting up and holding a hand out for her as well. "We are preparing for war now Rosalie. We must get ready properly." He sounded so sad when he said it that she wanted to reach out and hug him. No! She mentally shook herself.
"We?" She asked, smiling. She had no intention of going to the 'caves', which she felt was probably literal, like the rest of the female half of Rohan. A small smile pulled at Legolas' lips. "I have a feeling that I would not be able to persuade you otherwise, no matter how much I may beg, plead or bribe."
Rosalie grinned a little despite what was going on. "Well, your feeling is very right." He frowned a little, the small smile leaving as quickly as it came. Rosalie looked at him, her smile fading as well, watching him walk away from her and out into the corridor, obviously thinking she'd follow. This can't be it, can it?