Chapter 5 - Submission
Entering the keep's great hall, they found King Theodon seated on an unembellished throne, his head guard stationed next to him. On his route there, Aragorn had witnessed a great host of Uruk-khai marching from Isengard; they would arrive by nightfall, 10,000 strong.
"Let them come." Theodon arose steadfast and sure from his seat and quickly exited the great hall, commanding his troops to prepare to bear arms and defend the Deep. His only hope came from history - that no one had breached the wall or set foot inside the Hornburg.
Following the king as he made his rounds from station to station, Aragorn and Gimli tried to talk sense into the man, explaining the strength of Uruk-hai and the need to call for aid.
"And who will come?" Theodon queried slightly angered by the request, "Elves? Dwarves? Strangers from the East? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer," Aragorn replied assuredly.
"Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us!?...Where was Gon… No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone," turning his back on Aragorn he commanded Gamling, "Get the women and children into the caves."
The trusted guard replied concerned, "We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, lord…"
"There is no time. War is upon us!"
Vezely had remained quiet, for not wanting to overstep her bounds. He had to rule his people, not have an Easterling outsider interfere. If she would share her concerns, she would do so to Aragorn only. As preparations began unfolding, she quietly mentioned to Aragorn, "If they have the blasting powder, these walls can be brought down." She was concerned, for it was being used more extensively in Rhunic warfare.
"Such powder has not yet been used in war this far West," Aragorn replied quietly to her, hoping to calm her fears.
But Theodon's ears were susceptible to all that flowed from this Easterling woman's mouth since the warg incident. "What is this blasting powder you speak of?" he commanded her to tell him.
Looking at Aragorn apologetically, Vezely pulled a small pouch hidden underneath her jacket and pinching a very fine portion of its contents, she displayed it to him in her palm. It looked no more than chips of black rock. Closing to make a fist, she threw it on a nearby torch, igniting the flame outward and blowing the metal from its base.
Shock filled those around them and many wondered whether she was a witch instead of a woman, Theodon included. The fear of the oncoming battle allowed thoughts of anger and deceit quickly overrun him. "Riding wargs, black magic…Who are you? What is your purpose? You are not some ordinary woman from Rhun, tell me!"
Knowing it was time, Vezely slowly removed her headscarf to reveal her race. Theodon's eyes narrowed, noting she was Elf-kind but not yet drawing on the reason of its secrecy.
"My purpose is not deceit but my identity has not been true," Vezely spoke firmly, "My name is Vezely, some know me as the dark elf witch of Balchoth and the hand of Sauron at Dol Guldur. To your people, I am the slayer of Eorl the Young, the first King of Rohan."
"Vezely of the Balchoth," Theodon mouthed her name as emotion drained from his face, he felt as if he was looking upon a mythical demon. Stun was also visible on the faces of those who had surrounded them, whose numbers had grown, being drawn there by the small explosion just prior.
Standing unashamed by the reaction, she continued, "I am willing to submit to the price of waging war on these lands and for breaking the terms of my banishment from the West." This was a death sentence. Unsheathing her sword, causing concern to some nearby, she immediately went down on her knees and held her sword out above her horizontally in the palms of her hands in an act of total submission. "But I return to fight for you King Theodon, for Rohan, for the people of Middle Earth. With your pardon, I ask that you allow me to defend Helm's Deep. Sauron is my enemy as he is yours."
It took several moments for Theodon to fully register the situation. He took Vezely's sword slowly and held it in front of him, feeling its balanced weight and observing its engraved markings of ancient Rhun Sanskrit. Vezely put the palms of her hands on the cold stone floor in front of her, tilted her head down and kept her eyes fixed downward, her neck displayed to the king if it came to that. It was hard to simply let go, but she had to, there was no other way.
"You brought war to these lands," he spoke beside himself still observing her sword and thinking of its wielder's past, her deeds against his ancestors. "The stories of you speak of pain, destruction, death…" He touched the cold, sharp blade to the back of her neck, appearing as if he was testing where it would be most effective to strike. Then he saw her missing ear tip and wondered whether the years had really treated her any kinder than death would.
Legolas watched with an ever-growing knot in his stomach, quietly breathing in the cool air in an attempt to settle a desire to aid her; from where such a desire came he did not know. Was it simply pity for one of his race? Aragorn who stood aside him placed a hand on his shoulder for reassurance for he did not believe it would come to that.
"But through this we became stronger, and Rohan rose to its glory. You did not destroy us, they will not destroy us now," A fire built in Theodon's eyes and voice, again finding strength for his people, "Rise Vez of Rhun," purposely using the name Gandalf addressed her to him as. "Rohan welcomes your aid."
Looking up, Vezely was greeted by her sword handle which she gratefully accepted. After sheathing it with one stroke, she nodded respectfully to King Theodon, pressing her fist to her chest, as he was still taking in the weight of his decision, hoping he did not mistake her sincerity.
"I will not disappoint," Vezely declared firmly as Theodon searched her face, finding it odd that the fabled demon bore a façade of Elvish youth. He wondered, reviewing history, if as she killed the first king of Rohan, she would also witness the death of its last.
"Secure the gates!" Theodon yelled after turning away, again setting in motion the occupants of the great fortress.
Vezely felt liberated and the cool air felt anew as it blew through her short hair. She was free to follow the path she set on in truth even if such a battle was imminent and death certain. But she did not let these thoughts cloud her desire to move through the present with renewed purpose.
"You got yourself out of that one lass," Gimli added slightly relieved, for he also felt tense during the exchange.
Vezely nodded thoughtfully at him, and then she briefly looked at Legolas, and through their eyes they smiled at each other, for he was also grateful for Theodon's graciousness and for her ability to allow such a decision to be made. It proved to him a little further that she had changed.
Aragorn also gave her a reassuring nod before adding concerned, "That powder is not to be used lightly."
She agreed, "I have only a small amount, to be wielded only in dire circumstances."
...The able bodied men would be ordered to the armory, the women and children to the caves. The four of them would be swept along with the mass of people, trying to keep the flow ordered and attempting to judge proper siege tactics.
"The greatest number of the enemy needs to fall before the wall is breached. Archers should be stationed all along here and here," Vezely pointed her fingers.
Aragorn agreed, "We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate."
She nodded astutely, overtly cheered by battle banter. For all who were raised the Balchoth way, the feeling of approaching war gave quite a positive rush; not to mention it was familiar to her. "And those catapults need to be angled slightly higher," she considered as her eyes narrowed, examining them from afar.
After she marched off in that direction, Aragorn said amused despite his weariness, "She seems right at home."
"Easterlings love war as a bee loves honey," Gimli scoffed instantly.
Legolas however was worried for his friend's condition, "Aragorn, you must rest, you are no use to us half-alive." He had not yet recovered from his fall into the ravine.
Before responding, Eowyn would approach Aragorn asking his permission to fight, of which he could not offer the response she desired. He turned away from her and with Gimli and Legolas, they made their way to the armory.
Having confirmed the equipments' readiness, Vezely, who was also on her way to the armory, ran into Eowyn.
"It is true then," the fair haired woman noted upon seeing Vezely's ears, "You are the king slayer from long ago."
Vezely sensed hurt in Eowyn's eyes, not from this information, but from another incident. "I am sorry to have deceived you," Vezely replied carefully, unsure of her emotions.
"I am glad you fight for us," Eowyn replied graciously, "If only I could do the same."
She knew Eowyn would be relegated to the caves, a position demeaning to any with a warrior heart. "The fight may still find you, and in that moment, your valor will be unquestioned. Keep your sword close." She placed a hand on top of Eowyn's shoulder for reassurance, reminding her of her strength, and ability to wait out the night.
The armory was crowded. Axes, swords, shields, and spears were being passed around to all with empty hands. Before the entrance, Vezely overheard the raised voices of her companions and the Elvish exchange of Legolas and Aragorn, ending in Aragorn walking off and Legolas ashamed of his approach.
Three-hundred to ten-thousand, she repeated the numbers Legolas stated in her head; the odds were truly against them. She waited a moment before entering, hoping the commotion would resume so her presence would not cause more tension.
After entering, she noticed Legolas had already taken leave by another entrance and only Gimli remained. Her presence, however, caused another silence to seep through the hall and those in her way quickly parted her path for fear of offense. They held a mixture of fear and awe of her, for all knew the stories of Rohan's beginning, all had been told about the battle of the Wold and the daemon usurper Vezely of the Balchoth who killed their first king on the battlefield.
For a moment, Vezely felt in command of them, for her army always elicited a similar response to her presence, but she reminded herself, this was not the past and such behavior was not out of respect.
She greeted Gimli silently, and he took her by the arm, "Come lass, we should not continue to interrupt them."
They exited several rooms over, though it was also filled with weapons for which the main armory had no room; many appeared discarded due to age and style. Vezely found a line of old long bows which horsemen often had no need for, due to preferring the portability and ease of a short bow. Knowing her sword skill would be of no use until the walls were breached, she searched the row for one whose wood was not rotted and string still taut.
"I am going to see if they have any proper armor," Gimli declated determined, after looking through shelves of long daggers; leaving Vezely to her task.
Legolas was in the next room and entered to find Vezely testing a bow string. "Do you even know how to use one?" He asked somewhat cockily, trying to elicit a more cheerful response; he needed levity in the current situation.
Vezely smirked and replied in a similar manner, "Well enough. Of course, it is not my weapon of choice. I like the enemy to see my face before I take their life."
He took the bow from her hand, and also tested it, pulling its string and feeling its weight. "This will not do," he added confidently, putting it back in the pile. He ran his fingers down the line of bows, gauging them from the color and feel of their wood. Vezely stood there admiring his gracefulness. He moved differently than men, he moved differently than her; he moved like an Elf. It is said Elves perfect their movements during their long lives, to make every move a dance that flows with the air, not against it. Vezely was not as such being raised by men.
"This one," he pulled a bow from near the end of the pile, offering it to Vezely who noted it looked no different from the others.
She tested it and felt the strength of its string and its balanced weight. Legolas watched as she did this, noting the movement of her fingers on the string, her stance, it was not Elf-like, despite her blood. He noted his strange interest in the details of these differences, and how they offered him an odd attraction.
She smiled at him, pleased with its feel, "Gratitude, this will do nicely."
He nodded with a half-smile, for he continued to feel despair from the impending battle and for those who would go needlessly to their deaths.
She did not want to let on that she had heard his previous conversation with Aragorn, though his demeanor confirmed that he remained troubled; made worse now by speaking brashly to a friend.
"The odds are against us," he spoke carefully, looking at the weaponry lining the side walls.
"Yes, they are," she agreed, straightening her posture and feeling the wood of the bow with her fingers, then she spoke these words steadily, "Strength in time of darkness, courage in time of fear, death to those who oppose you."
Legolas looked at her confused.
She explained, "They are the words of my clan, the meaning of the markings on my back. No matter the odds, strength, courage…"
"Death," Legolas finished.
"But not your own," she added quickly with a small smile, "Not tonight." A moment later, Vezely held the bow up and adding assuredly, "A bow is no use without arrows."
He felt somewhat reassured by her calmness; and he knew it was necessary to apologize to Aragorn. He could not enter this battle on bad terms with a close friend. He nodded to her statement, telling her, "The armory should be nearly empty by now," noting the far rooms had fallen silent as men were reporting to their battle stations, "But perhaps there will be some left."
She followed him to the armory's main keep to gather what arrows they could find. The room's contents had been considerably picked through and the weapons left were scattered to and fro. Handing her the bunch he collected, Legolas did not let go of them right away. He asked, slightly concerned about the power of Uruk-hai, "Do you have armor?" Having already added some light leather armor to his outfit and noticing Vezely had not. He knew he often treated his companions like children, and even if she was centuries older than the others, he felt just as responsible for her safety.
She was amused slightly by his concern, especially for someone so battle weary like herself. Vezely admittedly had not traveled with much armor from home, for not wanting to burden Gizik with unnecessary weight during their journey; although she did have a set of shoulder guards and gauntlets for her wrists, which she left in her rucksack in their temporary quarters. "I will need to retrieve them, though I have fought in considerably less," she said amused, causing him slight embarrassment, not knowing what exactly she meant by less.
She made her way to their quarters where they previously mourned the supposed loss of Aragorn to find her rucksack still hidden under the cot. Legolas would go to find Aragorn and apologize for his abrupt words from earlier. After attaching the shoulder guards and gauntlets, she also retrieved a piece of coal and a small mirror from the same bag. While further defining the outlines of her eyes in black, a necessary Easterling practice before any battle, Vezely heard a horn blast from outside the walls, but the sound was definitely not from the head of an orc army; it was like no horn she had ever heard. She made her way down the stairwell and over to the main courtyard, witnessing an grand troop of Elves, cloaked in gray and holding long bows, entering the gate in perfect unison. Their captain, who greeted King Theodon as he stood shocked by their appearance, was a regal-looking blonde Elf cloaked in red and armored in gold.
Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas had quickly rushed to meet Haldir; knowing the horn's sound all too well. Aragorn embraced the Elf, as did Legolas, whose face exuded immense pride as he turned to stand with his kin in this new alliance of Elves and Men; his spirit noticeably uplifted.
Vezely apprehensively stayed back, preferring to witness this interaction from atop the steps. She had not seen so many Elves since her short stay in Mirkwood so long ago and she had never witnessed the unmatched precision of a marching Elven army. They moved even more perfectly than the Easterling militia did, she thought in envy. She moved slowly down the steps towards them; she hoped to pass unnoticed but unavoidably drew movement and stares from soldiers who could not help but look upon her. The minor commotion caused Haldir's eyes to shift in her direction.
"Nwalmaer (tormented one)," the Elf's face remained stoic and poised as he greeted Vezely by her Elf-given name, one which the Blue Wizards acquainted her with and continued on occasion to call her by. He lightly placed the palm of his hand over his heart before bringing it forward. "I also bring greeting from Lord Elrond. He welcomes home the taken child of Eluréd, blood of his blood."
Vezely had learned of her Elven father's name from Morinehtar and Romestamo, but despite all attempts to remember her childhood before being taken by orcs, she could not. Her only remembrance was her mother's voice singing a song expressing sorrow for autumn's end. It haunted her dreams and she had only recently pieced together the lyric's meanings with her study of the language.
After a brief moment, she replied politely, "Lord Elrond continues to be most kind," while placing a fist on her chest and tilting her head down to Haldir, an Easterling greeting. Noticeably the name of her cousin brought warmth to her heart, for it was Elrond who allowed her to be "home." Though she had never met him, she learned it was his foresight that had him call upon the White Council to aid in her release from captivity at Dol Guldur and for the Blue Wizards to assist in her recovery. She considered him her protector from afar and the only reason she was given a second chance.
Neither Legolas, Aragorn, nor Gimli knew of Lord Elrond's involvement, or even that Vezely was aware of who he was, yet the story would have to wait on account of the pending attack.
King Theodon commanded his troops to their posts, and Aragorn and Haldir stationed the Elf bowmen to the Deeping Wall and the Deep behind it.
"Vez," Theodon yelled amidst the movement, "You fight aside me."
Vezely nodded in affirmation to Theodon, who turned to make his way to atop the main gate. She was unsure of his reasoning to have her nearby, for she had expected to be stationed on the Deeping Wall with her companions. Aragorn suspected having Vezely by his side provided some historical resonance for Theodon and could prompt morale for his troops - the awe of him commanding an infamous historical figured perhaps.
"Keep their archers steady," Aragorn commanded her warmly, bringing a hand to her sidearm in a gesture of confidence, though it also held the possibility of farewell.
"Perched high and pretty," Gimli joked, "We'll try to save some for you lass."
Vezely responded with a jovial smile, "I am not good at waiting for a fight." She placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a brief grip.
Her face became more serious when she turned to Legolas, who looked at her intensely, "Not your own," he stated, repeating a line she shared with him in the armory earlier.
Vezely instantly replied with the same seriousness, "Not tonight." They locked eyes for a moment longer, exchanging a longing to have more conversations, to get to know each other better than these few days allowed. It was strange that such pure longings could occur amongst two unlikely souls and during such dire times.
On her walk through the corridors and up the steps to the top of the main gate, Vezely mentally prepared herself for the battle. The air was damp and she could sense that rain was imminent. Fitting, she thought, as the night would simultaneously bring and wash away the blood.