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Lacy here with the next Zera chapter. Alright kids, I'm pretty sure this is going to take us to the end of the second movie but I'm not entirely sure. We all know, minus Katie, what's coming up. That's right, the battle at Helm's Deep. This is going to be...interesting. To say the least. Have fun!
Disclaimer: I own Zera.
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Zera stood beside Aragorn as he filled Theoden in on what he saw while riding the Helm's Deep.
"A great host, you say?" Theoden questioned.
"All of Isengard is emptied." Aragorn confirmed.
Theoden looked at Aragorn. "How many?"
Aragorn exhaled. "Ten thousand strong at least."
Zera couldn't believe her ears. There had never been such an army before.
"It is an army bred for a single purpose." Aragorn said. "To destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall."
"Let them come." Theoden said before he walked out of the Keep.
Zera, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli followed him.
"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall." Theoden said to Gamling.
Gamling walked off and the five walked through the gates of Helm's Deep to look out over the land.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above." Theoden said. "No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg."
"This is no rabble of mindless orcs." Gimli said. "These are Uruk Hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."
Theoden looked at Gimli. "I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."
The group headed back inside and up top.
"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock." Theoden said. "Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we've seen it before. Crops can be resown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages." Aragorn said. "They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child."
Theoden drew up close to Aragorn. "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."
"Send out riders, my lord." Zera said. "You must call for aid."
"And who will come?" Theoden asked. "Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer." Aragorn said. Zera winced. Maybe not the best thing for her brother to say.
"Gondor?" Theoden said, all but growling. "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon-" he stopped. "No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone."
Theoden started to walk away.
"Only because you chose to be." Zera said just loud enough for the king to hear.
Theoden stopped, only for a moment, to look over his shoulder at Zera. Aragorn moved slightly in front of her and Theoden continued on.
"You must watch what you say, Zera." Aragorn said. "We may be heirs to a throne but this is his kingdom."
Zera spun on her heal. "That he is getting ready for slaughter." Before Aragorn could respond, she walked off. Legolas exchanged a nod with Aragorn before following Zera.
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Zera looked at the old men and young boys as they prepared for the fight ahead. This was wrong.
"Farmer, farriers, stable boys." Aragorn said. "These are no soldiers."
"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli commented.
"Or too few," Zera threw in.
"Look at them. They're frightened." Legolas said. "I can see it in their eyes." the room fell silent. Legolas looked at Aragorn. "Boe a hûn, neled herain dan caer menig!" And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand!
Aragorn looked around for a moment, knowing like Zera that this wasn't the time or place for this fight.
"Si beriathar hýn." Aragorn responded. "Amar nâ ned Edoras." They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras.
"Aragorn, men i ndagor." Legolas said, getting angry. "Hýn ú-... ortheri. Natha daged aen!" Aragorn, we are warriors. They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!
"Then I shall die as one them!" Aragorn all but shouted. He gave Legolas a look before leaving the room.
Legolas moved to follow but Gimli stopped him.
"Let him go, lad." the dwarf said. "Let him be."
Zera crossed her arms. "It is not in human nature to give up, Legolas. Even if the odds are against us, we fight until our final breath. Aragorn and I have never known another way our entire lives." she looked between her two friends before leaving the room as well.
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Zera exhaled as she dressed herself for battle. Normally fighting in a dress wasn't a smart idea but the dress Zera wore was special. It was crafted by one of the most powerful sorcerers alive and enchanted to enhance Zera's powers. True, Helm's Deep was built into a mountain but the dress would give Zera strength and fortitude that would help her get through the coming battle.
Dropping heavy chain mail over the dress, Zera grabbed her long black coat, which had seen better days and pulled that on, securing every last button before she pulled her belt around her waist and secured that and her sword.
With a sigh, Zera quickly pulled her hair into two braids, tied them off and headed out of the room to find her brother and friends.
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Leaning against the doorway, Zera watched Legolas and Aragorn make up. She shook her head. Men.
"We have trusted you this far." Legolas said, handing Aragorn his sword. "You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair."
"Ú-moe edhored, Legolas." Aragorn replied. There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.
Zera stepped into the room as the two clapped each other on the shoulders. Before she could speak, Gimli walked in and appeared to be losing a fight with his chain mail.
"If we had more time I'd get this adjusted." Gimli grunted before dropping the mail. It went to the floor and then some. The other three struggled not to laugh. "It's a little tight across the chest."
That almost broke them but then a horn sounded through the hair.
"That is no orc horn." Legolas said.
Leaving Gimli behind, Aragorn, Legolas and Zera took off for the battlements.
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The four, Gimli had caught up, reached the main gate and were floored to see a large number of elves led by none other then Haldir.
"We come to honor that allegiance." Haldir said, smiling at them.
Aragorn went down first and bowed. "Mae govannen, Haldir." Welcome, Haldir. He hugged the elf, surprising him. "You are most welcome."
Legolas and Haldir clasped each other on the shoulder and Zera took her turn in being surprised when Haldir hugged her.
The head elf turned back to Theoden. "We are proud to fight alongside men once more."
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Alright, so I decided to give the battle it's own chapter, *looks at Katie* not a word. *back to other readers* Okay, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.
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