Disclaimer in chapter 1
"..." -Talking
"~...~" -Speaking Elvish
*...* -Mind Connection
Chapter 10: The Battle
We heard the guards shout to open the gates as we filled in, hoods up and holding our bows.
"How is this possible?" The king of Rohan, Theoden asked surprised, looking at us in awe. Haldir stepped forward and looked at the king.
"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together," Haldir said. He paused and looked up to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli before he continued. "We come to honor that allegiance." Aragorn smiled and ran down the stairs. Legolas and Gimli followed. I smiled when I saw Legolas and Aragorn -for the most part- unharmed.
"~Welcome, Haldir!~" Aragorn exclaimed putting his hand on Haldir's shoulder before embracing him in a hug. Haldir smiled and patted Aragorn's back. Aragorn pulled away and smiled at Haldir. "You are most welcome." After Aragorn stepped away Legolas stepped down and greeted Haldir. Haldir himself then turned back to Theoden and his face grew serious.
"We are proud to fight alongside men once more." He said and the king was to shocked to say anything, so instead he bowed his head in appreciation the turned to order the Men to their posts. Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn were about to leave as well but Haldir stopped them.
"I think you need to speak with out tag-along." Haldir told them then grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the other Elves who were trying not to laugh. He pulled down my hood then shoved me to the members of the fellowship.
"Hey! How did you know?" I asked my friend shocked. He smirked then answered, "I know you, Aranel. You don't think we've been friend for all these years for nothing have we?"
"Galadriel told you didn't she." I deadpanned, only revealing a slight frown. Gimli and Strider snickered as Legolas tried not to smile when Haldir glared, revealing that she did.
"Your right, obviously all these years haven't gone to waste!" I laugh as he glared again then ordered his Elves to their positions along the wall.
"What are you doing here?" Aragorn shouted and I blinked blankly, trying to understand what he meant. My mouth took an 'o' shape when I figured it out. "I'm here to fight." The men face-palmed and I tried to keep a straight face, which quickly failed. I snickered for a little while longer then walked to the place where I positioned myself; next to Legolas who was by the dwarf.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the black mass that marched towards Helms Deep and were standing so quiet I was certain everyone, including the men, could hear my heart beating. Gimli sighed. "Argh. You could have picked a better spot," Gimli said as he tried to peer over the wall. Legolas just grinned at his friend but kept his eyes forward. Soon, Aragorn was standing behind Gimli and Legolas. "Well, lad, the luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night," Gimli said to Aragorn. Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder rolled loudly. The lightning provided everyone with a glimpse of the approaching Uruks. I took a sharp breath but kept my face steady. Aragorn quickly glanced at me before looking again at the enemy's army.
"Your friends are with you Aragorn," Legolas said to Aragorn, his eyes never leaving the Uruks. Gimli looked up at Aragorn."Let's hope they last the night," Gimli said. The rain soon started pouring as Aragorn began to shout orders to the Elves.
"~Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!~" He shouted as he walked along the wall then turned to face the Uruk-hai who had now stopped and were slamming their long spears and shields together. Gimli looked impatient and began to jump up and down to look over the wall.
"What's happening out there?" Gimli exclaimed. "Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?" Legolas asked, turning to Gimli with a smile, causing Gimli to laugh.
*When did you become friends with a dwarf?* I asked my brother shocked as he turned to me.
*Sometime during the Fellowship.* He answered. *Please be careful out there today, sister.*
I nodded and readied my bow, Legolas doing the same. The Men and Elves had their bows taught and their arrows pointed at their targets, readied to be fired.
My eyes widened in shock as an old man accidentally released an arrow, hitting a Uruk and causing it to fall down dead. "~Hold!~" Aragorn shouted but it was too late. The Uruks howled in anger and began to charge the wall. All of the elves had their arrows ready and were waiting the command to fire.
"~Their armor is weak at the neck and under the arms~" Legolas said as he studied their targets.
"~Fire the arrows!~" Aragorn yelled out as all the Elves, including Legolas and I released them, causing many more to fall dead. The Orcs and Uruks trampled over the fallen as the Men shot their own arrows and Aragorn gave the order to keep firing. We released arrow after arrow but all too soon, the Uruks started putting up ladders.
Gimli saw them and got excited. "Yes!" He exclaimed as I rolled my eyes and continued shooting Uruks with my brother at my side. Quickly, the Uruks made their way upon the wall as I drew my sword. I sliced through the Uruks one after the other as they tried to climb onto the wall. More and more came. Somehow in the confusion, I got separated and ended up further down the wall by Haldir.
An Uruk kicked me in the stomach, making me fall back against the floor hard. I tried to shake the dizziness away as the creature held his sword over me, ready to plunge it into my heart. It stopped and fell to the floor lifeless and I looked up to see Haldir.
I nodded and got up, grabbing my sword and started attacking more Uruks, back to back with Haldir. "Duck!" We both cried to each other when our monsters tried to decapitate us but ended up doing it to each other. "Stupid Uruk-hai." I mumbled then a great explosion rocked the fortress walls.
I turned to find the wall close to where I once stood crumbling with Uruks charging in. Aragorn called to Haldir to pull back to the keep and I looked at Haldir only to see an Uruk raising his sword to strike him in the back.
My eyes grew wide as I quickly drew my bow and arrow and fired at the Uruk without a second thought. It hit him right in the face, causing it to fall before he could strike my friend. Haldir looked behind him then turned to me shocked. I smiled before yelling out, "~To the keep! Pull back!~" Soon some of the Elves that were left alive were following us back inside.
Haldir and I, along with other Elves, helped Theoden and his men hold the gate. I watched as Aragorn and Gimli disappeared and that they would be alright. After a few moments the king yelled through the door.
"Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!" Theoden yelled and my heartbeat quickened. What was Aragorn doing out there? I turned to Haldir. "We have to get the others inside." I glanced around and saw Gimli, Legolas, and thankfully Aragorn.
"~To the keep! Inside! Retreat!~" Haldir yelled at the Elves still remaining outside. Everyone fought as they ran. Once inside, I stopped with Haldir and caught my breath. He then put a hand on my shoulder.
"You saved my life, I am forever in your dept." He said and I turned to him with a smile. "Consider it as payment for saving me earlier. And anyway, we're friends. That's what we do." He smiled in return but it quickly fell when he heard the commotion.
"The fortress it taken. It is over," the king said with a heavy heart.
"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it!" Aragorn exclaimed. He paused and looked to Gamling and then the king. "Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" They remained silent for a moment before they answered.
"There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many," Gamling said as he looked at Aragorn. Aragorn walked over to Gamling and grabbed him by his shoulder.
"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!" Aragorn said as he shoved him gently to get moving.
"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" Theoden asked a lost look on his face. "We must ride out and meet them!" Aragorn said.
"He's right. If you are going to die, die fighting instead of hiding behind these walls." I speak up as everyone's attention turned to me. Aragorn looked at me relieved that I was alive and smiled, turning to the king.
"Ride out with us," Aragorn said to him. Theoden looked at Aragorn then at me in shock.
"For death and for glory?" He asked as I shook my head. "No. For your people and your country." I say softly as he nodded.
A/N: Yes, yes I saved Haldir. He's one of my fav. characters and I just couldn't let him die! Well, please review on what you think.