Chapter 17: See You In The Morning

Naomi felt all colour drain from her face as Aragorn reported the ten thousand strong Uruk-hai and Orc army marching towards Helm Deep. Théoden King was alarmed at the number as he turned to the Ranger with wide eyes.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men," The startlingly basic principal of their creation made Naomi feel sick as she wondered exactly how someone could breed an army. On a second decision she decided not to think about it.

"They will be here by nightfall," Aragorn's words were barely a whisper, but the room was so tense that the words made the blonde woman flinch. Théoden paused for a moment before turning back around to head for the door.

"Let them come!" The King and his guards disappeared through the door and Naomi followed behind Legolas and Gimli, who followed Aragorn as he went after them.

"H-He's kidding right? He doesn't really want ten THOUSAND orcs to appear on his door step?" Naomi stuttered with shock, to which Gimli gave her a look that the King was apparently serious. The four companions followed the King as he walked out into the Hornburg, issuing commands and making sure people were taking supplies into the caves.

"I'm going to go check on Tess," Naomi muttered to Legolas before slipping through the crowd, then back through the doors to the large caves where the horses were kept.

"Tess? Oi, where are you?" Naomi called looking into Hasufel's stall, but only a cloak from Lothlòrien resided there. A quick look into the other stalls confirmed that her friend wasn't in the stables at all. With a sigh and a roll of her eyes Naomi walked back through the weaving passages to the main doors that led outside.

"My Lady! The caves are the other way," A guard told her as she tried to pass, Naomi frowned before asking what he meant.

"All women and children are to be sent to the caves," Naomi's frown deepened, before she nodded.

"I just need to-,"

"No, I have been told that you especially must be in the caves, by order of Lord Aragorn," Naomi clenched her jaw before pulling a fake smile.

"I understand, but I must ask if you would allow me through, I need to speak with my comrades, I will be back," …AFTER the battle. Naomi thought as the guard nodded.

"But be quick!" She did not pay any attention as she stalked out.

/\\

Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli were walking around the fortress, Aragorn was pointing out where they should place soldiers, reserves and archers when someone called out for him. Blonde hair was weaving through the crowd and for a moment her though it to be Naomi, but the voice was wrong. A few moments later Éowyn appeared a horrified look on her face.

"I am to be sent with the women into the caves," She said almost disgusted, Aragorn realized why she was here and tried to turn the situation around.

"That is an honorable charge," But Éowyn wouldn't fall for it.

"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return! What renown is there in that?" She asked, her voice shaking.

"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown, who then will your people look to in the last defense?"

"Let me stand at your side,"

"It is not in my power to command it," He said turning away, Éowyn calling out frustrated to stop him.

"You do not command the others to stay! They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you!" Her voice was thick with tears and emotion as she muttered the next few words.

"Because they love you," Slowly Aragorn looked down, before sighing and looking back up. Éowyn realized what had spouted from her mouth and apologized before briskly walking past him, not even looking up as she pushed through Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn heaved another big sigh as he watched her go when another voice called out for him.

"Aragorn!" This time it was Naomi, her blue eyes shadowed as she glowered hatefully in his direction.

"What is this shit I hear about me being sent to the caves!" She roared, not caring for the startled looks from people walking by.

"Naomi you are still healing, you may reopen the wound if you-,"

"It's nearly completely healed! I can fight!" Naomi said stomping her leg down like a child. Aragorn reached forward and grasped her left wrist, then gently pulled her arm out towards him. By the time she realized what he was doing it was too late. A loud gasp burst through her mouth as her side painfully stretched, with his point proven he lowered her arm again. Naomi wasn't finished arguing however.

"But I don't want to wait, cowering in a corner, while you guys are out here fighting for your lives!" Naomi hissed, her side still throbbing. Aragorn shook his head, quickly getting impatient with the stubborn woman.

"You will go to the caves,"

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"I can! When Gandalf fell he entrusted me with the power to command the group for the Fellowship's best chance! He entrusted me to keep everyone alive,"

"But Gandalf is back now-,"

"He is not here and in his absence you shall do as I command!" The abrupt tone he used made tears spring into Naomi's eyes, her throat clenching painfully. Understanding flew across Aragorn's face but Naomi had already turned and her back disappeared in the crowd. A deep sigh erupted from the Ranger's chest as he turned to Gimli and Legolas, both of whom were watching him warily.

"I will find her before the doors are closed, for now I shall let her cool off,"

/\\

Naomi had made it no further than the main hall when she curled up behind a pillar, too angry to cry but to sad too pace or yell. Her face was hot compared to her cool hands and she sighed as she rubbed her eyes. The women and children were in the caves, and now the only movement was the young boys or elderly men walking back out from the caves to go to the armory to prepare for the coming battle. The seriousness of the situation was finally dawning on the woman. Ten thousand Uruk-hai and orcs were marching towards Helm's Deep, and they were fighting back by giving boys nearly under the age of twelve weapons. Panic gripped Naomi's heart and a few stray tears slid down her cheeks.

"How did it come to this…?"

/\\

Aragorn was walking up the stairs to the outer wall of the Hornburg when a third voice spoke up.

"I hear Naomi and Éowyn are not pleased with you," Aragorn heaved yet another deep sigh before looking to Tess, who was sitting on the edge of the wall, her feet hanging down above the people below as she watched them walking into the caves.

"Please tell me that at least you shall be willing to do as I ask?" He asked, just waiting for her to say no.

"Of course I'm willing!" This answer he was not expecting and when Tess stood with a large smile, humor in her eyes, he raised an eyebrow in question.

"You didn't actually expect me to go to the caves did you? Aragorn, you didn't even need to ask me to fight, I was always going to," A deep groan erupted from his chest as he raised a hand to cover his eyes to, for just a few seconds, forget that so many women with the will to risk their lives surrounded him. Idly he wondered if any of them actually realized just how dangerous the night would be.

"Tess-," The Ranger was cut off when she placed a fist on his chest, right on his heart. The action startled him and he waited for the woman to say something. She was silent for a long time, looking down at her feet, before finally raising her now hard brown eyes and staring deep into the teal eyes of Aragorn.

"You are Isildur's Heir," It was not a question. There was no doubt in her voice.

"Saruman knows this, and where my fist is-," She pushed gently against his chest to make sure he knew exactly where it was.

"-that is where the Uruk-hai will truly be aiming," She left her balled up hand on his heart for a few moments more before stepping back again.

"And before you try, there is no point in trying to order or command me to the caves, you have no authority over me and neither does Théoden King," He began to protest when she cut him off again.

"I swore my power to Frodo as a bodyguard, evidently I have failed at that task so I will try to keep my other promise, the one where I protect my home, and neither of those two promises involved being bossed around by anyone," Then suddenly, as if someone had flicked on a switch, her smile was back and her eyes were once again dancing.

"Besides, you won't need to be worried all throughout the battle about the possibility of me somehow escaping the caves and fighting if I'm already there,"

"Now see here-,"

"I'm going to go to the armory and get a good sword before all the good ones are taken…I don't think Naomi will appreciate me taking hers again, see you later!" And before Aragorn could speak Tess was gone.

/\\

It was some time later before Naomi finally stood, her mind made up. She would stay in the caves with Éowyn, but for that she intended to compromise. She found the man she needed to speak to in the empty armory, sorting through chain mail shirts.

"Aragorn I do believe you forgot something," The man looked to her as she walked in, bandages in her hands. One was warm and damp, the other dry.

"And what would that be?"

"Well for one, you should probably have gotten some sleep," She mused, looking at the dark circles forming under his eyes.

"And two…," She looked at his arm, the cut still unattended to.

"Sit," She commanded, and he did so. After rolling up the man's sleeve she wiped it clean then wrapped the dry bandage around until she could tie it off.

"Thank you," Sensing she had more to say he remained in his seat, and Naomi chewed on her upper lip before speaking.

"I will go to the caves…as long as you promise me something," The relief that had come into Aragorn's eyes was replaced with suspicion as he nodded for her to continue. With a deep sigh she kneeled before him and took his dirty hands, a smile lighting her face for a moment as she turned them over, palms facing downwards.

"You must promise me that you will live…that you will not almost die again," When he said nothing Naomi raised her hands and clasped the sides of his face.

"I'm serious! No more jumping off cliffs o-or anything like that okay? I need you here and I need you alive…so just promise me that," It took a while but finally he nodded a promise and Naomi gave him a watery smile.

"And kick Orc butt for me since I'm not out there," Aragorn gave her his own small smile and she hugged him tightly for a long moment.

"Now, finish putting on that chain-y stuff," Naomi said pushing him up and sitting where he had been. It surprised her how fast he buckled and tied things, but she was more surprised when his sword was offered over her shoulder. Legolas stood there with leather spaulder covering his shoulders, an apologetic look on his face. Aragorn took his sword with a nod of thanks before listening to what the Elf had to say.

"We have trusted you this far you have not led us astray, forgive me, I was wrong to despair," Aragorn shook his head and said something in Elvish before they put their hands on each other's shoulders. Naomi smiled at their display of friendship before turning to a grunting sound. Gimli stood there with a chain mail shirt on, pull up to his chest.

"If we had time I'd get this adjusted," He muttered before letting go of the shirt and letting it drop past his feet to the floor. Naomi hid a laugh behind her hand as the Dwarf looked up, his orange hair fuzzy without his helmet on.

"It's a little tight across the chest," He admitted and a snort of laughter escaped the blonde woman's hold. A strange sound filled her ears then and everyone looked up, it was the sound of a high pitched horn and for a split second Naomi's heart stopped. The Uruk-hai had horns. Her heart restarted, however, when Legolas stated it was no Orc horn. Legolas followed by Aragorn bounded up the stairs and Naomi went to follow when she stopped.

"What are you waiting for?" Gimli asked as he pulled off the mail shirt and stuffed his helmet back on. Naomi just shook her head and sat back down.

"If I go out there now I'll never be able to get myself to the caves," With a deep sigh she looked over to Gimli and choked out a few words of how he was to live as well.

"Aye, no stinkin' beast is going to take down Gimli son of Glóin!" He said dramatically as he picked up his axe with a laugh.

"C-Could you tell-,"

"No, the pointy-eared Elfling can come in and hear your words himself," The replied before stomping up after his friends. The Dwarf's footsteps faded and Naomi was left alone in the silent armory. With a long shaky sigh she lowered her head into her hands, mulling over what exactly she was going to say to the Elf. She desperately wanted more time to get to know her own feelings, to figure out his and whether he returned hers as strong as she felt for him. She did not hear him as he approached, his light footsteps softer than even the flame lit lamps on the walls, but she did see his boots as he turned to stand in front of her. With her hands sweaty she stood and raised her head until at last her light blue eyes met his dark ones. Like always her tummy did flips before knotting, and her heart beat faster than the wings of a bee. Naomi didn't realize she was crying until she had to sniff to stop fluid from running down her face from out of her nose. She wiped her sleeve across her face before looking back up and trying to sleep.

"I-I made Arag-gorn and Gimli pr-promise me that they wouldn't die…I w-want you to promise me t-too!" She stuttered with as much authority as she could, more tears sliding down her cheeks. Gently Legolas took both her of shaking hands in his and raised them to his mouth, kissing every one of her ten fingers.

"I had wished that we could have more time together, for I find myself drawn to you in ways that I cannot explain merely by words," he looked back to her eyes. He opened his mouth to say something when somebody cleared their throat. The two looked over to see Tess standing there, a look of pity on her face as she broke their moment.

"S-Sorry, but, Aragorn needs you Legolas and they're going to close the doors to the cave soon," She smiled grimly before turning around and covering her ears to give them some privacy. Naomi rolled her eyes and dropped her head to his chest with a sigh, then realized that Legolas had been going to say something to her. Raising his free hand he brushed some hair behind her ear, cupping the side of her face, just looking at her for a while.

"You are my life now; and as long as you desire me I will do all I can to be by your side," Naomi gave a small cry as she threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him just as tightly as he was holding her. She couldn't stop the tears now as they slid down; Legolas was going out to fight for his life and hers. Her voice cracked as she whispered her next words, deciding that it was now or never.

"I love you…come back…come back to me,"

"Amin mela lle," He murmured pressing a kiss to the side of her head, and then to her forehead for a long moment.

And then he was gone, his back fading up the stairs as Tess turned to face her. They just stared at each other, trying to figure out what to say. Naomi swallowed deeply and looked at her friend for what she felt could be the last time. Tess was wearing her red tunic, and by the way she moved Naomi could tell her chain mail shirt was underneath. Her leather gauntlets were on her arms, her belt tight around her waist, breeches tucked into her boots. The only thing different was the leather spaulders that now hugged her shoulders. Her brown hair was pulled to a knot at the back of her neck and a streak of grease was smudged across her cheek. The short woman looked ready and all she waited for was Naomi's goodbye.

"Oh fuck it!" Naomi yelled running for her friend and hugging her tightly.

"You know the deal! No bleeding, no death, no arrows in your body! And keep Aragorn out of trouble, you know how he likes to play hero,"

"I'll keep Legolas away from danger as well…and Gimli," Tess squeezed her friend and with a last clap on the shoulder turned.

"I'll see you in the morning!" She called over her shoulder and then she too was gone.

Again Naomi wrapped her arms around herself and wandered until she eventually found her way to the caves. They were filled with women and children, only a few very elderly or sick men remained. It struck Naomi that these people had already lost so much, their homes, other family members and now they were facing the possibility of losing their lives. The walls of the caves glittered in the torch light, and a vast lake spread out before her as she walked down the winding stone stairs to where the other people were. She pushed away her tears and tried to find Éowyn, but instead someone found her.

"Naomi?" It was the high voice of a little girl and when Naomi turned around she recognized her.

"Freda! Did you find your mother?" The little girl nodded and pointed over to a woman with russet hair, tears dripping down her cheeks as she comforted an elderly woman.

"Wh-where is Éothain? Freda where is your brother?"Naomi asked shakily as she looked around for the boy. Freda just shook her head as her face crumpled into a sob, tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Oh Freda!" Naomi knelt down and let the little girl run into her arms, rocking her back and forth. Another little girl sitting nearby stood and walked to where Naomi now sat on a crate and tugged on her sleeve, her own tears forming in her eyes.

"My b-brother too," Naomi freed one of her arms and pulled the little girl to her side.

"My best friends are out there…do you know how we can help them?" Naomi asked, brushing away the little girl's tears as she still rocked Freda.

"We send them our strength and we send them our love," The little girl closed her eyes tight and buried her face in Naomi's side again, muttering strength to someone named Haleth. Naomi herself closed her eyes and pressed her head to Freda's.

"I shall help send strength to Éothain, because if my friends do not already have enough then I will be having words to them when I see them tomorrow morning,"

Author's Babbling:

Dun dun dun naaaah! Fooled you all mwuhahahahahahahaaaa~!

Well not really because I didn't know this would be a separate chapter either until I looked down and it was this long already from the goodbye. So I decided to give the battle its own chapter, which WILL be chapter 18 XD

Love you All, Reviews make me smile!

AxM