Chapter 14

Celandine looked behind her at the sound of hurried foot steps and saw a cloaked and hooded figure running towards her. The figure slipped skilfully in between the ranks of elves, keeping their head down. It was only as they drew near that Celandine realized who it was.

"Bee?" she said softly "is dat yoo?"

"Shhhh! Yes tithen pen it's me, but keep your voice down."

Legolas had seen her approach also 'Where were you?"

"It matters not where I was, I am here now" Bee slipped her bow from her shoulders and stood strongly next to Celandine, just as Legolas did with Gimli. Rain had begun to sheet down heavily, but no one acknowledged it, for it did not matter.

"Argh. You could have picked a better spot." Gimli complained to Legolas. The top of his helm could barely be seen over the high wall.

"Yur telling me!" Celandine added, also unable to see over the wall, a problem which did not trouble the elves. Aragorn sought them out and moved to their side, silently looking out through the rain. Gimli looked up and saw him. "Well lad, the luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."

Lightening flashed with brilliant white light and thunder rumbled. "Your friends are with you, Aragorn." Legolas turned to the man and reassured him. His face did not change.

""Let's hope they last the night." Bee said, quietly, grimly. Celandine looked up at her but could not see her face under her hood. She looked back to the wall, suddenly glad she could not see out into the battle.

"Coo-rage" she said softly "Be brave noow" she would not let herself succumb to fear.

The sound of heavy marching rang out above the hiss of the rain. An Orc yelled out in the darkness, a black and terrible cry. Undaunted Aragorn began to stride across the wall, calling to the elven soldiers

"A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas!" (Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!) He called to them, rousing them to war. The sound of marching ceased and Aragorn stepped forward to the edge of the wall, fearlessly looking out at the Uruk army.

"What's happening out there?" Gimli asked insistently, uneasy.

"Shall I describe it to you?" Legolas asked before turning to smile down at him and Celandine "Or would you like me to find you a box?"

Gimli and Celandine looked at him for a moment, as if undecided at what their reaction should be. Finally they both laughed and the tension eased. At least momentarily. Then the Uruks began to stomp and pound their spears, roaring horribly. Every one readied their weapons. Archers nocked arrows into their bows and aimed them. Swordsmen unsheathed their blades and Axe-men gripped the shafts of their cleavers. An old man, hands unsteadied by age, prematurely and unintentionally, loosed his arrow from its string. It flew into the orc ranks and struck one of them. The entire battle fell into silence. With a gurgling cry, the orc slumped to the ground, dead. "Dartho!" (Hold!) Aragorn called, warning against further assault.

The field was silent for merely a moment before the lead Uruk gave the order, at that moment the battle had begun as the walls were now being charged.

"Tangado a chadad! (Prepare to fire)" at the sound of Aragorn's command the elves notched their bows and took aim.

"Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc! ('Their armour is weak at the neck… and beneath the arm.')" Legolas told his comrades as he glanced down his arrow finding his first target. Gimli and Celandine glanced at one another not knowing for sure what exactly was taking place past the point of their view, it was one of the disadvantages of being small.

"I woodn't mind dat boox noow" Celandine muttered as she tried to haul herself up to try and get a glimpse of what she would soon be facing.

Aragorn's voice echoed as he gave the order to fire "Hado i philinn! (Release arrows!)" All at once the arrows were released each skilfully finding their targets. There was a sound of clattering metal as those who had been hit feel to the ground.

"Did they hit anything?" Gimli demanded turning to look up at his elven friend, turning and once more trying to look over the wall.

The warriors of Rohan soon followed suit releasing their arrows upon order of their King. Another order was shouted signalling to fire at will. Arrows came whizzing over the walls, often finding their targets as the enemy continued to fall.

"Send them to me! Come on!" Gimli cried ready for battle, jumping excitedly at the thought of finally getting to kill something. Celandine took another nervous breath clutching tightly onto her dagger, as if squeezing it would somehow make the danger disappear. Unfortunately it was not to be true, as arrows came soaring towards the wall knocking down several elves, as the enemy continued to shoot. Bee let loose another arrow, smirking as it brought down another, it was harder than she had first thought it would be to watch her kin fall from the safety of the walls to their deaths. She thought of Arbellason and if he too would be one to fall this night, her rage at his words still boiled deep within her but the thought of another taking his life made her shudder.

Aragorn's voice was once again heard over the rain, and the dying "Pendraith! (Ladders!)" He cried upon seeing the Uruks begin to ascend up the solid stone walls.

Gimli made his pleasure known giving a satisfied "Good" and readied his axe, smiling at the thought of battle.

"Swords! Swords!" at the words the elves discarded their bows and withdrew their elven swords once again read for battle. Upon seeing Gimli strike down the first of the climbing Uruks, Celandine took hold of her courage and swung her dagger with all her might striking down the fearsome creature that had appeared before her. The cries of those around the young she hobbit no longer mattered as she concentrated on ridding Middle Earth of as many of these foul creatures as she could.

Bee fought close by gripping her brother's sword, ducking to avoid swinging from her opponents swords and slashing quickly wanting to find another to do battle with.

"Legolas! Two already!" the gruff and pleased voice of Gimli stated hoping to of outdone his elven comrade, the elf stopped briefly to glance upon his friend "I'm on 17!" he answered back before his mind once again returned the fight raging around them.

"I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!"

Bee rolled her eyes but smiled never the less at the banter between the two friends, Celandine also smiled and made note to count how many she struck down in hopes of beating the two males in their games. Two…three…four she continued to count quite pleased with the progress she was making. The sounds of violence filled the air, the night black and stormy, and rain sheeting down. As Aragorn turned to the battle, seeing many Uruks falling, his heart was gladdened. But one pin prick of light, fizzing and spewing sparks, getting rapidly closer, made it plummet. An Uruk, bearing a flaming torch to the wall, could only be bad.

"Togo hon dad, Legolas! Dago hon!" (Legolas, stop him! Kill him!) He screamed insistently to his Elven companion. Both he and Bee heard his words and turned to where he was gesturing. Fear gripped their hearts instantly. Gimli and Celandine both heard Aragorn's cry but were too absorbed in the fight to heed his words. Celandine was in a frenzy, slashing and hacking ceaselessly, spurred on by pure rage and panic. Legolas frantically loosed some arrows, goaded on by the near hysterical Bee. It was to no avail. The arrows found their target but failed to slay him. Suddenly there was a loud explosion followed by parts of the wall being flung up into the air, sending not only rocks but men and elves rocketing up into the air as well. The force sent Aragorn flying back and he sprawled to the ground, unconscious.

Bee, Legolas and Celandine paused, mouths agape in horror, frozen by this new terror. Men rushed to brace the gate; others began to hurl spears and hunks of broken masonry.

Upon seeing his friend waking, Gimli ran at full speed hurling himself from the wall. Upon making his landing Gimli began to hack away at the approaching Uruks, skilfully cutting them down. He fought to make it to the dazed Aragorn's side. Aragorn slowly began to revive, getting to his feet with an uncertain wobble. First a plummet of a cliff and now being hurled from an exploding wall. A lesser man would have taken that as a perfect to lie down and die. Aragorn certainly wished he could. But he knew he would not. He could not lie down in battle until he was slain. "Gimli!" he called to the dwarf "prepare to charge!" Soldiers began to pour through the breach, running out to meet their enemy. Aragorn lead the seething mass forward, gripping his sword, the fire of battle blazing in his eyes. With a thousand baying cries, the soldiers of Rohan rushed forward to defend their keep, fighting for their very lives. Legolas seized a fallen Uruk shield and rushed to the stairs, Bee followed after him in confusion. He threw it down, planted his feet and slid down the stairs, all the while continuing to loose arrows with pinpoint accuracy. Bee was hit with a flash of envy and admiration, descending the stairs in a rather more tame fashion. This Elven prince was more than spoilt royalty. He was a stone cold fighter. Her attention was ripped forcefully back into reality when an orc took a swing at her head. She bent back, meeting his blade with her own, twisted and hewed his arm from his shoulder and drove her sword through him as neatly as a hot knife through butter.

Orcs continued to surge towards the wall like the flow of a foul black tide. Their onslaught did not go unmet. The men and boys of Rohan alike faced them bravely. Celandine was yelling incomprehensibly as she swung her daggers, biting her blade deep into her enemy's legs, bringing them down and finishing them off, often aided by an Elven soldier. Legolas slipped his elvish knifes from their sheaths and swiftly felled numerous opponents. Bee was in her element, the hours of secret practise in the palace courtyards flooding back to her. Theoden appeared at the wall and called down to Aragorn.

"Aragorn, pull back to the gate!"

Aragorn looked up to meet him, nodded curtly and turned to the soldiers ""Am Marad!" (To the Keep!) He called to the Elven soldiers, who complied immediately. "Nan barad (Pull back!)" he urged the stragglers. Looking up to the wall, he saw Haldir, picking off those who were climbing the ladders. "Haldir! Nan barad!" (Haldir! Pull back!)

Haldir nodded, indicating he'd received the command and passed it on to the soldiers who had remained with him.

Legolas and Bee turned and followed Aragorn. As they did they caught sight of Gimli being dragged away by two elves, kicking and shouting "What are you doing? Stop it!" Legolas and Bee exchanged a quick smile before Legolas sped away. Bee moved to join him but a sound made her stop. She could still hear the brash yell of Celandine. She had not heeded the command! She intended to remain and fight the Uruks alone! The fool! She thought to call her name but distracting her for one moment could get her killed. Instead she rushed straight into the throng of Uruks and pulled the she-hobbit out by force, wrapping an arm around her and heaving her onto her shoulder. Ignoring the she-hobbit's curses she rushed from the battle, using her blade to clear her way. She bore her small friend all the way back to the keep in this fashion.

"Haldir!" Aragorn called eyes wide with horror. Legolas ran to his friend's side and followed his gaze.

The Elven commander was struck by an Uruk fighter. Legolas was filled with a strange sickening sensation and followed Aragorn up the stairs. They rushed to Haldir's side but Legolas could see it was too late. The elf fell limp into Aragorn's arms and his eyes seemed to fade as death began to claim him. Face taut and grim, Aragorn held him as the life seeped out of him, laying him down when he breathed no more. When he stood and looked at Legolas, the elf was almost frightened of the way his eyes burned. More Uruk fighters were converging on them. As some of the remaining elven fighters loosed another of the orcs, pushing it off the wall. Aragorn's eyes alighted on it as it fell and he ran forward, launching himself off the wall and on to the ladder, falling into the heaving mass of orcs with it. Legolas rushed to the edge of the wall, watching in shock and disbelief as his friend plummeted, blade clasped defiantly in his hand. Stifling a gasp he gathered his wits, pushed his grief aside and hurried back into the fray. He heard the call for the gates to be braced. Men poured in to assist those already bracing. The king and his men came too, drawing their swords at his command. Bee, Gimli and Celandine came after them and, seeing Legolas went to his side.

"This cannot continue on like this!" Bee exclaimed, watching as the men struggled. "The gate will not hold indefinitely"

"Let 'em curm!" Celandine said forcefully and brandished her dagger, the blade stained black with the blood of many orcs. Gimli agreed stoutly, eyes riveted on the breaking gate. At that moment, Aragorn rushed through and went to the king's side. The gates groaned under the strain and opened a fraction, allowing some Uruks through. Aragorn rushed right into the fray, swinging his sword. Gimli and Celandine rushed to his side, wielding their weapons along with him.

"Hold them!" Theoden called to his men.

"How long do you need?" Aragorn asked as he fought.

"As long as you can give me!" the king called back. Aragorn nodded. He called to Gimli and ran through a side door. Celandine took off after them. Bee called out to her but she was too far gone. She moved to go after them but Legolas held her back.

"The battle still rages over us! We should go back up to the wall!"

"I can't let her go alone!"

"She is not alone! She is with Gimli and Aragorn and she is an able fighter!"

"She is only a hobbit wielding a dagger!" Bee retorted, anxiety for her friend wrought across her face. She broke free and turned to run but Legolas pulled her back, making her look at him and pay attention.

"You have lived your whole life sick of people under-estimating your abilities simply because of their own prejudices. Do not make the same mistake with your friend. You have seen her in combat; you know she is fully capable"

Bee held his gaze defiantly for a moment before conceding "of course she's capable. I trained her."

Legolas nodded "come, we are needed at the wall"

Aragorn opened the door and began to inch slowly round to the bridge, Gimli following behind. He peered round the wall, taking in the roaring, groaning herd of Uruks at the door.

"Oh c'mon we can take them!" Gimli insisted

"Yeah!" Celandine agreed, making both of them jump.

"Celandine! I thought you were going with Beriadanwen!" Aragorn said

"Awww, dun' wirry bout Bee. She'll be fine!" Celandine craned her neck, trying to peer round the wall. As she did this Gimli and Aragorn exchanged a look, silently agreeing to say nothing.

Aragorn looked again at the distance between them and the bridge "It's a long way"

Gimli looked again, now uncertain about the prospect. He dithered for a while before muttering "toss me"

Aragorn furrowed his brow, looking at him incredulously. "What?"

Celandine too was staring at the dwarf in disbelief. She knew how proud the Dwarven people were, and it did not seem to fit that one would acquiesce to be "tossed".

"I cannae jump the distance so you have to toss me!" Gimli replied, embarrassment giving way to slight frustration.

Aragorn nodded and prepared to throw him across.

"Ehhhh…" Gimli said, hesitating a moment "Don't tell the elf"

Behind him, Celandine smirked, smothering a giggle.

The dwarf yelled as he sailed through the air, landing in the midst of the Uruk ranks, at once beginning to fell them with his axe. Without a word Aragorn lifted the she-hobbit and launched her across the distance, and came right behind her. The trio continued to fight knocking Orcs from the ledge and driving their blades into the enemy. All they could hear was the cry of the dying and the anger of the living orcs. All Aragorn could think of was giving the Rohirrim more time, time to shore up the gate, time to survive.

"Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!" the king called through a gap in the gate, a gap that was soon boarded up.

Bee and Legolas were fighting at the wall. Legolas kept pausing, throwing a glance over the wall to the proceedings down below. More ladders came and they struggled to release them. Bee found herself worrying about her young hobbit friend; even though she was sure she would be alright.

Glancing over the wall a final time Legolas decided it was time to act, grasping a long rope from a left over supply boxes upon the wall, "Aragorn!" he called tossing the rope over the wall to his waiting companions. Seeing his chance Aragorn lifted the hobbit onto his back before grabbing hold of the heavier dwarf. Ignoring Gimli's anger, he took hold of the rope. Slowly, surely they began to rise off the ground. Celandine yelped and squeezed her eyes shut, tightening her grip on Aragorn.

Legolas pulled for all he was worth. Seeing what he was doing, Bee moved behind him, watching his back. Legolas's fear rose as more ladders began to rise and he pulled even harder. Finally, after a long arduous effort, his friends were within reach. Bee abandoned her watch and assisted the three back onto solid ground. Celandine fell to her knees, practically hugging the stone floor in relief. Bee saw this and pulled her back to her feet. There was no time for relief. You couldn't stop, not even for a moment. Not in battle. The call came for a retreat, to fall back to the fort. With sinking hearts, the company obeyed the order, falling back.