Chapter 24

I cannot lose you

I ran and fought as hard as I could to get to Haldir. In the end…..it was not enough! Another uruk struck him hard and he fell to the ground.

"HALDIR NO!"

My father caught him and I looked upon them. He looked at me sadly and shook his head. I looked away and fought back tears. My sorrow turned to rage and I ran forth and swung my sword at the uruk-hai.

"FOR HALDIR!" I cried.

I fought with a previous unknown strength. My father soon pulled me back. We ran towards the keep. However on the way Legolas was wounded. An uruk came behind him and thrust a knife through his side.

*"LAU!"

I yanked my hand from my father and ran towards Legolas. I had lost Haldir…I would NOT lose Legolas. I killed the uruk that hurt him and then put his arm over my shoulders. I helped him up and killed another uruk.

"~Gilraen…I slow you down…you will…~"

*"Sedho!"

I would not leave him behind. I struggled, but I made it to the great hall. The doors closed behind me and I lay Legolas down.

"Legolas look at me!" I said.

He opened his eyes slightly and looked at me. I looked up at my father.

"Ada I need bandages!"

He nodded and then I looked back at Legolas. He was starting to close his eyes.

"~Legolas no! You keep your eyes open! Keep them on me! Hold onto my voice!~" I said.

"~Gilraen forgive me….~"

"~Shhh! None of that! I cannot lose you! I will not lose you! You shall not die. Do you understand? You will live!~"

He smiled weakly and father returned. I cleaned and bandaged his wound. All the while the Uruk-hai were trying to break down the doors. Father, Gimli and the other soldiers were trying to barricade it.

"The fortress is taken! It is over." Théoden said.

"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it! They still defend it! They have died defending it!" Ada said.

"And what of the women and children! What of Eowyn my lord!?" I said.

He looked at me with pain and sorrow. Yet still he could see no hope.

"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?"

None answered him. I looked back to Legolas. His breathing was shallow and hurried.

"Is there no other way!?" Ada asked again.

"There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far the Uruk-hai are too many!" Gamling said.

There was another loud bang on the door.

"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass! And barricade the entrance!"

"So much death!" I looked at Théoden. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"

To his question I had no answer. My father was silent for a few moments before saying,

"Ride out with me."

I looked up in shock as did Théoden.

"Ride out and meet them!"

He walked closer to my father.

"For death and glory."

"For Rohan. For your people."

The doors would not hold much longer.

"Yes…yes! The horn of Helm Hammer Hand, shall sound in the deep! One last time!"

"YES!"

I smiled a little as Gimli rushed off to sound the horn.

"May this be the hour when we draw swords together."

They mounted their horses and I smiled. I would not go with them. I stayed with Legolas, even if the uruks were to defeat us…I would not leave him. If he died then I would die with him.

"Now for wrath! Now for ruin! And the red dawn! FORTH EORLINGS!"

The doors were broken down and Théoden, father, and the few soldiers left charged forward. I held my sword close in case any of them came inside. Fortunately, most of them were slain or too busy trying to kill the others. Only a few came through, but I would not allow them to touch Legolas.

Finally I heard the words I had begun to fear I would never hear.

"VICROTY! WE HAVE VICTORY!"

I smiled and looked at Legolas. He smiled weakly and then closed his eyes in pain.

"~Legolas?! What is it!?~" I asked frantically.

"~Is that a serious question love?~"

I bit my lip and tried to think of what to do. Eowyn and the other women and children came out. She saw me and then ran to me.

"Gilraen what happened?!"

"An uruk stabbed him through the side."

She examined his wound.

"He shall not die. You did well in bandaging it. But it shall be a difficult recovery."

I closed my eyes and looked down. I kissed his hand and held it tightly. Eowyn put her hand on my shoulder.

"It will be alright."

I nodded and then she left.

"Gilraen….."

I opened my eyes and smiled. I put my hand on his face and stroked his cheek with my thumb.

"~Yes I am here. I shall not leave.~"

"I love you."

I smiled and kissed him gently.

"I love you too."

*NO!

*Hush!