Chapter 71

Eomer moved his horse then, turning the stallion around and heading back to Helms Deep. The others followed his example, and I held on as we rode back. Once we were inside, women and children had come forward in order to see those they loved. We had lost many in this battle. Had it not been for Gandalf and the return of the Rohirrim, we would have lost. Even with my powers, the numbers had still been greater.

"Arina."

Jerking myself from my thoughts, I looked down as Theoden reached up to help me off the horse. Eomer held his stallion still as I slowly slid down to the safety of the ground. I sighed, and kept a hand on Theoden's shoulder as exhaustion took me. I knew that everyone else was probably feeling the same.

"Are you all right?" Theoden asked.

"Yes," I sighed, and steadied myself.

The immediate clean up of Helms Deep started shortly after, with the help of all the women. I left everyone, to go tend to one body in particular. We didn't have long, but I at least wanted to bury Haldir. Seeing what I was doing, Legolas quietly followed and provided some help. I glanced at him gratefully, and dug the grave.

"He was proud to die for something he believed in," Legolas murmured.

Looking at the grave once it was filled, I ignored the few tears that fell down my cheeks, and I collected myself quietly. Coming over, Legolas offered his arm and he sighed gently. I glanced at him for a moment, before reaching out and taking the arm he offered. It was a silent form of comfort, one that we could both appreciate.

"We will rest soon, I'm sure," he offered.

"It has been such a long time since I've been in a battle such as this," I answered as we walked. "It was much more difficult."

"You are sounding old, little Queen," he teased, and I glared.

"Careful," I warned. "Start calling me little, and I'll start calling you a sprite again."

He chuckled, the sound low and joyful. We got back with the others and the clean up continued. Two days later, we were leaving Helm's Deep. Eowyn was ordered to take the people back to Edoras, since Gandalf had to go back to Isengard. We were accompanying him, along with Theoden and Eomer. I was given my own horse, and I rode with them through Fanghorn forest and toward Isengard.

Everything was happening so fast, that I barely had time to process much. I wanted nothing more than to go back and help defend Erebor from the war that was surely coming our way. Thane had assured me before I had left again that even if I didn't make it back in time, that the Lonely Mountain would not fall. Not while he was alive. Even if the mountain didn't fall, I still worried about those who protected it. Our family had grown so much in the last years, and I was not about to let any of them die if I could help it. I couldn't stop it if it was meant to be, but I could try.

As we came upon Isengard, we were greeted by two hobbits who were happily guarding the place. A smile lit up my face when I laid eyes on them, and their laughter sent everyone into smiles.

"Welcome, my Lords! And Lady!" Merry grinned. "To Isengard!"

"You young rascals!' Gimli cried. "Such a journey you've led us on, and now we find you...feasting….and...and smoking!"

"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well earned comforts," Pippin smiled, tipping his pipe toward the dwarf. "The salted pork...is particularly good."

"Salted pork…" Gimli rumbled, his eyes widening, making me laugh.

From beside me, Gandalf shook his head a little. "Uhh…" he grumbled. "Hobbits."

"We're under orders, from Treebeard, whose taken up management of Isengard," Merry declared, pointing his pipe back behind him.

I followed after them quietly as the hobbits were taken onto the back of some horses. Gandalf led the way, and I kept close to Legolas and Aragorn as we moved. Watching as Treebeard came forward, I blinked a little. I had never seen an Ent in real life before. There were a lot of things I had not seen before.

"Young Master Gandalf," the Ent greeted. "I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here. Locked in his tower."

It grew quiet for a long moment, and I shifted quietly in unease. I didn't want to be here, faced with the man who had tortured me and taken my memories. Anger surged forward, and I looked down for a long second.

"Show yourself," Aragorn hissed softly.

"Be careful," Gandalf warned. "Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous."

Gimli snorted. "Well then let's just have his head and be done with it."

"No," Gandalf shook his head. "We need him alive...we need him to talk."

Beside me, Eomer shifted on his horse. All of us were not keen on keeping the wizard alive. Eomer also held a strong grudge against the wizard for taking control of Theoden. Everyone here had something against Saruman. I shifted quietly, and glared up at the tower.

"You have fought in many wars, and have slain many men, Theoden King. And you've made peace after," Saruman spoke, coming into view from the top of his tower. "Can we not take council together, as we once did, old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"

I could feel the magic swirling around Saruman, as his voice came forward. The wizard was known for being able to persuade most people with his voice. It was his talent. I tensed dramatically as Theoden looked at him for a long moment.

"We shall have peace," Theoden murmured, making us look at him. "We shall have peace...when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the soldiers who lie dead at the gates of the Hornburg are avenged! With you hung from a gibbet, for the sport of your own crows. Then, we shall have peace."

His voice held such rage, that all of us were quiet for the moment. I was impressed that the man did not fall victim to the wizard. I was happy to see that he was able to speak what he wanted. No one had stopped him, not even Gandalf.

"Gibbets and crows," Saruman sneered. "What do you want, Gandalf Greyhem?"

As he listed off what Gandalf could possibly want, I shifted again on the back of my horse. My eyes glowed as my anger threatened to take over me. He had done such evil things to me, and I couldn't remember most of them. Part of me wanted to, just so I had that much more fuel. I blinked when I remembered something Thorin had said to me, and I sucked in a soft breath. This anger wasn't me. I had never been known to let it control me.

"Saruman your treachery has already cost hundreds of lives. Thousands more are now at risk," Gandalf spoke up. "But you can save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemies council!"

The wizard smiled, leaning on his staff. "So, you have come here for information. I have some for you."

He pulled up a glowing orb, and I tensed. Eomer moved his horse forward quietly, coming up alongside Theoden. Saruman smiled wickedly down at us.

"Something festers in the heart of all Middle Earth," he said. "Something that you have failed to see. But the great eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon, and you are all going to die."

I watched as Gandalf slowly rode forward, taking himself from us. I moved my horse forward, and glared at the wizard who stood on the top of his tower. I wanted to strangle him.

"But you know this, don't you Gandalf?" Saruman asked. "You don't think that this ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile that has crawled from the shadows will never be crowned king. Gandalf likes to sacrifice those closest to him, those he confesses to love. Tell me...what words of comfort did you offer the halfling before you sent him to his death?"

"I've heard enough," Gimli snarled. "Shoot him already."

Legolas slowly went to draw his bow, but Gandalf stopped him quickly. "No," he ordered. "Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared!"

"Save your pity and your mercy! I have no use for it!' Saruman snarled, and sent a ball of fire right at Gandalf.

All of the horses jerked in alarm, but the attack did nothing to Gandalf and the stallion he sat upon. Gandalf looked at his old mentor for a long moment and sighed softly.

"Saruman, your staff is broken," Gandalf said, and we watched as the black staff broke in his hands.

"You think I am useless!" Saruman snarled, and looked down at me.

"You have no power anymore," I said lowly.

"Ah, Arina," he sneered. "Pity, I could have turned you all against them. I should have succeeded all those years ago, I am quite surprised you are still sane."

I clenched my jaw, and glared. "I'm fully functional. You failed, in everything you did. You're a terrible wizard, really."

"He may have taken my powers, but I still know who dies. Your beloved husband will be lucky to make it out of this battle," he rumbled, his voice drifting over my ears.

Whatever he had been trying to do backfired instantly. I couldn't control the overwhelming anger that came over me, and I lost it. Jumping forward, I turned into a hawk and flew forward. I came up with such speed, that as I cleared the side of the tower I almost missed it. Transforming into a drake, I came down hard and my nails scraped against the stone. A roar of absolute outrage left my jaws, and it sent Saruman back several paces.

For the first time, it was his eyes that filled with fear. He was faced with death, there was nothing he could do to stop it. I briefly heard Gandalf shout my name, but for once, I wasn't going to let them control me. He had caused me so much pain from torturing me, and attempting to over throw my mind. I wasn't going to listen. No, this wizard was mine, and he was dead.

Saruman tried to turn and run, realizing that I was serious. My teeth bared in a ferocious display, and I leaped forward. I came down on him, and my jaws snapped shut on the back of his neck. His scream was music to my ears. I clamped down and it was then that I realized the mistake I had made. Unable to stop it now, I shut my jaws and his head separated from his body in one swift movement. I swung my body and threw him off the top of the tower in the next.

Standing there in silence for a long moment, I went over what I had done. I had never killed someone the way I had just killed him. Grinding my teeth, I turned and jumped off the top of the tower and landed on the other side, away from prying eyes. Sticking my muzzle in the water, I washed the blood out of my mouth. Jumping up on a broken rock, I turned human and sat down.

"Arina?"

Turning my head, I watched Gandalf come forward on Shadowfax. Seeing that he was alone had me less wary, but I was still tense. I watched him ride over, and I turned my head away from him when the stallion came to a stop right beside me.

"I'm sure you are extremely disappointed in me," I said quietly. "That was not very Queen like behavior. I shouldn't have done that, but he deserved it."

"I was hoping you would not have been the one to deal his death," Gandalf said quietly. "He had told us all he was going to tell us. I do not blame you for what you did, but I do fear what it will do to you now."

"It already did what it was going to do," I growled. "I killed him, and half way through I realized I shouldn't have. I am happy he is dead, but I know it shouldn't have been me. I kill to defend...not to take revenge. That wasn't me..."

"No," Gandalf sighed. "No it wasn't."

"Let Merry and Pippin have my horse. He will see them safely to Edoras," I murmured.

"Do not hide behind your powers," Gandalf said suddenly. "You need to feel what happened, and you need to overcome it. I will send over someone to fetch you."

He rode off, going to inform the others what was going to happen. I tensed again, and my shoulders ached from it. This was the first time I had ever killed for revenge, and I did not like it. The relief was small, while the guilt and anger at myself overwhelmed me. I was overwhelmed with what I was capable of. I knew I was dangerous, but I always prided myself that I never killed unless I had to. Even Thorin knew that. I know he would be happy to hear of Saruman's death. How would he react to me killing him?

A horse came into view, and I looked up to see Aragorn riding over on Brego. His expression stayed gentle, and he didn't look at me any different than before. The stallion came up alongside me, and he rumbled softly. I stroked his nose when he stretched toward me.

"In front," he murmured. "Come on."

"I am not a baby," I grunted.

"No, but you're going to want the support," Aragorn murmured softy.

I looked at him for a long moment, and then moved forward. He helped me get seated in front of him, and his arms came forward to grip the reins. Brego didn't shift under the weight, and instead his back came up easily. As we moved out again, I found myself leaning back against Aragorn. I wanted it to be Thorin here with me, instead of the ranger, but now wasn't the time to be picky. Grinding my teeth, I looked down and let out a slow breath.

Shortly after, Gandalf finished speaking with the Ent that had taken over the place. I had to admit that they gave me the creeps. Walking, talking trees were just not something I was used to. They could stay as far away from me as they pleased. I had seen much of the world, and for once this was new to me.

I stayed silent the whole way back to Edoras, and Aragorn didn't say a word. He provided silent support, and I was able to take that in, and keep myself under control.

This had not intentionally been the way things were going to go, Arina wasn't supposed to have a hand in his death. BUT then I figured it was her turn for a shot of weakness, since we all have them. I found it was just a little fitting to have her kill him. His death in the movie had been so...not dramatic. He had deserved a far worse fate in the movie. The book was better as usual.

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