Chapter 15: Nowhere to Run

"OPEN THE GATE!" Aragorn shouted at the top of lungs when he reached Helm's Deep. "OPEN THE GATE!"

Quickly, the Rohirrim opened the gate just in time to let Aragorn and his horse in. He continued to ride fast, making the people having to dodge out of the way so they wouldn't get trampled. He stopped when he reached the top and hopped off, taking Ahsoka into his arms. Whether the people were more shocked at seeing Aragorn alive or the fact that he was carrying a species they have never seen before was not determined, but that point was trivial at this time.

"Where is your House of Healing!?" he questioned a nearby civilian.

After being pointed in the right direction and thanking him, Aragorn ran as fast as he could while making sure Ahsoka didn't get any more injured than she already was.

"Hang on, milady," he pleaded as he entered inside.

To his horror, many civilians, most of them old and decrepit, occupied almost every single bed. Healers were moving around from one person to the next, trying to heal their wounds. Aragorn recognized many warriors who managed to survive the Warg Attack being treated for bite marks.

Spotting an empty bed, he placed Ahsoka on it gently while fetching materials to heal her.

"What are you doing?" a female healer questioned. "I'm sorry, but I need to ask you to-."

"I am skilled in healing," he replied quickly, soaking a rag in some water. "I am trying to save a friend. Three others will be arriving to aid me. Do not refuse them when they enter. We will stay out of your way, milady."

At that moment, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Rex entered the House of Healing, dodging healers as they approached Aragorn. The three of them saw him when he entered the city and though they were happy to see him alive, Ahsoka's life took precedence.

"By the Force," Obi-Wan whispered when he saw her mangled body.

"Her arm is broken and there are several scars caused by burning," Aragorn explained, putting the rag on the wounds. "Apparently, she rode on a machine, but she fell off just before it crashed."

Anakin clenched his teeth when recognized what caused those scars. "Force Lightning. I've been on the receiving end of that."

Quickly, the four men went to work. First, they cleaned the wounds on her body while making sure she didn't get a fever. Rex helped increase the healing process by injecting bacta into her, claiming that it was medicine used from where they came from. Aragorn stitched up a few wounds that couldn't be closed on their own.

Obi-Wan and Anakin, however, closed their eyes, concentrating as hard as they could. Force Heal was a technique that was not so easily learned and those who could use it ended up being healers in the Jedi Temple. However, given that Anakin and Obi-Wan were infamous in being on the receiving end of injuries constantly, they decided try and learn the technique mostly so that they wouldn't have to go to the Healing Chambers.

Miraculously, some of the Force Lightning scars started to fade. Without those injuries having to be prioritized, they concentrated on her arm. Aragorn recoiled when he heard the sounds of bones snapping back into place. By the Valar, the Jedi fixed her broken arm!

Levitating objects, lightsabers, and the power to heal? The ranger thought inwardly. What more can these Men do?

Once they opened their eyes, the two men were exhausted, that technique taking a lot out of them.

"I think we're improving, Master," Anakin stated, panting.

"I suppose we are," Obi-Wan responded, equally tired.

Rex laughed at Aragorn's open-mouthed expression. "Don't worry, Aragorn. You get used to it after a while."

"You would be the envy of the Elves," he stated.

"Thank you, Aragorn," Anakin said. "If you didn't find her, she might have died."

Aragorn nodded before heading towards the throne room, needing to inform the king of the Uruks.

"Where is he!?" Gimli shouted. "I'm going to kill him!" When the Dwarf spotted Aragorn, he grinned bigger than he ever had in his life. "You are the luckiest, the canniest, and the most reckless man I ever knew!" He embraced the Man, ready to cry. "Bless you, laddie!"

"Gimli, where is the king?" he asked, tired.

The Dwarf indicated the room with the royal guards standing in front of it. Patting his shoulder as a thanks, Aragorn approached the throne room, only for Legolas to intercept him.

"You're late." He said in Elvish before switching to English. "You look terrible."

The two friends embraced one another before the Elf handed Aragorn back the Evenstar. Aragorn thanked him before finally entering the throne room, shocking everyone that was in there, including Théoden.

Ahsoka weakly opened her eyes, expecting the face of her cruel tormentor to stare down at her. Instead, she saw the face of the one person that kept her going through the torture for the past few weeks that felt like years.

"Anakin!" she exclaimed, forgetting to call him Master for a moment.

The Jedi Knight thought nothing of it as he smiled back. "Rest, Snips. You've been through a lot."

Massaging her throbbing head, the Togruta asked. "Where am I?"

"Helm's Deep," he answered. "It's a long story, but to start, Gandalf's alive."

Ahsoka clearly thought wrong if she ever dared to think that nothing could surprise her. "WHAT!?"

Anakin quickly explained everything from Boromir's unfortunate death to Aragorn bringing her to the House of Healing.

"At least he died with honor in the end," Ahsoka replied sadly, regarding the Gondorian.

"How did you escape, Ahsoka," Anakin questioned, worried.

Ahsoka explained her tale and when she was done, her Master was almost to the point of eruption. He did, however, keep in mind the fact that the Uruks had gunpowder now as a weapon.

"That monster is dead!" he snarled through his teeth. "I don't care who kills him, but he's dead!" Then, a horrifying thought crossed his mind. "Ahsoka, did that...thing..." He couldn't speak what he was dreading, but Ahsoka caught on.

"No, Master," she answered truthfully. "The only thing he found pleasurable about me was my screaming."

Anakin almost said, "Good," but Ahsoka suffered just as badly. While the Force Heal worked, she was still weak and needed to recover.

"You need to rest," he urged. "I'm going to meet with the king."

"Thanks, Skyguy," she said before succumbing to her exhaustion.

"A great host, you say?" Théoden asked after the shock died down.

Obi-Wan, Legolas, Gimli, and Rex had joined the meeting. Anakin quickly joined without making much of a racket, unless someone were to count slamming the door directly into a Royal Guard. After a meek apology from the brash Jedi, the war council continued.

"All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn affirmed.

"How many?"

"Ten thousand strong at least," he answered.

Théoden was dumbstruck at that statement. "Ten thousand!?"

"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men!"

Obi-Wan was starting to not like the odds, wondering if it could get any worse.

"There's more," Aragorn added, turning to the Jedi. "When I saw the army, I saw a man with a black cloak shrouding his identity. I do not know who he is, but he carried a lightsaber. He's leading them. I fear he may be the one you hold great malice for. They will be here by nightfall."

Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed. "It must be Darth Maul." So, their rematch would begin at Helm's Deep. The Zabrak would be stupid if he believed that he would be walking out of here alive.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, Théoden exclaimed, "Let them come!" while heading outside. The Fellowship quickly followed while Théoden was giving orders to Gamling.

Nothing could prepare them for the order he gave to Gamling.

"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall."

Anakin shouted, "WHAT!?" in response.

"We need as many people as we can get," the king replied in a tone that meant his word was final.

Anakin moved to confront the king, clearly pissed off, but Obi-Wan pulled him back...barely.

"Not now, Anakin," he whispered harshly.

"Those are children he's sending into battle," he shot back, keeping his voice low. "Once those Uruks show up, they won't last long. What kind of king sacrifices children, Obi-Wan?"

"I'm upset, too," Obi-Wan stated, "but we can't debate this. Too much is at stake as of this moment. We can't waste time by debating with him."

Anakin shoved Obi-Wan back before rejoining the group. The Jedi Master soon followed, the day taxing on him as well as his former Padawan.

"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above," Théoden continued, his tone borderlining arrogance. "No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg!"

Rex intervened. "Your Highness, an army of ten thousand could easily accomplish those things."

"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs," Gimli added gravely. "These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."

Théoden glared at the both of them. "I fought many wars, Master Dwarf. And do not take me for a fool, Captain."

HAH! Anakin thought humorlessly.

"I know how to defend my own keep." The king went on. "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."

"Are you even listening to yourself?" Anakin questioned unable to keep quiet. "You think their coming here to break houses and ruin crops."

"Anakin's right," Aragorn said. "They've come destroy your people down to the last child."

Théoden pulled Aragorn close and whispered, "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."

Are you insane!? Anakin thought, fighting the urge to lash out. He understood that desperation made people do desperate things, but this was completely suicidal and stupid. The people, men, women, and children, were backed against the wall, not knowing that Théoden was preparing for their "worthy" last stand.

"Send out riders, my lord," Aragorn suggested in a last-ditch effort. "You must call for aid."

"And who will come?" he shot back. "Elves? Dwarves? Jedi? Clones? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead and I do not have time to forge new ones."

"What about Gondor?" Obi-Wan suggested, remembering that Boromir was her captain. Clearly, the Free People would be willing to aide each other. It was the logical solution.

Clearly not!

Théoden looked at the Jedi Master as if he just struck a woman. "Gondor!?" He snarled through clenched teeth. "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us!? Where was Gon-!?" He stopped himself when he was about to mention his son. There was no way he could break down, not in front of his people. "No, my lords. We are alone!"

The king marched off to give more orders, leaving the Fellowship behind.

"Now what?" Rex asked.

"We need to buy time for Gandalf's arrival tomorrow," Obi-Wan said. "If we can hold them off for that long, then we'll have the advantage." He turned to Aragorn. "Do not attempt to engage Darth Maul in battle. He is far stronger than any of you. Anakin and I are the only ones who can stop him. He could take out the people of Rohan by himself, so we will do everything in our power to prevent this from happening."

Aragorn nodded, but gave a warning to the both of them. "Remember what Gandalf said. Do not let vengeance cloud your thinking."

Anakin was more concerned about Obi-Wan. He seemed to be keeping his emotions in check, but what was going to happen when he met up with the Sith again?

A blaster shot released him from his train of thought.

A crow plummeted to the ground with a burning hole gaping through it.

"There was a cluster of these things above us," Rex explained, putting away his smoking blaster. "Obviously, Saruman was spying on us. Plus, an extra meal for these people."

"What about Lady Ahsoka?" Gimli questioned, shaking himself out of the moment of shock. "Is she being sent to the caves with the women and children?"

"Yes," Anakin answered. "Should the Uruks break through our defenses, I can count on Ahsoka to defend the women and children."

Aragorn nodded. "She has a strong-will, her and Lady Éowyn." A small smile appeared on his tired face. "The two will bond quickly."

Soon afterwards, the entire city of Helm's Deep was alive with activity. The warriors were urging the weak, the women, and the smaller children into the caves while the "able-bodied" adults and children were being conscripted into Rohan's army as per Théoden's orders. Anakin went to inform Ahsoka of the news while Rex and Gimli prepared for battle.

Aragorn, in the meantime, was explaining to Legolas and Obi-Wan plans he had for organizing the army. "We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate."

"Aragorn, you need to rest," Obi-Wan urged.

"Please, heed him," Legolas begged. "You're no use to us half alive."

Aragorn would have replied to that statement, but Éowyn called out to him and Obi-Wan. Clearly, something was upsetting her.

"I'm to be sent with the women in the caves," she stated bluntly.

"That is an honorable charge," Aragorn replied.

Seeing as how the two Men weren't getting the point, Éowyn detailed her situation with, "To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return." She briefly gazed into Obi-Wan's eyes. "What renown is there in that?"

Obi-Wan was at a loss. He dd not know what to say, for too much was on his mind at the moment.

Aragorn decided to aide his friend. "My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"

Éowyn approached Obi-Wan. "My lord, please. Let me stand at your side."

"I am only an outsider, milady," the Jedi responded sadly. "I can not convince the king, nor would I try."

"Neither is it in my power to command it," Aragorn added before she got any more ideas.

Éowyn would not back down for she questioned Obi-Wan, "Why do you refuse to help me, Obi-Wan!? How can you stand aside!?"

"Because I don't want you to die!" Obi-Wan shouted.

There was brief moment of silence as the Rohirrim stared at the two, wondering what would happen next.

Realizing that he went too far, the Jedi Master quickly retreated from his position, fading into the crowd.

Ahsoka, too, was unhappy at her master's decision, but he was right. If the Uruks came, Éowyn alone could not defend the people. The other reason was that she needed to recover a little while longer. Surprisingly, the people received Ahsoka extremely well. She looked human enough to not frighten them, including the children. That would help things move more smoothly. Despite some rude comments by some men, she was pretty well-received.

"I wish you the best of luck, Master," Ahsoka said, embracing him. "May the Force be with you."

Anakin returned the hug. "You, too, Ahsoka. May the Force be with you."

She was about to leave towards the caves, but she stopped, remembering something. "Master, here." She handed Anakin the Darksaber. "I snatched this off of Darth Maul. I figured you could use a spare."

He smirked, knowing the hidden meaning in her words. "Thanks. I may need it."

Their mood instantly dropped when they witnessed the most heartbreaking moment since Théodred's funeral. Rohan's forces were leading the men, old and very young, out of the caves after saying goodbye, quite possibly for the last time to their families. The women sobbed as they were led away. The Jedi wondered if this was similar to what the Jedi were doing during the Clone Wars, dragging Padawans directly into the fray like this.

"I'm scared, Anakin," Ahsoka admitted, wiping away her tears.

"I am too, Ahsoka," the Jedi replied, letting his fall down without interruption.

Inside the armory, the Rohirrim were passing out swords, many of which were rusty. Aragorn, Legolas, Rex, Obi-Wan (who wasn't too keen on a chance of running into Éowyn), and Gimli observed this grimly. Farmers, farriers, and stable boys were a part of the fighting force, much to their increasing frustration.

Aragorn summed it all up with four words: "These are no soldiers."

Rex nodded. "You've got that right."

"Most have seen too many winters," Gimli observed.

"Or too few," Legolas replied, becoming the definition of pessimism. "Look at them! They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."

Everything came to an immediate halt as the Rohirrim faced the Elf, some who were glaring at him.

Legolas continued the rant in Elvish. "And they should be...three hundred...against ten thousand!?"

"They have more hope defending themselves here than at Edoras-!" Aragorn defended but the Elf cut him off.

"Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!"

"THEN I SHALL DIE AS ONE OF THEM!" Aragorn yelled, enraged.

After staring down the shocked Elf, Aragorn left the armory to cool off.

Obi-Wan wisely held Legolas back, who wanted to amend the situation.

"He needs time to release his emotions without doing something he'll regret," he explained.

Tensions were high. Death was practically certain for everyone in Helm's Deep. Children were being forced to fight. Darth Maul was coming. How worse could it get?

By the time night had arrived, the soldiers and the conscripted males were running towards their posts, ready to defend their keep. Anakin and Obi-Wan decided to split up and cover each side. Rex, dressed in his clone armor, kept a close eye on the weak spot of Helm's Deep. After being told that the Uruks had explosives, he had a little surprise for them when they came.

Anakin was seething when he found out that Éothain was partaking in the battle as well. Once this battle was over, he was going to give Théoden a piece of his mind and not even Obi-Wan could stop him.

Aragorn, who was sitting on the stairs, observed another boy before saying, "Give me your sword."

The boy, timidly, approached him, handing over his sword.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Haleth, son of Háma, my lord," the boy answered.

His father just died this morning, and now he believes he's going to his death. Anakin thought, grieving.

Haleth proved it by what he said next. "The men are saying we will not last the night. They say that it is hopeless."

"There's always hope," Anakin announced, joining the conversation and kneeling down to his level. "One person can change the fate of many others, Haleth. I once knew a boy who defeated an army because, through his hope, he found a weakness within the enemies. Your father would want you to always believe in hope."

"Listen to him, Haleth, son of Háma," Aragorn added, handing the boy back his sword. "This is a good sword, worthy of you."

Encouraged, Haleth bowed curtly before heading towards the reserves.

"That boy was you," Aragorn stated to the Jedi regarding the story.

Anakin nodded. "Yes. I did not tell him it was completely out of luck and I was hoping I wouldn't die the entire time."

Chuckling, Aragorn said, "Good luck, Anakin. You have been a good friend to me."

Anakin clapped him on his shoulder before replying, "You, too, Aragorn. Take care, and I will see you shortly."

Quickly, the two Men split off to their separate locations.

As Aragorn put on his armor, Legolas approached him, handing the Man his sword.

"We have trusted you this far," the Elf said, "You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair."

"There is nothing to forgive, my friend," Aragorn replied.

Rex entered the room, dressed in his clone armor. "Since I probably won't get another chance than this, I wanted to tell you that no matter what happens, it has been an honor to fight alongside you."

Aragorn smiled. "It has been our honor as well, Captain Rex. People will not see you as a clone after today, but a man who fought for the safety of Rohan."

Rex grinned, silently relieved that the helmet covered his face.

"Thank you, sir," he replied saluting.

Then, Gimli entered the room, trying to attach the chainmail on himself while mumbling, "If we had time, I'd get this adjusted."

He couldn't stretch it far enough and the thin armor clattered to the floor.

"It's a little tight across the chest," the Dwarf retorted to the smirking people within his vicinity.

Before the three could come up with a witty reply, a horn was sounded in the distance.

"That is no Orc horn," Legolas observed, running out of the armory with Aragorn and Rex in tow.

Outside the gate, everyone was greeted by the most welcoming sight so far tonight.

200, blue-cloaked Elves marched into Helm's Deep, carrying extremely long bows. Leading this Company was none other Haldir, who was currently cloaked in red and wearing a suit of armor.

Théoden met the Elves, an astonished look on his face. "How is this possible?"

Bowing politely, Haldir answered with, "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago, we fought and died together." Seeing Aragorn, Rex, and Legolas approaching them, he finished with, "We've come to honor that allegiance."

After greeting him in Elvish, Aragorn embraced his Elven friend, who, awkwardly returned the hug.

"You are most welcome!" he stated happily.

In unison, the Elves faced the king.

"We are proud to fight alongside Men once more," Haldir said.

Feeling more hopeful about their chances, the Rohirrim reorganized themselves to accommodate the Elves. Like Legolas, they were extremely skilled in archery, so they would be up front with Haldir. The remaining Elves were placed throughout Helm's Deep to fortify more areas.

Up ahead, within a sea of torches, the Uruk-hai marched towards them, their march echoing in the valley. The sight of the army drained many of the people's morale, but they stood firm.

"You could have picked a better spot," Gimli retorted, placed conveniently in the front, the wall blocking his view.

Legolas and Anakin just smirked in response to the Dwarf's misfortune.

Seeing Aragorn approach them, Gimli said, "Well, lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."

A lightning strike was made and thunder followed, signaling the approach of a storm.

"Your friends are with you, Aragorn," Legolas assured.

"Let's hope they last the night," the Dwarf added.

Following another strike, the rain was unleashed upon Helm's Deep. The battle was about to begin, but the Jedi were wondering where Darth Maul was, for they did not see him.

Cliffhanger. Where is Darth Maul? Review, vote, etc. Not my favorite chapter, but I'm excited for the next one. Hopefully, you will be blown away for what I have planned.

Good news, Wi-Fi is back on!

I didn't have another name for it, so I thought the House of Healing was another way of saying medical ward.

Next chapter: The Battle of Helm's Deep and Darth Maul engages!