TW: Glad to hear it.

Gallifrey 22.3: Thank you.

Helm's Deep

Day

Inside the castle walls, River sat down, alone. After a few moments, River heard footsteps. Looking up, she saw Rory approach. He seemed to wrestle with himself for a moment before sitting down next to her. It was silent for a few moments before Rory spoke.

"I'm sorry about The Doctor. I still can't believe he's…" Rory trailed off and she smiled weakly.

"Thank you, Rory," River said softly.

It seemed even when he didn't know who she was; Rory was still trying to look out for her.

"One thing I don't understand though, you know The Doctor in the future. If he's dead, shouldn't you not remember him?" Rory asked.

River opened her mouth to respond and then paused, considering. Rory was right. As it affected her personal timeline, she should have no memory of The Doctor. In fact, since she hadn't even been born yet, this version of her should no longer exist. Unless….

River was broken out of her thoughts as Boromir rushed over to them, out of breath with a beaming smile on his face.

"He's alive. The Doctor's alive," Boromir said in relief.

Not long after, The Doctor rode into the courtyard on Brego, to the astonishment of the people. The Doctor got off, smiling at the people when he heard a familiar voice.

"Where is he?! Where is he?! Get out of my way! I'll kill him!" Gimli shouted as he made his way through the crowd.

The Doctor smiled as Gimli reached the front of the crowd and took him in. The Doctor looked a little worse for wear, but he was alive.

"Hello Gimli," The Doctor greeted as the Dwarf approached him, unable to hide his joy at seeing him.

"You are the luckiest, the canniest...and the most reckless man I ever knew. Bless you laddie," Gimli said before embracing The Doctor.

"Good to see you as well, my friend," The Doctor said, returning the embrace before looking down at Gimli seriously. "Now, where is Théoden?"

Gimli gestured him to a room where several guards were standing outside. The Doctor nodded and moved towards the room only to be met with Aragorn and Legolas.

"You're late," Legolas said and The Doctor laughed.

"Story of my life," The Doctor noted and Aragorn chuckled.

"It is good to have you back, Doctor," Aragorn said as he and The Doctor clasped hands.

"Thank you, Aragorn," The Doctor said as they dropped hands.

They heard a commotion and turned to see Boromir lead Rory and River over, all of them looking relieved to see The Doctor alive.

"I should have known. The laws of physics don't apply to you," Rory joked and The Doctor laughed.

"Good to see you as well Rory," The Doctor said before looking over at River. "Hi, Honey. I'm home."

"And what sort of time do you call this?" River tried to sound stern but it was ruined by the beaming smile on her face.

"Sorry, you would not believe the day I've had," The Doctor shrugged before turning serious. "Aragorn, Boromir, come with me. I believe Théoden might take what I have to say better if you were there."

"Of course, my friend," Boromir said as he and Aragorn exchanged a look and Aragorn nodded his agreement.

The Doctor nodded before the trio walked forward. The Doctor pushed the door open and entered the room. Théoden, who had been discussing battle strategy with his men, turned to see The Doctor and stared in disbelief.

"Hello, Théoden King. We need to talk," The Doctor told him.

"It was an army, and I have no doubt they ride for Helm's Deep," The Doctor explained to everyone what he had seen while riding towards Helm's Deep.

"How many?" Théoden asked after a moment.

"A few thousand, at least," The Doctor said and Théoden looked at him startled.

"Thousand?" Théoden asked in disbelief.

"They will be here before morning," The Doctor told him.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose: To destroy the world of Men," Aragorn added and Théoden's face hardened.

"Let them come," he said before walking from the room and the trio exchanged a look.

"He still refuses to grasp his situation," The Doctor grumbled before the trio followed after him.

Not long after, Théoden led the Fellowship and one of his guards, Gamling outside onto a ramp that led down the main gates.

"Gamling, I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms...to be ready for battle by nightfall," Théoden said and Gamling nodded before walking.

"Tell me you did not do what I think you did," The Doctor said, his voice growing darker as he narrowed his eyes at Théoden. "Tell me you did not just have children drawn into this war."

"We have no choice, Doctor. We need all the soldiers we have," Théoden said although he refused to look at The Doctor.

"They're not soldiers, they're children," Rory snapped angrily, all of the Fellowship appalled by this.

Théoden did not respond as he led them out on the causeway in front of the Gatehouse.

"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above." Théoden said, pointing to each before his voice grew in confidence. "No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall...or set foot inside the Hornburg!"

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

"I would have to agree with Gimli. These Uruk-Hai are unlike anything I have ever faced," River added.

"I have fought many wars, Lady River, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my people," Théoden said stiffly before walking passed them.

The Fellowship stared after him in disbelief, realizing The Doctor had been right: Théoden had taken leave of his senses rather than accept reality.

Reluctantly, they followed after Théoden as he led them up the upper wall, continuing to explain his plan.

"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," Théoden explained, seemingly oblivious to the dismay of the Fellowship.

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages! They come to destroy its people, down to the last child!" Aragorn finally snapped.

"Aragorn is right. I've seen it a thousand times before, Saruman doesn't want to conquer you, he wants to destroy you and all your people!" The Doctor agreed, remembering his encounters with the Daleks, The Master, the Cybermen and all his other enemies throughout time.

"What would you have me do?! Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread," Théoden growled as he turned to face them. "If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end...as to be worthy of remembrance."

"It will not matter if Saruman continues his reign! Rohan will only be the first; he will not be satisfied until he wipes out all Men!" The Doctor finally snapped, out of patience.

"Send out riders, you must call for aid," Aragorn pleaded.

"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead," Théoden said cynically.

"Gondor will answer if you call for aid," Boromir promised but this was the wrong to say, as Théoden looked at him with a sneer.

"Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?! Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us?! Where was Gon-"

Théoden stopped his tirade, taking a moment to compose himself as they all stared at him silently, realizing what he had been about to say. For a beat, it was silent until Théoden calmly addressed the Fellowship.

"Forgive me…but we are alone," Théoden said before he turned and walked off.

"He has taken leave of his senses," The Doctor said grimly.

"There has to be something we can do," Rory insisted as Boromir sighed.

"I'm afraid the king has made up his mind. There is little we can do now," Boromir said regretfully.

Fangorn Forest

Same time

"We Ents have not troubled about the wars of Men and Wizards for a very long time," Treebeard told Amy and the Hobbits as he led them into a clearing with bright green grass and a large rock. "And now, something is about to happen that hasn't happened for an age. Entmoot."

"What's that?" Merry asked.

"A gathering."

"A gathering of what?"

Merry got his answer seconds later when one by one, several Ents walked into the field.

"It's a Council of Ents," Amy realized.

"Beech….Oak….Chestnut…..Ash. Good, good. Now, we must decide if the Ents will go to war," Treebeard said.

Helm's Deep

Not long after

As the women and children were moved into the caves below, the Fellowship walked along the wall, Aragorn looking up, examining them.

"We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate," Aragorn ordered.

"Someone get me a bow then. I haven't used one since Robin of Locksley," Rory noted and The Doctor and River looked at him sharply.

"You knew Robin Hood?" River asked in surprised and Rory grinned.

"Who do you think taught him how to shoot?"

"Doctor, you should rest," Legolas told him and The Doctor shook his head.

"I will rest when I am sure we will survive," The Doctor said.

"He's got a point, Doctor. You're no use to us half dead," Rory pointed out.

Before The Doctor could respond, a familiar voice called out to them.

"Doctor! Rory! Aragorn!"

The Fellowship turned as Eowyn ran over, stopping in front of Aragorn.

"I'm to be sent with the women into the caves!" she said outraged.

"That is an honorable charge," Aragorn said soothingly.

"To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return! What renown is there in that!?" Eowyn said sadly.

"It's not about renown, my Lady," Rory said and she looked at him incredulously. "It's about the future. If your Uncle falls in this night, your people will need a leader. Who better than you?"

"Rory is right. Honor and valor can be found on more than just the battlefield. If I had my way, I would never go near the battlefield," The Doctor said and she looked at him in surprise. "But there is a time when we all must put aside our own desires to do what is required of us. I know you wish for glory, but now is not the time. Your time may one day come, but for now, your uncle and your people need you to be a leader, not a warrior."

Eowyn stared at him for a long moment before turning and storming off. It was clear she was not happy, but she would still go into the caves. For now.

"Well, that's one problem handled," Rory muttered.

"And the children who fight?" River asked and it was silent for a moment.

"I will watch over them," Boromir volunteered.

"All we can do. Now, let's try and win this war," Rory said firmly.

Sometime later, the Fellowship stood in the armory, observing as the old men and boys who had been drafted to fight were given weapons and armor. Rory picked up a bow, giving it a few whirls to get a feel from it.

"Been a while since I held one of these," Rory noted.

"Can you still shoot?" Legolas asked curiously.

"Let's find out," Rory said as he picked up an arrow.

Notching it, Rory took aim at helmet in the hands of one of the soldiers and fired. The arrow sailed through the air and knocked the helmet out of the man's hand, pinning it to a wall. Rory smiled as the soldier looked at him startled.

"Apparently," Rory told Legolas.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers," Aragorn said in dismay as he looked at the men and boys drafted to fight.

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

"Or too few," Legolas said darkly. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."

"Only a fool wouldn't be," River pointed out.

Legolas ignored River, saying something to Aragorn something no one but Aragorn could understand. Aragorn responded in kind, only for Legolas to respond heatedly as they all watched with confusion and interest.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn snapped as they all realized what they were talking about.

Aragorn then stormed off as Legolas looked like he wanted to go after him but Gimli put a hand on his wrist, stopping him.

"Let him go, Lad. Let him be," Gimli told him.

"We understand that our odds are hopeless Legolas. But numbers are not everything," The Doctor told Legolas, who sighed.

"Perhaps you are right. I should not have…" Legolas trailed off.

"Wise council is rarely popular," Rory said with a tight smile. "You didn't say anything that wasn't thought by everyone here. But our odds don't matter, we still have to fight. No matter what."

Fangorn Forest

Night

Amy and the two Hobbits watched as Treebeard and the other Ents continued making noises at each other. Pippin had dozed off and, were it not for the noise of the Entmoot, Amy would have as well.

"It's been going on for hours," Merry complained, waking Pippin.

"They must have decided something by now," Pippin said as Treebeard turned back to them.

"Decided? No. We only just finished saying…good morning," he said and three pairs of eyes stared at him in disbelief.

"OI! We've been sitting here for hours and you've all just been greeting each other!?" Amy snapped angrily.

"Don't be hasty," Treebeard warned them.

"Driving a car into a house is hasty! You're just wasting time!" Amy shouted.

"We're running out of time!" Merry snapped in agreement.

Helm's Deep

Same time

The Doctor was swinging a sword, trying to get a feel for it when he felt someone walk up behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know it was River.

"Never thought I'd see that," River noted as he turned to face her.

"Desperate times and all that," The Doctor said and River was silent for a long moment.

"What happened to you out there? After you fell? You seem different," River said and The Doctor was silent for a long moment.

"I met a woman. She told me that someone far more powerful than Saruman is going to attack the multiverse," The Doctor said and River stared at him, as if not comprehending his words.

"Saruman seems capable of forming an army that can kill us all, and you're saying there's someone even worse than him or Sauron out there?" River said in disbelief.

"So I've been told. I would call it madness but the way she spoke, she seemed to have some kind of foreknowledge," The Doctor said uneasily as he remembered Tara.

"I've met beings such as them in life," River noted and The Doctor smiled tightly.

"I doubt that, Dr. Song," The Doctor said and a beat passed. "Either way, we do need to survive the night."

"Indeed we do," River said before remembering something. "Before I forget."

The Doctor watched curiously as River reached inside her shirt before pulling out the ring he had gotten from Galadriel.

"I found it on that Warg rider," River said as she handed it to him.

The Doctor stared at it for a long moment, remembering Tara and her powers, as well as Gandalf's warning that it wouldn't work unless he believed. Then, finally, he put it on his finger.

"Thank you, River," The Doctor said softly and she looked at him concerned.

"Doctor, are you all right?" River asked concerned and he smiled tightly.

"Just…finally beginning to accept that maybe I do not have all the answers," The Doctor said with a sigh.

In the armory, Aragorn was getting dressed when he felt someone behind him. Turning around, he saw it was Legolas, holding out his sword.

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

"There is nothing to forgive, Legolas," Aragorn said as he clapped Legolas's shoulder.

Legolas smiled clapping Aragorn's shoulder when they heard movement behind them. Turning around, they saw Gimli, struggling to fit inside the chainmail he'd been given.

"We had time, I'd get this adjusted," Gimli grumbled as he let it fall to the ground. "It's a little tight across the chest."

Aragorn and Legolas smiled in amusement before they heard a horn. They whipped their heads towards the sound.

"That is no Orc horn," Legolas said.

"Nor is it the Horn of Gondor," Aragorn noted.

The trio then ran out of the room.

The Doctor, River, Rory and Boromir were already waiting outside with several soldiers when they saw something that made their jaws drop.

"Open the gate!"

They all watched, stunned as a company of 200 blue-cloaked Elves marched into Helm's Deep, some of them holding banners. All of them were armed with bows and Elvish blades.

And leading them was Haldir. Haldir bowed to Théoden as he came down to greet them, shock on his face.

"How is this possible?" Théoden asked his voice no more than a whisper.

"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together," Haldir paused as he saw Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli emerge from the castle, staring at him stunned. "We come to honor that allegiance."

The Fellowship all but sighed in relief as Aragorn rushed forward, saying something to Haldir in Elvish before hugging him. Haldir was surprised but returned the hug.

"You are most welcome!" Aragorn said in relief as he pulled back.

"About time the cavalry came," Rory joked as Legolas and Haldir gripped each other's forearms.

"I apologize, Master Centurion. But we are here now," Haldir said before turning to Théoden. "And we are proud to fight alongside Men once more."

More or less a filler chapter that sets up the Battle of Helm's Deep, but I do hope you all enjoyed it.