Many thanks to my wonderful betas, Michelle and Lossefalme. My writing and this story have improved with your efforts.
Chapter 28: Meetings and Partings…
Kaitlyn shifted in her sleep, craving the warmth that had been against her earlier. Her hands swept through cold, empty air and she immediately awakened. She opened her eyes, blinking, and scanned her surroundings. She slowly sat up and gripped her head. It throbbed, most likely due to her crying.
"Legolas?" she called softly.
She gazed around the dim room for some sign of him and was rewarded with silence. She shivered and drew her knees to her chest in an attempt to keep warm.
"Legolas?" she tried again. But there was no answer.
A low burning candle lit the room she resided in and created strange shapes and shadows on the walls. The room was a cold, frightening place with broken weaponry and many cobwebs gathered to conceal the past.
Clutching her Lorien cloak in her hands, Kaitlyn moved to her feet and started toward the doorway. She entered what appeared to be an armory. The stone walls were lined with rows upon rows of metals spears, swords and wooden shields. There were metal helmets and many suits of chain mail armor as well. Several of the King's soldiers sorted through the weapons as if taking inventory.
"Excuse me," she called softly.
The men turned to her, eyes wide and brows raised in surprise at her presence.
"You should be preparing to enter the caves," one of the men told her. He was heavier and taller then the rest of the men. He was older with gray in his long blond hair and beard.
Kaitlyn's brows furrowed in confusion. "I'm just trying to find a friend. He's an Elf, long blond hair, gray cloak, green tunic. Have you seen him?"
"He is not here. Must be on the upper level," the man told her in a dismissive tone.
"How do I get to the upper level?" Kaitlyn asked.
The man who had been answering her sighed. "Up the stairs!" he said in annoyance and he returned to checking the weapons. "Check them over well!" he called to the men.
Kaitlyn frowned at his short response. She stared at the men for a moment more and realizing that they were not going to respond to her presence, she stumbled toward the door on the other side of the armory.
She reached the other doorway and was greeted with a set of ten stone steps. She climbed those and then came to a fork in the path. Two additional sets of stairs veered off to the left and right. The sound of horses neighing and stomping made her decide to take the left set of stairs.
Her thoughts kept turning to the emptiness in her heart. Aragorn was dead and Legolas had left her alone in that horrible dark room. The soldier had said something about women in caves. She felt very confused.
Kaitlyn turned a corner and saw many horses standing along a tall stone wall and tied to a rope that was parallel to the ground. She caught sight of a guard dressed in full royal armor, who stood tall and straight with a shield and spear.
Kaitlyn walked toward him. "Excuse me. I was wondering if you could tell me how to reach the upper level of the fortress."
"'Tis back up the stairs you descended, my lady, and to the left. You will see a door with another set of stairs that lead to the outside level."
Kaitlyn sighed. It was completely her bad luck that she had chosen the wrong way to go. "Thank you."
She turned to leave when a distressed neigh rang loudly through the air. She halted and turned, not sure why the sound caused her to linger.
The neigh filled the air again and Kaitlyn saw that a chestnut horse was tugging at the rope. The horse half reared and pawed at the ground restlessly. It's metal horseshoes made a scraping sound as they repeatedly struck the stone floor.
Kaitlyn squinted her eyes in the dim light and then they widened. She immediately started toward the horse.
"My Lady, you should not be down here," the guard said, rushing after her.
"It's okay, I know this horse," Kaitlyn told him as she moved to stand before the distressed chestnut.
The soldier looked doubtful.
"His name is Hasufel. I rode him with…"she paused and choked back her tears,"…a friend into Edoras only a few days ago."
The soldier seemed genuinely surprised that she knew the horse's name. If he was not mistaken, this woman was a stranger to Rohan. Her dark tresses and her way of speech and accent had alerted him to this.
"You may have ridden him with a friend, but neither of you own him. His master died during an attack on the orcs that had camped near Fangorn Forest."
"He was lent to us," she told him. Her voice sounded far away.
Kaitlyn moved toward the stallion, not sure why she was even bothering with this animal. The sight of him made her think of riding with Aragorn and all that she had lost.
She slowly reached up a hand and let it linger in the air.
The stallion snorted and pawed at the ground again, causing Kaitlyn to jump. Then he moved forward and nuzzled her hand.
Kaitlyn watched him touch her hand and breathe in her scent. He seemed to recognize her. She did not step too close to him. He was a large horse and very intimidating. She petted his muzzle, and when the stallion lowered his head she scratched his ears.
Hasufel nickered deep in his throat.
Tears filled Kaitlyn's eyes as she remembered that Hasufel was the horse Aragorn had ridden into battle with the wolf riders. Hasufel had returned… and Aragorn had not.
Remembering the soldier stood only a few feet away, she held back a sob and stepped away from the stallion. Hasufel nickered again, the sound soft and gentle, but Kaitlyn turned from him. She picked up her skirts and fled.
The soldier called after her, but she kept running. She rushed up the stairs and out of sight as quickly as she could.
The stallion let out a loud neigh at her retreat. The sound echoed off the stone walls and was answered by a few other horses. Then Hasufel grew silent and still, his head hung low.
Kaitlyn ran blindly up the stairs. Tears clouded her eyes. She wished that she had never seen the stupid horse. It had only served to bring back the reminder that Aragorn was dead and gone. She rubbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her tunic as she went.
She found the stairway the man had been talking about and rushed out into the chaos and light of day. She hastily wiped her tears away, cursing herself for almost breaking down again.
Soldiers rushed this way and that, their metal armor clinking and clanking as they went. Several women and children were crying, others were packing their belongings and kissing loved ones.
Kaitlyn gazed around wildly. She had no idea what was happening. She desperately wished to see Gimli and Legolas, even if she was a little upset with the Elf for leaving her. It took her several moments to catch sight of them within the crowd. Both were helping women and children gather into a line that moved toward the mountain wall of Helm's Deep.
Kaitlyn walked toward them, excusing herself from those she bumped into. She opened her mouth to call out Legolas' name and then halted dead in her tracks.
She blinked several times in shock and wondered if her eyes deceived her. Her mouth opened and then snapped shut. Her heart pounded hard in her chest. She rubbed at her eyes to make certain what she saw was truly there.
Only a few yards from Legolas and Gimli, stood Aragorn.
The Ranger was indeed alive and speaking to Gamling, one of the King's advisors. Aragorn was filthy from his fall and injured. His dark shirt was ripped in several places, revealing the many bloody gashes that marred his arms. More blood was smeared across his face, but around his throat, glistening like the pure light of dawn, the Evenstar's pendant hung. Legolas had returned it to him. Aragorn favored his left arm and his hand was stained with blood.
Legolas turned his head and caught sight of Kaitlyn before the others did. He had not heard her approach with so many people coming and going around them. She stood only a few yards away and the look of disbelief etched in her features made Legolas wonder if that was how he had appeared when he had first heard that Aragorn had returned.
He smiled at the mortal woman, though it was not an expression of joy, but of recognition. Legolas helped another woman file past him and then left Gimli to move toward Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn walked toward the Elf, though her eyes remained focused on Aragorn. Her legs felt like jelly as she moved and her heart thundered so loudly in her chest she could barely hear herself think.
"Aragorn…"she whispered to no one in particular. She found that she could not laugh, she could not cry. She was too shocked to do anything but stop and stare.
"Aye, he lives," Legolas told her, and he stepped along side her. His eyes swept over her form and he could tell that despite her sleep, she had not rested well. He reached out and slid a hand over one of hers.
Her brows furrowed and she turned to face the Elf. "But how?" she asked in honest confusion. "You said he fell from a cliff."
"Aye, he did." Legolas nodded. "Tis a gift of the Valar that he has returned to us. I do not question that gift."
"He rode in on Brego, Prince Theodred's horse," Gimli piped in, stepping up beside the Elf and mortal woman. The Dwarf leaned on the top of his ax. "Aragorn has not told his tale as of yet… though many are curious."
Unable to contain the sudden joy and relief that flooded her, she squeezed Legolas' hand and cried, "This a miracle!"
The sound of Kaitlyn's happy voice caused Aragorn to turn and notice her. He excused himself from Gamling, who nodded to the Ranger and took his leave. When the King's advisor was gone, Aragorn advanced toward Kaitlyn.
The Ranger walked slowly, hunched over slightly as he moved, but he lived.
Kaitlyn's eyes filled with tears of relief. "You're alive," she choked out.
Aragorn stopped a few feet from where she stood and Kaitlyn reached out the hand Legolas was not holding to touch the Ranger. But her hand never made it to its destination. The smile left her lips and her eyebrows furrowed. Her fingers closed into her palm and her hand dropped to her side when she saw the look on Aragorn's face.
He appeared serious and very troubled. She glanced quickly at Legolas and Gimli to see that they mirrored his expression.
Kaitlyn felt her heart sink into her stomach. "This should be a joyful reunion, yet, it's not," she noted softly, lowering her head and gazing at the ground for a moment. Feelings of fear and dread filled her. She looked up at Aragorn. "What's wrong?"
Aragorn looked at Legolas and Gimli before settling his eyes on the dark haired woman. "There is no easy way to say this, so I will be blunt. Ten thousand orcs and Uruk-hai march from Isengard toward Helm's Deep as we speak," the Ranger told her regretfully. "They will be here by nightfall."
Kaitlyn's lips parted in surprise. "Ten thousand? You have to be joking."
"The King has ordered all the women and children and the men too old or injured to fight into the caves of the mountain," Aragorn finished.
"Aragorn, ten thousand? Do we have enough soldiers here to fight off that many?" Kaitlyn gazed around at the soldiers who led men away from their already grieving families and the long line of women and children that headed toward the back of Helm's Deep. Kaitlyn turned to Aragorn. "We couldn't have more than a thousand people here."
"Most likely less than that… and most of the count is women and children. We are lucky if we have three hundred who can fight," the Ranger whispered.
Aragorn saw the fear rise within her. The same fear was felt by all. It lingered in the air like a thick black smoke, engulfing all in its path.
"We are all needed to help the people of Rohan as best as we can," Aragorn told her. "Right now our priority is to get the women and children into the caves."
Kaitlyn swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "Yes…of course," she paused, gazing at the man, Elf and Dwarf that stood beside her. "And then what?"
"Legolas, Gimli and I will prepare to fight," Aragorn replied.
Kaitlyn did not know how to react to what was happening. Nothing in her previous life had prepared her for news like this. Aragorn's return had been a miracle and now another miracle was needed if anyone was going to live through the night.
Helm's Deep was chaotic with people gathering their belongings and loved ones. Kaitlyn glanced away at a nearby shout. A soldier asked for the women and children to hurry the pace to the caves. Then she gazed at her companions, wondering where her place was in all of this. She swallowed hard before she asked, "And what about me?"
"For now your help would be valuable in carrying supplies to the caves and helping as many woman and children as you can to find their way," Aragorn said.
She swallowed again, and then standing a little straighter she asked, "And then I'll prepare to fight with you, right?"
"Nay! You will go into the caves with the women and be safe," Legolas told her, horrified by her suggestion. He squeezed her hand tightly, but released it in the fear that he might hurt her.
"No one will be safe with that many Uruk-hai coming," Kaitlyn told the Elf. "They'll treat this fortress as if it were an ant hill and climb all over it." She took a deep breath, exhaled, and said, " I could fight." Her words came out firmly and with strength she did not know she possessed.
"Maybe not hand to hand," she told them at their bewildered expressions. "But I could fire arrows from the wall. Eventually I'd hit something," she attempted lightly.
"And be killed in the crossfire?" Legolas asked, his dark brows lowered over his eyes. He did not find anything amusing about her words. "Nay, you will remain in the caves," he told her firmly.
"You're allowing boys to fight, " she protested, turning to point to the soldiers who were taking young boys away from their families. She moved abruptly to face her companions. "Boys who can't be more than twelve years old. Ones who play soldier with wooden toys and probably have never held a real sword in their life," Kaitlyn continued, looking deep into the eyes of her friends as she spoke. "I can certainly fight better than them. I know I haven't proven that I can fight yet, but I know now is the time to try. Everyone deserves a second chance."
Legolas looked to Aragorn with desperation in his eyes. The Elf could not believe what he was hearing.
"It is beyond our control. The King has ordered all the women and children into the caves," Aragorn told her.
Kaitlyn stood taller and bored her eyes into Aragorn's. "You're a King, too," she reminded him. "Or you will be. You'll be the King of Gondor one day. You can allow me to fight."
Surprise filled Aragorn at her knowledge of his heritage, but the Ranger did not show it. He sighed and looked to Kaitlyn. "I may be a King one day, but that is not set in stone. While many may treat me as a Lord, it is not my place to make demands of King Theoden. I made enough this afternoon, and they fell upon deaf ears. He made these orders for the safety of his people. Do not be unreasonable."
"I'd rather be unreasonable and fight and die beside those I love than hide in some cave!" she cried out, startling her friends.
Tears clouded her eyes but she fought them from falling and won. She bit her lip and looked at each of the men who stood before her. "I have lost so many people already. My parents, my friends and everything dear and familiar to me from back home." She took a deep breath and continued. "I'd rather fight and die then be left alone regretting that I did nothing to help my friends for the rest of my life," she allowed softly.
Legolas felt his heart constrict at her words and Aragorn felt admiration flood him. Was this the same woman they had found in Moria
"You think we will all perish?" Gimli asked, his bushy brows rising.
Kaitlyn nodded. "Don't pretend it hasn't crossed your minds. You know that's what could happen and what probably will happen. You could all die." She looked to the ground for a moment to collect herself and then peered at the men.
"Maybe I would die, too, with the women and children in the caves, but that's not really how I want to leave this world. I'd rather fight and be proud of how I died. I don't want to cower in a cave with mothers and babies."
Aragorn was silent as he observed her for a moment. "You have changed much since we first met, Kaitlyn Westerly. In the beginning you would have run and now you wish to stay and fight," Aragorn said. Admiration rang clear in his voice.
"Time and this world has changed me," she offered softly. "I think I've changed for the better… or I hope I have." She gave a faint smile. Her smile faded when she looked away to see families separating. Husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters, all possibly saying goodbye for the last time.
She turned to gaze at Aragorn. "I'm still afraid. I won't lie, I'm deathly afraid of what's coming." She swallowed hard. "But I'm more afraid of being alone because I was too cowardly to fight beside the ones that I've come to love."
Legolas said nothing as she finished her speech. He stared intently at her, feeling many emotions at once. He was proud of her, but he was also afraid.
Aragorn sighed. "Your words and the truth behind them are commendable, but I cannot change the order of the King."
"Even if he could, we would not allow you to fight. It is far too dangerous," Legolas said firmly. He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. His fear and concern lingered in the air around him like a heavy fog.
Kaitlyn's brows lowered over her eyes at his words. "And yet it's not too dangerous for little boys or for you?"
"Enough!" Aragorn called loudly and Kaitlyn winced. "The decision has been made. You WILL go to the caves."
Kaitlyn closed her eyes at the words that sealed her fate. She squeezed her eyelids shut tightly, desperately trying to hold back the tears that wanted to fall. Did they not understand that if they died she would have no one? She would rather die then to be left alone.
"You have said that the enemy will not arrive until nightfall?" Gimli asked quietly.
Aragorn nodded and crossed his arms over his chest, wondering what was whirling inside Gimli's mind.
Kaitlyn opened her tear filled eyes and gazed at the Dwarf, who still rested on the top of his ax.
"Surely the lassie can stay with us until the last moment before she goes to the caves."
Legolas shot the Dwarf an incredulous glance at the suggestion.
"Perhaps she will rest more easily if she has done all that she could within the boundaries of the orders given," Gimli told them. "There will be weapons that need to be supplied to those that will fight; there are injured that need attending, " Gimli said, nodding at Aragorn's wounds. "And I am certain that there is more she can help us with." Gimli smiled and gazed at Kaitlyn. "I for one would enjoy hearing tales of her strange world. They would ease my mind." The Dwarf then looked at Aragorn. "If she stays and helps just a while longer at least she would have done her part."
Aragorn rested his right hand against his chin and rubbed his thumb over the hair of his beard as he thought. He nodded slowly after a few moments. "Gimli makes a good point."
He looked at Kaitlyn who gazed at him eagerly. "While you will not be able to fight, there will be no doubt that you did all you could until the last moment when you were forced to obey the command of the King. Will you help us prepare and ease our minds in the time before the battle?"
Kaitlyn nodded vehemently. If they would not allow her to fight, then she would do everything she could until the last moment when the enemy approached and the danger was high. These duties would keep her mind from thoughts of losing her friends. They would keep her from feeling ashamed.
The Ranger put a hand on Kaitlyn's shoulder and squeezed gently. He gazed at each of his companions. "Let us go together and help the people of Rohan."
Each nodded and together they walked toward the gathering people.
Time passed by far too quickly. Soon the sun lowered in the sky and still not everyone had reached the safety of the caves.
Torches lined the high walls, and the line of people seemed never ending.
After entering the caves for what felt like the hundredth time to unload supplies, Kaitlyn followed after Legolas and Aragorn. Their pace was quick, but she kept up with them.
"We will place reserves along the wall," Aragorn called, pointing to the walls to their left. Legolas and Kaitlyn both glanced up to see where the men would stand.
"They can support the archers from above the gate," the Ranger finished and continued walking.
Aragorn, Legolas and Kaitlyn walked upstream of the people who were headed to the caves. Gimli was not among them. He had remained in the caves to check the doors and passageways. It was obvious to his companions that despite checking defenses, the Dwarf was lost in the beauty of the caves. They let him stay in the hope that it would ease his mind.
Aragorn quickened his pace and Legolas jogged to catch up with him. Kaitlyn fell behind for a moment as she became lost in the coming of a crowd.
"Aragorn, you MUST rest," the Elf told him firmly. "You are no use to us half alive."
The Ranger had not stopped since he had returned, immersing himself in helping to plan defenses, checking walls, helping people into the caves and carrying supplies.
"He's right, Aragorn. I haven't seen you sit down once. You should be resting," Kaitlyn told him, walking quickly to keep up.
Aragorn frowned at their persistence.
"My lord! Aragorn!"
Aragorn, Legolas and Kaitlyn immediately recognized the voice and looked ahead.
Moments later, Eowyn rushed toward them, her long wavy hair trailed behind her as she brushed swiftly past her people.
Legolas halted and began to help the people file past him when he saw Eowyn approach. The Elf sensed that the Shield Maiden wished to speak with Aragorn alone.
Kaitlyn stopped beside Legolas and gave him an expression of confusion.
Legolas merely shook his head at her and continued to help the people that were filing past.
Kaitlyn assisted him in the task, starting her own conversation since they could not hear Aragorn and Eowyn's words over the chatter of the crowd. All they knew was that Eowyn seemed upset.
Kaitlyn helped an elderly woman walk past her and whispered quietly to Legolas, "I was concerned when I woke up before and you weren't with me." While she had been with Legolas for the past few hours, they had not had much chance to talk.
Legolas frowned at her quiet tone. "Forgive me. I needed to clear my thoughts and wondered if a stroll would help. I intended to return to you before you awakened. Then Aragorn appeared..."
Kaitlyn nodded and under her breath she said, "So you forgot about me."
Legolas gripped her arm gently and turned her to face him. "I could never forget you." He looked deep into her green eyes and gave her arm a soft squeeze. "Never…"
His blue eyes bored into her green ones and for a moment they were oblivious to the crowd that moved around them. A voice shouted loudly and they each blinked and looked away from each other.
"You do not command the others to stay!"
Kaitlyn and Legolas both looked toward Aragorn and Eowyn when they heard the King's niece cry out. Legolas reluctantly released Kaitlyn's arm and attempted to act uninterested in what was taking place several yards away. He returned to the task of helping people safely toward the caves.
Kaitlyn was far too curious to look away and she watched as Aragorn turned to face Eowyn.
Eowyn was not looking at the Ranger. She was peering over his shoulder and was staring hard at Legolas but especially Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn frowned and wondered what had taken place to make the woman shout. She did not want it to appear as if she were eavesdropping so she returned to the task of helping people pass. The dark haired woman and the Elf continued to help those around them but both also strained their ears to hear further words.
"They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you!" Eowyn shouted. "Because they love you."
Kaitlyn looked up at those words, uttered in such a sad and lonely tone. It was in that moment that Kaitlyn realized something.
Eowyn was smitten with Aragorn.
Kaitlyn watched as Aragorn looked down at the ground for a moment before he peered at Eowyn's face. The Shield Maiden looked frightened, her lips parted, her brows raised and her light eyes went wide.
She inhaled and exhaled quickly, lowered her head and then raised it again. "I…am sorry." She did not give Aragorn a chance to respond. She gathered her skirts and pushed past him hastily. She did the same as she neared Legolas and Kaitlyn. The Elf was forced to turn to the side quickly to avoid colliding with her.
Kaitlyn frowned as she watched Eowyn jog toward the caves.
As the light of the sun faded from the sky, Kaitlyn finished wrapping the last of Aragorn's injuries. She had been reduced to nagging Aragorn to allow her to wash and wrap his wounds. He finally agreed, though he still would not sit. While she worked, he insisted on speaking with several soldiers to continue making plans for the battle ahead.
The soldiers took their leave as she finished the task and she took the opportunity to nag Aragorn a bit more.
"You can't rest for even a moment, can you?" she asked as she pulled the soft cotton wrap and tied it taut.
Aragorn did not wince as she tied it tightly though it did hurt. The pain of the action reminded him that he was alive when he very well should have been dead.
"There is no time for rest. You know this," he told her softly.
She sighed and nodded slowly. "Yeah, I know. But Legolas was right. You should rest or you're not going to last the night." She paused. "I couldn't bear to lose you a second time and I don't believe Legolas could either," she commented softly.
Aragorn did not answer and she sighed again. He was not going to give in, so she let it drop.
"Clouds gather in the sky and the wind has shifted," the Ranger noted as he glanced upward. He looked down and to the woman that stood by his side. She gave him a faint smile, which he returned.
He realized how strong Kaitlyn looked at this moment. She wore one of Eowyn's dresses, though the beautiful pale green fabric was smeared with his blood and with dirt. Her hair was half pulled up, though much of it was falling from its bonds and was blowing wildly around her face in the wind. At this moment he would not have believed that she had come from another realm that did not know war as his did. He would have believed that she belonged to his world. She had come far in the months she had traveled with them, not only in leagues, but emotionally. While she was no warrior, she was a true and loyal friend with a kind heart.
Aragorn raised one of his callused hands to her face and cupped her cheek in his palm. He brushed his thumb over her soft skin and smiled.
She smiled in return.
She looked beautiful. Her dark hair drifted around her and her green eyes sparkled so brightly.
His smile faded as he stared at her and then his hand fell to his side.
He wished that he had left her in Lothlorien. He had surely led her to her death and if not hers then she would be witness to his, Gimli and Legolas'. She would be left alone then, and he did not know if she would be able to survive any more loss.
She had witnessed the death of Boromir and had shared in the horror of believing that Merry and Pippin were dead. Aragorn knew her loss did not stop there. Legolas had told him how her lover had hurt and betrayed her. And she had reminded them all earlier that she had lost her family and her world.
Aragorn's brows furrowed and hooded his eyes. What would it be like for him survive this battle and return to Kaitlyn only to be forced to tell her that Legolas had died? She was extremely close to the Mirkwood Prince, just as the Elf was close to her. Or what if it was Gimli who died? Kaitlyn was close to the Dwarf as well. She looked upon them all as family. They had each known the risks when they had joined the Fellowship and set out from Rivendell, while Kaitlyn, joining them from Moria, did not.
Aragorn exhaled loudly at the thought that he had done the wrong thing in bringing her. But then he thought of Gandalf's words, " With proper training she will be a fine warrior. Before the end she will have found her place amongst you and will prove her worth." And the Lady of Light had given her a dagger. Surely, he had not misinterpreted the signs?
"Aragorn?"
Aragorn blinked, forgetting that Kaitlyn stood beside him. She looked at him strangely, her head tilted to one side as she regarded him.
"Legolas, Gimli and I must go to the armory. Stay here and enjoy the wind on your face and fresh air," he bid her.
She opened her mouth to protest, but he was already gone, Legolas and Gimli following at the Ranger's gesture to them.
Kaitlyn watched them disappear into the darkness, then sat slowly upon the steps. The stone was still warm from the sun beating upon it all day, but the air around her was cold. She shivered and pulled her Lothlorien cloak around her.
Soldiers were already lining the outer walls, dressed in full armor. There were not many women and there were no more children running around and playing as there had been hours earlier. The fields and hills beyond were deadly quiet, but they would not be for long.
This was real, she thought. There would be a battle and many would die. Kaitlyn looked up at the moonless and starless sky. Ithil and elenath were hidden this night.
"Please, God, I know I have never prayed to you before, but I'm praying now," Kaitlyn whispered into the wind. "Please don't let my friends die. Please… Not only for me, but for the fate of this world."
Her eyes welled with tears. She missed Merry and Pippin and wondered if they were truly safe. She wondered how far Sam and Frodo had traveled and if they were even alive. She prayed in death that Boromir had found peace. She lowered her head onto her knees and began to rock herself back and forth.
That was how Legolas and Gimli found her nearly an hour later.
Legolas was troubled due to an argument he had had with Aragorn in the armory and sought Kaitlyn in the hope that she might ease his weary heart. But when Legolas saw her sitting on the stairs rocking herself, the Elf let the thoughts of his argument with Aragorn rest for the time being.
The Elf announced his presence by sitting beside her and clearing his throat.
Kaitlyn jumped slightly, lifting her head to see the Elf. Her eyes were full of tears.
Legolas gently pushed back the tendrils of hair that drifted in the wind around Kaitlyn's face. At the gentle caress, a few tears fell from her eyes. Legolas brushed his thumb over her brow and then down the side of her nose. His thumb moved downward and he gently wiped the salty liquid from her cheek. He put his other arm around her shoulder and pulled her toward him. She pressed her cheek firmly against his chest.
Gimli sat beside the Elf and woman with a hearty sigh. He took one of Kaitlyn's hands into his gloved one and gave it a gentle squeeze. Kaitlyn smiled faintly and the three sat in silence for a short time.
Legolas did not tell Kaitlyn of his disagreement with Aragorn. Instead, he held her for a short while. Her presence soothed him and he realized that his did the same for her. With much reluctance, he left her in Gimli's care and went in search of Aragorn.
Kaitlyn went with Gimli to help dress him in his armor. He stripped to the grey shirt he wore beneath his usual leather armor, and to his pants.
Together, Gimli and Kaitlyn went through the remaining shirts of chain mail and discovered that all of them were large.
"It'll be like a dress on you, Gimli. These were made for tall men, not short Dwarves," Kaitlyn told him. She held up one of the chain mail shirts against herself and saw that it fell to her knees.
"It will fit," Gimli grunted. "I shall show you!"
Kaitlyn smirked as Gimli pulled the chain mail over his head.
"See, lassie, there is nothing to it," he murmured from beneath the armor.
The Dwarf went to pull the armor down over his chest and it became stuck.
Kaitlyn laughed softly, which only caused Gimli to become more annoyed.
"I think I heard something," he told her to change the subject.
The Dwarf walked away and Kaitlyn followed him. Her lips curled into a light smile when she saw Aragorn and Legolas.
Aragorn wore his normal clothing, but with chain mail beneath it. The silver metal could be seen at the neck of his shirt and down his sleeves. Legolas wore leather armor over his shoulders and the tops of his arms.
Kaitlyn frowned when she saw no helmets or true armor on their bodies.
Aragorn looked to Gimli who was standing quietly, observing the Elf and man.
It was obvious to the Dwarf that the two had reconciled.
Legolas glanced at Gimli and raised his brows at the chain mail that sat in a clump upon his chest.
"By the time I get this atrocity…" Gimli gave the chain mail a tug and it finally fell to the ground, covering his entire body. The only problem was that the chain mail fell to the floor. "It is a little tight across the chest."
Kaitlyn laughed. "I told you it was too long for you."
Gimli grunted at her.
Aragorn opened his mouth to say something when a loud horn blew.
Legolas' eyes widened and suddenly he grinned. "That is no orc horn!" he cried and he bounded up the stairs that led to the upper level.
"What's going on?" Kaitlyn asked when she saw a similar look of joy on Aragorn's face.
"Come!" he called and he followed after Legolas.
Kaitlyn stayed with Gimli a few moments more to help him. The Dwarf decided that there was no time to shorten the chain mail and he and Kaitlyn took it off with some effort. Kaitlyn helped him dress in his own armor and then followed after their friends.
Kaitlyn could hardly believe her eyes when they walked out into the night. Gimli's eyes widened when he saw the figures dressed in long blue cloaks that held shimmering banners.
"Elves…" Kaitlyn whispered in disbelief.
Gimli could only nod. There were many Elves. For a moment he wondered who led them and he fell headfirst into the hope that the Lady of Light was here. But the hope faded and diminished when he saw the March Warden of Lothlorien standing beside King Theoden, Legolas and Aragorn.
It took Kaitlyn several minutes to notice that the March Warden was among the Elves. She could hardly believe he was here at Helm's Deep.
Haldir smiled when he saw Kaitlyn's familiar face and he beckoned for her and the Dwarf to join them.
She grinned happily and walked toward him, beaming the entire way. Haldir's presence and that of the Elves he had brought with him gave her friends a better chance of surviving.
Kaitlyn bowed her head and gave Haldir the customary Elvish greeting she had seen Aragorn and Legolas use several times in the past. "Mae govannen," she greeted.
Haldir greeted her with the same gestures and smiled.
"Glassen gen sened." Kaitlyn told him. (It is my joy to see you.) "Anann gen u-gennin." (I have not seen you for a long time.)
Haldir grinned in delight. "You have learned Sindarin?" he asked in the common tongue.
She nodded. "I had a good teacher."
Haldir laughed. "I have no doubt that it was Legolas who taught you, for you have learned his Silvan accent as well."
Legolas grinned. Joy radiated from him. His kinsmen were here to fight along side them.
"Ah, and our loud breathing Dwarf friend. How are you Master Dwarf?" Haldir asked.
Gimli grunted. "I will not lie. I am better now that the pointy ears have arrived."
Sadly, the reunion did not last long. King Theoden was impatient to incorporate the Elves into the defenses. The enemy was on the move and they did not have a minute to spare.
Aragorn informed Kaitlyn that it was time for her to go to the caves. He could see her reluctance to leave, especially since Haldir had only just arrived, but he was certain that her departure was for the best.
Kaitlyn hugged Haldir, which surprised the March Warden, and told him to be careful. He smiled, nodded, and parted her with the words, "Na-den pedim ad, no i Melain na le." (Until we speak again, may the Valar be with you.)
"A le," she replied. (And you.)
She planted a kiss on Gimli's cheek and the Dwarf blushed at least six different shades of red. Still blushing profusely, the Dwarf took her hand and squeezed it.
"We shall see each other soon, lass," he told her.
Her parting from Aragorn was emotional. He gave her a quick embrace, pulling her against him. "You have made us proud this day. Do not forget that," he whispered into her ear. He pulled back and walked away to follow Haldir, who was already making plans for an attack.
Kaitlyn thought that she had seen tears in the Ranger's eyes.
Kaitlyn expected her parting from Legolas would be quick as well, but it was not. The Elf wished to walk her to the caves to be certain that she made it safely. He rested a hand on the small of her back protectively for the entire way to the caves.
Once within the hall, they halted several yards from the large wooden doors that led to the caves. The doors were shut and barred at present with one guard standing outside.
The mortal woman and Elf stood in the shadows, away from the light of the torches and away from the guard, so that their parting would be in private.
Kaitlyn watched Legolas for a moment in the darkness. He looked everywhere it seemed but into her eyes. "I should say something, but I know not what to say…" he whispered softly. His voice was full of emotion.
Kaitlyn realized that he now looked into her eyes. The fire light from the torches danced and swirled in his blue depths. She swallowed hard at the intensity of his gaze.
She lowered her eyes and raised her hand. Her eyes fell upon his armor and her fingers brushed over the hard leather that protected his shoulders. They moved over the strap that held the armor in place, her fingers brushing along the strange engravings. She prayed that the armor and his skills would be enough to keep him alive.
She felt her throat and chest tighten and there were suddenly tears in her eyes when there had been none moments before.
Her hand rose and she cupped his cheek, her fingers gliding over the smooth, pale skin of his face.
"Then don't say anything…except…" her voice trailed off as her fingers toyed with the silky strands of his blond hair.
"Except what?" he asked softly. He tilted his head and watched her for a moment.
She continued to stroke his hair and would not look into his eyes.
"Kaitlyn?" Legolas asked softly. His heart suddenly pounded within his chest.
Her eyes closed at the sound of her real name and not her nickname. She waited a few moments more and then gazed up into his eyes.
"Except that you'll come back…"
Legolas inhaled and exhaled loudly at her request. He reached for her and pulled her into his arms. He embraced her tightly and buried his face into her hair.
How many times had he parted with friends and family when he had gone off to keep the giant spiders at bay? How many times had he gone with the scouting parties to kill orcs that threatened his home? Yet this parting was much different than all the others, though he could not fathom why that was.
"Promise me," she choked out.
He held her tighter, afraid that if he did not she would disappear from his grasp.
He heard a Rohirrim horn sound outside and he knew that the enemies had been spotted and that the horn had been a warning.
It was with much reluctance that he pulled back and gazed into Kaitlyn's tear filled eyes. He stroked her hair and brushed it behind her ears. His heart pounded and his breath caught in his throat when she closed her eyes in reaction to his caress.
"I cannot promise," he whispered regretfully.
She opened her eyes and a tear fell.
"My life is in Eru's mighty hands. But I can promise that I will fight harder than I have ever fought before."
She nodded and smoothed back a few blond hairs that had fallen out of place. "Promise me that you'll try to look after the others and they'll look after you."
"It shall be done."
The horn sounded again and they both jumped. It had been a last warning to any who had not headed to their posts.
Kaitlyn felt Legolas' grip upon her loosen and her tears fell at will. He was leaving her and he might never come back.
"Think not of such things," he told her, indulging in the habit of touching her hair. He realized it was possible that he might never see her again and such thoughts made his heartache and his breath caught in his throat once again.
The sudden desire to touch his lips to hers stirred powerfully within him, but he did not act on his desire. There was a war to fight and he needed his mind to be clear. He would ponder the desires within him when they were both safe.
"Go to the caves and help those you can." His hand fell to hers and he squeezed it. "May the Valar be with us both this night."
She leaned forward and stood on her tip-toes. She kissed his cheek much as she had the morning they had begun their journey to Helm's Deep.
Her mouth lingered upon his skin and Legolas felt fire surge within him. It was white hot, threatening to devour him as it had when he comforted her this morning with kisses on her flesh, when they had thought Aragorn was dead. He closed his eyes, exhaled loudly, and pulled away.
Kaitlyn looked up at him in confusion and lowered onto her heels.
"Go, mellon nin. Go in the hope that we shall see each other soon." (My friend) His eyes were glazed with an unknown emotion as he spoke and Kaitlyn suddenly found it impossible to look into them.
Slowly, she turned from him and started toward the doors of the cave. Upon seeing her, the surprised guard opened the doors and ushered her inside.
Kaitlyn stepped in, but did not leave the doorway.
Legolas gazed upon her form until the door closed and was barred, shutting her from his sight.
The Elf inhaled and exhaled deeply. He gripped his bow tightly and gazed toward the stairs that led to the outside, his thoughts turning to Gimli. The silly Dwarf believed he could kill more orcs than the Elf.
Legolas grinned and rushed toward the stairs, bounding up them with the grace of a deer. He intended to prove Gimli wrong.
To be continued…
I want to apologize for the long wait with this chapter. My pony mare was sick for a length of time and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to write fan fiction. She's better now and slowly I've been able to work on this story. This was a nice long chapter and I hope that you will forgive me if the next update is in 2-3 weeks instead of in a week.
Thank you to my core readers for their reviews and thank you to all the new reviewers on , as well as I read every review and I do take grammar and spelling suggestions and try to fix them as soon as I read the review.
Things are going to be heating up with the battle and things between Legolas and Kaitlyn. Stay tuned!