The mood was heavy as we moved away from the cliff where Aragorn had fallen. My gaze swept over the others, taking in their exhaustion, the shock that still lingered in their eyes. Legolas rode near me, his eyes distant, still fixed on that cliff's edge as though expecting Aragorn to reappear.
I knew he was alive. I knew it with the certainty that only came from seeing this play out before. But knowing it, and convincing everyone else was not the same.
Behind me, the three Wargs paced in obedient silence. For the first time, I had a chance to really take them in. The male I rode was enormous, larger than the others, with a coat that was almost jet-black, marred with patches of scarred skin that told tales of old battles, and yellow eyes as he glanced back at me.
The two females followed close behind. One had a greyish hue to her fur, her eyes a curious shade of golden that seemed to catch the light. The other was darker, her coat a rich brown but marred with a missing patch of fur on her side, a mark of some old wound.
Gimli's muttered grumbling broke the silence. He didn't like them, not one bit. The distrust was plain in the way his hand constantly hovered near the handle of his axe, even as he rode beside me.
"I still don't like it," Gimli muttered to no one in particular. "Massive beasts like those… only good for one thing, being killed, not playing lapdog."
I glanced down at the Warg beneath me and patted its coarse fur, my voice dropping to the tone one might use with a petulant child. "Don't listen to him, Mister Snuffles. You're a good boy, yes you are."
The silence that followed was palpable. Gimli's eyes widened as if I'd just sprouted another head. "Mister… what?" he managed to sputter.
I smiled, barely stifling a laugh. "Mister Snuffles. That's his name. And behind me are Lady Fluffy and Pudding." I gestured towards the grey and brown female Wargs respectively.
Gimli blinked, then let out a noise somewhere between a snort and a cough. "You're mad, Ellehish. Completely off your rocker."
Legolas, riding closer now, quirked an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between me and the Wargs. "Snuffles?" His voice was barely a murmur, but I could hear the disbelief threaded through it.
"What's wrong with that?" I replied, leaning forward and scratching Mister Snuffles behind his ear. The Warg's head tilted slightly, his massive teeth exposed in what could almost be mistaken for a pleased grimace. "See? He likes it. Don't you, Snuffles? Who's a good boy? Who's my big murder machine?" My voice took on that soft sing-songy lilt.
Gimli looked as if he might fall off his pony. "Murder machine named… Snuffles?" He shook his head and muttered something in Dwarvish that I didn't catch, though I was pretty sure it wasn't flattering.
Legolas just sighed, a soft smile tugging at his lips, though he didn't say anything more. He looked ahead, the lines of worry easing from his brow for just a moment, and I considered that a victory.
**Helm's Deep rose before us**, its massive stone walls surrounded by a mountain. I could smell rain in the air. The fortress was imposing, built into the mountain itself, and its presence seemed to offer a modicum of reassurance to those riding with us. It was similar to Sky Ruler Temple.
As we approached the gate, the people of Rohan stared at us, eyes wide with relief. Éowyn emerged from the crowd, her gaze sweeping over the column, searching until they landed on Aragorn's empty saddle. Her eyes filled with a flash of confusion and then dread, but she didn't ask, not yet. Instead, she turned to the people, helping guide the weary townsfolk through the gates.
The Wargs drew uneasy murmurs, and people shyed away as I rode in. Snuffles kept his head high, clearly proud of the attention despite its nature. Pudding let out a low, almost purring rumble, her gaze drifting lazily over the crowd.
I dismounted, handing the reins of Snuffles to a stable boy who looked as if he'd rather dive into a snake pit than touch the beast. "It's alright," I said reassuringly, "they're harmless… mostly." I flashed him a grin, but it did little to ease his terror.
Instead, I patted Snuffles on his massive snout, whispering, "Now, be good, Mister Snuffles. No chewing on anyone unless I say so." The Warg huffed, almost like a sigh, and settled back on his haunches, much to the boy's evident relief. Being an Alpha had its perks, they knew to listen to what I said.
The people moved about, preparing for the inevitable siege, the sounds of hammering and hurried footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As I walked the perimeter, my eyes scanned the fortifications, noting the weak points as best as I could remember.
I wasn't an expert. I didn't know exactly how to defend a fortress like this, but I knew where they would attack, The culvert. The gate. those were the two points they got in from. I spotted Boromir, standing with several of the soldiers, and made my way towards him.
"Boromir," I called out, gesturing towards the culvert, "I think… that part could be broken into." I pointed, unsure of how to express it in terms that made sense.
He turned to where I indicated, his eyes narrowing as he considered my words. Boromir nodded. "You're right," he said, then turned to the soldiers. "We need to reinforce those areas. Bring anything that can be used, logs, barrels, and stones."
I watched as Boromir took over, his voice strong, and commanding. The men listened to him without question, they wouldn't have listened to me, they didn't know me but they did know Boromir and he knew what to do with that information.
He caught my eye as the soldiers moved to carry out his orders. "You've got a good eye, Ellehish," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Together, we might just make a soldier out of you yet."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "I'll leave the commanding to you, Boromir. I'm more of a 'hit it until it stops moving' kind of fighter."
His smile widened, and he clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Then hit them hard when they come."
I chuckled and nodded as he moved to help. The sky was darkening, And then, through the dim light of dusk, I saw him, battered, weary, but alive. Aragorn, riding towards Helm's Deep. Relief flooded through me, though I kept my expression calm as I approached the gates, watching as the others rushed to meet him.
Legolas reached him first, his eyes wide with disbelief that quickly turned to a kind of quiet joy. I caught his gaze from afar, giving him a knowing nod, and he returned it, acknowledgment passing between us without a word.
Not long after, the elves of Lothlórien arrived. The people of Rohan stared in awe as Haldir led them through the gates, their armor gleaming.
"Reinforcements," Gimli grumbled beside me, though his tone was appreciative. "At least something's going our way."
I turned, glancing at the Wargs, who were still lounging lazily. "We've got more than enough surprises for Saruman's forces," I said. "They just don't know it yet."
Gimli shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Aye, lass. Just don't let those beasties decide I'm their next chew toy."
I chuckled, giving Pudding a pat as she rolled onto her back, her massive paws waving in the air like a pup. "Don't worry, Gimli. They know you're a friend. Isn't that right, Pudding? Who's a good girl?"
The sight of a battle-scarred Warg, vicious and scarred, rolling over for belly rubs was something that no one around us seemed to be able to comprehend. The Rohan soldiers who passed by gave me strange looks, some even pausing in their duties just to stare.
hours later
The night had come and the fortress filled with the quiet tension of waiting. I stood at the parapets, staring out into the darkness. Below, the elves moved, while the people of Rohan worked beside them.
Aragorn joined me, We stood side by side, both looking out into the distance where we knew the enemy would soon emerge.
"We're ready," he said after a while, his voice steady.
I nodded, though my mind was still racing with the possibilities, the contingencies. "As ready as we can be," I replied.
He glanced at me then, a faint smile touching his lips. "I have no doubt of that." His gaze flicked down to where the Wargs rested, Snuffles lifting his head to peer up at us, his ears perking slightly. "Especially with allies like those."
I grinned, giving a small shrug. "They've got a lot of fight left in them. And besides, what's a battle without a little surprise?"
Aragorn's smile widened, and he gave a nod. "Then let's hope our surprises are enough."
I watched as he moved away,I shifted my eyes to glow blue allowing me to see in the dark. My gaze shifted back to the plains, my hand resting on the hilt of my sword I needed to get my spear fixed soon.
Below, Snuffles let out a low growl, his yellow eyes narrowing as they fixed on the darkness beyond the walls. The other Wargs stirred, their bodies tensing, ears flicking. They knew it too. The storm was almost here.
Staring out at the endless line of Uruk-hai advancing toward us. The first drops of rain began to fall, tapping softly on stone. I moved to join the others, joining Legolas, and Gimli. My eyes narrowed, focusing on the marching lines of our enemies.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the approaching horde, and I could see the fear in the eyes of the men around me. I clenched my jaw, feeling the pulse of magicka thrumming beneath my skin, knowing I'd need every bit of it tonight.
Suddenly, a deep horn blared, and the Uruk-hai halted, their eyes fixed on the keep. Silence hung in the air, broken only by the soft drumming of rain. Aragorn shouted orders, rallying the men, his voice carrying over the storm. Legolas had his bow ready, and Gimli tried to jump up to see. "what's going on out there?" he asked.
"would you like me to describe it to you? or would you prefer me to get you a box?" Legolas said.
The dwarf barked a laugh, and I couldn't hold mine back either. Despite the fear and the oppressive dread of what was to come, there was something so perfectly absurd in that exchange that it brought a small bit of warmth to the cold.
"Aye, you're a cheeky one, elf," Gimli grumbled, though there was laughter in his voice too.
The first volley of arrows flew, cutting through the rain, striking the first ranks of the Uruk-hai. They fell, but others stepped forward in their place, unflinching and relentless. The first wave crashed against the walls, ladders slamming into place as they began their climb.
My hands glowed a cool blue as I reached for my magicka reserves, channeling it without a word. I stepped forward and flung a summoning spell toward the gate, feeling the chill spread from my hands to the earth below. A massive form of ice took shape, its body shimmering in the dim light. It moved to the bridge that led to the gate, smashing through the first Uruk-hai that dared step too close, its frozen fists breaking bone and tearing through armor.
The men of Rohan watched with wide eyes, a mixture of awe and disbelief as the elemental construct threw itself into the horde, sending enemies flying from the bridge into the dirt below. It would hold the gate as long as I could keep it there.
I caught sight of Gimli out of the corner of my eye, his face lit with a mixture of awe and satisfaction. "That'll do nicely, lass," he muttered, raising his axe in salute before diving back into the fray as the first of the ladders were raised against the walls.
Legolas and Gimli were in the thick of their friendly rivalry, shouting numbers at each other as each Uruk fell beneath their blades or arrows.
"Seventeen!" Legolas called, his arrow piercing through an Uruk's eye.
"Seventeen? Already?" Gimli grumbled, swinging his axe and cleaving an enemy's helmet in two. "I'm at nineteen!"
I chuckled at their banter, Suddenly, movement caught my eye, one of the Uruks, different from the rest, carrying a long, dark object. I knew what was coming. That bomb. The memory of the movie hit me like a blow, I couldn't let it reach the culvert. It was still far enough that I had a chance.
I focused, drawing magicka up gathered in my hand, a searing warmth. Without hesitation, I cast a Sunfire spell, the bright golden orb shooting from my palm, arcing through the rain it lighting up the area. The orb struck the Uruk just as it approached the wall, exploding in a brilliant flash of light. The bomb detonated prematurely, the explosion consuming the Uruk-hai around it, sending a shockwave that knocked others to the ground.
The wall held. The relief was almost overwhelming, and I allowed myself a moment to breathe. "That's one change for the better," I muttered under my breath, though I knew we still had a long way to go.
Uruk-hai pressed their attack, The ice Atronach was still at the gate, but I could see cracks forming in its icy form, chips breaking away as more and more of the enemy hurled themselves at it. On the wall, we fought side by side, men, elves, and even Wargs, who had finally been released from their waiting. Mister Snuffles bounded forward tearing through Uruk after Uruk, while Lady Fluffy and Pudding flanked him, their snarls echoing across the stone.