I don't bow to crowns LOTR/Legolas love story #Wattys2015

Down to the last child...

"Let them come!"

said Théoden while standing up and walked out of the room. Legolas, Nymerial, Aragorn and Gimli followed him. When they got outside, the King was already talking with one of his guards. He commanded him

"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms, to be ready for battle by nightfall. We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the deepening wall or set foot inside the Hornburg."

When all his men had left, he turned to the others. They weren't moving, instead Aragorn and Legolas were just standing while Nymerial was sitting on the cold stone ground. Gimli looked at the King, while leaning on his axe, and said

"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Theri armour is thick and their shields broad."

But Théoden walked to the Dwarf and looked down at him. He argued

"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."

He then turned his back ans started walking probably to see how the preparations were going. Nymerial and the others went after him, hoping to make him understand how serious it was. As they were walking, Théoden King spoke

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we have seen it before. Crops can be resown. Homes rebuilt. Within these falls, we will outlast them."

Aragorn stopped and said with a grim voice

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops and villages. They come to destroy its people."

"Down to the last child!"

added Nymerial. The King turned around and went over to the two of them. He looked them into the eyes and asked quietly so none of his men would hear

"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!"

Aragorn said what had been on his mind for a while

"Send out riders, my Lord. You must call for aid."

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

"Gondor will answer."

"Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us?! Where was Gon-No. my Lord Aragorn, we are alone."

With that, the King walked away. Nymerial stepped a step and was about to yell something at him but was stopped by a hand. She looked next to her and saw Aragorn shaking his head. She understood, there was nothing that would change Théoden's mind. They listened how he was yelling commands 

"Get the women and children into the caves."

Aguard with a blonde beard protested

"We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, Lord-"

"There is no time. War is upon us!"

"Secure the gate."

yelled the guard to the men. Nymerial then walked away towards the caves to see if they needed any help. But as soon as she reached the road leading to the caves, she saw a big mass of people each of them trying to get to safety. She noticed an elderly woman having trouble with a basket filled with food so she went over to her. She tapped her shoulder lightly and asked

"Can I help you with that?"

"Oh, that would be wonderful. You are such a kind child."

Nymerial picked the basket from the ground and started walking into the caves with the old lady. As they passed the villagers, Nymerial saw how little boys and old husbands were dragged away from their families. She wanted to do something, stop the men or comfort the families but she didn't know what to say. She was stopped by the woman. She took her basket and said

"I can go on by myself now, it is not far. Please take care of them."

Nymerial looked at her confused. She asked

"What? Take care of who?"

"The young and old ones. They are not fit for a war."

"But how did you..."

"How did I know you are staying here with the rest of the women? Dear child, when you will once be as old as I am, you will see how people's shadows are dancing without them knowing. Your shadow is wild and free from all boundaries, nothing would stop you from fighting for what you believe in and for the people dear to you. But deeper, you are scared of the future that may become true, a future where is only darkness and cages. Am I right?"

Nymerial only nodded. She then waved, too shocked to speak. An old lady just told her what she was like, and she was right. She walked away, towards the opening. As she was almost out, she looked back and whispered

"I will do anything in my power to protect them."

Nymerial then turned her back and walked into the sunlight. She saw Aragorn with Legolas and Gimli standing away from their crowd. She went to them and heard her brother say

"We will place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate."

She placed her hand on his shoulder and said to him

"Aragorn, you must rest. You are no use to us half-alive."

When he started to say something back, someone called out his name. It was Éowyn. He went to her, leaving the rest in silence. Nymerial then also left the two, she went towards the armoury to sharpen her small knives. They had gotten dull because the last time they were sharpened was about a year ago. Actually she was surprised that they are cut something. When she opened the door to the armoury, it was very crowded. From young boys to grey old men. Everybody had a weapon in their hands. She walked over to the place where sparks were flying and saw a man sharpening  his axe. He looked up and saw Nymerial. He then asked from her

"What is such a pretty face doing here? If you do not hurry, they are going to close the cave door without you."

Before Nymerial could start an arguement or maybe even a fight, the King entered the armoury. He walked over to Nymerial and the man, who was now standing up and bowing. Théoden said to the man

"She is going with us, Elan. Let her be, she can be quite the handful."

With that, the King left, pumping into Aragorn on the doorway. Nymerial's brother entered the building and Nymerial saw Gimli and Legolas behind him. She went over to them as Aragorn looked around. He then said

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers."

Gimli spoke up

"Most have seen too many winters!"

Legolas added

"Or too few. Look at them. They are frightened. I can see it in their eyes."

Aragorn turned to the Elf as the room fell silent. Legiolas continued

"Boe a hyn. Neled herain...dan caer menig! (And they should be. Three hundred...against ten thousand!)"

But Aragorn said back

"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras. (They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras.)"

"Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hyn ú ortheri. Natha daged aen! (They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!)"

Aragorn then raised his voice as he said

"Then I shall die as one of them!"

The two men stared at each other for some time. Aragorn then walked away. Legolas tried to run after him but was stopped by Nymerial

"Let him go. Let him be."

The Elf turned to Nymerial ans his star-coloured eyes met with her minty ones. He asked in a worried whisper 

"Are you sure this is what you wish to do?"

"Yes, besides, I promised someone that I will look after the ones who do not belong here."

"Promised who?"

"Someone who understood like a person, who has known me for years, in seconds."