TALE OF LEGOLAS AND RAENASLEE (LOTR STORY)

HELM'S DEEP

CHAPTER 17

HELM’S DEEP

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” 

― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Gandalf returned to the castle with two small children.

“They had no warning and were unarmed, and now the wild men are moving through the west fold burning as they go.” Éowyn said as they stood in the hall.

“This is but a taste of the terror Saruman will unleash all the more potent because his fear is driven by Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight.” Gandalf said as he sat on the right side of Théoden.

“You have 2,000 good men riding north as we speak. Éomer is still loyal to you; his men will return and fight for their King.” Aragorn said, King Théoden stood and started pacing the hall.

“They will be three hundred leagues form here by now. Éomer cannot help us.” Théoden said as he continued pacing.

“I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war.” Théoden said as he looked directly at Gandalf.

“Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.” Aragorn said truthfully. Théoden walked towards him and anger was in the old King’s eyes.

“When last I looked Théoden not Aragorn was King of Rohan?” Théoden rebuked.

Silence filled in the room. Not long after Gimli burped, the conversation continued.

“Then what is the King’s decision?” Gandalf asked as he stepped off the dais.

“I shall empty the city, and move everyone to Helm’s Deep.” The King said, looking at Gandalf.

They leaved the hall, following the angered steps of Gandalf, they hurried to the stables.

“Helm’s Deep!” Gandalf’s angry voice sounded over the gathering crowd of people.

“They flee to the mountain when they should stand and fight. Who will protect them if not themselves?” Gimli said.

“He’s only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm’s Deep has saved them in the past.” Aragorn said solemnly.

“There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap he thinks he’s leading them to safety, what they will get is a massacre.” Gandalf stated to Aragorn.

Gandalf walked into Shadowfax’ stall, “Théoden has a strong will, but I have a fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan, he will need you before the end Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you, their defenses have to hold.”

“They will hold.” Aragorn said determinedly.

“Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day, at dawn look to the east.” Gandalf said, he urged Shadowfax into a gallop and charged out of Rohan.

The people started leaving. They’re all wearing the same face of hopelessness as they journeyed to Helm’s Deep.

The large company stopped to rest around midday, Raenaslee sat alone. The sun she was sitting in darkened and she looked up, Éowyn stood there and she was holding a pot of stew, it didn’t smell very appetizing.

“Hello.” the elf said and smile.

“May I sit with you?” she asked tentatively.

“Of course.” she said and patted the ground beside her. “We haven’t been formerly introduced. I’m Éowyn, King Théoden’s niece.”

“It is so nice to meet you, Éowyn. My name is Raenaslee, Raenaslee Elflove.” Raenaslee introduced herself causing the woman’s eyes grew in surprise.

“You’re Raenaslee Elflove?” she asked.

“I am she.” She answered with a smile.

“Oh I’m so surprise to meet you! Would the Lady Elflove accept this stew?” Éowyn said holding a bowl of stew.

Even Raenaslee knew it didn’t taste good, she rather accepted the offer. She sipped the hot soup carefully, trying to ignore the unpleasant taste.

“I really am grateful to meet you, Lady Elflove.” Éowyn repeated, “I’ve heard that you are extraordinary amazing, and I really adore you.”

“Thank you. But you must not address me as Lady, just call me Raenaslee or Elflove.” She said giving her a sweet smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Raenaslee.”

“That’s fine, it happens all the time.”

After a while, the two became fast friends. They laughed and chatted about the things that happened in their childhoods to their current lives.

 “I’m surprised the men allow you to fight with them. Where I come from the women learned to fight long ago, but the men still won’t allow us in combat, even though many of us are as capable as they are.” Éowyn said looking down.

“Well, as you could see, my mother trained me how to wield a sword and a bow; she even taught me different kinds of stunts. However, she wanted me to be a true woman. As I grew, I learned my powers, and that’s then I learned my true self. I proved to my family that I am worthy enough to stand against evil. And that’s how they allowed me to fight, to fight for the freedom.”

“Doesn’t it bother you when you worried those you love?” she asked Raenaslee.

“Well, why should they worry? If they truly believe in you, they must not doubt you. So if someone is worrying for you, you must not heed their anxiety for you, but rather think that they are safe under your wings. It really shouldn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. We have a right to fight for what we believe in too.” The elf said looking at her eyes. Éowyn smiled and jumped up.

“Oh thank you Raenaslee. You have given me much inspiration. You are truly the Elflove.”She then hurried to finish feeding the others in the company.