Mo Ghile Mear

Vision From Isengard

***Athena's POV***

Ever since Aragorn's unexpected death, I had not been myself. I refused to leave my room. The walls were made completely of stone. High, complicated arches towered above me. I sat on the edge of my bed, constantly swinging my legs. I had dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep. It's been two days since we've reached Helm's Deep. It's been two days since Aragorn's death.

Legolas and Gimli had tried to get me out of bed, but I refused. Not even to talk to Eowyn, whom I'd befriended on the way to Helm's Deep. I've been plunged into the depths of grief. I refused to do anything.

On one of the days I was moping around, the stone ground vanished again, replaced with the black marble of Isengard Tower. There stood Saruman, and that little thief, Grima.

"How? How can fire undo stone?" Grima questioned. He tried to light the ashes but Saruman had stopped him.

"If the Deepening Wall is breached, Helm's Deep will fall," Saruman explained.

"Even if it is breached, it'll take thousands of orcs to storm the Keep."

"Tens of thousands," Saruman corrected. I followed them hastily to the balcony.

"But, my lord, there is no force," Grima tried to insist. But he's cut off short by horns blowing, the sound of feet stomping against the floor, and the cheering of the orcs. My heart stopped at the site. Saruman raised his hand to silence the army.

"Tonight, Helm's Deep will be at war," Saruman explained in a loud voice that carried across the fields. There were cheers, but Saruman stopped them again. "Theoden will fall. There will barely be any soldiers to protect the Keep. Take back what was once yours!" He paused before raising his arms in the air. "To war!"

The army cheered again before marching in a single-file towards Helm's Deep.

Suddenly, I was back in the same room again. I caught my breath, which I didn't realize I'd been holding this entire time.

Saruman was raising an army. And they were coming to Helm's Deep by tonight. They were trying to make a surprise attack. But I'd make sure that Theoden would know before things got out of hand.

I rose from my bed for the first time in days, and made my way down the hall. There, I stopped in front of Gimli and Legolas, who were speaking in hushed voices. They turned to face me.

"Athena! You finally decided to come out of your room," said the Dwarf jokingly. I managed to smile slightly. But the overwhelming news of there going to be a war by nighttime scared me. Legolas noticed my tension immediately, and looked very concerned.

"Athena? Are you alright?"

I smiled and shook my head.

"No, Legolas. I'm not."

"Then what's wrong, lass?" Gimli insisted.

I took a deep breath.

"You'll know later. But for now, I need to see the King. Where is he?"

"In the throne room," Gimli answered, looking a little bummed that I wouldn't answer right away.

I nodded my head as a thank you, and made my way quickly to the throne room. On the way, I met Aragorn. I stumbled back in shock and surprise. But wasn't he dead?!

"Aragorn?" I breathed as I examined his wounds. He looked awful.

"Yes, Athena," Aragorn answered. "It's me."

I breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that Aragorn was ok. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I thought that I lost you," I murmured softly.