Iron Stars

Chapter 30: Dawn

Italics: Memories/Elvish

TA 3019
Helm's Deep

     "Soldier!" called a voice. Nyx turned to meet the gaze of Círdan. "We must move out. We must push our advantage to the very gates of Angband." Nyx nodded, grasping her blade once more and preparing to fight.

~~~

     "Captain!" It was one of the rangers of Túrin and Beleg. She turned, launching another arrow to defend the ranger. The orc fell, an arrow straight through its eye. The blood stained the ground.

~~~

     "My lady!" A desperate voice called out. The voice of Elwing, the Silmaril clutched in her hand. Nyx extended her hand, reaching for the jewel. Her fingers felt it for a second before Elwing stepped back into the sea. Her hand would forever have burn scars upon it.

~~~

     "Commander!" That was the voice of Köan, one of the dwarven Dragonslayers. She turned and saw him battling a deep green dragon. Firing her black arrows, she eventually brought the dragon down. But not fast enough to save Köan.

~~~

     "Commander!" She turned to face one of her captains seeing him frantically battling a warg. She leapt forward, bringing the blade down upon the beast. Extending her hand to the captain, she pulled him to his feet before returning to the fray

   ~~~

     "Nyx! Keep up!" Racing beside her came Airon, laughing as he took the lead in their race. A growl came from her throat earning another laugh from the boy. Still as she ran down the hill, she felt a laugh bubbling in her mouth, the sound dancing across the wind.

~~~

     "Nyx," Airon said, his eyes on her. She was leaving to meet Aragorn in the Prancing Pony, already packed and ready. "You better stay safe." He pulled her into a hug, his breath stirring the loose strands of red hair from her braid.

     "Promise me you'll come back."

     "I promise."

  ~~~

Nyx lifted another beam, working to barricade the door. Outside she heard orcs slaughtering those left. But she could do nothing for them. She could only aid those who had made it to the last stronghold. Her muscles ached and her leg throbbed as she worked, the pain dulling her senses.

     "The fortress is taken. It is over," Théoden said, his voice devoid of any hope. She turned to face him, allowing herself to take a short break.

     "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it," Aragorn snapped. "They still defend it. They have died defending it!"

     He received no response so he whirled around to face a guard, still also addressing the king. "Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" Upon receiving no answer, he asked again, "Is there no other way?"

     "There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far, the Uruk-Hai are too many," responded Gamling for the king.