Cursed

III

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

"By order of the king, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need." A guard shouted to the townspeople, who had confused faces. "Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight! Who will defend them if not their king?" Gimli asked, as we followed Gandalf to the stables. "He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn stated. "That place is a death trap." I said, dragging behind next to Gimli and Legolas. "There is no way out of that fortress. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety. What they will get is massacre." Gandalf agreed with me. "Theoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan."

Gandalf POV

I spoke directly to Aragorn "He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defences have to hold." Aragorn nodded. "They will hold."

"The Grey Pilgrim. That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of Men I've walked this earth, and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look for my coming at the first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east." He nodded, "Go." And I rushed off riding my steed.

Y/n POV

Just as he arrived, he had fled just as fast. I knew we would meet again very soon, and that meeting would be in a horrible moment. War.

We had readied up our horses, as I was given my own to ride, which I was pleased about. It was nice to have more space to myself.

I rhode next to the Eowyn as she pulled along a horse carrying Gimli. She was interested in my fighting and wanted to learn more from me, since she told me that the women of Rohan were weak, and never had opportunities to learn to defend themselves. I had to admit too, it was nice to talk to another woman.

"It's true, you don't see many Dwarf women, and in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men." She turned around to face Aragorn, as he whispered "It's the beards." And we both laughed. "This, in turn, has given rise to the belief that there are no Dwarf women, and that Dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!" Eowyn let out a hearty laugh. "Which is, of course, ridiculous!" Gimli wailed as his horse rushed ahead, throwing him to the ground. Many around burst into laughter.

I noticed Legolas up ahead, listening out in the distance. I jumped off my horse and handed it to a guard nearby. "What do you see?" I asked him, and he turned to me. "Something dark." We watched on, as two guards rhode ahead.

The silence was cut short by a blood-curdling scream. "Wargs!" One of the men shouted. And me and Legolas ran to them, killing any nearby orcs. "A scout!" He shouted to Aragorn, who trailed behind us. Aragorn rushed off to alert the people. We both rushed forward, to where we noticed the plain in front of us swarmed with orcs and wargs. Legolas let off a few arrows, before swinging to mount on the horse Gimli rhode. I decided to keep on foot, killing any orcs that had fallen off their wargs.

We fought for many minutes, and I continued slashing down orcs, trying to keep as many Rohan riders alive as I could. Something caught my eye though, a warg dragging someone. I hoped it was an orc, as I noticed both of them fall off the edge of the cliff.

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

"Aragorn!" Legolas kept calling for the ranger, but was met with no response. It was then to my realisation, that Aragorn could've been the one dragged of the cliff-side.

A squelching laugh was heard, an orc, stabbed with a blade. "Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing." Gimli angrily positioned his axe at the orc's throat. "He's dead." The orc coughed between words. I watched on silently. If it was true, I had watched him fall and didn't intervene. "He took a little tumble off the cliff." The foul creature laughed again. "You lie!" Legolas gritted his teeth. The orc passed, and he threw his body into the ground. I watched him pick something from the body and run to the edge, followed by Gimli.