A Half Elf's Love

The Battle of the Hornburg

(Deliadis POV)

Everything was set. My brother was leading Haldir and his troops, Théoden leading his soldiers, Elrohir helping Rúmil in the healer's tent, Legolas and Gimli on one side of the wall, and me, alone on the other. My heart ached for Elladan, wanting to hold his hand. To hear his laughter before our potential deaths. I watched silently as Saruman's army began to draw near. Their torches were bright, and their armor strong. I trembled a little at the sight. Lighting crackled across the sky, followed by the boom of thunder. Saruman's troops drew even closer, long spears in their grasps. Rain began to fall from the sky. I cursed under my breath, terrified the Valar were turning their backs on us all tonight. My brother was shouting to the elves, but I didn't care to try and listen. My nerves were making me jumpy. The army below us stopped marching. They began to pound their shields and spears, growling and yelling in a symphony of horror. The elves from Lothlórien and the men of Rohan drew their bows. Each second passed, and I watched as an old man let loose an arrow. It was purely on accident but it killed a monster in the front. Everyone grew deathly quiet, terrified of what would come next. The Uruk-hai roared in anger. They began to run forward, only to be shot down by our archers. I held my sword in my hand, waiting. Rows of Uruk-hai fell to ground thanks to the archers, but it wasn't enough. The advancing hoard persisted, being too great in number. Suddenly an elf fell from the wall. The Uruk-hai could fire back. Everyone watched in horror as the Uruk-hai raised ladders. The monsters climbed up, and I sliced through them with my sword, trying to by the innocent men behind me a little more time to ready themselves. Once the Uruk's on the ladder closest to me were far enough down, I pushed the heavy ladder, watching as it fell on them. Another ladder was put up, and so many Uruk-hai were closing in. I continued to fight alongside the men, watching as some easily fell. There was a boy, no older than twelve. He was so small but doing a very good job. I pushed my way to him, determined to keep him safe. I shouted over the chaos, hoping he could hear me.

"Boy! What's your name!" The boy shouted back, gutting an orc.

"Háleth! What is your name!"

"Delia! Stay by me Háleth!" The boy nodded, and we continued fighting the monsters. Minutes turned into an hour. As Háleth and I continued to fight, an explosion rocked the foundations. I screamed, grabbing Háleth and pulling him towards me. We watched in horror as men and monsters went flying into the air. After letting Háleth go we continued to fight. I couldn't see anyone I knew. All I could see was monsters, blood, bodies, and Háleth, who was beginning to tire. As we fought I heard shouts. Shouts to pull back. I grabbed Háleth, running. I saw Haldir struggling to fight against three Uruks. I ran over, bringing Háleth with me, and cutting down one while Háleth cut down another, and Haldir the last one. All three of us ran back to the keep, Haldir clutching his side from a gash. Once Háleth and Haldir were inside, I waited. Minutes passed, and suddenly my brother and soldiers, and Théoden, and several others rushed inside the fortress. Legolas was the last to enter, firing one last arrow. The soldiers who needed to visited the medical tent inside, and I searched for Háleth. He was in the corner of a wall, tear stains on his cheeks. He looked so exhausted for such a young boy. He looked up at me, throwing his arms around me, whimpering.

"I'm scared Delia. Are we going to die?" I shook my head, deciding that a lie was best suited for the situation.

"No Hadorion. We are not going to die." Háleth looked up at me confused.

"What does that mean? Hadorion?" I smiled and pulled him close.

"It means 'Warrior son'. It is fitting." He laughed and laid his head against my chest, closing his eyes to sleep. Hours passed, and Aragorn sat beside me at one point, Háleth still asleep, but shifted to my lap.

"He's a good kid. He is father is dead." I brushed the boy's hair with my fingers, watching as his eyes darted in his sleep.

"His mother may be in the caves." Aragorn shook his head, seemingly to say his mother was dead too. "I think Elladan would like him." Aragorn chuckled, kissing my forehead before walking back to the doors, helping barricade them. The Uruk's began to resume their siege close to dawn. Háleth awoke and I made him wait in the medic's tent. He had a few scratches that needed patching, but I didn't want him to hear the conversations that were beginning to occur. Théoden had begun to speak hopelessly.

"The fortress is taken. It is over." Aragorn ran back and forth between the doors, shouting.

"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it!" A bang ran through the hall. My brother looked in the direction of the caves. "Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" Everyone was silent. "Is there no other way?" Gamling spoke, his face filled with despair.

"There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many." I grabbed Gamling's shoulder, finishing the thought my brother had, but couldn't finish due to trying to hold the doors.

"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!" Théoden spoke quietly as Gamling left.

"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" Aragorn returned to the conversation and I took his place at the door. I didn't listen, but whatever my brother did worked. We all abandoned the door and grabbed our weapons and mounted horses. I said a prayer to my father. This had to work. A ringing echoed in my ears. I dismounted, stumbling into the healer's tent. I locked eyes with Elrohir, dropping to the ground as the white light flew across my eyes. I was in a cell. Alone and with a bandage around my waist. The iron hurt my skin. Someone stood in the shadows, screaming and pushing against the bars. Whoever it was, was screaming at me. My head was pounding and my throat dry. Someone was forcing the ringing in my ears. Someone was forcing me to see things. I screamed as I vaulted up, being caught by Elrohir. He held my arms as I gasped.

"Delia! Calm...calm Delia...calm yourself." I shook, not wanting to tell anyone what I saw, and hope it was just some fluke. Aragorn came running in, throwing his arms around me.

"We won Delia! We won!" I laughed, trying to mask what had just happened in my vision. Once Aragorn backed away, Háleth threw his arms around me. I ruffled the boy's hair, squeezing him tight.

"Delia, can you adopt me?" I froze, looking down at the boy in my arms. "Please? I have no family left. My father, Háma, died a few days ago, and my mama's been dead for three years. Please Delia?" I hugged him tightly, nodding my head.

"Of course Háleth. Háleth, son of Háma, Hardorion." He smiled up at me, hugging me tighter. Aragorn chuckled, hugging the both of us.

"I'll leave you two to bond. I'll be back." With that, Aragorn left, and Elrohir ruffled Háleth's hair. He spoke gently to the boy, a playful smirk on his face.

"Get ready for a huge family Háleth." We all laughed, but I noticed Elrohir staring at me. He knew something was wrong. He knew I had seen something horrible. I ignored his gaze and focused on Háleth, letting him fall asleep at my side. This vision had to be a fluke. It just had to be.