The Last Othellan

The Battle of Helm's Deep

"You could have picked a better spot", Gimli grumbled. His helmed head barely touched the top of the wall, which only came up to the waist height of the elves. Legolas and I both grinned at his words.

The sky was a dingy grey, and not a star could be seen as night fell over Rohan. Close by, I could hear the sounds of ten thousand heavy footsteps marching towards our little army. The smell of rain was in the air, and I could sense fear from the men behind me.

My hair had been hastily braided back into one long plait, leaving my pointed ears fully on display. I rarely wore my curls away from my face, but this battle was likely to last for the whole night. I did not want to give the enemy more chance to pull my hair back and slit my throat. This thought barely made me shiver. I was no longer afraid of these creatures. Perhaps earlier in the day I had been nervous, but now we had a chance, at least a small one, of lasting the night. I was full of anger and energy, ready yet again to fight.

My leather armour made me look tougher than before and, although it was not guaranteed to save my life, it made me feel secure, imposing. Beside me, Legolas stood in his own armour, looking out at the ever approaching army with bright eyes and no trace of fear. On my other side, a Lothlorien elf was doing the same.

Aragorn wended his way through the elves and stopped behind the three of us. I nodded to him neutrally, and he smiled slightly in greeting.

"Well lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night" Gimli stated.

Lightning flashed in the sky as sudden as a quickening heartbeat. I bit my lip, and saw Legolas' eyes widen, while Aragorn's face creased into a slight frown. This was not going to be an easy battle to win, if even the weather was not in our favour.

"Your friends are with you Aragorn" intoned Legolas.

"Let's hope they last the night", Gimli grumbled. I chuckled.

"Always the voice of hope, aren't you Gimli?"

The dwarf laughed "You know me, lass"

Aragorn walked away as the first drops of rain splattered from the sky, accompanied by another bright flash of lightning and the ominous rumble of thunder. As the heavens opened, rain dripped down our faces. It could be heard rattling on the metal of armour and weapons.

The uruk hai were nearing rapidly. Some carried flaming torches, while many more carried spears longer than two men put together. Their armour was made of a thick metal, with helmets that looked like they could cut through bone themselves. The occasional grunt and growl could be heard. I thought briefly of the women and children in the caves below their marching feet. Whatever happened in this battle, they would hear everything.

The leader of the uruks leapt up onto a rock, waving his troops on until they were mere yards away from our army. Aragorn marched up and down the lines of elves, giving last minute instructions.

"Ú- dano I faelas a hyn, an uben tanatha le faelas" (show them no mercy for you shall receive none)

Below us, the leader of Saruman's army thrust his scimitar into the air with a howl. His troops halted and sneered up at the wall. I looked on dispassionately.

"What's happening out there?" Gimli demanded. He had been jumping up and down for the last ten seconds, trying and failing to see over the wall.

"Shall I describe it to you?" Asked Legolas, looking down at the dwarf jokingly "Or would you like me to find you a box?"

After a moment, Gimli laughed and I grinned affectionately at the pair of them. It pleased me how close they had become.

The uruk on the rock gave another roar and the army bashed their spears into the ground in unison, growling and shouting viciously. I raised my bow and faintly heard the sound of Aragorn drawing his sword somewhere along the line. The moment, I knew, was seconds away.