Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Helm's Deep

Chapter 8 –

"Make way for the king!" I heard someone call as we rode all to the keep. My hands curled tightly around the reins. When we stopped in the courtyard, Legolas approached Zara and helped me down.

"So few," I heard Éowyn say, "so few of you have returned."

"Our people are safe," Théoden commented. "We have paid for it with many lives."

I turned and caught Éowyn's eyes. Before she could approach me, Gimli approached her.

"My lady," he was quiet.

"Lord Aragorn," she asked hesitantly. "Where is he?"

"He fell," Gimli choked out.

Éowyn looked at me, tears filling her eyes, and then her father. I just walked away, hoping to get my mind off of things. I stopped a nearby guard. "Have you seen Freda and Éothan?"

"Right down that way," he pointed down the way.

I thanked him and headed that way, looking at every person I passed. I gave everyone a kind smile or a nod before I finally spied the two children hugging a woman. I approached them, causing the woman to smile at me. "You have two beautiful and brave children. You must be proud."

"Thank you, my lady," the mother had tears in her eyes.

"I'm just glad that I could be of help." I bowed slightly before making my way back up to the Keep.

I found a good spot on the steps by the throne and ask one of the servants wondering around for stone, wood, and string. When she comes back, I set to making more arrows since I unfortunately do not have a never-ending quiver. Théoden and Gamling approached a while later.

"What is your plan, my lord?" I asked, not looking up.

"Draw all our forces behind the wall," he easily responds. "Bar the gate and set a watch on the surround."

"What of those who cannot fight my lord?" A guard asked. "The woman and children?"

"Get them in the caves."

I threw down the stone and looked up at the shocked faces of the men of Rohan. "Your plan is to stay cooped up behind your walls? Like a cowardly lion? That snake of an advisor that you had when you were under Saruman's spell, is with him and probably told him that this is where you would go. The weasel knows any weaknesses that could be there. What if Saruman's army comes?"

"Saruman's arm would have grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here," Théoden snorted.

"It's long enough," I muttered before gathering my arrows and storming outside. The first thing I saw were two little girls, curled into one another. I couldn't help but think of Nicole.

Hope you are having a great week!

Much love,

~M