Different

Chapter 16

   I closed my eyes and prepared for the impact. Not even seconds later, I felt a pain in my chest from the impact of the giant stone. I was knocked over and pinned to the ground. "Bean!!" Legolas cried. When I realized I wasn't being crushed to death, I opened my eyes. "IT'S THE ARCH!" I cried out. "Bean?!" Legolas perplexed. I saw him come running over to me, confused as to how I was still alive. "It's the arch! I got the part of the drain that was arched!" I explained. "Oh my-of course you did," Legolas sighed. "What, are you-WATCH OUT-upset?" I asked, and he turned around and shot an orc. "Not at all!" Legolas shook his head. "Riiiight. Now help me out of here," I said, holding my hand out. Legolas grabbed my hand and pulled on me as hard as he could. Because I was so skinny, I slipped right out. He helped me to my feet.

   "Thanks," I smiled, then aimed my bow and arrow right next to his ear and released the arrow. It whistled by his ear, barely missing it, and shot an orc that was behind him. "You did that on purpose!" he grinned. "Maybe," I grinned back. "Come on, let's keep going! Before we die!" I suggested, and he nodded.

   Gimli was knocked off the wall and landed in the murky water that had come from the drain. Elves and men clashed with orcs, and several were killed instantly. Legolas, still atop the wall, threw a shield down on the ground, then ran after it, hopping on it and sliding down the stairs, shooting orcs on the way down. At the bottom of the steps he pushed the shield away from him and it lodged into an orc's chest, killing it. As another orc approached him he drew an arrow and stabbed an orc with it in the chest. "Show off!" I shouted.

   I nocked four arrows and backed up, then pulled back on the string, ran forward, and back-flipped off the wall, shooting orcs as I did. I landed on top of an orc, and I quickly unsheathed my knife and stabbed it. I landed right next to Legolas and smirked. "I win," I whispered, smiling smugly. "Oh be quiet, you," he teased lightly, shooting another orc.

   Aragorn shouted "To the keep!" to Haldir, and I turned to face said elf. He looked like he needed some help, so I unsheathed my sword and ran up the stairs and helped him fight off orcs. An orc shot at him, and the arrow went into his arm. He looked at it in shock. Another orc came behind him and raised its axe, but I sliced its arms off. "That's got to hurt," I said. Haldir nodded. "Go inside and get that fixed," I demanded, and he did so, hearing how firm and demanding my voice sounded.

   Everyone was running inside, retreating, but I kept fighting. "Tia!" Legolas shouted. "Come on!" "No!" I resisted, killing another orc. I was now the only person still fighting, and the orcs were overwhelming me. "You're going to die!" he cried. "I'd rather die like a hero than live like a coward," I said, barely audible. Five orcs raised their swords, ready to kill me, and I closed my eyes, ready to embrace death. I felt someone's hand grab my wrist and yank me back just as the orcs brought their swords down. I was dragged around until I was in the castle.

   "Hey! What are you doing? Stop it!" I yelled, yanking my arm from their grasp. I turned around to face Legolas. "Legolas! How could you?!" I said angrily. "I couldn't let you die," he nearly whispered. My face was red with anger, then I dragged my hand down my face and the look faded. "Legolas, you don't understand how important it is for me to die like a hero and not live like a coward," I muttered. "I know it's important to you, but you're important to me, and I wasn't just going to let you die," Legolas replied. My face took on a look of shock. "Oh. I'm sorry," I mumbled.

   Before he could say anything, orcs started breaking holes in the door. We got our bow and arrows and began shooting the orcs, who shot back, killing several people. Aragorn and the king were talking, then Aragorn grabbed Gimli and started to drag him away. "Oi! Where do you think you're going without me?" I asked, walking over to them and folding my arms. "Bean, stay inside," Aragorn said. "Nice try, but it's never going to work. I'm coming with," I stated stubbornly. Aragorn sighed, knowing there was no way he could win this. I followed them, and we exited through a side door. There was a gap between us and the orcs, and they didn't see us.

   "Oh come on, we can take 'em," Gimli whispered. "It's a long way," Aragorn whispered back. Gimli hesitated. "Toss me," he murmured. "What?!" Aragorn and I said in unison. "The distance is too far, you'll have to toss me!" Gimli responded, a bit louder. Aragorn reached for him, but he stopped him. "Don't tell the elf," he pleaded. I raised my eyebrows at him. "The other elf!" he said quietly. I suppressed my giggles. "Not a word," Aragorn promised.

   He reached for him again, but I stopped him. "Aragorn, can I do it?" I questioned. "Oh no, not you," Gimli disagreed. "Boy, Legolas would love to hear this-" I started, but Gimli cut me off. "Alright!" I grinned at him. I grabbed him and threw him across the gap, and he landed on some orcs. Aragorn jumped next, then me. We drew our swords and helped Gimli fight off some orcs.

   "Gimli! Aragorn! Get-oh, and you too, whoever you are-Get out of there!" King Théoden told us through a small hole in the wall, then he put up the last board and covered the hole. All of us were grabbed by an orc, and Legolas shouted, "Aragorn!" and threw down a rope. Aragorn elbowed his orc and reached the rope. Gimli jumped over to him and Aragorn grabbed him. "What about Bean?" Gimli inquired. "He's right. We can't all hang onto this rope, and you can't pull all of us up," Aragorn realized. Legolas looked torn.

   "Pull them up," I said. Legolas shook his head. I stabbed an orc. "It's save two people and lose one or lose all three of us. Pull them up," I ordered. "She's right, Legolas," Aragorn said sadly. I fought off more orcs so they'd stay away from the rope. "NOW! PULL THEM UP!" I bellowed. Legolas actually jumped back at the fierceness in my voice, then he began to pull them up. I fought off more orcs, but they were starting to overwhelm me again. Now I can die like a hero, I thought.