▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐎𝐧𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐈𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎"𝐖𝐄'𝐋𝐋 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 reserves among the wall," Aragorn explained, Ellaria and Legolas following behind him. "They can support the archers from above the gate."

     "Aragorn, you must rest." Legolas argued. "You're no use to us half alive."

     Ellaria sighed. "I've tried that approach already. He won't even sit still long enough for me to properly heal his wounds."

     "Aragorn!" Eowyn's voice called out from in front of them. She pushed through the people, calling out his name again before coming to a stop in front of him. "I am to be sent with the women into the caves."

     Aragorn nodded. "That is an honorable charge."

     "To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return. What renown in there is that?"

     "My lady, a time may come for a valor without renown." Aragorn claimed. "Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"

     "Let me stand at your side," Eowyn pleaded.

     "It is not in my power to command it." Aragorn shook his head, turning to walk away.

     "You do not command the others to stay!" Eowyn shouted. "They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you." Aragorn turned to her, meeting her eyes. "Because they love you." Ellaria cleared her throat, staring at Eowyn with slight warning. Eowyn bowed her head. "I'm sorry." She turned and left.

     Aragorn turned to look at Ellaria and Ellaria cocked her head to the side. "Aragorn, is there something you need to tell me?" He said nothing, only shook his head and walked past her. Ellaria shared a look with Legolas before following after him. They entered the quarters that contained all of their fighters. Some were old, others were merely children. Their king was sending them to their deaths.

     "Farmers, farriers, and stable boys." Aragorn mumbled, shaking his head. "These are no soldiers."

      Ellaria, who was examining one of her daggers with her foot propped up against the wall, looked up at him. "I told you, he is a fool."

     Gimli shook his head. "Most have seen too many winters."

     "Or too few," Legolas added. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes." The crowd grew quiet, turning to look at him. "And they should be. Three hundred against ten thousand!"

     "They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras," Aragorn tried.

     "Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!"

     "Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn shouted back.

     Ellaria quickly stepped between them. "Boys, let's not do this here." She pointed at Aragorn and then towards the door. "You, go. Your wounds are getting looked at, I do not care what you say." She turned to Legolas. "You, mind your tongue. I understand your point, but we are out of options." Aragorn turned and walked away and Ellaria followed after him.

     When they were by themselves, she pointed to a chair. "Sit." He listened, sitting down and letting her examine his wounds. She ripped an old cloth, finding some water and dipping it in. She walked over to him, cleaning his shoulder. "You are lucky this isn't infected." Aragorn continued to sit in silence, letting Ellaria work. When she was done, she stepped back. "You should not push him."

     "He started it."

     Ellaria rose a brow. "What, are you children? He is not wrong, Aragorn, and you know it." She put away her supplies. "And neither are you. We have limited options here. We will fight with them, just as we promised to do. But there is a high chance that we do not come out of this alive or unscathed."

     She perched herself against the table that was beside the chair Aragorn was still sitting in. "I know Legolas, he will apologize." Aragorn only nodded and Ellaria crossed her arms. "Do you and I need to have a conversation about Eowyn?"

     "There is nothing there, Princess."

     "I would hope not." Ellaria breathed. "Last I heard, you still loved my sister. She may not be here, but I will protect her heart. Even if it's from you." She nodded her head to the side. "Go. Nightfall is quickly approaching." He stood and left. Ellaria softly sighed and shook her head. "Men."

As nightfall fell, Ellaria laid out Aragorn's armor for him, helping him put it on. She took a step back, allowing herself to check all her weapons. She made sure her swords and knives were sharp and that all of her arrows were perfectly intact. She held one of her daggers, narrowing her eyes on a spot. She grabbed a cloth and began cleaning it, glancing up when Legolas walked in, handing Aragorn's sword out to him.

     Aragorn nodded, taking the sword from him. "We have trusted you this far," Legolas said. "You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair."

     Aragorn shook his head, grasping his shoulder. "There is nothing to forgive, Legolas." Legolas placed his hand on Aragorn's shoulder, a small smile pulling to his lips. Ellaria replaced her dagger in its spot, walking over to the two of them. She opened her mouth to speak but paused upon noticing Gimli's entrance.

     Gimli held up the chain mail covering his body. "We had time, I'd get this adjusted." He let go of the armor and it dropped, reaching to the ground. Ellaria placed a hand over her mouth, snickering. "It's a little tight across the chest." Ellaria chuckled out loud while Aragorn and Legolas smiled in amusement. A horn sounded from a distance and Ellaria furrowed her brows.

     "That is no Orc horn," Legolas commented.

     Ellaria's face brightened as she grabbed Legolas's hand. "Haldir." She smiled before running out of the room. Legolas and Aragorn were quick to chase after her. Ellaria rounded a corner, coming to a stop at the top of the stairs when she saw Haldir and his army standing there, with Theoden in front of them. "Haldir," Ellaria breathed. She quickly made her way down the steps, Aragorn and Legolas hot on her heels. In an instant she wrapped her arms around him and Haldir hugged her back. "My friend, you came."

     "You called," Haldir smiled, pulling back to meet her eyes.

     Ellaria stepped to the side as Aragorn came forwards, hugging Haldir as well. He had expected it from Ellaria, but he couldn't contain his surprise when Aragorn had copied her actions. "You are most welcome," Aragorn breathed as he pulled away, offering the Elf a smile. Legolas and Haldir grasped each others shoulders in greeting.

     Haldir turned his head to Theoden. "We are proud to fight alongside Men once more." Haldir then furrowed his brows before meeting Theoden's eyes again. "A message from Lord Elrond, he says to have care how you speak to our Princess Warrior. For your own sake."

     Ellaria pressed her lips together, fighting back her smile. She cleared her throat and looked at Haldir. "Follow me." She nodded her head before leading the Elves to their posts.

     Men and Elves alike lined the walls of Helm's Deep. Ellaria stood beside Legolas, glancing towards the sky and is thundered. A storm was coming, more than one. The Uruk-Hai army became visible in the distance, marching closer and closer to them. Gimli, who couldn't even see over the wall, scoffed. "You could have picked a better spot." Aragorn walked up behind them and Gimli glanced at him. "Well, lad, by whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."

     Lightning striked, illuminating the night sky. "Your friends are with you, Aragorn." Legolas assured.

     Gimli said more gloomily, "Let's hope they last the night." Another clap of thunder echoed before rain began pouring down on them. The army grew closer and closer to them.

     Aragorn walked through the Elves. "Show them no mercy for you shall receive none!" The leader let out a yell and the army stopped marching.

     Gimli jumped, trying to see over the wall. "What's happening out there?"

     Legolas smirked. "Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?" Gimli looked at him and laughed. Ellaria could only smile at the exchange. Her gaze focused on the Orcs as they began stomping in place. She aimed her arrow, as did the other archers, patiently waiting for the order. However, the order did not come as one of the older men loosened his grip and sent the arrow flying into one of the Orcs.

    "Hold!" Aragorn shouted. They all watched as the Orcs stopped stomping, watching as the one who had been shot slowly fell to the ground. The Orcs howled in outrage and the war began. "Prepare to fire!" The Elves all moved in sync, notching an arrow into their bows and aiming.

     "Their armor is weak at the neck and beneath the arm." Legolas informed.

     "Release arrows!" Aragorn ordered and hundreds of arrows went flying through the air, killing the Orcs they'd landed in.

     "Did they hit anything?" Gimli asked, but neither Ellaria nor Legolas answered. Theoden ordered his Men to release their arrows and another wave of Orcs went down. Arrows continued to be aimed and fire, trying to keep the Orcs from reaching them, but it was inevitable. The Orcs had their own arrows and were starting to shoot back. Ellaria quickly caught one that came right for her, putting it in her bow and firing it back.

The Orcs placed ladders against the wall and began climbing up to them. They all switched to their swords upon Aragorn's orders, slicing down any of the Orcs that came up on the ladders. Ellaria quickly knocked one away from her, turning and stabbing another. She turned again, slicing one's head off and then sending her sword through the throat of another.

     Gimli, naturally, was having the time of his life as he put his axe into the face of one of the creatures. "Legolas! Two already!" Gimli shouted.

     "I'm on 17!" Legolas replied.

     "Huh?! I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!" He killed another.

     Ellaria turned to face them, throwing her head back into an Orc and pushing her sword backwards into its torso. She pulled her sword out and scoffed. "Are you two really competing right now?"

     Legolas turned to Gimli and yelled, "19!"

Ellaria only rolled her eyes, but her lip quirked in amusement as she stabbed another Orc. One grabbed her from behind, pulling her head back as one came at her from the front. She clenched her teeth, quickly hiking up her legs and kicking the oncoming Orc in the chest, she let her legs fall and pulled herself into a roll, throwing the other holding onto her away. She stood, quickly killing both of them before spinning and killing another. She ran over to of the ladders, grabbing onto it and quickly pushing it away from the wall, watching as it fell and killed a few more of the creatures as it landed on the ground.

Gimli could be heard still counting out loud and Ellaria only shook her head, but shrugged. She would take place in their little game, just without their knowing. She quickly ducked under a blade, bringing up her own and driving it right through the Orcs head. She turned her head, watching as Orcs were making their way up the causeway with shields surrounding them. They were trying to break through.

She turned her head to look down at the battle field, her eyes narrowing in on an Orc carrying a blazing torch that was meant to set off an explosion. Legolas was trying to kill him, but his arrows weren't doing much on their own. Ellaria quickly pulled out her own bow and began firing but the Orc jumped through out of sight and a part of the wall exploded. Ellaria dodged two of the bigger pieces, but before she could react one landed on her, hitting her hard in the head, leaving her blacked out as she tumbled to the ground below her.