୨⎯ Chapter 17⎯୧
"One Final Try"

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AN ORC charged towards me, its features contorted in rage. I steeled myself, drawing upon my connection to nature. With a swift motion of my hand, vines erupted from the earth, entangling the orc's legs and rooting it in place. It snarled in frustration, struggling against its leafy bindings.

Seizing the opportunity, I summoned a gust of wind, knocking the orc off balance. Following up quickly, I called forth a barrage of sharp, thorned branches, launching them with deadly accuracy. The orc attempted to shield itself, but the branches pierced through its makeshift defense, leaving it battered and bleeding.

Just as I was about to finish off my foe, movement at the wall caught my eye. Dread gripped me as I witnessed Uruk-Hai methodically planting bombs with chilling efficiency.

"The bombs!" Aragorn's cry pierced the chaos, but it was too late. The explosion ripped through the wall, engulfing us in a maelstrom of destruction.

The force of the blast threw me backward amidst the debris and smoke. As I struggled to my feet, my side throbbing with pain, I surveyed the devastation. The once-impenetrable wall now lay in ruins, and Saruman's vile army poured through the breach.

I spotted Aragorn lying unconscious nearby and raced towards him. "Come on, Aragorn," I pleaded, shaking him urgently. "We need you!"

At the wall, Gimli leaped into the fray, knocking several Uruks down with the force of his attack. Aragorn, finally regaining consciousness, rallied the elves to shoot their arrows at the oncoming enemy. With swords drawn and battle cries echoing through the air, we charged towards the Uruk army, determined to hold the line.

Above us, the faeries took to the skies, their wings shimmering as they soared into action. They unleashed their formidable powers, tapping into the forces of nature to combat the orcish horde below. Some summoned gusts of wind to buffet the enemy ranks, while others conjured vines and thorns to entangle their foes.

I joined the aerial assault, calling forth wind and rain to batter the orcs surrounding me. My brother, Aine, and the rest of our army descended to the ground, their presence bolstering our ranks. Together, we pushed back against the darkness, refusing to yield to despair.

Despite our efforts, I watched in horror as our allies fell one by one. Each loss felt like a physical blow, but we fought on, pushing back against the relentless tide of enemies. Legolas, still atop the wall, slid down on a shield, his arrows finding their mark with deadly precision.

As the battle raged on, I saw Haldir struck down by an Uruk's blade. Aragorn's anguished cry pierced the air as he rushed to Haldir's side, but it was too late. The brave elf had fallen, joining the ranks of those who had given their lives in defense of Helm's Deep.

Spotting Legolas struggling against a group of Uruks, I rushed to his aid. "Ah, Liairse," he managed a half-smile despite the chaos, "always timely with your entrances."

"I couldn't let you have all the fun," I replied, summoning a gust of wind to sweep several orcs off their feet.

We fought back-to-back, my nature magic complementing his deadly archery. As I hurled rocks and vines at our foes, Legolas deftly dispatched them with his bow and arrows.

"To the throne room!" I called out, realizing our position was becoming untenable. We fought our way through the throng, clearing a path with a combination of arrows and whirlwinds.

As we neared safety, I spotted Aine and Khellan above us. My heart clenched as I saw Aine collapse upon landing, with Khellan rushing to support her. They made it to the throne room just before us, and I longed to check on them, but there was no time.

We burst into the throne room, where Theoden and his remaining soldiers hastily reinforced the door with furniture and debris. The king's voice was heavy with sorrow as he declared, "The fortress is taken. It is over."

Aragorn, ever defiant, countered, "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it!"

Another strike from the battering ram shook the room. I exchanged a glance with Aine, relieved when she nodded to indicate she was alright.

As hope dwindled, Aragorn proposed a daring plan. "Ride out with me," he urged Theoden, his eyes burning with resolve.

"For death and glory?" Theoden questioned.

"For Rohan. For your people," Aragorn affirmed.

As dawn broke, Theoden's resolve was renewed. "Yes... The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep... one last time!"

We mounted our horses, ready to face our fate. I sat behind Legolas, one arm around his waist and the other free to wield my powers. As Gimli blew the horn from the Hornberg, the doors finally gave way, and the Uruks surged into the hall.

"Forth Eorlingas!" Theoden shouted, leading his men into the fray. We charged forward, our swords flashing in the dim light as we rode to meet our destiny with courage and honor.

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