୨⎯ Chapter 12⎯୧
"Road to Helms Deep"

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AS THE Edoras' citizens journeyed across the plains, I awed at their resilience. Despite the looming threat of war, they were able to stay determined, and create a fellowship amongst them.

Gimli, perched atop his horse, told us with tales of dwarf folklore. "It's true you don't see many dwarf women," he declared with a hearty laugh. "And in fact, they're so alike in voice and appearance that they're often mistaken for dwarf men."

Eowyn, holding the reins of Gimli's horse, joined in the conversation. She glanced back at Aragorn, who rode a short distance behind, a playful twinkle in her eye.

Aragorn leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's the beards," he added with a mischievous grin, gesturing toward his own scruffy chin.

Eowyn stifled a laugh, shooting him a playful glare before turning her attention back to Gimli.

"And this has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women," Gimli continued, "and that dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground! Which is, of course, ridiculous..."

"Huh, and here I thought they really simply just sprouted from the ground. Could've fooled me," I quipped, flashing Gimli a teasing grin from atop my own horse.

Before Gimli could continue, his horse suddenly bolted forward, catching Eowyn off guard. With a yelp, she lost her grip on the reins, watching helplessly as the horse galloped away.

I couldn't stifle a laugh at the sight of the dwarf tumbling to the ground. "Looks like someone needs a bit more practice in the saddle," I joked.

Gimli, now sprawled on the ground, tried to save face. "Alright! Alright, nobody panic," he declared. "It was deliberate, it was deliberate."

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Up ahead, I caught sight of Legolas standing atop a hill, a sense of urgency apparent in his posture. I urged my horse forward, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. As I approached him, however, I noticed a furrow of concern marring his usually serene expression.

"What's wrong, my love?" I inquired, my brow furrowing in confusion.

Legolas turned to me, his gaze troubled. "There's a shift in the wind. Something feels amiss," he replied, his voice tinged with unease.

A shiver ran down my spine at his words. Suddenly, a warg of Isengard thundered towards us. Hama, knocked from his horse, was helplessly tossed aside by the monstrous beast.

My hands flew to my mouth in shock, my horse beginning to panic. "Woah, calm!" I pleaded desperately, trying to regain control.

But there was no time for reassurance. Legolas sprinted down the hillside, his graceful form a blur of motion against the backdrop of chaos.

My own steed threw me to the ground with a jolt, leaving me sprawled on the grass with a pained groan. I forced myself to my feet just in time to witness Legolas fell the warg with a precise arrow.

Rushing towards the fallen orc, I unleashed a punch to Legolas's arm, earning a surprised yelp from him. "Didn't think to lend a hand to your betrothed, did you? I was thrown, you ass!" I seethed.

"Now isn't the time, Liairse!" Aragorn's voice cut through the chaos.

"It was a joke you grumpy man," I shot back, my voice laced with bitterness.

Amidst Theoden's commanding voice urging the riders to the front, I steadied myself. Drawing upon the earth itself, I summoned two large rocks, holding them aloft as I awaited my opportunity to strike.

In the heat of battle, I hurled boulders with all my might. One struck true, knocking a warg and its rider off balance, but the victory was short-lived as the enemy quickly regrouped.

As Aragorn thundered toward me, I vaulted over his horse, using its momentum to propel me closer to the fray. Landing gracefully, I unleashed another surge of earth magic, causing the ground to tremble and crack beneath a warg's feet.

Suddenly, an orc blindsided me, knocking me to the ground. As I struggled to rise, frustration fuelled my determination. The orc swung first with its javelin, but I swiftly dodged, using my elbow to push it off balance.

I called upon my boulders once again, combining them to make a bigger one, and let it smash the orc's head. The sound of its bones crushing was oddly satisfying, and I let out a battle cry as I repeated this movement.

However, victory was short-lived as the orc's warg charged at me with vengeance in its eyes. I side-stepped, hoping to miss its pounce, but it managed to swipe me with its claw, gashing into my side.

I let out a gasp, pain filling my side as blood seeped out. Cornered against a rocky outcrop, I faced the warg with trepidation. But just as the creature prepared to strike, an arrow pierced its chest, sending it crashing to the ground.

Surprised and grateful, I turned to see Legolas sprinting toward me. "Liairse, are you alright?" he asked, his tone filled with worry. "Let me help you. We need to get you to safety. Can you stand?"

Reluctantly, I nodded. "Lead the way," I conceded. With Legolas' supportive arm around me, we began to navigate through the now quiet battlefield.

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As the dust settled, Legolas surveyed the chaos around us, a sinking feeling gripping my heart as Aragorn remained elusive. Beside me, Gimli mirrored my worry.

"Aragorn?"

Ignoring Legolas's concerned glance, I pushed myself forward, each step a battle against the pain coursing through my body. Though he said nothing, Legolas respected my silent determination and followed close behind.

Our search led us to the cliff's edge, where Sharku lay, barely clinging to life. Gimli wasted no time, his axe poised threateningly at the orc's neck.

"Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing," Gimli demanded.

Sharku's laughter echoed, a chilling sound laced with malice. "He's... dead! He took a little tumble off the cliff."

Legolas's fury surged, his grip tightening on the orc. "You lie!" he growled, his eyes flashing with anger.

As Sharku's laughter faded into silence with his passing, Legolas discovered Aragorn's Evenstar pendant clutched in the orc's hand. Retrieving it, he approached the cliff-edge, peering down at the raging river below.

Theoden joined him, offering silent support, while Gimli and I stood nearby, sharing in the weight of grief and disbelief.

Theoden's voice broke the heavy silence. "Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead."

"That can't be it. You're just going to give up? We must search for him," I interjected, unable to contain my disbelief.

"We carry on. Let us be done with this," Theoden replied firmly, resting his hand on Legolas's shoulder before guiding him away from the cliff, leaving behind the painful reminder of our fallen companion.

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