Thorin's little wolf (book 2)

Chapter 9

"Helm's Deep. They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not the king?" Gandalf grumbled as we made way to the stables.

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn said.

"There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is massacre. " Gandalf said.

Legolas pulled me aside making me meet his eyes, "There is something wrong with you" he said.

"It's that girl. She reminds me of myself when Thorin saved me. Hurt, scared and alone." I explained softly.

"You are fine now." He whispered pulling me away from Shadowfax's way.

"He'll be back won't he?" I asked worridly.

"Yes, he will." Aragorn answered walking away.

"Did I do something?" I asked and they shook their heads making me frown an head to the hall to see Aragorn talking to Eowyn.

"Come on we are leaving." Gimli said placing a hand to my back.

"Coming" I said walking behind him. Refusing to get on a horse again I walked by foot next to Aragorn's horse with Gimli and Eowyn in front of them.

"It's true, you don't see many Dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men." He said and Eoywn turned around to look at Aragorn.

"It's the beards." He whispered motionning for a beard making me laugh silently while nodding at the woman.

"This, in turn, has given rise to the belief that there are no Dwarf women and that Dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground ," He said and she laughed loudly, "which is, of course, ridiculous" he finished when his horse ran forward making him fall onto the ground and she ran to him laughing, "It's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate." He said as she helped him up.

"Are you sure you want to walk?" Aragorn asked.

"Yes. Though my wolf wants to run." I admitted and he nodded.

The following day, I walked next to king Theoden as Aragorn and Eowyn walked next to each other. I met the king's eyes  and smiled before turning to look to where I am going. No need to trip over and make myself look stupid.

"You look like one with the air of kings" he said making me turn to him.

"I am the adoptive daughter of Thorin Oakenshiled. The previous king under the mountain. My real heritage is  of the Dunedain." I answered with a smile.

"So you are a princess." he hummed nodding and I nodded along with him.

I stopped as soon as a scent hit my nose and started sniffing the air before turning to the king, "They need to get to safety. Warg riders they are approaching." I said. And at that moment as if by cue the scout shouted. 'Wargs'. Aragorn and Legolas ran towards the scout before going back to us.

"What is it? What do you see?" Theoden asked.

"Warg! We're under attack! Get them out of here!" Aragorn shouted. Panic started in the midst of the travellers.

"All riders to the head of the column." Theoden ordered. I ran past him sword in hand,  passing Legolas and attacking the first Warg and his rider. We fought Wargs and orcs one by one successfully killing them all. after killing my last Orc I saw Legolas and Gimli's faces as they held worry in them all while looking down the cliff.

"Where is Aragorn?" I asked urgently.

"He fell" Gimli answered grimly

"No! No! Please no!" I whispered in denial walking towards the cliff but Legolas held me to his chest, "Legolas" I whimpered holding onto him.

"Let us go to Helm's Deep." Theoden told them a grim look on his face.

We followed the king towards Helm's Deep with the few who remained. Eowyn ran towards us. "So few. So few have returned" Eowyn said in shock.

"Our people are safe. We have paid for it with many lives." Theoden said.

"My lady." Gimli walked toward Eowyn with Legolas and I behind him.

"Lord Aragorn, where is he?" She asked.

"He fell." Gimli answered and I instantly pressed her face to Legolas' side as he held me closer. Eowyn stared in shock tearing up she fell onto her knees. I instantly hugged her letting her cry onto my shoulder until she calmed down.

"Eowyn, you need to hold on. Your people need you to help them and support them. Can you do that?" I asked.

"Yes" she nodded in answer.

"Good." I nodded helping the woman up.

"Thank you, Luth." Eowyn said with a smile.

"No problem, Eowyn." I smiled walking away before settling on one of the towers watching over the plains when my eyes fell on a lone rider riding toward Helm's Deep. Jumped to my feet as soon as the scent reached my nose. "Aragorn" I whispered running down the stairs to see Gimli hugging Aragorn.

"Bless you, laddie." Gimli said hugging Aragorn again.

"Aragorn!" I called jumping at him hugging him hard and he hugged back.

"Luth! Gimli! Where is the king?" He asked and Gimli pointed to the Great Hall. Aragorn nodded walking toward the hall with us following after him.

"You're late." Legolas said then looked at Aragorn for a while, "you look terrible." He said making Aragorn chuckle. Legolas handed Aragorn the Evenstar who looked at it for a while before looking up.

"Hannon le" he said walking toward the king leaving Legolas, Gimli and I alone.

"There will be a battle. I can tell." Legolas said.

"Great!" I grinned excited to kill few Orcs. Maybe too many to satisfy myself.

Theoden walked out of the hall talked to one of his knights as he lead us through the causeway. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping wall. Or set foot inside the Hornburg!" He said.

"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armour is thick and their shields broad." Gimli said.

"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep." Theoden said.

"Gimli is right, Theoden King. Those Uruks have the blood of Azog the defiller in them. They are not normal but fire might work, set fire traps. They will help more."  I said watching as Theoden walked away.

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn." Aragorn said.

"We've seen it before. Crops can be resown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls we will outlast them." Theoden said.

"They have not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people down to the last child." Aragorn said and Theoden turned to him pulling him closer.

"What will you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance." Theoden whispered harshly before turning away.

"Send out riders my lord. You must call for aid." Aragorn argued.

"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead." Theoden said.

"Gondor will answer." Aragorn said.

"Gondor?! Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?! Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in on us?! Where was Gon...?!" Theoden whispered harshly but stopped then looked up at Aragorn, "No, my lord Aragorn we are alone." He whispered.

"Aragorn, we can do it. One way or another. There is always hope." Legolas said.

"We are by your side, Aragorn" I said with a smile and Gimli nodded.