You let out a breath through your nose as you let loose your seventeenth arrow, watching with satisfaction as it sliced one of the rope pullies that held an Uruk-hai ladder to the Helms Deep wall. It fell to the ground, easily crushing fifty or so more Uruks. You were about to let more arrows fly when you saw Aragorn running to the front gate, Gimli close behind.

You jumped down from your position above the gate with ease, landing in front of King Theoden, your brows pinched in worry as he clutched his chest, clearly wounded. Aragorn spoke to the king as you looked around at the Rohan men doing their best to ward off the Uruks long enough to breakage the gate.

A doorway off to your left gave you an idea and just as you were about to enter through it Gimli called out, making you turn.

"Looks as tho the She-Elf was thinking the same thing."

You looked between Aragorn and Gimli, swapping your bow for your long sword. "I can manage."

The Dwarf stepped forward. "Not without me, you won't." He turned to Aragorn, nodding to the battlements. "Go on laddie, the lass and I will take care of these brainless bastards."

Aragorn looked to you, his eyes full of question to which you nodded, smiling knowingly. "Aid my brother and help us out when the time comes."

The ranger nodded before turning heel to go join Legolas. You looked to Gimli before talking off down the small hall. It quickly spit you both out on a little ledge. But it stopped just shy of reaching the Helms Deep gangway. You pressed your back against the wall looking for any way you can make it across. But there was not a stone, nick, or path to make it across. You turned to Gimli, your brows raising.

He bounced on the balls of his feet. "Oh come on, we can 'em."

"It's a long way."

Gimli looked to you then around you at the orc filled path. Looking to you one more time, Gimli leaned back then looked anywhere but at you.

"Toss me," he muttered.

You blinked, a smile pulling at your lips. "What?" You whispered.

"I cannot jump the distance, you'll have to toss me!" The Dwarf replied in a hurried harsh whisper.

You nodded once, bitting the inside of your cheek to keep yourself from laughing. But as you reached for him, Gimli turned to you, his eyes full of worry.

"Oh uh uh...Don't tell your brother."

You let yourself the barest of smiles, grasping onto his armor. "Not a word."

Then you tossed him, his body colliding with the nearest orcs and Uruks, his voice calling out in a battle cry. You quickly joined him, your Elvin body not making a sound as you landed among the enemy with your own war cry. Right away the doorway was cleared enough for the Rohan men to repatch the gate. Effortlessly, the two of you worked at keeping back the dirty orcs, slashing, dodging, and decapitating.

You could hear the Dwarf counting as he disposed of each of his victims. You weren't a part of the kill counting game your brother and Gimli were competing in, but that didn't mean you weren't keeping track on your own. Besides, you would hate to crush their weak minds with sixty-seven already.

Suddenly there came a rush of new orcs, their snarling faces and rancid bodies taking you off guard as they pushed back. Gimli kept on fighting, his little frame sure to get lost in the pile of bodies the two of you had procured. But that only told you it was time to get out of there. You pulled the dwarf closer to you, the two of you now fighting back to back.

Just then, Theoden's head appeared in the last gap of the gate, his hand still clutching his wound. " Gimli! (Y/n)! Get out of there!"

The two of you looked at the gate just before they boarded up the last hole. You look to each other the same thought running through your heads; how were you to get back in? But before that could be addressed, an Uruk-hai wrapped his arms around the two of you, his foul breath making you gag. But he was quickly unloaded onto the ground and over the side of the path. You and Gimli both moved at the same time grabbing its armor over your shoulders and bending over, hurdling it off your backs and to its death.

"(Y/N)!"

Legolas shouted your name, drawing your attention up to where he and Aragorn stood with a large rope that you assumed they were to pull you and Gimli to safety with. You turned to the Dwarf and pulled him to your side, his arms wrapping around your waist securely as you grasped the rope.

Suddenly there was a terrible, hot, sharp pain in your shoulder making you cry out as your grip on the rope loosened. But you didn't let go. Gimli held you tighter with one arm as he reached out to hold on to the rope with his other. You could hear Legolas and Aragorn call down to you but you ignored them, blinking back your pain.

"Are you alright (Y/n)?"

At first, you weren't sure was surprised you more, the pain of getting shot by an arrow or the fact Gimli had used your name. But you nodded nonetheless, doing your best to focus on holding on to the dwarf and the rope as your brother and friend pulled you both up.

"Start up the rope," you replied, pushing him up with your arm that was around him, the two of you now close to the top.

Aragorn reached over and pulled the Dwarf over and only then did you give in to your pain. You cried out as Legolas pulled you the rest of the way up, Aragorn taking hold of the arrow to stop the wound from getting worse. Gimli came over, taking your uninjured arm and placing it on his shoulder.

"Use me as a crutch, lassie and we will get you seen to. Then you must rest."

"Back to the Keep! Fall back! Fall back to the Keep!" Theoden's voice sounded through the battlements as men and elves running about and fighting off the ever-growing horde.

You shook your head. "Not quite yet, Gimli. We are far from victorious."

But the Dwarf wasn't going to have it. He looked to Aragorn, nodding his head. "The moment we are in the Keep, pull the arrow and leave her with me."

Legolas and Aragorn fended off any orc or Uruk that got too close as you and Gimli followed the others to safety. You could feel blood soaking your clothes, dripping down your elbow and back making you shiver. Gimli kept talking, telling you encouraging words as if you were dying. You would have found it amusing had you not been in so much pain.

Finally, the four of you were the last to enter the Keep, making sure all those who were still alive could make it in before closing it up. Gimli placed you on a bench, leaning you against a pillar. You closed your eyes and tried your best to breath, wincing with every moment of your arm. Aragorn came over and with the help of Legolas, dislodged the arrow and took off what armor you could spare so you could be mended. But the gate to the Keep was shaking with assault drawing everyone's attention.

You pushed away your brother and ranger friend, nodding to the gate. "See to that. I will not perish immediately."

Legolas took what bandage he had and shoved it in Gimli's hands. "Press the wound to stop the bleeding. Do not move her from this spot."

Gimli's eyes went wide as he nodded, his voice laced with near offense. "Don't  you worry, Laddie. I know how to mend a wound. Go on."

The two men left for the gate, leaving you with Gimli. Yet again. You closed your eyes and bit back a gasp as the dwarf did as he was told and saw to your wound. Something didn't feel right but it had been many centuries since your last major wound so you calking it up to not remembering what a wound felt like.

"I'm going to need you to help me (Y/n), my arms are a wee bit too short to reach around ya."

You weakly aided the Dwarf with wrapping a cloth around your chest and tunic, your vision blurry and your head pounding. Something was definitely wrong. You reached behind you, grabbing Gimli's arm as he finished tying off your bandage. Gently pulling him over to stand in front of you, you slowly blinked your eyes open and licked your drying lips.

"Gimli,"  you breathed, your heart starting to hammer as your head started to grow fuzzy.

Gimli reached up, tapping your cheek lightly with his hand. "I'm right here lass, speak or forever carry it."

You smiled weakly, your eyes no longer opening. You wanted to tell him the arrow was poisoned but there wasn't anything you knew anyone could do for you now. So you gently pushed the dwarf away, your head and body leaning heavily on the pillar next to you.

"Go. Aid the others. I can manage."

"But (Y/n)..."

You opened your eyes as far as you could, giving him a reassuring smile. "Go on. I shan't move from this spot."

Your eyes closed before you finished your sentence. But you knew he listened to you when your arm fell to your side as he left. He said something but you didn't quite catch it. Instead, your body started to shut down, your Elvin powers preserving your body until aid could arrive. Darkness consumed your thoughts as you felt your body relax completely on the pillar in an unconscious slumber.

~~~~

Gimli approached Aragorn who was speaking with Theoden about riding out. He didn't want to disrupt them but he was worried about you, your elven features looking quite wanting when he left you.

"Aragorn, forgive my interruption but (Y/n) has been seen to though I fear it will not be enough."

Thoden nodded, his face crestfallen. "Even now we perish with our last hope in these dwindling numbers."

Aragorn looked to Gimli, placing a hand on his shoulder then looked to Theoden. "Let us ride out to meet them."

Over the ranger's shoulder, the Dwarf could see light streaming in from the window, slowly lighting up the room. Gimli couldn't help but smile at what aid the morning light would bring. "The sun is rising."

Aragorn suddenly looked hopeful, turning to look to Gimli with a small smile. "(Y/n) will be alright. Go and sound the Hornburg. It is time."

Gimli did just that, sparing you a single glance to which he assumed you were resting. Gandalf arrived with Éomer and his Rohirrim. The battle was won but the Dwarf's heart was not yet at ease. The momentGandalf was done casing off the rest of the army, Gimli turned to him and begged him to see you. Gimli knew something was wrong with your wound when he bound it, the black lines already spreading up your back did not bode well with his mind.

~~~~~

The Wizard hurried with Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn close behind. All were shocked to find you on the floor, your bandage already soaked through but with blood nearly the color of tar. QUickly, Gimli rushed to your side, picking up your head and placing it in his lap as he stroked back the hair from our face. Aragorn and Gandalf busied themselves with your wound, leaving Gimli to keep you awake.

"Lassie, Gandalf is here. And he brought with him more horse riders. Not a surprise there."

Your eyes opened just a smidge to find Gimli smiling back down at you. "Perhaps he can give you your own horse."

Gimli chuckled. "Pity they don't train warrior ponies." You smiled weakly at that but didn't move other than close your eyes again to which he kept speaking. "You lied."

You peeked an eye, not alright with the accusation. "I did nothing of the sort. I did not move from my spot. Just my elevation."

Gimli looked to Gandalf and Aragorn, both nodding with small smiles that you would be alright. the Dwarf stroked back some of your hair. "True, true. Can you stand."

You nearly laughed. "I am an elf, not a wizard." You opened your eyes more and nodded. "But with your help, I can."

"Aye, Lass, I can help you."

Carefully, you were helped up to where Gimli and your brother stood either side of you to help you to a better room suited for the wounded. You looked down to the Dwarf and sent him a kind smile.

"Thank you for your help, Dwarf."

"Don't count yourself lucky. I just need you in case your brother can no longer lose to my killing count."

You raised your brow. "And that was..."

Gimli looked up proudly. "Forty-three."

"The same number as myself, might I add. No one lost this round."

Gimli looked perturbed but decided to ask a question instead of bicker. "And what of you, Lassie? I could see counting your own kills."

You looked straight ahead as you answered, a coy smile on your lips. "Eighty-seven."

Sorry if this one was sucky...to be completely honest Gimli is going to be a hard one to write for, I can tell you that now. But I'd love any and all ideas for him if you have any! Requests should open sometime in the next few days. Just wanted to get some of my own out there first. Anyways, ENJOY as I get these pumped out!