Agardess looked up at the sound of the screams. Her grip tightened on her bow.

"A scout!" Legolas called back, heaving the body of the dead Orc away from him. Aragorn ran down to the group.

"What is it? What do you see?" Theoden asked him riding towards to him before bringing his horse to a stop. Agardess was running now and she was soon beside the king.

"Orcs!" Aragorn yelled running past him. "We are under attack!" The crowd started to panic, people sending out frightened cries. Agardess drew her knives and started running towards the direction Aragorn had come from, but Theoden had grabbed her arm.

"I cannot let a woman risk her life," He hissed using the other hand to draw his sword.

"Then think of me as a man," Agardess hissed ripping her arm out of his grasp and rushed forward. Theoden turned his horse around, yelling orders to the people behind, but Agardess was already running.

Agardess came to a stop next to Legolas, who stood on a slope, watching Wargs race towards them. He notched some arrows and shot them into the upcoming Wargs. The riders came up behind them.

"Agardess," Aragorn yelled. Agardess swung herself up behind him, noticing Legolas did the same thing, except he landed in front of Gimli.

The collision was a bloody one. Wargs ripped their claws into horses' throats and threw riders. Agardess soon dismounted from Aragorn's horse, landing on a Warg's back. She sliced off the head of the Orc that was riding the Warg before sinking her knives into the Warg's skull, killing it.

"Agardess!" She whirled to the sound of her name. "Duck!" She did so, nearly taking a knee. An arrow whizzed over her head, killing an Orc that was behind her. She lunged forward, her knives plunging into the chest of an Orc. She pulled them out, their entire blade now covered in Orc blood. She swung them once, trying to shake off the droplets of blood before tossing herself back into battle.

She swung herself around, a killing a machine. She killed everything in her path, losing track of every friend. In her killing frenzy she was sure that she would no longer be able to tell friend from foe, but it never came down to that. Soon the battle had ended, the field littered with bodies, both friends and foe.

Agardess wiped blood off her face, knowing for a fact that it wasn't her's. She looked around the battered men, looking for any sign of a blond elf, or a dwarf, or Aragorn. She found Gimli, standing with his axe still raised. Agardess started towards him only to have her arm caught in someone's grasp. She grabbed for her knife which she had sheathed.

"Where is Aragorn?" Legolas asked her, releasing her arm. She let go of her knife.

"Have you not seen him?" She asked surveying the field again.

"I haven't."

"Perhaps we should ask Gimli," Agardess jerked her head in his direction and Legolas nodded, setting off towards him.

"Aragorn!" Legolas called, Agardess right behind him. Together their voices raised over the sound of marching footsteps, causing Gimli to turn to them. He too joined in with their calling, adding his gruff voice to the musical tone of theirs. Legolas stopped at a cliff, kneeling down. A seemingly dead Orc chuckled next to him. Legolas turned to him, Agardess too pivoted. The two elves towered over the Orc, glaring down at it. Gimli shoved past them, holding his axe to the Orc's neck.

"Tell me what happened and I might ease your passing," Gimli demanded. Agardess had to admit, the dwarf was threatening.

"He's dead," The Orc wheezed. Legolas stepped forward and Agardess drew a sharp breath. "He took a little tumble off the cliff." Agardess turned her gaze to the cliff looking out at it, her heart dropping in her chest. Legolas dropped to his knees, seized the Orc by the shoulders.

"You lie," He hissed, his face angry. Agardess stepped towards them, her eyes sad. The Orc continued laughing, before he shuddered and drew his last breath. Legolas released the body and Agardess set a comforting hand on his shoulder. Legolas reached into the Orc's hand, pulling out a silver charm, he looked at it, and closed his hand. He stood up quickly and stormed off to the edge of the cliff, Agardess' hand falling off his shoulder. He stood at the edge with Theoden, Gimli and Agardess following.

Agardess looked off the edge. At the swirling water and jagged rocks, it seemed impossible for anyone to survive a fall like that.

"Get the wounded on horses," Theoden ordered. Agardess, Legolas and Gimli did not move. "The wolves of Isengard will return... Leave the dead." Legolas turned his gaze to the king, Agardess too looking over at him. Theoden seemed like he wanted to say more to the group, however a simply told them to come instead.

~*~

Agardess walked. She chose to rather than to take one of the dead's horses, she wasn't wounded and she was an Elf. She would walk the distance to Helm's deep however far it may be.

"Are you sure you wish not to ride?" Gimli asked as Legolas pulled his horse to a slow pace, keeping pace with her's.

"I am sure." Her tone was flat, she couldn't think of anything but that of losing Aragorn. Legolas looked down at her.

"Take a horse Agardess, you just fought a battle, besides, we do have extras," Legolas reasoned quietly. Agardess shook her head.

"I'd rather walk," She insisted. Legolas sighed and Agardess knew she wasn't making Aragorn's passing any easier on him. "But there is no need for you to keep pace with me, if needed I'll keep pace with you." From behind Legolas Gimli muttered something about the stamina of elves.

"I'd rather keep pace with you than for you to keep pace with us," Legolas replied smoothly, ignoring Gimli's comment.

~*~

"Helm's Deep!" Villagers cried, Agardess could almost see the tears of joy in their eyes. Agardess was almost with them, wishing for nothing more than to let herself sleep. She let out a heavy sigh before quickening her pace, ready to enter Helm's Deep.

"Make way for the King!" Someone yelled and everyone who had fought the Wargs quickened, moving into Helm's Deep as one.

Agardess kept pace with the horse that Legolas and Gimli rode on, even when they quickened to a trot, she quickened her pace too, not wanting to lose them in the flood of people. It was teary, families were reunited in cheerful cries. Agardess closed her hand on the reins, not wanting to let them get too far away from her.

She held her hand out to Gimli, who took it, but not without complaining about role reversal. Agardess shook her head fondly, and helped the dwarf from the horse, nearly picking him up.

"So few..." Eowyn said coming up to us. "So few of you have returned." Agardess shifted a little, but made no move to respond. Theoden rode up, looking down at Eowyn from atop his horse.

"Our people are safe, we have paid for it with many lives." A hand slipped into Agardess' and on impulse Agardess clutched it. She knew it was Legolas'. She knew that without even looking at the elf next to her. Eowyn walked over to the three of them, her face etched with worry.

"Lord Aragorn... Where is he?" She demanded. We all shifted, but Gimli spoke up.

"He fell-" But he broke off, too choked up to speak. Disbelief crossed over her face and she turned her gaze to Agardess. Agardess met her gaze before lowering her head, clinging to Legolas' hand like a lifeline. Eowyn turned her gaze to Theoden, who didn't meet it.

The pounding of feet brought Agardess' head up. She noticed Eowyn had run off, but she made no move to follow. Like all of them, she needed time to grieve.

"Draw all our forces behind the wall. Bar the gate and set a watch on surround," Theoden ordered.

"What of those who cannot fight my lord?" A guard asked.

"Take them to the caves, Saruman's arm would have grown long indeed to reach us in there." Guards scrambled around but Theoden turned to Agardess his face strained.

"You will not go?" He asked. Agardess nodded her head, not moving her eyes from the king's face.

"Have you forgotten my request already?" She asked, Theoden pressed his lips into a thin line, but shook his head before turning his horse around, riding off to a different area.

"What request?" Gimli asked and Agardess let go of Legolas' arm.

"I asked he think of me as he would of a man." She turned then, flipping the hood of her cloak over her head, hiding her face. Being mistaken for a man wasn't a concern, in fact, it were better if they did.

~*~

"Where is he?" Gimli roared, Agardess raced behind him, not understanding the urgency in the dwarf's voice. "Where is he? Get out of the way," Gimli demanded, pushing people, Agardess slipped past the people he pushed, still following the dwarf. "I'm gonna kill him!" He was soon standing in front of Aragorn, huffing slightly. "You are the luckiest, the canniest (?), and the most reckless man I ever knew!" Tears started to well up in the dwarf's eyes and he rushed forward to embrace Aragorn. "Bless you laddie!"

"Gimli? Where is the king?" Gimli sighed and nodded in a direction. Aragorn walked over to Agardess and wrapped his arms around her. She surprised herself and hugged back.

"You foolish man," She scolded slightly. "Give us some warning next time!" Aragorn smiled slightly before taking off in the direction Gimli had pointed out to him. The dwarf and the elf following closely. They were stopped by Legolas.

"Le abdollen (you're late)," Legolas said his eyes searching Aragorn's face. His face was decorated in a small smile and his eyes traveled to his wounded shoulder. He frowned. "You look terrible." Aragorn smiled and laughed drawing the attention of Eowyn.

Legolas handed the Evenstar and Agardess stepped next to them, blocking Eowyn's view. Aragorn looked down at it, before looking back up at Legolas. Legolas smiled.

"Hannon le, (Thank you)." He said quietly. Agardess shifted a little, giving Eowyn a view of the gem as Aragorn slipped it around his neck.

"Shall we?" Gimli asked and the four turned to the hall of the king.

Aragorn pushed open the heavy doors, striding forward. The king gave him an astonished look.

~*~

"A great host you say?" Theoden asked, his back facing Aragorn.

"All Isengard is emptied."

"How many?"

"Ten thousand strong... at least."

"Ten thousand?" The king turned to Aragorn.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose." The king walked forward. "To destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall. The king turned away, walking down the hall.

"Let them come." Everyone present in the hall followed the king outside, keeping pace. "I want every man and strong lad, able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall." The king continued walking, half the former Fellowship following.

"We will cover the causeway and gate from above." He surveyed it. "No army has ever breached the deeping wall or stepped foot in the Hornburg."

"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs," Gimli interrupted. "These are Uruk-Hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad." The king stepped forward, towering over the dwarf.

"I have fought many wars Master Dwarf," He spoke almost as if he were offended. "I know how to defend my own keep." Theoden brushed past him, re-entering Helm's Deep. Aragorn and Legolas followed, Agardess right behind but the dwarf was stunned for a moment, but as soon as he came too he followed, bringing up the rear.

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock." Theoden was saying. Saruman's horde will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown, Homes, rebuilt. Within these walls we will outlast them."

"They have not come to destroy Rohan's crops of villages," Aragorn said voicing Agardess' concern. "They've come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!" Theoden turned sharply, facing Aragorn. He grabbed Aragorn's arm, pulling him towards him. Agardess reached for her knives, but Legolas laid a hand on her shoulder, warning her not to.

"What will you have me do?" He hissed. "Look at my men! Their courage hangs by a thread! If this is to be our end, then I will have them make such an end that is is worth of remembrance."

"Send out riders my lord," Aragorn said calling the king back from his walk. "You must call for aid."

"And who will come? Elves?" He glanced over at Legolas and Agardess, who both shifted in uncomfort. "Dwarves?" Gimli too shifted as the king's gaze landed on him. "We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."

"Gondor will answer."

"Gondor! Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon-" He cut himself off and looked down. "No my lord Aragorn," Theoden said looking up and meeting Aragorn's eyes. "We are alone." He backed up then, leaving the small group.

~*~

Aragorn tossed a sword back onto a table and Agardess looked up at him. He turned away from her and ran a hand down his face in frustration.

"Farmers," He said. "Farriers, stable boys, these are no soldiers."

"Most have seen too many winters," Gimli said as he surveyed the crowd.

"Or too few," Legolas added softly. Agardess made her way over to them, placing her hand on Aragorn's shoulder and he shifted so she could stand next to him. "Look at them," Legolas continued. "They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes." Agardess looked at the young boy next to her, she too noticed how his hands shook as he gripped his sword. Legolas turned away before turning back again. "Boe a hyn neled herian... (and they should be, three hundred) dan caer menig! (against ten thousand)" Agardess shifted in uncomfort.

"Si beriathar hyn ammeag na ned Edoras. (They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras)," Aragorn replied.

"Men i ndagor hyn u ortheri, (They cannot win this fight)" Legolas spat out the words. "Natha daged aen! (They are all going to die!)" He was practically yelling now.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn yelled stepping forward. They were close to each other now, almost nose to nose. Aragorn turned away, pushing through the crowd. Legolas started after him.

"Let him go lad," Gimli said not understanding quite what was going on. "Let him be." Legolas seemed to sigh, he turned and walked the opposite way, Agardess followed him.

"I messed up... didn't I?" He said leaning on the railing that overlooked the soon to be battle field.

"I'm not the Elf you should be asking for relationship advice," She started coming up next to him. "But yes, I think you messed up. It's like what you said to be back in Moria, you need to have faith." Legolas sighed.

"I'll apologize later, for now we have to get armor." Agardess nodded at him and followed him back into the armory. They dressed lighter than all of the men, knowing they could survive an injury a man could not. Perhaps it was one of the reasons why elves were valuable in a fight, they could move with speed and were harder to kill.

Agardess felt herself staring at Legolas, memorizing every inch of his face. She knew there was a chance that this was going to be the last time she would be seeing it and she wanted it to stick in her memory. She looked down at her armor, finishing the last straps before glancing up. Legolas was looking at her, a soft smile playing with his lips.

"What?" She asked pushing her weapons back into place.

"You were staring at me. Why?" Agardess looked down at his statement and tried not to push. She pushed the last knife into place before straightening.

"Just try not to die," She said bumping his shoulder with her own as she pushed past him. Legolas chuckled and followed her to where Aragorn was getting prepared on the other side of the armory. Aragorn turned to reach for his sword, but looked up when he noticed it wasn't there. Legolas held it out to him, Agardess standing silently by his side.

"We have trusted you this far and you have not lead us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair," Legolas apologized, still offering the sword. Aragorn took it and rested it against his side.

"U-moe edamed, Legolas (There is nothing to forgive, Legolas)." Aragorn placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder, Legolas repeating the action. The two smiled at eachother and dropped their arms.

"If there was time, I'd get this adjusted," Gimli stated coming up to the two. He dropped the chain mail and the end hit the floor. Agardess cracked a smile at the sight of him. "It's a little tight across the chest." Legolas and Aragorn smiled, but Agardess barked a short laugh causing the men to turn to her. She burst into laughter, maybe it was something about the fact of certain death that caused everything to be much more ridiculous.

A horn sounded, cutting off Agardess' laughter. They all turned to the sound, listening carefully.

"That is no Orc horn," Legolas stated and they all nearly ran to the source.

"Open the gate!" A man yelled, Agardess rushed to the railing looking over at the source of the horn. She smiled. In marched ranks of elves, flooding Helm's Deep with ranks of soldiers. She pushed herself away from the railing, dissolving her smile knowing that this was now a time to be serious, and raced to where Legolas was standing, ready to greet the incoming elves.

"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell," Haldir spoke to Theoden, but Agardess was standing a few steps back, unable not to over hear their hushed conversation. "An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together, we come to honor that allegiance." The rest came down the stairs, choosing a safer route than the one Agardess had chosen. Instead of skipping the stairs in a single bound, they chose to take them. Aragorn pushed past Agardess and she was too busy being offended to notice his next words. However when she looked up the man and elf were embracing and Agardess smiled at the sight. Legolas stepped forward, he too greeting the elf. Agardess stepped forward and bowed her head ever so slightly. Haldir too inclined his head, returning her chosen greeting.

"We are proud to fight alongside men once more."

~*~

Thunder cracked in the distance and lightning shocked the sky. Agardess looked up, grumbling softly about the perfect timing for the storm. She stood beside Legolas, who in turn stood beside Gimli. Aragorn stood a little behind and between the elf and dwarf.

"Your friends are with you Aragorn," Legolas said, his eyes never leaving the opposing army.

"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli said. Agardess wasn't sure what his comment meant to do, lighten the mood or stress the importance. Aragorn clapped Legolas on the shoulder before turning and walking away, Agardess barely noticed, her eyes fixed on the Orcs that marched towards Helm's Deep.

"So many..." She breathed. Legolas reached over to her and ever so carefully brushed her fingers with his own. It was a small gesture but still made her feel that much better. Lightning flashed across the sky again and thunder shook the Earth. Then the rain started. Soon the air was filled with the tiny song of rain drops on metal armor. Agardess felt herself wondering if this already bleak day could get any worse. But the men held their ground, even as the rain splattered their heads, trying to force them to the ground.

From somewhere Aragorn began shouting in elvish about mercy, Agardess tuned him out trying to decide for herself what she planned to do. She was distracted by these thoughts by a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I know your recklessness," Legolas said softly, she could barely hear him over the sound of the rain. "But please be careful, I wish you not to be among the slain tonight." She inclined her head to him.

"I wish you to live also, and I will try to follow your wishes, although I will not promise, in a battle not dying can be a hard promise to keep." Legolas nodded at her words, a grim expression invading his face. From somewhere in the enemy lines an Orc bellowed a war cry and the marching ranks fell to a stop. Agardess looked out at the rows of the monsters and tightened her grip on her knives. She felt her eyes harden. Yes, she would deliver death tonight.

"What's happening out there?" Gimli asked trying desperately to see over the railing.

"Shall I describe it to you?" Gimli shot Legolas a look. "Or would you like me to find you a box?" Gimli just stared at the elf for a moment before erupting into laughter. His laughter, however, was cut short by an Orc, who once again was shouting wordless cries. At once the Orcs began jamming the butt of their weapons into the ground, their armor making a clanking sound with each hit. It was loud, the sound of the Orcs rallying drowning out almost every other sound. Agardess drew her knives, too on edge to not be armed.

Around her men and elves drew back bows, prepared to shoot on command. Agardess, and Gimli, who were not trained in bowmanship simply, in Agardess' case ducking slightly, waiting for the arrows to be fired and the chaos to start.

Suddenly everything began silent, the only sound anyone made was the death of the Orc and Aragorn yelling for the elves to hold. Agardess readjusted her grip on her knives. She wondered if she should trade her knives in for her long swords, but dismissed the thought. She was more comfortable with knives anyway, besides it seemed too late to switch weapons.

The Orcs started screaming the horrible cries, but still no movement was made on their part. Agardess shifted, the tension in the air filling her with unease. Soon the Orcs charged and Agardess braced herself for blood to be spilt, lives to be lost and heads to be relieved from bodies.

Aragorn called for the elves to prepare to fire. Agardess almost reached for her throwing knife but thought against it. She only had four left and wanted to wait for emergency situations to use them, it didn't seem like the right time.

"Faeg i-varv din na lanc a nu ranc, (Their armor is weak at the neck and under the arm)," Legolas informed. Agardess suppressed a smile, it wasn't the correct time for the assassin part of her to take over quite yet. She needed to stay out of her killing rage for a few more moments, until the real fighting began.

"Leithio i philinn! (Release arrows!)" Aragorn yelled and Agardess felt the wind of the arrows flying from bows rush past her head. To her pleasure many of them had hit, causing many Orcs to fall to the mud, dead.

"Did they hit anything?" Gimli demanded, Legolas smiled at him before notching another arrow.

"Of course," Agardess answered. "When does Legolas miss?" Gimli smiled at her slightly, which the elf returned, both of them looking past the firing elf in the middle to see each other.

"Fire!" Someone yelled from somewhere and more arrows rained down on the charging Orcs.

"Send them to me!" Gimli yelled, hoisting his axe up a little higher. "Come one!"

"Are you so eager for blood Gimli?" Agardess asked. "Be patient, I am sure you will see your share of it." The arrows kept coming and soon returning arrows came back. Blood was being spilt and Gimli could see it, it was just the wrong side. Agardess had to duck, a black crude arrow whizzing over her head. She straightened to see the Orc that had fired it dead, with a white arrow sticking out of his neck. She glanced over at Legolas, who had a slight smile on his face but did not look at her.

"Ladders Gimli, you will see the blood now." Just as Agardess spoke the words Aragorn shouted the warning for the ladders. Agardess tensed, swinging her knife around in her hand, getting a better grip. An Orc fell to where the companions were standing, clutching a ladder. Gimli swung at him and the Orc fell dead. Agardess helped him push the ladder back away from the wall before letting herself falling into her killing trance, blocking out everything but her thirst for Orc blood.

She let the smile sink onto her face, racing into the mess of fighting. She ducked swiftly under blades and slashed at legs before driving her blades into their neck, killing them. Maybe she should have wondered what her side thought of her, but she didn't care. This is what she was good at. This is where she thrived.

A larger Orc stepped towards her, brandishing their broadsword threateningly. Agardess felt her face split into a smile and she walked forward ready for a duel.

"Are you challenging me Orc?" She asked, the creature only grunted in response and she flung herself at him. Their blades clashed together and Agardess nearly stumbled back. The Orc was stronger than her, bigger too. She would not be able to kill him with pure force. Agardess frowned. "Is that all you have?" She asked, whirling around and attacking again. The Orc grunted. "Pity..." She murmured. "I was hoping for a challenge. Legolas!" She yelled and hit the ground. Sure enough a white arrow flew over her head, embedding itself into the Orc's neck.

"Need help already?" Legolas asked her as they found themselves side by side. Agardess drove her knives into the neck of an Orc.

"It's easier having a friend fighting by your side, duck." He did so and Agardess swung her blade over his head, lopping off an Orc's head. Legolas stood back up, slinging another arrow at an approaching Orc.

"True," He smiled halfway before shooting an arrow to an Orc who was about to shoot at them.

"Bring him down Legolas!" Aragorn yelled, Legolas turned his attention to an Orc running with a torch. He raised his bow, Agardess moving to cover his back, killing anything that even looked like they were going to try and hurt the prince.

A section of the wall exploded causing Legolas and Agardess to stumble being close to the blast. Agardess covered her head as bits of rock showered down on them. The sharp bits scratched her exposed skin, causing lines of blood to drip from her hands.

"You were unsuccessful then?" Agardess asked scrambling for her knives that she had dropped when rushing to cover her head from the rain of rock. Legolas glared at her.

"You need not remind me," Agardess smiled at him.

"I just never thought you could fail," She drove her knives into the side of an Orc, pulling out the blood coated blades she finished her thought. "It is almost refreshing."

"Aragorn," Legolas said and raced off to the direction of the exploded wall. Agardess followed him, dodging around bodies swiftly. They saw him, laying on the ground bits of rock covered him.

"Shoot the Orcs," Agardess ordered. "I'll take care of Aragorn." Legolas nodded running to the edge of the exploded wall. Agardess slipped her arms under Aragorn's armpits, hoisting him to his feet. "Can you stand?" She asked. He grimaced.

"Do I have a choice?" He asked and she released him, he stood fine by himself.

"Not exactly," Agardess answered before turning just in time to see Gimli fling himself over the edge of the wall... right into oncoming Orcs. Agardess couldn't hold back a curse. She and Aragorn raced to the edge, concerned for the dwarf's safety. He was holding his own, but as soon as he was knocked to the ground, Aragorn ordered a charge. Elves raced past Agardess, dodging around her as she stood still.

Then she saw him. Legolas had run, picking up a shield and jumped onto it, riding it down the stairs, shooting arrows on his way. When he reached the end of the stairs he jumped off the shield, the shield slamming into an Orc's neck, killing it. Agardess charged, Legolas wasn't dead, she could focus on the fact they were being attacked now.

Aragorn yelled for them to fall back to the Keep. Agardess looked his way and nodded her head ever so slightly before backing up, killing the Orcs who refused to give her a moment. She bared her teeth. She was retreating, give her some time to let her retreat. It only made her angrier at the Orcs and frustrated she couldn't just stay and tear all their throats out. But she trusted Aragorn and if he wanted her to pull back she would do so, even if she disagreed.

Legolas was trying to pull a struggling Gimli back, Agardess raced next to him, looping Gimli's free arm with her own helping him restrain the dwarf and force him to retreat. Legolas nodded at her, letting him know that he was grateful and together they dragged away the dwarf.

"Hold them!" Theoden yelled as they reached the gate. Agardess had lost Legolas somewhere in the crowd at this point and was now keeping pace with Aragorn, her grip only now relaxing on Gimli's arm.

"How long do you need?" Aragorn yelled over the sound of death. The king pushed himself away from the wall.

"As long as you can get me!"

"Gimli, Agardess, come!" Aragorn yelled grabbing Gimli's arm and pulling him into a hallway, Agardess followed.

Aragorn took them out a side door, where there was a tiny ledge out the fortress. The door they exited out of was invisible from the outside, and impossible to open. Agardess eased it shut behind her, started to understand the plan.

"Oh come on, we can take them!" Gimli said as he peered around Aragorn to get a look at the Orcs they were up against.

"It's a long way," Aragorn replied. Gimli looked again.

"Toss me," He muttered. Agardess smirked unable to suppress it.

"What?" Aragorn asked, he took had a almost smug look written on his face. Gimli shifted uncomfortably.

"I cannot jump the distance. You'll have to toss me!" Gimli said in a rush, almost as if he were embarrassed by the words. Aragorn nodded. Gimli made a sound that stopped Aragorn from getting into position. "Don't tell the elf."

"Not a word," Aragorn replied. Gimli looked to Agardess.

"He will not hear of it," She promised and winked at him. Aragorn then tossed him, shooting a smile to Agardess before jumping himself. Agardess shook her head slightly and jumped after then.

~*~

"The fortress it taken, it's over." Theoden said watching the men barricade the door.

"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defended it," Aragorn shot at him as he and Legolas lifted wood to help. "They still defend it! They have died defending it!" Legolas took the wood by himself as Aragorn approached the king.

"They're breaking in!" A woman screamed as the Orcs on the other side of the door battered it.

"Is there no other way for the woman and children to get out of the caves?" Aragorn asked Theoden. When he didn't respond Aragorn tried again. "Is there no other way?"

"There is one passage," A guard said. "It leads into the mountains but they will not get far. The Uruk-Hai are too many."

"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass! And barricade the entrance!" Aragorn ordered.

"So much death," Theoden said causing both men to pause. "What can men do against such reckless hate?" The door was hit again.

"Ride out with me," Aragorn said. "Ride out and meet them." Agardess nearly stopped piling wood against the door, but continued like she hadn't heard, she wasn't supposed to be listening to the conversation after all.

"For death and glory," Theoden said stepping towards Aragorn.

"For Rohan. For your people."

"The sun is rising," Gimli noted. Agardess looked towards the window almost surprised at the red hands of light grasping at the edges of the shadow. The war seemed to terrible it didn't deserve sunlight as if while it rages on the world should stay dark.

"Yes. Yes!" Theoden cried, his confidence gaining. "The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep, one last time."

"Yes!" Gimli roared and raced away to blow the horn.

"Let this be the hour," Theoden said placing his hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "That we draw swords together."

~*~

Gimli blew the horn and the door was broken down. Theoden yelled something and the riders charged forward, weapons drawn. Agardess rode next to Legolas who chose to fight with a sword. Agardess used her twin long swords, trusting their reach more than that of her knives.

Agardess felt her gaze being drawn to the east as they reached the outside.

"Gandalf," She whispered to herself. Another rider pulled beside Gandalf and drew his sword.

"To the king!" The rider yelled and a wave of horses rushed down the steep hill, dousing the Orcs with their own blood.