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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home	By : IdrilsSecret Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4869 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. I make no money in the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Chapter Fifteen

Lady Galadriel was correct to say there was no time to waste. No sooner had I notified my men than a message arrived with details of our plight. We would march in the morning. We had no choice. Scouts said Saruman’s army was already marching out of Isengard. If we left tomorrow before the sun rose, we would make it to Helm’s Deep with only hours to spare.
I was at the armory, making sure everything was being done when I was told I had a visitor. I turned to see Túron waiting to speak with me. I finished what I was doing and went to him.
“Rúmil, I just wanted to apologize for our earlier conversation,” he said sincerely.
I shook my head and smiled slightly. “There is no need for that. You were simply voicing your opinion. We both were and we disagreed. I should not have been so harsh.”
“I just feared you were reacting because of … personal reasons,” he said gently.
I didn’t want to talk about this here with so many of my men around. I knew Túron was referring to Legolas. He had mentioned it when we were arguing. “I assure you it was not. We have a duty to answer a call for help. That was my only argument.”
“And it looks as though you won. You’re leaving for Helm’s Deep soon.” I couldn’t help notice the anguish in his voice.
“Well, it wasn’t my doing,” I laughed. “I don’t have that kind of influence.”
“You have a lot more than you think,” he whispered.
“What is this really about, Túron?” I asked suspiciously.
He looked as though he was about to confess something, but thought better of it and sighed. “Be careful out there,” he finally said, dismissing my question. “We still need you here in Lothlórien.”
Although he never said anything about it, I knew Túron still harbored feelings for me. At one time, I thought he was someone I would spend the rest of my time with, but it didn’t work out that way. Then, I met Legolas and my whole life changed. Still, a part of me felt sad about the way things ended between Túron and I. At least we were able to put our past behind us and remain friends. I just wished he would find what I had found with Legolas. I would feel better knowing that Túron was happy and had moved on in his heart. I was about to say something to that fact when I was interrupted.
“Captain, you are needed,” said one of my soldiers.
“On my way,” I answered, but I didn’t move right away. I felt like I needed to say something to Túron.
He smiled and waved me on. “Duty calls.”
I left, but I couldn’t help the feeling that came over me, as though I’d left unfinished business behind. There was nothing I could do about it now. I had a war to win.
* * * * *
There were no incidents as we made our way to Rohan, and it was a good thing. It wasn’t an easy journey. The Lothlórien army had to march without stopping in order to make it to our destination on time. We only stopped periodically to break for food or water, and to let the horses rest, but we stayed no longer than we had to. Now we were on the final stretch of road. Helm’s Deep was only a few hours away. We were taking our last break before our arrival.
As usual, I checked in with Haldir and Orophin. Everyone was in good spirits and anxious to reach the Rohirrim. I was more than anyone, because I would get to see Legolas again, though I kept my excitement to myself. We wouldn’t have long before we were under siege. I wanted to make sure he was ready, though in my heart I knew he was. He was a Wood elf; they were always ready.
Haldir was telling us the layout of the place we were going to. I don’t know why. We had all studied the maps we had. We knew about all the entrances, where the townspeople would be, where the soldiers would be stationed. As soon as we arrived, Haldir would discuss the positioning of the elves, especially the archers. My men would be amongst the first to fight, as usual, taking out as many enemies as possible before they stormed the gates. Helm’s Deep was a stronghold. There was only one way in, one place for the enemy to attack. The walls were very high and extremely thick, and my men would be at the top firing down at the orcs. That much I could guess.
“It will be different than what you are used to. We won’t have the cover of a forest, and, should the enemy break through, there will be no other way out,” Haldir explained. “Our main goal is to keep the orcs from invading the keep and tearing down those doors.”
“They would have to have a mighty weapon to get through such thick doors,” Orophin commented.
“They’ll have trolls, and if they have enough, it could pose as a problem,” Haldir said.
“Then we’ll focus on them,” I added. “We won’t let them through.”
“You have to understand that even with Lothlórien’s army joining the fight, we are still significantly outnumbered. Every arrow must take down its intended target. The more we eliminate in the initial advance, the less we’ll have to worry about once they get to the walls. The one advantage we have is that the main gate is only reachable by a narrow causeway. Not many orcs will be able to attack at the door at once.” Haldir was getting things ready in his mind so he would have a plan by the time we arrived. Orophin and I assured him that we would do everything possible to keep the stronghold safe.
We were finished with our discussion, and were now sitting around a small fire that someone had lit. It wasn’t much, hardly enough to keep someone warm. It was a cloudy day and there was still a chill in the air, as the world was transitioning from winter to spring. I looked up at the sky and sniffed. “There will be a storm later. I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” I commented.
Orophin huffed a laugh. “You were always better at detecting the weather.”
Haldir joined in. “He could tell you when it would begin to rain and when it would stop, and be correct within an hour of the time. I never understood how you could do that.”
“I don’t know myself,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I guess I can feel it and smell it.”
“And having the ability to speak to the trees doesn’t hurt,” Orophin added.
“I suppose, though I haven’t heard from them in a very long while.” I hadn’t had any time to spend speaking to the trees, and I suddenly found that I missed it.
Orophin laughed and kicked at the dirt with his boot. “Do you remember when Rú was just an elfling, and we thought he’d run off and gotten lost?”
“Do I? It was me who had to go looking for him,” Haldir said, smiling. “Father was beside himself with worry.”
“We searched all of Caras Galadhon looking for you,” Orophin said. “And all that time, you were right above our heads.”
“It was Father who found me,” I said, remembering as though it had only happened yesterday. “I’ll never forget the look on his face. At first it was anger for having climbed up so far, and then relief when he knew I was safe in his arms again. He gave me a good scolding that I never forgot.”
“He said you were talking to the trees when he found you,” Haldir commented. “I thought for sure he had been mistaken. No one had spoken to any trees in Lothlórien in a very long time. And you were so young. I couldn’t understand how you even knew their language.”
“And as far as I knew, Fangorn Forest was the only place where the trees still talked,” Orophin said.
“All trees talk, but they communicate in different ways,” I informed.
“Why did you ever climb up there in the first place?” Haldir questioned. He stopped and laughed. “Was it so you could hear them better?”
I smiled, but my heart hurt a little when I thought about it. I hadn’t remembered this in a long while. “I heard their whispers, but I didn’t know it was the trees. I … I thought it was Mother calling from across the sea, and so I followed the voices. Now that I think about it, I believe this must have been the first time I’d ever heard the trees.”
“I almost forgot,” Haldir reminisced. “She would have sailed not long before that. You were so little, Rú. I was always sorry that you never got to know our mother.”
“I got to know her through you and Orophin, from your stories. One day I will meet her again, and I’m sure I’ll know her well,” I said softly.
“One day perhaps, but not any time soon,” Haldir said, though there was worry in his voice.
“Are you concerned about this battle we march to?” I asked. Haldir had been unusually calm. Usually he was very animated and charged when going into battle. I couldn’t quite place my finger on it. It wasn’t fear … more like an inner peace.
“No, but I am always concerned for my brothers,” he answered.
“You’ve nothing to worry about as far as Orophin and I are concerned,” I tried to convince. “We are ready for this fight, are we not, Oro?”
“There’ll not be an orc left standing,” Orophin said with confidence.
“I know you’ll both do well,” Haldir said. He shifted, looked away, and I caught what I could have sworn was the glint of a tear, but I knew I had to be mistaken. He’d never become emotional before, especially like this and before battle. Just as quickly as it came on, it dissipated. He turned back to Orophin and I, fire in his eyes. “No matter what happens, neither of you will stop fighting.”
Orophin puffed out his breath, as though to say our brother was being ridiculous. “When have we ever stopped? I’d no sooner wear one of Lady Galadriel’s gowns than give up a fight.”
Haldir laughed and the mood became lighter, but I couldn’t help wonder why he seemed troubled. It was very unlike him. I waited until we disbursed and Orophin was heading back to his regiment to make sure his men were ready to continue. Haldir started to walk towards wherever his duty took him, but I put my hand on his arm to stop him. He was hesitant to even look at me.
“What is this?” I said.
He straightened and composed himself. “I’m not sure I understand you.”
“You are acting strange. Do you know something the rest of us do not?” I accused.
“If I seem anxious, it is only because the numbers are stacked against us in this fight,” he admitted.
“That may be so, but we have our courage and our wits. Saruman might have more warriors, if you can call them that, but they are orcs. Let’s not forget that. It’s not numbers that matter, it’s skill.”
He looked at me with one brow raised in question. “Since when have you become so overly confident?”
“It’s not overconfidence. It’s knowing my enemy better than they know themselves.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Something I learned from the Wood elves. Did you not learn anything in all the times you visited Mirkwood?”
His eyes narrowed and he seemed to study me a moment. “You really connected with them, didn’t you?”
“I learned a lot, or perhaps I just learned something different from what I’ve been taught. But yes, I do have a fondness for them … for Mirkwood.” So fond, in fact, I was prepared to leave Lothlórien once Legolas came home. I couldn’t tell Haldir about my decision, not yet.
He clasped a hand to my shoulder and smiled. “It was a good decision I made to send you there. You learned about another culture, experienced it firsthand. That is the kind of thing a leader should know.”
“A leader? What are you suggesting? Haldir, what is going on?” There was something more happening here, but he wasn’t talking about it.
He wouldn’t say anything for a moment. Then he searched my eyes and looked deep. His face softened as he smiled at me, studying my face. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound negative. I think I’ve put too much thought into the statistics of this battle, and sometimes it feels like an impossible feat.”
“We are not alone in this fight. The Rohirrim are strong. They are mighty warriors. Together we will face this evil, and I have no doubt that we will be victorious.”
Haldir’s demeanor changed and the worry faded. He took in a deep breath and looked around at all the soldiers ready for battle. It seemed as though he was looking at them for the last time, and for a few of them, I guess this would be a last time. Not all of us would survive this coming night. Perhaps that’s what had Haldir behaving rather abnormally. When we were protecting our borders, there was always a greater chance that everyone would survive. If what the scouts reported was true, there would be more enemies than allies, and unfortunately a better chance that lives would be lost. “We will do what we must. That’s all any of us can do.”
“Did you not agree with Lady Galadriel’s decision to come to Rohan?” I wondered as I tried to get some insight into Haldir’s thoughts.
“I was … skeptical,” he admitted, and I was shocked to hear it. Then I remembered how Haldir was still with Galadriel after the council had ended. She had been speaking with him alone.
“She was asking for your opinion, wasn’t she?” I accused. “When I came in, she was conferring with you about this.”
“It is not the first time that Lady Galadriel has talked with me in private about such matters,” he said, defending himself.
“And what did you tell her when she asked?” I needed to know where he stood in all of this.
“What does this matter now, Rúmil? We are in this war.”
“Did you agree or did you side with Lord Celeborn?” I asked carefully, speaking each word slowly.
He turned from me as if to leave, but he stayed where he was. After a few moments of silence, he spoke. “I agreed with Lord Celeborn.”
“But why?” I was confused by his admission. We had always agreed on such matters.
“I understand we have a duty to answer the call for help, but even with our help–” He paused and considered his words carefully. “We are going to lose men this night. That knowledge is something that weighs heavily on my mind, for I know if we hadn’t come, those men would live on.”
“Those men want to be here,” I reminded him. “I am one of those men, Haldir, and if I die in this war, at least I know I did everything I could to make sure Rohan is not overtaken by evil.”
“Don’t talk like that, Rú,” he said solemnly.
“I’m sorry, but it’s a truth that we all must come to accept. I don’t understand you,” I said shaking my head. “You’ve fought countless battles and you’ve never second guessed yourself, or at least you’ve never shown it outwardly.”
“I have never gone into a battle knowing that I . . .” He broke off his words. “Knowing that such great numbers of men would not survive. Lord Celeborn knew this also, which is why he did not want to participate. But Lady Galadriel is very persuasive, and I know these sacrifices are inevitable, but necessary in order for us to save Middle-earth from catastrophe.”
“Lady Galadriel sometimes knows the future. She would not agree to this if she thought we would fail. We must trust in her powers,” I said.
Haldir got a far off look in his eye as I spoke of Galadriel. It was a bit unnerving, but so was this whole conversation. I could understand Haldir’s reasoning, but I put my trust in the Lady of Light. We would win this night.
“Yes,” he finally agreed. “Lady Galadriel’s premonitions must be considered. She has seen things in her mirror. She told me of some of them. Of course, there is always the possibility that what she’s seen is not the path that will be taken.”
“It’s not difficult to see this path,” I smiled reassuringly. “The enemy will have elves to deal with.”
Haldir came back to me and smiled. “Yes they do, brother. Yes they most certainly do.” Then his smile faded. “Rúmil, I’ve thought about this for some time now.” Those simple words made my stomach cringe. “And if something were to happen to me–”
“It won’t,” I demanded.
“I said ‘if’,” he replied and went on. “I wish for you to take my place as March warden of the Northern Guard.”
I could hardly believe he was asking this of me. First off, nothing could ever happen to my brother. He was one of the greatest elven warriors in all of Middle-earth. And second, he’d never talked like this before, and it scared me.
“Haldir … I … I don’t . . .” I stammered.
“Please just consider it … if … something happens to me,” he pleaded.
“Nothing is going to happen to you,” I assured him. Neither one of us said another word about it. This was just nervous talk before a big battle. Every soldier had a moment like this, several in fact. Haldir was no different than the rest, but he was strong and brave, and I knew he would come out of this just fine.
* * * * *
As our army approached Helm’s deep, we took in the sight of the great stronghold. It looked indestructible, but looks could be deceiving. The walls were high and the land leading up to it was flat. Carved into the rock, there was no back way in, but that also meant there was no other way out. If the place became overrun, we might all be trapped. We would just have to make sure that didn’t happen.
We made our way to the causeway, our elvish horn signaling our arrival. Lothlórien had answered the call, and I was never more proud. Our army marched up to the doors, which opened as we approached. We filled the courtyard, elves dressed in full armor spilling in like a tide breaking its levies. At this point, I split off from my regiment to join the other Captains and Haldir. We took up the head of the army, ready to meet the King of Rohan and his most valuable men. Théoden, King of the Rohirrim, stood at the top of the stairs that led into the main hall. He hurried down the steps, a man on each side of him, and met Haldir on the cobblestone courtyard. My brother introduced himself and said that we were sent by the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien in answer to a plea for assistance. The King looked confused by this information. He also looked very tired and careworn, like a man who was operating on the last of his hope.
“Please do not misunderstand me,” Théoden confessed. “I am beyond grateful that you and your army of elves are here, but I am certain that it was not me who called upon you.”
“That’s because it was me,” said Aragorn from the head of the stairs. He looked different than I had seen him last. He seemed more mature, kingly even. When I had met him in Lothlórien, he seemed lost without his leader, Gandalf. He hadn’t any idea what he was supposed to do next, and was there to ask Lady Galadriel for advice or an answer. To see him now, there was no mistaking him for a leader himself.
Aragorn flew down the steps with a smile on his face at the sight of Haldir. I was so enthralled watching him, I didn’t notice two more figures descending the stairs after him, Gimli and Legolas. By the gods, he was a sight for my well-traveled eyes. He looked vibrant with his skin glowing, hair freshly braided, and wearing his Mirkwood garb. A new bubble of pride burst when I saw him, my prince, my sanctuary.
Legolas didn’t see me at first. Dressed in my armor and my head covered by my helmet, I looked like every elf in the courtyard. And Legolas’ attention was on Haldir and Aragorn’s reunion. I must have moved because suddenly, he picked me out of the crowd, his brilliant blue eyes boring directly to my soul. Every fiber in my being wanted to run to him, to take him in my arms and hold him tight. Our attention snapped back to Aragorn as he forfeited a proper elvish greeting and hugged Haldir. I laughed internally at my brother’s confusion, not having been greeted in this way before. It was the way Men showed their appreciation for someone they hadn’t seen in a long time, or in this case, for someone they weren’t sure would arrive at all. It was like a sigh of relief, to know that they weren’t alone in this battle, and that the elves would not abandon them to fight on their own.
My eyes left them and fell upon Legolas, who was smiling at the reunion. He lifted his eyes to meet mine, and the smile was still there. It shifted into something that was meant only for me, a message that we needed to meet as soon as we could get away. I gave the slightest nod to him, and I could see he understood.
“Where is the rest of your men?” Haldir asked the King.
Théoden looked up and around to the civilians watching from the walls above. “You are looking at them.”
I glanced up, shocked by what I saw. Young boys and elderly men gazed down on us, boys whose helmets were so large they covered their eyes, and old men whose knobbed fingers were wrapped around spears and swords. This was no army. These were the citizens who needed protection by their garrison. Where were the strong and sturdy men of the Rohirrim, the horse lords of legend?
“Saruman’s army will arrive tonight,” Haldir warned. “We only have a few hours to prepare. Shall we discuss plans?”
“Yes, of course,” Théoden answered. “I’ll arranged for council within my chambers. In the meantime, tell your men to make themselves at home. I’m sure your journey was long and tiresome. We’ll need everyone rested.”
Haldir gave the orders before going off with Théoden and Aragorn to begin strategizing. Once they arranged a plan, the rest of the officers would be given details and told where our regiments would be stationed. I watched as Aragorn called for Legolas and Gimli to join them, but Legolas leaned into his ear to whisper something. Aragorn glanced over his shoulder to me and nodded in agreement to whatever Legolas had said.
The rest of the elves dismissed themselves to walk around the Deep and get a feel for the place. My sight stayed on Legolas, and I saw him give a subtle signal with his hand, telling me to follow him. I removed my helmet and kept my distance, but watched as he went back up the stairs to a porch. There, he disappeared through a door to the left. I came along soon after. Inside was a hallway with women hurrying up and down. They hardly noticed me; so wrapped up in their mission, they were gathering baskets of food and clay jugs of water, taking them to the back of the area. I heard a whistle and saw Legolas up ahead disappear through another doorway. Then I came along, and found another hall, this one vacant. A few doors lined the hallway to either side. It was much quieter here than the main hall. I watched as a woman scurried past me, and when I saw my chance, I shot down the empty corridor. The first door I came to was left cracked open, and I ducked inside, closing the door behind me. It was black as pitch, but sound seemed muffled in there. Flint struck stone, and a blaze of light blinded me temporarily. A small oil lamp glowed bright and then faded to half. And there he stood, his hair turned to the color of gold in the flickering light.
“Rúmil, how I’ve missed you,” he whispered. He set the lamp on a shelf and I flew to him, losing all dignity and pinning him against the cold stone wall.
“You have no idea,” I whispered back, tossing my helmet down, and capturing his mouth with mine. He smelled like fresh hay and wood smoke, no longer like the green leaves and damp earth of his home. His environment had changed and so had his aura. “You smell like the horse lords,” I laughed.
“Do I offend my love?” he asked playfully.
“It’s a nice change, but I prefer you scented like a forest, like the ruins of your grandfather’s halls,” I answered. My hands worked their way beneath his tunic, needing to feel the warmth of his flesh. “Are we safe in here?”
“I believe so. This room has already been emptied of its important contents and taken to the caves, but I’ll block the door just in case.” He kissed me as I released him, and went to wedge a chair under the door handle.
“Is that where all the women were heading off to, the caves?” I wondered.
“Yes, there they will keep themselves, their children and those not able to fight. They will be safe there while the war commences.”
While he stepped away from me, my concerns turned to what I should expect later. “The Rohirrim army, why are they not here? Where are they?”
Legolas came back to me and fondled my braid between his fingers. “It is a long story, one that I am not in the mood to tell at the moment, for reasons I cannot ignore.” His body pushed against mine, revealing this solid reason against my thigh. “The King was locked in a spell set upon him by the wizard Saruman, and while in this state, his nephew, Eomer, Third Marshal of the Riddermark was falsely arrested and sent away for treason. His men were loyal to him and went with him, riding to the north. Gandalf has gone to find them and hopefully bring them back in time, but–”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “Did you say, Gandalf?” It couldn’t be. He had fallen in Moria.
“Oh, you don’t know,” he said surprised. “Yes, Gandalf, he was sent back. Gandalf the White he is now, and much more powerful than before. He was the one who broke Saruman’s spell over the King.”
Still trying to register the information, I stammered as I asked, “How … er … Where did you find him?”
“Fangorn Forest.” He couldn’t contain himself anymore and started kissing my neck. “I promise I’ll tell you everything that happened after leaving Lothlórien, but right now I need you, Rúmil. I need you badly.”
I gave in easily to his persuasion, for I wanted him too. His breath was hot on my neck, and his hands roamed down my back to settle at my hips. “How do I get you out of your uniform?” he whispered.
Without hesitation, I began shedding the layers of my protective gear. Legolas, of course, wore nothing but his simple green tunic and leggings. “Whatever I take off, you’ll have to help me put back on,” I said.
“Gladly,” he smiled deviously. Then he laughed. “Have you learned nothing from my people? Still wearing all of that confining leather.”
“Well, this is different. We’re not fighting from the trees. You should consider adding a few protective layers yourself.”
“Why? Are you worried for me?”
I stopped undressing, having shed my uniform, and now stood before him in only my undershirt and leggings. I looked him squarely in the eyes. “If ever there is a time to worry, it is now. Have you not seen the young and the old armed and standing along the walls? This is no army. And what comes towards us outnumbers even the Lothlórien army.”
“I trust that Gandalf will show with the Rohirrim army,” he admitted confidently.
“Yes, but when? If he is not here soon, this entire battle is upon our shoulders.”
Legolas gazed at me, searching my eyes. “Alright, I will shield myself if it will make you feel better.”
“It will.” I kissed him, once, twice, and the third time I devoured him. No more time for talk. Now we just needed each other, to feel the closeness that had been absent for so long.
Completely stripped of our clothes, I laid down on the hay strewn floor, pulling Legolas down with me. We wasted no time, and in one swift movement, like a pair of dancers, he was upon me, kissing me, spreading me. I held onto him as though to never let go, and let him take me to the stars. As we moved in rhythm, Legolas whispered into my ear, of all the times he’d wished I was with him, missing me, missing this.
“You have me now iaun nín,” I answered, just as he brought us both to fruition. Legolas stilled, back arched, head thrown back, moaning gloriously, and I answered with my own cry of pleasure.
After we returned from our enchanted state, he collapsed upon me, and I wrapped my arms around his back, hands roaming along his spine, feeling all muscles and hidden strength. He was so lean and fit, and he contoured to me perfectly. I lowered my legs to wraps around his shins, and he remained buried, breathing heavily. How I wished we could stay like this forever, but it was only something I could dream of. Legolas released his detumescent flesh from my reluctant body, and came to rest at my side. We both moved so we were facing each other in the flickering light of our secret room, and stared into one another’s eyes. I was lost in those blue depths, hoping I’d never be found again.
“I can hardly wait for all of this to be over. I know I’ve made a vow, and I must see this through to the end, but there are times that I wish I could forget about all of it, and whisk you away. I have dreams of you and I living in Mirkwood, making a life there, and we make love every night, each time feeling like the first.” He twirled my braid in his long fingers. “Have you told your brothers of your plans yet?”
“No, not yet,” I said, feeling a bit guilty. How would I tell him about Haldir’s request, that I should become March warden should he not return from the war? There was only one way, and as I opened my mouth to speak, he spoke first.
“You will, when the time is right.” He kissed my nose and smiled, satisfied.
“You’re not upset?” I questioned.
“Of course not. Why should I be? You will tell them at an opportune moment, but I beg you not to wait until the day you leave.”
“I would never do that,” I told him, my brows creasing. “I must give them ample time to find my replacement.”
“Why? Will they adopt a new brother?” he jested.
I laughed and shook my head. “My Captain’s position, you imp.” It was so easy to get lost in light conversation with him, mostly because I did not wish to discuss reality. The chances of something happening to Haldir were slim, and I don’t know why I was so alarmed by his plea. It was very unlike my brother to speak of such things. Still, I knew I had to tell Legolas what Haldir said, and that there might be a chance that I wouldn’t be able to follow through with our plans. Perhaps if he knew, then we could both keep an eagle eye on Haldir. “Legolas, there’s something you should know.”
“Yes?” he said, the love in his eyes radiating upon my face.
“Haldir has asked me to–”
But I didn’t finish my sentence. The handle of the door rattled. Someone was trying to enter our temporary sanctuary. We both jumped up as quickly as possible, naked as the day we entered this world.
“Shit, someone’s trying to come in,” I whispered, desperately snatching up articles of my clothing.
“I think the door is stuck,” said a muffled woman’s voice.
“I’ll go get something to open it,” said another woman. “Go to the next room and double check to make sure we got all the supplies.”
Whoever it was stopped trying to open our door. Legolas and I dressed quickly. As we did, he laughed, carefree as usual. “Imagine their faces if they had walked in on us making love.”
“I’d rather not, thank you,” I complained. “Hurry, Legolas. Let’s be gone before they return.” I had dressed in my underclothes and tunic, but I needed his help to tie and buckle me into my armor.
“You don’t need this,” he reminded me. “You’re more like a Wood elf than you think. You’re quick and you’ll outsmart every orc that comes at you.”
“I’m also a Captain or have you forgotten,” I reminded him.
Finally dressed, Legolas removed the chair from the door and peeked into the hall. “It’s clear. Let’s go.”
I moved towards the door, but at the last moment, he closed it and captured my lips. We kissed knowing this would be our last until after the war, and who knew how long after that. Then he gazed into my eyes and cupped my face in his hand. “Stay safe, Rúmil.”
“And you too,” I replied, covering his hand with mine. We left the room and made our way back to join the others. I regretted not being able to tell him. So I put my faith in the hands of the Valar who watched over us, and hoped that they would see all of us through this battle safely.
* * * * *
The council ended and the officers returned to their men to give their orders. Haldir gathered all his Captains, including Orophin and me. Legolas returned to Aragorn and Gimli, but he stood where I could see him. I couldn’t help my eye from wandering to him, but I kept my ear on Haldir.
“Rúmil, you will post your men along the center of the Deeping Wall. All other troops, line up to the left and right. I want all bows trained at the approaching orcs. Once they pass a certain point on the field below, I want all swordsmen ready for a breach of the wall. It was reported that they bring great ladders to scale the walls of Helm’s Deep.” Haldir went on with details of the fight, our places and what to expect. Of course, no one could really predict what would come to pass once the enemy arrived, but we had to be ready for anything.
Once he was finished, he allowed questions from his men, and the main concern was about the Rohirrim, the young boys and elderly men now armed with blunt and rusted weapons. Haldir proceeded to tell them what Legolas briefly told me, about Gandalf being alive and more powerful than before, and that he was bringing the King’s soldiers back to fight. This information only served to partially ease their nervousness, due to the fact that no one knew when the horse lords would show.
“Let them fight as best as they know how,” Haldir said about the Rohan citizens. “Your main focus is on the enemy, and keeping them at bay for as long as possible until reinforcements arrive.”
I glanced across the way towards Legolas, and he turned his attention to me at the same moment. I nodded and he nodded in acknowledgment. I could see he was thinking the same thing I was … that this was going to be a very long night.
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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home