A Cold Heart Warmed: Part XI
by Pharassero
-----
The Mark rode out before sunrise, heading for Helm's Deep, with the
rumors of Kalay's indignation running thick through the troops.
Some gave her crude looks, while others put as much distance between
she and them as possible. She finally scrunched down on her horse,
concentating on what lay ahead. Leglas watched her with concern,
knowing her feelings were tenuous at best about her interaction with
others. She had never been outgoing at home in Mirkwood, but
likewise she had not been truly accepted by many there either. He
was staring at her in concern when another rider came alongside him
and whispered, "Careful of that one, she's cold enough to freeze Mt.
Doom." Legolas turned and gave the man a look that said he should
keep his tounge, so the man stared wide eyed for a moment and et his
steed fall back. Legolas moved in closer to Kalay to get her
attention, and couldn't help but laugh when she looked up startled
to see him riding knee to knee with her. "Thought you could use
some company," he told her quietly. "There are few who would care
togive me company now, not that I want these Rohirrim for company,"
she replied. Gandalf had already left on buisness of his own, when
they stopped and stared out on the horizon. They were nearly to
Helm's Gate, beyond that lay Helm's Dike. They rode on through the
night and the day until they came to the Dike. There, King Theoden,
spoke with an old man of the Mark who told them they had plenty of
provisions stored for the coming battle. The Lord and his Mark rode
on to the Deep persuing orcs along the way. They were gladly
welcomed when they rode inside the gates and began helping those
there prepare for war.
They didn't have to wait long, soon Wild men of the Dunland and orcs
bearing he white hand began attacking the gate and setting ladders
to the wall. Vollies of arrows flowed over the walls in thick
waves, injuring many, and killing others. At first they defenders,
were so stunned, they did not retaliate. After the next volly
however, they shook them selves of there stupor and began firing
down on the host below. Kalay stood near Legolas and did her best
with her crossbow, however she was sorely hurt when she ran out of
arrows and had to take up a longbow. Her accuracy was lacing with a
longbow and may of her targets, though they fell were only injured.
Legolas could here her cursing at her lack of skill under her breath
and said, "As long as you can even injure them, that may be enough
to slow them down." She looked over at him sadly and replied, "I
know I will slow them down, but it isn't enough. They must be
stopped." They both turned back to there buisness, Kalay feeling a
bit better. Gimli appeared, and bragged about his recent kills, but
Legolas one upped him by several. Kalay ignored their banter
thinking, Someone shouted and they turned to see many
orcs coming in through the culvert that ran under the wall. They
began defeating this new threat as well, while the archers had now
been forced to lay aside their bows and begin hand to hand combat.
Once the culvert was secured, Gimli was asked to advise the blocking
of it.
Kalay was fighting as hard and well as any of the men there, when
she heard a scream from behind her. She turned and saw an Orc of
considerable size, beating down one of the younger Rohirrim. Coming
from behind she wasted no time or movement in stabbing him square in
the back severing his spinal cord and bring him to the ground. The
face that appeared on the other side was that of her attacker on the
previous night. He gave the fallen orc a shocked look and did a
double take on Kalay. She turned just as Legolas' warning shout
reached her and began defending her own hide once more.
The fighting went on for long hours and the defenders began to tire,
and some fell more easily to the enemy. The culvert had been swept
through again, but this time there were too many to plug it up. The
battle began to look hopeless, and lost. Kalay slumped against the
wall, bleeding from minor wounds. Aragorn, came up with a now blood-
dull Anduril and asked her and Legolas how they fared. "Well
enough," was all Kalay replied, closing her eyes in weariness. She
knew Legolas was tired, but believed he was better off than she
was. She needed rest and sleep and had no idea when she would get
any. Forcing her eyes open she looked around at all of the fallen
bodies. She forced herself up, and moved closer to the others.
Legolas watched her as she walked over, noting how she swayed with
tiredness. He put his hand out to her as she got closer and pulled
her to him. "This must end soon, you will fall on your own blade,
ere too long." She gave him a half-hearted smile and managed, "I'll
be fine. Besides I must protect you at all cost." Aragorn put his
hand on her shoulder in sympathy to her determination. "I am sure
Lord Thranduil did not mean for you to put your own life before
his." She said nothing at this, only leaned her head against
Legolas and sighed deeply.
| Part XII |
| Index |