Chapter 15: The Vision... Hope renewed

Asteria finds herself perch on the wall of Helm's Deep; staring deeply and intently of the sky, it wasn't sunny but it wasn't dark, she hears a calling... a voice on the breeze. She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them; seeing her mother; Galadriel and Lord Elrond. "The world has changed... I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air. The power of Sauron is growing.." A vision of Saruman holding his hand over the Plantir communicating with Sauron "Sauron will use his puppet, Saruman... to destroy the people of Rohan. Isengard has been unleashed" Then a vision of the Uruk-hai are seen marching towards Helm's Deep and the Eye of Sauron watching. Asteria's breath hitched as her eyes turned a beautiful sparkling blue as she spoke softly "What can be done?" Galadriel looked to her daughter with a sad smile.

"The Eye of Sauron now turns to Gondor... The last free kingdom of Men." A vision of the devastated Osgiliath is seen as a dark cloud passes over it and Sauron's eye again looks out. "His war on this country will come swiftly. He senses the Ring is close." Asteria looked at her mother confused as another came up of Sam and Frodo being marched blindfolded by a group of men. A man, Asteria sees a resemblance from Boromir; this must have been Faramir, his brother he spoke of to her. "The strength of the ring-bearer is fading. In his heart, Frodo begins to understand..." Her voice started to sound saddened by the words were spoke as Asteria spoke "The quest will claim his life..." Galadriel looked at her and nodded as they both looked at Elrond and Asteria spoke again "You knew this. You have foreseen it. It's a risk we all took for Middle Earth." She said softly with tears on the verge of falling.

Galadriel moved forward and continued "In the gathering dark, the will of the Ring grows strong. It works hard now to find its way back into the hands of Men. Men, who are so easily seduced by its power." A vision of Sam and Frodo again, being pushed by Faramir's men "The young captain of Gondor has but to extend his hand... take the Ring for his own, and the world will fall. It is close now. So close to achieving its goal. For Sauron will have dominion over all life on this Earth... even unto the ending of the world."

"The time of the Elves...." Galadriel moves closer to the two; her eyes glowing brightly as she continues "is over..." Elrond could be seen walking from window to the painting of Isildur cutting the Ring from Sauron's hand and breaking the blade of Elendil. "Do we leave Middle-Earth to its fate? Do we let them stand alone?" Asteria spoke up as she shook her head "I will not give up. I believe in Frodo and I believe in the good of men. I do not believe the destruction of Middle-Earth is its fate." She placed a hand on her heart bowing a bit "I will do what I must to ensure the survival of Helm's Deep. I ask for your assistance mother." Galadriel looked to her and nods.

In an instant, the trance she was in; was gone. She found herself on the wall still, overlooking the land, in the distance she could see a horse coming. Her eyes widened with happiness "Ithilidin" she quickly made her way down the stairs meeting with Aragorn who was on Ithilidin as she hoped "I knew it..." he smiled at her hoping down off the horse; quickly embracing her in a hug "You saved my life my friend" she smiled at the hug and returned it just as tight as they pulled apart she reached into her pocket; taking his hand in hers and placing his necklace in it. He opened his hand looking at it and them smiling at her "Thank you Asteria" She smiled and nodded at him as they walked towards the hall.

Gimli appeared; pushing his way through the crowd to get to Aragorn "Where is he? Where is he? Get out of the way! I'm going to kill him!" He finally reaches Aragorn who was walking with Asteria "You are the luckiest, the canniest.." Aragorn couldn't help but smile at him "And the most reckless man I ever knew. Bless you, laddie. This was your doing wasn't it lass? You sent that horse to go find him" He hugged Aragorn smiling widely as Asteria laughed a bit. "Gimli, where's the king?" Aragorn asked as Asteria tapped his shoulder "I'll take you to him" he nodded as they both walked towards the hall, as Legolas suddenly appeared in front of them "You're late." Aragorn raises his eyebrows at his friend as Legolas looked over him "You look terrible" They grinned at each other and started laughing. "Come, Aragorn" Asteria said as she walked ahead with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.

Théoden and Gamling are talking in the Hall when Aragorn threw the doors open as he made his way to the king "We must speak" Théoden nodded. After a few moments of them speaking, Théoden spoke "A great host, you say?" Aragorn nodded "All Isengard is emptied." Asteria looked down sadly as she clasped her hands to the front of her. "How many?" Théoden asked. Aragorn looked reluctant "Ten thousand strong at least..." Théoden looked at him in disbelief "Ten Thousand?" Aragorn nodded "It is an army bred for a single purpose: To destroy the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall"

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock." Théoden, Gimli, Legolas, Asteria and Aragorn walk around the inner ramparts as they listened to Théoden continue "Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown......homes rebuilt. Within these walls......we will outlast them." Asteria shook her head as she spoke "They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people... down to the last child" Théoden walks towards her; grabbing her arm which Legolas moved to grab him but Asteria put a hand up stopping him "What would you have me do princess? 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" He let go of her arm as Aragorn stepped forward to speak "Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid"

"And who will come? Elves?" he said looking at Asteria and Legolas then to Gimli "Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead." He said shaking his head. Asteria asked for help from Galadriel which she prays to the Valar would come in time. "Gondor will answer" Aragorn said as Théoden moves to face off with Aragorn; anger across his face "Gondor?! Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?! Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us?! Where was Gon--?" He paused stopping himself and speaks with a more calmer tone "No, my Lord Aragorn......we are alone." He then walks off back to the hall with Gamling with the guards following.

Aragorn shook his head as Asteria moved placing a hand on his shoulder "Do not fear Estel. Help will come" she said softly looking to the sky as they all could see flocks of crows circle above calling out loudly.

Night was close to falling as the women and children are being taken into the caves at the back of Helm's Deep. Aragorn, Legolas and Asteria move along with the soldiers as they set up for the upcoming battle "We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate." Asteria sighs a bit as Legolas spoke up "Aragorn, you must rest. You're no use to us half alive." Before Aragorn could answer him, a voice called out over the soldiers "Aragorn!" It was Eowyn as she ran towards them "I'm to be sent with the women into the caves." She said in frustration "That's an honorable charge" Aragorn said. Eowyn shook her head "To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that? Asteria gets to fight" Before the elf maiden could speak; Aragorn cut in "She has seen more battles than you. My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in the last defense?" He questioned her. "You do not command the others to stay! They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you" She said softly as she realized what she said and looks away "I'm sorry" and ran off.

In the armory, weapons are being handed out. Aragorn takes hold of a sword and puts it down as Asteria, Legolas following behind him as they met up with Gimli who was sitting down. "Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers" Aragorn said in disbelief. "Most have seen too many winters" Gimli chimed in as Legolas bore a frustrated look Asteria has never seen before "Or too few." They all look around; there was young boys and old men mostly "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes" Legolas spewed in frustration as everyone stops and looks at him, including Asteria and Aragorn "And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand?!" Legolas spoke in his native tongue as Aragorn looked at him "They have more hope of defending themselves here than Edoras" he replied as Legolas shook his head "Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!" Aragorn then raised his voice and spoke clear "Than I shall die as one of them!" he glared at Legolas who was glaring back and then walks off.

Legolas moved to follow as Asteria stepped in front of him "Enough Legolas... Let him go..." he looked at her in frustration as it started to go away; he looked down ashamed "Legolas... We must have hope" she said softly as she moved to walk away to find Aragorn. She walked a bit before finding Aragorn on the steps outside the great hall. She watched him as he looked over to a boy who was talking to another standing by a fire. "Give me your sword" He called out to the boy. The boy walks over to Aragorn and hands his sword to him "What is your name?" He asked the boy. The look had a sad look as Asteria continued to watch the interaction "Haleth, son of Hama, my lord. The men are saying we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless." The name of Hama came across her ears as she bored a sad look on her face; Hama died before they even reached Helm's Deep.

She watched at she sees Aragorn stand up sighing as he holds the sword out and swung it around. "This is a good sword" He hands the sword back to the boy "Haleth, son of Hama... "he said softly as he put a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes "There is always hope" The boy nodded as he walked away. Aragorn stood there a moment as he sighed again turning around seeing Asteria; leaning against a column with her arms crossed. Aragorn walked towards her "Are you going to yell at me?" he asked as if she was his mother as she just smiled at him "No my friend. But you must understand. Legolas is not use to these kinds of odds. I just pray my wish will come true." He looked at her confused as he nodded. He did not question her; he trusted her just like the rest of the fellowship. "Let us go" he said as he walked ahead with her in tow as they walked back to the armory.

Aragorn was putting on a chain mail and redressing himself as Asteria was sharpening her sword; sitting in a chair. Legolas appears next to him, handing his sword to him, Asteria smiling at the sight "We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." Legolas admitted as Aragorn smiled at him "There is nothing to forgive, Legolas" they both smile at each other as they pat each other on the shoulders. Gimli appears struggling with his own chain mail "We had time, I'd get this adjusted" he lets the shirt drop and it falls to the ground obviously far too long "It's a little tight across the chest" Asteria chuckles lightly as Aragorn and Legolas smile at each other. Suddenly they hear a horn. Asteria's eyes widened as she smiled, she quickly got up and ran out of the armory "That is no orc horn" Legolas said following her with Aragorn.

A large elven army marched through the gates, passing the men who were smiling happily. Théoden walks down the steps towards them, in disbelief as he sees Haldir, is leading them in bright golden armor. "How is this possible?" Théoden said as Haldir walked up to him bowing "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together." He says as he sees Asteria with Legolas and Aragorn behind her; she bore a big smile seeing her best friend "We come to honor that allegiance" he continued. "I have brought reinforcements from Rivendell and Lorien to assist you" Théoden looked at Asteria giving her a smile and a nod in thanks.

Asteria quickly made her way down engulfing Haldir "Oh my dear Haldir, you are most welcome here, brother" they place hand on each other's shoulders "Of course Princess. The Lord and Lady pray for your safety." She smiles at him nodding as she moved for Aragorn who gave him a hug as well. Then Legolas hugs Haldir as the elves swiftly turn towards him and stand to attention. Haldir turns to Théoden with Asteria and Legolas behind him smiling "We are proud to fight alongside Men once more." Théoden nods as he shouts commands to his soldiers.

Haldir turns to Asteria and Legolas "You have command of this army as well my Lord and Lady." Asteria and Legolas look at each other and smile nodding at Haldir. Haldir then moves to speak with Aragorn leaving Asteria and Legolas alone "I do wish you could be in the caves" he said softly taking her hands, gently rubbing where the ring was. It glimmered in the moonlight as he looked at her; his eyes full of concern and love "I will not sit aside and not fight. You know this Legolas. I am able to fight. I will be safe." Her voice was full of hope and confidence as he smiled at her, kissing her forehead "I should know better I suppose" he said laughing a bit a she smiled at him nodding. She could see Haldir looking at her and he gave her a warm smile; he was happy for her. She had hope for the battle but something deep in her heart is making her feel like something terrible will happen.

27050 words