Forty - Saved

*Verena POV*

“What the hell are you doing?” I said as I walked into the room. Alek was trying to stand and I put the pitcher of water down. “I’m fine, Ver,” He said, shakily standing and holding onto the night stand. 

“No you’re not. Alek, you need to rest,” I said. “Like I said, I’m fi-” His knees buckled under him and I caught him under his arms and sat him back on the bed. “You were saying?” I asked. 

“Come in,” I answered the knock on the door and it opened to Le. “As you can see, Alek’s awake,” I said and gestured to my brother as I poured a glass of water. “Verena,” I turned back around and looked and looked at a beaten up Aragorn. 

“Aragorn?” Alek asked and he looked at him. “You’ve grown since we last met,” Alek said, trying to stand again. “Aleksander, if you get up one more time, I’m tying you to that damn bed,” I warned and he stayed seated.

“You’re hurt,” I turned back to Aragorn and looked at his arm. “I’m fine,” He said. “Let me help you,” I said. He nodded and I got out the jar Esme gave me and put it gently on his wound. 

“Legolas, get the necklace from the drawer of the desk,” I said vaguely and he walked over to the desk to get the Evenstar. “This belongs to you,” He said and handed it to him. “Thank you,” Aragorn smiled thankfully. 

After I wrapped his arm and wrists, I put the jar back. 

“There is an army of Uruk-hai marching this way,” Aragorn said, changing the subject. “Why did you not start with that?!” I shouted. 

“They will be here by nightfall,” Aragorn said. “What do you need me to do?” I asked. “We’re going to the armoury to prepare,” He said and I nodded. 

“I’m going with you,” Alek said, trying to get up again. “No you’re not. You can hardly stand, you’re going to the caves,” I said. “Ver, I can do it,” He said. 

“Fine, then,” I said and walked across the room. “Walk to me on your own,” I said. He slowly stood up, holding onto the night stand. He let go, faltering for a second and stood straight and turned to me. 

He started out with small steps, then carefully took longer strides until he stood in front of me. 

“I can fight,” 

~~~

“Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers,” Aragorn said as he put a sword down on the table.

“Most have seen too many winters,” Gimli said. 

“Or too few,” Le added. Alek walked around to the other side of the table, picking up, and looking at the swords.

“Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes,” Legolas said loudly, bringing attention to us. “And they should be. Three hundred against ten thousand!” He said in Elvish. 

“They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras,” Aragorn defended.

“Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die,” Le said.

“Then I shall die as one of them!” Aragorn snapped and glared at Le, who glared back. Aragorn turned and walked off and Le went to follow him but I stepped in front of him. 

“Let him be,” I said. I looked back at Alek and nodded for him to follow Aragorn. He nodded and left and I looked back at Legolas. 

“This is the best chance we have, Legolas. if their morals are low, there is no hope,” I said. 

“I am sorry,” He said and looked down. “It isn’t me you need to apologise to,”

~~~

I stood on the outer wall, looking out past the mountain ranges. “All of the women were to go to the caves,” A soldier said as he walked by. 

“I plan to fight,” I said and he began to laugh. 

“Oh, you’re serious?” He asked when he noticed I wasn’t laughing. “I am much more than what you may think,” I said. 

An Elven horn sounded in the distance and I looked back out to see large groups appearing out of nowhere. “Vardos,” I said and ran to the causeway. “Open the gates!” I shouted and they opened.

I ran down the stairs, stopping next to Theoden, who looked at me. 

“Did you send for them?” He asked and I shook my head. 

“Theoden King,” Nik said as Tisean soldiers stopped behind him. 

The flags of Rivendell, Lothlorien, and Tiseah were beared.

Martarys, Vardos, Cleos, Hadrian, Zion, Aurelia, Iston, Rumil, Haldir, and Oropher stepped forward and I walked down a few more stairs, completely in shock.

“On behalf of the Elves of Rivendell and Lothlorien, and the peoples of Tiseah, We have come to honour an ancient alliance made long ago to defend the realms of Men,” Nik continued and I ran down the stairs to hug him. 

Aragorn, Le, Gimli, and Alek walked down. Nik looked at Alek, then at me. 

“Father!” Aurelia shouted and took off up the stairs, hugging him. 

“I keep my promises,” 

Aragorn and Le walked down the stairs and Aragorn hugged Nikolas, then Haldir. “You are most welcome,” Aragorn said and Le hugged them as well. “We are all proud to fight alongside each other again,” 

~~~

We split into quite a four group; 

Martarys, Vardos, and Zion on the far side of the outer wall with our Men. 

Le, Gimli, Cleos, and I on the other side with Rivendell Elves,

Haldir, Oropher, Rumil and Iston were a closer to us

Nik, Alek, and Hadrian stood somewhere between us with Kingsgaurd. 

Aurelia went straight to the caves to tend to the sick when the new soldiers had been put in position and the Men of Rohan were scattered through the fortress

If they do not breach the wall, they can not take the fortress. 

“Let’s make it a competition,” Gimli said as we stood in our spot on the wall. “Oh?” Le said and looked down at him. 

“Whoever kills more Uruks is the victor,” He said. “That’s a competition I’d like to join,” Cleos said and I rolled my eyes. “Alright, Master Dwarf, Master Tempest. May the best of us win,” Le smirked. 

Aragorn walked by and I glanced at him then looked back over the wall. 

“Well, lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night,” Gimli said and I nodded in agreement as thunder rolled. 

“Your friends are with you, Aragorn,” Le said. “Let's hope they last the night,” Gimli said in worry. “They will,” I said confidently. 

Aragorn patted Le’s shoulder and walked away, then lightning flashed and thunder rolled. 

“Ver,” Cleos said. “Yeah,” I replied as the raindrops ticked off of metal. “Do you remember the Battle of the Five?” He asked. “Which part?” I asked. “The Inferno,” He said and I nodded. 

“Why do you ask?” I asked. “Are you gonna do it again?” He asked. “Only if I must,” I said. “Please don’t,” Le said and I looked at him. “If it’s the lives of everyone here for mine, I’ll give it,” I said plainly. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” He muttered.

 The Uruk-hai drew closer and closer, their torches were no longer small specks in the distance, but flames and armoured soldiers. 

“Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!” Aragorn announced in Elvish as they got closer. 

An Uruk raised his hand and signalled for the Uruk to stop. They were lined in rows, watching and waiting for our move. 

“What's happening out there?” Gimli asked as he jumped trying to see over the wall. “Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?” Le asked and Gimli laughed.

 The Uruks stamped their spears on the ground in unison and beat their chest, growling to intimidate us. I drew my bow with all of the others, holding and waiting for our command. One of the Men lost his grip on the arrow, shooting an Uruk and their growls ceased.

“Hold!” Aragorn shouted. They began to growl again, but with more anger. The Uruk signalled for the others to attack, and they ran towards the walls. 

“Prepare to fire!” I took my aim to the closer few.

“Their armour is weak at the neck and beneath the arm,” Le commented. 

“Release arrows!” At Aragorn's command, all of the Elves shot their arrows. “Did they hit anything?” Gimli asked.

“Full volley!” Aragorn shouted and all of us fired together. Many fell, but there were still too many. “Send them to me! Come on!” Gimli shouted. Some Uruks pulled out crossbows and began firing back at us to cover for the ones setting ladders against the Deeping Wall.

“Ladders!” Aragorn shouted. “Good!” Gimli responded. Each ladder has an Uruk raised on the end and I immediately switch to my swords. 

 I fought through them next to Cleos like we used to so long ago. “Legolas! Cleos! Two already!” Gimli shouted. “I'm on seventeen!” Legolas called back. “Fifteen and catching up!” Cleos added. 

Little did they know, I was playing too. And I planned on beating all three.