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━━━━»•» act three. age of anguish

43. darkest of nights «•« ━━━━

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ third age ━━ year 3019

𓇻 rohan; helm's deep

*.                           ✦                            °.

THE PAIN SLOWLY LESSENED AND LEFT A STRANGELY COMFORTING WARMTH BEHIND. Like the rays of the sun warming her skin, even though it was the middle of the night. She couldn't quite put into words what was happening, but she could sense something. A presence, a spirit residing within her and taking up room next to her, a fëa companion to her own. There was no solid shape to it. The presence looked more like an aura with a deep green color.

She wasn't scared. For somehow it felt as if this fëa had been with her all her life.

And when it spoke, she knew it to be true.

"Stand. Now." It was Gyda, speaking from inside of her, giving her body strength that she could never have found on her own. Her body moved, fueled by Gyda's willpower. Slowly, but strongly. "Take your spear."

The short but clear instructions helped her clear away the fog in her head that remained from the fall. But she felt they also helped Gyda. Somehow, she could sense a fear deeply rooted inside her fëa, an echo of what she herself was feeling. This wasn't natural, it wasn't normal, and they both knew it. But Gyda helped her shove those worries and fears aside. Survive, that was the most important thing right now.

She remembered their reunion in Fangorn Forest, where she'd told Gyda she wished she could put her feelings aside as easily as she could. Now, it seemed her wish had been granted. Though not in a way she ever could've imagined.

Her fingers curled around the hilt of her spear while her body stood on trembling legs.

"Duck!"

Gyda hadn't told her whether to go left or right but words weren't necessary. Gyda's fighter's instinct had become her own. She could feel her guard wanted to go right, and she followed without hesitation. She threw her body to the right and just in time. The sword barely missed her head.

She rolled over the ground before pushing herself upright, heaving in a deep breath. Elgarain felt as if Gyda's arm was guiding her. Her grip around the spear grew firmer before she charged forward with a strength she'd never possessed before. She twirled around the foul creature, hair dancing with the motion before she lashed out.

The spear went straight through its shoulder, right where the armor was weakest. But she hadn't known that, Gyda did. The beast snarled and Elgarain twisted her weapon deeper into the wound. Taking a hold of the spear with both hands, she let Gyda's spirit guide her as she jumped upward, using her hold on her weapon as leverage she set off against the Uruk-Hais chest and kicked him away.

She gracefully landed on the ground, head snapping up as her enemy tumbled backward. "Finish it."

Her arm moved without conscious thought and the glaive flew through the air, straight through her enemy's chest. She stood breathing heavily, eyes wide.

"What in Elbereth's name just happened?" Instinctively she knew thinking the words was enough for Gyda to hear them, yet it felt strange to know so. As if that knowledge was something forbidden, something she should never have been allowed to touch upon.

"I do not know..." Gyda whispered but it was as if she stood right next to her shouting, "I-I can no longer see through my own eyes. I do not know where I am."

Upon hearing those words, the fear she'd so carefully tucked away, broke loose. "Are you hurt?"

As if the words triggered her memory, Gyda gasped out; "I was on the wall, Elgarain. I was unharmed but..." A hiss escaped her and Elgarain could feel an immense pain burning in her head. "It was as if my head was on fire."

"This is too dangerous," she gasped through the pain. "We have to stop."

"I cannot think clearly, the pain—El I don't know how."

While she could feel the pain Gyda was talking about, to her it felt more distant, as if her body was aware the pain wasn't hers and could separate it. That thought brought her back to Lord Elrond's lessons about the fëa and hröa. While the two were connected, her hröa still knew what was real. It remained separated from the merge of their fëa.

Hoping her theory was right, Elgarain put herself through the same treatment she'd used upon the wounded Elf earlier. She bit down on the inside of her cheek, hard. The sudden shock of pain sent a shiver through her. And like the ripples of a stone touching water, the shiver echoed through her fëa and pushed Gyda away. She was alone again.

Exhaustion washed over her like the Deepening Stream washed over the fallen corpses. She felt feverish but when touching her forehead, her skin was cool to the touch. It felt as if her soul was sick while her body was perfectly fine.

A raw battle cry forced her to come to her senses again. Her keen eyesight found the source of the sound almost immediately. With wide eyes she watched as Gimli threw himself down the battlements and into the charging formations of Uruk-Hai. Like a one-man army, the Dwarf spun his axe around, releasing his fury upon the monsters. Down they went, never to get back up again.

But even the might of a Dwarf in battle rage could not hold forever. The enemy kept coming and while Gimli was fighting one of them, a second Uruk-Hai pushed him down. The Dwarf disappeared beneath the water and the enemy trampled him as they tried to enter the fortress.

Rational thought abandoned her all at once. Gripping her spear tightly, her feet began running before her mind had caught up with what she was about to do. All she knew was she had to get her friend out of there. Before one misplaced armor-heel would crack his skull, or the water would fill his lungs...

A hand caught her arm in a firm grip, pulling her against a heavy breathing chest. With a startled shout she turned around, ready to drive her spear through her assailant. But instead of looking into a face glowing with hatred, she was met with a familiar set of gray eyes. Though Aragorn looked worried, clearly having seen their friend fall as well, he also looked a lot calmer than Elgarain felt. Without giving her time to question him, he shouted an order to the Elves of Lothlórien gathering behind them. "Hado i philinn!"

While the arrows hurtled past them and felled the charging Uruk-Hai, Gyda's advice came drifting up to the surface of her mind. Always be aware of your surroundings...She'd been so focused on her friend going down, she'd missed the gathering soldiers behind her. Had Aragorn not pulled her aside, she would've been killed by friendly fire. Her healer instincts would always be stronger than her hard-learned warrior skills. The battlefield was indeed no place for her.

The arrows had given Gimli the space he needed to pull himself back on his feet. With a roar, as though nothing had happened, he resumed his attack. She felt a breath of relief escape her lips at the sight. And she could feel by the way Aragorn's tensed body slightly relaxed, he'd seen Gimli was alive as well. But he didn't allow himself to linger on it.

"Get back to the fortress!" Aragorn instructed her, stern but not unkind. "There's nothing you can do here now."

She shook her head. "Not without Alys."

He clenched his jaw.

"I promise we'll pull back as soon as I find her."

"Be careful," he muttered and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. Then he turned around with a cry, he led the Elves of Lothlórien into a charge to their approaching enemy.

She tore her eyes away from the sight, ignoring the shiver of fear crawling down her spine. With swift steps she made her way across the battlefield, eyes searching for the healer of Rohan. The ringing clashes of armor meeting swords were deafening to her ears, but she gritted her teeth and moved on. But as she ran, she more often than not, saw the white hand of Saruman pressed on the armor of those surrounding her.

The Uruk-Hai were swarming the fortress, overwhelming them with their numbers and bloodlust. And soon enough, she realized the true depth of their despair. A horn was blown from the walls of the fortress, a sound she'd been taught meant only one thing...Retreat.

A thousand thoughts swarmed her already exhausted mind. Did they break through the gates? Did they take the first ring of defense only to move on to enter the caves and slaughter all those innocent women and children. Focus! She scolded herself. She had to find Alys and get her to safety.

Behind her she heard Aragorn shouting instructions for the Elves to retreat. Soon enough she wasn't the only one running towards the stairs anymore. Through the mass of bloodied armor and glistering swords, her eyes landed upon Alys at last. The young healer was helping another Ellon carry a soldier with a broken leg, his arm slung across her shoulder as he limped towards safety. With a startled beat of her heart, Elgarain recognized the bruised faces.

"Orophin!" she cried and hurried towards the limping pair. "Rúmil!"

"Tarí Elgarain," Orophin muttered, a tired smile gracing his features. "How great to see you."

She managed a smile. "Likewise, mellon nin." Then she turned to Alys. "Let me take him. Get yourself to safety."

The woman nodded, not having to be told twice. She picked up her skirts and hurried towards the thick walls of the fortress.

"You should get to safety as well, Tarí," Rúmil said.

"As should you," she said firmly, "but we're faster with the two of us."

Though the Ellon only nodded a reply, she could see the gratitude hidden within his eyes.

With her help, they managed to pick up the pace. She focused her gaze upon the stairs leading back up to the fortress, for if she were to look down every time her feet caught on something, she knew all strength would leave her. They had reached the bottom of the stairs when the wind carried Aragorn's voice to her ears, shouting to retreat once more. Though this time, he was shouting at someone in particular.

At the mention of his brother's name, Rúmil froze.

"What are you doing?" Orophin shouted, clearly having missed his brother's name being shouted in such desperate measure.

But Rúmil heard it and was now unable to focus on anything else. He turned around, forcing Elgarain to look as well, lest she'd drop Orophin and injure him even more. Her eyes scanned the chaos, looking for Haldir. From the way she heard Orophin gasp, she knew he'd caught on with what had happened. Frantically she looked left and right, until she caught a flash of red. A cape, blowing in the wind as he took a stand high up on the battlements.

Haldir stood alone, giving his soldiers the chance to flee as he formed a living barricade against the Uruk-Hai. The black shapes of their enemies kept on coming, running up the stairs, climbing over the wall. Haldir swung his sword, dropping two Uruk-Hai. But a third one had climbed up the ladder behind him. In the distance she saw Aragorn running towards the Ellon, trying so desperately to get to him, but he'd never make it in time.

Rúmil screamed just as the monster brought down his ax upon his back.

The commander stumbled, then fell to his knees.

Her heart dropped within her chest, her body aching all over from Orophin's heart wrenching sobs.

Consumed by grief Rúmil was about to dash forward, only to be stopped by his brother grabbing a handful of his cape, pulling him back.

"Leithio nin!" Rúmil cried out.

But even though tears were streaming down Orophin's face, he did not release his hold on his brother.

Haldir fell and as his body hit the floor, Aragorn reached him. Even from across the distance, Elgarain could see the despair on his face, and could feel his grief mirrored in her own soul. Then, overcome with a sudden rage, Aragorn staggered to his feet and slaughtered two Uruk-Hai. He took a hold of one of the ladders and threw himself over the wall alongside the wooden structure.

Fear and grief mingled into a tight feeling pulling at her throat, threatening to choke her on her tears.

"We must go!" Orophin pressed with a trembling voice.

Whether it was his brother's insistence, something shifting within his soul, or the whimpering sobs escaping her lips, Elgarain did not know. But Rúmil inhaled deeply, then turned around, took a hold of his brother's arm and walked away. There were no tears in his eyes. His face was like steel, the blue of his eyes like ice. So different from Orophin's red and teary features...

As they hurried up the stairs, Haldir's fallen figure kept appearing before her eyes, followed by the sight of Aragorn jumping over the wall in his grief-induced rage. All of it accompanied by the silent crying of Orophin beside her. She wasn't sure how much more she could take. All this pain, this suffering. How much more darkness would they be forced to endure?

The three Elves all but stumbled into the fortress. Being one of the last to enter, the door was forced shut behind them. It would only stop the Uruk-Hai for a moment, but they needed every bit of time they could find to regather their troops.

"Could you get him to the infirmary?" Rúmil asked through clenched teeth.

Elgarain nodded. "I will." Then, before he could throw himself into the frenzy again, she added. "Elbereth be with you."

He placed his fist against his heart. "And with you, tarinya." He turned towards his brother and placed his forehead against his. For a moment they stood there, ignoring the world and allowing themselves some time to share their pain. Then, Rúmil stepped away, drew his sword and ran towards the bridge.

While making way towards the infirmary, Elgarain looked around for any familiar faces. She wasn't sure she could live with herself if they hadn't made it into the fortress on time. Soon enough, her gaze landed upon the graceful figures of Gyda and Legolas as they made their way to their new positions. As if feeling her gaze upon her, Gyda turned around, catching her eye.

Elgarain nodded gratefully, her heavy heart suddenly made lighter. If only for a moment...

There was no sight of Aragorn or Gimli in the frenzy and no time to look for them either. All she could do was trust in their skills, trust that they'd make it. Even if Aragorn had been stupid enough to pull that hwiniol stunt.

The stones were slippery from rain and blood, causing Elgarain and Orophin to stumble multiple times. Her shoulder was starting to ache from carrying the Ellon's weight without the help of his brother. Together, crying and groaning from exhaustion, they managed to make it up the stairs, through the hallway and into the room prepped as infirmary.

Immediately she was greeted by the smell of rotten flesh, blood and death. It should have frightened her, but the sweet smell of herbs lingering in the distance only strengthened her. Here, she knew what she was supposed to do. Here, she was in control.

She put Orophin down on the ground, back against the wall. One quick look at his leg had her nodding appreciatively of the work Alys had already done to reset the bone. But he was clearly still in pain, grimacing as he clutched his leg. Now that he was seated and the adrenaline was slowly leaving him, the pain of his wound would hit only that much harder.

"I'll be right back," she promised him.

She made her way towards the table with herbs in the back of the room. Her mind vaguely registered Alys hurrying past her to help Fridwyn perform an amputation. But, set on the task at hand, there was no room for her to greet either one of them. Once at the table, she searched through the jars and bowls and grabbed one filled with oil made from peppermint. She hurried back towards her patient and knelt down beside him.

"This might sting at first, but it will bring down the swelling and lessen the awful throbbing you're feeling," she explained as she put the oil on a piece of cloth.

Orophin simply nodded, then rested his head against the wall behind him. His eyes were closed while tears continued to spill down his cheeks. Elgarain pretended not to see them in order to let him grieve silently for a moment. Then she got to work.

As gently as she could she patted the skin surrounding the wound with the oil. Orophin drew in a breath but tried to hold his leg as still as possible. Slowly, as she continued to work, he started to relax. When she was done, she forced him to drink some water laced with peppermint as well. At last, she was satisfied and put the cloth away.

"Rest now, mellon," she whispered.

"Ni 'lassui, tarinya," he mumbled, half asleep already.

Heavy footsteps and frantic shouting drew her attention to the hallway. Quickly she got to her feet and ran out of the room. Soldiers, both men and elves, filled the room. King Théoden was among them and suddenly she felt cold. If the king had retreated this far into the fortress, that could only mean one thing. They were overrun.

Then, Gimli came running into the room, followed closely by Legolas, Gyda and finally Aragorn. The doors were shut behind them and immediately the soldiers started working on barricading the wooden structure. Meanwhile, Aragorn was looking around with what she could only describe as the most panicked look on his face she'd seen all night. He hurried into the direction of the infirmary, shoving a few soldiers out of his way and as he got closer, his eyes finally settled upon her.

He crossed the remaining distance in the space of a breath and drew her against his chest. She let herself be embraced by his familiar warmth, though his reaction could only mean one thing.

"We're surrounded, aren't we?" she whispered.

His silence confirmed her fears. 

°∴,*⋅✲✦ ( ♕ ) ✦✲⋅*,∴°

𝕬𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝕹𝐎𝐓𝐄 . . .

First chapter of 2024 has arrived! Honestly, is there a better way than to start this year with some sweet Ararain moment? I love them so much I swear.

I'm so insanely proud of this one and very excited to reveal what's been happening with El and Gyda. It's so much fun to finally share this plot with you guys. I hope you enjoy it. Two towers is almost finished though! Can't believe how fast we're going...

As always, please leave some comments and votes. I'd love to hear from you all.

xx Nelly

TRANSLATIONS:

Fëa ― Spirit or soul

Hröa ― Body

Hado i philinn ― Hurl the arrows

Mellon nin ― My friend

Tarinya ― My queen

Leithio nin ― Release me (let go of me)

Hwiniol ― Crazy/mad

Ni 'lassui ― Thank you

Tari ― Queen