Wild Monster

by Matthew Harrington

  "About me loving Aragorn... And if it was wrong of me to feel it."

  "Oh, Mae." Saeleth sighed and moved her arm to drape it over her sister's shoulders, drawing her closer. "You're scared. It's expected..." Saeleth stopped walking and pulled Maethien to a stop as well, turning her so that she could look into her big sisters troubled green eyes.

  "Mae do you really want to go into this war without having told him how you feel about him?" Elle felt her sister's shoulder fall in defeat, smiling kindly when she saw the rush of emotions dance in Maethien's eyes. After a long moment of silence, Mae shook her head.

  "No, I don't." She admitted and sighed, then lifted her gaze to smile brightly at her sister. "Thanks, Elle. Now come on. We have swords to sharpen." Elle laughed and turned with her sister. They strode back toward the armory together, their arms intertwined as they slid through the mass of men and boys. They found Aragorn, Legolas, and Gmli standing in the thick of it.

  "Farmers, farriers, stable boys." Aragorn searched the crowds of rushing soldiers and sighed, shaking his head. "These are no soldiers."

  "Most have seen too many winters." Gimli muttered.

  "Or too few." Legolas added darkly, provoking a frown onto Maethien's face, her eyes moving quickly to watch the people, hoping they did not hear that.

  "Boys," Maethien warned quietly. "Not now. Not here." She said, shaking her head at Legolas.

  "Look at them." The elf prince said harshly, a little too loud for comfort. Elle winced as a few young men turned to look in his direction. "They are frightened. I see it in their eyes." Maethien sighed, closing her eyes and shaking her head when she felt the stares of every man and boy in the room turn towards them.

  "Boe a hyn. Neled herain dan caer menig!" [And they should be. Three hundred against ten thousand.] Legolas exclaimed, pacing about the room, looking at Aragorn with sharp eyes.

  "Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras." [They have more hope defending themselves here than at Edoras.] Aragorn reasoned.

  "Aragorn," Legolas stopped pacing and met Aragorn's gaze directly. "Nedin dagor hen u-'erir... ortheri. Natha daged dhaer!" [Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!] Maethien grimaced when Aragorn's shout resonated across the room.

  "Then I shall die as one of them!" He shouted back at the elf, taking a step toward Legolas. Maethien moved then, stepping between them both and raising her hands keep them apart.

  "Daro! [Stop!] You must calm down." She whispered softly, her eyes on Aragorn. The ranger gave her one piercing look before turning and striding away, the crowds of men parting, leaving him a clear path to the exit. Legolas moved to go after him but Gimli set a hand on the elves elbow, keeping him in place.

  "Let him go, lad. This is in need of a woman's touch." Maethien sighed and turned slowly to look at her friend, hesitation in her gaze.

  "Gimli's right, Mae." Elle said quietly. "You're the only one he will let close to him now."

  "Go." Gimli added with a grin. "Talk some courage into him, lass." Maethien hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded and turned to make her way through the men swiftly.

  She found him pacing in a secluded room before a fire, his sword thrown atop a low chair covered in furs.

  "I am not in the mood to speak, Maethien." The man growled lowly, Mae ignored his warning and strode into the room, stopping right in front of him as he made to continue his pacing.

  "Goheno den." [Forgive him] Mae said softly, lifting her hands to place them on his shoulders, keeping him from turning away from her. "He did not mean to cause you any pain, Aragorn." She met his sharp gaze with softness, a kind smile adorning her lips.

  "I know that. I-" Aragorn met the elleth's gaze and sighed, looking away from the glowing green gems. "Don't look at me like that, Maethien." He muttered, prompting a puzzled smile from Mae as she lowered her hold on his shoulders.

  "Like what?" She asked.

  "Like... like you can see right through me... No, not through. Into." Aragorn met the elleth's gaze and studied her beautiful face. "Like you can see everything inside my head, my heart, and my soul... It make me nervous." Maethien, feeling very warm and happy, pulled on a mischievous grin.

  "I make you nervous?" Sh asked innocently, smiling up at him.

  "You know very well that you do." Aragorn growled, though not harshly... this growl sounded almost... seductive. Maethien chuckled and lifted her gaze so that she could search the pools of crystal blue. This was the man she loved... looking at him in that moment, Maethien remembered her sisters words and sighed. She wanted so badly to tell him... but watching him then, she just couldn't bring herself to do so. Perhaps she was being cowardly, twas a fast that she was afraid, but... what he needed from her now was not words of love, but words of encouragement. Or at least, that's what Maethien told herself.

  "Aragorn." Maethien whispered, but the ranger did not look away from the fire blazing beside them. "Aragorn, tiro nin." [Aragorn, look at me] She whispered, prompting the ranger to finally meet her gaze. "Av-'osto, avo dhavo am mor a savo amdir." [Don't be afraid, don't yield to darkness and have faith.] Smiling kindly, Maethien reached out to take his hands into hers and lifted them slowly so that she could set both of their hands on his chest, right over where his heart beat solidly against his chest. With her hands over his, Maethien looked up to hold his gaze again.

  "Avo dhavo."[Don't yield.] She repeated. "Estelio han." [Trust this.] Maethien squeezed his hands, prompting Aragorn to look down to where their hands rested against his chest, together. Lifting his eyes, Aragorn admired Mae's face, then focused onto a stray strand of honey colored hair that fell over her ears. Lifting one hand, he gently ran the strand of honey through his fingers, provoking a shiver to run up Maethien's spine. Sighing wearily, Aragorn leaned forward and touched his forehead to hers, his eyes slowly closing.

  "You need rest." Maethien whispered.

  "I cannot. My hear and mind races with the horses of the Mearas." Maethien chuckled softly then pulled away slowly, saying nothing as she kept his hand in hers. She lead Aragorn over to the chair that he'd thrown his sword on. Releasing one hand, Maethien took his sword and settled it on the ground, leaning it against the chair, she then turned back to Aragorn and pushed him gently into the chair, asking him quietly to lay back and relax before she lowered herself onto the chair, sitting down beside him and lifting a slender hand to touch his weary face.

  "Sleep." She whispered, as she traced his features slowly with the tips of her fingers; soft fingers tracing the line of his jaw, his cheekbones, his nose... until she reached his eyes and, slowly, she drew her fingers over his eyelids and closed them gently. Her fingers then moved to stroke his dark hair and Maethien began to sing, lulling him into sleep with her voice and her touch. She sang for a few minutes, waiting until she felt his breathing slow and deepen. He was sleeping so peacefully, Maethien wondered what he was dreaming, for there was a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. She watched him rest, wondering silently if she should have told him after all... She had had her chance to admit her feeling to him, and yet she had let the opportunity slip past her fingers. Why had she done that?

  Feeling rather annoyed with herself, Maethien looked at Aragorn's sleeping face and sighed softly, feeling her worries fade as she smiled down at the man she loved.

  "Aragorn." She whispered, then leaned down to whisper into his ear. "Le melin, Aragorn." [I love you, Aragorn.]

  Gently, Maethien touched her lips to his forehead then rose, being careful not to wake him as she silently left the room. She was not surprised to find Legolas, Gimli, and Saeleth waiting for her.

  "He is resting." Mae said before Legolas could speak, smiling at him kindly. "I managed to make him get some sleep." Legolas nodded, then opened his mouth to speak. "He is not angry with you, Legolas."

  Maethien laughed softly when the elf looked at her with surprised eyes, she shrugged. "He's not. Not anymore anyway."

  "See, laddie?" Gimli exclaimed as he clapped the
elf on the arm cheerfully. "The power women hold over men. Something I shall never understand. Now, what is a dwarf to do to get an ale?"

  After a good two hours of solid sleep, Maethien woke Aragorn, happy to see that the circles beneath his eyes were no longer as dark as they had been. They now stood in the armory, getting ready for the battle. Night was drawing near and the feeling of oncoming war had descended upon Helm's Deep; the sky had darkened and clouded above them, and Elle could see that there was blood on the moon that night... death was coming.

  Maethien was sharpening her blade when Legolas came into the armory, Saeleth close at his heels, smiling proudly as she watched the elf prince pick up Aragorns sword and offer it to the surprised ranger.

  "We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray." Legolas looked to Aragorn directly, his brow furrowed in concern. "Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." He said quietly, he did not have to wait long for Aragorn's response.

  "U-moe edaved, Legolas." [There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.] The two friends clasped each other's soldiers, proud smiles lifting the corners of their lips. They had been through so much together... They were truly good friends.

  "That's my boys." Maethien said proudly, a bright smile on her face as she gazed at the elf and man looking to each other. It was then that Gimli came in, clutching a mail shirt up to his chest. Maethien had to elbow Saeleth to keep her from bursting into laughter.

  "We had time, I'd get this adjusted."Gimli growled, then dropped the shirt and sighed impatiently, the mail hit the floor, but the dwarf ignored that little detail as he lifted his gaze to his friends. "It's a little tight across the chest." This time, no one could have kept Saeleth from laughing as she looked at Gimli, the mail more like a dress then a shirt on the dwarf. Maethien, though she tried not to, soon burst into peals of laughter.

  The sudden sound of a horn pierced the air and cut off the sister's laughter.

  "That is no orc horn." Legolas exclaimed and ran out of the armory with Aragorn and the sisters close behind him. Aragorn arrived first, stopping abruptly when he spotted Haldir with the King, a smile rising to his lips.

  "How is this possible?" Theoden breathed, disbelief coloring his tone.

  "I bring word from Eldrond of Rivendell." Haldir spoke regally, his smile wide with pride as he faced the King of Rohan. "An alliance once existed between Elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together." Haldir bowed in respect tot he King, then rose to show the full force of his honor.

  "We come to honor that allegiance." Haldir smiled as Aragorn, Legolas, Maethien, and Saeleth rushed up to him.

  "Mae govannen, Haldir!" Aragorn hesitated for a moment, then embraced him, catching the elf by surprise. "You are most welcome."

  Legolas stepped forward, the elves clasped each other's shoulders in greeting, not needing to say much. He then moved to stand at his side, proud to stand by his kin. Maethien smiled as she stepped forward with Saeleth close behind her.

  "Haldir." Maethien said in greeting, and bowed her head to him. She was pleasantly surprised when Saeleth embraced the elf. Haldir moved, gesturing to two young elves. Both carried a pack in their hands.

  "Lady Galadriel bids you wear this," Haldir explained as the elves approached the sisters with the packs. "To honor your blessed gifts." Maethien looked inside and smiled, whispering a prayer to the Valar as she looked up to her sister.

  "We shall." Maethien nodded then turned away to change, her sister close behind her. Once alone, the sisters examined their gifts closely. The robes were finely made and perfectly fitted to the sisters frames, the breeches were soft, war, and firm, beneath her body armor she wore a new shirt in silvery grey, light and soft against her skin. Over their shirts, they wore another layer of cloth before slipping on their mithril body armor. What made the sisters happiest, however, was the long over robe Lady Galadriel had sent to them. It was white and patterned with the symbols of the Valar in golds and silvers all over the robe, it had a high upturned collar, and it was split at the back and front to allow them complete freedom to move. The sisters wore their armor proudly, honored to be bearing the symbols of the Valar into the battle for Helm's Deep.

  Ready to face an army, the sisters strode out of the room to find the others. Every man and elf was already set in place, weapons drawn and shoulders straight... Night had fallen, and the sounds of marching were drawing closer. The sisters found their friends quickly, walking up to stand at their sides.

  "You look... different." Aragorn commented to Maethien as he regarded her carefully, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. Saeleth rolled her eyes and took her place beside Legolas, nodding to the elf that moved further to allow her space to stand, she would give the two love birds a moment to speak.

  "I feel different." Maethien said with a chuckle, and she did indeed. She was wearing the symbols of Lord Manwe and Lady Varda, the Valar that had marked them as their daughters... there was no better honor than to wear their colors in battle. The warriors looked at each other for a long moment, then Aragorn's brow furrowed and he sighed, blue eyes looked over the elleth before him with worry.

  "Maethien." He breathed softly, taking a step forward so that he was only inches away from touching her. "Are you sure you want to be here?" Aragorn whispered. More than a little surprised, Maethien's gaze rose to meet those worried blue eyes, she didn't need to think for a second to know her answer.

  "I'm not going anywhere." She said firmly, then she turned to take her place beside her sister.

  Then the waiting came. Gimli kept on jumping up and down in place, trying to see over the wall that was very obviously taller than he.

  "Oh! You could have picked a better spot!" He complained, causing his elvish friends to smirk. Aragorn came to stand behind them once again, no one turned to look at him, their eyes focused on the army that descended upon Helm's Deep.

  "Well lad, whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night." Gimli aid, breaking the tense silence around them. Thunder and lightning flashed above them, how odd that even the heavens seemed to feel the darkness of what was coming to them.

  "Your friends are with you Aragorn." Legolas promised him, his eyes focused on the horizon.

  "Let's hope they last the night." Saeleth, as usual, had to keep herself from chuckling at the dwarf's sense of humor. Maethien, however, had no difficulty keeping her smile hidden, for she was feeling very uneasy as she watched the army come into view, felt the thundering of their stamping feet as they came ever closer. This was it... this was war, and it pressed heavily onto Maethien's shoulders to know that she did not know what was to come.

  Sensing her unease, Aragorn walked past her and reached out to take her hand in his, giving it a squeeze of comfort before he let go and walked away. Though it was a small gesture, it did much to calm the storm raging within the warrior elleth.

  Lightning lashed at the earth and thunder resonated strongly above them, it was then that the heaven unleashed the downpour of rain over the battle field. Saeleth felt the water touch her skin and, for some reason, felt comforted by the cool touch of the liquid... she was not sure why, but she felt that the water was going to be more a savior than a hindrance in this war. Saeleth cursed Melkor and his dark mind tricks for what felt like the hundredth time... she knew that there was something important that she should know, but she was not sure what exactly that was.

  "A Eruchin, u-dano i faelas a hyn." Aragorn's voice spoke loud and strong over the clash of thunder. "An uben tanatha le faelas!" [Show them no mercy... For you shall receive none!] Maethien's hands tightened around her bow at the words.

  The Uruk-Hai came closer, the sounds of their stomping feet penetrating deep into the ground beneath them. The leader stood upon a high rock, lifting his sword high, he roared to the thunderous sky, the action exciting his army further.

  "What's happening out there?!" Gimli demanded, holding on to the wall as he continued to jump up and down in an attempt to see.

  "Shall I descr
ibe it to you?" Legolas asked, a smile forming on his lips. "Or would you like me to find you a box?" Maethien bit her lip and watched Gimli turn his head to stare up at the elf, then... the dwarf laughed, and the sound made Maethien smile. Ahead, the leader of the Uruk-Hair roared again, and, as if on cue, the army a his sides began to tap their spears to the ground in rhythm.

  "Here, lassie, do you think you could do anything about this rain?" Gimli suddenly asked, his eyes on Saeleth. The elleth blinked in surprise and glanced from the sky to the dwarf in confusion.

  "You want me to ask the Valar to... stop the rain? Wouldn't you prefer me to ask them to burn the army to cinders instead?" Gimli thought about it for a moment.

  "If you did, would it still rain?" Maethien laughed and shook her head, oh how she loved these lunatics of hers.

  The Uruk-Hai continued to stamp their feet in sync, slamming their shields to their chests and they waite eagerly for the battle to begin. Saeleth's gaze wandered the army, feeling as if a shadow had suddenly descended upon her... a threat was cast over her mind and she could not see it. It was close... so close... Elle's keen eyes searched the army, looking for something that could tell her what exactly it was that she was missing but the shadows... the shadows. Smoke... and fire. Saeleth felt the beginning of a vision pierce her thoughts, there was so much smoke, fire, and shadow... and a name. A name that brought a sliver of fear onto Elle... Lungorthin...

  "Dartho!" [Hold!] Aragorn's voice cut through Saeleth's vision, bringing her back in time to watch the first Uruk-Hai fall.

  "One down, nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine to go." Maethien said brightly.

  With a loud battle cry, the leader thrust his sword forward and the troops charged the wall. It had begun.

  "Tangado a chadad!" [Prepare to fire!] Elves notched their arrows, Maethien cast her eye upon the leader, standing atop the high rock.

  "Faeg i-varv din na lanc a nu rnc." [ Their armor is weak at the neck and beneath the arm.] Legolas said, his arrow aimed and ready.