The glow faded away, sinking into the core of Maethien's body where her fiery magic was rekindled. Saeleth was no healer... but she was the Mage, and she had the capability to call forth the power of those that had given them their magical gifts... and that was exactly what she did. Mathien was not sure what her sister had done or how, but she was suddenly very aware that she no longer felt the agony of her injuries and that her magical powers were blazing with the energy she had not had moments ago... Saeleth had replenished Maethien entirely with her enchantment, she'd given her everything she needed to keep fighting.
"Elle!" Maethien gasped, reaching out to catch her sister before she could hit the ground... she'd given Maethien the best of her energy which, in turn, had left Elle with an empty tank... so to speak.
Lungorthin, recognizing the threat, roared suddenly and lunged toward the sisters, Maethien moved fast, grabbing Elle and shoving them both out of harms way.
"Maethien!" Looking up, Mae was relieved to see Legolas running to her, dodging out of the way of Uruks who tried to slow him down.
"Legolas," She breathed. "Take care of Elle. Please. She gave me what I needed... now I have to finish this."
"I'm alright, Mae. Go!" Smiling at her sister, Maethein left Elle in Legolas' care before turning around and running.
"Lungorthin! I'm here! Come at me!" Maethien bellowed as she ran, the balrog searched for the source of the voice in the crowd or battling men, elves, and Uruks. It was then that Maethien did the stupidest thing she had ever done in her entire life. She ran into the Uruk-Hai army.
"What the- Mae! Are you insane?!" Well, apparently Elle was feeling much better, Mae thought as she listened to string of curses that came from her sister. The balrog followed her into the army, crushing Uruk-Hai as he bounded after her, very few Uruks tried to attack her... they were much to afraid of Lungorthin to even try to get in his way. The storming rain made it harder for Mae to see where she was going but, despite that, she kept on running, hoping to draw Lungorthin far, far away from the people she was fighting to protect.
Without warning, a searing hot hand curled around her waist and yanked her up into the air, Maethien screamed as she balrog roared at her, it's blazing breath harsh and painful against Mae's skin despite the constant pour of cool rain... she suspected the burns and agony would have been much more intense if the rain had not continued to fall. The balrog lifted her high into the air and flew, the wings knocking down hundreds of Uruks as they unfurled and flapped wildly. Bellowing with pain and rage, Maethien gripped her sword and buried deep into the balrogs hand, twisted and turning it harshly into the beasts skin. The monster roared in rage but it released her, letting her fall through the air. Maethien struggled to focus her panicking mind onto her psychokinetic ability and somehow managed to use her active energy on herself, slowing her fall... though not by much. She landed painfully in the water, gasping and scrabbling wildly for the surface.
"Right... That's it. No more Miss Nice Elf." She panted, then cursed loudly as the balrog landed right above her. Dragging her limbs into action, Maethien dove into the water and fought her way through the water, surfacing just behind the massive beast. She knew she had to stall him, just long enough so that she could summon the water to her... but it proved rather difficult when the beast was constantly trying to crush her deeper into the water and drown the life out of her. She ducked beneath a swing at her with his hand and rolled, slicing her sword into it's legs where a white line appeared... but not blood spilled. Beneath the skin was complete fire. Maethien ducked again, fighting hard, coming at all sides against the balrog. She felt her skin burn whenever the sword came too close or when Lungorthin's talons managed to catch her, she was grateful for the water and her mithril chest plate, for she suspected that the water was the only thing that kept the white hot fire from burning her to a crisp... and kept his talons from piercing her heart.
"Maethien! Get back!" Maethien turned, Aragorn was standing before all of the elven archers, every one of them ready with an arrow. The hand came at her from the left and Mae barely had enough time to ignite her shield before she was smashed into the air, were it not for her shimmering shield, that blow would have caused irreparable damage.
"Dammit!" Mae muttered as she slid through the mud, crawling to her feet. The volley of arrows did little to injure the balrog, but did plenty to anger and distract him and that was exactly what she needed. Maethien dipped her feet into the river and called to all of the water around her. The rain slanted off at an angle, racing horizontally through the air toward Maethien as she collected a sphere above her head, the water at her feet slowly began to climb the balrogs feet, holding onto him like chains so that he would not be able to fly away or kick her once again.
"Lungorthin!" The balrog roared at her angrily, clawing at his own feet in an attempt to free himself from the water. With a mighty war cry, Maethien threw the horde of water at him, catching him in the chest, the water quickly enveloped him, watery snakes curling around his arms and legs to form watery chains... soon, the balrog was encased in the water, forcing the fire within him to begin to fade. He roared and trashed in attempts to escape, but the water held him down, sealing his limbs and destroying his fiery roar with the power of the Valar's blessed water. With one hand holding the water in place, Mae reached for Silmacil and and gripped the hilt tight.
"For the Valar." She whispered, then launched the gleaming blade, it sailed through the air and broke through the water, piercing the heart of the balrog, causing it's chest to crack and reveal a whiteness within the open wound. Water surged through the balrog, invading his entire body, eating away of the heat and fire until the brilliant white flame was no more.
Maethien released the water, and the balrog fell to the ground, landing heavily with the loudest thud that Maethien had ever heard, louder than even the strike of thunder. Silmacil gleamed white hot as it protruded from the bests chest.
"Aragorn! Fall back to the keep! Get your men out of there!" Gamling ordered over the roar of battle.
"Nan barad! Nan barad! Haldir, nan barad!" Aragorn took out his last opponent, then turned to Maethien, isolated from the others. He fought his way to her side, seeing her weakened and struggling to keep her attackers at bay. He came like a fire through barley, killing Uruk after Uruk before grabbing Mae's arm and dragging her toward the keep wordlessly. He turned back to look at Maethien, and saw the Uruk descending upon Haldir's back.
"Haldir!" He shouted in warning, but suddenly... the Uruk was gone. Reduced to nothing but a pile of dust. Maethien turned to see her sister, still weakened from the enchantment she had cast, but still fighting nonetheless.
"She's going to be a force to be reckoned with." Maethien breathed with a weak smile.
"You better believe it." Saeleth said as she rushed to her sister's side. "You get Haldir." Saeleth said to Aragorn as she placed an arm around Maethien's waist, supporting her weight as she spoke. "We'll get the children to safety."
"What are you doing? Argh! What are you stopping for!" Saeleth and Maethien watched with wide eyes as Gimli was dragged away by two elves, both lifting him high off the ground so that he would not run away. Weak, bruised, and in pain... but Maethien still managed a laugh before she and Saeleth rushed after Gimli.
Aragorn allowed himself a moment to watch her find the strength from somewhere to carry on fighting toward the children on the eastern side of the wall. Shaking himself, Aragorn rushed to Haldir and swung his arm over his neck, helping him to hobble along faster toward safety.
Mae and Elle made it to the children, stabbing the Uruk then tossing him aside like garbage. The boys gaped at the sisters, their eyes wide with wonder.
"It's them!"
"It's the balrog slayer!"
"Hurry to the keep!" Maethien said to them, pushing them along the path.
"Stronger ones help the slower ones. Young ones run ahead and keep going, all of you!" Elle ordered over the chaos, swinging her sword to catch a blade th
en using her second blade to decapitate the owner.
"Hurry!" They raced into the keep together. Maethien made to lead the children to the back of the keep where it was safer, Saeleth bringing up the rear to be sure no Uruks dared follow.
"Get you wounds seen to, right away. Go!" Maethien ordered, it was the last thing she said before she collapsed, succumbing to the darkness that had been slowly overcoming her senses.
"Maethien!"
Pretty sure this is the longest chapter I've ever written. Goodness that was intense!
Sorry to those who want to throttle me for not making Mae confess her feeling for Aragorn... I don't know why I keep postponing it. Maybe because I've made her this fearless, mighty warrior that strikes down Uruk-Hai, Orcs, and now even balrogs and... I want to show that she has a vulnerable side too.
As for Lungorthin, believe it or not the beast is mentioned in Tolkien lore, some say it's another balrog and some say it's another name for the Lord of Balrogs buuuuut I made it so he is just another balrog, not the Lord. I hope you all liked that little surprise. It was very stressful writing that scene, felt like it dragged on forever.
Thanks so much everyone for reading and as always honest feedback and constructive criticism is welcome... no rotten fruits and veggies please!
ForeverTeamEdward13 | angel897 | unicorn682006 | machtgut | Guest
Thank you sooooo much for reading and taking the time to leave your amazing comments! You can't even imagine how nice it feels to read your words. I'm so glad you all like my characters and like what I've done with the story. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter too! I hope to see your names on the Reviews again. Thank you!
Silentmayhem
Awww thanks so much! As always I love to see your name in the reviews, you always have so much to say! Thanks for that! I'm glad you like what I've done wit Ann and Smeagol... I just wanted to show that even though Ann is this outspoken, emotional, silly girl she is also very loving, understanding, and forgiving. OH MY GOODNESS what you said abut Mae made my heart burst! "-makes me think of her as a lioness, fiercely protective and nurturing to her pride. She has so much compassion and is constantly the care giver ...she makes me think of home, of warmth, of security, of safety, of love,of a mother." Amazing words that I will remember forever, thank you so much for them!That is exactly what I wanted Maethien to be! And about Arwen... I'm glad you said that. I love Arwen and I think the same thing, I just felt that maybe it would be awesome to make a warrior that would be able to understand him, like you said, they're enough alike that they instinctively know what the other is thinking. And Elle... Elle's time is coming, just you wait. Thanks again sooo much for your incredible words!
Aragorn ran about the room, and he was not the only one. Every able bodied man was rushing about the hall, shoving tables and chairs over to ram up against the door where Uruk's continued to charge and bash into.
"The fortress is taken." Theoden called out to them, the loss of hope evident in the tone of his voice. His eyes glazed over with ice. "It is over."
"You said the fortress will never be taken as long as your men defend it!" Aragorn argued as he helped Legolas lift a chair. "They still defend it! They have died defending it!" He shouted, piercing the blackness that had consumed Maethien and dragged her under.
"Aragorn." She whispered, her eyes fluttering.
"Lie still, lass." Gimli said gently, taking her smooth hands into his large calloused ones.
"You pushed yourself to far this time, Mae." Saeleth said as she continued to wipe away at the dried mud and blood staining her sister's face with a damp cloth. Words could not explain the terror that Saeleth had felt when she'd watched her sister collapse, she was so afraid that she'd left her... died on her. Her heart rate had not slowed down from the moment she'd seen Mae fall, the fear plagued her like the dark haze that Melkor refused to clear from her mind. "And once you get better," Elle added as she looked down into Maethien's clouded green eyes.
"I'm going to kill you myself."
Maethien breathed a weak chuckle, her vision finally clear of the dark spots she'd first seen upon opening her eyes.
"What happened?" Suddenly, Maethien's eyes widened and she tried to leap up from where she lied on her sister's lap. "The children!" She cried out, struggling against Elle's hands for a brief moment.
"Easy..." Aragorn soothed, pushing his way to her side and taking her hands into his. "The children are alright. They're safe." He promised, smiling down at her as he gently pushed her back into Saeleth's lap.
"The balrog?" Mae asked.
"You killed it." Saeleth muttered. "And nearly killed yourself in the process. I swear, Maethien, you will be the death of me and, ohhhh, I promise you that if you die on me I will find a way to bring you back and kill-" Elle was close to hysterics, tears forming in her eyes, her hands trembling as she ranted on.
"Shhh, calm down, Elle." Legolas murmured, somewhat surprised to see her emotions so wildly out of control.
Maethien sighed, grimacing when the action caused her abdomen to scream in pain. She looked up to her sister, frowning when she saw the tears in her eyes. She'd upset her sister... no, she'd scared her sister. And scared her really badly at that. Reaching up with a hand, Mae touched her fingers to her sisters cheek softly, prompting those amber eyes to look at her.
"I'm sorry, Elle. I'm so, so sorry." Maethien whispered, feeling very sad that she had caused her sister so much fear and pain.
"It's alright." Elle drew a calming breath and shook away her anxiety. "You're alive. That's all that matters." She whispered, then blinked away the tears so that she could get a good look at her dear big sister.
"You look terrible." Saeleth commented, provoking a chuckle from her sister and their friends, who had watched the sisterly encounter in warm silence.
"I feel terrible." Mae groaned. She propped herself up a little higher against her sister's lap, watching quietly as Aragorn stepped up to the King.
"Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them." Maethien smiled.
"For death ad glory." Theoden nodded, the fire returning to his eyes.
For Rohan." Aragorn added. "For your people."
"The sun is rising." Gimli announced solemnly, reminded them all of Gandalf's promise.
"Yes... Yes! The horn of Helm Hammerhand, shall sound in the deep one last time!" Theoden declared, the strength returning to his voice as he faced them all with new found courage.
"Yes!" Gimli cheered and turned to climb the steps to the horn.
Theoden approached Aragorn and clasped the rangers shoulder, forging and strengthening their developed friendship. "Let this be the hour, when we draw swords together." Maethien smiled, then went to rise from the ground.
"No. Stay here." Aragorn told her, spotting the intention in her eyes. "You are weak from battling the balrog." His worry was met with a brave smile.
"I'm never to weak to ride, Aragorn." She declared.
"Spoken like a true rider of Rohan." Theoden said, smiling at the elleth and giving her a small nod of respect. Maethien smiled at the King and rose to her feet, turning to see Saeleth slumped over, raking her hands through her hair in exasperation, though Mae did not miss the proud smile that graced her sisters lips.
"You will be the death of me, Maethien." She muttered once more, before pushing herself off the ground and standing beside her sister proudly.
"Fell deeds awake." The King spoke, as every remaining warrior swung themselves onto their mighty horses. "Now for the wrath, now for the ruin and a red dawn!" The horn sounded from deep within the keep and the doors blew open.
With a hearty battle cry, the riders charged their mounts forward and trampled over the Uruk-Hai as they raced up the steps. With their weapons drawn, the sister rode out with the King and their friends, swinging and slicing at the Uruks they passed as they flew down the steps of the keep. The horn continued to blare powerfully as the riders made their way through the entrance to Helm's Deep and out into the grand arm
y of Uruk-Hai. Not a single rider hesitated, not a single rider contemplated fleeing for if they were to fall in battle, they would fall with honor and pride.
The sun peaked over the rise, and everyone, man, elf, and Uruk, turned to look as a lone rider of pure white magnificence stood gazing upon the battlefield. The brilliant white horse neighed majestically and reared back on it's hind legs, further calling to the attention of the armies of Uruk-Hai that swarmed the entrance at Helm's Deep.
"Gandalf." Saeleth whispered, her heart swelling with joy at the sight of her beloved wizard. She turned to her side and saw the brilliant smile upon her sisters face as well, her green eyes bright with immense delight. Though she could feel her body screaming at her, begging her for rest, upon looking at the great white wizard... Maethien felt a surge of energy rise from somewhere inside her.
The sisters watched with wide smiles as Ganalf was joined by Eomer, then were closely followed by a grand army of Rohans best warriors, their weapons help high, the sunlight glinting off the metal. Even from all the way down there, the sisters could hear the battle cry that Eomer shouted out before the army of riders descended upon the rise. Uruk-Hai, aware that they needed to confront this new enemy, rushed away from the King and his company to ready themselves for the attack that flew toward them. Lifting his staff high, Gandalf called to him the brilliant light of the sun for aid, blinding the Uruks and given the new party the advantage as they collided with the screeching army.
"Ready for another go?" Saeleth called out to her sister as she watched the armies collide. Maethien turned her smile to her sister and laughed.
"I'm always ready." She called back, then turned to charge into the thick of the battle, praying to the Valar for one more gust of energy.
It wasn't long before the King of Rohan was bellowing out with pride. "Victory!" He shouted as the Uruks raced to escape the army of men. "Victory!" The King's voice rang out proud and true. Maethien, feeling that her body was going to give out on her, stopped battling and stopped to watch the Uruk-Hai army run for their lives, breathing in deep and slow so as to steady her racing heart. The black spots were returning, slowly beginning to obscure her vision, the darkness of sleep pulling at her mind as she struggled to stay awake just a bit longer.
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