the eve of battle

Much has happened since my last entry. I ran for eight days, southward and west, hardly stopping until I reached the city. It stood on a rocky hill, and at the very top stood a great hall. Ragged banners and flags hung from the wall surrounding the city, but I found the gate unguarded. I soon discovered, much to my frustration that the city was empty. One lone horse, old and lank, remained, most likely because it knew no other home.

No words could express my frustration. Where could everyone be? How could all signs of life in a city were the monarch dwells just be empty? I sat for perhaps an hour in the great hall-its insides adorned with gilded carvings of horses and intricate knots on the beams, walls, and ceilings-chewing on lembas, drinking some good wine I had found, and thinking. It was then that it occurred to me that the people had fled the threat of the unnaturally large orcs, but to where? After checking my map, I found a likely candidate. To the north was a great fortress in the mountains, Helms Deep, so I mounted the old nag and rode. His condition was not to poor, but it still took me three days to get here.

And so here I am. When I arrived, soldiers and commoners alike stared at me, unsure of what to think. I must admit, I do not blame them. I look like some man-elf hybrid with my short silver hair and rich brown eyes, and my days spent in the wild has left me rather disheveled.

A soldier, being unsure of my were my loyalties were, took me to the main hall, where it was that I was first introduced to King Theoden, and to my surprise, three of the company I had been searching for.

He was in consult with a dark haired man I knew at once to be Aragorn, leaving the elf and the dwarf. Legolas, and Gimli, respectively.

Stumbling over my words, I quickly explained that Elrond had sent me, that I was there to join them in their quest. There was much surprise, and even disbeleif and indignation at my tale; I had to prove myself by speaking "Elen sila lumenn omentilmo", a traditional and respectful elvish greeting that anyone who stayed in the house of Elrond would have picked up.

But even then there was astonishment. "You are but a child," Aragorn said to me, "Hardly a woman, yet Elrond sent you on such a trying journey? I do not believe it." I assured him that Elrond had plenty reason to send a "child" such as myself on this task. I look younger than I really am, I have almost reached my twentieth year. To be honest, I was insulted initially, the comment did nothing for my vanity.

But we quickly moved on to more pressing matters, and I learned that indeed, the people of Rohan had crowded into this fortress because they feared an attack from the orcs, who were under the control of the White Wizard of Isenguard. Now I am thankful I did not take the original planne route, I would have gone right by the corrupt wizard, and perhaps even apprehended.

Aragorn, who had been delayed in returning from an earlier skirmish, had witnessed at least ten-thousand of these orcs headed for Helm's Deep, and they were expected to arrive by nightfall.

We spent the better part of the evening discussing battle tactics, and readying the soldiers and the walls for attack. I have eaten a proper meal now, and though it was rushed, it was well enjoyed.

As the sky began to darken, marching could be heard, and a horn call rang out. The soldiers stiffened, but then someone called out "Open the gates! It's the elves!" and hope and wonder filled everyone. The elves have come, and now I put down my pen, for they have formed ranks of bowmen on the outer ramparts, and I am to join them.

I can only hope that I will make it through the night.