Disclaimer: I do not own Batman nor do I own Lord of the Rings. They are the sole property of DC Comics and JRR Tolkien.

Author's Note: Enjoy and as always, please review.

---

Chapter 26
The Drums of War

Aragorn had returned to the now emptied armory, after taking a bit of time to calm him and regain his composure. The past few days… no, the past few months had slowly been taking a toll on the Fellowship and himself. It was that much of a surprise to see that even Legolas and himself had reached a breaking point.

As Aragorn pulled the shirt of chain mail over his body, he thought back to the argument he had with the Elf Prince. He couldn't' deny that what Legolas had said, held truth. These people were afraid. Deathly afraid. And the chance that they would survive the night was nil to none. But as he placed the gauntlets that Boromir had once worn onto his wrists and replacing his vest and belt, Aragorn remembered the words he had told the boy outside a few moments ago.

'There is always hope.'

Aragorn turned grab for his sword only to find it being held out to him by a slightly sheepish looking Elf Prince. The Ranger's face remained neutral as he took the weapon slowly form Legolas.

"We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray." Legolas said, breaking the silence. His piercing blue eyes stared into Aragorn's gray eyes imploringly. "Forgive me. I was wrong to despair."

"Lá Menían, Legolas (There is nothing to forgive, Legolas)," Aragorn said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Gimli, hold still!"

Legolas and Aragorn turned around to see Cassandra fighting desperately to get a shirt of chain mail over Gimli's head. "I'm telling you Gimli: it's too long."

"Nonsense lassie," Gimli said dismissively. "It'll fit. Besides, its nay like we have time to get it adjusted." At last the pair got the chain mail over Gimli's dwarf frame, and the bottom of the armor/garment crashed to the floor loudly. Batgirl gave a deep sigh, casting Gimli a look that screamed 'told you so' while Aragorn and Legolas did their best not to grin.

"It's a little tight across the chest."

"To say the least," Batgirl muttered.

The comfortable silence between the four friends was suddenly broken by the sound of a distance horn blast. Each of them tensed at the sound, expecting the worse excpet for Legolas who's eyes lit up.

"That is no Orc horns," he declared. His heightened Elven hearing gave allowed him to decipher the tone with ease, and judging from the small smile that graced his lips it was good news.

The four raced out of the armory and into the cold night, just in time to be met by the sounds of synchronized marching. Making their way through the crowds of soldiers and halted when they reached the top of a flight of stone stairs. Entering the fortress of Helm's Deep was an army of Elves clocked in grayish-blue clocked, helmets of bronze and intheir hands they heldmagnificent bows, spears and swords.

Standing at the foot of the stairs, was an elf clad in gold-color armor and wearing a crimson clock, lined with gold. He smiled at the four members of the Fellowship and bowed forward in greeting.

"Haldir?" Batgirl gasped.

Aragorn raced down the stairs, his eyes lit with relief and thanks. Her said something quickly in Elvish before pulling the March Warden of Lothlórien in a tight embrace. Haldir stood awkwardly in shock for a moment, before returning the hug with a small smile.

"You are most welcome." Aragorn said.

Haldir nodded, before clasping hands with Legolas and even went so far at to bow his head in greetings to Gimli.

Batgirl stepped foreword from behind Gimli and upon seeing her Haldir moved up and took her hands. "My lady," he greeted in with an inclination of his head. "I am please to see that you are well. But where is..." The last sentence trailed off slightly, when Cassandra suddenly avoided his gaze and pulled her hands from his. Even with her face hidden behind her mask, the Elf could see pain etched in the black charcoal mask that she wore over her face. He paused to look questioningly at Aragorn and Legolas for a brief moment but he didn't need to ask in order to understand the cause of such sadness in such a passionate spirit, as Cassandra's.

The look of lost love would have been obvious to a blind dwarf.

Cupping her cheek with his hand, Haldir smiled sympathetically at her. No words were spoken, for he knew that nothing he could say would ease her pain and she silently thanked him for then turned back to the speechless King of Rohan. The March Warden gestured to his army, and nearly 300 hundred Elven soldiers turned about to and stood at militaristic attention.

Haldir bowed, “I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell and Galadriel of the Golden Wood.” he said formally, amused as several guards jumped at his Lady’s name, “An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago, we fought and died together. We come to honour that allegiance... We are proud to fight alongside men, once more.”

---

"Ye could have picked a better spot," Gimli grumbled. The attack was only minutes away. At the wall, Gimli was standing up on his tiptoes, trying desperately to see over the high stretch of wall he found himself stuck behind.

"It's going to start soon," Batgirl whispered as she looked out over the darkened landscape.

A slow time passed and far down in the valley scattered fires still burned. The host of Isengard was advancing in silence now. Their torches could be winding up the comb in many lines. Batgirl was reminded of some bizarre and sickening version of the painting 'Starry Night' painting that she had seen in one of Alfred's art book.

"Aye," Aragorn said, appearing from behind them. "We have done all we can. Now we must wait."

"Waiting… just great…" Batgirl sighed sarcastically.

A big part of being a vigilante was of course waiting for criminals to make their move, but for a fighter like Cassandra it always felt like an impossible eternity. And to look at people like Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn, she could see that they felt the same way.

"Well, lad, what ever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night," Gimli said, with a sideways glance at Aragorn. There was a loud clap out thunder with a blinding fork of lightning that pierced the night sky, sending a collective chill ran through the bodies of all the

"Your friends are with you, Aragorn," Legolas then said.

"Let's hope THEY last the night- Oy!" Gimli let out a small yelp as Batgirl smacked him upside the head with an open palm.

"Don't make me hurt you…" she smirked, glaring at him mockingly. Aragorn smiled, before continuing his final preparations. Batgirl watched him go and sighed. "At least it hasn't started raining yet…"

As if on cue there was another bolt of lighting and clap of thunder followed by fat, cold drops of water that pounded onto their heads and shoulders. Once again Cassandra was grateful for the thermal lining of her costume to keep her warm. Looking about, Cassandra noticed many of the others begin to shiver from the drenching water and icy cold. The elves of course seemed unaffected by the rain and cold and stood completely still in the sudden downpour.

"Ye were sayin' lassie?"

"Shut up Gimli."

All around the Rohirrim and Elven soldiers were beginning to take their places along the top of the wall. The thunderous sound of the approaching army could be heard in the distance and Cassandra hurried to look out over the wall.

It was maddening watching the enemy creep closer and closer. The army was nearly upon Helm's Deep and Cassandra could feel her self-growing more uneasy by the second. She had faced impossible odds of the years. From gang wars to deadly assassins to demons to meta-humans, she'd faced it all. But there was something different about this.

Even with the arrival of the Elf-guard, there were not enough of them to defeat the assemblage of Orcs.

It was very possible that this would be her last night on earth… well, her last night on Middle-Earth anyway. She might never have the chance to see any of her friends from Gotham or any of the friends that she made here in Middle-Earth.

But she knew without a doubt that she had to fight. Too many people were counting on them to keep the enemy from breaking in and she would gladly give her life to save those innocent people. Cassandra had no fear of death. That had been removed long ago, by her father's training. But that did not mean she did not feel slightly uneasy about the coming battle.

Aragorn began to march up the wall, shouting commands and final words to the Elven archers in their native tongue. "A Eruchin U-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha llie faelas! (Show them no mercy, for you shall receive none!)"

Gimli and Batgirl couldn't understand the words, but they had a basic idea.

"What's happening out there?" Gimli asked, hopping up and down against to look over the wall, which was nearly as tall as him.

"Shall I describe it to you?" Legolas smirked. "Or would you like me to find you a box?" Gimli shot up a pointed glance, before bursting out into good-nature laughter.

Listening to the elf and dwarf's banter seemed to lighten Cassandra's heart some. She had lost a great deal over the past few months but she was with her friends, who she would die for and vise versa.

"Legolas. Gimli." she whispered to her two friends, who turned to look at her. "Remember: If either of you die…. I'll kill you."

Again Gimli let out a second loud chuckle of laughter and Legolas smiled widely. The walls then fell silent as they waited. Ten thousand Uruk-Hai warriors stood just yards away from the wall, glaring and howling and snarling but they had yet to move any further towards them.

"What are they… waiting for?" Cassandra asked finally. " An invitation?"

"Patience lassie," Gimli replied. "Patience."

The Orc army began to stamp their spears and feet in a loud rhythm that echoed off the walls of the Helm's Deep. It was clearly a basic use of synchronized sounds in which to intimidating the enemy. It was probably having a successful effect on the farmers and children in their ranks.

Cassandra was listening to the beat finding it somewhat reminiscent, and without intention began to whisper a song that Black Canary had loved to play back at Oracle's Clocktower. It was one of the few songs she actually took the time to remember the lyrics to, much to Dinah's joy and amusement, as well as to Barbara's great annoyance.

"Buddy you're a boy make a big noise
Playing' in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on yo' face
You big disgrace
Kickin' your can all over the place
Singin'

"We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you"

Cassandra's had sung/whispered the song loud enough for Legolas, Gimli and a few others could hear and they now turned to look at her in confusion and interest. When Batgirl became aware of her audience, ducked her head in embarrassment. "Sorry…"

"Dinnae be, lassie," Gimli smiled. "I'm not sure the exact point of yer song, but I think it works."

Legolas nodded, before turning his attention back to the approaching army.

Aragorn stood on the deep center of the wall, his long black hair beaten flat in the rain. Slowly he drew his long sword from its sheath, and a soft echo a metal scrapping against metal was heard.

All the Rohan archers had fitted arrows into their bows. The strings were taut and their aim was taken. Only one word from Aragorn remained between them and the first strike of the battle.

Not far back one of the much older archers, held his bow with as shaky wrist and sweat beaded forehead. He tried to steady himself, but he lost his grip. With a loud whoosh, his arrow was loosed and flying through the air.

"Dartho (Hold)!" cried Aragorn.

The old man's arrow had buried itself deep into the neck of an Uruk-Hai in the front line and both sides watched, holding their breath as one while the creature fell face first to the mud, seemingly in slow motion.

Furious howls emanated from the enemy, letting all know that the Uruk-Hai would not take that kill lightly. The lead Orc stood high on a large bolder so all could see him. His crudely made sword lunged into the air, and he howled a wordless command to his subordinates.

And then they attack.

"Tángado hálad (Prepare to fire!)" Aragorn order.

The Elven Archers drew back their bows and took aim. Batgirl held her bowstring back in a firm yet gentle hold, her eyes fixated on a rather butt-ugly Uruk, who seemed to be sending them obscene gestures.

In her mind, she could hear the words of the second Green Arrow,Conner Hawke whispering softly. 'Relax your fingers but don't loose your hold. Keep your eye on the target. Allow everything else to fade away. Shoot when the time is right.'

"Fáeg í váar din nà lanc a nu ránc, (Their amour is weak at the neck and below the arm)," Legolas breathed softly to those who could hear him.

"What?" Batgirl asked.

"Aim for their necks and below their arms. That is their weak point," Legolas repeated in the common tongue.

"Leíthio í philinn! (Release the arrows!)" Aragorn cried and a wave of arrows rained down on the Uruk-Hai. Hundreds of arrows hissed through the air followed with muffled thuds as they struck their marks.

"Did they hit anything?" Gimli demanded.

"FIRE!" shouted Háma from ontop ofthe King's tower. The Rohanmenthen released their arrows upon the attacking Orcs.

Aragorn then gave the order to fire at will, and all soldiers, man and elf fired one arrow after another after another after another. The air was defended with the sounds of the hissing wooden missiles.

Waves of Orcs fell at their attacks, more came in from behind.

"Send them to me!" Gimli shouted. "Come on!"

Cassandra smirked, as she readied another of her arrows. She could always count on Gimli to be antsy for a fight.

Her eyes fixed on one of the larger Uruk-Hai, and she drew back her arrow. Right about… NOW! She released the arrow and it drove through the Uruks helmet and into his skull causing him to fall and get trampled by his kin who were returning their fire with crossbows and cries of pain echoed from slain elves and men.

At the commands of Théoden and Aragorn, the Rohirrim loosed their arrows, taking down great quantities of the enemy. But more were there to take the places of the fallen. The Uruk-Hai mounted their own attack, pushing great ladders already bearing warriors up to the wall.

"Péndraid! (Ladders!)" Aragorn yelled in warning.

"Good!" Gimli grinned, hoisting his axe at ready.

As one of the ladders hit, a large Orc leapt out towards Gimli, who quickly cut him down in one swing, causing the dwarf to grin savagely.

Another ladder struck near wear Batgirl stood, with another Uruk snarled at her. With a straight thrust fingertip strike, she collapsed the brute's throat, causing it to fall backwards into the crowd below. Cassandra then threw down a knife hand chop, causing a chain reaction in the ladders, snapping each step down the middle. The Uruks who had been attempting to climb it also fell crashing down.

"Impressive Cassie," Gimli laughed.

Bows were now useless at this point, and everyone was depending on swords and hand-to-hand combat. This was much preferred by Gimli and Cassandra.

"Legolas! Two already!" Gimli cried out with pride.

"I'm on seventeen!" Legolas shot back. Gimli's face fell.

"I'll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!" Gimli shouted.

"What about a girl?" Batgirl asked loudly, as she drove her sword into a nearby Uruk, and slicing the head off another. "24!" Cassandra elbowed another attacker in the throat, breaking his neck in the process. "I mean 25!"

Both Legolas and Gimli stared at her in shock. If they didn't know her so well, they would have thought her a liar. But unfortunately for them, Cassandra's skills were not something to doubt. The Elf Prince paused to watch her fight. Her movements were fluid like water, and her speed unmatched. It was almost as if all others were moving in slow motion.

"Bloody…" Gimli snarled, breaking his gaze from Cassandra, who had taken down two more Orcs, single handedly. He spun about, driving his axe into the crotch of an Uruk who had just cleared the wall. Climbing up literally on the wall, the dwarf took a position between two ladders, and began slicing down each and ever Uruk that climb it. "We'll see who has the greater count lassie!"

But when he looked over his shoulder, Cassandra had vanished.

"Now where did she get off too…?"

---

Not far, Aragorn also was fighting against uncountable odds, his sword flying as if it were literally one with his arm. He made little sounds, except for his deep-rooted breathing as he swung his blade to cut down one attacker after another.

Fighting his way to the edge of the wall, the Ranger let out a hiss mixed with a curse word in Elvish. Over on the causeway, he could see a large number of Orcs making their way towards the front gate of the Hornburg. They were set where their shields covered their forces like a tank, blocking arrows from nearly all-frontal attacks.

But not side attacks.

"Causeway!" he shouted to the Elf archer. A dozen or so bows turned in the direction of the causeway and released flying death at the Orcs. Several were cut down, with many more to take their placed.

As Aragorn fought on, he caught an unusual sight below him. A large Uruk, wearing a helm of leather and metal and sporting an assortment of white hand prints raced down through and aisle of his brethren towards the wall. In is hand he carried are burning torch. Although he wasn't certain what that meant, Aragorn wasn't about to take a chance.

"LEGOLAS!" he cried out, to the Elf Prince who was not too far away battling alongside Gimli and Cassandra. "Nútë el undu, Legolas (Bring him down, Legolas!)!" He pointed down toward the torch bearing Uruk. "Qualmro! Qualmro (Kill him! Kill him!)!"

Cassandra turned and spotted the Uruk racing down like an Olympic Torch runner towards them. "What the hell?"

Legolas turned about and fired several arrows down, each of them hitting their mark, yet the beast would not yield and continued forth. He continued to stumble forward until he dived into what appeared to be a sewage duck at the bottom of the wall.

The next instant everything when to hell. The wall suddenly exploded, sending dozens of soldiers flying to injuring or to their deaths. Batgirl, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli were all separated from the blast, knocked into different directions.

As Cassandra was knocked back, she found herself wondering absurdly just why they had had such a conspicuous Orc running for the column. Why didn't they just stick with a torch slightly less visible? The answer died before it ever reached the realization part of her mind as everything went black.

Maybe the Uruk-Hai just had to make everything into a production…

---

Batgirl began to cough loudly as she regain her senses. Her ears were ringing and she was pretty sure she landed in a way that was REALLY going to hurt in the morning.

'Where the hell did those mouth-breathers get a freakin' bomb?' she thought to herself savagely, trying to get up into a kneeling position. The blasts had knocked her off the one the wall and onto the wet muddy ground below. She looked around frantically for the others, but the smoke was blocking her vision.

"Arior! (Charge)!"

Batgirl snapped her head to the sound of Aragorn voice, and not far away she could see Aragorn and a host of Elves spurring forth to meet the attacking Uruk-Hai who were entering through the hole they had made.

From the corner of her eye she watched as Legolas joined the party in his own unique style; surfing down the rough-hewn steps on what appeared to be a large Uruk shield. As he came down from what remained of the Deepings wall, his bow fired a barrage of arrows taking out Orcs left right and center. When he reached the final step, Legolas leapt back off the shield and kicked it at the same time, sending the pointed ends into another nearby Uruk.

"What a show off," Cassandra said rolling her eyes. Like she was one to talk…

Reaching into her utility belt, Cassandra broke into a sprint, and using a large chunk of rock as a springboard, leapt up into the air throwing a handful of pellets at a group of Uruks. The pellets flew at the Uruks, before exploding into a multitude of flashes and sparks. The Uruks stumbled around blinded by the flashes, allowing Cassandra to connect with the heads of three different opponents, knocking then back into several of their fellow brutes.

Landing in a crouch, Cassandra pulled the sword that Éowyn had given her and drove it into a near by Uruk, in time to see Aragorn pulling Gimli out from a pool of muddied water. Taking into assumption that they were okay, she turned her attention back to her own problems.

Cassandra swerved in and out of the fighting, her movements so fluent that most barely seemed to notice her until she attacked, each blow a killing one. She felt free at this moment. She had no fear of hurting innocent people. There were monsters that needed to be put down. And put them down she did.

"Aragorn!" cried Théoden from the top of the Deep. "Fall back to the Keep! Get your men out the there!"

Aragorn taking up the call shouted the relayed massage to his forces, causing all to pull back.

After using Lady Shiva's Leopard Blow attack on a final opponent, Cassandra looked about to make certain no living soldiers were getting left behind. Her gaze landed on Haldir on a by part of the wall not far from her, nearly getting over run by Uruks. Without a second thought, she went the opposite way of the others and towards where Haldir fought valiantly. Yet his attention was drawn from the battle as one Uruk, drove his sword into the Elf's arm. Haldir as cut the down the attacker, but the injury had caught him off guard.

Cassandra barely took any notice of the carnage around her as she raced up the stairs in time to see an Orc coming up from behind Haldir, sword raised to strike a killing blow. She never gave it thought as she screamed out defiantly and leapt into the air. Her cape billowed wide, and a shadow of a large winged bat appeared over Haldir and the Uruk.

Turning their attention upwards, Haldir barely ducked in time as Cassandra's feet both connected with the Uruk's face, and the horrifying sound of a nose bone breaking was heard. Batgirl using the momentum from the kick was then able to flip onto her feet, and struck the Uruk from both sides with inward kicks, followed with a palm strike to the Uruk's nose. Blood flowed freely from its disfigured nose and it let out a howl of rage, swinging its swords towards Batgirl. She instinctively raised her arm to block it and there was the sound of metal scrapping against metal, as the crude Orc blade struck Cassie's forearm but was knocked aside. Cassie grinned as she silently thanked Galadriel for the bracelets of mithril and then execute a reverse roundhouse kick, knocking the beast off the wall to which it landed on its own sword.

Haldir looked at her in surprise, the shock of his wound passing. "My lady…" he began, but Batgirl raised her hand to silence him.

"Later. Retreat now." She reached into her utility belt again, and pulled out her grappling gun and took aim. There was a loud explosion of air, as the grapple fired and hooked onto a nearby rock ledge. She held out her hand to Haldir. "Grab on."

Without question, Haldir wrapped his arm around the vigilante and the two swung down, over the battle below. As they passed over, Aragorn looked up and sighed deeply in relief. He had seen the Uruk attacking, but he was to far to have helped him. Cassandra truly was a blessing. Meanwhile, Batgirl and Haldir landed on the nearby ledge of the second wall of Helm's Deep, much to the surprise of many a soldier.

Eothain, the boy who had had first ridden to Edoras with his sister looked up at Cassandra in wonder. He had never noticed her before really, but looking at the way she fought and the way she looked in her tight fitting costumed hugged her perfectly toned body. Eothain found his mouth go dry as Batgirl and the Elf landed.

Releasing his hold on Cassandra, Haldir looked at her with a smile. "I see know why the Lady of the Light holds you in such high regard. Thank you, Lady Cassandra."

Batgirl smiled slightly under her cowl. "No problem. But… call me Cassandra. I'm no Lady."

Haldir's normally serious face broke into a smile and he nodded.

As they took off in the direction of the battle, Cassandra paused to look at Eothain. "Something wrong?" she asked, tilting her head to one side. The boy mumbled something inaudible before his face turned bright red. Shrugging it off, Cassandra took off after Haldir.

---

The Uruk-Hai army had now resorted to giant crossbows that fired giant grappling hooks onto the massive walls of Helms Deep. It was obvious that they would plan to use their great forces to pull on the grapple's line and attempt to bring down the wall.

For what could be the millionth time that day, Cassandra wondered what had happened to Gandalf and their hope.

"My lady!" Haldir shouted interrupting her thought. She turned and gave him a pointed look. "Forgive me, Cassandra," he amended. "Look!" he pointed head to see a group of men, with Legolas at the head of them pulling on a long line of rope.

Racing towards them, Batgirl called out to the Elf Prince. "Legolas! What's happening?"

Legolas didn't' reply, but instead grunted towards the edge of the wall. Looking over, Batgirl was shocked to see Aragorn and Gimli getting dragged up the wall's edge.

"What are you doing!" she demanded, as the pair climbed onto the wall.

"Oh, you know lassie. We felt like taking a walk," Gimli replied sarcastically. For a second time that night, Cassandra smacked the dwarf upside the head with an open palm.

"Not funny!"

"FALL BACK!" cried a voice from below, drawing everyone's attention. "FALL BACK!"

Théoden's voice could then be heard shouting: "They have broken through! The castle is breached! Retreat!"

"Hurry up!" Aragorn shouted, taking command of the situation again. "Get them inside!"

As Batgirl raced alongside Gimli she heard sigh. "And this started out as such a lovely day…"

---

Everyone who had been able to make it was now inside Helm's Deep inner chamber, including all of the horses, which turned out to be quite a few. All the men and elves that were able were frantically trying to reinforce the doors and windows in order to keep the invading Uruk Forced out.

Meanwhile those who could were tending to the injured. Théoden himself was among those getting looked at. As Hama tending his King's wounded arm, Théoden turned to look at those futile blocking the doors. "The fortress is taken. It is over."

Several gasped in surprise, except for Cassandra who spun around and growled: "Shut up." Last thing she wanted to hear was more negative talk. It was giving her a freaking' migraine right now.

Aragorn's own voice blocked hers out though as he and Legolas raced to pick up another bench. "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it!" he snarled. "They still defend it! They have died defending it!" Her broke his glare from Théoden to help Legolas place the bench against the doors. Once that completed he looked back towards the rest of the remaining group.

"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?"

Dinnae worry about that lad," Gimli interrupted. Both Aragorn and Théoden turned to look at the dwarf.

"What?"

"Cassandra and me found it earlier," the dwarf explained. "A passageway seems to lead into the mountains. We already told Éowyn about it."

"Why did you not tell the rest of us?" Aragorn demanded in exasperation.

"I thought she did!" Gimli said pointing to Batgirl.

"Me? I thought you did!" Batgirl said pointing to Gimli.

Both looked at one another, before turning to grin and Aragorn and Théoden sheepishly. "Well… now ye know."

"They will not get far," Hama interrupted. "The Uruk-Hai are too many."

"Tell word to the woman and children to make for the mountain pass," Aragorn ordered Hama. "And barricade the entrance!"

"So much death…" Théoden said softly. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"

"Stop it!" Batgirl cried. She stormed up to the King, her masked face lined with rage. "We still alive! Stop acting like we aren't!"

"We are already dead," Théoden said, meeting Cassandra's eyeless mask with frightening calm. "And I am to blame."

"No," Cassandra said. "You aren't." She pulled off her mask, and for the first time since they met, Théoden could see both the warrior and the child that was Cassandra Cain all at once. "We are alive. You! Their King is alive! That is enough to win! Don't give up! I know you… too pig headed to give up!"

"Ride out with me," Aragorn said suddenly. "Ride out an meet them."

A spark of something grew in Théoden's eyes. He looked from Aragorn to Cassandra and back to Aragorn. They were right. Both of them were right.

"For death and glory," he said.

"For Rohan," Aragorn said.

"For your people," Cassandra added.

"The sun is rising," Gimli said, looking up at a high window. Everyone turned look, and indeed they could see a light beginning to shine through from the east.

"Yes," Théoden said softly. "Yes. The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the Deep one last time!"

"YES!" Gimli cried. He raced off to the doorway that led up to the very top of the Fortress, where the Horn of Helm Hammerhand was set. Ready to blow forth the Horn.

The King placed a hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "Let this be the hour when we draw our swords together." Aragorn nodded, and his stature seemed to grow slightly.

"And you," Théoden turned to Batgirl. "…I am sorry. You are right, my lady. I should not despair while there is fight within us."

Batgirl smirked. "Damn right."

The King allowed his lips to quirk upwards, before turn backwards the front gate before them. The door was being beaten on from the outside, it's once strong oak frame giving in, splintering and cracking.

Everyone mounted their horse, and stood ready. The great hall of Helm's Deep would perhaps never again see such a thing. Théoden sat proud and strong upon his steed, his sword in one hand, and his helm in the other.

"Fell deeds, awake," he said softly. All those who stood besides him drew their weapons. Legolas, Aragorn, Hama, Batgirl, Haldir and the rest all drew their swords and stood in wait. "Now for wrath, now for ruin and a red dawn!"

And as if on cue, Gimli pressed his lips onto the ancient horn and a loud deep note rang out through the Deep.

The door shattered, and the Uruk-Hai burst forth. Théoden raised his sword high into the air.

"Forth Eorlingas!"

With a cry and a great noise, they charged. Down from the gates they roared, and over the causeway they swept, and they drove through the host of Isengard. Behind them from the Deep came the stern cries of men issuing from the caves, driving the enemy forth. Out poured all the men, elves and sole woman that were left upon the Rock. And ever the sound of Gimli blowing upon the horn echoed forth.

On ward they rode, friends both old and new, warriors and heroes cutting down all who stood in their way. No Orc withstood their forces. The enemy fled from their onslaught, fearful of this renewed power that drove Théoden's people out of the jaws of defeat.

There now cowered the once proud host of Saruman, in terror of the King and his people.

Suddenly all halted and looked up to the east, for upon a ridge appeared a rider, clad in white, shinning in the rising sun. Over the low hills the horns were sounded. Behind the white rider, hastening down the long slopes, were thousands of men on foot and on horse, swords risen high, gleaming the morning sun brightly.

"Behold the White Rider," Aragorn whispered, before crying out, "Gandalf is come again!"

TO BE CONTINUED…