I didn't know Arwen had been worrying about this problem for so long.
"Arwen, I'm a little hurt. If you have any worries, tell without hesitating. We're married."
Arwen looked apologetic, then smiled and said, "Thank you for saying that."
"But I think it's difficult right now. As you know, Middle-earth is facing a great war. Once this is over, I'll definitely find a way."
"I understand."
We embraced lightly.
A few days later, the Fellowship of the Ring began traveling swiftly down the Great River Anduin to the south. So I prepared to leave again, said goodbye to Arwen and Elrond, then transford into my dragon form and flew toward Argonath. While flying, I saw rry and Pippin being captured by Orcs.
"Lord Arkadzin!!! Over here!!! Save us!!!"
"Shut up!!!"
Since I was flying in dragon form and was large and conspicuous, they spotted and started shouting. The Orcs, flustered, tried to quickly cover rry and Pippin's mouths, but as I glared down at them from the sky and descended slowly, they got scared, abandoned rry and Pippin, and fled without looking back. I created a few fireballs and launched them at the fleeing Orcs.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Kyeeek!!!" "Save !!!" "Aargh!!!"
The Orcs hit by the fireballs scread as their bodies burned and died on the spot. I returned to my human form and freed rry and Pippin.
"Thank you. We thought we were going to die."
"What about the others?"
When I asked, Pippin answered, "I don't know. We were setting up camp when the Orcs ambushed us, and we got separated. After that…"
"Then let's wait here. They might be on their way knowing you were abducted."
"You're right. They'll definitely be looking for us."
, Pippin, and rry built a fire on a hill so we could be seen, made so simple food, and were eating together. Then we saw several ard people on horseback approaching.
"The Rohan cavalry."
They approached us and quickly gave a warning. The one warning us was Éor.
"You look like travelers, but you shouldn't be lighting a fire here right now. We've heard from refugees that many Easterlings and Orcs are advancing this way. Get out of here quickly."
I could gather a lot of information from Éor's words. A war between Rohan, the Easterlings, and Morgoth's allied forces seed imminent.
"That's our business. We're waiting for people we need to et here."
rry added, "That's right. We got separated from our companions, so we're waiting here."
Éor, looking busy, turned his horse and said, "I don't have ti, so don't stay long."
With those words, Éor and his cavalry hurried off toward the Great River Anduin.
After about half a day of waiting, I saw Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and Gandalf approaching the campfire we had lit. They had indeed separated from Frodo and Sam, but unlike in the original story, Boromir seed to have survived the Orc attack.
Pippin and rry waved their arms to signal where we were.
"What a relief. eting up along the way."
We sat by the campfire to rest and talked about what had happened.
"So that's why Boromir's head was split open."
"That's right. He lost his mind over the Ring, so I used so magic (physical)."
They said that because of Boromir's obsession with the Ring, Frodo and Sam decided to move separately. On top of that, the Orcs attacked at the worst possible ti and captured rry and Pippin, so they had no choice but to give Frodo the signal ring I had handed to Gandalf and co here in a hurry.
After hearing the situation, I relayed to the group what the Rohan cavalry had told .
"I have news for you. According to the Rohan cavalry, a great army of Easterlings and Orcs is crossing the Great River Anduin and advancing."
"That's right. That's why they told us to leave here quickly."
Then Gandalf sighed and said, "What we feared has finally begun. If they cross the Anduin, that ans they're attacking Rohan…"
At Gandalf's words, Boromir said, "Then I will go to Minas Tirith and request reinforcents."
"That won't do. With the Balrog around, if too many troops leave Minas Tirith, Sauron will seize that opportunity. Minas Tirith is already struggling just to contain Mordor."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
Gandalf thought for a mont, then stood up and said to us, "I will go to Fangorn Forest to bring reinforcents. You all help Rohan."
As Gandalf was about to leave, I spoke with him alone for a mont. Since it was obvious why Gandalf was going to Fangorn Forest, I asked bluntly.
"You're going to ask the Ents for help. But do you think they'll help?"
"Of course. Normally it would be difficult to persuade them. But with the Balrog appearing, it's a different story. It will burn down the entire forest. That's not a matter the Ents can ignore."
"I see. And what about the Ring business?"
When I asked about the Ring, Gandalf hesitated briefly, then said, "Hmm… For now, we have to trust Frodo and Sam."
Gandalf left for Fangorn Forest. We also packed up again and, as Gandalf said, began moving toward Edoras, the capital of Rohan.
"But if Lord Arkadzin is helping, doesn't that an the war is as good as over?"
Pippin asked as he walked, looking at . I thought for a mont about how to block the question "Please help us," then explained.
"I have lived a long ti and seen many things. I ca to one conclusion: you and the Easterlings or Orcs don't seem that different. They fight for their own gain, and you also fight for your own benefit when there's no common enemy. So you don't look any different to . Besides, dragons don't care about anything they aren't interested in."
Then Pippin began to argue, "We hobbits aren't like that. We don't harm or plunder other races."
"Really? Your na is Pippin, right? Have you never secretly taken vegetables from soone else's field?"
"Well…"
Pippin couldn't continue. I went on, "Hobbits are certainly less so than other races. But I sotis think that's only because you lack power. Long ago, there was a jewel called the Silmaril. It was more valuable and radiant than any other gem. But because of it, Elves fought among themselves. Seeing that, I don't think you're much different from Orcs."
"But…"
Hearing that, rry now asked, "Then why are you accompanying us on this journey?"
"The wizards asked . Saruman and Gandalf are old friends of mine, so it was hard to refuse. Also, Sauron has crossed the line. If he awakens the Balrogs and fights, the whole world will burn. And my wife wouldn't like that."
"So you're saying you won't help unless the Balrog appears?"
"That's right."
At that, Boromir and Gimli stared at in disbelief, while Legolas and Aragorn, perhaps knowing the nature of dragons well, just walked silently.
After that, without much talk, we walked hard and arrived at Edoras, the capital of Rohan. Edoras was very busy preparing for war. People were moving busily, carrying supplies, and in the palace, King Théoden and his vassals were busy devising strategies.
"We request an audience with the King."
"Welco. You are the son of Steward Denethor II?"
"That is correct."
"Oh~ Then when will Minas Tirith's support arrive?"
King Théoden asked Boromir, hoping for help from Gondor.
"Impossible. Now that the Balrogs have awakened, sending troops from Minas Tirith would allow an attack on Minas Tirith in that gap. Minas Tirith is already overwheld just holding back Mordor."
Boromir relayed to King Théoden exactly what he had heard from Gandalf. At that, sighs ca from among the vassals.
"Huh… So we can't count on reinforcents."
As King Théoden wiped his face, looking like he had a headache, Aragorn stepped forward and said, "We will help you as much as we can."
"And you are?"
"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn."
Hearing that, King Théoden was greatly surprised. "Son of Arathorn? Isn't that the heir to the throne of Gondor?"
"That is correct."
At the King's words, Boromir wore a bitter expression. I found their relationship quite interesting. One was the son of the Steward who had ruled Gondor for a long ti, another was the sudden heir to Gondor's throne, and yet another was the King of Rohan, who had been granted land by Gondor. Strictly speaking, if you trace the origins of the Rohirrim, they were all descendants of the Northn of Rhovanion.
"It's unfortunate that we et under such bad circumstances…"
King Théoden called for soone. A woman ca—she was Éowyn, the princess of Rohan.
"This is Éowyn, princess of Rohan."
We greeted Éowyn lightly. King Théoden instructed Éowyn to guide us to our lodgings, and she led us there.
The group decided to rest a while at the lodgings. They had chased hard after the Orcs who abducted rry and Pippin, and had reached Edoras almost without rest, so they needed to recover.
After resting for a day, the group discussed future plans with King Théoden.
"We need to move the people to Helm's Deep. This place cannot withstand a great army."
After looking around Edoras, Aragorn strongly insisted to King Théoden. Indeed, Edoras, built of wooden structures on an open hill, looked utterly insufficient to defend against a large army.
"Huh… No choice. Very well."
King Théoden, not being a fool, knew that well, so after deliberation he decided to move to Helm's Deep. I also decided to send word to Gandalf. I had learned from Gandalf long ago how to send ssages to magical animals.
I had to pay a price, and each animal wanted sothing slightly different. I asked a crow that was flying nearby. This crow wanted gold coins, so I gave it one and sent my ssage. The crow probably doesn't know the value of gold—it just has a habit of collecting shiny things.
'People would faint if they knew. A gold coin just to deliver a ssage.'
Anyway, the people began moving quickly to Helm's Deep. Knowing the urgency, King Théoden had everyone pack light and hurried their departure.
Edoras and Helm's Deep were a bit of a distance, but not extrely far. Plus, by mobilizing soldiers to put the elderly and children on wagons, they were able to arrive in two days. As soon as they reached Helm's Deep, so of the Rohan cavalry joined them and reported the enemy's position and the status of reinforcents from each fief.
"The enemy is three days away… How are the reinforcents from each fief coming along?"
"They are still gathering troops. Even at the earliest, it will take five days."
"Oh dear, that's too late. We have to hold out for two days… What about the weapons situation?"
King Théoden and his vassals carefully inspected the fortress wall of the Deep, preparing for a siege. While they prepared, I gathered the party and gave them new weapons.
I gave Boromir a shock-absorbing shield and an alloy sword, Gimli an alloy axe that increased in weight when swung down, Legolas a bow that could shoot explosive arrows, and the hobbits armor to protect their bodies and one-handed swords. Aragorn had already received his weapons before, so he was skipped.
"Wow~ What's this about, you stingy dragon?"
When Gimli spoke with a hint of sarcasm, Legolas quickly covered Gimli's mouth.
"Think of it as a gift since we've traveled together, even if for a short ti. The weapons have no nas, so na them yourselves."
Then I took out several ordinary bows and a large quantity of arrows that I had prepared in advance for such a situation, and handed them over. From earlier, I had noticed they were very short on bows and arrows. Aragorn then called soldiers and began moving the bows and arrows.
"Brother, thank you. I thought you wouldn't bother with this kind of thing at all."
"I don't care."
Honestly, I was maintaining a "cool persona," so I couldn't imdiately rember why I had brought out the bows and arrows, so I just spoke dismissively. Aragorn chuckled lightly and moved the arrows. It felt like a small mistake.
'Keeping up a persona isn't easy.'
Then, after thinking for a mont, I said to Aragorn, "Co to think of it, there's a high ridge beside the entrance into Helm's Deep. I was thinking we could roll rocks or large logs down from there."
"That's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that?"
Aragorn hurried off to tell King Théoden. They hadn't known how to make full use of the Deep's terrain. It made want to make them read Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
King Théoden actively accepted my suggestion, taking sturdy n up to the ridge, cutting down large trees and moving boulders, and setting them up so that even a small number of people could easily roll them down.
Two days passed, and when night fell, people wearing black robes were seen blowing horns and entering Helm's Deep. The defending soldiers, thinking they were the enemy, were on high alert, but Aragorn recognized them as Elven reinforcents and shouted.
"Reinforcents! Open the gate!"
At Aragorn's words, the soldiers opened the gate, and the Elves began entering the fortress. Seeing them, King Théoden rushed out to greet them.
"What in the world… Am I dreaming or awake?"
King Théoden seed bewildered, having not expected Elven reinforcents. Then Haldir, the captain of the Elven reinforcents, said to the King, "A ssage from Elrond of Rivendell. Long ago, n and Elves who were allies fought together and died together. We have co to revive that honor."
Then Aragorn ca down from the wall, recognized Haldir, and greeted him warmly.
"Good to see you, Haldir."
Aragorn embraced Haldir. Knowing full well how dire the situation was at Helm's Deep, Aragorn was truly grateful for the Elves' aid. Haldir patted Aragorn on the back.
"I am proud to fight alongside n once more."
Haldir was the captain of the Lothlórien Elven contingent. Probably, at Elrond's request, Galadriel had sent the troops. Even as Elves were leaving Middle-earth, she had sent most of the forces guarding Lothlórien.
Each unit was stationed on the wall, and the gaps were filled with civilians who knew how to shoot a bow. I also climbed to the highest point, holding a greatbow I had brought from Monster Hunter. This greatbow was so powerful that no human could draw it.
"The enemy is coming!!!"
One of the cavalry scouts hurriedly rode back, shouting. Right after that, lights began to flicker beyond the horizon, and a great army of Orcs and Easterlings poured into Helm's Deep. The number was enormous—enough to fill the entire gorge. They stopped in front of the wall and struck the ground with their spears, threatening.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Nervous from the intimidating display, one civilian accidentally loosed an arrow, which struck an Orc in the chest. As if that were a signal, the Orcs roared and charged toward the fortress. Aragorn imdiately shouted to the archers.
"Prepare to loose!!!"
At that command, Elven and human soldiers drew their bowstrings and aid at the enemy. When the Orcs and Easterlings reached the wall, Aragorn's command rang out again.
"Loose!!!"
Fwoosh~!!
Countless arrows rained down upon the enemies approaching the wall. Since the battle was fought at night, the arrows were nearly invisible. But the brute Orcs, ignoring their fallen comrades, charged toward the wall.
King Théoden, seeing that the enemy had sufficiently entered, raised his hand to signal. At that, the soldier guarding the King blew a loud horn. Hearing it, Aragorn also shouted loudly to alert the soldiers.
"Rocks!!!"
Along with that shout, a thunderous sound ca from both sides of the gorge, and countless boulders and logs began to tumble down, pouring into the gorge below.
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