Final Confrontation

The war, looming endlessly over Middle Earth, had become far more than a dubious threat in the past months. Sauron's forces seemed inevitably victorious as they continued their march over life and land. In response, militia forces and Men marched inside the walls of the sanctuary of Helm's Deep, in the last attempt to protect the civilians of Edoras.

Lord Elrond of Rivendell and the Lady Galadriel concurred that Men could not survive this threat themselves. The time of the elves was ending, but they still could not let everyone stand alone in this trial. It was said to be a doomed task, and Haldir believed this in certainty when the task of leading the elves of Lothlorien into battle, was bestowed upon him......

The rain fell steadily across mountain, marsh, and plain; its melancholy tune strumming each disappointing chord accordingly. The growing darkness fed off of the few stray clouds left in the cobalt sky. Lightning scattered throughout the nighttime, quickly answered by the serenading thunderclaps. It seemed as if it had been weeks since the sun had shown its enlightening face, for it, too, was afraid. All that once was green and gold was gray. All that once was innocent and pure was lost.

Haldir's clear blue eyes gazed across the broken lands in dismay. He bit his upper lip and shook his head, ashamed at all he saw. He relaxed his fists, which had been clenched at his sides since their march had begun, and drank from the spring. Haldir stood, his hair flowing over his shoulder, and once again took his place at the head of the group. They were close to Helm's deep now, and the drums of the enemy became nearer and nearer with every moment spared.

Haldir motioned to the others that their pace must quicken, and so it did. Their lines thickened then, their swords and bows at hand, and the sound of the shields clashing from being so close together, amplified the lightning and thunder even more.

The perspiration in the air prickled Haldir's fair skin, like that of salt from a distant sea. Even with all that already was present, a storm was still upon them. He stood at the top of the mountainous hill and surveyed the land. Below, across the river, were the walls of Helm's Deep. Haldir looked to the darkening, yet limitless sky, before walking on proudly toward their destination.

From just around the bend, Haldir noted the men of old, and the ones not so old, that were huddled together on top of the mighty wall. He raised his arm steadily again and so initiated the blowing of the elven horns. Haldir smiled slightly at the almost relieved expressions on the men's faces. They marched inward the wooden door and into the heart of Helm's Deep, where he was greeted by the King, among others.

"An alliance once stood between Elves and Men," he paused and smiled as he saw Legolas and Aragorn at the front of the crowd. "And, we come to honor that allegiance."

Aragorn jumped at him, embracing his friend tightly.

"You are most welcome here," was his comment.

Legolas and Haldir embraced and exchanged words in their language as the other elves stood at ease and awaited their instructions. Legolas and Gimli directed the others to their designated places so Haldir and Aragorn could take a moment to speak to one another.

Aragorn placed his hands behind his back. "Not that I am not grateful for your presence, because I truly am, but why are you here, mellon nin?"

"A simple request from a beautiful lady can persuade most anyone, I imagine," Haldir smiled wryly.

Aragon smiled and shook his head.

"Besides, even those who are immortal cannot escape the force that comes," Haldir said. "We have not come this far to run now."

The two halted where the end of the line of elves was, and Aragorn turned to Haldir. He placed his hand on his shoulder, as did Haldir in response.

"Be safe and fight well, my brother," Aragorn said.

"We will meet again, mellon nin," Haldir replied. "Now, go, the enemy is not far behind."

Aragorn nodded and took off toward the armory to prepare for the invasion to come. Haldir felt the hilt of his sword with his fingertips, and listened to the drumbeats in the distance. He could not tell the outcome, but either way it could not be so good. He could tell the men's wits lay upon the edge of a blade, and it would not take much to destroy it.

"Captain," an elf said, trying to shove his helmet in Haldir's direction.

Haldir smiled tenderly and handed the helmet back to the young elf. "Keep it close, mellon nin. All will be well."

The younger elf bowed slightly, his worried eyes reassured by Haldir's calm voice.

Haldir turned his attention back to the attacking forces, who now marched before them. They were gruesome and awkward, yes, but still they looked to be more organized than some of the men here. Haldir let out a sigh as the rain began to fall fiercely across the plains. Then, he heard Aragorn's voice echo over the wind.

"Arrows!!" he shouted.

Haldir flipped his bow into his hand and loaded it with two arrows.

"Hold!" Aragorn added.

A man suddenly released his arrow and struck down one of the enemy. It groaned and flopped forward, enraging the other Uruk-hai. They began
their charge forward.

"Release arrows!"

A gigantic wave of arrows whizzed from the wall toward the Uruk-hai, but still they came full force. Moments later, they were at the wall.

"Ladders!! Ladders!!" Aragorn exclaimed.
Haldir and the other quickly switched from bows and arrows to their swords. The enemy began to flow over the wall, and only then did the real battle begin.

Haldir singled out from the others, for he loved some fighting space. He held his two swords at his side and smiled, fire burning in his eyes. Then, the Uruk-hai came at him. He sliced two under the arms, and two more in the throats. They squealed and fell down dead. After that, they came in a line formation.

Haldir fell to his knees and stabbed one in the groin area; flipping him over with both swords. He noted the enemy's pattern, and made up one of his own: up, right, down. It seemed to work for a period, until they realized his pattern. Then, Haldir backed up and changed tactics. He unsheathed his one sword from his belt and turned in a 360 motion, cutting at least three Uruk-hai's heads off in the process.

They retreated and Haldir made his way over to where Legolas and the others fought. He took out another two of the enemy and paused in his actions. His face was muddied with dirt and rain and his hair stuck to his neck and face. Then, he felt a being breathing down his back. Haldir turned too late and was struck from behind. Pain seared through his body, and he dropped his sword. Haldir fell to his knees and peered at Aragorn, who helplessly tried to come to his rescue.

"Haldir!!!"

He did not question why his time had come, but only why it came so soon. He closed his clear eyes that began to well with tears, and awaited the final strike. Then, it came, but he did not feel it.

Haldir fell backward into Aragorn's arms. He stared blankly up at the future king, but he could not speak nor smile to his friend.

"Do not fear," thought Haldir. "for we will meet again."

Then, as Aragorn held him, everything went black in Haldir's mind.

"Namarie, mellon nin," Haldir thought. "Namarie."

Then, Haldir took his final breath and died.

The End