Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Two Gundams ❯ Rohan United ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 6: Rohan United

The steady boom of the battering ram echoed all through the keep. Quatre stood in front of the doors with his hands raised, a look of concentration on his face.

“Man, that's annoying!” Heero exclaimed. “Can't you do anything about it, Quatre?”

“I am!” Quatre snapped. “They haven't broken in, have they?”

King Théoden stared in dismay at nothing, his shoulders slumping. “Why? It makes no sense! Such hate!”

“We mustn't give up!” Aragorn exclaimed. “To give up is to give in to the hate! We must continue to fight. I will continue to fight!” He thumped himself firmly on the chest. “Let us ride out and face this beast head on! We are the flower of men! Let us show these creatures what manner of blood flows in our veins!”

Théoden's shoulders straightened. “Yes! You are right, Aragorn! Let us ride out and show the world why the horse lords of Rohan are the pride of the world!”

“Finally!” Heero grumbled. “Some manly talk.”

Wu-Fei nodded emphatically and whipped his katana through the air. “Let's finish this thing.”

Of course, it took awhile to sort out the horses and armor and men, and by the time they were finished, Quatre was looking a little peeved. “Sheesh!” he muttered. “I was starting to think they were just going to leave me dangling.”

But now that everyone was ready to go, Gimli rushed off to sound the Horn of Helm Hammerhand, a ridiculously monstrous construction so loud that the very stones shook when Gimli blew into it.

Duo and Heero exchanged a look.

“Jett's louder,” Duo remarked.

“I've never heard her do a tone that deep, though.”

“Small chest,” Duo acknowledged. “Her lungs give her volume, but she needs a bigger chest cavity for the deeper resonances.”

Heero scratched his cheek. “Could be. But she could get the longer sound waves by standing up straight and lifting her chin.”

Duo nodded thoughtfully. “That might work.”

“Do you really think it's a good idea to teach Jett how to make more noise?” Trowa asked casually.

“Perhaps not.”

“Are you guys ready?” Treize interrupted. “They're about to open the doors.”

“Oh, crap!” Duo exclaimed. “Where did I put my sword?”

“It's over here, Papa Duo.”

“Ah, thanks, Roku.” Duo scooped up the errant blade with a grin. “Ok! Let's kick some orc butt!”

“Roku and I will open the doors,” Quatre said. “Wu-Fei, you should clear out a path and then the horses can ride out. Treize, do you mind staying here with Roku and making sure no orcs wander in while the rest of us are outside?”

“No problem.”

“Very good.” Quatre gestured toward the doors. “Roku, if you please.”

Together, Quatre and Roku raised their arms and made a sweeping motion in opposite directions. Immediately, the barricade that had been erected in front of the doors was swept away and the doors flew open. Several startled orcs spilled into the room and were promptly dispatched by Heero and Wu-Fei. Then Wu-Fei sent a blast of fire through the doorway, causing the clustered orcs to scatter in all directions.

“For Rohan!” Théoden shouted and he kicked his horse forward. Aragorn rode beside him since the path was wide enough for two horses to ride abreast. And with the momentum gained by having the immediate path cleared, the charging horses were able to knock orcs out of their way as they surged out in a continuous column, the riders hacking to either side furiously. Confused by the charge, the orcs milled about, making themselves easy prey for the riders. But when the last of the riders cleared the doorway, one slightly more intelligent orc who'd managed not to get killed shouted and barged through the open and, he thought, unguarded doors.

He skewered himself on Treize's sword.

“That was easy,” Treize murmured.

“Look out, Uncle Treize,” Roku said.

“Oh, bother!” Treize sidestepped an orc charging toward him with a lowered pike and slit the creature's throat. “I guess I'm just going to have to put out some effort.”

“It is a battle,” Roku noted. He leaped on an orc and bit off its face.

“Good point.”

Outside, the riders were managing to keep their momentum, despite the large number of orcs jammed into the fortress. In fact, the orcs' numbers were working against them, because it left them little room to organize any kind of resistance. The horses just trampled over them and the riders cut down anyone left standing. By the time Théoden and Aragorn reached the outer gate, the orcs had started scrambling down the ramp in a messy retreat.

“We've got them on the run!” Théoden cried.

“There are still an awful lot of them,” Legolas said.

“And it looks like someone among them is still in charge,” Aragorn added. In the gray dawn light, a single Orc was shouting orders and forming his troops back into ranks.

“How are we going to get off the ramp without getting cut down?” Quatre asked. “We need to form a line for a cavalry charge.”

“Leave it to me!” Haldir called from the battlements. He and his remaining elves had followed the riders down from the inner keep. “We still have a few arrows left.” They lined up along the top of the wall and loosed a flight of arrows. The orcs hastily retreated as their front ranks were decimated and the riders used the distraction to gallop off the ramp and form lines facing the orcs.

“We're pretty outnumbered,” Wu-Fei noted.

“Yup,” Heero agreed cheerfully. “You ready?”

“Always.” Wu-Fei grinned, showing all his teeth. The nearest orcs facing him blinked in alarm. He pointed at a particularly large orc wearing an enormous helmet with a grill dripping with large quantities of slimy drool. “Dibs!”

“Aw, man! I wanted that one!”

“Speak up, next time.”

“Shoot. I guess I'll start with those three. They're not too small.”

“Wait a second!” Duo suddenly interrupted. “What the hell is that?!”

“What?”

“That giant forest where there used to be an open plain!”

“Well, that's pretty odd,” Trowa remarked.

“Odd?!” Duo choked out. “Forests do not grow overnight! And you don't even want to know the kind of vibes I'm getting off those trees. It is seriously creepy!”

“Don't get distracted, Duo,” Quatre said. “We've got a battle to finish.”

“How am I supposed to not get distracted?! The damn trees are whispering!”

“Focus, Duo.”

Duo grumbled something under his breath that sounded an awful lot like “I've got your focus right here...”

With a great roar, the orcs charged forward and the battle resumed. The orcs tried to use their numbers to simply swarm over the horses and knock the riders off, with some success. Things were starting to look a little grim when Quatre suddenly smacked his forehead.

“Again with the posing!”

“Who's posing?” Trowa asked breathlessly.

“Gandalf!” Quatre pointed up the slope to a pass on the right side of the keep, where light from the rising sun was streaming through, forming a blinding halo around a single rider on the back of a large horse.

“Good timing,” Trowa said.

“Nice entrance,” Duo added. “And he's got company.”

Even as he said it, hundreds of riders flowed onto the slope next to Gandalf.

“It's Eomer!” Aragorn cried. “Gandalf found him!”

Suddenly aware of the new threat on their flank, the orcs turned to form another front, hastily forming a line of pikes to take the charge.

“There's no way they can stop Eomer with the momentum of the slope behind him!” Théoden crowed. “We've won!”

Someone less familiar with the horsemen of Rohan might have thought his declaration premature. But it did not take long for Eomer to prove him right. The king's nephew led his forces down the slope in a thundering charge that crashed through the line of orcs as if the pikes weren't even there. The orcs broke and ran almost immediately, racing for the towering trees that blocked off the end of the canyon.

“Yeech!” Duo exclaimed. “They'd be better off staying here to get slaughtered! Going in that forest is a huge mistake. Eek!” He jumped in his saddle. “Did you hear that?!”

“We all heard it!”

The riders had started to pursue the orcs into the forest, but now they pulled up, staring at the trees in alarm. A deep guttural roar echoed out of the woods and the trees began to thrash, despite there being absolutely no wind at all. Then horrified shrieks filled the air. The riders closest to the trees turned their horses and galloped back toward the fortress.

“Victory is ours!” Théoden declared.

A big grin on his face, Eomer rode up to the king and reached out to clasp his forearm. “Your majesty!” he exclaimed. “Nothing pleases me more than to see you recovered from your long illness!”

“Nephew!” Théoden replied delightedly. “Your return is well-timed and much appreciated. Please forgive me for allowing you to be driven into exile.”

“I never blamed you, sire,” Eomer replied graciously. “Those dark days are behind us, now. We have driven most of the wild men out of Rohan and now that Saruman is defeated, we can reclaim our rightful place in the world.”

“But sadly,” Gandalf interrupted their happy reunion, “we cannot sit back and enjoy this moment of peace. There is still the greater battle to be fought.”

“And we do not know for certain that Saruman is defeated,” Aragorn added.

“Yes we do,” Duo said. “Didn't I tell you that Zechs said they've wiped out Isengard and bottled Saruman up in his tower?”

Everyone stared at him.

“No,” Quatre said pointedly. “You failed to mention that.”

“Oh. Well, anyway, that's what he told me right before we rode out. He also said we should stop by when we get the chance so Gandalf can deal with Saruman.”

Treize sauntered up, covered in orc gore and looking very pleased with himself. “Are you finished out here? The folks in the caverns want to know if they can come out now.”

“Are you done mopping up in the fortress?” Quatre asked.

“Pretty much. Roku is sniffing out the live ones and inviting them to join the dead. I think Haldir and the other elves are helping.”

“That is good,” Théoden said. “We should collect the bodies. The orcs can be piled up for burning and a mound raised over the honorable dead. This has been a hard battle. While I agree that we should travel to Isengard as soon as possible, today must be a day of recovery.”

Gandalf nodded in agreement. “It shall be as you say Théoden King, but tomorrow we should go to Isengard.”

So the women, children and elderly were let out of the caverns and set to work digging pits for the dead. Since no one was interested in cutting firewood from the forest lurking beyond, the siege engines were smashed up and drenched in oil brought by the orcs for flaming projectiles to set fire to the orc bodies. Timbers from the siege engines were also used to create a framework for the burial mounds, which were then covered with chunks of sod to finish them. It was a lot of work, but by sunset, the fortress was cleared of bodies, the dead were honorably interred, and the last of the orc bodies were smoldering under a smoke-filled sky. The stars were just starting to come out as everyone slowly filed back into the keep, where the smells of cooking set mouths to watering.

“Well, that was a pretty good fight,” Wu-Fei said. “I was actually starting to get a little tired toward the end.”

Heero flexed his shoulder. “Yeah, my sword arm was starting to get a little achy. Definitely a decent fight.”

“I may have to use a sword in the next battle,” Roku said. “Orcs taste really bad. I'd rather chew on a ghost. I wouldn't mind a bath right about now.”

“There is water in the cavern,” Eowyn said. “I could heat some up for you, if you wish.”

“That would be very nice,” Roku purred. “Would you like to help me bathe? It feels good when someone scrubs my back.”

Eowyn blinked. “You are going to bathe like that? Wouldn't it be easier as a… a person?”

Roku padded up to her and rubbed against her hip. “But then my fur doesn't get properly clean. Please?” He bumped her hand with his nose.

Instinctively, Eowyn petted him on the head. “If you wish. Just let me get a few others to help carry the water.”

“Ok.”

Roku sat down on his haunches as she hurried away, grinning a giant tiger grin.

Quatre regarded him suspiciously. “You better behave yourself in the bath, Roku. Eowyn is a nice person.”

“I'll behave,” Roku said.

Duo blinked several times and clamped his lips together.

A meal of soup, bread and cheese was served while water was heated for baths. Most people just sat down on the floor to eat because it was pretty crowded with everyone inside. But the mood was cheerful after the long frightening night, despite the losses they'd suffered and the long day's labor.

After she had made sure everyone was eating, Eowyn came for Roku. “I have your bath ready, Roku.” She had a smock tied on over her apron. “It's this way.” A room just off the kitchen with a drain in the floor had a large boiler for heating water and a roomy beaten copper tub.

Roku padded up to the tub and put his nose in. “Nice!” He jumped into the tub with a splash.

“Oh!” Eowyn squeaked. Water sloshed over her shoes.

“Sorry!” Roku ducked down under the water and came up shaking his head, flinging more water. “Is there soap?”

“Uh, yes.” Eowyn picked up the soap and approached the tub with trepidation.

Back in the main hall, Quatre was reclined flat on his back on the floor with his eyes closed.

Trowa eyed him. “Aren't you the least bit concerned about leaving Eowyn alone with Roku in a bathtub?”

“Not my problem.”

“How bad can it be?” Wu-Fei said, also reclined on the floor with his eyes shut. “The girls aren't here.”

“Have you forgotten what it was like bathing Roku as a kitten?”

Wu-Fei grimaced. “No.”

“He's bigger now.”

“I agree with Quatre. It's not my problem.” Wu-Fei rolled on his side and pillowed his head on his arms. “She volunteered.”

Sitting cross-legged on the floor with Duo's head resting on his knee, Heero held up a hand before Trowa could speak to him. “Don't look at me. I'm busy.”

“Doing what?” Trowa stared. “Helping Duo sleep?”

“You're not the one who has to listen to those damn trees!” Duo complained. He rubbed his temples. “Trees should not be allowed to radiate angry thoughts! It's just wrong!”

Heero put a hand on Duo's forehead. “Stop listening. Go to sleep.”

“I'm trying.”

“If you're concerned, Trowa,” Treize said, “perhaps you should go assist her.”

A deep rumbling growl, followed by loud splashing and Eowyn's startled cry echoed from the bathing chamber.

Trowa blinked. “It sounds like she's doing all right.”

Eomer stared from one to the other. “I thought you said your magical talking beast isn't dangerous!”

“He's not.”

Another growl and more splashing were punctuated by squeals from Eowyn.

“You say that is not dangerous?!” Eomer exclaimed. “She's being eaten alive!” He jumped to his feet and raced from the room, a look of frightened concern on his face.

Théoden also started to rise. “Perhaps I should assist him…”

“Please don't worry about it, your majesty,” Treize said graciously. “Roku will not harm your niece or nephew in any way. He simply enjoys bathing and sometimes gets a little rambunctious.”

“Rambunctious?” Théoden echoed uncertainly.

“For a tiger,” Treize amended.

“But he must weigh almost twice what she does!”

“The worse he'll do is slobber on her. And since she's probably already quite wet at this point,” Treize smiled sweetly, “it shouldn't cause her any lasting harm.”

“But you said…”

“Trust me,” Treize purred in his warmest, most trustworthy voice.

“Ah!” Eomer's strangled shout made Théoden jump. There was a loud thump and more splashing.

“Eek!” A door slammed and, seconds later, Eowyn dashed into the room sopping wet, her long blond hair matted and tangled. “Eomer is taking over the bath!” she announced, her eyes completely round. “If you'll excuse me…” She skittered away, her sodden clothes leaving a wet trail behind her.

“See?” Treize said. “Completely unharmed.”

“Heeeelp!” Eomer wailed pitifully from behind the closed door of the bathing chamber.

Treize blinked once, but his calm comforting expression didn't change. “I'm sure he's fine.”

Heero rolled his eyes. “Excuse me a second, Duo. I have to go rescue the big, burly horse lord from our son.” He slid his knee out from under Duo's head and marched off. A door banged open. “Roku! Stop that! I'm sure he doesn't need that cleaned.”

“But he smells like a horse.”

“They all smell like horses.”

“I'm almost finished.”

“Save me!” Eomer moaned.

“Roku, quit licking that.”

“Ok. I'm done anyway.”

“My skin…” Eomer groaned.

“Just wash the spit off.”

“It's too raw to touch!”

“Oh, be a man! Sheesh! Come on, Roku.”

Heero and Roku returned to the main room. Roku sat down and started licking his fur dry. The people nearest him edged away nervously.

“Um…” Théoden cleared his throat. “Is Eomer all right?”

“He's just putting his clothes back on,” Heero said. “He'll be along in a minute.”

Théoden's eyebrows shut up. “His clothes?!”

“Roku has a thing about helping other people get clean. It's no big deal.”

Eomer dragged into the room, his face blotched and red and his clothes in disarray. He worked his way around the edge of the room, keeping as far away from Roku as possible. When he had an open path to the door, he broke into a run and sprinted outside. “I'm sleeping in the stable!”

“He'll just end up smelling like a horse again,” Roku predicted.

“You are not to wash him again,” Quatre said without opening his eyes. “Tiger spit isn't that much better than horse.”

“Anyway, the bath is free,” Roku said, “if someone else wants to wash.”

“They'll have to put more water in the tub,” Heero said. “You splashed most of it out.”

“There's a drain.”

“Good thing.” Heero slipped his knee back under Duo's head. “You ok?”

“Yeah,” Duo chuckled. “Eomer's blocking the trees out pretty well at the moment.”

Heero looked around. “Well, since no one else looks like they want to bathe, why don't I wash your hair? Your braid's looking a little messy.”

Duo's eyes turned dreamy. “And you'll brush it?”

“Yeah.”

“Ok.”

They retreated to the bathing chamber and closed the door.

“They didn't take a brush,” Treize remarked.

“There's one in there,” Roku said.

“Ah.”

“I think,” Théoden said loudly, “that everyone should rest. Tomorrow, some few of us will go to Isengard to deal with Saruman. The rest should return to Edoras. We have struggled against adversity and prevailed. I am proud of everyone for what we have accomplished here. Let us reflect upon that and when we are together again in the Golden Hall, we shall celebrate our victory.”

“Well said, King Théoden,” Gandalf said. “It is in the undaunted hearts of men that our ultimate victory lies. Your boundless courage is an inspiration to all.”

“Enough with the speeches,” Wu-Fei grumbled. “I'm trying to sleep.”

“I agree,” Quatre said with a frown. “Sopire nemo non!”

In an instant, everyone in the room except Roku fell into a deep sleep.

“That was rude, Mama.”

“But now they're quiet.”

“Good night, Mama.”

“Good night, Roku.”