Disclaimer: I do not know Naruto or Lord of the Rings; they belong to their respective publishers and creators. I gain nothing from writing this but a creative outlet and writing/editing experience.

Summary: Kakashi was a relic of the past, a time where children were prepared for a war they were unlikely to live through; in fact, his career had revolved around the keeping back the threat or war. His brief tenure as Hokage only showed just how dated he was in this new era of peace and technological growth. So...this seemed fitting, a fitting end for a man who had known war for most of his life.

A/N: I knew I should have reread the book before I wrote the last chapter. It makes so much more sense to leave Éowyn at Édoras than bring all of Edoras' occupants to Helm's Deep. They even had a touching paragraph about putting Éowyn in charge of Édoras because the people trust her judgment, the judgment of Théoden's family. Ah well, too late to change now. Also, I made up a bunch of Rohirric names for this chapter, and yeah (at least I learned some Old English from it). Finally, I apologize for the long wait in update. Hopefully you all enjoy this chapter, and thank you for the reviews, follows, and favorites. ~ with much love, depressedchildren

Chapter 5: Like the crashing of waves, pain ebbs and flows

Rations had been passed around before the forward scouts returned with their numbers thinned. Kakashi had watched the scouts return from the wall of the Hornburg; the men had been pale faced, though everyone was at this time. Before long, Kakashi was summoned to King Théoden's side.

With Kakashi was Lord Éomer, Háma, Ceorl, several of the King's guard, and the trio of travelers. The head scout stood before the king nervously. Once King Théoden was satisfied everyone he wanted to be there was present, he motioned for the scout to speak.

"We have seen the enemy's approach. It is a great host of orcs and Wildmen—perhaps several thousand—and they will be here by nightfall." The scout paused a moment, "We lost two men to their scouts, but eliminated all but three scouts—they fled back to the host before we could finish them." Thankfully the scout gave his report in Rohirric.

Lord Éomer nodded his head slowly, "Then the enemy knows we are here and will attack us directly instead of passing on to Edoras." Éomer replied in common after the elf and dwarf asked for what Kakashi assumed was a translation. However, Kakashi could infer what Éomer commented on, for it was only logical for the Army of Isengard to target Helm's Deep given the scout's retreat.

"Indeed…" the King paused for a moment. "What of the Erkenbrand? Have you seen any sign of their passing?" Erkenbrand? Kakashi recalled that was the host of riders who had drawn off the enemy when the Théodred's remaining men had been overwhelmed at the Ford.

The scout shook his head before bowing it. "I apologize my King, we saw no presence of them." Ceorl cursed under his breath at the response, perhaps feeling responsible because the Erkenbrand were his men? Kakashi wished people would start speaking in Rohirric again, inferring what he could of a language he barely knew was tiresome.

"The enemy will attack at night," the human traveler voiced after a moment. The human quickly translated for Kakashi, and the former Hokage was minutely surprised he'd take the effort.

"It will rain too," Kakashi added, and the human traveler nodded in agreement.

The man's mouth twitched slightly into a smile, "Indeed, I smelled the rain on the wind as we were called to this meeting." He was speaking common, but that sounded like an affirmation.

Kakashi didn't waste time trying to parse out what the man said and just hummed. "The rain will likely last all night. The clouds will block starlight, so we will fight blind." The elf gestured for someone to translate, and his human companion did. That elf unsettled Kakashi for some reason.

Actually, when he thought about it…elves looked a little strange and not just because of the ears. They were so…waif-like, and their gaze was distant—like they were ancient beings apathetically looking back onto the world. Oh. That was why the elf unsettled him; Kakashi remembered was unsettled because that look was familiar. Kaguya or the bijuu's gaze held the same quality that the elf's look did. He mentally shouldered passed that revalation.

"Grim Traveler," King Théoden addressed him in the Rohirrim language. "What advantages and disadvantages do you foresee with the rain? Shall we alter tactics?"

Kakashi tilted his head back for a moment as he crossed his arms over his chest. "With the rain will come cold. The men could die from it. Fire will risk our location to enemy, but they see well in the dark, yes?" Kakashi looked to the men around him for clarification. Several men nodded before the Ceorl commented on the humans within Isengard's army. Kakashi rocked back on his heels for a moment. "Then we set up fires for men to warm themselves, use grease and oil so the flames will not douse so easily. No fires on walls though, the enemy will find the archers too easily."

Kakashi then walked toward the makeshift war table and gestured to his drawings of the Deeping Wall. "This," he gestured to the culvert, though he did not know the word for it in the Middle Earthings' language, "will it flood?"

"If it rains like you say, most likely yes" Ceorl answered since he was the most familiar with Helm's Deep. "The tunnels will risk flooding as well."

"How bad?" this could play in their favor or kill the people Kakashi left down there.

"If it rains like you say…" he began thoughtfully, "It will be difficult for walking in the tunnels, but the culvert will flood well past the stream's banks." Then the dogs would be of little use depending on how far back the flooded waters went.

Kakashi tapped his fingers against the map. He could potentially use the water as a conductive current, but…using too many lightning jutsu could kill him—even with his affinity. "I have a plan if they overrun the wall. I could…" the words caught in Kakashi's throat but he pushed on, "use the flood to kill any caught in the waters."

"How would you be able to do such a thing?" King Théoden asked in shock, and Kakashi tapped some more at the map—it was an anxious gesture.

He didn't want to explain, but they had precious little time to get their defenses together. Kakashi couldn't keep his cards to his chest anymore—not if he intended to keep the promise he made beside Théodred's deathbed. "You would call it magic," the words were whispered at last, and there was a skeptical silence.

"Grim Traveler, do you mean to say you are some wizard?" Lord Éomer seemed almost amused while the others who understood Kakashi looked on puzzled. The human traveler who had been translating the conversation to his allies, had yet to translate Kakashi's or Lord Éomer's last words

Shaking his head, Kakashi whispered: "No."

King Théoden shifted uneasily and cast a look at Kakashi's person with some measure of distrust. "Then what magic can you do? What has stopped you from using magic? Have you used your magic this whole time?"

Kakashi exhaled slowly and stilled his fingers against the map. "I can create fire and lightning in my hands. I can make the water rush at the enemies and drown them. I can create winds which cut through the enemies like swords. But when I use this…magic, I…" Kakashi was tapping at the map again before he stilled his hand. "The source of my…magic is my life. When I use it I will die."

"Did you use your magic on that guard when you came to…" Lord Éomer trailed off, but Kakashi nodded slightly. "Your risked your life to convey a message?" he asked in disbelief.

"It was ensure the safety of Rohan," Kakashi replied calmly.

"And to ensure our safety again, you will use this magic despite the risk?" he was taken aback now.

The exchange lead to silence as Kakashi refused to answer. The dwarf fidgeted in confused discomfort be he leaned over to his human companion and likely asked what was said as quietly as he could muster. The elf companion only seemed to be giving Kakashi some measured look before reading the other faces in the room.

"Grim Traveler…" Lord Éomer sounded almost lost. "If it will kill you, then why—"

"We fight and die so others may live. If my sacrifice will save others, then so be it," Kakashi had always thought as much. Every fight could be his last, and he had vowed to never let a comrade die again. While that would be impossible with the upcoming battle, he was going to try his best to keep as many people of Rohan alive as he could.

Kakashi gestured back to the walls drawn on his map. "The enemy will have little luck scaling the wall once it is slick from the rain. If they have ladders, they must be taken down immediately."

There was still silence around him as Kakashi grabbed one of his terrain maps and began adding more detail with a piece of charcoal lying nearby. "The enemy will likely slip over defense here, here, here, and here," he marked the points on the map. "With enough of them batting at the walls, and in the dips of the valley, they will climb over each other and slip in.

"The enemy will also use the terrain for cover from arrows. Volleys will be our best hope, and if the enemy's numbers are so great, there will be many targets, so the arrows will not be wasted." The silence was still dragging, so Kakashi hurried on, though he was sure any general (or Marshall he supposed), would have said the same things he had.

"Our greatest enemy will be fatigue. They have numbers on us and will wear our men down before long. If we can—"

"Grim Traveler," Kakashi looked up at King Théoden. The man nodded his head in an almost bow. "Do not sacrifice yourself needlessly for my people. You owe us no such loyalty."

"I will hold off using…magic," he hated calling chakra that, "until things look bleakest." He then shook his head, "And I do owe you loyalty. I owe Lord Théodred and you, King Théoden. I will protect your people as if they are my own."

"Then I hold you to this oath, and ask you to take care—my sister-daughter will be quite distraught should you pass." King Théoden was smiling grimly, and Lord Éomer shifted in discomfort. Kakashi pulled back slightly with a perturbed look on his face. Was there supposed to be something more to that comment that he was missing?

"I will be outside." Kakashi's words were slow and uneasy. He was reading into that, wasn't he? "Let me know what you decide. I will check morale."

As the time passed, Kakashi did his best to prepare the men mentally and emotional for the upcoming battle. He gave many of them the same speech he gave Lady Éowyn in the tunnel. Some had not seen battle like this before and had only viewed battle as a means of achieving glory. There was little glory in war, and such notions were best removed before battle became desperate, for that was when glory-seekers would often flee or die wastefully.

While on the outer wall and giving the speech for the nth time, he saw people preparing fires down below. The braziers had no hoods but they were at least made with oils. It likely would not last long, but it would keep the men warm and give another tactic should they need it.

The archers he was talking to shifted in unease before quickly thanking him and darting back to their stations. That was a sure sign of a superior officer approaching. Kakashi sighed and moved toward the wall as he faced out at the valley. At the edge of the horizon he thought he saw the beginning of a dark mass moving slowly across the land. So the enemy approached.

Kakashi heard the armored man lean against the wall with him. Both their arms were propped on top of the battlements. Based on the person's gait and footfalls, Kakashi deduced it was Lord Éomer beside him.

"I do not know how I could have missed your leadership all this time. You truly were a formidable general wherever you hailed from," the younger man began conversationally—it was Lord Éomer as Kakashi suspected. Kakashi smirked slightly as he stared at the approaching enemy. The storm clouds seemed to follow them, and soon the light of the setting sun would be blotted out. Then the rain would come, and they would be in the dark well before the enemy arrived.

Lord Éomer chuckled uneasily, "King Théoden even believes you will be a suitable husband for my sister."

Kakashi immediately tensed. "That is inappropriate." The age gap alone was unsettling, then there was the student-teacher issue. He shuddered.

"True, you are a foreigner with no name," Lord Éomer commented calmly. Kakashi moved away from the man aghast.

"Lady Éowyn is my pupil!"

"Yet another reason King Théoden approves of you." Could he not sound so casual!? "You will not cage my sister like I fear others might," he gave Kakashi grimace like smile. He then shrugged slightly and looked back out at the valley, "In addition, this magic you apparently hold interests King Théoden." Lord Éomer straightened slightly, "But most importantly, you are already a friend to my sister and she enjoys your company."

Kakashi stumbled back slightly and shook his head. "Ha-have you even consulted with Lady Éowyn. I am certain she sees me as only her teacher."

"Such feelings will develop with time in marriage," Lord Éomer stated simply—like it was completely normal!

Kakashi stared at him appalled. "She-she is my student." Why did he not understand this?! Kakashi did not and would never be able to care for Lady Éowyn as anything other than a student. Likewise, she could not care for him as anything other than a teacher and perhaps friend.

"Why is her being your student so problematic?"

"Be-because—" the words choked him, and then he knew what he needed to say. He knew what would stop this absurdity. "She is my legacy, so she is like…my daughter." The truth of those words resonated within Kakashi. His students had always been his legacies, and while his genin had flourished under the instruction of others, Lady Éowyn flourished under Kakashi's instruction.

Lord Éomer furrowed his brow for a moment. "You think of my sister as your daughter? Because of her age?"

"No…because she is my student." Kakashi sighed and leaned forward as he figured out how to articulate the mindset he held for teaching. "A teacher passes on their knowledge and skills. I failed with my previous students, but I have not yet failed Lady Éowyn. She is my legacy; she will carry on my knowledge and pass it to another who will pass it on and so forth."

The young man furrowed his brow, "Yet my sister could bear you true legacies."

Kakashi shuddered—how could he casually talk about Kakashi having sex with Lady Éowyn?! He couldn't even think of it without shuddering—it was completely inappropriate. "The only legacy I thought I could have was in my students. I never believed I would be in my forties, let alone thirties. No…" Kakashi shook his head. "The only family I have ever wanted is the family I have in my students, comrades, and village." Kakashi had never wanted to be father—perhaps because he was scarred by what had happened with his father. Sakumo was a good man, and had done the right thing on that mission, but the pain Kakashi had felt at his passing—he never wanted to inflict that on someone else. He never wanted to be a father, never dreamed he would live long enough to even consider having children.

Lord Éomer hummed, "So you are content pass your legacy on through knowledge?" Kakashi nodded his head numbly. The young man made a thoughtful noise. "And have you taught all you know?"

"I taught Lady Éowyn the most important lessons, but there is more to teach her," he smiled a little sadly up at the approaching black mass.

"Then you will not die until you have taught my sister all," Lord Éomer clapped Kakashi on the shoulder before he nodded once more and began to leave. "I will inform King Théoden you decline the proposal," he added offhandedly over his shoulder. That was odd, why hadn't Lord Éomer debrief—ah the human traveler, was he supposed to inform Kakashi of the plans? The man had quiet footsteps, so Kakashi had not initially noticed him during his rather disturbing conversation with Lord Éomer.

He greeted the middle-aged man with a nod, which the man returned. "We have not been properly introduced. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn."

The name was supposed to hold significance, and Kakashi supposed he had best remember the man's name this time. He looked the man up and down. His clothes were threadbare and caked in mud, but he wore jewelry that spoke of some higher station: a green stone at his breast, and a ring with snakes and gems for eyes. His eyes showed he was of an age older than his appearance suggested, and his face was etched with hard lines. This Aragorn also held himself like a leader of men, even though he was used to hiding within shadows—as his soft footfalls indicated; he could have made a fine ninja if he had chakra.

"Grim Traveler," Kakashi returned, and the man's easy look fell.

"So I have heard you be called, but what is your real name?"

Kakashi looked out at the approaching enemy—they moved at a snail's pace. Eh, what the hell; he may as well tell the man. "Kakashi…" it was always a strange sort of relief giving his real name, "Hatake Kakashi," he sighed and straightened as he turned to face the man. "What has been decided?"

Aragorn nodded slightly, clearly understanding he should not bring anything he might have overheard. "You can see men making fires. While it would be too risky to have rotations of men, we do have a number on reserve for when the fighting becomes too much and we must retreat. We are currently instructing the men on how to remove ladders from the wall.

"We also wonder where you will be stationed, Hatake Kakashi, and how many foes your magic can slay? Should you decide to call upon it, of course." The tall man seemed at ease even as the enemy was crawling ever closer.

"Kakashi, if you please," he corrected first. He did not like to be on last names with comrades, unless the comrade was an asshole or in ANBU hazing, then it was always Hatake-senpai and later Hokage-sama. Kakashi shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his feet. "I will be here." He patted the stone battlement. "I can shoot well. Once the enemy climbs wall, I will cut them down. As for my…magic…" he really despised that word.

Kakashi shrugged, "How many orcs I kill depends on how many are trapped in water and how resilient they are to lightning." Creating an earth wall may buy time, but the enemy would overcome it eventually. Moreover, it would drain too much chakra since earth was one of his lesser skilled elements. If he stuck to lightning he could use more jutsu and kill more enemies. Thinning the number of orcs was the surest way to victory rather than disrupting the topography of the valley. Plus, an earth wall might even cause more flooding once the storm kicked up. Lightning jutsu would be his best move at present.

"What is your best estimate?"

Kakashi tilted his head back for a moment. "Thirty to eighty, perhaps even hundred." Based on Aragorn's openly shocked expression, he imagined the man had not anticipated such high numbers. "It will be best for our men to leave the water before I use such skills."

The man nodded his head and was silent in thought for a moment. "I will inform Ceorl; he offered to create a warning for the men should we need you to resort to your magic." Kakashi nodded after a moment.

"Why do you speak to me instead of Lord Éomer about this?" Kakashi chose to stare ahead of him at the valley's opening.

"Because I wished to speak with you, Kakashi." The man elaborated after a moment. "Our first meeting was quite…memorable."

"Yes, I was in chains." His wry tone drew out a chuckle from the other man.

"Indeed, but you acted from a place of respect for the House of Eorl, and the desire to protect Rohan," Aragorn refuted, and Kakashi exhaled in amusement.

The man cocked his head to one side as he gave Kakashi an appraising look. Afterwards, he gestured out toward the men about them preparing for battle. "You also help these men prepare for the upcoming battle. Yes it will be a desperate fight and many may die, but that death is not to be feared. You have given these men hope despite the circumstances; you are a true leader of men."

"So I have been told." Kakashi sighed and stared out at the approaching army. This may be his final battle.

"You have led men into similar hopeless battle, have you not?" Kakashi closed his eye as he remembered the Shinobi alliance, the battle against Obito, Madara, and eventually Kaguya. '

"Why do you ask?" Kakashi asked after a moment.

"Because someday I will have to give the command to charge upon an enemy and his vast army. How do I inspire my men as you and King Théoden do? How do I lead them into that final battle?" Kakashi opened his eye and glanced back at this Aragorn. The man was a leader, but never a leader of forces. He never gave assignments and knew those men (and women) would not come back. He was in the thick of battle with his men, and their danger was his. He had never sat back as the battle raged beyond his city walls.

Kakashi chuckled and tilted his head back as he stared up at the slowly darkening sky. "I was a soldier from age five. I have always fought alongside men and women, but after my people's last Great War," Kakashi looked down at the wall wistfully, "I was to replace our leader. They wanted me to replace her when she had fallen ill earlier, but I was not ready for that responsibility and another took my place for short time. He was…dangerous and the wrong choice for leader. So when I was offered the position again, I agreed.

"There is always…unease in ordering people to their death. It feels cruel telling them it will be fine when their death is assured. But the soldier knows their duty, and their leaders must carry the burden of sending soldiers to their death. Thus leaders must be…wise, tactical, and eliminate risk of death for their soldiers."

Kakashi rocked back onto his heels and sighed. "Being soldier yourself, you know this, you know what they fear. Do not lose that perspective and your leadership will be…fair."

The man, Aragorn, hummed beside him. "I have known my duty my whole life, but I have run from it. But when I had set out with my companions, I was facing my duty and accepting it. Now as it approaches ever closer, the weight of my duty becomes heavier. I hesitate and wonder."

Kakashi remembered feeling that way even though it was peace time when he came into rule. "Keep to your principles. Mine was to never abandon comrades; it served me well." Kakashi pulled away from the wall and exhaled. "Any more philosophical questions?" he asked with an eye-smile.

The man gave short laugh before he shook his head. "No, but I am curious how leaders were chosen among your people. There are no birth rights?"

Kakashi exhaled in amusement. "I would rather not talk about it."

"If you so wish, but I am curious what specific qualities deemed you ruler if no blood tied you to it." Kakashi rolled his eyes.

Perhaps it was because the enemy was literally approaching, but Kakashi felt like talking. It would be…nice to share, and frankly this Aragorn man didn't seem to have the same intentions others had. No, he was mildly curious, and he had no intention to use the information against Kakashi. There was also no way for their conversation to harm the Elemental Lands, and would have been information any civilian knew. Moreover, Lord Théodred used to ask Kakashi these types of questions, and perhaps that was why he explained.

"Of the five nations, two selected rulers from families; a council of elders had say in the choice. The other nations had councils decide if the ruler had not already chosen a successor. Councils may be comprised of old families."

"And the qualities of a ruler?"

"Fealty to village and people, combat… eto…" he couldn't remember the word in Rohirric, "ah…ability in warfare?" he shrugged. "Then there are ties to other nations, judgement, and…" Kakashi hummed, "ability to manage forces and command soldiers…" Kakashi shrugged. "It was all common." He gave a short laugh as he remembered something else, "Ah…I do not know how to say in this language but…we were tested. Could we be responsible with…" autonomy, but he didn't know the word, "without leader telling us what to do," he said this slowly as he felt out each word. It was the closest he could get to what he wanted to say.

"So every ruler where you are from was once a soldier?" Aragorn sounded genuinely fascinated by the notion. Kakashi just nodded. "That explains your perspective," he murmured before pulling back from the battlements. "Ah, well, the night is almost upon us and we must prepare for battle." Aragorn gave Kakashi a nod before he began to head toward the Hornburg.

Kakashi nodded and checked his quiver. Thirty arrows. His knives were at his hip along with his sword. He adjusted the leather armor. The battle would come soon, and those Urukai would break upon the walls like waves, and like water erode the defenses with time. He would make sure as few comrades died as possible.

…

Night fell heavy over the valley. The soldiers stood relaxed in their positions, but those on the Deeping Wall stared out at the horizon. Like a dark river with reflections of stars, the hosts of Isengard began traveling toward the dike—their torches the only speck of brightness among their ranks. Sometime later, Kakashi could hear the ensuing battle, and it lasted a good while—much longer than any shinobi confrontation. Then there were riders charging back toward the ramp of the Hornburg. So the battle was to begin. Curiously, those pinpricks of light among the sea of orcs were snuffed out. So they were cautious of the light now, and would take more stealthy tactics to keep their numbers strong.

Midnight came swiftly, and with it an inky blackness to the sky. Clouds obscured star and moonlight—it felt as if they were alone is a dark void with no end in sight. The night was still—no birds or insects made noise—and all those stationed along the wall with Kakashi shifted in unease. The only sound that came then was the creak and shift of suits of armor. The quiet before the storm, the big breath before the plunge. These clichés conveyed nothing of the impact this silence had on their morale. The quiet, palpable tension in the air sent anxiety and fear through their numbers. Each second passed like a minute as their eyes strained into the darkness in hopes of seeing something. The wait before the battle was what frayed the nerves most, for there was time to think and second guess. In battle, a soldier had no time to think but react and rely on instinct.

Kakashi smelled ozone in the air and looked out at the valley with the others on the wall as he waited. The clouds above them erupted with light, the lightning arched down upon the valley and illuminated the inky darkness.

Several men along the wall stumbled back at the veritable sea of orcs now between the wall and the dike. Each enemy was shaped different, but there was no mistaking their numbers. "We fight to protect," Kakashi spoke as loud as he dared, "We fight so others live." Those near him straightened and repeated the words as they readied their arrows.

The thunder rolled above them like the growl of a mighty demon. Then the rain began pouring down on them in thick sheets. A shout ran down from along the wall, and it picked up momentum. "We fight so others live!" those on the wall began to shout. Then their arrows began falling into the valley like the rain.

Kakashi strained his eyes in the darkness and picked out several viable shapes. One arrow, two, three, four, five. His fingers became numb in the cold, and the fletching scrapped his fingertips. But the orcs fell beneath his arrows. The sixth arrow went wide, but still hit another enemy in the leg. It would be weakened and trampled, so Kakashi moved the next arrow to the next able bodied enemy. Seven, eight, nine, ten. The water was soaking through his clothes now and his hair was beginning to flatten against his head. His fingers fumbled to grab the next arrow from his quiver.

Many of the archers on the wall missed their mark due to the conditions, and their ammunition was quickly disappearing. "There's a cluster farther back. Aim farther back!" Kakashi shouted to the Eorlings fighting alongside him—he was still unfamiliar with their measuring system and new metrics would only confuse his comrades. They shifted their angles, but the success of their attacks was still minimal—even if comparatively better. It was still too dark to aim well and the heavy rain obscure their vision. With each missed target, the orcs came closer to the walls until they were left at its base crying up at them and flashing their spears.

Light filled the valley again as the lightning flashed across the sky and thunder rumbled above them. This gave the Eorlings more accuracy, but it also revealed the number of watchers on the wall to the enemy. Kakashi ducked under a volley with his next arrow notched. He stood up and pierced another enemy through the neck. His comrades were less lucky, but now the orcs were forming ranks again and becoming easier targets.

Twelve, thirteen, fourteen, Kakashi managed to snare an arrow and quickly notched it before shooting it back at the enemy. The adrenaline was kicking in, and in some ways it reminded him of having a sharingan—but perhaps that was because he was used to following faster battles and so this was comparatively slow. Heart racing, Kakashi notched another arrow and let it loose at the orcs below him.

Lightning revealed the mass of enemies below them, and Kakashi knew those in of Mark would look out in despair and wonder. It was like facing off against the white Zetsu again, the veritable unending invasion. But these forces wore dark, shoddy iron or dark furs—they were like looking out into the abyss and having it reach out for you in return. So Kakashi continued to send arrows down at them and not falter even as his comrades did or fell to the enemy's arrows. His quiver was now half empty but he snared every arrow he could risk trying to stop. His hand cut several times, but he smelled no poison on the arrows—although he was bound to get tetanus from the arrowheads.

Water now poured off of Kakashi's arms in rivulets. He paused in his attack to wipe his soaked hair out of his eye and duck behind the battlements to miss another volley. Kakashi glanced sideways and saw another ducking too as he looked at his nearly empty quiver. Kakashi crawled over to one of the fallen and passed his unused arrows to the other survivor. He nodded his thanks and Kakashi nodded in return before glancing up at space between battlements. He motioned for the other to get up as Kakashi notched another arrow. They let their arrows loose at the orcs below.

Kakashi gave a slight grin to the other survivor. "Gálhild," the man introduced himself.

"Grim Traveler," Kakashi returned as he notched another arrow before drawing back. He found his next target and the arrow quickly sunk in. The enemy was preparing another volley at them. Out of habit, Kakashi signed down in ANBU hand signs before shouting, "Duck!" in Rohirric. Gálhild did so quickly. The volley passed them. There was an off-pitch trumpeting from the valley, but it was drowned out by the thunder.

Ducking and then loosing arrows became a pattern for Kakashi and Gálhild, and soon the other survivors on the rampart were waiting for Kakashi's sign before ducking down. A few watchers, most of whom were injured, volunteered to collect the arrows scattered on their section of the rampart or from the quivers of the fallen. These recovered arrows were then distributed. Kakashi caught what arrows he could before he ducked beneath the battlements with the others as the volley passed. Regardless of these efforts, their arrows would not last for much longer.

Moreover, the last time Kakashi checked, a swarm of bulkier orcs and Wildmen were making for the ramp and causeway. Likely they were going to break down the gates of the Hornburg. The archers above the gates were raining down their attacks. There were also volleys coming from behind the ramparts, and many made their mark on the other side of the wall. However, the headway the archers made was minimal against hosts of Isengard. Worse, the fatigue and cold was setting in as the rain continued to fall on them heavily.

"Dúngar!" Gálhild called urgently to one of the injured collecting arrows. Dúngar quickly passed the collected arrows to Gálhild as they waited for the latest enemy volley to pass. A large splintering boom rang out from the gate's direction. On Kakashi's next pass up, he saw the orcs at the gate had their shields up to protect them from the attacks above while a tree was swung at the gates like a battering ram. So they were breaking through the gate—this was not good.

Those on the ramparts began to pale. "Hold fast!" Kakashi shouted. He was grasping for his last arrow now. His bloody and soaked hands slipped against the arrow shaft. Still, he notched the arrow and drew back. Another orc down. He had only managed to catch a handful of arrows and soon the volleys behind them would end.

A glance to the ramp showed…two figures fighting the orcs?! Who—the gleam of one of their helmets in the lightning revealed one to be Lord Éomer. The other Kakashi couldn't guess at until he saw a short figure come to the two humans' aid—ah, so it was Aragorn and Gimli on the ramp with Lord Éomer—likely they came from the postern.

The attempt on the gate seemed thwarted once the three jumped off the ramp and around the side of the structure—likely back to the postern. Kakashi and the men on the wall held their ground even as their arrows were spent. Some still managed to gather some arrows, but there were too few to sustain their attacks, even as orcs further back continued to launch their volleys up at them.

However, the fighting was soon to change. The rain began to lesson, but the stream cutting through the valley was swollen. The moon gave off a faint light now, even as it sunk behind the mountains. It was still hopelessly dark but now the expanse of the enemy army could be seen before them. It was a swarm—a writhing mass of orcs. They filled the valley, and there were ladders now. They redoubled their efforts against the ramparts now that the gate was lost. It was bad and yet good at the same time. The men were out of ammunition and so now relied on their swords, but fatigue was claiming many of them. They were also bound to be overrun once the enemies began to take the walls.

Kakashi but his bow down to the side, grabbed his knives, and strapped on a buckler from one of the fallen to his arm. He was soaked through, and the spring night still carried the bitter cold of winter. Shivering, Kakashi looked about him. Gálhild, Dúngar, Mundthain, Alhelm, Grimhelm, Gammód, Framgar, Wulfhelm, his sons Wulfson and Wulfhere, Léodbrand, Eldrid, Garvin, Dúnleigh, Grimling…these were the men still standing closest to him. And damn it, he'd make sure they lived through this. Their numbers on the wall were growing more staggered, and their forces were beginning to cluster around the rising ladders. Soon reinforcements would come up to the ramparts in an attempt to bring relief—but this would open up another entry for the orcs.

Kakashi laughed slightly as the first wave of ladders rose up to the battlements via grappling hooks and with countless orcs on the ladders. The battle was already hours long—far longer than any shinobi battle. This was a battle of attrition, and the Men of the Mark were at a disadvantage. So Kakashi had to laugh because this could have been over so easily with ninja present—this could have all been done hours ago! This would probably be the longest battle of his life, and he was fine with it being the last one too.

Shifting his grip on his knives, Kakashi rolled his neck back. His hand pulsed slightly in pain from the cuts along his palm. His grip on the hilts of the knives were slippery from the water and blood, but he still held firm. A first grappling hook landed on the battlement in their section. Gammód and Mundthain began to pry at it, but Kakashi quickly moved over and sliced the rope connected to the metal—barely dodging an arrow in the process. Another grappling hook flew toward the battlements. Again Kakashi cut it. He began to instruct the men on taking them down. They covered a good thirty-some meters of the wall with Kakashi running from ladder to ladder and kicking it down with chakra when they were overwhelmed. However, the other ends of the wall were not fairing as well. They were becoming overrun.

The fatigue was sapping at him and even those marginal bursts of chakra were taxing, but he persevered. Another volley of arrows came up at their section, but they all ducked out of the way. He chuckled along with the men; what Eorling dodged? What Middle Earthling used Kakashi's tactics, yet they were staying strong and thwarting the enemy by doing what they were. Orcs from the far end to the battlements began to charge for their section and Kakashi quickly ordered several of the men to form ranks as he helped the others with ladders until the orcs arrived.

Secure in his men's abilities to keep the ladders off their section of the wall, Kakashi shifted his attention to those fighting the orcs approaching them. Now facing the direction the ramparts ran, Kakashi noticed orcs darting below. They must have snuck in through the culvert, and large numbers of orcs were now darting into the caves just inside the walls. Shit!

Kakashi's attention was diverted by Eldrid's war cry. Right, he had to protect his men. Eldrid shoved his attacker off of his shield before answering with a parrying strike. Kakashi wove through the Erolings' ranks and quickly dove into one of the Orc's guard. His knife quickly found the space between its breastplate and pierced the lungs and possibly heart—if it was in the same place. The then kicked the orc away and spun around to the next one. He was away from his men now and ducking and dodging between the orcs' attacks.

Kakash's breathing became heavier as he dodged this way and that to stab the orcs at their necks or the space at their sides between the breast plate. He raised his buckler on occasion to stop an attack, but he had to back out of the deadlock before another orc tried to take him down from behind. Kakashi heard a pained cry behind him. Glancing over, he saw Gálhild had taken a blow to the side. Kakashi threw one dagger at the back of the orc's neck. The smallest amount of chakra helped it sink in and send the orc tumbling down.

Kakashi jumped back slightly as another orc took his distraction as an opportunity to attack; however, the ramparts were slick with water and blood, and were littered with bodies. Kakashi stumbled and landed wrong. His ankle began to throb slightly in pain. Shit. Another orc was approaching him while he was down on a knee. Kakashi wouldn't be able get up and dodge him successfully, so he threw his remaining knife at the orc. It embedded in its neck again; it reached for it but was already dying as it fell to its knees. Kakashi unsheathed his longsword now, since he would not have a chance to retrieve his knife without being attacked.

Standing up again, Kakashi grimaced. He sprained his ankle, that was going to be annoying, but none of his men had fallen. Gálhild had been pushed back in ranks as the men continued to fight off the orcs and the others kept the ladders off their walls. Kakashi couldn't remember the last sustained fight he had during which he hadn't used chakra. His muscles screamed, his lungs burned, and his fingers were growing tired from their grip on the sword. His shield arm was also growing numb from the number of times he intercepted an attack. Moreover, the small buckler was dented and he had a feeling the next attack would break through the shield.

Still Kakashi pressed on and fought off the orcs as best he could. At least…until there was a deafening boom as a light flashed behind them and the ramparts shook beneath their feet. An explosion. Shit! "Fallback!" he yelled to his men. The orcs would sweep in through the culvert as more ladders attempted to scale the wall, and they would not be able to hold it. The men looked at him startled.

"Begin to make for Rock, regroup and lead another assault." Kakashi shouted to the men behind him as he parried an attack.

"We will not leave you Grim Traveler!" Dúngar shot back as he struck down another ladder. Wulfhere nodded in agreement as he intercepted an attack meant for his father. Kakashi shook his head.

"They will call a retreat for those who can." Kakashi tried to reason as he ran his sword through the gaps between the orcs armor. "The others on the wall have not held their sections—they are already dead on the far end.

"I will cover you, now go!" he ordered as he kicked the orc back one more time. "The walls may fall, but Hornburg will not!"

Kakashi glanced beyond his current target and saw that indeed there were no gleaming helmets with golden tails still standing at the far end of the ramparts.

He threw down his sword and quickly ran through hand signs as the electrical chakra began to form in his hands. There were perhaps a fifty—no a hundred—on the wall now. The electrical dragon began to from and it surged forward, out from his hands. The serpentine construction charged along the ramparts and lit up the area. It left nothing but charred bodies behind, and the ladders were now on fire. Well, that was two birds with one—

Kakashi fell to one knee panting. Shit that took more chakra than he thought it would. His vision began to blur, but someone caught him before he could fall over. He was being dragged now, and then two bodies were on either side of him as they threw his arms over their shoulders. Why did this seem so familiar? Hell, Kakashi could practically hear Tenzo saying: "We've got you taichou."

"We will not abandon you here, Grim Traveler," was that Mundthain or Framgar? Kakashi's head was spinning from his low chakra levels.

He was being taken down from the ramparts now as the other men covered them. Once down on the ground Kakashi regained his vision—though he was still lightheaded. He could now see the veritable flood of orcs rushing through the breach and…was that Aragorn? The strange human traveler was down in the water with the orcs rushing at him. His sword gleamed in the faint moonlight. Did he think he could stem the tide of orcs with a handful of Rohirrim?

Kakashi gathered his remaining strength and managed to get out of Gammód (so that had not been Framgar) and Mundthain's hold as he staggered toward the breach. "Go to Rock!" Kakashi ordered as he continued his limping run toward the breach. He grabbed a crude orcish sword sticking up from a body; it would have to do, especially since an orc was rushing him. The blade's weight was strange and he managed a glancing blow as he stumbled away. Léodbrand was beside Kakashi now, and drove his sword through the orc's side. Kakashi nodded in acknowledgement. "Go to Rock," he repeated as he continued to the over flowing culvert.

"Grim Traveler!" he man tried to stop him but Kakashi pushed on.

"I'll send lightning at them, stay clear," he called back as he continued to toward the breach as quickly as his fatigue and his useless sprain would let him—without relying on chakra to persevere through it. The next orc he came across, got him into a dead lock. Kicking out with his injured leg, Kakashi managed to get out of the deadlock, but he wasn't agile enough to miss the orc attacking him from behind. The blow struck hard against his armor and he could feel it cut through in areas. Spinning around, Kakashi managed to slice into the orc's side before his original opponent brought his sword down to strike Kakashi, who just managed to raise his buckler in time. Léodbrand and Wulfson were now there. The young men quickly aided him in dispatching the orcs.

"Let us get you to the breach," Wulfson insisted, and the three of them made their way. The others in Kakashi's makeshift group were taking out enemies where they could on their way toward the Deep, while rescuing what horses they could. Once at the flooded stream, Kakashi saw Aragorn still engaged with the orcs. Kakashi turned toward the Léodbrand and Wulfson.

"Get to Rock," he warned one last time before charging toward Aragorn. He quickly fell in sync with the man, even though Kakashi's swordsmanship was shit with this poorly balanced sword. Still they managed to keep several of the orcs back.

The elf companion came now and he said something to Aragorn. "Come Kakashi," Aragorn added when finished speaking with the elf, "those who can have fallen back, we must regroup."

Kakashi shook his head. "Let me hold them back. Get out of the water," he added the warning now that some distance had come between him and the orcs. He began to weave through hand signs as the chakra began to form in his hands. The wolf began to take shape, and he noted Aragorn was quick to leave the water. Kakashi then let the wolf charge toward the orcs around him. Unlike with Pein, Kakashi didn't have to time anything, his jutsu ran forward and the electricity crackled across the flooded stream. Several enemies farther back froze before falling into the water from the electrocution. It was Kakashi's chakra control that kept him from a similar fate, but even this C-rank jutsu was taxing. Kakshi's vision began to blot out as he made the electrical wolf lash out at another orc coming through breach. Just a bit more, a little longer. He could hold a little long—

Kakashi's body slumped forward into the water. He felt something cut into his back and the air escaped his lungs. Then there was a muted sword clash before he was vaguely felt someone pulling him back. The sound of an arrow flying through the air and languages being spoken that he did not understand followed soon after. Barely conscious, Kakashi tried to look about him. He was being dragged, likely by Aragorn now. He could feel broken ribs now and…Wait?! Was that…why was Gálhild still fighting out there!? There were two orcs bearing down on him and—Kakashi was full of déjà vu today it seemed, but still he couldn't stop himself. His chakra reached out, the last of his life force just to save the last of his men. He didn't let comrades die, and damn it, he wasn't going to break that promise.

…

Victory reached the caves beneath the Hornburg. They had heard the great horn be blown, and a mix of hope and fear swelled within Éowyn's chest. Was this the call of victory or of a last stand? She had heard deafening cracks throughout the caves and from above them—like thunder yet not. It sent terror through those holed up in the caves, but Éowyn made rounds and calmed the people around her down. It had been a long night for those in the caves, but she could only imagine it was longer for those fighting above.

At last they were clear to come back into the citadel. The injured filled cots in several halls, while the able bodied began to return to the battle field for the fallen. Éowyn could not find her brother, uncle, or sensei. Had…had they fallen? She rushed to find those in her uncle's guard, but they were not present either. At last, one of the higher ranked soldiers noticed her panic.

"Lady Éowyn? Do you search for King Théoden and the Third Marshall?" she nodded haltingly, and he gave her a reassuring smile. "They have gone with Gandalf Stormcrow, and the three travelers to confront Saurman. They are well my lady." This news did not lessen her worry, for Saurman was dangerous even if his great hosts were vanquished.

"I have not been told how battle went. Do you know where the Grim Traveler is? Perhaps he could—" her words caught in her throat at the look the man now gave her. "He fell?" she asked faintly. The soldier looked away before he nodded. "Where did he fall? Has someone retrieved—" Did she need to find him among the orcs—his body hewn and disregarded by those monsters.

"Lord Aragorn brought him to the Rock, but he died en route. King Théoden had asked for the Grim Traveler's body to be set aside for you to say your…goodbyes." The soldier shifted, while she tried to process what that meant, but she soon found herself leaning against a wall for support. Another loss, they seemed to pile up.

The man shifted and was blushing, "I understand the Grim Traveler was dear to Lady Éowyn." She looked up at him sharply. What was he trying to imply? The man ducked his head slightly, "I had overheard Lord Éomer explain the Grim Traveler viewed you as his legacy to King Théoden." Kakashi-sensei thought of her as his legacy? How, why? Because he taught her? "I will show you to him," the man said after a moment, and Éowyn followed him numbly as she processed.

It was more of an antechamber than a room, but she saw Kakashi-sensei laid out pale as death upon a bench. There were fifteen men surrounding him with a number of injuries.

"Lady Éowyn," one man greeted surprised. She moved numbly toward her teacher. He was a good man and he was dead now. He was dead like so many people in her life. Yet tears could not come, only numbness. She did not know what she felt, but she could only stare. He was her teacher and she had more yet to learn from him. How could he be dead? She sat down at the end of the bench near his head.

She saw no blood spilled out on the bench, there were no apparent wounds but the one on his hand. How did he die? "Someone tell me what happened…"

"We all fought alongside him, Lady Éowyn. If you wish to hear the battle, we will gladly tell you," one of the men began and the others nodded. Éowyn smiled faintly when one of them, Alhelm, commented on how strange it had been to duck behind the barracks when the volleys came, but it had saved their lives when so many of their comrades had fallen to the initial attacks. Another smile came unbidden to her when Dúnleigh commented how quickly the man moved and how deadly he was with the smallest of weapons. His unmasked awe at the way Kakashi-sensei had killed two orcs by throwing his knives made her smile broaden. Then Eldrid described the lightning serpent he used to destroy all the orcs upon the battlements once the breach was made in the Deeping Wall. It was too fantastic to believe, yet the man said he was capable of incredible things, and Éomer too had commented subtly on something like that when she had visited him prison.

Framgar shook his head, "I still cannot believe he held that destructive magic within him." Éowyn looked down at her teacher. It was unbelievable yet not. "However," Framgar continued more somberly, "I believe it was his magic that killed him. That serpent he created weakened him greatly." Éowyn closed her eyes and listened to how Gammód and Mundthain had carried him toward the Rock only for Kakashi-sensei to break away and aid Lord Aragorn at the breach. A number of them helped him get there, but he demanded they go back to the Rock.

Gálhild told the rest of the tale slowly. Kakashi-sensei had created a wolf out of lightning and it had charged many enemies as the lightning coursed through the water around him. Many orcs fell until the wolf's power began to wane and then her Sensei fell forward into the water. Gálhild believed he had died, especially when an orc not caught in the waters attacked his fallen body. Lord Aragorn killed the orc and pulled Kakashi-sensei from the stream and began carrying him to the Rock. Kakashi-sensei could not move on his own, but he was still alive when Gálhild faced off against a number of orcs. He recalled an attack coming for him until he was suddenly pushed, and the orcs around him skewered each other. Gálhild had then quickly run for the Rock, but Kakashi-sensei was no longer alive.

Her Sensei had kept these fifteen men alive through counsel and leading them, and they each acknowledged that. They also acknowledged his sacrifice to buy them time. Without him, perhaps dozens more Eorlings would not have reached the Rock because they were overwhelmed by the enemy. Éowyn closed her eyes as they finished their retelling of the battle. He had sacrificed himself for the people of Rohan, so that they could live on even if he did not. She did not know the customs of Kakashi's people for the dead, and she wished she had asked him. Still she asked for the soldiers to leave while she dressed what wounds she could and prepare his body for something. Did he deserve a place among the barrows? Or would he be burned and his ashes scatter? Or would he just be buried?

He had been her teacher for months, perhaps not that long, but he believed in her and encouraged her. He was her teacher and he respected her. He taught her so much even when she was not his pupil proper. Moreover, the news that he viewed her as his legacy…she had never known he thought so much of her, but she supposed had always had suspicions. He accepted the role of teacher so gratefully and humbly—as if she was giving him something dear. But she was in a way, wasn't she? He even made passing comments that she should teach this to whoever she took on as a pupil… She was his legacy, truly. So his passing ached in a way…in a very similar way actually to the grief she had experienced before. Kakashi was her friend and mentor but her grief… She felt lost like she had after…after her father…

The revelation struck her quickly and hard. She gasped and felt tears come to her eyes. Several escaped down her face. Kakashi had become a father-figure to her and now he was gone too. She had sought guidance and comfort from him. He had given her counsel and let her grow. He was a father to her just as her uncle had been before Grima changed him. Éowyn bowed her head forward and clutched at her skirts.

…

For his services to Rohan, Théodred, and Éowyn, Kakashi was interred where a king's guard usually was. There were many funerals that day and the chants were sung again and again. They weaved together from the different sites as families gathered around. King Théoden made a brief appearance, as did Lord Aragorn, before they left to oversee other funerals. Éowyn stayed with her brother at Kakashi's funeral until the end. In attendance were the fifteen men from the Deeping Wall, and those in the short-lived rebellion. At the end of the service, Wulfhelm and his sons stepped forward. Éowyn closed her eyes as they began to sing and smiled sadly as the words washed over her.

Over the rolling hills and plains, a traveler did appear.
He bore no marks of fealty, yet to Edoras he did adhere.
This grim traveler upon the plains saved us when we were at a loss.
With his deeds and death, he became the White Wolf of Edoras.

In his life he was alone, like the wolf we name him,
Yet women, farmers, soldiers, squires, he was friend to them.
In the White Wolf, soldiers saw themselves, but more we saw a leader.
Women and common folk saw a friend who made them feel freer.
Yet at our darkest, he did what he must to protect the House of Eorl.
So the White Wolf subverted Grima the Snake at his own peril.

In the wake of Isengard's betrayal, the White Wolf rode to war.
With the young he traveled, and taught them the way of the sword.
And upon the Deeping Wall, he took his place,
With a grim, hard look upon his face.

When battle took and the sky split open, he stood tall as others fell.
His actions on the wall saved fifteen men, so now his bravery they tell.
Leading them, the White Wolf secured their part of the Deeping Wall.
Yet the orcs were clever, and their devilry led to its fall.
As the wall shook from blasts unknown,
Their loss the White Wolf would not condone.
The far side of the Deeping Wall was taken, yet he rose and fought.
From his hands he conjured lightning and out a serpent shot.
Orcs gone from the wall, the men all charged for the Rock.
Yet upon the way, they passed the breach, and to danger the White Wolf flocked.
With lightning in hand, he battled the orcs again,
And from its shine, the men did spy the wolf from which we name him.

With this last magic, his body fell forward into the waters of the breach.
He was pulled back to the Rock, but forever beyond mortal reach.

So we sing the White Wolf's deeds, and give thanks for his sacrifice.
Without his guidance and strength, our lives would have been the price.
So we held the Deeping Wall,
Because he refused to let it fall.
Now from him we know what means a soldier's loss.
And shall always remember the White Wolf of Edoras.

The White Wolf…it was a good title Perhaps someday he would become a legend, the legend of the White Wolf, a grim traveler whose magic helped the people of the Mark when they needed the aid most.

…

Éowyn watched the men leave for Gondor. She watched another father-figure in her life leave for war, and she knew in her bones he would not come back. Yes it was her duty to protect the people of Edoras. It was her duty and she was now proud of this duty, but she could not wait for someone to tell her another father was dead. She could not stay here when others sacrificed themselves and died. She glanced to the side where the little hobbit, Merry, stood disheartened he could not go to war with the others.

Éowyn knew her duty, she did, but she would not lose another father. So she made plans with those on the tribunal to govern in her stead. Then she was soon disguised, and carrying Merry on her horse as she followed after the Ridders of Rohan. I apologize Kakashi-sensei, but I must fight so others may live. I must do this.

A/N: I hope you have enjoyed this story, and are not too upset with the ending. I apologize if it was repetitive in places. Also, yes he died like he had during the Pein invasion. I haven't read it in a long time, so if he had used kamui, I apologize; I thought he had just used his chakra to inexplicably stop the attack from hitting Choji, so that's what I'm gonna say happened here too rather than another sharingan jutsu—okay? Cool. Also, I am not a fan of poetry and like writing it even less, but this is Lord of the Rings and important characters get laments, so I made Kakashi's lament. I apologize for its quality but I even workshopped it with my brother (and he's the poet of the family), so I tried. Thank you for reading. ~ love, depressedchildren