A/N: Hello, everyone, so sorry for not posting earlier. Here we are again, another chapter is here, the preparations for the battle reach their end and there's also some unexpected and very welcome help ;) Hope you will like the update!

Mikoto Bloom: Thank you very much, new chapter is here :D

Gotta Dance 88: Aww thank you very much, my friend...stupid writer's block, prevented me from posting earlier. I really hope you will like the new chapter too.

iosifina: Thanks a lot, I'm glad you like it.

BCgurlie: And more you shall have, hehe :)

ShadowPhoenix121: Thank you so much for your lovely review, I'm really glad you like their friendship. "If they are going to get together at all", eh? Interesting opinion, very interesting ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own the Lord of the Rings or the Harry Potter universe

"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms…to be ready for battle by nightfall." Theoden told Gamling as we were walking to the gate. The king was calm and that was a good thing, because panic wouldn't help us right now, but I was still angry at how light he had taken the whole situation.

Unwillingly, I remembered when Professor Sprout had woken us up to tell us that were needed in the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall had explained that You-Know-Who was coming and we needed to defend the castle. Being an adult, I immediately decided to stay and help and I recalled how composed the teachers were while they were giving orders and assigning us different positions. They were composed, yes, but they knew how serious the situation was; they hadn't faced it like a nice trip to Hogsmeade.

"Try to say that to Theoden and I predict he'll forbid you to fight." Cedric commented in my head, though I realized from his voice that he disagreed with Theoden's attitude too.

"Either that or he'll say 'I am the king and know what I am doing', so it won't make any sense anyway."

Gamling nodded and walked away to gather the potential soldiers; I honestly hoped he would convince them, since young boys would be called to fight as well. We made our way to the ramp outside the gate as Theoden continued speaking and planning our defenses.

"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall…or set foot inside the Hornburg."

"There's a first time for everything, though." I said and rolled my eyes. "Who tells us that they won't find a way to invade the fortress?"

"Exactly!" Gimli exclaimed. "This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."

"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf, Lady Audrey," he told us arrogantly while leaving to go inside. "I know how to defend my own keep."

"I have fought battles as well, my lord! And every time the enemy managed to find a way inside the keep we were defending!" I called after him, with the bitter taste of the battles in Hogwarts clear in my mouth. If Hogwarts, with all its advantages and the charms protecting it, could be breached, then what would happen to a place that had many mistakes in how it was built, according to Gandalf?

"Calm down, Audrey." Legolas tried to comfort me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "He can not see what he does not know."

"Legolas, what I said before is true." I roughly removed his hand and stared angrily at him. "I fought for my school a couple of times and every time the dark forces managed to sneak in and wreak havoc! And Theoden in his arrogant blindness believes that Helm's Deep will stay intact?"

"We can not change his mind willingly, though." Aragorn smiled gently. "The only thing we can do is compromise with his orders and fight with all our strength to prevent the worst from happening."

I looked at him in disbelief, sensing that Aragorn himself feared that the Uruks would manage to break into the fortress somehow. As we followed Theoden in the inner ramparts, I started thinking that maybe I should place some shield charms over Helm's Deep before the battle in order to win some time; not that they would be able to hold back an army of ten thousand forever, but they would offer us some extra protection. On the other hand, of course, Saruman knew of my magical powers because of me and the spells I had casted back at the Argonath, which meant that he would do anything he could to destroy every bit of magic he would sense over our hideout. And I wasn't so arrogant to believe that my magic could be even compared to his.

"Why don't you discuss it with the others before the battle?" Cedric suggested. "Although, I don't think that Theoden will agree, he's too complacent for that."

"Yeah, but I'll try," I said mentally and focused back on my surroundings, because the king was talking to us again.

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown…houses rebuilt. Within these walls…we will outlast them."

"Most like they will outlast us…seriously, why the hell is he in denial?" with the eyes of my imagination, I could almost see Cedric rolling his eyes and I couldn't agree with him more; the man was behaving like Cornelius Fudge when he was saying that You-Know-Who hadn't returned and that Harry and Dumbledore were liars.

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people…down to the last child." Aragorn brought up another point—the most important point, according to my humble opinion. Crops could indeed be resowned and houses rebuilt, but this wasn't the case with the lives that would be lost; the victims of this bloody war that affected everyone; the people they left behind mourning.

I was given a second chance, okay, and I appreciated it, having sworn to myself to never get distracted again. But I was resurrected in another world with a completely different way of living and I was thrown in the middle of this mess while trying to get over the tragedies I had faced in the wizarding world. Still, resurrected or not, for those I had left behind I would always remain dead, a loss of the wizarding war, someone who had fallen in the battlefield defending everything she believed in and this would never change.

"What would you have me do?" Theoden turned towards us, taking Aragorn's arm. "Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would make them have such an end…as to be worthy of remembrance."

Well, I could understand that. Words of comforts and praises for the fallen couldn't ease the pain, but at least they would be remembered for their bravery, for their willingness to offer up their lives for freedom and for the safety of their loved ones. All those who had died in the two wizarding wars, the members of the Order of the Phoenix, their allies…starting from our parents' times, when they were fighting against Voldemort and we continued their mission.

"Send out riders, my lord." Aragorn advised him. "You must call for aid."

"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead and I do not think that there are other sorcerers like Lady Audrey who will join us."

If only you knew, my lord, I thought as I shook my head, trying to keep my composure. The Order, Dumbledore's Army…they would be more than ready to join this fight if they were here and I could imagine the Weasley twins telling some sassy joke to ease the tension, Harry giving us a motivational speech, Alastor Moody warning us to be in 'constant vigilance'. Whenever Hogwarts or our world in general needed help, there were always people who would rush into action…only that they were away, in another universe, in another world, a great number of them having perished in the frontlines. From the corner of my eye, I could see Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli throwing concerned glances towards me, understanding what I was going through due to Theoden mentioning my allies from my world—and Legolas surely guessing my emotional distress, being the only one knowing how exactly I had landed in Middle Earth. I smiled slightly to indicate that I was alright and Aragorn quickly spoke again to give me the space I needed.

"Audrey's allies would be valuable, my lord, but it is impossible for them to come here. However, we are not alone. Gondor will answer," he said and I recalled Legolas's narrations about him being the future king of Gondor; a role he wasn't ready to accept because of his ancestor.

"Gondor?!" Theoden snapped angrily. "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon—?" he paused for a moment and then he went on, this time calmer. "No, my Lord Aragorn…we are alone," he concluded and started walking back to the Hall, with Gamling and guards following. "Get the women and children into the caves."

The women and children…well, I am a girl and a child in his eyes, but there's no way I'm going to the caves even if he orders me to!

"We need more time to lay provisions—" Gamling started, only to be interrupted by his king.

"There is no time. War is upon us. Secure the gate."

The next hours passed by in a blur, with Theoden giving commands, Gamling making sure to follow them, the women and the children being led to the caves to be more secure and Aragorn discussing strategies with us. For me it felt like déjà-vu, just like when we were preparing ourselves before the Battle of Hogwarts, with the grown-ups deciding who should fight where, giving us the last piece of advice, while we were giving faith to each other and assuring our friends that everything would be alright. Now it was time to fight again and I could feel the familiar urge in me; the urge to show to the enemy that we wouldn't give up. At the same time, I could sense Cedric's own impatience in my head, because he had already started whispering encouraging words and reminding me that this was the reason I had accepted to be sent here.

"You can do this, sister. You can, trust me. Stay calm and focused, don't panic, keep an eye on your surroundings just like in the Quidditch matches when you were looking out for opponents and Bludgers. Use your magic when you need to, fight with your sword like you learned to…and always stay close to someone of the Fellowship."

His encouragement and especially his advice was what I needed more than ever. Not fake hope speeches, but words of comfort and practical instructions on how to deal with the upcoming battle. I mentally thanked him as I prepared myself, wearing my tunic again, my sword and wand in front of me, ready to be sheathed and used. The straps on the sleeves, though, were troublesome for me to tie and just the moment when I was ready to risk appearing as stupid and go to Eowyn for help, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Legolas entered discretely, probably afraid that he would disturb my thoughts or something. I smiled at him to show him that this wasn't the case; that seeing a close friend before battle was more than welcome. He looked at me fumbling with my sleeve and smiled, outstretching his hand. "Would you allow me to help you?" he wanted to know and I nodded willingly, happy that he wasn't making fun of me; after all, I was just getting used to the medieval-like clothing style.

His movements were careful as he helped me, more careful than they should be considering that this wasn't some heavy armor. Still, I felt grateful for that, because he helped me relax a little. When he finished, I thanked him and wore the two bracers Eowyn had brought me in order to protect my hands more. I sheathed my sword, placed my wand in its holster and there I was, ready to fight once more. Legolas looked me in the eyes and I could see a sorrow and a determination in his own eyes. "What is it?" I wanted to know, in case he needed encouraging words himself.

"Audrey…you have trusted me with your past and after watching some of your reactions I could guess some of your fears. And I want to give you my word…as long as I can do something about it, it won't happen again."

I gasped, clearly not expecting that and understanding immediately what he was talking about. It was true, it was my question and fear, what would happen if I died again—probably this time I would stay dead for good. But I would never guess that Legolas would have sensed it too…either he had learned me well because of our friendship and because of me telling him about my death, or I was really that easy to read.

"I appreciate the thought, Legolas, but you can't know that for sure. Everything can happen in a fight and—"

Before I could complete my sentence and assure him that I was accepted that everything could happen to me, he cut me off by gently putting a hand on my shoulder. "It won't happen," he repeated, but something in his voice made me suspect that he was saying this to convince both me and himself. That sorrow I had seen a few seconds ago in his blue eyes was now combined with despair—and everything became clear.

He's afraid too…Of course he's afraid too! But after everything I told him…he doesn't want to believe that I could die again and he doesn't want me to believe it either!

Suddenly feeling like the one who should give comfort instead of receiving it—especially now that I had interpreted his behavior—I covered the hand on my shoulder with my own, lightly squeezing his cold fingers. His eyes widened, since it was the first time I was doing that, but I didn't let him speak.

"No, it won't happen," was my turn to say with a finality that held my goal to make it out alive tonight.

On our way to the armory we fell on Aragorn and covered the rest of the way together without talking. The room was crowded with grown men and young boys, all those considered fit to fight, receiving their weapons and exchanging some last information or piece of advice. We spotted Gimli sitting down and approached him, Aragorn looking around at the soldiers, looking even grimmer than Legolas.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys. There are no soldiers," he said, clearly fearing the outcome of the battle; truth be told, Saruman's army combined with our inexperience wasn't a good sign.

"Most have seen too many winters," Gimli commented of the men's older age and Legolas quickly added, "Or too few," referring to the fact that young boys were forced to fight tonight. Legolas, though, seemed to be bursting out his fear generally, because he went on, addressing Aragorn personally, who would be the one leading us together with Theoden. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."

At the sound of these words everything in the armory ceased as all of them looked at the Elf, something that made me look back at them sternly. What? He's right, you're all frightened; hell, I am frightened too. But if we panic…if we give in to despair…then we better surrender ourselves willingly and be done with it!

" Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig!" he continued in Elvish, wanting only Aragorn to understand him in order not to cause more glares.

"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras." Aragorn replied, still keeping a calm voice in order to calm Legolas down, who was way more scared than I had ever seen him...as if his previous encouraging behavior towards me was the only way for him to conceal this fear.

"Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-erir ortheri. Natha daged dhaer!"

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn raised his voice, making me cringe, since I had never heard him shout like that. As he took his leave, with Legolas being restrained by Gimli in order not to follow him, I looked at the ground processing what I had just witnessed. I hadn't understood a single word, but the hopelessness in Legolas's voice and Aragorn's last words were enough to give me a general context of the argument: the former was afraid that we would lose the battle or something like that and the latter was determined to die with the rest of the warriors if it came down to that.

I could understand both of them, because both of them had valid points. I knew we had objective problems, including the ones on the fortress itself, the inexperience of most of those who fight and the fact that we were seriously unnumbered. Odds weren't in our favor, but right now I was clinging to the smallest hint of hope I could master to give me strength. Therefore I decided to stay out of this and let them sort this out themselves ("Hufflepuff justice strikes again," as Cedric commented in my head)—I only hoped they would sort this out; quarreling just before the battle would equal with doom. I smiled at Gimli, patted Legolas on the arm, who seemed lost in his thoughts, and approached the smith to have my sword checked: not that it needed it, Elves totally deserved their reputation as talented weapon crafters, but I had to stay occupied while waiting for the sign that the battle would start.

"Your sword is in excellent condition, my lady," the smith informed me after a few moments while handing it back to me. "The blade is as sharp as it has to be and its balance is the ideal one."

"Thank you," I nodded. In a sudden, and as I placed the sword back in its sheath, a horn was heard from outside, sending chills down my spine and making me grab my wand instinctively. At the same time, running steps towards me alerted me, but it was only my three companions—and thank God looking reconciled—approaching me, Legolas with a relieved expression on his face and poor Gimli struggling with his chainmail shirt, which was way too long for him.

"Don't worry, Audrey, this is not an Orc horn. Help has arrived!" Legolas hastily comforted me when he saw my worried expression before rushing outside.

Help has arrived? I repeated his words mentally, recalling Theoden's declarations that no one would stand by our side. Feeling relief and triumph that he was wrong, I was about to follow them outside, when a string of curses behind me reminded me that the Dwarf of the group would need some magical help. I waved my wand and the next moment the chainmail matched his size.

"Thank you, lassie!" Gimli exclaimed, finally feeling comfortable in his armor and the two of us ran behind our friends to see what was happening exactly.

The 'help' Legolas had mentioned turned out to be an army of Elves armed with bows and quivers and carrying banners, led by the blond Elf I had met in Lothlorien, Haldir. He was talking to Theoden, who seemed equally dumbfounded at the sudden arrival, saying something about honoring the old alliances. Aragorn and Legolas each took their turns in hugging him as the Elves turned towards us in perfect synchronization; I, on the other hand, simply smiled at him with gratitude and he returned the smile.

"We are proud to fight alongside Men once more," he announced in the end and that pride was obvious in his voice.

And that was it. Our worry for the outcome was immensely reduced, the men smiled widely at the unexpected help of the skilled warriors of Middle Earth and I allowed hope to fill me as well; hope combined with determination to see this through. As we started taking our positions, my mind returned me to Hogwarts and how we were in the Quidditch matches: the jokes I exchanged with my teammates, Cedric's pep talks and Lee Jordan announcing us from his microphone.

"And now the Hufflepuff Quidditch team enters the pitch! Diggory, Applebee, Preece, Reeves, O'Flaherty, Rickett and Fleet."

This is some sort of game too, a chess game where everything is at stake, I thought and my grip around my wand tightened. A game in which you win or you die. There is no middle ground.

Elvish phrases used:

Boe a hyn neled herain dan caer menig- And they should be...three hundred against ten thousand.

Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras- They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras.

Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-erir ortheri. Natha daged dhaer- Aragorn, they can not win this fight. They are all going to die!

A/N: Alright, everyone, that was it for now. Hope you liked the chapter and I'll try to post ASAP :)