Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

Helm's Deep

Although it's called a fortress, Helm's Deep actually consists of two parts. The eastern part is a deep defensive wall connected to the cliffs of the White Mountains, while the western part is a semicircular towering castle built on rock—Hornburg.

At this moment, Ino and Théoden stood side by side on the solid and spacious defensive wall of the deep valley beneath their feet.

In front of them was the plain at the entrance of the valley, and the somewhat gloomy sky.

"Will they really attack forcefully?" Théoden's tone was a bit hesitant.

As Rohan's most solid fortress, he did not think that attacking Helm's Deep was a wise choice.

"Are you worried that they will bypass here?"

Ino understood Théoden's concerns well. If he wasn't clear about the original story's direction, he too would be worried about this.

The concern was real: if the Uruk-hai didn't attack Helm's Deep but chose to ravage Rohan instead, not only would Rohan fall, but the Uruk-hai army would also rapidly expand like a snowball.

"I am very worried. What if they bypass Helm's Deep and directly attack the southern plains of the Morin River, or even invade Gondor directly..."

Théoden looked into the distance with concern. For some reason, in recent days, the sun was always unseen, either gloomy or rainy.

"Don't worry. My scouts have already informed me that a large number of Uruk-hai are advancing directly towards Helm's Deep."

Ino spoke with certainty.

In fact, before leaving Edoras, he had asked Fide to patrol and guard within Rohan.

And after discovering the Uruk-hai army, the phoenix had been hovering high in the sky, precisely tracking the Uruk-hai's movements.

"By the way, have you blocked the drainage channel? It is the only weak point of Helm's Deep."

Since he was in the story, he naturally wouldn't allow the obvious loophole in the story to happen, so he had told Théoden about the drainage channel issue early on.

"It was blocked this morning, all built with well-polished rocks. Even if they move without interference, it would take them at least half a day."

Théoden looked down at the defensive wall with lingering fears. Actually, when he first heard about the drainage channel, he didn't care at all. How many people could a small hole let through? Moreover, it was sealed with an iron grate.

But soon, when he saw his old friend casually blow up a huge rock, he immediately realized.

Saruman was also a wizard and the head of the White Council.

...

After Théoden finished answering, Ino said nothing more.

The two of them stood silently on the defensive wall, gazing at the plain outside the valley together.

Time seemed to stand still.

After a long silence, Théoden broke the peace again:

"Why are you helping me so much? To be honest, neither Rohan nor I personally can offer a worthy reward."

For the first time, Théoden felt somewhat lacking in confidence, even unusually embarrassed and insecure.

Rohan was not the prosperous Gondor, nor the wealthy Lonely Mountain, nor the splendid Rivendell. As the King of Rohan, he knew this better than anyone else.

On the other side.

Ino, hearing this heartfelt question, did not answer hastily.

He was also reflecting on himself. A hundred years ago, at the Battle of the Five Armies, he hadn't even thought of participating.

But now, what exactly had prompted all this to happen?

Magic, power, confidence, old friendships, or even to leave some favor for Lina...

These factors were raised one by one but were soon dismissed one by one.

After a while.

Ino turned around and looked at the Hornburg to the west again.

Because of Théoden's order, all men in Rohan who could fight had to take up arms. However...

Those obviously only ten-year-old children, each donned chainmail like adults.

Their thin figures, even with helmets on, were still not taller than the battlements.

"I'm not trying to help anyone; I'm just doing what I want in my heart. It has nothing to do with race or interests."

...

Nightfall, like a heavy curtain, descended on Helm's Deep.

In the sky, the bright moonlight was also obscured by clouds, leaving only scattered starlight adorning the distant sky.

In the pitch-black night, countless torches were lit on the walls of Helm's Deep, illuminating everything around and providing comfort to the soldiers defending the city.

Following Elrond's order, the Elven reinforcements also arrived as promised.

The appearance of these two hundred Elven reinforcements undoubtedly brought great morale to the people of Rohan, proving that other forces in Middle-earth had not forgotten them.

But even with these two hundred Elves, the total defenders of Helm's Deep barely reached eight hundred, and they had to face at least ten thousand or more Uruk-hai.

Unlike others' worries about the Uruk-hai, Ino was currently wary of Saruman's interference.

A traitorous Maia probably wouldn't follow the Valar's command to avoid showing miracles.

...

Time passed minute by minute under pressure.

"They're here!"

Ino glanced at the Elven commander Haldir beside him.

He did not choose to defend the Hornburg with Théoden but stayed with the Elves to guard the more dangerous defensive wall.

In the quiet night.

Suddenly, a deep roar came from the horizon.

Countless Uruk-hai surged like a tide, their torches flickering in the darkness. From Helm's Deep, it looked like countless sparks stretching endlessly.

Unlike the Half-Orcs of Middle-earth, Saruman had also made significant investments. The Uruk-hai army was not only physically strong but also well-equipped.

Their heavy armor and rhythmic footsteps caused the entire valley to tremble slightly. Especially with the surrounding mountain walls, the sound of their marching became even more pronounced.

At the same time, the defenders of Helm's Deep, both Elves and Rohirrim, quickly got into battle positions.

Similarly, Ino summoned the Boggart.

Pitch-black smoke flowed from his shadow, slowly spreading towards the Uruk-hai army under the cover of night.

In the face of large-scale warfare, the Boggart's fear effect was undoubtedly the best method.

The dispersed Boggart's smoke became lighter in color but still covered the plain outside Helm's Deep.

As the smoke spread, the previously orderly steps of the Uruk-hai became chaotic in an instant.

Perhaps because the fear effect was diluted, their pace was disrupted, but their formation remained intact.

However, Ino was already satisfied with this scene.

On a battlefield with cold weapons, morale was crucial. If the Uruk-hai came marching in step, the Elves might be fine, but the Rohirrim in the Hornburg would definitely be affected in their performance.

With the Uruk-hai losing their built-up morale, Ino raised his wand again and pointed it towards the sky:

"Expecto Patronum!"