Gandalf was worried. How could he not be? Watching the army of orcs bearing down on Minas Tirith, he felt the weight of the task at hand bearing down on him. Not only was he now leading the armies of Minas Tirith, but he worried endlessly about the little hobbits he had sent into the wilderness, their own task even more important than his own. It was almost night, though he knew that mattered little. It was dark all the time now, and the armies of Mordor would not let up once night fell.
As he looked out over the battlements, he saw a monstrous battering ram being slowly pushed towards the great gates. He raced down to the lower levels, prepared to defend them alongside the men of Gondor.
It was nightfall when the gates finally broke open. Trolls quickly poured through the ruined doors, smashing the first line of defenders and allowing the orcs that followed to pursue the armies further into the city. Gandalf was just about to attack a heavily armored troll when a huge mass of feathers barreled into the troll, sending it flying, knocking the armor off, exposing the troll to the swords of Gondor's soldiers.
Bewildered, Gandalf looked up into the sky, where a convocation of eagles was circling, diving into the fray to engage the orcs and trolls, who were just as astonished as the wizard. Looking up closely, he noticed that the eagles were not alone. People were riding the eagles.
Despite the arrival of the new allies, the men of Gondor were forced back into the higher levels of the city. Once the gates had been braced against the onslaught, Gandalf made for the citadel, Shadowfax trotting through the throngs of people. However, before he could get very far, one of the eagles landed along the battlements.
"Greetings, Mithrandir, though I suppose you shall need a new name, now that you are Gandalf the White." The figure that addressed him dismounted the eagle, dressed all in a light brown leather suit made up of a tunic, leggings, boots, and a helmet with glass goggles. As the figure removed the helmet, Gandalf saw that it was a she-elf with long auburn hair pulled back in a braid.
"Greetings, my friend. Your assistance is much appreciated, though I do not believe we have met before."
"I am Gwailin, daughter of Oiotar, King of the Kindi of the Sea of Rhun," she said, bowing elegantly as she stood on the battlements. "And this is my good friend, Pannaran," she said, indicating the eagle beside her, who remained still. Gandalf could tell they were not of the same line as the Great Eagles of the Misty Mountains, but still there was intelligence in the bird's eyes.
"Well you and your people are most welcome, Lady Gwailin. How many of you have come to our aid?"
"Unfortunately, we only number twelve. More of our company remained behind in Mirkwood to assist King Thranduil with the evil that now bears down on them."
"Your assistance is greatly appreciated, nonetheless," Gandalf replied. "Do be careful, my lady, as you fly over the city and Pelennor. The Nazgul are not far off."
"Which is why we came, to offer our assistance in the skies. I must return to my people now. We will return when the battle begins again."
With that, she gracefully swung up on the eagle, which dove off the building and flew off over the city, up into the mountains. Bemused, the wizard watched her fly off before resuming his ride to the citadel. Unexpected though this was, he was grateful to see that he had more allies to assist in the fight.
The elves and eagles proved a valuable asset to the armies of Gondor. Even though they did not have large numbers, they were quite useful in fending off the Nazgul and destroying the siege towers. As it turns out, a few of them had journeyed to Isengard and uncovered Saruman's explosive weapons in Orthanc. They used smaller versions than those used on Helms Deep on the towers.
Gwailin herself was deep in the battle, attacking trebuchets in retaliation for the Nazgul's attacks on those in Minas Tirith, and more than once got into a battle with the Nazgul and their fell beasts. She generally fought fiercely to keep them away from the city, but let them fly off over Pelennor without pursuit. Only once did Pannaran attack so fiercely that the Nazgul was thrown from his mount, and the fell beast itself was killed by the eagle.
Several of the eagles and elves were killed or severally wounded in the next few days. When one eagle was attacked viciously by the Witch King and his mount, the eagle was killed instantly as the fell beast sank its teeth into the poor bird's neck. The rider was dislodged, falling towards the army below, when he was snatched from the air by another eagle and brought to the citadel safely.
Gwailin stood on the battlements besides Pannaran, looking out over Pelennor Fields as dawn approached after several days of fighting. Beside her stood Irima, her second in command, and the elleth's mount, Calimacar.
"We cannot keep this up with the Witch King flying about," Irima said, pushing her short brown hair behind her ear. Unlike most elves, the Kindi did not care to have long hairstyles, especially the fliers. Even the women, like Irima, had hair cut above their shoulders. Irima's hair was uneven, the jagged edges making her look dangerous and aggressive. Gwailin was the exception, with her long braid, but she had bangs, which few elves did, making her stand out.
"I know. We need more riders. We've lost almost a third already. And Roime and Ettelea reported that mumakil will be here in a few hours. We will just have to push through," Gwailin finished, smiling grimly and putting her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Now go sleep while you can. We have another long day ahead of us."
"What about you? You've been awake since midnight yesterday."
"I'm fine. I cannot sleep so near Mordor anyway. My dreams are filled with dark things."
"As are mine," Irima said, mounting Calimacar. "Goodnight, your majesty."
Gwailin and Pannaran remained on the battlements for several hours, staring out over the fields, thinking strategy and thinking about those who had fallen. Three riders and four eagles were dead now. Lote had been lucky Calimacar had caught him before he fell to his death. He would mourn for his mount for at least a year before he would once again visit the eyries and be chosen by another eagle. He and Arvellas had been together for several decades.
Sighing, Gwailin looked towards the sun as it peaked over the hills. She was astonished to see that along the horizon were rows upon rows of horses lining the top of the closest hill, facing the orc hoards. As she watched, they charged the ranks, breaking through and scattering orcs everywhere. Smiling, Gwailin decided to join in the fray.
"Ready my friend?" she said, looking up at him. The eagle gave a sharp cry and spread his wings. Smiling, Gwailin swung into the saddle and together she and Pannaran entered the battle.
Lucky for Gwailin, the Nazgul were not out as she rode, Pannaran gliding over the heads of the fighters, his talons tearing through orcs, or lifting them off the battlefield and dropping them onto the heads of their comrades.
After awhile, Gwailin saw the mumakil crest the horizon.
"Ready for some sport, Pannaran?"
They shot towards the attacking animals, singling out the first one to engage. Gwailin pulled out her short bow and began shooting arrows at the men riding the beast on their first pass. On the second, Pannaran grabbed the platform on the mumak's back, ripping it to shreds. At the same time, Gwailin produced one of the last explosive shells from Isengard and threw it at the mumak, which was knocked onto its side from the blast. From there, the horsemen below were able to get their spears into it and kill it.
Just then, Gwailin saw the Witch King appear from Osgiliath. But the black rider did not make for her. It instead went after the men of Rohan. Pleased at this good fortune, Gwailin turned her attention to the next mumak.
So focused on her task, Gwailin did not notice the death of the Witch King at the hands of a lone soldier. Nor did she notice the ships arrive, until a swarm of ghostly figures began rushing across the battlefield.
"What is this witchcraft?" Gwailin murmured, looking down at the ghosts, assuming they were the enemy. At least, she thought they were, until they began taking down orcs and mumakil. She watched from several hundred feet above as the armies of Mordor began to fail.
During this strange turn of events, she noticed a figure climb up the side of a mumak and take it down singlehandedly, before sliding neatly down its trunk.
"Well, well," Gwailin said, looking at the figure one last time before flying back towards the city. "That is interesting."
After releasing the ghostly hoards, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli sought information from Gandalf.
"It appears we got here just in time," Aragorn said, looking around solemnly at the devastation. They had achieved victory, but at a heavy cost.
"Your aid was certainly needed," Gandalf said, looking around as well. However, he looked up and smiled.
"We had some rather unexpected assistance." As he said this, a powerful wind stirred up dust around them, making the three new arrivals look up in astonishment as the giant eagle landed near them. Gwailin dismounted, removing her helmet and only glancing at the others before turning her attention to Gandalf.
"With your permission, Gandalf, my people and I will take our dead up to the mountain and cremate them. Please let us know if you require anything further from us tonight."
"Ah yes, Lady Gwailin. May I introduce Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Gimli son of Gloin, and Legolas of the woodland realm."
"My pleasure, my lords," Gwailin said, bowing low. "I apologize for not taking the time to chat, but several of our brothers and sisters died in the past few days, and they must burned quickly as tradition dictates. Oh, and your father sends his regards, Prince Legolas," she added, before putting her helmet back on, mounting Pannaran, and flying off towards the mountain peaks.
"Who was that?" Gimli asked, staring after her. "Rarely do eagles allow riders, let alone a saddle."
"She is Gwailin, daughter of Oiotar, princess of the Kindi who reside near the Sea of Rhun," Gandalf said with a smile. "She and her kin arrived several days ago and have provided much needed assistance since."
"What?" Legolas asked, noticing Gimli smirking up at him.
"Nothing," Gimli said, looking away again, but the smirk still on his face.
Gandalf, Aragorn, Eomer, Gimli, and Legolas stood in the citadel, discussing what to do about the army of orcs that stood between Frodo and Mount Doom. Aragorn opened his mouth to voice his suggestion, but was interrupted as the doors swung open and Gwailin strode in, helmet under her arm, flanked by Irima to her left.
"I apologize for my tardiness, my lords. What can we do to help?"
"We were discussing the army of orcs still in Mordor," Aragorn said.
"Let them stay there," Gwailin said. "They will eventually kill each other off."
"We cannot do that," Gandalf said. "These orcs threaten a secret mission to destroy the Ring of Power in Mount Doom."
"Why don't you elves fly your eagles into Mordor and find Frodo. Fly him right over the orc armies," Gimli offered, blowing smoke rings.
"Bad idea," Irima said, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "We would immediately draw attention to the Ring. The Nazgul would have it before we got past the Black Gates."
"She is right," Gwailin said seriously. "We can offer air support, but we are too few to fight off the rest of the Nazgul and ensure the safety of the Ring."
"We have only one option," Aragorn said grimly. "We must march on the Black Gate."
"We cannot hope to achieve a victory," Eomer said, his brow furrowed.
"Not for ourselves, but we can ensure Sauron's eye remains fixed on us."
"A diversion," Legolas said pointedly.
"Sauron will not take the bait," Gandalf said.
"I think he will," Aragorn said. "Give me the Palantir."
The armies of Gondor and Rohan rode towards the Black Gate, the eight remaining Kindi gliding over them, watching the road ahead. They knew that when they reached Mordor, they would face the remaining six Nazgul. It would be a hard fight.
When the armies clashed, it was a fierce confrontation. The Kindi fought fiercely, managing to take down one of the Nazgul before Roime and his mount Alonnen were attacked by two Nazgul. One fell beast ripped Roime off the eagle while the other plunged its talons into Alonnen's back. The bird could not turn to attack, and despite two other eagles coming to their aid, both died in the air before plummeting to the earth.
Gwailin shot an arrow into chest of a fell beast as it flew over her. Its scales kept the arrow from killing it, but she was surprised when it and two others turned and started flying back into Mordor.
"Leave them!" Gwailin cried as some of the Kindi made to pursue them. Those that still lived focused on destroying the last two Nazgul.
It wasn't long after this that to everyone's amazement, the tower of Barad-dur crumbled to the ground. Gwailin watched in awe as the tower fell, and in shock as Mount Doom erupted violently. She was just about to land on one of the rocky outcroppings, now that the Nazgul were either dead or gone, when she heard a sharp whistle from below. She dove, landing besides the White Wizard.
"What do you need?" she asked, noticing the look in his eyes.
"I need a ride," he said, watching one of the eagles circle overhead, no rider in the saddle. Gwailin nodded and gave a series of high-pitched whistles, which brought the eagle down next to them.
"This is Amarth. Her rider, Maite, fell early. She will carry you where you need to go."
"Thank you, Lady Gwailin."
"I shall accompany you," she said, waiting for Gandalf to mount the eagle. Together, they flew off into Mordor, hoping that they would find two hobbits alive when they reached them.
I only posted this because of my supreme enthusiasm following the release of the Desolation of Smaug trailer this morning. I know, not really a funny chapter, but the rest of the story will be (my attempt to be) funny. Or at least mildly amusing. As always, I love to hear from readers so please send reviews. Not sure when I will actually update this one, since I have a couple more stories I am currently working on (and you know, actual work to do), but maybe I'll post another chapter in a few weeks if people enjoy it. Cheers!