Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR, or the characters...save Athlorn...hes mine I tells ye!

Rain. Oppresive rain. It had fallen on the land of Gondor for three weeks straight now. In that time, several attacks had forced the Gondorian garrison of Ogiliath back to a mere foothold of the once great city. The garrison had been reenforced, though, with fresh soldiers from Minas Tirith, and at their head was the Capatain-General Boromir, Son of the Steward. He led a force of five thousand men, most of seasoned companies that had seen many a war with the Enemy's forces. To be the second-in-command of the Captain-General was a position much sought after, but only the best held it. Currently, that was Captain Athlorn, soldier reknowned for his prowess in battle, his utter and complete respect of his troops, but also the love he gained from them, for he treated them kindly when it was called upon.

The Captain sat with the Captain-General, and a few Lieutenants in his tent, discussing the plan of the battle they all knew was comming. The tent was layered several times to keep the rain out, to provide a try interior for the Captain and his guests.

"Milord, we do not have an exact figure on the Enemy's forces, but from what we have gathered from the garrison, they are rumored to be around two-thousand strong at the least. We have heard no mention of trolls, which can be counted as a blessing of the Valar, but that doesnt mean that they aren't there." Spoke one of the Lieutenants, standing across from Athlorn and Boromir.

"Yes, I suppose you could. Do we know the position of the forces across the River?" Questioned the Captain-General to the Lieutenant.

"Nay, sire, but from what we have heard, they are focusing mostly on the bridges in Osgiliath, whilst they leave their flanks either underprotected, or exposed entirly."

This news caused the Captain to stir abit, gaining the attention of Boromir.

"Yes, Athlorn? What is it?"

"I do not like this news, sir. While I have seen them do such, they have a reserve ready to strike. This may be the case now...but why focus the majority of their strength on the bridges?" He tapped the map of the city infront of him. "I know for a fact there are better places to cross the Anduin..." He again proceeded to tap a few places on the map. "So, it puzzles me why they focus there. I know they may not have any boats, but by now they would have some..."

"Aye, that may be so, sir, but if they focus all their weight on the bridges, they would force us to defend it there..."

The tent fell silent as the Lieutenant spoke this, the only sound being the rain thundering down outside, and their own breathing.

"Lieutenant, thank you for pointing that out..." Spoke softly the Captain-General before he walked forth from the tent, the others quickly following.

As he walked forth, he shouted to a soldier to send a message to his father requesting additional companies before turning back to the group following him. "Lieuteanants, go back to your companies. Captain, your with me."

With that, Boromir walked off, towards the River, Athlorn following him closely, his eyes watching the opposing shore carefully for signs of movement.

"Athlorn, I must confide in you that this news makes me uneasy...I have never known Orcs to be this smart, to focus our attention else wither whilst they attack another...at least never on this scale, nor in this location..." He spoke quietly to the man, a look of unease upon his face.

"Aye, sir...it makes me uneasy also...while Osgiliath does have its importance in the fact that it is an easy crossing of the Anduin, it still seems strange they focus and draw our attention thither...but where else could they attack us at? Pelagir? Too far south, and our Navy is stationed there. 'Twould be suicidal. Cair Andros? The current is too strong for them to ford, plus we would be able to know from you brother and his Rangers before hand..." A look of realization came across the Captain's face. "The Corsairs!"

Captain-General Boromir's own eyes went wide, and he nodded. "Of course! By distracting us here, they take our attention away from Pelagir and the Corsairs! We must send word to Minas Tirith and Pelagir!"

Turning, Boromir was about to shout to a soldier when a cry came in: "They are crossing the bridge! All soldiers, to the bridge!"

Turning, the two drew swords and dashed to the bridge. The mass pouring towards the gate filled the bridge abreast. "By the Valar..." Uttered Athlorn, a Lieutenant beside him uttering the same thing.

"Archers! Ready and fire!"