Deep Roots Are Not Touched By Frost

or

For the White City

I stared up at the banner beside me, eyes tracing the familiar pattern stitched into the fabric. The White Tree stood out against the black, a symbol of hope. But there was no hope.

My eyes drifted away from the flapping banner and down to the army. I took in each misshapen figure, each rusted blade, each horrendous troll pushing tall siege towers toward the white walls of the city. Walls that would soon be stained red. Their taunts and jeers sucked my heart dry and forced my courage out of the corners of my eyes. The Orc army stretched to the horizon, where smoke still rose from Osgiliath.

How many of these monsters will I kill before I die? How many will my friends and brothers kill? Or will we be crushed under stones hurled by their crude catapults? My hand twitched toward the hilt of my sword. Will I fall under an Orc's blade?

The roars of the attacking army redoubled. My gut twisted in fear as they beat cruel swords upon shields and sticks upon drums. The sound filled the monsters with hunger and us with terror.

"This is the last stand of men," someone whispered. A tear slipped out. More joined it in despair as he kept speaking. "This is our final dawn: this shall be the final time we draw our swords against the forces of darkness." Hooves clattered up the stairs behind us. "This is our end."

"Do not lose heart!"

We turned to see Mithrandir astride his great beast. Both were clothed in white and seemed to radiate with power. Mithrandir's white staff shone with pure light. As I gazed at it, I felt my courage returning.

"Do not forsake your faith! There is always hope, while we remain strong." The White Wizard looked down at us with a grave expression. "Always hope."

I nodded firmly, feeling strength return. We still stood, and none had ever taken the city before.

"Beregond, you have been ordered to the Citadel. Good fortune to you all." Mithrandir spurred Shadowfax forward, calling out encouragement to the other men guarding the wall.

I turned to my brothers. Leave them? Now? How would I know what befell them? Their eyes were sad, but they seemed to accept what I could not. Taking a deep breath, I nodded to them.

"For Gondor."

Then I turned and strode away before I could change my mind. I had to defend the Citadel.

*blinks furiously* Well, that took no time at all. Probably because I hand wrote it ages ago... Hope you enjoy! (I promise to make the next one long :P)