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Aear; Nan Aearon!
by Aranel Laerien
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Chapter VI
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Today was the day. There was a quiet excitement among the Elves as Legolas tried to wedge the rusty gates open. The Orcs were away from the dungeons and as is their custom, would remain away for an hour in the least. The hinges barely held as Legolas pitted his strength against it. He was free!

Quickly, he sprinted to where the keys were hanging and released Thilion, then the other Men and the Elves on the other side. The Elves quickly divided themselves; some to bring the wounded and weak away, others to cleanse the place of Orcs.

Haldir did not see why Aragorn had not wished to act earlier. It was another one of those intuitions probably stemming from the close sharing between the Man and Legolas, and he thought he had better let him be.

"This is it," Aragorn said as he moved into position and readied his bow.

Haldir could not tell what was special about this precise time, but he nodded. They released their arrows in unison.

"'Ro!" Elladan called over as they rode through the woods. "Did you hear that?"

Elrohir nodded and strung his bow as his horse raced into a gallop.

In seconds, they crashed into a clearing and without any hesitation, shot whatever Orcs they could see in the complex.

Aragorn heard arrows fired from behind him and turned quickly.

"Elladan! Elrohir!" he called in surprise.

He wasted no time. With the Elves covering him, he starting running towards the camp, Andúril unsheathed and ready.

Legolas was methodically taking out the Orcs in their quarters. The captives had the element of surprise and the Orcs had far underestimated the might of an Elf in his wrath.

He heard the singing of bows and smiled. It was impossible for Orc bows to sound so sweet. Some help had come, he thought as he decapitated the last Orc, and he immediately knew that Aragorn was among them.

"Anor na vôr, elin na thinnad, dan gwend vín anuir aen!"
Sun may darken, stars may fade, but our friendship forever will be!

Forever? He thought.

Then his weary body caught up with him and he collapsed.

It was evening by the time the structures were torn down. Aragorn had quickly found Legolas and carried him out, and with the aid of the other Elves, the Orcs were quickly decimated.

Haldir, Aragorn and the twins were sitting around the fire, discussing how they should split to lead the freed people home. The Silvan Elves would be returning North and the Men would be heading South. And it was well understood that Legolas would join Aragorn and the Men towards Minas Tirith.

"If it be so, we would escort the Men for the journey is long and most are barely able to travel," Elladan said, knowing Elrohir would agree.

"Then I shall lead the Elves into their land," Haldir added. "After the rest, they will be well enough to make the journey safely."

"Hannon le," Aragorn thanked them and they parted the next morning.