Destiny Diverted

Disclaimer: Avatar:the Last Airbender duly belongs to Bryke. The Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. The movies result from the vision of Peter Jackson. No profit is made from this story other than the sheer gratification of reviews. And there is no way in Hell that I can write even a fraction as well as J.R.R. Tolkien, so no very high expectations of writing quality, please.

NOTE: So here we are, the final chapter. Don't worry though, there will still be an epilogue after this one.

I followed the book on this one in that Merry and Pippin aren't in the battle. Not so much fighting in this one but I hope you don't get bored.

I just found out that "The Last Airbender" won't be showing in my country until the 28th. It's frustrating, yes, but I'm still going to get this story finished by the 1st of July since that is when it comes out for most of the world. Besides, I'll be busy on the 28th, it's Zutara Week.

So, I hope you enjoy the last stages of this crazy crossover. The epilogue shall be posted tomorrow.

In the first part of the chapter, we'll backtrack a bit and show the final battle at the Black Gate. Hope you like it.

CHAPTER TEN

On they marched, from the comfort of light into the dangerous folds of the Shadow. Even with the threat of imminent doom, they marched on, moving forward under the leadership of the king, in whom they put all their trust.

Zuko looked around him at all the men who rode with them, men from distant lands, all united to face a common enemy. He saw frightened, nervous faces, both young and old, but none of them showed any sign of running away. Their loyalty was greater than their fear, and he could not help but admire that.

And though he was a foreigner in that land, Zuko walked among familiar faces. He recognized some of the men he had fought along side with at Helm's Deep as well as many of the soldiers of Minas Tirith. The firebender felt some kinship with all of them, and harbored the same hope that they would prevail even in a seemingly futile campaign.

The firebender had also become a recognizable figure among the soldiers. Those at Rohan who had seen Zuko fight at Helm's Deep all knew of his great power and they were relieved to have such a mighty captain leading them. The soldiers of the stone city were likewise familiar with the abilities of the young foreigner, and they remembered the part he had played in bringing down the Nazgûl and many of the orcs who had attacked Gondor. In spite of his youth, the mighty foreigner carried himself with an air that spoke of a noble lineage, and there was an authority in his bearing that no one could deny.

Many tales would be told about him and Katara in the years to come, about he who wielded fire and held lightning in his hands and she who healed with water and commanded the waves of the river. Legends would be woven about their exploits and the great deeds they had performed during the War of the Ring. And still more stories would be invented to attempt to explain where the two mighty strangers had come from and where they returned once their role in the war was fulfilled.

Though Zuko had not noticed it, he had grown more confident since his arrival in Middle-Earth, and he was gaining the manners befitting of a true Fire Lord. His presence commanded both respect and admiration among the men of Middle-Earth, and as the firebender rode beside Eomer, Gandalf, and Aragorn, the soldiers felt that they were under the strongest protection there was in the whole world.

Aragorn was grateful to have so many allies and friends by his side. He knew that a king did not become great all by himself, and had to depend on all those who had sworn allegiance and fealty to him. He was nervous but not afraid in the company of all his allies, for he would trust his life to any of them, just as they all relied on him to lead them to victory.

The heir of Elendil had told Zuko that he need not ride with them, since he still had some injuries to recover from and had already done so much to keep Gondor safe from the orcs. But the firebender had been adamant, and Aragorn found another friend as stubborn as Legolas and Gimli.

Gandalf worried more about Frodo than about winning the battle ahead, which was not possible with their meager numbers. In the wizard's heart, the hobbit still lived, and the old man hoped that his decision to send Frodo on this quest had been the right one. There was only hope left to cling to now.

Legolas and Gimli rode closer to Zuko and greeted him. The firebender was surprised at how cheerful the elf and dwarf looked even in such a situation. But he was strengthened by their smiles.

"Good to see you here, lad," Gimli told him with a grin, "we shall have many orcs to slay among the three of us, you can count on that."

Legolas said nothing but nodded with a grave smile.

"You must make sure you get out of this alive," the dwarf continued.

"Of course," Zuko replied with conviction, "I have no intention of dying today. I have a world to go return to after all this."

Then, he raised his hand to show them the water tribe necklace that was securely tied around it.

"Besides," the firebender continued, "there's someone waiting for me back in Gondor. And she will be far from pleased if I don't keep my word."

"That's the spirit, lad," Gimli remarked, clapping his hands, "for we shall not allow this filth of Mordor to defeat us."

"No, indeed," Legolas added, "the shadow shall not prevail over the forces of the free."

They stopped marching and slowly, the huge gates of Mordor were opening, revealing a glimpse of the multitudes of orcs that were marching forward to meet them. The field was full of the sound of their loud marching and growling.

Zuko felt a strange heat surround him all of a sudden, an uncomfortable sensation of being surrounded by great malice.

"His eye is upon us," Legolas explained, looking beyond the gates of Mordor. Gimli frowned and readied his axe.

Zuko followed the direction of the elf's gaze and saw in the distance, upon a tall, dark tower, the Great Eye, a diabolical, fiery orb of hate and destruction.

The firebender shuddered at the sight but did not look away. Sauron would not have the luxury of seeing him look frightened.

"So that's who we're fighting," Zuko muttered resolutely, "fine, I'm definitely not backing down until that thing is defeated."

He turned his golden eyes to the one of fire that stared at him from its dark tower.

"The fire I wield is mightier than yours, evil scum," Zuko challenged, sending this thought to the huge eye, knowing that it would reach the tower somehow, "and you will soon taste its fury."

The wider the gates opened, the more orcs began to emerge, in vast ranks, and looking as vicious and bloodthirsty as ever. Thousands upon thousands of orcs and all other vile creatures from Mordor were now coming forth, a ghastly sight.

Not everyone was as courageous as Aragorn and the other leaders of the army so many of the men began to fidget and lose heart as soon as they saw the enemy they had to face. The horses grew restless and a number of soldiers were backing away in sheer terror. Needless to say, morale was low and the very hopelessness of their cause seemed to dawn upon them all as the land of Shadow was being emptied of its repulsive inhabitants.

"Hold your ground! Hold your ground!" Aragorn commanded them and at once the soldiers hearkened to his call.

Seeing the discouragement in his troops, Aragorn decided to remedy this immediately. Raising his sword, Anduril, the Flame of the West, re-forged from the blade of Narsil, the king rode before his people and addressed them.

"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers!" the king cried, "I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me."

The soldiers looked at him in awe, wondering how such a great and strong man could ever be crippled by any fear. But he was speaking the truth, and they listened.

"A day may come," Aragorn continued, "when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of men comes crashing down. But it is NOT this day, this day we FIGHT!"

The king faced all the men with determination in his eyes, banishing their fear with his courage. They could not help but feel strengthened, and at once all terror was forgotten and replaced by loyalty and conviction.

"By all you hold dear on this good earth," Aragorn beseeched them, "I bid you stand, men of the West!"

The king raised his sword and all swords were then drawn, no longer by frightened soldiers but by men of the West, all determined to defend all that is good.

Swiftly, the hosts of Mordor gathered them, completely surrounding the army of allies, trying to intimidate them with the sheer size of their forces. Growling, snarling orcs in filthy armor wielding sharp, merciless blades, as well as huge mountain trolls and other repulsive, ruthless creatures comprised the army of Sauron.

The orcs sneered contemptuously at the men, as if belittling their abilities, and trying to make them feel utterly hopeless. But the men were not moved by these gestures. They stood their ground, few though they were, and raised sword and shield, ready to strike down any foe.

Zuko could see that they were hopelessly outnumbered, no matter how strong and great some of them were. Again, he wondered where all these orcs had come from and how there could be so many of these nasty creatures in just one world. It seemed like the more battles the firebender got involved in, the more enemies he had to face.

As he recalled his own country and his own world, the prince thought that there weren't as many Fire Nation soldiers in all the Four Nations as there were orcs in Middle Earth. Zuko shuddered to think of what would happen if his father had an army as vast as even just a quarter of Mordor's army.

But he shook his head to banish such distracting thoughts. Now was hardly the time to be reminiscing about the Fire Nation. He raised his two swords and prepared for the fight. He would begin firebending until the first blows were struck.

Aragorn and his army moved closer together, trying to form some sort of impenetrable block of soldiers. The orcs approached them slowly and carefully, taking their time so that they could make their enemies realize how futile their efforts would be.

From a distance, the eye of Sauron looked smug and confident of victory.

Zuko and the others could hear a faint but sinister whisper that almost seemed like a hissing sound, and the firebender realized that the eye was speaking to them, addressing Aragorn in particular.

The firebender was able to catch the hissing voice saying Aragorn's name but the rest was slurred and incomprehensible. But he understood enough that the Dark Lord was trying to tell them to give up, that all was lost.

That approach was clearly not going to succeed with Aragorn. The king took a few steps forward, and the others looked on in concern and anticipation.

Then, Aragorn turned and looked at his friends.

"For Frodo," he whispered, reminding them of their purpose on that battlefield.

And with a loud cry, Aragorn raised his sword and charged forward.

Gandalf smiled at this, before charging as well, along with all the other leaders of the army.

"For Frodo," Legolas and Gimli repeated as they ran forward, raising bow, arrow, axe, and blade. Everyone else followed, running furiously and determinedly to the enemies.

Zuko knew about Frodo and though he had not yet met that hobbit, the firebender understood why they were fighting to help him. But he was glad that the battle had finally begun.

He raised his swords, now surrounded by fierce flames, and the prince shouted as he began hacking away at orcs. Seeing the firebender in action, the soldiers of Gondor and Rohan knew enough to keep their distance as the orcs realized too late.

Aragorn, Gandalf, and the others trusted him to hold his own in one section of the orc army so they did not get in his way and began cutting down as many of the enemy as they could. Many more fell as Legolas' arrows hit them and more were struck down by Gimli's mighty axe.

"Out of my way, filth!" Zuko cried as he began to spread a ring of fire around him, burning and scorching hordes of orcs as he ran.

Soon, he decided to sheath his dual swords first and focus on blasting fire at the enemy. Orcs screamed in pain as they were burned and those that tried to run away were met with the fury of blades from the rest of Aragorn's army.

Though the sky was filled with dark clouds, Zuko knew that the sun was shining up there somewhere, and so he fought with greater ferocity. He exhausted all the techniques of firebending he had acquired in his life and had opportunities to invent some more along the way.

He blasted and kicked fire into the faces of many orcs and they fled from him in great fear, not knowing how to counter such powerful and deadly attacks.

Then, the sky was pierced with a familiar and bone-chilling shrieking of the flying mounts of the Nazgûl. Zuko and Gandalf looked up at the arrival of the Ringwraiths and frowned.

Zuko, for his part, was annoyed by their presence and attempted to shoot some of them down with fire. As the fighting continued, the firebender found himself moving closer to Gandalf and when the firebender caught the wizard's eye, Zuko seemed to be asking whether the technique similar to that he used in Minas Tirith could be repeated.

This time, Gandalf shook his head and gave him a look that clearly meant "No." Zuko shrugged and continued to blast fire at the orcs, wondering why the wizard was so reluctant to let him use such an effective technique. In a few minutes, Zuko found the answer.

For as he looked up, he saw one of the flying beasts being struck down by a larger, winged creature, which was strong and yet not sinister or vile. Looking closer, Zuko realized that it was a large bird that had struck the Nazgûl down, and seemed like the giant bird was on their side.

"Eagles!" someone cried out joyfully, "the eagles are coming!"

And true enough, the sky soon filled with the majestic flying figures of the great eagles, who took it upon themselves to throw the Nazgûl out of the sky.

Zuko watched at them in awe in between blasting fire all over the place and realized why his former antics would not be necessary.

He decided to do what he could on the ground before he asked permission of Gandalf about whether he could ride one of those majestic creatures. The firebender didn't want to assume that he could simply command an eagle to do his bidding.

Seeing the new allies in action, the remaining soldiers grew more confident and began to fight with greater determination and ferocity. All was not lost, they could still win this. They could not back down now.

And then, in the heat of battle, the tide shifted somehow. The eye of Sauron turned its gaze inward and the Nazgûl were flying back, towards the fires of Mount Doom.

Gandalf watched this development in horror, realizing that Sauron had at last sense the Ring. What had happened to Frodo?

Zuko had noticed the change as well, though he did not understand why it was happening. What had called the Nazgûl back and why was the Eye no longer fixed upon them?

But there was little time to ponder on such things since the battle raged on and Zuko had to focus on blasting orcs out of his path. They could not afford to hesitate in their struggle though they all sensed that a significant change had just occurred.

The firebender looked up when he heard Legolas shouting Aragorn's name. Zuko turned his head in time to see that the king had fallen to the ground and was now about to be attacked by a huge troll. The firebender rushed to Aragorn's side but, like Legolas, was hindered by all the soldiers and orcs who were running about. The battle had grown crowded and chaotic and every movement was being restricted.

"Aragorn!"

No one was helping the king. No one could get near him. And Zuko too began shouting his friend's name as he saw that the king could not raise his blade to defend himself from the death blow that was surely coming.

With great effort and still struggling with his aim, Zuko threw a small but quick blast of fire towards the troll that hovered over Aragorn. The small flame hit the creature in the eyes, just in the vulnerable part of its armor and it screamed in agony, stumbling a few steps backward, clutching at its face.

Aragorn looked around, knowing to whom he was indebted but it was too chaotic to see anyone else. He would thank the firebender later. Zuko and Legolas sighed in relief and continued fighting as best as they could, though they were quickly growing exhausted.

Later on, Zuko was able to move closer to Gandalf once more and the wizard managed to introduce him to one of the great eagles. The firebender was allowed to ride on the majestic bird and he had the luxury of blasting fire on large parts of the orc army, just as he had done in Minas Tirith.

It was easier this time, since his mount was easier to control and yet it was also more challenging to aim for merely the orcs since the army of men had mingled so much with the enemy. But Zuko did his best and through his efforts, more orcs fell.

As he flew, the firebender also tried his best to get a glimpse of what was going on in Mordor. But he only saw the Eye, looking towards a large, active volcano, which Zuko presumed to be Mount Doom. He remembered some part of what Frodo's mission was all about and he wondered how it had gone.

He then decided to focus more on the fighting since even if he saw a lot of things happening in Mordor, he was not sure that he would understand what these meant. And from the sky, he could see just how much they were outnumbered by filthy orcs. The firebender used all the energy he had in trying to level the playing field somehow.

Then, a great, shrill shriek pierced the sky and the eye of Sauron was consumed in flames.

Zuko watched in astonishment as the trolls and orcs began to flee from the field in terror, no longer bothering to fight against the allies of Gondor and Rohan. The tide had turned at last.

Flying towards the ground, the firebender tried to find out what had happened. But for some unknown reason, Zuko had a really good feeling about all this, a feeling which was confirmed when he saw the hopeful expressions that lit up Gandalf, Legolas, and Aragorn's faces.

Gases and strange smoke were gathering around the Eye of Sauron as it shook violently under the strain of some unknown pressure. The base of the tower where the Eye hovered began to crumble and the Eye was falling to its doom.

Gandalf and the others watched in joyful tears as the fire of the Eye was finally snuffed out and a large wave of energy spread across the realm of Mordor. The land seemed to be purified after fall of its master.

And though the hordes of orcs fled in terror, the ground on which they stood crumbled beneath them. With screams they descended into a deep chasm, along with all the structures of Mordor, every gate and tower was swallowed up by the abyss.

In the distance, Mount Doom raged and began to crumble as well, with a river of fire spreading from the volcano and drenching the land of Shadow. The remaining Nazgûl were hit during the huge explosion and so fell to their deaths in a sea of burning lava that flowed across the land as if to purge it of all its filth.

Loud cheers were heard from the men of the West as they witnessed their greatest enemy finally vanquished. In spite of injury and exhaustion, they all cried out in victory as the remaining orcs disappeared from the field.

Zuko watched incredulously as Mordor foundered and his heart well up with joy and pride. He had not expected things to end in such a way but he knew enough about Middle-Earth to say that wonders never ceased.

Gandalf called out to one of the eagles and quickly mounted them. Zuko watched in astonishment as the wizard directed his eagle towards Mordor. Gandalf was in a hurry and looked worried in spite of the triumph they had just experienced.

"We must make haste!" the wizard told his eagle as they soared, the other eagles following behind.

The firebender followed and asked where he was going.

"Frodo and Sam," Gandalf replied simply, "they might still be alive."

Zuko remembered then and nodded in understanding. Gandalf instructed him to be on the lookout for two hobbits on the ground.

They flew over the lava-soaked land, and strained their eyes for a glimpse of any survivors. All was covered in liquid fire and smoke rose from the ground. Mordor was completely destroyed.

"There!" Zuko heard Gandalf cry and the firebender followed where the wizard was pointing. True enough, there were two small figures lying on one of the rocks that was not yet covered in lava.

Gandalf's eagle, Gwaihir, descended and took one of the hobbits in his talons while Zuko's eagle took the other one. The firebender checked on the new passenger and saw that Sam was still breathing though he was unconscious. The poor hobbit was dirty and bloody, looking exhausted beyond all reason. And yet, for some strange reason, he had a serene and content expression on his face.

Zuko was glad that they had been able to rescue the two people who were responsible for their great victory.

They then flew out of Mordor and back to safety, where Aragorn and the others were eagerly waiting.

Once they were all together, a louder cheer of victory was heard from the men of Gondor and Rohan. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli had gathered around the figures of Frodo and Sam. Zuko saw tears in the eyes of the remaining members of the Fellowship, as they tended to their dear friends as best as they could.

Soon, they were all making ready to return to Gondor. The sky had grown clear and the sun now shone brightly on them all, and on the future that was now a gift to them.

"Send word to our lands," Eomer commanded one of the heralds, "say that the Shadow has fallen, and that we shall all be returning to Minas Tirith."

The messenger did as he was told and made haste to spread the good tidings. Zuko looked at the sky, shielding his eyes with his hand.

The Shadow has departed, he thought, I think they will know that already.

At the sight of the radiant walls of Minas Tirith, Aragorn and his company could not help but smile. Preparations for their arrival had already been started and there was a festive air around the city.

All the tired warriors heaved sighs of relief and joy. They were home at last, after a very, very long journey.

Some miles from the city, a welcome party had assembled, in order to be the first to greet the victors. Aragorn and his company found themselves surrounded by the first waves of jubilant well-wishers and friends. Loud cheers were heard and songs of victory were sung as the brave men returned home.

The soldiers' loved ones had been summoned to meet them and there they all were, rejoicing not only at the victory but also at seeing their beloved ones safe and sound after the great battle.

Frodo and Sam remained asleep for the duration of the journey back but their wounds had been bandaged and bound and they had been cleaned up. Now that they were near the city, Merry and Pippin ran towards their kinsmen and cried in joy to see that the other two were still alive. The Shire-folk were inseparable after that and Merry and Pippin accompanied their two injured kinsmen all the way to the Houses of Healing.

The Fellowship stayed together as well even if their mission was now officially accomplished. They were reluctant to part although they knew that the time drew near for them to take separate roads. For the bonds of love and friendship that they had established all throughout their long and trying journey were stronger than any on this earth. They all knew that though the time would come for them to return to their own lives or to face new responsibilities, they would always be the closest of companions, bound by this powerful and special connection to one another.

Eomer received with puzzlement the news that his sister had not come to greet him. The king of Rohan wondered what would keep his sister in the city when he knew that she had always been eager to be involved in battle. Initially, he was worried about her but when the other messengers from the city assured him that Eowyn of Rohan was in the best of health and spirits, he let the matter go.

He trusted that Eowyn would have her reasons to stay. She was always full of surprises. Driven by his immense curiosity, Eomer was all the more eager to reach the city and to see his sister. Though he had no idea what it was, he suspected that she would have good news for him.

Zuko smiled as he watched the reunions happening around him. There was happiness at last in the faces of the men who had left the city with only fear and anxiety. He could sense that his own part in the story would soon be over, since the enemy had been vanquished, and yet, he was reluctant to leave that beautiful world now that it had been finally healed.

"Zuko!"

The firebender whirled around only to find arms flung around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. His eyes widened at the sudden contact and then he returned the hug warmly, putting his arms around the teary-eyed waterbender.

This reunion was being watched with amusement by Gandalf and the rest of the fellowship. They were all smiles as they saw the two benders finally come to an understanding. The wizard had long expected this to happen, and had surmised that this bond would form even before he knew the particulars about Zuko and Katara. One glance at them at Ba Sing Se had been enough for him to foresee such a happy outcome.

"I'm so glad you're back," Katara whispered, burying her head in his shoulder.

Zuko smiled, closing his eyes and reveling in that blissful moment.

"I always keep my promises," he replied, holding her tighter, never wanting to let go.

It was Katara's turn to smile. She was so happy to see him, and all the nervousness and uncertainty she had had about this moment instantly vanished.

"In that case," she said, pulling away slightly so that she could face him, she then began poking his shoulder in a mock-scolding manner, "don't ever leave without me again!"

Zuko looked at her in wide eyes, before nodding with a smile. He knew well that there was no point arguing with her.

"I promise," he answered sincerely.

"Good," she replied, smiling with satisfaction.

Then, leaning forward, Zuko and Katara kissed under the sunlit sky.