To Whatever End: Chapter Fourteen

-Faramir-

The heavy wooden door creaked on ancient hinges as it opened, revealing the large, ornate room within as I stepped forward. No candles were lit, with only the dulled sunlight of clouded skies spilling in from the wide, open balcony, broken by the silhouette of the man who stood there. All was still for a moment, and he said nothing, gazing out toward the Pelennor far below. "Father?" I waited, but he did not turn. "...The city is surrounded. Sauron's forces have closed in and are preparing to launch their attack." Still, the silence lingered on. I shifted from my place at the door, making another attempt. "What would you have us do?"

"...What is there to be done?" came his monotonous reply. "It is over. The city is already lost."

Although I had expected such a response, I felt a twist of pain in my heart at the grief lacing his words all the same. "Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," I said. "This city has stood against the might of Mordor for thousands of years. We cannot abandon all hope now."

But my father only continued to look out at the scene before him in languid fear. "There is no hope left for the world of Men. Whether Minas Tirith falls or stands through this night, it matters not. Against the power in the East, there can be no true victory."

It was as if all strength had left him, and though I was loathe to admit it, a part of me feared there could still be truth to those words. But I shook my head with grim-faced resolve, knowing now was not the hour to fall to hopelessness. "I will not abandon my men and forsake our people. Not so long as I still draw breath." I hesitated for the briefest moment before turning to leave, accepting my father's resignation for what it was. In truth, I had expected no different from him and known the responsibility to lead our armies would fall to me... but I had still hoped for at least one last streak of boldness and vigor in him.

"Faramir."

I froze just as my fingers grazed the handle, pausing to turn. He looked older then than I had ever remembered, face gaunt and eyes dulled beneath the weight of a thousand deep wounds that had taken too much from him. There was no bitterness or anger in them now, just defeat. A calm, solemn acceptance of what was to come. In that moment, he seemed no more than a shadow of the father I once knew, and as his weary, withered gaze met mine... I understood. "Lead them well."

Those three words struck me deeper than anything, and my jaw clenched as I nodded in return. There was so much I could've said to him then, and he to me, yet somehow neither of us needed to speak any of it aloud. And so without another word, I turned to leave him, exiting the room and forcing my thoughts elsewhere as I began walking back through the citadel.

It was not long before I became flanked on all sides by officers and other men, returning me to the present and reminding me of what lay at our doorstep. "Captain Faramir!" I glanced aside to Irolas as he rushed up to meet me, with Beregond, one of my guardsmen, also following close behind. "Where is Lord Denethor? The men await his command."

"He is unwell," I replied firmly. "I will lead our armies in his stead. Beregond, have men form ranks along the parapets on the first level, archers first in line. And take a dozen of your best men to prepare the catapults." He nodded and immediately departed us just as I looked up to see another familiar face approaching as we crossed the main hall. "Uncle Imrahil." I managed a small smile as I met him, clasping his shoulder and acknowledging the captains at his side. "It is good to have the Knights of Dol Amroth with us. How many men fight with you?"

"Seven hundred," he answered. "They are yours to do with what you will in defense of the city."

I nodded. "Concentrate half your forces at our gates, and the others along the wall with the rest of my men. We must hold them off for as long as we can."

He returned the nod, dismissing his captains to put the orders to action before continuing to walk alongside me. "How much of a chance do you think we have against the horde of Mordor?"

I glanced back to him. "I do not know," I said. "But I'm going to fight them anyway."

Imrahil gave a wry grin at that, and we chuckled to ourselves, but just as the doors to the citadel were opened and we stepped out into the courtyard, I heard another frantic voice shouting my name. "Faramir! Faramir!" I turned, hardly pausing in my stride as young Peregrin Took came running from behind, his eyes wide with question. "Where is Erin? I've not seen her in hours!"

For a fraction of a second, a frown crossed my face as I realized the Halfling was right - I had not seen Erin all day. But I could not afford to dwell on that now as a squire passed me the reins to my horse. I smoothly mounted alongside my uncle, preparing to ride with him and a few other captains to meet Gandalf down at the lower levels. "She is likely in as much of a frenzy to prepare for battle as we all are," I said, looking back down to him. "Worry not, Master Took. I'm sure Erin is perfectly safe."

–

-Erin-

Well, I thought, closing my eyes as I leaned my head back against the stone wall of the cell. This is a development.

Yep. You heard me right. After all that nonsense, I'd managed to land myself in a prison cell. Today wasn't exactly shaping up to be a good one for me. I'd awoken some hours earlier to a throbbing pain in my head, lying facedown on a cold floor, and once quick glance at my surroundings told me all I needed to know. Those men had been sent to collect me and throw me in jail for destroying the palantír, likely on Denethor's orders, and now I was left here to rot as the city was besieged. I sighed, my breath the only other noise against the distant, steady drip of water from a leak somewhere beyond my sight. I was completely alone in here - there wasn't so much as a single guard to keep an eye on me. Every man strong enough to bear arms had been called down to fight, and I'd quickly realized this left me with no hope of Pippin, Faramir, or Gandalf coming to spring me free. Or anyone, really. I doubt any of them have even noticed I've gone missing. I had no chance at beating down the iron bars of the cell, and no skill whatsoever in picking locks... so I was stuck. All I could do was sit there and listen to the deep, rolling drumbeats from far below as Sauron's army closed in.

The dungeon halls were all the same smooth, white stone as the rest of Minas Tirith, though noticeably less clean, with most of the floors and walls bearing a thin layer of grime. They were housed inside the massive spike of rock jutting out through the center of the city, with a dozen cells lined up one after the other along the interior wall. No torches or candles were hung to light them, the darkness cast away only by the windows evenly spaced along the opposite wall, allowing a glimpse at the outside world. In all honesty, they seemed pretty nice, as dungeons go, but today of all days made it feel like I was trapped in my own personal purgatory. I could hear the thousands upon thousands of Orcs marching forward, the roars of their beasts on the air. And I couldn't do a thing. I felt like a traitor, trapped up here while my friends and the people of Gondor faced such an impossible force. Every part of me was desperate to get out; to run down and help them. They'd need it to get them through the night. And when morning came, Kaia, Kathryn, Legolas, and the others would come with it. I can't be locked up in a cell when they get here. I've got to get out. What if something happens to one of them on the battlefield? I swallowed, the ghastly images I'd seen in the palantír coming back to haunt me. I'll never forgive myself.

Just then, the thundering footsteps of the army came to a halt, and my eyes opened, quickly scrambling to my feet as I rushed to press my face against the bars. If I craned my neck just enough, I could see out one of the windows to the Pelennor, and I felt my lips twist into a scowl at the sea of black spanning almost the entire grassy expanse below. But then my face fell as I caught a glimpse of the contraptions they were wheeling forward, groaning with their weight, and I sucked in a breath. "The catapults."

–

-Faramir-

I stared grim-faced at the ranks upon ranks of over two hundred thousand Orcs covering the Pelennor, spanning as far as the eye could see. Mountain trolls, Wargs, and a whole host of machines of war they dragged with them, snarling and jeering at us as great catapults were rolled forward. For a moment then, I could not help the overwhelming dread creeping up over my shoulders. I had lived to see a lifetime of war and was no stranger to the position of command, but never had I faced or even seen an army of this size. I glanced aside, knowing Gandalf and my other captains were stationed further down along the wall, though somehow I still felt very much alone. Oh, what I would give to have Boromir here with me now.

"Captain Faramir?"

I blinked, my attention drawn to a young lieutenant on my left awaiting orders. "Ready our catapults for launch. Hold for my command." Just as he nodded and turned away, however, there came the snap of weapons fired from the enemy, and I looked back just in time to see projectiles heading straight for us. "Shields up!" I shouted, raising my own and ducking my head. But it did not hit with the weight I'd expected, and as the fire ceased, I drew my shield aside, eyes widening as I got a good look at what the Orcs had thrown at us. Severed heads. The heads of the men we'd lost in Osgiliath. I swallowed, my stomach twisting at the sight of more than one familiar face. Still, I had to hold my resolve. "Steady, men!" I cried amidst the distressed shouts of others. "Hold to your posts!"

But then there came another volley, this time great boulders slung at us from the ground. They sailed high over our heads with ease, smashing into walls and buildings alike within the city and destroying them. Screams sounded from higher levels as they came under fire, rock and rubble cascading down onto us below.

My jaw clenched, a flare of anger sparking in my heart as I looked upon the black-hearted creatures that sought to bring us to ruin. No. Not on this day. "RETURN FIRE!"

The orders echoed down the line, and a moment later were answered as over a dozen catapults of our own slung ancient stone back at our enemies, crushing Orcs beneath their weight as they fell. I watched as one soared through the air and collided with a siege tower, collapsing it almost entirely and obliterating the Orcs hidden within. But Sauron's forces gave no pause as they continued their assault, one of their boulders smashing through the first level's parapets not far off from where I stood. Soldiers screamed in fear and turned to run, but many were unable to avoid the hit as it tore through them and killed several on impact. I looked back to the army at hand, my eyes scanning its expanse as I observed all they had. "Adjust the aim of our catapults," I said to my lieutenant. "Concentrate fire on their own and their siege towers. We must destroy as many as we can before they reach us." My gaze then shifted to another commander at my right. "Ready the archers. Prepare to give them a volley once they are within range." He gave a curt nod as I returned my attention to the battlefield, watching as the hordes of Orcs began to press onward. Every war strategy I'd ever learned ran through my mind as I stood along the wall, knowing I could afford no tactical missteps if we were to survive this. Gandalf had assured me Théoden's armies would come to our aid, and I desperately hoped he was right to have faith in them. We did not have the strength on our own to repel Sauron's forces. We needed to outlast them.

Suddenly, a piercing screech cut through the air, blood-curdling and fierce enough to send a chill through any man. It was a sound that had become all too familiar to me, and I paled, turning my gaze to the skies as the first of them descended upon us. "NAZGÛL!" Many around me cried out in fear, ducking low as six of the wraiths swept down towards the city, each of them mounted atop their ghastly Fell Beasts as they dove like vultures to carrion. Again came their unearthly screams, the Beasts ripping men from their positions and tossing them over the walls from the higher levels, sending them plummeting to their deaths. Many of the men around me were unable to withstand the screaming, falling back and clutching at their ears in agony. I shuddered against the grating sound, but did not submit to it. "Hold your ground, men!" I shouted. "Stand and fight for Minas Tirith!" Another screech sounded overhead, and I moved further down the wall to one of our commanding archers, ducking as one of the Nazgûl swept low. "Baranor! Are the crossbows manned and ready?"

The tall, dark-eyed man turned immediately at my call. "Yes, Captain."

"Good." I cast another glance upwards to the dragon-like beings. "Tell your men to fire at will."

"At once, my lord." He hurried off without another word, and I let out a breath, hoping they would not let us down. The arrival of the Nazgûl had been expected, of course, and so we'd prepared what little defenses we could against them, but even I had never seen one of their Beasts killed by any man. And if we could not defend ourselves against the Nazgûl, they would surely earn us heavy casualties we could not afford. I grimaced as a Beast aimed straight for one of our catapults, crashing through it and destroying it instantly, and a roar then returned my attention to the Pelennor as the trolls pushed their siege towers ever closer. I barked an order for the archers to release fire, clutching at the wall with an iron grip. We must withstand this somehow, I thought, watching as more of their towers were smashed down and more of our own city began to crumble. We must.

–

-Kaia-

The cold water of the Anduin lapped at my toes as I stood firmly at Aragorn's side, arms crossed over my chest, still as a statue. My eyes were fixed on the approaching ships as they slowly crept down the river, close enough to us now for me to see the filthy, cold-blooded men aboard them. The air behind them was thick with smoke from small villages and towns left to burn behind them, and the longer we stood there, the thinner my patience grew. Eventually, though, I saw some of them take note of us - the odd group of four calmly watching them from the shore - and it was then Aragorn called out to them. "You may go no further!" One of the bosuns got to his feet, scowling at the ranger. "You will not enter Gondor."

Peals of laughter erupted from the ships, and I clenched my fists, wishing I could run up and slit their throats then and there. "And who are you to deny us passage?" the bosun spat.

But Aragorn remained undeterred, speaking quietly to the archer of our group. "Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun's ear." The elf didn't hesitate, quickly fitting an arrow to his bow.

"Mind your aim!" Gimli whispered. I glanced down at the dwarf as he leaned over and bumped Legolas' bow with the hilt of his axe, knocking it just as the prince released his shot. The arrow flew through the air, but instead of harmlessly passing by the bosun, it nailed an unsuspecting pirate next to him right in the chest. He screamed in pain as he fell, dead before he even hit the ground, and I laughed as Gimli gasped in fake shock and covered his mouth, earning glares from Legolas and Aragorn. "That's it, right! We warned you! Prepare to be boarded!"

But the idiots on the ships only laughed again. "Boarded? By you and whose army?"

A knowing smirk split Aragorn's face. "This army." Right on cue, there were roars from behind as our new ghost friends made themselves known, passing through us as they became visible and rushed out to the river. I watched with a smirk of my own as the pirates' expressions immediately went from arrogance to terror, the ghosts gliding over the water and swarming the ships within seconds. Cries of pain and fear rang out as they were mercilessly attacked, falling one by one until everything fell silent and the ships went still.

Within minutes, the Army of the Dead had turned to gaze back at us from aboard the ships, and I shuddered, still unsettled by the whole 'undead spirits' deal. "I'll never get used to the feeling of dead people passing through me." But then I stepped forward, looking away from the ghosts as I turned to glance back at my companions with a grin. "I don't know about you, but I'm really feeling a trip to Minas Tirith right now. You guys up for it?"

Gimli laughed and Legolas rolled his eyes, but Aragorn nodded to me with a small smile. "I believe that sounds like an excellent plan."

–

-Faramir-

"Steady, men!" My gaze swept back and forth, shouts echoing over the wall amidst the chaotic roars of the enemy ranks and the sound of Minas Tirith still cracking and crumbling behind us. "Hold your ground! Give them another volley!" A hail of arrows shot out over the walls and down towards the masses of Orcs below, burrowing through armor and flesh as more of the foul creatures fell. But it was not enough. My jaw clenched as they pressed onward, drawing ever closer to our walls undeterred despite our best efforts. "FIRE AT WILL!" Again and again, Orcs were slain by our arrows, but still they drew closer. I strode further down the wall, my heart sinking as I caught sight of another one of our catapults being destroyed by a Fell Beast far above. The Nazgûl had seen us open fire on them by now, drawing back to keep their beasts just out of range of our crossbows, terrorizing the upper levels where we could not reach them. We don't have enough men. We cannot last forever like this. Again, my gaze flicked to the darkening horizon, no sign of the Rohirrim anywhere. Where are they?

"Captain!" I was torn away at an urgent cry from a soldier, running to me with wide, fearful eyes. "The Orcs are closing in," he gasped, hair wild and chest heaving. "They have reached the gates!"

I felt a twist of fear in my gut, but did not show it, nodding to the young man. "Give the word to Hírion. Tell him to deploy our defenses at once!" He ran off immediately to report back to his commander, and I rushed forward to the edge of the wall, ducking between two archers and looking down towards the gates. I could see them from here, Orcs rushing towards them with a wooden battering ram, jeering and screeching as they ran. But my gaze fell instead to the ground beneath their feet, sloshing up around them as they ran through the oil-soaked earth, and I took a deep breath, casting fervent prayers to the Valar that this strategy would work. I kept my eyes fixed on the gates as I saw arrows come alight, saw the men draw back and aim...

"FIRE!"

The arrows shot straight down into the saturated earth, and a wave of relief washed over me as it instantly came alight, erupting into a field of flame as the Orcs screamed in fear. Many were consumed by fire and thrown back, their bodies fueling the flames ever further, and despite myself, I smiled as they drew away from the gates, the flames burning brightly and blocking their path. Their first battering ram had been dropped in the blaze and was burning also, and in that moment I praised the stupidity of Orcs.

Beregond appeared at my side, also watching with pride as the Orcs shrank back from the fires in fear. "They won't be coming through that way, I imagine."

But I shook my head, still grim-faced in knowing it was only a momentary victory. "Those flames will not last forever," I said. "It bought us time, but they will breach the gates soon enough. We must be ready for it."

Just then, more shouts from further down the wall drew my attention, and both Beregond and I looked up in dismay to see several of the siege towers had nearly reached us. Cursing at the skies, I turned to run towards them, shouting orders as I went. "Defend the wall, men! Stop those towers! Fire on the trolls, kill them!" My eyes were everywhere, frantically glancing between soldiers and the approaching Orcs and towers as I ran, so much so that I narrowly missed ducking under a massive boulder fired low over the wall. Men around me screamed in terror and anguish, and I dove to the stone floor, the breath knocked from my lungs as the boulder soared over me and crashed into a nearby building with a bang. I threw my arms over my head as stone and rubble came crashing down, panic surging through me as I closed my eyes and remained absolutely still. When the hail of rock ceased, I pushed myself back to my feet, gasping for air and choking on dust as it covered everything in a haze. My gaze swept back and forth over the ruins, preparing to run again until a flash of bright red hair caught my eye, and I froze as I watched him stumble towards the wreckage. "PEREGRIN!"

The halfling turned at my shout, wide-eyed as I ran up to him and roughly pulled him aside. "They called us out to fight..." The words came soft and dazed as he spoke them, and I could see the shock in his eyes as he looked to the dying, bloodied men surrounding him. He gripped a sword in his hand, though it hung limply at his side.

"No," I said firmly, standing in front of him. "This is no place for a halfling. Go back to the citadel, get out of here!"

He swallowed, looking up to meet my gaze. "But... the city... I have to help defend the city..."

Something struck me then as I gazed down at him, and for a moment, I stilled. I could see so much panic in his eyes, the eyes of one so young, so innocent and unfamiliar with the horrors of war. And yet beneath it there was courage still, an unwavering determination which resonated with me. It reminded me too much of my own younger days. I reached down to kneel before him, clasping his shoulder as my voice softened, speaking to him earnestly. "If it truly is your heart's desire to fight against such evil, I cannot keep you from it. But do not fight because any other tells you that you must, or for honor, or heroics, or to prove your own worth."

Pippin looked to me then with an awe and confusion in his face, as if I had presented him with some impossible riddle. "Then what?" he asked quietly. "What do you fight for?"

A small smile stretched across my face. "That which I love," I said, releasing him as I stood. "And I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory." My gaze shifted outward to the city around us, and the men still standing to fight for it. "I love only that which they defend." I turned back to Pippin, and sensed a change in his heart then, an understanding passing over him as he looked down to the sword in his hands. When he raised his eyes to meet mine a moment later, there was a fresh spark of sincerity within them, and my smile grew a little wider. "I would be most honored to have you fight at my side, Master Peregrin. But I must ask that you don proper armor first." We both chuckled as I reached out to ruffle his hair. "At least a helmet."

He grinned, nodding as he gripped his sword with a newfound vigor. "I can do that."

I returned the nod, dismissing him as he turned to run back to the citadel, and for a moment watched his small form disappear with deep admiration. But then the roars of the trolls drew me back to the present, and as Pippin vanished from sight, I turned back to the battle at hand, stepping out once more as the first of the great siege towers finally reached us. Its great doors fell away with a groan, crashing into the wall and scattering rubble everywhere as Orcs began pouring from within, wild with bloodlust. The men of Gondor surged forward with great battle cries, and I with them, the ring of steel filling the air as we drew our swords and held them high, ready to defend Minas Tirith against whatever foul creatures dared to set foot within it.

–

-Kathryn-

I hit the ground hard as I plopped down next to Éowyn, breathing hard as I pulled back my helmet just enough to wipe the sweat from my face. "Oh my God... we've been riding for so long! How close are we to Minas Tirith?"

"I do not know," she answered, keeping her voice low so as not to blow our cover. "I believe we have reached the borders of Gondor by now, but I am not certain." She cast me a somber look. "I overheard my brother speaking to my uncle a few moments ago. He says Minas Tirith has been completely surrounded."

I took a long drink of water from my flask, trying to push aside my anxiety as it spiked. "We'll make it," I said, hoping it sounded at least somewhat reassuring. At least, I hope we do. My gaze fell southward as we took a moment of pause, the army having stopped for a brief break on the road to war. We'd been riding hard for several days now - Théoden was pushing us as much as he could, and with good reason, of course. We had to make it in time, and still with enough strength to fight Sauron's armies off once we got there. On days like today, it sometimes felt like an impossible task. I pulled off my gloves to rub at my aching calves with a groan. "I swear to God, I'm going to fall off my horse before we even get there."

But Éowyn didn't respond, instead staring blankly at the outline of Mordor visible on the horizon. I followed her gaze, unsettled by the sight of it. "...It's so close," she said quietly.

"Yeah," I nodded. "Closer than I ever wanted it to be." I remembered how much I'd hated being right at Mordor's edge when I'd traveled to Ithilien - definitely not something I'd missed. The darkness creeping out from it now was almost sickening, stretching beyond its borders and tainting the skies and lands around it. It was like it was slowly staining the whole earth, bit by bit.

It was silent for awhile as the two of us sat there until Éowyn spoke again, the smallest hint of fear lacing her words. "Do you think victory is even possible?"

I hesitated at first, genuinely unsure how to answer her. "...It feels like it's not, in a lot of ways. The odds are completely against us. And even though we know what we're going up against, there's no telling how things will play out once we actually get there." I paused. "And I don't even know if any of my friends are still alive." My gaze grew distant as I stared out across the rolling hills, feeling a dull pain surge in my chest as I remembered what I knew I'd face on the battlefield. How utterly unprepared I was for it. But then I sighed, leaning back on my hands and shaking my head. "We can't turn back now, though. So we might as well give it all we got and fight like hell anyway."

Beside me, Éowyn chuckled. "You truly are one of the most bizarre women I've ever known. I shall have to travel north and visit Laketown someday, if they all speak in the same strange manners that you and Kaia do."

I smiled, though it felt transparent. "Yeah... someday." Another pause. "Maybe after all this is over, I'll... I'll tell you more about where I'm from."

"Where will you go?" she asked. "After all this is over?"

Again, it was quiet for a moment. "...I don't know," I admitted. "I don't know where I could go, I mean... I guess I could always go back to Edoras, but... I don't know if that's what I'm supposed to do. I don't know what I'm supposed to do at all. The future always seemed so far away, but now it's practically here, and it's real, and... I don't know what to do with it." I tore my gaze away from Mordor and let it drift upwards to the blue skies stretching far and wide overhead. "...Maybe I never will."

Éowyn turned to look at me then, frowning. "Do you truly believe that?"

"...I don't know," I shrugged. "I guess."

She shook her head. "You shouldn't. The future may seem unclear now, but I have faith in you." I turned my head, and she smiled. "You do have purpose here, even if you have not yet seen it. And when the time comes, you will find it. I know you will."

I smiled back. "Thanks, Éowyn."

She nodded, though the moment was then broken by the sound of a horn ringing loudly across the field. Instantly, soldiers were on their feet, jumping up to remount their horses and gather their things as Éomer trotted right past us, calling to rally us back to formation. "Prepare to move out!" he shouted.

Théoden was not far behind. "Make haste! We ride through the night!"

As they moved past us, Éowyn's expression sobered as she stood, reaching for her sword. "To battle."

I nodded, adjusting the straps on my helmet as I followed suit. "To battle."

–

-Erin-

Darkness had fallen over Minas Tirith by now, with the raucous din of battle still raging on far below, occasionally broken by the screech of a Nazgûl that sent me reeling in my cell. I'd been pressed up to the bars for hours now, trying to get any glimpse of the action that I could, but they were few and far between. All I could really see now was the boulders Sauron's forces continued to launch into the city, now wreathed in flame as they burned brightly against the night sky. Smoke rose on the air from the burning lower levels, and I could hear people screaming in terror as they tried to flee. Not for the first time that day, I let out a growl of frustration and kicked at the cell bars, ignoring the dull pain that shot through my foot at the action. I hate this. I hate being trapped in here with no way to help them. I have to get out! I turned to look behind me, scanning the smooth stone floor even though I already knew there was nothing in here to help me. God, what I would give to have my leaf broach with me right now... I closed my eyes, exhaling in defeat as I again thought of Kaia, Kathryn, and the others. They'll be here soon, and I have no way to get down to them. I'm running out of time.

Just then, shrieks from outside drew my attention again, and I turned forward, stretching to see out the window and, frowning as I saw a light outside. What? But within seconds, curiosity turned to utter terror as the light grew blinding, and my eyes went wide as I realized what was happening, shoving myself back from the bars just as a fireball came crashing through the walls.

I screamed as I was thrown back from the impact of the hit, the entire room shuddering beneath my feet as I fell, ducking my head. Rubble flew everywhere, stone hailing down on my back as I tried to shield myself, and for a moment it felt like the whole place might collapse. But then it was over, and I opened my eyes and sucked in a breath, though I immediately recoiled as I turned around, shocked at the damage done.

The massive burning boulder had torn right through the outer wall and buried itself in the floor not far off, destroying nearly everything. Dust and dirt made the air thick and heavy, and I coughed hard against it, gagging on smoke from the burning rock as it also started to fill the air. Picking myself up, I stumbled towards the door of my cell, trying to take another breath but only coughing harder. Fear seized me then as I realized the predicament I was in - if I didn't figure something out and get out of here fast, I could suffocate. In a panic, I whipped around, looking everywhere, desperate for something, anything. My eyes fell to the rubble that had been cast into my cell, and without a moment's hesitation I grabbed the biggest, sharpest piece I could find, dropping to my knees by the iron bars and beginning to viciously bang away at the lock. Come on, I pleaded, pulling my shirt up over my face as the smoke continued to fill the room. Come on!

–

-Faramir-

The metal pieces of my armor clinked together as I rushed down to the gate with dozens of soldiers at my back, heart beating wildly in my chest as we ran. Our earlier tactics had driven the Orcs back for a time, but the flames had since gone out, and now they were preparing their assault on the gates once more. Smoke and ash filled the air as we wove through the streets of the first level, everyone in an uproar as men continued to fall and structures continued to crumble. A great pillar came crashing down just as we ran past it, and I felt pained at the sight of Minas Tirith in such a ruined state. I glanced to the soldiers following closely behind, the exhaustion already evident on many of their faces. "To the gate! Hurry men!" Day had since faded into night, and I cringed as a flaming boulder sailed through the air, crushing a building on the third level and instantly sparking a blaze.

As we rounded the last corner, I slowed, directing my men to their places amongst all the others, swords, bows, and spears drawn. "Form ranks, men! Shields up! Archers, at the back!" I glanced aside as my uncle approached, taking his place beside me at the rear. "How many of your men still stand?"

"Most," Imrahil replied. "We've suffered higher casualties along the wall than we have here. Have the lower levels been evacuated?"

"Almost," I nodded. "We've sent all who cannot fight further up into the city; the first level has been cleared." Just as I spoke, there came a horrible roar from outside, followed by a loud bang as the gates were dealt their first blow. They held, but shuddered something fierce, and I tightened my grip on my sword.

Gandalf sat atop Shadowfax at my other side, eyes smoldering as many of the men shrank back in fear. "Steady... steady!"

I could hear the Orcs chanting from beyond the wall as they reared their battering ram back a second time, the great weight of it barreling forward and striking the gates once more. This time, it broke through, splintering the center of the gates to pieces and revealing its form. It took the shape of the head of a great wolf, ten times the size of any battering ram I'd ever seen, made entirely of metal, with the mouth hollowed and filled with blazing fire that bled through its teeth. I could feel the fear amongst us all increase tenfold, and my mouth went dry.

"You are soldiers of Gondor!" Gandalf persisted. "No matter what comes through that gate, you will stand your ground!"

"Prepare a volley!" I shouted, the archers immediately nocking arrows as our enemies drew back their great battering ram one final time. I cast a fearful glance to my uncle as it swung forward, preparing for the very worst.

The great metal beast slammed into the gates again, finally forcing its way through as the restraints shattered and gave way, blowing the doors open. Through the haze of smoke came half a dozen trolls standing ten feet tall, each with thick plate armor covering their chests, shoulders, and heads. They roared with rage as they stormed towards us, swinging massive hammers high in the air to flatten us where we stood.

"FIRE!" I shouted. Arrows rained down on them in an instant, and many of them found their marks, piercing flesh, it slowed them little. Men on the front lines screamed as they were crushed or flung aside, and again the archers fired on the beasts, but still it did not stop them. "SWORDS!" I barely had time to give the command before they reached us, charging forward as Orcs rushed in to follow the trolls from behind. I swung my sword high at the first one I saw, slicing through the Orc's ragged armor and turning to kill another without pause. A rusted blade came for my head, but I brought my sword up to parry the blow, reaching to draw the bronze knife from my belt and thrusting it into the creature's gut before it could react. As he fell, a deafening roar sounded from behind, and I spun just in time to dodge the mighty hammer of a troll as it struck the ground, cracking the stone beneath my feet. I lashed out and cut deep into its arm, eliciting another roar of pain from the monster, quickly flipping to a reverse grip on my knife and slashing across its exposed neck as it fell. Another Orc leapt toward me with a screech, and I ducked below his blade, my own sword sinking deep into his side and tasting flesh before I ripped it away.

I spun wildly as the Orcs continued to flood through the gates, driving my sword through another unsuspecting beast as he tried to attack another soldier from behind. More of them came, and more, and more, ravenous and unyielding as I parried blow after blow, killing more and more, and yet they still kept coming. Another Orc advanced on me with a spear, and I dodged to the side as he thrust it towards me, separating his arm from his shoulder in one swing as my blade sliced cleanly through it. Gandalf blew by in a blur of white, another troll falling in his wake, and I cut down yet another Orc that tried to run me through. But they just kept coming. Relentlessly. Mercilessly. I ducked behind a pillar for the briefest moment to catch my breath and looked back to the warfare raging on behind me, my heart sinking like a stone as I saw more and more Gondorians fall. In that moment, a cold, deep sorrow began to take hold as I looked back and watched Sauron's armies pour into the city, spilling over everything like poison rushing through the veins of the city streets. Buildings burned and crumbled to the ground. Men, women, and children alike screamed in terror as their world began to collapse around them. And for the first time, I began to doubt, wondering how long we could last like this as I plunged back into the madness, my sword held tightly in hand.

–

-Erin-

Again and again and again I bashed at the lock, a strained cry of pain grating through clenched teeth as the jagged edges of the rock cut into my hands. "Come on!" I shouted, drawing back the rock and bringing it down again. Bang. The haze of smoke was thick now, sweat poured down my face as I baked in the heat from the flaming rock. Bang. I coughed and choked on the air, eyes watering and stinging something fierce. Bang. "COME ON!" Bang. I needed out. Bang. I was so close. Bang. I was desperate. Bang. If I didn't break out of here, I'd die. Bang. I let out another cry of frustration, holding the rock high over my head and bringing it down harder than ever before.

Bang.

Crack.

Finally, finally, the metal lock broke and fell away, and I nearly collapsed in relief as the cell door popped loose.

I was free.

A shuddering gasp escaped me, and I coughed again as I threw the rock aside, my hands bloodied and raw as I pushed myself to my feet and all but fell out through the opening in the bars. I caught myself and forced myself back to my feet, swatting away the smoke as I stumbled forward. Come on, go! You don't have time, just go! And I ran, I bolted down the hall as fast as my legs could carry me, not even bothering to spare a glance out to the city below. I didn't have time to scope out the damage. I had to get back to the citadel and get my weapons and get down there as fast as I could. Dawn was fast approaching. I tore up the stairs two at a time, not a single guard in sight as I followed them up, up up, and then down another hallway, and then one more set of stairs upwards, and suddenly I'd emerged onto the flat, open courtyard and I skidded to a stop, relieved beyond belief to see the open sky above me. I was out. I turned toward the citadel, breaking into a run again as I sprinted across the grass, heart pounding as I reached the steps, knowing I had so little time -

I nearly screamed as the doors swung open unexpectedly and another body came flying out, and I jerked back, barely keeping my balance and avoiding a head-on collision. When I saw who it was, though, my jaw dropped, and a grin split my face a moment later. "Pippin!"

The hobbit looked up at me, wide-eyed, just as stunned as I was. "Erin? Where have you been?!"

"Denethor threw me in a cell, had to break out," I explained breathlessly. "Why are you wearing a helmet?"

"What? A cell?"

"Yeah, not important," I dismissed. "Are you heading down to battle?"

He swallowed, looking nervous, yet determined. "Yes," he answered.

At that, I cracked a smile. "Well, that's great! We're headed in the same direction, then. Want a ride?"

"With you?"

"Of course! You'll never make it down there fast enough on foot!" I jerked my head in the direction of the stables. "If you can go get Fréa ready, I can be back here with my stuff in five. Sound good?" Pippin nodded eagerly, a smile growing on his face. "Alright then." I turned and reached for the doors of the citadel as he hurried off, taking a breath as I began preparing myself for the hell that surely awaited us below. "Let's do this."

A/N: OHHHH my GOD I am so sorry. It took me 2 months to update. I am so so sorry. YIKES.

I blame a lot of things. Writer's block (siege strategies are hard). Life (I'm 21 now and will be moving to a big city in the fall so yay). Work. Things. Ugh. I don't even know. I marathoned LOTR the other day with Kathryn for my birthday, which is largely what motivated me to sit down and actually get this chapter done, so thank you for that, Kathryn (because I know you're reading this).

Anyway, thanks for reading, y'all. Hopefully the next update won't be as long of a wait.

...Hopefully.