Downfall
Somewhere between the citadel and the Fields of Pelennor, Aragorn came to his senses. However, he made no move to fight as he was forced out of the ruined gates and onto his knees. He was later joined by Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and the hobbits. Denethor, Théoden and Éomer had fallen in the citadel.
"Well, well, well," came a voice that the hobbits and Legolas recognised. "The Fellowship of the Ring, reunited at last in the face of my victory."
Almost as one, the Fellowship got to their feet, casting looks of unwavering hatred at Sauron.
"However, you needn't all die," Sauron continued. "I am merciful. Provided that one specific member of your 'Fellowship' joins me, you may all still live in this new age, serving me as I rise to exterminate the weak, the fools, those who stain the surface of Middle Earth."
"You are the one who stains the surface of this land!" Gimli hissed.
Sauron turned to him. "Gimli, son of Gloin," the tyrant said softly. "I have heard of your feats. The courageous dwarf, who overcame prejudices to befriend an elf, dazzled by the enchantments of a sorceress. You are a fool. You are weak. So you will not join me, then?"
"We would rather die!"
Sauron laughed. "'We'?" he said. "You speak for yourself, but not for others. And in any event, I do not believe that choice is yours to make."
"Legolas agrees with him, don't you, Legolas?" Merry stated matter-of-factly, before turning to the elf for confirmation. "Don't you?"
All eyes swivelled to Legolas, who suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Legolas, you cannot seriously be thinking of going back to him?" Aragorn interjected.
"I believe that is exactly what he is thinking, 'my lord,'" Sauron mocked.
"But you can't!" Gimli burst out. "You've changed! What about all those things you said to me? Did they mean nothing?"
All of these words seemed to pass over his head. In fact, he had not been properly listening since Sauron offered his proposal. A plan had begun to form in his head, but he was afraid of carrying it out. However, he couldn't let his friends die.
"Come back to me, Legolas," Sauron said temptingly. "I forgive you for leaving, you were deluded by these fools. I will reward you if you return."
Legolas hesitated.
"There is no other way to save your friends," Sauron said. "Come back to me."
There was no other way.
"Come back to me," Sauron said.
"You were right," Legolas finally said. "They needn't all die."
He began to walk forwards, before Aragorn grasped his arm.
"Legolas, what are you doing?" he hissed.
"Putting something right that I never should have done!" Legolas hissed back, without looking at the man.
"What?"
Legolas wrenched his arm from Aragorn's grip, before walking forwards towards Sauron. The space between Legolas and Sauron didn't seem to be shrinking, while the space between the elf and the rest of the Fellowship seemed to span time itself.
"Legolas, you can't!" screamed Sam earnestly.
After what seemed like years, he finally reached Sauron. He pulled out one of his knives, before running it along his right hand, making a deep cut. He then extended his right arm out in front of him, offering the blood-soaked hand to the man who had once been his master, and soon would be again.