warning! If this doesn't make you pull out tissues, next chap most certainly wil... Anyway, on with the story! Review please? PLEASE?

MiaraElerina: OMGosh! It's so intense, isn't it!? It made me scream in frustration for December...

Purplefairy11: I will... I hope ;)

Chapter 21

As I glowed, I looked back at the stone. It "grew" a silver chain and wrapped itself around my arm, continuing to glow. My eyes widened and I stared at it for a while, awed, before looking back to the book. It slowly creaked open to a page. I began to read it.

The one who reads this is blessed of the Valar. May you find the desire of your heart.

It opened to another page.

You, Phoenix, have been given a task. Are you willing to follow it to the end? Even if it means sacrificing something precious? Are you willing to see the prophecy fulfilled?

The book slammed closed, and I took that to be a clear command of "think and answer." I thought. Was I? Would I give anything, everything, my life, if it came to that? It WAS the prophecy... I sighed. "Yes." I said aloud, softly. "I would even give my life." There was a pause, and the book slowly creaked open once more.

"You have made your choice. It is up to you to follow it. You know what could happen should you fail.

I shivered.

Fear not, for what you desire most will be given you. Be safe, and know that the Eru has blessed you.

It closed again softly. I laid my head back and closed my eyes. I was immortal. Blessed by the Eru. I knew what I wanted most. Tears slowly splashed against the book cover, and I swiped them away impatiently.

I sighed and grabbed the book. I set it away next to my pallet and sank into sleep. I would be ready for tomorrow.

...

"Du Bekâr!" Thorin's shout made me shiver involuntarily.

Troops were massed and ready for the invasion of the orcs and goblins... Not to mention wargs. I took a deep breath next to Bilbo. I would protect him no matter what. I made sure to also keep Thorin and Kili and Fili in my sights too.

I saw Legolas and Adar over with the other elves, tensed and waiting. Father was behind me. I pushed my wings out and hefted the blade in my hands. Bilbo fidgeted with Sting. Gandalf was ready with Glamdring and his staff.

And then, it came. The marching of feet, the sounds of war. The shout and the growls of wargs. Gundabad wargs, as if it couldn't get worse, I thought bitterly. They topped the rise and then seemed to freeze at the sight of the ready and waiting troops before them. A white warg and a white Orc appeared. I closed my eyes.

Black speech rolled into my ears and I cringed. Until the shout came. And was answered with elven horns and the yells of dwarves and men. "Du Bekâr!" And we charged into the fray.

I found myself back to back with Bilbo, calling fiery daggers to my hands and plunging my sword into any Orc to goblin who got too close. I shuddered as a blob of black blood splatters at my feet, but said nothing. "Bilbo!" I yelled in warning. He ducked and a moment later a heard the pained dying cry of an Orc to the matching sound of a sickening crunch.

Making a bubble of fire around the both of us, I managed to catch sight of Thorin and his nephews, who I noted were doing well. I sent a bubble of fire around them as well, but allowing them to see out and still fight. They seemed startled before accepting it and plunging in furiously.

I looked up to see a blast of carefully aimed fire and heard the shrieks of orcs as I smiled grimly. I could see Father bending down to snap a few up in his teeth and crunch them. I looked around helplessly. Even with Father, things were not going well. There were just so many!

A scream made me whip around to see Thorin fall, the white Orc sneering at him on the ground. I let out a scream of my own and plunged forwards, leaving a bubble around Bilbo and standing in front of the white Orc. I grabbed my dagger and sent it into the heart of the white warg. With a sickening gurgle and crunch, it fell, dead.

Azog sneered at me. "You will fall." He sneered. "He is my quarry."

"Never!" I screamed defiantly. "I would see myself dead first!" He chuckled darkly. "So be it." I faintly heard Thorin pleading for me not to, but I ignored it and plunged into the fight.

Azog brought his mace down, and I ducked out of harm's way. He snarled as I continued to dodge his increasingly frantic-growing strikes. But he finally got me in the side. I let out a scream of agonized pain, falling to the ground. I heard several voices scream my name, but I just looked up at Azog. I knew. Mahal, I knew. This was my time. It was time. Flames erupted from me and around me.

I stood shakily and I didn't need a mirror to see that my eyes were pure flames. Azog stepped back and suddenly burst into flames, letting out a yell of denial as he fell. He was soon no more than a pile of ashes. My wings grew even larger as I stooped by Thorin's side. I closed my eyes and pressed my healing fire to his side. He gave me thanks as it healed. I smiled weakly and stood.

I walked through the fray. Into the very middle of the field. My whole body felt like I was on fire. I found myself thinking about everyone I loved. Father. Adar. My brother. Mithrandir. Bilbo. The dwarves. I would give my life for them. My people. All races. I accepted them all.

I swallowed, tears gathering in my throat. I looked down to see that I had risen above the field. The whole battle had stopped, and everyone was staring at me, orcs, goblins, and wargs included. I smiled at all of the people I loved, tears gathering thickly in my eyes. I wish I could have told them. All of them. How much I loved them.

"It is my decision. Better I than anyone else." I said softly. Then the flames engulfed my vision. Pain erupted behind my eyelids and the whole world went black.