Chapter Forty-Three: Tearing the Veil from Grace

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter; any familiar dialogue belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson. I only own any characters I have made up and the plot :)

oOoOo

Draco held his wand steady while he fired off spells, felling the Orcs and finding it strange how they were not noticing the fall from the ranks. He watched the battering ram getting ever closer to the city. 'What is it, asshole day?' he muttered, firing off more spells. He had taken out many of them, but he was feeling drained. He knew he would not be able to hold up the Glamour for long if his magic failed him. His arm fell limply, and he felt his power draining. The wound pierced with pain and he cried out, wondering why it was hurting once more. He dropped to his knees, grasping his shoulder. 'What the fuck! Why the hell—' he stopped short, being hit by another wave of agonising pain and he closed his eyes, breathing heavily. He felt something stir within him while the Orcs realised something was amiss. They turned to see Draco, his Glamour was gone, but a glow was surrounding him in its stead. His eyes were closed in pain, but they snapped open showing a white glow and the Orcs eyes widened in fear.

Draco felt time slow down when he stood majestically and effortlessly, summoning a sword to him and slashed away at the Orcs without batting an eyelid while firing spells at others. On the back of his shoulder, the Greenleaf glowed green, pulsing power through him…

An Uruk-hai ran towards him, and he smirked at it maliciously, pointing his wand at it and stunned it when it got within a metre of him. He quickly spun around upon sensing movement behind him and used the Killing Curse on the Orc trying to attack him from behind. He turned when something big headed his way, seeing a Troll running towards him. He smiled, raising the sword in his hands and whispered a spell making the sword burst into flames. He ran at the Troll, jumping up onto its club and towards its shoulder, bringing the sword down, and slashing it across its shoulder blades, causing it to scream in agony. It fell to the ground, and Draco jumped off of it, landing next to its head. It glared at him, so he raised his wand, killing it with the Killing Curse. He heard screeches from above and looked up to see one of the Ringwraiths heading towards him. He got back into a fighting stance, his sword and wand at the ready when it swooped down towards him…

Gandalf watched all this from the battlements, and his eyes widened in wonder. Draco took the Ringwraith down without even breaking a sweat. 'So, it is true,' he muttered before ordering the Archers to aim for the Trolls and Orcs pulling Grond towards the City.

oOoOo

Meanwhile, by the river, ships were sailing towards the shores of Gondor with mercenaries aboard them. Aragorn and his three companions waited for them, and when they reached it, Aragorn held his sword straight up in front of him. 'You may go no further,' he presaged them indomitably, slashing Andúril out in front of him, the steel singing. The Boson on the ship stood in response, looking at him contemptuously. 'You will not enter Gondor,' Aragorn commanded them, fire flashing in his eyes in warning.

The Boson scoffed at him. 'Who are you to deny us passage?' he asked, his eyes trained on the sword.

'He is the King!' Hermione yelled to them. Aragorn placed a hand on her shoulder gently and looked at her, conveying with his eyes to let him handle this. She looked back at him and nodded, stepping back to stand behind Legolas. He reached back, squeezing her hand, his attention on what was happening around him. Hermione took her wand out, holding it down by her side just in case something went wrong.

Aragorn moved to stand next to Legolas and turned to him. 'Legolas, fire a warning shot passed the Boson's ear,' he told him quietly, and Legolas nodded in acquiescence.

'Mind your aim,' Gimli muttered amusedly, and Hermione glanced at him wondering what mischief he was up to. Legolas frowned at him, fitting an arrow to his bow, and aimed the Boson who was watching in interest. When Legolas released the arrow, Gimli deliberately knocked the bottom of the bow sending Legolas' aim off. The arrow hit a mercenary standing next to the Boson, killing him instantaneously while the Boson stared at his dead comrade in astonishment. Legolas turned and glared at Gimli, while Aragorn and Hermione looked across at Legolas. 'Oh!' Gimli said in fake surprise, placing his hand to his mouth. 'That's it, right, we warned you! Prepare to be boarded!' he shouted to them in what he presumed was a threatening manner.

The Mercenaries laughed. 'Boarded, by you, and whose army?' one of the Mercenaries yelled back insultingly.

Aragorn scowled at them. 'This army,' he countered while the King of the Dead and his Dead Army emerged through him and attacked the ships. The four companions silently praised, watching the King and Army at work.

oOoOo

Meanwhile, in Cirith Ungol, Frodo and Gollum were climbing the steep stairs to the top, finally arriving at the entrance to a dark cave, which Gollum pointed to eagerly. 'In there,' Gollum informed him, taking a step forward before turning back to look at Frodo.

Frodo looked very uncertain while he stared at the dark cave trying to see what was inside. 'What is this place?' he questioned Gollum.

Gollum didn't answer, but instead said, 'Master must go inside the tunnel.'

Frodo shook his head. 'Now that I'm here, I don't think I want to,' he told Gollum, backing away.

Gollum looked almost panicked at the concept. 'It's the only way. Go in… or go back,' he told him, and this seemed to steel Frodo's determination.

'I can't go back,' Frodo said stubbornly, walking into the tunnel. Gollum watched him for a moment silently congratulating himself for using Frodo's resolve against him and followed him in. While they walked through the darkness, an unpleasant smell hit Frodo and he gagged. 'What's that smell?' he asked Gollum while the smell became more pronounced.

'Orcses' filth. Orcses come in here sometimes,' Gollum answered, wrinkling his nose in disgust. They went further into the pitch black of the tunnel. 'Hurry! This way,' Gollum shouted back to him from ahead in the darkness.

Frodo noticed he could only hear his footsteps, realising he was alone. 'Sméagol?' he called out to Gollum.

'Over here!' Gollum called back, his voice faint and echoed back to him.

Frodo stumbled towards the voice, falling against a wall. He placed a hand out onto the wall, getting it stuck on a spider web. 'Ah, aah! It's sticky, what is it?' he shouted out, trying to see the sticky substance on his hand which proved futile.

'You'll see. Oh, yes, you will see!' Gollum called back distantly.

Frodo moved forwards at a slower pace. 'Sméagol?' he called out with no answer. He shouted, 'SMEAGOL! SMEAGOL!' He felt along the wall, realising he was alone and tears welled in his eyes. 'Sam. Harry,' he whispered despondently, walking forward onto some bones. The crunch made him recoil back in terror, and he looked around him to see various animals hanging up in webs. Panic began to build in him, and he ran through the tunnels to get away.

oOoOo

Sam and Harry were climbing back down the stairs dejectedly. Harry was trying his best to show whatever solace he could to Sam who was crying. He ran forward when the Hobbit slipped and fell down the remaining stairs to the bottom. 'Sam!' he shouted when he reached him.

'Ow!' he groaned, trying to sit up. Harry frowned, looking towards something on the rocks beside the Hobbit. Sam followed his line of sight to see the remains of the Lembas bread and their Leaf wrappings. Resentment built within him when he picked one up and stared at it. A thoughtful look appeared on his face before he crushed it in rage, turning to look back up the stairs. Harry was thinking the same while he helped Sam to his feet, the anger stirring within him as well.

oOoOo

Back in the tunnel, Frodo was still running in fear, but tripped on something and fell, getting tangled in webs on the floor. He staggered back in dread, a voice resounding in his head, 'And you Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star,' it said, and Frodo fumbled in his pocket, pulling out the Phial of Galadriel and looked at it. 'May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out,' the voice said, and Frodo closed his eyes, trying to remember what Galadriel had told him about it.

It came back to him almost instantly. 'Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalimë!' he whispered (A/N Translation: "Hail Eärendil brightest of the Stars!") and he thrust the phial forward, and it blazed forth with a bright light surprising him.

Frodo didn't have time to feel elation when he sensed movement behind him and turned his head slowly to look. He recoiled in horror, leaping away when a huge spider, known as Shelob, advanced on him. Frodo held up the light to her, which she didn't seem to like. She backed away from it, and Frodo used this to try getting away, but he fell over backwards and shuffled away from her on the floor.

She advanced back on him again, but he managed to get back to his feet and thrust the light back at her, making her back off again. While he ran, he fell over again, and Shelob thrust her stinger at him. He retaliated by slashing it with Sting, and jumped up, running off away from her, but Shelob gave chase. He reached an area with a small hole and fell through it, successfully escaping her because the hole was too small for her to fit through, but he also dropped the light in his alacrity. Unable to do anything about it for the moment, Frodo ran away through the tunnel and went head-first into a huge web, suspending him and making him powerless.

'Naughty little fly, why does he cry?' a voice echoed around him and Frodo glared when Gollum appeared in front of him. 'Caught in a web, soon you'll be eaten,' Gollum gloated making Frodo livid. He slashed at the web with Sting when Shelob appeared, stalking up behind him. Gollum's gleeful expression changed to one of apprehension while Frodo slashed away, almost becoming free of the web. Gollum turned and ran away. Frodo broke free of the web, and Shelob was almost upon him, but Sting got caught, so Frodo let it go and ran after Gollum. He managed to escape through a narrow entrance, struggling to release himself from the entangling webs around him. Gollum appeared and jumped on him, grabbing him by the ears painfully. 'Got away did it precious? Not this time. Not this time,' he shouted ominously, trying to grab the Ring.

'NO!' Frodo yelled, and Gollum threw him against the rock face. Frodo groaned in pain but ran back to attack him, pushing him to the floor. He pummelled him while Gollum screeched in distress.

'It wasn't us. It wasn't us,' Sméagol pleaded with him when Frodo grabbed him by the throat. 'Sméagol wouldn't hurt, Master. We promised. You must believe us. It was the precious. The precious made us do it,' Sméagol insisted and the resentment in Frodo's eyes dissipated. He let go of Gollum, falling back against the wall.

He breathed deeply before looking at Gollum who was also lying down, gasping for air. He got to his feet. 'I have to destroy it Sméagol,' he avowed to Gollum who looked up at him. 'I have to destroy it for both our sakes,' he said, turning away from the creature and a nasty grimace appeared on his face.

'NO!' Gollum screamed, launching himself at Frodo, and made them both fall to the ground. Frodo struggled with him but managed to push Gollum straight over the top of his head, and the creature fell to the bottom of the cliff. 'Aaaaaaaaa!' Gollum's scream echoed back to him, and Frodo closed his eyes against the sound.

Frodo slowly got up and stumbled along the path tiredly. He staggered against a rock, tears filling his eyes. 'I'm so sorry Sam,' he whispered miserably, feeling himself falling. 'I'm so sorry,' he whispered again when his knees hit the ground which was covered in grass in broad daylight. He frowned, lifting his head to look around him.

A light ahead of him made him scrunch his eyes up, and Galadriel appeared before him, walking towards him with her arms wide open to him. 'This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will,' she told him, bending down close to him, and offering her hand. He looked at it for a moment and then to her before a look of determination filled his countenance, and he grabbed her hand. She smiled radiantly at him, pulling him upright.

Frodo looked around the dark pass, breathing heavily, and thought about what Galadriel said to him. With a new look of purpose on his face, he walked along the dark path.

oOoOo

Meanwhile, on the plains of Anorien, the Rohirrim soldiers stopped beside a lake. Théoden was speaking to Thranduil and Kulich while Éomer galloped up to them. 'The scouts report Minas Tirith is surrounded. The lower level is in flames. Everywhere, legions of the enemy advance,' he reported to them, glancing towards Kerishiera, Caresia, and Valaria who were standing just to the side.

'Time is against us. Make ready!' Théoden ordered while Thranduil and Kulich made their way over to the Elven women.

Thranduil looked at Kerishiera. 'You should ride a different way. I do not want to see any of you hurt,' he told them, and Kerishiera nodded, reaching up to touch his face gently. Thranduil turned to Valaria. 'Valaria I will trust you to get my family out of here to safety until I send for you?' he asked her and Valaria nodded.

'Of course, my Lord,' she answered, but inside she felt glee. She was already thinking of the many ways she could hurt Legolas and his Mortal using his family.

Thranduil bowed his head to her and touched her cheek. 'Thank you,' he whispered, walking off to make ready his horse.

Kulich paused for a moment and looked at Valaria with a frown. Something was not right about her anymore. Ever since Legolas refused her, she changed, and he didn't think it was for the better. He was just glad he sent his own family to Rivendell to be under the care of Lord Elrond. He didn't think he would have trusted Valaria with them. He shook away his musings knowing he would have to trust her with his Mother and Sister even if he did not like it. 'Keep them safe,' he said to her, and she nodded to him, but glared at his back when he walked away.

'Eternally,' she whispered almost inaudibly making sure Kerishiera and Caresia did not hear her and the three made their way towards their horses.

Over with Éowyn and Merry, she watched the exchange between the Elves from her position which was too far away to hear what was said between them. The glare the dark-haired Elf Maiden gave to Kulich made her feel uneasy. She shook her head, looking at Merry. 'Take heart Merry,' she told him and Merry, who was eating a sandwich, looked up at her. 'It will soon be over,' she said in reassurance.

Merry nodded. 'My lady. You are fair and brave, and have much to live for…' he said, and she looked at him, '…and many who love you. I know it is too late to turn aside. I know there is not much point now in hoping. If I were a Knight of Rohan capable of great deeds… but I'm not. I'm a Hobbit, and I know I can't save Middle Earth. I just want to help my friends, Frodo, Sam, Harry, and Pippin. More than anything I wish I could see them again,' he finished, smiling up at her.

'Prepare to move out!' Éomer shouted, and they looked over at him.

'Make haste. We ride through the night,' Théoden ordered, and a soldier blew a horn after this statement.

Merry and Éowyn exchanged a look. Merry sighed, putting down his sandwich to put his helmet on. He stood from the rock he was sitting on and looked at her when she placed her helmet on too. 'To battle,' she said to him with a small smile.

Merry nodded. 'To battle,' he repeated, following her towards their horse to get ready to leave.

oOoOo

Darkness fell swiftly over Minas Tirith, and the Orcs took to firing catapults with balls of flame over the walls into the city. Gandalf watched worriedly when all the Trolls each pulled on a rope suspending Grond on its scaffolding. They reached the walls of the City, and the Troll pulled the battering ram back while the Orcs chanted. They released the ropes, and it crashed hard into the gate which shuddered with the impact.

'Back to the gate! Hurry!' Gandalf ordered while he and the Archers rushed down to defend the gate when Grond was released a second time, the gate shuddering again with the impact.

'What is Master Draco doing, Mithrandir!' one soldier asked him, finally realising Draco was out fighting by himself.

Gandalf looked towards where Draco was slaughtering the rear ranks of the enemy. 'By understanding himself and acknowledging others, Draco may have recovered a light brighter than any he has yet known...' Gandalf told him, and the soldier nodded, not understanding what Gandalf meant.

oOoOo

Draco looked up from his position at the back of the army, and his eyes glowed even brighter when rage pulsed through him. He slashed at more of the Orcs, battling his way through towards Grond. While he killed countless Orcs, the numbers did not seem to be getting any lower because more appeared in their stead, and he wondered if he was even damaging the ranks.

He was pulled out of his musings when a figure appeared in front of him, and he took a step back for a moment. The figure pulled off his mask revealing the pale, pointed face, and long blonde hair of Lucius who was smirking maliciously at Draco. The glow in Draco's eyes disappeared, and the fatigue hit him, causing him to fall to his knees. 'Pitiful,' Lucius muttered, circling Draco. 'You have not changed, Draco. I am almost ashamed to call you my Son,' he told him while Draco glared up at him.

'You think I care?' Draco answered back, and suddenly Lucius leaned down towards him, his hand connecting with his face. Draco closed his eyes against the stinging on his cheek.

'You dare talk back to me boy?' Lucius spat out, grabbing Draco's hair and pulling his head back. 'You deserve nothing more than pain,' he fumed, letting go of his hair and Draco fell forward onto the ground, unable to lift himself back up for exhaustion. Lucius clicked his tongue when Draco managed to look up at his Father who was holding his wand loosely in his hand. He pointed it at Draco. 'Crucio,' he murmured, and Draco felt the stabs of a thousand burning knives plunging in and out at him speedily. It felt like he was in pain forever when only it was a few seconds, and Lucius lifted the spell. 'That was punishment for disobeying me,' he enlightened Draco, lifting his wand back above his head. 'Now this is for betraying the Dark Lord!' he shouted, and Draco's fear gave him the adrenaline needed to look up at his Father. 'Avada Kedavra!' he shouted, and the green light engulfed Draco. Lucius laughed, but the laugh caught in his throat. He looked down to see a bright white glow emitting from Draco's eyes and the green light surrounding him dissipated. 'What is this!' Lucius shouted in fear when Draco seemed to levitate back to his feet, his sword and wand seemingly materialising back into his hands.

Draco smiled at him maliciously. 'I am going to kill you, old man. You know how to piss me off, you know?' Draco told him menacingly, getting into a fighting stance and advanced at Lucius who backed away in fear…