Chapter 34: Confronting the Black Gate

I walked alongside the fellowship as we made our way to the horses feeling Pippin's hand firmly in mine while Merry stood on the other side of him. Despite the aching between my legs, I walked confidently as the townspeople saw us off with Rohan's forces behind us. Watching Legolas get on a horse with Gimli behind him, Eomer with Merry behind him and Gandalf with Pippin in front of him, Aragorn reached his hand out as I got on behind him. Looking over at Pippin in his helmet I smiled towards him as he smiled back holding onto Aragorn as we began heading to the Black Gate.

Hours we rode but it felt like an eternity going over all the events that had led me to this point starting with my mother. My earliest memory of her was after I fought through my sickness, though hazy I remember hearing her sing to me softly telling me tales of her adventures. I then remember meeting Gandalf and how he began sharing his experience in the world.

Then mother began to get weaker as days went by but despite that all she never gave up on letting me know every day I was loved and cared for. At first, I was angry she left me, but I understood that her time in this world had ended and one day I'd reunite with her again.

Going to the shire and meeting Pippin, Merry, Frodo and Sam, not knowing how much they would change the course of my future in such a drastic way. Not to mention meeting my father, I was foolish not to think he was back then, but I suppose a love for Hobbits was passed down to me. Surprising of all was finding love in all of this, despite my mother and so many others telling me it would happen I would have never believed it.

Of course, I never expected to be in the company of the future King of Gondor, the Prince of Mirkwood and the son of my parents travel companions. Then my thoughts drifted to those we have lost, Boromir, though not knowing him long I knew in my heart he was a good man. Haldir, the commander of Lothlórien, though I didn't know him well he was known by my mother for being a protector of the realm and its people. Then there was Lord Theoden, he was loved by his people, and I knew would continue to be even in his death.

Now it was all down to this, giving Frodo his chance to stop pure evil in its tracks once and for all so naturally the only advice to give myself would be that of my mother's words.

Eyes forward.

Swallowing hard as I did indeed look forward the Black Gates crept ever closer seeing no enemies outside the gates. Stopping away from the gate Aragorn began speaking to the riders of Rohan telling them to wait while we got closer. Galloping towards the gates it was quiet stopping as we looked up nervously wondering if they would take the bait.

"Will the lord of the Black Land come forth." Aragorn began yelling, "Let justice be done upon him."

It was deathly quiet as I looked around to the others hearing a sudden creak knowing the mechanism keeping the gate closed began to open. Tightening my hold slightly to Aragorn I looked to the side of him seeing a singular creature emerge from the gates. I say creature because its eyes were covered noticing its menacing sharp toothed smile riding atop a horse that looked just as desolate as he.

"My master Sauron the Great bids thee welcome." it said in a deep scratchy voice noticing how abnormally wide his smile was.

We were all silent as he looked upon us all saying, "Is there any among you to treat with me?"

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed. Tell your master this, the armies of Mordor must disband, he is to depart these lands never to return." Gandalf said confidently while the creature turned in his direction seeing his smile widen replying, "Old Grey beard, I have a token I was bidden to show thee."

Seeing him reach into his coat my heart thumped hard in my chest as he held up Frodo's mithril vest given to him by my father. I could hear Pippin whisper Frodo's name in sadness as I gripped my daggers tightly praying that this was a mere coincidence.

He threw it at Gandalf hearing Pippin and Merry say in anguish, "Frodo."

"Silence." Gandalf told them seeing the hurt pass over their faces as the creature stared at Gandalf saying, "The halfling was dear to thee I see, know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host."

Pippin grabbed the vest holding it to his chest as the creature smiled saying, "Who knew someone so small could endure so much pain… and he did Gandalf, he did."

Feeling tears build up in my eyes Aragorn moved our horse towards him slowly as he looked between us saying, "And who is this, Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a kingdom than a broken elvish blade."

Without warning Aragorn lifted his sword taking off the creature's head as I stared wide eyed at the headless body watching it fall to the ground. Turning us towards the others he kept his sword out as they looked towards him surprised.

"I do not believe it." he said looking at all of us whispering, "I will not."

"Nor will I." I said confidently seeing Pippin nod smiling towards me but looked up hearing the gate begin to open more.

Aragorn turned the horse back to the gate seeing an army of orcs begin marching out as he told us all to fall back. Riding back to the others I could see them hesitate to stay in line as the eye of Sauron was fixed upon us now.

"Hold your ground!" Aragorn ordered riding across from them saying confidently, "Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship but it is not this day."

Seeing the men begin to stand a bit taller I listened to him continue, "An hour of wars and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crushing down, but it is not this day… this day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth I bid you stand men of the West!"

Watching them all take their swords out holding them high I took my daggers out as we all got off the horses watching as the orcs surrounded us. Standing beside Pippin I could see the fear in his eyes until he looked towards me as I smiled towards him earning one back in return. This was it; it was all down to this last fight, and we were all prepared to give our lives for the good of the earth.

Watching Aragorn begin to walk forward slowly he turned to all of us seeing no regret in his eyes as he said softly, "For Frodo."

Letting out a war cry he began charging towards the orcs as I looked between Merry and Pippin letting out a cry as well running alongside them. Though with our short stature the men easily ran faster than us but once we clashed with the orcs it mattered not. Staying close to the others I began gracefully moving along the battlefield slipping easily around the orcs stabbing hard and fast.

Ducking quickly to an ax I shot back up stabbing one in the stomach kicking its carcass away. Jumping onto it I pounced on another bringing it down to the ground as its black blood covered my body. Feeling a blade strike my cheek I winced seeing one go to attack but stop short noticing Pippin behind it with a blade in its belly.

Throwing one of my daggers past him I hit an orc in the face before it could strike him down saying, "Watch yourself Pipsqueak, don't go dying on me yet."

As I grabbed my dagger, I felt a pressure beside me stop turning to see Pippin had stopped another from hitting me replying, "Same goes for you."

Our smiles were cut short hearing a screech in the distance as the Nazgul began riding in the air towards us. Seeing one dive towards us it was stopped by a large eagle watching as they filled the sky taking down the riders in the air.

"The eagles are coming!" Pippin said amazed as they began flying over us hearing the Nazgul screech as they flew back towards Mount Doom.

Hearing a large growl, I turned in time to see an armored cave troll begin to attack Aragorn watching as its foot crushed down on his body. Running towards him I jumped on the creatures back as it roared finding a spot between its armor to plunge my dagger into. Feeling its hand grip me I felt it tighten as it growled angrily in my face.

"Marina!" I heard Pippin yell but it was muffled feeling my ribs begin to crack under the pressure.

Suddenly I felt myself get dropped landing in someone's arms looking up to see the troll look towards Mordor. Following it's gaze I saw the fires of Mount Doom begin to erupt while the eye of Sauron's tower started to crumble. Feeling tears fill my eyes I knew Frodo had done it as a huge pulse pushed towards us causing the land where the orcs stood to decay and fall. Leaning back onto the form I now realized was Pippin he too had tears in his eyes looking up to see the Volcano begin to ooze lava.

"Oh no, how is Frodo going to make it out?" Pippin said worried seeing the eagles in the distance going towards Mount Doom saying, "I doubt a little lava can stop Frodo."

Laughing lightly, I cringed feeling the pain in my ribs knowing the troll broke some as Gandalf and Merry came over to me. Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn joined us as we all felt relief wash over us, it was finally over.


Only a few chapters remain.