Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
So, this chapter will not pick up immediately after the last one. And, I actually have decided to have this chapter be the last one, but it may be a bit longer. This chapter will begin the day following the battle, and conclude with the three Avengers' return to Wakanda.
Let's get to it.
The Russian mig: Let me point out a few things you seem too stupid or irritated to realize. One, travel into Russia is restricted right now. Two, you haven't even said where this court is. Three, you have failed to realize that, as I am an America and live in America, Russia has absolutely no legal authority over me whatsoever. I'll be ignoring you now. Rage on uselessly, dude.
Chapter 28- There and Back Again
As the sun rises over the valley before the Lonely Mountain, it rises on a valley littered with bodies. The Battle of the Six Armies had ended the day before. The casualties were staggering. Over half of the defenders were dead, with many more wounded. Over two thirds of the army sent by Sauron had been killed, and the rest had fled into the North.
Now, the efforts were beginning to rebuild. The defenders had commenced a major effort to recover their dead from the battlefield, while stacking the bodies of Orcs and their allies to be disposed of later.
However, the talk among most of the survivors was the Wakandans. The arrival of the Wakandans had proved a turning point in the fight. Their weapons and skill in battle turned the tide of battle in favor of the defenders. Since the end of the battle, the survivors have been very eager to thank their saviors and get to know the Wakandans.
On top of a building within the ruins of Dale, the three Avengers are quietly staring out over the valley, silently taking in the sights and reflecting on the events of the last day.
It had not taken T'Challa too long to reach the summit of Ravenhill after Thorin's death. When he had seen Thorin was dead, he had quickly gotten down on his knees in homage of his friend and fellow king, while rendering customary Wakandan respects to the dead. T'Challa had remained close to Thorin's body until it was finally time to bring his body down from the hill. T'Challa had insisted on helping bring his body back to Erebor.
Thorin's funeral was scheduled for the following day, so that the tomb could be prepared in time and so more of the recovery operations could be completed. For now, the Avengers are trying to just take some time together to mentally recover from the battle.
As they stare out across the battlefield, Steve turns towards T'Challa. "How are your people doing? How many did they lose?" he asks T'Challa.
"My people are doing as well as could be assumed in such a situation. We lost 14 of our people, with several more wounded. They fought bravely, and will be welcomed into the next life as heroes," T'Challa responds.
T'Challa is quiet for a moment before he asks, "How are you two faring? In the aftermath of encountering your old enemy again."
Steve is quiet for a moment before he says, "It was…difficult. I wanted so badly until now that Schmidt was dead. That i had succeeded in ending the threat of him in 1945. Knowing I hadn't was difficult, It definitely brought back some memories. But…it feels so good knowing he's gone now."
Everything is quiet for a few moments before Bucky speaks up. "Steve, there's something I need to say."
"What is it, Buck?" he asks, a bit concerned by the tone in Bucky's voice and look on his face.
Bucky is quiet as he stares out at the valley. After a few moments, he finally speaks. "We defeated Schmidt, and we stopped the Orcs' army. We saved Erebor and Dale. We accomplished our work here. I know you two think its about time to head home. But, for me…what do I have back on Earth? A world that hates me and considers me a remorseless assassin? I'm not sure Earth will ever accept me. I'll never not be seen as a threat there. But here…nobody knows what I've done. I'm a hero here. The influence of HYDRA doesn't exist here. Here, i can live a life in peace, and protect this world. Plus, Sauron's not defeated. He will return, and soon. I think…"
"You want to stay here instead of returning to Earth," Steve finishes for him. Bucky turns to Steve and nods slowly.
They are silent for a few moments before Steve says, "You're a grown man, Buck. I'm not going to tell you what you can and can't do. And I understand. As much as I don't like it, I know how difficult life will be on Earth for you. This is a place where you can find belonging. I'll miss you, but if you really think that this is the best place for you, then I'll support that decision."
Bucky smiles gratefully, and he and Steve exchange a hug. As they separate, T'Challa steps forward. "It has been my greatest honor to travel Middle-Earth with you, Sergeant Barnes. I hope you are able to find the peace you are looking for here in Middle Earth. But if you should ever find your way back to Earth, you are always welcome in Wakanda."
"Thanks, Your Highness," Bucky says with a smile.
"Call me T'Challa," T'Challa responds simply with a smile of his own. He then extends his hand, which Bucky takes with a smile.
The three Avengers turn their attention back out towards the valley, looking at the towering Lonely Mountain. Each of them reflects on their journeys in Middle Earth over the past few months, and the fact that two of them will soon be going home.
As the sun rises clear over the valley before the gates of Erebor, the valley is silent. For today, now two days since the Battle of the Six Armies, is the day when the great Thorin Oakenshield will finally be laid to rest.
The Elves have by now begun the journey home to the Woodland Realm. However, before his departure, Thranduil had had a personal meeting with the three Avengers. In that meeting, he apologized for his actions towards them in the past and promised that anyone calling themselves an Avenger would be welcome in the Woodland Realm, and gave them his thanks for saving the lives of so many of his people during the battle.
Now, as the day begins, the remaining survivors prepare to honor the fallen king. The survivors of the Lake-men have assembled on the tops of s series of buildings facing Erebor, while the army of Wakanda have assembled in ceremonial formation in the valley between Dale and Erebor.
As the sun rises in the sky, Percy begins the tribute of the Lake-men to Thorin. Standing at a massive horn used for various official purposes in Dale's past, Percy begins to play a series of notes. A traditional tune among the Lake-men that serves as a tribute to the fallen.
As Percy plays, the Lake-men look towards Erebor, emotions running high for all of them. Not only for their kin they had lost, but that such a great king and friend had fallen.
Beside Percy, Bard and his children are at the forefront. The family is all feeling very sad. Not just for the loss of their friends and of Thorin, but because the Avengers had told them their plan. They were very disappointed that the two Avengers they had grown close to would soon be returning to their homeworld. Tilda in particular had cried and asked them not to leave, but had eventually accepted that they needed to return home.
As Percy ends his tribute playing in honor of Thorin, at the head of the Wakandan army, Okoye shouts a command. Then, as one, the Wakandans all do their traditional salute, their tribute to the fallen Dwarf king.
Deep within Erebor, Thorin's body has been laid to rest in one of the tombs of the kings. To honor them as his heirs that fell with him, Fili and Kili have also been laid to rest alongside their uncle. Each of them is clad in their armor, with their swords in their grasp. In addition, Dain, now the senior dwarf in Erebor, had decided that the Arkenstone would be laid to rest with Thorin, and it now rests in his hands alongside Orcrist's hilt.
Right now, the tomb is filled with a select group of individuals. It was decided to allow the members of a Company a brief time to say goodbye. Now, the Dwarves, Bilbo, and the three Avengers are gathered in the tomb, walking between the bodies of their three friends, trying to process their grief at their loss.
Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa all gather around Thorin's body, looking down at their fallen friend. After a few moments of silence, T'Challa renders the Wakandan tribute to the fallen, and Steve and Bucky both come to attention and salute their friend for the last time.
After a few minutes, the members of the Company file out of the tomb. As the last of them leave, the Dwarven attendants begin the process of sealing up the tomb. However, the members of the Company have something else to attend to.
The Company, along with Gandalf, make their way to where many of the Dwarves of the Iron Hills are gathered. As the Company assembles on a platform before them, the Dwarves all turn their gaxes to them.
Gandalf steps forward and declares with a loud voice, "The King is dead!"
Then, Balin steps forward, raising his sword in salute, and shouts, "Long live the king!"
"Long live the king!" shouts the rest of the Company, including the three Avengers. Atn their cry, the Dwarves all draw their weapons and hold them in salute. And at their front, Dain bows his head in respect to the Company, the Crown of Erebor now resting on his head as the new King under the Mountain.
The ceremony soon adjourns, and the Dwarves begin to migrate towards a banquet hall where a feast will be held to commemorate Thorin and celebrate Dain's coronation as King under the Mountain. As the Company prepares to follow them, they are suddenly stopped by what to many of them is a strange sight. A circle of orange energy in front of them. The circle slowly expands until it is a large portal. And then, to the shock of almost everyone, Doctor Strange walks through the portal.
The Dwarves of the Company start to reach for their weapons, thinking this man is perhaps a threat. But, their worries are assuaged when Bucky steps forward and extends a hand, saying, "Good to see you again, Doctor Strange."
"Indeed, Mr. Barnes," Strange says. Strange then turns to Steve and T'Challa and says, "Captain Rogers. King T'Challa. A pleasure to meet you. I'm sure your friend Bucky here told you about me. I am Doctor Stephen Strange."
"Ah. The sorcerer. Yes, we indeed have heard of you," T'Challa says.
"Good," Strange says. Strange then notices gandalf and says, "Good to see you in better health, Mithrandir."
"Indeed, Stephen Strange. Well met again," Gandalf says.
Strange turns back to the three Avengers. "Well, Avengers, it's time," he says simply.
The faces of the three men fall a little bit. Even though they knew this time was coming, it makes them sad that it has come.
Bucky is the first to speak. "Actually, it's only these two who are going back. I'm staying here, Strange."
Strange looks at Bucky with a bit of surprise. "Really? YOu understand given the way you got here that unless I came back for you, there's no way for you to get home," Strange says.
"Yes, I know that. But I think this world is where I really belong. I can build a life here that I can't on Earth. I've made my choice, and I'm sticking with it," Bucky says.
"Well. I see. Very well, then. But, for you two," Strange says, gesturing to Steve and T'Challa, "It's time to go home. I've already brought the Wakandans back home. Now it's your turn."
It now hits the rest of the Company that their great friends are about to leave Middle Earth, and many of them begin to get tears in their eyes as the three Avengers turn to them so Steve and T'Challa can say their goodbyes.
"It's been the greatest pleasure of my life to travel with you all. I've never forget our time together," Steve says.
"Laddies…you are true friends," Balin says simply, trying to keep his emotions in check.
The Dwarves now crowd around the two Avengers, each taking their turn to share an embrace with their friends and bid them goodbye.
Bilbo is the last in line. As he comes up to Steve and T'Challa, he smiles a bit through his tears and says, "If either of you is even back here, and passing near Bag End, tea is at 4. Just come right in." he pauses, then says, "You are welcome anytime."
"You are a remarkable individual, Bilbo Baggins. I am proud to call you a friend," T'Challa responds.
Bilbo nods, then exchanges an embrace with the two of them.
Having said goodbye to all of the members of the Company smaller than them, Steve and T'Challa turn to the last member of the Company. "Well, Gandalf, we'll miss you. Thank you so much for finding us that day in the Shire," Steve says with a smile.
"My pleasure, Steve," Gandalf says with a smile. He pauses, then says, "Goodbye to you both. Although, I do hold out hope that this will not be the last time we see each other."
"If that day comes, it will be a happy day indeed," T'Challa responds.
Steve and T'Challa shake hands with Gandalf. Then, Steve turns back to Bucky. Steve embraces his old friend and says, "Don't do anything stupid until I get back."
"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you," Bucky responds, a bit of emotion in his voice.
Finally, the two friends separate. After exchanging one last look, Steve turns away and, with T'Challa, faces Doctor Strange. "We're ready," Steve says.
"Alright. Let's go," Strange says. Raising his hands and tapping into the Time Stone, Strange begins to open a portal back to Wakanda. As the portal reaches full size, Steve and T'Challa glance back one last time before they follow Strange through the portal. The portal then closes behind them as if it was never there.
There is silence for a few moments among the remaining members of the Company. Then, Balin declares, "Let us not be weighed down by sorrow. Let us remember our friends the way they would want us to!" The rest of the Company give a shout of approval, determined to never forget their Avengers friends.
As the portal closes behind them, Steve and T'Challa realize that they are standing in the throne room of the Royal Palace in Wakanda. A second later, they realize they are not alone. Okoye, M'Baku, Ramonda, and Shuri are all present, along with Sam, Natasha, and Wanda, who had returned to Wakanda when they had heard what had happened (Clint and Scott unable to)
"Steve!" "T'Challa!" Both names are cried out by the different people standing in the throne room, before all of them rush towards the two men who feel very happy to be home.
"I was so worried for you my son," Ramonda says as she embraces T'Challa, who warmly embraces his mother in return.
"You alright, Cap?" Sam asks in concern.
"I'm fine, Sam," Steve responds.
As everyone separates, Sam notices something. "Where's Barnes?" he asks.
Steve's faces falls ever so slightly, and he says, "He decided to stay there."
There is quiet for a moment before Natasha asks, "Where is 'there', Steve?"
Steve smiles brightly. "Natasha, that is the longest story in the history of long stories."
And, with that, I'll end the chapter.
I hope you like how I chose to end the story. And I especially like what I decided to do with Bucky. After everything's he's seen and experienced in Middle Earth, I think he would prefer living in Middle Earth to Earth.
But wait? As Marvel movies usually do, this has to have a mid credits scene.
(Right after the Battle of the Six Armies)
The noise over the valley before Erebor has mostly died down by now. The surviving Orcs and other dark creatures have retreated after the loss of their commanders and the heavy casualties caused to them. In the valley, the survivors have begun to transition towards looking for wounded out on the battlefield.
However, unseen by anyone, a short distance from the massive ice-covered waterfall coming down from Ravenhill, on the frozen river leading from it, the ice in one particular spot is beginning to crack. Then, with a loud cracking sound, the ice bursts apart. Then, a second later, a very battered Johann Schmidt pulls himself up out of the water.
Schmidt looks up for a second, then down at himself. The fall had not been easy on his body, or armor. His armor is dented in several places, both from the impact with the ice, and hitting rocks on the bottom. He's cut in several places, and is feeling quite weak.
Yet, despite it all, Schmidt feels a sense of triumph. He looks down at his right hand, where on his ring finger the ring of power once worn by Thrain rests. Sauron had gifted the ring to Schmidt after taking it from Thrain. Schmidt had used the ring since then to increase his strength, his skill in sorcery, and extend his life. Then, when he fell, Schmidt had used the ring to protect himself from death, and even to sustain his breath long enough to find a place to come up out of the river where he wouldn't be seen.
Although he has been defeated this time, this all is actually even more to his advantage, Schmidt thinks to himself. Now, with everyone thinking him dead (since nobody but Sauron knows he has the ring), he can sneak away into hiding, and there amass strength and build up his own armies. Then, when the inevitable War for Middle Earth is over, whether Sauron wins and reclaims the ring or loses, Schmidt will come to war against the victor. And all of Middle Earth will be his!
Yes. Schmidt is not dead. I decided to go with this plot point early in the development of this story. So, yes, there will be a story in this series, set after the events of Lord of the Rings, and probably after the events of Avengers Endgame, where our heroes return to Middle Earth to defend it from Schmidt.
Well, that concludes this story. Hopefully, the next story, which will cover Lord of the Rings, will begin sometime before the end of June.
Also, a quick poll for my readers. I'm planning on, for the sequel, to again bring a small team of heroes to Middle Earth. I plan on at least one of the two Avengers who came home (aka Steve and T'Challa) returning to middle Earth in the sequel. I'm trying to decide whether I want to bring them both back. Also, I'm trying to decide which of other heroes I should pick to come. I've decided to choose from the following: Hawkeye, Sif, Moon Knight, and Natasha. Let me know what you would like to see. I'm probably going to stick with a team of three going to middle Earth, so keep that in mind.
Alright. That's the end of this story. So, until the sequel is up, please leave your last review, and stay tuned!
Raptor2216 out.