It had been hours since Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas left the Rohirrims and they were now riding deeper and deeper in the through the Mountain. Around them, there were nothing but gray dust and dirt along with some bushes and high pointy rocks as well as some kind of fog. In addition, nothing could be heard in this desolated place except the wind and the silence.
After a long moment of silence , Gimli couldn't retain his curiosity : since he and his comrades went through the Path of Dimholt, he did nothing but look around " What kind of army would linger in such a place ?" It was Legolas who responded to him, being the closest of the Dwarf " One that is cursed… Long ago, the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight…."
"But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled... vanishing into the darkness of the mountain... And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest, until they had fulfilled their pledge…Who shall call them from the grey twilight? The forgotten people... The heir of him to whom the oath they swore... From the north shall he come... Need shall drive him... He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead... "
Just as Legolas finished talking, the three Riders came across a door-like structure surrounded by creepy looking-trees. Dismounting their horses, Aragorn and his two friends walked toward the entrance of a cave while eying the area around them with a wary expression in their eyes "The very warmth of my blood seems stole away..." Gimli remarked quietly to his two companions.
Legolas then tried to read the hieroglyphs on the doors which was really scary : the door had skull piles all around it and the drawings represented people, animals and what looked like an Eye. "The way is shut... It was made by those who were dead, and the dead keep it... The way is shut..." The Blond Elf said as he looked at the hieroglyphs on the door.
Suddenly, a strong wind crashed against them and a loud moan-like sound could be heard through it. The group tensed a bit at the sound but the sound scared the horses who broke free from the grapes of their owners before quickly running away in fright "Brego !" Aragorn called out for his mount but in vain as the scared animal kept running.
Gimli and Legolas, for their parts, backed away a little from the door as the Dwarf has a look of terror in his eyes. Aragorn, however, turned around and looked at the entrance of the cave with a determined look on his face as he said bravely " I do not fear death !" with that said, he entered the cave without fear just as another moan could be heard. Soon, Legolas followed his friend leaving a stunned Gimli behind "Well this is something unheard of ! An Elf will go underground where a Dwarf dare not ! Ah, I'd never hear the end of it !" then he reluctantly went after the two , determined to not show how terrified he was on this place.
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Kopa was laying on the grasses looking at his surrounding : the Rohirrims were preparing themselves for leaving Dunharrow as soon as possible. He woke up a few moments ago and soon after Vitani followed. At first, she was stunned when she noticed that neither Aragorn, Legolas or Gimli were there. Of course she asked Eowyn about this but she received no response from the Theoden's niece.
Then she asked Kopa who gathered a lot of courage to tell her what happened the night before. At first, Zira's daughter seemed in shock but then she was filled with anger and rage. The Brown Maned Lion had successfully managed to calm her down after a long moment. The Beige Lioness seemed angry at her three friends to leave without saying anything but understood that they wouldn't leave if they didn't had a good reason to do so.
Right now, Vitani was hugging Ioreth for the last time as the little girl was crying against her chest. The human girl didn't wanted to be away from her 'Auntie Tani' but she had no choice. The Beige Lioness then glanced up at an elderly woman who was looking at the two with a sad smile on her aged face "Take care of her..." Vitani inquired the woman who nodded her head , promising to protect this child until the Lioness come back to get her.
Kopa looked at the separation with a sad expression on his face : since the first day he met this child, he grew attached to her and would gladly give his life for her. But then the strong voice of Theoden caught his attention "Little Hobbits do not belong in war, Master Meriadoc..."
The Brown Maned Lion turned his head to see Theoden speaking down to Merry while riding his horse. The Hobbit was wearing his armor or esquire of Rohan and was currently looking up at the King with wide eyes of shock " All my friends have gone to battle ! I will be ashamed to be left behind !" Merry said to Theoden who didn't back down as he replied sternly but in a soft tone " It is a three day gallop to Minas Tirith and none of my riders can bear you as a burden !"
"I want to fight !" Merry argued but the King of Rohan seemed unfazed by this as he said those words " I will say no more..." then he rode away, leaving a dejected Hobbit behind who watched the Rohirrims streaming past him. Kopa glared at the retreating form of Theoden before looking back at Merry with pity. The Hobbit was courageous and kind-hearted : two strong qualities in a Warrior. And yet, Theoden only saw the size of the esquire.
He was about to comfort his friend when his eyes widened in shock at what he saw a Rider appearing out of nowhere before snatching Merry and putting him on his horse. "Well… someone is willing to take him as a burden after all..." Kopa said to himself with a chuckle when he heard Eomer's voice echoing in the air.
"Form up ! Move out !" but then it was Theoden who spoke in a loud voice so every Rohirrims could hear him " Ride! Ride now for Gondor !" As the King finished, the thousands of riders formed a column riding away. Kopa ran forward to stand at Theoden's side and soon he was joined by Vitani who had some tears in her eyes "Hey love don't worry we will see her again~" he said gently in an attempt to comfort her and it seemed to work because she looked at him with a warm smile, mouthing a 'Thank you'.
But then suddenly a loud roar was heard which caused the Riders to stop dead in their tracks as their horses whinnied in fright at whatever caused the sound. Merry was looking around trying to find out what made this roar and the Rider behind him , who was none other than Eowyn, was doing the same. The Blond Woman decided to hide as a Man so she could go to War with her people… a decision her uncle would disapprove.
Kopa and Vitani, unlike the others, were looking at each other with wide eyes mixed with many emotions but the most presents ones were shock, surprise and joy. Soon, many forms bursted out of some bushes at the right side of the army revealing 8 Lionesses.
The newcomers eyed the Humans warily but when their eyes landed on Kopa, a smile appeared on their faces "Prince Kopa !"
They bowed in respect as the Brown Maned Lion approached them along with Vitani who asked "What are you all doing here ?" "I think they will explain this better than us your Majesty..." one Lioness said out-loud while looking at the Prince and his beloved. "They ?" Kopa asked her with a frown which caused the say Lioness to turn her head back toward the woods before shouting loudly "THEY ARE HERE ! WE FOUND THEM !"
Then two more forms bursted out of the bushes which caused Kopa and Vitani to look at them with nothing but pure shock as they recognized them "Kovu ! Kiara !" they shouted in joy as they pounced on their siblings who laughed happily as they embraced each other.
The Rohirrims, along with Eomer and Theoden, watched the scene in a stunned silence. Merry was also watching the reunion with surprise on his face as he recognized those Lions from Elrond's Council. Eowyn , at first, wondered who they were but when Kopa and Vitani said their names, she remembered what Zira's daughter told her before : that she and Kopa had siblings. Kiara was Kopa's younger sister while Kovu was Vitani's younger brother.
Intrigued and curious, she observed the newcomers with attention : Kiara had a peach-colored pelt while her muzzle, paws and belly were cream in color. She also had reddish-brown eyes and a creamy brown tail tuft. Kopa's sister looked less stocky than her older brother but she had some muscles which looked pretty strong. She also seemed lithe in her movement so Eowyn had to guess she was pretty fast and quick. The Blond Woman had to admit that she was also pretty looking.
Then her attention turned to Kovu , Vitani's younger brother : unlike Kopa , this Male Lion had an auburn fur while his muzzle, paws and belly were all creamy-brown in color. He also had a dark brown mane which was not as big as Kopa's along with green emerald eyes. Eowyn noticed the scar running across the Lion's left eye and was silently wondering how he got it. Another thing she noticed that despise being a bit smaller than Kopa, 'Kovu' was really muscular.
"Kiara ! Its so good to see you sister ! I missed you so much !" Kopa said as he embraced his sibling who returned the embrace with an overjoyed expression on her face " Oh Kopa We all missed you ! You and Vitani of course !" The Princess of the Pridelands added sheepishly as she glanced at Vitani who looked at her with a playful glare and a raise-brow. "But what are you doing here ? Shouldn't you be in the Pridelands ?" Vitani asked the two with confusion on her face.
"Oh right ! Daddy sent us to help you !" Kiara announced with a smile as she looked at the other Lionesses who nodded their heads with agreement "But how did you know we needed help ?" Kopa asked Kovu who sighed before responding "Well… Rafiki received a message from Mufasa about a coming War… He tell Simba who instantly ordered us some Lions to find you and help as best as we could..."
"Not that I don't like having you here but why you two ?" Vitani inquired as she looked at the two Heirs of Pridelands. "Well… Daddy and Mom thought we were ready to command a troop so…." "They wanted to come with us… Really… but we had some problems at home..." Kovu added hesitantly. "Orcs ?" Kopa asked with a raise-brow of understanding "Orcs..." The auburn male responded back with a growl.
But then someone coughed and all Lions turned their heads toward Theoden who came closer with Eomer "I'm Theoden, King of Rohan… and you're welcome to join us , Noble Lions of the Pridelands..." The King of Rohan inquired to the Felines who all bowed their heads in respect. "We are proud to fight at your side !" Kovu said in a strong and firm tone. " You need as much help as possible King Theoden..." Kiara added while looking at the King of Rohan who nodded his head in agreement.
"Sauron and his lackeys will have the shock of their lives !" Kopa inquired out-loud with an evil grin on his face and every Lions did the same which sent a shiver down the chin of all Rohirrims presents. "Yeah let's do this !" Kovu agreed and Kiara glanced at the other felines before asking in a loud tone filled with determination "Are you with me Lions ?" Kovu, Kopa, Vitani and the others Lionesses all roared in response, looking at the Princess with a fire in their eyes.
Theoden glanced at his nephew who looked back at him with a hint of hope in his eyes before the King of Rohan yelled loudly to his Men "To Gondor !" The Riders all cheered before the column resumed its trip toward Minas Tirith and this time with a group of Lions as reinforcement. As he walked side by side with his mate, sibling and Kovu, Kopa's heart was filled with happiness and pride and he glanced up at the sky , silently thanking the Kings of the Past for helping them.
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Back to Aragorn , Legolas and Gimli….
The trio were going deeper and deeper into the cave and , on the way, Aragorn found a torch which he used to light their way through this dark and deserted place. We could hear nothing here except silence and some wind-like sound as , in addition, the air was really thick and cold. Turning his torch toward a hole in a wall, Aragorn found yet another piles of skulls but then he kept going followed closely by his loyal comrade.
"What is it ? What do you see ?" Gimli suddenly asked to break the silence as he held his axe, ready for whatever. Legolas who was just ahead of the Dwarf looked around slowly before answering "I see shapes of men and of horses…." "Where ?" Gimli asked as he looked at the Blond Elf with a hint of fright in his eyes "Pale banners like shreds of cloud ...Spears rise like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist ... The dead are following ... They have been summoned !"
As he said those words, Legolas quickened his pace as if he was scared of something "The Dead ?! Summoned ?!" Gimli asked with panic in his voice before coughing up and adding in an attempt to sound brave and strong "I knew that..." but then he noticed that his two comrades were far ahead of him so he ran after them to catch up "Very good…. Very good... Legolas !"
Soon, the group of three found themselves surrounded by a greenish-fog which was only knee-high tall. This mist was kinda strange when suddenly ghostly-arms appeared through it. The arms were reaching up to our friends… maybe to drag them into the fog ? It was a supposition.
But then, when the trio realized that it was harmless, they kept going : Aragorn was walking forward calmly while Legolas brushed the ghostly-arms with pure annoyance. Gimli, for his part, was blowing on an arm to make it disappear but then another one appeared. The Dwarf tried to blew it away but he changed his tactic and instead his arms to wave it away.
Aragorn, who was leading the group, suddenly heard a crack-like sound at his feet and looked down curiously… what he saw caused his eyes to widen in shock " Do not look down…." he warned his friends before resuming his walk , without looking down. Gimli then stopped when he heard a crack under his own feet and, having forgotten (or maybe he ignored it) what Aragorn inquired a moment ago and looked down at the ground.
The ground in question was nothing more than a gigantic pile of skulls ! Maybe hundreds or thousands or them ! That what caused the cracks since the three of them were stepping on the skulls ! The Dwarf closed his eyes and he wished he never looked down but soon he reopened them before trying to keep going. He carefully took some steps forward but soon, he quickened his pace, having enough of the crunching sounds of the skulls beneath his feet.
After some times, the trio found themselves in a great underground hall with a large doorway. The place itself seemed desert and we could hear nothing but a cold dead silence. But suddenly all of them flinched when a voice echoed in the air , breaking the silence, and sending chills down their spines "Who enters my domain ?"
Turning around, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli found themselves facing a Ghost-like figure with a crown on his head and a red cap : it was the King of the Dead. Isildur's heir seemed scared at first but then he brushed his fear aside to say in a more strong and confident tone "One who will have your allegiance !" Legolas eyed the Ghost as he said those words "The dead do not suffer the living to pass..."
" You will suffer me like !" Aragorn retorted in a firm tone which caused the King of Dead to laugh sinisterly. His laughs echoed all around them and , all of a sudden, a city appeared at the other side of the cliff behind the group who turned around to look at the strange apparition. Out of the 'city', hundreds of Ghost-like soldiers appeared and were now floating toward the group.
" The way is shut..." The King of the Dead said which caused the trio to face him again " It was made by those who are dead… And the dead keep it..." As he said this, more ghost soldiers began to appear before surrounding our friends , preventing them from escaping. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli knew they were doomed as they were now completely surrounded.
"The way is shut... Now you must die !" The King of the Dead said as he approached Aragorn. Legolas, as fast as wind, quickly aimed his bow and shot an arrow but it went through the Ghost as if he was nothing but wind. Gimli raised his axe ready to defend himself as Aragorn eyed the King with determination " I summon you to fulfill your oath !" Strider said as he took a few steps forward.
"None but the King of Gondor may command me !" The King of the Dead retorted as he approached Isildur's heir who hold Anduril up. With a battle-cry the Ghost attacked but his sword was blocked by Aragorn's much to everyone's shock. The army of deaths stopped dead in their tracks by the sudden turn of events.
"That line was broken !" The King of Dead said in pure shock but then gagged when Aragorn grabbed his throat as he held his sword to him "It has been remade !" Strider retorted before shoving the King away. The two then stared at each other as no one around them made a sound "Fight for us … and regain your honor ... What say you ?" he asked the Army of deaths who only stared back at him silently.
"What say you ?" Aragorn asked again as he raised his sword still looking at the ghostly figures "You waste your time, Aragorn ! They had no honor in life, they have none now in death !" Gimli said from his place as he looked at the Army of deaths with a grimace on his bearded face. "I am Isildur's heir ! Fight for me and I will hold your oaths fulfilled !" Aragorn said as he turned around to look back at the King of Dead "What say you ?!"
In response, the King began to laugh again as he and his army suddenly disappeared out of sight. However, his laughers kept echoing in the air , booming against the walls "You have my word ! Fight, and I will release you from this living death ! What say you ?" Aragorn yelled out in shock seeing that his speech wasn't working "Stand you traitors !" Gimli snarled out in anger and rage as he glared at his surrounding.
Suddenly, the entire place began to shake and the group was wondering what was going on when the walls around the building-like structure began collapsed, releasing a large amount of skulls which formed like an avalanche who was going straight toward our friends. "Out !" Aragorn yelled to his group who instantly dashed away as fast as they could.
They almost were swept away by the avalanche of skulls "Legolas ! Run !" Isildur's heir yelled out when he didn't saw the Elf but then he popped out at the last moment. The group fought their way through the sea of skulls but they successfully managed to escape to the outdoors.
The party rushed out of the cave to the outside words and while, Legolas and Gimli were catching their breaths from the run, Aragorn noticed something alarming : not too far away was a large river but what really caught his attention was WHAT was on it ! Large Black Ships who were none other than Corsairs of Umbar and it seems that they just finished destroying some small cities.
Legolas and Gimli soon took notice of the Ships and approached Aragorn who just fell on his knees, looking at the devastation in despair. Soon, Gondor and the rest of Middle-Earth would be like those small cities : nothing but ruins and flames. It was the sake of the world because he was unable to bring the only help that would help them in this War.
Legolas putted a hand on his friend's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him and they all staid silent while watching the Corsairs and their Ships. Suddenly, Aragorn heard a sound behind him and he turned around to see none other than the King of Dead himself. The Ghost approached the Heir of Gondor before saying " We fight !"
(To be continued…)