At Minas Tirith , the Gondorians Soldiers were doing their best to hold their enemies who were entering the city in waves. The number was astonishing. Earlier, they had the advantage because the doors were unbreakable but now that they were destroyed (thanks to a large ram with a wolf-like head named 'Grond'), the army of Orcs could now invade Minas Tirith, killing any Humans on their paths. Not only Orcs, there were also Armored Trolls and some Wargs.
Then we saw Gandalf directing a group of Gondorians Soldiers toward the second level of the city while yelling out as loud as he could "Retreat ! The city is breached ! Pull back ! To the second level !" As some Soldiers immediately obeyed, there were a few who stayed behind so give them some time to escape " Get the women and children out ! Get them out ! Retreat !"
The Soldiers of Minas Tirith (or at least some of them) were ushering their comrades to retreat as they passed through the gates from the second level. At the same time, the sun was starting to rise in the sky, announcing the beginning of a new day. On the field in front of the city was Gothmog, the Commander Orc, who looked at the destruction with satisfaction "Move into the city... Kill all in your path !"
At those words, many Orcs entered the White City and the Gondorian Archers, still posted above the gates, fired their arrows but it wasn't enough to kill the wave of enemy who passed through the gates, ignoring their losses. As if it wasn't enough, the Archers were having less and less arrows at their disposal. The Orcs who entered the city, instantly began to search through the streets and buildings for something to kill as the Gondorian Soldiers were beginning to feel tired of fighting.
A large group of Orcs suddenly ran through some buildings and we could see some Soldiers trying to stop… only to be cut down by the wave of enemy. Trolls were equally seen, walking around while looking for people to slaughter just as some civilians , who were really close to the battlefield, screamed loudly in fright as they tried to escape. Soon the streets were filled with Gondorians Soldiers and Orcs fighting each other and they were so close that it was not easy to move around.
The Gondorians, however, kept fighting despise being clearly outnumbered. Even if some of them were killed, they kept fighting bravely "Fight ! Fight to the last man ! Fight for your lives !" Gandalf yelled to the Soldiers around him when suddenly turned away at the sound of his name being called "Gandalf !"
The White Wizard turned around to see Pippin running toward him with a panicked look on his face "Gandalf ! Denethor has lost his mind ! He's burning Faramir alive !" The Wizard wasn't surprised by the first part of Pippin's news but his eyes widened in shock at the second. " Come !" Gandalf inquired hurriedly as he picked up the Hobbit before pulling him on Shadowfax. Without thinking, they took off toward the House of the Kings were Denethor must be at the moment.
However, the moment they just ran through an archway to get to the Citadel, they all went to a sudden stop when a Fellbeast appeared before them. On his back was the one who was chosen by Sauron to lead the army to Minas Tirith : the Witch-King of Angmar. Seeing the Nazgul, Gandalf raised his staff forward before saying in a demanding tone " Go back to the abyss ! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your master !"
For a moment, the Witch-King said nothing and the only thing we could hear from him was a loud raspy breathing. Pippin , who was still on Shadowfax with Gandalf looked at the Nazgul with terror in his eyes. Then Sauron's servant finally spoke " Do you not know death when you see it, old man ?" Then without warning, the Nazgul screamed loudly which caused Pippin to cry out in terror. "This is my hour !" The Witch-King inquired as he unsheathed his sword (which was on fire) , holding it in the air. At the same time, Gandalf raised his staff as the air around the blade seemed to be drawn toward it.
Suddenly, when the Nazgul stopped screeching, the Wizard's staff exploded in his hands causing him and Pippin to be blast out of Shadowfax's back. The Hobbit picked himself up before getting against a wall, looking toward the Wizard who was slowly getting up "Gandalf !"
The Fellbeast was approaching the Wizard so gathering all his courage, Pippin drew his sword in an attempt to save Gandalf but the bravery quickly disappeared when the Beast roared at him. Pippin dropped his sword as he harbored a look of pure terror in his eyes just as the Witch-king spoke again " You have failed... The world of Men will fall..."
Suddenly the Nazgul was interrupted by a chorus of horns blowing in the distance. The Witch-king and his Fellbeast flied toward the new threat just as , on the field, Gothmog and his Orcs turned their heads with annoyance toward where the sound came from. The annoyance turned to fear at what they saw : on the nearby hill, a large line of Humans Soldiers riding horses were standing on top of the hill… The Rohan was here !
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The army of Rohan stopped in their tracks to face the rear of Sauron's army. King Theoden took a few 'steps' ahead , his eyes glued on the sight before him : Minas Tirith was burning as a colossal Army of Orcs were standing in front of it. The sight only sent chills down everyone's chins. Soon through the Riders, appeared Kopa, Vitani , Kovu , Kiara and 8 other Lionesses.
The group of Felines looked in shock at the sight before looking at each other worriedly. They had never seen an army so colossal before. Kopa and Vitani, sure had seen Saruman's Uruks at Helm's Deep, but this army was bigger. " By the Great Kings..." Kovu muttered at he looked at what they were about to fight. " It remind me of Saruman's Uruks..." Kopa began to say before his mate added in a soft tone " except this army look ten times bigger..."
Kiara staid silent as her eyes couldn't look away from the waves of Orcs standing before her. It was not difficult to see that she was scared but she tried her best to hide it. The Lions weren't the only ones shocked by such a sight : Eowyn and Merry were looking at the scene with fear in their eyes. They were about to see what was a real battle and by the look of it, the Rohirrims were outnumbered.
"Courage, Merry... Courage for our friends..." Eowyn whispered to the Hobbit who was just before her as the two of them shared the same horse. Vitani, who was in front of the two, turned her head to give them a comforting smile just as far away from them, Gothmog was 'talking' to his soldiers " Form ranks, you maggots ! Form ranks ! Pikes in front ! Archers behind !" The Orcs did what their General inquired without questions.
Theoden saw that things weren't good but he refused to back down. If they were going to die, they would make sure to take as many Orcs as possible with them. The King of Rohan rode back toward his men before speaking to his generals "Éomer ! Take your eored down the left side !" " Yes my lord !" his nephew responded with respect "Gamling ! Follow the King's banner down the center ! Grimbold ! Take your company right, after you pass the wall ! Forth, and fear no darkness !"
Then the King added loudly "Arise ! Arise ! Riders of Théoden !" Eowyn instatly tried to hide her head as Theoden looked at his men "Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered ! A sword-day ! A red day, ere the sun rises !" The last part was yelled so everyone could hear him. The Rohrrims Riders standing at the front lowered their spears forward just as , afar ahead, were readying themselves for their enemies' soon-to-be charge.
The Lions of the Pridelands growled deeply as they unsheathed their claws. Their bodies tensed as they waited for the perfect moment to charge. Kopa's ears twitched when he heard a familiar voice , Eowyn's, softly whispering to Merry "Whatever happens, stay with me... I will look after you..." A smile appeared on the Lion's face and he turned his head slightly to the side to see that Vitani was also smiling… She must have heard it too.
Then their attention turned toward Théoden as the King of Rohan rode up and down the lines, rattling his sword along the row of spears "Ride now ! Ride now ! Ride ! Ride for ruin and the world's ending !" he shouted to the top of his lungs before coming to a stop as he took a few steps forward standing near the Lions. Then he raised his sword in the air yelling out one word " DEATH !"
The Rohirrims Soldiers all raised their spears or swords yelling back "DEATH !" "DEATH !" Theoden yelled again which his Men yelled back "DEATH !" Soon Eowyn and Merry joined their comrades for the battle cry "DEATH !" Theoden then swung his sword forward saying "Forð Eorlingas !" as soon as he said this, some Rohirrims Men blew in their horns whose sounds echoed in the air. It was the signal for the attack.
Kovu and Kopa glanced at each other before roaring out loudly. It was their own signal. Instantly, the Lions of the Pridelands formed a lines before advancing toward their enemies just as Theoden and his Riders moved forward. At first, the move was slow, then they suddenly rushed forward as the horses broke into a full sprint, heading straight toward their enemies. Just as they charged, the Archers Orcs moved forward before aiming their bows.
Vitani, seeing this, looked at her fellow Lions with a stern look "We must take care of those Archers !" Kovu nodded and roared out. The Lionesses understood the message and ran faster toward the line of Orcs. At the same time, the Orcs had unleashed their arrows which went flying into the air. The arrows then landed on the Rohirrims like rain and some Riders were killed on the spot.
Some arrows did touched the Lions but it did nothing. After all, their skins was invulnerable to blade and other sharp weapons , including arrows. However, a massive blow from a Troll's club on the head could kill them. But thankfully, there were no Trolls in sight. The Lions, seeing their allies falling, became angrier and redoubled their speed and before the Orcs could shot another volley, the Archers were slaughtered by a group of furious Lions who fell on them like waves on the beach.
Gothmog looked at the scene worriedly as he saw his men being massacred by those overgrown pussy cats before looking at the army of Riders still heading toward them. The Orc General trued to what remained of the Archers before ordering " Fire at will !" The Archers did what they were ordered to but because of their numbers only a few Human Riders fell under their arrows.
Gothmog then eyed widened in fright when he saw that the Rohirrims were getting closer and closer… before crashing against the lines of Orcs, destroying them. Orcs bodies flying in the air as the Horses trampled on some. The Rohirrims Soldiers were still going forward taking down a lot of Orcs (not enough to break the army but still it was impressive). The Orcs who weren't trampled didn't lived for long because they would either get killed by the Riders' spears and arrows or they would get skinned alive by enraged Lions. Eowyn letted out a battle cry as her horse (and Merry's) rushed forward, trampling on the Orcs who weren't fast enough to get out of the way.
Away from the King's niece, Kopa was slaughtering any Orcs who dared to be in his path as around him, his fellow Lions were doing the same using their claws and teeth. Kovu was fighting a few meters away from him alongside Kiara who, despise being a great fighter, still caused a lot of pain to her enemies. Vitani was fighting like a fury , slashing her enemies with fierce blows.
Gothmog backed away in terror as more and more of his forces were getting slaughtered by the Riders or the Lions. There were still a lot of Orcs but at this rate, the Forces of Sauron would be defeated…
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Meanwhile, at Minas Tirith, more precisely in a hall where resided the tombs of the previous Kings of Gondor, Denethor was pouring oil over himself and a rousing Faramir who was lying before him. The Steward was sure that his second son was dead ( but he was not) and he became mad with grief. The tow of them were standing on what looked like a pile of woods as around them, was some Men holding burning torches.
For Denethor, the World of Men had no hope and was finished. He didn't cared that he was about to die as he ordered sternly "Set a fire in our flesh !" the men holding the torches slowly approached the Steward and his ins-conscious son as the former was closing his eyes while spreading his arms , accepting his death. However, just as one of the torches was about to touch the pile of woods, the room's front door bursted open, revealing Gandalf and Pippin riding Shadowfax. Denethor looked on with a surprised look on his face.
"Stay this madness !" Gandalf ordered loudly as he looked at the ones present in the rooms. The soldiers around Denethor stopped dead in their tracks while still holding their torches. However, the mad Steward grabbed one of the torch with his hand, looking at the White Wizard "You may triumph in the field of battle for a day, but against the power that has risen in the east, there is no victory !"
Then without second thoughts, Denethor threw the torch into the woods who started to burn. And we carefully looked, we could see Faramir's body flinching a bit. Pippin's eyes widened in shock just as Gandalf quickly reacted by grabbing a spear from one of the Citadel Guards before charging Denethor, knocking him off the pile with the spear.
Pippin then jumped from Shadowfax straight onto the pile of woods before rolling Faramir down off it as quickly as he could. Denethor, who was starting to burn as some of the oil on him got contact with the fire, pounced on the Hobbit with a cry "NO ! " he pinned down the Hobbit yelling out angrily " You will not take my son from me !" Seeing Pippin struggling to escape, Gandalf (again) reacted.
Denethor looked up to see a rearing Shadowfax whose front hooves knocked the Steward back onto the burning pile. As the man was catching fire, Denethor's eyes looked at his son whose eyes was starting to open ! "Faramir..." The man whimpered as the madness in him seemed to slowly disappear as a small smile appeared on his face.
Then he screamed in pain when his entire body became fire. Throwing himself out of the pile, the Steward ran outside "So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion..." Gandalf muttered with a tired look on his face just as Denethor was seen running across the Citadel before falling from the tip toward the city bellow.
On the field, Kiara noticed the ball of light falling from the top of the city but despise her curiosity, she knew it was not the moment to ask questions so she returned to the current battle.
(To be continued…)