Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

I'm not going to be covering any of the scenes with the Rohirrim or Aragorn before they arrive at Minas Tirith, just because there will be no change. However, since Gar and Fel are with the Rohirrim, I will be covering the scenes with the Rohirrim at the Battle of Pelennor Fields. This is going to include a brief scene prior to the Battle of Pelennor Fields, and then get into the battle itself. I'm not including all the scenes with Denethor and Pippin, as well as Faramir's ill-fated attack, because in this they just didn't happen.

Let's get to it.


Chapter 24- The Battle Begins

Jakan walks along the Othram, the great defensive wall around Minas Tirith. It's been over a day since Faramir and his forces retreated from Osgiliath. Since then, he and Mirta have been very busy trying to help Boromir prepare Minas Tirith for the oncoming assault by Mordor's forces. The city had been fortified as heavily as possible. As many women and children and elderly people as could be had been evacuated, with a handful of guards to accompany them.

Jakan had spent the last day trying to figure out how to best defend Minas Tirith. After taking a full inventory of all the resources available, he learned that between the regular infantry, archers, Rangers, veterans recalled to serviceand Citadel Guards, Minas Tirith had 4,000 defenders. The city had about thirty trebuchets spread out across the various levels of the city. Boromir had also petitioned the citizens of Minas Tirith to lend their assistance. Almost 5,000 men and women had volunteered to assist in logistical operations as well as helping with medical aid, and each of these volunteers had been given a melee weapon to defend themselves if it came to it.

Jakan had had several Gondorian officers give him an extremely in depth tour of Minas Tirith, so he could know everything about the city so he could know how to best defend the city. After taking his tour of the city, Jakan had come to the conclusion that the only two ways to attack the city were to scale the walls or to breach the Great Gate. However, the Great Gate was incredibly well built, reinforced with metal. There was no battering ram he knew of that could breach the gate. That left scaling the wall as the only viable option to get into the city in Jakan's eyes. However, the walls were so tall and thick that siege towers were the only viable option to get over the wall unless the Nazgul tries shuttling any orcs over the walls with their fell beasts. Jakan knew that siege towers would be a much easier target to hit than ladders, especially because there would be less of them.

However, Jakan wasn't sure these advantages would be enough to win them the battle. Intelligence from various sources, particularly Rangers who were still doing recon of enemy forces, suggested that an army of a quarter of a million was preparing to assault Minas Tirith, including Orcs, Trolls, Wargs, Easterlings, and Haradrim. Although there were far more defenders at Minas Tirith than at Helm's Deep, and all of them were trained professionals, the odds they were facing were far worse than at Helm's Deep, being outnumbered over 62 to 1.

However, Jakan also knew they had one good advantage. The resolve that Boromir's return had given to the defenders had already begun to show. Jakan felt that Boromir's inspirational leadership was going to prove invaluable in keeping the morale of Minas Tirith's defenders up during the coming battle. Boromir had virtually taken complete control of the events going on in Minas Tirith. Denethor had hardly been seen of heard from since his argument with Boromir and Faramir in the Citadel. However, one of the things he had reportedly said was telling the lord of the Council of Gondor to follow any orders given to them by Boromir. Clearly, Denethor had not lost all of his sanity.

Looking out across the Fields of Pelennor, Jakan can see the forces of Mordor beginning to mass outside Osgiliath, ready to begin their advance towards the White City. Jakan zooms in a little bit using his helmet's systems. He is finally able to see the vastness of Mordor's army. Indeed, the army he can already see numbers over 100,000, and he knows there's plenty he can't see.

Jakan looks over the army, trying to gauge how well equipped it is. There are a number of mountain trolls, at least 50. However, they mainly seem to be used as beasts of burden to push the various larger equipment among the army. Of a far more worrying note to Jakan is the Olog-hai, or Attack trolls, he can see among the army of Mordor. Just at a first glance, he can see at least a dozen.

Jakan hears footsteps approaching him. Glancing over, he sees that it's Boromir. The two exchange a nod, then look out over the Fields of Pelennor at the gathering army. Finally, Boromir says, "This will be the greatest battle of modern times."

"And we're gonna give them a good hammering. Even if we do fail, we'll deal such a blow to Sauron that he'll sue for peace for whatever lands remain," Jakan says, confidently and a bit arrogantly. However, glancing over at Boromir shows only a grin on the face of the GOndorian.

"Indeed, Jakan. And Gondor is proud to have two Mandalorians aiding it in it's fight," Boromir says. Jakan smiles at him under his helmet, and the two clap each other on the shoulder as they stare out at the fields.


It's been hours since Jakan and Boromir had their moment on the Othram looking out Sauron's gathering army. Now, the time has come for the assault.

Mordor's army is now in full march, crossing the short remaining distance of the Pelennor Fields to Minas Tirith. The army is so large, it is as if a sea of black is crossing the plains towards the White City.

Gandalf, Jakan, Mirta, and Boromir had positioned themselves along the Othram along with the bulk of the defenders. Gandalf was riding Shadowfax, in part to serve as a mobile commander and messenger. Heavy infantry and archers were those that made up the Othram's defenders.

Faramir was not with them on the Othram. He was with the Rangers on the second level, ready to lend assistance with their bows once they had enemies within range. In a similar manner, veterans who had returned to service were being held on the second level in reserve. Other volunteers were also waiting on the upper levels to keep them away from the main fighting.

As they stare out at the approaching army, Jakan and Mirta have their helmets under their heads. Mirta had been given a fine sword from the armory of the Citadel Guards, which now hangs at her hip. Boromir is now wearing his fine armor and helmet signifying him as the Captain of the White Tower, with the Horn of Gondor hanging at his hip.

As the army approaches, Jakan is taking the time to get a better read on its composition. Thankfully, at least three quarters of the army, probably more, is Orcs, with only limited Men and Wargs. Jakan reflects that had there been more Men in the army, Minas Tirith's situation would be far more severe.

Looking at their siege equipment, he's a little more anxious. He can see 20 siege towers, all armored and well built. He can also see at least thirty catapults, as well as several ballistae. He also has a better count of the trolls, with at least 18 Olog-hai visible.

However, the one thing that is worrying to him so far is the complete lack of sight of the Nazgul. No Nazgul have been spotted at all since the retreat from Osgiliath. Jakan is feeling quite worried about why they haven't been seen, and if Sauron is holding them in reserve, why he's doing so. However, he also wonders if his and Mirta's presence is making Sauron take greater precautions with the Nazgul.

Jakan watches as the army begins to halt and deploy in preparation for it's attack. He exchanges a look with Mirta, and the two nod to signal that they're ready to execute the plan that they had prepared for the start of the battle over the hours leading up to this moment. Both of them know what they will need to do.

Looking back out at armies of Mordor, Jakan's heart starts to sink as he sees objects being flung by catapults. However, that quickly turns to confusion as he realizes they don't look like normal stones.

All of the prisoners taken in the attack on Osgiliath had been killed immediately. While the Witch-King had not been terribly pleased with this, thinking it was a waste of slave labor, he recognized that they could still be of use. Therefore, he had ordered all of the Orcs to remove the heads of all prisoners they had taken and killed, as well as all the other Gondorians killed during the fighting. These heads had been brought with the army and been loaded into the catapults. Now, the orc commander, Gothmog, decided to "return" the heads to their comrades.

Soldiers on the Othram and behind it start raising their shields, only to realize with horror what the projectiles really are, many of them recognizing the heads of comrades and friends. Jakan realizes this at the same point, anger swelling in him at the forces of Mordor. He quickly turns to Boromir and says, "Boromir, I think your men need a bit of encouragement."

"I agree," Boromir says. He raises the Horn of Gondor, blowing three long, loud blasts. The blasts echo all around Minas Tirith and across the Fields of Pelennor. The blasts of the Horn are echoed within moments by the war cries of thousands of Gondorian soldiers, answering the call of their leader.

Boromir raises his sword and begins to shout, his voice reaching many of the soldiers along the Othram, "Men of Gondor! We have come at last to the great battle of our time! In his day, Elendil gave his life to stop Sauron, for he knew that against the powers of evil, there could be no surrender. We shall never give up, or give in. We shall continue to fight, for we are warriors! We are MEN OF GONDOR! We shall show that we are warriors with honor, who fight for a greater cause! We fight for our freedom, for our right to live! And we will never give up!" Boromir then glances at Jakan, smiling as he remembers a phrase Jakan has used before, mainly when describing his people and their society. He grins broadly at Jakan, as he says at a volume only those immediately around him can hear, "This is the Way."

Jakan and Mirta grin in response before responding, "This is the Way." The two Mandalorians look at each other and nod, still grinning, before sliding their helmets onto their heads and turning to face the hosts of Mordor.

With the catapults now empty of the severed heads, they are now ready for the purpose they were meant for. Accompanying mountain trolls begin to load stones into the catapults' buckets. The stones are not terribly large, the biggest being only three feet in diameter. However, they are still deadly weapons, as the Gondorians are soon to find out.

The catapults begin to launch their stones against the first level. Some stones that are a little low shatter uselessly against the Othram. But many clear the wall, some striking the very top of it and scattering some of the men on it, while many others strike buildings behind the wall, causing parts of these buildings to collapse.

"I think we should return the favor," Boromir says simply in response to the beginning of Mordor's bombardment.

Gandalf, hearing this, magically amplifies his voice and shouts, almost in a snarling tone, "Send these foul beasts into the abyss!"

On these words, the trebuchets spread out through Minas Tirith begin their bombardment of Mordor's forces. Mordor's forces begin to take their first casualties as large, heavy pieces of masonry and rubble begin to crash down on them, crushing hundreds of orcs. Some of the projectiles land in one spot, while others tumble across the ground, crushing even more orcs, before coming to a stop. Some of the trebuchets have been tasked to simply conduct a general bombardment of Mordor's forces. Others have been ordered to try and be more discriminatory, focusing their fire on the siege engines of Mordor's forces, including catapults, ballistae, and siege towers. Two catapults are crushed under a large piece of rubble. A heavy bit of masonry strikes the side of a siege tower, causing one side to crumble instantly and the rest to begin to fall apart. Another siege tower is struck at its base by a large stone, causing it collapse instantly as the two trolls pushing it are also killed. Defenders in the city begin to cheer as they see the casualties the trebuchets are causing, especially when a stone strikes a siege engine. However, their cheers are soon cut short.

Screeches ring across the battlefield and city as the Nazgul arrive on the scene, diving out of the clouds and heading towards the city.

Boromir jerks his head in Jakan and Mirta's direction. "Now!" he shouts, a signal to execute their plan.

Jakan and Mirta nod before looking up and taking off with their jetpacks, streaking up to engage the Nazgul as they head for the city. To their delight, they can see only seven. Sauron must not have been able to replace the two mounts they killed only days earlier quite yet.

Jakan and Mirta quickly use their helmets to target the rockets on their backs. Pressing a button on their vambraces, the rockets fire, streaking up towards the Nazgul. Two fell beasts are struck and blown apart, causing two Nazgul to fall screeching to the ground outside Minas Tirith.

The five remaining Nazgul screech and turn towards the two Mandalorians. However, Jakan and Mirta had heavily studied the Nazgul and the fell beasts, trying to learn their weaknesses as well as the tactics they used.

As the fell beasts bear down on them, Jakan barrel rolls to avoid one of them while pulling out Hadhafang. He holds the sword up and slashes open the belly of the fell beast. The beast roars and limps away, trying to escape, but soon succumbs to its wounds and plummets from the sky.

At the same time, Mirta pulls out her blaster pistols, firing them at one of the fell beasts. The bolts strike the beast along its belly and neck. They fail to kill the beast, but do succeed in wounding it. Crying out in pain, the beast retreats. Now very wary of the two Mandalorians, two of the other remaining Nazgul pull back. The Witch King, however, has already dived his fell beast towards Minas Tirith.

Watching the aerial battle taking place overhead, defenders begin to cheer. With their actions days earlier, and over just the last few minutes, the two Mandalorians have forced 6 of the Nazgul out of the fight and forced two more to temporarily retreat. However, there joy is cut short when the Witch King dives down on them. The fell beast rips up a pair of trebuchets before grabbing several defenders and dropping them to their deaths. All the while, the Witch-King lets out his unearthly screeching, striking fear into the hearts of all the defenders. The Witch-King continues to guide his fell beast around, trying to destroy the trebuchets around the city. However, doing so is not so easy. Each trebuchet is guarded by Rangers and veterans armed with bows. Although the Witch-King is able to destroy a few trebuchets by finding an approach that minimizes the danger, he is forced to peel away several times to avoid having his fell beast shot with arrows.

Jakan and Mirta, hovering now almost a thousand feet over the city, look around to assess the situation. Although they want to pursue the Witch-King, they know there is another priority. Glancing away to make sure the three retreating Nazgul are not trying to attack again, the two Mandalorians dive towards the Fields of Pelennor, ready to hit their next target.

Mountain trolls are continuing to push the siege towers towards the city. So far trebuchets have managed to destroy 4 of them, and one of them has been stopped by the trolls pushing being killed by arrows. However, there are still 14 approaching the Othram.

Orcs around the easternmost siege tower are feeling excited, knowing the siege tower has almost reached the wall, and soon they'll be ready to enter the city. Suddenly, they hear something. A small rumbling noise getting louder.

Looking up, the Orcs see Jakan and Mirta diving towards them with their jetpacks. Mirta peels away and heads for another siege tower, while Jakan keeps his course towards the easternmost siege tower.

As Jakan approaches the siege tower, he reaches down to his belt and pulls an explosive charge off his belt. He and Mirta each have six charges attached to their belts. They had brought some more in their saddlebags on the trip to Minas Tirith, but the others were stored in an armory in the Citadel to prevent them from accidently going off during Mordor's attack. Originally, the two had been worried they wouldn't have enough, as they realized they really wouldn't have time to go back to the Citadel to retrieve more. However, the success of the defenders with destroying the siege towers meant they'd be able to handle most of the remaining ones.

Jakan flies down towards the siege tower, removing a grenade from his belt and activating it. As he flies past, he slows down just a bit and throws the grenade through a gap in the construction before jetting off to find another siege tower. A second later, the grenade goes off. The explosion blows the top of the siege tower apart, sending fragments of metal and wood flying in all directions and setting what is now the top of the tower on fire. All of the orcs who had been at the top of the tower are killed instantly, with others killed by shrapnel or flames. More orcs, their clothing or hair catching fire, scramble around in fear and pain.

Mirta flies up to the first siege tower she has selected to hit. Several Orcs with bows try to fire their arrows at her, but she rolls in the air, avoiding the arrows. She hears a clink as one lucky arrow deflects off her helmet, and just smirks under helmet. She flies right up to the siege tower and tosses a grenade into it. The grenade explodes, similarly destroying the top of the siege tower.

Orc commanders angrily have the trolls pushing those two siege towers abandon them, as it's clear that the towers are now too short to reach the top of the wall.

Jakan and Mirta spend no time trying to take in their accomplishment. Immediately, they move on to their next targets. More and more Orcs try to fire arrows at the two Mandalorians, but none of them have ever tried to hit such small targets flying so fast while also swerving around to avoid being hit. With smooth precision, having in fact practiced for exactly this since arriving in Minas Tirith. The two Mandalorians streak low over Mordor's lines, destroying one siege towe after the other with their grenades. Within a few minutes, Jakan throws his last grenade into a siege tower, destroying it just like the others. He and Mirta regroup near the Great Gate and fly back to where Boromir and Gandalf are waiting.

The Gondorian defenders who have witnessed all of this are shocked. They knew that the Mandalorians were fierce and skilled warriors, but they never realized that the two were capable of feats like this. In the space of about ten minutes, they've driven off or forced out of the fight 6 of the 7 Nazgul that entered the battle and destroyed a dozen siege towers, leaving just three left. Some of the Gondorians feel that with the two Mandalorians on their side, perhaps victory might be theirs after all.

Jakan and Mirta land beside Boromir and Gandalf. Jakan looks at Boromir and says, "I think we've taken some of the pressure off the defenses."

"You think?" Boromir asks sarcastically, and the two laugh.

However, the Gondorians quickly refocus their attention on the three remaining siege towers. Archers begin firing volleys of arrows at the siege towers. This is quickly noticed by Gandalf.

"NOT AT THE TOWERS! AIM FOR THE TROLLS! KILL THE TROLLS! BRING THEM DOWN!" Gandalf bellows.

The archers start turning their attention to the trolls. One of the three remaining siege towers stops when the trolls pushing it are killed. However, the other two reach the wall within moments, and their gates are lowered with a crash onto the wall.

Jakan and Mirta both draw their blaster pistols and start firing into the ranks of the orcs starting to surge out of the siege towers. Mirta takes to the air again, firing her blasters at them as Jakan charges to assist the Gondorian soldiers beginning to engage the Orcs.

Jakan stows one of his blasters away and draws Hadhafang. Leaping over a fallen Gondorian, he brings the sword down, allowing the Elvish blade to once again taste Orc blood as he buries it in an Orc's skull.

Jakan leaps past the dead Orc. Another Orc swings its sword at Jakan's head, but Jakan ducks under the blow and cuts off the Orc's legs before dispatching it with a blaster shot to the face. He then lunges forward to assist Boromir with attacking a group of Orcs.

As the battle is beginning on the wall, a company of veterans is called up to assist the defenders. Among them is Pippin, trying his best to keep up with them.

As the veterans scatter to join the fight, Pippin sees Gandalf fighting against Orcs streaming out of one of the siege towers. He is now on foot, fighting with both his staff and Glamdring. Pippin had always imagined the wizard as nearly invincible, except against enemies as powerful as the Balrog, obviously. However, with the level of desperation being demonstrated in Gandalf's fighting, he's starting to wonder if that belief is true.

Suddenly, Pippin sees an Orc, unnoticed by Gandalf, rushing towards the wizard with a raised sword. Glancing around and seeing that Jakan, Mirta, and Boromir are too occupied, Pippin draws his sword and rushes to Gandalf's aid. As Gandalf cuts down another Orc he's facing, Pippin jumps in between Gandalf and the Orc rushing towards the wizard and drives his sword into the Orc's stomach. Gandalf, hearing a groan from the Orc, whips around, ready to kill the Orc, only to see the look on the Orc's face. A second later, the Orc collapses, and Gandalf sees who killed it.

Gandalf smiles down at Pippin. "Guard of the Citadel indeed," he says in amusement, refrencing Pippin's official position he had been given in Gondor's army. After a moment, he says, "Now, Peregrin Took, I have another task for you. You must go up to the Citadel and keep watch for Denethor. Should you notice anything strange, report it to me, Boromir, or Faramir immediately!"

Pippin nods in understanding, and a moment later, turns and starts to run back up through the city towards the Citadel.

Meanwhile, Jakan and Boromir are still fighting Orcs streaming out of one of the siege towers. A number of the men who had been with Boromir at the start have fallen, but the others are still fighting well. Some of the Gondorians are employing tactics Jakan and Mirta taught them to great success. Jakan smiles a bit under his helmet as he sees a Gondorian soldier headbutt a helmetless Orc, dazing the Orc, before stabbing the Orc in the gut. He's also seeing a number of Gondorians using their shields also as an offensive weapon as well as a defensive weapon, another tactic he and Mirta had suggested, even though they themselves had never really worked with shields before.

Jakan blocks a blow from an Orc with his vambraces before dispatching the offending Orc with a stab through the heart. Another Orc trying to attack Jakan from the other side is beheaded by Boromir.

"We're definitely in the fight of our lives here," Jakan says.

"Agreed," Boromir replies as he hacks down another Orc.

The two men see a group of about 10 Orcs rushing right at them. However, as they ready themselves to attack, Mirta suddenly flies down out of nowhere, killing two with blaster shots and roasting a third with one of her flamethrowers. She then sets down behind them and whips out her sword she was lent. With one fierce stroke, she beheads two Orcs. As the Orcs start turning to face her, she cuts one in half at the waist before stabbing another through the chest. She then roasts another with her other flamethrower. Two Orcs try to strike at her, but Mirta ducks under their blows and cuts off their legs before stabbing each of them in the chest as they hit the ground. She faces the last few, only for Jakan to dash up behind them and kill them all with a few quick strokes of Hadhafang.

"I had that covered," Mirta says in mock irritation.

"I know you did," Jakan says before returning his attention to the marauding Orcs.

As Jakan, Mirta, and Boromir attack the Orcs together, Gandalf takes a moment to size up the situation. There are only two siege towers left, and once they get enough of a reprieve, he imagines they could destroy those too. The attempts to break down the Great Gate by battering ram have been fruitless, and scores of Orcs have been killed by defending archers in the Gatehouse. If things keep up this way, perhaps Minas Tirith may remain unbreached. This is an opnion beginning to be shared by the other leaders as well.

However, that belief is quickly to be dashed. As Jakan cuts down several Orcs climbing out of one of the siege towers, he suddenly hears something. A chant from the armies of Mordor. It takes him a few seconds before he is able to discern what it is they're chanting.

"What in the world is Grond?" he asks himself. Wanting an answer, he walks up to the edge of the wall and looks out at the fields. When he sees what the Orcs are chanting about, he mutters, "Son of a mudscuffer, you've got to be kidding me."

Grond is a siege machine like no other. It was a massive battering ram. The ram itself was in the form of a massive, cast iron wolf about one hundred and fifty feet long and 40 feet wide, supported from heavy scaffolding and suspended from chains. Grond is being pulled by four large beasts of burden, assisted by trolls pushing it. Massive chains hang from the back of it to use to actually operate it. Grond had been constructed in Mordor over years specifically for this moment.

Jakan turns around and rushes over to Boromir. "They're bringing up a massive battering rim. It's probably almost the size of a dragon. It's definitely strong enough to breach the Gate. If they get it close enough, they can get into the city. But, it's suspended from chains. I may be able to cut them," he says urgently.

"Then do it! You must!" Boromir says.

Suddenly, they hear a sound they don't want to hear. The familiar screech of a Nazgul. Both Jakan and Boromir turn, and see a Nazgul emerging from the siege tower only yards away. Jakan instantly recognizes it must have been one of the Nazgul whose mount he killed at the start of the battle.

Jakan and Boromir freeze as the Nazgul seems to look right at them. Drawing its sword, the Nazgul screeches and charges at Jakan.

Knowing he has no other choice but to face the Nazgul, Jakan stows his blaster away, keeping Hadhafang out. Then, he removes the Darksaber from his jetpack and ignites it, the black blade spring to life. Jakan then snarls as he brings the Darksaber up, blocking the Nazgul's sword. When the Darksaber and Nazgul's sword clash, there is no damage at all to the Nazgul's sword. Jakan is not really surprised. It's clear from his brief encounter with Sauron through the palantir that Sauron knows about the Darksaber and its nature, and it makes sense he would've enchanted the Nazgul's swords to withstand the Darksaber.

Jakan brings Hadhafang up and sets it against the Nazgul's blade, then uses both the sword and the Darksaber to force the Nazgul back. He glares at the Nazgul from under his helmet and growls, "You'll regret having tried to fight me." He then launches forward, and the duel continues.


And, I'll end there. I hope you like how I wrote this chapter.

So, I decided this was a good spot to cut it off. I'll probably take two more chapters to finish the battle. I hope you liked my description of the battle so far.

For those thinking how destructive Jakan and Mirta were in the opening stages of the battle, let's be honest. They have explosives, which could easily destroy siege tower. Then, with the Nazgul, they had rockets to shoot down two fell beasts, and had the ability to outfly the fell beasts and the weapons necessary to hurt them. Honestly, if you think about it, from what we've seen of Mandalorians, putting even two of them in a battle like this, with the right equipment, they'd have an enormous advantage.

Also, hope you liked how I included "This if the Way" into this. With how famous that phrase has become with regards to Mandalorians, I feel I had to add it in. I may even go back and edit some past chapters to put that phrase in in some places.

Next chapter should be up within a week. Until it is up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!