A/N: Hmm, been a long time, hasn't it? And for that I am deeply sorry! I want to get the chapters up faster, but between school and activities almost everyday of the week (to quote Prince Humperdink), "I'm swamped!" However, I have the next couple chapters all written, so it's just a matter of typing them up. I'm not sure where I'm ending this chapter, so it may be a cliffhanger! But now, on with the story! =o)
Chapter 38: Close Calls and a Disappearance
Aria shook her head, trying to stay awake. She and Galareal had accompanied Faramir to Cair Andros, an island in the Anduin where horses were kept. From there they had set out for Minas Tirith; Faramir, Aria, Galareal, and three of Faramir's men. Aria rode with Galareal, fighting off sleep.
"How much longer?" she yawned.
Faramir smiled warmly. "Not long, Lady. Only a few more hours."
Aria nodded and looked about her. The fields of Gondor raced by her, still holding some beauty under the dark, oppressive clouds of Mordor. She lost track of time, and may have dozed, but she was jolted awake by a blood-chilling shriek. Fearfully she looked up and saw five Nazgûl flying towards them.
"By Elbereth!" Galareal hissed, urging his horse to go faster. However the poor beast was terrified and would not heed him. Galareal could keep his seat, but he doubted Aria could. Grabbing her by the waist, he leapt from the horse's back and landed on his feet.
"Nice jump," Aria quivered, clinging to Galareal and shaking uncontrollably.
Galareal saw that all the others, with the exception of Faramir, had been thrown from their horses. Muttering fiercely in Elvish, Galareal drew his bow and fired at a Nazgûl who was diving for Faramir. The creature shrieked and swerved, heading now for Galareal.
Before it reached him, a rider dressed all in white raced up and chased the Nazgûl away. As he drew closer, Galareal recognized the rider.
"Gandalf!" Galareal gasped. "I thought he was dead!" Galareal looked down and saw Aria sitting on the ground, quivering with fear. "Come on Aria, we are not out of danger yet. We must reach the gate to be safe."
Mutely Aria allowed Galareal to pull her to her feet and ran alongside him as they raced for the Gate. As they reached it with the others, cries of "Faramir!" and "Mithrandir!" filled the air. Aria, Galareal, and the other three guards were forgotten.
"Figures," Galareal muttered. "Come Aria, let's find a place to rest."
The two friends slipped out of the crowd and found a small, secluded garden with trees and a pool, beside which they gratefully collapsed.
"I never want to go through something like that ever again," Aria said vehemently, shivering still. Galareal put a comforting arm around her.
"Don't worry, you're safe now," he assured her. "We are out of danger... for now."
Aria snorted at his last comment, but otherwise ignored it. "I just hope Elwing and Erestor are okay," she murmured, drifting off to sleep.
Galareal looked down at her as she rested her head on his shoulder. A wave of love rushed over the Elf, and he kissed her forehead gently.
"I will protect you, Alfirin, do not fear," he whispered softly.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"'Find the Elf and the girl and show them to their rooms.' It would be nice if he had said where they were," the young messenger grumbled to himself as he walked through Minas Tirith. Suddenly he paused and glanced into a small garden. Something that resembled a man was sitting with his back to small tree. A young girl sat next to him, sleeping with her head on his shoulder. The messenger had never seen an Elf, but what normal man had pointed ears? And the girl fit Lord Faramir's description...
Galareal looked up and saw a young man walking towards him. He was dressed as a soldier, but he looked no more than a boy.
"Can I help you?" Galareal asked, speaking softly so as not to wake Aria.
"Lord Faramir sent me to take you to your rooms," the boy replied.
Galareal nodded and gently shook Aria. With a small groan she sat up and yawned. "What?" she asked sleepily.
"Lord Faramir sent - erm, what is your name?" Galareal asked.
"Halbid, milord," the messenger replied.
"Halbid, Lord Faramir sent Halbid to show us to our rooms," Galareal finished, helping Aria to her feet.
"I see," Aria said, still half asleep.
"This way," Halbid said, heading back into the streets of Minas Tirith.
Halbid took them just outside the High Court, then turned down a street lined with guard houses. Halbid entered one and showed them two small rooms with low beds.
"It's not much I'm afraid, but it is all that can be spared in this time of war," Halbid said with an apologetic shrug.
"Trust me, compared to the places we've been lately, this is a palace," Aria laughed.
A small smile appeared on Halbid's face. "Food will be brought to you, but only what can be spared." With this he bowed and departed.
"A bed, I was beginning to forget what they looked like," Galareal grinned, stretching out on the small cot.
"At least mine's by a window," Aria said, glancing in the next room. "Of course these pillows aren't nearly as comfortable as my last one." Aria glanced coyly at Galareal, who blushed and swiftly looked away.
"We should get some rest," Galareal said, trying to not stumble over his words.
"Whatever you say," Aria grinned. "Good night."
Aria went to her room and closed the door, and Galareal sank back on his bed with a content sigh.
For the next three days, Galareal and Aria stayed mostly indoors, trying to shield themselves from the rumors and terror filling the streets. Gondor was besieged, and it looked like no help would come.
At last they could stand it no more. "If I must die, I will die doing something!" Aria said fiercely. "I'm no great healer, but I'll do what I can, Elbereth knows they need the help."
Galareal smiled sadly. "I was hoping you would say something soon. Their bowmen are too few, I will go down and help them hold the walls."
Galareal picked up his bow and went to leave, but Aria lay her hand on his arm and stopped him. "Galareal, please, be careful," Aria said gently.
Galareal grinned. "I'm an Elf! Being careful is in my blood."
A smirk appeared on Aria's face. "And so is getting into trouble."
"I'll be fine, you just make sure the injured don't become the deceased," Galareal said. And then he was gone, out into the dark storm of Mordor.
Aria gathered her things and set out for the Houses of Healing. As she walked, she looked towards the North, as were many of the city's inhabitants; but her thoughts were not on the Rohirrim.
"Elwing, we could really use some help," Aria murmured.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Well, I wasn't expecting this large a turn-out," Elwing remarked, looking around her in shock. In the very center of the Druadan Forest was a large field, and it was teeming with StarWolves.
"I didn't even know there could be this many StarWolves," Elwing said with a shake of her head.
"Or half-Elves," Erestor added, nodding towards the other end of the glade. There sat roughly fifty half-Elves, all dressed in deep green with grey cloaks. There were nearly double the number of StarWolves as half-Elves.
"Yes, them too," Elwing grinned. "Though I can't say that I'm displeased. You better go saddle Iceriver and tell the half-Elves to prepare their horses; we ride in half-an-hour."
The Storm of Mordor now blotted out the entire sky, and the only way you could tell the setting of the sun was by the deepening of the gloom. In almost complete darkness, Elwing's army set out. A few hours after dawn they came into the mountains behind Minas Tirith. Here they rested a short while before proceeding down the mountain slope. Shortly after noon, the Sunstar army hid in the rocks roughly five bow shots from the main gate. From there they saw the fields of Gondor which were black with the hosts of Mordor. The Orcs had raised great catapults and were shooting rocks behind the walls of Minas Tirith. Some of these rocks burst into flame, and fire could be seen behind the walls of the city.
"Do we attack?" Falagorn whispered to Elwing.
The Sunstar shook her head. "We wait for dawn."
They watched as more and more forces swarmed over the River and joined the others about the gate. Finally, in the dead of night, their assault was loosed. A great ram was brought against the gate, but it seemed to be of no avail. The Lord of the Nazgûl rode forth, crying out in a fierce and terrible tongue. Thrice he cried, and thrice the ram boomed on the gates. The third time, the great Gate of Gondor broke, and the Lord of the Nazgûl rode into Minas Tirith.
"Wait here, I'll be right back" Elwing said grimly. With that, she vanished into the night.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Erestor murmured anxiously, watching the black field filled with enemies.
The Lord of the Nazgûl passed under the gate, and all fled before him - all save one. Gandalf sat silent and still upon Shadowfax, the only horse who could endure such terror.
"You cannot enter here," Gandalf said, and the huge shadow halted. "Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!"
The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; yet upon no visible head was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders, vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
"Old fool!" he cried. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
Suddenly a figure leapt between Gandalf and the Black Rider. "It's not nice stealing other people's tricks you know," Elwing sneered, holding aloft Naur Magol, which caught the light of the fire and appeared to be made of living flame.
"What is this, a girl to challenge a sorcerer?" the Lord of the Nazgûl sneered.
"Nay, the pleasure of fighting you belongs to someone else," Elwing said, momentarily pondering her odd use of proper language. "I come only as a herald of your defeat." Just then the sound of horns filled the air. The Rohirrim had come.
Angrily the Lord of the Nazgûl turned and disappeared from the Gate.
The Rohirrim rode into the field, slaughtering their foes with apparent joy. But their joy was short-lived. A cry of pure malice and evil pierced the air, and all creatures quivered and shrank back. Elwing looked up and saw King Théoden lying dead, and beside him was the Lord of the Nazgûl upon a great winged beast. But before him stood what he least expected - Éowyn. Elwing gripped her sword fiercely, but turned away. That is Éowyn's fight, my own fight will come soon enough.
Elwing whistled and waited for Alagos. When he came, Elwing leapt onto his back and rode back to the mountains, where her army was waiting.
"Do we join them now?" Falagorn asked.
"No, I know a better time," Elwing said, glancing towards the Anduin. "Here is my plan..."
The battle raged on, and things began to look ill for Gondor and Rohan. Just then, men caught sight of black ships sailing up the Anduin. Men trembled, fearing it was the Corsairs of Umbar; but Éomer saw the standard of the house of Elendil and laughed with joy.
"Aragorn!" he cried. "Aragorn has come!"
But then another sound reached the ears of the men, a great howling borne upon the wind. Wolves streamed from the mountains, and with them came Elves upon swift horses. A girl led them, a bright sword in her hand. The men of Gondor quailed, fearing new assault, but the Riders cheered and raised a great shout. "The Sunstar! The Sunstar has come!"
And so the hosts of Mordor were bewildered and besieged, surrounded by foes on all sides. The StarWolves set to their work with a joy that matched that of the Rohirrim. Elwing and Erestor fought apart from the main host of their army, but always Draug and Spruce were beside them.
"Lovely day for a battle, wouldn't you say?" Elwing called to Erestor.
"Oh yes, simply delightful," Erestor grunted, disposing of a foe.
Suddenly a mounted Nazgûl swooped low, knocking Elwing from Alagos' back. Before she had even regained her feet, the creature was in flames and the Nazgûl was plummeting to the earth with two arrows in its throat.
"Nice shot," Elwing panted.
"Thanks," Erestor replied, putting away his bow. "Now perhaps-"
An onslaught of Orcs cut his sentence short, driving him and Elwing apart. Desperately Erestor tried to reach her, but he was surrounded by Orcs with only Spruce for company.
"Oh crap," Erestor muttered, eyeing the leering Orcs warily.
"Erestor!" Elwing shouted, trying to get to him. "Erestor be careful!" Elwing watched in horror as an Orc leapt and pulled Erestor from the saddle, pining him to the ground. Anger boiled over in Elwing and her eyes flared green. With a wave of her hand she threw Orcs from her path and ran to Erestor's aid.
The Orcs fled before Elwing, leaving Erestor in the dirt. Elwing knelt slowly beside him. "Erestor?" she asked gently.
Erestor opened his eyes, surprised by the tenderness in her voice. "Well, you took your time," he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
For once Elwing ignored his sarcasm. "Are you okay? Can you get up?"
"We'll soon find out," Erestor said, pushing himself into a sitting position. "I think nothing worse than a few bruised ribs and some cuts."
"Good," Elwing smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have Orcs to kill."
Erestor watched as Elwing raced into the fray, putting both sword and sorcery to good use.
"I'll never get used to her," he grunted as he rose to his feet. "I'll never get used to battle! Ah well, I suppose I'd better make the best of it. Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to kill I go..."
Elwing paused and ran her arm across her brow, wiping away blood and sweat. "This had better be over soon, I'm exhausted!" she panted.
"Join the club!" Draug replied, his tongue hanging out. "I've never fought this long in my life!"
Elwing surveyed the battlefield and saw that only one of the Haradrim's Oliphaunts was still standing. A slow smile spread across her face.
"Draug, get your pack and..."
A few moments later, Draug and his pack were deftly chasing the Oliphaunt, causing it to trample Orcs, Southrons, and other foes. Despite the battle raging around her, Elwing could not help but laugh at the comical sight. She called to Alagos and leapt onto the horse's back.
"Come on, just a few more hours," Elwing said, more for her sake than Alagos'.
And so it was that as the sun sank below the Grey Mountains not one of the great host of Mordor was alive. Wearily the StarWolves and half-Elves gathered around Elwing not far from the gate. Many were wounded, but none had died.
"Falagorn, take the wounded aside and care for them," Elwing said, slipping from Alagos' back. She looked at the band around her, then suddenly she noticed something.
"Where's Erestor?"
End Chapter 38
**gulp!** Where's Erestor? What has happened to him? You'll just have to wait and find out. **evil grin** But in the mean time.... **puts out plate of warm chocolate chip cookies and nice gooey brownies** Please review and tell me what you think! Next chapter's going to be good, because until I finished typing this, even I didn't know what had happened to Erestor! But I know, and to give you fair warning, next chapter starts the really sad chapters. Bring your tissues next time folks! Please review, and I'll really try to have the next chapter up soon.
Chapter 38: Close Calls and a Disappearance
Aria shook her head, trying to stay awake. She and Galareal had accompanied Faramir to Cair Andros, an island in the Anduin where horses were kept. From there they had set out for Minas Tirith; Faramir, Aria, Galareal, and three of Faramir's men. Aria rode with Galareal, fighting off sleep.
"How much longer?" she yawned.
Faramir smiled warmly. "Not long, Lady. Only a few more hours."
Aria nodded and looked about her. The fields of Gondor raced by her, still holding some beauty under the dark, oppressive clouds of Mordor. She lost track of time, and may have dozed, but she was jolted awake by a blood-chilling shriek. Fearfully she looked up and saw five Nazgûl flying towards them.
"By Elbereth!" Galareal hissed, urging his horse to go faster. However the poor beast was terrified and would not heed him. Galareal could keep his seat, but he doubted Aria could. Grabbing her by the waist, he leapt from the horse's back and landed on his feet.
"Nice jump," Aria quivered, clinging to Galareal and shaking uncontrollably.
Galareal saw that all the others, with the exception of Faramir, had been thrown from their horses. Muttering fiercely in Elvish, Galareal drew his bow and fired at a Nazgûl who was diving for Faramir. The creature shrieked and swerved, heading now for Galareal.
Before it reached him, a rider dressed all in white raced up and chased the Nazgûl away. As he drew closer, Galareal recognized the rider.
"Gandalf!" Galareal gasped. "I thought he was dead!" Galareal looked down and saw Aria sitting on the ground, quivering with fear. "Come on Aria, we are not out of danger yet. We must reach the gate to be safe."
Mutely Aria allowed Galareal to pull her to her feet and ran alongside him as they raced for the Gate. As they reached it with the others, cries of "Faramir!" and "Mithrandir!" filled the air. Aria, Galareal, and the other three guards were forgotten.
"Figures," Galareal muttered. "Come Aria, let's find a place to rest."
The two friends slipped out of the crowd and found a small, secluded garden with trees and a pool, beside which they gratefully collapsed.
"I never want to go through something like that ever again," Aria said vehemently, shivering still. Galareal put a comforting arm around her.
"Don't worry, you're safe now," he assured her. "We are out of danger... for now."
Aria snorted at his last comment, but otherwise ignored it. "I just hope Elwing and Erestor are okay," she murmured, drifting off to sleep.
Galareal looked down at her as she rested her head on his shoulder. A wave of love rushed over the Elf, and he kissed her forehead gently.
"I will protect you, Alfirin, do not fear," he whispered softly.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"'Find the Elf and the girl and show them to their rooms.' It would be nice if he had said where they were," the young messenger grumbled to himself as he walked through Minas Tirith. Suddenly he paused and glanced into a small garden. Something that resembled a man was sitting with his back to small tree. A young girl sat next to him, sleeping with her head on his shoulder. The messenger had never seen an Elf, but what normal man had pointed ears? And the girl fit Lord Faramir's description...
Galareal looked up and saw a young man walking towards him. He was dressed as a soldier, but he looked no more than a boy.
"Can I help you?" Galareal asked, speaking softly so as not to wake Aria.
"Lord Faramir sent me to take you to your rooms," the boy replied.
Galareal nodded and gently shook Aria. With a small groan she sat up and yawned. "What?" she asked sleepily.
"Lord Faramir sent - erm, what is your name?" Galareal asked.
"Halbid, milord," the messenger replied.
"Halbid, Lord Faramir sent Halbid to show us to our rooms," Galareal finished, helping Aria to her feet.
"I see," Aria said, still half asleep.
"This way," Halbid said, heading back into the streets of Minas Tirith.
Halbid took them just outside the High Court, then turned down a street lined with guard houses. Halbid entered one and showed them two small rooms with low beds.
"It's not much I'm afraid, but it is all that can be spared in this time of war," Halbid said with an apologetic shrug.
"Trust me, compared to the places we've been lately, this is a palace," Aria laughed.
A small smile appeared on Halbid's face. "Food will be brought to you, but only what can be spared." With this he bowed and departed.
"A bed, I was beginning to forget what they looked like," Galareal grinned, stretching out on the small cot.
"At least mine's by a window," Aria said, glancing in the next room. "Of course these pillows aren't nearly as comfortable as my last one." Aria glanced coyly at Galareal, who blushed and swiftly looked away.
"We should get some rest," Galareal said, trying to not stumble over his words.
"Whatever you say," Aria grinned. "Good night."
Aria went to her room and closed the door, and Galareal sank back on his bed with a content sigh.
For the next three days, Galareal and Aria stayed mostly indoors, trying to shield themselves from the rumors and terror filling the streets. Gondor was besieged, and it looked like no help would come.
At last they could stand it no more. "If I must die, I will die doing something!" Aria said fiercely. "I'm no great healer, but I'll do what I can, Elbereth knows they need the help."
Galareal smiled sadly. "I was hoping you would say something soon. Their bowmen are too few, I will go down and help them hold the walls."
Galareal picked up his bow and went to leave, but Aria lay her hand on his arm and stopped him. "Galareal, please, be careful," Aria said gently.
Galareal grinned. "I'm an Elf! Being careful is in my blood."
A smirk appeared on Aria's face. "And so is getting into trouble."
"I'll be fine, you just make sure the injured don't become the deceased," Galareal said. And then he was gone, out into the dark storm of Mordor.
Aria gathered her things and set out for the Houses of Healing. As she walked, she looked towards the North, as were many of the city's inhabitants; but her thoughts were not on the Rohirrim.
"Elwing, we could really use some help," Aria murmured.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Well, I wasn't expecting this large a turn-out," Elwing remarked, looking around her in shock. In the very center of the Druadan Forest was a large field, and it was teeming with StarWolves.
"I didn't even know there could be this many StarWolves," Elwing said with a shake of her head.
"Or half-Elves," Erestor added, nodding towards the other end of the glade. There sat roughly fifty half-Elves, all dressed in deep green with grey cloaks. There were nearly double the number of StarWolves as half-Elves.
"Yes, them too," Elwing grinned. "Though I can't say that I'm displeased. You better go saddle Iceriver and tell the half-Elves to prepare their horses; we ride in half-an-hour."
The Storm of Mordor now blotted out the entire sky, and the only way you could tell the setting of the sun was by the deepening of the gloom. In almost complete darkness, Elwing's army set out. A few hours after dawn they came into the mountains behind Minas Tirith. Here they rested a short while before proceeding down the mountain slope. Shortly after noon, the Sunstar army hid in the rocks roughly five bow shots from the main gate. From there they saw the fields of Gondor which were black with the hosts of Mordor. The Orcs had raised great catapults and were shooting rocks behind the walls of Minas Tirith. Some of these rocks burst into flame, and fire could be seen behind the walls of the city.
"Do we attack?" Falagorn whispered to Elwing.
The Sunstar shook her head. "We wait for dawn."
They watched as more and more forces swarmed over the River and joined the others about the gate. Finally, in the dead of night, their assault was loosed. A great ram was brought against the gate, but it seemed to be of no avail. The Lord of the Nazgûl rode forth, crying out in a fierce and terrible tongue. Thrice he cried, and thrice the ram boomed on the gates. The third time, the great Gate of Gondor broke, and the Lord of the Nazgûl rode into Minas Tirith.
"Wait here, I'll be right back" Elwing said grimly. With that, she vanished into the night.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Erestor murmured anxiously, watching the black field filled with enemies.
The Lord of the Nazgûl passed under the gate, and all fled before him - all save one. Gandalf sat silent and still upon Shadowfax, the only horse who could endure such terror.
"You cannot enter here," Gandalf said, and the huge shadow halted. "Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!"
The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; yet upon no visible head was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders, vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
"Old fool!" he cried. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
Suddenly a figure leapt between Gandalf and the Black Rider. "It's not nice stealing other people's tricks you know," Elwing sneered, holding aloft Naur Magol, which caught the light of the fire and appeared to be made of living flame.
"What is this, a girl to challenge a sorcerer?" the Lord of the Nazgûl sneered.
"Nay, the pleasure of fighting you belongs to someone else," Elwing said, momentarily pondering her odd use of proper language. "I come only as a herald of your defeat." Just then the sound of horns filled the air. The Rohirrim had come.
Angrily the Lord of the Nazgûl turned and disappeared from the Gate.
The Rohirrim rode into the field, slaughtering their foes with apparent joy. But their joy was short-lived. A cry of pure malice and evil pierced the air, and all creatures quivered and shrank back. Elwing looked up and saw King Théoden lying dead, and beside him was the Lord of the Nazgûl upon a great winged beast. But before him stood what he least expected - Éowyn. Elwing gripped her sword fiercely, but turned away. That is Éowyn's fight, my own fight will come soon enough.
Elwing whistled and waited for Alagos. When he came, Elwing leapt onto his back and rode back to the mountains, where her army was waiting.
"Do we join them now?" Falagorn asked.
"No, I know a better time," Elwing said, glancing towards the Anduin. "Here is my plan..."
The battle raged on, and things began to look ill for Gondor and Rohan. Just then, men caught sight of black ships sailing up the Anduin. Men trembled, fearing it was the Corsairs of Umbar; but Éomer saw the standard of the house of Elendil and laughed with joy.
"Aragorn!" he cried. "Aragorn has come!"
But then another sound reached the ears of the men, a great howling borne upon the wind. Wolves streamed from the mountains, and with them came Elves upon swift horses. A girl led them, a bright sword in her hand. The men of Gondor quailed, fearing new assault, but the Riders cheered and raised a great shout. "The Sunstar! The Sunstar has come!"
And so the hosts of Mordor were bewildered and besieged, surrounded by foes on all sides. The StarWolves set to their work with a joy that matched that of the Rohirrim. Elwing and Erestor fought apart from the main host of their army, but always Draug and Spruce were beside them.
"Lovely day for a battle, wouldn't you say?" Elwing called to Erestor.
"Oh yes, simply delightful," Erestor grunted, disposing of a foe.
Suddenly a mounted Nazgûl swooped low, knocking Elwing from Alagos' back. Before she had even regained her feet, the creature was in flames and the Nazgûl was plummeting to the earth with two arrows in its throat.
"Nice shot," Elwing panted.
"Thanks," Erestor replied, putting away his bow. "Now perhaps-"
An onslaught of Orcs cut his sentence short, driving him and Elwing apart. Desperately Erestor tried to reach her, but he was surrounded by Orcs with only Spruce for company.
"Oh crap," Erestor muttered, eyeing the leering Orcs warily.
"Erestor!" Elwing shouted, trying to get to him. "Erestor be careful!" Elwing watched in horror as an Orc leapt and pulled Erestor from the saddle, pining him to the ground. Anger boiled over in Elwing and her eyes flared green. With a wave of her hand she threw Orcs from her path and ran to Erestor's aid.
The Orcs fled before Elwing, leaving Erestor in the dirt. Elwing knelt slowly beside him. "Erestor?" she asked gently.
Erestor opened his eyes, surprised by the tenderness in her voice. "Well, you took your time," he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
For once Elwing ignored his sarcasm. "Are you okay? Can you get up?"
"We'll soon find out," Erestor said, pushing himself into a sitting position. "I think nothing worse than a few bruised ribs and some cuts."
"Good," Elwing smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have Orcs to kill."
Erestor watched as Elwing raced into the fray, putting both sword and sorcery to good use.
"I'll never get used to her," he grunted as he rose to his feet. "I'll never get used to battle! Ah well, I suppose I'd better make the best of it. Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to kill I go..."
Elwing paused and ran her arm across her brow, wiping away blood and sweat. "This had better be over soon, I'm exhausted!" she panted.
"Join the club!" Draug replied, his tongue hanging out. "I've never fought this long in my life!"
Elwing surveyed the battlefield and saw that only one of the Haradrim's Oliphaunts was still standing. A slow smile spread across her face.
"Draug, get your pack and..."
A few moments later, Draug and his pack were deftly chasing the Oliphaunt, causing it to trample Orcs, Southrons, and other foes. Despite the battle raging around her, Elwing could not help but laugh at the comical sight. She called to Alagos and leapt onto the horse's back.
"Come on, just a few more hours," Elwing said, more for her sake than Alagos'.
And so it was that as the sun sank below the Grey Mountains not one of the great host of Mordor was alive. Wearily the StarWolves and half-Elves gathered around Elwing not far from the gate. Many were wounded, but none had died.
"Falagorn, take the wounded aside and care for them," Elwing said, slipping from Alagos' back. She looked at the band around her, then suddenly she noticed something.
"Where's Erestor?"
End Chapter 38
**gulp!** Where's Erestor? What has happened to him? You'll just have to wait and find out. **evil grin** But in the mean time.... **puts out plate of warm chocolate chip cookies and nice gooey brownies** Please review and tell me what you think! Next chapter's going to be good, because until I finished typing this, even I didn't know what had happened to Erestor! But I know, and to give you fair warning, next chapter starts the really sad chapters. Bring your tissues next time folks! Please review, and I'll really try to have the next chapter up soon.
