A/N: There seems to have been a little bit of confusion on a point, so allow me to clear it up: Elwing did not die, she was faking. Sorry if that confused anyone, I will try to amend that in the re-write. On to the story...

Chapter 43: Return to Mordor

Elwing and her army raced towards the field of Cormallen, eager to join the battle. Suddenly Elwing pulled Alagos to a stop, her eyes searching the sky.
"Is something wrong?" Erestor asked, drawing alongside her.
"I thought I saw-" Elwing's reply was cut short by the appearance of an Eagle. The bird landed on the ground before them with an easy grace.
"I seek the Sunstar," the Eagle said, turning to Elwing.
"I am she, who has sent you?" Elwing replied.
"Gwaihir the Windlord," the bird answered. "He and the half-Elf await you not far from here. I am to bring you to them."
"Very well, but we must hurry. We have a date with some Orcs, and I would hate for us to be late."
The Eagle smiled and bowed. "As you wish, milady."

"Falagorn! I was wondering when you would show up," Elwing grinned, slipping from Alagos' back.
Falagorn smiled and bowed. "Milady, meet Gwaihir, Lord of the Eagles, and his brother, Landroval."
Elwing bowed to the Eagles standing beside Falagorn. "It is a great honor to meet you."
"The honor is ours," Gwaihir said with a bow. "Galadriel bade us join the battle, but we desired to see the Sunstar first. Long have we waited for your return."
"I've been hearing that a lot," Elwing laughed. "Actually, I am glad I found you. I have a favor to ask."
"We will gladly grant any request," Landroval said politely.
Elwing smiled. "You may regret saying that..."

The battle was not going well. The armies of the West were well outnumbered and surrounded on all sides. Despite the gravity of the situation, Legolas could not keep his thoughts from drifting as he fought alongside Gimli. Alas for the loss of the Sunstar! he lamented. Perhaps with her aid we would have prevailed, but I do not think there is any hope for us now. Alas for Aurlach! Her coming always heralded a change of fortune.
His thoughts were interrupted by hoarse shouts. "The Eagles are coming! The Eagles are coming!" Legolas looked up and saw the Eagles streaming towards the battlefield out of the still-bright West. While the beleaguered army cheered, Legolas' Elven sight saw one Eagle veer away from the others and fly into Mordor. If that were not strange enough, he thought he had seen something or someone on its back.
His thoughts were brought back to the fight by howls borne on the wind. Draug and MoonStreak led their wolves into the fray, gladly disposing of Orcs. Close behind them came Falagorn and the half-Elves, and Erestor with them.
Sauron's army was filled with fear and confusion, and finally turned and began to flee. The Men of the West would have pursued them, but Gandalf bade them stay.
"Stand, Men of the West!" he called. "Stand and wait! This is the hour of doom."
Even as he spoke the earth shook and the Black Gate crumbled. Frodo had fulfilled his quest - the Ring was destroyed.
In despair, many of Sauron's army fled, but a few rallied together for a last stand against the Men of the West.

"This is fine, Landroval, let me down," Elwing said to the Eagle.
Shaking his head, Landroval landed outside the gate of Barad-Dûr. "Are you sure about this, milady?"
"Nope," Elwing grinned. "Thank you for the ride, Landroval. You had best return to the battle, I will see you later."
"Very well," Landroval sighed. "I hope that I will see you again. Farewell wherever you fare, till your eyries receive you at the journey's end."
"May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks," Elwing replied.
With one final bow, Landroval took to the sky, winging his way back to the battle. Taking a deep breath, Elwing entered the tower and headed for Sauron's throne room.
"I can't believe I'm back here," Elwing mumbled as she reached the giant double doors. There were no guards, as Sauron had sent all his forces to battle the enemy at the gates. Drawing her sword, Elwing threw open the doors and entered the room.
Sauron and the Black Lieutenant were the only two there, and upon seeing her, the Lieutenant turned whiter than a ghost.
"I hope you didn't think you had gotten rid of me that easily," Elwing smirked.
"You." Sauron's voice shook with rage as he spoke. "You, you worthless Elf! How dare you show your face here! This time I will kill you myself!"
"Normally that threat would scare me," Elwing said lazily, "but not this time. You see, without the Ring, you're nothing."
Sauron was about to reply, but his words changed into a shriek. "No! Not the Halfling!"
Elwing smiled triumphantly. "I am so glad to see this. The great and mighty Sauron finally realizing the thing he desires most has been right under his nose, and he did not see it."
Sauron would have slain Elwing, but at just that moment Gollum fell into Mount Doom, taking the Ring with him. An unearthly screech filled the room, and then Sauron was gone, vanishing into the East like a shadow of malice.
An eerie silence hung on the air, and after a moment the Lieutenant turned hesitantly towards the door. Elwing was still there, sword in hand.
"We have some unfinished business," Elwing said grimly, "and now you don't have anyone to save you."
The Lieutenant sneered at Elwing. "Do you really think you can defeat me? You may have cheated death and Fate, but you will not get the best of me!"
"Probably not," Elwing said with a careless shrug. "It is true the odds are in your favor, but I have always wanted to see you put in your place, and so I shall try my best."
The Lieutenant laughed as he drew his sword. "You Sunstars always were fools. Very well then, come and meet your death."
Swords drawn, the combatants slowly circled the room, waiting for the other to make a move. Suddenly the Lieutenant lunged forward, swinging his sword at Elwing's legs. Elwing quickly jumped over the sword and backed away from her opponent.
"Running away?" the Lieutenant jeered.
"No, getting a running start."
Elwing ran towards the Lieutenant as fast as she could, sword raised. With a sneer the Lieutenant sidestepped at the last second; but Elwing had been counting on that. Stepping with him, Elwing swung her sword and struck the Lieutenant in the side. Unfortunately the Lieutenant wore very tough armor, and all that happened was Elwing was left with a stinging hand.
"Fool!" the Lieutenant laughed. "You are but a novice, and you dare to take me on? I will teach you a lesson." With that he grabbed Elwing by the throat, lifted her off her feet, and flung her across the room. She crashed into the opposite wall and slid down it dizzily. "Give up yet?" the Lieutenant sneered.
Elwing sat up with a groan and looked around for her sword. She had dropped it - right in front of the Lieutenant.
"Come and get it," he taunted.
Elwing smiled groggily. "No need." Elwing stretched out her hand, and obediently her sword slid across the floor to her.
"Not bad," the Lieutenant admitted, "but I have studied the black arts for longer than you have been alive. Why don't you let a true master have a turn?"
Before Elwing could reply, she was lifted off her feet and flung across the room, again. After sliding down another wall, Elwing lay on the floor trying to make the room stop spinning.
"Like a cat playing with a mouse," the Lieutenant mused. "I haven't had this much fun in a long time."
"I'm so glad I am such a source of amusement for you," Elwing mumbled, trying to get up.
"Here, let me help you," the Lieutenant said with mock sympathy. Elwing was once again lifted into the air, but this time she was slammed against the wall and pinned there. Elwing felt a cold hand gripping her throat, but there was nothing there. Desperately she gasped for air, unable to break the Lieutenant's spell. Just as she was about to black out, the Lieutenant released her and she fell to the ground.
"Had enough?" he asked lazily.
If I had two hands they would both be around his miserable neck, Elwing thought angrily. What am I going to do? He's bigger than me, but he's also better at magic. However, given the options...
"I have an idea," Elwing said hoarsely, climbing slowly to her feet. "How about we try this a different way? No magic, no weapons, just fists."
The Lieutenant frowned. "You mean, you'll put down your sword, and I won't use magic, and we'll try to kill each other like civilized people?" Elwing nodded. The Lieutenant shrugged. "It's your funeral."
Rubbing her neck absently, Elwing slowly walked to the center of the room where the Lieutenant was standing. Here goes nothing, she gulped. The opponents leapt at each other, punching and kicking whenever the opportunity arose. At times they would break apart to catch their breath, then leap right back into the fray. Elwing was fast and a good fighter, but the Lieutenant still had one important advantage: armor. Elwing was handicapped by his armor, whereas he could hit her anywhere. It was not going well for Elwing.
I knew this wouldn't go well, but no one has ever gotten away with hurting me, she thought fiercely. Of course, it was always my brother who stuck up for me... At that, she remembered Boromir and his brotherly manner. Elwing almost started crying, but she was brought back to reality by a fist in her stomach. Elwing fell to the ground gasping for air. Why do I have to be such a hothead? she moaned.

"Landroval! Landroval!" Erestor fought his way through the battle, trying to reach the Eagle. "Landroval!"
The Eagle looked up and saw Erestor coming towards him. "What is wrong, Erestor?"
"I have a feeling Elwing got into something over her head, I need you to take me to her," he panted.
Landroval raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Erestor said grimly.
"Alright, get on my back."
Erestor clung tightly to Landroval's back as they soared over the battlefield and into Mordor. It was a barren landscape, void of life or movement. Yikes, talk about a bad vacation spot, Erestor thought uneasily.
Landroval landed outside Barad-Dûr for the second time that day. "She is in here," the Eagle said. "I hope you find her."
"So do I," Erestor mumbled. "Thank you Landroval." Without waiting for a reply, Erestor ran into Barad-Dûr as fast as he could.
Landroval smiled as he watched Erestor go. "Good luck, Queen's Warrior."

Why are there so many stairs? Erestor panted. He did not know where she was, and so he had to check all the rooms, which greatly slowed him down. Suddenly he heard a crash from somewhere above him. That has to be her, he thought, racing towards the sound. He slid to a stop outside an open doorway. Inside he saw the Black Lieutenant standing over a rather bruised Elwing. The Lieutenant tried to grab Elwing, but she rolled out of the way and kicked him as hard as she could. The Lieutenant winced, but his armor kept him from being hurt too badly. Spinning around he kicked Elwing fiercely, causing her to slide across the floor.
"Hey!" Erestor shouted. "Didn't anyone ever teach you not to pick on girls?"
The Lieutenant sneered at Erestor. "Well, well. I suppose you have come to rescue the Queen. I hate to inform you that you will fail."
"Somehow I doubt that," Erestor said nonchalantly.
"Well, if you are so confident, put away your sword and we will settle this like men," the Lieutenant challenged.
Erestor raised an eyebrow. "A fist fight? Well, if you really want to die..."
"Erestor, may I point out that he is just a wee bit bigger than you?" Elwing said from where she lay on the floor.
"And what are you? The jolly green giantess?" Erestor teased.
"Enough!" the Lieutenant snapped. "Let's get on with it."
"If you say so," Erestor shrugged.
Erestor and the Lieutenant began to fight, but at least this time both wore armor. Even so, it seemed the Lieutenant would win this fight as well. The Lieutenant threw Erestor into a wall, watching with pleasure as he slid to the floor.
"You like throwing people into walls, don't you," Elwing said dryly, trying to regain her feet.
"Don't bother getting up," the Lieutenant jeered. "As soon as I am through with your pathetic warrior I will finish you."
"Elwing, if we can't use weapons or magic, how are we supposed to kill him?" Erestor asked, rising to his feet. "Am I going to punch him to death?"
"If you prefer I could use magic," the Lieutenant offered.
"No, that's quite alright," Erestor said quickly.
"Very well." The Lieutenant grabbed Erestor and the fight began again.
If I don't do something we'll be here forever! Elwing thought anxiously. I can't use magic or a sword, because I'm not about to break my word. There has to be some way to - aha! Surveying the room Elwing had got an idea. "Erestor! Erestor, over here!"
Erestor looked up, and saw Elwing motioning something. Erestor frowned, trying to understand her. Suddenly his face brightened, and a sly grin spread across his face.
"And why are you smiling?" the Lieutenant growled.
"I know something you don't know," Erestor taunted.
The Lieutenant frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Elwing, shall we enlighten him?" Erestor asked innocently.
Elwing snuck up behind the Lieutenant and grabbed him from one side as Erestor grabbed him from the other. "Of course, Erestor. Let us enlighten him."
Dragging the struggling Lieutenant between them, Elwing and Erestor went to the window, and - with great effort - threw the Lieutenant out the window.
"Watch that first step!" Elwing called teasingly. "It's a killer!"
Elwing and Erestor turned away, trying to ignore the sickening crunch as the Lieutenant met the ground. "Well, that was lovely," Erestor said sarcastically.
Elwing didn't reply. Instead, she grabbed Erestor and gave him a big kiss.
"What was that for?" Erestor asked, blushing furiously.
"For saving me... again," Elwing smiled.
Erestor grinned. "I ought to save you more often."
Elwing laughed and hugged him. "Hopefully you won't be put in that position again."
"Well, now that he's gone, how do we get out?" Erestor asked, glancing out the window. "The Gate's ruined, and there is a volcano exploding not very far from here."
"Well, how did you get here?" Elwing asked.
"Landroval."
"Ah. Um, you wouldn't have happened to ask him to stick around, would you?"
"Unfortunately not."
"Great," Elwing grumbled. "We are trapped in Mordor."
"Well, it's not too bad," Erestor said with a shrug. "I mean, I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home or anything but-"
"Oh hush," Elwing said, trying not to laugh. "It wouldn't be so bad if not for that stupid volcano! I hate to admit it, but we really are stuck!"

End Chapter 43.

**brings out plate of cookies** Sorry it took me so long to update, everyone! I was in Vermont by the time ff.net started working, but I'm back now. And, if you have seen The Princess Bride (wonderful, wonderful movie) you will notice I took some lines from it. I just couldn't help myself. 0=o) Anywho, thank you for reading, have a cookie, and please review! Your reviews are greatly appreciated.