Camille stood at the bow of the ship, peering ahead of her. The only thing her eyes could make out was a thin stream of smoke rising up from some faraway field. "That's where the battle is?"
Beside her, Aragorn nodded his head. "Aye. And that is where we go to aid our friends." He glanced at her momentarily. "Do you feel you are capable of handling the battle? I will not always be there to guard your back; neither will Legolas, or Elladan or Elrohir."
Camille chuckled, and smiled. "Aw c'mon Aragorn, you know I can take care of myself. If Helm's Deep isn't enough evidence of that, then I'm going to that to you today. I'm a big girl; I can handle it."
There was laughter behind them. When they turned, they saw Eli standing there, dressed in full battle gear, and a big smile on her face like nothing had happened to her the previous day.
"You know Camille's right, Aragorn," Eli said as she joined them. "We're old enough to take care of ourselves."
"Perhaps in your world," the Ranger said, "but in ours, you are barely capable of doing so. By the standards of the Elves, you are mere babes."
Eli shrugged. "We mature faster in our world, maybe not physically, but at least mentally and emotionally."
Aragorn smiled. "So it would seem. And I would consider that a blessing, especially in conditions such as these." His smile disappeared then as he gazed forward. "I cannot help but wonder what awaits us there…"
Just then, Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir approached them, their faces filled with worry. "Mumakil," Legolas said quietly. "There are mumakil amongst the hosts of Mordor."
Camille blinked. What's that? "Wait a minute, what's a mumakil? I haven't heard that word before."
"A mumakil is a great and fell monster," Elladan explained. "No living creature will dare approach it, for it was bred in the darkness of Mordor. They are as tall as giants, and as strong as trolls."
Elrohir nodded solemnly as he looked ahead. "There are many of them upon the battlefield. The Haradrim seem to be rallying around them that they might not be struck down by the men of Gondor and Rohan. The battle is going ill for them."
Eli grinned then. "Looks like we're going to have to speed things up a little." She turned to the men who were in charge of the sails. "Drop down the sails! Send orders to the other ships to do the same!"
The men blinked at her, astonished. "But My Lady," one of them said, "there is no wind to speak of. Not even a single puff."
"Just trust me when I say that," Eli said, and turned away to face Aragorn, who was staring at her with a puzzled expression. "Hey, might as well use my powers for something, right?"
In moments a horn was sounded, and all the sails of the ships were dropped. Camille watched as Eli moved over to stand at the bow of their ship. What's she planning to do? Even as that thought formed in her head, the kanji symbol for Tiger appeared on Eli's forehead, and a sharp, clear breeze blew in from behind them. Their sails billowed out to their fullest span, and the ships surged forward, the water turning into white foam at their prows.
Eli smirked as she stepped down from the bow. "Now what were you guys worrying about? Delays?"
Aragorn and Legolas smiled knowingly, understanding what had just happened, while Elladan and Elrohir merely stared in shock. "What did you just do, Eli?" Elrohir asked.
"Just one of the many tricks up her sleeve, right Eli?" Camille asked with a smirk as she patted Eli on the back.
Eli grinned. "Yup! Ah, the perks of being a Summoner!"
Camille giggled, and nodded her head. Yup, she's right. Having all this power at our disposal is going to really help in this fight. Her eyes narrowed as they drew closer to the shore. The breeze dispersed the thick clouds that had been hanging over them during their journey to the battlefield, and the sun shone through.
"There is a great clamor of arms, and horns and trumpets are being blown, goading both sides to battle and war," Elrohir muttered, and his hand strayed to the hilt of his sword.
His twin nodded. "Aye. A great battle awaits us."
Camille glanced at Eli, and each read the other's gaze. Camille was the first to turn away, scanning the still-too-distant-for-her-sight plain. A great battle… Are we strong enough to pull this off? Can we do it? She took a deep breath, and clutched her bow, slowly building up her determination.
The wind pushed them swiftly towards the shoreline, and soon they were in sight of the towers of Gondor. In even less time they were within sight of those fighting in the plain.
Aragorn was now beside them, Halbarad nearby, the standard in his hand. "Unfurl it, Halbarad! Let the men of Gondor and Rohan see it and take courage at the sight of it, and may the hosts of Mordor falter when they see it."
Halbarad nodded, and unfurled it, the banner snapping in the wind. There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a high crown above it, the signs of Elendil that no lord had borne for years beyond count. And the stars flamed in the sunlight, for they were wrought of gems by Arwen daughter of Elrond; and the crown was bright in the morning, for it was wrought of mithril and gold.
The ships were close enough now that the sound of laughter and cries of joy could be heard from the Rohirrim and the men of Gondor, while from the City came the merry ringing of bells and the joyous sound of trumpets. Camille grinned. Looks like we came just in time.
She cast her gaze over the battlefield, and felt a strange flare of energy in her body the moment her eyes landed on the mumakil. She wrinkled her nose in disgust upon seeing them. Eww. Next time, when Elladan says, "fell monster", I'll take it to mean "ugly disgusting creature from an 'Alien' movie." She jerked forward slightly as the ships ground into the beach, and all the men who were in them poured out into the plain, Aragorn leading them all. But she and Eli stayed behind for a moment, thinking about what to do with the mumakil.
"Looks like this is it," Eli said quietly as she stepped towards the bow.
Camille nodded, and she followed her. "Yeah, this is it." She glanced at her best friend briefly. "You ready for it?"
Eli grinned wickedly. "I was born ready."
Camille felt the same wicked grin appear on her face. "Great. Now then…you go first."
Eli nodded, and stepped as far forward as the bow would allow her to go. She closed her eyes, and immediately the sign of the Dragon glowed upon her brow. There was a crackle of energy, and Camille could almost feel the ship shift beneath them as the water drew back slightly.
Almost instantly, there was a sharp cry from behind them. Camille turned to look, and watched with awe as a large blue dragon – the very same one she had seen in Moria – burst through the waves and sending a spray of sparkling water into the air.
Knowing that it was her turn now, Camille closed her eyes, and concentrated. Oh Suzako, please, please come down from the heavens and aid us in this battle. I need your presence now.
She broke out of her concentrated state when she heard a melodious cry come down to her from above. She opened her eyes, and looked up. There, seeming to fly out of the rays of the morning sun came a beautiful phoenix, with feathers of crimson and gold. It raised its swan-like neck, and a beautiful music flowed from its beak. And at the sound of it, Camille was filled with courage and new hope.
She and Eli swiftly mounted Blackwing and Whitewing, respectively, and charged onto the battlefield, Eli wielding her katana, Camille stringing her bow. Over their heads Suzako spread his wings, while alongside them Seiryuu rushed forward, his long snakelike body traversing the surface of the water to move easily on land. Once they reached the field, the two Spirits wrought havoc on the mumakil, leaving the rest of the hosts of Gondor and Rohan to deal easily with the hosts of Mordor.
With the mumakil thus distracted, the hosts of Mordor had no safe place to run. But the Haradrim were fierce in their despair, and the Easterlings were dangerous foes in battle. It was during this battle that Eomer and Aragorn met once more, and together they led the charge of the defenders against the enemy. With them rode Legolas and Gimli, and the sons of Elrond, and soon Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth with his knights. And all the while the Spirits destroyed each and every one of the mumakil, while their Summoners went with Aragorn to fight their own battle.
Then the sun went at last behind Mindolluin and filled all the sky with a great burning, so that the hills and the mountains were dyed as with blood; fire glowed in the River, and the grass of the Pelennor lay red in the nightfall. And in that hour the great Battle of the field of Gondor was over; and not one living foe was left alive within the circuit of the Rammas.
But many good men had fallen that day as well, both among the Rohirrim, the Men of Gondor, and those who had come with Aragorn by the black ships. No few had fallen, renowned or nameless, captain or soldier; for it was a great battle, and the full count of it no tale has told.
* * *
Pippin snapped out of his slightly dazed state as he watched a group of people come walking up the steps that led from the street to the Houses of Healing. When he saw at last who was coming, he cried out in surprise and joy.
"Strider! How splendid! Do you know, I guessed it was you in the black ships. But they were all shouting 'corsairs' and wouldn't listen to me. How did you do it?"
Aragorn laughed, and took him by the hand. "Well met indeed!" he said. "But there is not time yet for travelers' tales." He nodded towards the two figures that followed behind Imrahil and Eomer, the ones clad in blue and red. "But I believe that Eli and Camille will be able to answer your questions for the meantime."
Before Pippin could even say anything to greet his friends, the two girls had already wrapped him in their arms, hugging him tightly.
"We missed you so much, Pippin! We were so worried about you!" Camille exclaimed when she drew back from him.
Eli nodded. "Same here. But we kind of figured out that you would be safe wherever Gandalf put you."
Pippin grinned back at them. "Eli! Camille! It is such a pleasure to see you once more! I heard all of them crying out 'dragon' up and down the City, and I knew immediately that you had arrived! The watchers say that you routed the mumakil!"
Eli laughed somewhat, and waved her hand. "Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that." She nodded towards the hallways inside. "What's in there?"
"These are the Houses of Healing," Pippin answered, and his voice faltered slightly as he continued, "Merry's in there, along with Eowyn and Faramir."
Eli's voice was tinged with worry and concern. "Why, what happened to Merry and Eowyn?"
Pippin swallowed against the building lump in his throat. "They…they were in the battle when the Captain of the Nazgul came and destroyed the gates of the City. Eowyn and Merry took him down."
"And what else?" Camille urged.
Pippin shrugged. "I do not know yet. They are lying inside; sick with the strange disease the healers call the Black Shadow. It seems to have fallen on all those who got too near to the King of the Nazgul during the battle."
Camille and Eli looked at each other briefly, then they stood up. "Come with us Pip," Eli said. "Lead us to where Merry is."
Pippin nodded, and took her hand, leading the two of them through the Houses of Healing. As they passed, he noted that many of the healers gazed upon the two girls in amazement. They have not seen women who are clad in armor and who fight in the battlefield, he thought.
At last they reached the place where Eowyn and Merry had been laid to heal, and when they entered, they found Aragorn, Gandalf, Imrahil and Eomer inside. The first bed they came upon was Faramir's. And when Camille looked upon his face, she gasped, and took half a step back. "Boromir?! But-but how…what…?"
Gandalf, hearing her cry, shook his head calmly. "Nay, you are wrong, Camille. The man you see there is not Boromir, but his younger brother, Faramir." He smiled slightly then. "Though I do have to admit that the resemblance is uncanny when viewed from afar, or at first glance."
Eli blinked, and slowly approached the bed, keeping her gaze focused on Faramir's face. After a while, she smiled, and shook her head. "Yeah, it's not Boromir." She tilted her head in a quizzical manner. "But, wow, the similarity is - for lack of a better word - remarkable."
Camille drifted over slowly. "What's wrong with him?" She removed her gloves, and touched a hand to his forehead. Faramir moaned, while Camille yelped, drawing her hand back. "Yeow! He's burning up!"
"That is one of the many symptoms of the Black Shadow, of which Faramir is in the latter stages of the illness," Imrahil answered, his tone dark. He gestured to the rest of the Houses. "The Houses are filled with those who have succumbed to it, and no few have already died from it."
Pippin looked at Eli and Camille, who seemed to be deep in thought. What do they intend to do, he wondered. He had some inkling that their powers were now greater than when he had last seen them, and he believed that they were currently thinking of some plan by which they would be able to help.
At long last, Eli looked up at Aragorn, Eomer and Imrahil. "I think there's something I could do… Could you have the windows opened on the western side of the Houses of Healing?"
"Why would you want that done, My Lady?" Eomer asked, doubt in his heart. "Would not the cold night air cause the illness to worsen?"
Aragorn raised his hand, staying Eomer's words. "No, I believe they will not. When Eli speaks of the air and the breeze, it is as if she were speaking of a good and trusted friend." He turned his gaze to Eli. "Are you certain you can accomplish what you intend to do? You are weary, and it might only do you undue harm."
Eli waved her hand. "Don't you worry, I'll be just fine." She grinned at him then. "Camille and I have reached our full powers. Didn't you notice? We didn't collapse even when we summoned the Spirits. So calling a warm, healing breeze from the west won't hurt me one bit."
Pippin felt his eyes widen when he heard that. They have come to their full powers? It is no small wonder, then, that they called upon the Spirits with ease in the battle! I can still remember what happened to Eli when she first attempted to call the Dragon in Moria. She was bedridden in Lorien for most of our stay there. Yet now…she has summoned the Dragon, and STILL she is capable to calling in the breezes of the west to come to her service!
As these thoughts passed through his mind, the servants, upon command of Aragorn, opened all the windows that opened to the west. The moment they did so, a warm, pleasant breeze, scented with flowers and a hint of salt from a faraway shore, drifted through the Houses of Healing. As it wafted through the various rooms, many of those who were stricken with the early stages of the Black Shadow seemed to be cured of it, while those who were in the later phases were calmed to a certain degree.
But it was not enough to heal Faramir. It only served to bring down the fever a little, but not by much. Noticing this, Eli slid off her gloves, sat down on the edge of the bed, and brought her hand to rest just over Faramir's forehead. She slowly closed her eyes, and Pippin noticed a strange symbol suddenly flicker to life on her brow. It glowed a bright blue in the semi-darkness of the House, and the light that emanated from it seemed to course through her skin and into Faramir. All watched as Faramir finally lay still, resting at last, his breathing slow and easy.
When he had calmed down at last, Eli sighed, and pulled back. The symbol disappeared from her brow, and the light faded. She stood up, and glanced at the males. "I managed to bring the fever down for now, but I don't think it's enough. You're going to have to do whatever it is you have to do."
Gandalf drew away from the three others then. "Come with me," he said to them, waving them over to another part of the House. "I believe that your powers are just what are needed in this situation."
Pippin followed behind the Wizard and the two girls as Gandalf led them into the room where Eowyn was lying. There the fair White Lady of Rohan lay as if sleeping, but everyone knew that she was wandering in some far dreamland that none but Elrond, or perhaps Aragorn could penetrate. But Elrond was not there, and Aragorn was tending to Faramir.
Camille sighed deeply when she saw Eowyn. "I knew it would come down to this, eventually. She didn't exactly like her being forced to stay back in Edoras, did she?" She grinned a little. "If she'd been born in our world, she'd have made for one heck of a career woman!"
"But perhaps it was better that she was born here, and in her lot," Gandalf said, "for if she had not, then she would not have dared to venture out into the fray, and perhaps worse evils would have befallen us today."
"Maybe," Camille said with a shrug. She sat down on the bed, and asked, "Which arm was it that hit the King of the Nazgul?"
"The sword-arm; her right arm," Gandalf replied quickly.
Camille thought it over for a moment, and then picked up Eowyn's hand in hers. As with Eli, a symbol flared to life on her brow, and the light from it coursed through her skin and into Eowyn's arm. Soon, the limb, which had been pale and cold, was now a pinkish color, and radiated a healthy heat. The deed done, Camille drew back, and stood up again. "She's going to be fine, at least for now. Aragorn can handle the rest of it."
Gandalf smiled. "There is but one left." He started to walk again, and this time, they were brought to Merry's room. Pippin ran over to Merry's side, and looked up hopefully at Camille and Eli. "Do you think you can bring him out of his sleep?"
Eli shook her head. "Nope. Sorry Pip, but Camille and I can only go so far with our healing capacities. We can help it along, making it faster, or making it easier, or a little less painful, but the true curing comes from Aragorn."
Pippin sighed, and bowed his head. "I suppose that it was a little too much to hope for." He smiled slightly. "But you will do everything you can for him, right?"
Camille smiled. "Of course! You think that we wouldn't do anything for HIM, one of the Fellowship and our good friend?" She glanced away from him, and focused on Merry. "Which arm is it?"
"The right arm," Pippin answered, for he had learned of it from Merry himself as he brought his friend to the Houses of Healing.
Camille nodded, picking up Merry's hand as she did so. She did pretty much the same thing for Merry that she did for Eowyn, and when Pippin placed his hand on Merry's sword-arm, the coldness had gone, and was replaced with warmth.
Pippin smiled up at Camille in gratitude. "Thank you, Camille."
Camille giggled. "Don't thank me just yet, Pip. You can thank me when Aragorn is through with Merry."
Gandalf shook his head. "Legolas was indeed right about you; you always refuse praise when it is given to you. Now then," he said, leading them towards the door, "I believe that it is time that you two went into the City and rested. You have had a long, hard fight, and you will need as much rest as you can get."
The two girls started to protest. "But Gandalf…"
"Now is not the time for argument, my dears," Gandalf said in a mock-stern tone. "I will not have you two at a disadvantage should Gondor be attacked again." He smiled slightly. "Much of the hope of the defense of Gondor lies in your hands. We shall need the power of the Spirits in driving back the forces of Mordor, should they attempt to attack once more. And that means you must be properly rested."
Pippin watched as the two girls rolled their eyes, and walked off into the night, Legolas appearing from somewhere else to escort them to the Tower. He could not help but smile as he watched them leave. "Gandalf, do you think Mordor will come and attack us again?"
"After that show of power from the Summoners? I think not," Gandalf answered. He turned to Pippin, and winked. "But you probably know as well as I do that they will not stop tending the wounded and the sick if I did not tell them otherwise."
Pippin's smile widened, and he nodded in agreement.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Done!!! Phew, that was pretty hard to write, particularly the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. I have absolutely NO idea as to what those mumakil really look like, so I didn't really describe them in detail. All I really know for certain is that they're huge, black, stink like hell, and are just about as ugly too. Now then, MUSH ALERT!!! For those of you who love the sons of Elrond, the next chapter is for you! Who shall win the heart of Eli at last: Elladan or Elrohir? Who shall Eli follow: Mind or Heart? The answer's all up next…