Author's Notes: Well, the long holiday kept my muse away, but a little movie you might have heard of called The Two Towers called him home. In fact, I was so enamored of the movie that I had to use of the lines from it. But, as a devoted Faramir fan I had serious problems with the portrayal of his character. But I digress. Again, I want to thank everyone who has left a review and inspired me to continue with this story. Sadly, it is nearing it's conclusion, but I do have other ideas in store.

For those of you who have been requesting more Gimli and Legolas interaction, you will find plenty here. And for those of you who wanted more Eowyn, I am happy to oblige. She really is a remarkable character, and I can't wait to see her be more like the Shieldmaiden in the books than the character mooning after Aragorn that is in the movies (although I don't blame her one bit).

So, on with the story.

Disclaimer: all characters, settings, and elvish language are strictly from the mind of J.R.R. Tolkien or inspired by him.

Chapter XVIII

The Siege of Amon Galen

Legolas stared down at the form sprawled on the bed. The dwarf lay exactly as he had left him an hour ago. He had removed neither his boots nor his leather jerkin. The only difference from before was that Gimli's mouth hung wide open and he was snoring loudly. The elf wrinkled his nose at the odor of unwashed dwarf and grimaced at the sight of the shorn beard. Legolas would never have called Gimli pretty exactly, but dwarves were much more attractive with their beards than without. He promised himself that he would have Gimli sent to the baths as soon as possible, and that he would beg leave of Prince Faramir's personal barber to have the beard trimmed neatly.

Gently the elf-prince reached out one hand and laid it upon Gimli's shoulder. "Gimli, war is upon us. You must awaken." The dwarf did not stir. Legolas sighed at having to disturb his clearly exhausted friend. Ever so lightly he shook the dwarf's shoulder, "Gimli! Awake, my friend. The hour is desperate!"

With more force than the elf expected Gimli bolted upright in bed and grabbed the axe hanging from the bedpost. Knowing Gimli's warrior instincts were in control he quickly leaped back away from the bedside, "Gimli, put down your weapon! It is I, Legolas!"

Turning, Gimli raised his axe. Only when his eyes alit upon the form of the elf did his arm cease its movements. Gimli remained thus, with his arm prepared to hurl his weapon at the intruder for several seconds. Legolas stood, frozen, against the far wall waiting for the sleep-clouded mind to regain lucidity. With a great sigh the dwarf dropped his arm and threw the axe on the bed, "You are lucky, Legolas, that you are not dead!"

Legolas did not attempt to hide his relief, "I am quite lucky! It was foolish of me not to have taken your weapon before I awakened you." The dwarf stared at the elf clearly unable to comprehend that Legolas had just admitted to making an error in judgment. Gimli's mind was too sleep- deprived to clearly formulate a response. Sensing his friend was at a disadvantage Legolas spoke quickly before the dwarf had a chance to recover his wits, "I realize you require more rest, but it seems that your expertise is required by Princess Eowyn."

Gimli's eyes narrowed in irritation, "Unlike the delicate elves, a dwarf is never too tired to perform his duties. Especially when such as Princess Eowyn requests his aid." Gimli still lying on the bed was at an even more considerable height disadvantage with Legolas than normal, but he still managed to look upon the elf as though staring down from some lofty height, "She is a woman of great wisdom to have seen fit to send you to bring me to her aid. Obviously she is quite aware of the shortcomings of the elves."

Legolas did his best to wear the haughty expression his father often donned when speaking to the other races. ""Tis true, Gimli, that you have greater skill in masonry than I. Princess Eowyn says that you have developed some manner in which to collapse the secret tunnel we have recently traversed. She asked me to see that you performed this task immediately, and so I will need to escort you to the tunnel forthwith." Legolas paused a moment then allowed his facial expressions to sink into a pitiful frown, "However, I am concerned that in your current state you will have forgotten where and how your hidden mechanism works, and I will be forced to return to the princess with news of failure."

Growling loudly the dwarf threw himself from the bed and grabbing hold of his axe, placed it in the belt loop at his waist, "No dwarf should ever have to put up with such a sarcastic elf. If you manage to keep that pretty head of yours firmly attached to your shoulders throughout this siege, then I will seek a medal of honor for having to put up with you." Snorting more furiously Gimli stalked from the room not bothering to see if Legolas was following.

In no time they reached the hidden tunnel. He and Gimli reached the entrance to the tunnel and quickly made their way through the door that was hidden behind the tapestry. Gimli prattled on about the fine points of building a tunnel - it's weaknesses and how best to exploit these if the need arose to cave the tunnel in. Legolas endured him, only because he still felt much pity for what the dwarf had endured because of him. However, after walking nearly the entire length of the long passageway Legolas was nearly ready to gag the dwarf.

"Ah, here it is," the dwarf knelt down and was examining what looked like any other part of the tunnel wall to Legolas.

"That was quick," Legolas said with the most innocent expression he could muster.

So intent on the wall was Gimli that he did not even rise to Legolas's bait. "Now, where is that block?" Gimli's large, but deft hands began pressing the wall near the base of the passage seemingly to no effect.

"Should I go back for some pallets for us? Do you expect it will be many nights before this is accomplished?" Legolas could not help the corners of his mouth from turning slightly upwards.

"Such devices should not be easily seen, my clever friend. Else, any fool could bring the tunnel crashing down around their ears."

"And we would not want just any fool caving it in," Legolas said, sincerity written all over his face.

"Exactly," said the dwarf. Then, after a moment, the elf's words had a chance to sink in, and Gimli turned to face him with nostrils flaring and cheeks puffed out in righteous indignation. "You would do better to leave me in peace to complete this task rather than distracting me. Would that there was a pack of those evil elves to keep you occupied!"

At that precise moment Gimli's searching hands alighted upon the correct spot, and a small block of stone swung inward revealing a piece of rope attached to a pulley and rising up along the inside of the tunnel wall. At the same time light poured in from where the tunnel exited into the surrounding forest, and the rough sounds of orc speech could be heard coming from the opening. Gimli swore under his breath, and Legolas could hear the dwarf muttering to himself, "Aule, I did not meant it. I did not mean it!" Without hesitation Legolas drew his bow and set an arrow to the string. Gimli ignored the sounds of the intruders and began pulling on the rope.

In moments an orc dropped down into the tunnel. Its guttural cries at the unexpected presence of an elf and a dwarf were cut short by Legolas's arrow as it pierced its throat. The remaining orcs fell silent at the sight of their fallen comrade, and Gimli was granted a moment's reprieve as the orcs floundered in confusion.

Legolas heard the grating of rock against rock and felt a fine mist of sand fall onto his head. Looking up he was shocked to see a span's length of the ceiling of the tunnel was slowly being pulled upwards into a black abyss. But he had little time to wonder as several orcs dropped into the tunnel ahead of him, swords raised, proceeding toward himself and Gimli. Arrows flew from the elf's bow and orc bodies began to litter the floor. "Gimli, hurry, I cannot hold them for long."

"Well, you certainly are proving to be useless on this foray, Legolas." The elf glanced briefly at Gimli who had tied off the first rope and now appeared to be cutting through a second with a belt knife, "Half a moment, my friend. You should back off a few paces." Legolas began moving away, still firing arrows unceasingly at the approaching enemy.

Suddenly, there came a great rumble from up above. Gimli shouted, "Success!" then leaped to his feet and darted back down the tunnel toward Legolas. In moments the entire roof began crashing down where the dwarf had stood, crushing several orcs, and completely blocking the way. The one orc who had escaped through the avalanche of boulders barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief at his escape before Gimli's axe lodged itself in his chest.

Legolas stared in disbelief at the tunnel. Gimli's smile of satisfaction slowly turned to sadness, ""Twas a beautiful tunnel. It is a shame that it had to be destroyed."

Legolas laid a single hand on Gimli's shoulder, "As you have said to me before, my friend, destruction only provides new opportunities for creation and increased beauty. It will be rebuilt."

Gimli sighed but nodded in agreement. "True, my friend. But now we have other matters at hand."

It was Legolas's turn to sigh, "Yes, Elvellon. It seems that we are ever fated to be at war." Elf and dwarf quickly made their way back toward Minas Mallen.

Eowyn stared out at the surrounding countryside from the walls of Amon Galen. How many times had she walked these walls and found only beauty and serenity in the lush countryside of Ithilien. Now black shapes crawled over the beautiful land, trampling the beautiful grass and cloaking all in a hideous night.

"My lady, we are assembled and await your orders." Eowyn turned to stare at the captain of her guard. Kierowyn, the captain of her guard, was the only daughter of Hama who had served her uncle and died for him during the war. The woman reminded Eowyn much of herself not so long ago - a warrior and Shieldmaiden who found no desire for babes or the keeping of a hearth. There were few men in Amon Galen who could best her at swords. Even her own husband took swordplay with Kierowyn very seriously.

"Thank you, Kierowyn. Has all that was left in the armory been brought to the walls?"

"Yes, Princess. Lord Boromir is just now distributing the last of the spears we found."

"Good." Eowyn nodded, but she did not look happy. "I have need of your counsel, my captain."

"I offer all that is mine to you, my lady."

Eowyn winced at the thought. Soon enough she would be ordering many of the women and children of her city to give all that they had to offer. Taking a deep breath she pointed to the growing army surrounding Amon Galen. "See the machines they have brought with them? Legolas can see better when he comes here, but I must believe that they are catapults. And see those lying on the ground? They are ladders. They will try to reach the walls if they can."

Kierowyn scrutinized the encampment of the enemy, "You speak truly, my lady. That is surely part of their plan."

Eowyn nodded, "And the ladders will be coming in from a great angle to cross the moat. Poles will not suffice to knock them back. The angle is too large."

Kierowyn nodded, "Yes, but it leaves them with a great distance to climb before they can reach the walls. In that time much can be done to prevent them from crossing. Oil has been brought from the kitchens my lady. We can pour that oil on the ends of the ladders and set fire to them. The enemy can climb them, but they cannot reach the walls. And as the wood burns it will eventually break under its own weight, much less that of any of our enemy."

Eowyn smiled, "Yes, that is an excellent idea. See that the oil is distributed frequently along the walls. And ensure there are many torches available."

Kierowyn nodded and bowed, "Yes, my lady."

"And what of the catapults? Is there naught we can do to defend against those?"

"There is little we can do, my lady, in defense. Although a concentration of flaming arrows could do damage to some, if most hit their mark. Still, not many are within range, and they have much water with which to douse it. We do have our own catapults, though, my lady. Aldaluin has gathered many of the men to man them from below. The enemy's catapults were designed for mobility, and so are smaller and have less power than ours. We might be able to destroy some of theirs with ours."

"See that Aldaluin knows of this then." Eowyn smiled and placed her hand on Kierowyn's shoulder, "Go with honor, Shieldmaiden."

Kierowyn bowed then left. Eowyn smiled at her with pride. Even the tacticians of King Elessar would be appreciative of her captain's skills.

Turning back to the black army her thoughts turned once more to the darkness ahead of her and the people of Ithilien. They seemed in no hurry to begin waging war. In fact, they appeared content to set up their camps and bide their time. They are trying to frighten us. At least it allowed her more time to prepare: more time for Killaen and Hildeth to reach their destinations, more time for the elves who remained in Edhil-e-londe to come, more time for Faramir to return.

Slowly her gaze turned south to where her husband fought his own battle. She would not allow herself to consider any other fate for the Prince of Ithilien other than victory and a return to Amon Galen. He still enjoyed reminding her of how little she appreciated his attentions when first they met, but once she had noticed Denethor's youngest son all else faded before him. Even her fantasies of Aragorn paled in comparison with the reality that was Faramir. If nothing else, this foul army will occupy my thoughts and drive all worries of Faramir and the soldiers of Ithilien from my mind.

Turning she saw Boromir walking toward her. When she had suggested the name to Faramir upon the day of his birth she did not imagine that he would grow to look so much like his namesake. She had only seen Boromir once, from afar, while accompanying her uncle, King Theoden, on a trip to Minas Tirith. He had allowed she and Eomer to accompany him shortly after the death of her father and mother, perhaps to keep sorrow at bay with new experiences. Even then the eldest son of Denethor seemed larger than life. And now her son possessed those same broad shoulders and wide chest, he was tall - even more so than either she or Faramir, and that same auburn hair not possessed by either parent was an exact match for that of his late uncle. "Mother!" Neither she nor Faramir saw any point to having him address them by their royal titles in public. "All is made ready, in swifter time than I would have thought possible."

Eowyn smiled at her only child, "You have only seen the people of our realm during times of peace. The people of Ithilien can move with great haste and power when called upon."

"Clearly!" said Boromir. "The enemy does not know what he is up against." He grinned with that mischievous smile she was certain came from his Uncle Eomer. She had seen it on his face many times. Poor Prince Theodred rarely had a moment's peace when Eomer was about. "All the children have been assembled in Minas Mallen with some of the Elders of our people keeping watch. The rest are assembled as you see them here. I had no idea there was such a great deal of armor and weaponry within the armory. More than even we could use here. And so much of it was designed for women." His eyes wide in surprise, narrowed at his mother suspiciously.

"Your father learns much from others' mistakes. He saw what the women and children of Minas Tirith would have faced in the great war had the soldiers of Gondor fallen. He did not wish for that to happen here." Smiling once again at her son she said, "Remember, those who do not carry swords can still die upon them."

Boromir nodded, then smiled reassuringly, "They will be hard pressed to enter these walls. We will prevail." He sounded bold, but his face did not appear convinced of his words.

Coming towards them, Eowyn heard the gruff voice of Gimli, "Perhaps it is because elves stand so tall that the air is entirely too thin for them to breath properly. Are you quite certain the altitude has not dulled your wits, Legolas?"

Legolas did not answer, but instead bowed low to Boromir and Eowyn, "My lord and lady. I have suffered many hardships, but I have completed the quest you set before me. The secret passage is now blocked, though it was nearly too late. Even as the tunnel filled with rocks some of our enemy attempted to enter."

Before either the Princess or her son could respond Gimli interrupted, "You? What quest did you complete and under what hardships? It was I who prevented the enemy from entering Minas Mallen."

"True," Legolas admitted, "but it was I who had to wake you and endure your cheerful disposition, and might I add smell, in order to ensure that you would be able to do your part."

"My smell? Why, you are lucky enough to still be alive to smell dwarf odor! You ungrateful, arrogant elf!" Gimli spat the last word as if it were an oath unto itself. "You would be dead without my skills as a warrior. You fight like a woman! I would be happy to . . . "

"Fight like a woman, Master Dwarf?" Eowyn's eyes flashed dangerously as she stared down at Gimli. Boromir actually looked at the dwarf with sympathy in his eyes. "By the Valar, I am not sure what you mean by that."

Gimli stared down at the ground, unable to meet the princess's stare, "My apologies, Princess Eowyn. I meant no effrontery to you or the fairer sex. It is just this elf! He is a constant strain to my sensibilities (the dwarf ignored a slight sniff coming from Legolas's direction) and I spoke out of anger not wisdom."

Legolas looked about to say something, but stopped when Eowyn's gaze alighted upon him. "I am amazed that the two of you carry on so while we prepare for a siege upon Amon Galen. Is there nothing that could make the two of you set aside your differences?" Eowyn's eyes shot daggers at both of them.

Legolas and Gimli exchanged glances, then without hesitation, both shrugged and replied, "A balrog."

Eowyn struggled to maintain a straight face even as she could see her son fighting back laughter at her side. Her anger was still great, however, and she prepared to chastise the both of them once more when a sudden chill came over her. Fear gripped her such as she had not felt in many years. A hush fell all around her as the others felt its presence as well. Searching the enemy below she saw a figure moving toward the edge of the moat directly below her. Its face was raised, but she could see nothing in the recesses of its cowl other than darkness. A shiver ran through her entire body.

Boromir rested one hand on her arm whispering, "What is it mother?"

Eowyn shook her head, unknowing, but continued to stare at the approaching figure. On her left Legolas whispered something she could not hear then raised his bow, an arrow already fitted to the string. A single word from her and the figure would fall to that arrow. When the robed figure reached the shore of the moat it stopped. "Eowyn, daughter of Theodwyn."

Eowyn froze. Next to her Legolas spat the word, "Nazgul!" It was impossible. The Nazgul were destroyed when the one ring was destroyed. The nine rings that gave them power became nothing more than jewelry on that day, and the nine ringwraiths were no more. Shaking her head and steeling her nerves she called back, "I am Eowyn, Princess of Ithilien and Wife to the Steward of Gondor. Who are you that bring war to my country?"

"War is not necessary if you will come down to us and give yourself into our possession. If you do so, we will depart."

Eowyn shivered at that familiar voice. In her mind she knew it was not possible, but her heart did not believe. It was the voice of the Witchking. Still he spoke to her in her worst nightmares, as he had on the Pelennor Fields, and now her worst nightmare was become real. "You have not answered my question, stranger. Who are you?"

"You have no need for me to answer that question."

Fear was not a customary emotion for Eowyn, Princess of Ithilien, and its continued presence would eventually lead to anger. If this creature was what it claimed then she would see it destroyed once again. She barely moved her index finger from the wall, but Legolas understood the gesture. The arrow was loosed even as she lowered her finger. It met its target true, but instead of imbedding itself in the figure it merely pulled the black cloak along until imbedding itself in the earth behind. Where the figure had stood nothing remained.