Part 18

Part 18

 

For five days they marched toward Mordor until they finally reached their destination of the Black Gates guarding Sauron's home.

The fife and drums began heralding their arrival and the scouts stood overlooking the Black Gates. With Aragorn's nod they yelled, "Come forth, Let the Dark Lord come forth and face the King of Gondor."

This was repeated a few times and each time it was met by silence. As Aragorn started to turn there was a faint sound of drum beats. It grew louder until finally the Gates began to swing open and an emissary rode out.

The rider was dark and sinister looking clad all in black and wearing a dark mask. The horse he was riding was black as well and on its front was an iron skull like mask that added to the sinister atmosphere.

Behind the rider was a small contingent of dark riders. They were dressed as the Ring Wraiths but they were alive.

Willow watched warily as they approached. She felt the evil more pronounced here than on their journey. It was coming off the Earth in waves and was nearly suffocating.

The front rider approached and sneered at the assembled warriors. "I am the Mouth of Sauron. Who among you is the spokesman?"

Aragorn and Gandalf kneed their horses forward.

"So Gandalf you are a spokesman? You will see what comes to you that fights against Sauron the Great."  With those words he tosses a bundle at Gandalf.

Gandalf slowly opens it and sees Sam's small sword and a small cloak with an Elvin brooch. Also, there was Frodo's Mithral mail that he wore under his clothes.

Merry and Pippin gasped in horror but Legolas and Gimli cautioned them not to make a sound.

"Why do you bring these here?"

"Ah, Lord Sauron has terms. You will withdraw back to Gondor but not before taking oaths that you will never again rise against Sauron. All lands east of Anduin and west as far as the Misty Mountains shall be Sauron's. You shall help rebuild Isengard and a new Steward shall sit there. One more worthy of Sauron's trust."

Willow rolled her eyes. Like that was ever gonna happen. Was Sauron brain deficient or something?

Aragorn raised an eyebrow, "Sauron asks for much. Where is this prisoner? Surely I am not asked to give up all on just your word or Sauron's or is Sauron reduced to haggling now that the end is near?"

The Dark Rider laughed, "This is no bargain. These are Sauron's terms. Take them or leave them."

Gandalf raises the bundle that holds Frodo and Sam's possessions. "Well then, these we will take in memory of our friends." Gandalf let his power begin to build and he started to glow a bright white, "but as for your terms we reject them. Begone!"

The Mouth of Sauron glared at the assembled people. Without a word he turned his horse and kneed it to a gallop. Before entering the gates, however, one of the riders blew a horn.

Willow's head whipped around looking frantically for the threat she was sure was coming. She should have known better. In all her years on the Hellmouth the big bad did not meet you without a trap or an ulterior motive.

SHIT!

Sauron sprung his trap. From down the mountains Orcs came and accompanying them were the Nazguls and Easterlings. It wasn't long before the warriors of Rohan were surrounded.

The battle had truly begun.

Willow concentrated on the Earth's energies but the darkness was overwhelming. She was able to launch a few fireballs at the Orcs but not many. Her magick tendrils reached out to Gandalf so that he could use as much of her power added to his as was needed. With her magick being used by Gandalf she resorted to her bows and arrows and quickly killed an oncoming Orc.

Gandalf raised his staff and the sky darkened and fire began to fall from the sky to the battlefield. Gandalf heard a cry from the North and turned to look.

A smile split his face as he turned back to the battle and yelled, "The Eagles are coming!" He lowered his staff and the rain of fire stopped.

The hosts of Mordor looked up wondering what that could mean.

Behind Gwaihir and Landroval, the greatest of all Eagles were a long line of their descendants. They swooped down upon the Nazgul who turned and fled to the Dark Tower.

Suddenly there was a pain filled call out of the Dark Tower, which caused the Orcs, Urok-hai and the Easterlings to stumble and look around in confusion. The power that drove them with darkness was fumbling.

Gandalf's voice was heard booming over the battlefield.

"Stand and wait, Warriors of Gondor. This is the hour of doom!"

As Gandalf's voice echoed the Earth began to tremble. Willow fell to her knees breathing deeply.

"Willow!"

Aragorn rushed to her side.

"I'm all right. It's just there such ancient and powerful magick flowing through the Earth."

Just then a soaring darkness rose high above the mountains behind the Dark Towers. Rising into the sky it flickered with fire and the Earth trembled harder.

The dark towers fell and the Black Gate hung in disrepair. In the distance a rumbling roar could be heard.

"The realm of Sauron is ended. The ring bearer has fulfilled his quest."

Aragorn placed a comforting hand on Willow's back as he hung his head in relief. Frodo was alive and had destroyed the ring in Mt. Doom.

With the destruction of Mordor the Orcs, Trolls and other creatures of Sauron ran scattered to the mountains.

Gandalf stood on the hillside and called to his friend Gwaihir. As the Eagle swooped down he said, "Twice you have saved me, my friend. I have one last favor to ask. I ask for a ride to the South."

The Eagle nodded and waited while Gandalf perched himself on his back. When Gandalf was settled they rose in the air and flew to Frodo and Sam.

Don't worry, Willow. I am not leaving. I am just going to check on my good friends Frodo and Sam.

Willow smiled in relief at the words Gandalf spoke in her mind. She lay her head on Aragorn's shoulder and rested.

"Gandalf has gone to Sam and Frodo." Willow whispered.

Aragorn just nodded and stroked her hair. The quest was finally over.

Gandalf found Sam and Frodo asleep from exhaustion and pain. He gently placed them on the back of Gwaihir and bore them away from Mt. Doom.

~~~~

Sam woke to the gently blowing breeze and the sound of leaves above his head. He looked around at the soft bed he was lying on. "What a dream I've had!"

He looked over and saw Frodo next to him. Dark circles were under his pale eyes. "It wasn't a dream. Where am I?"

A soft voice said, "In the land of Ithilien and in the house of the King. He awaits your arrival."

Gandalf smiled at Sam's reaction to him coming to stand at the foot of his bed. "Well Samwise Gamgee how do you feel?"

Sam stared open mouthed at Gandalf. "Gandalf! I thought you were dead. How do I feel? I feel like spring after a winter's Day. But what about Mr. Frodo? Is he all right?"

A soft voice next to him said, "I am all right. I was just waiting for you to wake up."

"Waiting for me to wake up? What day is it?"

"In Gondor it is the fourth day of the New Year. The New Year is now celebrated the twenty fifth of March, the day Sauron fell and the day you were brought out of the fire to the King. He has tended to you and now awaits your presence."

Sam sat up straighter. "The King? What King and who is he?"

"The King of Gondor has reclaimed his ancient home but is waiting for you before he goes to his coronation."

Sam jumped out of bed and began pacing. "What should we wear? All we have are our ragged traveling clothes!"

Gandalf smiled gently at the Hobbit, "Wear your clothes for not even silks or armor could be more honorable. When the coronation is complete I will find you suitable clothes to wear home."