A/N) I'm relatively new to the world of Middle-Earth but of course
inspiration struck and I decided to write this story. My knowledge of
middle earth is not that brilliant but I've tried my best. So please be
nice in your reviewing and please give me some tips to improve this story.
It would be really helpful. I do feel strange that I'm changing the great
works of Tolkien. Oh well, it's fanfiction. We can do whatever we want.
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything to do with LotR. I don't even own a Shire mushroom.
Flight of the Nine Nazgûls
Summary: AU story. When Aragorn looks into the palantir he alerts Sauron to his presence. But what methods does Sauron go to, to destroy the one person who can destroy him?
List Of Characters Aragorn - main Gandalf - main Legolas - main Gimli - main Merry - secondary
Pippin - secondary Éowyn - secondary King Théoden - secondary Éomer - secondary Faramir - secondary Frodo Baggins - brief appearance Samwise Gamgee - brief appearance and of course the Nine Nazgûl - main
Chapter One:- The Palantir
The palantir rested in the palms of his hands, light and delicate it felt between his palms. He dared not look in it. Not yet. The globe was dark, black and the eye could see nothing. Putting it safely in his pocket, Aragorn got up from the small camp, he and his companions had set up. He walked for a little way, through the ruins of Isengard.
A battle had been here. The Ents of Fangorn Forest had attacked Isengard, hoping to prevent Saruman from destroying the forest trees, some of which lived and breathed like real people. Many Ents had been destroyed by the process of this, never to walk the Earth again. But the Ents had been victorious, trapping Saruman inside his tower.
Aragorn stopped and looked up into the night sky. Stars shone overhead, making the dark sky lighter then it should've been. Aragorn stepped into the shadows of a smaller building. He leaned down against the wall, concealing himself. His hands strayed to the palantir that now rested in his pocket.
Should he do it? Should he reveal himself to Sauron? No! He couldn't. It would. . . well what would it do? That was obvious. Sauron would send out his army to kill him. That's what he would do. Aragorn once more held the stone in his hands, but the sound of footsteps stopped him from looking into the stone.
He quickly put it back into his pocket and hid from view. A voice rang out, calling his name. "Strider! Where are you?" It was the voice of Meriadoc Brandybuck, the young Hobbit, who he had to look after until he had to leave.
It was no use hiding, so he called out. "Merry! I'm over here."
The Hobbit ran over to Aragorn. He looked surprised to see him there. "What are you of all people hiding out here."
"I don't want to be found." Aragorn replied. "But I had to because you'd probably go to the others that I was missing."
"Why are you out here?" Merry asked, intrigued.
"I'd rather not tell you." Aragorn said. "I wish to be left alone, so I can think things through."
"What things?"
"Are you so full of questions?" Aragorn asked, annoyed.
"Yes." Merry said. "Pippin's worse. He's the more, uh, dangerous one of us."
"I realised that when he looked in the palantir." Stated Aragorn. "He could have done something terribly wrong, like give Frodo away to the enemy."
Merry nodded. "At least I had some sense not to look in it."
"Good." Aragorn replied. "Just tell the others I want to be left alone."
Merry nodded, and walked away. Just to be safe, Aragorn moved away from the ruined tower and into the abandoned Orc room. The room he was now in, smelt disgusting. He kept the door open, but seated himself in the corner of the room and lifted the palantir out of his pocket and held it up to his eyes.
The palantir remained quiet and colourless. Then just as Aragorn resolved that nothing was going to happen, he noticed the gradual colour changing to the redness of fire, before he realised that it was the Eye, that was forming.
The Eye of Sauron.
The Eye vanished as quickly as it had come. In it's place was a spirit, or what Aragorn thought it was. The spirit looked menacing and it's eye blazed with fire. This was Sauron. The spirit of the dark lord, and Aragorn upon seeing this felt immensely scared to behold such an evil.
Aragorn pulled himself together and watched the spirit. Sauron was asking him questions, but Aragorn wouldn't respond. Then something happened, which caused him to drop the palantir on the ground. Sauron had reached out and touched his mind. Picking it up again, Aragorn continued to stare at the stone, listening to Sauron.
Then it became too much, and Aragorn thrust the stone away from his face, holding it away from him. But the grip the dark lord had on him was too much. In the midst of his struggle, mentally, he heard a roaring scream penetrating his mind and sending him backwards against the wall. He knew why too. Sauron had discovered who he was and was throwing a range of insults his way, through the palantir.
Even so, Aragorn didn't the strength to pull himself away the palantir and he heard for the first time, the cruel, dark laughter of Sauron. Closing his eyes, Aragorn pulled the stone away from him, not daring to look back in it. When he had the strength to open his eyes, Aragorn found the palantir silent and back to normal.
He pocketed it and laid back against the wall, breathing slowly. He had only just pulled away from it. At least he hadn't done what Pippin had done. The palantir was more powerful then he had thought it would've been. Leaning back against the wall of the room, Aragorn rested.
*******************************************************************
Gandalf the White stepped off Shadowfax his horse and then helped the Hobbit, Peregrin Took get down. They stood outside the city Minas Tirith; it's glowing lights glowing brightly in the little moonlight that shone down. He took hold of Pippin and led him through the streets. As they reached the end of the street, a loud screech was heard overhead.
Gandalf, Pippin and many other people looked up. In the sky, on dragons were the nine Nazgûl, all going in the direction from which Gandalf and Pippin had come from.
"They weren't coming for me, where they?" Pippin asked. Since he had had his fright with the palantir Pippin had been nervous of the black riders for coming for him.
"No." Gandalf replied. "They're going to Isengard, but I don't think they are going there to get you. Something else has happened since we left."
They continued their walk through the city till they came to the great houses of the Stewards of Gondor that was situated at the centre of the city. Gandalf and Pippin were led through the great doors; they walked through the golden halls until they came to a great wooden door, basked in jewels.
They were admitted inside. Upon the throne sat Denethor, the Steward of the city. By Pippin's standards, Denethor looked old and weary as if he had just come in from battle. As they approached his eyes lightened up, but then he spotted Pippin and his eyes grew cold.
His eyes swivelled to look at Gandalf, and he brightened up. "Mithrandir! How glad to see you again." Denethor turned to Pippin. "And what is this?"
"A Hobbit." Replied Gandalf. "A halfling as you might know them."
"A halfling!" sneered Denethor. "The halfling that drew my son away from home to seek his death?"
"No." Pippin answered. "I am not the halfling you speak of. I knew of Boromir. He was a valiant men and went down fighting Orcs to protect my companion and I."
"Yes, he was a fighter." Denethor replied. "You'll will have to tell me of his last heroic battle when there is time."
"I will." Pippin said, bowing.
Then Denethor directed his attention away from Pippin and focused on Gandalf. "Mithrandir! Tell me of why you have come to this city?"
"I've come to aid Minas Tirith in it's time of great need. The dark lord will soon send his armies out to attack you and if you're not probably defended then the race of men will be wiped from the face of the earth." Gandalf explained. "I come to aid you."
Denethor nodded. "I will organise the city. What will you do?"
"I need to return to Isengard. I fear something will happen there. I will return as soon as I can, but for now I would like you to take Peregrin Took," he indicated Pippin, " into your service. He is an able worker and fighter. He may be small, but he can help you."
"Fine. I take him into my service." Denethor said. "Now, go, Gandalf to where you need to go, but make haste and return as soon as you can."
*******************************************************************
Gandalf rode swiftly through the many fields towards the barren wasteland that was Isengard. The Orthanc Tower stood out and as he approached, Gandalf could hear screeches and as he looked out, he saw the winged Black Riders circling the tower. From the top window he could see Legolas peering out and firing arrows at the Riders.
Gandalf told Shadowfax to head for the Tower. As he approached, the Riders screeched louder, but they ignored Gandalf. The White Wizard jumped off his horse and ran into the Tower, slamming the door behind him and locking it with a spell; to stop the Riders from entering. He flew up the stairs and soon he reached the top.
In the small room was Merry, who was standing looking out the window at the flying Nazgûl; Gimli, wielding his axe; Legolas just shooting arrows with an endless supply and Aragorn was leaning against the wall. Gandalf shook his head.
Before he could even speak, there was a loud crash. Gandalf rushed back to the entrance to which he had come through and looking down the winding stairs he saw four riders gliding gracefully up the stairs, with sharp swords enclosed in their right hand.
Gandalf muttered something and a white glow came from his staff and hit the first rider, but it still continued to glide forward, up the stairs of the Tower of Orthanc. Gandalf sent another spell towards the Nazgûl, but once again it rebounded and hit the wall above Gandalf. Nothing was working to keep these creatures back.
Gandalf fled back up the stairs. The others were all ready armed. Legolas now had his bow pointed at the door; Merry had a small sword which he was holding in his hand, his face grim; Aragorn held his sword and Gimli held his axe and determination filled his face. Théoden's men, who had not left with Théoden when he had left with Gandalf, each had their swords or bows out, all aimed at the door.
Even as Gandalf positioned himself in the centre the Nazgûl came bursting in, their swords glittering in the darkness of the tower. Legolas shot an arrow at the Nazgûl, but the arrow rebounded off of it. In the next couple of minutes, the Nazgûl had knocked Merry out; broken Gimli's axe; and were now circling the group.
The others watched them, but then the turned to the group, bringing their swords to bear. They turned to Aragorn, the swords pointing at him. Gandalf moved in front of them, banging his staff down on the stone floor, sending shock waves towards the Black Riders.
They paused, but began moving again. This little stall had given Legolas to pick up Merry and bolt to the door, followed by the remainder of Théoden's men and Aragorn and Gimli. The Riders attempted to follow but Gandalf sent another shock wave, and then he bolted for the door.
When he reached the bottom, Gandalf sped out the door and followed the others away from the tower. They reached the edge of the site and ran out into the plain. Behind them was the nine black riders pursuing them, on their winged creatures. Gandalf stopped and shouted a spell. The creature was hit and the black rider fell to the ground as it's winged creature fell to the ground dead.
The Nazgûl were approaching.
Up ahead the group could see the looming trees of Fangorn Forest. They just had to reach them. Gandalf stopped in his tracks and cast another spell hitting another winged creature, sending it falling to the ground. It landed in a heap. The Nazgûl rider screeched loudly, but it didn't pursue, but the other seven were still a flight and gaining rapidly.
Legolas reached the forest first and with Merry in hand jumped into the tree, landing gracefully on the tree. Aragorn came next, leaping up next to him. Gimli ran further into the forest, but the other's could still see him. Behind Gimli, Gloin's son were the surviving men of Rohan. Gandalf came last still muttering words and sending blinding white light towards the black riders.
Minutes passed and then Gandalf proclaimed that all was save for now. The black riders had retreated. Merry was now awake, and feeling confused as his last memory was being knocked down by a metallic hand of the Nazgûl. Once everybody was safe, Gandalf turned to Aragorn and said,: "I fear that you've made Sauron angry by revealing yourself, Aragorn. It may have done some good though." Gandalf said, thoughtfully. "He may lay off his attack on the cities, now, that he knows your identity. I believe that Sauron will forget about the people for a moment and just send out his minions to kill you. It may help and give the ring-bearer a chance to succeed in his quest. We just have to keep you save until either Frodo succeeds or Sauron acquires his most precious treasure."
But Gandalf had a feeling that that would be the most hardest part of all. Keeping Aragorn save from the riders would be tricky. They couldn't risk losing him to the enemy.
They would lose everything if they did.
To Be Continued..
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything to do with LotR. I don't even own a Shire mushroom.
Flight of the Nine Nazgûls
Summary: AU story. When Aragorn looks into the palantir he alerts Sauron to his presence. But what methods does Sauron go to, to destroy the one person who can destroy him?
List Of Characters Aragorn - main Gandalf - main Legolas - main Gimli - main Merry - secondary
Pippin - secondary Éowyn - secondary King Théoden - secondary Éomer - secondary Faramir - secondary Frodo Baggins - brief appearance Samwise Gamgee - brief appearance and of course the Nine Nazgûl - main
Chapter One:- The Palantir
The palantir rested in the palms of his hands, light and delicate it felt between his palms. He dared not look in it. Not yet. The globe was dark, black and the eye could see nothing. Putting it safely in his pocket, Aragorn got up from the small camp, he and his companions had set up. He walked for a little way, through the ruins of Isengard.
A battle had been here. The Ents of Fangorn Forest had attacked Isengard, hoping to prevent Saruman from destroying the forest trees, some of which lived and breathed like real people. Many Ents had been destroyed by the process of this, never to walk the Earth again. But the Ents had been victorious, trapping Saruman inside his tower.
Aragorn stopped and looked up into the night sky. Stars shone overhead, making the dark sky lighter then it should've been. Aragorn stepped into the shadows of a smaller building. He leaned down against the wall, concealing himself. His hands strayed to the palantir that now rested in his pocket.
Should he do it? Should he reveal himself to Sauron? No! He couldn't. It would. . . well what would it do? That was obvious. Sauron would send out his army to kill him. That's what he would do. Aragorn once more held the stone in his hands, but the sound of footsteps stopped him from looking into the stone.
He quickly put it back into his pocket and hid from view. A voice rang out, calling his name. "Strider! Where are you?" It was the voice of Meriadoc Brandybuck, the young Hobbit, who he had to look after until he had to leave.
It was no use hiding, so he called out. "Merry! I'm over here."
The Hobbit ran over to Aragorn. He looked surprised to see him there. "What are you of all people hiding out here."
"I don't want to be found." Aragorn replied. "But I had to because you'd probably go to the others that I was missing."
"Why are you out here?" Merry asked, intrigued.
"I'd rather not tell you." Aragorn said. "I wish to be left alone, so I can think things through."
"What things?"
"Are you so full of questions?" Aragorn asked, annoyed.
"Yes." Merry said. "Pippin's worse. He's the more, uh, dangerous one of us."
"I realised that when he looked in the palantir." Stated Aragorn. "He could have done something terribly wrong, like give Frodo away to the enemy."
Merry nodded. "At least I had some sense not to look in it."
"Good." Aragorn replied. "Just tell the others I want to be left alone."
Merry nodded, and walked away. Just to be safe, Aragorn moved away from the ruined tower and into the abandoned Orc room. The room he was now in, smelt disgusting. He kept the door open, but seated himself in the corner of the room and lifted the palantir out of his pocket and held it up to his eyes.
The palantir remained quiet and colourless. Then just as Aragorn resolved that nothing was going to happen, he noticed the gradual colour changing to the redness of fire, before he realised that it was the Eye, that was forming.
The Eye of Sauron.
The Eye vanished as quickly as it had come. In it's place was a spirit, or what Aragorn thought it was. The spirit looked menacing and it's eye blazed with fire. This was Sauron. The spirit of the dark lord, and Aragorn upon seeing this felt immensely scared to behold such an evil.
Aragorn pulled himself together and watched the spirit. Sauron was asking him questions, but Aragorn wouldn't respond. Then something happened, which caused him to drop the palantir on the ground. Sauron had reached out and touched his mind. Picking it up again, Aragorn continued to stare at the stone, listening to Sauron.
Then it became too much, and Aragorn thrust the stone away from his face, holding it away from him. But the grip the dark lord had on him was too much. In the midst of his struggle, mentally, he heard a roaring scream penetrating his mind and sending him backwards against the wall. He knew why too. Sauron had discovered who he was and was throwing a range of insults his way, through the palantir.
Even so, Aragorn didn't the strength to pull himself away the palantir and he heard for the first time, the cruel, dark laughter of Sauron. Closing his eyes, Aragorn pulled the stone away from him, not daring to look back in it. When he had the strength to open his eyes, Aragorn found the palantir silent and back to normal.
He pocketed it and laid back against the wall, breathing slowly. He had only just pulled away from it. At least he hadn't done what Pippin had done. The palantir was more powerful then he had thought it would've been. Leaning back against the wall of the room, Aragorn rested.
*******************************************************************
Gandalf the White stepped off Shadowfax his horse and then helped the Hobbit, Peregrin Took get down. They stood outside the city Minas Tirith; it's glowing lights glowing brightly in the little moonlight that shone down. He took hold of Pippin and led him through the streets. As they reached the end of the street, a loud screech was heard overhead.
Gandalf, Pippin and many other people looked up. In the sky, on dragons were the nine Nazgûl, all going in the direction from which Gandalf and Pippin had come from.
"They weren't coming for me, where they?" Pippin asked. Since he had had his fright with the palantir Pippin had been nervous of the black riders for coming for him.
"No." Gandalf replied. "They're going to Isengard, but I don't think they are going there to get you. Something else has happened since we left."
They continued their walk through the city till they came to the great houses of the Stewards of Gondor that was situated at the centre of the city. Gandalf and Pippin were led through the great doors; they walked through the golden halls until they came to a great wooden door, basked in jewels.
They were admitted inside. Upon the throne sat Denethor, the Steward of the city. By Pippin's standards, Denethor looked old and weary as if he had just come in from battle. As they approached his eyes lightened up, but then he spotted Pippin and his eyes grew cold.
His eyes swivelled to look at Gandalf, and he brightened up. "Mithrandir! How glad to see you again." Denethor turned to Pippin. "And what is this?"
"A Hobbit." Replied Gandalf. "A halfling as you might know them."
"A halfling!" sneered Denethor. "The halfling that drew my son away from home to seek his death?"
"No." Pippin answered. "I am not the halfling you speak of. I knew of Boromir. He was a valiant men and went down fighting Orcs to protect my companion and I."
"Yes, he was a fighter." Denethor replied. "You'll will have to tell me of his last heroic battle when there is time."
"I will." Pippin said, bowing.
Then Denethor directed his attention away from Pippin and focused on Gandalf. "Mithrandir! Tell me of why you have come to this city?"
"I've come to aid Minas Tirith in it's time of great need. The dark lord will soon send his armies out to attack you and if you're not probably defended then the race of men will be wiped from the face of the earth." Gandalf explained. "I come to aid you."
Denethor nodded. "I will organise the city. What will you do?"
"I need to return to Isengard. I fear something will happen there. I will return as soon as I can, but for now I would like you to take Peregrin Took," he indicated Pippin, " into your service. He is an able worker and fighter. He may be small, but he can help you."
"Fine. I take him into my service." Denethor said. "Now, go, Gandalf to where you need to go, but make haste and return as soon as you can."
*******************************************************************
Gandalf rode swiftly through the many fields towards the barren wasteland that was Isengard. The Orthanc Tower stood out and as he approached, Gandalf could hear screeches and as he looked out, he saw the winged Black Riders circling the tower. From the top window he could see Legolas peering out and firing arrows at the Riders.
Gandalf told Shadowfax to head for the Tower. As he approached, the Riders screeched louder, but they ignored Gandalf. The White Wizard jumped off his horse and ran into the Tower, slamming the door behind him and locking it with a spell; to stop the Riders from entering. He flew up the stairs and soon he reached the top.
In the small room was Merry, who was standing looking out the window at the flying Nazgûl; Gimli, wielding his axe; Legolas just shooting arrows with an endless supply and Aragorn was leaning against the wall. Gandalf shook his head.
Before he could even speak, there was a loud crash. Gandalf rushed back to the entrance to which he had come through and looking down the winding stairs he saw four riders gliding gracefully up the stairs, with sharp swords enclosed in their right hand.
Gandalf muttered something and a white glow came from his staff and hit the first rider, but it still continued to glide forward, up the stairs of the Tower of Orthanc. Gandalf sent another spell towards the Nazgûl, but once again it rebounded and hit the wall above Gandalf. Nothing was working to keep these creatures back.
Gandalf fled back up the stairs. The others were all ready armed. Legolas now had his bow pointed at the door; Merry had a small sword which he was holding in his hand, his face grim; Aragorn held his sword and Gimli held his axe and determination filled his face. Théoden's men, who had not left with Théoden when he had left with Gandalf, each had their swords or bows out, all aimed at the door.
Even as Gandalf positioned himself in the centre the Nazgûl came bursting in, their swords glittering in the darkness of the tower. Legolas shot an arrow at the Nazgûl, but the arrow rebounded off of it. In the next couple of minutes, the Nazgûl had knocked Merry out; broken Gimli's axe; and were now circling the group.
The others watched them, but then the turned to the group, bringing their swords to bear. They turned to Aragorn, the swords pointing at him. Gandalf moved in front of them, banging his staff down on the stone floor, sending shock waves towards the Black Riders.
They paused, but began moving again. This little stall had given Legolas to pick up Merry and bolt to the door, followed by the remainder of Théoden's men and Aragorn and Gimli. The Riders attempted to follow but Gandalf sent another shock wave, and then he bolted for the door.
When he reached the bottom, Gandalf sped out the door and followed the others away from the tower. They reached the edge of the site and ran out into the plain. Behind them was the nine black riders pursuing them, on their winged creatures. Gandalf stopped and shouted a spell. The creature was hit and the black rider fell to the ground as it's winged creature fell to the ground dead.
The Nazgûl were approaching.
Up ahead the group could see the looming trees of Fangorn Forest. They just had to reach them. Gandalf stopped in his tracks and cast another spell hitting another winged creature, sending it falling to the ground. It landed in a heap. The Nazgûl rider screeched loudly, but it didn't pursue, but the other seven were still a flight and gaining rapidly.
Legolas reached the forest first and with Merry in hand jumped into the tree, landing gracefully on the tree. Aragorn came next, leaping up next to him. Gimli ran further into the forest, but the other's could still see him. Behind Gimli, Gloin's son were the surviving men of Rohan. Gandalf came last still muttering words and sending blinding white light towards the black riders.
Minutes passed and then Gandalf proclaimed that all was save for now. The black riders had retreated. Merry was now awake, and feeling confused as his last memory was being knocked down by a metallic hand of the Nazgûl. Once everybody was safe, Gandalf turned to Aragorn and said,: "I fear that you've made Sauron angry by revealing yourself, Aragorn. It may have done some good though." Gandalf said, thoughtfully. "He may lay off his attack on the cities, now, that he knows your identity. I believe that Sauron will forget about the people for a moment and just send out his minions to kill you. It may help and give the ring-bearer a chance to succeed in his quest. We just have to keep you save until either Frodo succeeds or Sauron acquires his most precious treasure."
But Gandalf had a feeling that that would be the most hardest part of all. Keeping Aragorn save from the riders would be tricky. They couldn't risk losing him to the enemy.
They would lose everything if they did.
To Be Continued..