Disclaimer: See Chapter One, its all there.

A/N: Well, I lied. I thought I could wrap this story up with one last chapter, but I can't. This chapter was getting too long, so I have decided to break it up into two chapters (or three, depending on how long it gets) and finish the story up with an epilogue at the end. So, it looks as if we have a ways to go yet…thanks to everyone that has read and reviewed this story. It has turned out to be a joy to write and I hope it is a joy to read.

Here we go…

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Chapter Sixteen

The land of Mordor was dreary, flat and drab hued. On the roads, nothing moved, but Sam feared watchful eyes as they moved cautiously through the shadows. South-eastward, far off like a dark standing shadow, loomed the Mountain. Smoke poured forth from it, great rolling clouds floating down its sides and spreading out over the land. Sam tried to guess the distance as they decided which path they ought to take.

"It looks every step of fifty miles, Mister Frodo," he muttered gloomily, staring at the threatening mountain, "and that'll take precious time."

"Time is something we do not have." Frodo said quietly, almost to himself. His apprehensive gaze settled on the Mountain. "Where do you suppose everyone is? The roads are eerily deserted."

"Sauron has gathered them all to do battle against Strider and the others." Sam surmised. "The advancing army seemed quite large. Do you think the others will be all right?"

"They depend on us, Sam." answered Frodo with a sigh. "If the Ring is not destroyed, our friends surely will be."

Sam nodded and with a new sense of responsibility, he brought his eyes back to the ground near at hand, studying their next move. To his surprise, he saw that what from a distance had seemed wide and featureless flats were in fact all broken and tumbled. The entire surface of the plains was pocked with great holes, the largest holes rimmed with ridges of broken rock and fissures. It was a land in which it would be possible to creep from hiding place to hiding place, unseen by all but the most watchful eyes. And he felt certain any watchful eyes would be fixed on the coming battle.

"We can crawl, Mister Frodo, from hole to hole and remain undetected. It is our best chance."

Frodo nodded. "You truly have been an asset, Sam. We will do as you propose."

And so the desperate journey continued as the Ring went south, the land about them seemingly bracing for some great storm. It was unnerving, Sam decided as they hurriedly made their way towards the Mountain ahead. Even as they neared it, the Mountain itself seemed to grow angry, fire and smoke shooting forth into the sky, casting an eerie red glow about the land.

"It is almost as if it senses our presence." Frodo observed worriedly. "It knows what we will attempt to do and it will try to stop us."

At that moment, Sam felt a tremor in the ground beneath him and he heard a deep rumble as if thunder under the earth. There was a brief red flame that flickered under the clouds and died away.

"It is weary of us, Mister Frodo, and nervous." said Sam. "It will not prevail in destroying us."

"Your optimism does me good." Frodo smiled. "Together we will conquer that Mountain." With a grim determination, they continued on, the Mountain creeping ever nearer.

* * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn surveyed the approaching army with a growing apprehension. "They will reach us in less than twenty minutes." he said to Boromir, who watched beside him. Roaring cries drifted along the wind, reaching their ears and adding to their uneasiness.

"It will be a trying battle." Boromir said, looking behind him to the nervous army. "And our army will be vastly outnumbered. Most look as if they have seen too many winters."

"Or too few." Faramir added with concern. "They grow anxious…I can feel it emanating from them."

"They have every reason to grow anxious." said Gimli. "The odds are against us this time."

Boromir sighed. "The odds are always against us. Why should this time be any different."

"It would be nice for a change." grinned Faramir. "A break from the ordinary."

"They come closer still." Boromir noted, gazing out at the approaching army once more. 'I can already smell their foul stench."

"Actually," Aragorn said with a smile, "you are standing down wind from Faramir. It has been days since he last bathed."

"I resent that." Faramir huffed. "It has been weeks, actually. Besides, you three are not smelling of roses either, if I may point out."

"Ah," Boromir laughed, "but we are not the ones with a certain lady to impress."

Faramir frowned. "She is days away from here, resting in the comfort of Gondor. I doubt she knows of my lack of bathing."

"Give it a few more days. I am certain the smell will have reached Gondor by then." grinned Boromir.

"Funny." said Faramir. "Perhaps we should concentrate on the large Orc army that heads our way. Impending doom tends to take precedence over bathing."

"They are getting a bit close." Aragorn said, turning to the men behind him. "Men of Rohan and Gondor, hear me!" He cried, gaining the attention of those around him. "The hour is at hand! We will face the evil forces of Sauron and we will prevail!"

"Maybe!" Faramir shouted beside him.

"We are not really sure!" added Boromir as Aragorn turned towards them with a glare.

"Will you two shut up?" he hissed, before continuing. "We have the heart and the courage to triumph over evil."

"And with any luck, the Ringbearer will destroy the Ring before they slaughter us all!" yelled Gimli with a smile.

Aragorn sighed as the men surrounding him choked back laughs. "Is this your idea of encouragement?" he grumbled.

"Humor always lightens the mood." Faramir grinned. "Here, let me try…Men of Gondor and Rohan! We can prevail!" he assured the soldiers. "Now is the time to fight will all your heart and soul. Good has conquered this evil before and good can triumph again!"

"Well said, brother." observed Boromir as the men cheered.

"Thank you."

"I was going to say that." grumbled Aragorn. "You three ruined my speech."

Boromir smiled. "All in a day's work. The army is almost here."

Aragorn unsheathed his sword and rode to the front of the line, calling for his men to line up. "Ready yourselves!" he yelled. "Archers to the front!"

Pippin watched as nervous men slowly rode to the front to stand beside Aragorn. "They are scared." He said to Dernhelm, who nodded.

"Fighting in battle is a scary thing." he agreed. "But we all must do our part to defeat this evil."

"Have you ever been in battle, Dernhelm?"

The Rider shook his head. "Minor skirmishes only, though I have trained all my life for this one moment. If I live or die today is not my concern. I care only for keeping those I love safe."

"You are very noble." admitted Pippin. "I am afraid I am not the best warrior."

"Nor am I." Merry said, walking towards Pippin with a nervous smile. "This is our first real battle."

"When the fighting starts, stay near me." Dernhelm said. "I will do my best to protect you."

"We would appreciate any assistance you would give us." Pippin said with relief. He turned towards Aragorn as a roaring sound suddenly filled his ears. "The Orcs are here."

Dernhelm drew his sword. "It begins."

Aragorn stared out at the large army as the Orcs stopped only a half-mile away. Their leader rode out in front of them, issuing orders in a rough, commanding voice.

"Take out their leader." he told the nearest archer, who nodded as he notched an arrow. With a graceful arch, the arrow soared through the air, imbedding itself in the chest of the large Orc. "Good shot." Aragorn said approvingly as the Orcs roared in anger. "Well, that made them mad!" Aragorn grinned at Boromir, who drew his own sword.

"Here they come!" yelled Faramir.

"On my mark!" Aragorn roared. "Charge!"

* * * * * * * * * *

Legolas shielded his eyes against the whipping winds as he stared at the scene below. "The Dark Army is almost upon them!" He cried to Gwaihir, his heart sinking as he noted that Aragorn's army was vastly outnumbered. "I do not think Father's army will arrive in time!"

"Have faith, young Prince." Gwaihir said. "They will be here. They are just a short distance away."

"Put me down at the edge of the battle, Gwaihir." Legolas said firmly. "I must help them."

"Your duty is to get to Mount Doom, young elf, and stop Amras from obtaining the Ring." Gwaihir reminded him.

Legolas looked into the distance at Mount Doom, which stood tall like a beacon for evil. "I cannot stand by while my friends are in danger."

"You must. I will get you to Mount Doom. Destroy the Ring and your friends will be forever safe."

Legolas nodded, the wisdom of the eagle's words slowly sinking in. "Then get me there quickly, my friend, because the Orcs have just charged. The battle has begun."

A sudden ear-piercing cry assaulted them, drawing their attention to the skies around them. "The battle has begun up here too, my young friend." Gwaihir said quietly. "The Nazgul have arrived."

Legolas watched as two Ringwraiths flew towards them, riding upon large winged monsters. "They head directly for us." he noted nervously, drawing his bow. "I am not sure I can stop them."

"Aim for the beast's head." advised Gwaihir, diving suddenly to the right to give Legolas a better angle. "Without their flying beasts, they will be no threat to us."

Legolas took careful aim, ignoring everything around him as he fixed his sights on the monster's unprotected neck. Letting his arrow fly, he held his breath as it sailed gracefully through the air, easily finding its target only moments later. He grinned as the beast roared in anger and pain before it fell from the sky, taking its rider with it. "One down." he said to Gwaihir.

"And three more to go. Our friend has found company."

Legolas groaned as he saw that Gwaihir was right. Two more Nazgul had arrived, flanking their comrade. "Get me close." he told Gwaihir, notching another arrow. "I need a better angle.

The eagle nodded, swooping gracefully in the air as he headed directly for the coming Nazgul. When they were just feet away, Legolas took aim and let his arrow fly, connecting solidly with another of the flying beasts, causing it to drop from the sky. A sudden dive by Gwaihir forced him to grab a tight hold as they flew hastily away from the remaining Nazgul.

"Gwaihir, what are you doing?" Legolas asked the eagle in shock. "There are only two left!"

"I was hit, young Prince." The eagle responded, pain lacing his words. "A Nazgul blade has found its mark."

Legolas looked down, his keen eyes finding the deadly weapon that protruded from his friend's wing. Grabbing ahold of the blade, he pulled firmly as the eagle hissed in pain. "I am sorry, my friend." Legolas apologized. "I should not have taken you so close."

"Do not concern yourself with me." Gwaihir said firmly. "I am an old eagle…I can look after myself. Though I fear I am unable to bear you to Mount Doom."

"Set me down, my friend, and look after yourself. I can make my own way to Mount Doom." Legolas assured him. Gwaihir nodded weakly as he landed gently on an outcropping at the edge of the battle. Legolas grabbed his bow and knives and dropped lightly to the ground, turning to regard his longtime friend.

"Take are of yourself, Gwaihir. I owe you much."

"Make me proud, little Prince." Gwaihir responded with a pained smile. "Destroy the Ring, as is your destiny."

"I will not fail." Legolas smiled as he headed toward the raging battle.

"And Legolas?"

"Yes?" He responded, turning towards the eagle.

"Take care of yourself."

Legolas smiled. "I will see you when this is over, my friend." With one last grin, he turned and ran towards the battle, leaving a worried eagle behind.

* * * * * * * * * *

Gimli swung his ax in a hard, wide arc, taking out the Orcs nearest him in one swift move. "Four more!" The Dwarf growled to Aragorn. "That makes my total at over 100!" His eyes flashed briefly with sadness. "I doubt that Elf could have beaten that."

"You will have to give me a moment to catch up." A familiar voice smirked from behind, startling the Dwarf. "I have slain twenty just to reach you, though Ugluk should count for more."

Gimli and Aragorn whirled around in shock, momentarily forgetting the battle that blazed around them.

"Legolas!" Aragorn cried in disbelief. "We thought you dead!" He moved to embrace his friend as an arrow whizzed by his head.

"Twenty-One." Legolas grinned, lowering his bow. "You must remember to guard your flank, Ranger."

Aragorn grinned broadly has he hugged the Elf before him. "We thought we had lost you."

"It will take more than a demented Dark Elf and his Orc cronie to do me in." Legolas laughed as Gimli shouted.

"105!"

"The human distracts me, Dwarf." Legolas laughed. "We will see who bests the other when this battle is over."

"Ai, we will lad." Gimli smiled. "Where have you been hiding?"

Legolas quickly notched another arrow and let if fly, hitting an advancing Orc in the throat. "Twenty-two. Amras took me to a cozy little spot in the woods and he simply refused to let me leave. In the end, I finally had to put an end to his hospitality. Poor Ugluk really lost his head over that one."

Aragorn frowned slightly, momentarily distracted by a growling Orc. Swinging his sword around, he severed the beast's head. "Hey," he said, "this one lost his head too. There must be an epidemic."

"Pity." Legolas agreed, drawing his knives against another beast. "Aragorn, where is Frodo?"

"110!" Gimli growled.

"He heads for Mount Doom with Sam." Aragorn grunted, coming to stand back to back with Legolas.

"Amras knows." Legolas said. "His Crebain informed him of your movements toward Mordor. He will try to stop Frodo and claim control over the Ring."

"Those birds." Aragorn scowled. "I knew they were up to no good. We must not allow Amras to get that Ring."

Nodding, Legolas said, "I agree. I must go after him." His knives lashed out, impaling another attacker. "This neighborhood has really declined. It is infested with Orcs."

"I have noticed that too. Perhaps it is time we found a new location."

"I would suggest you go after those hobbits soon." Gimli huffed. "If they do not destroy that Ring quickly, we are all doomed."

"Aragorn, Gimli is right." Legolas said, dispatching yet another Orc. "Twenty-Eight. Amras must be stopped before he finds Frodo."

Aragorn nodded. "I will go with you. But first, let us make our way to Boromir and Faramir. They will have to control the battle."

"Where are they?"

Aragorn looked out over the battle. "There." he pointed. Legolas looked.

"The two surrounded by Orcs?"

"Yep, that would be them."

Legolas sighed. "This ought to be fun." Drawing his bow, he sized up the distance to the men and in quick succession, fired off a dozen arrows.

Boromir looked around him in shock as one by one, the surrounding Orcs fell. "What the hell? Faramir, what did you do?"

"Me?" Faramir said, just as surprised. "Brother, as much as I would like to claim that feat, it was not me."

"Forty." A voice behind them said, followed by a haughty retort.

"If I had a bow, I could do that too. I like to get up close." Fumed Gimli.

"Sorry about spoiling your fun." Legolas laughed, running up beside the stunned brothers. "I am certain you had the situation under control."

"Legolas?" whispered Boromir, his eyes wide.

"In the flesh." he answered as the man engulfed him in a hug. "Did everyone think me dead?"

"We had feared as much." Gandalf said, appearing suddenly next to him. The wizard looked harried, despite the grin on his face. "It does us good to have you back."

"I fear I cannot remain. Amras has gone after Frodo and he must be stopped." Legolas said grimly.

"I must go with him." Aragorn added. "Boromir, Faramir, you must lead our men."

"Splendid." Laughed Faramir. "I have always wanted to lead a large army against unmentionable odds. This should be fun."

"Who said you were in charge?" Boromir huffed. "I am older…I shall lead them to their impending dooms."

Gandalf sighed. "I wish the two of you a speedy journey." he said to Aragorn and Legolas. "For if we must rely on these two for leadership, we most certainly will not last the day."

"Reinforcements are on the way, fear not. My Father and Lord Elrond are heading here with a large army and should arrive soon."

Boromir grinned broadly. "That is welcome news. I was beginning to doubt our ability to win this war."

"You had doubts?" Faramir looked at him. "You said we were weakening them."

"We were surrounded by a dozen Orcs. Did you honestly believe we were weakening them?"

"Well, I don't anymore." Faramir huffed.

"With reinforcements, we have a much better chance of winning."

"Great." Faramir said, muttering something under his breath about lying, deceiving brothers.

"We will hurry." Legolas laughed. "And the Elves will be here soon." He grabbed his knives and headed quickly away, followed by Aragorn.

"More Elves." Boromir said. "There goes the neighborhood."

"Better than Orcs." Laughed Faramir.

"Forty-Five!" the voice of Legolas drifted back to them, making Gimli frown.

"That darn Elf in gaining on me quickly." He raised his ax. "Back to work."

* * * * * * * * * *

"AI!" Pippin cried, holding his small sword out in front of him to ward off an attack. "Help me! Get it away from me!" He lashed out with the blade, doing his best to defend himself against the attacking Orc's jabs.

"I am coming Pippin!" Merry cried. "Hold on!"

"Get it! Kill it! Maim it!" Pippin yelled. "Do something to it!"

The Orc growled at the young hobbit, bringing his sword back to deliver a swift blow as Pippin looked around hopelessly for a place to hide. As the sword came down, he closed his eyes, wishing he was still safely in the Shire.

"Pippin!" He heard Merry cry, but it was too late. His friend was too far away. His eyes closed, Pippin awaited the blow he knew was coming when he heard a pained grunt. His eyes opened slightly. "Was that me?" He asked no one in particular. Opening his eyes even more, he was a bit startled to see the Orc lying dead at his feet.

"Keep sharp, young hobbit." Dernhelm said, lowering his bow. "That one almost had you."

"I thank you, Dernhelm." Pippin breathed gratefully. "I feared I was done for."

"That was too close." Merry cried, rushing up beside his friend. "Battle is not the place for hobbits."

"Stay close to each other." Dernhelm advised. "Protect each other. You are stronger when you fight together."

The hobbits nodded, standing back to back to protect each other's flank. Dernhelm, seeing the two together, headed off into the thick of the battle.

"Where does he think he is going?" Merry asked, watching the human disappear. "I thought he was going to protect us."

"I guess we will have to protect ourselves." Pippin said. "Uh oh." he hissed suddenly, making Merry turn around to see what had unnerved him so.

"Oh no!" Merry cried, seeing a familiar figure stalking towards them. "It is Trion!"

The Orc growled, a sadistic smile gracing his face. "Halflings!"

Merry and Pippin cowered together as the large Orc advanced on them, his sword raised. "Fight him, Pip!" Merry whispered quickly. "You can best him!"

"You fight him!" Pippin retorted. "I will back you up!"

"How about YOU fight him and I back you up!"

The Orc growled again, only feet away from the small pair. "You will die now, halflings!"

Pippin stared at him. And felt something snap.

"AIIIIIIII!" he cried, raising his sword and rushing the much larger creature. "You will not slay us, Orc!" He lashed out with his blade, striking the stunned Orc in the leg, eliciting a loud grunt of pain. Furiously, the small hobbit continued to strike at the other being's leg, causing him to stumble to the ground.

"This is for Legolas!" Pippin cried, still attacking the fallen beast. "And for Merry!"

"Pippin!" Merry yelled beside him, bringing him back to reality. "He is dead."

Pippin stared down at the still form, his eyes noting the ashen paler of its face. "You are right, Merry." he said, lowering his bloodied sword. "We are rid of him."

"That was great!" said Merry happily, clapping his friend on the back. "You saved us!"

Another growl from the right drew their attention. "Another Orc advances." Pippin snarled. "Let us go and meet him."

* * * * * * * * * *

"How far is there to go, Sam?" Frodo asked wearily, aware that the Ring grew heavier, more ominous, with each step.

"I do not know," said Sam, "because I don't know where we are going." He looked back and then he looked up and he was amazed to see how far their efforts had brought them. The Mountain, standing ominous and alone, had looked taller than it was. They had reached the Mountain's foot on its northern; there its long gray slopes were not so sheer. Together, they cautiously scaled the base before Sam discovered a path leading up the side of the Mountain, its trail wounding snakelike up and out of sight. The hobbits could not see the course immediately above them, whether the path was sleep or gradual, but at this point, they felt they had no other choice.

"The path is not here for our purposes, Sam." Frodo noted, eyeing the Mountain warily. "But we will utilize it."

"We must climb the slope, Mister Frodo, and then we will meet up with the path." Sam dropped to his knees and slowly began to crawl his way up the steep slope, Frodo following his lead. "I am weary, Mister Frodo." Sam sighed. "But the path will help us greatly."

Reaching the path, he stood and helped Frodo the rest of the way up. "I am weakening Sam." Frodo said sadly, fingering the Ring nervously. "It is overpowering my resolve."

"Be strong, Frodo." Said Sam. "We are almost there and many depend on our success."

Frodo nodded with resolve as the path climbed on. Higher and higher they climbed, following the course of the trail around the Mountain until the path suddenly ended and they found themselves facing a dark door in the Mountain's side.

"This is it, Mister Frodo. We have reached its entrance."

"Let us hurry, Sam." whispered Frodo. "It wants to go back to Sauron."

They walked up to the gaping mouth and peered in. It was dark and hot, and a deep rumbling shook the air. They had come to the realm of Sauron. Fearfully, they took a few uncertain steps in the dark, and then all at once there came a flash of red and the hobbits saw that they were in a dark tunnel that bored into the Mountain's side.

"This is the path we must take." Sam noted. "Deep inside this mountain is where we must go to destroy that Ring."

Frodo removed the phial of Galadriel, hoping it would illuminate the cavern, but it was pale and cold in his trembling hand, throwing out no light into the stifling dark. "We should have brought Gimli." Frodo noted softly. "He is at home in dark caves. I am afraid we will have to venture inside without the aid of light."

"We have come this far, Mister Frodo." Sam grinned nervously. "We will not let a little dark keep us from our task." His face displaying his newfound resolve, Sam trudged forward into the blackness, followed by Frodo. Neither was fully aware of the evil that awaited them inside.

* * * * * * * * * *

"They came this way." Aragorn said, kneeling over the very obviously hobbit footprints. "They must have taken this path to the Mountain."

"They are a great distance ahead of us." Legolas noted, eyeing the Mountain that loomed in the distance.

"Another track lies over here." Aragorn pointed out. "Though this is not the print of a hobbit's foot."

"Amras?"

"Amras." Aragorn confirmed. "He is gaining on them."

"Then we must hurry." said Legolas.

* * * * * * * * * *

"200!" the cry of Gimli was heard above the chaotic noise of the battle. Boromir smiled at the Dwarf's enthusiasm as he fended off an attack.

"I am glad someone is enjoying themselves." Faramir laughed, fending off an attacker of his own. "We are losing this battle. Where are those Elves?"

"There." Boromir said, raising his horn to his lips and blowing a loud note. The men around him looked up briefly, their eyes lighting up at the site of the Elves charging towards them.

"It is about time." Gimli huffed. "Leave it to Elves to arrive when the battle is almost over."

"My King!" Thranduil's captain said. "The battle is not going well for the men."

"Archers! Lend them some support!" Thrandruil ordered as the archers rode forward, unleashing a volley of arrows down on the fighting Orcs.

"Draw your swords!" Lord Elrond yelled. "Forward!" At his command, the Elves rode swiftly forward, throwing themselves into the battle with a fervor.

Boromir jumped back as an arrow whizzed past his head and struck an Orc in the throat. "Hey!" he cried, "The goal is to kill the Orcs, not me!"

"And that is what I did." The elf near him smiled.

"Haldir." grinned Boromir. "It is a pleasure to see you again. Glad you could make it to our little war."

"I wouldn't have missed it." Haldir said.

"Your timing is impeccable." Faramir told him. "We were just getting ready to finish them off."

"Of course you were." Elrond said, joining them. "Where is Aragorn?"

"He and Legolas have gone after the Ringbearer." Boromir explained. "They have gone to stop Amras."

"Then let us take care of this Orc army." Haldir said. "I have been looking forward to battle the entire way here."

"Lead on."

With a growl, Haldir entered the fray, much to the amusement of Thranduil and Elrond. "Oh, to be young again." Thranduil laughed. "Did we ever have that level of enthusiasm?

"I still possess it." Elrond grinned, raising his own sword. "Come, you old Elf, let us show these youngsters how a war is really won."

* * * * * * * * * *

A/N: Well? How was it? I have already started writing the next chapter, so it should not be long until it is posted. With any luck, the next chapter should be the last, followed by an Epilogue. I hope. This story has turned out to be much longer than I had originally anticipated. Anyway, please remember to read AND review :-)