Disclaimer: See Chapter One

A/N: Well, here it is. The final chapter of this story :-) Am I the only one who is happy? There will be an Epilogue posted too, after this chapter. It has been a fun ride…thanks to everyone for reading.

Here we go…

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Chapter Seventeen

Lord Elrond looked up from the Orc he had just slain, his weary eyes surveying the battlefield. To his amazement, he found none but men and elves standing. The Orcs had either been destroyed or were fleeing the battle.

"They flee!" Pippin yelled happily, raising his small sword in triumph.

"Yippee for us!" Cheered Merry, equally thrilled. The two hobbits had impressed all, including themselves, with their newfound battle skills.

Boromir, however, was less convinced. "Why do they flee?" he asked Faramir. "They were not losing. They were not outnumbered. They had no reason to flee."

Faramir shrugged. "Let us not question their motives, brother. We won. They are on the run."

"Ai." Gimli said, joining them. "I must agree with Boromir. The Orcs had no reason to flee."

"Perhaps they were afraid of us hobbits." Pippin laughed. "We are a fierce bunch."

Boromir laughed. "I am inclined to agree with that, Lord Pippin. You were quite fierce in battle."

King Thranduil strode over to the group, his tunic spotted with the blood of slain Orcs. "This is not right." he said warily. "They are up to something."

Hearing his foreboding words, the men and elves around him glanced about nervously, their eyes searching for signs of the Orcs' treachery. A rumbling began in the distance, slowly at first, then crescendoing into a loud, deafening roar. Along the horizon, masses upon masses of large beings gathered, their swords waving menacingly in the air.

"What is that?" Faramir asked, his worry evident.

The others stared, trepidation consuming them as the masses began to move, the synchronized footsteps of such a large army causing the ground below them to shake. As they watched, another sound gained their attention, this one behind them. Men and Elves whirled around, shocked at what they found.

"It is the second wave." said Boromir.

"And we are surrounded." noted Faramir glumly. The surviving members of their armies gathered around them, their swords readied, their eyes alert. As they watched, a growl was heard and the Orcs began to run towards them.

"Do you think they would accept surrender?" Faramir asked, a tight smile on his face.

"You try first." answered Boromir, raising his blade. "We will wait and see how it goes for you."

"Ai, let me at them!" growled Gimli. "If I am to go out, I will die fighting!"

"Right then. Here we go."

With a yell, they ran forward to meet the oncoming Orcs, their resulting crash sounding like thunder in the gray land.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Did you hear that?" asked Legolas, his ears perked. "It sounded like thunder."

Aragorn eyed the sky above. "That was not thunder." he said. "Let us hurry!"

They ran up the path, reaching the base of the Mountain as the sky turned dark. "Night has fallen." Legolas noted. "The darkness will not bode well for us."

"It will not bode well for Amras either." Aragorn said. "They took this path, up the side of the Mountain. That is where we will go."

Following the trail, they climbed up the side of the Mountain, the trail twisting around before bringing them to a door. Aragorn bent close to the ground, searching. "They were here. They entered the Mountain through this door."

"And the other prints?"

"Are here as well."

Nodding, the two rushed into the dark recesses of the tunnel, both intent on finding their friends as quickly as possible.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sam led the way into a dimly lit, humid cavern, the smell of sulfur and ash heavy in the air. At the far end of the cave was a large chasm, filled with fiery lava and poignant smoke. "I think this is it." he said to Frodo, who was beginning to look as if death had come to claim him. His skin had turned quite gray and his eyes, sunken in their sockets, stared out at the cavern with manic interest.

"He wants it." Frodo muttered. "He wants it and he will get it. He wants it now. It wants to go to him."

"Mister Frodo!" Sam yelled loudly, those sunken eyes turning on him with a chilly glare. "Mister Frodo, you gotta snap out of it. This was our goal! We came here to destroy that Ring!"

"I cannot Sam. I cannot destroy my precious. My precious precious precious." The hobbit chanted insanely, his voice rising higher and higher with each word.

"Frodo?" Sam began nervously. "Are you well?"

"Well? You ask me if I am well, Sam? I would think it is plain as day that I am doing splendidly! I have my precious and you will not take it from me."

Sam raised his hands in bafflement. "We must destroy it, Mister Frodo! Our friends' lives depend on us! Give me the Ring. I will toss it into the fiery pit."

"You will not touch it!" Frodo screamed, backing away from Sam. "You will not get my precious, you conniving, cheating hobbit! You want it for yourself, but you cannot have it! Go Sam!" Frodo raised his sword. "Leave me!"

Sam backed away, tears springing to his eyes. "Mister Frodo?" he whimpered, his spirit wounded. "I want only to help you."

"You cannot help me, Sam. You cannot help yourself."

"Ah, but you can help him." A threatening voice said, and Sam felt the familiar sensation of cold steel pressed against his throat. With another whimper, he realized that Amras held him, his dagger poised for the kill. "Give me the Ring, little halfling, and your friend will not be hurt."

"Frodo!" Sam cried, cringing as the steel made a small cut in the soft flesh of his neck. "Destroy it, Frodo! Toss it over the edge!"

Frodo eyed the pair, uncertain. The dazed look cleared somewhat as he stared at the Ring in his hand. "Sam?"

"Destroy it! Now!"

"Give it to me, hobbit, or he dies." Amras growled.

"I…" Frodo began, shaking his head to clear the confusion. The Ring's overwhelming hold on him lifted somewhat, as his friend's life hung in peril. He wandered slowly towards the edge of the chasm, his hand still clutching the Ring. "I do not know."

"Give it to me now!" Amras screamed, digging the knife ever deeper into Sam's throat, eliciting a yelp of surprise from the captive hobbit. Frodo looked panicked as he grew still, his hand poised just over the edge.

"Destroy it, Mister Frodo!"

"Stupid hobbit!" Amras growled, twirling Sam around to face him. "You are more trouble then you are worth!" With an evil snarl, he plunged his dagger into Sam's shoulder, his manic eyes brightening with pleasure at the look of shock on Sam's face. Pulling the dagger free, he pushed the hobbit to the floor, wiping the blood on his tunic.

"Sam!" Frodo cried, his friend's plight erasing the last threads of the Ring's hold over him. "Sam!"

"He is dying now, hobbit. As will you too. Give me the Ring and I may spare your life."

"I will not!" Frodo yelled fiercely, his sword drawn against the elf.

Amras raged. "I do not have time to deal with your resistance, halfling!" With a flick of his wrist, his dagger flew through the air, striking the unsuspecting hobbit in the chest. The force of the blow propelled Frodo back, causing him to connect solidly with the stone wall behind him. Dazed, he fell to the ground in a heap, the Ring slipping out of his weak hand.

"Frodo!" Sam cried, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

Frodo groaned in response, a deep ache beginning in his head as blood seeped from a small cut above his eye. He made a feeble attempt to grab the Ring and hissed in pain as Amras's foot stomped down heavily upon his hand, pinning it in place.

"I think not, hobbit." He sneered, bending to retrieve the Ring while grinding his foot even harder on Frodo's wrist. "It is mine now." He held the Ring up in front of him, his manic eyes transfixed on the shiny, gold band that shimmered in the fire's light. A frenzied, high-pitched laugh escaped his throat as Sam crawled painfully towards Frodo. "It is mine now!" Amras laughed. "The One Ring is mine!"

"Frodo." Sam whispered urgently, his eyes watching the crazed Elf guardedly.

"Mithril, Sam." Frodo wheezed, his chest aching. "I am fine."

Sam gazed at his master's chest. As he had said, the knife had not punctured him, deflected by the Mithril armor he wore, much to Sam's relief.

"The Ring, Sam. We must not let him keep it."

The crazed, furious eyes turned on the hobbits. "Must not let him keep it?" Amras roared. "Who will stop me? You? I have worked too hard for this Ring." He drew his sword, the steel glinting dangerously in the dim light. "You will not stop me."

* * * * * * * * * *

"A scream." Legolas said, his ears perked to ascertain its direction. "This way."

"It sounded like a hobbit." Aragorn yelled as he ran behind Legolas.

"The Valar help Amras if he has hurt them." Legolas growled. "He and I have a bit of unfinished business to take care of."

* * * * * * * * * *

"They just keep coming." Faramir shouted, swinging his sword in a dizzying wave of motion, each strike connecting with another Orc. The wave of beasts swam over them, ten taking the place of each felled attacker.

"We must retreat!" Boromir yelled back, his face tense with exertion.

"To where?" Gimli called from beneath a pile of Orcs. "The blasted beasts have us surrounded!"

"Group together." yelled Elrond, signaling for all to join him and Thranduil atop a small hill.

Faramir sliced quickly through another Orc, then turned towards Boromir, intending to join him. His back turned, he did not see the Orc that rushed him. But Boromir did.

"Faramir!" He yelled, gesturing wildly at his brother. "Behind you!"

Faramir whirled around as the Orc's sword came down, the resulting clash of their blades severing Faramir's weapon in two. The Orc grinned at the weaponless man, striking out with his foot and knocking Faramir to the ground.

"No!" Boromir cried, fighting to reach his brother, but he was met with too much resistance. The Orc's sword raised as Faramir searched frantically for a weapon, though none was within reach. Boromir saw the blade fall as he screamed his brother's name…he was too far away, he would not make it in time to save him.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Goodbye hobbits." Amras smirked. "Have a nice death."

"Amras!" Legolas yelled, rushing quickly into the cavern. The other elf's eyes shone with a furious hatred.

"You." he hissed. "You should be dead."

"Better luck next time." Legolas raised his knives. "Back away from the hobbits."

Amras stuck the point of his sword at Frodo's throat. "You are too late, Legolas. I have the Ring -- I am all-powerful. Put your weapons down."

"The Ring will destroy you, Amras." Legolas said urgently. "You cannot control its power. Toss it away, while you still can."

"Toss it away? One does not toss away ultimate power. Put your weapons down or you all die…beginning with this pathetic halfling and his faithfully pitiful servant."

"Legolas." Aragorn whispered beside him. "He must not put that Ring on."

"Put your weapons down now or I will kill them Legolas." The point dug even deeper in the hobbit's flesh, emphasizing his point.

Legolas glanced at Aragorn. "We have no choice."

"We cannot." Aragorn whispered back. "He will win if we do."

Legolas slowly tossed his knives to the ground. "Trust me. And no matter what happens, get the hobbits to safety."

"No matter what happens?" Aragorn dropped his sword to the ground. "Legolas, what do you plan to do?"

"Fools!" Amras squealed, the Ring poised ready over his finger. "Now I will kill you all!"

The Ring slid slowly down his finger as Legolas propelled himself forward, knocking into the stunned elf. Amras's face was frozen in shock as Legolas's momentum took them to the edge of the cliff and with one final push, the two entangled elves fell over the side and into the chasm.

"Legolas!" Aragorn cried in disbelief as his friend disappeared from sight. He ran forward and stared frantically down into the fiery lava, his pleading eyes searching desperately for a sign of his friend. There was none.

* * * * * * * * * *

Faramir dived desperately out of the way of the massive Orc's blade, which grazed him painfully on the arm. With a hiss of pain, he grabbed his injured arm and continued to roll, narrowly escaping another strike from the beast before he struck painfully against a large boulder. He was stuck -- and the Orc knew it. As his weapon swung down, the deadly blow aimed at the man's head, a figure jumped between the two, deflecting the powerful blow with a loud clash of metal on metal. The furious Orc growled as he attacked the newcomer with a vengeance, while Faramir ducked out of the way of the two. His savior grunted as a blow to the leg found its mark, but with one final volley he brought his own blade home, dispatching the shocked Orc with a stab to the throat. The man grabbed Faramir and hauled him to his feet.

"We must join the group." The gruff voice said. "We are vulnerable here."

"We are vulnerable everywhere." Faramir groaned.

With a pained effort they retreated to the group, Boromir greeting his brother with a joyful smile. "You had me worried." He admonished the younger man. "Do not think to do that again."

"We are not safe yet." Thranduil informed them. "We are surrounded."

Men and Elves grouped tightly together against the onslaught of Orc, weapons raised as the surrounding brutes moved in closer.

"We cannot win this." said Gimli tersely.

"Then take as many of them with you as you can." ordered Elrond.

"Ai, that I will." Responded the Dwarf.

"Well, it has been a pleasure fighting with you." Boromir said tightly. "See you on the other side."

"Yes." Faramir agreed. "Thank you ever so much for inviting me."

With a roar, the Orcs attacked. And with a responding roar, Men and Elves prepared to defend.

As they clashed together there was a deafening BOOM, followed by a whispery, eerie silence. The combatants halted, momentarily forgetting the battle as they looked around, the wind picking up around them. A bright light flashed and as they watched, a shock wave barreled towards them, knocking them all roughly to the ground.

"What the hell." Boromir groaned, painfully raising himself to his feet, shocked to see no Orcs standing. "Faramir, what did you do?"

"If I could have done that, brother, this battle would have been over ages ago. It was not me." the younger man said, just as baffled. He poked tentatively with his sword at an Orc lying motionless near him. "Um…all the Orcs appear to have died."

"The Ring!" Elrond shouted happily. "It has been destroyed! Sauron's armies are no more!"

A cry erupted, deafening in its jubilant volume. Exhausted and weary warriors embraced each other in triumph and relief.

"Wait." Thranduil whispered, his face pale. "Something has happened."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Legolas?" Sam whimpered, still holding his wounded arm.

Aragorn stood, fixed in place, as he stared down into the ravine. Smoke billowed up to greet him, depositing soot and ash on his stoic face. Legolas had fallen to his demise, along with Amras. He had saved them all. "He is gone." Aragorn said quietly, as much to himself as to Sam.

"This is my fault." Frodo groaned. "I let Amras take the Ring from me."

"No, Mister Frodo, please do not blame yourself." Sam insisted. "I came along to protect you. A fine mess I have made of things."

Aragorn shook his head, still staring down into the molten fire. "It was no one's fault." he told them. "He made the ultimate sacrifice for us all. We will honor him for that."

"Ah, could you wait a moment to honor me?" a harried voice called from below. "I could use a bit of help down here!"

Sam jumped to his feet, rushing to stand beside Aragorn. "Legolas?"

"Down here." the elf called. "Pull me up."

Aragorn dropped to his knees and peered over the edge. A few feet down, hidden from view by a jutting outcropping, was Legolas, holding desperately onto a protruding rock. "How did you manage that?" Aragorn asked with a relieved smile.

"A little less talking and a lot more helping." cried Legolas. "It is hot down here."

"Here Strider." Sam said, reaching into his pack. "Use this piece of rope. I knew it would come in handy. There is always use for a well made piece of rope, I always say."

Aragorn smiled as he lowered the rope and hauled the elf to safety. "That was some maneuver you pulled off just now."

"Took all of my skills." Laughed Legolas. "A shame Amras had not my skills, as he is now swimming in the molten lake below. The Ring has been destroyed."

"We did it!" Sam cheered. "Middle Earth is saved!"

"Let us hope our comrades have faired as well." Aragorn said. "We must get back to them."

"Perhaps you would like a ride, heroes of Middle Earth?" a voice from above asked curiously as a figure swooped gracefully into the cavern.

"Gwaihir!" shouted Legolas. "You are well."

Gwaihir nodded, landing softly in front of him. "And I have brought reinforcements." Another eagle swooped down, landing next to Gwaihir. "This is Landroval, my brother. He will bare you and your friend. I will carry the halflings."

"We are grateful for the ride." Aragorn said. "How goes the war?"

"It is over." Landroval told him. "The evil forces were defeated when the Ring was destroyed. We have won."

* * * * * * * * * *

Faramir wiped dirt from his face as he made his way to the wounded figure sitting on the ground nearby. "I want to thank you, sir." he said, extending a hand. "You saved my life back there."

The figure stood painfully to greet him, long blond hair spilling from the helmet as it was removed. "You are very welcome, my lord." Eowyn grinned, her pale face covered in dirt and soot. "I could not let you perish and leave me all alone, now could I?"

Faramir staggered back, astounded. "Eowyn? What are you doing here, in this place?"

"Saving your life obviously, brother." Boromir smirked, coming to stand beside him. "My Lady." he acknowledged Eowyn with a deep bow.

"My Lord." she responded, executing a graceful curtsy.

"A fight well fought." Boromir praised her. "Some of the finest swordplay I have ever witnessed."

"I thank you, my Lord."

"You…here…now?" Faramir stumbled, his eyes wide.

"Close you mouth, Faramir." laughed Boromir. "You are letting flies in."

His mouth snapped shut as he stared at his love. "I cannot believe you came here…fought in a battle! I saw you leave for Gondor."

"I turned around." Eowyn said simply. "Horses do go two ways."

Boromir coughed back as a laugh as Faramir scowled. "You could have been hurt. Killed."

Eowyn smiled, despite her annoyance. "There are others here who are wounded more so than I." she said tightly. "I will go attend to them." she stalked away, leaving the brothers alone.

"Fool." Boromir scoffed, smacking his brother in the head.

"Women have no place in battle." Faramir responded hotly.

"You keep telling yourself that, Faramir." retorted Boromir. "But had it not been for her, you would not be here to be angry with her."

Faramir turned his gaze to the bloodied ground below him. "She does fight well." he consented.

"Saved your worthless ass." Boromir smiled.

"I could have taken that Orc!"

"Right." Boromir nodded. "Of course you could."

"What would you have me do?" Faramir asked, turning his gaze to the fuming figure stalking away from him.

"Ask her to marry you. Before someone else does."

"You would have me ask her here?" he looked doubtfully around him, at the bodies that littered the plains. "It is not very romantic."

"She plunged a sword through the throat of an Orc." Boromir reminded him. "This probably is her idea of romantic."

"You have a point."

"Of course I do. Now go and ask her."

"You ask her." Faramir said, a panicked look coming to his face.

"I am not the one that wants to marry her."

"Why not?" Faramir demanded. "What is wrong with her?"

Boromir sighed. "Nothing is wrong with her, you dolt. You love her so you must ask her."

"But what if she says no?"

"Then she is as smart as she is courageous. Go!" With a heavy push, he sent the younger man in the direction of his love.

"Eowyn!" Faramir called, finding her bandaging the leg of a wounded soldier.

"Yes?" She answered coolly, making the nervous man cringe.

"I…ah…" Faramir stammered, backing away from her.

"Yes?"

"I…ah…I have something I wish to ask you."

"Do tell." The maiden said simply, folding her arms in front of her. Faramir looked nervously around him, noting the watchful eyes of the men surrounding him.

"Uh…can we go someplace a little more private?" He asked hesitantly.

Eowyn looked around, then smiled. "No. I wish to remain here."

"Fine." Faramir ran a hand through his rumpled hair. "Eowyn, I owe you everything." he began uncertainly. "I owe you my life, above all else."

"You owe your life to a maiden?" she scoffed, eliciting chuckles from the men around her. "A weak woman?"

Faramir ignored the laughs. "I do owe you my life, Eowyn." he insisted. "I owe more to you than I ever thought possible. I owe you my heart."

The cool look in her eyes warmed a little. "Your heart?"

"I love you Eowyn. I wish to spend eternity with you. Will you pledge your life to me?"

Tears sprung in her eyes as she stared warmly up at him. "I love you too, Faramir." she laughed, rising to her feet and running to his arms. "Of course I will marry you!" Cheers and whistles erupted around them as the two embraced happily. Nearby, Boromir leaned heavily against a large tree.

"Thank the gods!" he said loudly. "I thought those two would never get together."

* * * * * * * * * *

"The Eagles are coming!" Mens voices lifted up the call, their voices rising. "The Eagles are coming!"

Gandalf stood upon the hilltop, watching their approach with Thranduil and Elrond. "All is well, King of Mirkwood." he said with a smile. "They bare four riders." A cheer rose up as the warriors welcomed the return of their heroes, who leapt from the backs of the birds into the welcoming crowd. And for the first time in as long as even the oldest warrior could remember, the bright sun rose over the horizon, blanketing the formerly gray land of Mordor in its warm rays.

"A new day has begun." Legolas said, turning his face to the sun.

"And a new age of peace for Middle Earth." added Aragorn.

Boromir and Faramir laughed as they rushed to embrace their friends. "Spoken like a true King." said Faramir.

"Well," Elrond said, smiling proudly at the group of young warriors. "It would appear that the nine walkers were successful."

"Was there ever a doubt?" grinned Legolas.

"Never in my mind." said Elrond.

"We have accomplished much since we set out from Rivendell." added Boromir. "And overcome much."

"To the Fellowship!" proclaimed Gandalf, raising his sword in tribute. The others raised their own weapons.

"To the Fellowship!" They shouted.

"And to a lasting peace."

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A/N: Well, its finally completed! Thanks again for reading…I hope you enjoyed it. Read the Epilogue posted after this chapter :-)