(A/N) Alina11, I know what you mean but I couldn't think of any other way
to end the chapter. Don't worry he is off limits. Ryoko Kilala, thank you
once again for reviewing. Hurley Gurley, thanks for the great review. It
would seem that I have chased away all of the Tolkien purists. Yay me! No
just kidding. Well, let us move on. Will Theoden live or die? Though I am
sure that most of you already know the answer. And what about the others on
the paths of the dead? What happens to them? I'm comin' out, so you better
get this party started!! Oh whatever.
For the Love of an Elf
Chapter 9: Mine Eyes Have Seen
Legolas shivered as he led Arod through the dark and gloomy caves that men called the paths of the dead. When they had first entered all of the horses had panicked. None of them would suffer to be ridden through the caves. Finally they had consented to be led. Legolas was at the end of the group with Gimli. The dwarf was shaking madly and Legolas could tell that he was having trouble staying in control of himself.
"It so gloomy and silent in here." Gimli said. His voice sounded as if he were on the verge of tears.
"Fear not, mellon nin. For Aragorn leads us. The dead will not harm he who is the heir of Isildur. He is their last chance for peace."
"I don't see how the lad can stand it. Walking in the front."
Suddenly a noise came from behind them. Gimli spun around, ax in hand. When he saw nothing he began shouting as if he had gone mad. This was the last straw. He fell to the floor and tried his best to keep from sobbing. The rangers had not noticed for they had already vanished into the mist. Legolas stayed behind to comfort his tormented friend.
"I can't do it Legolas. I cannot go on! Leave me here to die! I can take it no more!" With that he raised his ax to his neck. Legolas reached down to stop him.
"No Gimli! You can do this. Get up. We are almost through."
"I can't-" Gimli started to say.
"You will!" Legolas said more forcefully. He pulled Gimli to his feet and the to walked on together.
Finally they reached the end of the caves and rejoined the rangers. As they prepared to ride away Aragorn turned back to the cave mouth. Legolas began to see shadowy figures within its recesses.
"Oath breakers, why have ye come!?" Aragorn shouted to them.
Then, out of the night came many distant voices from the long forgotten past.
"To fulfill our vow and have peace!" they cried out to him.
"The hour is come at last. I go now to the aid of Minas Tirith and ye shall ride after me. And when all this land is clean of the servants of Sauron, I will hold the oath fulfilled and ye shall have peace and depart forever. For I am Elessar, Isildur's heir of Gondor!" with that Aragorn mounted his horse and rode away.
As the company followed him Legolas looked back once more.
"The dead are following. I see shapes of men and of horses, and pale banners like shreds of clouds, and spears like winter-thickets on a misty night. The dead are following!" Legolas said softly.
"Yes, the dead ride behind. They have been summoned." Elladan said to him.
* *
*
Vanessa rushed onto the battlefield, racing towards the king of the wraiths. Before him there was Theoden upon his horse Snowmane, bravely staring down the witch king. Vanessa ran until she could barely feel her legs, knowing that she only had a few short moments before the beast struck.
Suddenly Snowmane collapsed, taking Theoden with him.
"NO!" Vanessa cried out as Theoden fell beneath his horse, crushed.
Just then a young soldier stood forward to defend Theoden. He called himself Dernhelm the Young. Behind the rider stood Merry.
"Begone foul dwimmerlaik! Lord of carrion! Let the dead lie in peace!" he cried.
"Come not between the Nazgul and his prey. Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shriveled mind be left naked to the lidless eye." The voice that spoke was so cold and dark that it sent a chill of despair down Vanessa's spine as she drew ever closer. A darkness such as she had never known stole over her and she could run no further. She collapsed to the bloodstained field and simply crawled forward, inch by agonizing inch.
"Do what you will, but I will hinder it if I may!" Dernhelm stared defiantly up at the wraith.
"Hinder me? Thou fool! No living man may hinder me!"
"But no living man am I. You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am. Eomund's daughter. You stand between me and my Lord and kin. Begone if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him!" Suddenly the rider pulled away his helmet and long gold tresses of hair cascaded from it, revealing Eowyn as she truly was.
Then the beast of the Nazgul rose up above Eowyn and suddenly came down upon her. But she was too quick for him. Eowyn rose her sword and hewed of the beast's head. It crashed to earth and the Nazgul king stood before Eowyn and let out a cry of hatred. He raised his mace up and brought it down upon her shield. It splintered into a thousand pieces and her arm was broken. She stumbled to the ground. The wraith gloated over her, preparing to deliver the killing blow.
Suddenly he let out a shriek of pain and fell forward. Unnoticed by him, Merry had snuck up behind him and driven his sword into the back of his leg.
"Eowyn! Eowyn!" Merry called out to her. She rose to her feet and drove her sword into the wraith's chest. The blade shattered in her hand and she stepped over her enemy. But the black mantle and cloak were empty.
A terrible cry rose up from the field and was heard by every soldier. The cry rose with the wind and faded to a wail that swept away with the breeze. It's like was never again heard in that world.
Eowyn collapsed and Merry crawled towards Theoden. Finally Vanessa reached them. First she went to Eowyn and when she was satisfied that she was still breathing, Vanessa went to Merry and the dying Theoden. She knelt over him and gently pulled a poisoned dart from his neck.
"Farewell, Master hobbit! My body is broken. I go now to my fathers." Theoden whispered brokenly.
"Forgive me Lord, if I disobeyed your orders to remain in Edoras and I have done no more in your service then to weep at our parting." Merry said to him.
"Grieve not. It is forgiven. When you sit in peace with your pipe, think of me. For now I shall not sit with you in Meduseld as I promised. Where is Eomer? I must see him ere I go for he must be king after me. And I would send word to Eowyn. For she would not have me leave her and now I shall not see her again, dearer than daughter."
"My Lord, she is-"
Suddenly Eomer and a few of the King's riders rode up to them. Eomer leaped from his horse to Theoden's side. Grief and pain etched his features.
"Hail Eomer, King of the Mark! Ride now to victory! Bid Eowyn farewell."
And so passed Theoden, son of Thengel, Lord of the Mark. He died not knowing that Eowyn lay near him.
Eomer told some of the riders to bear Theoden back to the city so that the battle would not despoil him. Just then his gaze fell upon his sister, lying as if dead.
Eomer's face grew deathly white and a cold fury rose up inside him.
"Eowyn! Eowyn! Eowyn, how came you here? What madness or devilry is this? Death! Death! Death! DEATH TAKE US ALL!" With that he leapt to his horse and rode headlong into the battle.
A few of the knights of Rohan stayed behind and took Theoden's body back beyond the gates. Vanessa stayed beside Eowyn and Merry just sat there, numb. That was when Cassandra rode up on Brego.
"What are you doing here lady Falynn? You should be back in the city. I couldn't find you." Then she saw Eowyn.
"My Lady, how came this to pass? My mistress, dead!"
"No, she still lives Cassandra. But time is running out. You must take her and this young hobbit back to the city. To the houses of healing."
With that Vanessa went to Merry and helped him to stand and to climb upon Brego. Then Cassandra helped her lift Eowyn onto the horse. Cassandra climbed up after them.
"What about you, My Lady?" Cassandra asked her.
"I will catch up to you."
Cassandra wanted to argue but she rode away.
The battle had moved on and Vanessa was left to walk through that field of death. Despair rose within her with every step she took. Tears flowed freely down her face. Suddenly she heard a cry from the soldiers of Gondor.
"The Corsairs of Umbar! The Corsairs of Umbar are upon us! So Belfalas is taken! And the Ethir, and Lebennin is gone! It is the last stroke of doom!"
Vanessa looked to the river Anduin that flowed past the city and she saw a fleet of black-sailed ships. She knew what those ships bore and that the other men were wrong to despair. The army of the witch king smiled, believing that allies were on the way and that Minas Tirith would finally fall. But from those ships came a different surprise.
An army of men from the south and the gray company from the north. Also there came an army of ghostly warriors. The hosts of Morgul quaked with fear and they fled before this new threat. The battle was won.
Leading the two armies was Aragorn. By his side were Gimli and Legolas. Come at last from the paths of the dead.
By now Vanessa had reached the gate. She turned once more and smiled at Legolas though he could not see her. He had come at last.
The guards let her pass into the city once again and she came face to face with Pippin and Gandalf. Pippin seemed to be distressed and he was pleading with Gandalf.
"The Lord Denethor has gone mad. He has gone to the tombs of the stewards and he is saying that we are all to burn. He will not wait. He has ordered a pyre built and his men are to burn him and Faramir upon it. Will you do nothing Gandalf? Will you not save Faramir? He is unconscious but he yet lives and his father will murder him."
"I will come, seeing as how no other help can reach Faramir. But if I leave the black king may yet bring ruin upon us."
"You need not fear that Gandalf. He is destroyed." Vanessa said, breaking into the conversation.
"How do you know of such things?" he asked her.
"I have seen it."
"How has this come to pass?"
"It was Merry and Eowyn who struck him down while defending Theoden."
"What has become of them?" Pippin asked fearfully.
"Cassandra has taken them to the houses of healing. But now we must hurry. Faramir's life hangs in the balance. Lead the way Gandalf."
Without hesitating Gandalf led them to the tombs of the stewards of Gondor.
When they arrived they found Denethor standing just outside the tombs. Gandalf could easily see the madness that lit his eyes.
"Where is your son Faramir, Lord?" Gandalf asked him cautiously.
"He lies within, burning, already burning! They have set a fire to his flesh. But soon all shall be burned. The west has failed. All shall be reduced to ash." Then he began to laugh maniacally.
Gandalf pushed past him, fearing that he had already done some evil, unthinkable deed. But when they walked inside they found Faramir, lying on a table piled high with wood and soaked with oil. He was still dreaming in his fever from the poison dart that he was struck with. Gandalf leapt onto the table and lifted the young man from the table and carried him out of the building. As Gandalf laid him down he called out for his father in his fever.
Suddenly Denethor began to weep. "Do not take my son from me. He calls for me." He pleaded.
"But you cannot yet come to him. The battle is not yet over and there is much that you can do." Gandalf said to the maddened Lord.
Denethor began to laugh again. "Gray fool! Your hope is in vain! Even now the eye turns to us. The storm is upon us. There is no hope. Sauron shall have dominion and all will come to darkness. My house has failed." With that he pulled from within his clothing, a Palantir, the stone of Minas Tirith.
"Did you think that the white tower was blind? I have seen it all. Barad Dur's strength is far too great to overcome now! We shall all burn! Why wait? You may have taken my son's love from me and the leadership of this city. But there is still one thing that you shall not deny me. The right to rule my own end." Having said this Denethor grabbed a flaming torch out of the hands of one of his servants and he rushed back into the tombs.
He leapt up onto the pyre that had been built for him. Still holding the torch he broke the staff of his stewardship over his knee and cast the pieces to the floor. With one final glare at Gandalf, Denethor thrust the flaming brand into the wood.
He stood there, wreathed in flame and smoke. Then he laid himself down, clasping the Palantir tightly in his hands.
Gandalf and Vanessa stood before the flaming pyre for a few moments before turning away in grief and horror. Gandalf shut the door behind them and after a moment or two, Denethor gave a great cry and then spoke no more.
"So passes Denethor, Son of Ecthelion. The old days are dead. Now Faramir is Steward of Gondor." Gandalf said quietly. To the few remaining servants he said, "Bear your Lord to the houses of healing. He may yet live."
As the servants bore Faramir away Pippin followed after them. Leaving Gandalf and Vanessa standing outside the house of the dead.
Vanessa sank to her knees and began to sob in grief and agony at all that she had witnessed. Gandalf knelt beside her and placed a hand upon her shoulder.
"Do not fear Falynn."
"So much death." She whispered through her tears.
"Don't give up yet. The tide of battle has turned. We may yet live another day. We may yet see the enemy fall. But do not let your hope fail yet. You must be strong." Gandalf started to help her to her feet. Vanessa tried to gain control of her tears.
"I must return to the battle. But I have a feeling that you may be needed at the houses of healing." With that Gandalf left her and Vanessa went to the houses of healing. There was only one way to stave off despair and that was to keep busy.
* *
*
Aragorn sat beside Faramir as he lay dying. The ranger crushed some of the plant called athelas in his hand and tossed the leaves into a bowl of steaming water. Instantly a fresh and life-giving fragrance filled the room. Aragorn held the bowl to Faramir's face and he began to chant an old, elvish charm. Instantly Faramir began to stir and awaken. As he gazed upon Aragorn a light of knowledge came into his eyes. "My Lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?"
"Walk no more in the shadows, but awake. You are weary. Take some food and rest but be ready when I return." Aragorn said to him.
"I will Lord. For who could lie idle when the king has returned."
As Aragorn left to tend to Eowyn, word spread throughout the city that the king had returned and was among them.
Meanwhile, Vanessa sat with Pippin and Merry. By now Merry had passed out from the shock of having attacked the Lord of the Nazgul. Pippin sat by his side, grieving for his friend.
"Don't worry Pippin. Merry will be all right. Aragorn has come in from the battle and he is even now tending to Eowyn. He will come to Merry soon enough."
"But what if he comes too late. Merry has little time left. I can see it."
Vanessa hugged Pippin in an attempt to comfort him. "He has some strength in him. Don't despair."
At that moment Aragorn entered with Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and Imrahil behind him. Aragorn knelt beside the hobbit and repeated the same process that he had used with Eowyn and Faramir.
"Poor old Merry." Pippin cried softly.
"Fear not Pippin. For I have called him back. He has taken a grievous hurt but so strong a spirit is in him that it shall not darken his heart, but teach him wisdom."
Just then Merry awoke. "I am hungry. What is the time?" he said as if nothing had changed.
"It is past supper time but I think I can bring you something if they will let me." Pippin said almost bursting into tears of joy.
"They will, and anything else that this little rider of Rohan should desire. For his name is now in honor in this city." Gandalf said, suppressing a laugh.
"Then I should like some supper. And a pipe afterwards." Then Merry's face grew dark. "No, not a pipe. I don't believe I shall ever smoke again." He said sadly.
"Why not?" Pippin asked him.
"Well.. he is dead. He said he was sorry that he had never been able to sit with me in Edoras. One of the last things he said in fact. I don't think that I shall ever be able to smoke again without thinking of him."
"Then smoke and think of him. For he was a kind heart and a great king who kept his oaths. Though your service to him was brief, it should be a memory glad and honorable to the end of your days." Aragorn told him.
"All right then." Merry said. A small smile lighting his face for the first time in a long while.
During all of this Vanessa had slipped outside of the room and left the building. Just outside of the houses of healing there was a garden it had been put there to lighten the hearts of the sick and wounded in the old days. Vanessa stood there now. From where she stood she could look out over the walls of the city and watch the sunset. She wept, her heart aching for those who would not see the sunrise ever again.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and found herself gazing into the eyes of Legolas.
"You have come back to me." Vanessa whispered softly, and she collapsed into his warm embrace.
For a long while they stood this way. Holding each other and not speaking. Legolas was her lifeline after seeing so much death. Gently he bent down and kissed her. When they finally broke apart Legolas gazed down upon her tear-streaked face and he pulled her closer to him once again. She laid her head upon his shoulder and he began to stroke her hair. Then he spoke.
"Why did you not tell me about our child?" he whispered softly.
"I don't know. I guess.. it was because.... I was afraid. But how do you know about it?"
"Aragorn told me. But what were you afraid of?"
"I was afraid that you would feel responsible for it, and guilty for bringing it upon me. But then I decided that maybe it isn't so bad. We have a child Legolas. We have a child!" With that she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Not knowing what else to say he simply kissed her back.
But he had his doubts about this thing.
* *
*
Later that night Legolas came to the stables. The men of Gondor did not often use horses but now the horses of the Rohirrim were there as well. Legolas walked over to one of the watering troughs and cupped his hands to fill them with water. He brought the water up to his face and let it run over his burning skin.
Aragorn, Gandalf, Imrahil, and the other great captains had taken council. He had been there. They had all decided that the best thing to do was to march on Mordor and take the bull by the horns. They didn't stand much of a chance but it was better to fight then to stand there and wait for the enemy to come to them.
It would mean riding off into battle again and leaving Falynn behind. That was something he did not want to do. Legolas knew now that the dark lord had his eye on Falynn. He had learned from Gandalf that Denethor had possessed a Palantir in secret and that Sauron had used it to ensnare the steward's mind. Gandalf knew that Denethor and Aragorn had both unwittingly revealed Falynn to him. Now he would strike, come after her while she was weak. Both Falynn and their child were both in great danger and there was nothing that he could do about it. He was needed in battle.
"I thought I might find you here." Luinethoniel's voice came out of the shadows. "You seem to take comfort in horses. You have a way with them my brother."
"Better than with people I sometimes think." He said quietly.
"She told you?"
"Yes, she told me." Suddenly Legolas slammed his fist into the wall of the stable building. A look of anger passed over his face, but it was replaced by one of sadness and confusion.
"How can I go back....to the way things were before? How can I hold her and tell her that I love her knowing what I did to her? How can I protect her from what is about to happen? How can I shield her from the eye of the enemy?" Legolas hung his head in despair and shame.
"You are not to blame for loving Falynn." Luinethoniel said, stepping towards him and placing a hand upon his shoulder. "She loves you, and understands what you are going through. She herself had doubts about the child. But now she is happy. You should be happy too."
"But she is in danger and she knows nothing of it. If I leave her here what will happen? Will I die in this battle and leave her alone to fend for herself and our child. Will she be taken by the enemy and slaughtered. Will I be left without her, knowing that I failed to save two innocent lives. How can anything go back to the way it was?"
"It can't. Nothing can ever remain the same. You must go along with whatever fate throws at you and learn to accept it. But in the meantime you can only hope. Hope that you both survive this war and go on together. That you can at last have peace. That is all that you can do." Having said this Luinethoniel left him to his thoughts.
Maybe she was right. This child wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe Falynn could manage to hide from Sauron. Legolas knew that he would have to be strong for her. He knew that their life together would be full of separation but there would always be a time after the battle. They would always have each other.
* *
*
It took nearly a week to prepare the forces of Rohan and Gondor. But on the day that they were ready to march forward. Luinethoniel prepared to ride with them. She readied a small travel pack and her weapons. As she was almost ready to mount her horse and join the army, Thangoruil came to her.
"I am sorry Princess, but I cannot allow you to ride out now. Your father charged me to protect you and this fight is far to dangerous." He said as he pulled her down from her horse.
"I care not. This is my fight as well. I will go!" she said while trying to remount. But Thangoruil pulled her down again.
"No Princess! I alone will go. I come to bid you farewell. For I may not return." With that he knelt down and kissed her passionately on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her waste and pulled her to him. But just as suddenly as it had begun, Thangoruil pulled away from her and ran from the stable.
For a moment Luinethoniel just stood there, dazed. Then she regained control of herself and leapt on her horse, riding out to join her brother. She would go whether Thangoruil wanted it or not. No one could control her or bend her will.
Or so she thought.
* *
*
Legolas rode to the head of the army along with Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, and Imrahil. Falynn was riding on his horse with him. She sat in front of him and he had his arms wrapped around her waste to keep her from falling. When finally, the call went out to ride forward, Legolas and Vanessa dismounted for a final good-bye.
"I will return Falynn. I promise you."
"I know you will." Vanessa also knew that when he returned the war would be over and they could finally live in peace.
Legolas wrapped his arms around her and brought his head down to cover her mouth with his. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Reluctantly they broke the kiss and Legolas mounted his horse. As the host of Minas Tirith rode off into the distance he turned back to her and shouted one last time.
"I love you! Good-bye!"
"Good-bye." She whispered as she turned and walked back through the ruined gates of the city.
For many days the company rode north, gathering men from Osgiliath and Cair Andros as they went. Aragorn would occasionally dismiss those who were faint-hearted. All the while they rode for the black gate of Mordor and to what many of them believed was their end.
As the week wore on, Vanessa spent her time with Merry. Pippin had gone off to war and they had deemed that Merry was not well enough to join them. The two of them spent a lot of time in the gardens of the houses of healing. Over time they got to be good friends and Vanessa taught Merry the art of Spying.
They watched Eowyn and Faramir grow closer together. At last, on the seventh day after the host had ridden away Merry and Vanessa watched the two stand together, staring towards the east.
"What do you look for, Eowyn of Rohan?" Faramir asked her.
"It is seven days since he rode away. Will not the battle come this way? I looked for death in battle and I still live. Now I must live under the shadow." She answered.
"I would not have the world end yet Eowyn, or lose so soon what I have found."
"I do not know what you have found that you could lose. But let us not speak of it. Let us speak no words."
For a long while they stood as if time had stopped for them. Their hands joined though they did not notice it. Finally Faramir turned to Eowyn.
"Eowyn, why do you remain here? The warden has released you from his care and if you wish to go to battle you may. Why do you stay?"
"The reason I wish to go to battle no longer gives me any joy. The sight of him will not. Once I desired the love of another, but I want no man's pity."
"Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart. But I do not offer you pity. I know that you desired the love of lord Aragorn but he gave only understanding and pity. Then you desired to have nothing but a brave death in battle. Look at me Eowyn! Do you not love me, or will you not?"
Suddenly a change came to Eowyn. The frost passed and the sun shown on Eowyn once again. "Here I stand in the tower of Guard and the shadow has passed. I will be a shield maiden no longer. I will be a healer and love all things that grow and are not barren. No longer do I desire to be a queen." She said softly.
"It is well, for I am not a King. Yet I will wed with the white Lady of Rohan if it be her will. And we shall cross the river and dwell in Ithilien in happier days and it shall be fair once again." He said to her.
"Yes my Lord." With that he took her in his arms and kissed her and the light of the new day shone down upon them. Many saw but they did not care. They had eyes only for each other.
Suddenly the sun was blotted out by a shadow and a horrible screech filled the air. Sauron had heard of the defeat of the lead Nazgul and he had sent another in his place. Thus the remaining eight Nazgul descended upon the city. They had but one purpose and one alone. To take alive, the keeper of the stone.
They swooped down into the gardens. Faramir ducked low to the ground, pulling Eowyn with him.
"Merry, stay in the bushes." Vanessa said as she stepped out from under her cover. That was when they saw her. The eight of them flew over on their winged beasts and they surrounded her. Vanessa stood, trembling with fear.
"Surrender, and you shall not be harmed." One of them said to her in a fell voice.
Vanessa tried to draw out her dagger but she was shaking so badly that it slipped from her hands. The one that had spoken to her before dismounted and stepped towards her. She desperately wanted to resist but she was powerless in the presence of the Nazgul. The wraith bound her hands and dragged her, screaming, towards his mount.
"Now come on, don't struggle. The Dark Lord would have an audience with you." He said to her.
Faramir stepped forward and tried to help her but he was no match for them.
"You would do well not to stand in the way of the will of Sauron." They said to him. "Fly now! We fly to the Barad Dur!" With that they took off, Vanessa in tow. So overcome with fear was she that she passed out on the spot.
"FALYNN!" Merry cried out as the wraiths flew away. But there was nothing that he could do.
By the time that Vanessa regained consciousness they were more than half way to the dark tower. In that moment she knew what it was to lose all hope. Vanessa knew that this was the end. That she no longer had the strength to resist Sauron.
Would she ever see her dear Legolas again?
* *
*
For the Love of an Elf
Chapter 9: Mine Eyes Have Seen
Legolas shivered as he led Arod through the dark and gloomy caves that men called the paths of the dead. When they had first entered all of the horses had panicked. None of them would suffer to be ridden through the caves. Finally they had consented to be led. Legolas was at the end of the group with Gimli. The dwarf was shaking madly and Legolas could tell that he was having trouble staying in control of himself.
"It so gloomy and silent in here." Gimli said. His voice sounded as if he were on the verge of tears.
"Fear not, mellon nin. For Aragorn leads us. The dead will not harm he who is the heir of Isildur. He is their last chance for peace."
"I don't see how the lad can stand it. Walking in the front."
Suddenly a noise came from behind them. Gimli spun around, ax in hand. When he saw nothing he began shouting as if he had gone mad. This was the last straw. He fell to the floor and tried his best to keep from sobbing. The rangers had not noticed for they had already vanished into the mist. Legolas stayed behind to comfort his tormented friend.
"I can't do it Legolas. I cannot go on! Leave me here to die! I can take it no more!" With that he raised his ax to his neck. Legolas reached down to stop him.
"No Gimli! You can do this. Get up. We are almost through."
"I can't-" Gimli started to say.
"You will!" Legolas said more forcefully. He pulled Gimli to his feet and the to walked on together.
Finally they reached the end of the caves and rejoined the rangers. As they prepared to ride away Aragorn turned back to the cave mouth. Legolas began to see shadowy figures within its recesses.
"Oath breakers, why have ye come!?" Aragorn shouted to them.
Then, out of the night came many distant voices from the long forgotten past.
"To fulfill our vow and have peace!" they cried out to him.
"The hour is come at last. I go now to the aid of Minas Tirith and ye shall ride after me. And when all this land is clean of the servants of Sauron, I will hold the oath fulfilled and ye shall have peace and depart forever. For I am Elessar, Isildur's heir of Gondor!" with that Aragorn mounted his horse and rode away.
As the company followed him Legolas looked back once more.
"The dead are following. I see shapes of men and of horses, and pale banners like shreds of clouds, and spears like winter-thickets on a misty night. The dead are following!" Legolas said softly.
"Yes, the dead ride behind. They have been summoned." Elladan said to him.
* *
*
Vanessa rushed onto the battlefield, racing towards the king of the wraiths. Before him there was Theoden upon his horse Snowmane, bravely staring down the witch king. Vanessa ran until she could barely feel her legs, knowing that she only had a few short moments before the beast struck.
Suddenly Snowmane collapsed, taking Theoden with him.
"NO!" Vanessa cried out as Theoden fell beneath his horse, crushed.
Just then a young soldier stood forward to defend Theoden. He called himself Dernhelm the Young. Behind the rider stood Merry.
"Begone foul dwimmerlaik! Lord of carrion! Let the dead lie in peace!" he cried.
"Come not between the Nazgul and his prey. Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shriveled mind be left naked to the lidless eye." The voice that spoke was so cold and dark that it sent a chill of despair down Vanessa's spine as she drew ever closer. A darkness such as she had never known stole over her and she could run no further. She collapsed to the bloodstained field and simply crawled forward, inch by agonizing inch.
"Do what you will, but I will hinder it if I may!" Dernhelm stared defiantly up at the wraith.
"Hinder me? Thou fool! No living man may hinder me!"
"But no living man am I. You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am. Eomund's daughter. You stand between me and my Lord and kin. Begone if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him!" Suddenly the rider pulled away his helmet and long gold tresses of hair cascaded from it, revealing Eowyn as she truly was.
Then the beast of the Nazgul rose up above Eowyn and suddenly came down upon her. But she was too quick for him. Eowyn rose her sword and hewed of the beast's head. It crashed to earth and the Nazgul king stood before Eowyn and let out a cry of hatred. He raised his mace up and brought it down upon her shield. It splintered into a thousand pieces and her arm was broken. She stumbled to the ground. The wraith gloated over her, preparing to deliver the killing blow.
Suddenly he let out a shriek of pain and fell forward. Unnoticed by him, Merry had snuck up behind him and driven his sword into the back of his leg.
"Eowyn! Eowyn!" Merry called out to her. She rose to her feet and drove her sword into the wraith's chest. The blade shattered in her hand and she stepped over her enemy. But the black mantle and cloak were empty.
A terrible cry rose up from the field and was heard by every soldier. The cry rose with the wind and faded to a wail that swept away with the breeze. It's like was never again heard in that world.
Eowyn collapsed and Merry crawled towards Theoden. Finally Vanessa reached them. First she went to Eowyn and when she was satisfied that she was still breathing, Vanessa went to Merry and the dying Theoden. She knelt over him and gently pulled a poisoned dart from his neck.
"Farewell, Master hobbit! My body is broken. I go now to my fathers." Theoden whispered brokenly.
"Forgive me Lord, if I disobeyed your orders to remain in Edoras and I have done no more in your service then to weep at our parting." Merry said to him.
"Grieve not. It is forgiven. When you sit in peace with your pipe, think of me. For now I shall not sit with you in Meduseld as I promised. Where is Eomer? I must see him ere I go for he must be king after me. And I would send word to Eowyn. For she would not have me leave her and now I shall not see her again, dearer than daughter."
"My Lord, she is-"
Suddenly Eomer and a few of the King's riders rode up to them. Eomer leaped from his horse to Theoden's side. Grief and pain etched his features.
"Hail Eomer, King of the Mark! Ride now to victory! Bid Eowyn farewell."
And so passed Theoden, son of Thengel, Lord of the Mark. He died not knowing that Eowyn lay near him.
Eomer told some of the riders to bear Theoden back to the city so that the battle would not despoil him. Just then his gaze fell upon his sister, lying as if dead.
Eomer's face grew deathly white and a cold fury rose up inside him.
"Eowyn! Eowyn! Eowyn, how came you here? What madness or devilry is this? Death! Death! Death! DEATH TAKE US ALL!" With that he leapt to his horse and rode headlong into the battle.
A few of the knights of Rohan stayed behind and took Theoden's body back beyond the gates. Vanessa stayed beside Eowyn and Merry just sat there, numb. That was when Cassandra rode up on Brego.
"What are you doing here lady Falynn? You should be back in the city. I couldn't find you." Then she saw Eowyn.
"My Lady, how came this to pass? My mistress, dead!"
"No, she still lives Cassandra. But time is running out. You must take her and this young hobbit back to the city. To the houses of healing."
With that Vanessa went to Merry and helped him to stand and to climb upon Brego. Then Cassandra helped her lift Eowyn onto the horse. Cassandra climbed up after them.
"What about you, My Lady?" Cassandra asked her.
"I will catch up to you."
Cassandra wanted to argue but she rode away.
The battle had moved on and Vanessa was left to walk through that field of death. Despair rose within her with every step she took. Tears flowed freely down her face. Suddenly she heard a cry from the soldiers of Gondor.
"The Corsairs of Umbar! The Corsairs of Umbar are upon us! So Belfalas is taken! And the Ethir, and Lebennin is gone! It is the last stroke of doom!"
Vanessa looked to the river Anduin that flowed past the city and she saw a fleet of black-sailed ships. She knew what those ships bore and that the other men were wrong to despair. The army of the witch king smiled, believing that allies were on the way and that Minas Tirith would finally fall. But from those ships came a different surprise.
An army of men from the south and the gray company from the north. Also there came an army of ghostly warriors. The hosts of Morgul quaked with fear and they fled before this new threat. The battle was won.
Leading the two armies was Aragorn. By his side were Gimli and Legolas. Come at last from the paths of the dead.
By now Vanessa had reached the gate. She turned once more and smiled at Legolas though he could not see her. He had come at last.
The guards let her pass into the city once again and she came face to face with Pippin and Gandalf. Pippin seemed to be distressed and he was pleading with Gandalf.
"The Lord Denethor has gone mad. He has gone to the tombs of the stewards and he is saying that we are all to burn. He will not wait. He has ordered a pyre built and his men are to burn him and Faramir upon it. Will you do nothing Gandalf? Will you not save Faramir? He is unconscious but he yet lives and his father will murder him."
"I will come, seeing as how no other help can reach Faramir. But if I leave the black king may yet bring ruin upon us."
"You need not fear that Gandalf. He is destroyed." Vanessa said, breaking into the conversation.
"How do you know of such things?" he asked her.
"I have seen it."
"How has this come to pass?"
"It was Merry and Eowyn who struck him down while defending Theoden."
"What has become of them?" Pippin asked fearfully.
"Cassandra has taken them to the houses of healing. But now we must hurry. Faramir's life hangs in the balance. Lead the way Gandalf."
Without hesitating Gandalf led them to the tombs of the stewards of Gondor.
When they arrived they found Denethor standing just outside the tombs. Gandalf could easily see the madness that lit his eyes.
"Where is your son Faramir, Lord?" Gandalf asked him cautiously.
"He lies within, burning, already burning! They have set a fire to his flesh. But soon all shall be burned. The west has failed. All shall be reduced to ash." Then he began to laugh maniacally.
Gandalf pushed past him, fearing that he had already done some evil, unthinkable deed. But when they walked inside they found Faramir, lying on a table piled high with wood and soaked with oil. He was still dreaming in his fever from the poison dart that he was struck with. Gandalf leapt onto the table and lifted the young man from the table and carried him out of the building. As Gandalf laid him down he called out for his father in his fever.
Suddenly Denethor began to weep. "Do not take my son from me. He calls for me." He pleaded.
"But you cannot yet come to him. The battle is not yet over and there is much that you can do." Gandalf said to the maddened Lord.
Denethor began to laugh again. "Gray fool! Your hope is in vain! Even now the eye turns to us. The storm is upon us. There is no hope. Sauron shall have dominion and all will come to darkness. My house has failed." With that he pulled from within his clothing, a Palantir, the stone of Minas Tirith.
"Did you think that the white tower was blind? I have seen it all. Barad Dur's strength is far too great to overcome now! We shall all burn! Why wait? You may have taken my son's love from me and the leadership of this city. But there is still one thing that you shall not deny me. The right to rule my own end." Having said this Denethor grabbed a flaming torch out of the hands of one of his servants and he rushed back into the tombs.
He leapt up onto the pyre that had been built for him. Still holding the torch he broke the staff of his stewardship over his knee and cast the pieces to the floor. With one final glare at Gandalf, Denethor thrust the flaming brand into the wood.
He stood there, wreathed in flame and smoke. Then he laid himself down, clasping the Palantir tightly in his hands.
Gandalf and Vanessa stood before the flaming pyre for a few moments before turning away in grief and horror. Gandalf shut the door behind them and after a moment or two, Denethor gave a great cry and then spoke no more.
"So passes Denethor, Son of Ecthelion. The old days are dead. Now Faramir is Steward of Gondor." Gandalf said quietly. To the few remaining servants he said, "Bear your Lord to the houses of healing. He may yet live."
As the servants bore Faramir away Pippin followed after them. Leaving Gandalf and Vanessa standing outside the house of the dead.
Vanessa sank to her knees and began to sob in grief and agony at all that she had witnessed. Gandalf knelt beside her and placed a hand upon her shoulder.
"Do not fear Falynn."
"So much death." She whispered through her tears.
"Don't give up yet. The tide of battle has turned. We may yet live another day. We may yet see the enemy fall. But do not let your hope fail yet. You must be strong." Gandalf started to help her to her feet. Vanessa tried to gain control of her tears.
"I must return to the battle. But I have a feeling that you may be needed at the houses of healing." With that Gandalf left her and Vanessa went to the houses of healing. There was only one way to stave off despair and that was to keep busy.
* *
*
Aragorn sat beside Faramir as he lay dying. The ranger crushed some of the plant called athelas in his hand and tossed the leaves into a bowl of steaming water. Instantly a fresh and life-giving fragrance filled the room. Aragorn held the bowl to Faramir's face and he began to chant an old, elvish charm. Instantly Faramir began to stir and awaken. As he gazed upon Aragorn a light of knowledge came into his eyes. "My Lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?"
"Walk no more in the shadows, but awake. You are weary. Take some food and rest but be ready when I return." Aragorn said to him.
"I will Lord. For who could lie idle when the king has returned."
As Aragorn left to tend to Eowyn, word spread throughout the city that the king had returned and was among them.
Meanwhile, Vanessa sat with Pippin and Merry. By now Merry had passed out from the shock of having attacked the Lord of the Nazgul. Pippin sat by his side, grieving for his friend.
"Don't worry Pippin. Merry will be all right. Aragorn has come in from the battle and he is even now tending to Eowyn. He will come to Merry soon enough."
"But what if he comes too late. Merry has little time left. I can see it."
Vanessa hugged Pippin in an attempt to comfort him. "He has some strength in him. Don't despair."
At that moment Aragorn entered with Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and Imrahil behind him. Aragorn knelt beside the hobbit and repeated the same process that he had used with Eowyn and Faramir.
"Poor old Merry." Pippin cried softly.
"Fear not Pippin. For I have called him back. He has taken a grievous hurt but so strong a spirit is in him that it shall not darken his heart, but teach him wisdom."
Just then Merry awoke. "I am hungry. What is the time?" he said as if nothing had changed.
"It is past supper time but I think I can bring you something if they will let me." Pippin said almost bursting into tears of joy.
"They will, and anything else that this little rider of Rohan should desire. For his name is now in honor in this city." Gandalf said, suppressing a laugh.
"Then I should like some supper. And a pipe afterwards." Then Merry's face grew dark. "No, not a pipe. I don't believe I shall ever smoke again." He said sadly.
"Why not?" Pippin asked him.
"Well.. he is dead. He said he was sorry that he had never been able to sit with me in Edoras. One of the last things he said in fact. I don't think that I shall ever be able to smoke again without thinking of him."
"Then smoke and think of him. For he was a kind heart and a great king who kept his oaths. Though your service to him was brief, it should be a memory glad and honorable to the end of your days." Aragorn told him.
"All right then." Merry said. A small smile lighting his face for the first time in a long while.
During all of this Vanessa had slipped outside of the room and left the building. Just outside of the houses of healing there was a garden it had been put there to lighten the hearts of the sick and wounded in the old days. Vanessa stood there now. From where she stood she could look out over the walls of the city and watch the sunset. She wept, her heart aching for those who would not see the sunrise ever again.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and found herself gazing into the eyes of Legolas.
"You have come back to me." Vanessa whispered softly, and she collapsed into his warm embrace.
For a long while they stood this way. Holding each other and not speaking. Legolas was her lifeline after seeing so much death. Gently he bent down and kissed her. When they finally broke apart Legolas gazed down upon her tear-streaked face and he pulled her closer to him once again. She laid her head upon his shoulder and he began to stroke her hair. Then he spoke.
"Why did you not tell me about our child?" he whispered softly.
"I don't know. I guess.. it was because.... I was afraid. But how do you know about it?"
"Aragorn told me. But what were you afraid of?"
"I was afraid that you would feel responsible for it, and guilty for bringing it upon me. But then I decided that maybe it isn't so bad. We have a child Legolas. We have a child!" With that she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Not knowing what else to say he simply kissed her back.
But he had his doubts about this thing.
* *
*
Later that night Legolas came to the stables. The men of Gondor did not often use horses but now the horses of the Rohirrim were there as well. Legolas walked over to one of the watering troughs and cupped his hands to fill them with water. He brought the water up to his face and let it run over his burning skin.
Aragorn, Gandalf, Imrahil, and the other great captains had taken council. He had been there. They had all decided that the best thing to do was to march on Mordor and take the bull by the horns. They didn't stand much of a chance but it was better to fight then to stand there and wait for the enemy to come to them.
It would mean riding off into battle again and leaving Falynn behind. That was something he did not want to do. Legolas knew now that the dark lord had his eye on Falynn. He had learned from Gandalf that Denethor had possessed a Palantir in secret and that Sauron had used it to ensnare the steward's mind. Gandalf knew that Denethor and Aragorn had both unwittingly revealed Falynn to him. Now he would strike, come after her while she was weak. Both Falynn and their child were both in great danger and there was nothing that he could do about it. He was needed in battle.
"I thought I might find you here." Luinethoniel's voice came out of the shadows. "You seem to take comfort in horses. You have a way with them my brother."
"Better than with people I sometimes think." He said quietly.
"She told you?"
"Yes, she told me." Suddenly Legolas slammed his fist into the wall of the stable building. A look of anger passed over his face, but it was replaced by one of sadness and confusion.
"How can I go back....to the way things were before? How can I hold her and tell her that I love her knowing what I did to her? How can I protect her from what is about to happen? How can I shield her from the eye of the enemy?" Legolas hung his head in despair and shame.
"You are not to blame for loving Falynn." Luinethoniel said, stepping towards him and placing a hand upon his shoulder. "She loves you, and understands what you are going through. She herself had doubts about the child. But now she is happy. You should be happy too."
"But she is in danger and she knows nothing of it. If I leave her here what will happen? Will I die in this battle and leave her alone to fend for herself and our child. Will she be taken by the enemy and slaughtered. Will I be left without her, knowing that I failed to save two innocent lives. How can anything go back to the way it was?"
"It can't. Nothing can ever remain the same. You must go along with whatever fate throws at you and learn to accept it. But in the meantime you can only hope. Hope that you both survive this war and go on together. That you can at last have peace. That is all that you can do." Having said this Luinethoniel left him to his thoughts.
Maybe she was right. This child wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe Falynn could manage to hide from Sauron. Legolas knew that he would have to be strong for her. He knew that their life together would be full of separation but there would always be a time after the battle. They would always have each other.
* *
*
It took nearly a week to prepare the forces of Rohan and Gondor. But on the day that they were ready to march forward. Luinethoniel prepared to ride with them. She readied a small travel pack and her weapons. As she was almost ready to mount her horse and join the army, Thangoruil came to her.
"I am sorry Princess, but I cannot allow you to ride out now. Your father charged me to protect you and this fight is far to dangerous." He said as he pulled her down from her horse.
"I care not. This is my fight as well. I will go!" she said while trying to remount. But Thangoruil pulled her down again.
"No Princess! I alone will go. I come to bid you farewell. For I may not return." With that he knelt down and kissed her passionately on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her waste and pulled her to him. But just as suddenly as it had begun, Thangoruil pulled away from her and ran from the stable.
For a moment Luinethoniel just stood there, dazed. Then she regained control of herself and leapt on her horse, riding out to join her brother. She would go whether Thangoruil wanted it or not. No one could control her or bend her will.
Or so she thought.
* *
*
Legolas rode to the head of the army along with Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, and Imrahil. Falynn was riding on his horse with him. She sat in front of him and he had his arms wrapped around her waste to keep her from falling. When finally, the call went out to ride forward, Legolas and Vanessa dismounted for a final good-bye.
"I will return Falynn. I promise you."
"I know you will." Vanessa also knew that when he returned the war would be over and they could finally live in peace.
Legolas wrapped his arms around her and brought his head down to cover her mouth with his. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Reluctantly they broke the kiss and Legolas mounted his horse. As the host of Minas Tirith rode off into the distance he turned back to her and shouted one last time.
"I love you! Good-bye!"
"Good-bye." She whispered as she turned and walked back through the ruined gates of the city.
For many days the company rode north, gathering men from Osgiliath and Cair Andros as they went. Aragorn would occasionally dismiss those who were faint-hearted. All the while they rode for the black gate of Mordor and to what many of them believed was their end.
As the week wore on, Vanessa spent her time with Merry. Pippin had gone off to war and they had deemed that Merry was not well enough to join them. The two of them spent a lot of time in the gardens of the houses of healing. Over time they got to be good friends and Vanessa taught Merry the art of Spying.
They watched Eowyn and Faramir grow closer together. At last, on the seventh day after the host had ridden away Merry and Vanessa watched the two stand together, staring towards the east.
"What do you look for, Eowyn of Rohan?" Faramir asked her.
"It is seven days since he rode away. Will not the battle come this way? I looked for death in battle and I still live. Now I must live under the shadow." She answered.
"I would not have the world end yet Eowyn, or lose so soon what I have found."
"I do not know what you have found that you could lose. But let us not speak of it. Let us speak no words."
For a long while they stood as if time had stopped for them. Their hands joined though they did not notice it. Finally Faramir turned to Eowyn.
"Eowyn, why do you remain here? The warden has released you from his care and if you wish to go to battle you may. Why do you stay?"
"The reason I wish to go to battle no longer gives me any joy. The sight of him will not. Once I desired the love of another, but I want no man's pity."
"Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart. But I do not offer you pity. I know that you desired the love of lord Aragorn but he gave only understanding and pity. Then you desired to have nothing but a brave death in battle. Look at me Eowyn! Do you not love me, or will you not?"
Suddenly a change came to Eowyn. The frost passed and the sun shown on Eowyn once again. "Here I stand in the tower of Guard and the shadow has passed. I will be a shield maiden no longer. I will be a healer and love all things that grow and are not barren. No longer do I desire to be a queen." She said softly.
"It is well, for I am not a King. Yet I will wed with the white Lady of Rohan if it be her will. And we shall cross the river and dwell in Ithilien in happier days and it shall be fair once again." He said to her.
"Yes my Lord." With that he took her in his arms and kissed her and the light of the new day shone down upon them. Many saw but they did not care. They had eyes only for each other.
Suddenly the sun was blotted out by a shadow and a horrible screech filled the air. Sauron had heard of the defeat of the lead Nazgul and he had sent another in his place. Thus the remaining eight Nazgul descended upon the city. They had but one purpose and one alone. To take alive, the keeper of the stone.
They swooped down into the gardens. Faramir ducked low to the ground, pulling Eowyn with him.
"Merry, stay in the bushes." Vanessa said as she stepped out from under her cover. That was when they saw her. The eight of them flew over on their winged beasts and they surrounded her. Vanessa stood, trembling with fear.
"Surrender, and you shall not be harmed." One of them said to her in a fell voice.
Vanessa tried to draw out her dagger but she was shaking so badly that it slipped from her hands. The one that had spoken to her before dismounted and stepped towards her. She desperately wanted to resist but she was powerless in the presence of the Nazgul. The wraith bound her hands and dragged her, screaming, towards his mount.
"Now come on, don't struggle. The Dark Lord would have an audience with you." He said to her.
Faramir stepped forward and tried to help her but he was no match for them.
"You would do well not to stand in the way of the will of Sauron." They said to him. "Fly now! We fly to the Barad Dur!" With that they took off, Vanessa in tow. So overcome with fear was she that she passed out on the spot.
"FALYNN!" Merry cried out as the wraiths flew away. But there was nothing that he could do.
By the time that Vanessa regained consciousness they were more than half way to the dark tower. In that moment she knew what it was to lose all hope. Vanessa knew that this was the end. That she no longer had the strength to resist Sauron.
Would she ever see her dear Legolas again?
* *
*
