A/N: Hey people, I'm back! I just spent nine days driving around Victoria so I'm buggered and cranky. Good news, I have finished the story so here is the next chapter of the story. Yes, I know my promise about the elvish, but it's so hard to find enough. I have so many elvish phrases and there are so many different Sindarin dictionaries. It's also time-consuming trying to learn everything. I will try to get it done. My early chapter updates won't be finished either. Stress! Yr 12! HSC! I should at least get the end of the story up, but you'll have to wait until I get some reviews before I post the rest. Bye for now and enjoy!

Disclaimer: The battle scenes in this are mostly Tolkien's, as are all the characters. Some of the lines you may recognise but whatever else that hasn't yet been covered is mine.



Chapter 26: Forsaken

            The battle raged against the hosts of Mordor on the Field of Cormallen. The winged Nazgûl flew above their heads, striking fear over the shadowed land. Gandalf stood atop the hill. His eyes suddenly closed. It was as if he had been given a vision. He opened his eyes again and looked to the North. Then, he lifted his hands to the sky.

"The Eagles are coming!" cried Gandalf.

"The Eagles are coming!" shouted a chorus of voices. "The Eagles are coming!"

The orcs of Mordor lifted their heads to see what this could mean. Far above in the skies, two massive eagles flew nearer, gliding above their heads. It was Gwaihir the Windlord and his brother Landroval, greatest of the Eagles of the North. Behind them followed a host of their kin, swooping down upon the Mordor armies.

The orcs stood trembling at the sight of them. Fear overcame them and all ceased to laugh. A silence fell over the enemy; doubt filled their hearts. Gwaihir led the eagles in a charge against the Nazgûl, who turned and fled into the shadows of Mordor. A new hope filled the hearts of the riders of Rohan, knights of Gondor and the Dúnedain of the North. Again, Gandalf lifted his arms into the air and cried out in a clear voice.

"Stand, Men of the West! Stand and wait! This is the hour of doom."

The earth beneath their feet began to quake. All turned their eyes to the see the Black Gates crumble, the Towers of Teeth fall.

"The realm of Sauron is ended!" called Gandalf to all gathered. "The Ring-Bearer has fulfilled his quest."

Gwaihir came down, landing not far from Gandalf. Aragorn led the other Captains of the West to pursue the enemy. He looked back to see Gandalf standing with Gwaihir on the hill. They spoke together for a short time, then he watched as Gwaihir lifted off again, taking with him his brother, Landroval and another that Aragorn did not know. They flew into the Black Lands to Mount Doom. Aragorn wondered now if they would find Frodo and Sam. After all they had been through, it was almost over.

            The enemy had scattered when the Black Gate fell. The Men of Harad, Rhûn, Easterling and Southron either fled deep into the mountains or gave themselves up. Aragorn looked to the skies once more and saw Gwaihir soaring above them with the other two, bearing on their backs two small figures. Aragorn prayed that he had found the little hobbits. He turned the armies back towards the hilltop to rejoin Gandalf.

Gwaihir landed beside Gandalf, followed by the others, and dropped two hobbits on the ground. Gandalf recognised them as Frodo and Sam. Both had fainted and lay limp on the ground near them. He thanked the eagles, who stretched their huge wings and soared into the sky again. Aragorn rode up onto the hilltop in time to watch Gwaihir leading the host of eagles north. He lifted the hobbits onto his horse and called out to the army.

"We are victorious, my friends," he cried out to them. "Let us make camp to rest and celebrate the fall of Sauron, Lord of Mordor."

The men all cheered and followed Aragorn and Gandalf to pitch camp on the Field of Cormallen.

 Many days, now, they had been absent from Minas Tirith. News of victory at the Black Gates had reached them, but there was need to remain and be rid of the servants of the Dark Lord who still roamed the lands around them, although scattered. Twice, Éomer had sent word to Minas Tirith begging for Éowyn to join them at the camp; twice, Éowyn had given no reply. She had no need to go, no desire anymore. She had been caged. All want and opportunity of glory now lay shattered.

The War was done. The enemy had been defeated. And Aragorn wished no longer for her presence. He had not asked her to come and join them on the field of battle; it had been her brother. She would not go to him. She would stay in Minas Tirith, away from Aragorn, and with Faramir.

Aragorn did not desire her presence with them or he too would have sent for her to join the victory party. Éowyn remained at Minas Tirith with Faramir and there she would wait until her brother's return. After Aragorn's crowning, she would leave, and until that time she would avoid seeing him at all costs.

            At the camp in Ithilien, Aragorn pondered whether or not to send for Éowyn to join them. Éomer had done so already, but she had sent no reply. He felt guilty about what had happened between them and he wished to make amends. He had no desire to make her angry or offend her. How he longed to see her, now more than ever. But she would not come. He could not make her. If she had wanted to, she would have done so. He knew her well enough for that. She was angry, and it would be long before she forgave him.

            Éowyn looked out from the walls of the city to the east where she hoped to see the armies return soon. The people of Minas Tirith had been preparing for the coming of the King, home victorious from war. The city was buzzing with activity and plans were being made. But this did not excite Éowyn. For days, she had watched for the coming of the armies, for when Éomer returned, she would leave. On this day, as again, she waited on the walls of Minas Tirith, looking eastward; Faramir sought her.

"I ask you, Lady Éowyn," Faramir began, as they stood atop the walls together. "Why do you stay here? Why not go to Cormallen, where dwells your brother? Has he not sent for you to request your presence?"

"He has," replied Éowyn plainly. "But I would not go because I do not wish to."

"You do not wish to see Lord Aragorn," said Faramir. "That is why you stay. For Lord Aragorn has not sent for you."

"He has not," replied Éowyn angrily and turned away.

"My company, I fear, is not as desired as his," said Faramir. "For I am not King of Gondor, nor Isildur's heir."

"That is not true," retorted Éowyn. "I care not to be Queen of Gondor. I wish only to be free of my gilded cage, in which Lord Aragorn has locked me. Your company is more welcome than his."

"Then why do you stand atop the walls of the city, day after day, waiting for his return?" asked Faramir gently. "You still love him, I know that. I see it clearly. Because of that, you cannot love me."

And with that, Faramir departed, leaving Éowyn still standing high up, her hair lifted in the breeze. Suddenly, Éowyn realised what she had to do. She requested an audience with the Warden of the Houses of Healing. She would ask him if she could go to Éomer at the Black Gates.