"Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deep." Gandalf stood in the great citadel of Minas Tirith. Aragorn leaned upon one of the pillars lining the hall, Gimli sat in Denothar's throne smoking his pipe and Legolas and Anarrima stood off with Eomer. The morning sun shown through the windows surrounding them.

"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it." Aragorn replied.

"It's only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but, behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping." The wizard looked out the window and sighed.

"No. There's still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the plains of Gorgorath. We can give him that." Aragorn said in defense. Their chances may have been very low, but there was always hope as the sun rose each day. Anarrima looked at the Ranger she knew with hope in her eyes. In her heart there was still a chance that their quest would not end that day.

"How?" Gimli asked taking a puff from his pipe.

"Draw out Sauron's army. Empty his lands. We will gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate."

Legolas' eyes brightened. He knew Elessar's plan to distract the Dark Lord. "A diversion." Anarrima knew his plan too. Sauron was searching for her as well as the Ring. If she were to go to the Black Gate and draw his gaze to her, Frodo would be free to cross the land of Mordor.

Gimli looked at the elf with a smile. "Certainty of death, small chance of success. What are we waiting for?"

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The army formed a short distance from the entrance to the Black lands. Bearing the white banner of the free peoples of their lands, Aragorn rode forth to the gates. Ana followed after him hoping that her plan would work. Legolas and Gimli, with Gandalf behind them, rode after the Ranger and stood before the Black Gates of Mordor. Ana was somewhat relieved that Dimrost was not with her anymore, she did not deserve to witness such brutal hate, though she did wish to see her steed once again. She sat upon one of the Gondorian horses beside Aragorn and Gandalf and her heart pounded inside her chest. Each day she knew that she would confront her greatest fear... facing Sauron.

"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!" Aragorn yelled. "And I bring with me Anarrima of Mirkwood. If you want her... come and claim her!"

Suddenly the gates began to open. Orcs shouted and chanted and a great army issued forth from the Black lands. Ana could feel Sauron's gaze now upon her, and she could hear his voice in her head... the end is near.

"Fall back! Fall back!" Aragorn shouted as they retreated back to the company of soldiers. The flood of orcs came closer and closer as hideous horns sounded in the deep. Giant trolls marched with hammers and chains. They snarled and laughed as they encircled the company. Ana became frightened; never before did she dream she would ever face this. But Aragorn rode at their head waving the white banner high in the air, Anduril gleamed in the light of the sun.

"Hold your ground! Hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan! My brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me!"

"A day may come when the courage of men fail, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down. But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth. I bid you stand, Men of the West!"

The army of the enemy became larger and larger. Trolls and terrible servents of the Dark Lord followed with stone hammers and unbreakable armor.

"I never thought I'd die, fighting side-by-side with an elf." Gimli said looking out over the army.

"What about side-by-side with a friend?" Legolas looked down at the dwarf beside him and smiled.

"I can do that!"

Anarrima slowly climbed down from atop the steed and unsheathed her sword, waiting as the horns blew out from the enemy. Her silver eyes swept across the orcs slowly closing in on them. She could see the Great Eye atop Bara- Dur... staring straight at her. She then turned her gaze to Legolas and beheld his ice blue eyes. They shared a night together and her love for him never was so strong.

"Amin khiluva lle a' gurtha ar'thar. [I will follow you to death and beyond.]" Her voice faltered as his eyes filled with tears at her words.

Aragorn then turned slowly to them... and smiled.

"For Frodo."

He ran toward the army head on. With one last look and a smile upon their face Legolas and Anarrima charged after Elessar and the company followed closely behind them as they slammed into the front line of the orcs. The battle had begun.