This chapter starts to bring the story to its eventual closure. So…Aragorn reaches Numenor, and the Knights attack the Company. Enjoy!

Thanks for the reviews!

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~Chapter 10~

~The Truth Finally Revealed~

Numenor.

Aragorn swallowed down bile as the island of his forefathers came into view. Two disgusting and ugly Orcs had hauled him out of his cell. Roughly they had tied him to the mast keeping the bindings tight so no blood flowed to his limbs. Already his arms were numb. His right hand still tingled with the numbness but gradually ever so slowly feeling was pouring back.

From the distance Numenor looked to be a small island filled with wild plant life never before seen in Middle-Earth. Every now and again he could spot the rising pillar of some great monument. Very soon he would arrive on that island and meet his doom. Whatever his fate was he was sure he did not want it.

He gradually fell into distant memories of Arwen and his children, remembering the good times he'd had with them. They would always remain in the deepest part of his soul, in his heart.

Two Orcs approached the Knight that stood next to him. They spoke in the common tongue but urgently. With his elven hearing Aragorn was able to catch all that was said and his heart nearly missed a beat when the conversation ended and the Knight turned to him.

It's raspy voice echoed in the King's ears making him flinch voluntarily.

"Well, heir of Numenor, it seems that your pathetic allies are following us." It hissed menacingly. "It seems that there is someone who is connected to you and is leading them here. We cannot have that, can we?"

Aragorn did not answer.

"The only thing is we do not know who this person is. And you do. You will save yourself much pain if you reveal to us the person tracking you."

"I will not betray those of whom I trust and love." Aragorn spat back.

"You do not need to. I can already guess. Simple knowledge." Aragorn was sure that the Knight was smiling as it spoke. "You have received the same type of wound as the former Ring-bearer did. It's quite obvious that Frodo Baggins is the one tracking you through your wounds."

Aragorn's face paled. "That's not true."

"You've just proven to me that my accusation is correct by denial."

Aragorn realised only too late that the Knight was right. He had been baited into denial. The Knight had used simple techniques to discover and trap him in its net. He had fallen for it like a classic fool.

He watched helplessly as the Knight called down its steed, mounted and flew off towards the boat following them. //Frodo, don't let it get you. Don't let it get you// he thought desperately hoping somehow for the hobbit to hear him and heed his words.

*****

The waves were splashing against the boat with tremendous velocity as Gandalf used his magic to help the wind push the boat along. Yet he was wary of the enemy. He could feel darkness gathering in the very air he breathed, and knew that it would affect Legolas as well.

"Mithrandir!"

Gandalf turned to see Legolas running up to him with Eldarion and Frodo behind him.

"There is a Knight coming this way. It's just launched from the deck of one of the other boats!" Legolas said, his keen elven eyes still scanning the sky.

"It was inevitable. Hopefully the Knight is just scouting us out. Distracting us in order for its allies to reach Numenor safely." Gandalf hoped.

But the White Wizard was wrong and the Fellowship was quite surprised when the Knight descended from the sky and came at them, its clawed feet lashing out at them. They ducked flattening themselves to the deck.

Sam was by Frodo's side in an instant. "I won't leave this time Mister Frodo."

The elder hobbit appreciated the fact that Sam still held himself accountable for what had happened with the giant spider in the Shadow Mountains of Mordor 25 years ago. "I know you won't my dear Sam."

Gandalf stood from his crouched position and pointed his staff at the Knight chanting words but whatever spell he had cast it didn't work. "Blasted Knights," he hissed.

The Knight swooped down again and this time managed to sweep Gandalf, Legolas and Eldarion across the deck, sending them crashing into Gimli and Faramir.

Frodo's hand suddenly went to his left shoulder where the Morgul blade had stabbed him so many years ago. Pain flared within it and he let out a cry, buckling against Sam who held him tight.

"Mister Frodo! What's wrong?" Unable to comprehend what was happening, Sam unsheathed his sword and stood protectively over Frodo, who fell to the ground clutching his shoulder with his right hand.

The Knight hissed at the small figure standing protectively over Frodo and ordered its steed to attack.

Sam ducked as the beast attacked him; one claw sent him to the side of the boat. He was momentarily stunned, but quickly gained his feet as the pain wore off. He ran back to Frodo who desperately fought against the pain in his shoulder and the beast. He was faulting, as Sam could see.

The remaining members of the Fellowship kept trying to advance but were held back by an unseen barrier.

Frodo was knocked down and the Knight advanced. The beast's claws fastened themselves round the hobbit's body holding him securely. With a flap of wings it flew into the air.

Sam, watching this all, was determined to not let Frodo face the darkness again. With a cry Sam jumped, grabbing hold of one of Frodo's flaying legs and he too was carried off. He pulled himself up so he was able to grab the other leg. Once that was done he struggled to see if Frodo was alive and awake.

He was.

Over the hammering of wings Frodo asked: "Why Sam? Why did you do what you did? Come with me?"

"I will never let you face the darkness alone again, Mister Frodo. I'd rather face it with you then allow you to be hurt again. They'll have to go through me to get to you."

Though Sam couldn't see it, Frodo's face had lit into a small smile. "I wouldn't be alone Sam. I'd have Strider. And it would be me looking after him."

"I know. I can't bear to lose you."

"Whatever happens to us, I'll always be there with you whether it be physical or from memories, I'll always be with you. The memories we have you can treasure forever."

"It just wouldn't be the same without you. I've been wanting to follow you for 25 years since your leaving. Would you have to go back?"

"Yes Sam I would. The Shire would always be memories to me; Valinor is my home now. Nothing will ever change it." Frodo said, "One day you can join me to. But not yet. You are not ready for the blissful journey ahead."

Their conversation abruptly ended with the Knight descending and the loosening of claws. Sam fell onto the hard surface of the deck with Frodo hitting him and then rolling off. They heard the shuffling of feet and the pounding of a great man walking forward.

Frodo raised his head and beheld the Knight.

"Well little tracker it seems that you track us no more. You belong to me now." The Knight said.

"I belong to no one save for myself." Frodo replied keeping a firm gaze, his eyes unwavering.

"It does not matter. Once we reach Numenor you will be my master's servant whether you fight or not is up to you."

"What of Sam?" Frodo asked, glancing at his friend.

The Knight seemed to pause. "He will make excellent sport for the Orcs after my master has taken Valinor as his own." The Knight's cruel laughter sent shivers up their spines.

The Knight spoke in a dark tongue that neither could translate. They were pushed forward; their hands bound in front and led to where Aragorn was tied to the mast. The hobbits were not bound to it such as the man was but was told to sit still and not cause any trouble.

"You shouldn't have followed." Aragorn murmured once the Orcs had left.

Frodo was surprised at how broken and raspy his voice was. Here was a man that the hobbit admired and yet he was now like a shadow, broken. He could tell that Aragorn had been through a lot, but was it really enough to scar him? Judging by the pained expression on the man's face it was obvious he had been hurt badly to warrant such thoughts.

"We came because your son could not bear the thought of losing you." Sam answered. "The whole Fellowship is still on the boat out there. Eldarion and Faramir are as well."

"That is bad. There is no hope for me. I can't be saved." Aragorn began.

"Gandalf seems to think differently." Frodo replied.

"That's him for you. He never gives up hope. I have because it's useless. I will never return to Middle-Earth being who I once was even if I survive this." Returned Aragorn.

"You never know. Just because I wasn't, doesn't mean that it'll happen to you." Frodo reasoned. He did not wish for Strider's life to be ruined by the darkness that roamed through him. Yet the hobbit did not know of the ordeal that Aragorn was to go through in the following hours and what it would mean for him.

"I don't know," Aragorn sighed, "I've been hurt and touched by darkness. You've felt the pain I've been forced through, haven't you?"

Frodo nodded. "Yes."

"It hurts all the time. Yes you seem to think I haven't been affected but I have been. I've begged for mercy. Surely you heard me cry out for aid." Aragorn's voice came low as sudden memories flocked his mind. "I wish for it to all go away but it won't for this is reality. My fate is in someone else's hands. And if they fail I will die."

It was then that Frodo was beginning to understand Aragorn's predicament. He was unsure of his future and wanted it all to end. Whatever his fate was he would accept it.

"I will help you," Frodo said, "I will aid you to fight the evil within. I fought it and nearly succumbed to it. I cannot let you fall into Shadow. It would not be right for you to fall, me to survive."

For the first time a sad smile was seen on the King's face. "If you help me perhaps I can survive long enough for rescue."

*****

Shocked, Merry and Pippin tried to fathom out what had happened when Gandalf called them together. The initial shock of the attack had stunned them all, and Frodo and Sam's capture astounded them, though Sam had allowed himself to be taken.

"The Fellowship has taken a drastic blow. We have lost the tracker. What can we do?" Faramir asked.

"Simple," Gandalf said, "continue. I will leave when we reach Numenor, but first I will send another signal to the elves. That will tell them to launch their army to Numenor. Eldarion, you must continue with your road and task and complete it."

Eldarion stepped forward concern littering his young face. "You've told me that my task involves rescuing my father, yet in what way you have not said. I wish to know what my task involves."

Gandalf sighed. He didn't want to tell him. It would only daunt the boy away from his task. "It will not make things any better. It will make them worse."

"Tell me. That is an order. If you value my leadership then you will tell me what I desire to know." The boy said, his gaze hardening.

"Very well," Gandalf conceded, "Eldarion your task is to save your father but not in the way you would expect. In order to destroy Morgoth Aragorn must be killed."

Eldarion was completely stunned as the word's fell from the Wizard's mouth. "What? Why? How?"

Gandalf's eyes were saddened as he spoke. "Aragorn bears Morgoth's power. He is the one who if brought before Morgoth can be used to regain his power. All the dark lord needs to do is drain the power from Aragorn and he will be whole, and Aragorn will die. Yet Morgoth has a weakness: Aragorn. When Morgoth begins to transfer his power back to himself from Aragorn, Morgoth will be at his weakest. He and Aragorn will be joined as one for a short while. Because Morgoth has no physical form but is a spirit Aragorn is the one you must kill. Yet it has to occur during the transformation. A stab in the heart will kill both Morgoth and Aragorn, yet a great evil will flee from this world and a good life will also too flee. It is the only way Eldarion for Morgoth to be destroyed. The death of Aragorn at the appropriate time will lead to the destruction of Morgoth. I am sorry my boy. It is the only way."

Eldarion sank to the deck tears forming in his eyes. "Just like Frodo said. Mornie utúlië. Believe and you will find your way. Mornie alantië. A promise lives within you now. I made a promise and I intend to keep it or attempt to. If it means I have to kill my own father then so be it. Yet I do not think I will have the courage or the will-power to do so." Eldarion reasoned.

"It will be hard, yet I believe you may have the courage to do this. When you see what will have been done to him, you will have the will to end his suffering." Gandalf explained sadly.

"How can I save my father by killing him?"

"As I said when you see what has happened to him then you will know that death is the only way, yet for now your heart cannot comprehend this. But you will."

The boy felt ill inside and requested to be left alone for a while. He sat staring out at the sea, memories floating within him. If what Gandalf said was true then Eldarion wanted to keep the memories of his father alive, so that his spirit could rest in peace. His heart felt torn. He did not have to decide yet. Perhaps all would turn out right in the end. Yes, he would keep to that hope. He would believe there was another way.

There had to be.

*****

Gandalf's signal was seen from Valinor as the wizard sent up the sign that he was nearing Numenor. Celebrindal's companion Fëon rushed towards the high elves that were waiting for the message to come.

"The sign my lords! It has been sent!" the elf cried. Elrond dismissed him.

"We must proceed to Numenor." Glorfindel said. "Time is running out. The last battle is about to be fought. Whether we live or die is up to us."

"No it is Eldarion. The son of Elessar and Arwen decides all. He walks on the path to victory; a slight misstep or the wrong decision will plunge all of Middle-Earth into darkness. He must not fail."

"If only we knew where he is." Elrond said. His heart was tearing as he thought of his grandson.

The Lady Galadriel closed her eyes and murmured elvish words. Minutes later she opened them again and spoke in a clear, but perfect voice, unwavering. "They are nearing Numenor. In a few hours they will have reached the shoreline. I can see that tragedy has struck the Fellowship; two members are missing. Frodo and Sam. The enemy took them no more then an hour ago. The boy is alone. He is deciding in what course to take. Frodo and Sam are with Elessar on the enemy ships. The hobbits are unharmed for the present: Elessar is falling into Shadow."

Thranduil sighed. Things seemed to be listing from bad to worse. "The loss of the tracker is a sore blow to the company I deem. How much more damage can it take until they break?"

"Not long." The Lady answered. "It all depends now on Eldarion. His choices will mean either life or death for us."

TBC…

I seriously think this story is getting way out of hand.

Well, what did you think?