Chapter Sixteen
The Witch King hissed in satisfaction as his army assembled before him. It wasn't complete, but it was a sizable number of dark beings; Olag-hai, Warg Riders, Dark Elves that had sided with him before the Battle of Marmo, Battle Trolls, Men, and normal Orcs all stood together, ready for his commands.
"Tonight, we stand at the precipice. Soon, all the world will experience the true might of our master! You are his first messengers. Bring to the world of men such a cruel message that 'Valis' will be a name to be uttered with despair! Leave not a single stone standing! Destroy all who live within the walls of Valis! Leave nothing alive! This is our master's will!" the Witch King said, eliciting a tremendous roaring cheer from the army below him. Karla listened with silent horror as the Witch King gave his speech, but it could only get worse.
"Oh……….and one more thing……………." The Witch King added, almost as an afterthought. Karla's eyes widened when she heard what else the Nazgul had planned.
"I have got to warn Valis." Karla thought, as she left her place beside one of the many pillars in Minas Morgul. Before she could get very far, an orc, this one a normal orc, stopped her.
"Where do you think you're going, human?" the orc asked, in a sneering tone.
"Nowhere that you'd be interested in, orc." Karla replied, as she swiftly reached up and grabbed the orc's neck with both hands.
"You little witch!" the orc choked, as blood and spittle flew from his mouth.
"Better you than me." Karla hissed as she, with unprecedented physical strength, broke the orc's neck. When the orc had gone limp, Karla wearily kneeled beside the corpse, stripping it of what she needed for her escape. She took the canteen and the orc's knife; the sword was too heavy for her, and the bow and arrows were impractical, since she'd had no prior experience with them.
"Now I am ready." Karla thought, as she tucked the knife's sheath into her belt and took off, hoping she could reach the gate before the dark army could.
Etoh watched grimly as King Ashram prepared to leave. He could tell that the raven-haired king was weary in both mind and spirit, but there was nothing he could do. Valis had done all it could for the people of Marmo, and Ashram knew this.
"I wish there was something more we could do, Ashram. I almost feel as though I am doing Parn's memory dishonor by sending you away like this." Etoh said, as he watched the other king fasten his breastplate into place. He backed up a step when Ashram approached, put a hand on his shoulder, and looked directly into his eyes.
"Etoh, you know Parn would understand. You have your people to watch over, just as I have mine. These are dangerous and uncertain times we are living in, as I am sure was the time before King Elessar ruled here. The light of hope has not gone out yet; Queen Fianna is still alive. And, as long as she lives, the line of Isildur will live on through her. Protect her, and Valis, with your life, King Etoh. You are the king of Valis………and the Steward of Gondor." Ashram said, sternly. Etoh's eyes widened slightly, then he nodded in understanding.
"I will say a prayer to Falis for you and your people, and for a safe journey. I will honor your request, Ashram, and protect my people from the threat as best as I can. I can only hope that when we next meet, it will be during better times." Etoh said, honestly.
"I hope so too, Etoh. I really do." Ashram murmured, as he strapped his swordbelt on, then allowed his squire to drape his cloak over his armored shoulders. With that done, Ashram walked out of the chamber, giving Etoh a parting glance as he did so.
Gimli watched as the people of Marmo prepared to leave. He could almost physically touch the crushed hope and the despair of the people, and he remembered when Valis had been a very different place.
"And to think, we couldn't even bury him in the resting place of his ancestors. Tis a sad end for a family I knew so well." Gimli thought, looking away and stubbornly wiping his eyes; stalwartly refusing to weep. Crying would not bring the Heir of Isildur back. He turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and was a little surprised to find Grievus standing there.
"Ready to go? The elves are, for the most part, already mounted. Legolas is waiting for you." Grievus said. Gimli nodded.
"Aye. Let's go." Gimli replied, burying his grief and following the other dwarf to where Legolas was waiting. Yet, when they got to where Legolas was supposed to be, he was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is he? You'd said he was waiting for me! Is this some sort of joke?" Gimli asked, with skepticism laced heavily in his voice.
"He was here, Sir Gimli, but he went to attend to some last minute business." Link said, from astride Epona.
"Last minute business? What could he still have to do here?" Gimli asked, confused.
"Dunno. But it had something to do with going to 'visit an old friend'." Kage added, as he pointed out the direction Legolas had gone in. It took only a moment for Gimli to realize what Legolas had in mind.
"I will be right back!" Gimli said, as he dashed off in that direction, leaving the two Hylian Heroes and Grievus exchanging confused looks and shrugs.
Legolas sighed as he entered the long, narrow hallway that marked the way to the royal tombs of Gondor.
"The atmosphere is different in here; almost peaceful. Quite a contrast to what the rest of the world feels like now." Legolas thought, as he walked along. He paused and shuddered when he passed the collapsed room where Denethor had died.
"The Last Steward of Gondor is buried within that room……………….I wonder if his spirit is troubled by these recent events?" Legolas wondered, as he continued walking. He finally stopped in front of a set of three tombs.
"I am here, Merry, Pippin……..Estel. Yet I had hoped that I would never have to return here. What had started out as a quest to find any elves remaining in Middle Earth has turned into another terrible war. I am sorry." Legolas murmured, even though he knew that those three members of the old Fellowship would never answer him.
"This was never your fault, Legolas, son of Thranduil." A voice said, as Gandalf appeared beside the startled elf.
"Gandalf……………" Legolas said, his surprise quickly giving way to sorrow.
"These events that are happening now have been in the making since the end of the Second War of the Ring. Yours' and Gimli's arrival here didn't change anything, or set any events into motion. Yet, your presences here are of major importance. You both have experience in fighting against a darkness this world has long forgotten about. And that is far better than allowing the people of this time to find out the hard way how to fight back." Gandalf said, trying to comfort the grieving elf.
"He's right, Leg." Gimli agreed, as he also appeared alongside the elf.
"You followed me as well, Gimli?" Legolas asked.
"Of course! Someone has to keep you from disturbing the king, Master Peregrin and Master Meriadoc with such silly drivel as that!" Gimli said, getting a chuckle from Legolas.
"Then who's the one raising his voice, Master Gimli?" Gandalf asked, as Gimli realized his mistake and blushed a little in embarrassment. The elf and wizard laughed softly.
"Don't worry, Gimli, I am sure our three comrades are happy to hear familiar voices again." Legolas said, with a slight smile; his first in so many days.
"Let's go. I am sure that by now everyone is ready to leave. I don't think we would want to be left behind." Gandalf said, as he started hurrying out. Gimli quickly followed, but Legolas lingered for a few moments more.
"Rest easy, my friends. We'll right these wrongs soon, I promise." Legolas thought, before departing. He didn't notice when three figures appeared briefly in front of the tombs; a tall man with wavy dark hair and two hobbits. They watched him go with grave expressions on their faces, until he'd disappeared from sight. Then they too disappeared, leaving not a trace of themselves behind.
Arislan rode alongside King Ashram as the gates of Valis were opened. Behind him, Daryoon and Pharengese remained vigilant, ready for anything. This was the moment they expected an attack, and were surprised when nothing happened.
"Just because it seems safe, doesn't mean that it is. We must not let our guard down." Narsus advised, quietly.
"That goes without saying. Our enemy is unlike anything we have ever faced on a battlefield before. We must be especially cautious." Ashram said, his silvery gray eyes scanning the horizon as he spoke. It was then that Luzeb rode up.
"They're ready to move, your Highness." Luzeb said, his own eyes and features reflecting the tiredness the king was feeling.
"All right. Let's get started." Ashram murmured, after nodding a thanks to the Dark Elf captain, then raised an arm into the air, signaling for everyone behind him to begin moving. With that, the people of Marmo began their second biggest escape in two days. The journey to the Forest of Never Return had begun.