Note from Nikki: Well, I think most of you were pretty satisfied with that last chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. *whew* Well, at least we got that out of the way. Now we can move on with the story!

To the Reviewers:

Laureline: Hehe! I know, I was so embarrassed when I was reading it and I figured I ought to insert a little humor there, even if it was at my expense. Lol! That's the only one that I have planned for this story. I just wanted to express the love they had and. . .yah. So it's done now and that's all! Whoo!

Noa9: Lmao! Speechless? Well, thanks. Hehe. I'm glad you thought it was pretty good *hugz* Thanks for sticking with my stories hun *hugz* You know I love ya!

LoverofLegolas: Lol, yes that was my first time writing smut before. I'm so embarrassed but I'm glad that you liked it! Hmmm. . .alright. I suppose that sounds like a deal. I'll get Legolas first and then the other two *muahahahaha* cheese has never sounded so good. . .

Kaye Thorn: Incest? Lol, no, that wasn't incest. Aurora and Scott are related in no way. ^_^. Yes, I do use movie dialogue. This story is based from the movie after all and I have no wish to change the wonderful words of the characters and put my own lousy ones in there, which is so typical of a Mary Sue. ^_^. Hehe, well thanks so much for reviewing! *hugz*

Vorserkeien: Hehe, well, I'm not sure if no opinion is a good thing or a bad thing, but thanks for reviewing! We can indeed get back to the story now *wipes forehead* whoo! Thanks for reviewing chica! I hope you had fun in Paris *wails* you're so lucky. What I would give to go to Paris.

Alida Fruit: Aww! Thank you so much! Your review gave me a great deal of relief. Thanks so much for your kind words and, as always, your wonderful review. *muahahaha* You'll have to wait until next chapter to find out where Aurora and Scott will go. ^_^ Thanks for your review!

Isdule: I'm glad you liked the chapter! Thanks very much! Aw man, I should have made someone walk in huh? Damn, oh well. I don't know if there will be a next time but if there is, I'll keep that in mind! Thanks for your wonderful review!

Crecy: Lol! Thanks so much for reviewing! I'm very glad that you like it. You have fun whatever you're watching now ^_^

Mojo: Lmao! Yup, plenty of detail, huh? Whoo! I guess I got carried away there, didn't I? Well, I'm very glad that you liked it! Thanks sweetie!

Oil Pastel: Yup! They shagged. Go them! Hehe. I'm glad you liked. I hope Legolas likes too *raises eyebrows* He's coming over tonight you know. . .sorry hunni! He's all mine *muahahahhahaa* hehe j/k. Thanks for reviewing hun! Btw, when the hell are you planning on updating Jack's Treasure? Or Lost Soul II? *eyes narrow dangerously*

I'm really sorry if I forgot anyone! Let me know and I will make sure that it doesn't happen again!

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Dan was thoroughly convinced that he hated Denethor. The man stunk of malice and distaste. Nothing about him seemed noble or brave and Dan found himself dreaming up horrible ways that involved the stewards death.

"Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, in peace or war, in living or dying, from...from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me," Pippin said shakily. He swallowed and then finished the oath of service with, "or death take me."

Dan shook his head, wanting to intervene but not knowing how. Pippin was a good person, he was fun to talk to and was a sort of comical relief from all the tragedy and drama in Middle Earth. But, Dan had realized, he was not very bright when it came to putting his life on the line.

"Not a very brave fellow, is he?" Faramir muttered.

"He's braver than he looks," Dan challenged haughtily. "No offense, but I think swearing fealty to your father would scare even a superhero."

Faramir nodded and spoke no more of it. Instead, he focused on Denethor who held his ring out for Pippin to kiss. After Pippin did so, Denethor walked over to a wooden table and seated himself before a platter of fruit and meat. "I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses. Defenses that your brother long held intact," he said.

Faramir smiled weakly at Dan and then stepped forward, "What would you have me do?"

"I will not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken."

"My Lord, Osgiliath is overrun," Faramir replied calmly, though Dan sensed a note of fear in the man's voice.

"Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?" Denethor asked angrily.

Dan looked at Faramir, very confused. He had gotten thrown back at the mention of Osgiliath before he remembered that it was the city by the river. And now he was completely astounded that Denethor, Faramir's own father, could insult him like that. Dan watched as Faramir's face fell and when he spoke again, his voice was breaking, finally releasing anguish that he had hidden behind a solid wall of stone.

"You wish now that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and Boromir had lived."

Dan took a sharp intake of breath. Boromir? Boromir? That sounded so familiar. . .and then it hit him. That was the guy that died before Dan found the broken fellowship in Middle Earth. He remembered Aurora saying something about him.


"Yes, I wish that," Denethor replied quietly.

Dan was about ready to go up there and punch the guy across the face. What kind of creep was he? That is not something that you say to a son as good as Faramir. Dan clenched his knuckles tightly and fought to keep his breathing normal. When he glanced to see Faramir's reaction, it nearly pushed him over the edge of boiling to see Faramir's eyes filled with tears. Denethor was no father, if only Faramir could see that his filthy opinion meant nothing.

"Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead," Faramir replied shakily. He bowed to his father and began making his way to the door. Dan was too infuriated to make his way after him just yet.

"If I should return, think better of me, father," Faramir said feebly before leaving.

Without looking up, Denethor replied coldly, "That will depend on the manner of your return."

A few seconds after Faramir was gone, Dan was able to move his feet after him. As he passed by Denethor, who was eating greedily, he said, "I hope you rot in hell bastard."

Denethor merely smirked and took a drink of his wine. Pippin glanced at Dan with fearful eyes but quickly returned his focus on Denethor, watching him with a hidden hatred.

Dan dashed from the throne room to find Faramir and his men saddling up. "You're not actually going to listen to that creep, are you?"

"I will not disappoint him again," Faramir replied gruffly.

"This is suicide!" Dan cried, gesturing to the dark clouds of Mordor. "There is no way you'd survive!"

Faramir pulled his sword on and turned to look at Dan with sad eyes. "I like you Dan," he said, "I had hoped to become friends with you. Perhaps we will meet again someday." With that, Faramir leaped onto his horse, nodded his head, and began making his way down the city to the great gates.

"Good hell," Dan muttered, dashing off in the opposite direction. "How many idiots can this damned place hold?"

Dan pushed his way through people who were heading to the streets, many of them carrying piles of flowers. Some of the women were crying, tears sliding down their dirty faces creating black streaks of mud.

"Gandalf!" Dan called disparately.

"Yes?" the wizard replied some distance away.

"Wow," Dan said, astonished. "I didn't think you'd actually answer."

"Well I did," Gandalf replied irritably. He made his way over to Dan and repeated, "What is it?"

"Faramir has lost his mind," Dan informed him. "He is currently marching to his death in Osgiliath."

Gandalf dashed off without a word, shoving through the throngs of people. Dan followed in his wake, not having to fight the crowds because Gandalf accomplished the task for him. Finally they managed to make their way to the front. Dan watched, with a sickened stomach, as women threw the flowers onto the cobbled path or handed them sadly to passing soldiers.

"Faramir! Faramir!" Gandalf called, walking beside Faramir, Dan still one step behind him. "Your father's will has turned to madness! Do not throw away your life so rashly!"

"Where does my allegiance lie, if not here?" Faramir asked softly. They had finally reached the gates and Gandalf stopped walking, eyeing Faramir sadly.

"Your father loves you, Faramir! He will remember it before the end."

Dan almost snorted but managed to stifle it because it didn't seem the appropriate time. He seriously doubted whether Denethor was capable of love. Dan, however, was already missing Faramir. He was a good man, one of the only ones that Dan could have truly bonded with in Middle Earth. And now he was dead. He was dead even as he walked out of Minas Tirith, his head held high.

The throngs of people dashed up to the wall where they could watch the soldiers ride to their doom. Gandalf nodded to Dan and disappeared and Dan quickly followed the people, deciding that he would rather like to know what's going on.

And so Dan watched as the Gondorian soldiers rode bravely to Osgiliath. They became specs in the distance but Dan could still see what was happening. He watched as soldiers toppled off their horses, most likely hit with thin arrows. He watched until he thought he would be sick and had to leave the wall for fear of losing his breakfast.

Dan knew that the inevitable would now happen. He knew it like he knew his own name. They would be attacked by the forces of Mordor. The only question that remained was how long could the city hold before they broke through and all was lost? Dan didn't know. But for the first time he knew that death was inevitable. He would die defending this beautiful white city. He would die without his sister, his best friend, his love. Dan choked back these thoughts, not wanting to cry for the first time in ten years.

Instead, he made his way through the deserted streets to the stable where his horse was tied up. There he slipped on his armor, his sword, and his bow and quiver of arrows. Patting his horse, he untied it, feeling that it should at least be given the chance of escape. Maybe he could at least save the horses life.

Dan slowly made his way to the front of the city again, deciding that if there would be any kind of opposition, it would be there. He was right. Already, lines of soldiers were waiting on the wall. The ground pounded beneath Dan's feet and he could hear the distant grunts of thousands of Orcs and booms of enormous war drums. Dan was just about to climb the wall and look upon the Orcs that would surely be within view by now when the gates opened. Curious, he peered around several people and nearly fell over in shock when he saw the body of Faramir, his leg tied to his frightened horse.

"Oh God," Dan whispered. He followed the entourage of people as they carried Faramir to Denethor, high on the hill.

As Dan reached the top of Gondor, where the throne room and great white tree was, he dashed over to Faramir. He feared what he would see but he had to be able to confirm the death with his own two eyes. After seeing Faramir's shut eyes and pale, dirtied face, he turned away, breathing deeply.

Suddenly there was a commotion as Denethor ran out of the throne room, calling something out that Dan was unable to discern. His mind was blank, his emotions hidden behind a protection that he had created to keep himself from being grieved. He'd never seen a dead man before, unless you count Grandpa Frank who he hadn't even known.

"My sons are spent. . ." Denethor was saying almost drunkenly. He stumbled away from Faramir and Dan was surprised to see that the steward was grieved at the death of his son. He hadn't thought that the cruel man was capable of love. "My line has ended!"

Dan turned his focus back to Faramir and was surprised to see Pippin kneeling by him, touching his forehead in surprise. Suddenly Pippin looked up, passed Dan and passed Gandalf, who had just arrived, to Denethor. "He's alive!" he cried.


"The House of Stewards has failed!" Denethor babbled in return.

"He needs medicine, My Lord!" Pippin tried desperately.

Dan doubted whether Faramir was alive. He looked as dead as any man could be but he stepped forward and knelt beside Pippin. He grabbed Faramir's wrist and felt for a pulse, like he had learned in school, and nearly choked when he felt one, feint as it was.

"Holy shit! Gandalf! He's alive!" Dan bellowed.

"My line has ended!" Denethor said, ignoring Dan completely.

Denethor reached the wall that overlooked the city of Gondor and Dan watched as his eyes grew wide. Dan was getting very angry by now. Did Denethor finally realize he had let his people get drawn into a war that they could never win?

"Rohan has deserted us," he said desperately. A crazed look stirred in his eyes as he gazed down at whatever was happening in Gondor. "Théoden's betrayed me! Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for your lives!"

Gandalf, who had been making his way toward Denethor (Dan hadn't seen this, he'd been too shocked at what Denethor was saying to pay attention to anything else), suddenly whacked Denethor on the forehead with his staff and then again in the stomach. Denethor fell to the ground and Gandalf called out, "Prepare for battle!"

Dan grinned as Gandalf gave orders for Faramir to be safely carried to the hospital area and then giving directions for Pippin. Gandalf then turned to Dan, smiling he said, "Are you ready for battle Master Dan?"

Dan grinned. "Let's go kick some ass."


Gandalf looked confused but smiled and yelled, "Come on, Men! To the wall! Defend the wall. . ."

Dan grabbed onto the reins of a horse and followed Gandalf through the streets of Gondor to the front wall where Dan could hear the bellowing of the army. He took a deep breathe, leaped off his horse, and dashed up the stairs. After he saw the army before him, he was halfway back down the stairs again before he realized he had no where to run to.

Instead, he wearily walked back up them, feeling his entire body quiver with fear. Helm's Deep had been an enormous battle. Helm's Deep had been a doubtful victory. Helm's Deep had been a pleasant skirmish compared to this. Thousands upon thousands of ranks of Orcs were attacking the wall. Dan couldn't even see the end of their well organized lines. He couldn't see past the monstrous beasts that looked like gigantic elephants. He couldn't see past the enormous wooden war machines. There was no end to the destruction that was before them.

"Send these foul beasts into the abyss," Gandalf cried.

A smile slowly spread its way across Dan's face. What use would it be to be scared? It would do nothing for him. If he was going to die before these walls, so be it. He was ready. On Earth, he would have died an old man or possibly from disease, a car accident, murder. Here, he was going to die fighting for something he believed in. Everyone had to die, and if this was the day that was destined for him then he wouldn't spend his last day shaking in his boots.

A rock crashed into the wall, knocking several men off. Dan pulled out his bow and arrows, ready to begin the fight.


"Hold them back. Do not give into fear! Stay at your posts!" Gandalf cried to the men.

Dan suddenly took notice of great siege towers that were coming uncomfortably close to the wall. He began shooting arrows, following what other archers were shooting at. He suddenly realized that shooting at the towers would do no good when Gandalf cried, "Not at the towers! Aim for the trolls! Kill the trolls!"

Dan quickly began shooting at the enormous trolls, getting over the shock that there were trolls in Middle Earth and they weren't simply huge boulders, but it was too late.

The siege towers had already connected with the wall and Orcs began swarming in. Dan grasped onto his sword, slinging his bow around his back, and began attacking, laughing at the sheer joy of watching a dead Orc fall to his feet.

He would die today, Dan knew this. But he wasn't afraid anymore.

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A/n: Dun, dun, dun. Hehe, please review! I wanna know what you all think! I'm sure many of you will be angry that there was no Aurora and Scott in this chapter, but I promise the next chapter is them! Thanks for reading!