A/N: Sorry about the long update. Wrote this on floppy, but my floppy drive blew up, so I had to find another computer. That means that until I can find another computer or get this one fixed, cahpter 10 of my other LotR story won't be up for a while. Sorry!!
elvenstorm: Yay! thank you!! Aw... he is, isn't he? Hope you had a great time in the lakes and Happy Birthday!!
Crecy: Nah, dude thas fine. A what what what what what? Thas... different... ºº
Alassea2: Oh yeah, there was, wasn't there? I vaguely remember them seeing some dead dude with his sword broken. No, thas completely my imagineation. Jeez, I need to read the books again...Yes, I 'll try to write them in if it pleases you... By the way, one of the guys that was killed in The Two Towers is twiddling his hair when he's meant to be dead. Why do I come out with such mindless crap?
Jupiter's Light: Eurgh you're too clever. Ah no! You're wrong because I've completely changed the storyline. Do you think I should show that chapter anyway at the end of the story?
Also thankyou to another two wonderful reviewers: Moralinde, Zeldagrl436(yay! You understand my speak!!) because I don't have time to write out answers and they need a mention. Alkso Happy Birthday to elvenstorm because (surprise surprise) it's her birthday and I love embarrassing her. I hope this chapter was worth waiting for. Ignore the rubbish title because I couldn't think of anything.
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Chapter 23 – Ow
Bex
She just stood there, having no idea what to do. Eventually she moved, and began to run away from the fighting, in the direction Pippin had gone in just a few minutes ago. She stumbled up the stairs and was nearly knocked flying as Pippin came rushing down them.
Bex: Oi! Watch it!
Pippin: Sorry, sorry Bex.
Bex: Gandalf told you to go up to the citadel! Go! Now!
Pippin: No. I was up there. Denethor – he's gone nuts, as you might say.
Bex: Actually I would say he's lost his freaking marbles.
Pippin: What?
Bex: Keikæ told me about this.
Pippin: But you don't understand! Faramir – he's-
Bex: Way ahead of you bro – go find Gandalf.
With a quick nod, Pippin went on tearing down the steps. Bex sprinted in the opposite direction, pausing when she got to the doors of the House of the Stewards, taking one last look at the chaos in the city, then pushed open the doors.
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Laila
Laila smiled as she looked upon the tens of thousands of Orcs attacking the white city. Not exactly many, was it? One at a time – they'd eventually win. Grinning at this, Laila nearly fell off her horse when a few of the Rohirrim began blowing Horns. The ranks of the Rohirrim now formed a crest on the hill outside the Pelennor Fields. Théoden looks down on the thousands of Orcs, and scowled, realizing the battle could be won. His riders saw the same. The Rohirrim are about to lose what courage they had. People were beginning to look very strangely at Laila, the only person smiling.
Éowyn: Laila! What are you doing?
Laila: I'm smiling.
Éowyn: Yes, but why are you smiling?
Laila: I've finally worked out why the White City is called the White City. Because it's white.
Éowyn sighed and shook her head. The words ''blonde' and 'weird' instantly came to mind.
Éowyn: Courage, Merry. Courage for our friends.
By now Théoden was riding to his captains and giving orders.
Merry: What are they saying?
Laila: Éomer, take your éored down the left flank. Gamling, follow the King's banner down the centre. Grimbold, take your company right, after you pass the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness!
Merry: Fear no darkness!
Théoden then rode in front of the Rohirrim, desperately attempting to bolster their courage.
Théoden: Arise! Arise, Riders of Théoden!
Laila: And of Keikæ.
Théoden passed in front of Éowyn – Laila noticed she immediately tried to hide her face.
Théoden: Spears shall be shaken! Shields shall be splintered! A sword day! A red day! Ere the sun rises!
Laila: That is true.
The riders readied their spears, as did the Orcs.
Éowyn: to Merry Whatever happens, stay with me. I'll look after you.
Merry tried not to look nervous. Théoden rode in front of the horses, banging his sword against their lowered spears.
Théoden: Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin, and the world's ending! Death!
Rohirrim: Death!
Éowyn gulped, looking just about as nervous as Merry was feeling.
Théoden: Death!
Rohirrim: Death!
Théoden: Death!
Merry and Éowyn: Death!
Laila: Death? But I don't want to die!
Théoden: Forth, Eorlingas!!
Laila: Froth... What he said!
Horns sounded. The Rohirrim charged. The Orcs readied to fire at them. The noise was deafening. Several thousand riders charged down the hill, many falling and bringing down others behind them.
Merry: Death!
More arrows were fired, and more Rohirrim fell.
Théoden: Death!
The faint call of 'Fire at will!' could be heard above the racket.
Laila: Not death! Life of others! Does that make sense?
More riders fell as another round of arrows were fired, but they charged on and Orcs began to back off. The Rohirrim charged into the Mordor armies with such a force that no Orc could withstand them. Laila seemed to be enjoying herself immensely – for once she had height advantage on someone, and enjoyed looking down at people. She was near the middle of the Rohirrim army, and so didn't have to do much fighting. She leaned forwards and took a look at the ground speeding past her. She then remembered that she was afraid of heights, and tried to look at the sky from then on.
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Bex
Bex took one look at what was happening, then kicked the nearest guard in the stomach and nicked his spear.
Bex: Oi Dude! What the hell are you doing?!
Denethor: What does it look like Rebecca?
Bex: It looks like you're about to burn yourself – and Faramir – alive.
Denethor glared at her, then grabbed a torch from the nearest soldier.
Denethor: That I will.
Bex: Woah. Wait a se. You do know there's a phrase Ents use quite a lot. It goes like this: Don't be hasty. Just think of everything that would happen if you dropped that torch. Now, just give me the torch.
Denethor: You must think me incredibly stupid.
Bex: Er... Yes.
He then dropped the torch. Flames immediately leapt up around him.
Bex: O Shit.
She jumped through the flames and kicked and poked Faramir off. She was about to thwack Denethor, too, if Gandalf hadn't come bursting through the doors on his sparkly horse. The rider took up a spear (from the guard on his left) and charged Denethor, knocking him off the pyre. Unfortunately (in Denethor's mind) The steward was far from being toast.
Denethor: No! This is my choice! Mine! My way!
Bex: You've flipped.
Bex pointed the spear at the Steward. He called for his guards, but they weren't exactly sure what to do.
Denethor: Mithrandir, this is because of you!
Gandalf: Rebecca, could you please take Pippin outside, for a few minutes.
It was more of an order than a request.
Bex: Ok. muttering to Pippin Somehow I don't think this is going to be quiet.
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Laila
Laila stayed with the Rohirrim, still slashing away at the Orcs, who began retreating back to Mordor.
Éomer: Drive them to the river!
Théoden: Make safe the city!
Laila: What he said!
Everything stopped. Laila froze, then turned her head veeeeeeeeery slowly. Everything becomes silent. A huge group of Mûmakil, lining the horizon, ready for battle, approaching the Rohirrim. Théoden and his Men watched in fear as the giant beasts marched towards them.
Théoden: Reform the line! Reform the line!
Laila: Ogodogodogodogodogodogodogodogod. Not that I was ever religious.
The riders fell back into position, and preparing to charge the Haradrim.
Laila: Why the hell didn't I follow Keikæ?
Théoden: Sound the charge!
Horns sounded. Again.
Théoden: Charge!
It was practically suicide. The Rohirrim charged towards the Mûmakil, getting decimated by the strength and size of their opponents. It was almost impossible to avoid being hit – either by archers on the beasts, or the Mûmakil themselves. Laila tried to avoid everything, rather than fighting, watching the Rohirrim lose the battle. She then followed Merry and Éowyn, figuring that she might just be slightly safer with them. Laila drew horse up along side them. She could hear Éowyn giving orders to Merry, who seemed to be as clueless as Laila.
Éowyn: Take the reins! Pull to the left! Left!
Laila fell behind, attempting not to get in the way. Éowyn grabbed a second sword from an Orc, and riding between a Mûmak's legs, hamstrung it, causing it to fall. Laila only just got out in time, almost crashing into Merry, who had fallen off Éowyn's horse. Laila bent down to get Merry up on her horse. The faint call of "Bring it down! Bring it down! Bring it down!" could be heard, but otherwise, it was complete chaos. Laila handed the reins to Merry, hoping he knew how to control the horse better than her.
Laila: To the right! Right!
A nearby Mûmak fell, nearly landing on Éowyn. Their horse fell too, and Éowyn narrowly misses being landed on, by rolling away.
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Bex
Orcs and trolls were everywhere. Having broken through with Grond (Who would bother naming a battering ram?) the Orcs were now attacking the next level of the city, and once again, soldiers were waiting behind the gate, ready to attack. Bex perched on a wall, next to Gandalf and Pippin, watching, and waiting.
Pippin: I didn't think it would end this way.
Gandalf: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
Pippin: What? Gandalf? See what?
Gandalf: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
Pippin: Well, that isn't so bad.
Gandalf: No. No, it isn't.
Bex: Anyway, it ain't the end, so no worries.
They smiled slightly at each other. The Orcs had nearly broken in. Gandalf nodded, and Pippin tightens the grip on his sword. Bex did the same, not liking what was about to happen.
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Laila
Outside the gate, the Rohirrim grimly continued to fight on, knowing they were literally fighting a losing battle. Laila thought over what Keikæ had said., whispering quietly "Théoden."
Théoden: Rally to me! To me!
Laila arrived near him and looked up. Théoden turned around too, now aware of the presence of the Witch-king. The Witch-king came down and would have knocked down Snowmane and Théoden, had Laila not stepped in. .She took over the reins and somehow managed to get the horse to do what she wanted it to do. Merry was thrown off when the horse reared up, though Laila somehow managed to stay on. It had been a pretty stupid thing to do, but it was enough. The fell beast rose higher and the King ad not been touched.
Merry: How did you know? How do you always know?
"Keikæ." Laila said simply and grinned.
Éowyn: LAI-
Laila only had time to turn when she heard Éowyn. The fell beast collided with her horse and they both went – literally – flying. There was a loud thud as she hit the ground. Laila instantly found it hard to breath, as if there was a great weight or pressure on her. She opened her eyes and found that she could see was blue. Just blue. With a light bulb in the middle.
Laila: Hang on. That's the sky.
She turned her head so she could now see a green strip down the right hand side of her vision. Grass? Maybe. It seemed to be turning. No, that was all in her head. It couldn't be turning. But it was. Laila gasped as she pushed herself in to a sitting position. She felt very disorientated - dizzy too. Laila blinked to clear her vision. At that moment, for a second a shadow passed over her. The Nazgul... the fellbeast... Théoden. She jumped to her feet remembering what had happened.
She grabbed her sword, which had conveniently landed a few feet away from her. Any pain she could feel a few minutes ago seemed to have instantly vanished – she felt nothing. Nothing would stop her. She could see the King on foot, unarmed, backing away from the fellbeast.
Laila: Éowyn! This is your cue! Where the hell are you!
Laila waited. She would come in any minute now. Laila watched and waited. Any minute now.
Théoden stumbled backwards, knowing if someone didn't step in, he would die.
Any minute now... Any minute now...
He could no longer go back. He was trapped.
She wasn't coming.
Laila: To hell with it!
The fellbeast attempted to strike, missed, foolishly leaving its neck exposed. This was her chance. Laila ran forward and beheaded it in two strokes. The beast fell about and landed heavily.
Laila: One down, one to go.
Witch-King: No one comes between a Nazgul and his prey.
Laila: Oh. Sorry to disappoint you mate, but I can and I am.
The witch-king stood in front of her, a flail in its hand. Laila gulped. This was not what she had bargained for. She leapt to the side, avoiding the first blow. She was then forced to drop as the Witch-King took another swing at her. Laila groaned and rubbed her elbow, finding she had landed on something hard. A shield, in fact. Something she had no idea how to use. She raised it, a little happier that there was now a plank of wood as well as thin air between her and random-freaky-undead-dude-#1. The Witch-King then hit the shield, which completely shattered. Laila fell, crying out, and clutching her arm...
Laila: Where the hell is Keikæ when you need her?
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Keik
Head Orc: Late as usual, pirate scum! There's knife work here that needs doing. Come on, ya sea rats! Get off your ships!
I stood up on the rail when I heard this, confirming we had finally arrived at our destination.
Keikæ: Oi! Pirate – that's true. I'll occasionally accept Scallywag, but Sea Rat? That's just harsh.
Head Orc: Wha- ?
I hopped down after the other three.
Gimli: muttering to Legolas There's plenty for the both of us, may the best Dwarf win!
Keikæ: Or elf, as the case may be.
I drew my sword and joined in the charge with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, shortly by the Dead, who I noticed had the wonderful ability to walk on water.
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Laila
Laila looked up in horror as the witch king approached. Her sword lay on the ground. She was defenceless. The Witch-King grabbed hold of her neck.
Witch-king: You fool, no man can kill me! Die now...
Laila: Merry! This is your cue! Merry? MERRY!!
The Witch-king gave out a shriek, as a blade appeared through its chest.
Laila: To herself That's odd. I thought Merry was smaller than that.
The Nazgul fell to its knees, low enough for Laila to see Théoden wrench his sword out of the Witch-King.
Laila: Ah. I see you've found your sword.
Théoden smiled slightly.
Laila: Good for you. To Witch-King Now that you're the same height as me, I'll say this: Fine matey, because in case you haven't noticed, I'm a woman.
With gritted teeth, Laila seized her sword and stabbed at where the Witch- King's face would be. Excruciating pain shot up her arm, and she fell to the ground in agony, watching , but the Witch-king withers and crumpled into nothing with a shrill cry.
Laila: Ow. That hurt.
Éowyn finally arrived with Merry.
Éowyn: Laila? What has happened?
Théoden: Éowyn? What are you doing here?
Laila: Hi. I'm just going to leave you two to talk a sec.
Laila gasped, froze and looked down. Blood was seeping through her shirt. She broke off the end of an arrow, and threw it on the grass. She then dropped to the ground, closing her eyes for what may be the last time.
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Keik
It had seemed hopeless at first, but now we actually seemed to be winning, I was beginning to find it fun. At least, I couldn't get bored of Legolas' and Gimli's competition.
Legolas:15, 16...
Gimli:17...
Keikæ: 29...
Gimli: 29? I'll have no Pirate Girl outscoring me! 18, 19, 20....
Keikæ: Pirate Girl... I like it? 34...
Legolas: How did you get from 29 to 34?
Keikæ: Well, I've got a deal with one of the dead dudes. He's using my knife because he lost his sword, and since he doesn't exist, my knife is killing orcs, so I have technically killed them. 43!
Legolas: Pirates...
Aragorn: Legolas!
I paused, attempting to keep out of the fighting for a second. I let Legolas do his thing, ending with sliding off the Oliphaunt's trunk.
Keikæ: Impressive.
Legolas: Thank you.
Gimli: That still only counts as one!
Keikæ: Dude I love that line!!
Haldir: There's only one person I know who says that.
Keikæ: Haldir!
Ilréthiel: Keikæ!
Keikæ: Ah! Too many people!!
Gimli: No! Not more elves!
Keikæ: Dude, what's wrong with elves? Anyway, what are you doing here?!
Ilréthiel: As you would say, it's a long story.
Keikæ: That figures. Whoa! Elephant thingy nine o'clock!
Gimli: You're mad! It isn't even evening!
Something caught my eye further away. The Witch-King, to be precise. I watched for a second, knowing Éowyn would 'win'. The tall black figure fell. I mentally cheered for Éowyn, and reminded myself to buy her a drink later. Éowyn straightened up. A tall figure with long blonde hair approached her, but the only person with longlong blondeblonde hair on the battlefield was Éowyn, unless Sauron had created a new breed of Orc.
::WOO!! GO LAILA!!::
Laila fell. This couldn't be happening. I felt a bit more than slightly confused. Why had she fallen? She couldn't have been hurt. I looked in that direction again in hope of getting a suitable explanation. A soldier over there simply dropped too. It was as if everyone was playing wink murder.
::The Haradrim.::
It had to be. They had shot Laila. They had shot Laila. They had hurt her – maybe even killed her. They would pay.
I grabbed my sword, grabbed a spear lying on the ground, hit Gimli over the head, then ran onto the tower of the Oliphaunt Legolas had just killed. I counted to three, then dug the spear into the side of the charging Mumak, and held on for dear life. I then pulled myself up and grabbed onto the leather strap that held the tower to the animal. When I finally reached the tower I began hacking at the Haradrim, attempting to reach the top.
Keikæ: 47, 48, 49...
I jumped up to the very top level – a sort of platform. There wasn't enough room to swing a ferret. I had one peaceful second to admire the view. One perfect second. Before I had to dodge to the side to avoid a blow. His weapon hit the wooden bar, splintering it. There was now nothing between me and a 60ft drop. I briefly looked down, but the only thing I saw was green, red and a blonde dude riding alongside. I turned and lifted my sword and blocked another blow. At that moment the whole tower lurched to the side and I found myself thrown into one of the three remaining sides of the platform. Luckily it had thrown him off, and I could now enjoy the view for another three seconds, but it seemed he had taken my sword with him too.
::Brilliant.::
I grabbed the nearest thing that would be remotely useful – a flagpole – and began to make my way down. I jumped onto the back of the Mumak and took out the driver with the pole. I looked down to see if the blonde dude was still there. He was, and seemed to be gesturing for me to jump. I rammed the pole into the beast's head and jumped, landing where I had not intended to land.
::Ow.::
I rolled over and picked myself up. At least I wasn't landed on. I grinned. I could hear a horse trotting towards me, and looked up at Haldir.
Keikæ: Oh, so it was you who gave me the crazy idea to jump.
Haldir: Well it worked, did it not?
I grinned again. He smiled too, though it quickly faded. He leapt down and drew his sword.
Haldir: Keik-
::Ah.::
I gasped, then fell to my knees, as pain shot up my left leg. I turned my head and saw the grass was covered in blood where I was. I kicked out, realising someone, or something was behind me. My foot connected with a head – an orc's head, I later discovered. I looked down, and slowly pulled out a short dagger that had been pushed into the back of my lower leg. I looked up and saw Haldir standing, sword lowered with a shocked expression on his face. I closed my eyes and remembered no more.
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A/N: MWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!!! Shall I kill them? I know what I'll do. Do you think I should kill them? Sorry this chapter is a bit all over the place. It's not very well written, so I apologise for that.
Assbb!!
Kess ;P