By the Light of the Moon
Disclaimer~ I do not own any of Tolkien's creations. I only own SOME of the storyline and the characters I made up. This takes place during TTT and ROTK. Legolas is a sexy elf.I'd love to own him! *smiles*
~Here's the next chapter. Personally, I like this one very much...I don't know why~
Chapter 18~ The Steward of Gondor and Learning of Mordor
Flowers...gold and red flowers in an open field. Sunlight reflected off a small lake and created a shine like glass. It was the most stunning sight to be held by a person's eyes. It was paradise...simply paradise. She stood with her arms open and twirled in circles as the wind picked up. Her dark hair flowed gracefully in the breeze. It felt so good to let everything go for even just a moment. She opened her bright green eyes to the sun, but found clouds...dark clouds. Her arms dropped to her sides as she stared up at the once clear sky.
Water...rain began to fall. She had always loved the rain, for it gave her relief from her curse, but this was different. It was cold and sinister. Everything wonderful in this world was turning grey and evil. Fire...a bright and burning fire surrounded her. She closed her eyes in fear of what she would find when she opened them. She felt heat. It felt like someone was burning through her chest and tearing her heart out.
Abruptly, everything turned to darkness. Just the darkest black ever possible. She was floating in air, but there was no more light. It swallowed her and she began to fall.
"AH!" Mariah screamed as she awoke and sat up straight. She looked around and realized that she was moving. She looked down and saw that she was riding Shadowfax, there was a hobbit in front of her, and a wizard behind her. She took a deep breath and then leaned back against Gandalf. "Are you alright, Lady Morgan?" the wizard asked.
"Fine...just a dream. How long have we been riding?"
"About a day or so," Pippin interrupted, "You and I have been sleeping most of the way." Mariah nodded her head and closed her eyes, once again drifting into a slumber.
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Legolas sat in the Hall and rested his head on a table. He was incredibly tired, for an elf, and couldn't help but feel empty inside. He looked around at everyone else. They were all smiling or talking about battle strategies. Aragorn was waiting for the Beacon to be lit and Gimli was busy stuffing his face with Merry by his side.
The elf's mind drifted to Mariah. Her beautiful hair, her vibrant eyes, her soft skin...everything was a turn on for him. She had such spirit and would let it loose when she had to. Even though she only cared for him as a "close friend", he cared deeply for her. His mind snapped back to reality when Merry sat down across from him. "Hello, Legolas," he said quietly.
"Yeah..." the elf mumbled. His gaze floated to the other side of the room. "So, thinking about something?" the hobbit asked.
"You could say that, Merry."
"Listen...you miss her." Legolas looked over at Merry and gave him a questioning look before raising an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Legolas, don't lie. I may be short, but I can see how you feel. You're in love with Mariah Morgan. Everyone knows it."
"So what if I am?"
"It's not a bad thing," Merry said as he stood up, "You should just tell her the next time you meet again." With those words, he left the elf to himself. Legolas watched Merry leave and then walked outside. The wind blew wildly and made Legolas' hair fly in every direction that was possible. "I do...I do love her," he mumbled to himself.
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Mariah woke up to a slight weight against her chest. Pippin was wide awake and resting his head against her. She smiled down at him and then looked around. They were riding over plains rather quickly as a huge white city came into view. It was like a tower with seven levels. "What is that?" Mariah asked.
"Minas Tirith...City of Kings," Gandalf said as he moved Shadowfax into a gallop towards the city. Mariah rested her hands on Pippin's shoulders as they neared the white city. "This is amazing," she muttered under her breath as they reached the gates and rode inside. Mariah looked at all the people dodging out of the way of Shadowfax as they made their way up to the top level. The women looked at her somewhat strangely, but kept their distance because she was riding a horse with the White Wizard.
"Finally," Mariah moaned as they reached the top level. Gandalf got dismounted Shadowfax and then helped Mariah and Pippin down. Mariah took a moment to look around. There was a dead white tree in the small courtyard and when she looked toward the palace, she saw rather large doors. Gandalf led the way to the doors with Pippin at his heels. "It's the tree. Gandalf! Gandalf!"
"Yes, the White Tree of Gondor. The Tree of the King. Lord Denethor, however, is not a king. He is a steward only...a caretaker of the throne." Mariah caught up to them at the doors that led to the throne room. "Now, listen carefully: Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death will be most unwise," Gandalf told Pippin, "And do not mention Frodo or the Ring...and say nothing of Aragorn either." The wizard was about to enter when he stopped himself and looked back at Pippin. "In fact it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took."
The three of them all entered the throne room quietly. Gandalf led the way, Pippin walked at his heels again, and Mariah walked slowly behind them. She kept her hood up and stayed behind Gandalf. When the wizard finally stopped walking, Mariah looked around the wizard and saw an old man with long, dark grey hair with white waved throughout it. He looked depressed about something and kept his eyes down while sitting on a chair below an empty throne. "Hail, Denethor son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor." The man remained quiet. "I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel."
"Perhaps you've come to explain this," Denethor said quietly as he lifted a broken horn up from his lap. Mariah looked at Pippin and saw his eyes widen. The steward then looked up with tears in his eyes. "Perhaps you've come to tell me why my son is dead." Mariah looked at the steward cautiously and a tear even ran down her own face. She missed her family dearly, even though they had disowned her after she became cursed. It was like they had died too. She wiped away the tear and then heard Pippin speak. "Boromir died to save us...my kinsman and me. He fell defending us from many foes," the hobbit said as he stepped in front of Gandalf and knelt before Denethor.
"Pippin!" Gandalf said startled at the hobbit's action.
"I offer you my service, such as it is...in payment of this debt." Gandalf closed his eyes at Pippin's words and looked frustrated. Denethor looked at Pippin curiously and then his attention was caught by a hooded stranger behind Gandalf. Mariah gulped quietly as her gaze met his. Gandalf forced Pippin to get up and was about to speak when Denethor interrupted with, "Who is this?"
"Excuse me?" Gandalf asked. Denethor motioned to the person behind him. Gandalf stepped to the side and Mariah lifted her hood off her head and nodded subtly. "A woman?" the steward asked surprisingly.
"You are correct," Mariah stated clearly.
"Mithrandir, you travel with a woman?" Gandalf was about to answer when Mariah took a step forward. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing to travel with women in your company."
"Women should not fight."
"Hell no...you did not just go there!" Mariah snapped. Denethor looked shocked at her words and then shook his head before gazing back down at the horn he still held. "My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir. "But it is not now...war is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep! As steward you're charged with the defense of the city! Where are Gondor's armies?" Denethor stared at Gandalf as he continued, "You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the Beacons."
"You think you are wise, Mithrandir. Yet for all your subtleties, you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor! And with your right, you seek to supplant me! I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan." Gandalf looked at Denethor with a shocked look. "Oh yes, word has reached my ears of this Aragorn son of Arathorn, and I tell you now: I will not bow to this ranger from the North! Last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship."
"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, Steward!" Gandalf said forcefully. Suddenly, Denethor jumped from his seat. "The rule of Gondor is MINE...and no others!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. Mariah glared at him for speaking to Gandalf in that tone and placed her hood over her head again. "Come," Gandalf ordered. Pippin and Mariah followed him and both took a glance back at Denethor as they left.
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Night came all too rapidly for Mariah. She stood on the balcony and looked over at Mordor as Gandalf puffed his pipe. Pippin stood at a table inside, looking over the armor and weapons he was given. "So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position...I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting...do they?"
"What do you think?" Mariah asked as she glanced back at him with a smirk on her face.
"You're in the service of the Steward now. You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel," Gandalf said with obvious sarcasm in his voice. Mariah laughed and then stared back at the fire beyond the mountains. Pippin walked out and stood next to Mariah, resting his arms on the railing and his chin on his arms. He was just able to see over the rail. "It's so quiet," he stated.
"It's the deep breath before the plunge," Gandalf said as he walked up next to the hobbit.
"I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse."
"Pippin, you'll do fine," Mariah said reassuringly as she placed a hand on his shoulder, "Battling is hard, but it's not that bad." The hobbit looked at her and then looked over at the wizard with a concerned face. "Is there any hope, Gandalf...for Frodo and Sam?"
"There never was much hope." Mariah and Pippin both looked at Gandalf with wordless faces and eyes wide. "Just a fool's hope," the wizard added before looking back at Mordor. Mariah followed his gaze and felt a shiver rise up her spine at the sight of the evil present there. She gripped the charm on her necklace and took a deep breath before walking back inside, leaving Pippin and the wizard alone. "Our enemy is ready. His full strength's gathered. Not only orcs but men as well, legions of Haradrim from the South. Mercenaries from the Coast. All will answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison in Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone."
"But we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something," Pippin said with a smile. It soon faded when he met the wizard's serious eyes. "Gandalf?"
"Sauron is yet to reveal His deadliest servant, the one who will lead Mordor's armies to war. The one they say no living man can kill...the Witch-king of Angmar! You've met him before." Pippin gave Gandalf a confused look. "He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop." Pippin thought for a minute and then remembered that horrid moment of Frodo being stabbed with a Morgul blade. "He is the lord of the Nazgûl, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."
Mariah had been listening to the entire conversation. She had stayed inside, but was hiding behind a pillar, trying to understand Mordor and the enemy.
Suddenly, a green ray of light shot up to the sky from Minas Morgul. Mariah made her way back to the railing of the balcony and stared at it. She began breathing deeply. "We come to it at last...the great battle of our time," Gandalf said clearly. Pippin was becoming frightened so Gandalf placed an arm around the hobbit and stood close to him. "The board is set. The pieces are moving."
Disclaimer~ I do not own any of Tolkien's creations. I only own SOME of the storyline and the characters I made up. This takes place during TTT and ROTK. Legolas is a sexy elf.I'd love to own him! *smiles*
~Here's the next chapter. Personally, I like this one very much...I don't know why~
Chapter 18~ The Steward of Gondor and Learning of Mordor
Flowers...gold and red flowers in an open field. Sunlight reflected off a small lake and created a shine like glass. It was the most stunning sight to be held by a person's eyes. It was paradise...simply paradise. She stood with her arms open and twirled in circles as the wind picked up. Her dark hair flowed gracefully in the breeze. It felt so good to let everything go for even just a moment. She opened her bright green eyes to the sun, but found clouds...dark clouds. Her arms dropped to her sides as she stared up at the once clear sky.
Water...rain began to fall. She had always loved the rain, for it gave her relief from her curse, but this was different. It was cold and sinister. Everything wonderful in this world was turning grey and evil. Fire...a bright and burning fire surrounded her. She closed her eyes in fear of what she would find when she opened them. She felt heat. It felt like someone was burning through her chest and tearing her heart out.
Abruptly, everything turned to darkness. Just the darkest black ever possible. She was floating in air, but there was no more light. It swallowed her and she began to fall.
"AH!" Mariah screamed as she awoke and sat up straight. She looked around and realized that she was moving. She looked down and saw that she was riding Shadowfax, there was a hobbit in front of her, and a wizard behind her. She took a deep breath and then leaned back against Gandalf. "Are you alright, Lady Morgan?" the wizard asked.
"Fine...just a dream. How long have we been riding?"
"About a day or so," Pippin interrupted, "You and I have been sleeping most of the way." Mariah nodded her head and closed her eyes, once again drifting into a slumber.
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Legolas sat in the Hall and rested his head on a table. He was incredibly tired, for an elf, and couldn't help but feel empty inside. He looked around at everyone else. They were all smiling or talking about battle strategies. Aragorn was waiting for the Beacon to be lit and Gimli was busy stuffing his face with Merry by his side.
The elf's mind drifted to Mariah. Her beautiful hair, her vibrant eyes, her soft skin...everything was a turn on for him. She had such spirit and would let it loose when she had to. Even though she only cared for him as a "close friend", he cared deeply for her. His mind snapped back to reality when Merry sat down across from him. "Hello, Legolas," he said quietly.
"Yeah..." the elf mumbled. His gaze floated to the other side of the room. "So, thinking about something?" the hobbit asked.
"You could say that, Merry."
"Listen...you miss her." Legolas looked over at Merry and gave him a questioning look before raising an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Legolas, don't lie. I may be short, but I can see how you feel. You're in love with Mariah Morgan. Everyone knows it."
"So what if I am?"
"It's not a bad thing," Merry said as he stood up, "You should just tell her the next time you meet again." With those words, he left the elf to himself. Legolas watched Merry leave and then walked outside. The wind blew wildly and made Legolas' hair fly in every direction that was possible. "I do...I do love her," he mumbled to himself.
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Mariah woke up to a slight weight against her chest. Pippin was wide awake and resting his head against her. She smiled down at him and then looked around. They were riding over plains rather quickly as a huge white city came into view. It was like a tower with seven levels. "What is that?" Mariah asked.
"Minas Tirith...City of Kings," Gandalf said as he moved Shadowfax into a gallop towards the city. Mariah rested her hands on Pippin's shoulders as they neared the white city. "This is amazing," she muttered under her breath as they reached the gates and rode inside. Mariah looked at all the people dodging out of the way of Shadowfax as they made their way up to the top level. The women looked at her somewhat strangely, but kept their distance because she was riding a horse with the White Wizard.
"Finally," Mariah moaned as they reached the top level. Gandalf got dismounted Shadowfax and then helped Mariah and Pippin down. Mariah took a moment to look around. There was a dead white tree in the small courtyard and when she looked toward the palace, she saw rather large doors. Gandalf led the way to the doors with Pippin at his heels. "It's the tree. Gandalf! Gandalf!"
"Yes, the White Tree of Gondor. The Tree of the King. Lord Denethor, however, is not a king. He is a steward only...a caretaker of the throne." Mariah caught up to them at the doors that led to the throne room. "Now, listen carefully: Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death will be most unwise," Gandalf told Pippin, "And do not mention Frodo or the Ring...and say nothing of Aragorn either." The wizard was about to enter when he stopped himself and looked back at Pippin. "In fact it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took."
The three of them all entered the throne room quietly. Gandalf led the way, Pippin walked at his heels again, and Mariah walked slowly behind them. She kept her hood up and stayed behind Gandalf. When the wizard finally stopped walking, Mariah looked around the wizard and saw an old man with long, dark grey hair with white waved throughout it. He looked depressed about something and kept his eyes down while sitting on a chair below an empty throne. "Hail, Denethor son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor." The man remained quiet. "I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel."
"Perhaps you've come to explain this," Denethor said quietly as he lifted a broken horn up from his lap. Mariah looked at Pippin and saw his eyes widen. The steward then looked up with tears in his eyes. "Perhaps you've come to tell me why my son is dead." Mariah looked at the steward cautiously and a tear even ran down her own face. She missed her family dearly, even though they had disowned her after she became cursed. It was like they had died too. She wiped away the tear and then heard Pippin speak. "Boromir died to save us...my kinsman and me. He fell defending us from many foes," the hobbit said as he stepped in front of Gandalf and knelt before Denethor.
"Pippin!" Gandalf said startled at the hobbit's action.
"I offer you my service, such as it is...in payment of this debt." Gandalf closed his eyes at Pippin's words and looked frustrated. Denethor looked at Pippin curiously and then his attention was caught by a hooded stranger behind Gandalf. Mariah gulped quietly as her gaze met his. Gandalf forced Pippin to get up and was about to speak when Denethor interrupted with, "Who is this?"
"Excuse me?" Gandalf asked. Denethor motioned to the person behind him. Gandalf stepped to the side and Mariah lifted her hood off her head and nodded subtly. "A woman?" the steward asked surprisingly.
"You are correct," Mariah stated clearly.
"Mithrandir, you travel with a woman?" Gandalf was about to answer when Mariah took a step forward. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing to travel with women in your company."
"Women should not fight."
"Hell no...you did not just go there!" Mariah snapped. Denethor looked shocked at her words and then shook his head before gazing back down at the horn he still held. "My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir. "But it is not now...war is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep! As steward you're charged with the defense of the city! Where are Gondor's armies?" Denethor stared at Gandalf as he continued, "You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the Beacons."
"You think you are wise, Mithrandir. Yet for all your subtleties, you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor! And with your right, you seek to supplant me! I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan." Gandalf looked at Denethor with a shocked look. "Oh yes, word has reached my ears of this Aragorn son of Arathorn, and I tell you now: I will not bow to this ranger from the North! Last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship."
"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, Steward!" Gandalf said forcefully. Suddenly, Denethor jumped from his seat. "The rule of Gondor is MINE...and no others!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. Mariah glared at him for speaking to Gandalf in that tone and placed her hood over her head again. "Come," Gandalf ordered. Pippin and Mariah followed him and both took a glance back at Denethor as they left.
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Night came all too rapidly for Mariah. She stood on the balcony and looked over at Mordor as Gandalf puffed his pipe. Pippin stood at a table inside, looking over the armor and weapons he was given. "So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position...I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting...do they?"
"What do you think?" Mariah asked as she glanced back at him with a smirk on her face.
"You're in the service of the Steward now. You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel," Gandalf said with obvious sarcasm in his voice. Mariah laughed and then stared back at the fire beyond the mountains. Pippin walked out and stood next to Mariah, resting his arms on the railing and his chin on his arms. He was just able to see over the rail. "It's so quiet," he stated.
"It's the deep breath before the plunge," Gandalf said as he walked up next to the hobbit.
"I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse."
"Pippin, you'll do fine," Mariah said reassuringly as she placed a hand on his shoulder, "Battling is hard, but it's not that bad." The hobbit looked at her and then looked over at the wizard with a concerned face. "Is there any hope, Gandalf...for Frodo and Sam?"
"There never was much hope." Mariah and Pippin both looked at Gandalf with wordless faces and eyes wide. "Just a fool's hope," the wizard added before looking back at Mordor. Mariah followed his gaze and felt a shiver rise up her spine at the sight of the evil present there. She gripped the charm on her necklace and took a deep breath before walking back inside, leaving Pippin and the wizard alone. "Our enemy is ready. His full strength's gathered. Not only orcs but men as well, legions of Haradrim from the South. Mercenaries from the Coast. All will answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison in Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone."
"But we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something," Pippin said with a smile. It soon faded when he met the wizard's serious eyes. "Gandalf?"
"Sauron is yet to reveal His deadliest servant, the one who will lead Mordor's armies to war. The one they say no living man can kill...the Witch-king of Angmar! You've met him before." Pippin gave Gandalf a confused look. "He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop." Pippin thought for a minute and then remembered that horrid moment of Frodo being stabbed with a Morgul blade. "He is the lord of the Nazgûl, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."
Mariah had been listening to the entire conversation. She had stayed inside, but was hiding behind a pillar, trying to understand Mordor and the enemy.
Suddenly, a green ray of light shot up to the sky from Minas Morgul. Mariah made her way back to the railing of the balcony and stared at it. She began breathing deeply. "We come to it at last...the great battle of our time," Gandalf said clearly. Pippin was becoming frightened so Gandalf placed an arm around the hobbit and stood close to him. "The board is set. The pieces are moving."