A/N: This is a bit more of the movie than the book. The battle scenes are from "Chronicles of the Crusades – eye witness accounts" edited by Elizabeth Hallam and also from "A Distant Mirror – the calamitous 14th century" by Barbara Tuchman.
Annowe would not remember the long march to the Black Gate as her mind was preoccupied elsewhere. All of her fears for her family, Legolas and the fate of their world weighed heavily on her mind and she was not the only one lost in thought.
Aragorn rode silently next to Gandalf, thinking of Arwen and the fate of the men in his charge. Many of them were grimly silent, determined to end this madness once and for all. Legolas kept his own council and even the two hobbits unusually subdued as they drew closer to Mordor.
Strangely, the Black Gate and the surrounding area seemed completely devoid of life as they approached and Annowe shifted nervously on her horse. What was this? She wondered. Surely the Dark Lord could see them. Perhaps he reasoned that it would be pointless to bother with their small army – like using a sword to smash an annoying flea.
She grunted. No one had seemed to consider that outcome. What good would they do if they could not draw him out? She bit her lip nervously. They would have to do something. The Dark Lord must be drawn out. She hoped he would not realize their attack was a ploy. If he did . . . she shook her head to clear the thought. No. This would work. It had to work. She would not consider any other option.
Anxiously she looked to Legolas who was staring grimly ahead at the gate. Gimli was peering determinedly over the elf's shoulder. She could feel the tension high in the air as they drew to a stop. Silence greeted them. A few of the men traded uneasy mutterings.
Annowe watched as Aragorn rode closer to the gate and demanded the Dark Lord to show himself. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she offered up a silent prayer. No matter what happens, Legolas, my sweet, remember I will never leave you.
She felt the warmth of his presence caress her in reply and then he was gone.
The earth shook and trembled as the Black Gate slowly began to swing open and Annowe opened her eyes and swallowed her fear. As threatening as a black cloud, the host of Mordor began to issue forth from the gates as Aragorn and his small band retreated before them to join the main vanguard.
"Yes," she murmured to herself, seeing his black troops, flying their standards, signs of death slowly empty from the black land and march toward the small army of men assembled. It was working!
Their chilling roars rolled out like thunder, proclaiming their desire to satisfy their rage. They seemed still as numerous as the sands of the sea despite the slaughter at Minas Tirith. Where did they all come from? She wondered in amazement as they continued to pour onto the field inching ever farther away from the black land.
Annowe held her breath. This was it! She shivered involuntarily. Aragorn turned and in a low voice proclaimed, "For Frodo." His cry was echoed throughout the ranks as the men charged forward into battle.
Then they burst upon the enemy like a raging lion and inflicted great slaughter among them, although they numbered less than seven thousand. From then on, no one could recount without trembling the dreadful events that followed.
The battle was bitter and terrible. The whole of the west set its forces in motion against the enemy attacking from all sides but could make no headway against them. Annowe was more determined than ever to send as many of the enemy into the depths as possible. She no longer feared losing Legolas nor herself. Now she only feared subjugation to the Dark Lord and determined she would rather die than serve him.
Steeling her nerves she plunged headlong into the thick of battle, wielding her scimitar with deadly force born of desperation. She kept one watchful eye on Legolas yet remained far enough behind him that he did not notice. She was determined to remain close to him at all times vowing silently that he would never be taken alive. She knew the torture that awaited any elf captured by Sauron and shivered. No, she would not allow Legolas to live if he were captured and hoped he would forgive her.
Tangled in the confusion of rider less horses and raging combat many of the battalion fought on savagely, hand to hand, stabbing with short sword and hacking with battle axes. Separate groups hammered on each other oblivious to any formation – the men were trying valiantly to keep the enemy engaged as long as possible in the desperate hope that Frodo would succeed.
It was a dreadful scene! The bodies of men, Orcs and Uruk-hai were piled in a heap as if a forest of trees had been felled and the ground was soaked with their blood. Annowe urged her horse forward against the enemy, trying to keep Legolas in her sight. He and Gimli had lost their horse and were fighting hand to hand trying to stay as close to Aragorn as possible.
Like a strange dream, Annowe saw Aragorn slip and fall before an Uruk-hai. The enemy raised his sword to strike the killing blow and the world seemed to slow down before her eyes. Legolas screamed and leapt forward to protect his friend. Gimli gave a frightening cry and hurled himself after Legolas. Annowe somehow managed to leap from her charging horse and landed near Gimli.
Distracted by the noise, the Uruk-hai paused just long enough for Aragorn to roll out of his way. But the enemy, having discovered their weakness, made a sudden and unforeseen attack against the elf and the dwarf, catching them both off guard.
Annowe's heart stopped in her chest as she saw Legolas disappear into a wave of the attacking enemy. Gimli charged forward in an effort to reach the elf and the man but he was soon swallowed up in the melee as well.
Heedless of the peril, Annowe plunged after Gimli, determined to join him in defending Legolas. And in that place there was such slaughter that she was up to her ankles in the blood of the enemy.
Aragorn was still on the ground unable to stand due to the press of enemy around him. Legolas and Gimli were fighting fiercely felling the enemy at every turn when the ground started to shake under them.
Annowe feared that the enemy had called forth their reinforcements and she trembled in trepidation. But her fear was quickly replaced with rage as she saw Gimli stagger on the shifting earth and two Orcs move in to press their advantage. With a blood-curdling scream, she launched herself at the nearest one, quickly dispatching him to the black depths as Gimli made short work of the other.
"Lass!" Gimli grinned. "Thank ye!"
"I owed you!" Annowe shouted over the growing din, trying to regain her footing and frantically looking around for Legolas. She spotted him helping Aragorn to his feet and breathed a sigh of relief.
"What is happening?" She yelled as the earth shook more violently. It appeared to her that the enemy was retreating but she could not be sure. Men, horses, Orcs and Uruk-hai were being tossed about like leaves on a strong wind.
Her first instinct was to give chase to the enemy but the ground was so unsteady under her feet that it was difficult to even stand upright. She pitched forward and sheathed her scimitar fearing she would fall on it.
"I don't know!" The dwarf answered as he staggered next to her. She clutched his shoulder to steady herself as Legolas and Aragorn joined the two of them. Legolas slid a protective arm around her as Gimli gripped Aragorn's arm.
The rest of the Rohirrim, Gondorians and their allies closed ranks as the enemy withdrew and many seemed just as dazed and confused as Annowe. No one understood what was happening – it seemed as if the whole of the earth had opened up and was swallowing everything in Mordor.
Aragorn looked toward Mordor and could not believe his eyes. The tower of Barad-dur was toppling, taking the hateful eye with it. He blinked several times in confusion.
"Look!" He cried and pointed his sword to the sight. All heads swiveled to marvel at the vision.
"He did it!" Annowe breathed, afraid to actually believe it was over.
"Frodo!" The two hobbits shouted joyfully, waving their small swords dangerously over their heads.
Gimli let out a shout of laughter and pumped his axe in the air victoriously. Legolas squeezed Annowe's shoulder but said nothing as they all watched in shock as the hated eye crashed to the burning ground.
Stunned by their victory, the remaining army stood in awed silence before several joyous shouts rang out and were soon followed by others. Mordor had fallen! The Ring was destroyed!
Annowe looked to Legolas and nearly cried with relief. He was alive! She was alive! The Ring was destroyed! With a triumphant shout, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, not caring who witnessed her affectionate display. Legolas chuckled and held her tightly, relishing her excitement. It was over. They would finally be together as he had always wanted.
In the midst of all the cheering and shouting, Legolas and Annowe stood in each other's arms, completely oblivious to the rest of the world.