Hello, here is another chapter. Thank you to those who have reviewed our story! We do not own any of the characters, they believe to Tolkien, Homer, whoever wrote Gladiator, everyone but us. Please R/R, hope you enjoy this chapter!
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Everyone was now in the battle. On the field, Legolas worked with Gimli. Legolas used both his bow and arrows, and his white knives to kill the orcs. Four orcs came at Legolas at once and with one step, forward Legolas took out his white knives, and slashed one across the face. The second orc fell as Legolas stabbed the knife he held in his left hand into the orc's neck. He beheaded the third orc quickly, using both knives, and then attacked the forth orc, quickly stabbing him.
Gimli was using his double sided ax against the orcs who loomed over him. He slashed and hacked his way through the crowd of orcs. The stout dwarf did not tire as he killed every Orc that came in his path. Gimli looked up for a second, and a smile formed on his face as he saw his enemy in front of him. He gripped his ax tighter in his hands but before he could swing his ax, the orc took his sword and threw Gimli to the ground. The sword hit Gimli's chain mail shirt, not injuring him, though he knew he was in danger. The orc laughed coldly and menacingly, preparing to the kill the dwarf. Gimli tried to get up to protect himself, but one heavy foot landed on his chest, pinning him to the ground.
Gimli prayed that Legolas would see him... that anyone would see him. Where was his friend when he needed him? Had they not always helped each other in need?
The orc lifted his sword high above his head and brought it down hard. Gimli continued to struggle and fight, trying to escape the orc, but to no avail. The orc's sword was still coming down when, out of nowhere, an arrow hit the shoulder of the orc who stumbled back.
"Leave him," Gimli jumped to his feet and watched Thranduil, King of Mirkwood standing there with a long sword in his hand. He had seen Gimli, friend of his son, in need, and so for his son he went to protect him. He had no need of dwarves, but he had seen Gimli with his son and knew there was a bond of friendship there that could not be broken.
The orc attacked the king and Gimli watched as they battled. They fought swiftly, their swords clashing and each trying to catch the other off their guard. They took no notice of anyone else, as their swords clashed again, caught in a dead tie.
Legolas stood straight up after taking his white knives out of a fallen orc. He looked around and observed the pile of fallen orcs around him. He looked to find Gimli and his father. He was surprised to see his father shooting an orc that had Gimli trapped underneath him. He ran forward to help both father and friend. There were many orcs between them though, and Legolas had to fight his way through.
If Legolas had been counting the dead, he would have passed Gimli's record just trying to reach the dwarf. There were hundreds between them, but nothing could stand between him and helping his father. He had just quickly beheaded another orc when he found his path opened.
The orc charged toward Thranduil, his sword swinging furiously. Thranduil was able to deflect it but stumbled back from the force. In one quick moment, the orc swung his sword and all anyone heard was Legolas' yell. Thranduil sank down without a sound, his eyes on his wound, unable to believe it. It was unreal, how could he die here? His eyes lifted to see Gimli, son of Gloin, looking at him. They stared at each other.
"Ada!" Legolas reached the king's side.
"Nin ion. You will be king in my place... lead your people to victory."
"No... I'm going to save you."
"You have... in so many ways. I am proud of you, King Legolas."
King Thranduil's eyes closed, and passed on the throne to his son and heir. Legolas looked up at Gimli who was still standing still as a statue. Picking up his father's sword, Legolas charged at the orc who had killed his father. Legolas stabbed him in the chest with a yell of "DEATH! Death to all foes! Elves and men gather to me! Charge now, charge now to death!"
Legolas, King of Mirkwood, with Gimli charged together into a horde of orcs leaving none alive. Legolas' fury was that which no man had ever seen before, the usually quiet elf killed now, believing every orc to be the one that had killed his father.
Merry and Pippin found themselves again door wardens. They positioned themselves at the entrance of the gate and they killed every orc that tried to get past them. Merry quickly got back into the rhythm of fighting. Of the three hobbits, he was the hobbit who had participated the most in war.
Pippin stood next to his cousin, protecting the city. Orcs believing them to be an easy kill would come over expecting to kill them with one strike. The bodies of orcs around them proved to other fighters that they were not as weak as they seemed to be. They were quick to avoid their enemy's swords and struck orcs in the legs and stomachs.
Merry had drifted from the other two hobbits as he fought. For the orc's attack to be successful they had to get through the gate, so more orcs were attacking the three small hobbits.
Merry looked to see Pippin being attacked by more than one orc. They were closing in on the Guard of the Citadel.
"SHIRE!" Merry yelled, and ran to his cousin's aid. He jumped at the orc, stabbing him in the back with his sword. Merry had been running, and he let go of his sword and fell heavily to the ground, and then rolled to avoid the falling orc. He stood up quickly, and retrieved his sword. He looked to make sure Pippin was alright, and though he had not stopped fighting, his young cousin was fine. Merry continued to fight, there were too many orcs to talk to his two friends.
Sam stood behind the two warrior hobbits. He had not killed as many orcs as Pippin and Merry. He was terrified as the orcs attacked; though he tried not to show it. The last time he had fought he had a purpose... Frodo. He was always protecting his master. He had wounded Shelob to get back Frodo, and the orcs in Cirith Ungol he had killed to get to Frodo. He always had that one purpose.
What was he fighting for now? The last time he had felt too stunned, too caught up in the moment to worry about who he was fighting. But now he saw, and he was scared. Who was he fighting for this time?
An image came into his mind, he knew at once it was Bag End. He could see the neat study, which when Bilbo lived there was stacked high of papers, maps and descriptions of his travels. The study was clean now, the windows opened, and a certain peace was in the air. The windows were open, and sitting in the tall chair, staring at the warm flames of the fireplace was his master. He knew then, that no matter where life had taken him, that everything he did and fought for was for Frodo and his home.
"FRODO!" He yelled, and advanced forward stabbing an orc, killing it instantly. He found his courage and knew his heart would guide him through the fight and on to victory.
Faramir fought not far from the hobbits and the elves. He and his men fought bravely, killing one orc after another. Faramir and his men were used to fighting and running in Ithilien. Though better at archery, Faramir had trained his men well and it showed now in the fight. Faramir, though a Captain, was a man of his people and would never dream of staying back and not participating in the fight. He was a man of lore though, and would rather study the history of Gondor than fight on its plains. However, he had friends and men to protect, and he would protect them to his death. He beheaded orcs and killed them without a second thought. He was an example of how his men should be fighting, and he fought without tiring, not thinking of his own health or safety.
Gandalf fought with both staff and sword, Glamring. He and sword had fought many battles together. When he thought everything was over, and peace had come, he had been wrong. More men would have to die in the name of peace. However, for now he could not think of that, he had a duty to do, and friends to protect. He stayed near the two Kings, to help protect them, and especially near King Elessar, whom he was mentor and protector of.
"Legolas!" Faramir yelled to the elf. He had been fighting an orc when the ground below his feet had begun to shake. There were cries from the men, and the pounding did not stop, it just got louder. Faramir closed his eyes for a moment, his thoughts going back to Boromir. His brother would know exactly how to deal with this, but Faramir was not as strong as he was. He took a deep breathe, "Give me strength brother." He opened his eyes, knowing what lay ahead of them, Faramir turned to see eight large oliphaunts marching menacingly toward Minas Tirith.
Faramir looked around him, the men were looking up at the oliphaunts, and fear flooded their eyes. They turned back to the white city and began to retreat into its strong walls.
"No retreat! No retreat!" Faramir yelled but no one heard him. The pounding and roaring of the oliphaunts swallowed up his voice
Faramir saw to his right a horse retreating riderless back to the city. He ran over, grabbed the reins and in one swift motion, he mounted the horse. He took his horn from his belt, the horn that Eowyn had given him after they had married. It was inscribed with all different runes from all the languages of Middle Earth symbolizing the world was one. Faramir blew into the horn, and the loud, but sweet, sounding horn could be heard over the big beasts, and the men stopped. They could not help but turn and see who was blowing the horn.
"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" Anborn asked staring at the charging oliphaunts.
"Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them," Faramir gripped his sword tightly.
"For death and glory?" Anborn asked seeing the other men's reactions.
"For Gondor. For our people," Faramir told him seriously. He turned to his men, "Sound the charge, rally to me. Rally to me! Men of Gondor, this day is called the feast of Elendil. He that shall live this day, and come home safe, will remember what deeds were done this day. Then shall our names be in their cups freshly remembered. This story shall the good man teach his son. And Elendil, Elendil shall never go by, from this day until the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. Fore he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; and all shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap while any speaks that fought with us upon this day. For our families, our friends, and our city, this day we fight! Charge! Charge!
Legolas, his hope renewed, also jumped on a horse that had been owned by a fallen rider. He turned the horse around and charged with the men of Rohan and Gondor. He went up next to Faramir and together they led the men to the oliphaunts, and to some their doom.
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"Now onto today's lesson young masters," their tutor placed their books in front of them. "We will be studying Gondolin."
"What's happening outside the walls?" Elboron interrupted their tutor.
"Never you mind," he responded quickly. Eldarion raised an eyebrow and glanced at his friend.
"I thought there was peace, why are they fighting again?" Eldarion pressed for information.
"Please
young Masters, you are both behind in your studies so let us work,"
their tutor tapped their books. "Now to Gondolin which was a
secret land in the First Age. Its location was unknown to all who
lived there."
Elboron fidgeted in his seat. They
could hear noises down below. He exchanged another look with
Eldarion. Their parents had both been nervous before leaving them
with their tutor, and their fathers had both said goodbye and given
them big hugs. They were dressed in suits of armor, and Eldarion
noticed that Andruil was no longer in the throne room, but near his
father's hip. He had never seen his father carrying around that
sword.
"Gondolin was destroyed by the forces of Morgoth-"
"Will we win?" Elboron interrupted again.
"Win what?" Their tutor sighed.
"The fight, the one that is outside the walls!" Eldarion asked.
"We aren't dumb, we know something is happening," said Elboron.
"Young Masters it is not my concern or yours to what is happening outside, if anything is," He said sharply.
"But our fathers are fighting out there!"
"What if one of them dies?" Eldarion asked.
"You are both worrying for no reason. Nothing is happening," their tutor said again. "Now for the last time, or I will report your behavior to your fathers, pay attention!"
Eldarion sighed, and looked at Elboron. Everyone treated them like five year olds, and it wasn't fair. They barely listened as their tutor went on about Gondolin and the fall of the secret land. Eldarion and Elboron tried to pay attention, but noises from below interrupted their concentration.
Eldarion had just closed his eyes when everyone in the city heard a great thundering noise. It shook the table where they sat at, and their chairs. Eldarion and Elboron could hear the glass that covered lamps shaking.
"What is that?" Eldarion asked."Something is happening!" Elboron got up.
"Master Elboron, I beg not to leave," their tutor stood.
"Our fathers, everyone, they are in trouble!"
"Come sit down, Master Elboron," the tutor sat back down. "I see my lesson of Gondolin is not going to distract you today. How about I tell you a few stories, I knew your father, Master Elboron, when he was your age."
"Really?"
"I was your father's tutor, I was young at the time, and Master Faramir was my charge. He was an easy student, and the experienced tutors were given to Master Boromir, for no one could make him sit for his lessons."
"My father liked to study?" Elboron asked in disgust.
"Yes, Master Elboron. I see much of your uncle in you," their tutor smiled. "But you Master Eldarion, now your father I never knew for he did not grow up in Minas Tirith. He grew up in Rivendell, under the care of Lord Elrond, an elven warrior. I remember the day he came into the city. After the Battle of Pelannor Fields, a man came into the city and healed the Lord Faramir, Lady Eowyn, and the hobbit Meriodic. He asked for "kingsfoil" it is called in the common tongue, and it is a weed! A weed being used to heal the new Steward! It was unheard of, but the Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn recovered to the amazement of all. Then, the rumors started of a King before the Dark Tower fell, but no one ever saw him. It is known now that the one who healed Lord Faramir was the king, but he never said anything. He kept to his disguise and raggy clothes. After the Dark Lord fell though, he came riding in, in honor and glory with Gandalf the White, three hobbits, an elf and a dwarf. They were all part of what was called, a fellowship, whose job it was to destroy the ring. Then, not long after your father became king; a host of elves came to the city, and one of the most magnificent weddings I have ever witnessed. Lady Arwen and Lord Aragorn married; everyone could see they had waited for this day for years."
"And they are good fighters?"
"Some of the best! Lord Faramir was never as good as his brother, but he had the respect of all men, and studied the enemies' weakness. His heart is not in battle, but in books, but for his men, Lord Faramir would do anything. Such a fine man he is, so fair and just, never doing anything without a reason. King Elessar is the same way, soft spoken, but when he fights, he does so for the protection of people. He was a Ranger, people say, and Rangers protect all people without expecting praise or thanks. The world is lucky to have two such fine men."
Eldarion and Elboron smiled and exchanged glances. They knew their fathers were good and respected, but their tutor praised them like they had never heard before. Events during the War of the Ring were not mentioned to them, both their parents believed them to be too young to understand the events that happened before they were born. They knew a great battle had taken place, and their fathers were responsible for the outcome.
"I can't wait until tonight to see him," Eldarion smiled more broadly. "He never told me all of this!"
"Me neither!" Elboron fidgeted in his seat. "Tell us more! Please!"
Their tutor smiled; glad to see the two boys distracted from the events at the city gates. He thought for a moment and said, "Have you ever heard of Isenguard?"
Elboron and Eldarion leaned forward, "No." They said together.
"Well then, I shall tell you about the great fortress of the evil Sauraman."