Authors notes: Thank you again for all the reviews, I hope you like the direction the story is going. Again any comments would be appreciated :-)

OOO

"I am not going back out there!" an angered voice yelled from somewhere within the mass of men and dwarfs stood within the largest cavern of the cave. Feren quickly angered at the attitudes of the men who were glaring at him with mutinous expressions.

"Yes you bloody well are unless you want to die like rats in here when the orcs decide they want to live here."

"Escape! We need to escape!" Another cried.

"I did not realise that the armies of Middle Earth were made up of cowards!" Feren snarled unconcerned that he himself was probably in quite a bit of danger from his own men as he derided them.

"We did not join the army to sit all day in barracks, everyone knew that they might have to give their lives. Yet when this is presented to you, you huddle like frightened children. I know we are tired and wounded but we are lucky ones."

A couple of people snorted and there was a murmur of disbelief.

"We are the lucky ones because we are alive and together. You have heard the screams of those caught outside. You could be alone, in the dark, out there with the Nazgul!"

There was silence.

"At first light we will leave the caves and head west, to the border. Once we get out of this chaotic forest we stand a better chance."

"You just said that the worst possible thing that could happen was to be out there?! Now you want us to do exactly that?" A voice yelled and a number of others joined in.

"A better chance of what? Seeing what is going to kill us a mile off!"

"At least we will be out of this cursed forest!"

"We will never make it!"

"I'd rather die fighting than cowering in a cave!"

The group continued to argue and Feren sighed. It was now or never, he would have to take command. A democracy would not work; they would argue themselves into death.

"SILENCE!" he roared and then winced. Maybe shouting in a cave where they were trying to hide was not a good idea. Shaking his head to purge his thoughts he looked up to see everyone looking at him, paused in whatever they had previously been doing.

"That was not a request. That was an order. If you do not follow my orders when we get out of here you will be charged with desertion."

The mutinous expressions returned coupled with those of disbelief, which Feren shared as he realised what he had said. I think everyone would be happy to be charged with desertion if they got out of here alive. Plus he only had authority over the soldiers from Gondor; there was a reason why he didn't have a command yet, he thought ruefully. He decided that his words were definitely a bit harsh.

"We need to work together. I want to get out of here alive as much as you do. We have been through worse...('well no probably not' he muttered) and we will triumph! Now get some rest, I have assigned watches, the rest of you had better sleep while you can." It took a while for the gathered to move and when they finally did he breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"So you have decided to commit suicide and take everyone with you!" A voice snapped. Feren turned to see Aran standing behind him with his arms crossed across his chest.

"What else would you have me do? We can't sit here and wait for a Nazgul to come through the entrance and slaughter us all. No one knows where the caves go. The only way we are going to have a slightest inclining of what is going on is to go outside."

"Where?" Aran exclaimed. "We do not know this forest, or the movements of the enemy or even our own side!"

"And we are not going to find out of we are just sat here. We are dead men Aran and I would rather die taking a great number of them with me. If tomorrow comes and you wish not to follow, fine!"

"I will come with you as I see no other choice." The man turned to leave.

"Aran I need your help, please don't argue with me over this."

Aran continued walking.

OOO

The dawn broke with a thick mist lying low across the land. Feren watched as it rolled slowly over the forest and growled in frustration, a whole army could sneak up on them and they would be none the wiser before they fell dead. Glancing back at the warriors behind him he indicated that they should go. There were only a few that had been left behind. A couple had been seriously wounded and were being treated by those who had less serious but still terrible wounds, Feren had promised that they would come back for them but he could see the acceptance in their eyes that no one would return for them. Two men and three dwarfs had refused to leave the caves and had decided to venture deeper into them instead. Feren had tried to persuade them otherwise but to no avail.

Thirty men and dwarfs moved slowly and carefully into the forest.

O

The orcs shifted nervously under the watchful eye of the Nazgul. They had been waiting patiently most of the night for the group they knew had sought shelter in the caves. At dawn their patience had been rewarded and a motley group of men and dwarfs appeared, entering the forest warily. Grins lit up their faces at the prospect of the imminent battle and the blood lust that they had in abundance flowed through their veins.

The Nazgul and its winged creature were still as if a carved statue. It knew that this battle was almost won. Their opposing forces were scattered and slowly being slaughtered, their plan had been perfect. The misguided loyalties that these creatures held had condemned them. Moving his head slightly he saw that the group were now far enough from the caves that they would be unable to reach them when the attack started. Kicking its mount into action the creature screamed, crying out its challenge to anyone who heard it. The orcs raised their weapons and charged.

O

A chill of incredible despair and fear rolled down Feren's spine as he heard the Nazgul scream. They had been waiting and he had walked straight into the trap. He had condemned these men. With a start he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Aran.

"It was inevitable. You are not to blame." Aran smiled a sad smile as he drew his sword and prepared to meet his death. Feren did the same and the group closed in on each other.

They heard the dull beating of the wings as it displaced the air, accompanied with the screams and cursed voices of the orcs. With a scream the Nazgul swooped down on the unfortunate group. It opened its mouth to scream again but all that came forth was a gurgled screech. Its forward motion faltered and its wings curled towards its body. Falling from the sky it slammed into a ground and skidded to a halt.

Everything froze.

The orcs charge had halted and the group regarded the scene with equal looks of surprise. The Nazgul hissed its fury at the death of its mount and drew its impressive sword. A whistle through the air was the only indication of the arrow that slammed into the Nazgul's chest. It staggered but then drew itself to its full height. As one the group and the orcs turned to try and see the direction that the arrow had come from. A thunder of hooves caused the ground to shake and the trees parted to reveal three brilliant white horses being ridden by figures cloaked in white. They charged through the shocked men and dwarfs and fell upon the Nazgul with a startling ferocity.

The Nazgul, one of the darkest creatures that roamed Middle Earth, was overwhelmed. It crumpled and seemed to combust with an ear splitting shriek. The three riders drew back and calmly turned their horses to face the orcs. Slowly in a line they paced towards the dark creatures. Orcs being cowards at heart and seeing that the Nazgul had gone down turned and ran. Easier prey was to be had somewhere else.

For a moment all Feren could do was to stand with his mouth wide open in shock. The three horsemen turned as if one, the paces of the horses matched exactly. Feren studied them closer. One of the riders halted slightly in front of the other two, his horse was the most impressive of the three. Taller than any he had seen before, its coat glowed with an inner light and it gave off an air of complete dominance over all. The rider was cloaked in white and again seemed to glow with an inner power. The other two appeared slightly out of focus, as if they were not solid, like ghosts, but their swords had been very real when they took down the Nazgul. Feren was confused, who were these warriors? Where had they come from? Stepping closer to the figure he tried to see its face beneath its hood. As if it sensed this, the figure turned and with the other two set off at a calm walk further into the forest, heading south. Disregarding the plan of heading west the group followed as if drawn to the creatures, heading deeper into darkness but this time they had with them a beacon of light.

OOO