Chapter11

This is a collaborative effort of a whole bunch of us - me, Elanor, Finrod, Gilrean, Holly, Lana, Nimbrethil, Witch King and Wizard. Other than the respective characters ie. me (Laurendil, Mas); Elanor (Elanor, Haldarin), Gilrean (Gilrean), Holly (Holly), Lana (Lena), Nimbrethil (Nimbrethil), Witch King (Beomir) and Wizard (Wizard), we do not own any of the other great Tolkien works. This was originally an RPG we played and have put together as a story. Hope you enjoy it.

Holly stood nervously as she watched everyone riding off to fight the Orcs. She was very scared but wanted to help somehow. What could she do? She didn't really have fighting skills … suddenly, she remembered Elanor hiding in Laurendil's room. Her eyes grew wide as she realized that Elanor would probably not know anything about the Orcs! She could be in danger. Picking up her skirts, Holly ran to go warn her.

On her way to the room, Holly stopped abruptly when she came across Eowyn. Holly was so flustered that she told Eowyn everything. With a determined set of her mouth, Eowyn took Holly's hand and together, they went to find Elanor.

Elanor, at that moment, was walking back to Laurendil's room. This was certainly a night of surprises. After encountering her cousin – the Lady Eowyn and Prince Faramir's son – Elanor decided it was best to simply go back before anyone else saw her. She found herself thinking about her cousing – she hadn't even known he had come! Her eyebrows came together as she wondered about his reaction … he sure was worried though about the Lady … but why should he be? Did he know something she did not?

On her way, she ran into Holly and the Lady Eowyn.

"Elanor! There are Orcs!" blurted Holly, her voice slightly tinged with near panic.

"What? Orcs? Here?" Elanor was shocked. And scared. Her mind started speculating as she looked around her. There was not enough force (or power) here to hold off a siege of Orcs … what could they do? As her mind raced, she barely caught some of the words Holly was saying in a rush " ... and also something about a White Wizard..." White Wizard? Her mind reeled with the implications and confusions. Yet, she knew just one thing – she just had to fight! Or if not, go to get help!

"Come Holly!" she cried as she ran off to find Laurendil, "We've got to find Laurendil!"

"Laurendil is this way!" shouted Holly, pointing in the opposite direction. Nodding, Elanor grabbed Holly's hand and told her to lead the way while Eowyn followed behind.

"Laurendil!" shouted Elanor upon reaching her. "What of these Orcs?"

Laurendil turned to face her, surprised to find the young maiden there with them. As she opened her mouth to reply, the horn of Gondor filled the air.

"My cousin!" cried Elanor, her eyes growing wide while Eowyn gasped and rushed to the side. "We must ride to his aid! I fear no Orc!" continued Elanor, and ran off before Laurendil could stop her. Laurendil watched the maiden go, marveling a bit at the energy the young woman was capable of. Although worried, there was nothing Laurendil could do about Elanor for she had her hands full with the archers. She glanced over the edge to find the source of the sound, and saw that the boy and Aragorn were standing back to back, swords extended outward and hacking at any Orcs that came within their circle. She could see no one else, and wondered where the others were …

On the Battlefield

"Eighteen?" shouted Finrod, who galloped towards Legolas and Nimbrethil, Gilrean on his side, both shooting Orcs while they rode. "Your skills are not what they used to be, Legolas son of Thranduil! Come on, I've been out of this for ages and I can still beat you!"

Legolas simply grinned at him, hardly slowing down in his attacks upon the Orcs. The Orcs now had to fight both Legolas and Nimbrethil, who broke the circle surrounding them wider and wider, and Finrod with Gilrean, who rode around them and shot arrows faster than the eyes could see. Finrod's heart sang. He was back where belonged, his friends by his side. The Orcs staggered, tried to escape but had no chance of slipping away.

Suddenly they heard a horn blowing …

"The horn of Gondor," breathed Legolas under his breath, his elven body aware to every movement around him. Without a thought, nor a look, Legolas' head perked up and calling his horse, he jumped on easily as it ran to him, and rode to where the sound was coming from.

Gilrean was surprised for a moment to see Legolas riding off and she turned to the sound of the horn – and saw the reason. Turning her horse, she rode with great speed towards the King and the young knight of Gondor who were being encircled by Orcs.

Rivendell

Elanor's mind was in a turmoil as she thought of her cousin out there … yet, her resolve was firm. Strangely enough, she was calm. She ran back to Laurendil's room and took out her bag – thinking about the irony of the whole thing. She had brought her entire armour to complete her disguise as a young warrior, and little did she suspect then that she would actually be needing it for battle. And not just for show. Within minutes, she was garbed in full armor, sword and spear in hand. Elanor ran to the stables, encountering her brothers and father and she stopped, her heart in her throat.

King Eomer faced the young man that came running up to them. "I am coming with you," he said, his voice raspy – probably from the running. Eomer nodded, and she followed them into the stables, glad that her own father had not recognized her in her armour.

And so the five Riders of Rohan, mounted on their mearas, fled out of the gates of Rivendell. As they rode, Elanor blew the horn of Eorlingas that hung from Lossefalme's saddle. The horn of her cousin blew in return. Fear entering her chest for the first time, she lifted her sword in the air and let go a cry of "Death!" feeling just like the Lady Eowyn at Pelennor. Her brothers answered her cry.

"We are coming, cousin … just hold on," Elanor murmured in her mind...

On the Battlefield

His hand was getting tired. Sweat marred his brow. Yet, his resolve did not falter. Bringing his horn to his lips again, he blew … and a second horn blew in return. He quickly turned to the sound and saw five Riders of the mark riding hard in answer to the call. There had never been a more welcome sound to the knight's young ears. He allowed himself a small grin, the biggest change of facial expression the King had seen in the young Gondorian since first meeting the son of Faramir and Eowyn some years ago.

Meanwhile, a few distances away, high atop a tree branch, Lena surveying the battle in front of her. She was exasperated, to say the least. All if this could have been prevented if they had just listened to her at the beginning. But she knew she carried no weight in the King's circle – even though Aragorn and Legolas were her friends. Everyone else simply saw her as a common thief, and this was something she accepted – yet, it did not mean she did not mind the constant sneering and put downs.

Lena reflected upon her childhood … she had never known her heritage, since she had been abandoned very young, and had grown up on the streets relying on her wits to survive. A small grin broke her face as she thought of the street and the "other people" there. Among thieves, she was almost royalty. Thieves everywhere looked up to her, and they had no idea why she had suddenly went clean. Come to think of it … neither did she really.

Her attention wandered back to the battle, as she spied Legolas rapidly slashing Orcs left and right – but he was so intent on the Orcs in front of him that he wasn't aware of the Orc right behind him. Lena drew out a knife from her wrist and threw it, hitting the Orc squarely between the eyes. Legolas turned around just at that moment and recognized the knife protruding from the Orc's forehead. Smiling, he turned towards the tree, and as he suspected, saw her in the tree. He grinned and saluted, before turning back to the battle at hand, his lips moving while counting the Orcs that he slay. Lena settled back into the tree … no one seemed to see her there and she liked being invisible. She felt more secure that way – it was more secure that way. She looked with interest as a band of Rohirrim grew closer to the surrounded King…

Elanor cared not for the King at that moment. Closer and closer she was getting to them, she being so far ahead of her brothers and father – and all that was upon Elanor's mind was her cousin. Her heart and soul was devoted to saving her cousin from the Orcs. They were very close, both in age and mind and if he died, it would be her death as well.

Suddenly they came upon a band of Orcs, and with a shout, Lossefalme lept over the spears, and Elanor swiped out her sword, cutting off an Orc's head … then another and another, as she fought her way closer to her cousin. Blowing again the horn, she shouted, "Forth Eorlingas!" as her brothers and herself made a final charge. She was soon separated but focused in on the circle that was drawing tighter and tighter. Crying with such fury that the Orcs were indeed a bit scared, she gathered herself and Lossefalme and leapt into the circle, trampling several Orcs.

Killing several Orcs with one swipe of her sword, Elanor cried out, "My cousin! Come, I will save you!" and reached out her hand.

He took it, but would not pull himself up. "I must stay here with the King," he replied calmly, a true knight of Gondor.

"So it is … and I will stay and fight until my brothers arrive," said Elanor and the two them blew their horns together – of Gondor and of Rohan (both actually of the two peoples) and fought side by side: Elanor on Lossefalme and her cousin on foot –Shieldmaiden of Rohan and Knight of Gondor, defending the High King … but they both knew that if no more help arrived, they would soon be overwhelmed.

Suddenly, they heard several Orcs crying out and saw a horse moving at speed which took their breath away, they saw that it was a wizard. He was brandishing his staff in one hand, and a sword in another, using both with equal skill as he slashed down Orcs two at once and kept on going, leaving some breathing space for those around him.

Meanwhile ...

Lena looked at the latest development with interest. As secure as she felt on the tree branch, she knew it was time to act. She would wait till after the battle until she burdened their minds with the important details. With a frightening roar, she leapt from the branch, two knives in hand, and began beheading Orcs with a simple and rather poetic slashing motion. Laurendil started laughing suddenly, (snorting as she always did to her horror) alarming Holly and Itarilde. Holly was already so nervous from the battle scene in front of her: everyone seemed to be surrounded by Orcs ... and death ... so much blood ... so why was Laurendil laughing? Had she lost it? She was supposed to take them to higher ground ...

Laurendil stopped as suddenly as she had started, seeing the fear and panic in Holly's eyes. "I'm sorry, dear, that was perhaps ... unsettling." She still couldn't keep the smile from her face, though, laughing at some private joke. "Come! Archers! TO HIGHER GROUND!" Turning back to them, she winked, "Do not worry. You have before you, a bunch of highly strung experienced warriors who obviously found court life and peace a little bit too boring."

She ordered two archers to protect Holly and Itarilde, who were obviously untrained in battle. Without another word, she led the elves swiftly to higher ground. If they were to get an advantage, this was essential. Horns were heard everywhere, signaling help and for a moment, she faltered as she felt a powerful being entering. There were no more Wizards, or Ishtari in Middle Earth. That was why she had been so surprised when Lena talked about the original White Wizard. Was she referring to Gandalf? If so, why did he come back? Or Saruman? Which was impossible, since he died at the hands of Grima. Then again, Finrod was supposed to be as the hospitable guest of Namo, too ... perhaps miracles or unexpected things could happen all the time …

Back to the two cousins ...

Elanor heard cries from all around; mainly those of Orcs, but she could occassionaly hear the screams of Elf and Men as they were pierced by arrows or spears. As she paused for a moment, an Orc fell onto Lossefalme's rump, sword still in hand to stab her. She turned and found her cousin standing with a small smile and a bloody sword.

"Good thing I found you to save you," he replied.

Elanor grinned in the midst of the battle, then went on fighting-her sword darting this way and that, Lossefalme rearing and stamping on Orcs as well. All of a sudden, an arrow pierced Elanor's shoulder btwn her armour and she cried out in pain. If she had not been a Rohirrim, born and bred on horses, she would have fallen to her death for sure; but instead she kept on fighting. Her cousin now staying close to her side, the number of Orcs around them was not shrinking but growing and the pain from the arrow grew. Taking a deep breath, she blew her horn a last time, accompanied by that of Gondor.

From the midst of the archers, Laurendil heard a sound that gave her chills from her head to her toes: the horns of Gondor and Rohan blowing together. "Elanor!" she thought and hurried to see what was happening. "Anárion! You take the others into position. And let the arrows rain upon the Orcs the moment you do!"

Anárion nodded, his lithe form steady as he made his way to the front, taking charge, "Arcanen! To me!" he shouted as he ran along. Laurendil watched them go, knowing that they could very well manage it until she returned. Aragorn had entrusted her to take charge, but she could not ignore the Horns of Gondor and Rohan blowing together.

Times like this, she wished she was in Greenwood or somewhere with tall trees so she could view the entire scene. As it was, this position would have to do. Quickly darting her keen eyesight left and right, she could make out several small groups fighting:

As usual, Gimli and Legolas were together - probably counting their kills. With them, were Finrod, Gilrean and Nimbrethil. It was an impressive play. The Orcs had to fight both Legolas and Nimbrethil who were on the ground - who broke the circle surrounding them wider and wider, while Finrod and Gilrean, who rode around them and shot arrows faster than the eyes could see. The latter two fighting skills were impressive, and the Orcs had no chance. They were not in any danger.

Laurendil's eyes scanned elsewhere. Aragorn, the young Gordon youth and Elanor? were surrounded. This was not good. Her brothers were too busy with Orcs at the boundary, and even though Laurendil could see the Wizard approaching, brandishing his staff left and right, and Legolas with his team starting to come over upon hearing the horn - they would not ... or might not ... reach them in time. The Orcs numbers were overwhelming and it seemed as if the whips were at their very backs, fighting ferociously as they were intent only on one purpose: to kill the King.

The distance she was at was 200 leagues, but her bow could reach that distance. They needed some extra time while Anárion came into place. Taking position, ignoring the rush of people around her as they ran to the top, she focused and let loose an arrow. It hit its target, felling an Orc that was about to rush at the Gondor youth. Another arrow stopped an Orc behind Aragorn. And yet another, and another as her hands became almost a blur as the arrows came flying through. She now focused her targets on those Orcs surrounding Elanor, as the young maiden was wounded badly.