A/N: At the risk of getting bitched out again like I was for saying Mae govannen means welcome (which, in the movie, it did) a lot of different storied we've read call the large elephant-like animals the Haradrim ride across the Pelennor 'mumakil'. They are oliphaunts (proof is when Sam calls one an oliphaunt shortly before he and Frodo are caught by Faramir's rangers in TTT). So, to avoid possible confusion as you read this chapter, we will be referring to them as oliphaunts. The large rhino-type creatures pulling those siege towers in ROTK were the mumakil.

Regarding the Battle of the Pelennor, neither of us was quite sure how to write it so we gave you the 5-second version. I know it was a little rushed, but we decided to do it that way to save our own sanity...as well as get this chapter done quicker since it had already been a long wait. And a bloody big pain in the ass at that.

On another note, it's at this point where I must mention an important point. We are taking a bigger dip into AU than we have up to this point. As a warning to Eowyn fans, this chapter may, and probably will, upset you. We're mentioning this here to avoid getting flamed later. You have been warned, any flames that may result will be...laughed at, as usual.

Now, continuing on with the battle...

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Chapter 34

TA 3019 March 14

Pelennor Fields

Eomer remained blissfully unaware of the mayhem unfolding in the upper levels of Minas Tirith as he and the rest of the Rohirrim chased the remaining orcs toward the Anduin. Even as the enemy retreated, they continued to fall victim to the weapons of the men of Rohan.

Vaguely, Eomer heard the dull thumping steadily increasing in volume. It wasn't until he heard his uncle shout an order to reform the line that he chanced a look...

And felt a wave of terror slide along his spine as he saw the line of oliphaunts approaching at as close to a run as the huge animals could manage. For a split second he saw his own death under the feet of the hulking beasts. His last thought was of Faramir before he heard the first horn blast sounding the charge.

Thinking quickly he snagged a spear from the body of a fallen orc and rode forward toward the closest oliphaunt. Setting his sights on the man at the reins he aimed the spear and heaved it with all his might. The weapon flew straight and hit the man in the chest, sending him tumbling from his mount.

"Yeah!" Eomer shouted triumphantly before noticing the now free oliphaunt veer off to the side toward another coming right toward him, "Uh-oh."

Kicking Fara (the horse, not the man) into motion he held his breath until he heard, and felt, the two huge animals hit the ground mere yards behind him, in the exact spot he had previous been in. He looked back and sighed, "That was close. Come, Fara, my lady, we've more beasts to fell."

He paused, "Or rather Haradrim to defeat. I'm not trying that again."

At the last vow he pointed toward the two downed oliphaunts. Fara, obviously agreeing with her rider for once, gave a small rear and rushed into the biggest crush of battle.

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"Late as usual, pirate scum! There's knife work here that needs doing!"

Legolas grinned at the words shouted by an orc and looked at Aragorn, somewhat resembling an eager puppy, "Now?"

"Not quite," the ranger replied with a sigh, having heard the same question at least twice since they'd sailed the ships up to the pier.

"C'mon, ya sea rats," the orc shouted again, "Get off your ships!"

"Now," Aragorn whispered before jumping over the ship's guard rail.

"Yes!" Legolas hissed eagerly before following right on his husband's heels with Gimli following a split second behind him.

Elladan and Elrohir shared a quick glance, both thinking the same thing. Legolas was vastly amusing in his current state of...mind.

As one they jumped over the railing and landed behind Legolas and Gimli in time to hear the dwarf mutter to the wood elf, "There's plenty for the both of us, laddie. May the best dwarf win!"

At that, the 3 elves the man and the dwarf ran forward, weapons raised. Behind them the Army of the Dead streamed from the ships and toward Minas Tirith, killing any enemy that got in their way. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and the twins picked off any stragglers the Dead missed...or kindly left behind for them to fight.

Aragorn concentrated on fighting, not noticing his foster brothers fighting at his side or when he got separated from his husband until he heard the pounding steps of an oliphaunt slowly getting louder as the creature drew nearer. Looking up he felt his heart thump...only one thing stood between him and the oliphaunt.

Legolas. And the elf didn't seem to realize he was in any danger as he continued fighting the enemy on ground level.

"Legolas!" Aragorn yelled, pointing at the oliphaunt when he gained Legolas' attention.

The elf reacted with lighting speed and got out of the animals way. Figuring his husband and unborn child were as safe as possible given the fact that they were in the middle of a battle, Aragorn turned his attention back to the fighting.

When his peripheral vision caught the movements of the oliphaunt as it began to fall Aragorn instinctively looked over. At the sight of Legolas sliding down the animal's trunk as it fell Aragorn's heart ceased and his sword arm seemed to fall of it's own accord and he stood there staring, dumbfounded.

Elladan and Elrohir turned to face their foster brother just in time to see an orc run at the man from behind. The mortal neither noticed, nor seemed to care that he was still in the middle of a huge battle. At the same time the twins dived forward, Elrohir stabbing the advancing orc through the throat, Elladan reaching Aragorn's side and physically lifting the man's sword arm back up.

"Estel!" Elladan yelled, "Concentrate!"

Elrohir glanced at his brothers, saw Aragorn's almost dazed, horrified look and followed it...just in time to see Legolas reach the end of the Oliphaunt's trunk and land on his feet on the ground with only the slightest stumbling step forward. Suddenly, Aragorn's reaction made sense.

He blinked and shook his head, "Ai, Elbereth, is he going to get it after this fight is over."

Before anything more could be said a muffled cheer went up from across the battlefield, snapping the three out of their current shock. They looked around, turning to face the city just as the Dead swarmed over it. The battlefield was silent save for the cheering. The battle was over...and the men of Gondor and Rohan were the victors.

Aragorn stalked toward the last place he'd seen Legolas, growling, "Stupid, foolish...I'll kill him! By the Valar, I'll kill him!"

Following closely behind the twins shared a glance, both feeling sympathy for the prince of Mirkwood because they both knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of Aragorn's temper. At the same time, they planned their own lecture for Legolas...he'd put their unborn niece in danger, and that was just unacceptable.

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Eomer wrinkled his nose as he cleaned the blood off his sword using the clothing of a fallen enemy. All around him his men cheered as the last of the enemy were defeated and the sounds of battle ceased.

Looking down at the dead Easterling at his feet Eomer felt his disgust and antipathy melt into pity. His enemy, yes, yet still a human being with loved ones who would mourn his death. He was really no different from Eomer, merely fighting on the wrong end of a blade that had spilled the blood of many this day...orc and man.

Closing his eyes Eomer whispered a short Rohirric blessing over his enemy before the desire to find his uncle surfaced. Thinking of the Easterling's loved ones reminded him he had his own family to search out. An uncle...a lover...

Throwing the dead Easterling a last glance Eomer turned his back, searching the men remaining upright for his uncle. As each face, though familiar, failed to show the features he sought, his heart restricted more and more, growing heavier as fear took hold.

Theoden was nowhere to be seen.

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Aragorn stood on the battlefield facing the Army of the Dead. He had yet to find Legolas since he'd been gone by the time Aragorn had reached the downed oliphaunt the elf had felled. The bloody elf never stayed in one place long enough to receive the verbal thrashing he so thoroughly deserved. So, unable to find Legolas, Aragorn had approached the Dead instead, flanked by his foster brothers and Gimli.

The King of the Dead stood front and center, regarding Aragorn somewhat suspiciously, "Release us."

Gimli shifted almost eagerly, giving Aragorn an equally eager look, "Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot these lads." He gave a small half shrug and quipped, "Despite the fact they're dead."

"You gave us your word," the Ghost King growled.

Aragorn gave a small nod, "I hold your oath fulfilled."

Gimli gave a gruff sigh. Elladan and Elrohir smiled proudly, nodding to their human 'baby brother'.

"Go," Aragorn continued, not needing his brothers' approval, but taking pleasure in it none the less, "Be at peace."

As if those last three words were some magic spell, a gentle breeze picked up. The King of the Dead closed his eyes, smiling in relief. Before Aragorn's eyes...and those of his companions...the Army of the Dead seemed to shimmer for a moment as the breeze blew up dust. Then they were gone.

Aragorn turned around just as Gandalf approached looking worried and he asked quickly, "What is wrong, Gandalf? Is Farothen..."

"Farothen is fine." Gandalf assured, "There is another, I fear, who needs your skills. Boromir requests your presence at once. His brother's life hangs in deadly peril. Only you can save Faramir now."

"But I must find Legolas," Aragorn started, only to cut off as the elf in question stumbled up.

"I am...here." Legolas gasped, seconds before he collapsed in a dead faint.

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While Aragorn rushed Legolas into the city intending to get his husband into a healing bed and focus on Faramir, Eomer remained on the battlefield, oblivious to everything happening in the city. On the outside he looked completely composed, but in reality he was quickly reaching a near frantic state of panic.

Since he couldn't see his uncle's familiar form he started looking for Snowmane. No one could miss the glistening white coat of the king's horse.

Yet, as the minutes went by and the horse remained elusive, Eomer stopped looking among the warriors and horses still standing, as few as they were. With a sinking feeling he shifted his gaze down. To the dead.

His unspoken fear was confirmed almost immediately. The white horse was unmistakable. As was the man half buried under the animal.

"Uncle!" Eomer screamed, recognizing the royal armor as he ran up the fallen king. Even as he approached, he knew his uncle would not answer his call. Never again would Theoden watch out for him as a father would, nor would he evermore utter the words 'I love you'.

Eomer stopped a few short feet from his dead uncle. The air seemed almost fouler the closer he got, more foreboding. As his gaze scanned the area, settling on the remains of the Witch King, Eomer understood why.

'The Witch King? I thought no man could...No!'

If the sight of his uncle's lifeless body had felt like a spear straight to Eomer's heart, then the body lying next to Theoden drained any remaining feeling away, leaving him numb.

Later, he wouldn't remember running forward, nor dropping to his knees. He was too distant from reality, too horrified, to notice anything. Nothing registered...save the sight of the one person who shouldn't have been there lying dead.

One whispered plea escaped him.

"Eowyn?"

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A/N: Finally! It's done!!!!

Okay, got that out of my system. Sorry it's so short...and so late. We were stuck on how to do first the battle then the scene with Eomer finding Eowyn. Neither of us could really imagine ourselves in that situation, nor how we'd feel if we were.

On another note, I don't think we used any Elvish in this chapter. If we did let me know and I'll try to put it in the next chapter if y'all need it.

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Replies to the reviews...

Cinnamon-Sweet-Heart – We'll just have to wait to see what Faramir will say about his 'little one' when he finds out. We never really planned that out fully. Most of our stuff comes impulsively when we actually sit down to write.

Angel of the Night Watchers – As for the title of chapter 33 we were just so fed up with the chapter that we wanted to get it done and posted so, forgoing picking a title (we're merrily kicking ourselves for even starting to choose titles...it's getting difficult) we just decided to call it what it was, a pain in the ass...Hence the title PITA came about. I'm glad you were amused by it. As for your question, this chapter answered half of it. As for Arwen, the way we figured it, if it wasn't for her relationship with Aragorn, she never would have stayed in Middle-Earth, so she'll just take the ship to Valinor.

Breon Briarwood - Well, now the family is all together again. As for the 'baby boom' they're men, where as women can wait, they can't. Besides, they're together through the war. Most of the time, women don't go to war with their men (so there is no chance to start the baby boom early). Besides, the men are merely getting a jump on it...that came out wrong.

Cinnamon-Sweet-Heart – First of all, welcome back. Second, in answer to your question, we're not even really sure what Faramir...or Eomer, for that matter...is going to say about the baby. We had some ideas but they weren't discussed in a serious light so they probably won't make the cut. Rest assured, though, that by the time we get to that point there will be an appropriate response.

Arch-Nemesis – Okay, fairly long reply here so I saved you for last. The whole thing with Boromir blaming Gandalf for Denethor's death is actually how we saw things happening had Boromir lived and witnessed the whole scene. Shadowfax would never have reared like that and kicked Denethor unless he, Shadowfax, had been in danger from the man (which he wasn't). Gandalf had to have somehow ordered the horse to strike out at Denethor. That brings us to Boromir witnessing it and blaming Gandalf. There were various other things Gandalf could have done to save Pippin. He could have gotten off the horse (which wouldn't have taken that long), or he could have merely pulled Denethor back while he was still on the horse. If he had to have the horse kick out, he could have had Shadowfax kick Denethor away from the pyre while still getting him away from Pippin. There are more scenarios I could mention but I won't. It all boils down to Boromir seeing his father get kicked onto a burning pyre while he was soaked in lamp oil when it could have been avoided. I, myself, am not very close to my biological father, but I would sure as hell blame Gandalf for my father's death were I in Boromir's place (in the last chapter). At least in the book Denethor climbed back onto the pyre willingly. The whole scene with the pyre was one thing neither I, nor Brina, liked in the movie. It just made Gandalf seem very two-faced after his comment to Frodo in Moria when Frodo says it's a pity Bilbo didn't kill Gollum when he had the chance. (The scene where they're all sitting there while Gandalf tries to remember which way to go) Gandalf goes on to say (or imply, anyway) that it's not Frodo's place to give or take Gollum's life and yet a few weeks later Gandalf sends Denethor to his death and barely blinks an eye. Okay, to conclude this whole thing, it's just our opinion, and we're sorry if it upsets you in any way, but it's just how we felt things would go had Boromir lived and witnessed his father's death.