NOTE TO READER-I still can't thank my reveiwer enough, you are really meaning a lot to us. But I am seeing on the stats others are reading without input, and I would really appreciate even a kind word here near the ending. I really, REALLY hate fishing for reveiws because I hate when other authors do that, but as I have said, we NEED them as part of our presentation. And anyone that is reading, recommend us, I can't say how much we would appreciate that. This is the next to the last chapter, I hope you all enjoy.
Andúin slowly stood on shaking legs. She brushed the black dirt as best she could from her armor. The delegate she had been locked in sword battle with only moments before now lay dead, along with every other man from Haradwaith. She looked around to see the other soldiers of Gondor unharmed though, and rising from under the layers of dust.
She pulled her helmet off, letting it fall to the ground as her auburn hair spilled onto her shoulders, still clean. She carefully scanned her surroundings, taking a deep breath, which caused her to cough a bit, choking on the dusty air. She noticed a soldier struggling on the ground near her, and approached him, offering a hand.
When she helped him to his feet, she recognized him to be Captain Thalion. "Lady Andúin," he acknowledged, his voice raspy. "I see that nothing could hold you back from fighting." He gave a weak grin, and then started coughing violently, his entire body shaking.
"Captain Thalion, are you alright?" Andúin asked him, concerned. She looked down his body to see a gaping wound across his stomach.
"One of them attacked me, right before the explosion," he replied, his voice barely distinguishable about this coughing fit.
"I'm sure someone will be able to help you," Andúin assured him as she helped him sit. "Have you seen my father?"
Thalion was only able to shake his head as he started coughing again. Andúin could see blood on his glove when he pulled it back from his mouth, and she felt a cold feeling grip her stomach. "I'm going to look for him," she said soothingly to him. "Don't try to move yourself."
She rose from the ground, leaving Thalion leaning against a few of the Haradwaith she was able to pile up, and looked for her father. Everyone else she asked replied that they had not seen the king since before the battle. Andúin felt more and more fearful as she searched.
Suddenly, she heard a small voice behind her. "Mi'Lady? Is that you?" it asked softly.
Andúin spun on her heel and saw Hwesta stumbling towards her. He was covered in the black dirt, and he looked thin and sickly. "Hwesta, it is me!" Andúin exclaimed, running over to the little Elf.
"I was still being held a prisoner for after they retrieved the staff," Hwesta said, leaning against Andúin as she kneeled beside him. "But they all died when the Black Fog was defeated. I didn't think I would ever see you again."
"Oh, Hwesta, it's wonderful to see you," Andúin said, pulling him into a gentle hug.
"Where is Lady Jnían?" he then asked, his large eyes glistening.
"I—I don't know," Andúin replied, looking to the ground shamefully. "But I'm guessing it was her that destroyed the Black Fog."
"Ah, yes," Hwesta agreed. "Well, we must find her."
"I need to find my father first," Andúin replied. "He is here on the battlefield somewhere."
Together they searched to no avail, until a voice called out, "Lady Andúin! I have found the king!" Andúin turned towards the voice to see a young soldier waving towards her, though no other man stood beside him.
Andúin rushed over, fearing for the worst. She then saw Eldarion, lying on the ground, his entire body black with the dust, his eyes closed. She kneeled down beside him, brushing some of the dirt from his face.
He stirred, opening his eyes. "Andúin?" he questioned, his voice barely audible and terribly raspy.
"Yes, Father, it's me," Andúin replied, tears flowing freely.
"Do not weep for me, my daughter," he said, reaching a feeble hand for her hand, clasping it weakly. "You were right. Gondor needed you during the battle today. I have never been so proud of you."
"Only because of what you taught me in secret," Andúin said, gripping her father's hand tightly, never wanting to let go.
"But you are still Gondor's flower," Eldarion continued, a weak smile forming on his dry lips. "But you are a rose, my dear Andúin. A flower whose beauty has no comparison, and yet when you try to hold on to it too tightly, the flower proves it can stand up for itself as well as look beautiful. That is why I have always called you Merilwen. It is Elvish for rose."
"Oh, father, that's beautiful," Andúin said, her own voice now but a whisper.
"No son could ever replace you," Eldarion said so softly Andúin had to lean her ear close to his mouth to even hear him. "I would want no other to rule Gondor. I love you, Merilwen." And with those words, so passed Lord Eldarion, son of Lord Aragorn, King of Gondor.
Andúin mourned over the body of her father, still gripping his cold hand. But she was brought out of her mourning by a familiar voice calling her name. She looked over her shoulder to see Faroth, looking the worse for wear. But then she looked to the limp body he carried in his arms, and recognized it instantly to be Jnían.
She jumped to her feet, running over to Faroth. "What has happened to her?" she demanded of him, her voice cracking.
"It was the Dáe staff. The power in it seemed to drain the life from her. When I reached her, she had already fallen." He hung his head, and Andúin noticed the paths of the tearstains down his face.
She ran a hand over Jnían's face, looking over her apparently uninjured body. The last words they had exchanged were in a conflict. "We must get her to the Houses of the Healing. She might still have a chance; we have some of the most powerful healers in Middle Earth." Andúin called out to one of the many soldiers now helping their injured comrades back towards Minas Tirith. "Lead him to the Houses of the Healing," she ordered, motioning at Faroth. The solider quickly nodded, then waved for Faroth to follow him. Hwesta quickly scurried after them.
Andúin turned back to the man who had discovered Eldarion. "Help me carry him to the courtyard," she said to him, trying to keep her voice level. Together they moved their king's body onto his shield, and carried him into the city.