Chapter 3

Frodo, Sam and Legalos reached the end of the river.

"Come," Legalos said. "Gondor is this way."

He led them onwards across the plains towards a set of large mountains.

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After their canoe finally stopped drifting, Aragorn and Gimli found themselves wandering the planes of Rohan. They had managed to track the Uruk-Hai that had captured Merry and Pippin for several leagues, but had since lost them. They were following the tree line when they heard the rumbling of an approaching army.

"Quickly," Aragorn said pulling Gimli into the woods.

The two companions watched the horizon waiting to see what was approaching. Rather than the massive hoard of Orcs of Isengarde that they had been expecting, it was a much more disciplined and trained army. As they drew nearer both Aragorn and Gimli recognized them.

"It is the Elves of Lothlorien," Aragorn exclaimed.

"But something does not seem right," Gimli muttered. "Why have the elves come to the plains of Rohan?"

"We shall ask them." Aragon replied.

However Gimli grabbed his arm and held him back. "No," Gimli said. "You of all people should know that it is not prudent to just rush out in front of an oncoming army. Even if they are friendly."

The army was now close enough that Aragorn and Gimli could make out more details. They were certainly elves of Lothlorien judging by their armour and the weapons they carried. However the banner under which they were marching was one that neither Gimli nor Aragorn had seen before. It was deep blue tingeing just barely into realms of purple, there was simple gold circle on it that was interlocked with a ring that looked similar to Galadriel's ring, Nenya.

"Does that banner make any sense to you?" Aragorn asked his Dwarven comrade.

Gimli shook, "Nay, the meanings of that banner are indeed foreign to me." He replied, "I'd expect you to understand the mind of an elf a lot better than a Dwarf."

"Well the one ring on there probably represents Galadriel since that is her ring," Aragorn said. "But the rest of the banner is completely unknown to me."

"Well at least they're a friendly army," Gimli said. "Perhaps we can ask them?"

The two companions emerged from the woods and waited for the elven army to reach them.

"Who are you?" the leader at the head of the army demanded as the army stopped in front of Gimli and Aragorn.

"I am Aragorn of the Dunedain," Aragorn replied. "And this is my travelling companion, Gimli son of Gloin."

"What business do you seek?" the elf asked.

Aragorn was surprised, he would have thought that such a high up elf would have known that he and Gimli were members of the Fellowship of the Ring. Aragorn sensed that something was a foot.

"I could ask you the same thing," Aragorn responded. "Not all that often you see an elven army marching the plains of Rohan."

"Perhaps not," the elf agreed. "But it shall become a much more common sight in the near future."

"That's an interesting banner you're marching under," Aragorn remarked. "What does it mean?"

"It represents the Lady Galadriel's quest to unite the people of Middle Earth," the elf answered. "We are on our way to Isengarde to destroy the traitorous Sarumon."

"Then perhaps we can lend our assistance," Aragorn offered. "Two hobbits we were travelling with were captured by Sarumon's Uruk-Hai."

"It is doubtful that they still live," the elf said simply and coldly. "However if you wish to assist us I shall take you to see the Lady Galadriel herself."

"Does Galadriel leave her realm of Lothlorien?" Aragorn asked surprised.

"These are dangerous times," the elf replied. "And Sarumon is powerful enemy. Lady Galadriel feels that she is the only one amongst us who can deal with him appropriately."

Aragorn nodded, he wasn't sure what had persuaded the elves into such an active role in the defense of Middle Earth, but his thoughts that perhaps something was afoot had been quelled.

"Very well," Aragorn said. "Take us to see Lady Galadriel."

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"There she is," Legalos said as the neared the edge of a long mountain range. "The capital of Gondor, Minas Tirith."

"Wow," Frodo remarked at the magnificent tiered city.

Never in all his fifty or so hobbit years had Frodo imagined such a place. The immense size was absolutely remarkable to the diminutive hobbit. He was completely amazed by the beauty of the incredible city. The stone work was absolutely astonishing and breath-taking.

"What do we hope to do here?" Sam asked.

"I don't know," Legalos replied. "It just seems like the safest place to be right now. Especially since the ring is gone. Besides, we should tell them about what happened to Boromir."

The hobbit had seen Boromir still fighting despite four arrows in his chest. However both assumed that Boromir had succumbed to his wounds and passed on.

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Gimli and Aragorn were brought before Galadriel. No longer was she the fair maiden dressed in simple white gowns that they had met in Lothlorien. Now she was a Warrior Queen, dressed in the most elegantly crafted elven armour that was perfectly fitted to match all the curves of her body and was made of the extremely tough and resilient but light metal mithril. A large flowing blue cape trailed from her shoulders to the ground behind her feet. Hanging from her belt in its sheathe, was an impressive sword. The hilt was decorated exquisitely with many jewels.

"The heir of Isildur and his Dwarven companion," Galadriel commented. "I am surprised to see you here. If you are here than that means that the Fellowship of the Ring has been dissolved and the mission has failed."

"Well we're not entirely sure," Aragorn replied. "We seem to have lost the ring at some point during our journey. We were think perhaps it was in Lothlorien."

"If the ring was in my realm I would know," Galadriel said.

"Well perhaps all is not lost if the ring at least remains hidden," Aragorn said.

"What is it you wished to speak to me about?" Galadriel asked.

"My companion and I wish to assist you in helping to bring down Isengarde," Aragorn answered.

"You willingness to help is duly noted," Galadriel said. "However this is a task for the elves and the elves alone."

Aragorn was confused, "I don't understand," he said.

Galadriel smiled, but it wasn't the cryptic smile of the elves that Aragorn was used to. Actually it was more of a smirk that indicated that something sinister was happening. Aragorn instinctively grasped the handle of his sword. Beside him Gimli was nervously rubbing his hands against the handle of his axe and glancing about at all the elves that were now forming a circle around them.

"What is the meaning of this?" Aragorn demanded.

"The time of the elves has come again!" Galadriel declared. "And I shall lead them to glory!"

Aragorn immediately what the gold circle was on the banner. It was the ring of power. He looked at Galadriel's hands and noticed the ring on her left finger. Galadriel drew her sword from it's sheathe with her right hand. The blade was thin but appeared incredibly strong and sharp, it was also longer than a normal sword. Aragorn drew his own sword and Gimli hefted his axe.

"Do you really think you stand a chance against us?" Galadriel asked him mockingly.

Aragorn replied by roaring in anger and charging at her swinging his sword with both hands and all his might. She was able to deflect his blow almost effortless with one hand sending Aragorn tumbling to the ground. Gimli looked on in surprise at Aragorn who was now picking himself up off the ground. Galadriel looked down at Aragorn a sinister and arrogant smirk on her face. She raised her left hand above her head and wave of shadow washed out across the other elves.

Suddenly their faces changed. The smooth and calm features became harsh and chaotic like those of the Orcs. All the elves began charging Gimli and Aragorn in a blood mad frenzy. They tried to fight them off but they were quickly overwhelmed. As Aragorn struggled to fend them off her saw Gimli, he had been knocked the ground and not literally being ripped to pieces as the elves fed on his flesh. Gimli screamed in pain as he was eaten alive. Aragorn felt a great pain in his leg and looked down to see and elf was literally eating to his thigh. He swung his sword but another elf grabbed his arm and bit down hard on his wrist. Aragorn screamed as his hand was severed from his arm. Just before he was swarmed by elves hungering for his flesh, Aragorn managed one finally look back at Galadriel. She was surveying the carnage with a pleased look on her face. She noticed Aragorn's glance and gave him a smile. The last thing Aragorn remember before his body was torn asunder by the ripping hands of the bloody thirsty elves; was the look of absolute pleasure at the sight, in Galadriel's eyes.