PLEASE READ: Okay, I'm really very sorry that this chapter is so short. I think this is the shortest chapter I've ever posted and it's only because if I make this chapter what I want it to be it would take longer than I have time for tonight and then you all would wait until Saturday night for my next update and I don't want to keep you waiting too long. Although not much happens in this chapter I wanted to update for you all. Thank you for your reviews and I hope you like it even though it's short.

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 39: Decision

Ana dressed in a dark brown dress with her arms crossed over her chest as she stood near the throne where Gimli sat as she listened to Gandalf and the others talk. "Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening," Gandalf said. Ana frowned but stayed silent.

"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn said and Ana nodded even though no one was even looking her way.

"Aragorn's right," she said and the eyes turned to her. "If Sauron had it, don't you think he would be storming across Middle Earth this very moment? I mean, we would feel him coming, that much evil even Gimli could feel it." Gimli scoffed and she winked at him. He smiled and returned smoking his pipe. She looked at Gandalf and the wizard sighed and shook his head.

"It's only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but, behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping," Gandalf said.

"Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?" Gimli asked.

"Because 10,000 orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death," Gandalf said quietly as he looked away from them.

"No. There's still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the plains of Gorgorath. We can give him that," Aragorn said and Ana smiled at him.

"How?" Gandalf asked as he looked to the man, who to Ana seemed to take a more regal feel to him.

"Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate," Aragorn said. Gimli choked on his smoke and Éomer stepped forward.

"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Éomer said.

"Not for ourselves, but we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's eye fixed upon us -- keep him blind to all else that moves," Aragorn said and Ana looked to Haldir. He looked at her and she sighed before she looked back at Aragorn.

"A diversion," Legolas said with a slight smile. Ana walked over and stood next to Haldir and looked to Gandalf to see what he was going to say.

"Certainty of death, small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" Gimli asked and Ana smiled as she kept her eyes on Gandalf.

"Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait," Gandalf said quietly and Ana shook her head as she stepped over to him.

"I think he will, and I think Aragorn thinks the same," she said as she looked at Aragorn and he smiled at Ana. She looked back to Gandalf and the wizard looked at her. "He's hunt Aragorn, he brought me here. He wants all of us dead. There's little doubt in my mind that if we do as Aragorn says and gather our strength and go to the Black Gate and challenge him, he'll send his armies to us thinking it would be an easy victory and he'd take all those he wishes to destroy in won swoop." Gandalf merely nodded before he turned and left the six of them in the throne room. Ana sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Do I have a knack for upsetting people or what?" she asked in a whisper and Aragorn smiled as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"You did not upset him, merely stated you thoughts. Others are not used to women, well elleths, like you Ana," he said with a smile. Ana smiled up at him and he let go of her shoulder before he looked to Éomer and the others. "We gather the men and will ride to the Black Gates in two days." Éomer nodded and he and Aragorn left followed by Legolas and Gimli. Ana turned and looked at Haldir.

"There is much to do," she said quietly and he looked at her closely and she sighed. "Haldir, I'm going." He nodded his head and took her hand.

"I know, come on, as you said there is much to do," he said gently and she nodded her head before he led her from the throne room.