Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess

Author's Note:

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

~ LXX: Reaching the Black Gates ~

Minas Tirith, 3019 TA, March 20

From the Houses of Healing, Éowyn took a moment to survey the landscape. Faramir made his way to her side. Both were exhausted and hurt, but both were still very much in the game. In a flowing silk robe, the lady of Rohan stood out. Her light complexion was noticeably pale, but it was still fair.

Éowyn said to Faramir "The city has fallen silent. There is no warmth left in the sun. It grows so cold."

Faramir gave her hope "It's just the damp of the first spring rain." Éowyn turned to Faramir. He smiled softly at her. "I do not believe this darkness will endure." They held hands and smiled. Éowyn rested her head on Faramir's shoulder.

Hence, Aragorn led an army from Minas Tirith, towards the black gate. Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Xena and Éomer rode with him. Pippin rode with Gandalf. Merry rode with Éomer, and Gimli, as always rode with Legolas. Xena rode alone. At last, the troops started to march as the trumpets sounded. Troops by troops and companies by companies, they marched eastward. And long after they had vanished from view down the broad road leading to the Causeway.

The vanguard passed on through the ruins of Old Gondor, and over the wide river, and on up the long straight road that in the high days had been made to run from the fair Tower of the Sun to the tall Tower of the Moon, which now was Minas Morgul in its accursed vale. Five miles beyond Osgiliath they halted, ending their first day's march. Two days later, the whole army of the West gathered on Pelennor. As far east as the Crossroads of the Fallen King, scouts have reported that no foes remain on the routes. All was now prepared for the last toss. Aragorn's troop could finally be seen approaching the Black Gate.

Unopposed, Aragorn's army approached the Black Gate. Some had advised that Minas Morgul should be attacked first, and if it could be captured, it should be entirely destroyed. However, the adversary was more numerous this time. No one could speak immediately because of the evil in the valley, which caused the minds of living beings to deteriorate into lunacy and terror. For if the Ringbearer had actually taken this course of action, they should provide him their last power.

It became frigid. As dawn approached, the wind started to blow again, but this time it was coming from the north, and it quickly strengthened into a rising breeze. There were no remaining nightwalkers, and the countryside seemed desolate. The first of the great heaps and hills of slag and broken rock and blasted earth, the vomit of the maggot-folk of Mordor, lay to the north of their foul pits, but to the south and now close loomed the great rampart of Cirith Gorgor, with the Black Gate in the middle and the two dark Towers of the Teeth on either side. For in their last march, the Captains had veered away from the ancient road as it curved east, avoiding the danger of the looming hills, and were now approaching the Morannon from the north-west, just as Frodo had. Aragorn and his troops arrived at the Black Gate and waited nearby as it looked empty.

Pippin, who was riding with Gandalf asked "Where are they?"

Aragorn turned his horse towards the gate. He was followed by Éomer, Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Legolas, Xena, and Gimli. Along their path to reach the black gate, Xena felt the shadow of the Dark Lord's power, and she was sure that the rest felt it as well. All were drawn by the Eye of Sauron.

Aragorn addressed the large gates "Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!"

There was a long silence, longer than it should be. From wall and gate, no cry or sound was heard in answer. Yet, Sauron had already laid his plans, and he had a mind first to play these mice cruelly before he struck to kill. The Dark Lord was driven by hate and anger to take down the Heir of Isildur.

The silence was broken suddenly, The black gate was thrown open with a great clang, and out of it, there came an embassy from the Dark Tower. A single rider appeared upon a dark horse. At its head there rode a tall and evil shape, mounted upon its horse. The face was a frightful mask, more like a skull than a living head, and in the sockets of its eyes and in its nostrils there burned a flame. The only part of the rider appearing, besides a full helmet and armor, was a grotesque mouth. That rider was called 'Mouth of Sauron!'

"Is there anyone in this rout with authority to treat with me?" he asked, "Or indeed with to understand me? Not thou at least! "

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed. Tell your master this: The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return." Gandalf said while staring directly at the Mouth of Sauron.

The Mouth of Sauron responded "Old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee." He revealed Frodo's Mithril shirt, holding it up. The Mouth Of Sauron threw the Mithrill to Gandalf. The wizard grabbed and detailed looked at it.

Pippin called out "Frodo!"

"Silence," Gandalf demanded.

"No!" Merry shouted.

"Silence!" The wizard repeated.

"The halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf. He did." The mouth laughed wickedly mocking the ranger "And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade."

Aragorn rode around to his side in a casual manner. Xena scowled at him while resting her hand on the grip of her blade. Having heard enough, Strider raised his sword and slashed through his neck. He severed the head of the Mouth of Sauron.

"I guess that concludes negotiations," Gimli said.

"I do not believe it. I will not." Aragorn cried out, and the rest agreed with him.

Suddenly, the Black Gate again creaked and swayed open, revealing an army of marching orcs. The Eye now full attention was pinned against the men of the west.

"Pull back! Pull back!" Aragorn shouted, as he and his men retreated from the Black Gate and stood a few yards away from it, awaiting the troops of Sauron.

Orc by Orc dashed off the Black Gate, with one purpose only to destroy every one of Aragorn's troops. The Captains of the West were foundering in a gathering sea. The sun gleamed red, as he addressed an unsettled army of men.

"Stand, Men of the West! Stand and wait! This is the hour of doom. Hold your ground! Hold your ground." And even as Aragorn spoke the earth rocked beneath their feet. "Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take my heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"

The men's response was to pull their swords. The orcs proceeded to surround the human force. Legolas and Gimli followed. Xena cracked her neck and grinned, as it was evident that this time they would simply use their swords. Legolas glanced at her while whispering to her to be cautious. Her response was a quick nod and a smirk. The army readied themselves for war. Men were vastly outnumbered by Orcs. It was time to begin the war.

"Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an elf." murmured the Dwarf.

"What about side by side with a friend?" Legolas asked smiling at him.

"Aye, I could do that," Gimli responded loudly enough.

"Focus!" Xena halted them abruptly "The battle has begun; you may profess your love for one another later." Gimli and Legolas regarded her with mild amusement.

((Upcoming Chapter Seventy-One))

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