Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is property of Tolkien and there are many references throughout to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I only own what you do not recognize. The character Chinky is not meant to cause offence and is named after a real horse whose name has been shortened from a Fiat Cinquecento (Chinky – Chento).

Authors Note: Wow, two chapters in one week! You should be very proud. I am! Got very drunk on Wednesday, come to the conclusion that mixing 6 schnapps shots, a pint of cider, a huge cocktail served in this massive fish bowl thing, and a vodka and lemonade is asking for trouble. Yet I wasn't sick which was a bonus! Went horse riding in the rain during the day. Got absolutely soaked and to add to it we were jumping and most of the jumps had to be done into the rain. Ick. My body protector acted as a sponge and just soaked it all up.

Anyway had an exam this morning that went brilliantly, one of those where you look at the question and realise you know the answer, well every question was like that. Wooo!

Don't know when the next chapter will be here. I'm still reeling how quickly I wrote chapter 44.

Happy reading.

Authors Note 2: Just went to read this chapter and realised that hadn't put any of the breaks in. So sorry if you think this is a chapter, I'm just sorting it out. Hopefully it should be easier to read now. Sorry.

Chapter 42: The Battle of Pelennor Fields

A silence filled the battle field, broken only by the sound of Pippin's strong voice on the enchanted wind. Amy looked around the battle field with some humour as she watched realisation appear on the Orc's faces as they saw the armies that surrounded them. They were penned between the armies of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth and the brilliant shining walls of Minas Tirith.

A black tide on chalk cliffs, yet when the sun comes out the tide can change.

No more horns were needed and no speech of death was said as Moridin reared to his full height and screamed. Amy grabbed a handful of sleek black mane to stop herself falling off, and when he screamed she shut her black eyes and let the sound wash over her. Once his scream finished she unsheathed her sword and held it aloft as her black mount sprang forward off strong hindquarters.

At that unspoken signal the three armies charged forward as one. Amy sat up straight on Moridin her bow and arrow all ready in hand, at her command archers all along the lines of elves and dwarves let loose their arrows and the first wave of Orc's hit the floor never to corrupt the land again. The command was sent along the lines again and another wave whistled into the air. When they were fifty meters from the Orc lines bows were exchanged for long blades and axes and all the horses were pushed forward ready to jump.

Amy did not think twice as Moridin soared into the air and brought two Orcs' to death under his hooves, her sword sung through the air, flames licking at its crystal sharp blade. After half a dozen went down comprehensible thought no longer happened, duck, swing, parry, thrust. Thoughts were stunted and no longer mattered, surviving and wining were all that was registering. In another part of her mind she saw the elves and dwarves carve a path towards the city, she could hear the cries of the Rohan and the ever present sound of thunder rumbling constantly beneath her, for the sound of ten thousand plus horses in full gallop is impressive to say the least.

Thoughts, other than those of the battle, came back to her as she heard the high pitched shriek of the Nazgul.

"Ready for some fun Moridin?"

"Always my Master, always!" Moridin said as he spun on his haunches to face the in coming winged dragon.

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Legolas smirked slightly as he grabbed an Oliphant's trunk and swung up onto one of its four mighty tusks. Taking a huge leap he used all his elven agility and grace to grab a rope coming from the huge structure on its back. It even, conveniently, had knots in for him to climb up easier. Once up he decided to throw caution to the wind and vaulted the side of the red structure and landed surrounded by men from the Harad.

"Sorry, what have I missed?" He said as his smirk increased.

The desert men did not even have time to register what was happening before twin blades sliced through the throats of two of them. The others drew blades yet before they were fully raised they two were dead.

Legolas shrugged, these people were too easy. Wiping his blades on the shirt of one of the dead men he pulled out his bow and sheathed his two blades. Coming up behind, what he presumed to be the man controlling the beast, he knocked an arrow. The heavily pierced man still failed to notice so Legolas tapped him on the shoulder. The last expression on the tanned face was shock as an arrow imbedded itself in his head.

Throwing the dead body over the side he sat in its place. 'Right how do I control this thing?' He said to himself and pulled sharply on one of the ropes. The Oliphant lurched to the right and started charging through the still impenetrable mass of Orcs. Huge feet crushed the perimeter of Warg riders as Legolas guided the enormous beast through the mass, trying desperately not to crush any of the Rohan riders that had just cut through the Orc's flanks.

He nodded his blonde head to Théoden as he saw the king. Finally getting bored of not being in the actual fight he took up his bow again and fired three arrows into the Oliphant's head. He smiled as it fell and slid elegantly down its long trunk landing in a squat at the end. He landed just outside the ring of Warg riders and looked up from his squatted position into the face of his father.

"Father! Did not except to see you here!" He said hastily standing up and spying a horse staggering to its feet without a rider. Running he leaped onto its back hastily finding the stirrups before unsheathing his blades again. All he could hear as he galloped off was; "LEGOLAS!"

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"31 … 32 …. 33 …. 34 … Ahhhh!" Gimli yelled as he looked up and saw an Oliphant ploughing though a line of Orcs' towards him. He barely had time to roll out the way before it thundered past. He grunted loudly as an Orc took advantage of his downed state and swung a scimitar at his head. The resounding 'thunk' as it hit his heavy helmet made his eyes wobble.

Standing he shook his head to clear the dizziness and glared at the black thing before him. "You want to die do you Laddie?" He said raising his axe.

The Orc looked at him curiously, obviously wondering why the short thing in front of him had not died when he hit it.

"Too late you don't get a choice." Gimli said gruffly as his axe swung through its neck. "Now what number was that? Ah yes, 56."

An evil grin graced his face as he started his rhythmical killing again.

"To hell itself if that elf will kill more than me! 57 … 58 … 59 … 60."

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Moridin screamed loudly at the winged beast in front of him commanding its attention.

"Are you prepared to die wraith?" He said pawing the ground.

"A mere horse and his girl cannot kill me!" The wraith said, its voice scratching at his sensitive ears.

He lay his ears flat back against his head and bared his teeth as he snorted loudly. Feeling Amy gathering her power he instantly opened his mind to hers and grabbed some of her power grounding her. Although he could not use any of the power that was in her veins he could balance her and control how much she was drawing. By doing this he could stop her drawing too much and becoming lost to the dark side of her power. He was not sure when he realised he could do this, yet it comforted both of them.

A ball of flame shot towards the wraith its centre crackling with blue fire. Before it hit the black rider it transformed into an arrow and impaled itself where its face should be. An ear shattering scream of pain filled the area, yet no one in the vicinity could make themselves feel pity. Moridin shook his head as he tried to get the ringing sound out of his ears. Getting annoyed he finally threw his head in the air right into the path of another of Amy's fireballs, this time heading towards the beasts saddle. The smell of burning hair filled the area as a large chunk of once silky black mane went up in flames.

Moridin sunk his head in embarrassment as he got reprimanded for being stupid; no further punishment was needed however, a singed mane on a beautiful war horse was bad enough.

He raised his head to glare slightly at the now free dragon as it chuckled.

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Haldir lent to the right slightly and Laird instantly turned that way to avoid a Warg leaping at them. "You are almost more responsive than Aleib, my friend."

In response the horse kicked out at a Warg behind him and his hooves connected with its throat sending the cursed wolf to death instantly.

"Yes, I might ask if I can keep you." Laird just snorted and hurtled forward into a gallop again as he felt the elf on his back lean forward. "You can give my horse some lessons in responsiveness."

The battle was still raging around them, yet it was dying down and the light was definitely winning, no more Orcs streamed into the city. A line of Rohirrim acted like a solid barrier to the white tower, protecting those inside from the main battle. The soldiers of Gondor could purge the city of remaining Orcs.

He ducked as he saw a fireball come flying his way barely missing his head.

"Watch where you are throwing those things Lureae! You could take someone's head off!" He said, more in amusement than anger. He was just glad to see her alive.

"Who said I wasn't aiming for you?" Came the reply as the small girl galloped up on her huge mount.

He laughed then laughed even harder as he saw the chunk missing from the war horse's mane, and the slightly singed area around it. "Did the big bad horse get in the way of a fire ball?" He asked teasingly.

"You can talk; you nearly had your head blown off!" Moridin said, although it was obvious to Haldir that he was feeling abashed and mortified at his predicament, as his comment did not come accompanied with the customary sting that he was used to.

"Now, now boys. Keep your hair on." Amy snorted loudly in a very un-lady like manner, obviously amused by her own comment. "Anyway," she said after she had got herself back under control. "We still have work to do, and Moridin please don't be upset that Haldir had the sense to move out of the way of a fireball rather than into it."

Haldir killed an Orc coming up behind them and laughed as he watched Moridin dump Amy very unceremoniously on the floor. The black horse snorted before cantering off.

"Want a ride?" Haldir said holding a hand out to Amy who was still sat on the floor looking in the direction that Moridin had just gone. He was desperately trying not to laugh.

Amy just grunted before accepting his hand and sitting in front of him.

"Come on, let's go and find some more fighting."

Amy sat silently, obviously still annoyed that Moridin had dumped her.

"I hate horses," she said eventually turning to face the elf behind her. "Buy me a donkey?"

BREAK

Aragorn realised he was surrounded, sweat was dripping into his eyes making them itch like mad, yet he knew if he took a second to wipe them he would be dead. Yet despite this he was enjoying himself, this is what he had been brought up to do. Defend his city, defend his people. He knew he could do it, now if only they would put their swords down for one second while he tied his hair back up and wiped his eyes all would be perfect. But alas, it is not a perfect world, so he carried on fighting.

"Ha ha!" He said in victory as one Orc fell down leaving him only fighting five. "Oh Valar!" He mumbled as another two Orcs took the downed ones place.

"Go … Back … To … The … Fiery … Pits … Of … Hell … That … Spawned … You, … Leave … Me … To … Wipe … My … Eyes … And … Tie … Up … My … Valar … Forsaken … Hair!" His speech was punctuated by the hissing of Andúril as it swung through the air.

Just as he was about to give up and brush his hair out of his face the thundering of hooves approached, turning his head ever so slightly he saw Moridin gallop towards him. He ducked at the last second as the huge horse flew over his head and crushed two Orcs, he did not even think as he swung himself up onto the large back. Gripping tightly he sat as still as possible as he let Moridin deal with the rest of the Orcs that had been surrounding him. When the horse finally stopped he brushed his hair away from his face and tied it at the nape of his neck with a leather thong then he sighed in satisfaction as he scrubbed the sweat out of his eyes.

"Right on time, son of Chinky." He said opening his eyes and smiling as they now were not itching.

"And a not a second later!" The black horse said as he took off again towards the centre of the dying battle.

Aragorn leant forward and went with the flow of the horse, no fear passed his features, the battle was theirs, and he knew that Amy was safe, the balls of fire that still flew though the air saw to that. The ground erupted to their left sending Orcs flying through the air, yes Amy was ok.

BREAK

Gandalf took looked out over the battlements, his weary blue eyes took in the land before him and he knew that the tide had been turned in this battle. He watched as Amy freed the last of the mighty dragons, their red and gold scales glistening in the morning sunlight as they took off to the north. All of the wraiths were now grounded, and although they were still dangerous in this form they could no longer make huge sweeps of the battlefield killing dozens in one go. Even as he said this another desperate shriek filled the air as another was felled to Amy's fire lances. He watched as it appeared to implode on itself leaving nothing but a pile of charged robes in its wake. The Witch King of Angmar was however still at large, and he had the feeling that the young dragon was purposely leaving it that way. He did not question her reasons however; she had not let them down in the past.

Reaching a hand over his shoulder he stroked the snowy head that had just appeared there. Shadowfax had borne him well in this battle, traversing the steps and spires of the Tower of the Guard as well as any man. Letting his weariness show for once he lent against the Mearas and closed his eyes. Of all the bodies the Valar could have placed him in; they chose one riddled with age and wrinkles. He though of some of the younger Maia and his eyes opened for a brief second and flashed across the field, and wished that he had been placed in a younger body.

He opened his eyes again and looked down over the battlements, supporting his weight upon his large sword, for the bastard Witch King had broken his staff, and saw the Rohirrim mass together in front of the gates.

"Make safe the city!" He heard Théoden cry.

Shaking his head slightly Gandalf wondered if Théoden knew that the city had been safe as soon as the armies of the light had showed up. Yes giant holes marred her sides and some of her men had died, yet stand strong she did, for none of the black army made it to her second level.

Another blast of horns sounded as the song of victory came closer. Pippin's voice still sounded on the breeze, his song now sounding more hopeful and cheerful. Gandalf had no clue what magic was working itself there, yet he was glad for it all the same.

He smiled as he heard the elf and dwarf horns sound together, even their horns sounded apposing. He had no idea that Amy planned on uniting the two races, and he had no idea how she had managed it. He had been trying for years! Both races were proud warriors and he hoped that bringing them together in battle brought them together in many other things, for they complemented each other, despite how much they denied it.

As his eyes searched out the field again he saw Théoden and the mighty Snowmane get felled by the lone Witch King. His heart leapt in his throat as he saw another of the Rohirrim step up in front of the fallen king. He prayed them the best of luck as he watched the battle commence.

Shadowfax whinnied softly at his shoulder in grieving for the death of another of his mighty kin.

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Théoden saw the Witch King too late, and had no chance to get out of the way as a huge mace slammed into Snowmane's pearly white side. The wind was knocked out of him as he felt the Mearas land on him, a sickening crunch filled his ears and from that moment on he knew he was dead. The only thing crossing his mind was disappointment that he died in such a helpless way, not even with his sword in hand.

His thoughts slowed to almost a complete standstill; there was no pain in him just a soft floating feeling. He could feel Snowmane's shallow breathing upon him and he wished that someone would put his lordly horse out of his misery.

No fear registered as he saw the Witch King step up ready to take the final blow, only blank resignation.

"You shall not kill him!" A strong voice said and came and stood between him and the wraith.

He wanted to call out to whoever this rider was and tell them not to worry, his time was up, yet he could not find the heart. It took a stronger person than he to voluntarily stand up to the black king.

"Stand aside." The voice scratched, harsh bristles on a solid floor.

"Never!" The rider said raising a sword.

Brief recognition flashed quickly across his eyes, he knew that sword. Where did he know it from?

A small movement caught his eye and he turned his head very slowly and saw the little Hobbit, Merry, come up behind the wraith. Why had he not stayed behind in Rohan? Why had he not stayed behind with Éowyn?

In that instant he knew who stood as a saviour before him, and he knew why. All their friends and family had gone to war; he had had no right to force them to stay behind.

He watched as the black king swung at Éowyn, her shield shattered and she clutched her left arm to her chest, it was obviously broken yet she still stood strong.

"Fool, no mortal man can kill me!" The wraith said.

Théoden watched as Merry plunged his sword deep into the wraiths thigh. The ground shook as it sunk to its knees.

"I am no man!" Éowyn screamed as she pulled off her helmet. The long straw blonde hair of her people flowed down her back as she thrust the sword deep into what should have been the Witch King's face. Like all the rest, it imploded leaving nothing but a charred pile of robes upon which a bent silver crown sat.

Théoden smiled gently as he saw Éowyn approach him slowly. He could feel Snowmane's breathing slowing down and he hoped that the end was near for his horse.

'I am sorry my son, I should have saved you, instead I have been your bane. Yet that we fought in such a battle is worthy of our renown. We shall rest in peace.'

No shock passed Théoden's features as he heard Snowmane talk in his head. Yet his earlier question had been answered. Thingol, Snowmane had been his father in his previous life. For all good horses were once men of renown. With this last thought he felt his white horse shudder and the life spirit leave him. A smile graced his face as he felt the soft tears of his niece fall on his cheeks; the last thing he heard before he passed to the halls of his fathers' was Pippin's soft voice singing.

"All shall fade, all shall fade."