Well, I'm positive there's at least a few more chapters left. :) I hope you enjoy this one:)
Chapter forty-nine
No Giving Up
Sauron laughed in triumph as he challenged the humans, elves, and dwarves to come fight him. They reformed their battalion and prepared to fight when they heard the horn of Eönwë near the beach. Everyone turned and watched as the Valar and Maiar, led by Morgoth, Manwë, Eönwë, and Gwen, charged down the Great Lawn. This sight gave heart to the men, elves, and dwarves but also made Sauron laugh.
"So, you've come to try again?" Sauron asked.
Morgoth smiled.
"I don't think you'll win this time!" he roared.
Sauron looked over at Manwë. He was smiling. He raised his hands and the wind picked up around Sauron. Next Aulë mumbled something under his breath and the rock under Sauron rose up and formed around his ankles. Yavanna chanted something inaudible to the ears of everyone else and a group of trees began growing around Sauron. She chanted louder and louder until the trees formed a person sized prison around him. Sauron grabbed hold of one of the trees and tried to push it away but he found he could not move it.
"How is this possible?" he asked in wonder.
Morgoth stepped forward.
"You can thank Ilúvatar for that."
Sauron narrowed his eyes.
"What? But Ilúvatar is not here."
Manwë nodded his head in agreement.
"Yes, but He Who Arises In Might is."
Sauron groaned. Somehow Morgoth was able to give the Valar their powers back because he had a bit of every Valar's song in him.
"You lost Sauron," Manwë said.
Sauron smirked.
"I came closer then ever this time. Even closer then Morgoth ever got."
While Sauron was distracted with Manwë, Gwen circled around him and spotted the ring on his finger. She quickly pulled it off.
"Give me back my ring!" Sauron roared.
"Was this forged in the Arts and Crafts building?" Gwen demanded.
"Like I'm going to tell you."
Gwen smiled.
"That's all I needed to know. If it's all right with the Valar, I think Sauron might be losing his second body at camp."
Sauron's eyes went wide.
"Oh bloody hell not again!"
Manwë nodded.
"Go ahead Gwen, have fun."
Gwen smiled.
"Excellent."
--
After coaxing Frodo to take off the One Ring, Gwen, the fellowship, Kisha, Morgoth, and various others went into the Arts and Crafts building. They walked up to the hearth. Gwen tossed the ring in the air and caught it.
"So, who wants to destroy evil ring number two?"
Elendil jumped up and down.
"I do! I do!"
Elrond smirked.
"Of course, since his son couldn't destroy the One Ring maybe his father can destroy the new evil ring of power."
Gwen shrugged and tossed Elendil the ring.
"Have fun."
Just as Elendil was about to toss the ring in, Gwen thought of something. She shot her hand out and caught the ring. Elendil raised an eyebrow and Elrond rolled his eyes.
"Damn corruption," he mumbled.
Gwen shook her head.
"No, it's not that. This ring was made for the Nazgul and since Sauron melted it down and reformed it, wont that mean that if this ring is destroyed then the Nazgul are too? What about Tim? Didn't he get killed on the battlefield?"
Elrond shook his head no.
"Tim was never defeated," he replied.
"Then what was that screaming on the battlefield after I left? I could have sworn I heard Tim."
"No, that was Sauron screaming after Tim kicked him in the knee with his sword. Tim's still alive, he's probably in Lammoth right now brooding."
Gwen pondered this for a moment.
"But if we destroy the ring then won't Tim die?"
Elendil shrugged.
"Don't know, but if we don't destroy the ring then we'll allow evil to endure."
Elrond snatched the ring from Gwen's hand and handed it to Elendil.
"Just destroy the bloody thing already," he said.
Gwen gave a sigh and then he tossed the ring into the hearth. They heard a loud sonic boom from outside. The group then ran outside and saw that the cage Yavanna built around Sauron was empty.
Once Sauron had been disposed of, for the time being, it was time to deal with those faithful to him. Manwë found Saruman hiding in the garage of Lammoth and Thuringwethil in the theatre. He took the two outside.
"Why did you remain loyal to Sauron?" Manwë demanded.
Thuringwethil gulped and Saruman cowered.
"Well, you see, we didn't think you'd win…" Thuringwethil began.
Saruman nodded and Manwë rolled his eyes.
"What should we do with you?" he asked.
Gandalf raised his hand.
"I know! I know! Can I turn them into something unnatural?"
Manwë shrugged.
"Go ahead."
Thuringwethil and Saruman's eyes went wide as Gandalf turned the two into something 'unnatural'. Thuringwethil was transformed into a chair and Saruman a footstool. Gandalf sat down on the chair and stretched out.
"Now this is the life," he said.
Manwë rolled his eyes and laughed.
--
Since the battle was over it was time to perform damage control. Kisha went inside the camper dorms and explained what happened. She told them the absolute truth that Sauron had tried to take over and that he also failed. She also had to tell them that a few staff members had not made it through. While this was going on, Gwen went to find the Nazgul. She found him in his room putting on jeans. He looked youthful and well, handsome. She narrowed her eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" she asked.
Tim looked up.
"It's me Tim. The destruction of the ring released us from the servitude of Sauron…somehow."
Gwen shrugged.
"Well anything's possible at this camp that's for sure."
--
After camper damage control, the staff cleaned up the dead orcs and threw them into the lake. Manwë then went to his old body.
"This is just too weird," he said as he picked himself up.
Morgoth walked up to Manwë.
"Hey, this gives new meaning to the phrase 'pick yourself up off the floor'," Morgoth joked.
Manwë rolled his eyes.
"Shut up and help me dig graves for the Valar."
"I never thought you'd say those words…"
--
By the time the Great Lawn was picked up, the orcs dumped in the water, and the Valar and dead staff members buried, it was a little after one in the morning. Some of the campers had asked if they could have a service for the ones who had died. Kisha thought that might be a good idea. Fëanor, Celebrimbor, Elrond, and Aulë agreed to make plaques for the fallen staff members and so while they worked, the rest of the staff went to bed. Most fell asleep as soon as they hit the pillow but Kisha tossed and turned all night long.
I can't believe that happened.
--
"Come on! Aren't you going to get up! It's morning!" Lalaith said as she pulled on Morgoth's arm.
Morgoth sighed deeply.
"Can't I just sleep for at least an hour longer?"
"Apparently not," Gwen said getting out of bed.
Morgoth opened his eyes and saw Lalaith standing right in front of him.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Seven in the morning," Gwen replied.
Morgoth groaned and sat up.
"I'm hungry."
"Let me guess, you want a moon pie?"
He shook his head.
"No, I want some of that Canadian Stew."
--
Wednesday morning breakfast was quickly gobbled down and ended at around nine in the morning. Kisha then told the campers and staff to gather around the Glingal Tree for the service. The staff had already buried Araglas, Bregolas, Ar-Pharazôn, Fili, Oin, and Gloin and they had proper headstones put into place.
"Does anyone want to say anything?" Kisha asked.
Gimli raised his hand.
"My father was a hardy dwarf and one who never forgot a wrong. I know I'll see him again when we go back to Middle-earth but for now I shall miss him."
Kisha nodded.
"Very well spoken," she said.
"Ar-Pharazôn was a jerk but I'll sure miss his ranting," Morgoth said with a smile.
"I know I'll miss Araglas a lot. I'll never forget getting lost in the woods with him and Oromë. Great times," Kisha said.
"Bregolas never spoke much but he was a great solider and he proved his worth in battle on more then once. You will be missed," Gwen said.
"Fili was the best brother ever. I'll miss you bro," Kili replied.
"Oin was one interesting dwarf. I think I'll miss his smart-arse comments the most," a camper said.
After all the words had been said, Kisha laid a flower on one of the graves. The rest of the staff and campers then took this up. This procession lasted until every camper and staff member had laid a flower on a grave.
"They are gone but not forgotten. Good-bye guys. Now I know this sounds kind of bad but it's time for Glingal Idol. Does everyone still want to have this today?"
The campers nodded.
"I know it sounds cliché but I'm sure they would want us to move on," someone said.
Kisha nodded in response.
"Okay then meet in the theatre in two hours for Glingal Idol."
--
Two hours later the campers and staff sat in the auditorium seats of the theatre. Kisha walked up on the stage and everyone clapped.
"Allo everybody! We start Glingal Idol right now so let's get started! Our judges shall be Manwë, Gwen, and Maglor. So give it up for our judges! I will be your host for the festivities. Now those who wanted to sing in this competition have already given me their names and what song they will be singing so let's get right to business shall we? First up we have Faith who will be singing As The World Falls Down from Labyrinth. So give it up for Faith!"
Everyone clapped as Faith took the stage and stood in front of the microphone. Kisha hit play on the CD and she began singing.
"There's such a sad love deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel open and close within your eyes. I'll place the sky within your eyes. There's such a fooled heart beating so fast in search of new dreams, a love that will last within your heart. I'll place the moon within your heart. As the pain sweeps through,makes no sense for you,ev'ry thrill has gone, wasn't too much fun at all. But I'll be there for you, as the world falls down fallingfalling falling in love I'll paint your mornings of gold, I'll spin you valentine evenings,
though we're strangers 'til now, we're choosing a path between the stars. I'll lay love between the stars. As the pain sweeps through, makes no sense for you ev'ry thrill has gone, wasn't too much fun at all. But I'll be there for you, as the world falls down."
The campers clapped for her when she was done and she waited for the judge's comments.
"Faith, that was pretty good but you have to open your throat up a bit more to let the sound come out," Manwë said.
"Yes, I think I'll second that with Manwë," Gwen replied.
Maglor nodded.
"Very nice Faith but just open your mouth more and you'll be a sure bet at the end of this competition."
Faith smiled and the campers clapped again as she left the stage. Kisha walked back on.
"Let's give it up for Faith! Now our second contestant is Dennis singing 'The Eldar' by Blind Guardian."
When Gwen head Kisha mention Blind Guardian her ears perked right up. Dennis took the stage and readied himself to sing.
"I've seen the moon, and the first sunrise. I'll leave it to the memories and kiss the wind goodbye. For the Eldar I'm trapped inside this dream. Of the Eldar's song of Doom. I've tasted poison when I drank the wine of fate. But fear was in my heart. I realised too late the house of spirits calls. For the Eldar I'm trapped inside this dream. Of the Eldar's song of the doom. High's the fee soon my spirit will return welcome dawn. Your light will take me home. I say farewell. To the Eldar I'm trapped inside this dream. Of the Eldar's song of doom."
Gwen was the first one to make a comment.
"Okay Dennis, well you get points for song usage because as everyone knows Blind Guardian is one of my favourite bands but I gotta take points away from the high notes in 'High's the fee' section. That was way out of your vocal range. Good job though!"
Manwë rolled his eyes.
"What do you know about vocal range? I thought he sang that very nicely."
Gwen glared at him.
"If you had heard the original piece you would know what I was talking about."
Maglor sighed.
"Well Dennis that was good. I'm not familiar with how the piece normally goes so I can't really judge on that but it was still good."
The campers clapped for Dennis as he left the stage. Kisha announced that the next camper would be Claire singing 'Elves of Lúva' by Battlelore.
"From the shore I have known for long I heard enchanting songs. Meadow was dancing by the flute and the harp. The water was silent and so calm. I walked to the path across the sea. I walked to the place ever unseen. Into the fields and the streams. Beyond the land of the dreams. Brief moment it took, then faded away. I followed their song. Followed their way. Last sight of the sun. Until eventide showed me the road served me as guide. I walked to the path across the sea. I walked to the place ever unseen. Passing the walls, passing the signs. Opening hidden doors of my mind. On the shore I have known for long I sang enchanting songs."
Gwen was first to comment again.
"Well, I loved it! Seeing as it's also a Battlelore song and also that you have the voice for that vocal range. Keep up the good work!"
Maglor nodded.
"Yes, very good job Claire! "
Manwë nodded.
"I enjoyed it a lot."
--
At around six at night the competition was down to it's final two people. Everyone was ready for the competition to end, as they wanted to watch the slide show and camp video in the Great Hall. The final two competitors took the stage along with Kisha.
"Okay so it's down to Claire and Sam. And the winner of the 2006 Glingal Idol is Sam! Give it up for Sam!" Kisha announced.
Sam jumped up and down on the stage. She was so excited to win. She wasn't sure she was going to win after her rendition of "Sweet Transvestite" from Rocky Horror, but the audience, and judges ended up loving it.
Since the competition was over, Kisha dismissed the campers and told them to gather in the Great Hall at seven for the slide show. She also told them that if they were hungry they could get something to eat from the kitchen and bring it with them to the Great Hall. After the campers left, Kisha told the staff to remain, as they had to discuss a few things. Kisha remained on the stage.
"What's this about?" Manwë asked.
"I'm just concerned about these last few days. Sauron seemed to think he could take over the camp and in doing so he killed a few staffers and created a new ring, which is now destroyed thank Ilúvatar, but the fact remains. He's going to come back. So what should we do when his spirit shows up?"
Namo raised his hand.
"I'll field this one!"
Namo then stood up and walked on stage.
"It'll take Sauron about a day for him to get his body back after this recent fight as the destruction of the second ring drained him of a lot of power. So, once he does get his body back we will have to keep constant watch on him. Any other questions Kisha?"
"Err…no."
Manwë smiled.
"I'm sure Sauron will not try anything once he gets his body back. I hope he learned that even if he has complete power over us he will still lose."
Morgoth raised his hand.
"So, I've come to the conclusion that no matter what Sauron and I attempt it will always fail?"
Manwë nodded.
"Wow, that took you a few ages to figure out."
"Shut up."
Kisha rolled her eyes and checked her watch. It read six forty-five.
"Okay everybody; it's time for the slide show and video in the Great Hall. Bring a box of tissues as it might be needed."
--
At exactly seven o'clock at night Kisha started up the camp video. It started with Kisha showing the camp before the campers arrived.
"And this is the two dorm rooms for the campers. In two days they will show up…" Kisha said on the video.
It was at this time that Erik and Gwen walked across the screen holding hands.
"Ah! Gwen! Erik! Two more days left, are you excited?"
Gwen nodded.
"Oh most definitely!"
Erik nodded as well and smiled.
"Yup, this year I dug deep in the scores of music and pulled out the old comic play of The Fellowship of the Ring. Maybe the campers will want to do that this year?"
The camera shook as Kisha shrugged.
The shot then ended and then the next scene appeared on screen. It was of the campers arriving on the first day. They watched Kat and Chrisy climb from the car and squeal when they saw Faramir. In the audience, Faramir blushed and the campers laughed. The next shot jumped ahead to inside the Arts and Crafts building.
"Okay Gwen say something!" Kisha said from behind the camera.
On screen Gwen shrugged.
"Like what?"
"Well maybe future generations at camp might want to watch this. Give them some words of enlightenment," Kisha offered.
Gwen looked into the camera and put on a serious face.
"Okay. Well my name's Gwen Mosé. I'm thirty-four and I have been working at this camp for eight years. Always remember to try your best and never give up. Also there's a safe deposit box underneath the Great Lawn with five million dollars in unmarked bills I got from a drug smuggling run. The combination to the safe deposit box is left-19 right-19 left…" Gwen trailed off. Her eyes went wide; she dropped the sword, and clutched her heart and promptly fell to the ground. Kisha rolled her eyes and turned the camera so that it faced her.
"This is what camp life is like every single day," she said and then turned the camera off.
The campers watching laughed hysterically and when the camera turned back on it showed the battles. They watched as Gil-Galad challenged Morgoth and the famous battle of the War of Wrath. The video then showed the volleyball game and a few shots of the soccer and baseball game. The video closed with a shot of the Glingal tree at sunset.
"We've had an amazing six weeks here at camp and I'll miss you all. Be sure to come back next summer when even more fun will occur…though, after this year, what could top it?" Kisha said in the tape.
The video ended and Kisha ejected it from the player.
"Next we'll have the slide show. Is everyone ready?"
The campers and staff nodded and Kisha smiled.
"Good."
"It's been a long road, getting from there to here. It's been a long time, but my time is finally near…"
The song Faith of the Heart by Rod Stewart played in the background as the pictures appeared on the screen.
The first picture was of the entrance to the camp road. Then the next photos were of each building at camp. After that it was a big group shot of the Tolkien staff.
"And I can feel a change in the wind right now. Nothing's in my way…"
The next shot was of two campers sitting on the beach in their bathing suits. They both sported a huge grin. Then a picture of a beach volleyball game showed. In it, Ulmo was in the air and it appeared as if he was spiking the ball.
"And they're not going to hold me down no more. No they're not going to hold me down…"
Next was a picture of the first bonfire. Gwen was wearing her 'Skalds and Shadows' dress and leaping about the fire. The picture then changed to one of the variety show. Jenna was on stage telling her jokes. Then on screen came the picture of the two Dark Lords when they had the flu. When this showed, Morgoth grumbled and the campers and staff laughed.
"'Cause I've got faith of the heart. I'm going where my heart will take me…"
The next picture was of Kisha and the hobbits in the kitchen cooking breakfast. It was such a simple and homely picture that Kisha almost started crying. In it, her face was frozen in a state of laughter while she carried a bowl of dough to one of the tables. The hobbits were also laughing rich deep laughs of simplicity and enjoyment.
"I've got faith to believe, I can do anything…"
Then a picture of Tim on the stick above the water appeared on screen. This was met by laughter and then a very angry 'hey!' by Tim. The next photo was of Kisha after they found out Gwen had won the lotto. The expression on her face was one of pure exhilaration and wonder.
"I've got strength of the soul, and no one's gonna bend or break me…"
The next picture was of a group of campers sitting in a group on the Great Lawn enjoying a great summer day. The look on their faces was priceless. After that was a picture of Gwen glaring in the 'virgin sacrifice' dress standing next to a laughing Morgoth. In the background they could also see Sauron in hysterics and Manwë rolling his eyes.
"I can reach any star, I've got faith, I've got faith…"
Following that was a picture of Sam after winning Glingal Idol. Kisha was able to quickly add in the picture between the competition and this gathering in the Great Hall. After that was a photo of Sauron and Morgoth after they lost their hair. They both looked poised and ready to kill. This picture was met by much laughter and Morgoth glared at everybody. Gwen reminded him that he had his hair back. Morgoth shrugged and the slide show continued.
"Faith of the heart…"
The next picture was of camp after the camper siege during the beginning of camp. This was met by 'huh?' from the campers, as they did not remember the siege at all. Kisha thanked Ilúvatar that she only had one photo of the siege in the slide show. The next picture was of Morgoth, Aragorn, and Lúthien in the costumes for the 'demon' act. This was met with mixed emotions as everyone remembered the demon coming to life.
"It's been a long night, trying to find my way…"
After that a picture of the flood damage appeared on screen. It was followed by a panoramic view of the staff and campers cleaning up after the flood. This picture made Kisha smile. She could see Fëanor and his sons boarding in siding with some of the campers without argument.
"Been through the darkness, now I finally have my day…"
The next picture was of the room Angband after Elladan and Elrohir finished 'redecorating' it with honey, birdseed, and various other items. A picture followed it from the beach over looking the water. In it, everyone could see Sauron and Morgoth stuck to the mattresses in the middle of the water. This was met with much laughter from the campers.
"And I will see my dream come alive at last…"
The next picture was of Gwen dressed up as Captain Clean. Gwen rolled her eyes at this picture. Afterwards there was a shot of the campers cleaning the living room and dancing to the music playing in the stereo. The picture looked so peaceful and honest. Gwen wiped a tear from her eye and rested her head on Morgoth's shoulder.
"I will touch the sky…"
The next picture was of Fëanor, his sons, Celebrimbor, Oromë, Eönwë, Tilion, Denethor, Kisha, Eomer, and Ar-Pharazôn holding water guns just before the fight against Morgoth. It looked quite comical and the campers laughed. The picture was followed up with Morgoth and Sauron looking rather drenched and peeved after everyone ganged up on him at the end of the battle.
"And they're not going to hold me down no more…"
The next photo was of Gandalf, Théoden, Aragorn, and Kisha enjoying a good smoke on the porch of Lammoth. It was followed by a group of campers learning forging techniques from Fëanor and his sons in the Arts and crafts building.
"No, they're not going to change my mind…"
Next was a picture of the campers enjoying a meal of Canadian Stew for dinner. You could see the laughter in the photos and the good times that seemed to be taking place. This was followed by a picture of Gwen reading The Lady and the Necklace in the Great Hall under a huge blanket.
"I've known a wind so cold, seen the darkest days…"
After that, a picture of the camp covered in snow appeared on the screen. Next came a picture of the staff digging out from the storm. Just thinking back to the storm made a few staff members shiver but also made Manwë smirk as it reminded him of Captain Tripps.
"But now the winds I feel are only winds of change…"
The next picture was of Tim and the Nazgul on stage singing the revised version of 'Wanted Dead or Alive'. This was met with laughter and applause, mostly by the former Nazgul themselves. The next photo was of Gwen smiling on her four-wheeler with Morgoth behind her. It was when Kisha appointed Gwen and Morgoth as 'emergency patrol' when some of the staff to the campers out into the wild.
"I've been through the fire and I've been through the rain..."
The next picture was of the insides of the arsenal. Most of the campers gasped, as they had never seen inside the arsenal but the picture quickly changed to one of Kisha and Gwen each holding a beer and singing along with a bunch of drinking songs.
"But I'll be fine, oh yeah…"
The next picture was of the ice cream party in the Great Hall. Morgoth and Gwen began laughing and everyone turned and glared at them. The following picture was of little Lalaith in Gwen's arm.
"Hey! That's me!" Lalaith exclaimed brightly.
"'Cause I've got faith of the heart…"
Kisha grimaced at the next picture, which was of Fëanor and Morgoth acting all buddy-buddy. Before anyone else could feel sick or faint it changed to the staff forging weapons in the arts and crafts building for the fake battles.
"I'm going where my heart will take me…"
The next photo was of Gil-Galad challenging Morgoth to battle. In the background everyone could see the campers watching. They seemed completely mesmerized by the fighting. Fëanor and Gwen fighting in front of one of the boats on the beach followed that photo. Morgoth glared at Fëanor but Gwen shushed him saying it was all right.
"I've got faith to believe…"
The next picture made everyone smile as it was of Lalaith's sandcastle on the beach. Little Lalaith's eyes filled with gladness when she saw her sandcastle. The picture after that was of a group reading riddles during the riddle scavenger hunt.
"I can do anything…"
The staff versus camper volleyball game followed that picture. In the picture it showed Thuringwethil diving to hit the ball and missing it.
"I've got strength of the soul…"
The entire incident involving Tim trying to take over was skipped over after the Tolkien Trivia match. The next photo on screen was of Gwen and Kisha challenging the Hobbits to drinking songs. The photo made everyone in the Great Hall let out a whole hearty laugh. After that, the picture of Manwë's fish appeared much to his delight. He let out a huge smile. On the other side of the room, Varda smiled also knowing that Manwë would be okay.
"And no one's gonna bend or break me…"
The next picture was of the brothers scoring a goal during the big football game and then celebrating afterwards. A picture of Namo's new look followed it. A few female campers whistled and swooned at the picture. Namo rolled his eyes and threatened everyone with the void and doom.
"I can reach any star…"
The next picture was of the 'dead' Legolas on the Great Lawn. When this appeared on screen a few female campers shrieked and Legolas laughed. Gwen and Morgoth's honourable attempt to stop the flying arrows followed the picture.
"I've got faith, I've got faith…"
The next picture was of Kash and Tim searching through the big crate for the keys. It was then followed by a picture of the dead sprit to the finish line between Gwen and Claire. That photo was taken seconds before Gwen stepped on the key. After that picture, one of Ulmo swimming against a camper appeared on screen. Kisha would have put in a picture of the baseball game but her camera had been low on battery power that day and so she could not. But she told the campers if she had taken pictures of the baseball game they would have gone right here.
"Faith of the heart…"
As the song ended, pictures that had Araglas, Bregolas, Ar-Pharazôn, Oin, Gloin, and Fili decorated the screen. The final picture of the slide show was of the entire staff with big yellow writing at the bottom of the picture that said 'Come see us again next year!'
When the slide show ended, Kisha turned on the lights and wiped a tear from her eye. When she composed herself, she smiled at the campers and told them to head off to bed as it was now getting close to eleven at night. She also reminded them that tomorrow night would be the dance. The campers excitedly left the Great Hall and headed towards the dorms.
When they had gone Kisha sat down on one of the couches.
"Well," she began. "Only two full days left…"