Changes and Notes: skip if you want, to the Chapter title. This is to inform you that:
-I've got the LOTR timeline a little mixed up. For starters, Osgiliath was attacked 6(?) months later than it should've been and Denethor II went *mad* in this timeline.
I've got things mixed up and taking place at different times than they normally would be, but for the most part, most events still happen, as they do in cannon-just different results and at different times...
Although, with that said...some rather large changes are starting to get underway(If there weren't any already!).
*If there's a major change in the cannon plot that i have not addressed, please let me know!
-For instance, Faramir does not encounter Frodo, so no set-back there in his journey to Mordor.
-The men of Umbar no longer being a factor in the war.
-Currently debating Aragorn confronting the 'Dead' in the mountains...i suppose they could lead the defense of Minus Tirith *or* Aragorn can be crowned king of Gondor early. 3rd option=Possibly disregard this part entirely...
-Also, after doing more research and taking notes of certain things on the LOTR timeline, everything that happens after the Fellowship leaves Rivendell, all of it takes place within 3 months!? (Leave Rivendell: December 25 3018 to March 25 3019 :Ring is destroyed) Ffs...
The majority of which(movie2+3) all happens (mostly) in March 3019. I've arrived at this point now, so all the major battles of the movies will get underway. The world setting is mostly the movies' but with some changes that are only true in the books(such as: No Elven aid at Helm's Deep)...plus some changes of my own :)
*It should be noted however that most battles of Middle-Earth never get spotlight in the movies. I feel that this is the reason for the numbers involved in the battles are so low(relatively speaking), at least compared to WOT's battles.
-One battle i think that should have been in the movies: Battle of the Dale, where both King Brand and King Dain Ironfoot die. Remember those guys from The Hobbit Movies? King Brand, Slayer of Smaug. King Dain Ironfoot, "Ya think i give a dead dog for your threats, you pointy-eared princess"-Battle of the 5 Armies quote (from my favorite Dwarf).
So in light of all this, Rand's 'Plan' is thrown out the window as he(but technically the author) realizes that he does not have the time to implement it, along with the realization of just how much military power he has compared to the rest of the nations' of the 'free peoples'.
-A bit of an oddity, follows, that i've discovered:Gandalf reaches Minus Tirith with Pippin a week after arriving at Helm's Deep, covering about the same distance as the Fellowship traveled in the first month from first setting out:
15th January 3019-Fellowship leave Moria
26th February 3019-Fellowship is broken, Parth Galen where Boromir dies.
-Gandalf travels that same distance that the Fellowship does between Moria and Parth Galen in a single week(6days)!
*"How long did it take you guys to get here?"-Gandalf
"40 days"-Everyone
"Really?! It only took me 6 days!"*-Gandalf
The pacing of LOTR sure is wonky...so forgive me if mine is as well.(the timeSKIPS)
When i started this fic, i was unaware of just how quickly this story(LOTR) moved from beginning to end, i was thinking it all took place over the course of a year or something like that...not 3 months(After the Fellowship is formed)
With all that said, here's the chapter!
R&R Chapter 11: Help from the Powers that be
The fallout from Rand's actions became exceedingly clear as the weeks went by after Denethor was dethroned.
Faramir seemed torn between retaliating against, and agreeing with, Rand.
The immediate results of Denethor II being removed from power was that things that needed to be addressed actually got resolved instead of simply being dismissed and that meant that things now went smoother, relatively speaking.
Although Faramir was upset over the events, he could not deny the benefits that were taking place all over Gondor now that he was, if only temporary, ultimately in charge.
Essenia; Umbar; Umbra:
"Do we even know where the river leads to?"-Rand asked of the 'Triad'.
A resounding "No" was his reply.
"Lord Dragon, but the boats we sent upriver, a month gone, have yet to return. I begin to fear something has befallen them."-Darlin Sisnera said sadly.
Rand's eyes narrowed in thought.
'Could the people of Karna have had something to do with this or is the river extending further than we imagined?'-Rand thought to himself.
"Well, we need to finish investigating the river before we do too much expanding."-Rand told them.
"As you say my lord"
"Yes, sire, of course"
"As the lord Dragon decrees"
"Now"-Rand said, making all three momentarily stiffen at his tone.
"Why are so many people still on the streets?"-Rand asked of them, to which they looked at one-another before responding.
"Well, that was another reason for the proposition for making another river, albeit a smaller one"-Sisnera said slowly, unsure of how Rand would react to their plan once he learned the...finer details.
"The majority of...people on the streets are former slaves and refuse to be given housing. So we devised that if we had them work for it in exchange...they would be more inclined to accept their new lives as a free people."
"Yes, as lord Torean just stated, we'd also feed and shelter them in return. The amount of time they put towards working would also be a deciding factor in which building they are given."-Fionnda finished.
"We were thinking of calling this deal 'The Bargain'. All living expenses paid for a year's worth of work in return for a mid-sized home here, or, for some land in the countryside."-Sisnera further informed Rand who was looking at them all rather intensely.
"I don't know...maybe...if it's necessary then...hmmm"-Rand was mulling it over, mumbling to himself.
"It sounds very close to slavery with the promise of a home after a year..."-Rand said, looking at each of them in turn.
"We are aware of that my lord, but most refuse to be given a home for free, so..."
"So if they work for it, they may accept it?"-Rand finished and asked, receiving nods from all three in return.
Rand let out a long exhale, "we can try it i suppose, though i still don't like it."
"What's the word with the remaining...nobles of Umbar?"-Rand said with disgust, most 'nobles', were in reality, former slave traders.
"They are...trying...to...accommodate themselves to the new laws, although some have been caught defying them in secret. We are still working on it."-Lady Fionnda said slowly.
Rand nodded, it was difficult to change the ways of a people, he could only hope for the best; that they changed their ways soon.
Rand looked behind Fionnda before asking his next question-"Why is there a warder here?"-he said as he put her into an intense scrutiny...
'Is she an Aes Sedai, a woman of the white tower, one i never knew of around me all this time without my ever noticing it?!'-Rand questioned in his head.
The two Lords in the room openly laughed, to Rand's discomfort.
"Ahahaha, my Lord Dragon! We had asked much the same! But no, she is not an Aes Sedai."-Darlin Sisnera told Rand.
"Hmmm, well, in any case, may i spar with him some time then? I'm sorely lacking practice against a worthy swordsman, especially against a fellow Blademaster."-Rand asked, actually looking forward to sparring with a Warder again.
"I, i suppose, as long as you do not harm him...too greatly...my lord"-Fionnda spluterred.
"I do not think i could talk an Aes Sedai into Bonding another to me again, certainly in light of our current situation, my Lord Dragon."-she said, quickly regaining her calm and dignified demeanor.
Rand chuckled at her sarcasm.
Timeless Halls of Eru:
Gandalf looked around in awe at his surroundings...
'So this must be the afterlife'-Gandalf thought.
-Olorin-
Gandalf's eyes widened, for that was his original name and had not been addressed as such for a very long time...
-My children are in need of guidance-
"Lord Eru Iluvatar?!"-Gandalf exclaimed in wonder...
-Yes-
Gandalf was speechless, for he was being addressed by The One, God of Arda, Creator of all; of the Ainur- Valar and the Maiar-like he himself, Elves and Men...Eru Iluvatar was The Creator, ultimately responsible for all life that had sprang into existence.
-I have brought you into my home for two reason's, my child-
-First, my children lose their hope, i ask that you guide and aid them, as you are meant to-
-Second, an anomaly has occurred within Arda, he is from another world from within the Ea-
"You speak of Rand Al'Thor, my Lord?"-Gandalf asked The Creator.
-Yes, he was not meant to be on Arda, though i believe he may yet help my children on this world as well-
"W-Who is he exactly, Lord Illuvatar? If i may ask!"-Gandalf spluttered.
-He is my chosen child on another world, who very recently fought my antithesis and saved that world, once more-
"Y-your antithesis! There is an anti-creator!? He fought h.."-Gandalf began exclaiming at this revelation.
-Calm yourself child-
-My antithesis sprang into being as a result of giving my children free will-
Gandalf could hardly believe the consequence of the 'Highest of High's' decision of giving mortals free will...perhaps even the immortals', such as himself.
-Though this development was never my intention, good may yet come of it-
-Already he is causing change for a better future, a future that i wish for you to be by his side as he copes with his new fate as you advise him-
"I-I, understood, Lord Illuvatar. But, what of Sauroman and my deceased body?"-Gandalf wondered, as he was certain that his physical form had died after finally defeating that Balrog.
-I shall send you back, with my blessing, to cast down Sauroman for his failure and treachery-
-After, you shall help the mortal's in their time of peril, however, Rand Al'Thor, my Dragon, will likely be able to do as much on his own...Although, the timeline has been thrown into disarray and the world of Arda now stands on the brink of great change-
-Return to Arda, help my mortal children, as well as my Champion-
-Return now, with My Blessing, and save those you can from the taint of Evil-
With that, Gandalf became weightless, or at least that was the sensation he felt as the cosmos seemed to blur around him. The endless expanse of space and time flew by, all around him. Thought...seemed meaningless. The sheer magnitude of the 'peace' that he felt was indescribable. All seemed right, and good, and...
Arda; Somewhere in Middle-earth: Febuary 3019
Gandalf awoke, gasping for air as his senses assaulted him, the light, blinding and painful.
'I'm back, back in a mortal shell...'-Gandalf thought vaguely.
Standing, he looked down at himself and saw that he wore white robes...
'Lord Eru Illuvatar's Blessing...'-Gandalf thought as he then realized what that had meant.
"Help my mortal children, as well as my champion"-Gandalf remembered The One's words.
"But first, I need to deal with Sauroman"-Gandalf said to himself, growing determined as he bent down to pick up a white staff and then beginning to walk through the forest...
Rohan; Edoras: March 3019
"I told you to take his staff!"-Grima Wormtongue says loudly as he backs away from Gandalf the White.
Soldiers of Rohan began advancing on Gandalf's group and a brawl begins as Gandalf advances towards Theoden, King of Rohan.
"...Too long have you sat in the shadows...I release you..."-Gandalf says, raising his palm towards the king.
"Au...er...errr...agh, ahaha, AHAHAHA!"-The king begins laughing madly at Gandalf's attempt to free him and seems to become more 'aware'.
"You have no power here...Gandalf..the grey...Uuaghahahaha"-The king of Rohan laughs at Gandalf.
Gandalf slowly lowers his hand before discarding his cloak, revealing his white robes and cutting off the enspelled king's mad laughter.
"Uugh, uowagh! Agh, uh!"-The enspelled king's grunts and mutters as if in pain and in fear.
Gandalf now reveals his true power and raises his staff towards Theoden.
"If i go, Theoden dies!"-Sauroman says through Theoden.
"You did not kill me, You will not kill him!"-Gandalf replies, taking a step closer to him.
"Rohan is mine!"-Theoden says darkly, seeming to struggle just to lean forward as creaking can be heard.
The power that Gandalf is using slams Theoden back into his throne with an audible 'crack'.
"Be gone!"-Gandalf replies, using greater power to force Sauroman's darkness from Theoden.
With one last push of magical power, Gandalf forces Sauroman's influence out of Theoden, ending the spell that had been placed upon him.
Theoden moans, leaning to the side as color returns to his face and his 'age' appears to regress into that of a younger man.
...
"I know your face..."-Theoden says quietly, looking at the woman by his side.
...
"Eowyn"-Theoden says, recognizing his niece, who smiles back.
"Gandalf?"-Theoden says looking up...
"Breathe the free air again, my friend."-Gandalf says in response.
...
{an unknown amount of time later}
"I know what it is you want from me"-Theoden says, turning to Gandalf.
"I will not risk open war.."-Theoden says.
...
"War is upon you, whether you risk it or not"-Aragorn says, speaking up for the first time in a while.
"When last i looked"-Theoden says, turning and striding towards the seated ranger, puffing on a pipe.
"Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan"-Theoden says, appearing to be angry.
"Then what is the King's decision?"-Gandalf says, stepping forward.
After looking down and thinking of it for a short time, "We gather everyone and ride for Helm's Deep"-Theoden says.
Before another word can be said, a soldier of Rohan enters the hall; "My king, the king of Essenia, a Rand Al'Thor, has come to speak with you"-the man says, having all eyes turn on him.
'Rand Al'Thor...it has been some time since we last met'-Gandalf thinks to himself.
"King of Essenia? Rand Al'Thor? I know of neither, send him away!"-Theoden says with a wave of his hand.
Gandalf is about to open his mouth when Rand barges in through the doors with purpose filled stride.
"I will not be turned away again! I.."-Rand is saying when he stops, seeing the changes in Theoden before then seeing Gandalf, though the latter appeared different somehow...
"It appears that Gandalf has already seen to helping you, Theoden"-Rand says, looking him over.
"Though i'm not sure i could help, i was just about to try..."-Rand says looking over to Gandalf.
"Who are you boy?"-Theoden remarks snidely, looking at Rand.
"Rand Al'Thor, Highest Lord of Tear and king of Illian...though i assume the two are now one and is called Essenia?"-Gandalf says...
"Yes Gandalf, you are correct"-Rand says, taking note of the others in the room, in particular-the Elf and Dwarf.
"You know him, Gandalf?"-Theoden says, turning back to look at Gandalf, mirroring the question he spoke with his eyes.
"Yes, this man is the ruler of two nations that were somehow brought into our world by magical means, i think. Although it appears the two nations have become one since last i spoke with him"-Gandalf told Theoden, turning to regard Rand.
"His lands now encompass what was once South Gondor, or Harandor, though it appears to now be called Essenia.."-Gandalf said, regarding the boy in front of him.
"That is correct Gandalf, however, there has been an addition to Essenia after an attack.."-Rand began, -"Umbar layed siege to the city of Illian, in response we conquered them and is now considered a province of my territory"-Rand said gravely.
"For true? You have conquered Umbar?"-Aragorn said, shocked and amazed.
"The Havens has mighty defenses and the city of Corsairs.."-Aragorn was saying when Rand raised his hand and interrupted him.
"Havens and Umbra"-Rand said.
"Rand Al'Thor, the 'Lord Dragon'"-Gandalf said, causing some confusion in the room at the title.
"What is it Gandalf?"-Rand said, looking towards him.
"I have...been informed...of who you are, and i hereby offer my services and wisdom to you until your passing"-Gandalf proclaimed with a bow, shocking the people in the room.
"Really?"-Rand said, with a smile.
'Been informed? By who i wonder...'-Rand thought
"And what has brought this about? You should know...that if i am to remain in this world, until my passing, you would have to be held to that for centuries to come...I can live for a considerable amount of time you know."-Rand finished saying, smile still in place.
'He's pretty old...'-Rand was thinking to himself.
"Does that mean you're not human then?"-Legolas said, looking confused, as did everyone else but Gandalf.
"I'm human, yes, but i can channel, so because of that i can live a very long time..."-Rand said, growing uncomfortable with the way this conversation was going.
"At least till i'm born again that is..."-Rand muttered, Gandalf seemed to have somehow heard him however, as his eyes narrowed.
"Oh, and Gandalf, i got a question for you"-Rand said, facing him
"What is it?"-Gandalf said, curious.
"Why did you not do anything about Denethor's madness?"-Rand said, looking serious and confused.
...
"I didn't realize that he was mad, simply bitter and arrogant."-Gandalf said slowly...
Rand shook his head as he looked down.
Sighing, Rand looked back up to him-"Perhaps he wasn't last you saw him...but he did have a Palantir in his possession and Sauron was able to warp his mind and influence him"
This came as a shock to everyone, but Gandalf was actually disappointed, maybe even angry with himself.
'I should have known that!'-Gandalf yelled at himself in his mind. It was recorded that the king's of Gondor had had one, but simply assumed that it was lost, like the others'.
Gandalf's eyes narrowed, "What have you done? It sounds as if this is all in the past..."-Gandalf began slowly.
"I...dethroned Denethor i suppose you could say.."-Rand said, slow and casual.
As Rand looked around him, at the shocked expressions where most turned grim.
"Say what?"-Aragorn said. He was concerned, as the heir and rightful king of Gondor.
"Why! How!"-A few people in the room exclaimed.
Rand scratched the back of his head, almost looking...embarrassed.
"I, well...hmmm, how to explain it?"-Rand said, looking thoughtful now.
"I kind of just...willed it to happen"-Rand said, looking at them look at him.
More than a few in the room began an uproarious fit of laughter.
"He 'willed it"-a soldier near the doors exclaimed before returning into another bout of laughter.
Gandalf was not laughing however, and the smiles on those around him began to lessen before disappearing altogether, after looking to him.
"I believe Faramir is holding things together there till his brother Boromir returns...speaking of, where is he? I heard he was with you Gandalf..."-Rand said, looking around the room.
"Boromir is dead. He died in my arms not more than a week gone"-Aragorn said sadly.
Silence befell the room and no one spoke for a time.
"Aragorn, i think now is a good time for you to claim the throne, Gondor is in need of it's king. Your people-"Gandalf was saying.
"I know my heritage better than you Gandalf, but.."-Aragorn said..
"You can not run from duty, else others will suffer. Duty only ends with our death"-Rand said, looking to Aragorn.
"As important as all this is, I must prepare my people to move to Helm's Deep"-Theoden said, starting to stride towards the exit of the hall.
"Are you in need of military aid, Theoden, king of Rohan?"-Rand said, getting the sense that they were in danger of attack and that this 'Helm's Deep' was some sort of fortress or at least a place of relative safety.
Theoden stopped, turned, and regarded him for a moment...
"If i am in need of support, how could you help? Your lands are too far away to be able to aid us in time."-Theoden said gruffly, before noticing a small smile on Gandalf's and Rand's faces...
"Distance is not an issue Theoden, only time"-Rand said, still smiling...
'To be honest with myself, i'd rather not send anymore of my troops to defend other lands...perhaps the attackers are few enough for me to handle alone?'-Rand thought to himself.
A/N: So, i've really been into writing this...i'm releasing a double chapter today! This being 1/2.
So, as the War of the Ring will only be lasting for another month or so, time-skips will only be days at most instead of weeks or months like before.
Hopefully i get some feedback on this question in time, but, when shall Frodo and Sam make their appearance?
At the Black Gates(Morannon)?
At Cirith Ungol by Minus Morgul, where Frodo is captured by Orcs after encountering that giant spider(Shelob)?
At Mount Doom perhaps?