Sorry this took a bit, I have been working on another story that I have really enjoyed writing. I decided however that it was time to update this one so I hope you enjoy this latest instalment.
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The Black Gate
Aragorn scanned the hall, watching as the men roared with laughter as they drank themselves silly, trying to numb the loss they felt. The ranger realised after some time that Legolas was nowhere to be seen. Gimli was being held up by two broad men from Rohan, his arms waving in the air as he spoke causing them to erupt in fits of laughter. The ranger smiled before turning his attention back to their missing companion. He slipped quietly out of the hall into the dimly lit corridor outside, he walked briskly towards the stairway which he rushed up two steps at a time. Quietly he made his way to the elfs quarters, knocking on the wooden door whilst holding his ear up to it.
'Legolas?' he said, as he desperately tried to hear any sound from the Elf's room.
When receiving no reply he gently pushed the door, surprised to see it unlocked. The door was lighter than it looked and it swung open with relative ease, revealing an unconscious elf sprawled on the floor.
'Legolas!' Said Aragorn as he ran to his friend's side, pulling him into his arms 'Mellon-nin come back to me.'
Legolas stirred, cracking his eyes open slightly as the world of the living returned to him. He was greeted Aragorn's worried face looking at him.
'You had another vision?' Asked the Ranger as he helped Legolas sit up.
Legolas nodded in response, a wave of dizziness hit him at the sudden change in position. Aragorn put his hand behind the elf's back when seeing him falter a little.
'What did you see?' he quizzed.
'I saw a battle, before the Black Gates…' Legolas paused, his eyes fixed as he forced himself to remember what he saw 'A monstrous troll was storming towards me, except it was not me it was after.' finished the elf, his voice shaking.
He looked at Aragorn with wide eyes, tears forming as he tried to force himself to speak.
'It… it was after…'
'It was after me.' the man finished as he looked away from Legolas.
'Yes.' the elf replied as he allowed a tear to fall down his pale cheek.
Aragorn helped Legolas to his bed, sitting the elf down before walking to a table that sat below the window. A silver tray with decanter of wine and two glasses sat on top of it and gingerly the ranger poured two glasses, handing one to the elf as he sat down next to him.
'Legolas…' he started as he took a large gulp of the deep red liquid 'these visions are both a blessing and a curse. They are taking whatever strength you have away from you.' the man paused for a moment, carefully thinking about what to say next 'We must march on the black gate, we must give Frodo and Sam the chance to make it to mount doom without orcs blocking their path. I think you should stay here in Minas Tirith.'
'I fear that if I do, you will fall.' Replied the Elf, staring at the glass in his hand 'I know that this affliction may lead to my death, but I must see this quest through till the end.' he finished, as he looked at the Ranger with a weak smile.
Aragorn opened his mouth but no words left it. Silence hung in the air like a thick cloud of smoke, as the man looked out the window of Legolas' chambers, Mount doom glowing in the distance.
'Rest, we have much to discuss in the morning.' he replied as laid a friendly hand on the elf's shoulder.
Legolas nodded as Aragorn stood and left, leaving the elf to his dark thoughts. He knew that no matter what, the ranger must survive the battle. He had to be King. No matter what, Aragorn will unite the world of men. he thought to himself as he drank his wine quickly. The drink numbing the pain that flowed through his body, like a poison.
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Morning came swiftly and everyone was summoned to the throne room by Gandalf. Gimli sat casually in the Stewarts chair, puffing away on his pipe as the Wizard paced. Legolas stood beside Eomer, he could see the man shooting concerned glances at him but he paid no heed as they waited for Gandalf to speak.
'Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening' he said, breaking the awkward silence.
'If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it.' replied Aragorn, his tone short as he stared at one of the many statues that sat either side of the throne room.
'It's only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes... ...but behind the walls of Mordor, our enemy is regrouping.' stated Gandalf in a defeated tone, his face sombre.
'Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?' spat Gimli.
'Because 10,000 Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom… I've sent him to his death.' Replied the wizard as he turned to face the Dwarf.
Gimli's expression soon changed as he went back to smoking his pipe. Legolas looked at Aragorn, knowing what the man was about to say.
'No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.' Said Aragorn as he turned his attention to the rest of the group, his eyes drifting to the elf.
Legolas' eyes were wide as he looked at the ranger, images of the battle flashing before him. The troll stood over Aragorn with its sword raised, ready to kill the man with one swift swing of its blade.
'How?' asked the dwarf, bringing the elf out of his daze.
'Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.' replied the ranger.
Gimli chocked on the smoke in his throat in shock, as he looked at the ranger with a mixture of fear and surprise.
'We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.' piped Eomer as he stepped towards Aragorn.
'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.' said Aragorn as he turned to look at Gandalf.
'A diversion.' stated Legolas, his tone flat as he fought against the fear that was rising within him.
Aragorn nodded as he watched Gandalf' walk towards him, his face etched with doubt.
'Certainty of death... ...small chance of success... ...what are we waiting for?' jested the Dwarf, rolling his eyes at the man's idea.
'Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.' said Gandalf quietly so that only he and Aragorn could hear.
'Oh I think he will.' replied Aragorn as he smiled 'Eomer, ready the men, we march as soon as we are able.
The man nodded and left, Gimli hot on his heels. Gandalf turned to Legolas who was stood staring at the Throne that sat high a top some white stone steps, his hands shaking as he fought the turmoil that plagued his mind.
'I will take my leave.' said the wizard as he turned and left, as he glanced back at Aragorn.
The ranger nodded and then watched as Gandalf left, his staff tapping against the floor as he walked. For sometime there was silence. Aragorn walked towards the elf who's gaze was still fixed on the stone chair at the end of the room.
'What troubles you Mellon?' he said, his voice echoing through the stone hall.
'We may not survive to see the end of this darkness.' was the elf reply.
'Aye, we may not.' Replied the future King, his eyes fixed on his old friend 'but we will have helped Frodo destroy a dark power that will never again hold dominion over middle earth.'
Legolas smiled as he remembered the Hobbit, how strong and brave the halfling was. He hoped that he would survive his journey, but he knew that the hobbit's chances were slim.
'Come we must prepare to leave.' said the ranger softly as he patted the elf on the arm.
Legolas looked at the man and nodded, following him from the hall to the armoury. This was it, the battle to end all battles. or so he hoped.
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The march to the black gate was a short one. The men of Rohan and Gondor held their nerve, even though they knew they were marching to their death's. They stood in formation in front of the grotesque structure, the rusted metal gates more orange than black as they waited for the orc army to appear.
'Where are they?' asked Pippin, drawing Aragorn's attention.
With this, the ranger and his chosen few galloped to its base, taken aback by how tall it was when they reached it.
'Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth!' shouted Aragorn, 'Let justice be done upon him!'
With this the gates started to creak as they began to open, revealing a rider, his face covered by a huge helmet leaving only his mouth visible. He came to a stop, head flicking between them as if he was reading them.
'My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome.' it said, through its large brown teeth as it fixed its attention on the elf 'Ahhhh… Legolas Thrandulion. My master has a message for you!' the rider continued in a mocking tone.
The elf looked at the foul creature in shock.
'You cannot escape what you have seen.' He stated as his lips pulled back in an attempt to grin 'Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?' it continued as it changed its focus to Aragorn.
'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.' said Gandalf, unfazed by the statement the creature had made.
'Old Greybeard…' it jested, the skin around his lips splitting as it grinned again 'I have a token I was bidden to show thee.' finished the rider as he pulled out a mail shirt from beneath his cloak.
''Frodo.' whispered Pipping as the rider threw the shirt at the Wizard.
The elf looked at it with wide eyes, tears once again threatening to spill from his dark blue eyes. Gandalf's heart stared to race as fought the emotions that now washed over him.
'Frodo.' said Pippin again from in front of him, drawing the wizards attention.
'Silence.'
'No!' Shouted Merry, despair filled his voice.
'Sillence!' spat the Wizard again.
'The Halfling was dear to thee, I see…' teased the rider 'Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host.'
Gimli patted Legolas' arm, grunting with anger but the elf could not move. Anger mixed with anguish as he watched the rider bare his teeth at them.
'Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain?' he continued, pausing to take in their reactions 'And he did, Gandalf. He did.'
The wizard looked up at the messenger with tear-filled eyes, as Pippin took the Mithril rings from him but Aragorn kept a stone cold expression as he walked up to the creature, his sword now drawn.
'And who is this? Isildur's heir?.' said the messenger in a mocking tone 'It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade.'
With this Aragorn yelled as he swung his sword and cut the riders head clean from his shoulders. A face like thunder as he turned his horse to face his companions.
'I guess that concludes negotiations.' Mumbled Gimli.
'I do not believe it. I will not.' said the man as chants erupted from behind the gates.
They opened further to reveal a great army of orcs marching towards them, the eye of Sauron lighting their way with its fiery gaze. Legolas could hear Aragon ordering them to pull back, but his mind was filled once again with the images of the battle he saw.
'Legolas! Pull back!' shouted the Ranger.
Legolas complied and they galloped back to the now nervous army. Something probed at his mind as he leapt down from his horse.
I see you it whispered, and Legolas tried to push the presence back but it was strong. You cannot hide elf… you cannot escape death.
Sauron? he replied as he looked up to the black tower that loomed over the orc army.
You cannot stop what will come to pass he continues, his voice turning Legolas' blood cold, you will fail!
'No.' whispered the elf to himself as he glared at the eye that was fixed on him, you will fail.
He looked up to see Aragorn dismounting his horse and moving to stand at the head of the army. The elf walked to his side, his bow in hand. He looked at the ranger and smiled.
'For Frodo.' said the man, as he charged ahead.
And then… they ran.
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Well there it is, the next chapter will be the last one. I hope you enjoyed this one and I look forward to heading your thoughts.