A/N: Well. This ended up being a monster of a chapter. Didn't really plan it that way, but hey. Long chapters are always good, right? No? Okay.

We're almost done with this big giant mess of a battle, y'all. Enjoy.

To Whatever End: Chapter Fifteen

-Aragorn-

The air was still as I emerged onto the deck, a cool breeze off the water the only thing stirring amidst the dead of night. All had fallen silent as the last of the sun's rays disappeared, leaving our ships to sail through the night as we crept ever northward up the Anduin. Darkness seemed to cloak everything at this late hour, save for the sliver of moon and few brave stars daring to peer through the tattered veil of clouds overhead. But my eyes adjusted, quickly falling to the familiar form stationed alone at the prow of the ship. I crossed the deck without a word, a firm grip on the burlap sack in my hands as I approached her from behind. "You should be resting."

There was a flash of tension in Kaia's shoulders as I startled her, though she did not turn at my voice from where she sat, gazing out at the water. "Someone's got to make sure these ships don't get run into the ground overnight."

I raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "Is that not what the Army of the Dead has already taken charge of for us?" Even now, I could catch glimpses of ghostly green forms floating about, though they had largely concealed themselves from our sight so as not to disturb us. Although I suspected it was largely due to Gimli's less than subtle complaints he'd voiced throughout the earlier day.

Kaia was no more elated by the situation, either. "I don't trust them. Creepy fucks," she muttered under her breath.

I stifled a chuckle, shaking my head as I stepped forward. "Well, perhaps it is for the best you are awake," I said, reaching into the bag and withdrawing its contents. "I had hoped you might help me with these."

She turned her head as I took a seat on a nearby crate, eyes widening with interest at the two aged bottles of rum I held in each hand. "What the hell? Where'd you get those?"

"There was a bit left in their stores below decks." I handed her a bottle with a wry grin. "I had hoped I might find some to help lift your spirits."

For a moment, Kaia said nothing as she looked down to the unexpected surprise. But then she laughed to herself, rolling her eyes as she swiftly freed its cork and cast it aside, glancing to me with a small smile of her own. "You know me too well, ranger."

I nodded in response as I took a drink, the strong, yet distantly sweet flavor going down easily and sparking a faint warmth in me as it went. "It has been long indeed since I've last tasted this," I noted. In truth, I could hardly even remember the last time I'd acquired rum for myself.

"Now we're really turning into pirates," Kaia joked. "Stole a couple of ships, ransacked their storage and took the rest of their alcohol..." She paused to take a drink. "And here I thought we were supposed to be the good guys."

To that, I merely shrugged. "I believe we still are. After all, what use would dead men have for these?"

"Atta boy," Kaia agreed. "No good drink should ever go to waste." She raised her bottle in my direction. "A toast to responsible stealing!"

I laughed as I raised my own with a nod, the two clinking together. "To responsible stealing." We both took another long drink, and my gaze turned outward to the river and horizon ahead. For a moment, it fell silent, a dull apprehension coiling in my stomach as I remembered what we were to face come morning. I was confident in our survival, if nothing else, for neither Kaia, Kathryn, nor Erin had ever seemed to fear this great battle beyond reason to make me think otherwise. But nonetheless, knowing even the minimal pieces I did know of what the Enemy intended to unleash upon us was enough to worry me. As I stared at the reflection of the moon on the river, my thoughts traced back to when Erin had first revealed to us the true magnitude of Sauron's forces. Over two hundred thousand Orcs, Easterlings, and Haradrim, and no doubt a host of other beasts with them. As the hour drew nearer, the odds continued to appear even more staggeringly grim. Gondor may survive, but at what cost?

The small movement of Kaia tipping back her bottle to take a drink caught my eye, and I glanced to her, noting the distant, somber expression on her face. "Are you frightened?"

Kaia did not answer for a long while, stoic, yet with an underlying fear in her eyes as she continued to stare forward. "...Yes," she finally whispered. I waited for a moment, expecting her to elaborate, but she did not, settling for another drink.

"You are not wrong to be," I assured her, echoing her action. "We are all fearful of what dawn may bring." Again, I found myself looking to the horizon, my thoughts now drifting to the White City itself and all that lay within it. In that moment, I found I could not decide which I feared more: the battle itself or what would await me after.

From beside me, Kaia let out a quiet sigh. "Well... it's too late to turn back now. We might as well give it all we got."

I nodded in solemn agreement. "That we shall." There was another brief pause then, and my attention shifted back to Kaia, recalling the true reason I had sought her out to begin with. "You speak with great wisdom often, Kaia."

She smiled, though shaking her head in disbelief while downing more of her rum. "Thanks."

I also took another drink, still watching her closely as I spoke. "Some might say that with such wisdom, you would make a formidable Counselor to the King."

At that, Kaia scoffed. "Oh God, no! I'd be awful. Knowing me, I wouldn't even be able to keep half the different countries' names straight." I could not keep myself from grinning as she threw up her hands in mock exasperation. "'Where's our next diplomatic meeting at? Rohan? Hamrod? Nimrod?!'" We both laughed, and she shook her head again. "Hell if I know."

I chuckled to myself, but it faded after a moment, and again I looked to her. "Those things, thankfully, can be learned over time." But now I turned to a more serious tone, focusing on her intently and hoping she would hear my sincerity. "...Perhaps once this is all over, I could appoint you the title, if you'd have it."

The smile fell from her face in an instant, and she turned to look at me with wide eyes, shocked as she suddenly caught on. Again, it was silent as she simply stared at me for a moment, struck by my offer, almost as if she was struggling to even comprehend it. As I watched her, I noticed a shift in her dark eyes - first to a deep sense of humbled gratitude as they softened, deeply impacted by the trust I placed in her to take on such a role. But then, slowly, it gave way to something else, something... pained, almost, or akin to a deep grief. She smiled again, and as quickly as the strange moment had come, it was gone, though some unknown sadness seemed to linger in her face which I did not understand. "...I'd be honored, Aragorn," she said quietly. "Thank you."

I nodded once, though concerned by whatever had passed over her then, and on instinct I nearly opened my mouth to question her about it. But then Kaia turned away, taking another drink as she returned her gaze to the water, and I stopped myself, sensing it was not something she wished to speak of. Perhaps it is not something she can speak of, I thought, also moving to drink more rum. And in any event, I had no desire to speak of dark things that night; the last night of peace before we were swept up into the chaos of battle. It was not what either of us wanted. So I brushed all worried thoughts aside, and Kaia did the same as the two of us continued long into the night together, recalling our fondest memories between drinks and relishing in the stillness of the world one last time as the hours quietly dwindled away.

-Faramir-

A furious cry escaped me as I sliced another Orc across the abdomen, my sword slick with black blood as the foul creature dropped to the ground. Desperate determination burned through me as I kept moving, cutting down every enemy I could without pause. "BRING THEM DOWN, MEN!" I shouted, decapitating yet another Orc after blocking his first blow. The defenses have to hold. If we can keep them at bay here, they will not take Minas Tirith by force. A roar sounded behind me, and I spun just in time to block an axe from another beast, quickly taking an opening to stab him in his exposed neck as he stumbled aside. My helmet had long since been lost as I whipped wildly back and forth, hair streaked with blood and dirt which I paid little mind as I fought. The night stretched on endlessly, with wave after wave of enemies surging through the gate and clashing against our men, but despite our exhaustion, we'd managed to stand firm against them. I turned and parried another wayward blade, slicing across the chest of that Orc before turning and sinking my own weapon deep into the stomach of the next. Everything was a blur of steel, stone, and flesh as I cut my way through the servants of Mordor one by one. We will not fall. We will not fall. I lashed out to catch another in its side, ducking beneath the swing of the last troll's hammer and cutting into its leg. Another Orc screeched as he darted towards me, but I was faster, whipping my knife from my belt and embedding it into his heart.

As I ripped it free of his chest, and turned back, however, I caught sight of several Orcs preparing to rush up on a younger soldier from behind. Without hesitation, I gave a shout and barreled towards them, diving towards one with its crooked blade outstretched and knocking him to the ground. I drove my sword straight through his skull, jerking my elbow back into the gut of the next one behind me before he could run me through. Getting my feet beneath me again, I stood to cross blades with another, forcing it down and leaving him wide open for the younger soldier to finish him off as he finally turned around. As the last of them fell dead, we shared a glance as I paused to catch my breath, nodding to each other in thanks before quickly turning to go our separate ways once more. I chased a few more of the creatures down that had run up along the parapets, ending them before they could bring harm to any more of our archers. Again, I allowed myself a moment of pause as I looked down behind me, surveying the area. It was littered with the bodies of the broken and fallen, the once regal entryway to the city now a ghastly sight, reeking of death. But there were more Orc bodies than those of my men strewn across the ground, and for that I was grateful. Shouts from further inside drew my attention shortly after, and as I looked up to see more reinforcements from the wall arrive, I felt a brief glimmer of hope. Sauron's armies had only one point at which to enter the city here, and it was working to our advantage. And there was perhaps the smallest chance that we might have enough men to hold our defenses at the gate until dawn. Somehow, against impossible odds, we were surviving.

Just then, however, the roars of our enemies drew me to look back across the Pelennor, and I turned, still somewhat disheartened to see such an unending spread of Orcs and other monsters across the fields. But something peculiar caught my eye, and I frowned as I peered closer in confusion. Sauron's army was... moving. Not all of it, but a large portion of their ranks were shifting, focusing to a particular point further up the northern half of the wall and chanting something indiscernible. I stepped up to the wall's edge, leaning out as much as I dared to try and get a better glimpse of what was happening, but it fell just beyond my line of sight. What are they doing? There is no other entrance to Minas Tirith save for this one, they won't -

A massive boom erupted from the north like thunder from the heavens, louder than anything I had ever heard, and the stone beneath my feet trembled. I hardly saw a thing, save for a flash of blinding blue light that forced me to look away for only a second. But there also came an unmistakable, unnatural cracking that made my blood run cold, and when I looked back, my mouth hung agape, unable to process what I thought I saw. Great pieces of stone flew through the air, streaking through a horrible haze of smoke, and I could hear the screams even from here, but... No... It can't be... That's not possible. But the shouts and cries of alarm were echoing through the streets now, slowly passing from general to general, and I felt frozen in place as they reached my ears.

"They've breached the wall!"

"The explosion - the wall's been blown open!"

"Send help! Send help, they're about to be overrun!"

I stared at the smoke in utter disbelief. Never in the history of Minas Tirith had the outer wall been breached. Not once. Not ever. But somehow Sauron's armies had. And now they were funneling towards it, ready to come pouring into the lower levels unchallenged.

"Faramir!" I was ripped from my daze at my Uncle Imrahil's cry, turning sharply to see him all but sprint up the steps, breathing hard as he reached me with wide eyes. "The explosion took out over a hundred men along the northern wall. They're all but defenseless - they call for reinforcements!"

Cold panic settled over me as I shook my head. "...We don't have more reinforcements," I said, dread creeping up my spine. "We pulled them here to defend the gate!" My gaze fell back to the steadily rising smoke in the distance, heart dropping like a two ton weight into my feet. We can't defend the city on two fronts. We don't have the men. This was beyond anything I could've imagined, and I had no solution for it. I had nothing.

...What do we do?

-Erin-

The blast ripped through the city with devastating force just as we hit the first level, and I wrenched my eyes shut against the bright flash as Fréa skidded to a halt, whinnying loudly and rearing back in fear. Pippin gave a shout as we tilted back at a dangerous angle, and I wrapped an arm tightly around him as I held on for dear life until my startled mare returned to the ground. The second I regained balance, my head snapped in the direction of the explosion, suspicions immediately confirmed as I saw the telltale blue-green light reflecting off the stone in the distance. "Holy shit," I gasped, jaw dropping as I watched shattered remains of the wall fly through the air. Even from where we were, I could hear people screaming in terror. I swallowed hard, the scene feeling all too familiar.

"They blew up the wall..." Pippin seemed like he couldn't believe it - not that I blamed him. Wide blue eyes turned to me, horrified. "How did they do that? Erin, what's happening?"

Already, my grip had tightened on the reins, eyes concentrated on the blast point. "It's a device of Saruman's," I muttered. "I've seen it before. Come on, we've got to move - Fréa, let's go! Go girl!" Frightened though she was, she obeyed, and with a sharp turn I dug my heels into her sides to spur her into a gallop, tearing through the streets of Minas Tirith at top speed.

Pippin jumped at the sudden takeoff, steadying himself against her neck as we both leaned forward. "Erin, what are you doing!?"

"We've got to go help them, Pip, Orcs will be pouring in there by the dozens! Come on, girl, faster!" I jerked the reins left, taking a hard turn off the main road and into the narrower maze of side streets. "Whatever you do, don't let it touch you! It'll melt your entire sword to a puddle in seconds!"

"What?!"

I ignored Pippin's bewildered yelp as I made another tight turn, focusing ahead as we charged onward. It wasn't long before we came within range of the wreckage; entire buildings collapsed and burning, smashed apart by huge slabs of rock thrown back from the blast. The closer we got, the stronger the acrid, chemical smell became as it burned in the air, and my stomach turned as it hit me. I drew Fréa to a halt and we quickly dismounted, knowing it would be pointless to try and maneuver her through the tight, claustrophobic streets from here on out. "Stay as close to me as you can," I said to Pippin as I led Fréa off the side of the road to tie her up. "I don't know how many men will still be left standing, but I imagine few." My horse gave a soft snort as I stepped back, and I stroked her nose in farewell before turning to face the hobbit behind me. "You ready?" He gave a firm nod in response, drawing his sword, and I did the same, turning my focus forward as the familiar weight settled in my hand. "Let's go."

With that, we took off running towards the source of the destruction, alert and ready to take down any enemies as we ducked between ruined buildings scattered through the streets. It didn't take long before we came within view of the wall, coming to a stop several yards away and looking upon the scene with wide eyes. The blast had blown a hole straight through the wall stretching at least fifty feet across, and much of the surrounding debris still burned a bright, unnatural turquoise as the Blue Fire raged on unhindered. But the Orcs hadn't come through yet, and I squinted to see through the smoke as a handful of other soldiers that'd survived came stumbling forward to stand with us. While the Blue Fire had done its job in breaching the wall, it had also set most of the surrounding field on the other side ablaze, and I could just barely make out the movements of Orcs ripping great sandbags apart to dump onto the flames and smother those that blocked them from storming the city. My eyes narrowed into a glare as some of the beasts caught sight of our ragtag band of soldiers forming and started to jeer at us. I glanced aside as soldiers continued to slowly trickle in, scattered, but still rallying as best as they could in defense of the wall. It's up to us now. Either we hold them back, or they take the first level. The Orcs were practically foaming at the mouth as they watched us, predators waiting to bear down on their prey. Another sandbag burst, and more flames were extinguished. No one on our side said a word, one sword drawn, then another, then another as we stared Sauron's armies down. And as the final patches of flame were snuffed out, and their path was cleared, I took a deep breath to steady myself, gripping my blade tightly in both hands.

As soon as the Orcs had an opening, all hell broke loose, the horde immediately charging forward and our defense jumping to meet them with shouts of fury. I echoed the soldiers' battle cries as I stepped up to clash blades with the first Orc I saw, shoving his weapon aside and gutting him before he had a chance to retaliate. Pippin was one step behind, slashing one across the leg with his smaller weapon and taking it down, and together we fought side by side, fueled by desperation alone to keep the Orcs from slipping through. It was all a whirlwind of steel on steel, the high ring of weapons striking out coupled with the guttural roars and pained cries of both Orcs and men as they fell. I moved as quickly as I dared to block every blow thrown my way and attack when I could, keeping an eye on Pippin as he fought with a fire in his eyes that surprised even me. But every move I made, I was painfully aware of the danger this situation posed, being careful not to tear the stitches in my stomach as I fought. As I stuck my sword into the heart of another Orc, I glanced skyward, noticing it was much lighter now than it'd been before. I frowned, turning to attack another enemy as I cursed under my breath. Come on, we're so close. God, please let us hold until they get here, please...

-Faramir-

I ducked beneath the swing of another roaring Orc, turning aside to cut him across the back as I stopped for only a moment to look around. Again, my gaze swept over the scene before me, and I felt my heart sink as I watched more and more Gondorians fall. "Come on men!" I cried breathlessly. "Hold them back! We must hold them back!" Another screech came from behind, and I turned just in time to parry the blow of another enemy, kicking him back and lashing out to kill him before he could recover. Deep, bellowing groans drew my attention back to the gate, where more trolls had begun to come smashing through, with shouts from above as our fast-dwindling ranks of archers set to unleash another volley on them. But it was not enough. I knew it as well as any other man still standing. Until now, there had been some semblance of hope among us, but no longer. Our men were scattered, divided between the gate and the breach in the wall. The catapults had all been either abandoned or destroyed, leaving the Nazgûl free to terrorize the city once more. And as the first rays of dawn threatened to burst over the horizon, even I could feel the last of my strength fading fast. We won't make it, I thought as I dodged another crumbling building, sticking my sword into the belly of the nearest Orc. The lower levels were in ruins, burning and broken as Orcs swarmed the streets. We can't hold them. The realization hung over me like a great weight, and I felt hollow as I jerked back to narrowly avoid the body of a dead soldier as he fell at my feet. ...We've lost.

"Faramir!" I looked up just as Gandalf came within sight, his once pristine cloak smeared with blood and dirt as he drew up beside me on his horse. "We cannot hold them," he called to me, a somber echo of my own thoughts. "The gate is lost, we must pull back!"

Again, the roars of our enemies gave me pause, and I turned, more of them still rushing through the gates and cutting men down without mercy. We were fighting still, but falling, too many falling... A deep ache coiled in my chest, and no part of me wished to admit it, but I knew I would be a fool to say otherwise. If we stayed here, we would all be slaughtered. We had to retreat. We had to. With somber acceptance, I turned to the white wizard and said nothing, only granting him a single nod which he returned. I could see the wounded defeat mirrored in his eyes as well, but it had to be done. Sauron's army was too strong. And so Gandalf turned atop Shadowfax, cutting down one last Orc before raising his staff and opening his mouth to issue the command to retreat.

But just as he moved to speak the word, he was cut off by the distant sound of a horn. A horn that rang long, loud, and clear.

What? I froze as soon as it reached my ears, turning immediately to rush toward the wall, up the parapets as fast as my feet could carry me. Could it be? I almost didn't want to believe it, but the spark of hope had already returned, heart thundering in my chest as the horn sounded again, every man and Orc alike now turning towards its call. I rushed to the wall's edge as I passed the final steps, and in that moment I felt such great relief wash over me that I thought I might collapse then and there. For far and wide along the northern horizon stretched a great host, thousands and thousands of riders covering the fields as the sun rose over them in brilliant gold, their emerald banners caught high in the morning breeze. A grin split my face as I saw them, and again rang their horns, calling Sauron's servants to face their cavalry.

"What is it?" someone asked from behind. "Who's that?"

"Rohan," I breathed. "Rohan has come."

-Kathryn-

As we drew closer to the top of the hill, my mouth went dry, and I swallowed against my climbing nerves. This is it. This is what I came here for. We're going to do this. I can do this. But as soon as I caught a glimpse of the absolute hellscape below from my place next to Éowyn, my eyes almost bugged out of my head. ...Oh my God, I'm going to die.

Minas Tirith looked awful. The city itself was burning, cloaked in a thick haze of black smoke that stained its once brilliant white walls, parts of them collapsed and crumbling. Even from here, I could see six Nazgûl swooping low from the skies, and shuddered at the thought of having to face even one of them. An impossible expanse of Orcs, trolls, and other beasts was spread far and wide across the Pelennor, their grating cries of Black Speech echoing across the plains. It seemed like there were millions of them. "Holy shit..." I whispered, our army coming to a halt as I looked over to Éowyn. "There's so many of them!"

"Stay calm, Kathryn," she whispered back. "We must have courage. Courage for our friends." Despite the even tone of her voice, though, I could tell Éowyn was just as unnerved as me. This was insane.

I let out a shaky breath and looked back towards Sauron's massive army. They'd noticed us now - I could see them slowly turning to face us, a ripple moving through their ranks as they prepared to take on these new challengers. But then my eyes shifted back to the city, and I felt a twinge of fear. Erin and Faramir are down there somewhere... Oh God. How am I ever going to find them? It was all just... just so much.

But I had no more time to think about it now. Théoden finally turned towards us with steely resolve, riding up and down the line as he shouted orders to his commanders. "Éomer! Take your éored down the left flank!"

"Flank ready!"

"Gamling! Follow the King's banner down the center. Grimbold! Take your company right after you pass the wall." Each of them nodded to him in turn as he spoke, fierce and unwavering. "Forth! And fear no darkness!" I shared another glance with Éowyn as he turned to address the rest of us. "Arise!" he cried, "Arise, riders of Théoden!" As he rode past us, I took another breath, forcing all traces of fear and doubt aside as I looked down to the gargantuan enemy before us. "Spears shall be shaken!" My grip on my sword tightened. "Shields shall be splintered!" Determination stirred in my gut, and I clung to it with all my might. "A sword day... a red day... ere the sun rises!"

I swallowed hard, pulse racing as those with spears lowered them forward. I do not fear them. Théoden took out his sword as he swept down the line, hitting them all as he passed. I could see the Orcs crouch down, their own weapons raised as they pierced the air. I do not fear them. Not Orcs, not the Nazgûl... not even Sauron himself. I reached up, adjusting my helmet ever so slightly as I narrowed my gaze. Fuck all of them. I'm done being afraid of it all. This ends now.

I felt a hand on my arm, glancing to Éowyn. "Whatever happens, stay with me," she whispered. "We're in this together."

I gave her a firm nod as I reached to pull Ringil fully from its sheath, the familiar ring of steel sweet in my ears. "Together."

"Ride now!" Théoden shouted. "Ride now!" My jaw clenched as he drew closer. "Ride! Ride to ruin, and the world's ending!" He turned as he came to the end of the line, arms outstretched and sword held high as he faced our enemy with a mighty cry. "Death!"

"Death!" many of the Rohirrim echoed. I still stared forward. I do not fear them.

"Death!" Théoden cried again.

"Death!" The army responded even louder this time. Not now. Not ever again.

"DEATH!"

And then every single rider on that hilltop screamed, myself included, as we thrust our weapons high and cried out together in one glorious, deafening chorus that sent goosebumps down my skin. "DEEEEEATH!"

The sun broke through the clouds in the east just as Théoden's voice broke through the din, giving the command. "Forth Éorlingas!" He was answered with the clear ringing of horns, first one, then three, then dozens all in perfect harmony, and with them our king started forward, head held high.

"DEATH!" The cry rose again as we surged forward, picking up speed as our cavalry took off down the hillside toward the armies lying in wait at its base. I screamed wildly alongside Éowyn as we moved faster and faster, digging my heels into my horse's side as the wind whipped against my face and the sun shone on my back. Any remaining trace of fear I had in me vanished as we thundered down the hill, the rumbling of thousands of hooves and the cries of the Rohirrim screaming death all around me as we swept across the Pelennor like a great wave. There came a hail of arrows as the Orcs fired a volley against us, but it barely did a thing. It didn't even dent our ranks. I kept going, undeterred as the arrows sailed through the air, missing me completely. "DEATH!" I shouted again, Ringil glittering like ice in my hand. Another round of arrows, and it did nothing. I pushed on, riding harder as we drew closer and closer to the Orcs, still screaming all the while with an energy in my veins that made me feel absolutely invincible. And I will never forget the looks of pure fear on the Orcs' faces as we reached them, the terror in their eyes as they realized what was about to happen. I gave one final cry as the last few feet between our armies vanished, and then we were upon them, plowing mercilessly into their ranks.

We completely trampled them. Our army slammed into theirs with such force, we knocked many of the Orcs clear off their feet, tearing through them without even slowing down. Adrenaline burned through me as I swung my blade like a madwoman, cutting down one after another with ease. Within minutes, we'd completely destroyed whatever ranks they'd previously been formed in, the battlefield dissolving into absolute chaos as we left a trail of death in our wake. I shadowed Éowyn as she wove through the mess, still screaming like crazy as we cut through our enemies like a knife through butter. We were all but unstoppable.

The slaughter of the Orcs raged on for several minutes as Éowyn and I worked our way around the battlefield, riding to and fro as the Rohirrim flooded the Pelennor. It wasn't long before I noticed the Orcs starting to turn tail and run, and I grinned as I heard Éomer's shout from somewhere nearby. "Drive them to the river!"

A triumphant cheer went up among the Rohirrim, and I threw my fist in the air as I watched our enemies flee in cowardice. "Yeah, that's fucking right! Run home! Run home to your Dark Lord, and tell him the Rohirrim sent you! Yes!" I laughed, twisting around in my saddle to beam at Éowyn. "We did it! Oh my God, we-" But then I stopped short as I saw her face suddenly fall, her expression changing from one of joy to fear in a split second. "Éowyn?" She was staring at something behind me, and at first I frowned in confusion, but then I heard it. The great booming footsteps shaking the earth, and the bellowing roars with them. ...Oh, shit. In the midst of it all, I'd completely forgotten them, but now my gaze sobered as I slowly turned back to the new threat marching towards us through distant smoke. The Orcs weren't running from us in defeat, they were running to safety, shielded behind a line of absolutely massive -

"Mûmakil..." Éowyn whispered. "Haradrim from the south." As if on cue, a loud horn sounded from the line of massive, elephant-like beasts lumbering forward, each standing at least a hundred feet tall. Long ivory tusks were decorated with wooden spikes at their ends, red war paint streaked up and down their faces, and on their backs were huge wooden war towers carrying dozens of heavily armed men dressed in black, red, and gold. You could hear their war chants from all the way across the field as the Mûmakil threw back their heads and roared, their long trunks curling in the air as they advanced.

I gulped, tightening my grip on Ringil once more. "Right. Giant elephants."

Again, the horns of the Rohirrim sounded, and I turned Deor to face the oncoming horde as shouts rang out to reform the line. But as we started moving to formation at the front, I stopped, squinting at the sight of a small band of about fifty men riding out ahead of the rest of the cavalry. When I noticed who was pulling towards front as their leader, my eyes went wide with fear. "Éomer?! What the hell is he doing, they'll be crushed!" Éowyn cast me an uncertain look, but said nothing as we continued to watch his small party barrel forward towards what appeared to be certain death. Just as they came within range of the Mûmakil, however, the group began to splinter into bands of four or five, each headed directly for their own individual Mûmak. And as they reached them, the men drew back the great spears they carried and launched them at the heads of the beasts, many soaring straight and true to find their marks. My jaw dropped as the creatures roared in pain, slowing, and a few even stopping completely in their march as they were wounded. One spear found its way into the heart of a Mûmak rider, and as he fell from his saddle, the reins drew taut, causing the giant to veer sharply to the right and slam right into another one. The collision knocked them both to the ground, many of the Haradrim men falling from their towers. It was absolutely brilliant.

I turned to Éowyn with a bewildered expression just as the cry to charge went up and our army started forward again, ready to close in on the beasts now that they'd been hit. My heels dug into Deor's sides as I spurred her on, but I could feel my heart hammering in my chest again as we sped towards the broken Mûmakil line. Many of them were still kicking, angered at their wounds, and I set my focus on their great tusks as they began swinging back and forth, sweeping the ground before them. My grip on the reins tightened, and I braced for impact as they drew closer... closer... closer...

Éomer's stunt had certainly helped slow them down, but it wasn't enough to stop them as we broke upon the Mûmakil like water on rock. It was ugly as soon as we collided, the massive creatures plowing through us as they crushed whole horses beneath their feet and swept riders aside like they were pieces of paper, tossing them dozens of feet into the air with their tusks. I yelped as I narrowly missed getting hit by one, ducking to avoid a hail of arrows rained down on us by the Haradrim above a second later. I didn't even know where to begin with fighting them. It was absolute madness.

"Come on, Kathryn!" Éowyn shouted back over her shoulder as she wove between the legs of one. "We must fight them!"

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" I screamed in response, barely even remembering to swing my sword down at the next Orc I passed as I followed her. Charging the Orcs had been great, but the lawlessness and anxiety of battle was setting in again as I cut through the Mûmak's hind legs and prayed it wouldn't stomp me into the dirt. Now it had gotten real. Jesus, I hope I last through at least the next five minutes of this.

-Erin-

I shoved another Orc aside as I gutted him, my eyes jumping back to the Pelennor as I watched the Mûmakil sweep in from behind and rip through the Rohirrim cavalry. It had been glorious to catch a glimpse of their arrival firsthand, but Sauron's second attack had thrown everything into chaos again, which worried me. Kathryn was out there now, at least, and maybe Kaia too, which meant I needed to get out of the city and find them. Another Orc leapt at me from the right, and I parried his blow, sinking a knife into his exposed side and wrenching it away as he fell. The grating screech of a Nazgûl passed overhead, and I flinched as I glanced up to see yet another Fell Beast swooping down and out to the battlefield. That was another thing that scared me - four of the six Ringwraiths attacking Minas Tirith had now abandoned the city in favor of the Pelennor, and I couldn't figure out why. A small part of me wondered if they knew all three of us were here and were hunting us down. As I turned to dodge another attack, I suppressed a shudder. God, I hope not.

The addition of the Rohirrim had definitely helped us, though - there weren't nearly as many Orcs and other beasts pressing forward into the city now. Strategies had been derailed, ranks had completely fallen away... everything was just one big mess at this point. I clashed blades with another Orc and kicked him back through the wall's opening, straight into the path of a couple of Rohirrim soldiers as they blazed by and trampled him. As my gaze once again swept over the open battlefield, though, I knew I couldn't afford to wait any longer. This would be the best chance I got to slip out without much resistance. Decision made, I turned back to the fighting within the wall, quickly pushing through to get to my dear redheaded friend. "Pippin!" The young hobbit turned from where he'd just stuck an Orc in the chest, eyes wild and frantic as he whirled to face me. "Pippin, I'm going out onto the field! Take Fréa and get out of here!"

He frowned, taken aback by the sudden command. "What? Erin, you can't go out there on your own, you're hurt already!"

"I have to!" I shook my head. "Kaia and Kathryn will be out there, I have to find them!" Movement from behind Pippin caught my eye, and I shoved him aside just in time to block a blow from an Orc which would've taken his head off. He pushed hard against me, sneering in my face, but Pip turned back and dealt a fatal blow to the beast as I held him off, finishing him for good. I turned back to my small friend as the Orc dropped to the ground, pointing further back into the city. "She'll still be tied up there, you know where she is. Go take Fréa and ride to Gandalf or Faramir. You can help them defend the gate."

But Pippin's stubborn, fearful frown remained. "No!" he cried. "You'll never make it!"

For a moment, I paused, strangely moved by his protectiveness as I then knelt in front of him, reaching out to grasp his shoulder. "Pip, you've got to trust me," I said. "I'll be okay, I promise." Briefly, my eyes flicked back to the raging battle beyond the wall, and when I looked back to him, I spoke low and sober. "Tell me you wouldn't do the same if it were Frodo and Sam out there."

That struck a chord in him, big blue eyes softening as his shoulders slackened, and for a second it seemed like a dull, distant grief passed over him - a somber side of Pippin I'd never seen. Just as quickly as it'd come, it was gone, but he nodded, understanding now why I had to go. He stepped back as I got to my feet again, looking up to me as he sheathed his sword. "Good luck out there."

A small smile crept onto my face as I nodded back. "Same to you." I reached out to ruffle his hair as I stepped past, drawing one final smirk from him as I pushed through the remaining barrage of Orcs and men. Before long, I'd cut down the remaining Orcs in my way and stepped over the threshold of dirt and rubble, and as my boots hit the grass, I took a deep breath, sword at the ready as I plunged deeper into the fray.

-Kathryn-

I pulled Deor to the left to avoid getting flattened beneath the foot of a Mûmak, lashing out with my sword and nicking it in the ankle as I passed. Arrows were flying everywhere as I stayed right on Éowyn's tail, both from the Haradrim and other Rohirrim who were peppering the giant beasts with as many arrows as they could to bring them down. But even as we rode on through the chaos, I could tell arrows alone wouldn't cut it. Swords were better use here. We turned to trample a nearby group of unsuspecting Orcs, and Ringil swung low to cut through the armor of two as they cried out in pain. I circled back to Éowyn just as she finished off a Haradrim man, and as we took off side by side again, I glanced over. "What now?" We swerved again as another Mûmak crossed over us, zigzagging between its legs as surrounding Rohirrim unleashed a volley of arrows into its hide. The titan roared in pain, stumbling for a moment, but it didn't fall, and we both looked back as we slipped out from underneath. As Éowyn turned back, though, her eyes met mine with the spark of an idea in them, and all of a sudden she veered sharply to the left, turning about face as I followed her in confusion. "What are you doing?"

Éowyn pushed her mare harder, increasing speed and pointing ahead as we changed course. "There, Kathryn! Straight ahead!" I looked up to see the wounded Mûmak ahead, still not succumbing to the many arrows sinking into its skin. "Give me your reins, and take my sword!"

"What?" I shrieked, eyes widening as she suddenly reached over and pulled Deor's reins from my hands. "The hell are you doing?!"

But the shieldmaiden was undeterred, shoving her sword into my free hand as she kept her sights fixed forward. "Just trust me, I'll lead us through! You're taller, you can reach it's underbelly!"

"I'm sorry, you want me to WHAT?" But it was too late now, we were already charging toward the beast at top speed, its massive, barbed tusks swinging like a giant, deadly pendulum. Éowyn jerked us to the left, pulling us both around to take the Mûmak head-on, and I felt my heart leap into my throat as we closed in, both swords gripped tightly in my hands. Oh my god, what the fuck what the fuck-

The tusks swung high just as we reached them, and Éowyn coaxed a final burst of speed from the horses as we shot through. "Kathryn, NOW!"

Every inch of me was petrified, but somehow, against all horseriding logic, I snapped out of it and pushed myself up at the last second, standing to my full height as I rode. As we passed beneath the Mûmak, I let out a cry that was half determination, half fear, and swung both swords high overhead with as much strength as I could muster. They found their mark and hit deep, cutting two long gashes into the soft flesh above us, and a deafening roar of pain rang out from the Mûmak - it was a fatal blow. For a split second, I could barely believe the stunt we'd just pulled.

But as we sped out from beneath the beast, a shadow suddenly fell over us both, and bewilderment instantly turned to fear as we both looked up to see another Mûmak toppling back from one too many arrows shot into its head. I screamed as Éowyn yanked on the reins as hard as she could, but I was still standing, and the turn was too sharp, and before I knew it I'd gone flying from Deor's saddle completely. I hit the grass hard, rolling on instinct and barely avoiding being flattened by the Mûmak's head as it crashed to the ground. I gasped as I ripped my helmet off and pushed myself back to my feet, still clutching the two swords in my hands as I turned, expecting to see my blonde friend coming up behind me. But Éowyn was nowhere to be seen. "Éowyn?" I called out. No answer, and my heart dropped. "ÉOWYN!" I whirled around, looking everywhere, but there was nothing. No sign of her at all. "ÉOWYN, WHERE ARE YOU?" I screamed, panicking as I again received no answer. Oh God, tell me this isn't happening. No, no no no! I have her sword! I just left her weaponless, I can't lose her! "Éowyn!"

I stepped out from behind the dead Mûmak, desperate to find her, but immediately heard the screeches of Orcs as a pair of them spotted me nearby. Quickly shoving Ringil back into its sheath, I gripped Éowyn's sword in both hands and spun to block the strike of one before bringing the blade down on him, then stepped back to dodge the swipe of the second one as I reached behind my back to draw out one of my throwing knives and whip it into his neck with perfect accuracy before he could take another step. Just as he dropped, a Haradrim man came up from the left, and I ducked beneath his spear before lashing out and hitting him in the side to take him out. I reached down to retrieve my knife and came back up again just in time to block another jagged Orc sword from hitting me in the face, and before I knew it I'd been caught up in the onslaught of the battle, barely able to pause for even a moment as I was faced with enemy after enemy. I dodged and drove back as best as I could as I started to work my way around the battlefield, taking any opening shots I could get, and though I was still terrified at having lost Éowyn, I quickly realized I wasn't going to be able to stop and look for her. As I knocked back one Orc and moved forward to meet the attack of another, my eyes swept the Pelennor, desperately hoping she'd be okay out there. We were both on our own now.

-Faramir-

The doors to the second level shuddered as they were struck once more with a great bang, a huddle of remaining Gondorian soldiers closing in tighter as they stood against it, spears and swords at the ready. Though the arrival of the Rohirrim had been a great benefit to us, our retreat had been inevitable, and I now stood behind the rest of my men aside both Mithrandir and Peregrin as we waited, ready to attack the moment the gates gave way. For a moment, my gaze flicked back to the level below, still burning and in ruin as Orcs now freely flooded the streets. There was a stronger hope within me now then there had been some hours ago, but still room for lingering doubt and fear as I watched smoke drift into the sky, carrying with it the stench of blood and death. I wanted to believe in our victory, but wondered still if we even had a chance. It just seemed so impossible.

Suddenly, Pippin's voice broke against the steady beatings on the gate. "...I didn't think it would end this way." He spoke quietly, defeat lacing his words, and my heart sank to think that even he had given up hope. The brave halfling had come rushing down to us on horseback not an hour ago, armored and ready to fight alongside us.

"End?" My gaze turned to the wizard, who looked down to him in question. "No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... one that we all must take."

I glanced back to the gates, jaw tightening as I wondered if these next moments would be my last. "It is no path I choose lightly," I said. "But to choose it now is an honor, one I would suffer over and over again for this city if it were asked of me."

But Gandalf seemed entirely undisturbed by the thought of facing death, a strange air of peace over him as he stared forward. "The suffering is small in part," he said, "and pales in comparison to what lies beyond." I looked to him again, transfixed by the warmth in his voice as he spoke. "All the horrors and pains of this world begin to fade, and no longer are you weary in body or in spirit. The grey rain curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... and then you see it."

"What, Gandalf?" Pippin asked. "See what?"

A small smile took shape on the wizard's face, as if recalling a fond memory. "White shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise." He let out a quiet sigh and looked to us both, the smile still remaining.

"And you have seen this yourself?" I asked in wonder.

He nodded. "Yes...I have seen it." Silence fell between us all, and I turned back to the Pelennor, though now my eyes were lifted to the skies above, bathed in gold and blue as the light of a new day washed over the world.

"Well," Pippin whispered, smiling as well. "That isn't so bad."

"No," the wizard replied softly. "No it isn't."

The moment was shattered then as another loud bang hit the gates with incredible force, and I saw the wood begin to splinter and break. The time was upon us. I shared a knowing look with Gandalf, and he gave a firm nod as I reached for my sword, turning my focus back to the threat at hand. We spoke no more of the mystery of death as the three of us drew closer to stand behind the cluster of soldiers, but somehow, despite the din of battle surrounding me, in that moment I felt no fear. The weight of my armor and the weapon in my hand seemed light as a feather, and though I knew I could very well be standing on death's door, I felt strangely at peace. If I am to die here in this hour, then so be it. The hammers dealt a final blow, and I cemented my stance as the gates collapsed and gave way. I will welcome death with open arms.