Written by Phoenix and Sunni (sorry for the major delay in getting this posted, but the next part should be up soon.)
The battle before Pelennor Fields was now over. The Southrons and Mûmakil were defeated as well as Easterlings and the Uruks. Meeting inside the throne room of Minas Tirith they discussed the threat growing behind the gates of Mordor.
"Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening." Gandalf stated to those in the hall around him.
"If Sauron had the Ring we would know it." Aragorn said as he stood alongside of Linwelos.
"It's only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping." Gandalf said to those in the throne room with him.
"Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?" Gimli retorted.
"Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom." Gandalf said with a sigh, "I've sent him to his death."
"We must give Frodo a chance to reach Orodruin." Legolas said as Galuwen stood alongside him.
"We've already suffered heavy losses. We cannot defeat them again." Gandalf said when Aragorn spoke up.
"No." he said quietly to the others, "There's still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that."
"How?" Gimli asked as a hint of uncertainty crept into his voice.
"Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate." Aragorn said looking to those around him.
Coughing upon the smoke Gimli inhaled from the pipe he was smoking at Aragorn's words, Éomer said, "We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms."
"Then we keep fighting until you can fight no longer, then exhaust the enemy chasing you, and turn and keep fighting. We can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves." Aragorn replied.
"A diversion…" Legolas said, looking to Galuwen at his side and then to Aragorn.
Pondering the situation momentarily Gimli chimed in, "Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?"
As Éomer turned to follow the group out to where the horses were waiting he saw the two elves accompanying them and said, "They have no place going to the Black Gates."
Turning abruptly to face the Captain of Rohan, Linwelos asked as she strode towards the man, "And who are you tell us we can not fight!"
"Women have no place upon the field of battle." Éomer replied the elf before him.
"My place…. As you put it, is to fight alongside my King." Linwelos answered as she took a step closer towards Aragorn when Galuwen took the hand of Legolas and said, "As is mine…"
Aragorn looked to Linwelos after having mounted up to ride out into battle and said, "May this be the hour when we draw swords together."
Gathering all they could they set out for the final battle. Aragorn rode at the head of the procession, Linwelos riding to his right, Legolas and Galuwen to his left. Éomer, Angel and Gandalf rode in front of the warriors of Rohan and Gondor while Xander, Anya and Willow stay with Buffy who is recovering after her fight with the witch king. Halting several feet before the towering Black Gate, the troops assembled and formed rank behind those on horseback. Cantering forwards, Aragorn, Linwelos, Legolas, Galuwen, Éomer, Angel and Gandalf approached the massive structure as Aragorn sent forth a challenging message.
"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!"
A great sound echoed off the Ephel Duath Mountains as the horns of Mordor sounded and the creaking of metal was heard as the gates began to open. Galloping back to where the troops stood, fear was evident in their eyes as they looked at the black army marching out of the gates. Looking to the faces of the frightened men Aragorn commands, "Hold your ground! Hold your ground!"
Turning Brego and riding past Linwelos who is seemingly unfazed by the numbers coming at them, Aragorn prepares to rally the men.
"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"
The seven on horseback dismounted and the horses cantered off out of sight as the black gates were completely open and the full force of Mordor was seen. At the head of the army stood Spike, his face in its demonic form and to his right stood Arwen, clad in a black dress, her face changed as well like that of her sire. Linwelos saw the look of betrayal and anger upon Aragorn's face as he watched Spike and Arwen walk hand in hand in front of the strength of Mordor. Looking past the army to the great eye atop the Tower of Barad-dúr a ghostly voice called out, "Aragorn…."
His cape billowed in the wind as he held Andúril in his right hand. Turning to his right, he looked upon those behind him, his gaze scanning over those closest to him. His eyes lingered upon Linwelos before he turned and gripped the sword with two hands and charged forwards. Drawing their weapons, Linwelos and the others followed suit as they followed him into battle. The sound of metal clashing rose into the air as the two armies collided and fought. Spike and Arwen watched with satisfaction at the seemingly large advantage they had over their adversary and contentedly watched as the Uruks went to work.
Arwen turned to Spike; a wicked smile upon her face as she headed off in the direction that Aragorn was fighting. As she moved towards him one of the soldiers from Gondor moved in her direction. Using a small dagger she slashed the man's throat before he could raise his sword to defend himself. Legolas fought side by side with Galuwen once more and saw Arwen take the life of the man from Gondor and then saw her continuing on towards Aragorn with the same murderous look in her eyes. Notching an arrow into his bow he took aim when Galuwen looked in the direction he was aiming at.
"Let Linwelos handle her," Galuwen said, placing her hand upon Legolas' arm and got him to lower the bow.
As Arwen moved towards the one she once loved, the two locked eyes briefly when much to his surprise he saw her kill several of the soldiers that were fighting against the dark army. He watched her as she watched the crimson substance drip down the end of the knife towards her hand. Turning her eyes from the knife to him she almost had him believing that nothing was wrong with her. Until an evil smile crossed her fair face and her lips curved and she began to lick the blood of those she'd killed from the blade, savoring the taste of it. While being to focused on Arwen's actions he didn't see the large creature heading towards him.
A large troll suited in heavy armor began to fight with Aragorn and suddenly knocked him to the ground. He lay on his back when the creature placed its large foot upon his chest. Struggling to get free, he desperately tried to stab the troll with his dagger but it seemed to hardly phase it. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of black nearing him and saw that it was Arwen approaching, unconceiling the sword she had and held it daintily in her right hand. Baring her fangs when she reached his side she trailed the sword along his neck, drawing out the Evenstar jewel as she said in a malefic manner, "I agar en' Aragorn tha quant i uryaien qualme mi indo nîn." The blood of Aragorn will fill the burning of death in my heart.
Linwelos had just brought down several orcs when she turned to see Aragorn down and Arwen heading towards him. Instantly she raced forwards to him, her grip tightening on her elven blades as she ran. Flying past the fighting men and creatures she fought her way to where Aragorn was and right as Arwen raised her sword over her head and began to swiftly bring it down, it clashed into Linwelos' as she hissed, "Le itha daged nui lîn urya helma!" You would die before your blade fell! her blue eyes sparking with fury at the vampire elf before her.
Legolas looked to see Linwelos facing off with Arwen as the troll moved off since the vampire was near. Aragorn still lay on the ground regaining the breath that had almost all left his body. Fixing his bow he fired several shots at orcs near where the two women were fighting. Galuwen switched to her bow and she and Legolas took aim and fired simultaneously as a domino effect began when the arrows struck their target. Aragorn rolled to his side to see Linwelos squaring off with Arwen and stayed down until he had almost regained all of his breath.
Blocking the strikes that Arwen rained down upon her, Linwelos retaliated and swung her twin elven blades in a diagonal downwards swipe that brought knives to rest at her left side. Spinning to the left to avoid a swing by Arwen, she leapt into the air and twirled. Her blonde hair floated above her head and shortly before being face to face with Arwen once more she brought the blades down together in a single swipe, as her feet touched the ground once more. Staggering backward, Arwen regained her composure as Linwelos strode forwards as fury coursed through her veins. Crossing her hands at the wrists, she swiftly punched out, connecting with Arwen's sternum. Falling to the ground at the sudden impact to her chest, the vampiress fell and Linwelos strode to where Aragorn was. Extending her right hand towards him, he gripped the lower part of her forearm with his right hand as he rose.
Galuwen turned to see Arwen charging at Linwelos from behind and screamed, "Dan le!" Behind you!
Holding her left blade at her side she heard the rushing of footsteps as she neared. Aragorn was ready to make a move to stop the oncoming charge but the look on Linwelos' face hinted she had something planned and he did not move. In the blink of an eye, she flipped the left long knife backwards so that the blade was facing behind her, and held it tucked up under her arm as it went through Arwen' s chest. The vampire curled her mouth into a sly grin as she said rancorously, "Lîn hyanda u'erir cron nîn!" Your blade can not harm me! Grasping the elf before her by the throat she threw her to the ground and stalked towards Aragorn. Linwelos rose from where she lay and turned her head towards the creature headed towards him and said in an austere manner, "Noa ata!" Think again! as she stood behind Arwen, her left blade resting against her right shoulder and then swiftly swinging it horizontally before her target moved.
Aragorn took a step back as the vampire exploded into a cloud of dust before him and Linwelos lowered her left long knife. Spike looked on in horror as he watched what was happening and saw his newest creation destroyed. The two now fought with some distance between them, the ground began to rumble beneath their feet as Orodruin began to come alive. After slaying the orc before her, Linwelos prepared to go to work on the next one when one came up on her right side and took its sword and cut a diagonal slash deep into her right side.
Pressing her right arm protectively over the wound, she continued to fight with her left hand. The ground rumbled violently underneath her feet again, causing bolts of pain to shoot up her side once more. Aragorn looked to her and felt that in his heart something was wrong. To his horror an orc came up behind her and stabbed her in the back, emitting a roar of triumph as it removed its sword from her body. It was then when Aragorn began seeing things in slow motion.
Not only was he seeing what has actually happening before him, he was having flashbacks to memories of the past. As he relived some of the past memories that the two of them shared, he found himself seeing the two of them together alongside the lake. The water reflecting the perfect image of the sky above including a crescent moon and thousands of shining stars as a gentle breeze blew around them. The calm serene sounds of the night enveloped the two as they lay upon the ground by each other sides. He had been recanting a tale of far away lands that she had never heard of or seen in her long years upon the earth. He could still hear her soft laughter and the way the moonlight danced within her clear blue eyes.
Watching her fall to her knees, her fair face contorted in pain at the wounds she'd received. He remembered the evening when he had been walking along the lake, waiting for her to arrive. The wind blew gently across the lake as a ripple was blown over the water as leaves landed gently upon its glassy surface. Seeing his own reflection upon the water he blinked and then all of a sudden saw the reflection of Linwelos behind him. Blinking several times more before turning around to make sure what he was seeing wasn't a figment of his imagination. Turning around to face her he brushed back a silken strand of her blonde hair that blew in the wind. It seemed as if the light of the moon cast an aura around her. The palm of his hand brushed across her cheek as his fingers traced the outline of her ear that peaked above her hair. Gently lowering his mouth to hers they began to kiss as he heard the sound of her soft voice say lovingly, "Ae ú-esteliach nad… estelio han… estelio ammen, melda nîn." If you trust nothing else… trust this… trust us, my beloved. as she placed her hand in his and raised it to rest upon his heart. Those were the last words she'd spoken to him before he had to ride out with the Dúnedain the next morning. The absolute love and solace the two found in each other's company, now was threatened. Her life was now balanced upon the edge of a knife.
Dropping to her knees she saw Aragorn rushing towards her as more pain shot through her as everything shook violently around her. The Tower of Barad-dúr began to crumble and fall to the ground and Mt. Doom shot lava high into the dark sky. The pain was so intense as the ground shook she came close to blacking out but fought it with everything she had.
Legolas' elf eyes spotted him in the midst of battle, watching the chaos with utter delight. Anger rose with in him as he stared at the man who had killed his father. Anger was a trait elves were not known for. But Legolas was young, and the news of his father's death had left a wound on his heart that only Spike's death would heal.
"Legolas!" Galuwen yelled as she saw him take off towards the vampire.
Spike watched with great pleasure as the woman who had taken Arwen from him now lay dying. Suddenly he began to feel a sharp pain as an arrow stabbed his chest.
"Bloody hell!" Spike yelled, as he looked up and saw the blonde elf standing directly in front of him with his bow raised.
"You killed my father!"
With a cocky grin Spike replied, "Sorry, don't care. And don't get your pointy ears in a knot anyway. I mean don't you have cookies to make?" as he pulled the arrow from his chest.
Grabbing his sword from his side, Spike leapt forward towards the elf. Bringing his sword down swiftly, as he seemed to fly towards him. Legolas quickly switched to his two-elven long knives, and brought one up to meet Spike's attack. The swords clashed upon impact as the two momentarily stared at the other before recoiling. As Legolas' right knife was locked with Spike's sword he swung his left to aim for Spike's side, but the vampire jumped backward causing his knife to come up short.
The elf and vampire fought with all the strength they had. Spike's single sword wove in and out of Legolas' two long knives with precision as he got a feel for how this elf fought in combat. His two blades clashed against Spike's one as the two blocked each other's attack. When they finally locked blades they stared at each other's faces, hatred evident upon both of them. Swiftly bending down, Spike performed a low kick hat knocked the elf's feet from beneath him. Loosing a grip upon his ivory handled knives, he managed to land upon his knees but was unable to move out of the way of the vampire's next move. Going right into a roundhouse kick, connecting with the side of Legolas' face, it sent him to the ground upon his stomach as blood poured from his mouth.
Slaying the orc before her, Galuwen turned and saw Legolas fall as the vampire stood over him with a wicked smile upon his face. Without hesitation she raced in his direction while firing off several shots with her bow then switching to her long knives when she reached the two. Resting one of the knives at his throat she growled, "You know what's worse than a pissed off elf?"
Seeing Legolas' head raise up at the voice when Spike heard the voice continue by saying, "A pissed off red-headed elf!"
Spike knew who was behind him and with Legolas' eyes upon him and the one behind him, he surprised Galuwen with his speed and wrapped his arm around her neck, constricting her airway.
"Since my last pet is gone, I think I found a replacement…" Spike said moving the struggling elf's hair away and saying with his mouth very close to her neck, "I can almost taste her blood as it drains from her. And there is nothing you can do to stop me!"
Legolas rolled onto his back and leapt to his feet but at the same moment, Spike's fangs entered her neck. Blood ran down from the puncture wounds when Spike's eyes shifted to the elf before him but no word in elvish, dwarvish or the tongues of men could describe the enraged look upon Legolas' face. Throwing the redhead to the ground the two clashed once more.
As Spike brought his sword around towards Legolas' head, he dropped to the ground and rolled, grabbing one of his long knives and quickly rising to his feet as he hissed bitterly, "No longer will you harm those I love!"
Once more their blades touched as Legolas fought off the vampire with fury and rage. Anger drove his movements and the pain of his father's death as well as the sight of Spike's fangs piercing Galuwen's flesh as the blood dripped down her neck all pushed Legolas to his breaking point.
Catching Spike off guard, Legolas dropped down and grabbed his other blade and as he came up held both knives as if they were one and swung in an upwards motion to his left shoulder. As the vampire stepped back and looked up from the crimson line the elf had just drawn upon his chest, Legolas came in and jabbed the weakened vampire twice with his elbow. Spinning to the right to avoid a late attack by Spike and took the right knife and did another diagonal slash. Twirling the two long knives in the palm of his hands and slashing the knives diagonally to the left part of the vampire's chest.
Angel just finishing up with the orcs ahead of him turned to see Legolas raining down heavy attacks upon Spike. Watching momentarily as the elf struck the evil vampire with a wicked blow, his face contorted in pain as he said, "Man, that's gotta hurt…"
Tired of toying with the creature, he set out to do what he should have done at Helm's Deep. Swinging to the left and then to the right he kicked out with his right foot and tripped Spike up. As the vampire fell, he grabbed his sword and once the vampire was on his back he slammed the creatures own sword into his chest.
He helped Galuwen to her feet as he said, "Are you alright?"
"I will be," she replied, holding her neck to try and stop the bleeding.
Legolas and Galuwen watched as the ground beneath the Uruks collapsed along with the black gate. The victory was theirs! The ring was destroyed and Middle Earth saved.
Looking around for Aragorn and Linwelos, as they didn't see them amongst the throng of warriors. Suddenly Galuwen's eyes caught sight of him on the ground and a ball of panic built up inside her as she left Legolas' side. Still weak from the loss of blood, she moved as fast her body would let her. Aragorn gently held Linwelos, her blood soaking his hands and tunic. The one who had saved him lay dying in his arms when Galuwen appeared by his side. As soon as her eyes caught sight of her dying friend she stopped. It was as if she had been pierced through the heart by an orc's sword. The emotion was too much for her to bear as she collapsed to her knees and began to cry. Legolas approached, his face was that of grief and despair. Slowly Gimli and Angel moved towards where Aragorn held her with heavy hearts as well.
The eagles had gone to fetch Frodo and Sam who were stranded upon the rock that was surrounded by lava as Gandalf rode upon one of the great birds backs. Gandalf looked down and saw what was going on and the eagle that bore him flew low to the ground and he shouted, "We go to Rivendell. Put her down and we shall take her with us!"
As gently as he could he lay her down, wincing as she cried out at the movement, which brought about a fresh round of pain. The giant eagle swooped down from the sky and gingerly wrapped its talons around her injured body and rose into the sky towards the direction of Rivendell and the house of Elrond.