Hello everyone! I just wanted to say, I'm having so much fun writing this and I hope you are having as much fun reading it! Anyway, thanks to my reviewers, Cetacea-of-Time, ToryIsConfusedDotCom, booklover1498, Wingstrike, Guest and Tiryn. You guys are all awesome and anyone who read it and didn't review, you're wonderful too! Thanks and here is the next chapter!
They had been on their journey all day and were now in the forest. Mayleea had taken Pippin to let Shadowfax run easier and he was now asleep cradled in her front feet. Mayleea was flying above the trees. She could easily see the white horse and the White Rider. She felt Pippin stir and she looked down. He tried to roll over. She smiled and pulled his cloak up around his shoulders with one claw.
The sun came up about an hour later and the trees ended. Mayleea flew back down over Gandalf.
"We just passed into the realm of Gondor," Gandalf yelled up to them.
"How is Shadowfax?" Mayleea asked.
"He is fine," Gandalf answered.
"And how are you?"
Gandalf laughed.
"Fine my dear. I am fine."
Mayleea smiled and let herself fly higher behind Shadowfax. About an hour into the morning, Pippin awoke. She felt him get to his knees, holding onto her first toe.
"How are you this morning?" she asked.
"Fine," he answered.
She lifted him up to her shoulder and shrunk so he could sit on her comfortably. She felt his joy spreading into her mind.
"Where are we?" Pippin asked.
"Gondor," she answered. "We will be at Minas Tirith before nightfall."
Pippin leaned over Mayleea's side, holding onto her shoulders with his small legs.
"What is it like to fly?"
"You tell me?" she said smiling. "You are flying right now."
"But what is it like to just take off whenever you want? To be totally free."
Pippin's voice was quiet. Mayleea thought about it for a moment. She was free. She had been since her mate died. She sighed.
"I have been free, but a life like mine is not one for everyone."
She could almost feel Pippin frown.
"Why?"
"I have lived alone for 90 years."
"Why?" he asked again.
"The last of my race had died out. My mate died protecting me."
Pippin was quiet for a moment. He was absently running his finger down the softness of her neck.
"You didn't make any friends with anyone?"
She snorted.
"I thought the line of the kings had ended, my mate had died, my family had died. I had no one. I thought everyone would be afraid of me."
She shrugged making Pippin almost topple from her back.
"I wouldn't have been afraid of you," he said confidently.
"You were afraid of me," she said, reminding him of the first time they had seen her dragon form.
"Oh… well… Merry was afraid. I just… didn't want him to feel… alone."
Mayleea laughed and shook her head.
"I'm not like a dog or a goat. I don't belong around people."
"You are around them now," Pippin said brightly.
"You have not seen the way the people from Edoras react around me. They are afraid."
Mayleea's voice was sad and depressed, even in Pippin's mind.
"Well they are wrong," Pippin said angrily. "You are a wonderful… dragon… elf? Elemental!"
Mayleea turned her face around to meet his gaze.
"They just haven't gotten to know you."
"Neither have you, young one," she said smiling softly.
Before he could say more, the towers of Minas Tirith could be seen over a hill. Mayleea flew down and landed on the hill beside Shadowfax.
"Minas Tirith. City of Kings."
The valley that lay between the hill they were on and the city walls was massive. It would take another two hours to reach the city. Mayleea knew how big the city was close up, but even at that distance, it looked giant. She could feel Pipin's apprehension looking at the marble city. The five level's seemed far more extensive than Mayleea remembered them. The sun was shining off the left side of the city. The other side was dark. Mayleea followed Gandalf to the city gate where she took Pippin up over the city.
"Hold on," she warned.
Pippin had just enough time to wrap his small arms around her neck before she flew up. Her belly plates scraped against the rock as she ascended. She burst over the top level and dropped Pippin on the grass. She changed back to an Elf just as Gandalf came up behind them. Mayleea was surprised he made it through the city in the time that he did. She had never liked the city. It was cramped and had too many people. She much preferred the open landscape of Edoras. Even Helms Deep was more open than Minas Tirith. Pippin and Mayleea followed Gandalf toward the throne room.
"It's the tree," Pippin said suddenly. "Gandalf!"
"Yes, the white Tree of Gondor. The tree of the King. Lord Denethor, however is not king."
Mayleea snorted.
"He is a steward only, a caretaker of the throne."
They reached the door and Gandalf turned to Pippin.
"Now listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father."
Mayleea looked down at her little comrade whose face had gone white.
"To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either."
He paused then turned back.
"In fact, it's better if you do not speak at all, Peregrin Took."
Pippin nodded and they continued only to have Gandalf stop and turn to Mayleea.
"You must be on your best behavior. We both know Aragorn will take the throne after we defeat Sauron, but I believe Lord Denethor will die before giving it up."
Mayleea nodded and followed Pippin in. The throne room was just as Mayleea remembered it. Big, white and cold. It was the complete opposite of the throne room at Edoras. Edoras was darker and smelled stale, but at the same time, it was homey. As much as she liked being free, she enjoyed the feeling of belonging she had at Edoras. She instantly hated Denethor. She stood tall behind Pippin as Gandalf began speaking.
"Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor."
Denethor said nothing. He was hunched over, looking at his lap. He seemed to not hear Gandalf, so he tried again.
"I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel."
"Perhaps you come to explain this," he said holding up what looked like a broken horn.
He looked up.
"Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead."
Mayleea felt Pippin tense next to her. She looked down. He seemed to be reliving a memory. Mayleea extended her mind and touched Pippin's. She saw the man she assumed was Boromir. He was a handsome man. Strong jawed, with high cheekbones. His blond hair was wild and soaked with sweat. He had deep blue eyes that were cast on the arrow shaft sticking from his chest. His mouth was open and it looked like he was struggling to breath. Mayleea was suddenly sad she never got to meet him. Two more arrows pierced his chest then the memory ended.
"Boromir died to save us. My kinsman and me," Pippin said stepping forward. "He failed defending us from many foes."
"Pippin."
He ignored Gandalf and knelt in front of Denethor. There was a tense moment hanging in the air while Pippin looked into Denethor's eyes.
"I offer my service as it is, in payment of this debt," he said finally
"This is my first command to you," Denethor said in a gruff monotone. "How did you escape and my son did not, so mighty a man as he was?"
Pippin's answer was instant.
"The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow, and Boromir was pierced by many."
Denethor's face fell, and tears shone in his eyes. Mayleea glanced at the back of Gandalf's head. His hair shifted as he stepped forward and tapped Pippin's back with his staff.
"Get up," he said, then to Denethor. "My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies?"
Denethor glared up at Gandalf, the cloven horn still clenched between his hands.
"You still have friends," Gandalf said. "You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the beacons."
Denethor's face changed into a wicked smile.
"You think you are wise, Mithrandir. Yet for all your subtleties, you have not wisdom."
Mayleea bristled behind Pippin, causing him to turn and look at her as Denethor continued.
"Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor and with your right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan," he said, his voice a velvety growl. "Oh yes. Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North, last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship."
Mayleea felt a growl starting in her chest, and she was having a hard time keeping herself calm enough to stay in elf form. Luckily Gandalf spoke.
"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, steward."
Denethor stood, his position on the throne making him a head taller than Gandalf.
"The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!"
Mayleea could feel Pippin lean back into her leg. He was breathing hard, his heart beating fast. He looked up at her then at Gandalf. He glared at the steward for a moment more then spun around, prepared to leave.
"Wait."
Gandalf turned and looked over his shoulder.
"This elf."
Denethor held Mayleea's hard gaze.
"Who are you?"
"Mayleea. Of… Mirkwood."
"You are not of Mirkwood," Denethor said instantly. "Do not lie to me. Who are you."
"I am no one of consequence my Lord. Only an ally in this coming war."
"Show me your other half," Denethor said.
Mayleea felt Pippin inhale sharply beside her.
"I do not know what you mean Lord – "
"DO NOT LIE TO ME!" he shouted stepping forward. "If you will not show me your other side, I will force you! Guards! Take her!"
Guards that no one had seen until that point converged upon Mayleea. She had never fought as an elf, but that fact was far from her mind as she pulled her long knives from their spot on her back. She twirled them around and bent over, effectively lowering her center of gravity. Two guards reached her first; one behind and one in front. She whipped her head around, keeping both in sight. Suddenly she felt a tickle in the back of her mind.
"Mayleea?"
"Legolas!"
"Mayleea? Are you in trouble?"
"Not for long."
Mayleea sliced upward with both knives across the chest of the guard in front of her then spun and with the blade in her left hand, stabbed the man who had previously been behind her. The one who had two cuts across his chest, she stabbed with the blade in her right hand. She pulled both knives out and turned to face Denethor as they fell.
"Do not make me kill any more of your men, my Lord. You are going to need them."
She watched Denethor's eyes for a moment before she turned and followed Gandalf, who didn't look worried at all, out. She took Pippin by the edge of his cloak and drug him behind her.
"Legolas?"
"I am here. Was that the Steward?"
"Yes. He means to keep the throne for himself. He knows of Aragorn and he refuses to call for aid. I do not know what Gandalf is going to do, but I'm sure he will think of something. Keep a weather eye out."
"We will. Are you alright?"
"Yes. Those guards were not difficult to kill, even as an Elf. I have never fought except in my dragon form."
"You did fine."
She could almost hear the smile in his voice.
"Thank you. I must go. Contact me later."
"Goodbye and be safe."
"Thank you. And to you the same."
She felt the connection dissipate, although it wasn't completely gone. Mayleea was not holding it, and she was sure Legolas was not good enough at mind speaking to hold it either. It was a strange thing that a link between two minds was there naturally, but Mayleea had no time to dwell on it. They were outside and Gandalf was speaking.
"A thousand years this city has stood. Now, at the whim of a madman, it will fall. And the white tree, the tree of the king, will never bloom again."
"Why do they still guard it?" Pippin asked running to catch up to Gandalf.
"They guard it because they still have hope," Gandalf said patiently. "A faint and fading hope that one day it will flower. That a king will come and this city will be as it once was."
Mayleea glanced up at the white, gnarled, ugly piece of wood. She remembered how beautiful that tree had been when she lived there. When Isildur reigned over the land. Hope suddenly filled her. She knew she would see it bloom again. As they walked toward the end of the top level, Gandalf talked of the decline of Gondor. The decline of Minas Tirith. When they reached the end, Gandalf stopped and leaned on the wall. Mayleea went to the other side and looked over. She remembered very vividly taking off from that very spot and flying off to war. She recalled her wings pinned back against her sides as she fell from the top level. She remembered whipping her wings open at the last second and on more than one occasion, taking the top spire of a building off with her chest plates. The people cheering when they saw her. She had been loved by the people in Minas Tirith. She had been young then. She had had a family then. That had been before she had even met her mate. She sighed and let her face fall.
"The line of kings failed," Gandalf said. "The white tree withered. The rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men."
There was a pause.
"Mordor," Pippin whispered.
Mayleea turned as Gandalf spoke.
"Yes, there it lies."
Mayleea joined them in staring at the far away light that came from Mt. Doom, and the black clouds of soot that were reaching for them like fingers of death. The sky above them was blue and cloudless, and the sun still warmed the marble under their feet, but not for much longer.
"A storm is coming," Pippin said.
"This is not the weather of the world," Mayleea said putting a hand on Pippin's shoulder. "This is a device of Sauron's making."
Gandalf took over.
"A broil of fume he sends ahead of his host. The Orcs of Mordor have no love of daylight, so he covers the face of the sun to ease their passage along the road to war."
Then Mayleea.
"When that Shadow of Mordor reaches this city, it will begin."
"Well that's Minas Tirith then," Pippin said brightly. "Where are we off to next?"
Mayleea raised her eyebrows. She wasn't sure if Pippin was purposely being thick, or if he was just that stupid.
"Oh it's too late for that Peregrin," Gandalf said patiently. "There is no leaving this city. Help must come to us."
Mayleea sighed as Pippin drew closer to her, it seemed instinctive. She put a hand on his shoulder and patted it.
"Perhaps we should get some rest Gandalf," she suggested.
She was feeling the effects of flying for the better part of two days, and she knew no one would be getting much sleep for a few days. Gandalf nodded and they went to the house Gandalf seemed to have prearranged for them. They ate a small meal and Mayleea and Gandalf took a short rest, Gandalf leaving Pippin with strict instructions not to leave the house. When they awoke, it was almost dusk. Mayleea saw Pippin sitting at the table, going over the armor Denethor had had delivered. It was handmade, just for someone his size.
"You should try to sleep," she said standing and pulling her cloak around her.
The air was growing unnaturally cold.
"I can't. Not when I know what is on the horizon."
Mayleea patted his shoulder and went past him out onto the balcony. It was facing their enemy. Gandalf was smoking. He began speaking without looking at her.
"My dear I wonder if you could find Frodo and Sam."
Mayleea frowned.
"You want me to fly into Mordo?"
"No, no," he laughed. "With your mind."
She thought about it. She had never tried to find someone with her mind who she had never met before, but there wasn't any reason why she couldn't. She sat back against the wall looking out toward Mordor. It was hard. At first Mayleea felt everyone's minds. All their thoughts, and worse yet, their pain hit her full force. Legolas must have felt it too, because the connection to him withdrew further like it was protecting itself. Instantly it reopened and Legolas was there with her. She struggled through the minds within the city, but having Legolas' mind there took the pressure off hers. Legolas didn't say anything. He seemed to know he was needed.
Mayleea concentrated on extending her mind farther. She needed to get past the city. She knew the Hobbits weren't there. She thrust outward and with one final burst of energy, she was outside the city. She was alone with Legolas. She made her way across the field and into Osgiliath. There were far less minds in the capital, but they were all terrified. It was harder for Mayleea to just push past them. She wanted to talk to all of them and help them. Legolas' connection got stronger, like he was holding her hand. She pressed her lips into a tight line and pushed to the edge of the city when suddenly a voice entered her mind.
"Who are you?"
She stopped and opened her eyes to find Gandalf watching her.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Someone in Osgiliath knows I'm in their mind."
"Tell me who you are and why you are in my mind!"
The voice pushed against her consciousness making her gasp. Legolas pushed back, thrusting his mind between hers and the other. Mayleea closed her eyes and intervened before they were in an all out battle for the mind. She had been in plenty of mental battles, none of which she had lost. When two individuals are battling for the fate of their minds and they lose, their body lives on, but they are just shells. They just sit there and rot. Mayleea didn't want either Legolas or the other man to become that.
"STOP!" she shouted.
They did.
"I mean you no harm. My name is Mayleea and I am here to help."
She let pictures of Gandalf flow into his mind, followed by Denethor and Aragorn. She showed him pictures of them fighting the Orcs and he seemed less worried.
"I am Faramir, son of Denethor."
Mayleea wasn't prepared for this. She spoke to Gandalf.
"Faramir. His name is Faramir."
She didn't wait to see what he said, but went back into her mind.
"Faramir of Denethor, I wish you well in the coming battle, I hope we meet in person someday, but I'm afraid I have a mission."
"I wish you luck," Faramir said at once.
With that Mayleea pushed past him and extended her mind out. She wasn't sure what would meet her when her mind got to Mordor, but luckily she didn't have to go that far. She found the two Hobbits very easily among the sparse trees. There was not much alive where they were.
"I found them," she told Gandalf, eyes still closed. "What are their names?"
"Frodo and Sam," Pippin said.
He was kneeling right in front of her.
"The one with the ring?"
"Frodo."
Mayleea found him and tried to enter his mind, but what she was met with made her physically ill. She turned away from Pippin and lost what meager food was in her stomach. She wretched and wretched until she was laying back against the cold marble of the wall. She was breathing hard when she finally opened her eyes. Pippin had his small hands on her cheeks. He was talking, but she couldn't hear him.
Legolas had been laying on the edge of the platform outside the throne room twirling a weed between his fingers, his eyes closed, watching what Mayleea was doing in her mind. He found it so interesting that they had such a connection. The moment she had extended her mind and all the souls in Minas Tirith had assaulted her, he felt it. In fact, it had made him trip. He hadn't been expecting the connection between their minds to stay there after he let it go. He rather enjoyed it, but it was unexpected.
When she had found Faramir and he had thrown so much power at her while she was distracted talking to Gandalf, he had felt the push as if something had run him over. Instinct took over and he pushed back, surrounding Mayleea's consciousness to protect her. Almost instantly, she had come back and settled the 'argument,' and they had moved on. When she found the Hobbits, Legolas couldn't distinguish between his joy and hers, but then she had touched Frodo's mind. He rolled over instantly and wretched. He was on his hands and knees for a good three minutes before he could roll over and take a few deep breaths.
He opened his eyes and gulped air into his lungs. He wasn't sure what had happened, but it had happened when they tried to enter Frodo's mind. He hadn't been expecting anything like that to happen and he hadn't gotten a good look at the Hobbit's mind so he tentatively extended his mind, following the already established path to her mind.
"Mayleea?" he asked quietly.
He could feel her still wretching, and it was making him sick again so he held back for a moment.
"Legolas? Did I hurt you?"
"You did nothing. It was whatever is in Frodo's mind."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. You?"
"I'll be fine."
"You may want to protect your mind. I'm going to try again," Mayleea said aloud to Legolas, knowing he would hear her.
"My dear, I don't know what you saw, or felt, but I would advise not doing that again."
Mayleea looked up at the Wizard and agreed wholeheartedly. Frodo's mind had looked fine from the outside, but the moment she had broken it open, so many things flooded out into hers and Legolas' mind. Mayleea had managed to shield the Elf from most of the filth, but she hadn't been quick enough to catch all of it. There was something very wrong with the ring bearer, but his friend might still be alright.
"I'm going to try to contact Sam," she said to Gandalf, then to Legolas, "Keep back."
She closed her eyes again and went directly to where she knew the Hobbits were. It was much easier this time to bypass all the other minds. She found Sam's mind and took a breath. After a second, she nodded to herself and pushed gently in. He didn't notice. He was busy talking about it getting near teatime. She retracted the tendril from Sam's mind and spoke to Legolas.
"Sam's mind is clean. I'm going to talk to him."
The confirmation from Legolas was not spoken. Just understood between them. Mayleea went in again and listened to him speak.
"Leastways it would be nearing teatime in decent places where there is still teatime," Sam said.
"We're not in decent places," came a cold growl.
Mayleea looked through Sam's eyes and saw Gollum leading them. Sam suddenly stopped and turned around. Mayleea watched as Sam went back to Frodo, who had stopped.
"Mr. Frodo?" he asked. "What is it?"
"Just a feeling," Frodo said. "I don't think I'll be coming back."
Mayleea felt Sam's frustration flare up as he went back to Frodo's side.
"Yes you will. Of course you will. That's just morbid thinking. We're going there and back again. Just like Mr. Bilbo. You'll see."
Sam gently pushed Frodo ahead of him and Mayleea saw her chance.
"Sam," she said quietly.
He stopped short and turned around.
"Sam, I am in your head. I am a friend and not to be feared. My name is Mayleea. Gandalf sent me."
Sam didn't move and Mayleea worried Frodo would become suspicious.
"There is no need to speak, Sam. I can hear what you think."
"You can hear me?"
"Yes."
"Gandalf can't have sent you. He is dead."
"He is alive. He is now Gandalf the White."
"Prove it," Sam said and continued to walk after Frodo.
Mayleea opened her eyes and looked at Gandalf.
"Say something that would prove who you are," she said.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. Go back to the shadow. The dark fire will not afail you, flame of Udun. You shall not pass."
Mayleea closed her eyes and let that pass over to Sam. She felt his surprise.
"What are you?" he asked.
"That does not matter now. All that matters is that you watch out for the ring bearer. He is not right. I fear he will not be able to do what he has to at the end."
She paused.
"And you must know that you're traveling companion is sick and twisted. I cannot venture into his mind for fear of what it will do to mine, but I can feel his hate toward you and Frodo. You must keep a sharp eye. If he gets the upper hand, I fear for both your lives. You are the only one Frodo has. You must stay with him."
"I will."
Mayleea could feel the truth and conviction in Sam's simple words. Mayleea was very fond of this Hobbit almost immediately.
"And Sam. If you ever need me, all you need do is call. I don't know if I will be able to come help you, but I will always be with you."
"Thank you."
Again, the words were simple, but Mayleea could sense the truth and gratitude in them.
"I hope to meet you when this is all over," Sam said quietly.
Mayleea smiled when she felt a small hand on her shoulder. She opened on eye and came face to face with Pippin's excited face. She rolled her eyes and went back to Sam.
"Also, Pippin wants to say hello."
"Pippin is with you? What about Merry?"
"Just Pippin, but Merry is safe. He is with Aragorn in Edoras."
"Tell him I'm glad they are safe. We will see them again."
"Yes you will Sam. Be careful."
With that, she let the connection go and returned to Gandalf and Pippin. She opened her eyes again and smiled at the Hobbit.
"They are perfectly safe."
Pippin's face broke into a smile and he jogged back inside. Gandalf helped her stand and she went to lean on the stone wall. Gandalf pulled out his pipe and lit it as Mayleea closed her eyes again.
"Are you alright?" Legolas asked.
"Yes. Are you glad to know they are safe?"
"Yes. It has been weighing heavy on all our minds. This will let us rest easy. For a little while."
"How is everyone there?"
"The same. King Théoden has locked himself in his room. Aragorn can't get him to come out. We just hope he will honor the call when the beacons are lit."
"He must. Gondor's people are not fit to win the battle that is on its way."
"They need a king."
"Yes. Denethor is close to madness. He knows of his oldest son's demise."
"How?"
"I do not know, but he has the Horn of Gondor. It is cloven in two. You knew the Steward's son, did you not?"
"Boromir, Yes. He was with our party helping Frodo. He was killed by three Orc arrows protecting Merry and Pippin."
"Denethor is in ruins. He refuses to call for aid."
"Has Gandalf figured out what he is going to do?"
"I do not think so, but I trust him."
"As do I. Aragorn needs me. I must go. Good luck."
"You as well."
Mayleea opened her eyes and realized she had been in her mind longer than she had thought.
"How is the elf?" Gandalf asked puffing on his pipe.
Mayleea thought she could see the corner of his mouth pulling up in a smile.
"Fine. He says that King Théoden has locked himself in his room and that Aragorn is trying to get him out."
Gandalf nodded as Pippin began speaking.
"So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position."
Mayleea heard the metallic sliding of a sword going into a sheath.
"I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting. Do they?"
"You're in the service of the steward now. You'll have to do as you're told, Peregrin took."
Gandalf coughed on his pipe smoke and Pippin brought him a glass of water. He then came to stand by Mayleea, his head just high enough to rest on the wall.
"There are no more stars," he said quietly, eyes glued to the sky. "Is it time?"
"Yes," Gandalf confirmed.
"It's so quiet."
"It's the deep breath before the plunge," Gandalf said.
"The calm before the storm," Mayleea said.
"I don't want to be in a battle," Pippin said. "But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse."
He paused.
"Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?"
"There never was much hope."
Pippin looked up at him, confusion in his green eyes.
"Just a fool's hope," Gandalf said with a smile then he looked at Mayleea. "And we know now that they are alive. At least for the moment."
He smiled and looked back out at the distant light that was Mt. Doom and his smile faded.
"Our enemy is ready. His full strength gathered. Not only Orcs, but Men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south. Mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call."
Mayleea shivered. She remembered fighting the Haradrim and their huge elephants. Those massive beasts were bad tempered, even in the best circumstances. She was not looking forward to meeting them in battle again. Gandalf paused and stood up to his full height.
"This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone."
"But we have the White Wizard," Pippin said smiling. "That's got to count for something."
Gandalf sighed.
"Gandalf?" Mayleea said.
"Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war. The one, they say, no living man can kill. The Witch-King of Angmar. You've met him before," he said to Pippin. "He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop."
Mayleea saw Pippin reliving a memory, but she was so exhausted from traveling through thousands of minds, that she didn't even bother.
"He is the lord of the Nazgúl," Gandalf said. "The greatest of the nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."
Pippin looked up at Mayleea and she nodded.
"I have met him in battle more than once. I almost got him, but his Nazgúl distracted me long enough to get away. I killed the beast, but the Witch King got away. I suppose we will meet again and I will have my chance."
Suddenly the ground shook, sending Pippin to his backside. Mayleea helped him up as a green light shot into the sky. It pulsed, sending balls of light up into the clouds. Pippin backed up into Mayleea who held his shoulders. Gandalf put an arm around her back and squeezed her shoulders. The green light was casting eery shadows across the city below them and Mayleea clenched her jaw. That is when she heard it. She froze. The high pitched scream of the Witch-king.
"It's him," she gulped. "I can hear him."
"We come to it at last," Gandalf said. "The great battle of our time."
"Frodo and Sam. They are there. At the mouth of Minas Morgul."
"How do you know?" Pippin asked.
"I can feel Sam's fear," she answered.
"The board is set. The pieces are moving," Gandalf said. "Come."
Gandalf turned and left the room. He went out the door, Mayleea and the Hobbit right on his heels. As they entered the second level from the top Gandalf spoke.
"Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shire-fold to prove their great worth."
They stopped in an ally. Gandalf knelt down and looked up to the tower where the signal fire could be lit.
"You must not fail," Gandalf said.
Pippin's jaw clenched and he nodded. Mayleea smiled at him and he took off.
"Gandalf why don't I go? I could light the –" but she gasped.
"What? What is it?"
"There is a disturbance. I can feel the presence of evil." She paused. "Osgiliath," she breathed.
She closed her eyes at once and shot the range of her mind out toward the river. She could feel the presence of the enemy getting stronger. Finally she found them. There were Orcs on the river. They were being quiet and coming under cover of fog. Meanwhile the army of Gondor was huddled by fires, unprepared for the foe that would soon be upon them. She needed to tell warn them and flying out there would take to long so she looked for Faramir's mind. She searched through the many people and finally found him. He noticed her at once, but was in the middle of a conversation.
"Faramir! They are not coming from the north! They are coming across the river!" she yelled into his mind.
He spun around just as Mayleea felt someone die. Faramir ran to the spot the man lay dead, an arrow sticking from his chest.
"To the river! Quick, quick! Go! Come on!" Faramir whispered loudly to the men.
"My god," Mayleea said aloud. "There are so many…"
Faramir and his men got to the river just as the boats were landing and Mayleea retracted herself from Faramir's mind. She opened her eyes.
"Gandalf they are going to need help," Mayleea said breathlessly.
"They will make it. We need to keep you a secret as long as possible."
"Gandalf, they are all. Going. To. Die. There are just too many Orcs."
"Mayleea –"
"We cannot just leave them!"
Before Gandalf could answer, the wood pile above the throne room erupted in flame and Gandalf sighed.
"Tell Aragorn the beacons are lit and go. You must ride out and help in any way you can, but you must remain an elf."
She opened her mouth to protest, but she could feel that the battle had begun and men were dying. She growled and turned to leave when Gandalf grabbed her arm.
"Take Shadowfax. He is the fastest horse here."
Mayleea nodded and turned and as if he knew he was needed, Shadowfax was standing there. Mayleea sighed and hoisted herself up on the horses back. She could feel Gandalf's eyes on her back, but she was too frustrated to look at him. Instead she turned the horse and he took off. She found it rather easy to stay on him. Much easier than any other horse she had ridden.
At first she didn't know how she was going to steer him, but he seemed to know where he needed to go with no direction from her. All she had to do was hang on. The city was hard to navigate on foot, let alone on horseback. Shadowfax did a wonderful job of making it to the city gate. Mayleea only counted four situations where someone didn't get out of the way fast enough and glanced off the horse's chest, but she was fairly sure they were unhurt. When they reached the field, and Shadowfax opened up and was running flat out, Mayleea closed her eyes. She extended her mind out toward Edoras and found the familiarity of Legolas. He was the easiest to find because their mental connection was always present. Aragorn happened to be right next to him.
"Aragorn."
"Mayleea?"
"The beacons are lit. Keep a weather eye out."
"I will. What is going on?"
"Osgiliath is under attack. I am worried for the survival of the men there. Gandalf sent me to help."
There was a pause where Aragorn seemed to be searching her mind.
"Mayleea, are you riding a horse?"
Alright! That's the chapter!
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