Diclaimer #2: I also don't own any of the music that I have previously used in this fic. The lyrics and sound and music are all owned by their respected companies. I have not used this music for profit in any way, shape, or form. I have only used it to bring a tie to the story in an odd and unusual way. The music lyrics I use are for story use.
ElvenPrincess2005
Chapter 18
Updated: 05-19-05
Does anyone read these?
Special Thanks To:
Bee: I've written more!
lightning8star: I'm glad you like it so much. It's not May and I'm sorry it took me so long. Stephanie will have a part to play at the very very very very, did I mention very, end. She is a annoying, I'll agree. I hope this helps the sweet tooth.
Suzanne: No one will really know what Katie saw in Galadriel's mirror until the very last chapter/epilogue. I'm glad you like it though.
kathrineyb: There's action, just keep reading. There's some in here as well, but the major action will be in the next chapter.
Maeg Lalaith: It's spectacular? Wow, that's a new one for this fic. The whole name with with Katherine will be resolved by the end of the fic. It is her Elven name, but for the longest time, he didn't know her Elven name, just her mortal name. It's like a habit you can't really shake, you know what I mean?
Rabid-Tortise: Yes, I've updated again. You've missed the updated for the fic? I'm sorry. I'm happy that I'm someone's favorite's list. Don't cry, I hate it when people cry. I'm glad I could cheer you up in someway.
The Insane Sekhmet: I'm sorry that you had to wait so long, I really am. I'm sorry that I couldn't update any sooner. Please forgive me?
Kamui Gaia 07: It does being tedious as it goes on, but trust me when I say that your senior year will be your best year. I hated the work, I really did, but I'm graduating in three weeks and looking back on it, it's all worth it. It's hard to work between all the homework and assignments, but you manage, you just have to not worry about it and get it out when you get it out. Don't worry about keeping everyone waiting. (I'm not, really, I'm not). You learn quickly how to manage your time though.
ElvinJewel14: It's something called reanimation a.k.a. bringing the dead back to life. That's basically how Saruman did it. He thought that Worntongue had worthy information that he desperately needed. Fortunately, he's dead now (killed by Legolas' arrow), so Katie doesn't have to worry about him.
Banana4422: Thanks. Here's your update.
Marpessa: Sighs dramatically If you bothered to read any of the responses from other flamers, you'd know that reviewing this story was a complete waste of your time. I'll admit that I keep track of the reviews I get, I check my page regularlly and when I saw your reviews my first impluse was to laugh and that's what I did, if you wish to know. You don't like my story, do you? I caught a hint of dislike when I read your first review. If you didn't like the first chapter, why did you bother to continue reading? I think one review would have gotten your point across. You didn't have to continue. Do you lack that much of a life? If this one is "pure garbage" as you put it, you're in the very small amount of people that think so. The other 99.5 apparently don't think so. I know that you will probably never read this, but in case you do, get over it. If you're trying to get me to stop writing this fic…then you're in for a surprise. I write for myself and myself only. Yes, I will admit that it nice to have fans and people who like the story and it's nice to get come constructive criticism once in a while, but honestly, why did you bother to take your time to write not one, but three reviews if you hated it that much? That's all I'm going to say on this; I think you get the point and I think that I've wasted enough of my time typing this up.
X2 Aeon Darkness IX: I like it! I like it! "Twitchtastical". It's very neep. You can have three dozen virtual cookies, how does that sound?
showmethehobbit: The EE scenes were hard to do, because for months, all I had seen was the regular theatre version of the movie. That's all that was in my mind (it took me five times of watching Return of the King EE to get that in my mind). My bum was numb too after watching it, but I would have had no problem sitting there for another hour or so.
TriGemini: I noticed that Bormir was never around till the end of the chapter and I've tried my best to recify it, but it's difficult. Curiousity killed the cat (even though satisfaction brough it back) and unfortunately, it was Pippin's undoing.
Gandalf, even though he doesn't want to, knows that Katherine is doing all she can to try and help. He'll lie, if only because he trust Katie's judgement on the situation. Galdalf did warn her, but like the author of "A Silver Lining" Katie has problems listening to authority (though I can honestly say, I've never gotten into trouble).
And it's not Katie's mind that's not considering, it's her heart. She does things by her heart, not so much her mind, which causes problems. Katie's never liked Théoden, that was made obvious in the beginning. She doesn't have a solution so much, as she just has a quick tongue and speaks without really thinking about what she's going to say.
The conversation with Saruman goes back to the thing I was saying. She speaks before she thinks. Katherine has a soft spot for any of the hobbits and it's never really explained why. Here's your next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
Arami: I'm glad you like the Katie/Haldir relationship, although, I'm not sure you can call it that. It gets better at the end of the story though, if that helps you any. That line was a hint of what he actually says in this chapter, you just have to put the puzzle pieces together.
Ms. Unknown: Sorry, but it's the middle of May. I hope you like it.
Nightlight Ninja: Glad you like updates! The last update was a bit late and unfortunately, so is this one.
The ships themselves were easy to take over. The men put up little resistance once they saw they were literally fighting ghosts. I humored myself with throwing a few overboard now and then, but I let the Dead take care of most of it. It was nice just to sit back and watch others' take care of the problem at hand.
I glanced around and saw Boromir doing the same as I was. I couldn't blame him. For a moment, my mind wandered back to Lórien. I saw a fleeting memory of Natalie and Boromir and for the first time, I was curious as to what his plans were for her. She was my best friend; I didn't want to see her hurt. I think Boromir knew that too. His feelings seemed genuine. Then again so had the feelings of other men in Nats' life. I sighed. Natalie deserved the best; fate hadn't been that kind to her recently. I pushed myself off the wooden rail and walked over to the man. "Enjoying the break?" I asked.
He nodded briefly. I narrowed my eyes. He never shook me off before. Something was up; I just didn't know what it was. Usually he wasn't this quiet; to me at least. I think I was the only one who could get him to talk. Then again, I was also the only one who put any effort into it. "What's wrong?" I pushed.
"Should you have to ask?" he asked me.
"I may be many things, but I'm no mind reader, Boromir," I reminded him.
He smiled at me for a moment as sort of an apology. "Did your father happen to mention Natalie?" Boromir asked.
So that's what was wrong. He was concerned for her. He had a right to be; I wasn't going to tell him not to. I shook my head. "No, I'm sorry. We were pressed for time as it was. I didn't know that he was staying that short amount of time. Had I, it would have been one of the first things that flew out of my mouth," I paused for a moment. "But I don't think anything is wrong. I think my father would have told me if something had gone amiss. I know your worried, I am too, if you have to know. I'm terrified. It's okay to be; it's natural,"
"That's the thing, Katherine, something is amiss. I can't put my finger on it, but something is wrong and everything in my being is telling me that it has to do with Natalie,"
I leaned against the railing and looked down into the water. "She's safe," I reassured him.
"I know, but something is still wrong," he told me.
"Well, here's the way I look at it. Pretty soon, this entire situation is going to end. You'll see her soon and you'll see that everything is okay," I patted him on the shoulder.
He looked me in the eyes. "Will we win?" he asked.
I turned to avoid his gaze and hesitated. Many people had asked me that since the beginning and I still didn't have a definite answer. Boromir had asked me that question when we were in Lórien and back then I didn't know anything. "I want to think we will. I was to believe that we'll beat Sauron's ass into the ground, but…" I stopped.
"But?" he compelled.
"Everything had changed. By all respects, I should be here. I don't know what my actions have done to the course of Middle-Earth," I sighed. "I look at it this way, there's a greater possibility of winning than losing right now. If we win, then we'll rejoice and party until we die. If we lose, everything will end. An apocalypse, if you will. All life will end, including ours. If we lose, you'll see her in the afterlife,"
"You're very morose," he advised.
"Eh, it's part of the personality," I told him.
He smiled. "But truthfully, Boromir, I wouldn't worry about it. Natalie is fine, you're just being a worrywart," He nodded. "I do have a question, however. What…what do you feel for her?"
He sighed before continuing. "I love her, if that's what you're asking," he said. I nodded. "I plan on asking her to marry me after this is over,"
I nodded again, trying to keep the shock off of my face. Maybe his feelings were too genuine; if there was such a thing. "Can I give you a bit of advice?" I asked. "Don't hurt her. She's been hurt too many times and too damn bad for it to happen again. If I find out that you have hurt her, and I will find out, mind you, I will not hesitate to kill you,"
"I have no doubt that you would. You're very protective of your friends and family, though I don't understand why," he told me.
I smiled. "I always have been. It takes a lot for me to trust people, but once I do, I'll be loyal to you until the day you or I die. I know you've witnessed it. I'm so loyal that I will kill for my friends and family,"
"And you will die for them if the occasion calls for it," Boromir reminded. I smiled. He was right. Now that I think about it, I was ready to die for him at Amon Hen. "I will leave you to your thoughts," Boromir said.
I nodded; I really did want some time alone. I leaned back against the rail and sighed. I was grateful that this was ending soon. I couldn't take too much more of it. It was becoming draining. I was trying as hard as I could to keep everything in line and at the same time, help my friends and myself out by keeping those who were supposed to have died, alive. It was no easy task.
I let out a somewhat long shaky breath. "What bothers you, melamin? (my love)" Legolas asked.
I jumped at the sound of his voice. I was so preoccupied with my own thoughts that I didn't hear him come up behind me. "I'm beginning to doubt myself," I told him.
"I'm afraid I'm not following what you're trying to say,"
I groaned. I loved him, I truly did, but sometimes, it was like talking to a brick wall. At least with Natalie, I could say something like that and she knew immediately what I was saying. "I'm doubting my abilities and what I'm doing in this war," I clarified.
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm just tired I suppose. It's not going to do much good to rest. The thoughts are always there, they never seem to go away. I doubt everything now. If we'll make it through, if we'll even win. I'm getting restless. I'm ready for this entire war to be over with," I told him.
He nodded. "Every being involved in this war is becoming listless. It's the effects of the fighting, I fear,"
"Am I being ridiculous?" I asked.
"About what?" he questioned.
"About thinking that I could make a difference in this war, that I could help in some way, or that I actually stood a chance in battle, or that we would win?" I asked, finally showing signs that I was breaking.
"I don't believe so. You wanted to fight for your friends and family. You wanted to fight, to keep them safe and away from harm. I don't believe that is ridiculous. I believe that it is noble and good. You have made many differences in this war and have helped out a great deal. You've never questioned your abilities before, why now? You've always stood a chance in battle; you're a strong warrior and an even stronger person," Legolas said strongly. "You should rest, melamin. You've been awake now for days. You're an Elf and yet, it's still beginning to show in your eyes,"
I laughed, despite my situation. "I won't be able to sleep if my life depending upon it right now. The only time I can even think about resting is when this is all over with,"
He looked at me sadly. "It will be a few hours before we reach out destination. A few hours of rest would do you some good," he said.
I looked at him. "What's the point of resting if it doesn't help me?" I asked.
"You will need your strength for the fight ahead," he told him.
I knew he was right. The battle ahead was not going to be a walk in the park. I wasn't looking forward to anything in the near future. Théoden's death, the fight with the Nazgûl, the blood that will be shed; it was too much.
Truth be told I was almost happy with myself. I had made it well past the place where I thought I was going die and I had not only kept myself together, but kept the others alive as well. In all honesty, I wasn't really planning on making it through Amon Hen, but I trusted Galadriel and her mirror. If what I saw was to come to be, then I should be all right.
I had done a lot in the past few months, but now everything came down to a few deciding battles. They would make or break not only me, but Middle Earth as well. Looking ahead, I could almost imagine what the field would look like. I wasn't sure of the definitely structure or anything, but my imagination could be wild at times.
I hated this; I hated waiting. By nature, yes, Elves are patient creatures. I was the exception to that rule and to a lot of other rules as well. I wasn't patient, by any means. If I wanted something done, I would do it, right then and there. I could be graceful, if I wanted to be. I usually wasn't; I trip over my own two feet for pete sakes.
The worst thing was though; I was right on the edge of the battle. More than likely, that's what Legolas was seeing. Not the fatigue that I held, but the stress of it all. I'm not saying I'm not tired; I felt like I could sleep for several weeks at this point. But I had more important things to do at the moment. I sat and tried to relax the best I could until we reached our destination.
I watched as the ships sailed up to Osgiliath. The city seemed overrun and for lack of a better word, trashed. There was smoke coming out of several buildings and I'm sure a few fires were here and there. I could almost smell the death and the blood that was lying on the ground around the area. Human and Orc bodies were strewn around, some floating in the water. There were several Orcs waiting by the marina. The Orcs said something, I couldn't make it out, but I watched as Aragorn jumped out of the boat and I followed. Gimli mentioned something about there being enough for everyone.
I rushed into battle. The Army of the Dead moved quicker than I could. The Orcs at the Marina were all taken care of before I could blink a dozen times. Not that I minded too much. We moved on to Pelennor and I heard Gimli counting. I laughed; he was already at sixteen. While I'll admit, I was looking forward to see who did kill the most, I wasn't looking to win. Personally though, I was already at eighteen.
The Orcs were easy enough to kill. They weren't like Uruk-Hai and for that I was thankful. I guess Sauron spent all of his Uruk-hai forces at Helm's Deep. I don't think he was guessing on us winning that fight.
I watched as Legolas moved up the Oliphant; killing the men that came at him, and finally taking off the tent at the top. The tent slid off of the side of the Oliphant and Legolas moved to the head, taking arrows and killing the creature. The creature stumbled to its front legs and fell to the ground. Legolas had taken it upon himself to slide down the trunk and land safely on the ground.
"That still only counts as one!" Gimli shouted and I was in agreement.
The Elf was such a show off. Then again, I suppose living in the caves and living among trees all your life would do something for your agility, balance and acrobatic skills. I was brought back to reality when an Orc rushed towards me. I ducked an attack and slashed his stomach. I turned in mid-swing and brought my sword down on his head, severing it from the rest of his body. I moved away before another Orc was about to cut my arm off, but he was still able to slice my upper arm pretty well.
I hissed in pain as I brought my sword up and sliced his entire body in half. Looking down to check it, I noticed the red that was running down my arm. I had heard the Nazgûl screeches from the very beginning and the sound bothered me. It didn't bother my hearing so much as it just sent chills down my spine. Large, cold, heart stopping chills, but chills nonetheless. I felt a large gust of wind and then nothing. At least Éowyn was able to kill the Witch King.
I watched as the Dead Army rushed through the remaining forces and bring them down. I followed the rest of the Fellowship almost to the gates of Minas Tirith. I watched as the sun came out from behind the clouds. For some reason there was smoke around, making it hard to see. I faced the Army of the Dead. They still gave me the creeps. "Release us," the King of the Dead said.
Aragorn hesitated. "Bad idea," Gimli piped up. "Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead,"
"You gave us your word," The Dead King sound agitated.
"I hold your oath fulfilled," Aragorn stated. "Go. Be at peace,"
The ghost seemed to sigh heavily, as if he was relieved. The entire group of them faded into the daylight. Eerie. The hours of the day seemed to blend together. We took the Orc bodies and burned them and then tried to find survivors. Éomer was heartbroken when he saw his sister and I couldn't blame him. She was taken inside along with the rest of the few survivors we had found. She was taken care of by Aragorn while Éomer sat and watched.
Pippin had been out searching for Merry all day, with no luck. He finally found him in the fields after dark and brought him in as soon as he could.
Day broke and we all stood in the throne room. I was tense; it wouldn't be long now. "Frodo has passed beyond my sight," Gandalf said as I lounged on the steps. "The darkness is deepening,"
"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn stated as he looked out the window.
"It's only a matter of time," Gandalf retorted. "He has suffered a defeat, yes…but behind the wall of Mordor, our enemy is regrouping,"
"Let him stay there," Gimli commented calmly, taking his pipe out of his mouth. "Let him rot! Why should we care?"
"Because 10,000 Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mt. Doom," said the Wizard.
"That's why we should care," I hissed into the Dwarf's ear.
Gimli inhaled and exhaled and I watched as smoke came out of his pipe. "I've sent him to his death," Gandalf continued.
"No," Aragorn said before turning around to face everyone. "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 hesitantly.
"Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate," Aragorn stated
Gimli coughed, choking on a puff of smoke he had accidentally swallowed. "We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Éomer stated.
"It would be suicide," I added.
"Not for ourselves," Aragorn corrected. "But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all eyes that moves,"
"A diversion," Legolas stated. Apparently he liked the idea.
"Certainty of death…small chance of success…what are we waiting for?" Gimli asked.
He'd given up the idea of sanity long ago I guess. "Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait," Gandalf warned.
"Oh, I think he will," Aragorn said.
Strider sounded confident. "It's like hunting. If you use the right bait to trap your animal of choice, then the animal will come to you. It's the same concept; if you give the right bait, he'll take it," I said.
"Then what do we use? Not to mention how do we get the message to him?" Éomer asked.
"Well, I suppose the "I've got the Ring, come out and get it your sorry son of a bitch" is a bit clichéd?" I asked.
Gandalf smiled and Gimli laughed heartily. "That might work," Gandalf told me, though I'm sure he was kidding.
"And the message?" Éomer asked.
"Will be sent by the palantír," I said.
"Anyone who touches that blasted thing is out of their mind," Gimli commented as he puffed out another ball of smoke.
"Not if someone were able to manipulate it into doing what we wanted," I shot back, almost in a mocking tone.
"And who has the strength to do that? Certainly not anyone of us," Éomer stated boldly his question pointed at me as if it was some sort of challenge.
"I would like to argue that point Horsemaster," Gimli said. "Katherine could," the Dwarf continued.
I choked on breath I inhaled. "Excuse me? I'm the last person to manipulate anything," I said.
I thought I heard Boromir snort. "You're wasting your breath," Gimli told me. "You know as well as anyone here, save the Horsemaster, that you could be able to do it,"
"You've finally lost it. You've finally lost your mind! I'm strong, yes, but I'm not that strong!" I protested.
"Both of you have good points. She is strong Gimli, but I fear the palantír would be too strong for her," Gandalf said.
"Thank you!" I expressed.
"Then who?" Boromir asked. "While I respect Katherine's choice, I do side with Gimli. She would be strong enough,"
"Sauron doesn't want the Peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner, right? He doesn't believe that Aragorn is strong enough to take charge. True, he took charge at Helm's Deep, but he won't risk Aragorn even considering uniting them all for one final stand. Aragorn is strong enough and he himself would be the perfect bait. If Sauron realizes that he has the perfect chance to destroy the only hope for the good-guys of Middle Earth, he'll take it," I explained.
Gandalf nodded in agreement. "It's settled then. Aragorn will send the message. I suspect we'd best to it tonight. I doubt we have much time," the Wizard stated.
I snorted. "No? Really?" I asked.
"I believe that the one my father used is in his chambers," Boromir spoke up.
Strider nodded and stalked off to send the message. We didn't have to wait long before he returned and began shouting orders, telling people, soldier in general to prepare to march on the Black Gates.
As everyone saddled up, my doubts came in. I sighed; I really didn't have the time to deal with them. Pushing them away the best I could, I got into a horse and march in the front lines with the rest of the Fellowship. The closer we got to Mordor, the darker the day got. It wasn't long before I could not see the sun and it was at that point that all hell was about to break loose.
Author's Note: I know, I know! Two months overdue. I'm sorry and to be honest there are few excuses I can use. School is at the top. Although my classes are ten times easier, they also require more time. It seems that I have project after project for my science and sociology class.
As it stands right now, I have a sociology final project due June 1st as part of my final and another science project due sometime before June 3rd. I'm graduating high school June 10th and another update between not and then probably won't be happening. After that though, depending upon if I have to get a job, the summer will be spent writing. I'll be done with this fic before August 17th, which is the first day I start college. Yay me!
I have another fic planned after this and I've been trying to work on it, but I'm stuck, so don't hold your breath. It's not going to be a sequel to this fic, the ending will be the ending.
If you noticed that I have a 2nd disclaimer at the top of the page. If you read it, you'll understand. But I've got a semi-important question...Does anyone read these Author's Notes and review responds that I write? If you do that's fine, if not that's fine. I do it out of respect for the Reviewers. I figure that if you took the time to review my story, no matter how long or short it is, It's only polite to respond to those.
I suppose that's all I have to say for right now. Everybody enjoy their days between reviews.