ANDREA
Sam and I slide down a steep bank, landing just shy of the road, my head beginning to throb as the Ring's voice starts whispering in my head again. Below us, thousands of Orcs marching away from Mount Doom.
"Look at the Orcs," Sam whispers in an excited voice. "They're moving off. You see, Andi, some luck at last." With my lips pressed into a firm line, I nod and signal for us to continue moving across the dry, volcanic rock. Mordor is a dark and dismal place, the smell one of sulfur from the volcano. Marching footsteps and shouted orders draw our attention towards the company of Orcs headed our way down the road.
"Sammy, you still got your fancy cloak," I ask as we back up hurriedly.
"Yeah, why?"
"Because we're gonna need it to get past those guys." We huddle close together and Sam covers us with the cloak right as the army marches past, one of the Orcs holding a whip looking right at us for a second before continuing on. We don't move until we can't see the group, Sam and I letting out relieved breaths as he pushes the cloak off.
"That was too close for comfort." I nod in agreement, struggling to stand under the heavy armor before helping Sam up as well, making sure his cloak was hidden in his pack. I don't understand how he's doing this with hardly a complaint, sure the Ring is heavy and it's rubbing my neck raw, but he's got a heavy pack on his back and has had it since we left Rivendell.
"Do want me to carry your pack for a while?" He looked shocked that I asked, only making me feel guiltier about it all. All these months we've been together and I've rarely ever helped him in anything, and it made me feel like the scum of the earth.
"Course not, Andrea." He shakes his head, walking the way the Orcs had come from. "I've got my pack and you've got the Ring." I follow after him, respect bubbling in my chest for all the Hobbits involved with our quest, even Frodo who had stayed behind to care for his uncle. They may not look like much, but Hobbits would outlast all of us in the long run, kind of like the Dodos. Okay, not the greatest example, but they did outlive all the characters from Ice Age.
ASHLEY
Adar rides at the head of our army, leading all of us through the ruins of Osgiliath. Rohirrim and Gondorian soldiers alike joined under one banner, ready to give my friend a chance to end this war once and for all. Gandy, Leggy, Gimli, Éomer, Merry, Pippin, Kharl, Haldir, and I ride directly behind Adar towards the dark mountains of Mordor. It's going to be one hell of a battle and I probably won't make it through in one piece, but nothing could stop the excitement I feel at actually doing something to held Andrea.
"So you don't even know what the hula is," I ask Haldir. The elf gives me a what do you think look. "I guess I'll have to remedy that if we survive."
"We will," he assures me, astride his own horse now instead of sharing with me. I missed his warmth, the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me, and the saddle felt too big without Haldir settled behind me. "I'll not lose you this far along." I smile over at him, using one hand to steer Thalion and the other to grasp one of Haldir's.
"I love you, Elf."
"And I you, Dúnadan." He gives my hand one more squeeze before returning his to the reins while mine dropped to the hilt of my new sword. Well, it wasn't actually new, it was the one Adar used before Elrond gave him a new one. It was the sword he used as a Ranger and it was currently sheathed and tied to Thalion's saddle, close at hand so I could draw it if I needed to.
Before giving up, they'd tried to lock me in my room, but I created a rope ladder out of sheets and dresses. After that, they had Faramir sit on me while they readied the horses, but he's as ticklish as his brother was. In the end, Aragorn had just tied his old sword to the saddle and lifted me up into it, telling me to stay close to my friends or him during the battle.
ANDREA
The ground was uneven at the best of times as we continue to make our way across an open field, the volcano keeping the air hot and the rocks even hotter. It didn't help that the armor I wore made it feel like I was being cooked alive. I don't know how much longer I can do this. The human body wasn't made to survive the harsh things I've gone through and I would have a long recovery time if I ever finished.
My foot catches on one of the larger stones, sending me straight to the ground. "Andi," Sam calls, running back for me. "Are you alright?" I let out a long groan, lying face-down and not moving. "Come on, you have to get up."
"Do I really gotta?"
On our way, Andi. Ashley's voice fills my head and I look up at Sam with a tiny spark of hope. He'd heard it, too; I could tell that from the smile sprouting on his own face. Take care of my sister, Sammy. I'll be very upset if something happens to her. I couldn't hear Sam's thought back to her and she didn't respond, but to know she was coming to help lifted part of the crushing loneliness off of my shoulders.
"Come on, then," Sam says again, helping me up to my feet. "We just need to go straight that way and all of this will just be a bad dream. First things first, let's get rid of this armor."
"I couldn't agree more, Sammy." We remove the armor as quickly as we can, tossing it and Sam's pack over the edge of the cliff before continuing on for a few more hours. I find myself sitting slumped against a rock, shivering slightly now that I was only in my light shirt, breeches, and stolen boots.
"Look." I follow Sam's gaze up to the sky, the rust-colored clouds drifting away just enough to reveal the nighttime sky and a single star. "There's light and beauty up there that no shadow can touch." But it was hard to keep my eyes open and I soon found myself fast asleep with my head on Sammy's shoulder.
ASHLEY
We stop about a half mile from the gates of Mordor, the bleak landscape giving off an air of depression. I give Kharl a worried look that he returns. Andrea is in there somewhere and she might need a whole lot more help than we can give her. "Maybe I should have brought the grass skirts after all," I muse absently," you know, just to keep the morale up."
ANDREA
Desperate for a drink, I tilt my water skin over my mouth only to have nothing come out and throw it as far as I can. "Take mine," Sam says, holding out his water skin. "There's a few drops left." I take it gratefully, taking a small sip before giving it back. My throat was dry and burning for more, but I knew we had to ration it. It's the only clean water we have left. "You should have more if you want to keep going at the pace we are."
"We need to save it for the journey back home." Sam looks up at me, the hope he had a few days ago vanished, replaced by a resolve to live until he couldn't anymore.
"I don't think there will be a return journey." He and I make eye contact and a silent acknowledgment passing between us. We both knew that we might not even live long enough to complete our mission, but I so badly wanted to see the fresh innocence back in Sammy's eyes. Sam stands up, tying his water skin to his belt before offering me a hand up. I accept his help gratefully, stumbling along after Sam and hoping that I can keep on my feet longer than I have been on this uneven terrain.
"If anyone can survive this, then it'll be us, Sammy." My right hand rises to hold the Ring, its weight forcing the chain into my neck and rubbing it raw. To top it all off, I feel a blow—like being backhanded—come from my left side, my hand coming up to defend myself a moment too late.
"Andrea," that sinister voice hisses. "Andrea!"
"Andrea, get down," Sam shouts, dropping down to get out of the Eye's path. I turn to face it, the red of it as sinister as the landscape and the voice in my head. The moment the red light hits me I collapse, unable to control my body.
ASHLEY
"Where are they," Pip asks in a wary voice. Our rag-tag group of warriors gallop forwards at Gandy's nod, towards the Black Gate. We're coming, Andi, I promise.
"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth," Adar calls out when we stop again. "Let justice be done upon him!" Behind the gate we can hear rhythmic chanting and the clanging armor of thousands. The gate begins to open—the sound of metal scraping against metal—as we look on in trepidation. A single Orc rides out to greet us, it's lips barley more than thin black lines drawn back from rotting teeth.
"My master, Sauron the Great, bids the welcome," it says in a deep rasping voice. The helmet it wore cover all of its head except its mouth and I could see Adar giving it the same nauseated nonplused look that I was. "Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?"
"It's more along the lines that we don't negotiate with terrorists," I remark, gaining the Orc's attention. "Plus, offense intended, you look like something from The Hills Have Eyes, so I'm not sure if I want to talk or put a spear through your face and end your misery." Gandalf takes over and doesn't even glare at me this time, in fact, the old man actually looks on in amusement.
"Tell you master this," Gandalf states firmly," the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."
"Old gray beard," the Orc responds. "I have a token I was bidden to show thee." It holds up a tattered looking iPod, the black screen cracked and the metal casing dented. I have to bite my tongue to keep from gloating that my friend was still alive.
"Can I just shoot this asshole yet," I growl, narrowing my brown eyes into a hateful glare.
"I see now that the woman was dear to thee. My master wanted you to know that she died after going through agonizing torture. She died screaming." Its head is focused in my direction, taking in the tears that slipped free at even the thought of Andrea and Sammy being tortured. "The princess's tears feed my master."
"Tell your master I'm coming to repay the favor." Adar urges Brego to move forward a couple of feet, putting himself slightly between me and the monster.
"Who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken elvish blade." Adar continues riding forward, the rage burning in his grey eyes the only thing to show that the creature's words had hit their mark. Before it had a chance to react, Andúril was drawn and the creature's head was rolling on the ground.
"Well, that's one way to shut his fat mouth." The gates open wider and the screeching sound the gears made hurt my ears. As the Orc army begins to march out, we gallop back to our own army—pathetic compared to the Orcs. I look back over my shoulder, noticing the red Eye swiveling in our direction, and I smile.
Our plan was working thus far.
ANDREA
My eyes snap open once I have control back, the red light no longer on me, but distracted by something closer to the gates. "It's gone," Sam tells me with a breath of solace. He crawls over to me, not taking a chance in case the light comes back as I look at him in dazed silence. "The light's passed on, away towards the north. Something's drawn its gaze."
"Yeah," I nod," our buddies are here like Ash promised." I look up at Sam, sitting up slowly. "Let's go make them proud." The both of us stagger to our feet and begin walking once more. Always walking, never resting... Always so tired.
ASHLEY
The massive army marches towards us, some of our men wavering and backing away. It's too late though, even if they run the Orcs will hunt them down and kill them. Adar gallops to the very front to address the entire army. "Hold your ground! Hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take me." He looks at all of us, his pupils dilating from the thrill of war. "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!" He holds Andúril above his head. "Men of the West!"
ANDREA
Sam and I scale the face of Mount Doom, the sharp, jagged rock cutting my hands and torso, the heat leaving burns. Red lightening streaks through the sky, followed shortly after by thunder—four seconds, the lightening is four miles away. I let out a gasping shout as I fall forward onto my knees, the rock digging in and ruining my pants even more with ash and blood. Sam drops next to me, trying to help me up, but I feel so weak. I just want to rest, to sleep.
Slowly, I raise my head to look up, the simple action taking more energy than it should have under normal circumstances. I look up at the mountain, at the lava hardened rock and ash. Sam turns me onto my back, cradling my head in his arms.
ASHLEY
"If this ends badly," Kharl tells me, swallowing hard," and you somehow make it back to our world, do me a favor and tell my son I didn't abandon him." I look over at my brother, seeing the pain in his eyes. It made my chest ache to see him so downtrodden, and it hurt even worse to know that the baby's mom probably told him that his dad didn't care.
"Only if you promise to tell my parents how much I loved them."
"Deal."
ANDREA
"Have you ever seen the Shire, Andi," he asks in a desperate attempt to keep me focused. I manage to shake my head, all the smoke surrounding me and the heat making it difficult to breathe. "It'll be spring soon and the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. They'll be sowing summer barely in the lower fields and eating the first of the strawberries with cream." He pauses to look down at me. "I'll bet I could melt some sweetened chocolate for you to dip the strawberries in."
"How could I say no to that," I murmur, eyes barely opened to look up at my friend. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this mess." I would have cried if it were possible, and my chest heaved like I was sobbing anyway. "God, the eye won't leave me alone. It keeps looking at me like I'm a prime steak and it's a predator."
"Then let's be rid of it once and for all! Come on, Andi, I can't carry it for you…." He picks me up in his arms, easily holding my emaciated frame. "But I can carry you!" His soft face hardens with resolve as he carries me up the mountain and I feel so bad that I can't do anything to help ease this burden from his shoulders.
ASHLEY
The Orcs surround us on all sides and Adar raises his sword in a broad sweep as he walks forward and turns to face us. "For Andrea," he says softly. He turns again to face the enemy and charges forward with a shout of fury. I give my own battle yell, running forward with the others, my sword out of its scabbard and in my hand in a single fluid motion.
ANDREA
With me on his back, Sam slowly but surely begins the ascent up Mount Doom. Strong winds whip at us on either side, carrying ash with it and driving the substance down our throats. The ground below is hidden by clouds and fog, and we both start when the mountain trembles, red flame exploding up into the sky. It could blow at any time and that thought made me uneasy.
"Look, Andi! We're almost there!" I do look up at Sam's urging and I'm able to make out the doorway carved into the mountainside, glowing from the lava inside of it. I let out a breathless laugh, joy flooding my senses. Out of nowhere, something crashes into us, sending Sam and I to the ground. It's Gollum, he survived the fall! The deformed Hobbit crawls on top of me, wrapping his hands around my throat and squeezing.
I dig my nails into Gollum's hands, trying to pry them off so I could get oxygen, but his grip is too strong and I am too weak at this point. A rock flies from the left, striking Gollum's head and stunning him enough that Sam can tackle him to the ground.
ASHLEY
I scream as an Orc blade manages to open a deep cut above my eye, beheading the creature soon thereafter. The battle was worse than I thought it would be and I was nearly out of energy. But I fought on, ignoring my asthma, ignoring my aches and pains, ignoring everything but the Orcs I'm fighting. Nothing mattered if Andi didn't destroy the Ring. We'd all be killed if she fails and this is the least I can do if it means she gets a brief respite from the constant worry of Orc soldiers.
High overhead, Nazgûl fly on their Fell-beasts, picking men off by two's and three's.
ANDREA
Taking the opportunity given to me by Sam, I sneak away on up the mountain towards the opening. The was path hard and the Ring was resting in my hand instead of around my neck as it had been since our journey started. My bones ached and my breathing was ragged, but I continue onwards as my mum and dad would want me to. I could see them in my mind's eye, cheering me on like they did when I played basketball in college.
You can do it! My mum would yell, waving her arms and giving me a huge smile. You can beat them! Dad would shout, yelling insults at Gollum the entire time as I climbed. The thought of them enough to spur me on.
ASHLEY
Giant Eagles have joined the fray now, attacking the Fell-beasts and their riders, giving us a break. "The Eagles are coming," I hear Pip shout from a few feet away. "The Eagles are coming!" All he's missing is some period clothing and a lantern, and he could be a miniature Paul Revere!
I laugh, sticking an Orc in the belly before moving on to the next and the next after that, trying to help Pip as best I could while Haldir helped Merry. We might just win this thing after all.
ANDREA
"Andrea," I hear Sammy shout. I stare down at the river of lave flowing below, the place I was expected to throw the Ring and destroy it. I am so close, yet the Ring feels as though it's stuck in my palm and doesn't want to part with me.
"I'm over here, Sam," I mumble, gaze switching from the lava to the gold piece of jewelry in my hand The heat inside the volcano makes sweat drench my clothes and drip into my eyes, but I pay it no heed. I hold the Ring over the chasm, willing myself to unclench my fingers and be rid of the damn thing once and for all.
"Destroy it! Go on! Throw it in the fire!" I don't look at Sam, I don't have to in order to know his expression is desperate and pleading, just like his voice. "What are you waiting for?! Just let it go!" The Ring's soft hum grows louder in my ears until it sounds like angry bees. I pull the Ring away and closer to me, holding it like a mother would her infant child.
"It's mine," I hiss, ripping it off the chain and sliding it on my finger.
"No!"