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Lacy here. We've reached it. The final battle of Middle Earth. We've lost a lot along the way, gained people and have fought many tough battles. This one though, this will decide the fate of Middle Earth. This battle gives Frodo the chance he needs to destroy the ring. We'll have two more chapters after this so...have fun!
Disclaimer: I own Zera.
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Zera stood with Legolas and Eomer as Gandalf tried to see if he could locate Frodo.
"Frodo has passed beyond my sight." Gandalf said. "The darkness is deepening."
"If Sauron had the ring, we would know it." Aragorn said, his arms crossed while his back faced the others.
"It's only a matter of time." Gandalf said. "He has suffered a defeat, yes but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping."
"Let him stay there." Gimli said from the Steward's chair. "Let him rot. Why should we care?"
Gandalf looked at him. "Because ten thousand orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom."
Gimli exhaled, his face deflated. That took the air right out of the little bugger.
"I've sent him to his death." Gandalf said, almost a whisper.
"No," Aragorn said, facing the others. "there is still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that."
Zera frowned, unable to see what her brother was thinking. "How?"
"Draw out Sauron's armies, empty his lands." Aragorn said. "Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate."
Gimli coughed at Aragorn's words, not believing what his friend was saying.
"We can not achieve victory through strength of arms." Eomer said.
"Not for ourselves," Zera said, seeing her brother's plan. "but we can give Frodo his chance. If we keep Sauron's eye fixed on us. Keep him blind to all else that moves."
"A diversion." Legolas said.
"Sauron will suspect a trap." Gandalf said. "He will not take the bait."
"Certainty of death." Gimli said. "Small chance of success." he shrugged. "What are we waiting for?"
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Zera looked at the tunic that had been laid out for her. It was black and held the White Tree of Gondor. The seal of hers and Aragorn's people. She knew it was meant to go in place of her dress along with the pants beside it but she would wear the tunic over her dress. As long as the dress held its power, she wouldn't go into battle without it.
Pulling the tunic on, Zera secured the new belt she'd been given along with the bracers and boots. Her hair had been woven into a tight braid down her back and had a silver clip at the top, also showing the White Tree.
"You are a true heir of Gondor."
Zera turned and smiled at Eomer. "I may look it but I do not feel it."
Eomer walked in and returned the smile. "You will, when the time comes."
Zera shook her head. "How do you have so much faith in me?"
"Because while you may be scared and even uncertain, I can see the good in your heart." Eomer said. "I can see you have it in you to see this through to the end."
Zera smiled and boldly kissed Eomer. "You are a good man."
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The army stopped outside the Black gate, which was sealed shut.
"Where are they?" Pippin asked.
Aragorn looked at Zera. She nodded and they spurred their horses forward, towards the gate. Legolas, Gandalf and Eomer followed. They stopped just before the gate.
"Let the lord of the Black Land come forth!" Aragorn called out. "Let justice be done upon him!"
The group waited in anticipation for some kind of response. As Zera looked around, she clutched the pendent around her neck, feeling its strength and power. She replayed Eomer's words to her and felt her fear disappear.
The gate started to creak moments before it began to open. As the gate opened further, hordes of orcs could be seen marching forward.
"Fall back!" Aragorn called. "Fall back!"
Zera wasted no time turning Riniel around and heading back to where the army still stood. She was some of the men moving backwards and knew how they left. Ten thousand versus what was left of Rohan and Gondor. They were doomed.
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Zera stayed back as Aragorn addressed the men.
"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan. My brothers!" Aragorn said. "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!" He held Anduril high in the air. "By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"
Zera drew her sword, as did everyone else, and smiled proudly at her brother. She had been right, the throne wasn't lost to them and she would follow her brother, her king to death.
Wisely, they sent the horses away and as the army of Mordor surrounded them, Zera hoped Frodo could finally destroy the ring.
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"The eagles are coming!" Zera heard Pippin cry over the battle.
She bashed an orc's face in with the hilt of her sword before slitting the throat of another. She looked up as the eagles came swooping in, heading right for the Nazgul, who screeched in protest. Zera turned, taking out two more orcs, just in time to see Aragorn fall to the ground.
"Aragorn!" she called, fearing the worst.
She saw a troll making its way to him and reached into the earth for anything that could slow the beast. But Mordor was a barren land, there were no living plants, not even deep under ground. Zera slashed through orc after orc to reach her brother but it seemed the filthy beasts were fighting to keep everyone away from him, as she saw no one else could get through either.
Suddenly, the two armies froze. A cloud appeared over the Black Tower. The Great Eye burned as the tower began to collapse. The Eye moved back and forth, quickly, as if looking for a way out. As the tower hit the ground, a great explosion shattered the tower into dust.
The orcs started scattering, as if realizing what had occurred and knowing they were in trouble. The explosion engulfed Sauron's army as the plain falls away, dragging the orcs into a deep chasm. The Army of the West rejoiced as the Mordor army was swallowed into the ground.
Zera moved to Aragorn's side and helped him stand as they watched. To the army's shock, Mt. Doom erupted, sending lava and molten rock everywhere. The hearts of the Fellowship stopped. Sam. Frodo. Tears fell down Zera's face as it appeared their friends were gone.
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Zera sat with the others outside Frodo's room in Minas Tirith. Thankfully the two young hobbits had been found, sitting on a rock away from the lava. Gandalf and the eagles had saved them. Sam was up and around while Frodo was taking longer to heal, as he was recovering from not only physical wounds but mental ones as well.
"You're not wearing your normal dress." Gimli noticed.
Zera looked down at the deep purple dress she wore. "It was ruined in the battle. A new one was in order anyway, after everything."
Gimli smiled. "Take no offense, your highness, but it is weird seeing you in something not black."
Zera smiled. "No offense taken and I am still Zera, Gimli. The coronation has not happened yet."
Laughter interrupted their talk. Everyone turned to Frodo's room. The laughter was that of Gandalf and Frodo.
"He's awake." Merry said with a smile.
Merry and Pippin charged into the room first, jumping on Frodo's bed, happy to see their friend alive. Gimli and Legolas were next. The dwarf seemed more happy then the hobbits about Frodo's health. Legolas held a proud smile on his face, his happiness showing through. Aragorn and Zera stepped into the room next and both broke into smiles as they moved to stand around Frodo's bed. Zera could feel Sam's presence in the door way and let a tear run down her face. They'd lost so many but in the end, they were together.
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*exhales* Well, I whined about the battle scene, not nearly as much as Helm's Deep but a good bit but it's done now. We've got two chapters left. The coronation and end is not next, though. No, I've got a special chapter planned and I think you'll all really like it. Alright, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.
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