Disclaimer in Chapter 1
Chapter 17: 'We Fight'
We walked inside slowly, looking around the dark room as Aragorn held a torch. My eyes widened the slightest bit when I saw hundreds of skulls along the walls and floors. Aragorn backed away, still on guard and holding up his sword. I followed him, distantly listening to Gimli whispering.
"What is it?" He asked of my brother as Legolas looked at the narrow path of skulls as well. "What do you see?" Gimli held his ax tighter as Legolas spoke, looking around.
"I see shapes of men. And of horses." "Where?" I rolled my eyes at Gimli's question, of course Dwarves couldn't see them. Nor could Men like Aragorn. Sadly, I could though. Not so pleasant. I tried to take my mind off the ghostly figures, unsuccessfully as Legolas spoke again.
"Pale banners like shreds of cloud. Spears rise like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist. The Dead are following. They have been summoned," Legolas replied worried. I looked around, shivering in disgust and fear at the ghostly bodies.
"The Dead? Summoned? I knew that. Very good," Gimli laughed nervously then yelled my brother's name, hurrying to catch up. I quickly hushed him, muttering under my breath 'stupid dwarf' and Legolas glowered at me. I glared back and walked up beside Aragorn.
I held my breath as ghostly hands came out of the fog at our feet and tried to grab at us. I tried not to laugh in this serious situation as Gimli tried to blow and wave away the hands.
"I do not think that will help as much as you plan, Master Dwarf," I told him, looking back with a small smirk on my lips whilst I got rid of my own by just walking through them. I heard some crackling and I quickly turned to see Aragorn stepping on skulls. "Do not look down," he warned and I shrugged, continuing on normally. I was still Elven enough that I could instinctively avoid the piece without looking down.
A louder crack was heard and I knew Gimli was on them now, and that he had looked down from listening to the sounds of disgust he made. After that we continued on quickly, entering a large room that had steps and a gaping hole in the middle. We looked around, wondering where the ghosts were and looking into the hole that had green smoke coming from it.
"Who enters my domain?" A ghostly voice was heard and we turned around to see a partially decomposed ghost appear with a crown-like helmet.
"One who will have your allegiance," Aragorn said sternly.
"The dead do not suffer the living to pass," The ghost replied with an eerie tone. "You will suffer me," Aragorn returned with a set jaw. The ghost king laughed. I echoed throughout the hall and other green spirits appeared, lighting up the room from behind us. I watched wide-eyed as thousands of ghosts came forth, carrying weapons of every type.
"The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the dead keep it," The ghost king sneered as more appeared, surrounding us. "The way is shut. Now you must die." Legolas quickly shot an arrow through the leader's head, or attempted to. We gripped out weapons tighter when it obviously did no harm.
"I summon you to fulfill your oath," Aragorn said, stepping forward. I whimpered softly, not wanting to loose him. I knew he wouldn't because he was the true King of Gondor but there was still a chance that he could die as well. He glanced at me for a second but looked back to the king who was walking forward as well, speaking as he did.
"None but the king of Gondor my command me." Aragorn raised Anduril, his sword, and met the king's blade with his own. "That line was broken," the ghost king hissed. Aragorn grabbed the ghost's neck, strangling him with his sword ready to cut it's head off. "It has been remade," Aragorn said.
He pushed the king backwards and looked around the ghost-filled room, speaking to them, "Fight for us and regain your honor. What say you?" He made his way through the ghosts looking around to see what they were thinking. "What say you?"
"You waste your time, Aragorn. They had no honor in life, they have none now in death," Gimli spoke up gruffly. I looked at the Dwarf disapprovingly before listening to Estel again.
"I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me and I will hold your oaths fulfilled. What say you?" The ghost king chuckled when Aragorn finished. The ghosts started to quickly disappear and I bit my lip nervously. "You have my word! Fight, and I will release you from this living death! What say you?" Aragorn shouted, trying in vain to bring the ghosts back.
"Stand, you traitors!" Gimli yelled, trying to help out. I groaned, they had only disappeared faster. Loud cracking was heard and Legolas and I looked around worriedly. Dust fell from the ceiling and skulls rolled to our feet. I grimaced and turned around slowly to see one of the walls collapsing, billions of skulls falling freely from the inside.
"Out!" Aragorn yelled as we ran into a small tunnel in the wall. Skulls and blocks of wall came crashing down like a tsunami, trying to push us into the pit. I came out after Aragorn, staying back for a few seconds to help my brother and Gimli get out before Aragorn led us outside.
I gasped when we got out, looking at the black ships and the towns on the coastline on fire. Aragorn fell to his knees in despair, thinking he had failed Middle-Earth. I knelt down beside him, grabbing his hand and rubbing the back of it with my thumb as Legolas held his shoulder.
We both stood up again as the ghost king appeared with a smirk. "We fight," was all he said. I broke out with a large smile on his face and Aragorn turned to me with a grin. He nodded at the ghost king and explained what the ghosts needed to do.
We trekked to the shore, awaiting the pirate ships to arrive as the ghost army turned invisible. I smirked at the unsuspecting pirates as we four stood, letting Aragorn stop the ships.
"You may go no further. You will not enter Gondor," Aragorn told the pirates. They just laughed. The possible leader stepped up and spoke, "Who are you to deny us passage? On second thought, give us the girl and we might reconsider. We would promise to treat her...pleasantly."
I shivered in disgust at what he said as the other pirates cackled. "B-" I started to cuss but Gimli quickly stepped on my foot, cutting me off with a hiss of pain. I glared at the small Dwarf before biting my bottom lip in order to stay silent.
"Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun's ear," Aragorn told my brother in a whisper. Legolas quickly nocked an arrow and aimed. "Mind your aim," Gimli reminded. I snickered when Gimli's ax purposely hit my brother's bow, messing up his aim just as the arrow was released. It hit the pirate next to the leader directly in his heart. Gimli fake gasped and covered his mouth, more than likely trying to hide a smile. Legolas glared at the Dwarf and Aragorn looked at him suspiciously, having not see what I did.
"That's it. Right. We warned you. Prepare to be boarded," Gimli said gruffly. The pirates laughed again. "Boarded? By you and whose army?" A random pirate shouted out. "You really shouldn't have said that," I said quietly with a snickered. Aragorn hid a smile, looking at my out of the corner of his eye, signaling that he heard me.
"This army," he muttered, letting the king ghost appear going through his body as the rest of the army appeared. The pirates cried out in horror as the ghosts attacked their ships, quickly bringing them down before we four joined the ghosts.
We quickly took over the boats, letting the ghosts steer them as we made battle plans. It took a long while to get there, at least two days. During that time, my brother still ignored me. I decided to speak to Aragorn about it.
"How long do you think my brother will not speak to me?" I asked him as we looked over the side of the boat and into the sea. He looked at me surprised then his eyes softened and he took my hand in his, rubbing it just as I did to him when we got out of the Path of the Dead.
"I am sure not much longer, love," he told me softly. I sighed deeply and he wrapped me in his arms, kissing the top of my head as I laid my forehead on his shoulder.
"I wish he would talk to me now. Later he may not be able to," I say softly, sighing sadly. "What do you mean?" He asked confused. "I have a feeling that something will happen soon, something none of us will be able to stop. I have a feeling that the four of us might not see one of us again, at least for a long while. I am afraid one of us will die," I explained. He pulled away and held me at arms-length, looking me dead in the eyes.
"That is what we all worry about, but I believe none of us will be harmed." I nodded slowly and he chuckled, curling his arms around me and meeting my lips with his for a simple but love-filled kiss. I stayed in his arms for a bit longer as we watched the sun go down again.
We soon arrived and an orc came waltzing up to the ship where we hid, ducked down. "Late as usual, pirate scum!" He shouted, "There's knife-work here needs doing."
"Come on, you sea rats! Get off your ships!" Orcs yelled at us. We jumped off the sides landing nimbly on our feet, with the exception of Gimli. The grotesque orcs and Uruks lost their smiles, grabbing their weapons. We walked forward with out own weapons in hand, ready for bloodshed.
"There's plenty for the both of us. May the best Dwarf win," I faintly heard Gimli tell my brother. "Good luck, Aragorn. Stay as safe as you can," I whisper to him. He smirks and nods at me, showing that he heard me before we ran at them, the ghosts appearing behind us. The enemies tried to flee but we quickly struck them down, attacking nonstop before heading to Pelennor Fields.
The battle raged on, I heard Gimli and Legolas counting how many they have killed. Do they ever grow up? Orc after orc I struck, helping the other soldiers on our side when needed.
"Aranel! Legolas!" Aragorn yelled. We turned back after quickly finishing the orc or Uruk we were fighting, to see what he wanted. I looked up in shock seeing two Oliphants coming at us. We nodded at each other and quickly took them and the men down in a similar fashion. Well, I had to learn this type of stuff from someone. I rolled my eyes when I realized Legolas was still counting.
We slid off them and Gimli shouted at Legolas, "That still only counts as one!"
The Battle was quickly ending with the ghost army on our side. I pulled my sword out of another orc and before stabbing it into another. This pattern went continuously on, over and over and over, before I stopped to catch my breath. I didn't notice a stray Uruk creep up and stab me in the back, through my stomach.
I cried out in pain and instantly clutched my mid-section before realizing the enemy was still behind me. I swiftly turned and sliced his head off. I looked around but the pain brought me to my knees, there was poison on the weapon.
I looked up weakly to see Aragorn and Legolas watching me in shock mixed with horror before they started fighting again. Harder and faster than they did before. Legolas shot and sliced enemy after enemy, making his way towards me as quickly as he could.
I groaned softly in pain as Legolas picked me up off my stomach and turned me over, quickly trying to stop the blood flow. I looked and saw Aragorn fighting off the orcs that were trying to get to Legolas and me.
My vision grew blurry and Aragorn knelt down, looking me worriedly in the eyes. "Don't fall asleep, Aranel!" He warned in a rushed whisper, binding my wound with experienced hands. My eyes fluttered, trying to stay awake, before the blood loss caught up with me and blackness closed in.
~Legolas' P.O.V.~
My heart stopped for a moment or two as I looked at my sister's limp form. Her eyes were closed but I let out a sigh of relief when I saw her chest rise, proving she was still alive.
"Do not be relieved yet, my friend. We know not whether she will wake again. Let us move her to the castle," Aragorn said with a grievous tone and I gulped before picking up my twin's body.
We quickly made it to the gates, Aragorn helping take out the last few of the orcs as we went. He took her from my arms and hurried to the Healing Ward with me following. As soon as we got there, one of the older nurses immediately took her and started to patch Aranel up.
After a few minutes the nurse returned with a frown and sorrowful eyes. "Your majesties, it seems the sword the girl was struck with was coated with poison. It has spread to many parts of her body already and she has an extremely high fever. She may not last the night."
My heart practically broke as I walked over to my sister's sweaty, fitful form. Aragorn sat in a chair beside her bed with a look of hopelessness as he ran his hand through her bloody blonde hair. All I could think about was how I had treated her since I found out she was becoming Mortal.
I took in a sharp intake of breath, knowing that my sister could die and not even know how sorry I was for treating her that way. I closely examined Aragorn, watching how much he cared for Aranel and knowing that, if she ever woke up, they would have my blessing if they asked for it. Aranel deserved to be loved and Aragorn would give her that. I understood why my sister chose to be Mortal.
"She knew this would happen," Aragorn spoke up and I looked at him shocked. "She talked with me last night. I don't think she knew who would get hurt, but she knew someone would."
"My lord, forgive me for interrupting you but there are others injured but many of us do not have the skills that you do. We need your help with the others. But the g-ghosts outside are demanding your presence," a different nurse from before told Aragorn. "Do not worry, I will watch over her."
We nodded and quickly headed out of the the city of Gondor, thankful we were not at the castle so we could get back faster. The sun shinned and the army of ghosts appeared before us.
"Release us," the ghost king ordered. Aragorn sighed.
"Bad idea," said Gimli quickly. "Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead." The ghost king turned his white irises on the Dwarf in a glare before turning back to Aragorn.
"You gave us your word," the king reminded. Aragorn would never break his word.
"I hold your oath fulfilled. Go. Be at peace," Aragorn said softly with a slight smile, hiding the pain of my sister's poor well-being for the most part. The ghost sighed and closed his eyes, disappearing into dust with the rest of them.
In the corner of my eye I saw Aragorn look to Mithrandir who bowed his head in respect. Aragorn smiled sadly and shook his head slightly before I walked up to him.
"My friend, you must go and help the others. Do not fear, I will watch over my sister until you return," I say expressionlessly before turning around and starting to walk off.
"Legolas," he stopped me, grabbing on to my arm, "I believe I should explain what she told me last night." I looked at my Mortal friend confused. "She was wondering when you would talk to her again. She said you would not be able to if you did not do it soon. She knew something would happen that no one could stop and that someone will be deeply hurt and might die. I believe somewhere inside of her she knew it would be her instead of one of us, which is why she told me."
I felt my heart break at his words but anger pieced it back together. "Why did you not tell me of this conversation?" I seethed and his eyes hardened.
"Every time I spoke of your sister you either ignored me, walked away, or changed the subject. How could I have told you she thought she or one of us would die! Before this you wouldn't even listen to one WORD of the conversation if she was even mentioned! Don't you dare yell at me for not telling you," Estel hissed with flames in his eyes.
Gandalf, Pippin, and Gimli watched the scene in confused silence. I turned my head away, ashamed at my actions before nodding. "Forgive me, my friend. It was wrong to accuse you. I will watch over her."
"One more thing, talking to someone who is in the state she is in, sometimes helps wake them up," he hinted and I nodded before setting off to the Healing Ward to sit with my sister until she wakes.
A/N: Hey eyeryone! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I made this chapter two times long as my normal ones (over 3000 words while my largest one before was around 1500) You guys better be thankful because this took me over 2 HOURS to write. Not Fun. Well that's all, and have a Happy Halloween!