Well here we go guys! In this chapter we'll get rid of Sauron! This "book" won't end here though. Legolas has some unfinished business. After we take care of all of that, and all of the confusion among the elves, then we'll come back for the coronation and the story will pretty much conclude after that, with a little bit more at the end of course.
You guys have no idea how much it means to me. I read everyone's reviews and try to put what you think would be good into the story while also keeping it mine. For the most part everyone seems to really like this story. I know some people think it should be way more popular, and if you want it to be like that then feel free to share it. I love people to read my work!
Anyway, without further ado, let's begin!
The silence that stretched over the company was not a comforting one. It was the calm that was before the storm, and the blind elf could sense the fear that was strung through the air. He understood their fear. They had brought with them around One Thousand men from Gondor, the few from Rohan that had stayed, plus the Fellowship itself. The company held itself as proudly as it could, wearing newly polished armor and bearing the flags of Gondor. Gandalf was on Shadowfax, Pippin riding in front of him. Aragorn was proudly riding Hasufel, head raised in defiance against the Black Gate. Eomer had returned on his white horse with Merry behind him. Legolas rode Arod, and the fiery horse was itching for a battle. Gimli was on the back of the horse, silently watching his friend as he let the horse carry the two of them forward. Angrod had been persuaded by the elf Prince to stay behind.
Proud and defiant. That was the only way the odd company could look. But Legolas knew it was hollow. They were the kinds of men found in legends, scared but seen only as brave. They were riding out to face the evil and impossible odds. Yet the men were barely held in check by the proud Fellowship. One Thousand against Ten Thousand? Those odds were highly stacked against them. They were all expecting to die. But the pride that their new King showed, and that unwavering loyalty of his strange friends, made them more than willing to help in anyway they could.
The land was beginning to make a slow but steady incline towards the Black Gates. Legolas looked up at the fire of Mount Doom, the darkness of the clouds and land before him brightly and painfully visible to his eyes, enough so that he could now make out the outlines of the men and horses against the painfully bright background. He couldn't help but shudder a little, feeling a breath of numb cold seep into his skin. The darkness of Mordor was powerful. Gimli laid a hand on his friend's arm, looking at the elf worriedly. He was deeply fond of the elf, strange though their friendship was. Legolas knew this well, and smiled at the dwarf.
The men behind him who saw it were astonished. They'd heard the story of this poor elf, yet still he smiled so brightly! Even those not part of the Wraith world as he was could feel the unearthly darkness. Yet Legolas smiled and gave no indication that he was frightened. True to the legends of his own people, he was stone faced and showed no fear, prepared to battle and probably even die. Elves were one of the oldest races of Middle Earth and by far one of the most fierce. Cheered suddenly by this thought the men found the strength in their hearts to go on.
They had reached the Black Gate. Legolas could just see the dark ugly thing, full of spires of dark stone and built like a dark scar that rose from this battered land. Aragorn however had no fear and rode forward, right towards the great gates. The men stopped as they had been instructed several hundred feet back from the gates. The horses however continued forward, one of the riders of Gondor carrying the flag of Gondor firmly in his hands. Here the horses stopped, and even Shadowfax shifted nervously in the unearthly silence.
It was if all of Middle Earth had frozen in that one moment. All eyes were now on the proud but small band prepared to face all of the might of Mordor. Legolas let his eyes travel over the whole of the Fellowship that was here. It was the last time he might see them, quite literally. But there was no backing down now as Aragorn spurred the brown horse closer to the gate and exclaimed in a loud voice.
"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth," the Ranger King cried. "Let justice be done upon him!"
His voice rang powerfully out against the surrounding air, echoing slightly against the walls. For a moment it seemed as if he had not been heard. Then there was the sound of a creaking door. Slowly, with the unearthly screeching of metal and stone on stone, the Black Gate slid open enough for passage of a single horse. Then a creature unlike any Legolas had ever encountered stepped from the Black Gate. It rode a heavily armored Black Horse, the foulest the elf had ever laid eyes on, for he could clearly see it and its rider. The creature also wore armor and his eyes were completely covered, showing only its cracked and scarred lips, which opened to reveal its hideously misshapen, overlarge and blackened teeth. It turned to look over them all, its gaze lingering on the elf a moment, before turning to look at Aragorn who had addressed his master.
"My master Sauron bids thee welcome," the creature said in a dark and evil voice. There was no response from their group, though Legolas glared at the creature and he knew others would be as well. "Is there any in this rabble with the authority to treat with me?"
"We do not come to treat with Sauron," Gandalf answered in contempt, purposely moving Shadowfax forward so he was in front of the blind elf behind him. "Faithless, and accursed. Tell your Master this. The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."
"Ah," the creature laughed. "Old Graybeard." Then he seemed to remember something. "I have a token I was bidden to show thee."
Out of his saddle bag, he drew something. Legolas could not see it, though he could see the shape of it silhouetted against his dark light. Then he heard the sound of the tinkling it made. His heart dropped into his stomach with dread and he dared not believe it. He knew that sound. It was the sound of the Mithril shirt that Frodo had worn. When he heard the sound he grew afraid, praying to the Valor that Frodo was alright. It would be impossible for them to get that if he had not been captured. He heard gasps from the rest of the Fellowship and knew he was probably right. Then however he felt the old loyalty he had shown back in the caves of Moria, and he felt anger. If his eyes could pierce like daggers, blind though they were, the servant of Sauron would be dead.
"Frodo," Pippin said quietly. The creature threw the Mithril shirt at Gandalf, he caught it and inspected it closer.
"Frodo," Pippin said louder, making the creature make a noise and look at him.
"Silence," Gandalf said, though his heart was heavy.
"No," Merry cried louder, again making the creature look.
"Silence," Gandalf cried in a sterner voice. The hobbits fell silent as they were told.
"The halfling was dear to thee I see," the creature said. "Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host." Legolas could hear the shifting in breathing of the Fellowship around him, to sad and disbelieving and even to anger. Though Aragorn seemed unaffected, Legolas felt angry. Though he also couldn't keep the fear and disbelief off of his face. He felt Gimli grab his arm as if to steady himself. "Who knew one so small could endure so much pain?" The hobbits sounded ready to cry. "And he did Gandalf. He did." Gandalf sounded wounded as well.
Then however Legolas paused with some surprise. Someone had ridden their horse forward slightly, drawing close to the creature. The creature in turn looked at him, and Legolas realized who it was with a start. His eyes looked up fearfully, wondering what on earth Aragorn was going to do. The creature let out a soft snarl and looked at the Ranger King of Gondor.
"And who is this?" the creature asked. "Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a King than a broken Elvish blade."
With that there was the sound of metal ringing on metal and Aragorn gave out a scream as he took his sword in hand and showed the creature just how broken his blade really was. There was the soft thump of the head hitting the ground and the horse moving off alone. Aragorn angrily spun his horse around to face the Fellowship as they stared at him in surprise.
"I guess that concludes negotiations," Gimli said somewhat grimly, but Legolas knew that the Fellowship would have all killed the foul creature if they had dared.
"I do not believe it," Aragorn told them, anger tinging his voice now. "I will not."
Legolas found himself agreeing with his friend. He refused to believe that Frodo was dead. They had gotten their hands on the Mirthril shirt somehow. That was all. He was sure the hobbit was alive somewhere within Mordor, fighting on. The elf had to believe it. If he did not then there would be no hope left for any of them. Legolas sent the Valor a prayer for Frodo's safety.
With this bold proclamation the Black Gates swung open. Slowly they began to show the army of Mordor, gathered just behind the door and chanting their war chants as they saw the group in front of them. The eye of Sauron too was turned towards them, and the foul light of that blazing eye made Legolas feel sick. He fought down the cold and sickness though for the sake of his friends. He refused to back down. He would fight on. With a grim glare of determination he met the eye of Sauron's gaze and did not look away.
The others however seemed much more worried for their elf and all turned to look at him. He was paler than before, though his hands remained steady. They didn't want to risk it however. Aragorn turned his horse back to look at the others and pulled hard on the reigns. He looked Legolas right in the face though the elf could not see it.
"Fall back," he said purposely. "Fall back!"
Legolas obeyed with the others, giving Arod a quiet command in elvish to fall back with the others. The four horses turned and ran back to the men who were nervously shifting and looking around, trying to find the courage they needed to stay and fight. Aragorn however rode his horse right to the front lines, looking over all of them with a steely gaze. The Fellowship turned to survey the army coming towards them. It would be a long fight, and probably not one they could escape from.
"Hold your ground," Aragorn cried in a commanding voice. "Hold your ground!" The men nervously obeyed, looking at him for leadership. "Sons of Gondor, of Rohan! My brothers! 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! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand men of the West!"
Legolas could feel his own heart soar at the words. Yes they faced impossibly odds, but he did not fear. What Aragorn said was true. Maybe a day would come when they would all break all bonds of fellowship, but today the Fellowship of the Ring was still standing, and today he would stand by these men in life and death. These men were as good his brother in arms as any. The elves would fight with men, as would today dwarves and hobbits and wizards. In the greatest hour of Middle Earth they would all stand as one.
He heard the sound of a drawing sword, and then another. Suddenly the sound echoed powerfully around them as the men of the West drew their blades when the King of Gondor raised his own. Legolas felt himself prouder of Aragorn than he ever though he would be. He leaped off of Arod and helped Gimli dismount quickly. The other horses were also dismounted, then sent back to Gondor. They would not need them now. The army of Mordor was approaching all the while now, coming closer and closer. The elf sent off the fiery white steed with a word and then joined the ranks beside the Fellowship at the front of the lines, Aragorn standing just in front of them.
With the army as prepared as it would ever be and held in place by the stern splendor of the King, they stood their ground as the army began to surround them. It would be impossible to run now. Even if they tried they would just be cut down. The army of Sauron soon surrounded them on all sides. Their little band looked absurdly small now compared to the mighty army of Sauron. The men and the Fellowship alike took deep breaths to calm their frantic hearts.
"Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an elf," Gimli said. Legolas felt a smile play on his lips as he looked down at him.
"What about fighting side by side with a friend?" the elf Prince asked. The dwarf looked back up at him, and Legolas could hear a slight sigh from the dwarf.
"Aye," he said. "I could do that."
They looked forward again and Legolas felt the smile fall from his face with the grim realization of his fate. But he could hear a shift in the breathing of those around. Somehow the light banter between the elf and the dwarf, and then their acceptance aloud in front of others of their friendship had seemed to lighten the air a little. And they all needed as much light as they could find right now. Legolas felt much better knowing Gimli was there beside him.
Aragorn looked up then, meeting the gaze of the great eye. They could hear the words of the foul tongue that whispered them into his ear, calling his name. Legolas alone could understand them. They spoke of death and ruin, of the fall of men, the murder of his friends, and the failures of his forefather. Aragorn stepped forward and looked at the eye, lowering his sword. Legolas looked at the man as he turned to look at them, wanting to say that he would fight with him always. But the man didn't need the words. Legolas could tell that he knew it. The words of Sauron could never break him.
"For Frodo," he said quietly.
Aragorn then turned and raised his sword, giving out a war cry as he did so. The army of Sauron pulled back a bit, surprised at the sudden charge. The hobbits however didn't hesitate. The smallest of the Fellowship, the supposedly most timid, suddenly went charging after Aragorn with war cries of their own. Legolas felt his heart lighten suddenly a little at the loyalty of the hobbits. They would all fight together.
Legolas pulled out his bow and began to charge, and nearly an instant later everyone else followed after as the Fellowship led the charge, though the men others quickly passed the hobbits. With his bow in hand and his deadly accuracy the elf ignored his still stinging wounds and pulled back. With a twang he released an arrow and drew another without waiting and unable to tell if it had missed his mark. The men however could see an Uruk fall because of the elf's arrow and felt their spirits raise a little. He fired again and again as the two armies drew closer to deciding the fate of all of middle earth.
As the other army drew near Legolas began fighting with his bow. He smacked aside blades and jabbed it into the offending creature's skull. He soon heard a cry from Gimli but lost him in the battle and pulled out his father's blades as he put the bow away. He wouldn't have time to really use it in such a close battle.
With a spin he brought his blades down on one of the Uruks and killed it, then began his familiar dance through the battle as he fought off those Uruks and Orcs that were foolish enough to come within reach of his blades. Over and over again he seemed to swing, but the elf was facing the gates of Mordor and the brunt of the battle. There wouldn't be any backing away now. He found his strength dropping alarmingly fast and fought against the urge to cry out from the pain of his now constantly jarred arms. He forced himself to endure and fought on.
Then from overhead he heard the cry of the Nazgul, which sent shivers up his spine. There were only six of the foul creatures now, but their fear sent waves of terror of the battlefield. There was no where to run though and so the men fought harder than ever against the fear. At the cries though, Legolas' wounds seemed to grow white hot in pain. The elf gave out a cry and stumbled, nearly dropping his blades. Legolas might have died right then and there if Gimli hadn't heard his shout and run to his aide. The dwarf's axe soon took down an approaching Uruk and the others backed away as he took up a stance in front of his friend. Gimli chanced to glance back at him.
"Are you alright lad?" he asked.
"I'm fine Mellon-nin," Legolas said, gritting his teeth against the pain and standing firm again with his blades. "I won't disgrace our friends by falling so easily."
The dwarf and the elf said nothing more. They simply picked back up their gore stained blades and prepared to face the Uruks again. Soon they were lost from each other in the thick of the battle again, and there was nothing to do but fight on. The elf continued his deadly dance, finding all of his training in battle coming back to him in fresh waves of memory. As he fought he thought of his father and his people in Mirkwood, and the thought gave him strength to keep battling. His strength was fading and in the confusion of the battle it was hard to tell what was going on.
The blind elf however soon made a mistake. He stumbled. The darkness surrounding him and the pain of his previous wounds had proved too much after all. After engaging in battle with an Uruk the brute had bashed his blades with his own. As the elf stumbled he attempted to correct the mistake by slashing at the creature's throat. He caught it, and the creature would never fight again. However the creature's blade still hit him. It had swerved in its course and this had saved the elf a fatal wound, however it still cut his right leg.
The wound was shallow but painful, and blood was soon pouring from it. The elf's leg would no longer hold his weight, and he fell with a yelp to the ground. Merry and Pippin were soon at his side though and the hobbits proved far better in battle than they had originally thought. They fought back the Uruk's nearest to their fallen elf, and the battle pressed past them. With Merry now standing guard Pippin immediately turned to their blind friend.
"Hang on Legolas," the hobbit said nervously, clearly indicating that he meant more than just the wound the elf had received.
The wound wasn't fatal, and even Pippin with his limited knowledge of medicine could follow the elf's directions to stop the bleeding with a makeshift tourniquet. It may not have been a fatal wound, but since the elf's leg would no longer hold his weight it would soon prove the death of him if he kept battling. As it was however, there was no where to run and nothing to do but die. The elf wasn't sure what had happened to the others, but he was glad suddenly for the company of the two hobbits. If they had to die it was better to die together. He picked up his blades, fully determined to fight as best as he could and until he gave his last breath. The hobbits too picked up their blades as the battle advanced towards them again, prepared to die to defend their friend.
But then there was an unearthly sound. It was an evil and foul sound, yet nothing like they had ever heard. There suddenly came the loud sound of a screaming creature, carrying over all of Mordor. Legolas looked up with everyone else at the sound, watching the Great Eye of Sauron dilate and flick back and forth against a terror and pain it could not fight. The army of Sauron began to slowly break away and flee for their lives, leaving behind the battle and the startled men and not bothering to attack or defend themselves anymore. An Uruk saw Legolas but ran past the injured elf in terror and hardly bothered to even do more than glance at the injured enemy.
They all watched mesmerized as the tower of Sauron suddenly cracked halfway down and then went crashing down towards the earth below it, destroying other sections of the enormous tower as it fell. The Fellowship all stared, hardly believing what they were seeing. Frodo and Sam had done it! They had destroyed the Ring! The terrible light of the great eye was suddenly extinguished as it disappeared and sent a shock wave across all of Mordor.
Terrified the army of Sauron turned and fled, and the shock wave triggered a collapse of the entire land of Mordor. The foul war machines and towers, the Black Gate and all of the burned land fell in upon itself and crashed into a chasm far below. The Valor seemed to be on the side of the army of men and the Fellowship though because the ground collapsed all around them but they did not fall into the ground and were not cut off from escape from behind. A "U" shaped hole appeared before the Black Gates and the land of Gondor was safe from the destruction.
The clouds began to disperse and Legolas looked up with wonder and amazement as the army of Sauron fell to their deaths or disappeared into the land beyond, running for their lives. He could see the darkness of the land leaving, seeping out as if Mordor had been a wound that had been drained of its filth and would now heal. He felt his heart lighter than ever. They had succeeded! The Fellowship had made it to Mordor. He could hear Merry and Pippin near him raising their blades and crying out in loud voices.
"Frodo," they said. "Frodo!"
Their celebration was short lived however. Legolas looked up as the hobbits gasped in horror and also felt dread in his heart. Mordor had fallen, but so too had its mountain. Mount Doom suddenly spit out fire and ash as it exploded violently. They all thought of the two little hobbits and felt despair, knowing in their hearts that it would be nearly impossible to survive something like that. The ground rumbled with the fury of the mountain, and Legolas could hear the hobbits sobbing now.
The elf felt his strength leave him. He felt sick from the darkness of Mordor and pained by his wounds. His heart was heavier than it had ever been. Yes they had won the safety of all of Middle Earth, but at what cost? The Fellowship had survived its ordeal, but only part of them. Each death could only be more painful than the last. And Legolas' heart was overly heavy from the thought of losing the two hobbits and the terrible burden that Frodo had been forced to carry. The darkness of Mordor had taken its toll, as had his wounds. Legolas dropped his blades and fell back to the ground as consciousness left him.
This startled the two hobbits, who whirled around to see the elf laying on the ground. They felt fear suddenly for their blind friend and quickly ran to his side. They had no idea what they were supposed to do for him and had no idea how to help him here. They quickly called for Aragorn, praying that he would be alright.
Alright so that's the end of that. The next chapter will start winding down the story a bit as we begin to move towards the second story. Note, I didn't use the scene where Aragorn gets attacked and Legolas is running to try and help him because Legolas couldn't have seen it. Besides Aragorn survives so it's not a huge deal.
Also a note on the chapter where I mentioned Tauriel. I was originally thinking of having her die (not knowing the actual ending of the Hobbit Trilogy at that time) but seeing as that ended differently I have another idea to tie it into the story. It doesn't really matter since even if she was dead she'd be apart of the second story anyway (hint hint), but she won't die any I have a way to make that work as well. Now no more spoilers for you!
I hope you enjoyed and continue to do so as I wrap up this part and bring us to some heartwarming reunions and stuffs.