Chapter 24
It was midday when the Riders first galloped up to Pelennor Fields. Eradrin looked at the hopeless battleground, already swarming with orcs and cave trolls. Gray clouds threatened the sky, and Minas Tirith stood, smoking and battered, against the mountain.
King Theoden raised a horn to his lips and blew hard on it, announcing their arrival. Strangely calm, Eradrin drew out her sword, the unsheathing sound ringing in the air. The others did the same, the swords making a rippling motion. The orcs turned as one, surprisedly staring at the newcomers. One, the Orc-commander, whose face looked like a sponge, moved to the front, gruffly shouting, "Regroup! Regroup to the front!" The orcs shuffled forwards, surprise clearing and menace taking over.
King Theoden kicked his horse, urging it forward. He turned to the group, determination and courage shining in his narrowed eyes. Raising his sword, he cried, "Forth! Down fear of darkness! Arise! Arise, Riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day... a red day... and the sun rises! Ride now... Ride now... Ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death!" Eradrin felt determination rise in her heart, a mixture of anger, bravery, and strength all at once. The Riders surged forward, over the hill, down into the battlefield, chanting, "Death! Death! Death! Death! Death!" Eradrin joined in the cries.
Gripping onto her sword, she galloped in the thick if the fighting, killing any Orc that ran by. She thrust a spear into the head of one, and stabbed another with her long elvish blade as it ran by. Suddenly, an arrow shot her horse, and it quickly crumpled to the ground, sending Eradrin with it. She lay under it, winded, unable to move or breathe, its huge body crushing her. The sky grew dark and fuzzy, and the suffocation was unbearable. Summoning all her strength, she slowly pushed her way out from under it, until only her feet were hidden. Pausing for a second, she glanced around the battle field. The Riders had driven back the opposing side, leaving a few stragglers father back. The area where Eradrin sat seemed deserted, except for a few orcs and Riders. Loading her bow, she shot an arrow at an approaching Orc, hitting its head. Rolling away from the falling body, she picked up her sword from the ground, and chased after the others.
Eradrin finally reached the Riders, who were staring hopelessly in the distance. Making her way towards the front, she saw huge Mûmakil thumping to them. Evil-looking men perched on top, armed with crossbows and curved swords. King Theoden rode forwards on his horse, looking somewhat nervous, and raised his spear in the air, shouting, "Regroup! Form the line!"
Eradrin was unsheathing her sword just as the first Mûmaki stomped up. It loomed over her, looking menacing and powerful, strength rippling in its huge muscles. She looked for a weak point. Its eyes seemed vulnerable, as well as its neck and tendons in its legs. The elf swerved around a large hoof, grabbed hold of its hanging tail, and stabbed her sword into the back of both the Mûmaki's legs, shooting flames at it for extra measure. It bellowed in pain, and slowly started to crash to the ground, knocking the enemies off its back. Just in time, Eradrin let go of the tail so she wouldn't be flung over as well.
Eradrin smiled to herself. One down, a lot more to go. Suddenly an eerie scream echoed in the sky. She froze, and glanced upwards. A winged creature was circling down into the battle field. Friend or foe? Eradrin wondered. Frowning, she studied it until it came into complete view. An evil-looking rider cloaked in black rode on top of the dragon, its presence sending chills down Eradrin's back. Foe, she decided. Besides, this didn't feel friendly or nice at all. It landed on the ground, sending blood-freezing cries out onto the battlefield.
Suddenly something thumped her head from behind. Eradrin fell to the ground, and quickly flipped around just as freezing hands grabbed her, coming face to face with a very old, startled Orc. Its face lit in surprise. "Hey!" It exclaimed. Eradrin was confused. Its... Not trying to kill me... Yet? "You're that she elf!"
Arching an eye brow in a questioning stance, she demanded, "And who are you?!" The Orc gruffly laughed.
"You're that she elf Sauron wanted us to capture. He's still looking for you, you know." It evilly replied. Remembrance flickered in Eradrin's eyes. The Orc explained further, "I got in trouble with the Witch King because I couldn't find you." Eradrin's face went white. "He threatened me would kill both me and you, if I didn't find ya." It paused. "But... I guess he forgot. Because, well, here I am!" Eradrin struggled to get up, but the Orc had her pinned to the ground, both arms locked behind her back. It menacingly smirked. "Which means," it dramatically paused, "He left all the fun to me!" The Orc slowly drew out a curved knife with jagged edges. Eradrin clenched her teeth. She was not going to show any fear or pain. It flipped the knife in its hand, and studied Eradrin's face. Positioning the knife with expert hands, it make a small nick on her forehead. She tried to resist from flinching. Then the Orc tauntingly brushed it against her throat, not enough to kill, but to provoke fear. Blood started to drip from the side of her face. She gathered up a wad of spit, mucus, and blood, and hurled it straight on the orc's face. Its expression twisted with rage. It raised up its knife, about to strike the death blow. Eradrin held her breath. Suddenly an arrow shot through the Orc's body, and it let out a horrible choking noise, and fell to the ground. Eradrin quickly scrambled to her feet, looking around in shock.
Legolas had suddenly appeared, and had another arrow fitted to his bow. Eradrin blinked a few times, then watched him shoot the dying Orc once again. He raced up to Eradrin, who was still a bit dazed, and quickly gave her a hug. "You all right?" He asked. Eradrin nodded, and gave her body a shake, as if emerging from deep water.
"I'm okay." She replied strongly. Then she blinked again. "Thanks..." She shakily whispered.
Legolas shook his head teasingly. "I've saved you once. Don't make me save you a second time." Eradrin relaxed slightly, and let out a small laugh.
Something caught Eradrin's eye. She turned around, and stared wide-eyed at a giant figure clothed in black, standing in the carcass of a dragon, only twelve yards away. It reached down, and grabbed a young Rider, who was lying on the ground. Tightening its grasp around the Rider's throat it coldly and darkly whispered, "Fool. No man can kill me. Die. Die now." Eradrin started to sneak around behind it, flicking her hands and igniting a tiny fireball inside them.
Out of no where, a small hobbit jumped out from the shelter of a dead Mûmaki and stabbed a tiny sword into the Ringwraith's knee. It let go of the Rider with an ear piercing screech of pain. Eradrin took her chance. She hurtled the fireball right into the Ringwraith's back, creating a fire that started to melt away its cloak. The Rider took off its helmet, and flung it on the ground. Eradrin gasped. That's Lady Eowyn! Eowyn gripped her sword, shouting, "I am no man!" And drove the sword into the Wraith's head. It spasmed with agony, scratching its hand along the sky, clawing at nothing. It started to shrink and collapse on itself, falling to the ground until it was nothing more than a pile of clothing.
Legolas had been watching the whole scene. He stared in disbelief when Eradrin approached. She raised an eyebrow. He shook his head. "Wow." He slowly said. In the midst of the fight, Eradrin smiled.
"C'mon, let's go win this battle!" Eradrin exclaimed, and pulled Legolas along to the thick if the fighting.
Partnering up, they each helped each other defeat an enemy, one creating a distraction while the other attacked it. Just after finishing off a particularly large Orc, Legolas spotted a Mûmaki shambling towards them. His eyes gleamed. "Watch this." He whispered to Eradrin, and ran up behind it. Jumping onto the Mûmaki, he grabbed hold of a few arrow that were sticking out of its side, and swung himself up onto its back. Legolas swiftly and deftly grabbed hold of an arrow in his quiver, fitted it on his bow, and shot with precise aim at a strap that was holding the enemies' "saddle" in place. It started to slide slowly off, and a few smarter people jumped off and tried to attack Legolas. They soon fell off after the saddle. Legolas triumphantly marched up to the head of the Mûmaki, drew three arrows back, and shot it in the head. The beast's eyes rolled in its head immediately, and it crashed to the ground. Legolas slid down its trunk, and gracefully landed on the ground.
Eradrin clapped as Legolas approached her. "Good job!" She exclaimed.
Legolas dipped his head. "Thanks!" He replied. Gimli appeared from behind a boulder and looked wide-eyed at Legolas.
"That... That still only counts as one!" He said gruffly. Legolas narrowed his eyes in amusement. Eradrin turned to scan the battlefield. The enemies had almost been fully driven back, with just a few stragglers hanging around. The raced back to Osgiliath, Minas Morgul, and Mordor, looking for refuge. Eradrin sighed gratefully. Another battle won.
Suddenly, she felt something sharp hit her arm. "Ow!" She cried aloud, and turned to rub at a small dart that had hit it. Almost as soon as the dart had hit, a sense of weariness clouded her mind, and she dropped to the ground, limp. The last thing she remembered was being lifted up by some inexplicable object, and being taken farther and farther away from the battlefield, from Gondor even. Familiar voices called her name rapidly, but even those were lost to the uncomfortable sleep that was calling.