Sorry for the delay on updating. I had prep work, cooking, and cleaning that needed to be done for me to host Thanksgiving at my home. Then I came down with the world's worst cold, which I am still battling against. So forgive me if there are any errors in this chapter.
Also as a forewarning, this chapter is a long one.
Khuzdul. Sindarin. Ojibwe
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or LOTR.
Minas Tirith…
Even though three days have passed since the battle, it feels more like a lifetime to those who fought upon the battlefield. Many of the wounded are housed in the massive Healing Rooms. While the dead are either buried in family tombs, or are being prepped for travel or mass burial. The bodies of the enemy, however, have been placed in large piles away from the city and to be burned.
Inside of the audience hall, Aragorn has been speaking with Faramir, Éomer, Legolas, Fili, and Gandalf about what to do next. Gimli, Kelda, Toril, Pippin, and a still healing Merry are also with them in the hall.
"Frodo has passed beyond my sight." Gandalf tells those who are in the hall. As he continues to speak, Gandalf also begins to walk about the hall. "The darkness is deepening."
"If Sauron had the ring, we would know it." Aragorn says from where he stands in the room.
"It's only a matter of time." Gandalf says as he stops to look at Aragorn's back. "He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping."
"Let him stay there." Gimli says, giving his own opinion to Gandalf's words from where is seated.
"Gimli." Fili tersely says to his cousin. "Sauron will stop at nothing to destroy us and get his filthy hands on Inara. Then he would go after Erebor and any other realm that would stand in his way."
Gandalf decides to add to all that Fili has just said. "10,000 orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death."
"No." Aragorn says to Gandalf after contemplating what Fili had spoken only seconds before. "There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that."
"What are you suggesting?" Fili asks gruffly, moving slowly towards where Gandalf and Aragorn are standing.
"We draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather out full strength and march on the Black Gate." Aragorn replies.
"Sounds interesting." The blonde dwarf king says with a look of contemplation on his face.
"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms." Éomer says, finally speaking on the matter. He is curious to see how Aragorn and Fili will work together on his idea.
"Not for ourselves." Aragorn says to Éomer. "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 says with much interest before looking at Kelda, who has taken hold of his hand.
"Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" Gimli responds with some glee in his voice.
"You forget one thing though." Fili says out loud while rubbing at his bearded chin with a finger and thumb.
"That is?" Faramir asks the dwarf king.
"Sauron will still be after Inara almost as much as he is the Ring." Fili tells Faramir after pulling his hand away from his chin.
"Why is she of such importance to Sauron?" Faramir asks. He has heard tales of the warrior queen, who is a human that was blessed with a dwarf's lifespan.
"Ever since my uncle's company came across Inara, all those years ago, the darkness has been trying to harm her." Fili answers Faramir's question. "Only in recent years, has Sauron become obsessed with getting his hands on Inara. Though none of us in Erebor knew of such a plot till Inara and most of our family left to go visit the Shire for Bilbo's birthday party."
"But why would Sauron want Erebor's queen?" Éomer asks, now intrigued about what it is that makes Inara so special that Sauron would want her.
"He wishes to force a child upon, Inara. For she has the ability to speak with the spirits of this world, dead or living. Even the Ents know of her powers for she is descended from those who used to have that same ability here in Middle Earth." Gandalf says to the two men. "Inara also has the ability to draw in power from the Valar as well. It is what gives her strength, when her body is weakened, to keep fighting. It also has allowed her to cheat death. Four times already, Inara has cheated death with the help of the Valar. That is another reason that Sauron wishes to get Inara in his grasp. To force her with child would give him a body that has a high possibility in inheriting her gifts."
Both men look shocked at what Gandalf has just told them about Inara, but it is what is said next that causes the whole room into an uproar.
"But she is already with child." Merry says carefully, not knowing how the others would take the news.
Everyone turns to look at the hobbit, who is seated between Pippin and Toril on a bench close by to where everyone else was standing.
"What did you say?" Fili growls out as he takes a few steps towards the hobbit.
"Explain, Merry." Gandalf with worry in his voice as he too moves to stand closer to Merry.
Knowing that he may have just placed himself into a no win situation, Merry decides to spill the beans.
"It was at Dunharrow. I was coming back from the smithies when I overheard Lord Elrond speaking to Inara about her unborn child. But she did tell Lord Elrond that King Thorin was the father, and she complained about how randy he had been…" Merry gets a blush on his face, unable to continue talking due to his embarrassment.
"I'd believe it." Kelda says, causing everyone to look at her now. "Adad was always complaining about not getting enough sleep due to the noise that was coming from their room in Edoras."
"So that would mean that Inara went into battle while carrying a child." Aragorn huffs out while rubbing a hand against his forehead. His admiration for Inara was now being called into question. Why would she knowingly put herself into danger while with child.
"Thorin wouldn't have allowed her to fight if he had known. Mahal, no dwarf would have let Inara fight in her condition." Fili growls out. His hands clenching at his side, Fili is thinking about what he should do about Inara.
"If any of us knew about it we all would have stopped Inara from fighting, Fili. Yet if my plan is to succeed, we will need Inara with us before the black gates." Aragorn says stately, hoping that Fili will understand just how much Inara would be needed to lure out Sauron.
"No. I refuse to allow Inara to join in your venture. She will be going back to Erebor with Thorin's body." Fili argues. "I suggest you use someone else to help you, Aragorn."
Fili marches out of the hall, leaving the others to talk about the upcoming suicide plan. Stepping outside, he follows a path that takes him through the city and towards the building that holds the dead body of his uncle. Gently opening the thick, wooden door Fili steps inside of the stone entry. Stepping out of the entry, and into the following room, his blue eyes fall onto stone table where the pale body of Thorin is lying. Yet Thorin's body isn't the only one lying on the table.
"Inara?" Fili says softly as he comes closer to the table.
Inara, dressed in a dark colored dress that Faramir had brought to her, is cuddled up against Thorin's right side and her back faces the entryway. Since having her wounds seen to, Inara had forced Kili to show her where the men had carried Thorin's body. Once she was shown where his body was placed, Inara cleaned Thorin's body, dressed him, and took care of his braids all by herself. Inara's devotion to Thorin is so strong that she has yet to leave his side.
"Inara?"
"Go away." Inara mumbles out as she squeezes her eyes shut and presses her splotchy face into Thorin's cold neck. Again, the tears that she thought had dried hour ago begin to run out of the corner of her red rimmed eyes.
"He wouldn't want you to do this to yourself, Inara." Fili whispers as he gently places a hand against Inara's back. "You need to let us put him to rest in his temporary tomb and take him back to Erebor to his final resting place."
With a shuddering breath, Inara tries to hold back her keening for her dead husband but it still comes out. As the floodgates of her emotions flow free, she can feel Fili's hand rubbing up and down her back to help comfort her.
The two of them stay there for a while, each one silently asking for this all to be a nasty dream that they will wake up from. It is the sound of footsteps that has Fili stop his comforting of Inara.
"Fee." A familiar voice says from the entry.
Fili turns to see his nadadith staring at Inara's back with sad, puppy dog eyes. Both of the brothers had worked together to carve out the white stone tomb for Thorin's body, which they had shed many tears together while carving.
"How is she?" Kili whispers to Fili while walking over to his nadad. "She hasn't left his side, has she?"
"She hasn't from what I am aware of."
Kili nods his at what Fili has said. Earlier Tauriel had spoken to Kili about Inara's sorrow over the loss of Thorin. Both Kili and Tauriel agreed to keep a close eye on Inara, especially since finding out that the woman is also carrying a child.
"Kelda told us of Aragorn's plan, and your opposition to it. Fee, I understand that you want to protect Inara and the unborn child; but you know that no matter where Inara is, Sauron will stop at nothing to get her. Even if we were to take her back to Erebor, she would still be hunted. If she were to go with us…"
"We won't be going, Kee."
"You mean that you are refusing to send aid with Aragorn?"
"We have lost a lot of good warriors, and if Erebor is attacked we will need all of our forces to defend the mountain."
"Fee, you are an idiot!" Kili shouts at Fili. "If Aragorn's plan fails, what makes you think that Erebor would be able to withstand an all-out assault? Mahal, Fee. No one would be able to stop Sauron if Frodo fails to destroy the ring! And if you do withdraw our forces from aiding Aragorn, it would shame our whole race if his plan works! No. You can tuck-tail and run, nadad, but I will not be known as a coward!"
Fili is taken aback by Kili's outburst. Never before has his nadadith been so forward against Fili's decisions; but now that Fili has heard Kili's opinion he is starting to wonder if Kili is right.
"We will not be known as cowards." A stern sounding Inara says loud enough to cause the two arguing dwarfs to take notice of her.
She is now sitting up with her sorrow-filled face looking at them.
"I will do my part and I will be leaving with Aragorn to aid Frodo." Inara states as she slowly begins to move away from Thorin's body.
Seeing Inara move has the brothers rushing to help the woman down from the table. But before they can help her down, they watch as she gives their dead uncle one last, final kiss. Neither one is sure what to do as Inara says her final goodbyes to Thorin. The two brothers have yet to say their goodbyes to their uncle, and they plan to do so once Inara was done with her own goodbye.
"Gigawabamin Nagutch, Thorin. Gi zah gin." Inara whispers against Thorin's cold, blue lips.
Taking a quick breath while attempting to keep her tears at bay, Inara slowly removes herself from her place on the viewing table. Two sets of hands take hold of her elbows and help keep her upright as her feet touch the marbled floors. At feeling the hard floor beneath her feet, Inara's knees begin to buckle at having to hold her weight after spending several days unused.
"Inara!" Kili gasps out as the sudden addition of Inara's weight pulling on his hand.
"We've got you." Fili says softly as he places Inara's arm around the back of his neck.
Seeing his nadad's movements, Kili mimics them with Inara's arm that he has hold of. Working together, the three of them make their way out of the burial room and head towards the room that Aragorn and Faramir had set aside for Fili's use.
As they make their way towards the royal housing of Minas Tirith's Kings of old, Fili and Kili are surprised to see Gandalf and Aragorn waiting outside for them. Neither the wizard nor the man could keep the surprised looks off of their faces at seeing the two dwarfs helping a weak looking Inara walk.
"How are you feeling, Inara?" Gandalf asks the weak looking woman.
"Been better." Inara says weakly to the wizard. Looking at Aragorn Inara decides to speak to the man. "So I hear that you have a plan, Aragorn. Let me get cleaned up and some food in my stomach, then we should talk about this plan."
"Sounds good. Take all the time you need, Inara." Aragorn tells the woman before looking down to give the two brothers a pointed look.
Several hours later…
Inara, Aragorn, Gandalf, and Fili are seated in a small room that Aragorn had prepared for their meeting. On the table are plates of meats, some vegetables, and breads that the four of them had been nibbling on for the past twenty minutes.
Inara, who is wearing a one of Thorin's old dark blue tunics with one of her black pants, has been slowly chewing on a piece of meat. Her hair has been washed, dried, and left unbraided so that it hangs loose. Inara is conscious that nearly every person in the room has been watching her every so often since her arrival.
"I still think this plan is not going to work, Aragorn." Fili growls out in opposition.
"But if it gives Frodo a chance to destroy the ring then we must try." Aragorn argues in defense of his plan.
"And just how do you plan on letting Sauron know of your plan?" Gandalf asks before taking a drink from his mug.
"The Palantir." Inara mumbles out after swallowing a mouthful of wine. Carefully, she sets down her crystal wine glass and looks up at her fellow table-mates.
All three males are looking at Inara as if she has just lost her mind.
"What?" Inara asks out loud, looking at each male in turn. "It is a direct link to Sauron, is it not?"
"It is, but it is also very unwise for us to use such a dangerous tool." Gandalf replies to Inara.
"And yet, Inara is right." Aragorn says looking from Inara to Gandalf. "It is the only way that we can guarantee that Sauron may become interested in us. Especially if Inara were to be involved."
At this, Fili slams his own mug of ale onto the table and growls out. "I forbid Inara to become involved in your scheme, man."
"Yet adding her would make sure that Sauron is more invested on us than on finding Frodo!" Aragorn shouts at the dwarf king.
"And by doing so would place her unborn child at too much of a risk!" Fili yells, knocking his chair back as he rises to his feet.
"Enough! Fili! Aragorn!" Gandalf shouts out as he too rises up from his chair.
"I'll do it." Inara whispers out before yelling so that she is heard over the commotion in the room. "I will do it!"
The room goes silent after Inara's yelling admission to join Aragorn's cause. Fili is looking at Inara with horror written on his face. Out of all the words that Inara could have said, he wasn't expecting the woman to agree with Aragorn.
"But Inara… Your unborn child…" Fili stammers out, trying to find the words that would have Inara agree with him.
"Is in danger no matter where I am. Whether I am in Erebor or riding into battle with Aragorn's army, we will always be in Sauron's cross-hairs. Fili, he will stop at nothing to get me, and who is to say that if Aragorn's plan fails that he won't destroy all of Erebor to retrieve me. I am sorry Fili, but I can't tuck-tail and run. I will lead what dwarves are willing into battle." Inara answers Fili in all honesty.
Fili closes his eyes and lets out a sigh of defeat; he knows that he can't force Inara into seeing things his way. Inara has placed him in a stalemate, and Fili knows that one of them needs to fold which Inara has blatantly made clear that it won't be her.
"I will join you then," Fili softly says before opening his eyes to look Inara in the eyes. "in battle. When Thorin crowned me king I made a vow that I would do everything in my power to keep the queen safe from all harm. You hold that station still, Inara, and I would be a horrible king if I allowed the queen to fight in a battle that I, myself, wasn't willing to fight in."
"Thank you, Fili." Inara gives Fili a small smile, seeing that she has broken his dwarfish stubbornness.
"Now that we have one issue covered, what of the other? Do we use the Palantir to our advantage?" Aragorn asks, looking at the white wizard for permission.
Gandalf thinks for a few minutes, running different scenarios through in his mind before making his decision. He knows that Fili will not be pleased with the choice, but perhaps Sauron may find this hard to ignore. Taking a deep breath, the wizard tells the others his idea.
"Aragorn will use the Palantir to show Sauron of his plan. However, I suggest letting the enemy know that Inara is already with child, but not who fathered it. Sauron fears the return of the line of Kings. We will let him think that the child is yours, Aragorn. With that knowledge, Sauron will be more concerned with us than with trying to find Frodo and the ring."
"No." Aragorn shakes his head at the wizard. "I would not add more of a target on Inara than what is already on her. And what if others were to find out about your lie, Gandalf. It would disgrace her and the child. Dwarves do not take such a stain lightly."
"But Gandalf is right, Aragorn." Fili sighs out. He too isn't happy with Gandalf's idea, but if it raised the success rate of the plan then so be it. "It is not common among dwarves to lay with another after a recent death of a mate. Yet I remember my Sigrid telling me that these things are common among the world of Men. However, I will remind you that if word of this got out than Inara's reputation would be called into question. I know that this is your idea, Gandalf, and that it has no merit. Yet it may cause rumors among the dwarves."
"Which I will be more than happy to address if they should arise." Inara growls out at Fili. "The child I bear is Thorin's and that is final. I would never, and will never, lay with another. Now let's allow Aragorn to proceed with this plan of his."
Inara rises up from her chair and exits the room with Fili hot on her heels. This leaves Gandalf and Aragorn alone in the room. Both males let out a sigh before pulling out their pipes to have a smoke. As they smoke, the two of them discuss just how Aragorn will manipulate and create a few memories that Sauron would have access to.
Middle of the night…
As Aragorn, in the throne room, confronts Sauron via the Palantir everyone else is fast asleep in their assigned rooms. Well nearly everyone.
In one of the guest rooms, Fili and Kili are wide awake as they watch a sleeping Inara. Both are leaning their backs against the wall instead of the headboard.
The room has two large, full sized beds; both covered with several blankets. The bed that Inara is sleeping on sits on the left side of the room, while the other sits on the other side of the room. Besides the two beds, there is one large end table along the main wall and two chairs with a chess board between them next to the wall that has the door.
"So we will be marching with Aragorn then, nadad?" Kili whispers softly so that his voice doesn't wake Inara.
"Aye." Fili sighs lightly, keeping his eyes fixed on the woman in the bed.
"Hmmm." Kili hums as his own brown eyes move between Fili and Inara. "Not sure if you knew, but Frerin is refusing to return to Erebor."
"He plans on joining the march?" Fili softly asks as he looks away from Inara and towards his nadadith.
"No. I mean overall, Fili. The lad seems to think that Thorin's death is his fault. That if he had stayed with Thorin, that he would have broken Thorin's landing or fought harder after finding him."
"Frerin will come to his senses after some time to himself. Then he will return to Erebor, Kili. He is going through survivor's guilt and just needs to find himself."
"And if he doesn't? Return to Erebor, I mean."
"He will return to Erebor. I know he will. You forget that I was once in his shoes when Sigrid died, and I returned."
"True, but Frerin isn't you, Fili. So just think about what I have told you. He is your heir after all."
"Not just Frerin, but Durin too."
"Ahh yes, the infamous heir and the spare." Kili gives Fili a sly look before continuing. "Those boys are in the same situation that you and I were in before Thorin won back Erebor. You know that Thorin once spoke to me about going back to the Blue Mountains and ruling there on his behalf…"
Fili gets a grin on his face before speaking. "Before you joined with Tauriel, legally. I knew, Kili, that Thorin was going to ask it of you. Yet, you never took him up on the offer."
"Of course not. My place is with my nadad. Besides, if Frerin feels as though he can't return to Erebor, you might want to offer the Blue Mountains to him instead." Kili offers to Fili. "And let us hope that he doesn't burn that kingdom to the ground."
The two brothers snicker over Kili's comment, but the moment doesn't last between them.
"Do you think that Thorin is proud with how I have been ruling Erebor?" Fili whispers seriously.
"How could he not?" Kili replies with a scowl. "Thorin practically raised you for the role, Fili. You could never do anything wrong in his eyes."
"That's not true, Kee. Mahal knows that we both drove our Amad and Thorin crazy. Especially during that harsh winter where everyone thought we were lost for good. I don't think either of us have been able to sit right since Amad and Thorin tanned our backsides." Fili chuckles out, which causes Kili to laugh as well.
Once their soft laughter dies out, Kili bids Fili a goodnight before leaving the room. Fili, however, remains in the room. He doesn't want to leave Inara by herself out of fear that she may fall back into her depression. So Fili tucks himself in the bed that he was sitting on with Kili earlier. Eventually, Fili falls into a fitful sleep that is filled with blood, death, and the burning carnage of battle.
Several days later…
The armies of Minas Tirith, Rohan, and Erebor have been preparing themselves for the march that will lead them to the black gates of Mordor. They have been hard at work with sharpening their weapons, practicing their fighting skills, and learning to work together as groups. Many are fearful that they will not return to their homeland alive. Especially after having seen to the many fallen warriors.
The dwarves, however, had buried most of their dead within caves of the White Mountains. Aragorn had given them his blessing to use those caves, and turn them into burial chambers for their dead. This impressed many of the dwarves, and they offered their services to help the Men of Minas Tirith with rebuilding the city. However, not all of the dead dwarves were to be buried there. Thorin and several others were to be taken back to Erebor with those who were severely wounded. Those bodies were placed within carved stone casket vaults, that would make traveling easier.
Standing outside of the gates of Minas Tirith, Inara and Fili are bidding those headed back to Erebor a safe journey. It was agreed that those traveling to Erebor would leave in the early morning hours before the army leaves for Mordor.
Watching the wagons heading out across the plains, Inara can't help but feel the emptiness of Thorin not being with her. Her eyes keep themselves locked onto the wagon that is carrying Thorin's body back to Erebor.
"Hopefully they will make it to Erebor without any trouble. And if the plan should fail, at least they will have a few days ahead of Sauron's hordes." Fili states with finality in his voice.
"We cannot fail, Fili. It is now or never for Middle Earth to survive this darkness." Inara replies, trying hard not to shed any more tears.
"Adad!" Balder calls out as he hurries out of the gates and towards Fili and Inara. "Adad. Inara. Gandalf said that it is time, and that you both are to dress in your armor before we are to leave."
Inara and Fili follow Balder as he leads them back into the city and up to the palace where their armor lays waiting. With the help of their family, Inara and Fili are dressed in the same armor that they had worn before. Dents were fixed, blood was cleaned off, and the armor was even polished so that it was ready for today.
With the family dressed for battle once again, they head out to join up with Aragorn and Gandalf, who are in the stables. Upon reaching the stables, everyone breaks off to find their steeds. Fili, Kili, Durin, Balder, Frerin, and Toril are seeing to their rams, while Tauriel, Kelda, and Inara are seeing to their assigned horses that once belonged to fallen Rohan fighters.
"Inara and I will be in front with Fili and Kili following behind us. From there, I would like Legolas and Tauriel to follow after them with Éomer. Gandalf will be riding alongside Inara and myself. The rest of you may follow in whatever rank you wish." Aragorn says as he climbs up onto his horse.
The others nod their agreement with Aragorn's command and it isn't long till they are lined up. Aragorn leads them out of the stables and every soldier is watching as the renewed king rides out into the city. The women and children of the city watch in silence as their men, once again, head out into battle.
Upon exiting the city gates, the massive army falls in line to follow their leaders. None of the soldiers, man or dwarf, argues over where they are to be in the ranks. They have all bled together, and this tie has made them set aside their differences and band together against a common foe.
From high above, in part of a sanctuary within the palace, Éowyn watches as the army leaves the city. Yet she is not the only one being left behind.
"The city has fallen silent." Éowyn states from where she is standing next to a pillared archway. "There is no warmth left in the sun. It grows cold."
"It's just the damp of the first spring rain." Faramir replies as he moves to stand next to her. Earlier that morning, Aragorn had asked Faramir to stay behind to protect Minas Tirith should the plan fail.
Éowyn looks away from the army and towards Faramir. They haven't spoken since that fateful day in the infirmary when they first laid eyes on each other. Keeping their eyes locked on each other, Faramir continues to speak to her.
"I do not believe this darkness will endure." Faramir takes hold of Éowyn's hand and allows the woman to lean against him. Together they watch the army till the last lines of soldiers disappear into the horizon.
A week later…
After a week of marching, Aragorn and the army arrives before the black gates of Mordor. From next to his horse, Aragorn hears Inara speak in a growled tone.
"So that bastard is behind those gates. What I wouldn't give to have a bunch of ballistic missiles to destroy them with."
"Ballistic missiles?" Aragorn asks, confused by what Inara is talking about.
"Yeah. Where I am from they can cause a shitload of damage. However, the Hydrogen Bomb is the worst when it comes to damage. Trust me when I say that you, nor this world, would survive is any of those H-Bombs were to explode. They cause the ultimate destruction to where everything dies."
"Sounds horrible, this other world you come from."
"It has its good and its bad times. Yet before I was brought here, all hell was breaking loose. People were treating each other horribly because of their own fear. Instead of embracing that which makes us different, they allowed their fear to take over from their common sense. Then you have those, who somehow get placed into high positions, that feed off of those fears and turn brother against brother; sister against sister; family against family. There is a saying that my world has: The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
"Sounds like your world is conflicted with itself."
"I think it was. So many people believed that their way was the only way, yet refused to see from the eyes of those they oppressed. My world had two world wars, and many people died because of some power hungry bastard thought he would make the world a better place, when in fact he was destroying people and cultures that he saw as different from his own. But even after those wars, people were still killing each other over cultural differences. No country from my world is free from having blood of innocent people on their hands. And the country I am from, in my world, is guilty of being the biggest hypocrite of all. They promoted tolerance, democracy, and other values; yet some of the people running the country, or living in it, were not promoting those values within the country."
"You make your world sound as if it would be a realm that Sauron would be happy to rule."
"In some ways, yes. But there are those pockets of light, which refuse to be silenced by those who rule with fear, hatred, and corruption. Without that light, I am sure that my world would turn into hell itself."
"What is this hell you speak of?" Aragorn asks.
"Think of Mordor, and then you will have an idea about what hell is."
Aragorn's eyes widen at Inara's statement, but he can now understand why Inara is the way she is. Just listening to her talk about her world has Aragorn understanding why Erebor has thrived since Thorin and his company had removed the dragon from its halls.
"Inara kept Thorin in balance." Gandalf chuckles out to Aragorn, for the wizard had overheard the conversation between the two. "Not many people are able to keep a clear head and think of others while being under pressure by those who would use fear and hatred as a tool to gain power. Yet Inara is fully capable of doing so, which makes her special, unique even."
"Sauron would break her if he ever got hold of her." Aragorn says to Gandalf as he watches Inara and the other leaders move the army into formation before the gates.
"Perhaps. He has tried before to break her, even killing a child through forced miscarriage. Yet her spirit is strong and untainted by the darkness of not only her world, but this world as well." Gandalf replies.
"I wouldn't be so sure. With Thorin's death, Inara's spirit may be willing to give up once this is over."
Gandalf gives Aragorn a seriously look, but dips his head down, once, in agreement. Knowing that another has seen what he himself saw, Gandalf knows that he will have to keep an extra close watch over Inara if this is to end in battle. Even with the knowledge that she is with child, Gandalf can't put it past Inara if she were to become very reckless while in battle.
Joining up with the rest of the army, Gandalf and Aragorn are now watching the gates for any sign of movement.
"Where are they?" Pippin asks from Tauriel's horse.
"I don't know. But the air is still." The red-haired elleth says the hobbit in front of her.
"Do you think we should just ride up to it and knock to see if anyone is home?" Durin asks, which he receives a cuff upside the head from Toril whose ram is next to his.
"Seriously, you two. You're behaving like dwarflings." Kili growls out from ahead of them. Yet Kili turns his head to see Fili trying to muffle a chuckle. "What?"
"Do you know who you just sounded like?" Fili tries to say with a serious face, but can't stop the chuckles that follow.
Thinking for a second, Kili lets out a groan and slaps a glove covered palm to his forehead in exasperation. "Mahal, I just sounded like Amad."
With Kili's words, a wave of small chuckles is heard coming from the rest of his family and those who are close by. Though no one, but the dwarves, understood the last word, they did understand the sentiment behind such a statement.
"Right. Let us go see if we can draw attention to ourselves." Inara urges her horse into a light canter towards the gates.
Aragorn is quick to keep by her side with Gandalf, Fili, Legolas, Tauriel, Kili, and Éomer following behind. A soldier carrying the colors of Gondor and a dwarf carrying the colors of Erebor are quick to follow after their leaders. The soldier carrying the colors of Rohan stays behind with the army, just in case if things go bad.
Upon reaching the gate, they wait for something or someone to acknowledge their arrival at the gates. After a few minutes of waiting, Aragorn decides to try something that may get their attentions.
"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!" Aragorn shouts loudly so that any behind the gate can hear him.
Only a minute later does the gate begin to groan and creek, which has the small group wondering what is happening. The gate opens to allow an unknown rider to come forth from behind the gates, but no further. When the rider comes to a stop, it begins to address the group.
"My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. Especially the woman. Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?" the Rider says through his blood covered teeth.
"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed." Gandalf says to the rider. "Tell your master this: The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."
The rider scoffs before speaking to Gandalf. "Old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee." From beneath his black clothes, the rider pulls out the Mithril shirt. The same one that Thorin had given to Bilbo, who had given it to Frodo back in Rivendell.
"Frodo." Pippin whispers out.
Each person in the group is stunned to see the monster has the Mithril shirt in his hand.
"No." Kili gasps out in shock, while Fili growls in anger.
The rider, seeing their shocked responses, tosses the Mithril shirt to Gandalf. The wizard catches it and tries to keep himself from showing sorrow at holding it.
"Frodo. No!" Merry shouts from behind Éomer.
"Silence." Gandalf tells Merry as he tucks the Mithril shirt somewhere safe beneath his robes.
"The Halfling was dear to thee, I see." The rider says gleefully. "Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would have thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf. He did."
Inara, who during this exchange had tapped into her tie with the Valar, gives a hard glare at the rider.
"You lie, filth." The multi-voice words come out of Inara's mouth. "Your master does not have the ring, which means he lost the Halfling. Tell me, just how great was Sauron's wrath? How many of you did he kill in his rage at your incompetency to bring the ring to him?"
"Silence, woman." The rider growls out in anger. "The Halfling is dead. We killed him."
The multi-voice let out a few chuckles before speaking again. "If the Halfling was dead, he would be in Yavanna's garden with his dead relatives. Yet he isn't there. What say you to that?"
"Your witchcraft doesn't scare me, woman. Sauron will enjoy breaking your will, as well as taking his revenge upon the Valar."
Hearing the rider's words, Aragorn approaches while keeping his eyes on the rider. It is then that the rider focuses on Aragorn versus Inara.
"And who is this? Isildur's heir? I am surprised that you would allow the woman who carries your child to join you here. It will also take more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade and an unborn child." The rider says, taunting Aragorn with his words. However, what the rider didn't see was Aragorn's blade coming at its neck.
With a full, heavy swing of his blade Aragorn slices the head of the rider from its body. At hearing Inara's words just a few seconds ago, Aragorn knew that they still needed to give Frodo time. That is why he did what he did, with the hope that it is enough to cause the full army of Mordor to come forth.
"I guess that concludes the negotiations." Gimli says from behind Legolas.
Turning to face the others in the small group, Aragorn begins to speak to them. "I do not believe it. I will not."
"I don't believe it either." Fili says, agreeing with Aragorn. "If Inara's tap to the Valar says he isn't with Yavanna, then Frodo is still alive. And I have learned never to doubt Inara's connection."
"I agree with Fili." Kili states in agreement with his brother.
"We would be foolish indeed to ignore the Valar's mouth piece." Tauriel tells the others before looking over at Inara. "For she has never been wrong, nor have the Valar led her astray."
Before anyone can say anything else, the gates begin to creek and groan again as they open fully to allow Mordor's army out.
"Pull back. Pull back." Aragorn tells the group before following after them to join the rest of their army.
"Aragorn! You need to rally the men to keep them from fleeing." Inara shouts to him as their horses carry them closer towards their army.
Sending his horse into a harder gallop, Aragorn shouts out to the men and dwarves. "Hold your ground! Hold your ground!"
Upon reaching the army, Aragorn rides along the front line as he addresses the soldiers.
"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, of Erebor, 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 and Dwarves fail, 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! We fight together! By all you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"
"Dwarves of Erebor!" Fili yells out and holds high one of his twin blades.
Aragorn, whose horse is next to Fili's ram, is holding Andruìl high in the air as well. Both rulers showing their people that they will stand together and fight together.
Turning so that their horses are facing the coming hordes of Mordor, the two leaders glance to see the other leaders have raised their own weapons into the air in solidarity. The only difference in the weapons in their hands is that Inara holds Orcrist high above her head.
The hordes of Mordor keep coming, and Inara notices that the outer edges are curving to flank the army. 'They plan to cut off any means of a retreat.' She thinks to herself as she tries to keep herself calm at seeing the massive army that outnumbers theirs.
Several feet away from Inara is Kelda, who has made her way over to where Legolas and Gimli are located in the army.
"If we live through this, I will gladly share my life with you." Kelda says to Legolas as she draws her weapons. Her plan is to fight side-by-side with Legolas till they fall to the enemy's blade.
"I accept." Legolas replies, giving Kelda a look that conveys his pleasure at hearing her words.
"Not till you gain her parents' permission. Till then, I will be your chaperone." Gimli grumbles out from behind Legolas.
Both Kelda and Legolas smirk at Gimli's remark, and turn their focus back to the Mordor's army.
In another part of the army, Kili and Tauriel have positioned themselves next to each other. Tauriel had allowed Pippin to leave her horse and join Toril upon her ram after returning to join the army.
"So," Kili says to Tauriel to get her attention. "looks like our daughters have found who they wish to be with. Our oldest to your former best friend, and our youngest to a Halfling. Not sure if we should consider ourselves accomplished parents or a bad influence on them."
Tauriel lets out a small string of laughter at her dwarf's observations before replying. "They must take after their Ada. For it was he who fell in love with an elleth."
"Ah I believe you are mistaken, amrâlime. For it was their Amad who fell in love with a dwarf." Kili chuckles to Tauriel.
"Then we both have been bad influences on our children, for it was against the rules of our own peoples for us to be together." Tauriel teases before leaning down to steal a kiss from Kili. "Though breaking the rules was well worth it."
"I like the way you think." Kili says, grinning up at Tauriel. "See you on the other side."
Over by Inara, Fili has made his way over to where her horse is. He knows that they are now surrounded and that there is no longer a means of an escape for anyone. Looking up at Inara, Fili clears his throat to get her attention.
"Inara. I just wanted to tell you that I will protect you till my dying breath. I promised Thorin that I would protect you and look after you. It would be a shame if I am denied that honor."
Inara looks down at Fili and gives him a sad smile. "I have faith that you will keep your word, Fili. Thorin would be proud by your actions here. May Mahal bless you and keep you from harm on this field."
"You too, Inara." Fili replies as he mentally prepares himself with facing his possible death upon this field. "I've sent Balder, Durin, Frerin, and Toril into the middle of the army. At least there, they should be somewhat protected for a time. So that should alleviate some of our anxieties over their welfare."
Within the army another scene is playing out between a dwarf and a dam, much to the knowing smiles of the dwarf's family. For there is a budding romance among the ranks.
"Stay beside me, Brea." Durin softly says to the dam to his right.
"Like I would let you face death all by yourself." Brea replies cheekily. "But since this is the last time we may see each other…"
To nearly everyone's surprise, Brea takes hold of the back of Durin's head and turns his head so that she can place a hard, bruising kiss against his lips. Some of the men surrounding the young dwarves let out a few cat-calls and wolf-whistles at seeing the display.
Releasing Durin from the kiss, Brea steps back and gives Durin a smile. "Make sure you live through this or I will never forgive you."
Before anyone can say or do anything, there is a shout to unmount from steeds. It is a vain attempt to try and let the animals leave since they are already spooked. Then everyone's attention returns to the front line.
Standing only several steps away from Legolas, Gandalf, Inara, Fili, Kili, Kelda, Gimli, and Tauriel is Aragorn who is facing the hordes of Mordor. No one is sure what to do till Aragorn turns back to face the army.
"For Frodo." He tells his friends before charging towards the ranks of Mordor.
Seeing the king charge forwards, the rest of his friends and the army follow him with their weapons held ready to take out any enemy that gets close. Their numbers slam into the front rows of the enemy's line. Staying together Aragorn, Fili, Inara, and Gandalf keep pushing forwards with Legolas, Tauriel, Kili, and Kelda using their bows for cover fire. Gimli with Toril; the two hobbits; Durin; Frerin; Balder; and Brea have come up on Aragorn's over side, swinging their weapons to dispatch the enemy from the land of the living.
As they fight, the sound of approaching Ringwraiths atop their Nazguls echoes across the sky. This causes Inara to take notice of them more than the fighting that is taking place around her. Inara closes her eyes and whispers a prayer to the Valar in her mind. Since her eyes are closed, Inara doesn't see the approaching orc till something pushes her to the ground. Looking up, Inara sees that Éomer has blocked an orc blade from striking her down. She hurries to her feet to help aid Éomer with killing the orc. With as much strength as she can muster, Inara shoves Orcrist deep into the orc's belly. This surprises the orc which gives Éomer the time needed to break the block and slice the orc's head clean from its body.
"Keep your mind on the battle." Éomer grumbles out at Inara before rushing off to keep killing orcs.
Pulling Orcrist from the orc's belly, Inara hears another screech from the Nazgul. Seeing that it is heading for Gandalf, Inara quickly runs towards the white wizard. Yet before she can reach him another, more familiar screech, comes from above. Looking up, Inara sees that the eagles have arrived and are now battling against the Nazgul and their Ringwraith riders.
"Eagles!" Pippin cries out as he sees one of the eagles take on a Nazgul with the help of three other eagles. "The eagles are coming!"
"That they have, Pippin. For this is also their fight as well." Inara says before whistling out four notes and holding up a bent arm.
In response to her whistling, one of the eagles dives down and takes hold of Inara. As it flies back up into the sky, it drops Inara and another eagle flies below her so that she lands on its back. Taking hold of the eagles back, Inara whispers her thanks to the eagle before they head towards a Nazgul. Yet before they can get close to it, the Nazgul and their Ringwraith riders begin to fly back towards Mount Doom.
"Don't worry about them! Take out the orcs below!" Inara yells to her eagle. "Trust me, they won't live much longer. Now your fellow eagles need to pick up two red-haired elleths and dark-haired dwarf. They are archers and would be of better use from the air that on the ground."
The eagle lets out a screech before turning back and diving down towards the orcs below. Now that she is closer to the ground, Inara points out where the dark-haired dwarf is to her eagle. With a quick, short dive the eagle takes hold of Kili with one of its claws before rising up again.
"What the.." Kili yells out.
"Kili!" Inara shouts out as she carefully moves down towards the eagles' tail-feathers. Seeing that the eagle's legs are towards the back, Inara gently takes hold of some of the feathers on the eagles lower back before stretching out a hand to Kili. "Take my hand. You're going to give cover fire from above."
Kili gives Inara a stern look, but takes hold of her hand anyway. "You drop me, and I will haunt you till the end of your days."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's just get you up here before your weight pulls you down to earth."
With one of Kili's hands holding on to hers, Inara begins to lift the dwarf up onto the back of the eagles back. Once he is settled, Kili pulls out his bow and begins to rain arrows down on the orcs. He also notices that Tauriel and Kelda are doing the same from two other eagles as well.
As the three archers are raining arrows down upon the orcs, Inara is keeping a close eye on the fighting below. Her eyes scan the battle below for any sign of her family, but so far she cannot see any of them. Yet the bellow of a rather small troll-sized orc has Inara looking for the creature among the fighting the fighting below. It only takes a few seconds for Inara to see the creature battling a man and a blond dwarf.
"Fili." Inara gasps out as the creature uses its armor covered fist to send the dwarf sailing through the air. "No. Kili! Take out that large thing!"
Inara points her hand towards the beast below, which Kili uses to reference where the beast is. Pulling out an arrow, he sets it up before drawing the arrow back. Trying to keep his aim set on the beast, Kili lets out a breath before letting his arrow fly. But at the last minute, the beast moves and the arrow lands in the neck of another orc that was behind it.
"Damn!" Kili growls out as he sets up another arrow.
"Save your arrows, Kili." Inara yells to the dwarf as she crawls her way towards the eagles tail feathers. "I will take him out, but I need the eagle to do a drive by."
"A drive by?"
"Yes a drive by. The eagle needs to fly close enough for me to jump but far enough to stay out of that creature's reach." Inara explains as she readies herself for the fall.
"Right; now you have completely lost your mind. Inara, a fall like that would kill you; let alone if you survived the orcs around it would finish you."
"Don't argue with me, Kili. The man down there is getting his ass kicked, and he was fighting alongside Fili, then it is either Éomer or Aragorn that needs the help. Now do as I say!"
Kili, letting out a growl of frustration, moves closer to the eagle's head and tries to relay to the giant bird what Inara is planning. With a click of its beak, the eagle begins a sweeping descent towards the battle below. With perfect timing, the eagle spreads its wings to glide above the fighting and heads straight for the large beast that has now knock its opponent to the ground.
Just a few feet before the eagle passes over the beast, Inara takes hold of Orcrist's pummel and faces the point of the blade downwards. With the cry from the eagle, Inara jumps off and falls only a few short feet through the air before Orcrist's blade finds its mark at the back of its head. With gravity as her helpmate, Inara uses Orcrist to cut through the tough hid of the beast, along its spine, on her way back down to solid ground.
With her feet now back on the earth, Inara pulls Orcrist out of the large beasts lower back. Diving out of the way from being hit by its flailing arms, Inara rolls a few times before getting back up. Keeping a firm grip on Orcrist, Inara begins savagely striking any orc that charges at her. Using her anger as fuel, Inara keeps her protesting muscles moving during each vicious swing of her blade.
With her mind focused on taking out her enemy, Inara doesn't hear the loud screeching that is echoing from deep within Mordor. Nor does she take notice of the deep rumblings that are coming from the ground below her feet. However, what she does notice is that her enemy isn't fighting her, but fleeing from her. This has Inara confused for a moment, and she stops slaying the now running enemies.
"What?" Inara gasps out in exhaustion, and turns to see that her fellow soldiers are no longer fighting, but looking towards something. Turning her head, Inara sees a large tower begin to crumble to the ground. What follows, after the fall of the tower, is a large shockwave that rips through the air and the blast sends Inara flying backwards several feet. The last thing Inara feels is the hard impact of her body hitting the earth before she blacks out.
Hopefully you all enjoyed this extra-long chapter. For there is only one more slightly lengthy chapter that will be posted in mid- December; then the very last update, in late December, will be the epilogue. So this story is starting to come to its glorious end.
Reviews are welcomed, cherished, and loved.
Selene