Thanks to everyone who has read this story and those who have favourited/ reviewed/ followed, I really appreciate it.

I do not own Lord of the Rings, or any associated media.


Chapter Fifteen – Flight from Osgiliath

The elven lord rode back into Rivendell, his shoulders slumped. He'd ridden out to follow a potential lead on his daughter, instead all he'd found was death. The orcs had drawn him into an ambush deep in the frozen wastes of Forochel, high in the north.
Lord Elrond watched him return. He was growing concerned for his friend, but he also knew he would be doing the same thing if it were one of his own children that was missing.

Some hours after Aica's arrival in Osgiliath the orcs granted the soldiers a reprieve. But they all knew it wouldn't last. The rangers had found a saddle and bridle for Daeroch, allowing Aica to leave if she chose to. However, she chose to remain, joining the watches and patrols protecting Osgiliath. Aica found it surprisingly easy to adjust to working with the Gondorians. She remained on edge, however. She knew that it would not be long before the orcs attacked again, and next time they would be even more relentless.
Her knowledge of orc tactics was greatly valued and appreciated by the Gondorians. They dared not question her about where she's gained such knowledge, but they certainly had their suspicions.

Two days had passed since the departure of the hobbits. All had been quiet, but the forces of Mordor still held the eastern bank, it would not be long before they unleashed their might upon the soldiers left alive.
In the quiet hours Aica found herself reminiscing on the weeks since she'd switched her allegiance. She liked how she had grown since Rivendell. Often her thoughts would turn to Legolas. In the short time they'd shared each other's company she'd come to care for him a great deal. But there was something else. A small voice in the back of her mind was telling her that she knew more about him than she could recall. Almost like an old memory lingering in the corners of her mind, just out of reach.

On the second night after the hobbits departed, shortly after midnight, a light exploded into the air. Green lightning flashed across the sky. Aica and the men got to their feet, looking up at the sky in astonishment. 'What is that?' Madril, Faramir's second in command, asked.
'Minas Morgul.' Aica stated grimly. 'Mordor is beginning their advance.'
'How long do we have?' Faramir asked.
'Not long.' Aica declared.
The light dissipated and they settled down again, but they all remained on edge.

A few hours later, just before dawn, Aica's keen ears picked up the sound of movement on the river, an oar in the water. She scrambled to her feet and hurried to find Faramir and Madril. Just before she reached them one of the night watchmen was killed by an arrow fired from the river.
Faramir and Aica reached the soldiers' body at the same time. 'They're not coming from the north.' He said, before running off between his men, Aica on his heels. 'To the river, quick.' He ordered. The order was quickly passed between the men, those who were sleeping were roused by their comrades as everyone hurried to the river.

Aica drew her bow and scrambled atop one of the towers to give the soldiers some covering fire. A low fog lay over the water. She took a breath, waiting for a signal from Faramir. She watched the soldiers rushing to take up position by the river.
From the fog emerged boats carrying legions of orcs. The boats reached the edge of the shore and the bows dropped down into ramps allowing the orcs to charge into the city.
Faramir allowed several orcs to pass by before leaping into action with a loud yell. His men followed his lead. Aica began to rain arrows down onto the attacking orcs, careful to avoid the soldiers of Gondor.
The men of Gondor were overwhelmingly outnumbered, but they fought valiantly. Aica used her skills to protect as many as she could, but she knew it would not be long before they were overrun.
An orc scrambled up the tower Aica was perched atop. She turned, ducking under its sword and sending a swift kick into its stomach, sending it flying off the tower. She turned to continue to give the Gondorians cover, but they were too tightly packed with the orcs for Aica to get a clear shot.

Aica's boots hit the damp ground as she jumped down from the tower. She exchanged her bow for her dual blades and leapt into the fray. She quickly found Faramir in the melee. 'We need to try to hold them back!' He yelled over the din.
'We don't have the numbers.' She protested.
A crash from above indicated the orcs were launching an attack from a second front. Faramir looked around in alarm. 'Stay here.' Aica said urgently. 'I'll go investigate.' Without waiting for Faramir to answer she took off into the city to investigate the sound.
Darting through Osgiliath Aica cut down orcs in her path. Two Gondorian soldiers joined her in her endeavour. They found orcs flooding into the city from the north. Aica stopped in her tracks. 'We need to get back to the captain.' One of Aica's companions said, his voice shaking.
'Agreed. Go!' Aica ordered. The three of them rushed back to Faramir.

The sky was beginning to lighten by the time they'd fought their way back to Faramir's side. 'We're going to be overrun!' She yelled at him. 'We have to retreat!'
'No!' He argued. 'We have to hold the city!'
'We can't.' Aica pointed out. 'At least if we retreat then we can warn Minas Tirith.'
Faramir killed the last orc that surrounded them. 'Come on!' He took off running, the other soldiers that they could see were being pushed back.
Aica followed closely behind Faramir, cutting down the orcs as they went. They rounded a corner and ducked through an archway, only to be confronted by Madril with a company of archers. 'Faramir!' Madril yelled in warning. Faramir dodged to the side, dragging Aica with him. The archers loosed their arrows, slaying the orcs pursuing Aica and Faramir.
Once the orcs were dead Faramir pushed away from the wall. 'We can't hold them. The city is lost.' Madril declared.
Faramir took a deep breath, centring himself. 'Tell the men to break cover.' He ordered. 'We ride for Minas Tirith.'
Aica breathed a sigh of relief; they might just get out of the city alive.

Aica, Faramir and Madril split up to tell the soldiers to fall back. As Aica hurried through the city, grabbing soldiers, urging them to retreat. She froze in her tracks when she heard a noise she knew all too well. The screech of the Nazgul echoed throughout the city from above. The men were yelling in fear and alarm and over the noise she could hear Faramir shouting at his men. Aica rounded a corner, heading back towards Faramir, and skidded to a halt at the sight before her. Fotkruz withdrew his sword from a fallen Gondorian and turned to face Aica. 'Well, well, look who we have here.' He snarled.
Aica took a step backwards, her heart racing. She could hear Faramir calling her name in the distance. Her hand twitched towards one of the blades at her hip. 'We don't have to do this.' She took another cautious step backwards.
'Except I want to.' Fotkurz laughed darkly. 'You killed my brother. So, I shall take my revenge and kill you in return. The Master will be most pleased.'
Aica could hear Faramir's voice growing closer, along with the sound of hooves. 'You can tell your master that I have chosen my side.' She declared, before taking off towards Faramir's voice.
Dodging through the rubble Aica was nearly run down by Faramir, mounted on his horse, leading Daeroch alongside him. 'Come on!' He urged. Using a large piece of rubble Aica vaulted onto Daeroch's back, before they turned to head for Minas Tirith.

They raced out of Osgiliath, their horse's hooves thundering on the ground. The Nazgul pursued them relentlessly, diving in and out of the ranks of the fleeing riders, forcing the survivors to duck and weave. Aica ducked under the claws of one of the beasts and glanced back over her shoulder to where Faramir brought up the rear of the company. Minas Tirith grew ever closer, but to those fleeing the siege of Osgiliath the distance seemed too far. Just when all hope seemed lost a company of riders bearing banners adorned with swans emerged from the gates of Minas Tirith. At the head of this company was a rider clothed all in white on a white horse. Aica's eyes widened when she saw who it was. As the Swan Knights formed a protective ring around the riders from Osgiliath Gandalf released a bright light from his staff. This light blinded the Nazgul and forced them back, allowing Aica and the Gondorians to escape.
Gandalf joined the riders as they flooded into Minas Tirith, their horses clattering on the cobbles underfoot.

The rides came to a halt in the courtyard just beyond the gates, their horses stamping and snorting with exertion. Aica dismounted from Daeroch's back, wincing slightly as her feet hit the ground, during their hasty retreat from Osgiliath she'd jarred her ankle
Faramir dismounted next to her as did another man, one of the Swan Knights who'd ridden out to their rescue. His armour was more elaborate than that of the other riders and he bore a noble face. Faramir grasped the forearm of this man. 'Your assistance is most appreciated, Prince Imrahil.'
Prince Imrahil returned Faramir's grip. 'I am just glad to find you alive.' He turned to Aica. 'And who is this?'
Faramir clapped Aica on the shoulder. 'This is Aica. If not for her we would have lost many more.' He declared. 'Aica this is Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, and my mother's brother.'

Aica nodded to the prince, before Faramir's attention was drawn to Gandalf who'd just dismounted from his horse. 'Mithrandir!' He called, hurrying over to the wizard. 'They broke through our defences. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the river.'
Gandalf looked worried, but before he could reply a Gondorian officer came pushing through the crowd. 'It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he foreseen this doom.' He declared.
'Foreseen and done nothing.' Gandalf snapped, spinning to glare at the officer. Faramir's eyes widened when he saw Pippin behind Gandalf, who noticed this. 'Faramir?' He questioned; Pippin looked away under Faramir's gaze. 'This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path.' Gandalf stated.
'No.' Faramir confirmed, shaking his head.
'You've seen Frodo and Sam?' Pippin asked excitedly.
At Faramir's nod Gandalf quickly continued with his questioning. 'Where? When?'
'In Ithilien. Not two days ago.' Faramir replied. Gandalf and Pippin shared a happy look. 'Gandalf, they've taken the road to the Morgul Vale.'
Gandalf's smile faded. 'And then the pass of Cirith Ungol.' He said gravelly. Faramir nodded.
'What does that mean? What's wrong?' Pippin asked worriedly.
Gandalf ignored Pippin. 'Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know.' He requested urgently.

Faramir began to lead Gandalf and Pippin through the crowd of soldiers. 'We found them when we ambushed an army of Easterlings.' He explained. 'And they weren't alone.'
'Aica was with them.' Gandalf stated.
'Yes.' Faramir confirmed. 'And another.'
'Another?' Pippin asked. 'No one else followed them.'
'Gollum found us in the Mines of Moria.' Aica dodged between a pair of soldiers to join them. Pippin's face lit up when he saw her. 'He caught up with us in Emyn Muil.'
'Gollum, that horrible creature that Bilbo used to tell stories about?' Pippin asked.
'The very same.' Gandalf confirmed. He turned to Aica. 'He is leading them into Mordor?'
'Yes.' Aica confirmed. 'Against my advice.'
Gandalf sighed. 'Then we must hope that Frodo and Sam keep their wits about them. What will you do now?' He asked Aica.
'Fight.' She replied. 'I have chosen my side and I intend to see this war through.'
'Good.' Gandalf nodded.