Author's Note: I apologize for how long it has taken to finish this book. I have finally taken a break from school, so I hope to have this booked finished over the next couple of weeks. Thank you so much for all the love you have shown me and my work! I love you all.
Amdiriel's eyes fluttered open softly as she felt the sun start to come through her curtains. Her eyes met those of the love of her life. "Good morning." she murmured as she snuggled deeper into Aragorn's chest. "Good morning, my love." he returned, laying a kiss upon her temple as he enjoyed the moment of calm.
The two lay there for a few more minutes before the two decided to get up. Amdiriel walked out to the balcony, the wind blew gently through her hair. "When do we have to leave?" Amdiriel asked as she turned around only for a surprised gasp to leave her lips. Aragorn was down on one knee a ring between his fingers. "Amdiriel, I know that our future is not certain but what I know is certain is that I love you and I will love you till the end of time. I do not want any other woman by my side as we face the unknown together. I promise to protect, care, and love you with everything that I am. Will you please officially become my queen and marry me?" Aragorn asked. Amdiriel nodded frantically "Yes." she replied as the tears of joy ran down her face. Aragorn could not have smiled bigger as he slipped the ring onto her finger before she jumped into his arms. Aragorn spun them around as Amdiriel's laugh filled the air before he kissed her.
The moment of bliss was now but a memory of a future they would have should they be able to give Frodo the time he needed...Time.
Amdiriel now found herself upon Rohal, Aragorn next to her upon Brego as their friends and family and the remained of the men of the west were behind them as they marched upon Mordor, a final battle for the fate of Middle-Earth.
Amdiriel could feel her heart pound against her chest as the Black Gate came into view. This would be the battleground where their fate would be decided.
In Gondor, the people held their breath in anticipation, awaiting any news of the battle. Eowyn stood out in a garden overlooking the city and fields where the battle had taken place just a few days ago but the images of what had happened were fresh in her mind as if they were the day prior. Faramir approached the White Lady cautiously as he sensed her uneasiness, his arm still sitting in a sling.
"The city has fallen silent. There is no more warmth left in the sun. It grows so cold." Eowyn said softly as Faramir joined her. He looked up at the sky "It's just the damp of the first spring rain." he told her. Eowyn looked into the eyes of the man next to her, a slight glimmer of hope shining in them while Farair looked at her lovingly and smiled. "I do not believe this darkness will endure, especially not if my sister stands at the front line." Faramir told her as he slipped his hand into hers. Eowyn then leans in, placing her head on his shoulder while Faramir's eyes shut accepting the comfort the white lady was providing.
Faramir's mind drifted to the early morning of the last day he saw his sister. The sun was barely rising over the mountains but the city was wide awake, it buzzed with the anticipation of the unknown as soldiers readied for the journey they were about to take and the battle that lay ahead of them. He stood outside with Rohal, awaiting his rider. "Take care of her." he whispered to the beast before Aragorn joined them. The two men looked at each other, not really knowing what to say. "We will have messengers sent to warn you should the battle go ill." Aragorn said. Faramir nodded as he looked at the man before him. Aragorn was dressed as a King of Gondor, the symbol of the Gondor adorning his chest against the black leather, cape flowing behind him as the wind blew from the east. "I will do everything in my power to protect the City but you have to promise me one thing Aragorn." Faramir spoke, Aragorn nodded for him to continue "You have to promise me that you both will come back. I can not lose another member of this family, Aragorn and if you love her like I believe you do you will never be the same without her. You will continue on because it's what she would have wanted but you will kill yourself by doing so till you decay into but a shell of the man she believed you were. And if she loses you she will never be the same again... she lost you once and it nearly killed her to lose forever would surely be the cause of her own death. So I ask you not just as Steward but as a brother, you do everything in your power to bring you both home." Aragorn stood silent for a moment processing what he had just been told but in his heart, he knew the words Faramir spoke were true. "I promise." Aragorn replied before the two shook hands just as they heard footsteps approaching. Out walked Amdiriel dressed in the same armor she used to wear as the Captain of the White Tower. Much like Aragorn's her chest was covered in a black leather that adorned the white tree. Round her waist was a belt that held her weapons and boots that laced up to join her pants that were covered by material giving it the illusion of a skirt, her shoulders, and arms were covered in metal armor her hair was braided court of her, similar to Legolas's and a black cap that matched Aragorn's own connected to her shoulders.
Aragorn stepped away to let the two siblings have their moment together. No words were said at first as each other siblings wrapped their arms around the other tightly. "I wish I was going with you." Faramir stated. "I know but we trust you to defend the city...should things go astray." Amdiriel said as she then grabbed Faramir's hand and placed something in it. Faramir opened his palm to find their family heirloom in his hand. "No." he said as he pushed the necklace back into hands. "No. Boromir gave it to you. He knew what he was doing." Faramir stated. "And I am giving it to you if I am to not you return." Amdiriel countered. "No, you are going to come back. You are going to end this war and you are going to come home because I can not do this alone, so you do not dare to make me do this by myself. " Silence filled the air as Faramir pressed the pendant of Gondor back into her hand. "So you take this with a promise that you will come home." Amdiriel could feel the tears start to burn in her eyes as she saw the hope in her brother's. She nodded knowing that if she were to answer that she might burst into tears. She had just gotten home and now she was leaving it again. Her heart ached but she knew her duty to the kingdom, their people, her family, and the man she loved but it did not always make it easy. With a heavy heart, she hugged her brother once more whispering 'I love you' before they broke apart and she headed for Rohal.
Faramir was torn as he watched his little sister mount her sted in her armor, he had to admit she looked prepared for the battle she was about to face. He held a great pride for the woman and warrior she had become but his heart also broke. He was being forced to watch his little sister ride off to fight a battle without him. None of the siblings were ever great at sitting around and waiting, they were people of action which made them so great at protecting the borders of Gondor. So not being able to join his sister while she was to face the battle that would decide the fate of Middle Earth was killing him inside more than any arrow ever could. The two siblings looked at each other, sharing in their silent farewell. Faramir watched as the army led by Aragorn and Amdriel exited the city.
He stood there until he could no longer see the last of the army in the distance. Faramir was unsure of when Irolas had joined him but the two stood there in silence for a bit before the Lieutenant spoke "Your orders sir?" Faramir squared his shoulders as he fell into the role of captain. "Ready the guard to protect the city. We await news of the battle." Irolas nodded and turned to leave but stopped when he heard Faramir speak again. "Lieutenant, while we prepare for the worst to happen, let us also prepare to welcome home our Lord, Lady, and the army." "Yes sir." Irolas replied with a small smile before he turned away.
Please watch over her Boromir. Bring her home to us. Faramir prayed silently as he and Eowyn looked out over the city, his body and half of his heart next to her but his mind and another half of his heart miles away sitting on her stead as they approached the Black Gate next to the heir of Isildur.
The army of men stood in front of the gate, ready as they waited for command with what remained of the fellowship plus Eomer at the front lines.
"Where are they?" whispered Pippin as he sat in front of Gandalf, both seated upon Shadowfax. Aragorn looked to Amdiriel for the confirmation he needed that he was ready. Once she nodded, the two pushed their horses forward with the rest of their company following close behind. Everyone stopped before the gate and Aragorn yelled "May the Lord of the Black Land come forth. Let justice be done upon him." For a moment there was silence followed by the sound of creaking hinges as the gates opened up to reveal a creature of darkness riding upon a black horse with his eyes dark and bloodied. The creature's face was covered by its large helmet but his mouth and chin were exposed, revealing the cuts around his mouth. "My master Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome." he said and smiled, showing his large brown stained teeth causing everyone to grimace and sneer as silence filled the air.
"Is there anyone here with authority to treat with me?" asked Sauron's mouthpiece. "We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed." Gandalf replied harshly causing the Mouth to sneer at his words. "Tell your master this. The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to leave these lands, never to return."
"Oh Old Greybeard." acknowledged the creature "I have a token, I was bidden to show thee." immediately pulled out elvish chainmail, everyone immediately recognizing it as the mithril that Bilbo had gifted to Frodo. Everyone tried their best to hide their shock and their pain but it was evident in their eyes. "Frodo?" Pippin whispered, causing the creature to growl, and toss the shirt to Gandalf. "Frodo!" Pippin says in disbelief as he sees the shirt in the wizard's hand. "Silence." Gandalf told the young hobbit to not give the Mouth any more information. "No!" Merry cried from his spot behind Eomer with tears in his eyes. "Silence!" Gandalf rebuked him and passed the shirt to Pippin who was struggling to hold back his tears. Looks of despair and tears start to form in everyone's eyes as the mouth speaks again. "The Halfling was dear to thee I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did Gandalf, he did." "No." whispered Amdiriel as she cast a look at Aragorn, a look he returned as the two moved their horses to the front to come around each side of the Mouth, a look of revenge and anger deep in both their eyes. A growl left the creature's lips before he spoke. "And who is this Isildur's heir? And the Captain of the White Tower? It takes more to make a King and a Queen than broken elvish blades."
In one fluid movement the King and Queen pull their swords from their sides, barely touching the other's blade, a war cry left their lips as the two behead the Mouth of Sauron. Aragorn then came around to join Amdiriel's side. "We do not believe it. We will not." he said as the horse of the Mouth crumbled to ash before them and the Black Gates started to open, revealing the numbers of the army of MordorAragorn and Amdiriel turned around and saw the masses that were approaching them. "Fall back. Fall back!" ordered Aragorn as they all followed him back towards where their army awaited them. Fear and uncertainty can be seen in the men's eyes as they watch the number of armies heading in their direction. "Hold your ground! Hold your ground!" Aragorn yelled as he approached the men. He then broke away from the group "Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, our brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me." He told them as his horse trotted back and forth. " A day may come when the courage of men fails, where we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship but it is not this day. An hour of wars and shattered shields as the age of men comes crashing down but it is not this day! This day we fight!" Amdiriel smiled with pride as she watched the courage return to her men. "By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!" All the soldiers then unsheath their weapons as they stand at the ready as Aragorn wheels his horse to face the oncoming army, Anduril held high in his hand as he faces them.
Everyone then got off their horses and released them. Amdiriel tried to hold back the tears as she whispered to her stead "Thank you for everything, my friend. There are no words to describe what you have meant to me all these years but now you have to go." Rohal then snorted at her angrily. "Rohal it is not safe for you here. You must go." she tried as she attempted to push him in the direction of the horses but still but still the horse remained in its place. Amdiriel sighed as a tear fell from her eye as she placed her head on Rohal's nose. "I love you. Go and bring whatever aid you can back to Minas Tirith. I will see you soon." Amdiriel finally heard a soft neigh from the animal, taking that as his sign of agreement. Amdiriel kissed her stead before he set off toward the others but not before looking back at her once more. Amdiriel forced down the tears as she smiled and whispered "Run, wild and free like the eagles that fly above."
No words were said as everyone watched as the army of Mordor surrounded them. The odds were against them but they knew they had to survive just long enough for Frodo to get to the mountain.
"Who would have thought I would die fighting side by side with an elf?" Gimli said causing Legolas to smile down at him. "How about side by side with a friend?" Legolas suggested. Gimli looked up at Elf "Aye, I can do that." he replied.
Amdiriel said nothing as she turned to see who surrounded her as her fingers touched the pendant around her neck. She had Aragorn place it back on her when they had stopped for their first rest after leaving Gondor. How different she thought all of this would be. Years ago she believed it would be she and her brothers standing before the gates, now neither of them did. However, as she looked around she smiled as the men that stood by her side were those she had considered family long ago. Though they looked different to the eye and came from across Middle Earth, they were united by a cause and chose to stay and protect each other because of love. And now, she could not pick a better group to stand with as they faced the unknown.
Amdiriel felt a hand grab onto hers causing her to turn to see Aragorn already looking at her, she could feel his thumb rubbed over the ring that was now placed on her ring finger, a promise of forever. With his other hand, he combed his fingers through her hair before he let his hand cup her face. "I love you...till the end of time." He whispered to her. "I love you in this life and every one after it." she whispered back to him before his lips came crashing down onto hers, a silent promise they were making to each other. The men around them erupted into cheers for the couple. In that moment they were reminded what they were fighting for, for those they lost and those they left behind. Some wondered what the king was feeling having the women he loved standing there with them against the unknown and death. But those who had been beside her in battle before knew that she would stand no matter what. Amdiriel and Aragorn could not help but let a chuckle leave their lips as they broke apart. In the midst of the greatest unknown, they could still find joy. Amdiriel pecked Aragorn's lips one more time as he squeezed her hand before letting go to turn to face their adversary, unsheathing their swords, each taking a deep breath.
The Eye seemed to refocus on the couple that stood at the front of the army. A growl then echoed through the air. Amdiriel was not sure if everyone else could hear it as she heard the Eye growl again, she raised her sword at the ready as the Eye whispered "Aragorn...Elessar..." The couple both took a few steps forward, seeming to be mesmerized by the darkness that was calling to them. Worry then began to fill Gandalf and Legolas as they watched uncertain of what was happening. "Amdiriel...King and Queen of Gondor." The two then dropped their swords to their side before turning. The two looked at each other as they looked at the family that stood behind them. Their eyes then landed on Gandalf who held up Frodo's mithril shirt. The two smiled as they remembered why they were there and all they had fought. "For Frodo." Aragorn whispered. The two raised their swords and ran towards the army of Orcs. Everyone watched as their hair and capes blew in the wind. Suddenly Merry and Pippin let out a shout and followed running after them. The hobbits get a few feet before the army starts charging towards the army, each letting out their own war cry. Aragorn and Amdiriel let out war cries of their own as they approach. Amdiriel watches as an arrow flies past her head and into the orc in front of her, the creature falls dead allowing her an opening to dodge out of the way of the spears that were trying to pierce her armor. Fear is not evident in any of those charging towards the orcs and it seems to scare the creatures enough to make them falter a bit as the army of men clashes with the orcs overrunning the first few lines.