The Return of the King and Queen

Chapter 35: Battle of Pelennor Fields

Amdiriel, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas all crouched down out of side along the railing of the ship as they pulled into port. "Late as usual, pirate scum!" yelled an orc as he pushed himself through the crowd. "There's knife work here that needs doing." he continued. 

In the ship, Aragorn wrapped his hand into Amdiriel's hair as he kissed her. "I love you." he whispered against her lips. "I love you too." she returned before she heard the annoying screeching voice of the orc again. "Come in you sea rats! Get off your ship!" he yelled. With that the four jumped from the ship, revealing themselves to orcs who then seemed overconfident went they realized that there were only four of them as they started to approach the orcs. 

"There's plenty for the both of us. Let the best dwarf win." Gimli said with a chuckle as they ran towards the enemy who were cowering away in fear. With a war cry, blades clashed and the orcs began to fall one by one as the company of four and the Army moved across the battlefield quite easily.

Amdiriel didn't know how it happened but she got cut off from the others, she could still see them just a few short yards away as the fury around them continued but Amdiriel could feel something dark call to her. None of it made sense till she heard the familiar screech of the Nazgul echo across the plains. Amdiriel could feel her heart pound in her chest as she spun around, the wind causing a strand of hair to fly across her face but she paid it no mind as her eyes met the figure of the Witch-King who was fighting another knight, its beast laid there decapitated. 

The Witch-King had his hand wrapped around Eowyn's throat, ready to drain the life from her. "Die now!" he commanded as watched the lady quiver in fear. "Nazgûl!"  called out a female voice causing the king to drop the woman and turn around. He was then met with a lady he recognized all too well, one who had been escaping his search for the last 30 years, in her hand the restored blade of the queen of Elendil by her side and an orange flame burning in her eyes. "Amdiriel daughter of Gondor, Lover of the Isildur's Heir." he said as he walked towards her. Amdiriel raised her sword. "You've hunted me all my life at the command of your master, killed numerous because of it. It all ends today." she said causing the Nazgul to sneer. "You fool no man could kill me." "Well, it's a good thing I am a woman. Let's finish this." Amdiriel sneered back and with a cry swung her sword high to which the King blocked. The next attack came from the king causing Amdiriel to block. The two traded hits and blocks quickly before the king tried to cut out Amdiriel's legs but she saw it and spun out of the way just to block another powerful hit causing her to stumble and trip backward over the carcass of a dead orc with a small screech. 

Aragorn could feel his heart stop at the yelp as he spun around and watched Amdiriel fall back but quickly push herself off the ground and back to her feet as the Nazgul stood there almost taunting her. "Amdi." he whispered and tried to run to her aid but was cut off by more and more orcs. Amdiriel lunged for the demon, swinging her sword right and then quickly left before she felt herself get nicked by her opponent's blade. Amdiriel then moved to spin away again but when she turned she didn't expect the king to slam his armored-covered arm into her stomach, causing the wind to be knocked out of Amdiriel as he grabbed by the hair and brought his blade just inches away from her neck. "Foolish girl! Everyone sacrificed for you and you too will die and all for nothing." Before the king could move Amdiriel grabbed her dagger from her belt and thrust it into the King's stomach causing his to let her go and kick his legs out from underneath him, sending to his knees as she pulled her dagger out of him and raised her sword. "It wasn't for nothing, it was for love and your end." she said before she trusted her sword into the darkness of the hood under his helmet. A glow came from her sword as the Nazgul roared in agony and Amdiriel had to let go of her sword, taking a step back only for the King to begin to fold in on himself as the wind around them swirled and the screeched got louder and louder. "Amdiriel." she heard Aragorn yell as was suddenly pulled into his chest as he did his best to shield her from the crumbling king. Suddenly the screaming stopped and all that was left of the once king was his cloak and destroyed helmet. 

The two let out a sigh of relief as they began to look around the Army of the Dead was aiding the men of Rohan to take down one of the last Mûmakil while the rest of the Dead army made its way through the city, killing the remaining orc, level by level. The battle was over, they had again won regardless of the overwhelming odds. 

 Aragorn looked down at Amdiriel "Are you alright?" he asked. Amdiriel nodded her head and then let her forehead rest against his chest. The demon that killed her mother and countless others was now gone.  "He's gone. It's okay." Aragorn whispered to her as she took in deep breaths. Suddenly the King and the Prince of the Dead and their army stood before them. "Release us!" the king demanded. "Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot these lads, despite the fact their dead." Gimli whispered from behind them. "You gave us your word." the King growled. Amdiriel laced her fingers with Aragorn who gave her a small smile before he looked back to the king. "And we hold your oath fulfilled. Go. Be at peace." Aragorn said. "Thank you for everything." Amdiriel added as the King smiled in relief. "Your Majesties." said the Prince as he bowed his head to the two before the wind picked up and the figures disappeared into the air, finally at peace.  

Aragorn and Amdiriel turn to see Gandalf standing there in the distance with Pippin at his side, a small smile grace the old man's lips as he bows to the two causing the two of them to chuckle but stand proudly. Suddenly a cry was heard form behind them. "Noooo!" Eomer yells. Everyone turns to find the distraught man drop his sword and helmet to the ground as he falls to the ground and weeps over his sister's unmoving body. Amdiriel let's go of Aragorn and runs to the weeping captain. She drops to the ground and places her hand on the side of the pale madien's neck. "She's still with us Eomer." she informs him before she brings her fingers to her mouth and whistles to Eomer's horse who trots up to them happily. Amdrieil then placed her hand on the maiden's cheek and whispered words of strength, passing what Amdiriel had left to her before she signaled for Eomer to pass his sister to her so he could mount his stead. "Take her to the House of Healing on the sixth level. Tell the women there that Captain Amdiriel sent you. They will know what to do." Amdiriel ordered as she passed Eomer his sister back. The man nodded and then took off into the city. 

Suddenly the weighing of horses were heard across the plains. Amdiriel, Aragorn, and Legolas turned to find their steads racing towards them. Amdiriel chuckled as Rohal circled her before stopping her and nudging her with his nose. "I am alright. I missed you too my friend." Amdiriel said as she placed a kiss on the horse's nose before he moved so she could hop onto his back. 

The group of four approached Gandalf as he mounted Shadowfax while Pippin insisted on aiding the other in looking for the wounded. "Faramir?" was the first thing Amdiriel asked the wizard. "He's is safely recovering in the House of Healing." he replied. Amdiriel let out a sigh of relief "Thank you." Gandalf figured he would tell her the rest of the story later. "And where is Denethor, he should be out here kissing the feet of the men of Rohan for coming to the aid of the city?" Gandalf shook his head "Denethor did not survive. He was succumbing to the grief of losing his children and planned to burn Faramir alive, not knowing he was still living. We stopped him just in time but he had already doused himself in oil and caught fire. He then proceeded to run out of the tomb and off the cliff." Gandalf told them. Amdiriel nodded her head. "The people are safe. That's what matters. I lost my father a long time ago." Amdiriel said before they turned to enter the city.

Amdiriel smiled as they slowly approached the city, taking a deep breath as she finally entered the city for the first time in years. They all rode until they reached the top and everyone went into the Hall to clean up but Amdiriel walked over the ledge to look over the city. Aragorn motioned for the others to continue without them while he walked up behind Amdiriel. "My love?" Amdiriel let out a deep breath. He grabbed her hand and turned to her. "Welcome home Captain." he said. Amdiriel smiled at him "Welcome home my King." she replied. as she leaned into her side. This may not have been how she wanted to return home. Ash filled the air, and the dead littered the streets and outskirts but the city stood, the people were still there safe and strong. Her home still stood and that was all she could ask for at the moment.