Queen Naehlara (LOTR, Legolas love story)

Chapter 44

The ride to Mordor was quiet, no one was speaking and dread filled the air. Naehlara wouldn't let it consume her again, she knew that this fight would be hard but they would make it out they had too. What little whispers were heard among the travels completely stopped as the nature around them died and they ventured into the barren lands outside the Black Gates. The footsteps and sound hooves were the only thing to be heard for miles it seemed. Though the elves could hear the thundering from the other side of the gate. Thousands of orcs had to be on the other side of the gate ready to attack.

It wasn't long for them to reach the gates, the sun hidden by the black clouds of Mordor. Aragorn and Naehlara calling the army of men and elves to a stop a ways from the gate. Watching and waiting for any movement. But nothing came, nothing but the wind blowing against their skin as they stood still. The horses growing more skid-dish in the dead lands.

"Where are they?" Pippin asked from the back of Gandalf's horse, Shadowfax.

Aragorn rides forward, followed by Legolas, Naehlara, Gimli, Eomer, Merry, Pippin and Gandalf. Coming to a stop just yards in front of them they look up the towering wall. Merry tenses behind Naehlara as he gazes at the size of the wall and what could be hidden behind it. "Let the lord of the Black Land come forth; let justice be done upon him." Aragorn called.

The doors slowly opened, revealing a thing riding out on a horse. It face completely covered except its mouth, sharp, crooked and broken teeth, with black goo seeming to leak from it. Naehlara felt sick looking at the disgusting creature as it came to a stop and gave a horrifying smile to the group of rider before him.

"My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. Is there any in this rout with  authority to treat with me?" He questioned, showing his yellowed teeth as he smiled to the group again.

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed." Gandalf stated, keeping his voice calm. "Tell your master this: The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."

The thing scoffs as it looks to Gandalf. "Old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee." He stated, reaching for something and holding it up in the air. A mithril vest, Frodo's mithril vest. Everyone gasped in shock as they looked to the vest.

"Frodo." Pippin muttered, The thing laughs, tossing the vest to Gandalf. "Frodo!" Pippin yelled.

"Hush." Gandalf ordered, looking down to Pippin.

"No!" Merry yelled from behind Naehlara, his eyes filling with tears.

"Silence." Gandalf demands, while the creature looks to Naehlara and Merry.

Looking back to Gandalf it smiled wickedly towards him. "the Halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host." Gimli growled, itching to attack the creature before them. "Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain."

Gandalf handed the vest to Pippin, as he gripped his reigns again. "And he did, Gandalf. He did." Naehlara shook her head, no, they couldn't have had Frodo. Otherwise Sauron had the ring, they would know if he had the ring.

The creature laughed again, sending shills down Naehlara's spine. Aragorn urged his horse forward, coming to the side of the creature. As it turned to look at him, "And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken elvish blade.." And before he could say anything Aragorn in one swift movement unsheathed his sword and swung at the neck of the creature. Taking its head off in one swing.

"I guess that concludes negotiations." Gimli comments.

Aragorn turned his horse to face the group, "I do not believe it." Aragorn exclaims.