The Hidden Enemy

The Last Stand

Alatar held out his hand, waiting for Amarth to give him the knife.

But the elf didn't move.

"Amarth!"
Alatar shouted.
Legolas looked at Amarth in confusion.

What was he doing?

Still holding Legolas with one arm, Alatar reached over and grabbed Amarth's wrist.

"Give it to me!"
Alatar was growing restless.
Amarth had his eyes closed.
His hands were clenched into fists.

Suddenly his eyes flew open and he tore himself away from Alatar.

"I will not let you hurt anyone else Alatar."

Alatar's eyes blazed with fury.
He threw Legolas aside and took out his own sword.

"You will not defy me!"

Amarth drew his swords and faced Alatar.

Their weapons met with a terrible crash.
Sparks flew as steel met steel.

Meanwhile, Legolas was struggling to stand, his eyes rested on his brother's sword.

He reached over with his good arm and grabbed it.

He wouldn't let this monster live any longer, he would avenge his friend's death.

Legolas turned towards the fight.
Amarth was holding well on his own, but Alatar would soon overpower him.

Legolas ran over to them, as he did he felt someone beside him.

You won't fight this alone Legolas.

He noticed out of the corner of his eye the faint outline of an elf.
And not just any elf.

Thalion.

His brother was with him.

Legolas attacked Alatar from behind.
Amarth continued his attack from the front.

Alatar smirked.
This would be too easy.
Legolas could only fight with one arm, and Amarth was weakening.

Another blow struck him from the side, he spun around and saw Haldir.

Now it was three against one.
Alatar still didn't worry, three elves were not a problem.

Then Aragorn joined the fight.
The four of them, Aragorn, Haldir, Legolas, and Amarth fought.

Alatar couldn't keep up, blows hit him from all sides, he was weakening.

Alatar had only one last chance, he swung his sword at Amarth, knocking him off his feet.

Then he broke away from the others and seized the dagger.

He swung his sword at Haldir and Aragorn, both had to jump back to avoid the sword.

Then Alatar grabbed Amarth and threw him onto the ground, stunning him.

He grabbed Legolas and got the knife ready.

Aragorn and Haldir tried to reach him but Alatar held them back.

He pulled Legolas closer and slashed the knife across his heart.

Legolas cried out in pain, blood that was now stained black poured from the wound.

Alatar smiled.
It was almost finished.
Legolas brought his sword up and sliced Alatar's hand off.

He screamed and stumbled backwards, releasing Legolas who fell onto his back.

Aragorn wasted no time.
He ran and grabbed the knife and ran towards Alatar.

He glared at Aragorn as he approached.

"Do you truly believe that you can defeat me?"
Alatar spat.

Aragorn narrowed his eyes.
He knew what he had to do, he wouldn't waste any more time.

He lunged forward and pushed the knife deep into Alatar's heart.
Though it surprised Aragorn that he had one.

Alatar gasped, his hands gripped the end of the knife that stuck out of him.

His body began to twist and writhe on the floor.
A terrible shriek came from him.

Aragorn couldn't bare to look.
He turned away while Alatar's body dissolved into nothing.

It was over.

Alatar was dead.

The storm began to weaken, only a light rain fell on them.

Aragorn searched for Legolas, the elf was still laying on the floor, his chest covered in black, red blood.

Oh please no....

Aragorn raced to his side, Sam and Merry were soon there as well.

Aragorn knelt beside him, to his relief Legolas seemed to be conscious.

"Legolas-"
Aragorn started.
"I'm fine."
To their surprise he sat up, his face showed no sign of pain.

Aragorn realized that the blood that covered his tunic was not coming from a wound.

"It healed when Alatar died."
Legolas explained.
At first, they thought that everything was fine.

Then they remembered Gimli.

The four of them walked over to their fallen friend's side.

They stood next to each other in silence and grief.

Nine left Rivendell....
Nine entered Moria....
Eight left....

Eight arrived at Amon Hen....
Three went one way....
Four were taken another....
One went alone....

Eight met again in Rohan....
Nine were together in Gondor....

Two left Gondor....
Seven remained....

Three were captured....
Five escaped....
One hid....

One was slain....
Two were freed....

Seven reunited....
One was found....

Eight rode into battle....
Seven survived....

Two sailed west....
And one fell....

Of the Nine who left Rivendell....
Only four remain....

Legolas heard the voice in his head. He felt someone wrap their arms around him.

He felt his mother's presence and let his tears fall.

I am here ion, it will be alright.

Haldir stood alone and watched them grieve.

Amarth watched as well, still not able to quite understand the pain they felt for their loss.

Aragorn turned to his friends.
Alatar was dead, but so was Gimli.
The free peoples were still shaken from the battle, and war still threatened them from the Easterlings and Haradrim.

"What do we do now?"
Sam asked.
The three of them turned to Aragorn.

"I don't know. Easterlings and Haradrim threaten us...
I don't know what to do."

Legolas placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Whatever we do, we do it together."

"None of us has to face anything alone."
Merry stated firmly.

Aragorn looked at his friends.
No matter what they would always be there for each other.

And nothing could change that.