Journey’s End
Chapter 35
The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
I turned to look at the white city of Minas Tirith, but didn’t have much time to appreciate its beauty, as I dodged a blow from an Orc and stabbed him in the stomach. I ducked out of the way of another one and finished him off.
“Legolas!”
I turned to see Aragorn pointing out a massive creature charging straight for us. I recognised it as a Mûmakil. I had only ever seen pictures of them before, so I stopped to stare at it as Legolas ran forward and began climbing its trunk. On its back it carried wooden towers, filled with archers.
Wait… Archers? I spotted one, who had also spotted me it seemed. I barely had any time to react; I only had enough time to turn slightly, before the arrow hit me. I cried out in pain as the barbed point buried itself in my upper arm. I quickly reached up and yanked the wooden shaft out, but the point remained lodged in my flesh. I had no time to remove it as another Orc advanced on me. I quickly stabbed it in the neck, gritting my teeth and carrying on through the pain. I dispatched another few Orcs, and then realised that there were no more. Behind me the Mûmakil lay dead, the tower it had carried was splintered on the battlefield.
I looked up in amazement as I saw the pale green, glowing mass surge through the city like water. We had won!
I smiled in spite of the pain in my shoulder and turned to see Aragorn standing not far from me. Clutching my shoulder, I jogged over to him. He spotted me and smiled with what seemed to be relief, until he spotted the blood pulsing out of my wound.
“Are you alright?” He asked, clearly concerned. I nodded, not even looking at my injury. I didn’t want to.
“I’m fine… It’s only small.” I tried to smile comfortingly, but found myself wincing. Thankfully, Aragorn was distracted by Legolas and Gimli, who approached, arguing over the amount of kills they had made.
I looked out over the calm battlefield. Bodies of other Mûmakil, along with countless Orcs, Southerns, and men – wearing both the armour of Rohan and Gondor- scattered the ground. I had been so caught up in the battle that I had barely noticed the time slipping away.
I noticed Aragorn begin walking towards the city, and I followed him. As we approached the walls, the army of the Dead materialised before Aragorn.
“Release us!” The King demanded.
“Bad idea! Very handy in a tight spot these lads; despite the fact they’re dead.” Gimli muttered.
“You gave us your word!” The King hissed angrily.
“I hold your oath fulfilled.” Aragorn murmured softly. “Go. Be at peace.”
The army breathed a sigh, and a breeze began to blow. They faded before our eyes, being carried on the wind.
Aragorn looked around, and spotted someone behind us. I turned also, and saw Gandalf and Pippin. A smile broke out across my face as Gandalf bowed to Aragorn.
I felt a little light headed with victory, or maybe that was just blood loss… Nonetheless, I couldn’t seem to stop myself smiling, until I heard the yell from across the battlefield.
“No!”
I turned to see Eómer cradling a body in his arms.
“No! No!” He screamed as I recognised Eówyn’s limp form. My face fell in horror.
“No…” I whispered, putting my hand to my mouth.
Eówyn was carried into the city, and we walked behind as the sky began to darken. We made our way to the Houses of Healing slowly, and I realised that my shoulder was beginning to bother me. A lot.
I stopped outside the healing quarters, allowing everyone else to walk ahead of me. I removed my hand from the wound and grimaced at the amount of blood.
This wasn’t going to be pleasant.
As gently as I could, I located the arrowhead and began to pull it out of my arm. Its barbed point tore at the wound and I hissed in pain as I gave up being gentle and gave it a sharp yank. I cast the metal head onto the ground and attempted to stop the flow of blood, but something didn’t seem right. It was as if the wound was infected, but it was too fresh to be infected… I examined it carefully, and my eyes widened as I saw the discolouration in my skin around the cut.
“Oh no…” I whispered, looking away quickly.
The arrow had been poisoned.
And that poison was now travelling around my body.
I groaned and slumped against the wall. I had no idea how serious the poisoning was, or what I should use to neutralise it… I cursed my own stupidity under my breath. Why had I allowed myself to get distracted? It was my own fault that I had been shot... Damn it.
I closed my eyes and rested my head against the wall, praying that I wouldn’t die. I really didn’t feel like dying today.
“Rana?”
I opened my eyes to see Legolas staring at me. “Rana are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” I insisted hoarsely. The poison was beginning to affect me, I could feel it.
“What happened?” He asked, approaching me.
“Just an arrow.” I muttered, trying to keep my voice strong. Legolas lifted my arm gently, although I still winced.
“That arrow was poisoned!” He stated after a single glance. I nodded.
“I know…”
“We have to get you into the Houses of Healing!”
“No!” I cried, shrugging him off as he tried to lead me into the building. “There are other people who need healing more than I do.”
“Rana, we don’t have much time!”
“I’ll be alright…” I sighed, leaning back against the wall as I felt my energy drain away. “I’ll last a little longer…”
“I’m going to find Aragorn.” Legolas said, turning to go.
“No! Wait!” I cried, catching his arm and the recoiling in pain as the muscles in my own arm suddenly cramped in reaction to the poison. “Don’t… Don’t tell Aragorn, please!” I gasped frantically. “He’ll only worry… Please Legolas, don’t tell him!” I begged. He looked torn for a moment, and then nodded a little.
“We can wait a little longer.” He decided. I slumped heavily against the wall as the corners of my vision started to cloud. I could feel a pain surge through my body, it started out dull, but then peaked unbearably. It felt like a burning acidic fire was coursing through my veins. I silently battled with my consciousness as I began to feel the urge to sleep. I couldn’t let myself give in… I had too much to live for. I tried to keep myself focused, but as I looked up at Legolas, I saw that his image was blurred, and fading.
“Damn it…” I whispered weakly, as I felt my legs begin to give way beneath me.
“Rana?” Legolas’s voice was suddenly very far away. I could feel my eyelids drooping, but I tried to make myself stand up straight. “Rana!” Legolas cried as my knees buckled. “Rana hang on! Aragorn!” He yelled.
“I… I told you not to tell him…” I felt angry, but the words were frustratingly slow and slurred. I felt myself fall, and darkness began creeping into my vision. I barely felt myself hitting the floor as the dim world span.
“Rana! Hold on!” I blinked lazily as Aragorn’s unfocused face came into view. “Rana! Stay with me!” It felt like he was shouting at me through a wall, I could barely hear him, but more than anything I wanted to stay awake, just to see Aragorn… Then my eyes closed slowly, and I drifted into darkness.
