The Last Othellan

The Battle of the Morannon

The sky was glowing with the first signs of a sunrise when I woke. Outside I could hear a flurry of activity. The sounds of men shouting commands, the babble of talk and the scratch of weapons being tested and sharpened filled the air.

I sighed, unwilling to take my head away from Legolas' muscular chest. We were wrapped tightly up against each other in a tangle of arms and legs. Summoning my resolve, I shifted carefully so I could look up at him. Legolas was still fast asleep, curled up next to me and clutching me to him as if, even in slumber, he was afraid to let go. I watched his peaceful face for a while longer, studying the line of his jaw, the graceful arch of his cheekbones and how one thin strand of hair caressed his face and neck, tickling my forehead as I looked up at him. I tried to soak in every detail of him, everything I had fallen so irreversibly in love with.

Eventually though, as the sun crept up a little in the sky, I had to wake him. I wriggled out of his arms regretfully and reached up to kiss him on the nose, calling his name softly and nudging his shoulder. He woke slowly and, as his eyes fluttered open, I saw a flicker of fear, just for a second. Legolas reached out a hand to graze my cheek with his fingers.

"It's time" I said sadly, watching as his jaw tightened and he frowned. I sat up and stretched, and I had almost swung my legs out of bed when Legolas sat up too, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his head on my shoulder.

"Promise me you'll be careful", he muttered into the nape of my neck, his lips brushing softly against my skin. I turned to face him, tucking my legs underneath me. I brushed a stray hair out of his face and cupped his check in my hand.

"I promise I'll try". His expression showed his fear for me, and it broke me to see him so sad. "I don't have any plans of dying today, my love" I whispered. He looked at me for a second, and then smiled.

"Neither do I". He shuffled closer and wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him back as tightly as I could. Eventually, we let go of each other and smiled.

"Well, that's settled then." I said "Neither of us have anything to fear". Legolas nodded and lent in to kiss me.

***

Half an hour later, we were both dressed, fully armed and ready. The Rohirrim had brought Arod and Aelfen with them to Gondor, using them as spare animals for soldiers who did not have horses, so we would ride to this last battle with them.

It didn't take Legolas and I long to find the other members of the fellowship. We wound our way through the foot soldiers to the vanguard, where Aragorn and Gandalf were already mounted. Legolas helped Gimli onto Arod as I swung myself into Aelfen's saddle. Éomer and Merry were riding together, as were Pippin and Gandalf. 

It felt like hours before all was ready, but finally the army was edging out of the gates of Minas Tirith. Aragorn led us, looking resplendent in his livery, displaying the white tree of Gondor on his chest. His armour made him look more like a king than he ever had. I wondered if he would ever take up his throne, but put the matter from my mind. Even now, I thought, I must not give in. There was still hope for us – a slim hope, perhaps just a fool's hope – but there was definitely still hope.

Mordor edged ever closer as we rode on, and the sky darkened as we reached it. This was not the weather of the world, of course, but it was created by Sauron, for his orcs preferred to live in the darkness and gloom, and sunlight repelled them.

The army was quiet. All our journey, barely a whisper was heard from the men behind us, and our group at the front said not a word. Legolas and I rode next to each other, but what we had to say to one another had been said, and there were no more words necessary. Deeds were the only things we needed now.