Serafina the Grey (Book 3 of the Daughters of Durin Trilogy)

Chapter 12: Determination

"You may go no further." Aragorn announced to the incoming ships as they awaited them onshore. Not even a league from them, the Corsairs of Umbar glided across the river with false serenity, when really, they were on course to attack Gondor as a fatal threat. The mercenaries on board the vessels sneered at them, chuckling softly among themselves. What could a Man, Dwarf, and Elf possibly do to make them oblige Aragorn's request, since they were so small in number?

"You will not enter Gondor." Aragorn added with authority as one of the ship's crew members, their leader, stood to respond.

"Who are you to deny us passage?" His voice boomed, hostility clear in his tone.

But Aragorn did not want to waste any more time. "Legolas, fire a warning shot past the boson's ear." He whispered to him, the Elf fitting an arrow to his bow in response.

"Mind your aim." Gimli grumbled, clearly up to something.

Neither of them noticed this comment, for they were too focused on the matter at hand. Taking aim, Legolas fired. But just as he released the arrow, the devilish dwarf deliberately knocked the bottom of the bow, sending Legolas' aim off. Instead of grazing the boson's ear as originally intended, the arrow killed a mercenary standing next to the boson, the thud of the body on the ship's wood singing a lovely tune to Gimli's ears. Legolas glared at the dwarf, while Aragorn looked across at Legolas in surprise, shocked that he had ignored his request.

"Oh!" Gimli feigned innocence when everyone present had seen his actions, putting his hand to his mouth. "That's it, right, we warned you! Prepare to be boarded!" He took a gruffer tone, causing the mercenaries on the ship to laugh.

"Boarded!" One exclaimed, still honding a hand to his stomach with his chuckles. "By you and who's army?"

And, as usual, the enemy had underestimated Aragorn and his willpower. "This army."

On his cue, the King of the Dead and his army emerged through Aragorn and attacked the ships, killing the men with ease. Now, Aragorn's army of the dead sailed strong to Gondor, leaving no time to waste nor any remnants of evil behind. After all, when had Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn failed the good?

...

In Mordor, Frodo and Gollum were still climbing up the stairs of Cirith Ungol. They arrived at a cave entrance, and upon the sight, Gollum pointed. "In there."

"What is this place?" Frodo asked as he peered into the tunnel, his expression not quite portraying certanty. Gollum had been compliant and true thus far, at least in Frodo's eyes, but the fact that the Ring-Bearer could not see where the cave led still made him uneasy.

His feelings did not matter to Gollum, however, who avoided the question. "Master must go inside the tunnel."

"Now that I'm here, I don't think I want to."

"It's the only way." The guide stated simply, watching Frodo back away from the entrance. What would the Ring-Bearer do, anyway? He couldn't just turn back. "Go in, or go back."

Frodo eyed him eerily, but reluctantly entered the tunnel entrance upon the words, "I can't go back." Gollum watched him intently, a small grin appearing on his face, and then followed him inside. Any sane person would know that Gollum was up to something, since Sam had nearly caught him destroying the last of their food. Gollum was clearly trying to kill them to steal the Ring for himself at long last, after Bilbo had taken it from him back in the Goblin Tunnels years ago. But the truth of the matter was Frodo was not exactly entirely lucid, and could not completely see his plans, instead waltzing blindly into Gollum's trap- the tunnel.