Enyala's POV
The battlefield was eerily silent as we walked towards the city. Bodies of men and orcs littered the ground. I felt a cold tingle run up my spine. Was this really what had to happen for us to win? Wasn’t there some other way? As my eyes passed over each man’s face, friend or foe, a little voice in the back of my head said,
“That man had a family. He could have been a brother, or a father.” How could I have almost enjoyed doing that? I massaged my temples. ‘Perhaps it was only the adrenaline that I enjoyed. And there were many other ways to have an adrenalin rush. Yes, that must be it.’ I convinced myself. Gandalf rode over to us on Shadowfax. He watched silently as the ghosts approached Aragorn.
“Release us.” the King hissed.
“Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads-despite the fact, they’re dead!” Gimli whispered to Aragorn.
“You gave us your word.” the Ghost King said, almost desperately.
“I hold your oath fulfilled.” Aragorn said, looking him straight in his empty eye sockets. “Go. Be at peace.” And for a split second, the look on their faces did look peaceful. Then they dissolved into dust. We spent the next hour helping find survivors. There were few that could be saved, but we did make the last minutes of those who passed better. We stumbled wearily back to the city, tired and depressed. Soon, we arrived at the tower hall.
“Frodo has passed beyond my sight.” Gandalf murmured. “The darkness is deepening.” He turned toward us. Aragorn, facing away from him, looked lost in thought.
“If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it.” Gandalf murmured, still worried. “It is only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemies are regrouping.” Gimli, who had made himself comfortable on the late steward’s seat, put his word in.
“let him stay there. Let him rot. Why should we care?” Gandalf looked at Gimli with a grim expression.
“Because ten thousand orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom.” Legolas and I stayed quiet, absorbing this information.
“I have sent him to his death.” the old wizard said softly, his eyes shining slightly with unshed tears.
“No.” Aragorn declared. “There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.”
“How?” I asked, confused.
“Draw out Sauron’s armies.” he said, being slightly more enthusiastic. “Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.”
“We cannot achieve victory from the strength of arms.” Eomer, now acting as the King, argued.
"Not for ourselves.” Aragorn admitted. “But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron’s eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves."
“A diversion.” Legolas said, understanding his idea.
“Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait!” Gandalf said rather forcefully.
“Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?” Gimli asked, interrupting Gandalf. With a sigh, he agreed that it was the best chance for Frodo and Sam. We were to ride out immediately. My muscles burned from slashing and whirling around, and sitting on a horse for hours did nothing to help. Aragorn and the rest of our little group rode at the front of our army; five hundred foot soldiers from Rohan and Gondor. Soon, a great mountain loomed up from the horizon. “Mount Doom.” Legolas muttered. I laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“Remember what you said, Legolas.” I reminded. “We will be together.” He nodded, trying to be strong for my sake, but I could see doubt in his eyes. Aragorn stopped about a half a mile before the gate. When nothing came out, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Eomer, Gandalf, Pippin, and I rode forward.
“Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth!” he cried. “Let justice be done upon him!” From behind the huge, ominous gates, thousands of orcs began to chant and stomp, creating a cacophony of noises that struck fear into every warrior there. With a screech of metal on metal, the gates began to open.
“A’maelamin. (Beloved.)” Legolas whispered.
“Le no an-uir nîn? (Will you be mine forever?)” I nodded sadly.
“Mae, melamin. (Yes, my love.)” I switched back to the common tongue. “For however long that it is.” I kept telling myself that there was still hope, that some miracle would happen. But in my heart, I knew that it was not to be. This was the end. The end of all things.
“Legolas.” I said softly. “My love for you is like the sea; unending. Our love cannot be broken.” He gripped my hand.
“If I could have lived for another thousand years, I never would have found another like you.” he replied. “I am glad to have met you.” I smiled through the tears running down my face.
“Amin mella le, (I love you) Legolas. Forever.”
Legolas’s POV
I knew that seated behind me, Enyala was crying. There was nothing I could say to change the fact that we were going to die, so I simply took her hand. A small, scared sound of disbelief arose from Merry as the orcs poured out of Mordor. Hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands. We galloped back to the army as three hundred thousand orcs poured out of Mordor.
"Pull back! Pull back!” Aragorn shouted as our horses galloped away from the orcs. The men began to back away, losing hope as the orcs encircled us. “Hold your ground!” he called. “Hold your ground!” He steered his horse along the front of the ranks and began to speak.
“I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.” His eyes travelled from man to man. “The day may come when the courage of Men fails; when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship; but it is not this day – an hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the Age of Man comes crashing down - but it is not this day!!!” He began to yell louder. “This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth - I bid you stand!” He held Anduril aloft.
“Never thought I’d die fighting side by side with an elf.” Gimli said to me.
“What about side by side with a friend?” I murmured. Gimli looked up into my eyes and smiled sadly.
“Aye. I could do that.” I put a hand on his shoulder as we turned to face the enemy. Enyala gave my hand a last squeeze and pulled out her swords. She looked into my eyes for one last time as the orcs surrounded us.
“I love you.” she murmured. “I wish we could have been together.” I nodded slowly, my heart filled with dread as I looked upon my friends for the last time.
“Aye.”
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Elf Dream
FanfictionI awoke covered in dirt and pine needles, in a forest, surrounded by lush vegetation and brush. It looked like it was afternoon, but I wasn’t positive. I sat up and kneaded my eyes, curious as how I came to be here. “Where am I?” I asked myself. I g...
