From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 36 - The Fire and the Witch King

Pippin was inside the steward's hall, and I saw a guard carrying a torch inside. I ran in, carefully hiding Arroch from view.

"The house of his spirit crumbles. He is burning. Already burning," Denethor was mumbling, and reaching for Faramir, who was twitching.

"He's not dead! My lord! Faramir is not dead! He's alive!" Pippin screamed frantically.

I stood in the corner, watching in horror. Denethor turned to Pippin, with a glare on his face, and picked him up, and threw him outside. With the doors open, he yelled, "Farewell, Peregrin, son of Paladin. I release you from my service. Go now and die in what way seems best to you."

My mouth gaped open, saddened for Pippin. Pippin looked at me, his eyes wide. I gestured for him to get Gandalf, and he understood me. He got up and ran, while I stayed to protect Faramir if anything happens. Denethor slammed the wooden doors, and spat on the floor. It almost hit my foot, and I grimaced.

"My lord, Peregrin is right! Your son is not dead!" I yelled. Denethor glared at me, and I stepped away from him. Wood was being placed around Faramir, and a pot of oil was set next to the wood.

"Pour oil on the wood!" Denethor said. A guard came, and poured oil on Faramir, and the wood.

"No," I whispered. The man with the torch was coming towards the wood, and almost lit the wood. I heard screaming from the city, and I wondered if the city was breached. Gandalf and Pippin burst into the room.

"Stop this madness!" Gandalf yelled, but the steward grabbed the torch. He lit the wood pile.

"No!" I yelled, and ran for Faramir. Gandalf took down Denethor, while I hurdled over the wood and flames.

"No! You will not take my son from me!" Denethor shrieked. I pulled Faramir over my shoulders, and struggled to stand with his weight, but I did it.

I set Faramir on the ground, and extinguished the flames on his clothing. I heard a growl from my right, and I looked. Denethor tackled me from the side, kind of like football. I wrestled with him, and Gandalf got him up. I crawled back to Faramir, with a bloody nose and a couple of scratches. Denethor scrambled after me, but stopped when Faramir opened his eyes.

"Faramir," he said. The steward was now standing close to the fire, and his robe caught on fire. Flames licked up his sleeves. Denethor screeched in pain, and ran towards a balcony, and jumped.

"So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion," Gandalf said. Faramir groaned, and I helped him up. He smiled weakly, "You saved me. I owe you my life."

"Faramir, you don't owe me anything," I said, and smiled back. I looked out through a window. Rohan had come!

"I must go. Pippin, take care of Faramir for now. I'll see you again. I hope," I said, and shoved my way out of the doors, and mounted Arroch. I rode down the levels of the city, and smiled when I heard Faramir's comment: "She has great courage. I've never met a woman like her."

Soldiers were retreating, and yelling at me to turn around. I ignored them, and rode out of the gate, killing orcs in my way. The orcs were swarming into the city, but not for long. Some other soldiers had gained courage, and followed me into the battle. I easily let loose arrows, striking them in the head. I beheaded ones near me, and Arroch crushed some with his hooves. Huge elephant like creatures, I think they were called Mûmakil, were fast approaching. I saw a wraith like thing trying to kill another soldier. The Witch King. I galloped towards the creature, and slashed through the orcs. The Witch King's mace was hitting the ground and slashed the man's soldier. I dismounted Arroch, and leapt onto the ground. I helped the other man up. A sharp pain in my leg made me cry out, but I paid no attention to it.

"You fool. No man can kill me! Die now," the creature croaked. Merry came up, and stabbed it in the leg.

The Witch King shrieked, and hit Merry. Merry flew and hit a huge rock and laid unconscious.

"Merry!" I yelled. Behind him, a Nazgûl laid beheaded.

The soldier took off his helmet. Eowyn! The Witch King approached us, and unsheathed his sword. I took off mine, and let my braid hang loose. Eowyn gasped, and smiled, "We are not men!"

We unsheathed our swords, and we both attacked the Witch King. Our swords stabbed the creature's face, and it seemed to crumble up. Like paper burning in a fire. We both fell to our knees, and looked at eachother. We laughed out of shock, and I said, "I'm sorry Eowyn for being so rude to you!"

"Alex, I am sorry as well. I shouldn't have acted out of jealousy," Eowyn said, and noticed an orc crawling towards Merry, who was laying the ground.

I got up, and so did the orc. Killing the creature drained the energy out of me. The orc came towards me, and I grabbed my sword.

"You shall not kill my friends!" I yelled, and I swung my sword faster than I ever have. My blade flew through it's neck, and it's head laid on the ground.

Aragorn stood behind the orc, his sword in his hands as well. Ghostly figures that I could see through swarmed around the orcs, killing them.

"Aragorn," I breathed.

He ran up to me, and hugged me, "I knew you wouldn't stay with Rohan."

"Hey, I saved many lives today. So ha," I said, tired all of the sudden. I limped to Arroch, and noticed my leg was bleeding. It wasn't from the sword, but the mace the Witch King was slinging around. I grabbed Arroch's saddle before I fell, and I pulled myself up. More orcs came, but my energy was spent. Aragorn watched me, concerned as he battled the orcs.

"I'm... I'm okay. I'm just... Suddenly tired..." I said slowly. I saw one of the Mûmakils hit the ground.

Someone with blond hair jumped down from it. Legolas! They were all alright! Eowyn was talking with someone that was laying on the ground. I rode over. King Thèoden.

"My lord," I said, and bowed my head in respect. He was dying. Eowyn was crying at his side.

"Lady Alex, you have served Rohan well at Helms Deep. I'm sure you will serve Gondor just as well. You have fought well. I am honored to have met you," He slowly said, and drew in shallow breaths. I teared up, and Arroch leaned his head down towards the king. Thèoden reached his hand up and stroked the horse's head. I looked down, and let Eowyn say her last words to him. Thèoden, with his last breath croaked, "I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed."

I left Eowyn in privacy. The king of Rohan had passed.

Aragorn was still battling orcs. I found a little strength in me, and I unsheathed my sword again. I yelled, and fought with Aragorn. Eowyn laid next to the king, and Merry laid by the stone.

I saw barely any more orcs. The ones that were left were runnig away. We had won!

I halted Arroch next to Aragorn, who was talking to a tall, ghost man.

"Release us," the dead man said.

Gimli approached, and stood next to Aragorn, "Bad idea. These lads are very handy in a tight spot. Despite the fact they're dead."

"You gave us your word," the man said.

"I hold your oath fulfilled. Go. Be at peace," Aragorn said. All the ghosts behind the King of the Dead disappear, and the King looked at us and closed his eyes and disappeared.

I saw Eomer run towards Eowyn and pick her up. Pippin and Gandalf were riding towards us. I felt extremely tired. Pippin started to run towards Merry, while soldiers of Gondor surveyed the battle grounds, searching for the living.

Sounds blurred around me, and my leg's wound seemed to pulse. It felt like I was stabbed by a Morgûl blade all over again, except this was worse. My vision blurred, and I saw spots. Aragorn ran towards me, and caught me as I fell off of Arroch.

YAY! ANOTHER CHAPTER. I PROMISE YOU, THESE LAST CHAPTERS WILL GET EVEN MORE INTENSE WITH AN INTENSE PLOT TWIST. IT'LL BE SO INTENSE YOU'LL EVEN SAY INTENSE! HAHA JUST KIDDING. BUT I GUESS YOU COULD BECAUSE IT'S FUN.