The Fellowship

The next morning Aelinaras and Haldir went to watch Faramir and his soldiers ride out for Osgilith. Faramir lead a group of his Calvary slowly out of the city, the town folk gathered around to watch their sons, fathers, husbands, brothers, and friends ride away to their doom, with sorrow. The air was thick with sadness. Women threw purple flowers into the men’s path. Aelinaras stood in Faramir’s way at the gate. He looked down at her blankly, his eyes where hollow. “I ask you one last time” She said stepping closer “please…turn back, this is folly” She said lowly so that his men could not hear her. Faramir smiled down at her yet it was an empty one he reached down from his horse and grabbed her hand. “I will return” He said hollowly. Aelinaras sighed and shook her head before stepping aside. She watched Faramir and his men ride out. Haldir and Aelinaras stood outside of Denethor’s throne room. Soon a soft and lovely voice came from the throne room doors. “Home is behind, the world ahead and there are many paths to tread” It sang “Through shadow to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight” the voice kept going in its cheerless song “is that?” Haldir mouthed to Aelinaras who gave a weak smile and nodded. “Mist and shadow, cloud and shade, all shall fade, all shall” The voice stopped and as fitting the words the rest of the song was not loud enough to hear. Aelinaras leaded her head backwards on the cold stone walls and covered her eyes with her arms elbow joint, as a vision of the army that rode out with Faramir showed them being cut down by an volley of arrows. Haldir walked over to Aelinaras and moved her arm away. She looked at him her eyes were void of emotion, this startled Haldir whom drew in a deep breath.

It had been a full day sense Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas had left in search of the dead city. The pathway through the mountains was bleak and lifeless. No bird or living creature could be heard. Only the wind as it blew through the narrow trail through the towering grey mountains. Gimli Kept close eye On the Elf prince, he had not said more than two words, if that, since he parted from the She elf. Legolas had been in thought since they left; his mind was in a constant state of what if. What if I never see her again? What if we’re too late? What if this is folly. For the first time he was losing sight of this whole war turning out in their favor. But would he change it if he could? Would he turn back time if he had the power and make this war never happen? Legolas smiled a bit to himself as he pondered this the answer was clear. No he wouldn’t dare, as selfish as it may seem, if the ring was never to be and this war had never happened he would have never met Aelinaras, or his other friends for that matter. He may have never been the warrior he was now either. “What kind of army would linger in such a place?” Gimli said in dismay as he really began to focus on what little scenery there was. “One that is curse” Legolas stated simply glancing back at Gimli whom he shared a horse with. Gimli did not seem pleased about this. “Long ago the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest, until they had fulfilled their pledge.” Legolas went on, he knew no one asked about the whole story but it was something to take his mind of off how many things could be going wrong with Aelinaras at the moment. Soon they spotted a parting in the rock face, it was surrounded by a few dead trees “Who shall call them from the grey twilight? The forgotten people. The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the “north shall he come. Need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead.” Legolas continued staring down the new pathway; it almost sent chills down his spine. They halted their horses in front of a door ornamented with human skulls, The Door to Dimholt. Gimli drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “The very warmth of my blood seems stole away.” Gimli said as he exhaled as the three dismounted from their horses and walked to the entrance. “The way is shut. It was made by those who were dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut.” Legolas muttered reading the primitive writing over the doorway. A great gale of wind blew forth from the door and the moans and groans of the dead wafted with it. Legolas and Aragorn did little to try and hold their spooked horses with them, as the steeds reared in fright before dashing off into the distance. Aragorn called for his horse, but knew it was in vain, he might have saved him from the river, but it would not have stayed now.

Aragorn turned to face the door, more determination on his face than ever before “I do not fear death” he muttered before running head on into the caves. Legolas didn’t allow himself time to think about what he was doing, He followed his friend into the cave without a second thought. However the question stuck in his mind as he looked around in the dark. Did he fear death. Gimli stood outside of caves “Well this is something unheard of! An elf will go underground where a dwarf dare not! Ah, I'd never hear the end of it!” Gimli said before charging in after them. Meanwhile back in Minas Tirith Aelinaras paced back and forth in the courtyard as the drums of the Trolls could be heard. The army was marching from Osgilith with siege towers and numerous trolls. Aelinaras leaned over the wall looking over the landscape and the sea of Orcs. Haldir came from behind her resting his hand on her back she looked back at him with anxiousness. Legolas followed behind Aragorn whom lead a torch for light. The tunnels of the mountain were rank and smelled stale of death. Piles among piles of skulls were stacked there in. Legolas paused in his steps and looked around, his elf eyes could see into their world the world along the path of the dead. “what is it? What do you see?” Gimli asked “I see shapes of men and their horses, Pale banners like shreds of cloud. Spears rise like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist. The dead are following. They have been summoned.” Legolas said as the continued slowly down the path. “The Dead? Summoned? I knew that. Very good. Very good.” Gimli said he had stopped walking and was looking around in slight fear “Legolas!” he called seeing he was being left behind, he sprinted to catch up with his friends. A Smokey fog filled the tunnels, it surrounded the three companions, knee high, soon the shapes of arms slowly arose from the fog, reaching out for the party. Gimli blew at the arms in little puffs hoping to make them vanish “ do not look down” Aragorn warned as he took a step down, the ground beneath him felt different and unnatural. As Gimli took a step something crackled below him, he slowly looked down; he did not like what he found. A sea of skulls, that was their rode now, and with every step one broke. The group started to run as Aragorn felt they were nearing the city of the dead, they came to a large hall in the cave a great clearing. Much like the Halls of Moria. There stood a tall doorway “who enters my domain” a voice hissed in the darkness, A ghost king appeared before them, holding a slight smirk on his green translucent face. “One who will have your allegiance” Aragorn spoke with confidence however his face looked taken aback by the specter. “The dead do not suffer the living to pass” the ghost king said slowly eying Aragorn “you will suffer me” Aragorn shot back this amused the ghost king whom erupted in a roar of laughter. The ghost city slowly appeared around them and its denizens surrounded Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. “The way is shut, it was made by those who are dead…and the dead keep it…the way is shut, now you must die” the Dead king said advancing on Aragorn, Legolas thinking quickly fired and arrow at the Ghost king, however as expected it went right through. “I summon you to fulfill your oath” Aragorn said standing his ground. “None but the king of Gondor may command me” The dead king said with bitterness Aragorn drew the sword of the king and held it before him, the ghost king saw this as an threat to fight and swung at Aragorn. Aragorn effortlessly parried the dead king’s attack “The bind was broken!” The Ghost king stammered in shock as Aragorn pushed him away “It has been remade” Aragorn replied before standing up straight. “Fight for us, and regain your honor. What say you?" Aragorn called out to the denizens they all looked among one another and then at their king “what say you?” Aragorn asked again “You waste your time, Aragorn! They had no honor in life, they have none now in death." Gimli barked tired of this charade "I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me and I will hold your oaths fulfilled! What say you!" Aragorn called one last time, there was a slight plead in the ranger voice, he needed them, and they were the only chance Gondor had. The Ghost king smiled mockingly and laughed, the city slowly faded away in a green fog "You have my word! Fight, and I will release you from this living death! What say you?" Aragorn called panicking on the inside as he saw them all fading away "Stand, you traitors!" Gimli called out but I was too late, the specters had all gone away. The ground began to rumble and shake bones jittered and rolled around on the ground. The three stood and watched the tall doorway crack; it soon broke releasing a wave of skulls. “Out!” Aragorn called and the three made a break for the exit, yet hundreds of thousands of skulls swept them up and carried them down the tunnels. The three with some trouble navigated through the waves of skull, breaking away to the outside.

He three exited the tunnels, in the short distance, the black ships sailed away from a small village they had ransacked. Aragorn collapsed to his knees and wept slightly in anguish for the villagers there in, he felt he had failed them and that he had failed Gandalf and the others awaiting them in Minas Tirith, for he neither had the dead army with him. Legolas rested a hand on his shoulder and looked on at the cities as well. Aragorn head shoot steps behind him, getting up he turned around swiftly “we fight” It was the ghost king. In Minas Tirith Aelinaras ran through the city up to its highest point, the courtyard of the Citadel, Haldir hot on her heals. “Quick hurry!” she heard Irolas call. Aelinaras saw Denethor running to a Litter that had been laid down near the great white tree. “Faramir?” Denethor questioned “say not that he has fallen!” the crazed Stewart called out. “They were outnumbered none survived” Irolas called. Aelinaras ran and kneeled at Faramir’s side, she touched his face and flash backs of Boromir’s death flooded her mind. She recoiled away from him and closed her eyes, with her head hung low. There was a loud booming noise “catapults” Aelinaras gasped looking up at Haldir whom was leering out at the sea of Orcs on in the fields. “my sons are spent” Denethor wailed Pippin ran to Faramir and kneeled over him “my line has ended!” the crazy old man hollered, Pippin brushed Faramir’s hair off of his forehead “h-he’s alive” Pippin whispered. "The house of Stewards has failed." Denethor muttered. “What was that pip?” Aelinaras asked "He needs medicine my lord!" Pippin called out “my line has ended!” Denethor wailed yet again walking to the edge of the courtyard he gazed upon the orc armies. “My lord!” Pippin called out Aelinaras rested Faramir’s head in her lap “Rohan has deserted us” Denethor muttered bitterly, the booms of the catapults were becoming louder and more frequent “Theoden has betrayed us” Denethor continued. "Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for you lives!" He called. Irolas and the guards looked at Denethor in Dismay; Haldir leered at him with contempt. Aelinaras Lifted Faramir up in her arms with a bit of trouble as Gandalf smacked Denethor knocking him out. “Prepare for battle” Gandalf huffed.

Aelinaras dressed herself in methril as she got dress in their room, Haldir walked in ready to put on his own armor. Aelinaras eyed him “wait” She called stopping him, Haldir stood there with his chest bare “hmm?” he asked confused, The she elf blushed as she realized how it looked, Haldir smirked at this. Aelinaras scurried over to her travel sack and pulled out a slightly dim Methril Shirt made for a man. She gazed at it with sorrowful eyes before turning to Haldir. He walked over to her. “Please I want you to wear this” she said lowly handing the methril out to him. “I cant-“ He started “please, it kept my brother safe through many battles…and now it shall keep you safe as well” She said. Haldir gazed at the shirt and then at her. He pulled her into a tight embrace, Aelinaras was shocked by his swift movement but returned his embrace, He held her tighter “Haldir?” she questioned breathless, slowly his arms fell from around her, he held her hands and looked into her light green eyes in saddened amusement. “Methril armor or not, I will not return from this battle” he said softly Aelinaras shivered “don’t be so sure” she uttered in disbelief. Haldir smirked at her emptily, the she elf went to speak, yet the loud rumbling of an bolder crashing against the walls of Minas Tirith drowned out her thoughts. Haldir quickly pulled the armor over him and the two made way to the line of Gondorian soldiers at the wall. They looked frightened although Gandalf tried to speak courage into the men’s hearts; it wasn’t working out all that well. Nazgul swooped over them their fell beasts screeching. Aelinaras covered her ears and leered at them as they flew scooping up soldiers and dropping them down to their deaths. Haldir raised his bow; taking aim he struck a Fell Beast in its great span of wing. The creature cried out and became slightly disoriented. "Hold them back. Do not give in to fear! Stay at your posts!" Gandalf called as some of the men faltered. Aelinaras looked around as she and Haldir aimed their arrows down at the orc army below. Many of the men were aiming at the orcs standing on top of the oncoming siege towers. "Don't aim for the towers. Aim for the trolls. Kill the trolls! Fight them back!" Aelinaras called out pointing towards the trolls pushing the towers.

"Grond! Grond! Grond! Grond! Grond! Grond!" The orcs begain to chant. “The gates!” a soldier called pointing down ward. Haldir and Aelinaras looked over the wall. “They’ve got a battering ram……a large one at that” Aelinaras said in panic. Haldir rested a hand on her shoulder and gave a serious face. The she elf knew what they had to do. Aelinaras looked at Pippin & Gandalf her eyes where blank. Pippin shook his head “no” He muttered as Aelinaras lifted her leg onto the wall. “Foolish child what are you doing!” Gandalf called out running to her “Buying this city some time…I hope I should see you again…” Aelinaras said before jumping off of the wall, Haldir jumped after her swiftly. It was a great height but not fatal, the elves landed flawlessly and began to fight off the hoards of Orcs. However they held them at bay long enough for the ram to break the gate open. Aelinaras and Haldir now fought to keep the Orcs outside. Aelinaras ducked under Haldir’s sword as he swung at an Orc that had been behind her. Many lay on the ground at their feet, but they hoards just kept coming. By now many soldiers that had not gone with Faramir, were out fighting with the two elves now. Aelinaras and Haldir fought their way into the open fields. Not as strategy but because they were getting pushed out by the battle. They now stood back to back fighting. Haldir’s eyes where working double time, watching the battle before him while trying to protect Aelinaras at the same time. The two got separated for a moment. Haldir’s hear began to race. “Aelinaras!” He called franticly, suddenly he felt someone press against his back, he looked back into a mass of red hair “hey Haldir want to play a game?” Aelinaras asked her back against his, focusing on the Orcs and Uruk-hai that were surrounding them. “You are kidding?” He asked bewildered by the fact that she was thinking of games at a time like this. “No come on it’ll be fun, whoever kills the most um….get um….” Aelinaras said unable to think of a prize that would really be worth anything after such a battle. “Owes a winner a kiss for his or her valor” Haldir added Aelinaras smirked “oh fair enough…loser also cleans winner’s armor” Aelinaras added in. Haldir nodded “fair enough” He said before the two ran back into the hoards.

Meanwhile the Black ships had finally arrived at the sore, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli where there to meet them. “You may go no further…you will not enter Gondor” Aragorn said calmly and with poise The Corsair of the ships sneered at Aragorn “who are you to deny us passage?” The Corsair asked baring his yellowing teeth, Aragorn’s face was emotionless “Legolas” He called “fire a warning just…just pass the Bosun’s ear…” Aragorn ordered. Legolas’ eyes were cold and very serious; he lifted his bow “Mind your aim” Gimli stated quickly. Legolas knew he had this; He made sure his arrow had perfect aim. As Legolas release the arrow Gimli nudged his arm the arrow lost aim and landed itself in the Pirates chest. The pirate cried out in pain before dying, Gimli put his hand to his mouth and in fake surprise gasped “oh!” he said Legolas quickly looking down at Gimli slightly perturbed that he threw off his aim. Gimli looked back at the corsair and the other pirates “that’s it, we warned you, prepare to be boarded” He said dully. The Pirates all laughed at the lone trio, had they the nerve to take on several fleets of Pirates? “by you?....you and who’s army” The Corsair chuckled exceedingly amused, A smirk came to Aragorn’s face as a green mist surrounded them. Suddenly the pirates became fear full.