The Kings Quest

Chapter One: Arwen where art thou?

t the bottom of the stairs stood his best captain, Huan. "Good morning m'lord. I've come with a report from the forward scouts."
Aragorn looked up at the burly captain of the guard. "Huan has been around a long while. Almost as long as I," the King thought as he looked over Huan.
"While we walk captain. My stomach is screaming to me for a meal," said Aragorn.
Huan stepped up next to him as they walked towards the dining hall. "The scouts report a force gathering near Minas Morgul. It doesn't look like anything much, surely not an attack force of any sort. A few scout orcs have been spotted a league outside the gates. We went to pursue but the orcs fled, three, maybe four of them. Other than that Mordor looks pretty quiet."
"Yes, a little too quiet." Aragorn sighed. "I want you to double the guards shifts.
Something is not quite right. But if nothing happens within the next few days, withdraw the men and apologize for the inconvenience." He paused for a second in his walk. "These days morale is falling low. The guard is slowly diminishing. We need to keep the remaining in the best spirits."
Huan nodded, "I understand m'lord. I will see to it." He turned and was about to head off when Aragorn called to him.
"Captain Huan! Please, join myself, and the Queen for breakfast this morning. No need to hurry to the guard. All is quiet for now, take a few moments to relax."
Huan bowed. "It will be my honor m'lord. I do have to take care of a few things first. I will join you and the Queen for breakfast though. Good day."

uan turned and headed down one of the many corridors. Aragorn kept on his path to the dining hall. Pangs of hunger haunted his stomach, his one worry now was not Mordor, but breakfast.
He eventually reached the dining hall, without being interrupted by more servants. For that he was thankful. He sat down in his seat at the table. He was terribly early, the hall was still empty. Not even the usuals were in yet. He sat alone in the large hall, enjoying a few moments of silence.

he peace did not last for long. Some of the servants and the King's guard were begining to come in and take their seats. Huan arrived and took a seat at the King's table. He wore the black uniform with the white tree. The white of the tree shone with extra brilliance on this day.
Huan remained silent, why, Aragorn could not even tell. Usually Huan had something to say, whether it was news of Mordor or common gossip. But the captain said naught.

he Lady Elwing stepped into the hall. The voices of the men in the room lowered. They gave her sideways glances and said nothing so that she could here.
The Lady Elwing was a mysterious character. Many a time the locals wondered how this woman rose to the position of captain. 'Twas true that she could handle weapons as good as the next. Most just assumed that the King was playing favorites. There was something between the King and Elwing, but none knew exactly what, but they all had their ideas.
"M'lord," she said and bowed slightly. "You have summoned me?"
Aragorn stood and pulled a seat out for the Lady Elwing. "Please sit, I have much to talk with you about."
The two exchanged many a word in small voices. Huan ignored the conversation, knowing it was none of his business. He caught a few words every now and then on accident, words like 'Mordor', 'Arwen', and 'Rachel'. He knew naught of this Rachel, but it was not the first time he had heard that name. Who she was, the King kept very secret.

he servants starting to bring the food and Aragorn noticed the empty seat next to him. "Huan, have you seen the Queen today?"
Huan shook his head 'no'. Aragorn looked over at Elwing. She shrugged her shoulders. "Lady Elwing, ascend to the Queen's room. Perhaps she slept over and is still dressing. Tell her that her breakfast will get cold." The Lady Elwing nodded and headed out of the dining hall. The servants set out the morning meal in front of the men. Everyone began to savor the food, for of late they had no time to sit down for a decent meal. Most of the time it was small meals on the run. But since times were calm, everyone could enjoy the neglected niceties, like a good breakfast.

aptain Huan," said the King in between bites, "I've heard that we're getting some new soldiers today. Good men I presume?"
"Yes indeed. Only the bravest men enlist now. Most are afraid of Mordor and would prefer to stay at home in safety. Most of the group is swordsmen. As you know we are in a dearth for new archers. In the new group there is only one, a fine young lad named Arteris."
"Have you seen him perform? Is he an adept or just merely another one to add to the dead?"
"I've seen him fire a few arrows before. His accuracy is good, good loading speed. In my personal opinion I think he can be a good addition to the east wall." He took a sip of water. "I've also seen him wield a sword before. He could use some practice with that, but if he were to need it, I assume he could fend for himself."
"You recommend this Arteris for the east wall? Is he prepared for the danger that may lurk there very soon?"
"Whether he is or not does not really matter. The east wall is in great need of archers. We've been posting a skeleton crew to those walls for a long while. I've been hoping for another party of war hungry elves to come down from Imladris or Mirkwood but they have not."
Aragorn nodded his head to Huan. "Then see to it. Station this Arteris on the east wall. Start him with light shifts until his eyes learn to adjust to the bleakness of the terrain. Once he adapts we can move him to longer shifts."
"Indeed," said Huan and took another sip of the water.

he peace of the breakfast was interrupted by a sprinting Elwing. She rushed up to the King's table in such a hurry she neglected to show the proper respects. "M'lord!" she said, huffing, out of breath. "I entered the Queen's bedroom and could not find her. I inquired with many of the servant and she has not been spotted anywhere in the Citadel. I did find this though," she handed him a small piece of cloth.
Aragorn examined the scrap. A small black piece with the white hand. He showed it to Huan. "What do you think?"
Huan thought silently for a moment then spoke. "It's definitely a piece from Isengard. I would be able to tell if it was forged, but it looks authentic. I'd dare to say that the Queen is headed to Orthanc, whether it was of her own will or not, I am not sure. I'll send a few guards to search the city for her." Huan stood up and exited the dining hall, leaving half his breakfast uneaten.

it Elwing, and eat. Huan will find out if she in the confines of Minas Tirith." He sat looking at the piece of cloth branded with the white hand. "I thought Saruman had turned from his evil ways. Even Gandalf has renewed faith in him. Hopefully she only went to consult the wise on some matter of personal importance. Assuming that this was a kidnapping is getting ahead of ourselves."
Elwing put down her fork for a second. "And if it was kidnapping?" questioned Elwing.
Aragorn sighed. "If it was a kidnapping, I'm afraid of what will happen. I have no yearning to go to war against Saruman. For if his friendship was all a deception, I fear what he has told the Enemy."

e took a bite and muttered to himself, "If only we slept in the same bed."

s Arteris stood guard at the west gate he was wishing for sleep. He had been on the last four shifts above the west gate. Exhaustion was running through his veins. His feet were feeling the wrath of standing for such a period of time.
"This is no way to get promoted. Taking extra shifts is definitely not worth it," He thought to himself as he stood on the wall.
Perhaps a break was coming as he saw the Guard Captain Huan heading towards the gate. His hopes were crushed as he noticed the uniform of the Citadel. This must be important if it were to tear him away from the King.

uan stepped up and was talking with the gate guards on the ground. Arteris could overhear the conversation from his viewpoint.
"Soldier! Has the Queen passed through this gate this evening?" Huan pressed. His tone was almost urgent if not distressed.
"I'm not sure Captain. I've just started my shift. I don't think anyone was posted here all night."
Huan cursed and stamped his foot. Arteris gathered up some bravery and spoke. "My Captain. I happened to be on guard all night." Perhaps this extra shifting would pay off.
Huan looked up spotting the archer on the wall. "Arteris! Come down here immeadiately!"
Arteris stepped down from the wall and in front of Huan he bowed. "Has the Queen passed through this gate during the night?" said the captain.
Arteris nodded his head. "Yes sir. She was heading out on horseback at about midnight. Someone was riding with her. I wasn't sure who the rider was. The Queen looked a bit distressed but we bid her to pass."
"Did you ask where she was going?"
Arteris shook his head. "No one questioned the Queen. She is able to ride where she will. I found it odd that she was riding so late, and with someone too."
"Did this rider look suspicious? Was the Queen taken against her will?"
Arteris spoke clearly and slowly so that the frantic Huan could comprehend all of it. "No sir. The rider was dressed in a cloak. It covered his features. The cloak was of Gondorian craftsmanship. They rode off. Later last night the rider returned with horse mind you. When we asked where the Queen was he commented in a low growling voice, 'I do not know. She met the wizard Saruman outside of town and they went off, together into the west.' "
Huan held a blank look on his face. He couldn't decide whether the Queen had gone of her own free will or if she was forcefully taken. "If anything else develops Arteris, please report to me. I'll be back at the Citadel."

oofbeats were heard outside the gate. "Open! Open!" The guards opened the gates and in strode Eomer on his mount. He swung around on the horse.
"Captain! Beg to report! I was out riding late last night and I saw a strange sight. It appeared to be the Queen Arwen on a steed. There was a cloaked rider with her. She must have caught sight of me because she screamed out. 'Lord Eomer! Warn Gondor!' Then she fell silent and they sped away. I was going to pursue but I was very tired and I thought I may have been seeing things. But when I got back to camp one of the men said they had heard some screaming. It was then that I knew I had to come in haste. I've rode swiftly all through the night. I require food and drink, and I must speak with King Aragorn."
Huan jumped at the news. "Lo! It is true! The Queen Arwen has been kidnapped! Pleases Eomer, come with me back to the Citadel. Come!" He waved Eomer into the city. "As for you Arteris. You are dismissed for the next few shifts. Get some food and drink, take some rest. The King Aragorn has bid you to the east wall tomorrow. Consider it a great honor."

rteris wiped his brow and stepped away from the gates. He headed over to the pub for the rest of the day.

ut all that is good cannot last. The sound of footsteps echoed in the distance. "Here comes Huan and company," he thought to himself. Indeed in walked Huan and the Lady Elwing. Behind them was Eomer of the Mark. Aragorn quickly ascended to his feet and met with the Lord of Rohan. "Eomer, this is quite unexpected. What brings you to Minas Tirith."
Eomer bowed to Aragorn before speaking. "Lord Aragorn, Arwen is why I come to the White City."
Aragorn pushed Huan and Elwing out of the way. "What about the Queen?"
Eomer straightened up. "Yes m'lord. I have seen her late last night. She seemed to be in peril. I'm afraid she may have been kidnapped."
Aragorn stumbled backward and leaned against the edge of the small garden fountain. "So it is true. I have feared this. Saruman! Treacherous fiend!"
Eomer was confused not hearing the previous discovery of the patch. He said nothing but wondered silently.
"Huan, prepare a party to head with me to Isengard. We must be doing away with Saruman and saving the Queen. Make haste, I wish to leave this afternoon."
Huan bowed and sped off, preparing the voyage.
"If you would allow it, King Aragorn, I would wish to come with you to Orthanc." Aragorn nodded to Eomer. Eomer drew his sword. "May my blade serve you well." He replaced it in it's sheath and headed out of the garden. So Elwing and Aragorn stood alone in the garden.

ady Elwing, you will be accompanying me to Orthanc. I'll have Huan stay here. I fear that Minas Tirith is not safe. Send message to the dwarves in the Iron Hills. Tell them that the White City could use a few stout warriors to stay in the city while I am away. Make sure to emphasize that there will be great compensation for all who come. That is all."
Elwing nodded and left the garden. Aragorn's sanctuary had been defiled. This news was unwelcome. Now the city would be thrown into chaos. The King is leaving, the Queen is missing and Huan will be left in charge of the town. "If Mordor was wise, they would attack while I am away. I fear that they will."
Realizing the burden placed upon him, he headed to the great hall where the servants would prepare him for his journey.

s he stepped past his personal library he happened to notice the small pillar in the center of the room. "The Palantir! It has been stolen! Truly strange things are afoot!"
He hurried on to the hall. It was now more imperative to leave then ever.

Chapter Four: Leaving Minas Tirith


lwing stood near the west gate waiting for Aragorn to show up. She had already obtained the necessary gear and stood waiting with a few other faithful rangers. Aragorn was the only one who still needed to arrive.
By happens chance, Thorin Oakenshield had been in town on business from Erebor. He stopped to ask Elwing what had happened. She explained to him and he immeadiately took up his axe and insisted on coming along.
Also the Ranger Morrandir had caught wind of the happening and met Elwing at the gate, clad in armor with weapons. Many others were awaiting at the gate. Now just Aragorn.

inally Aragorn strode up to the gate. He had Anduril at his side. He had unpacked the old elven cloak from Lorien. The grey shimmer of the fabric gave an eerie look to the noble.
He stepped up next to Lady Elwing. She handed him the reins of a swift horse. He nodded to her and mounted the great stead. Anduril sat at his side, ready for whatever might be ahead. The rest of the rangers and guards mounted and were ready to go. Aragorn looked over at Thorin Oakenshield sitting atop the small pony. A smiled crossed his otherwise grim face.
"Onward," was his only word. The gates opened and out rode Aragorn and his small party. There was no more than fifteen with him. That was the way he wanted it. Anything too large would draw attention to them.

e had left Huan in charge of the city. He would have preferred someone else for the job but with the Queen gone he was left with little choice. The horse trotted across the open fields to the north west, straight for the ring of Insengard. They followed the fresh horse hooves in the soft ground beneath. There was one set of tracks headed in that direction. It must have been the Queen's captor.
The tracks became vague after a while, the mud was beginning to dry up in the afternoon heat. Soon the tracks merged with many other until the rangers sat in a large patch with nothing but hoof marks. Elwing dismounted from her horse and inspected the ground closely.
"My King. Many a horse have been here lately. Perhaps the Riders were involved in this little ordeal." She shot a piercing glance at Eomer.

he Lord of the Mark took a hand from the reins. He pointed to himself. "You accuse me and my land of kidnapping the Queen. I laugh at this lack of trust. Ha!"
Elwing stepped up to his horse. She withdrew her sword from its sheath. "I know a pack of Riders when I see their tracks. Can you account for this rendezvous of your Riders?"
Eomer let out a great laugh. "Naturally. Even though the east is defended by the valiant Gondor, I still send scouts out to make sure that the borders are clear. I will not be surprised if two or more of my scouts had met here lately. I give them no routes. They go as they wish." He looked down at the patch of tracks. "I you would be more careful, you'd notice that one set of the tracks is heading towards the Fangorn, while the others head in the opposite direction. But you were too busy making accusations."
Elwing looks down at her feet. One set definitely did trail off towards the forest. Eomer spoke again. "I assume that they are heading towards the Entwash soon enough to cover their tracks. We best be going again Lady Elwing." He shot a smile at her but she gave him the cold shoulder in return.

lwing mounted the horse again and they were off, heading north towards the Fangorn Forest. They were making rather excellent time. But the day was slowly waning and they would have to stop soon. The tracks were fading and by dusk had become untraceable. The party now sat in the middle of a field.
"Lord Aragorn, whither shall we go now?" said Thorin Oakenshield in his rough dwarf voice. Aragorn surveyed the area. In the near distance he could see the outline of a small patch of trees. "If we make for those trees we could camp within, thus giving us shelter from whatever may be abroad, including rain."
They rode swiftly to the small patch of trees and entered in. A large clearing was found within the ring of trees. They tethered their horses to the trees and set up camp. Thorin built a mighty dwarf fire in the center and the all settled down for the night.

Chapter Five: An Unexpected Parley


uan is sitting now in the great hall, all alone. The king left him in charge of the city. He was the interim king! Ha! Such power he held at his fingertips!
But like the One Ring in days past, the power was not to be abused. King Aragorn had set out only a few hours past. Everything was going well in the town, no signs of danger.
He had sent a swift mount with the message to the dwarves in the Iron Hills. The act seemed completely unnecessary to Huan. Begging the dwarves for support. That did not sound like the great Gondor in which he lived. But the old saying go, "The king knows best." What Aragorn says must be obeyed.

ervants came up asking if the captain needed anything and what his wishes were. Huan was living in luxury and loving it. A soldier entered the hall and bowed in front of the captain. "Sir, a small group of orcs have arrived outside the east gate."
"Well? Have they been destroyed Jezabelle?" he asked.
Jezabelle had hesitated. "No sir, they come under different circumstances. I think it's best if you come to the east gate and see for yourself."

uan rose from his chair, irritated at this interruption in his high life. He exited the Citadel and walked with Jezabelle towards the gate. The streets of the White City were bustling with merchants and peasants. All was well indeed.
They arrived at the gate. The archers stood on the wall with bows bent out towards the field. Two guards stood at the gate with swords drawn and shields in hand. Huan motioned with his hand and the gate swung open.
Huan stepped out onto the field and beheld a strange sight indeed. A small group of orcs stood out in the field. The leader, one of the Uruk-Hai stood with hand up in wish to parley with the lords of Gondor.
Huan copied the motion and stepped up to the group of orcs. Only Jezabelle stood with him. They were outnumbered, but the archers on the walls would cut down the orcs at the first sign of trouble.

ail! What brings you to parley with us Enemy?" said Huan is his most powerful voice. He was trying to intimidate the orcs.
The orc captain lowered its hand. In a low grumbling voice it answered, "We will ask the questions here human. We have come with information. We know about the unfortunate," the last word out of his mouth came with an added hiss, "the unfortunate disappearance of your Queen. Pitiful as she is." The orc spat at Huan's feet.
The wad of spit splashed down on Huan's boots. He drew his sword and stuck it in the ground in front of him. He could hear the stretching of bows faintly behind him. "I have no I intention of killing a parleying orc. But don't test my will."
The orc answered by drawing his own black blade. He stuck the point into the soft ground. "We are not afraid of you human. We wish to exchange information only. But this information, it comes with a cost. We have demands if you are to want this news." The orc smiled a horrible smile, with yellowed fangs showing.
"So it is true. Orcs can smile," thought Huan. But then he said, "What are these demands? Come into the city and we will discuss these terms and possibly some news."
"Ha!" cried out the orc. "We orcs are not a stupid people. If we were to go into that city, I'm sure our death would come swiftly. If you wish to discuss, you come to us. We will set up a tent. That way those abominable archers will no longer be a threat." His eyes shifted up to the archers on the wall.
"Agreed. A small party will arrive at your tent in an hour. We will come with arms, for we trust you no more that you trust us." Huan drew his sword from the ground and sheathed it. As he walked back towards the gate he flashed a hand signal and the archers relaxed themselves.

ezabelle, who had remained silent through most of the ordeal, now took time to speak up. "Captain, is this such a wise idea? Who knows what those orcs may be up to? This is a trap surely. You should not go."
Huan looked down at Jezabelle. "You're right. I need to stay here in the city. Therefore, I am appointing you to go and lead these talks. Take some good men with you. I'm endangering you and I know it. But I'm placing much trust in you also. Make your mama proud."
Huan headed back towards the Citadel leaving Jezabelle standing alone near the gate. Jezabelle put her hands on the sides of her head. "What have I got myself into?" she says aloud to herself.
"Well I better go find some help. I need a small party to go out to that tent with. I hope Huan realizes what he's doing to me. I just know I'm going to walk out of that tent in pieces."
Jezabelle walks through the streets looking for a group of soldiers to go to the parleying with her. Most are turning and running at the notion of dealing with orcs. Jezabelle continues to wander the town. Luck is not on her side today.

hy the glum face Jez?" Jezabelle diverts her attention from her feet for a few seconds and looks up. She rests her eyes on the figure of her good friend.
"D45! I am so glad to find you! Would you be interested-"
"Oh no Jez, don't look at me. I'm not going out to parley with those orcs. That's a death sentence." A wave of emotion washed over Jezabelle's face. She burst into sobs in the streets of Minas Tirith.
"Please Dee! I need someone to go with. I don't want to die alone!" The tears were streaming down her face. She collapsed to her knees and held her face in her hands. Some of the passerbys stopped to observe the crying Jezabelle.
Finally Dee helped her up. "Alright Jez. I'll come with you. We're in this together."
Unable to find any other source of help, the two Gondorians head towards the orc camp. The archers on the wall are told to stand easy, since the event in the tent will not be visible anyway. Huan is at the gate.
"Good luck. You two are representing the realm of Gondor. Do not do anything that the King and Queen would not approve of. I'm laying great trust in you. Try to get as much out of the orcs as possible. Get going."
"If we're not back in three hours, raze the tents. We'll make sure to get out as quickly as we can. If we're not out by then, that means we're dead. It's a shame you won't be joining us, o' brave and powerful Huan. Sit tight, but don't worry too much.
Huan snapped. "Watch your tongue soldier!" He raised a hand to smack her with. Jezabelle stuck her cheek out to him, inviting the blow. Huan, seeing this, lowered his arm. "Get out of my sight."
Jezabelle smiled at him and her and Dee headed out the gate towards the orc tents. "Well Dee, this will prove our devotion to Gondor. We'll be looked at as martyrs."
"Oh quiet Jez. We're not dead yet. Maybe we'll make it out alive. Maybe the orcs will be able to control themselves." She tried to smile, but failed, realized the hopelessness of their position.

hey stepped up to the tents. Two orc guards were posted outside the largest tent. The one on the left spoke. "Women! Ha! That fool won't even show himself in front of the great Gabklash! Women!" The other orc joined in his laughter.
Dee gathered up some courage. "You orcs aren't so tough. I could kill both of you where you stand. Now let us in. We represent the Captain Huan, who is currently in charge of the White City."
She began to step into the tent. The orcs crossed their spears in front of the opening. "Leave your weapons here. No one sees Gabklash the Blood Axe with arms."
Jezabelle stepped up. "I was informed that we would be allowed to hold arms while in conference."
The orc growled at her. "We lied. Leave the weapons or die here."
Jezabelle kept a hard stare at the orc. She unbuckled her belt and it fell to the soil with her sword on it. Dee did the same. The orcs raised their spears and the two entered the tent. Sitting on the far end of the tent was, what they concluded, Gabklash the Blood Axe. The Uruk-Hai wore jagged iron armor. Chains of gold hung from its neck. Razor sharp claws jutted from the orc's gauntlets. A smack to the face would be quite fatal.
Two other Uruk-Hai sat next to him. They wore similar armor but lacked the chains. The smell in the tent was awful and the air was thick and hardly breathable. "Sit!" one of them barked.
The two Gondorians took their seats. Jezabelle spoke. "We come to obtain information about our Queen. We are representing Captain Huan. What do you know?"
The orcs were harsh with the two women. "Listen you filthy whores. We will tell you nothing until our demands our met. You sluts will shut your mouths and speak when I address you."
"I take offense to your language and I'm sure my counterpart does also. We will not be intimidated into making an decisions."
The orc was silenced by Jezabelle's strong words. He reached to the ground and lifted up a scroll. He handed it to Jezabelle. The Uruk-Hai stared as the Gondorian woman opened it. Jezabelle scanned over the list of demands:

In exchange for the knowledge held by these loyal orcs, the realm of Gondor will meet the following demands of Mordor.

The White City will be forfeited to the Realm of Mordor

ack at camp, as the party was pinned down to the ground a large shadow descended over them. When it got into the light, they were able to make out the figure of a middle-aged ent. Viv seemed to notice the treefolk.
Back at camp, as the party was pinned down to the ground a large shadow descended over them. When it got into the light, they were able to make out the figure of a middle-aged ent. Viv seemed to notice the treefolk.
"Browntwig, could it truly be you?"
The ent moved to the voice on the forest floor. It towered over the pinned Viv. "Vivienne? Hoom hum, what is the Lady Vivienne doing with a bunch of tree killers? Hum hmm, I wish an answer, but be not hasty, give me your explanation, and slowly now!"
Vivienne spoke to the large ent above her. "Good Browntwig, I have been traveling with these good Men of Gondor for about a day now. The Queen of Gondor, a good friend of your, Arwen Evenstar, has been captured. We believe that she is held in Orthanc. We were camping here for the night. This is quite unexpected," she paused, "and unwelcomed. Now will you release this hold on us?"
Another ent strolled up and stood next to Browntwig. It held the axe of Thorin Oakenshield in its hand. "We seized this from the dwarf Browntwig. He was about to hew down one of the youngins. He’s being held like the others here. Should we finish him?"
Browntwig looked down at Viv again. "Is this dwarf a friend of yours Viv?"
Viv nodded her head, although the task proved difficult in the trap of the vines. "Yes Browntwig, that is Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the Mountain."
"Release the dwarf. Release all of these. Return their weapons. They will not harm us. Send the dwarf directly back here though." The other ent headed back off to release Thorin from the vines.

he hold on the others was released and they stood up and wiped the fallen leaves from their clothes. The ents held their weapons from them. "Hoom, Vivienne, can you vouch for these men not using the edges against us."
Vivienne nodded her head. The ents handed the weapons back to the Gondorians. They took their seats around the fire once again.
Thorin came running back with his axe. "Did you know that this place was infested with ents?" he said angrily to Vivienne.
She shook her head but said nothing. Thorin was still furious. "They almost crushed me back there! I’m just glad they took my axe before I cut into that sapling."
Browntwig agreed. "Had you actually cut into that tree, you and your friends probably would be a pile of slurry by now. And if Viv wasn’t here you probably would have ended up like that anyway." Then Browntwig lightened up. "But all is well. You are in good company here."
The trees around them shuffled, revealing that the forest had really been Entmoot. Every tree in the small woodland was an ent. The ent that had spoken to Browntwig earlier was now back as his side.
"You say your queen is missing? Hmm, that is indeed strange. The Lady Arwen Evenstar is a well-known ent-friend," said Browntwig.
The ent next to him spoke up. "I saw the Lady Arwen Evenstar last night. She came through these parts on a horse, by herself. A small band of riders were with her though."
"Why was I not informed, Brownbark?" said Browntwig angrily.
"I figured that it was not too important Browntwig. She didn’t look like she was being held captive," answered Brownbark nervously.
Browntwig smacked him across the face with his huge ent arm. "Fool! I hope for your sake that you were not spotted."
Brownbark rubbed the spot on his face. "I was concealed Browntwig, I swear it!" Browntwig smacked him across the face again. "Alright! The elf caught sight of me, but not the other riders." Browntwig raised his arm again. "No please! I swear! I swear! Just the elf and none other!"
He cowered, covering his face with his arms. Browntwig laid off and turned back towards the Gondorians. "Well apparently you are on the right track. But I cannot help any of you further. Us ents do not want to be involved in anymore squabbles of men."
"Well honored ents, will you allow us to finish out the night here? We plan not to move until morning. If you don’t we’ll find another place to set up our camp," offered Aragorn.
"Hoom! That will not be necessary. You can stay the night in this area. Us ents will form a ring around you and protect you from whatever may come to in the night. Now get some sleep, all of you."

he Gondorians lay down for the night. The ents stood guard while they slept. But more than one of the party slept with eyes open, just in case.

Chapter Seven: Arwen Evenstar


ripping water was the sound that woke the Queen of Gondor. Her eyes failed her in the dark chamber. The sound of the water was the only noise. A smell of mold and mildew filled the air. Where was she?
She sits up from the stray bale that she had been thrown onto in the middle of the night. The room was too dark for even elven eyes. No source of light penetrated the heavy surrounding stone walls.
A soft pattering could be heard in close proximity. Arwen reached for the small dagger she always kept at her belt, but found it missing. The very faint sound was heard again from her immediate left. She swung a fist in that direction and made contact with something slimy and cold. She jumped on top of the thing, pinning it to the floor. It let out a shrill scream as it struggled to get free.

crack of light emerged from the far wall. An orc stuck it’s head in through the door to see what was happening. The beam of light from the open door shone directly onto the Queen and the pinned creature. Arwen was able to get her first glimpse of the thing.
It was short, no more than three feet. It had wisps of grey hair flowing down it’s melon head. The creature’s eyes glowed yellow and it had some decent sized fangs. It was fat and not very muscular. She could see in the eyes the flicker of battle.
The large orc entered the chamber. It tossed Arwen off of the thing. With one hand the orc picked up the small fiend and tossed it against the wall. Arwen spoke. "What is that thing?"
The orc turned to her with its evil eyes. "A failure and nothing more," it grumbled. It exited the room and shut the door. Light cut out again. Arwen slouched back into her hay bale.
The little thing could be heard crawling towards her again. She paid no heed to it. It had learned how agile and dangerous this elf could be. "Please, miss, I’m just here to get your breakfast for you. Please don’t hit me again."
A small candle was lit and she could see the thing again. It looked like an orc, but also like a hobbit. A very peculiar thing indeed.
"I’ll take toast, a side of bacon, two eggs, some orange juice, and a small creamy pastry." She stood up and ran her hands through her hair, removing the stray from it. "And I expect it soon."
"Yes mam," the thing said in a squirrelish voice. "I’ll see what I can do."
It waddled over to the other side of the room and tapped on the door. It opened and the creature vanished. Now Arwen sat alone again in the large cell. It was cold, the candle wasn’t doing much for heat.

ow how did I get here?" she thought to herself. "I remember going out for a ride with that person and now I’m here. But how did it all come to pass?"
The door swung open again and the thing came in with a tray. It stumbled over to her, almost dropping the food on several occasions. "Here you go miss." He handed her the tray.
She examined the meal. Water, in a dirty glass, a bowl of some goop with a spoon that smelled just plain rotten, and a small chunk of black bread, that felt more like a rock than sustenance. "This is awful you wretched thing," she said in disgust.
"I’m sorry miss, it’s all that the orcs will give me. Please don’t get mad." It nudged the tray at her again.
Arwen got a quick idea. She picked up the hunk of bread and sniffed it. The creature looked pleased, almost too pleased. Probably poisoned. Arwen handed it to the thing. "You take a bite first."
"But why?" it asked, suddenly afraid.
"I need to see if it is poisoned. Eat," she commanded.
The thing took the round lump of bread in its hands ackwardly and struggled to take a bite. Eventually it broke a piece off and started chewing it. It’s eyes went wide and it spit the chunks out. "Blah! It’s awful tasting! Get it away!"
Arwen took the lump of bread. Apparently it wasn’t poisoned, just terrible. She held it in her hand looking at, deciding to take a bite or not. The little beast just stood and watched, waiting.
But the bread was not for eating. She took the lump and cold clocked the little thing. It hit the ground with a soft thud and lay silent, still breathing. She knocked it out with the bread. She flipped it onto its back and took the bowl of goo.
She used the spoon and slowly but surely, dripped the goo over its wrists and ankles. The stuff dried and worked just like iron shackles. She took the glass of water and tossed it on the creatures face. It woke up sputtering and choking.
"Scream out and I finish you," threatened Arwen.
It looked up and tried to struggle free but couldn’t. The helpless thing lie there, basically useless.
"Now where am I?" asked Arwen.
"Orthanc, orthanc is where you is. The tower of Saruman. Know you not?"
Orthanc. That would explain the high ceiling and cold stone walls. Plus all the orcs. It made good sense. "All right then, is there any way out of this cell?"
"Only the door, and orcs outside, that no good. But I heard big uglies say bout secret passage, but me no know where it is."
Arwen nodded. "Next question, what are you? Why was your speech all normal before and know it is rather childish."
"Me no help that. Me mistake. Big uglies say that I mistake. They try make me something smart and strong but they fail. I am big ugly and small fatty."
"You mean orc and hobbit? You’re a hybrid?"
She looked at the thing on the ground. It stopped struggling. "Yes miss, I’m part orc and part hobbit, that is correct."
"There’s much inner conflict in you, is there not?" continued Arwen.
"Yes, sometimes I act like I’m an orc, and other times like hobbit. Right now my hobbit mentality seems to be prominent, for I speak intelligently. But the orc side can creep up without warning."

rwen nodded. The door began to crack open. "Where are you lousy excuse for an orc!" Arwen slipped through the shadows toward the door. The orc spotted the orcobbit on the floor. "The elf, where is she!" it boomed, noticing that the prisoner wasn’t in sight.
The orcobbit looked up to see Arwen slip out the door of the cell.
"I don’t know you filthy being! Now get me off this floor and I can get back to my cooking duties."
The orc glared at the orcobbit. It ripped it off the floor, breaking the breakfast bonds. It sprinted towards the door yelling, "The prisoner has escaped! Search the tower! I want her found! NOW!"

Chapter Eight: Point of the Argument


ezabelle and Dee now stood in the small orc tent with blades to their throats. The cold Mordorian steel was an ever present chill down their spines. They dared not move, for the blades could "slip" and leave them as a pile of meat on the floor.
The Uruk-Hai now gave the orders. "You whores have made a big mistake. Now you'll all die for it. But it would be cruel to kill you in here, because the night is so beautiful. So let's go outside, there will be more spectators."
As they walked slowly outside with the swords at their throats, Jezabelle tried to reason with the creatures.
"Do you think this is such a good idea? If everyone sees you execute us here, they'll rip your camp apart."
"We care not. In a few minutes an orc army larger than any you have seen will be arriving here. We're getting the city whether you all like it or not."

n orc army? Could it be serious? Jezabelle wasn't too worried though, she wouldn't see the bloodshed of an all out battle, she'd be dead by then.
The orcs stopped about a hundred yards in from the wall, where the night's watch could still see them. The swords were still at their necks when they stopped. The leader stepped forward and proclaimed to Huan just as he came out the gate after hearing news of the event.
"Your foolish diplomats made a large mistake. I'm afraid you humans are too stupid for peace talks. So I will kill both of these whores in front of you, so ride me down if you must, but there are many more, arriving right about," a thousand footsteps could be heard not very far off as a black wall of orcs came running up the fieldsm, "now."
He smiled a horrible orc smile.

uan surveyed the field. "So many of them," he thought. "Maybe the dwarves will arrive in time, just like Aragorn predictied."
"Please, the blood of those two are not worth it. I'll exchange myself for both of them. Let them go and I'll take their place."
The orc considered the proposition for about five seconds. "You're right, they are not worth it." He turned to his goons. "Kill them, slowly."
Jezabelle looked over at Dee real fast. This was the end, it was all over now. But Dee had other plans. She grabbed the arm of the orc and flipped it over her, then stomped on it's face. Jezabelle felt the sword at her throat draw away for a second, and a mule kick backwards did in her guard. The started a sprint towards the gates.
"Hold!" commanded Huan to the archers atop the wall. The two women continued towards the gate as the leader stood glancing at his befelled comrades. Anger swept over the thing and he turned towards Dee. She tried to get away, but it was faster. He caught her with one hand and turned her around. With the iron gauntlet, he smacked her hard across the face. Luckily the blades of the gauntlet were on the other side, so it was not a mortal wound.
Dee fell to the ground in pain, with blood pouring from her mouth. The orc turned around to look for Jezabelle just in time to receive an elbow to the face. The blow was much too weak to hurt it severely, but it was adequately stunned.
"Dee, get up, we have to run." Dee was helped to her feet and they ran off. Blood was dripping from her mouth as she ran.

IRE!!!" Huan ordered to the archers atop the wall. A rain of arrows flew out onto the field, hitting the two goon orcs, but the swifter, smarter leader orc was able to dodge. He was gaining on the two diplomats.
"They're not going to make it," Huan said to himself and ran out onto the field wielding Aeglos. The archers held their fire, as the orc was too close to take chances firing again. The two sprinted towards the gate as Huan sprinted to the field. The orc caught eye of him and left his pursuit of the girls. It turned for Huan.
With longsword in hand the disgusting captain of the orcs lowered it's head and bolted into a flat sprint. It was in such a fury, blood began to pour from it's mouth mixed with foaming saliva, as it thought of the taste of Huan's flesh.
Huan, having seen it turn its path towards him, now decided it wasn't best to take on the frenzied orc. He stopped abruptly, turned and headed back. The orc kept in its sprint, always keeping on the trail of Huan.
Jezabelle and Dee had reached the gate safely and stood, waiting for arms should Huan fall. Huan looked and saw them secured.
"CLOSE THE GATE!!!" He screamed out as he sprinted. The gatekeeper made no hesitation and the gates began to close. Jezabelle looked at the rate of its closure. Too fast, Huan wouldn't make it back in, he was staying to fight.
The orc was almost at Huan's heels now. Jezabelle, not knowing if Huan could see shouted out, "Huan! He's right on you!"
Within a second of the warning, Huan stopped his running and hit the dirt, sliding on his legs towards the wall. He held the spear Aeglos up and pointing backwards. The slide carried him to the wall and he braced his feet against the stone. The impact was crushing.
The orc, not being able to stop, hit the spear at full velocity. Huan's arms were thrown down to his sides and his knees bent under the pressure. Orc blood sprayed all over the Captain of the Rangers. By the time Huan was able to open his eyes, the orc was impaled half way down his spear. The spear had cracked on the initial impact, the head was gone, laying a few feet from his face.
Huan threw the splintered wood aside with the orc ka-bobbed on it. The thing was nothing more than a bloody mess now. Huan stood up, unharmed, with orc blood dripping from his clothes. He wiped the blood from his face and stumbled back towards the gate.

he gate swung open and Jezabelle was there to help him back into the city. He walked over to Dee. She had dried blood all over the left side of her face where it hit her and she still cough and spat blood.
"Open your mouth," he said, and Dee obeyed. He looked in. The whole left side of her cheek was cut apart by her teeth. It looked as if some of the teeth were loose from the mighty blow.
"Jezabelle, take Dee to the Healers. She's going to have to get some of those teeth pulled. Either that or massive infection. Jezabelle and Dee walked off towards the healing house leaving Huan alone next to the gates.
A servant came up to him. "Summon Aniron." The servant hustled off and in a minute came back with the ranger Aniron.
"Yes sir, what is it?" Aniron asked at arrival. Huan said nothing, but grabbed the Horn of Gondor Reforged from Aniron's belt and blew a call so loud the birds went into flight and the ground rumbled beneath him.
"Call the military, it's time for war," Huan said after finishing the call of the horn. "As we speak the Army of the Eye draws closer."

Chapter Nine: Into the Dark


orning broke over the "forest" in which the King and his rangers had slept for the night. Beams of sunlight reached down and touched each of them, calling them from the nightly slumber. They rose and broke their fast inside the protection of the ents, who seemed to be asleep at the early hour.
When they had finished eating and a bit more relaxing, they packed up the gear and were off yet again. The ents broke out of their short rest just in time to see them off.
"I wish there was a shorter way. Keeping on this path will take us a good five more days to get where we need to be."
Browntwig the ent spoke up hearing Aragorn's plea for a shorter way. "Actually we ents do know of a path to the tower, long forgotten by men and dwarves and elves alike. It is a dark place and very ancient, I cannot tell you what you may find down there, be it orcs or balrogs or dead ancestors in eternal curse. But it should cut the trip in half, for it is a direct route and the terrain is good."
All the rangers took in this suggestion from the ent. Aragorn spoke. "Should we take it? Is everyone prepared to face whatever be down there?"
Everyone answered 'yea' within a matter of seconds. So it was decided. They would take the ancient tunnel. They followed the ent to a clearing where three rocks stood side by side.

his is where it is. When the middle rock is moved it will reveal a tunnel that goes underground. It was an old mine shaft built by dwarves long past, but it was closed and forgotten. Why? No one is sure."
Aragorn and the rangers pushed the enormous boulder aside and indeed a small iron hatch was opened to reveal a tunnel underground. "Good by fair Browntwig. Your help will not be forgotten."
"And best of luck to you all. I sure hope that you make it out unscathed," answered the ent.
The rangers descended underground and shut the hatch behind them. They could hear the ents moving the rock back into place over them. "Well there's only one way out of here now, and that path lies ahead," said Elwing grimly.
It was much too dark to see, so Thorin lit a small fire and from that five torches were lit. Even with the torches, the darkness was sharp and cut the beams of fire, casting long, uncanny shadows on the tunnel walls.
They seemed to be on a bridge of some sort. The step underneath was wooden, while the walls and ceiling stone. So they walked on in the darkness, passing over huge quarries and staircases down to other separate shafts. But they stayed on the main road, this bridge that seemed to overlook the whole mining operation.
At some parts the bridge was rotted away, leaving only rough gravel underfoot. In other spots the tunnel narrowed or the ceiling dropped a foot. But they seemed to be making good time, and spirits were high so all was well.
All was well at least until they reached the cave in. Apparently the mine had collapsed in this section leaving only a small hole a passage. It was large enough for one person to go through at a time and would be a tight squeeze for those of larger girth.
The rangers held up to decided what to do about this cave in.
"Why don't we just heave the rocks out of the way. It wouldn't be too hard. We're strong individuals here. It would take perhaps an hour," suggested Morrandir standing on his spear.
"What are you dense?" replied Thorin. "A collapse this size, there's no telling how thick it is. And moving the rocks may cause another collapse, right on top of us. No, moving the rock is definitely not an option."
"Then we'll have to crawl through it," Aragorn declared as he stood up against the wall examining the hole. We don't know what's on the other side of if there is another side. Someone will have to go in, someone small in case it narrows down."

ll eyes in the dark cavern turned on Robin, the nimble well figured archer was the smallest in the group. She looked scared having everyone acknowledge her as the one. "Why me? I don't want to go in their first. There's probably a balrog waiting on the other side to pulverize me. Don't make me do it Aragorn."
Aragorn looked at the archer. He was about to speak when Elwing stepped forward. "I'll do it." Robin thanked her a million times. Elwing got down on the ground and started to crawl into the hole.
It was a few minutes and there was no word from Elwing. Morrandir got down and spoke into the hole. "Elwing! Where'd you go? Did you find a way out?" The only answer he received was silence.
"See, see! That's why I didn't go first," bragged Robin.
Aragorn, apparently worried about the safety of the Lady Elwing threw himself to the ground and escaped into the hole. The rangers yelled after him, telling him to turn back and that his life was endangered. But he didn't care. He cared about the safety of Elwing.
He reached the end of the tunnel after a crawl shorter than he expected. The cavern was dark, but a moss on the wall gave some illumination and he was finally able to see. But what he saw made his heart skip a beat.
The Lady Elwing was slumped up against the wall with blood trickling over her face.
"My King, is everything okay?" a voice asked from the hole.
"No, come right away. The Lady Elwing is injured. She needs medical attention and now. Get over here." After that he was able to hear the rangers scuffling through the tunnel to the room where he sat.
"I can't get through, I'm stuck," came Thorin's voice from inside the tunnel.
"Maybe if you didn't drink so much and eat that much meat you wouldn't have this problem," came Morrandir's muffled voice from behind Thorin's.
A grunt of pain came from Thorin as he emerged from the tunnel and into the cavern. Morrandir followed behind him, being the last of the rangers.
"Never poke a dwarf from behind!" raged Thorin.
Morrandir just laughed. "If I hadn't nudged you with the butt of my spear, you would've been trapped, and I would have died from the smell of your rear." He followed that up with more laughter as Thorin just held an angry expression on his face.

can revive her," said Aragorn. "I just need to give her the kiss of life."
"The kiss of life? That's not very believable, I say try some athelas. The kiss of life is just a myth," answered Viv with a tone of annoyance.
"Tis not a myth," Aragorn insisted. "And unless you have some athelas with you, it's our only choice."
Vivienne checked her pockets, but found no athelas. "Must have lost it back at the camp. But all is not lost. We have the Kiss of Life."
As Aragorn and Vivienne argues, Robin was taking the time to examine the large cavern that they had stumbled into. The walls here looked different. She tapped on each of them.
"Aragorn. I believe that we are directly under Orthanc, or very near it," she said.
Aragorn took a moment out of his argument. "How so Robin. What have you discovered here today. And that's impossible. Orthanc is another twenty leagues ahead."
"No, it's definitely right here. See." She walked over to the wall where Elwing was slumped. She tapped on the wall. "Thick, and granite." She went to wall next to that and tapped on it. "Also thick granite." Then she walked to the one opposite where the King sat. She tapped. "Thick, but not granite for sure. This one is black marble. Just like Orthanc."
Aragorn nodded. "We can figure out how to get in after we revive Elwing. Now watch and learn Miss Viv." Aragorn leaned over and kissed Elwing softly. She opened her eyes. "See Viv, the kiss of life," gloated Aragorn.
Elwing looked around the room. The first words to come out of her mouth were, "Why didn't you bring your athelas Viv?"
Miss Viv laughed and shared it with Elwing, as Aragorn just stood by idly, not finding it too humorous. "I'm just joking. The Kiss of Life was wonderful."
She held her head where it had been bleeding. "I got in and something clubbed me. It ran off afterwards I assume."
Robin tapped her foot on the ground impatiently. "What about this wall? Any suggestions on how to get through it?"
"There's got to be a switch somewhere, or a lock or something," said Elwing as she surveyed the room. Her eyes caught a small spot on the ceiling. "What's that?" She pointed up at it.
Everyone crowded around and looked up. A small hole was cut into the ceiling. Aragorn reached up, for the ceiling was low, and stuck his finger into the hole. His finger pressed down on a button of some sort. The marble wall slid open, revealing a passage into the tower.
"Well that was convenient," he said and they entered the tower.

Chapter Ten: The Covert Queen


he sound of running could be heard in the hall next to the small dark corner where the Queen Arwen hid. Orcs were booming out orders and scrambling around like idiots. She had given them all the slip. She checked, and when the passage was clear, slipped into the hallway and down a staircase to what seemed like some sort of cellar.
She could hear some whimpering in the corner of the room. Not wanting to be caught, she slinked behind the noise silently. She stepped up and took the thing by its neck, holding her hand over it’s mouth. It was the little orcobbit.
"Listen you, you’re going to help me get out of here, whether you like it or not. Now is there some way I can get to the front gates from here without being noticed?"
She took her hand from the orcobbits mouth to let it speak. "Yes, yes kind lady. There is one way. Very secret though and almost impossible to get through. But if you want, I can lead you, for I know the way," it said, speaking from its hobbit side.
"Very well then. We shall go by that path. Lead the way." The orcobbit stepped forward and lead her through the darkness. Even though elven eyes were keen, this orcobbit’s sight was unparalleled. It was able to navigate the dark cellar with no hastle.

hey came to a hatch on the floor. "This way leads down to the wine cellars. The cellars are just a giant maze. Even I cannot remember the path. When you find your way out it should bring you up outside the doors of Orthanc."
Arwen looked at the orcobbit. "You think you’re leaving? No no. You are coming with. You know the way better than me. Plus your eyes are peerless. I need you."
The orc side was taking over again. "Lady need Kruck? You is crazy, me no going down in celly. It dangerous. Me get lost. No, no, no. Not going back."
"I need you to come with Kruck. Fight the orc side. I need the hobbit Kruck to lead me through the maze."
It seemed to understand. It opened hatch on the ground, "I tell you lady, dark and dangerous this way is, you be not safe," it said in an orcish voice.
Knowing that danger probably would be lurking down in the old cellars, Arwen looks around for some sort of weapon. She kicks open a small chest. Cooking supplies. They would have to do for now. Arwen reached in and removed a rusted old meat cleaver, although the blade was almost completely blunted and it stank horribly of spoiled meat.
Also she withdrew a large wooden rolling pin. It was light enough to be used a war hammer should the need arise. She tied the two ‘weapons’ to her belt and started into the caverns after Kruck. It would be a long while down here, she had a feeling of it.

They stepped together into the dank, musty cellars of Orthanc. A thin layer of dust blanketed the floor and spider webs stretched from wall to wall. The place had an absolutely rotten smell and it made the queen want to vomit. The walls had a thin shading of niter on them, giving a slight white color to the otherwise drab stone walls.
The dust did a good job of muffling their footsteps, but that was more of a disadvantage to the two than advantage. The cellars were pitch black, the only way she found her way was by holding on to the shoulders of the trembling orcobbit. It waddled along, seeming to know the way well enough, even though it had been terrified to come this way.
All Arwen could hear was the breathing of the two as they walked down the halls of the cellars blindly. The silence gave Arwen a feeling of danger and it was quite unsettling. Who knew what could pop out of these walls at any second?
But sure enough, as they walked, nothing disturbed them. The light was growing stronger now as they neared what she hoped was the end of the cellars. She was finally able to make out shelves of wine on the walls and crates stacked near those.
Kruck never said a word, it just kept on walking. The light was surely growing to a point where the cellars were completely visible. There was enough light to start determining colors, although the black and white and grays of the cellar weren’t far off from the dark blues of the walls.
At last when the light was it’s strongest, as set of stairs rose off the ground that had been so level for so long. A hatch in the ceiling was spotted at the top of the stairs. The way out.

his is the way out. When you walk out of there, you should be outside of Orthanc if I have navigated correctly," the orcobbit said in it’s most hobbit-like voice. "I hope you find your way back."
"Aren’t you coming with me?" asked Arwen. She had grown to like this orcobbit, it had helped her so much, even after she had knocked it out, twice.
Kruck shook his head. "No, I have to go back. The cooks will wonder where I am as well as the guards. They’ll probably torture me until I tell where you went, so you won’t have much time. So fly, fly home. I’ll stay here. I hope you make it." The orcobbit bowed low and turned back into the cellars.
Arwen was free. She opened the hatch and the moonlight bathed her shoulders. Night. They must have walked all day, yet she did not feel hungry or tired. She closed the hatch, deciding that it would be safer to fly in the day. The orc guards would expect her to run in the night, so fleeing in the day would be the perfect surprise.

Chapter Eleven: Under the Siege


aughter and the smell of ale were the only things Arteris could make out in the Pub of the Placid Lake. All around him Gondorians, peasants and soldiers alike threw aside their swords and needles and hammers to enjoy a few spare moments.
Arteris had sat by himself in a corner booth sipping at a glass of merlot. He didn’t feel very festive today. The long hours on watch had worn him down. All he knew was when his glass was empty, he was heading to his lodging and sleeping for as long as he could.
And then it had happened. One of the Rangers in the bar had yelled for quiet and the people obeyed. At first they had heard nothing but then, a loud blast, the unmistakable sound of the Horn of Gondor. "Every soldier to the walls!" he shouted out, grabbed his sword and then burst out of the pub. The soldiers all hurried to their weapons and then out the door.
Arteris pounded the last bit of his wine and grabbed his bow Pobrea. He exited the pub and streets were in chaos. Soldier all flowed towards the east gate, where the horn had sounded from, while the peasants all flowed west, away from the battle.
Arteris had to push his was through several peasants and helped up several fallen as well before they were trampled by the mob. All he could see after getting through the initial jam was a flow of red tunics, the uniform of the guard.
When he arrived at the east gate a throng of soliders were already waiting. He could see Huan atop a horse shouting orders while everyone else waited. "Pikes in the front row! Swordsmen fall in behind! Archers take to the walls! Calvary will take the flanks when we get outside the walls! I want you to stand fast directly outside the wall until the orcs press us back! This is serious my friends, we are at war with Mordor! Now fall out!"

everals warcries went up and the soldiers poured out the gate onto the field in front of the walls. Arteris took a spot on the wall and set his quiver down on the stone floor. He surveyed the filed from his vantage point.
In the east he could see a steady black wave crossing the plains, moving at an alarming rate towards Minas Tirith. Below him he saw the soldiers taking rank. Several banners flew high above. Arteris looked. The white tree was not to be seen. But then again, this wasn’t the king’s war, this was their war.
He glanced over the banners. A gray tower on a red field, snow capping the peak, Huan’s banner. His men took the center ranks of the field. To the left the red rose on a white field flew in the brisk wind, the Ranger Jezabelle’s colors. To the a yellow field with a light blue river winding down the length of the cloth. That was the banner of Dee, he saw the woman atop a horse in the back ranks. She had a wrap around her mouth, Arteris wondered what had happened.
Several other banners flew high, their tails flapping in the wind. All was silent as the men and women of Gondor awaited the host of Mordor.
And soon enough Arteris could make out the black cloth branded with the red blazing eye. The orcs held up for a second at the sighting of the resistance at the walls. All was silent, and then the shrieks of a few thousands orcs filled the air. The shouts and horns of Gondor soon filled the air and nothing could be heard but the deafening pre-battle noise.
Then the orcs took wing and ran towards the walls of the White City. The trampling of the orcs was an unbearably loud sound, almost as loud as the cries heard previous. The leader of the archers shouted down the length of the wall. "ARCHERS! SET FLAME TO YOUR ARROWS!" Arteris looked down the wall. It was an elf giving orders, an elf he knew. Galdrion was the name.
In unison, or so it seemed, the archers drew and arrow from their quiver and waited for a torch to be passed their way. Within a few short seconds, a torch had reached every man and woman and a hundred arrows were aflame. The cloth at the end of the arrows burned steadily. They held the string tense, waiting for the orcs to come into range. They were edging in closer. "LOOSE!" shouted out the commander.
The archers loosed their arrows, and the hundred or so shafts sailed through the air, leaving a trail of smoke and flame behind them as they flew. Only two or three had hit, but the ones that struck the ground were even more devastating. The fields caught fire and it spread backwards into the ranks of the orcs, frying a decent number of the devilish beasts in its wake.’
The orcs wailed out in pain as the flames consumed them. Their flesh bubbled and melted away under the intense heat of the fire. Some ran back into the ranks, shrieking and flailing, completely covered in the flame. Their brothers did them a quick favor by removing their heads for them with blades.

itch, just enough for a quick burn," thought Arteris as he waited for the next command.
The fires died down after a short minute and so did the wailing, but the smell of toasted orc flesh lingered. The stench was unbearable, but it only seemed to raise the orcs to a level of unparalleled fury. The orcs continued forth, trampling over the dead as they came forward. Arteris could hear the sound of the captains of the men below shouting orders above the noise of the oncoming orcs.
"NOTCH! AIM! LOOSE!" Another wave of arrows were off, raining down on the unprotected orcs. Only a few carried shields, and even still, the razor sharp heads pierce the protective wall. Several fell in the second wave of arrows, but there were still and ungodly amount rushing towards. "NOTCH! AIM! LOOSE!" The arrows ripped through the air. Before the archers could see what they had hit, another round was being yelled out. "NOTCH! AIM! LOOSE!"
Arrows were running short, since most of the archers had left their quivers at home and they were borrowing off of neighbors. "NOTCH! AIM! LOOSE!" Arteris reached down to his quiver and found it empty. He was surrounded by moochers on both sides and they had left him with nothing. He lowered his bow stepped down from the wall. Nobody seemed to care that he was leaving. "NOTCH! AIM! LOOSE!" he heard as he was heading down to the field.
He stepped up to the back of the ranks with his sword Mitak in hand. He took position in Jezabelle’s ranks. He voice was the only one he could hear. He couldn’t see anything that was happening but he didn’t need to.
A horrible scream and the snapping of wood told him that the first orcs had hit the pikes. Theranks bumped back as some orcs had jumped the front line and made their way in. Orc screaming filled the air for a second, soon followed by the yell of Jezabelle, "ONWARD!" she cried out and the warriors raised their voices as they charged forward.
The orc seeped through every crack made by the fighting swordsmen. Soon the front ranks were engaged, opening the back where Arteris stood. Dee’s group had charged forward and a quick glance backwards showed that Huan still stood solid with his men. "Reserves," though Arteris, "To disperse where needed."
Soon enough he spotted his first orc and a solider in front of him engaged it. He jogged forward into the fray and finally engaged the enemy. He crossed swords with one of the beings. Parried a blow and stabbed, but missed. The orc lunged forward and another Gondorian caught it in the hip with his sword. The orc fell to the ground and Arteris put the blade of Mitak into the side of his head. Blood squirted up onto his face and over his leather breastplate.
He caught view of a small band of orcs to his right, battling with a group of wounded Gondorians. He ran over and ran on of the orcs through with the point of Mitak before they became alerted of his presence. He checked a blow at his legs and responded with one to the orc leg.
The sword Mitak bit deep the orc howled. He wedged the blade out and slashed up, cutting the thing from hip to ear. The orcs innards plopped out on the ground to act as a cushion as the thing fell. The others were being tended to and Arteris glanced back quickly. Huan’s troop was bare bones now, most of his reserves had already been spent. They were losing.

e stepped forward to see a Gondorian cut across the neck from a orcish broadsword. The soldier dropped his weapon and his hands went to his throat. The blood oozed out between his fingers as he fell to his knees and the orc finished the job, leveling the head off of the body.
Arteris felt a sword bite into his pants from behind and whirled, slashing a small orc’s arm off before he finished the thing with another cut to the face.
As he stepped deeper and deeper into the battle, the number of soldiers decreased and the number of orcs increased. The soil was littered with swords and mail and men and orcs and horses and even a troll or two. Arteris’s boots slopped around in blood as if it had fallen from the clouds after a heavy storm.
The smell was getting to him, but he fought on, parrying blows and taking well placed cuts against the orcs. He stepped and slipped on some entrails, falling face first into the bloody stump of one of his fellow countrymen. Ravens and vultures and other carrion birds were already floating above the fields, ready to swoop down to feed. He looked up, but spotted no eagles. They couldn’t have perfect timing every time.
He pushed himself to his feet. The orcs were overpowering everyone. Blood splashed onto his face from the near proximity of another soldier and he finished the orc who had done in his comrade.
Things were looking very grim. Arteris had a moment to survey the field again. A wave of arrows was flying overhead, dark feathered arrows, orc arrows. He ducked down and most flew over his head, striking man and orc alike. All except for that one. One of the dark missiles struck Arteris in his left shoulder. The thing had easily penetrated his leather armor. Sharp pains ran up his arm. He couldn’t use it, he had to get back to the city, he was useless here.
Arteris staggered up to his feet and turned towards the gate. What was left of Huan’s army was now fighting the orcs at the gates, but they were doing a satisfactory job of holding them off.
Another shower of arrows cast shadows over his head as he ran back towards the city. He hit the ground and covered himself with a dead orc. The arrows stuck around him and none in the orc so he got up and ran again. He could hear something chasing him.
A quick glance backwards showed a group of three orcs on his tail. They would surely catch him. He turned and held Mitak feebly in his right arm. "This is the end," he thought, not having much hope.

ut hope he did have. A flurry of knives whizzed past, striking the orcs. He looked to see several banner fluttering under the runners. The first one he spotted gave it away. A white shark head on a navy blue field. Sharky and the dwarves from the Iron Hills had arrived, and just in time. They didn’t have as good timing as the eagles, but it would do. The dwarves rushed into battle, chainmail ringing, axes held high above their short head and helms reflecting the weak sun of the day.
Nothing could invoke fear into the hearts of the enemy better than four thousand dwarven warcries being sounded at the same time. The dwarves flooded onto the fields to try to turn the wave of the battle. Arteris had no time to look back. He ran forward towards the gate always. The orcs disengaged Haun’s men and turned for the dwarves. He was in earshot of Huan now. "PURSUE! PURSUE! I WANT NONE ALIVE!" he ordered as he rode forward. His cavalry and foot soldiers followed, chasing the orc to trap them in between the dwarves and his men.
Arteris noticed that Huan had blood pouring from his left leg where a large gash was. He had cuts all over him and was bloody from head to toe. Yet he charged forth, chasing his enemy to the end. As Arteris watched him ride into battle all he could think was that Huan was indeed a true warrior.
Finally Arteris reached the gates and stepped in. Tents had been erected near the gate and anyone with any healing knowledge sat under them. The wounded were all around him, some were so close to death that Arteris had to look away. There was a pile of bodies stacked next to the wall, all dead. They would have their ceremony later.
Arteris stepped up to a bald man under a yellow and white striped pavillion. "I need this arrow removed."
The old man examined the wound. "I can handle this. But it will be painful. Take a seat over on that crate."
Arteris sat. The moans of the wounded around him made him feel like a coward. He had come after just and arrow wound. Some of the men near by had detached limbs or had been ryun through with spears. But they still held on to the shred of life. The old man came back with pair of tongs, some cloth some herbs. He handed Arteris a dirty rag. "Bite down on this."
The man sang a parody of a song that Arteris had heard before a child. "Under the siege. Under the siege. Nothing is greater, the only frustrator, listen to me." He continued singing the song that Arteris had heard so long ago at the puppet show. Under the Sea, now turned so terrible. But the lyrics were clever and it took his mind off the arrow and pain for a moment.
He felt the man break off the shaft of the arrow. As he withdrew the arrowhead from Arteris’s shoulder, the young archer was introduced to a whole new world of pain, while the healer just went on singing.

Chapter Twelve: Finale


ragorn and the others now stepped along the path under the tower of Orthanc. The walls were cold and dark and the tight corridors only allowed one by one passage. The party crept through the halls as silently as they could, knowing that at any second an ambush could be upon them.
The tunnels weren’t as mazelike as the group expected, and after only a short time, the found a staircase up to the ground level. They slid a stone wall out of place to reveal a dark and damp room with the smells of mold and mildew. It was too dark to see anything and King Aragorn allowed for the lighting of a small tinder box, just enough to light their way.
The shadows covered the path in front of them as they searched for a door. "My Grace, come quickly, I believe I have found something," whispered the Lady Elwing just loud enough for the king to hear.
A pair of gold hairpins were placed in his hand. They were of elven craft, Arwen’s for sure. "So she has been here. She obviously escaped or was transferred. We need to find the passage out."
Robin walked around the room tapping on walls again. It had worked the first time so why not again? She continued tapping and a hollow sound revealed a door. "I’ve found our exit."
"There may be orcs just outside here. We should be careful. Up against the walls all of you." The rangers obeyed the King’s orders and pressed up against the cold stone walls. Unsheathing Anduril, Aragorn pounded on the door with the tip of the blade and pressed himself up to the wall next to Elwing. The door slid open and an orc poked its head in. Not seeing anything in the initial gloom, it stepped in to look around, a fatal mistake.
Thorin Oakenshield hopped forward and planted the blade of his axe into the orc’s neck, removing the ugly head from its body. He wiped the black blood off of his axe with a sleeve. "We should be on our way before someone notices that it is gone."
Aragorn agreed and they crept into the hall. The passage seemed clear and they stepped up a flight of stairs and into a lavish room with silk curtains and ivory pedestals. On one of the milky white stands stood a small orb. The palantir.
Aragorn slid Anduril back into it’s sheath and stepped up to the stone. "Now I can get to the bottom of this. All of you, look away." The others turned their back to the stone.
Aragorn peered into it. The swirling colors came to into a small motion picture. It read Aragorn’s thoughts and answered his most puzzling questions. When he had found what he needed to know, he slid the stone into a pouch and bid his soldiers to turn back.

ady Elwing, step forward." The highest of the rangers stepped in front of her king.
"Yes my grace?" she asked, awaiting his orders. But she received no orders. He swiftly grabbed her by her shoulders and threw her to the ground. Before she could arise, he was on her, sitting. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head up from the floor, exposing the vulnerable neck. He held a small dagger to her throat.
"Be still you traitorous dog, you snake in the grass. It was you behind this plot from the beginning. Do you deny this?"
"Of course I deny it my grace, I am a faithful follower of the King!" she struggled to say under the pressure on her back.
"You lie, you evil revengeful dog." He flipped her over and pinned her again so he could look into her eyes. He kept the blade at her throat. The other rangers stood still, stunned. "Well my fine lady, what have you to say to the charge of treason!"
"Nothing my grace, I have committed no treasons."
"Liar!" He was about to slit the throat of the beautiful ranger before a voice behind summoned him.

reetings and salutation, low, treacherous and insipid fools. Thy vapid endeavours to contravene me have not gone unnoticed. Abdicateth thy queen, or I will scathe thee with my unyielding wrath. I, Saruman the White, challenge thee, Aragorn King for a duel, in which I will sunder thy ignominious attempts to thwart me, as well as thy slaves’ wits."
Aragorn, so distracted by the wizard now present, removed himself from the Lady Elwing. But he had not forgotten her. "Thorin, guard the Lady Elwing, if she tries to run, hew her down." He turned back to Saruman. "As for you, I have no grudge. You have not wronged me. I shall not duel you."
A blur of color flew past and Aragorn knew that the Lady Elwing had escaped. Thorin Oakenshield chased after, but his stumpy dwarf legs were much too short. But he still chased after her and out of the room. Morrandir, Robin, Eomer, Miss Viv and the rest still stood by with hand on weapons, except for Viv, who had a hand on her harp.
"If you shall not duelth me, Ser Elfstone, I shalt destroyeth you whereth thou standest. Draweth your sword and we shall duel. Or is the King to weak to challenge the great Saruman Ring-Maker?"
Anduril slid out of its sheath almost silently. "I accept your challenge Saruman, but I have no wish to slay you."
"Ha! Slayeth me? The deed thou speakest is impossible. I cannot be slain by thou or thy servants."
In a rage, Aragorn lunged forward with the sword Anduril above his head. Saruman repelled him with a swift push into the wall. Eomer drew his sword and Saruman, with a flick of his staff, sent them all flying and pinned them against the wall.
"This duel is between thy king and myself. Thou shalt not interfere." He looked back to where Aragorn had been thrown, but found nothing but the wall. A yank on his staff told him that Aragorn had the upper hand now. Aragorn tossed the staff into the air and cleaved it in two. Saruman backed up from the approaching king.
One swipe was all it took. The blade of Anduril made contact with the robe and it fell limp to the ground, empty. An ominous voice sounded from somewhere in the room. "I have becometh more powerful than thou can possibly imagine. I am sure someone wilt be after the both of us for stealing their ideas, Ser George Lucas I believe his name art. An excellent storyteller indeed. But it mattereth not. I hath won, even though it looketh otherwise. We will meet again King. Fwahahaha!" And just like that the voice was gone.

e turned back to his rangers who had slid off the wall. "Search the tower, I want the Queen found. Kill whatever you must, but find her." He turned towards the door. "As for me, I have some business to settle with the Lady Elwing."
He stepped down the front steps of Orthanc, searching for the traitorous ranger. And he found her, but not in a position that pleased him.
The man, Denethor IV, son of Faramir, held her around the neck with a mailed arm. "Ah, Lord Aragorn. I figured I wouldn’t see you here. You thought you could hide her from me, didn’t you Elwing. But I have found her. Now I shall be departing."
A shadow from the bushes shot out at Denethor. The burly man yelled out in pain and looked down to see the orcobbit Kruck gnawing at his leg. Arwen escaped from his grip and Aragorn stepped forward and lopped the head off the son of the former steward. The body fell limp, crushing the orcobbit beneath it. The thing wailed out in pain then stopped moving. The weight of the armored man had crushed it.
Arwen looked up at Aragorn. "A bit extreme, don’t you think?"
"What, not thank you? We’ve only traveled all the way from Minas Tirith to find you. I though for a while the Lady Elwing had kidnapped you."
"Well she did, but only to protect me. But everything is back to normal now, so we can head home."
"Very well then." The rangers and companions finally come out of the tower to see the Queen in safe hands. They start back towards Minas Tirith and home.

eanwhile back in Minas Tirith, the ranger Arteris had the arrow head removed from hhis shoulder. His pain was still extreme, but bearable. He grabbed the sword Mitak and headed back out to the fields.
But to his surprise, they were empty. The orcs were flying back into the east. The battle was won. The men and dwarves alike threw up cries of joy, while widow and heals threw up cries of mourning.
They searched through the piles of bodies for loved ones or friends and upon finding them would drop to their knees and weep. The blood lay stagnant up to the ankles in some places and others the ground could not be seen beneath the dead.
Arteris stepped out to look for wounded to carry back to the tents for healing. While looking he came upon the leader of the dwarves, mighty Sharky. The dwarf addressed him. "Ho, fellow Gondorian? Where is the King? I am dying to speak with him."
"King Elessar is away, you should look for Huan, he is the acting steward," he paused for a moment. "Thank you for your help. Without the strength of the dwarves, we never would have been able to repel them."
Sharky bellowed a dwarven laugh. "Ah, it was nothing. But it will be something if we do not receive coin from the King for the families of the deceased. It should not be much, we took few losses and slew many. But thank you anyway ser. I will wait in the inns for the king to arrive then. Good day."
The sun dipped behind the horizon and cast long shadows across the battle field. This would be a night to sleep on for sure. But at least the people of Gondor knew that tomorrow they would awake to peace, and in a few days, their King and Queen, reunited.