Fifty - The Battle for Gondor

“You may go no further,” Aragorn announced as the black ships sailed by. We stood on the shore nearby as they looked out at us. “You will not enter Gondor,” 

The crew laughed as the bosun stood. “Who are you to deny us passage?” He demanded.

“Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun’s ear,” Legolas took an arrow and drew it back. “Mind your aim,” Gimli whispered. Le took his aim and Gimli used the end of his axe to nudge his bow. The arrow flew and landed in the chest of one the mercenaries.

We looked at Gimli accusingly as he covered his mouth, making an ‘oh’ sound. 

“That’s it. Right. We warned you. Prepare to be boarded,” Gimli shouted. 

The mercenaries laughed. “Boarded? By you and whose army?” One of them shouted. “This army,” The King of the Dead and his army emerged from behind us, and attacked the ships.

“Their ships are yours,” The dead king said as he returned, the ships steering to us as the bodies were dumped overboard. 

“Let’s go. Before we’re too late,” I said and they nodded in agreement. We ran over to the ships, pulling ourselves over the edge. 

I used a gust of wind to get Gimli over and he landed on his back on deck. “Thanks, lassie,” He said. 

“Tempest,” The dead king said. “What is it?” I asked, already out of patience with him. “Your family…” He trailed off. “The others will be there. My brothers, nephews and cousin. They know you’re coming,” I said coldly. 

“We only fight beside you because we know what this world will become if we do not,” I said and he nodded, disappearing again. 

~~~

“Late as usual, pirate scum! There’s knife-work here needs doing,” One of the Orcs shouted as the ships neared. All of the spirits turned transparent and Aragorn, Le, Gimli, and I sat hidden behind the railing, 

“Come on you sea rats, get off your ships!” Aragorn went over the side first, Legolas and I followed as Gimli jumpers last. 

“Sea rats?” I asked, walking just ahead of Aragorn. “No. we are much worse,” I unsheathed both of my swords, the Dead army emerging behind us and running ahead, clearing out the Orcs.

“Glad you could make it,” Nik said, killing the Orc beside me. “Couldn’t let you have all the fun, could I?” I asked, my swords igniting as I swung them. 

“Verena!” Legolas called for me. I turned to look at him, then at the Oliphaunt charging our way. I sheathed my swords and ran at the left tusk and swung myself onto it as Le did the said on the right. 

Le and I did exactly the same, mirroring each other from each side, grabbing its leg, jumping to the other and climbing up its back. Le counted as he shot arrows at the Men on it. 

I took my smaller blades and stabbed the men coming at us, then took hold of a rope swinging on its side and held on as I cut the straps and let the saddle slip as I walked back on top of it and nodded to Le, who was still standing. 

He grabbed three arrows and we ran to the front. He shot the Oliphaunt in the head and continued forward and slid off the trunk as I caught one of his tusks and swung myself away, landing upright.

“That still only counts as one!” Gimli shouted. 

“No wildfires today?” Cleos asked, holding his side as he ran towards us. 

“You’re hurt,” I said, running to him and looking at his wound. “I’m-I’m fine,” He stuttered.

I looked around, the dead army taking care of what was left. I hugged him tightly and he groaned, then laughed. “We’re alright,” He assured me and I sighed. 

“Verena! Cleos!” Zion shouted and we turned, then running to him and Hadrian standing with Alek and Iston. 

Nikolas. 

I dropped to my knees next to my brother, who smiled at me. Blood covered his face, and armour, a sword through his stomach.

“I leave you for five minutes,” I whispered and he chuckled weakly. “We’re getting help,” Alek said as I watched Iston zip away. 

“I think… I think it’s time,” He whispered. “No. No it isn’t. You’re going to stay right here with me,” I said and he smiled. “It’s okay, Ver,” He said and I shook my head, tears falling. 

“I won’t make it without you, I can’t. You’ve always guided me to the right path. I will be lost without you,” I sobbed. 

“You will be the Queen of Tiseah now,” He said and I shook my head. “I don’t want it. I’ve never wanted it,” I said. 

“You can not lock yourself away like you did with Alek. Our family needs you,” He said. 

“And for Valar’s sake, marry that bloody Elf,” He said and I huffed a laugh. “We all know you love him, you make it too obvious,” He said and I nodded. “I wish you could be there,” I said and he nodded. “I will be,” He promised. 

“Nikolas,” Gandalf ran over and I moved so he could help him. “Let me go, Mithrandir. The next life is calling for me,” Nikolas said. “Do not listen to him, Gandalf, save him!” I shouted.

Gandalf shook his head, eyes telling me there was nothing he could do. 

“Ver,” Nikolas said. “I’m here, Nik,” I said quickly. “I love you, little sister. Never forget that. I love all of you, brothers, nephews, Cleos,” They all nodded. 

The life in his eyes left. I let more tears fall, running my hand through his hair and resting my head on his chest. 

I let out a blood curdling, heart wrenching scream.

The wind and dust blew away from us, my hair caught fire, and the ground shook. 

“Ver,” Legolas got down next to me, pulling me back and I held on to him tightly, the flames in my hair calming as his arms wrapped around my shoulders. 

After what felt like forever, Legolas helped stand and the boys knelt, our soldiers following suit. 

“Hail Verena Tempest, Queen of Tiseah,”

~~~

Every time I revised this part, I cried like a baby...

My life has been a bit of a mess recently, so this is the forewarning in case I don't get a chance to post for a couple days.

X, Astra