Journey’s End

Chapter 39

The Final Stand

I looked at the uncertain soldiers as the army advanced upon us.

“Hold your ground! Hold your ground!” Aragorn commanded them, riding before them. “Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers.” He cried as the army began to listen. “I see it in your eyes, the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day! An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight!”

I looked at him in amazement, feeling hope rekindled inside me. The men began to look more encouraged as Aragorn continued.

“By all that you hold dear on this good earth,” As he rode back towards me, our eyes met and my heart began to pound. “I bid you stand! Men of the West!” He cried out, holding Andúril high above his head as the rest of the army unsheathed their weapons. I swept my sword from its sheath and gripped the hilt tightly, as we faced the oncoming enemy. I saw behind the army of Orcs, a tall dark tower, and at the top, the Eye of Sauron. My blood ran cold as I looked at it, but I did not look away, but instead stared back with grim determination.

The army of Orcs began to surround us, and the army of men now seemed tiny. We dismounted form our horses and I looked to Aragorn, who stood by my side

“So, is this it?” I murmured with a slight smile.

“I hope not.” Aragorn replied.

I looked back to the advancing Orcs, and in spite of the danger, smiled to myself.

“If this is to be our end, I’m glad I am by your side.” I whispered, not daring to look at him, for fear I would start crying. Right now it didn’t matter that I had feelings for him, all that mattered was that I was here, where I belonged, by his side.

I felt Aragorn’s hand on my cheek, and I turned to see he was much closer to me than before. He moved his hand to my chin and tilted my face upwards to I was looking into his captivating eyes, and then he leaned forward and softly pressed his lips against mine.

My eyes widened in shock, as I realised what was going on and then Aragorn pulled back slowly, leaning his forehead against mine as I closed my eyes.

“There is no one else I would rather be with right now.” He whispered softly, “Be safe.”

I nodded slightly, feeling his warm breath on my face as I opened my eyes and looked at him. He stroked my cheek and then turned to face Mordor. I saw him gaze at the great eye, and for a moment, he lowered his sword and I thought I heard the eye whisper his name, but then he turned back to look at us.

“For Frodo.” He murmured with a tearful smile, before raising his sword and charging towards the Orcs. I gripped the hilt of my sword and raised it, just as I was passed by Merry and Pippin, charging side by side after Aragorn. I grinned and charged after them, yelling as I went; feeling like nothing could stop me. I was sure now that I truly did love Aragorn, but I didn’t take time to ponder over the details, as I flung myself into battle. I fiercely fought off the Orcs, until I heard a screech in the air above me. I had not heard that sound in a long time, but I knew that the Nasgûl were descending upon us. I looked up to the sky and saw them astride great flying creatures, and they were heading straight towards us! I stood, frozen to the spot as I saw one descend towards Gandalf. Suddenly, from nowhere, I gigantic eagle appeared, intercepting the beast and dragging it away.

“The eagles! The eagles are coming!” I heard Pippin cry amongst the chaos, but I had no time to celebrate, as I was hit on the back of the head by a blunt weapon. With a cry I crashed to the ground, and rolled over quickly to see an Orc standing over me. It stepped roughly on my shoulder, and I heard a sickening snapping sound, and then a wave of pain hit me as the Orc raised its weapon above its head. In an instant, I lifted my sword and stabbed him in the stomach. As he fell away, I painfully scrambled to my feet, holding my now-useless arm. Another Orc swung it’s blade at me, and I blocked it, barely. As I tried to protect my injured arm, he knocked my sword from my hand, and I had to dodge his next blow, causing a spasm of pain to ripple through my shoulder. I groaned in pain, drawing my hunting knife and stabbing the creature in the neck. I looked around frantically for my sword, but couldn’t see it anywhere. I began to fight using my hunting knife. It would have been easier if I had the use of both my arms and wasn’t in excruciating pain, but I had to do the best I could.

As I finished off an Orc, I heard a roar and turned to see Aragorn desperately fighting with a cave troll single handed. I began to fight my way over to him, and I spotted Legolas some distance away trying to do the same. I saw Aragorn fall to the ground.

“Aragorn!” I cried in horror, ducking away from an Orc and slicing across its throat. I battled frantically to get closer as the troll approached Aragorn and stepped onto his chest. I saw him stab the creature in the foot with his dagger as I finally made my way through the last of the Orcs. With a yell I stabbed at the troll’s back, but the blade glanced off its thick hide, leaving little more than a scratch, and the troll didn’t even realise that I was there. I frantically tried to think of what to do, and then I remembered Galadriel’s dagger. I quickly reached into my boot as I remembered her words.

“The tip of that blade is made of Mithril; it is sharp enough to cut through any material, although you can only use it once. Only use it in your time of greatest need. He will need you before the end.”

I finally understood what she meant, as I determinedly gripped the hilt of the dagger, I scrambled up the troll’s back, and forced my injured arm to help me cling to its shoulders, ignoring the unbearable pain.

I lifted the dagger and quickly stabbed the troll in the neck, leaving a deep gash that foul- smelling, black blood proceeded surge out of. The troll stepped back, releasing Aragorn, and then stumbled, and began to fall. My arm was caught around its neck, so I couldn’t jump, so I closed my eyes, anticipating the fall. I felt the troll collapse beneath me; and as it hit the ground, my lower body was crushed beneath it. I cried out in pain as the air was forced out of my body by the weight of the creature. I gasped for air as all around me I could hear horrendous screams, and crashes, mixed amongst the sounds of the battle.

The realisation hit me that I was trapped. I couldn’t get out on my own, and no one else would be able to help me while they were fighting. The last of my energy drained away as I was succumbed by pain, and as I opened my eyes a little, I found my vision blurred, so I closed them again. The sounds around me became dull, although I thought I heard cries of ‘Frodo!’ and then a muted sound of an explosion… I had no idea of what was happening, all I knew was that drowsiness was beginning to affect me, and I knew I was going to pass out soon… Or maybe die. I wasn’t quite sure, although I didn’t think my injuries were serious enough to kill me. As my thoughts began to slip away, I found my mind beginning to drift, and I slipped into darkness.

***Aragorn’s Point of View***

I watched in horror as Mount Doom erupted, and the cheers of the soldiers faded. Frodo had destroyed the ring, and Sauron had fallen, but it was unlikely that the Hobbits had survived that explosion.

“Frodo…” Pippin sobbed somewhere behind me. I watched numbly as the last of the Orcs fled, or fell into the massive cavern that had appeared. I couldn’t see the troll that had attacked me; I didn’t know what had caused it to release me, but I didn’t really care to find out, I just wanted to make sure that it didn’t hurt anyone else.

With panicking realisation, I realised that I couldn’t see Rana anywhere. I scoured the ground, and my eyes settled on an object lying in the dust. I bent down to pick up her sword, and felt my stomach churn.

“Rana?” I yelled, frantically searching. “Rana!” I cried desperately as I heard no reply.

Then my heart stopped as I saw what I had dreaded seeing ever since it appeared in the Palantir.

“Rana no!” I screamed, running to her lifeless body. She lay trapped under the corpse of the cave troll, covered in both it’s blood and her own and in her hand she clutched a small dagger. I threw my shoulder against the troll, rolling it off her and kneeling down, gathering her limp body into my arms. With immeasurable relief, I realised that she was breathing, barely.

“Rana?” I breathed, brushing her fringe away from her face. Her shoulder was twisted at an awkward angle, it had clearly been dislocated. “Rana, please wake up.” I whispered desperately, feeling tears gather in my eyes. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at me, seeming confused.

“Aragorn?” She whispered weakly and I smiled what I hoped was a comforting smile.

“I’m here.” I murmured, supporting her head. “Don’t try to talk, it’s alright.” I couldn’t bear to lose her…

“Don’t be stupid… I’m not dying…” She smiled weakly. In spite of myself, I laughed a little with relief. “I really made a mess of things through…” She murmured, and then looked up into my eyes. “Did we win?”

I nodded, “Frodo won.” I sighed.

“Is he alright?”

“I don’t know…” I mumbled. She didn’t need to know what had happened, yet. “Are you alright?” I asked her.

“Not really…Everything hurts… A lot.” She whispered with a weak smile.

“It’s alright, just try to stay awake.”

“But I’m tired…” She moaned, “I don’t want to walk all the way back…”

“You aren’t walking anywhere.” I murmured, standing slowly with her still lying in my arms. “You’re going to be alright.”

“I know…” She sighed, seemingly in a daze as she rested her head on my chest.

“Aragorn!” I turned to see Legolas and Gimli running towards us, leading the horses. They looked clearly concerned as they stared at Rana. “Is she alright?” Legolas asked. I nodded.

“She will be. We need to get back to the city. Where is Gandalf?” I asked.

“He left with the eagles.” Gimli answered. I lifted Rana into Brego’s saddle and mounted behind her. She sat unsteadily, so I cradled her in my arms and wrapped my cloak around her.

“Aragorn?” She whispered faintly.

“Yes?”

“I think I’m going to fall asleep… Sorry.” She murmured.

“That’s alright.” I smiled as she closed her eyes. I turned back to the army and saw them getting the wounded onto horses. Legolas and Gimli rode up beside me on Arod, and leading Falas, and we began to ride back to the city.