With a loud bang I pushed open the doors of the palace and stormed out, still furious. I could not believe how blind a man could be. Denethor had sent Faramir to his death and I hadn't been able to stop it, but the worst of it all was, it was my fault.
"Leona, it is useless to talk to him, he will listen to no one else." Gandalf stood at the wall below which was a metre-deep chasm and looked out at the horsemen riding through the streets of Gondor. But no cheering could be heard, no fighting spirit for the coming battle. For they all knew they were riding to their deaths, but they were doing it for their country. Flowers were thrown on the path by women and children in silent mourning.
I ran my hands through my hair in frustration "I can't comprehend it, no man in his right mind....."
Gandlaf's laughter interrupted me "You've got it right Leona, Denethor is not in his right mind."
I looked despairingly at the riders galloping across the plain to their doom, towards the group of hills beyond which lay Osgiliath.
"Home is behind, the world ahead."
Pippin's clear singing voice rang out from the palace.
"there are many paths to tread, through shadows, to the edge of night" with my Elven eyes I could see the riders draw their swords, they glittered in the sunlight "until the stars are all alight. Mist and shadow" the riders disappeared behind the horizon "cloud and shade." tears came to my eyes, these men did not deserve to fall because of a madman's decision "all shall fade." even out here I could hear Pippin's voice breaking "all shall fade."
For several more minutes my gaze lay on Horizon, still hoping Faramir would disobey his father's order and retreat with his men. My hope was not fulfilled.
"Leona." Gandalf put his hand on my shoulder comfortingly "We cannot trust Denethor to send for help. I fear we must take this into our own hands." his gaze wandered to a vague point in the distance.
I followed my mentor's gaze, he was lying on the beacon platform of Minas Tirith, which was piled up but as cold as ice. That would soon change, Denethor could not take his anger out on anyone who was not there, apart from the fact that he had banished me. Because even though Denethor had every screw loose that could be had, he was still in charge here. Besides, it had been clear from the start that I would not stay. The army of Rohan, as formidable as it would be, and the rest of the Woodland Elves would not be enough to defeat the combined might of Mordor.
"Don't worry about the fire Gandalf." I smiled slightly as my eyes fell on the pile of wood. I had been longing for Erebor for days, for Kili to make sure he was safe. Even if Gandalf was sure that Sauron had not shown me the truth in the vision, I had to have certainty.
"You must go mustn't you?" Gandalf looked at me knowingly, he had known full well that Gondor was only a stopover for me.
"I need to know Gandalf." besides, someone had to tell Dwalin what had happened to his brother in Moria.
Gandalf leaned a little on his staff and looked towards the palace "Go Leona. I'll stay here and try to talk some sense into Denetor."
I raised an eyebrow doubtfully "I'm not sure that's possible." I looked the wizard firmly in the eye once more "Gandalf the city must not fall, the defences of men must hold!" even though I was very reluctant to admit it, the age of the elves and dwarves was coming to an end and the age of men was already within reach, Aragorn would make a great king but for that to happen something had to exist of which he could be king.
"It will last." I looked to the ledge that jutted from the highest point of Minas Tirith. Without thinking, I ran towards it and dropped into the depths. I spread my arms and for a brief moment just felt the wind sweep through my hair, just before hitting the ground I stretched my wings and shot back up into the sky in a spiral. A sharp pain ran through my side, but I ignored the pain as best I could. I had to orientate myself for a moment, then I had found the beacon tower and flew towards it without paying attention to who saw me. A fireball in each hand, I flew close to it. While the tower was still passing me, I turned my hands so that the hand smiles were pointing to the sky and let the fire fly towards the dry wood.
Confused, the guard who was supposed to be guarding the wood jumped up. With a few powerful flaps of my wings, I took to the sky, one leg slightly bent, the wind playing with my hair. Satisfied with myself, I looked at my work. The soldiers and inhabitants of the white city regained hope, Gandalf smiled proudly at me and I could not help laughing when I saw Denetor's angry face.
The fire on the opposite ridge blazed up, the next one in the distance. I smiled, it was a spark of hope sent to the people of Minas Tirith by this call for help, the hope that they would not have to face the forces of Mordor alone. And the spark would spread until it would reach the Golden Hall of Rohan in a few hours. But I would not join the Rohirrim again until they had long since decided whether or not they would ride to war. I could only hope that Aragorn and Thranduil would speak to the king's conscience, for as I saw the Thèoden he wondered why he should help those who had refused him their help. I shook my head to get that thought out of my head, there was nothing I could do about it at that moment. I took one last look at Minas Tirith, the next time I came here the city would be under siege. With a somersault in the air I turned into the wind and flew to the place I had longed for since I had left it. But fear and worry also accompanied me to this place, I would have to persuade Fili to come to the aid of the people and thus leave Erebor almost unprotected, for all the Forest Elves capable of fighting were already in Rohan and the people of Thal were not numerous enough to defend their city and Erebor. But all this fear paled in contrast to the fear for Kili. I could not bear it if this vision had been truth and I had done nothing for days to save him. Driven by my worry, I flew a little faster.