୨⎯ Chapter 24⎯୧
"A Pirate's Glee"

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IN THE aftermath of our escape, we found Aragorn amidst the ruins, a heavy silence enveloping us. Seeing him burdened by despair, I placed a hand on his shoulder, offering what comfort I could. "We've faced adversity before, Aragorn," I said softly, my voice tinged with determination. "And we'll face it again. Together."

Aine and Gimli added their own words of encouragement, reminding Aragorn of our collective strength. As we rallied around him, the spectral figure of the King of the Dead materialized before us, proclaiming, "We fight!"

With renewed resolve, Aragorn rose to his feet, his gaze meeting ours with unwavering determination. "We fight," he echoed, his voice filled with steely resolve. "For Gondor. For Middle-earth."

As we confronted the corsairs of Umbar sailing upriver, Aragorn's authoritative voice rang out, denying them passage. The ensuing exchange led to an unexpected turn of events when Gimli's overzealousness caused Legolas's warning shot to strike a pirate. Despite this mishap, our display of force, coupled with the appearance of the ghostly army, quickly overwhelmed the corsairs.

During our journey towards the looming battle, Khellan and I found a moment of respite. Our conversation turned to our mother and the weight of royal expectations. "So brother, how is our dearest mother?" I inquired, noting her absence in the defense of Rohan.

Khellan's response was brief, but I sensed his mind was elsewhere. Gently, I pressed him to share his thoughts. He confessed his internal conflict between fulfilling our mother's expectations and his growing feelings for Aine.

"Khellan," I said, my voice filled with compassion, "you know Mother won't be in control forever. One day, you'll be king, and you'll have the power to make your own decisions. You don't have to follow every royal tradition she imposes on you."

Our conversation deepened, touching on the complexities of duty, happiness, and personal fulfillment. With a mix of sincerity and playful banter, I encouraged Khellan to pursue his own path, reminding him of the importance of living without regrets.

As our fleet approached the Anduin River, we prepared for the impending confrontation. When an impatient Orc demanded our attention, I couldn't resist a moment of levity, quipping about admiring the view. Khellan joined in the jest, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

The battle that ensued was fierce and chaotic. I called upon my connection to the earth, summoning vines to ensnare an attacking Orc. Nearby, Aine and Khellan combined their elemental powers, using wind and earth to overcome their foes.

As the clash of steel rang out, the dead army emerged, turning the tide of battle decisively in our favor. The Orc forces were swiftly overrun, their ranks decimated by our relentless onslaught.

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