Return Of The Shadow

Chapter 36: Darkest Hour

It became clear to everyone that the ring had been recovered.
While Mordor's army attempted to recover the ring,  Aragorn's did whatever they could to protect Frodo.

Frodo was trying to be brave but it was next to impossible.
A barrier of some sorts had been formed around him as well as the other hobbits, but every so often a group of orcs would get past and try to get them.

Boromir and Elladan defended them the best they could.
Gandalf and Aragorn had fallen behind and were now fighting for their lives.

Frodo kept the ring enclosed tightly in his hand.
This was their only chance to destroy the ring.
Nazguls shrieked overhead.
One of them landed their Fell Beast in front of them, blocking their path.

Elladan wasted no time in attacking the creature.
"Go!" he shouted.
Frodo didn't want to leave him but they had no choice.
Boromir urged them on while Elladan fought the Fell Beast.

They neared the bottom of Mt. Doom. All they had to do was get inside and throw in the ring.
They began the long, hard run up the slopes.
Orcs raced after them.
Boromir spun around to face them.
"What are you doing?"
Frodo shouted.
"Keep going!"
Boromir ordered.
"But-"
"Now!"

Sam grabbed Frodo and dragged him forward.
Boromir refused to let a single orc get past him.
The three hobbits ran as fast as they could.
Merry looked back at one point and immediately wished he hadn't.
They were losing.
More and more orcs kept coming, they were being slaughtered.
Destroy the ring.
Merry thought.
Destroy the ring and everything will be fine.

"We're almost there!"
Sam exclaimed.
Frodo saw the doorway that led into the mountain.
"Come on!"
The three hobbits struggled up the rough terrain.
The sounds of battle grew dimmer as they continued up.
Frodo wondered why the Nazgul hadn't tried to stop them.
A screech sounded above them.
Frodo looked up in dismay.
Three Nazgul were headed towards them.

Before they could react one of the Nazgul gave a scream of rage.
Frodo turned and couldn't believe his eyes.
Eagles!
The great birds flew into battle with rage.
Some charged into the middle of the battlefield, grabbing orcs and lifting them into the air before dropping them to ground.
The others attacked the Fell Beasts, ripping into them and causing their riders to fall to the earth.

"Let's go."
Frodo urged his friends forward.
They had a clear path.
The doorway loomed ahead, an orange glow from the fire inside lit the opening.
The hobbits raced inside, Frodo took in their surroundings.
A long pathway led to the very center of the mountain. All he had to do was throw the ring into the pit.

Frodo ran forward and was followed by Sam and Merry, but something was wrong.
It seemed too easy.
Merry screamed as he was grabbed from behind, a sword was placed at his neck.
"Give me the ring halfling."
The Mouth of Sauron hissed.
"Or he dies."

°°°°

Legolas had seen Sauron fall, he'd watched the armies gather to protect the ringbearer.
Now all that was left was for him to kill Amarth.
But the dark elf was not going down easy.
The two elves continued to battle fiercely. Blow after blow was dealt but neither fell.
Legolas was pushed back, he stumbled to his knees.

Amarth raised his sword, ready to finish him.
He sprang at Legolas, before he could hit him Legolas feinted to the right and Amarth missed his mark.
Legolas sliced both of knives across Amarth's side.
The elf screamed in pain but Legolas didn't give him time to react.
He brought his knives down again, this time knocking one of Amarth's swords out of his hands.
Legolas kicked him hard in the stomach. Amarth dropped his other sword in shock.
Legolas stood over Amarth, all he had to do was bring them down.

"Do it! Just kill me!"
Amarth shouted, his eyes were desperate and full of fear.
"If you don't then he will! Just kill me!"
Legolas froze.
He had never seen so much fear in one elf before.
Amarth closed his eyes and waited for the blow to come.
Legolas shook off the doubt he had.
He has to die.
Legolas prepared to kill him when a single thought passed through his head.
Many that live deserve death, and many that die deserve life.
Can you give it to them?

Legolas looked down at Amarth.
This is what he would have become if he had given into Sauron, broken and filled with hate.
But he had refused Sauron, and yet he had still taken the lives of hundreds innocent people.
He was no better then Amarth.
If anyone deserved to die...
It is me.

Legolas heard a cry of anguish. He looked up and saw Aragorn, surrounded by orcs.
He was alone, no one was near enough to help.
Except Legolas.
He looked down once more at Amarth, the elf was looking at him in confusion.
Legolas narrowed his eyes at him.
He turned away and without looking back he rejoined the battle.

°°°°

Frodo stared at the Mouth in horror. He pressed the blade deeper into Merry's neck.
"Don't think I won't kill him.
I will kill both of them if you do not give me the ring."
Frodo panicked. He was too far to throw the ring in, and he couldn't fight the Mouth.

"Very well then."
The Mouth grinned.
"He dies."
Frodo's eyes widened in horror as the Mouth prepared to slit Merry's throat, before he could the Mouth screamed in pain.
Merry wrestled free from his grasp.
Boromir stood behind him with sword drawn.
"You will not touch them."
He said slowly.
The Mouth turned on him and grinned.
"So you have returned. Tell me, do they know about their friend's death? How he died?"
"Sauron killed him,"
Boromir raised his sword, "and now I will kill you."
Before the Mouth could move Boromir attacked.
Their swords crashed to together with a deafening sound.
"Frodo! Destroy it!"
Boromir shouted.

Frodo raced towards the edge, Sam and Merry followed.
The Mouth pushed Boromir and the hobbits aside and ran towards Frodo.
He swung his sword at the hobbit, Frodo gasped as the blade cut across his back.
He fell forward and the ring slipped from his grasp.

The Mouth ran past the hobbit and towards the ring. Sam and Merry watched in horror.
Boromir grabbed the Mouth and pulled him back.
Without warning the Mouth thrust his sword into Boromir's stomach.
The man grasped the sword handle and stumbled backwards, blood poured from the wound and his face turned pale.

"It is over."
The Mouth hissed.
"You lost."
"No we didn't."
The Mouth whipped around and saw Frodo standing near the edge of the fire.
His hand outstretched over the pit of lava.
He unclenched his fist and let the ring fall.