Chapter Twenty-three, Battle of Gondor

"Form up! Move out! Form up! Move out!" Theodred shouted repeatedly along with Sirius and Eomer.
"Ride! Ride now for Gondor!" Theoden called out to his troops as they made their long journey to Gondor. Whilst Aragorn and the others made their mission into the cursed mountains to get the cursed men onside and try to convince them to fight with them against the army from Mordor.

Whilst at Gondor Pippin wished Sirius and the others would soon arrive as he came to help Gandalf and the men of Gondor fight against the Orcs that were storming the city. "Peregrin Took!" Gandalf shouted. "Go back to the Citadel!" Jumping in and saving the young Hobbit from an Orc as he stood frozen after mumbling, "They called is out to fight."
"This is no place for a Hobbit!" Gandalf argued. As he turned fighting Orcs left, right and centre only for Pippin to save his life from an orc approaching him from behind. "Guard of the Citadel indeed." Gandalf praised.

"Now back up the hill. Quick! Quick!" He commanded. Pippin for once doing what he said ran back the way he came only to see Denethor carry Faramir into the tomb. Gandalf sighed as he saw the Orcs moving a weapon made of fire and metal towards the front gate to break it down. "You are men of Gondor! No matter what comes through that door you will stand your ground!" Gandalf said firmly to the soldiers around him while others got the women and children out to the upper levels. Just as the door was breached and a troll cane barging in. "Volley!" Gandalf shouted as the men released their arrows.

As the sun was beginning to rise the city was breached she Gandalf pulled the men out up to the second level. Only for Pippin to find him telling him Denethor had lost his mind and was burning Faramir Alice. The two quickly rushed to the tomb managing to save Faramir just in time though the young man's father was not so lucky as he started burning alive. Once they were sure Faramir was save they returned to the battle. "Fight! Fight to the last man!" Gandalf shouted to the soldiers as the city was being over run with Orcs, trolls and wargs as they tore into anyone they could get at. The city was burning and falling down around them as screams wrenched the air as the horns of Rohan sounded from the distance.

The army of Rohan appeared over the hill catching the attention of the Orcs that were still outside the city. "I'm glad Evelina is safe far from here." Eomer told Theodred and Sirius who also expressed their relief that their daughter was not there as they appeared over the horizon seeing the city burning before them as the soldiers continued to blow their horns. Little did they know their daughter was a little further down the line. Merry on the horse in front of her, Neville and Luna on either side of her abs Eoywen begins then having figured out what they were up to.

Merry gasped at the sight of the city burning. Evelina hugged him tight to her knowing he was worried about Pippin. "Courage Merry. Have courage for our friends." Eoywen said from behind. "Pippin is tough Merry he will be okay." Evelina tried to reassure as Merry clung tight to her arm looking from the city to her, to Neville and Luna on either side of them and then to Eoywen behind them. "How did you continue to fight in the war you told us about?" Merry asked her, Neville and Luna quietly.

"By believing in each other and never giving up or giving up hope." Luna said serenity adjusting her good and indicating to her friends they should do the same so they could remain hidden. "We're with you Merry don't worry you'll be okay and we'll find Pippin." Neville assured the young hobbit watching as the Orcs got into formation and King Theoden turned his backs on the Orcs to face his troupes quickly assessing them. "Eomer! Go with Sirius and Theodred and take your Eored down the left flank!" Theoden commanded his nephew, son and son-in-law as he rode past.

"Flank ready!" Eomer commanded sharing a look withhold cousins.
"Gamling, Hama, follows the Kings banner down the centre." Theoden commanded riding up to his trusted soldiers. "Grimbold, take your company right after you pass the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness!" As he rode past his next soldier. "Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden!" Theoden shouted. Evelina, Luna, Neville and Eoywen quickly turned their heads away so they weren't spotted. "We fight for my granddaughter and her children so one day they can grow up save and happy." He continued his speech ridding up and down the column.

"Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!" Theoden finished as the men lowered their spears. "Hmm. I still like your speeches better Eve." Neville said notchantly shrugging his shoulders as Merry laughed. "Shh!" Evelina hissed at them as some soldiers nearby looked at them, though she was failing to hide her smile. "Whatever happens, stay with us. We'll look after you." Luna told Merry not knowing Eoywen had already made that promise to herself to try and keep Eve and her friends save.

"Ride Now!" Theoden shouted his sword clanging against the spears. "Ride Now! Ride for ruin and the worlds ending! Death!"
"Death!" All the men shouted back. As they continued their chant Merry and the others joined in raising their swords. "Forth Eorlingas!" Theoden shouted swinging his sword above his head. As the horns sounded again echoing on the hill top. As they charged forward down the hill the men yelling, Evelina seeing the Orcs readying their arrows shared a look with her friends who nodded their heads as they chanted together. Evelina's power and Mistress of Death powers extending the protection. "Protego Totalum!" They shouted together just as the Orcs fired their arrows bouncing off their shield protecting everyone.

"Eve!" Sirius gasped exasperated as he felt his daughter's magic as well as Luna's and Neville's. "What?!" Theodred and Eomer shouted.
"Eve, Luna and Neville are here in the column." Sirius said both angry and worried for his daughter.
"How do you know?" Eomer asked as Theodred asked, "Why would she be here?!" Only for the arrows released to bounce off a invisible shield, which scared the Orcs. "That's how I know and I felt their magic." Sirius told his husband and cousin. "Charge!" Theoden shouted as Merry continued shouting 'Death'. As the Orcs relseased their arrows which again bounced off heh invisible shields.

Evelina, Luna and Neville released the spell as the Orcs started backing away terrified, as they didn't want to drain their magic, as the first column reached the Orcs hacking them down as they went. The leader of the Orcs backing further away into the middle of his troupes that were being mowed down left, right and centre by the Eorlingas charging at them with their war cries, swords and spears. Aided by the the three stowaways using their own swords, tricks and traps and their spells. "Eve!" Eoywen shouted killing an Orc near her horse. Eve smiled in thanks as she joined her people and family fighting the Orcs.

The Orcs seeing they were losing and rapidly started to turn tail and run. "Drive them to the river!" Eomer commanded as he and some men chased after the retreating Orcs. "Made safe the City!" Theoden commanded to those around him as they made to ride into the city only to be stopped at a creatures roar in the distant. "What is that?" Neville asked looking to the west where the noise had come from. "It's an Oliphaunt." Merry gasped in shock and awe. The men froze at the number of creatures coming their way as a horn sounded from on top of the Oliphaunts. "Re-form the line!" Theoden shouted looking suspiciously to his left where he suspected his granddaughter and her friends were. "Father." Theodred called. "Eve, Luna and Neville are here." He said worriedly.
"I suspected as much." Theoden sighed. "Re-form the line!" He shouted once more at his men. "Sound the charge! Take them head on!" He commended as they got into position as the Oliphaunts came closer. "Charge!"

"Eve, what are we going to do?" Neville asked quickly as they too charged forward.
"Aim for the heads mainly but try and take out the tusks too. I have a feeling they'll use them as their coveted in spikes." Evelina shouted back. "Bombarda Maxima!" The three shouted pointing their wands at the Oliphaunts heads and tusks causing three to die on impact before two more lost their tusks as they did indeed use them to take them out. As well as the men on top of the Oliphaunts raining arrows down on them. 

The three of them sent the fallen arrows back at the men on top of the Oliphaunts while Theoden, Sirius, Theodred and Eomer looked at their fallen around them each wondering and hoping it was not their youngests. While Eoywen stuck as close as she could to the three she was indeed surprised at their skill in battle though that made pride surge through her it also made sorrow and worry surge through her as well.

Sirius recognising the spell that made another Oliphaunt's head explode turned to those around him. "Aim for the heads." As he copied his daughter by sending the arrows back at the men, while Eomer passed on the message to those around him and threw his spear at the man controlling the Oliphaunt killing him instantly causing him to fall off and attach to the creatures ear which led it to taking out another Oliphaunt. As it fell it just missed Evelina as she and Merry rode past.

"Take the reins Merry and pull him left." Evelina said as they rode towards another oncoming Oliphaunt using her sword and wand she took out the legs of the creature. "Left." She shouted as she again did the same as they rode underneath another one. "Aim for their heads!" Eomer shouted again as he and those around him released a volley causing the creature to rear tipping the men off of its back. "Bring it down! Bring it down! Bring it down!" Theoden shouted.
"Eve! Merry!" Neville, Luna and Eoywen shouted as they saw them fell off their horse as the Oliphaunt fell, Evelina tilling out of the way just in time.

"Merry!" Evelina shouted looking around her worriedly, thinking quickly she whipped out her wand and used it to move the fallen men off of the small Hobbit who was half under them and the creatures ear. "Are you alright?!" She asked worriedly.
"I'm fine Eve thank you. Look out!" He shouted killing an Orc that was creeping up behind her. "Thank you Merry. We're fine." Evelina called to Luna and Neville. As they re-joined the fight once more they heard screaming come from the city as the wraiths attacked once more this time on some winged creatures. "Where are Aragorn and the others? I thought they would have been here by now." Merry asked worriedly.
"I don't know." Evelina admitted. "Though I hope they get here soon. Duck." Evelina shouted before non-verbally casting a spell at an oncoming Orc.

While inside the City Merry was sitting on the third level with Gandalf as the men of Gondor stood in front of the door that a troll was trying to break down. "I didn't think it would end this way." Pippin sighed resigned.
"End?" Gandalf asked. "This is not the end. Death, and I'm sure Evelina would tell you this; is just another path. One that we all must take. The grey rain curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass. And then you see it."
"What, Gandalf? See what?" Pippin asked.
"White shores and beyond. A far green country under a swift sunrise."
"Well, that isn't so bad." Pippin remarked smiling slightly.

"No. No it isn't." Gandalf said also smiling softly. Before the moment was ruined by a large thud on the door and the men clamouring to prepare for the inevitable. Gandalf looked back at Pippin abs nodded, as the young Hobbit closed his eyes trying to hold back tears. Hoping he would see the others again one last time. Only to be startled as the statues came to life joining the men in protecting the City. "Eve." Pippin gasped suddenly filled with determination and hope as he shared a look with Gandalf feeling somewhat more hopeful then he did previously. Out on the fields outside of the City, Evelina had just finished casting her spell bringing all the statues to life. While the riders of Rohan were still fighting for their lives as well as trying to bring down the remaining Oliphaunts without being trampled to death.

"Rally to me! To me!" King Theoden shouted once more, spotting Luna and Neville on horse back, whose hoods has fallen off at some point. He immediately became worried when he didn't see his granddaughter with them. But their attention was distracted as the Nazgul headed straight for Theoden. Before anyone could do anything the creature the wraith was riding grabbed Theoden and his horse in it's mouth spinning them around before tossing him to the ground with a thud, the now dead horse landing on top of Theoden.

The men fearing their King was already dead continued their fight but as the creature was about to eat him alive Evelina appeared in front of him stopping the creature from getting to her grandfather. "I will kill you if you touch him." Evelina spat her sword in one hand and her wand in her right. "Do not come between a Nazgul and his prey." The wraith hissed. As the beast went to attack Evelina she quickly dodged out of the way. "Sectumsempra!" She shouted pointing her wand at the neck of the beast where deep welts appeared. "Diffinfo!" She shouted once more slicing its head clean off, causing it and the witch king to fall. Quickly stowing away her wand Eve picked up a fallen shield as the witch king stood back up.

Turning to face her with a sword in one hand a mace in the other, it screeched as it swung its mace at her which she quickly evaded. The battle continued with the wraith intent on killing her as she evaded its blows and sent wandless spells at the wraith. Unfortunately the wraith got the better of her as it's mace struck the shield breaking it and Eve's arm on impact as she fell back against her grandfather's horse, her sword falling from her hand.

Unaware that their friend and mate was in trouble Aragorn and the others pulled into the harbour on the pirate ships they had commandeered. As the Orcs called out to who they thought were the pirates, Aragorn, Legolas, Haldir, Boromir abs Gimli jumped off the ship their weapons at the ready shocking the Orcs into silence. "There's plenty for the three of us." Gimli said between Legolas and Haldir. "May the best Dwarf win!" He shouted as they charged at the Orcs with a yell the ghosts appearing behind them.

Merry finished with the Orc he was fighting with, looked around worriedly for Evelina before he finally spotted her laying against a horse with the wraith's hand around her neck. "You fool. No man can kill me." He heard the wraith day as he picked Eve up by her neck. Just as he reached them he heard it say, "Die. Now." Before Merry stabbed it in the back the wraith screeched as it fell to its knees dropping Evelina. Merry too fell to the floor clutching his arm screaming in pain. Evelina quickly spared a glance at Merry before lowering her hood her sword back in her grasp. "I am no man." She cried before stabbing the wraith in the face with a yell. As the wraith died she too fell to the floor in pain. Both her and Merry watching on as it folded in on itself as it died.

"Fifteen. Sixteen!" Legolas abs Haldir said as they fired off arrows rapidly.
"Seventeen!" Gimli shouted as they joined in the fight against the Orcs.
"Still up to your tricks I see." Sirius commented from nearby to his daughter's mates and Gimli. The three smiled at Sirius before they carried on the fight. After a while Gimli shouted, "Twenty-nine!"
"Legolas! Haldir!" Boromir shouted as two Oliphaunts were coming up behind the two elves.

The two elves climbed up the Oliphaunts evading being swatted by its trunk as they each finally got on the back of their Oliphaunt firing off arrows at the men on the back. "Thirty-three, thirty-four!" They made their way around the Oliphaunts killing and evading the men charging at them. They cut the ropes of the saddle letting it and the remaining men fall off the creatures and to their deaths. Finally being the only ones on their respective creatures they grabbed three arrows each and shot them into the base of the creatures skull killing it instantly.

As the creatures fell they slid down the trunks of the creatures they'd just killed smirking at Gimli. "That still only counts as one!" He snapped at the pair of them. "Alright then come on." He said to the Orcs turning away from the Elves and joining Aragorn and Boromir once more. "Eve!" Boromir said shocked as he noticed the statues were alive and killing the remaining enemy along with the ghosts, gaining the attention of the others. "What?!" They asked shocked as they looked around for her.

Meanwhile, not thirty feet away from them Evelina was slowly crawling around to her grandfathers barely staying awake. As Eve reached her grandfather she ran her hand through his hair as his eyes opened he held his hand up to her cheek. "I know your face... Evelina. Are you and the little ones okay?" He rasped Evelina smiled down at her grandfather tears in her eyes as she nodded. "Good. My eyes darken." He rasped once more.
"No. No, I'm going to save you grandfather I promise." Evelina whispered.
"You already did my dear." Theoden whispered. "I am so proud of you my granddaughter. You are a wonderful mother to Teddy and will be a wonderful mother to the two sons and daughter you carry." Theoden told sternly but softly brushing his hand against her cheek.

"Evelina... my body is broken. You have to let me go." Theoden whiskered as his granddaughter tried and failed to hold back her tears. "I go to my fathers... in whose mighty company... I shall not feel ashamed. Evelina." Was his last word as he took his last breath, blood at the corner of his lips. "Grandfather." Evelina sobbed as she laid her head on his chest and cried for another family member she'd lost before losing consciousness.

Gandalf and Merry came out of the City in time to see the army of ghosts stood before Aragorn and the others. "Release us." The Ghost King hissed.
"Bad idea." Gimli disagreed. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead."
"You gave us your word." The ghost argued.
"I hold your oath fulfilled. Go. Be at peace." Aragorn told them. A wind immediately picked up as the ghosts disappeared leaving a disgruntled Gimli, Gandalf bowing his head to Aragorn.

"Boromir!" Luna called catching their attention as she ran into her surprised mate's arms clinging tight to her as she did to him. "Luna? Neville! Lady Eoywen?" Boromir asked confused seeing the two behind his mate. "What are you doing here? Are you alright?"
"Come now Boromir. You know Neville and I never leave Eve's side." Luna chastised her mate. "Im fine. Nothing Andy can't fix."
"Eve is here?" Haldir asked worried as they all looked around for her.
"We cannot find her." Eoywen said worriedly as her brother and cousin came up and pulled her into a hug checking her over. "We lost her and Merry in the battle. I am sorry. I tried to stick as close to her as I could." Eoywen apologised to the four worried men who were worried about their daughter and mate respectively.

They split off to search for survivors and their missing friends, joining Sirius in his search. Pippin gasped seeing Merry's feet sticking out from under a body. He quickly rushed over shoving the body off his friend. "Merry, it's me." Pippin said through his tears as Merry slowly opened his eyes. "It's Pippin." Merry grunted in pain as he tried to lift his head more his friend supporting him. "I knew you'd find me." Merry gasped.
"Yes." Pippin agreed as he ran his hand through his friends hair.
"Are you going to leave me?" Merry asked.
"No Merry." Pippin said. "I'm going to look after you." He reassured as he covered Merry with someone's cloak.

"Here Merry let me help." Neville said appearing at the two Hobbits side as he waved his wand over Merry healing what he could for now. "That should help for now." Neville said smiling at them.
"Where's Eve?" Merry asked as he slowly sat up with the help from Pippin and Neville.
"I don't know. We haven't found her yet." Neville sighed now really worried for his sister though he tired not to show it. 
"What?!" Merry asked worriedly however before anyone count say anything they were interrupted by a shout and turned to see Sirius was the one shouting tears streaming down his face as he dropped down next to the dead body of his father-in-law, Evelina's unconscious body in his arms.

"Eve? No, no, no, no. No! Pup please wake up!" Sirius cried brushing her hair out of her face as he held her head close to his chest crying not even flinching as he felt his husband wrap his ark around his shoulders. To Aragorn, Legolas and Haldir it felt like they had been frozen to spot as they saw their precious one's body in her father's arms as he cried. How they wished they had stayed with the Eorlingas now, it felt like a blade had pierced their hearts. "She's not dead." Luna's voice called pulling everyone out of their grief.
"What?!" Theodred asked barely daring to hope. Luna looked up from her friend as she continued to wave her wand over Eve's body.

"Eve and the babies they're alive. It looks lien she was attached by a Morgel shaft. We will need Athelas." Luna said hurriedly. The two Hobbits quickly left to find the plant though Neville called them back as he summoned the plants. "They're alive?" Sirius asked hopefully.
"Yes. If we can get her treated as soon as possible all four will be fine." Luna assured as everyone let out a sigh if relief.
"We killed the witch king. She was trying to save King Theoden from him." Merry told them holding out his arm to shoe the black lines on his arm that matched the ones on Evelina. "He was about to kill Eve. So I rushed over and stabbed him in the back and got these it felt like I'd been burnt, Eve then got up and stabbed him in the face and fell back to the ground as well. I don't think the King made it. He wouldn't let Eve heal him, said she had already saved him. I'm sorry." Merry said to Theodred, Eomer and Eoywen who had lost their father and uncle respectively.

"No. Thank you Merry for saving our daughter." Theodred told the young Hobbit.
"Will she be okay? The babies?" Aragorn couldn't help but ask.
"They will be fine Aragorn." Luna assured. "I've healed her broken arm and once we have healed her with the athelas and Andromeda has healed her with potions they will all be fine."
"Well let's head into the City abs get my cousin and the other injured healed then." Eomer said as he turned leading the way into the City as Neville helped his sister into the City after sending something to Andy to Gondor. He couldn't help but smile at his sister and Neville secretly supporting them.

But his mind soon turned to that of Evelina who was still unconscious on Sirius' arms and Eomer hopped with all that he had in him that she and the little ones would be alright.

End of chapter!

A/n: what should the babies be called? And who should father who?