Chapter soundtrack: 'Survival' by Eminem.

♪ = cue music

† Chp. XLIV †

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♪

Side by side, Koda and Robin stride along the battlements of Minas Tirith, black smears of war paint adorning their hard faces. The Harad has always painted his face before a battle or fight, for it symbolises a fierce spirit, and the dignified pride of a warrior. Out of both admiration and partnership, Robin adorned his tradition, wearing the paint like a badge of honour as she marches by her companion's side.

Soldiers of Gondor line the wall of white stone, their strong bodies clad in silver. Upon the fields, the horrendously large army of Minas Morgul chants. Catapults hurl boulders of stone towards the city, causing central walls to crumble.

Robin observes her West battlements with a keen eye, viewing the archers who stand by the edge, bows raised and ready to fire.

"Their armour is weak at the neck and beneath the arms!" She calls, her voice echoing throughout the cold stone.

The soldiers hold their stance, awaiting a command.

"What are you waiting for? Fire!" Robin orders. The archers release, piercing the thick air with their arrows as lead tips spray upon the army of orcs. "Don't wait for a command, fire at will!"

"Well aren't you official." Koda remarks from the side, a subtle smirk playing at his marked face.

"War is no joke." The outlaw replies, raising a brow at the amused Harad.

"I have never seen you so stern." Koda remarks. "It's cute."

Robin sends a bone snapping glare towards the Harad, before making her way to a gap in the line of soldiers. She views the orc army below with cold eyes, a bitter hatred stirring within the pit of her stomach.

The swarm is too immense. Defeat is almost inevitable.

Her eyes narrow as wooden fortresses are pushed across the plains by the force of large trolls, the high structures nearing their city. A tactic of breach.

"Aim for the trolls!" Robin orders, marching behind the firing archers, her voice raising above the singing of many bows.

"Who put a woman in charge?" One silver clad soldier mutters to the man by his side. Robin hears this complaint, and comes to a halt behind the begrudged Gondorian.

"A wizard who will knock in your skull if you so much as question his antics." She remarks with a rather chiming tone, leaning in to view the soldier's alert face. "That is if I don't do it myself."

This statement causes the archer to shut his mouth, and Robin approaches a raised platform, knocking her bow as she steps onto the square of stone. Koda has already proceeded to step in line with the soldiers, firing sturdy arrows towards the beasts below.

Robin knocks an arrow, and lines her shot with a bulky troll who pushes forward one of the many wooden fortresses. Releasing her arrow, the fire hits into the beast's side, however this does not yield the brute creature. Firing again, she hits the neck and the troll keels to the ground, though the siege engine continues to wheel across the rough fields as it is pushed by an accompanying troll.

Knocking another arrow, Robin lines her shot with the second beast's neck, however a blood chilling shrill draws her gaze above.

"Shit!" She hisses, leaping from the raised stone as a winged Nazgul swoops to attack. Stumbling to the ground, Robin lifts herself, distraught to see the beast grasping for a group of soldiers. With the archers in its taloned grasp, the Nazgul soars past the stone battlement, releasing the soldiers to a plummeting death.

Rushing past her line of men, Robin shouts orders to keep their fire kindled.

"Hold your posts!" She commands, her eyes narrowing as the fell beast turns to once again strike their battlements. "Show these squealing bastards what Gondor is made of!"

The line of archers continue to stand their ground, firing arrows towards both the army below and the demons above. Koda lines his shot with a lonesome troll, finishing the beast as his arrow sinks into the creature's thick neck. This leaves its siege engine still within the swarm of orcs, for there are no trolls to heave it.

Robin tears a strip from her shirt, which is rather saddening since the clothing is new from Gondor, although no heed is taken as she wraps the fabric around the tip of an arrow. Dashing to a flaming torch, Robin ignites the cloth with the burning fire. Lifting her bow, she aims towards the winged Nazgul which glides towards the line of archers at a daunting speed.

Breathing in deeply, she lines her shot with the hood of its black rider, and as the beast draws near to the frightened soldiers, she releases her shot.

With an ear piercing shrill, the black beast is pulled back, away from the battlements with empty talons. Sighing in relief, she watches the Nazgul soar far from their Western wing.

However the relief does not last long, as one wooden siege engine reaches their battlement.
The ramp swings down, and a swarm of armoured orcs flood onto the stone wall. Diverting their attention, surrounding archers unsheathe their blades, attacking the evil beasts with a heavy force.

"Defend the battlement!" Robin orders, sliding her bow over her shoulder as she sprints towards the mayhem with her daggers drawn. Metal upon metal echoes throughout the stone city.

Stepping forward, Robin swings sideways to avoid the blow of an oncoming orc, returning the attack with a swipe to the arm. Severing the limb, Robin embeds her blade into the beast's chest. Upon retracting her dagger, the orc falls flat against the stone.

The outlaw continues to stalk forward, slicing and stabbing her way through the swarm of foul creatures. Gondor's defence proves strong, as the orcs upon the battlements thin in number, however more continue to pour through the high wooden structure.

A loud explosion splits the air, causing Robin's heart to sink below her chest.

The city has been breached.

•

↛ Røbin's P.Ø.V ↚

Rolling my shoulders, I avert my attention back towards the orcs who pour across the ramp of the siege engine. The swarm is viciously thick, though with the force of the Gondorian soldiers, our defence proves strong against the evil attack.

However, if the siege engine remains within position to the battlement, the flow of swine will be continuous.

Slicing the fowl throat of another wretched beast, I kick the body to the ground, quickly glancing at my surroundings in an attempt to view Koda. Silver bodies amongst grotesque figures crowd my vision.

Moving from the centre, I divert to the side, taking down another orc whilst doing so. To my relief, I lay eyes on Koda as he slits the throat of a ghastly beast. Quickly, he sprints to my side.

"The structure needs to be destroyed." I state, looking upon the siege engine, then back to Koda with a sensation of simmering charcoal kindling my heart.

The Harad nods, determination set within his eyes, and he reaches for an ignited torch which mounts the stone wall beside us. Following his lead, I sprint down the structure, grasping another stick supporting fire. Together, we race towards the swarm.

Avoiding decapitation whilst fighting with one hand is indeed hard, although my fellow soldiers do a great job in keeping the orcs at bay.

Swinging my blade, I slice through the beasts as if clearing a path through a rainforest with a wide machete. Though, this rainforest smells like a steaming turd and wants me dead. Luckily, Koda steps in front as we near the ramp, and I hold my breath upon viewing the cluster of orcs who race across.

As if knowing our intentions, the Gondorian archers strike many leering beasts, sending them plummeting to the rough fields below. This proves extremely helpful, as it only takes seven swipes of my dagger to reach the siege engine entrance.

We barge into the tall structure, and I catch my breath as more beasts race forward. However they make no ground, as arrows split through the air, causing orc bodies to litter the wooden floors. My eyes land on the hatchet, and I step forward, drawing my dagger into an orc's chest. I knock an arrow, and fire down at the beasts which climb the ladder. Then, with a trail of flame, I drop my torch down the open hole. Koda proceeds to the ignite the walls, before also tossing his flaming stick to the depths below.

Wood groans, and the engine begins to crumble. Dashing from the structure, Koda and I leap from the ramp, falling upon the solid stone ground as the wooden fortress simmers to burn.

Who knew playing with fire could be so much fun?

Grinning, I watch the structure collapse, before turning to Koda. Our palms connect in a victorious high five. Slaughtered orcs litter the ground around us.

Lifting and dusting myself, I look down upon the streets below to see civilians running in fright, as devilish beasts ravage through the chaotic streets. Our defence of the Western wing has been achieved, therefore our forces can be averted to protecting the townspeople.

"Pull back to the lower level! Lead the civilians to safety!" I order, watching as the soldiers rush to descend the staircase. Suddenly, the faint blare of a horn draws my attention to the vast plains.

I narrow my eyes and view an army of riders on horseback adorning the far hills. A small grin etches onto my face.

Rohirrim.

My heart leaps, the sensation dropping to my legs as I sprint for the stairwell, following the soldiers who descend. At this point, Koda has disappeared within the surrounding chaos, though I am certain with his skills and courage, our separation will be short lived.

Orcs barrel down the streets of Gondor, and our defence proves just as strong as we slaughter many, clearing a path for the fleeing civilians.

An orc lunges forward with an axe drawn high, and I am quick to dodge, side stepping the beast as I plummet a dagger within the creature's thick hide. Turning a corner, I come to face a wider street with a new swarm of leering orcs, however the density is thick as the line of soldiers runs thin. Swallowing, I grab for my quiver and knock arrows, firing towards their wretched heads. Many drop dead, though these fatalities are soon replaced by a new charge of horrid beasts.

Gondorian soldiers are slain before my eyes, causing my teeth to grit in sorrow. A mother and child dash from the side, and charging forward, I deflect the blow of an oncoming orc, ordering the civilians to turn up the street which has been cleared by soldiers.

"Retreat! The city is breached!"

I turn my head to view the voice of the deep orders. Gandalf comes into sight, as he rides a top Shadowfax.

As soon as he is spotted, the shimmer of white disappears around another stone wall. Turning on my heel, I sprint to follow the clattering of hooves against stone.

Running down the chaotic street, my eyes come to widen as I view smoke seeping from the open crevices of the stables. With my heart in my throat, I race into the structure.

The bales of hay are ablaze, though the flames are yet to engulf the entire interior. Covering my nose and mouth with the crook of my arm, I rush towards the seperate pens which hold frantic horses. My body burns beside the heat of the flames, though I refuse to leave until each steed is free from the steaming oven.

My eyes land on Marian, and upon cutting her rope from its attachment to a pole, I mount into her saddle. With a whip of the reins, we exit from the smouldering structure in a whir of speed.

Racing through the stone streets, I feel my heart drilling with adrenaline.

Gondor may be pulling back in retreat, though the Rohirrim are upon the open plains in a war for humanity,

and I am sure as hell going to be a part of it.

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Here's some modern day Robin aesthetic for y'all.