Smoke rolled over the land. Birds crowed. The sky was red.

Dawn sat upon the beacon of Minas Tirith. She watched the grey blanket roll in. Despite the luxurious treatments of the castle, she was starved. She had dark circles under her eyes.

Little did she know that Sildion watched from below. He glared at her. Dawn was aware of this when he breathed. She sat there, calmly. "Come to push me off the cliff, Sildion?" she asked in her sweetest voice. He shook his head. "Not yet."

She groaned. "Come to bore me? Tease me?" She leaped off the beacon.

"Why is Tauriel here?" he asked. She shrugged. "No idea." Next thing she knew, he had her by her throat over the ledge. She grinned at him, and laughed.

"You're mad." he said, gasping a bit." Dawn shrugged. "You're just now getting that?" She kicked him and her feet touched stone again. Sildion groaned. "Every time. You. Get. Me. Every. Time."

Dawn grinned. "Oh yes, I do. And will." That was the last thing he heard before blackness.

()()()()

Fifi and Haddy were witness to all this. They were eating apples, watching from the shadows. They thought it was funny to see two people so mad at each other. Though neither would admit it, they were both intrigued about who Dawn really was, like every one else.

Behind them they heard footfalls, and dashed away. Astrida and Ledolorn were walking about. Fifi grinned. "What do you think?" she asked. Haddy nodded, a determined look on her face. "Let's get 'em."

()()()()

Astrida was walking when she saw an apple on the path. It was the last thing she expected. She picked it up, but Ledolorn held her wrist. "It may be poisoned!" he said. She smiled and shook him off. She had head two childlike snickers before it rolled out, though they had been very muffled. No mortal would have heard them. She bit into the apple, knowing there would be tart lemon juice inside.

"Hobbits." she muttered.

This was the last good day.

()()()()

Clanging metal sounds came from the mountains. Aragorn put his head in his hands when he heard these.

"Prepare yourselves!" he said. He had some vigor returned to his body. So many lives were in his care.

It was orcs.

They attacked without mercy, leaving blood everywhere. The soldiers trembled at the sight. Astrida, Ledolorn, and Sildion stood with Tauriel and Legolas. The hobbits had been hidden away, much to their anger.

Legolas kissed Tauriel. "Best of luck, Leaf-Hunter." he said. She smiled. They charged.

Aragorn lead the charge. Faramir and Eowyn were at his side. Orcs were struck down.

Legolas and Tauriel battled a troll. They forced it back with clashing steel and raging hearts. Eowyn took out a new creation. Orc-horses. She was talented for killing them, it seemed. Astrida backed her up.

Sildion and Ledolorn attacked on the edges, killing at orcs who tried to escape.

Aragorn froze in the midst of battle. He heard an awful shriek. It may have been his imagination, for no one else was bothered. A figure in all black, with black sword and reddish eyes appeared on the battlefield. Everyone and everything fell silent. The wind seemed to hold its breath.

Eldarion was here.

And coming for Aragorn.

Aragorn froze. He would not battle his son. Eldarion took off his hood, revealing black hair, pale face, and reddish eyes. He was strong. He smiled a bit. "I'm sorry, father." he said. "But you need to kneel."