458Retreats
The shape in dark, false-hide robes floated toward him. It reached out with a bone-paw that held a sword which glowed with pale light. A hood remained on the shape's head as it neared.
Toothless reared up high, flared his wings wide, and readied his fire as the shape approached.
The shape paused before him, lifted its arms out to its side, and floated high above the ground until it hovered above and before him. Its hissing voice was empty of life, cold and unfeeling, pitiless and cruel.
"Why do you resist your fate? Have you forgotten?"
"I have forgotten nothing! I choose to resist! You cannot control me!"
He flamed it with a constant, roaring flame that swirled high into the sky. The hissing laughter continued even after he stopped flaming.
The shape, its robes floating in the phantom wind, was untouched by his fire.
"You owe me. You do not know what I have done for you."
"Nothing!"
"I am trying to help you."
"How?" he snorted, clawing at the dirt underpaw.
"You are confused. You have been given something you never wanted."
What was this twisted-thing? It spoke truth in that, at least.
"Your master did this to me! I was not... fallen before I was brought here!"
An icy laughter followed.
"No, you were always a monster and killer. That is what you and all your kind were meant for, but I gave you a gift. All you must do is bow to me. You will be free, and you may even keep your human and your female."
The shape's arms went wide, as if offering an embrace. He saw under the hood where two eyes of fire burned in the darkness.
"Join us freely, lost one..."
"And if I do not!" he snarled.
"Then I will break you."
The shape hurled its blade at him, and the glowing sword sunk deep into his chest, piercing through his heart.
He flew to his paws, eyes wide-open and heart racing wildly as the shock from the dream wore off. His gaze went out across the Pelennor as his breaths gradually slowed.
The biting sting in his chest was gone.
Moonbeam grumbled at his side and shifted in her sleep. He lay down next to her and covered her with a wing. They both rested on the grass next to the house where Gandalf, Pippin, and Hiccup were sleeping. They had not bothered to go back to the small barn-den they had been given.
His gaze narrowed again on the mountains in the distance, somewhere off toward where Minas Morgul was hidden. That very bad place was where the twisted-Alpha of the Nazgul lives: the one who has magic or powers of his own.
Maybe he was talking to me in my dream.
He snorted.
I will never bow to him.
"It's the dragon master..." "Whisperer..." "Stay back..." "Is he an Elf?" "The black rider..."
Hiccup was very tired of overhearing all the comments by total strangers as he passed by. Not that he was surprised by any of it; he had heard everything already from the peasants and commonfolk in Rohan.
He had been practicing his archery in a shooting range. Even that practice had been disturbed because of how the Gondor soldiers and archers had gathered around to watch him practice. He had loosed only a couple dozen shots before deciding to take a break from being the center of attention.
All the shots had been in the centermost ring, so there was that to be proud of. He was getting closer to the point that he never missed, which felt important. Missing would have been unacceptable.
He retrieved his arrows and then headed back to his quarters while Toothless and Moonbeam soared freely up above. Their flying also drew a lot of attention from bystanders looking at them and pointing fingers.
Seeing them flying gave him an idea of something he totally had to do: join them in the sky! He could fly too! The sky is where he belonged also!
Finally back at his quarters, he set aside his bow and arrows before retrieving his wingsuit, leather armor, and helmet, all of which he donned. He tested the wings to make sure they would unfurl, and then he began the long walk higher along the lengths of the city, back and forth to the upper levels. More of the women and children were being gathered there, and many of them spared him curious and wary glances as he passed.
It was appropriate that he was doing this without Toothless or Moonbeam there to watch and protect him. He had prove something to himself!
Finally, he arrived at the uppermost level with the Citadel and the White Tree.
"Hiccup, what are you doing here!" Pippin exclaimed.
Pippin, wearing Gondor armor as usual, ran to him in surprise.
He took off his helmet.
"Hey Pippin, I just felt like taking a walk."
"Wearing all that?"
"You just gestured to all of me. What are you doing up here now?"
Pippin shrugged, looking rather bored.
"There's not much for me to do. You caught me on break. Walking on the grass here reminds me of... well, the Shire."
"Understandable.
Pippin nodded.
"I was also... thinking about Frodo and Sam... and where they might be. Anyway, what are you doing up here?"
Hiccup grinned and put his helmet back on.
"Come and see... if you dare..."
Pippin followed him out on the spur. The cold wind whipped and gusted on these heights as it always probably did.
They arrived at the end of the spur, the one place where there was no stone barrier.
He stood right at the precipice, his boots dangling over the edge.
"I bet that's quite a view," Pippin warily shouted over the wind.
"Yeah, it is! Want to see?"
"No sir, I've made a fool of myself enough already and... wait just a moment! You're not going to... jump... are you?" Pippin gasped.
He laughed and unfurled his wings. They tugged at him in the whipping wind. He also saw Toothless and Moonbeam far below, still gliding lazily on the wind.
"Well, walking up here took too long! And don't worry... I can fly on my own!"
"This is so stupid!" Pippin protested.
"Nope! It's crazy!"
He jumped, felt a moment of freefall, and then caught the wind as his wings stretched wide.
Findings the updrafts, bouncing off swirls of wind, tucking wings in spins, and making brief dives came so naturally.
Had he always known how to glide... how to fly like this? Probably so. It was natural that he would.
The city down below, a mix of grey, green, and blue, looked so small and distant. All the humans down there were tied to the ground, living their normal, simple lives. That was all they knew.
But he was not grounded. He was not one of them!
He closed his eyes and let thought fade away as his soul burned with the joy of flight.
It was the freedom to come and go as he wished without being tied down to one place.
The sky was where his heart would always be at home... where he belonged.
This is what it is to be a...
Two roars of joy caught his attention as Toothless and Moonbeam flew higher toward him. They arrived at his side and spun around his wings, both of them gently slapping his head with a tailfin.
They would show-off like that!
So he tucked his wings to make himself suddenly drop before again stretching his wings wide with a spin. His spin-dive was not as fast as his brother's or Moonbeam's, but he was still getting very good at it.
Time flew past very quickly, suddenly leaving him gliding down toward the open street on the sixth level. No one else was there, which made it the most open spot available for him to attempt another solo-landing, difficult though those were.
Toothless was at his side, looking concerned for him, but he didn't interfere.
He took a very deep breath, angled himself and his wings to slow as much as possible, tucked his wings, and tugged on the parachute cord. His small parachute shot out and slowed him just enough for him to land in a roll, tumbling on the stone road. Then he came to rest on his back as the parachute fell on him.
The landing hurt and had definitely bruised his knees, but it was a success even if he was completely tangled in the lines.
"Did anyone see that?" he shouted.
"I did! It worked!" Toothless shouted.
He got up and freed himself from the tangled lines and parachute.
"Mostly. I didn't set it perfectly. It shouldn't tangle so easily. Won't make that mistake next time!"
He tugged another line, and the entire parachute popped off so he could begin refolding it for its next use.
"How did you make this?" Toothless asked, gently nosing at the parachute.
"I'm just that amazing... and I had a lot of extra time on my... paws..."
"Sure you did... fledgling. How did you know it would work?" Toothless huffed.
"I didn't..."
Moonbeam landed beside them.
"Good flying and falling!" she chuckled.
"That was landing, thank you very much! No need to pick me up and drop me!"
She laughed again.
Hiccup arrived back at his quarters after Toothless offered to fly him back there. He took nearly an house re-setting the wingsuit and parachute to make sure it wouldn't tangle next time.
His death-defying streak satisfied for the day, he threw on plain attire and a hood so that wouldn't be noticed. Then he grabbed a coin pouch which Gandalf had given him, and set out for the nearest inn or mead-house.
The streets were clean and quiet. Everyone he passed who was not a soldier was clad in dark attire and looked solemn and nervous. The fountains were filled with still and clear water.
The city felt old, which it definitely was.
He arrived at the nearest mead-house, let himself inside, and took a table at the far end of the house. An attendant came over to greet him, took a coin, and brought back a large mug of ale and some bread. He took his time with the drink, preferring to listen in on everything happening around him.
It was very different from the first time he had been in a mead-hall in Buckland.
The men, it was mostly men inside, were talking about various matters, mostly concerning the preparations for the coming defense. But a few were talking about a certain pair of dragons.
"Can't trust them, I say..." "Dark wings are never a good sign..." "Is Rohan lost to them?" "Gotta admit they are graceful..." "The white one is beautiful..." "Watch them closely."
He took a deep breath and resolved to not dwell on any of that suspicion right now. This was his time to rest and learn more about the city and the people just by overhearing what he could.
Several women and children entered the building and went to their husbands, fathers, or brothers at the tables. The mood in the mead-house or inn lifted substantially as people greeted each other.
His thoughts went far away to Rohan and to one particular person while he swirled his mug of ale.
I miss her. Her smile, her teasing in the forge, her openness to the Furies, and how... how normal she is.
It was something he hadn't appreciated before.
She was no great singer, accomplished shieldmaiden, or dramatic in her interactions with others. However, she could be playful and teasing. She didn't seem to feel a pressing need to continually prove herself to her tribe. Rather, she was level-headed and did her work for the good of her tribe. She was not weak or timid, but she still felt for others.
There was at least one notable similarity in how life had treated him and her. They had both lost their mothers to war long ago.
I don't know... maybe... how can I be sure about something as important as this?
He took a long drink and then stared idly at the foam in the mug.
Why did it feel like being with her was... a problem or not what he was meant for? Marriage meant... new responsibility, changes in life, and... was that even what was best for him? It was as if there was something in the way.
This being apart from her would probably help him resolve his thoughts about what she was to him. Hopefully.
Toothless and Hiccup waited as Gandalf, his white robes flowing and staff clicking on the paved road, strode out of the Citadel. Denethor also walked at his side. The two leaders had been talking about something important.
Toothless got up from the warm stones to wait for the leaders. They had sent a messenger to him and Hiccup with the request that they come up to meet them on the highest level before nightfall. He was not sure what they wanted from him and Hiccup.
Gandalf walked up to him without hesitation, and the Wizard had a large pouch in his arms.
"Burning-Star, Hiccup... Steward Denethor and I have been in council regarding the city's defense."
Denethor then spoke.
"I agreed with Mithrandir that we have held Osgiliath as long as we can. All of our number holding that city must retreat, or they will fall with the city. I wish for you, Burning-Star, to take a message to my son... B... Faramir, who is commanding the garrison at Osgiliath."
Toothless nodded.
"I can do that."
Gandalf offered him the pouch, and he let the Wizard sling it over his head until the pouch rested against his chest.
"Do your fighters know not to shoot at me?"
"I have previously had word sent to them. Fly to them, request the audience of my son... Faramir, and let him take the scroll. That is all," Denethor briskly answered.
He stepped back from them and stretched his wings.
"Think you can fly fast, bro?" Hiccup grinned.
"Faster than you, fledgling..."
Then he jumped from the high ledge, soared above the white and shrouded city, and turned for the distant, smoking ruins.
Hiccup walked over to the balcony to watch Toothless's flight over the fields and plains. Gandalf came over to him and stood at his side.
"Even now so long after meeting him, I can say that this is an amazing sight. Did I ever tell you that I have flown also?"
"Excuse me?" Hiccup gasped.
"Yes, with Gwaihir the Windlord. Twice now, actually. He carried... me... from Orthanc and also carried me from the tine above Zirakzigil, above Khazad-dum, to Lorien."
Right, he and the Eagle knew each other. But where is that place?
"Where was that second place? That Zirak... something."
Gandalf frowned.
"That is the mountainpeak above Moria... where Gandalf the Grey fought the Balrog, killed it, and died."
"Right."
He didn't understand how this Gandalf was a different Gandalf. But since Gandalf brought up what happened with the Balrog...
"I know you said you didn't want to talk about it before, but what was the Balrog? I want to know."
Gandalf nodded.
"Too eager and curious for a human. At least you have more sense than Pippin. What can I tell you? The Balrog was a being of shadow and flame."
Something about that description sounded... strangely familiar.
"Shadow and flame? Do they have wings of shadow and manes of fire?"
Gandalf's eyes narrowed in surprise.
"Indeed they do. Why do you ask?"
Hmm, he might want to know what we saw up in the caves in the Waste...
"Toothless and I might have seen one of those things."
Gandalf started in surprise and shock.
"What? Speak!"
"It was a really big thing hidden in shadow, and it looked like it was made of fire. It looked like it had wings of shadow, but I'm not sure if it truly had wings. It was asleep, and we didn't wake it up."
"Where did you see it?"
"It was deep in caves that the pack used to hide away from the coldest storms up in the Waste. There were... ruins down there."
Gandalf frowned and steadied himself.
"You are most fortunate that you did not awaken it. We knew that some of those beings hid themselves away in the deep places of the world after the War of Wrath."
"I still don't understand. What are the Balrogs really?" Hiccup sighed.
"Perhaps a lesson in the world's history would benefit you," Gandalf answered.
"It probably would."
Gandalf stared out into distance while the wind, cooler at this elevation, flowed around them and ruffled their robes.
"First, there was the Creator, Eru Iluvatar. Eru created the Valar, also called the Ainur, the Holy Ones, and the Powers of Arda. Some have called them gods, though they are not. Eru also created the Maiar, lesser ones, to serve the Valar and aid them. They all sang the Music of the Ainur, with which all Arda was sung into being. The greatest of the Valar was Melkor, who afterwards became Morgoth, the Great Enemy. Morgoth corrupted many of the Maiar to his service."
Gandalf paused.
"The Balrog was a fallen Maiar, far beyond the power of any sword or bow to harm unless the wielder had greater strength. The Elves of the First Age were greater than they are now and could face the Balrogs, as did Glorfindel."
"Wow, uh, I..."
"It is much to try to understand, I know," Gandalf patted his shoulder.
Hiccup took a deep breath and decided to think about something other than what Gandalf was.
"You said that the greatest of the Valar was Melkor-Morgoth. Why did he turn bad?"
"That is the great question. He wanted the power to create new life according to his own will and design, but he could not give the Flame Imperishable. That limitation made him envious and prideful, even such that he wished the wanton destruction of all life. Sauron wishes to control all that is, but Melkor wishes to unmake creation and remake it in his image."
Gandalf paused and then grinned.
"Do you know how the Dwarves came into being?" he asked.
"No."
"The Valar Aule made them without the command of the Creator. Aule wished only to make new life that could glorify the Creator in addition to the Elves and Humans, the two planned creations, the Children of Iluvatar. The Dwarves which Aule made were not truly free; they had life but no free will or understanding of their own. Aule saw his mistake in not obeying the Creator's will, and he went to destroy the first Dwarves, his own creation, but they shrank back from him in fear. When he saw their fear is when he knew that Iluvatar had gifted them with the Flame Imperishable also; they became the Eru's... adopted children... so to speak."
They were given mercy after they showed fear. I...
A tear fell down Hiccup's cheek, though he said nothing aloud.
A brightening of the glow on the horizon brought his thoughts back to the present and to the mission, the progress of which he knew very little about.
"Any idea where Frodo and Sam are?" he whispered.
"No. I have guesses, and my guesses are usually close to the mark. But I have had no word about them, though I am certain that they move toward Mordor even now. All we must do is buy them time."
"How do you know that? How do we know that they are still out there?"
"I am a Wizard. I know these things," Gandalf winked.
Fair enough. Who am I to question that?
Toothless wondered about the ruined city-nest below him as he glided. It looked similar to another ruined place he and Hiccup and flown over along a lake far away in the northwest. The main difference was that this city-nest was very much occupied instead of abandoned.
The great river cut through the middle of the city-nest, and most of the fires were centered on the shores of the river.
He growled and turned tail on the far shore when he saw the countless number of Orcs swarming about the ruins. Instead, he turned his flight for the plain on the edge of the ruined city-nest. Down he glided and landed well outside the ruins. Then he settled down to wait while hoping that they knew not to shoot at him.
A small flight of humans, all wearing green robes, emerged from the ruins and approached him. They kept their bows in their paws but did not aim their weapons at him. That was good of them.
They all looked weary, bloodied or wounded, and suspicious.
One of the humans, whom the others looked to as an Alpha, stepped forward from the pack. He was tall, had long brown hair and blue eyes, and had a confident bearing while not being as large as some of the humans he had seen. This man reminded him of someone else. A wingbeat of thought was enough for him to realize who that was.
This must be Boromir's brother, Faramir.
Maybe he will be different...
He bent his head toward the man.
"Greetings, Faramir."
The men shuffled in place in evident surprise, and even Faramir looked amazed.
"It is true what they said... I never imagined that this could be so. Greetings, dark dragon."
Satisfied that this meeting would be peaceful, he stepped forward toward Faramir and nudged his bag with a paw.
"I have a message from Denethor for you. The papers are in my bag."
Faramir, for some reason, trusted him without question and approached, opening the pouch and taking the message. Then he stepped back, unrolled the scroll, and began reading it. His men remained wary, but Faramir, as their Alpha, was not worried.
He is not afraid of me. Good!
Faramir finished reading, gave a heavy sigh, and turned back to the others who had come with him.
"Mablung, Damrod, ready everyone! We fall back to Minas Tirith at nightfall!"
"Yes, my Captain!" everyone shouted.
Faramir turned back to him.
"Dragon, is Mithrandir in the city?"
"Yes, Gandalf is in the city."
"Good, I must speak with him as soon as possible."
Toothless growled softly.
"I saw many of those Orcs on the other side of the river."
"Yes, we cannot hold the city much longer. Also, I have heard of you."
"Denethor said that he sent word about me to you."
Faramir paused and frowned.
"Yes, he did... but there was another who also spoke of you. I will explain later. Will you tell Mithrandir that the Nazgul are in these skies, and that I must speak to him?"
"I will tell him!"
Faramir spun around and followed his men back into the ruins of Osgiliath.
He spun away and took to the sky, his mission complete. As he swiftly flew over the fields, he wondered about something Faramir had said.
How did he know about me from someone else?
Gandalf frowned as he stared off toward Osgiliath as evening fell, which meant only that the darkness grew darker. The Wizard grumbled and then turned to him.
"Burning-Star, you and Moonbeam might want to assist me this evening."
"At what?"
"The retreat. I suspect that the Enemy will try to make the retreat a costly one. He has his fellbeasts and Nazgul in these skies, as Faramir asked you to tell me."
He thrashed his tail and snarled.
"I have not seen those flying things, but I already want to flame them!"
"Good. Humans fear them and the Nazgul, but I suspect that both of those enemies have no special power over you dragons."
"When do you want to go?"
Gandalf grumbled into his beard.
"It would probably be best to follow the Rangers as they retreat. I will prepare Shadowfax now."
He hopped to his paws.
"Moonbeam and I will fly with you. I will tell Hiccup to get ready."
Gandalf held up a paw to stop him.
"Master Haddock should not go with you. The Nazgul have a great and terrible effect on any humans they are near."
He remembered how Hiccup had been powerless against the living-dead-shadow in the Barrow-downs. Even the few encounters with the Nazgul themselves had been very bad for Hiccup.
"Good point. I do not need to carry him for this. He will not like it though."
Hiccup nodded, resigned to the fact that it was best this way. There was no necessary reason for him to go with anyway. Though he would have liked to down a fellbeast. Maybe there would still be another chance to do that.
"Sounds good. You two go help Gandalf protect them. I'll be here with Pippin once he gets off his duties."
Toothless nodded and hopped over to Moonbeam's side.
"Bro, one more thing! Is Shadowfax faster than you?" Hiccup asked, grinning widely.
Toothless froze and slowly turned around to glare at him.
"Hiccup!"
"Just pointing out that you two have never raced."
Toothless snorted and hopped from the ledge. Moonbeam laughed as she followed him into the darkening sky.
Hiccup watched the two dear Furies as they soared over the city while waiting for Gandalf and Shadowfax to arrive down at the main gate. It was getting noticeably darker out there beyond the walls.
Then he went back into his quarters, collapsed in his chair, and felt generally miserable.
Now what?
There were no forges that needed working, his brother and Moonbeam were being useful and helping to protect people, and Pippin was busy doing something as a Citadel guard. But he was just sitting there.
Doing nothing important.
It was in these quiet moments, all alone, that he remembered those terrible words that had been behind so many of his mistakes.
Was he nothing without Toothless?
So much of his life and what he was now did come from his knowing Toothless. He had always been stubborn on his own; there was no doubt of that. But stubbornness alone could not do anything.
He lay down on his mattress and resolved to find some rest while he could. Nothing was wrong with finding a little extra rest before a major battle.
"Haddock, you in there?" Pippin cried out some time later.
"Yeah, I'm up... I'm up!"
"Get out here and look at this!"
He flew to his feet, walked outside, and joined Pippin on the balcony. The entire city down below was shrouded in darkness, save for the many signal fires and lights lit in the streets or on the walls. Dozens of armored men were standing on the walls, gazing out into the distance.
"What is it? I can't see any..."
A pair of bright flashes lit up the distant plain, revealing several sets of wings, two of which had just been struck by a pair of Fury shots.
Fellbeasts... oh my gods...
There was a little fear in his heart on Toothless's and Moonbeam's behalf, but he reassured himself that they knew what they were doing. Both of them were grown, powerful, and dangerous dragons. If one Fury was a terrifying force in the night, two would be even deadlier, especially if one of them was invisible or able to go invisible.
But it still felt like he should be out there helping them... somehow.
"I wish I could be there to help him," Hiccup frowned as he watched the distant flames.
Pippin patted him on the shoulder.
"I know. Being on the edge of a battle I cannot escape is terrible. I see fighting and I want to go kill some stuff! That's who I am!"
He slowly spun to face Pippin.
"Huh?"
They stared at each other in silence before they both grinned and burst out in laughter at the same time.
"Who am I kidding? I'm just a Hobbit. Sure, I'm wearing Gondor armor, but I'm not a fighter."
Pippin then sighed and leaned against the stone wall.
"I miss the Shire so much. I miss my cousin Merry, Frodo, Sam, Diamond, even Farmer Maggot..."
"Wait," he turned on Pippin in surprise, "Diamond? Who is that?"
"Diamond of Long Cleeve. I think she is... pretty..." Pippin shrugged.
He grinned at that. He had not known that Pippin had his eye on anyone back home.
"Is she? Well, my home is Rohan now, definitely. As for ladies, well, I think Adney is special... but I'm not sure what she is to me."
Pippin smirked.
"You'll figure it out eventually. I'm sure that Sam won't have a problem with Rosie once he comes back. Just think about how much good this adventure will do him!"
"Yeah, it probably will. When he comes back."
They stood there a while longer, just watching for the occasional flash of fire beyond.
"What was your home like before? Not the people, the place. I know it was cold and snowed nine months of the year."
Hiccup chuckled.
"That is an exaggeration, but it's not far from the truth. What was Berk like? Cold. The cliffs were very high in places, but there were also docks down by the shore. The forests were thick, even though they were only really green for a few months in the year. The sheep and yaks did well and had lots of room to graze. Even with all that I can't understand why my people stayed there. They should have just left for somewhere warmer and safer. It shouldn't have been hard to relocate the..."
A sudden flash of light almost blinded them as they closed their eyes. The light swiftly faded, letting them look back and see what had happened. They both stared, dumbfounded by what they saw.
Gandalf, for it could be no other, was racing on Shadowfax across the fields. The Wizard's staff was held aloft, and a burning white light, like a star, was radiating from him across almost all the Pelennor. The light then focused into a narrow beam aimed at the large, winged things swarming over a convoy of retreating horses and riders. All the winged creatures, save two, immediately turned away and beat their flight back into the distance.
While the light was intense and powerful, it did not pierce the cloudcover floating in from the East and shrouding the entire Pelennor, city, and mountains.
"That just happened," Pippin gasped.
"Wizard things," Hiccup nodded.
The light gradually faded as Gandalf, the riders, and the two Furies turned for the city, still perhaps a ten minute gallop away for the horses.
"Shall we go meet them?" Hiccup asked.
"Yeah, no chance I'm going to sleep after that. Follow me... I know a shortcut," Pippin agreed.
"A shortcut? How?"
"Underground stairs that soldiers use to move faster. Race you down?"
"That sounds dangerous... not that I'm opposed to it."
Pippin smirked, "Yeah, but there aren't any mushrooms at the bottom of this shortcut, so we'll be fine!"
Toothless glanced back over his tail and gave a derisive snort. His status had been defended!
Shadowfax is fast for a horse, true, but he has no wings!
Still, he had to race that Eagle one day. That would be the truest test of speed! Let none think that their wings were faster than his!
Then he looked ahead again and snarled.
The first he saw of them were dark wings flying low above the horses. He had already heard their screeching cries... or maybe those cries were from the Nazgul.
The description he had heard from the pack, twisted-into-wrong-dragon, was very appropriate. The fellbeasts, as humans called them, were almost like Night Furies, except that these beasts had bigger wings, only two legs with large pinions on the paws, much longer necks, and larger mouths. They would certainly have been a danger to fly against if they also had fire like true dragons.
They did not have fire.
He brushed Moonbeam's wing as they both raced toward the horses and humans.
She is strong and brave. We can do this as one! Time to flame things that need flaming!
His roar filled the sky and was joined by hers.
The Nazgul riding on the fellbeasts shrieked a cry that terrified the humans down below, though they and their horses kept riding onward. That cry did nothing to him and Moonbeam.
Their first shots struck two of the fellbeasts in the chest. Both of the fellbeasts reared back, winging higher in pain even though they were not grounded. The unflamed fellbeasts turned for him and Moonbeam, but they could not possibly get close enough to claw at them.
Night Furies and Light Furies were much faster.
Several more shots went at fellbeasts, forcing them back away from the humans and keeping their flight focused on him and Moonbeam. Every wingbeat the Nazgul and fellbeasts used chasing them was time not used hunting the humans below.
Then it was no longer night as a bright light started burning from behind his tail. He glanced back at the light and stared with awe into a burning light coming from Gandalf.
Is that his staff? His ring?
The pendant secured around his own neck started glowing brightly also in the light that was so warming to his soul-fire.
All of the Nazgul and fellbeasts turned away, shrieking in pain from the light.
He roared defiantly in their direction, watched them flee, and then turned to follow the humans.
There were only a few downed horses and dead humans left behind on the ground. There would have been far more without him, Moonbeam, and Gandalf flying and riding to their defense.
Moonbeam flew in at his side and gently brushed his wing. They shared no words, needing to say nothing. They were both safe.
Gandalf and Shadowfax ran in to join the front of the flock of fleeing horses and riders.
They flew in peace until they arrived at the massive front gates of Minas Tirith. The gates opened wide to welcome the horses and humans inside.
He and Moonbeam dove down into the large courtyard and hopped up next to Hiccup and Pippin. They were both standing out of the way so that the horses could run along their path without facing him and Moonbeam.
"Nice job out there bro, Moonbeam! I saw your fires from all the way up there," Hiccup smiled.
"We are fire dragons! What do you expect?" he huffed.
"Ice, obviously!" Pippin laughed.
Moonbeam snorted.
Hiccup's smile vanished as he became far more serious.
"What are the fellbeasts like? All I could see was that they have wings."
He clawed at the ground while snarling.
"They look like they might have been dragons once, but they are not. They have long necks, big mouths with teeth, no tailfins, and only two legs, as Gandalf said."
Moonbeam huffed.
"I scented one of them. They smell like rotted meat!"
Hiccup winced.
"Yikes. Anyway, good to have you both back here safely!"
Hiccup hugged his head and then Moonbeam's.
"We were not gone long... not even a short-nap amount of time," she chuckled.
"Yeah, still... I kind of want to be there to protect you," Hiccup explained.
Toothless purred at that and refrained from teasing Hiccup about needing protecting. Then he had an idea that might help with this problem.
"Maybe I should wear the saddle now so we can fly if we need to."
"Good idea. I'll keep my armor on and weapons with me from now on," Hiccup agreed.
Gandalf and Faramir rode up last inside the gates. Both immediately dismounted from their horses which were then led away to their stables. Faramir stood before Gandalf and looked around at all the fellow soldiers who were watching everything.
"Take your rest while we can and then attend to your posts!"
"Yes Captain!" they roared back.
Faramir watched his men begin to depart, and then he approached Gandalf.
"Mithrandir, can we speak somewhere in private?" Faramir asked.
"Certainly, up on the wall?"
"That will work."
Faramir must have noticed Pippin because he stared at the Hobbit in surprise. Then the man looked away and started for the stairs that led up the wall.
Toothless, Moonbeam, Hiccup, and Pippin followed Faramir and Gandalf up onto the wall and onto a secluded area away from any other men on patrol.
"What is the news, Faramir?" Gandalf asked.
Faramir put his paws behind his back and turned to them. He had a very wary look on his face as he glanced around at everyone with him.
"Mithrandir, am I correct that I may speak freely before these dragons, this young man, and the Halfling?"
"Yes, you may."
"Very well then. This is not the first Halfling I have met in the last few days."
Everyone except Moonbeam gasped at that, realizing what this had to mean. She did not know.
"You've seen Frodo and Sam!" Pippin cried.
"Yes, and I know of their errand," Faramir nodded.
"Where! When!" Gandalf eagerly asked.
"Ithilien, three days hence. They were being guided by a creature called Gollum."
"Gollum, how curious. Where to? What was their path?" Gandalf clutched the ramparts and breathed heavily.
"They were going to the Morgul Vale and then the path of Cirith Ungol," Faramir explained.
Gandalf began muttering and pacing. The Wizard looked old and weary.
"Did they... well, they might... I suppose... that might work if they got there before the march... yes, we would know by now if they were too slow."
Gandalf sighed in evident relief.
"So it must be. We will stay here in Minas Tirith and keep the Enemy's gaze on us. Let us not speak of them or their errand again."
Faramir nodded.
"I understand. The one named Frodo told me about the good dragon whom he knew. I also heard from my father yesterday."
Toothless stepped closer.
"It is not only the two of us. There is a pack of my kind now living in Rohan. Several of us will fly here to help you defend the city."
"Rohan will also come here," Hiccup added.
Faramir's eyes widened.
"Rohan will ride to our aid?"
"Yes, they should probably be here within a couple days," Hiccup answered.
Faramir faced Hiccup and considered him.
"Who are you, young man?"
"My name is Haddock, of the Fury pack. I speak for them. I, me and Burning-Star actually, both met your brother in Rivendell."
"You knew Boromir?" Faramir whispered.
"We did, for a very short time. We were not part of the Fellowship though."
Toothless grumbled.
"Your brother did not like me, but he was a strong fighter who died well. That is what I heard."
Faramir slowly nodded.
"My brother was always the pride of Gondor. He could do no wrong in my father's eyes. I was always the disappointment because I was not known as a fighter."
"No?" Hiccup asked in surprise.
"Indeed. I always had more love of poetry, history, and music than my older brother. There is a place for warriors, but I love not the sword or the bow, only that which they protect."
Faramir then stared out into the darkness. There were already tiny dots of light far out in the distance, probably from torches.
"I have led my people under the threat of black wings and flitting shadows in the night, and now we have black wings on our side. How strange are these days?"
"We can flame the fellbeasts! They will not freely attack the city once the pack flies here," Toothless growled.
Faramir grimly nodded.
"That aid will be most welcome. My rangers have reported more of those beasts in the dark skies recently, possibly because the Nazgul are gathering for the assault."
Another long silence followed as they all stared out into the darkness. There was no light of star or moon to illuminate anything.
"It is time for us to man the walls and endure whatever will come for us," Faramir said.
Then he turned away from the beyond and looked down from the wall into the inner courtyard. There were still many dozens of soldiers within, evidently waiting for him.
"I should greet the men and encourage them before I report to my father."
Gandalf stepped over to Faramir.
"And I will come with you for that meeting. Your father will be relieved that you are back here without injury. Still, something is weighing on your father's mind, more than only grief from Boromir's passing."
Then Gandalf turned to him, Moonbeam, and Hiccup.
"You should all get your rest while you can before the storm breaks. There will be no dawn."
Perfect!
"It is good that I am a Night Fury!" he growled.
Gandalf and Pippin both chuckled at that.
"What?" he grumbled.
Hiccup answered with a laugh of his own.
"I said you would say that."
"Because it is true!" he barked as he crouched down to let Hiccup climb on.
He, Moonbeam, and Hiccup flew up from the outer wall and ascended the levels to the one that had their den. There was far more activity now with all the extra defenders inside the walls.
They landed, bounded over to the den, and lay down inside with Moonbeam under one of his wings as always.
"Mind if I sleep here too?" Hiccup asked.
He lifted his other wing and nodded. Hiccup closed the den's door and lay down at his side after wrapping himself in a fur-blanket.
As he lay there in the dark, listening to the sounds of activity out beyond in the city, and with the two most important people in his life around him, he felt a chill of worry for them. Even though this was the biggest nest-city of humans that he had ever seen, he now knew for certain that the Enemy had flying creatures.
It would take only one of them to snatch up Hiccup or claw at Moonbeam.
The sooner the pack got here, the better.
Author's Note – The suicide charge Denethor sent Faramir and a company of knights on was not an appropriate change from canon. I see why it was done, but it was unnecessary when compared to book events (in which Faramir was struck by an arrow during the retreat). I do not believe that Faramir would have obeyed such an insane command even if he was distraught by his father's words. That suicide charge will not be happening in this version.
Next week will be another two post week.
