Nazgul....

[The Witchking]

(btw, in this scene i actually DONT CARE that the witchking died before this. Just pretend it never happened )

The Witchking sat on his fellbeast, perched high a top the mountains above the Black Gate. Below, he could see a gathering army of men. Insignificant, pathetic beings. Why were they here? They surely knew that this was a pointless last hope of man kind - probably some stupid noble reason...

The Witchking jerked the reigns and the fellbeast cried its piercing screech and soared high above them, though just low enough for them to notice him. He smiled secretly as he heard the usual cries of 'Nazgul!' with pleasure. It never died, the joy of striking fear in the hearts of men.

But as he thought this, something made the fellbeast squirm with unease and reared backwards and started streaking off towards Mount Doom, in the heart of Mordor, away from the gate and the gathering men. He looked down in confusion. Down below he saw Gandalf, that stupid wizard, with his staff raised, blasting white light at the fellbeast. The witchking hissed with anger as he pulled the fellbeast back, down towards the men below...

[Arien]

Her horse pawed and huffed hot air from his nostrils. He was ready for this, as was his rider. Erendil was a bay gelding, strong warhorse, yet no one would ever think that such a small girl would be atop his back. Yes, indeed it was. Arien, ranger of the east was here by the side of many of her companions. There was determination in her eyes and just from looking at her you would see that she would see this battle through until the end. Whether her end was here, or long after. Erendil was only fussy beneath her, but this only encouraged Arien, it gave her that adrenaline that she knew was needed within her. She sat there on him, unmoved yet watching as Gandalf who was in fact next to her, shine the light upon the beast on top of them. It, of course, angered the beast and his massive wings spread and was now headed right toward the men in the crowd. No, this would not break her, she would not let it break her. The screams of the people that would die this day would only press her forward, drive her to fight harder to avenge those who passed on fighting so valiantly.

She stood firm still, she was asked to keep calm and yet being by the side of Gandalf even for a brief moment would make anyone want to keep calm. He was a wise and powerful wizard. To doubt him would surely mean your own end. Arien was well poise as she waited, for the moment this was all she could do. The beast yet was too far for her to make a move just this instant. And if they were to survive even half the night she knew that this beast had to be destroyed. All this thinking was happening in literally about half a second each thought. For to all out there everything seemed as if it was in slow motion. Not like a movie, but like a dream were you want to run as fast as you can out of the way of an incoming attack and you cannot, for time would hold you back.

Arien wore her finest this day. An elven cloak of dark blue with a silver trim and matching tunic and leggings. Arien was an excellent rider, so she knew the attire needed to ride long distances, and she knew how long before leggings of such kind would wear out before she would need new ones. Her boots were high and black with a single buckle across the top and they were shiny, looked almost new. Her eyes were a piecing emerald green that were yet kind when they needed to be. This day her voice not that kind. It was demanding; determined. Her hair long and in light curls at the ends as it cascaded down over her right shoulder like a glistening waterfall of brownish gold. Her completion clear, not even a scar on her body. And around her waist there was an assortment of elvish weapons that were one of a kind in their own way, for they had been custom made for her and her alone. She looked as if she had never seen the line of battle to be honest. It was as if she had been a lady of the inside. Never seeing a days worth of hard work or what the color of blood looked like, but do not let this deceive you. For it is the complete opposite.

Arien could feel the panic of the men around her. She was so young and so naive, she had hoped that her even showing up would bring them some kind of hope. That if she was risking to put her life on the line to save a place that she had only just been to a few days ago, that it would urge them on. It was not all bad though, for some of the men did want to fight for already they had their arms out and wanted to go in for the kill, but they were held back even as the beast approached them from the sky. They could not be too eager if they were to have any Chance of winning this. Not even Arien had her sword drawn.

She could feel the tension, to her, it was quiet, but then it wasn't for no one said a word but there was that clanging of metal and the sound of swords coming out of their sheaths and spears banging on the ground. So many feelings running through each and every one of those soldiers before this army this day. Not one spoke a single word, but their thoughts were clear as day. It was as if you could hear the thoughts of the one standing right next to you. Even Arien felt this way at this moment. Soon...so very very soon will this start...and ever one that had wished that it would begin now, will be swallowing their words when an orc runs them through with their blade. They will be thinking about how they wished that they would still be waiting for the battle to start, for they would not be in the mess they were in as they would collapse to the ground and become one with death itself.

[The Witchking]

As his beast swooped down to the men below, the Fellbeast screamed its highest and most piercing scream which must have deafened the ears of the men below. But as he passed over Gandalf and the garish bright light, he saw an elf looking up at him- obviously the sound didn't bother her much - he smirked beneath his deathly visor - he'd give her something to be bothered about... He twitched the reigns and the beast snarled as it scooped up a dozen men who were right next to her and Gandalf. The horses around shrieked, bolted and reared as the terrible creature loomed over them, its great, evil shadow casting them in temporary darkness. For a moment to all of them, they saw the Witchking up close probably for the first and last time in their lives - the huge, black shadow of Mordor passed over them - the fellbeast with its gaping, drooling jaws, the teeth as long as their swords. Then there was the man himself, if you can call him a man, sitting astride it, the deathly crown on his head and the Morgul-Blade at his side, he looked invinsible at that moment.

Gandalf sat upon Shadowfax, a blinding white beacon, holding his staff aloft, but when the fellbeast passed over him, the light was stifled and his glory seemed extinguished for the briefest of moments and he meerely looked like an old man on a horse. But as the beast glided above and killed those men, an anger blazed inside Gandalf, and the light intensified so that the whole world seemed to be like the gates of Heaven and a streak of blue lightning shot out of the staff straight at the Witchking as the fellbeast flapped its terrible wings to ascend to the dark heavens, the screaming victims in his talons and jaws, blood dripping from its mouth and splashing upon the heads of the soldiers below. Just as the light seemed to hit him, the Witchking turned round and hissing, he slashed at the light as though it were flesh, and the light seemed to bounce back at the soldiers, but Gandalf raised the staff again and it turned into a fiery dragon before it hit the men cowering below. The dragon turned and seemed to throw itself upon the Witchking and the fellbeast, engulfing them both in an inferno.
The soldiers upon their steeds were now fighting to control their horses as they panicked at the noise, magic and the beast above them. Some riders, petrified themselves, were galloping off in a frenzy. Half of the whole cavalry group were now fleeing into the distance.

[Arien]

Arien had not moved an inch, niether did her horse. There was strength in her that seemed to go from her to the horse, he trusted her so. The beast did send a piercing cry through the air. Worried? She could not say she was not, but she needed to be strong. Her body was relaxed and she almost completely ignored the beast that was looming overhead. All he knew how to do was intimidate. No....it would not work on her this day. She looked behind her though. The men were fleeing! They were all needed, as many as they could get. Her hazle green eyes looked to Gandalf. They were asking him a question, but she could not wait longer. She turned her horse in but a second and he ran swiftly with the others who were fleeing. Almost like a race of horses that were all trying to get away. Erendil passed so many horses, Arien was focused. She made it to the front and passed on a little more before she came to a halt in front of all of them. Some of their horses reared from such a halt, some soldiers even fell from their horses.

This girl was more determined than ever. She was hoping that her just being there would make them want to fight, but no, they prefered to flee. She yelled at them now in her demanding tone. "Riders! You flee when battle has not yet begun! That beast runs on intimidation, and you have let him corrupt your hearts already! If you leave this battle now....he will find you and the punishment will be ten times what you would have recieved here! We can do this, but not alone! All of us together, we can somehow outnumber them, our skill is much more than them, this day....they shall be the ones to flee. Fell beast and all! In the words of Aragorn...the king "What say you!" " Arien drew her sword and held it up abover her head. It took some of them a moment, but they turned back and got into formation. The rest, the decision was theirs. She nodded, looking to all of them. She could see they were frightened, that never stopped her though.

Erendil reared lightly and Arien held on. He was excited as ever, moreso than Arien. She squeezed his sides gently and he tok off to a run back to where her place was. His hoofbeats were thunder on the ground beneath them. Finally, she came to her place near Gandalf where he seemed to be having trouble. She would help him, to the death. This young girl taking charge over men that were many years older than she. It had to mean something, if she was willing to die for a place that was not even of her own, why could they not have the courage to do the same? She pondered this, but now her sword was in her hand, ready and willing to fight. She spoke to Gandalf as he did battle. "Gandalf! Ask what you wish of me and I shall do it, I've no limits this day...if you and I have to take these on all our own then I shall gladly fight by your side until the end"

[The Witchking]

The Witchking screamed inside the fireball and his beast shrieked in unison with him. But as he turned round to lock eyes with Gandalf, his eyes seemed to blacken deeper and a hatred and burning anger seemed to radiate off him through the slit-eye holes in his helmet. A terrible, long, drawn-out hiss grew, until it turned into a piercing deadly shriek of evil and the Witchking suddenly swiped the sword so ferociously at the mass of swirling fire about him, that the fire gathered about the sword so that the Morgul Blade glowed and writhed with the deadly flames as he held it aloft - the fiery dragon had disappeared to be turned against its maker, Gandalf, into a more powerful weapon. He laughed in a spine-rippingly chilling voice. The beast seemed to grin hungrily at the men below, which, the Witchking noticed, had been marshalled by the girl with the valiant steed who had not flinched at his coming. His eyes narrowed beneath the helmet as he glared down at the girl and then at Gandalf who's face displayed horrified shock at was happening - he himself was a bit surprised with himself - no one had ever been able to tame the Fire Demon magic until now, but now he dived - the beast still with that terrible hunger in its eyes - the beast swooped low over the men, scooping up masses of men and horses - they fell around him like skittles - he repeated the process until no soldiers were left, until they all lay dead on the ground before him. He ordered the beast to land and it did so, and it began to gorge on the many littered bodies around it. The Witchking dismounted his dark steed and began to walk towards the only remaining pair - Gandalf and the girl....

As the Witchking was slaughtering the men around him, Gandalf had not indeed been biding his time, watching the horrible sight, but he had been using his magic almost at its full extent to stop the Witchking, but an unearthly power had seemed to possess this creature of darkness, and Gandalf could not get aim - his spells had not seemed to be wasted however - th ebeast had many burns, gashes and near-fatal injuries upon its damed body, but the Witchking seemed un-touchable. Gandalf had never seen, in all his years of walking this Earth, which was for over an Age, had he seen anyone be able to resist his magic so easily. He was sure that there was some dark magic, possibly Sauron was focussing his energies into his most Deadly Servant which was making him nearly invinsible. He needed to find out why.
Gandalf looked at Arien - he was impresed with her courage - she had stopped the men and had filled their hearts with hope and courage, but now it seemed she had helped them in vain - maybe they would have stood a better chance if they had managed to flee, but now they all lay dead, a terrible sight. The entire cavalry unit which had been theirs, had fallen - all of them. Gandalf seemed to stare around in shock for a moment, for it seemed all hope had gone and this was the end. But as he saw the beast land, and began to eat the dead, an anger and pride flared inside him - he would not let this creature of evil disrespect the great warriors of Rohan. His face suddenly went blank as he knew what was coming next - he said very quietly to Arien beside him "Arien, I value and admire your courage deeply and I respect you. But I must ask you to leave - now. Go and join the others on our side and you must tell them that our unit has fallen and that I must hold off theWitchking, for we will stand no chance if he is lead straight to our forces while he is in this condition - I will fight until the end. Please Arien." and loked at her and his eyes showed no fear - only determination, which showed that he meant it.

[Arien]

She herself had to duck and dodgemany falling men. Some even fought against the great beast. their swords giving him gashes and such, but before long, all dead. Her eyes looked around her in pure horror. She had sent them all to their death. The little feeling inside her that said that she shouldn't have stopped them came forth and now was filing her head with thoughts like: 'you've sent them to their doom' 'you're next' and 'there's no way this battle shall be won'. She shook her head as sweat ran down her chest and some slightly on her forehead. No, she would not let it end this way as she rode to where Gandalf was. She even tried to stand against the beast. Taking her bow, and with four shots in it at once she fired until they were burried deep within the chest of the beast. In a perfectly straight line they were, yet it did almost nothing. She wheeled Erendil around, and then rode quickly to Gandalf for the witchking was fastly approaching him. Her sword she drew once more, she thought that Gandalf would have her fight, but she was wrong. He asked her something that reminded her of her past. To be the only survior and tell that this has failed. What a graveness that would leave in her heart. Her hert sank and yet widened at this moment as the witchking came nearer and nearer. She didn't want to question him, but she felt that she had to. Arien's eyes were filled with worry. She was breathing heavy and as was her horse.

"Gandalf, what you're asking me is unheard of. I promised you I would fight until the end. Last time I checked, I was still riding and holding a sword in my hand. Being the only survivor of this would take it's toll on me, and you dying will solve nothing. We need you!" Arien still spoke as if all of the soldiers were alive, and they were, in spirit they were there, those that wanted to fight before were still there. Only, their damage could not be seen. She had placed her bow firmly on her back and her quiver of arrows was there as well. Everything looked as if she had donw nothing, although the splatters of blood from the deseaced soldiers was thrown across her as if someone had thrown paint on her. Her flawless skin was covered in soot, dirt. It was from the dirt around them for everytime the horses before her rode a puff of the dirt beneath them would come up to her. She waited for his response as Erendil grew more and more restles beneath her seeing this figure coming towards him in almost slow motion. The huffing and puffing of his nostrils had gotten heavier and yet silence again took over. No longer could the clangs and sounds of metal on metal be heard, now only footsteps and the sound of a feeding animal filled the air.

[The Witchking]

The fellbeast watched Arien approach with narrowed eyes and the great mouth seemed to mock her as it chewed casually on the arm of a soldier. As she shot the arrows into it, it flinched away from the arrows but a low snarl eminated from it as the pain shot through it, deep into its chest, but the blood poured down its chest and into its armour staining the dark metal so it had a red sheen upon it. The beast backed off slightly and it lay down amongst the bodies, for it had not died, but the alien power that seemed to possess its master had taken on in his steed, but his master had not called him to fight - this was his moment, so it lay low and continued to feed on a fallen horse nearby.
Meanwhile the Witchking was still making his way over - he had landed the beast further away from them so they could talk, so their fear could grow... He smirked, and the dark gleam from under his helmet seemed to make the world around him dark.
Gandalf watched Arien attempt to shoot down the beast from afar with a sadness in his eyes. As she approached and refused his request, he thought that she would understand - but apparently not. "Arien - there is no time to argue! We cannot bicker pointlessly as Sauron's servant approaches ever closer - I NEED you to go. Go, now, before it is too late! I shall fight him off and return to you - I promise." He looked at her with a steady gaze, though with a little impatience, for the Witchking was just a stone throw away now.

[Arien]

Arien's eyes to him with a saddness that could make a parent give into something. Her intentions were pure, but his voice could make anyone do as he asked. Her heart had been set on this battle, yet unfairly the chance had been taken away. She was determined, maybe too determined. His words pierced even her like a dagger through her heart. She nodded to him though. And without arguing further. She re-sheathed her sword and made her horse try and go over the dead bodies, looking for a way through without making Erendil step on any of them until the path was clear for her to go. Her worry was more the beast now than it's master, for it could catch up to her and tear her to shreads in but a moment's time. "I shall not fail you Gandalf, not again!" She called ot him. Hoping that they would both be able to see another battle.

Arien was an excellent rider, using her body to go wit the motion of the horse so that instead of weighing the horse down she would gain speed with it. She was breathign hard and still she was dirty, but she rode with fierceness as her horse's hoofbeats stirred up a storm. She rode in the direction she had to. Arien would waste no tire or energy for rest or food, not until this message of great importance had been delivered. He had promised that he would be there and she knew Gandalf was a man of his word. Why she lived, she didn't think that she would ever know, but she did. Her hair blew behind her as did her cloak, although she couldn't hellp but look back now and then to the cemetary that she was leaving behind. All those families would be grieving tonight. Husbands, sons, fathers, grandfather's, and uncles were all there.

This is not over. Arien said to herself as she turned her gaze forward again. She had this fierceness in her eyes it could kill should she look at someone. Truely, even with Gandalf's words she knew she had failed them all, even Gandalf for even attempting to argue.

[The Witchking]

Gandalf felt guilty but relieved when he saw Arien gallop off. He felt bad for sending her away when he knew she wanted - no needed to fight. He didn't want anyone else to die though - too many, far too many had died tonight, and he didn't want Arien to as well.

he turned away from her to face the Witchking at last - just the two of them in this field of death, the tattered and defeated bodies and flags of men and horses lying as still as ice upon the beaten ground, the sky above them dark red, the clouds obscuring the sun and the colour of the natural sky - a rumbling could be heard in the far off distance - a storm was coming.
The Witchking stopped a few feet away from Gandalf. Gandalf saw him halt but at that moment, he shut his eyes and felt the rain hit his face - he remembered the good days when evil was at bay, when men, elves, dwarves and hobbits lived in peace and harmony. Then he thought of the Witchking, and how this evil had infected the minds of men and how it had created so much war, pain and suffering, and he honed in his senses to the Witchking; he could see with the magic - the magic entered the evil being's body and filled him like drink - Gandalf heard him screaming as he probed around inside him - he could feel the corrupted, ancient soul, past repair, though he could also feel, buried deep, deep inside, the human soul which was crushed by the greater evil, but that soul was trapped forever, and no one could set it free. Gandalf moved on and found quite suddenly, the power - the great evil power which dwelled in this being - its dark majesty loomed up to match his own! As Gandalf recovered from this blow, this mine of dark power, he began to look past it and he began to focus in on the unknown power inside him... He frowned as he struggled to recognise it.... Suddenly the image of Sauron's eye flashed into Gandalf's mind. Gandalf smiled - Bingo. He opened his eyes and came out of the Witchking, to see him screaming and writhing, though still standing. Gandalf dismounted, whispering to Shadowfax words no one would ever know, then he walked fowards to approach the Witchking. Shadowfax blinked slowly then tossed his head as he backed away from the fight which was to be bloody....

The Witchking screamed in agony - to be probed magically was about the most painful form of magic. When he felt the accursed Wizard leave his mind, he knew that he had found his new power, and he cursed himself for allowing him inside, but the probing spell was incredibly hard to throw off, and it was incredibly powerful magic. At last the Witchking looked up slowly, his head pounding beneath the helmet and he looked through those dreaded eye slits at Gandalf the White, who was approaching him - he looked strangely like he was glowing.
He straightened up slowly and lifted his helmeted head high to match Gandalf's - they stood feet apart, watching each other warily. The Witchking knew this was the person he had been asigned to kill - the most danerous weapon of the Enemy - Gandalf was their gretest weapon and he must be destroyed - that was what the Great Eye had told him directly.
He drew a long, rattling, breath which seemed to chill the air around the pair - the rain was plummeting down now, which was the only sound around, except the sad flutterings of tattered banners.

Gandalf felt the terrible rush of chilling air, and he knew that he was gathering his power to make an attack - Quite suddenly, Gandalf lifted his staff up and shot a blazing white streak of lightning at his foe, who just stood there, watching it rapidly approach - then it hit him and he shrieked as the surge of magical electricity bolted through him - he drew his sword and the bolt of energy rebounded into the sky, causing the heavens to turn from a storm into an unnatural thunder storm - a great roll of thunder sounded above and a battle began - both opponents were battling fiercely in the storm, using their powers to their limits.
Shadowfax reared at the noise and mass of magic around him, but he stayed put - he would not leave his old friend.
The fellbeast lay low in the bodies around it - it had eaten its fill and it now sat watching the battle motionlessly, silently pouring some its own magic into its master. Shadowfax, sensing this power, knew that he would be no match for this fellbeast - it could easily rip him to shreds. He neighed in frustration - what could he do to stop the beast? He streaked off down the hill towards the gathering armies of Good, to where Arien was heading - he shortly caught up with her as she approached the army. He managed to talk to her steed and told him to come and assemble the other horses. He neighed at the top of his lungs to the other horses of the army, and they began to gallp after Shadowfax at the lead, back towards Gandalf and the Witchking. The riders were yelling at the strange behaviour of their horses, but they didnt stop them - they coulkd see that Shadowfax was at the head, leading them on. Now all they had to do was to wait to see where he was leading them....

[Arien]

Arien rode and rode hard to the gathered army. The sweat glistened off her slightly and the rain dropplet's were making it a little harder to see, but she pressed on. The horse now getting it's legs muddy and leaving deep footprints in the mud. In but a few moments she could hear the galloping hoofbeats of another horse. It was shadowfax trailing her. Arien's horse shook his head from side to side almost as if agreeing to Shadowfax, making her almost loose her balance seeing as it was so sudden. In but a second her horse turned back to where the battle was, She was just behind the white horse as hers followed, she trusted her own horse and knew that there was a plan, Arien caught up and explained what was going on and the major understood the command Gandalf had given and she spurred on faster once the connection was made. This was somewhat tireing her, but it also gave her this incredible rush. She had done what she had been asked to do. She wasn't quite sure what was to come next, but she would face it head on. Again that fearlessness was in her, in the crowd yet again she was the fastest and most determined while the other riders were fighting with their horses to stop or slow down.

[The Witchking]

Shadowfax whipped his head as he ran, faster than any horse, like a bolt of lightning - he could understand the common tongue, though he couldn't speak it, and he had understood that Gandalf hadn't wanted anyone there to fight with him, but he knew that Gandalf, though powerful himself, wouldn't be able to beat te Witchking alone. So he had brought back-up - a LOT of back-up to help.

Meanwhile, Gandalf and the Witchking were still battling fiercely, and the Witchking was winnning - the combined power of beast and rider were over-powering Gandalf. His anger drove him on, and the battlefield looked like one of Gandalf's own firework displays - bright light was eminating from Gandalf as he used his most complex magic, and the Witchking... his appearance was dark - darker than usual - black smoke seemed to billow around him, and there was fire in the eye-slits in the helmet. The sight was enough to terrify a man witless. Shadowfax halted in the muddy ground and looked around him in despair - he still hadn't got over the terrible sight - hundreds of bodies - men and horses, lying trampled in the mud. The rain was now bucketing and in great sheets of water, emphasising the tragic sight as the water hit Shadowfax's nose and eyes - his majestic white coat was splattered in mud, and his legs were so caked in mud you couldn't see the white beneath. He snorted then neighed and reared to show they were not defeated, and charged at the Fellbeast which was helping the Witchking, the entire army behind him, they charged - whipping up mud and water as they ran.

Gandalf looked round through narrowed eyes - he saw them approach and he cursed. Why had Shadowfax brought them? They were in terrible danger, as was he, but he had the magic to defeat the Witchking. He turned back to his foe and used magic with even more vigour to keep the Witchking occupied.
The Witchking however, was not blind, or deaf for that matter. He turned his head slightly and sent a mental message to his fellbeast to fight the army instead - he felt its' presence leave him and he suddenly found it much harder to fight Gandalf - they were equally matched now. The Witchking hissed in frustration, but he had his secret weapon.... He drew the power from the Great Eye and slowly, the billowing black smoke around him began to writhe - The Witchking was muttering ancient words not heard in Middle-Earth for over an Age, and the smoke bagan to grow - suddenly, the creature beneath it threw off the cloak of smoke covering it, and a balrog was revealed. It was no ordinary balrog however - it was black, unlike the characteristic red like glowing embers, though its eyes were like fire.
Gandalf looked up at it in shock - he had not seen this form of magic used since the old days of the the First Age. The balrog roared deafeningly and spread its huge shadowy wings wide. Gandalf's shock soon simmered down to common-sense - he closed his eyes for a second -
'The Witchking is drawing power from the Great Eye, and combining it with his own. I must break this connection - I cannot destroy Sauron, that is Frodo's job. I must break the connection... By using his magic against himself!' he opened his eyes again and saw the balrog, still in th emiddle of its roar, its wings spread wide. He raised his staff and closed his eyes as he muttered the spell - he opened his eyes again, and saw from a much greater height than usual - he could see, from the balrog's perspective, his own small figure beneath him. He turned to the Witchking, who seemed to realise what was happening. He bagan to back away - he did not know that Gandalf could do this. He looked behind his weapon, (which had now turned agianst him) and saw Gandalf's motionless body. He smirked though no one saw of course. All he had to do was destroy Gandalf's body... Yes, that was the only way to destroy someone posseing something.
Gandalf, inside the balrog now took in a deep breath and breathed out and a gret, billowing, scorching blast of fire issued from the balrog's mouth - it engulfed the Witchking, but just before, the Witchking had gestured with his sword at Gandalf's body - but then he was engulfed in the flames. He screamed and shrieked and twisted and writhed, and then, there was nothing but a helmet, and a few rags on the ground where the Witchking had been.
Gandalf suddenly found that he was back in his own body, but then, a terrible pain struck him - the Witchking had thrown his sword at Gandalf, and the blade had gone right through his stomach. He collapsed - his vision was starting to blur - the pain was unbelievable, not merely because it was a sword, but because it was a Morgul Blade. He could feel the evil spreading throught his veins already. He looked down at his stomach, and saw blood blossoming out onto his white robes. His hair was hanging limply and sodden arund his face - he was so tired... He said as loud as he could, which was little more than a croak "...Arien..." he tried desperately to cling to life, to consciousness.

[Arien]

Arien had fllowed Shadowfax to the beast. She was yelling as loud as she could for them to surround it as she saw his master be engulfed in flames by the balrog. Something was not right though. Why had the balrog turned on it's master. "First quarter! behind! Second!! I need you to take carge of the chest and neck!! Third help in any way you can!" She herself was firing at the beast again. She knew that most likely the beast would take flight soon. It was not going to stay there and take this torture. Arien had her bow in her hand. She was riding without reins and her horse knew exactly what was happening. It was as if her and her horse were one here. She shot three into the belly of the beast as it slightly reared back from the men before it. Her shots hard and quick as an elf, for the arrows would sink in deep to where only the back of the arrow could be seen on it.

They were fightng hard, all of them. The fact that they had to go over others bodies though was what was difficult. The horses ground was unstable. Some would get stuck on something others would be stumbling, but they did the best they could. Most of course were shooting at it. There was no way someone would get any closer to such an animal. Her heart was racing and her arms tiring, she didn't know what was happening, everything was a blur to her yet she kept shouting commands to these men. She was the yongest of all of them, but they listened to her. Yet still that feeling inside of her that something was wrong would not leave her. She thought that maybe it was just that the battle was taking it's toll on her. Her gaze shifted to where Gandalf had been battling. She could see him no where. She told the others to continue fighting.

Arien shifted her horse to the direction where Gandalf had been. Her eyes searching for him anywhere. She had not thought to look to the ground. He must have left or used his magic to get away from the battle. In a few moments time though, she saw to her horror as Gandalf lay pinned to the muddy ground beneath him by a Morgul Blade. She kicked Erendil so hard that her horse knew that he needed to go with greater speed than ever. He gave her just what she asked for. She didn't even wait for him to slow completely once she reached Galndalf. She jumped off her horse and went to him quickly. Her legs and knees sinking in the mud. Her eyes went from his face to the wound. It was deep. She couldn't treat it out here. Lord Elrond.. she thought to herself. He was the only one who would have been able to treat this, but he was too far and there was no time.

Arien stood up and she graped the hilt of the blade firmly and in one straight pull, pulled it out of him. And her hand went over his wound as once again her knees sank into the med by him. She was dirty, bloody, out of all she looked the worst. But she had fought on. And yet here lay Gandalf. "Gandalf, I know not how to treat this. I can stop the bleeding, but the poison from this blade will overcome. Tell me what i need to do. " She was slightly panicing, he could not die here. She took off her cloak and rolled it into a small pillow like ball and placed it under his head. She looked from him to the battle once more as the men tried to defeat this animal. Her hands were shaking from the cold and from fear now. In the entire battle she had shown no fear, until now. She didn't want to have to go back to everyone and say that Gandalf had perished. What a darkness that would bring over all who fought for good. Such a shadow would loom over them for Gandalf was their hope.

[The Witchking]

Gandalf heard Arien approach, though he couldn't see her through the mud, rain and blood clouding his vision. If this had been a normal wound, then he could have healed it - but this blade was evil. It had wounded him deeply, like a needle injecting a fatal poison. His vision sliding, he tried to focus on Arien - he attempted to speak "...Arien... he's dead - tell the others..." he coughed and he spat out flecks of blood then continued "This wound... I cannot heal - only Elrond... I am too weak..." his voice came out as little more than a croak, and the blood was beginning to come up his throat. Shadowfax, was fighting the beast - at the defeat of its master, it had flown away in bloody tatters. He neighed in victory, as did the other men, but then he saw Arien kneeling over a white clad figure... And he realised as he trotted over, that his old friend was gravely wounded - he stood over him, shielding him from the icey rain coming down in sheets. He nickered mournfully at Gandalf who managed a small smile in return. "Only...Elrond..." he said again, as he passed out ino darkness. (NOT DEAD YET)

[Arien]

Arien was trying to work fast. Pressing her hand against his wound and using pieces of her cloak to cover up the wound. She was thinking so quickly that she was talking to herself. He'll live. I have to get him to Elrond. Shadowfax, yes! She saw that Gandalf had slipped, it was just like what happened to Frodo, he would not last long. Arien stood covered in mud and blood and soaked to the bone from the falling rain. She walked to the horse that was sheilding Gandalf from the rain. She went to him and ran her hand over his nose gently. "Shadowfax, I can save him, but....I need you to trust me enough to let me ride you. We must get to Rivendell. You're the fastest horse in Middle Earth. Will you allow it?" She knew that maybe he would let her, but there was always that chance that he would not. In that case it would be alright for they could take her horse , he was strong and that would help carry two. Her heart was pounding. The men shouting in the background in victory over the beast that wouldn't bother them anymore without a master, but Arien pushed that aside. "What do you say?" Her tone was calm and soothing for the moment. She had to help him, and fast, time was running thin with each passing second.

[The Witchking]

Shadowfax saw Arien approach. He looked into her eyes then snorted and stomped his hooves into the ground, impatient to get Gandalf to safety. He lowered his head to Gandalf and nudged him, indicating that he agreed to do anything to help his old friend, then he nuzzled Arien to get her moving