Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 20:36:13 -0800 (PST) From: Silven Fox Subject: Destiny of an Earth - 19 Disclaimer: I don't know Nsync. I don't know Justin Timberlake in real life. This will be a Justin Timberlake centered story. Also this story is in no way meant to imply that he is homosexual in real life. This piece of literature is simply the work of a fan and is pure fiction. I don't own The Lord of the Rings or any other works of the series. The rights of the series goes solely to the series author JRR Tolkien. Now that's out of the way. This story appeared in my head when I was trapped in the car with my relatives for a 24-hour road trip. I was really really bored! I shudder just thinking about that trip. Anyway, if your below legal age to read this where your from, then all I can tell you is stop and don't let your parents catch you. He he that's not much of a warning, but hey what else can I do. Now if you have any comments, feedback or you just want to drop a word. Send them to SilvenFox@yahoo.com I know. I know. I should have updated weeks ago. But alas the forces of the universe always like to take me away from my computer. Last month my hard drive got completely fried. I lost all my works in progress and everything. With school and all life's interruptions distracting me, it took a whole month just to save up a hundred bucks to buy a new one. I just bought it Saturday and have been working hard to catch back up to where I left off. Now that I'm off my little soapbox, here is the chapter 19. Chapter 19 Darkness. Silence. Emptiness. Justin opened his eyes to all of this. He felt himself floating in a void of silent darkness. Everywhere he looked there was darkness, stretching as far as the eye could see. He floated in the middle of this dark void, wondering where he was. Justin squinted his eyes trying to see past the darkness for a way out of wherever he was. It was hopeless. There was no way out in sight. Feeling cold suddenly, Justin wrapped his arms around himself. It seemed that he was trapped here. "Legolas," he whispered sadly, closing his eyes and surrendering to sleep. *** The steady banging of a ram impacting doors kept everyone inside the inner sanctuary of Helm's Deep on edge. Women and children cried in the caves they occupied and men said their last prayers, wondering if death would come quickly for them. Throughout all of this chaos and panic going on around them, Legolas never strayed far from Justin's side. Legolas held Justin's hand as if he were going to suddenly vanish if he let go. Boromir appeared at Legolas side. "How is he?" he asked, softly. "There's still no change," replied Legolas, not taking his eyes off of Justin. "He just sleeps on with no sign of awakening." Boromir nodded, his mind forming a theory. "Maybe fighting and then using so much magic took too much out of him." Legolas eyes glazed over as he remembered Justin's earlier magical rampage. He had never seen his love that angry before. And the power that he wielded was nothing he had ever seen in all of his years. If Justin could kill hundreds of Orcs so easily, Legolas wondered what else he could do with his powers. Legolas was about to voice his question, but Justin's sudden stirring caught his attention. "Justin," he said hopefully, holding his lover's hand tighter. Boromir and Legolas watched as Justin shifted and stirred. Justin continued to move restlessly with an almost fearful look on his face. As soon as he began, he stopped. "Legolas," Justin whispered lastly, before becoming still again. "Justin!" Legolas shouted, hoping against hope that he would hear him and wake up from his coma like state. Boromir gripped the Elf's shoulder. "Legolas. Just give him time. He'll wake up." Gimling called to Boromir and the Steward of Gondor left after briefly squeezing Legolas' shoulder. Legolas ran a hand through Justin's short locks of hair. Even after all these months without cutting it, Justin's hair was still as short as it was when Legolas first met him. By some force it hadn't grown beyond this length. The hand that felt the soft hair traveled further down to cup Justin's cheek. "Luv, I don't know if you can hear me. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. I need you to return to me. I need to see your beautiful eyes and hear your lovely voice again. I don't know--" Legolas cut off, looking around at all the mayhem around him. His gaze returned to Justin's face. "I don't know if I can do this without you by my side. I love you. Please come back to me." *** Time had no meaning in the void. Justin felt as if he had been trapped in the dark abyss for ages. He snapped his head up, suddenly hearing sound for the first time. He closed his eyes and listened intently for the sound. It was a voice. One that he recognized instantly. It was Legolas and he was calling to him. "Luv, I don't know if you can hear me. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. I need you to return to me. I need to see your beautiful eyes and hear your lovely voice again. I don't know I can do this without you by my side. I love you. Please come back to me." "Legolas!" Justin called into the blackness. He suddenly felt his determination come back to him. With a new vigor Justin searched for a way out. He had to get back to Legolas. Nothing was going to keep them away from each other. Justin's eyes widened seeing a pinprick of light in the distance. Justin smiled, willing his body to fly toward the light. The tiny white light grew steadily bigger the closer he flew to it. Soothing warmth washed over him as he flew into the light. He felt a rushing sensation and then he knew no more. Justin opened his eyes to the sight of Legolas sitting by his side with his head bowed and eyes closed. Justin squeezed the hand that was holding his own. Legolas' head shot up, surprise shown clearly in his gaze. Justin didn't have time to ask questions because a second later he had an arm full of Elf. "Its nice to see you too, Las," Justin half smiled. Legolas smiled widely. "I'm so happy you are awake. I thought for a moment--" He shook his head stopping himself. "Never mind that. Its good you're awake." Justin partially sat up. "Are we still at Helm's Deep?" He frowned hearing the banging for the first time. "What's that noise too? It sounds like banging?" "It's the Uruk-Hai. They've breached the fortress. We won't be safe here for long. With the way their ramming the doors it won't hold for much longer." Justin felt a tear make its way down his cheek, remembering the events that happened before he lost unconsciousness. "All those lives gone. And we still lost. Haldir died for nothing." Legolas shook his head. "Haldir died protecting lives. He fought for what he believed in and that is the most noblest of causes." "Your right," agreed Justin, wiping his eyes. "I just wish--" Legolas leaned down and kissed him. "I know, luv." "I see you're finally awake," said Gimli walking up to them with Boromir accompanying him. "I knew your were going to wake up some time. One can only go so long without wanting another glimpse of my magnificent face," said Boromir, grinning from ear to ear. Justin rolled his eyes, tossing his legs over the table. A wave of dizziness hit him for a moment before vanishing. "One, two, three, four," said Justin, counting his friends including himself. "Where's our fifth Musketeer?" Gimli screwed up his face. "Muketer?" "Never mind," said Justin, standing up with Legolas aiding him. "I meant where is Aragorn." Boromir snorted. "He's over there talking with the king or lack there of." "What's wrong with Theoden?" asked Justin. Gimli snorted. "Come and see for yourself, lad." They walked to the corner of the room where Aragorn and Theoden were conversing. Justin noticed for the first time that Legolas hadn't let go of his hand since he awoke. It didn't bother him one bit. In fact he wished that Legolas would never let go. Justin was taken back by the site of Theoden. The once regal looking man now looked broken and defeated. King Theoden had finally reached the end of his rope. "The fortress is taken. It is over," said Theoden grimly as they approached. Aragorn shook his head. "You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it!" The constant screaming of the women and children was starting to get to Justin. "Is there anyway for the women and children to get out of the caves safely?" Theoden looked at Justin with a dazed expression. "There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many." Aragorn looked to Theoden pleadingly. "Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!" Theoden didn't seem to hear Aragorn. In fact he seemed to not be aware of anything as he stared dazed at nothing. "So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" "Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them," said Aragorn, pounding his fist together emphasizing his point. "For death and glory," spat Theoden, bitterly. Aragorn clasped Theoden's shoulder. "For Rohan. For your people." That seemed to put a spark back into Theoden's eye. He lifted his chin and stood a little straighter. Gimli looked towards the window. "The sun is rising." Justin closed his eyes, remembering Gandalf's words of farewell to them the day he rode off for reinforcements. "Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn look to the East." A change seemed to overcome the king. The life returned to his eyes and he looked every bit the regal king again. He stood tall, looking over all his men. He pointed to a magnificent looking horn that stood on a mantle. "Yes! The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the Deep one last time. They shall not take us without a fight! We will not go down without taking them with us!" "Yes!" Gimli echoed, pumping his fist into the air. He climbed on top of a table and blew the Horn of Helm Hammerhand. Justin looked around astounded at how a single note from the horn could give hope back to so many people. Theoden practically glowed with determination and enthusiasm. "Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath. Now for ruin. And the red dawn!" There was a resounding cheer from the soldiers. "To the horses! We shall ride out and confront them!" Justin felt like everything was moving in fast forward. He was still a bit tired so he just followed Legolas keeping a firm grip on his hand. Justin wanted to ride his own horse, but Legolas refused. He argued that Justin was too tired to be able to ride on his own. So, Justin ended up riding horseback behind Legolas, which he didn't mind. Justin looked around. It was truly an amazing sight. A small army of horseback soldiers waited in the keep. All the while the steady sound of banging kept getting louder. At any moment Theoden would give them the signal to ride out and fight. With a resounding crash, the double doors of the keep feel open. The Orcs on the other side weren't ready for the small army on horseback. "Forth Eorlingas!" Theoden cried, raising his sword high. Boromir, Theoden, Aragorn, and Legolas rode out in lead clearing a path through the army that swamped the fortress. Justin held the Dawnbringer ready, slicing and cutting at any Orc that got too close to him or Legolas. They rode straight out of the fortress to the grounds in front of it where the body of the Orc army was stationed. The soldiers worked rapidly attacking the Orc army with their renewed vigor. "By the Valor!" whispered Legolas. Justin looked to where Legolas was staring. There standing on the east slope was Gandalf. He had arrived just as he said he would. The wizard looked almost god-like clothed in white with the sun shinning on him. "Gandalf," Justin breathed, relieved. The Orcs looked up at the east slope in alarm at the sudden light that shinned down. They saw the danger coming and assembled at the bottom of the slope ready to take on any newcomers. "Theoden-king stands alone," shouted Gandalf in question. Eomer rode up beside Gandalf. "Not alone. Rohirrim!" There was a loud thundering of hooves as the Riders of Rohan appeared behind the two. "To the King!" Eomer shouted, charging down the slope with he and Gandalf leading the army of riders beside them. Justin knew now that without a doubt that they were going to win. The deaths wasn't all for nothing. They now had a chance. With more energy then he had previously, Justin began to fight harder than ever. *** The battle was done and no more lives were lost that day. They tracked down all of the Orcs and Uruk-Hai and slaughtered them. After it was over the company stood on top of the hill that the Riders of Rohan rode down. Gandalf pointed with his staff to the east, towards Mordor where thick dark smoke was rising into the sky. "Sauron's wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift. The battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-Earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little hobbits. Somewhere in the wilderness." They all bowed their heads and each person said a silent prayer for the hobbits that had the entire weight of Middle Earth upon them. Justin looked towards Mordor and wished that Frodo and Sam could hear him. "Be careful little guys. You two have the power to lead the free peoples of Middle Earth into its darkest time... or out of it." ****************************************** That's it. That is the end of the Two Towers arc. The next chapter will be the Return of the King arc. Again I'm sorry for the wait (See above Authors Note). I'll try and have the next chapter out next Monday. It would be sooner but I have a research paper to do for my English Lit. class. So what do you think. Do you like it? If you have any comments, feedback or you just want to drop a word send them to SilvenFox@yahoo.com