//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 The Dark Monument // Story: A horseshoe to rule them all // by Bronycommander //------------------------------// Chapter 7: The Dark Monument Talion, Midnight, Apple Bloom and Dinky arrived at the Outcast camp in the evening. “I hope your two friends did well.” The man said to the batpony who just grinned. “The Warchief’s dead,” Wolf announced as she arrived with Scootaloo. “He won’t bother you anymore,” Fletcher reported as he arrived at the same time too. “Good,” Talion replied and entered the camp with them. Inside, they saw Hirgon bandaging the left arm of his wife who suddenly grunted in pain and pulled her arm away. “You saw what these monsters are capable of. It is madness to stay here!” She exclaimed. “Yes, but circumstances have changed. Don’t you see? We have him on our side bow.” Hirgon pointed out with a weak smile “Why would he want to help us? Weeks ago, he was our enemy.” His wife countered as he stood up with an expression of distrust as he saw the Ranger. “Talion! Ready to pick up that fight?” He asked as his wife picked up some bandages. “I’d best take these bandages to the others.” She walked away giving Talion an uneasy look, leaving them alone. “The Orcs are building a monument to honor Sauron. We have enough blasting powder to destroy it.” Hirgon sounded very eager about it. “Fine. I’ll take it and I’ll finish this.” Talion replied. “Not without me you won’t.” “I thought your only concern was saving your wife.” “So did I. Come on, let’s go before I change my mind. Forgive Eryn’s words. Her heart is with our people. The slaves you helped us free know where the Dark Lord’s monument is most vulnerable. We strike there.” “Okay. I don't believe you've met my acquaintances. They're protecting the four foals I ran into.” The Ranger pointed to the three Eternal Knights who waved the Outcast leader. “Ah, yes. I'm glad to have met...What exactly are you? I mean, you resemble horses but they seldom have such bright colors...or the ability to speak.” He did a respectful bow. “Don't worry, the foals and their home is chiefly our concern. But if this gets them one step closer, we're at your disposal.” Midnight offered and the Outcast leader nodded. “We’ll need to steal a cart of grog from the Uruk. It will make quite the trigger for the blasting powder.” Hirgon explained as he led them through the landscape before screams of Orcs could be heard ahead. Talion entered a ruin and spotted several dead Orcs and Ghûls, only one Ghûl was still alive. As it looked up and gave a throaty screech, Talion's boot connected with its face, snapping its neck like a twig and leaving its corpse sprawled on the ground. "I hate that noise" the ranger muttered. “The Ghûls have turned on the Uruks. Nature’s darkness cannot be tamed.” Hirgon commented as he took the lead through the ruin, the Knights looked with disgust at the dead Ghûls before another ruin was insight. “The cart’s up ahead. Be ready, where there’s grog, there’s Uruks.” “When we’re through, no Uruks will draw breath. You have my word.” Talion said as Fletcher fired at an Archer standing on top of the ruin, the force threw him backward, out of sight of the other Orcs. Wolf quickly flew between two Orcs at the entrance, slicing them before any of them could react. Midnight noticed three Orcs around a campfire. He teleported between and slashed them with his blade in a matter of seconds. Talion noticed an Orc with shield guarding the cart. He sneaked up behind him and stabbed him in the back, killing him instantly. “All clear, men! Excellent work!” Hirgon complimented them as his men together with the goals moved to the cart to push it. “Now we must ensure they can push the cart to the monument free from harm.” They led the Ranger and Knights past another ruin. “Look, how fast Evil corrodes.” He said with hate in his voice. “This decay… Gondor must not fall prey to the shadow.” Talion replied at the sight before they came across a meadow with dead Orcs, causing the Outcast leader to say “Wait! Something hides in the dark.” And drew his sword. In that moment, several dark, spindly shapes rose from out the ground. “Ghûls! They will pick the meat from our bones!” “Somehow, I doubt it." Midnight said nonchalantly, drawing his sword and sliced one of the creatures with his it, all others did the same, taking care of all Ghûls with quick, swift strikes in a short time. After all creatures were dead, they moved on, coming to a stronghold. “The Uruk camp lies before us. Kill the lot, so the cart can pass.” If you need assistance, I’ll be close by.” Hirgon stayed out of sight. Fletcher shot an Archer in an elevated position, then a campfire, igniting all Orcs near it, they screamed in pain before they died. The remaining guards investigated it, Wolf, Midnight and Talion sneaked up from behind and stabbed them, opening the way. “Fighting side by side, who would have thought?” The outcast leader asked as he took the lead again. They barely left the camp as once again the sound of screaming Orcs and Ghûls could be heard up ahead. “The Ghûls swarm Durthang. My men and the foals can use this distraction to push the cart beneath the bridge unseen.” They sneaked through the meadow near the stronghold, only the sounds of fighting could be heard. It sounded horrified but they all stayed calm, seeing that the Orcs were desperate to defend themselves. Not that any felt sorry for them. “Simmer, beasts! You’ll get Uruk guts as reward!” Hirgon whispered as they sneaked past the fighting Orcs. They me across a small bridge, as the man suddenly yelled, “They’re upon us!” And a few Ghûls climbed up from both sides of the bridge. Like they before, the creatures were quickly defeated with swift strikes. “My men will protect the cart and children. Let’s clear the ridge so they may pass.” Hirgon explained afterward and shortly, they all saw the monument in the distance. The foals looked at it in awe. A gigantic figure in nightmarish black armor, holding the chains of several slaves, kneeling before him. “The monument is upon us. A tribute to Darkness build by the blood of my people…I will relish it’s destruction.” Hirgon said with hate in his voice. “Take a long look. That monument will soon fall.” He then led the Ranger and Knights toward the stronghold guarding the monument. “There, our success depends on your ability to clear the outpost of Uruk. Only then can my men and our young friends get into position and destroy the monument.” They nodded and moved out, Talion smirked at the low number of Orcs. “The Uruks numbers dwindle now that their Warchiefs have fallen by my hand and your hooves.” Fletcher took again of every Archer he spotted, the others sneaked behind the guards and sliced them. Hirgon then shouted, “Everyone! To the monument!” The foals with the Outcast soldier pushed the cart towards it, Talion and the Knights kept the remaining Orcs busy. Dinky started to smile as they were slowly, yet steady making progress. “Almost there!” “Arrows! Incoming!” One of the soldiers yelled before the foals shrieked as an arrow set the cart on fire, the Outcast members helping them pushed them away, getting caught in the flames, screaming as they died. Dinky and the CMC breathed heavily at what had just happened, yet knew they couldn’t fail here. They continued to push the car, Talion assisted them as Fletcher fired three arrows at 3 Archers above them to protect them, while the Outcast soldiers, Wolf and Midnight kept the Orcs busy. As the cart finally reached the monument, they all watched in awe as it exploded, the explosions climbed up the structure, destroying the monument in a gigantic fireball and everything collapsed. For the moment, the children couldn’t help but feel pride at what they did. “You sealed their doom,” Talion said to Hirgon. “My people believe they have just claimed their freedom.” He replied. “This that what you told him?” The ranger asked in return. “Men need hope. I just gave them what they asked for.” Hirgon pointed out. “Then your men need their leader,” Talion replied and Hirgon walked away without a word. The Ranger then turned to the children. “You did all a brave work. You can be proud of yourselves.” Dinky was about to reply as she and the CMC had to yawn. “You should get some sleep, it was an exhausting day for you.” Fletcher levitated Dinky and Sweetie Belle on his back, then Scootaloo on Woolf, Apple Bloom on Midnight. “They all were about to get back to the Outcast camp as suddenly… “Blasphemy!” They all turned into its direction, seeing an Orc which upper part was apparently decorated with feathers, the helm he wore was black iron and beetle-like, two strips of metal forking out at either side of the cheeks as tooth-like points encircles his face like his head was being swallowed by some metallic maw. “You...I've seen you in my dreams. Horses of night...and stars...and shadow...and life beyond death! Dabbling in ancient witchery! You pollute the Dark Lord's realm with your presence. Your magic is a sin against the will of Sauron! And I...I come to deliver to Mordor the blessing of your doom!” The Orc exclaimed and the Knights looked at each other. “Did anypony understand a word he was saying?” Wolf asked. “I'm pretty sure I heard 'I'm going to kill you' in there somewhere.” Midnight replied and the mare grinned, “Well, why didn't you say so?” And drew her knives. Talion stayed back yet ready, should they need him, it was their fight this time. The Captain fired an arrow at Wolf who dogged it, then clashing his sword with her knives, giving Scootaloo the chance to kick him to into his exposed groin, making him stagger. Midnight then lunged forward, but the Orc managed to block as well before Apple Bloom kicked him into the groin as well, throwing him back once more. Fletcher then fired an arrow into his chest he grunted in pain before both young unicorns fired non-lethal spells and he fell one knee, grinning. “Heh...My dreams end...And your nightmares begin! We swarm this land! We have your scent...You will find no light here in Mordor...” He coughed. “Only...Death...” “We will see about that.” Midnight said as he raised his blade and brought it down ion the Orc’s throat, killing him instantly as blood splattered. “Do you…do think it’s true what he said?” Sweetie Belle asked scared. I doubt it highly, he just wanted to look scary for us.” Midnight replied calm and they walked back to the Outcast camp, tucking the foals in. They were fast asleep. Hirgon looked at the sleeping children with a smile. “They did great work tonight, we owe them something for their bravery.” His wife and Talion nodded before they all went to bed themselves. The next morning, the ponies awoke to screams of pain, wondering what was going on. “Hirgon, what’s wrong? Apple Bloom asked before she gasped at the sight. Before them were several Outcasts in critical condition, Hirgon and his wife tried to treat one of them. “Hold, brother.” The leader said in a calming tone. “He wants…the Gravewalker.” The injured man managed to say through his injuries. “The Black Hand has come?” Talion asked as he joined them. “One of his minions. He was sent here to hunt us down.” Hirgon explained with worry as he saw Talion turned around. “Let me gather my men.” He said determined to strike back. “The servants of Sauron are foes beyond any of you.” The ranger pointed out, sounding quite caring for the safety of the Outcast. “Get your people out of Mordor tonight, or you’ll all be dead by dawn.” Hirgon looked at his wife, then turned back to Talion. “There…there is a hidden tunnel to the Black Gate.” He looked at his wife again. “Eryn, it’s time.” She nodded and he looked at the ponies. “We can take the foals with us for their safety.” “Thank you for the offer, but I assure you they are safe with us.” Midnight waved a hoof and the children nodded. “Believe me, they are very skilled in fighting, as you have seen before,” Dinky spoke up and Horgan nodded. “Alright. Goodbye, my friends.” As the group turned to leave, the ponies saw out of the corner of their eyes how Hirgon lowered his head as the injured man had died. Art the destroyed Monument, the Ranger and Knights spotted several Orcs, together with someone rather different. Standing before the ruins of the Gorthaur was a monstrous figure, man-like in shape but monstrous in essence. He was taller than the orcs at his command by at least three heads and bedecked from head to toe in jet-black armor crafted to form a nightmarish design of bone, shell and screaming skull. His helm was tight and undecorated, resembling some ridged, scaly creature. A swathe of cloth-of-chainmail adorned his waist and legs at the back and sides but his heavy black boots could still be seen, the ground trembling slightly with each step he took. Clasped in his gauntleted hand was a nightmarish hammer, spiked at the very tip, the head formed up of an intricate design resembling upright skeletons screaming in their coffins conjoined column, layers of dried blood coating their forms. The man was a Black Captain, an undying outcast of Numenor, Sauron's chosen. Staring at the crumbled remains of the once-great icon of his lord, he spoke with utter fury, his voice possessed of an eerie ambience like the growl of a fire drake. The foals stayed out of sight for their safety. “So the local Warchiefs did nothing to prevent this sacrilege?” The armored man asked angrily, turning to the Orcs, allowing the Knights to see his face. His face was deathly pale, loose-skinned and somewhat swollen, as if drowned or buried alive. His baggy eyes however did nothing to dispel the terror that came from them as they glowed a fiery red. He had many scars but the most prominent was a thick puce streak that ran from his left eyelid across his lips and down to his chin, setting his mouth into a curled grimace of contempt. It didn't take the foals long to be certain that this figure, though a human or close enough, was more powerful and more evil than any orc they had seen. Ratbag stepped ahead. “They all perished in battle, my lord…All expect me! Warchief Ratbag!” He explained with a slightly shaken voice. “Fortunately, you are still alive.” The man said sarcastically and Ratbag laughed before the mace of the man started to glow and hit Ratbag right onto the head, sending him flying out of sight. “Now, bring me the head of this…Gravewalker.” He demanded. “Claim the head yourself.” A voice said and he turned around, becoming surprised to see the Ranger. “The Ranger from the Black Gate!” He sounded amused by the sight. Talion and the Knights were unaware that the foals started watched from a distance, being slightly scared by the appearance of the armored man as he taunted, “Where was your bravery, when we bled your wife and gutted your son?” Talion’s expression became dark and he ordered, Kill him!” The foals looked in shock at each other, not able to believe what they just had heard. They had wondered by Talion was so gloomy all the time and they could barely believe it. He and the Orcs charged at Talion. “Ranger…time to die!” Yet Talion got the first strike, hitting the servant of Sauron into the right shoulder, then dogged a counter strike. The Knights jumped into action, fighting the Orcs, the man ignored then completely, only focused on Talion. I will teach you what real pain is!” Midnight tried to strike the hostile human, he blocked it, which gave Talion the chance to ram his word into the back of the man, he groaned in pain and swung his mace around, The Ranger ducked and pulled the sword out once the enemy had his back to him again. Yet it seemed to have little effect on him as he punched the ground, creating a shockwave that threw everyone back. Back to earth, Gravewalker!” They know tried to combine their attacks against the man, but he effortlessly blocked every attack by them. ”The Dark Lord will rule!” He then grabbed Talion by the throat and threw him back, then created another shockwave that threw the Knights back. Fletcher attempted to fire an arrow at him but caught it swiftly with his hand, grinning as his hand shock almost fitfully as the arrow snapped, sending a tongue of fire down the path it had taken, Fletcher barely dodged it. Wolf threw one of her knives at the man, he just sidestepped. Talion and the Knights now knew that had just got lucky at the start, now it was a real fight. “There was to be a way to help them!” Dinky said as she realized this man was too powerful to fight head-on. “Maybe…we can use fire?” Apple Bloom pointed to a campfire. “It’s worth a try.” Dinky lit up her horn and fired a spell at a campfire the man was standing near, it exploded, igniting him, and he stumbled for a moment. Midnight rammed his blade into his chest, Wolf dealt quick strikes with her knives and Fletcher made a swift strike into the chest too, making him stumble more. The Ranger then lunged forward and dealt quick strikes with his sword, then rammed his sword into the chest and the man fell on his knees. He looked at the Ranger. “How does your vengeance taste, Talion? Is not the darkness sweet?” Talion raised his sword and hit the man’s right hand, throwing the mace out of his grip and grazed him across the right eye, a white liquid dropped from it as he held his wound. Talion then grabbed his head from behind and plunged his dagger into the man’s heart. His armor and eyes glowed red for a second before Talion pulled it out and he fell dead to the ground. The foals then joined them as it was over and Dinky saw Celebrimbor facing the Ranger. “You acted too hastily. There’s so much we could have learned.” He chastised him. Talion pointed at the deceased human. “He slaughtered my entire family before my very eyes. What would you have done?” “Do you speak with the living, or only with the dead?” A female voice tore them out and they saw a woman with blue eyes and blond hair with two long knots, dressed in blue clothing with light armor over it. “Who are you?” Talion asked her. “My name is Lithariel, from the sea of Núrn. My mother said you would be here. And so you are.” Surprised, Talion replied, “Well, Lithariel from the sea of Núrn, you should have stayed where you are. There’s nothing here but death.” “Lady Marwen, Queen of the Shore, wishes an audience with you.” The woman countered, “She has seen visions of your misfortune. Talion chuckled, “A queen who sees visions?” “Visions of the return of the great Celebrimbor.” She added and Talion stopped, looking at her. “She wishes to make him an offering.” “And what is this offering?” The man asked in return with distrust but Lithariel stayed quiet for a moment. “This is all I know. I must gather provisions. The return to Núrn is long and treacherous. My camp is close by. It will be my honor to escort you. Your friends are welcome to come too.” She said and walked away. Dinky noticed that Talion showed a blissful look on his face.