//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 The power of the Wraith // Story: A horseshoe to rule them all // by Bronycommander //------------------------------// Chapter 9: The power of the Wraith The ponies had slept well, awaking with yawns in the morning, stretching themselves. “Good morning!” Dinky greeted the CMC with a smile. “Morning.” Apple Bloom replied as the adult ponies also woke up. “Morning, uncle.” “Good morning, Apple Bloom.” He replied as they saw the young woman walking in. “Good morning. Would you like to join us for breakfast?” She asked and Sweetie Belle grinned. “With pleasure!” They had bread, like with the Outcast, it was tasted soft and fresh, together with some water and some vegetables of salad and tomatoes. “So, who are you guys? Have you always lived here?” The white unicorn sounded rather curious and the woman replied, “Our kind hasn't always lived here. In ages past, we were seafarers, corsairs, pirates if you will.” Dinky grinned, knowing Pip would be interested, as the woman continued, “Back then, we made war with Gondor whose realm spread far beyond Mordor. In later years however, they regressed and we took ahold...We learned only too late just why Gondor no longer wished to stay here. We were a simple folk, we lived off the land and looked out for our own but this only made us an easy target for Sauron, a first test for his new horde.” She paused for a moment. “Back when...she was well, she trained the soldiers here, as she trained me. In the art of the swordsman, the tracker, the leader, as all the Kings and Queens of Núrnen were. We've done all we can. But each year just grows harsher than the last. Whenever the men and women of Núrn took up arms to drive the orcs out, it ended in disaster. We saw sense to hide in the rocks, wait for the orcs to grow lax and slowly take back the realm. But even that comes at too great a cost and Sauron's forces grow in power far swifter than any kingdom of man. All of us wonder how long we can last.” She smiled. “Now, what are you doing here, speaking ponies aren’t exactly common here.” Dinky took the word. “It’s a long story.” And together with her friends, she told where they came from, what they were and how they ended up here. Lithariel’s expression became one of sympathy, smiling weakly. “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s really a misfortune that you landed here. I promise with my honor as warrior to keep you safe.” “I am glad to hear that you want to help us, we take any help we can get to complete our task in getting them home safe and sound.” Midnight said as he took a bite of his bread. “Good morning, mother.” Lithariel smiled as the Queen walked in. Marwen’s head rose with a sour expression on her craggy face. “Lithariel...Is it dawn?” “Just past, actually.” The Queen sighed with hints of anger in her voice. “...My chambermaid let me oversleep...again.” “Mother, you need your sleep.” Her daughter replied with worry before the elderly woman slammed the butt of the staff on the floor, causing her to flinch. “I need stone and steel and swords and men to wield them! The forces of Sauron grow ever bolder. Their numbers swell, their march grows ever louder and no amount of sleep will keep us safe from it! She exclaimed, then sighed. “The foals...” Scootaloo bowed. “We are here, your highness. You've all been very kind.” Marwen raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “I would imagine the fading of bruises come morning seems kind when faced with orcish hospitality. You are not here as a guest, simple child, you come to us now, desperate and afraid. I will know why.” This caused all ponies to look at her in slight fear as Scootaloo started to tremble. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, your highness.” “Lady Marwen, could you show us we are here?” Dinky asked, hoping she would know answers. In response, the queen threw some sand into the small fire, it became blue again. “You are not of this world...You came here not by choice...Yet with purpose....” “Purpose? What do you mean?” “That horseshoe...There is otherworldly magic upon it, great and terrible indeed...But it is not of the Great Eye...Sauron does not touch it...He cannot. There is another force at work.” This caused the ponies to look at each other in confusion. “Is there a way we can get home?” Apple Bloom asked with hope in her voice. “Stay beside the Ranger...Your paths are aligned. But be wary...There is a foul voice upon the air...” “How that?” Scootaloo asked before the light went dark around the queen and her eyes went black. “What’s wrong?” The filly asked with concern, the others shared her reaction. “Lady Marwen!” They heard Talion’s voice and the woman slammed the staff into the ground, knocking everyone back. “Why have you returned? You are not done yet.” The queen said with an echoing male voice strangely. “How did you know where to find this?” The Ranger held up the crown. “He has shown me.” The woman replied, now with her own voice, still echoing. “You haven’t told me what you want in return.” The man pointed out with unease in his voice. “Only that you learn what you are truly capable of. Find an Orc leader. Make him a Warchief. And all his soldiers will be yours” “Where I am to lead this army of mine?” The man wanted to know. “Bring them to me and I show you.” She replied and Talion dropped the crown, walking out, the ponies followed him without a word to assist him. “Marwen said to bring her an Army.” He said to the Elf who replied, “We shall not build an army, we shall command one!” “We’ll need an Orc Captain to dominate and make him our own.” “There’s a slaver near here named Grûblik. We will make him serve our case.” The Wraith replied. The man then turned to his friends. “I know the location of a Captain nearby for this.” “Okay. Where have you been?” Dinky asked. Talion slowly smiled as they moved out. “I helped Torvin with his hunting, he’s quite a pleasant one as I found out.” “I believe you that.” It didn’t take long until they came to a ruin, a few Orcs were inside around a campfire, with another one walking back and forth. “I take care of that,” Talion said and fired a bow at the campfire, it exploded and set all Orcs around it ablaze, screaming as they died. The last remaining Orc was drawing his sword as the Ranger got into his sight. “Dead-Man!” He yelled and Talion got a closer look. His skin was sickly-green and his face, flat and clammy. He seemed, for all purposes, a rather feeble character but he snarled at the ranger with gleaming eyes and made his threat, “I’m going to cut you slow, and savor every twitch!” He was about to strike but the man blocked him and shoved him back, striking him across the chest with his sword, then several quick strikes in secession, making him stumble. Dinky then saw how Talion grabbed him by the head, his hand glowed as he head said with an angry expression, Suffer me now!” The Orc’s expression became one of pain and fear for a few seconds before Talion threw him aside and he ran away. “He’s under my command now. I ordered him to become bodyguard of a Warchief. We must ensure he will make it.” Talion explained and Wolf grinned. “Oh, this will be fun!” They walked a short distance to another ruin, seeing that the Captain’s eyes glowed blue, like with the Archers yesterday, together with some followers, facing another group of Orcs. “Bow to your new Captain!” He ordered. “You lack a Captain’s strength, scum!” One of the other Orcs taunted and drew his weapon. Fletcher and Talion climbed on the wall, firing arrows at the challengers, with the young unicorns fired non-lethal spells from the stallion’s back, while Wolf and Midnight tore through their ranks, weakening so Grûblik and his soldiers could finish them off and move on. The fight lasted only a few minutes before the branded Orcs moved on, with the Ranger and ponies close behind moving out of the ruin where the next group was. “Stand by my side, or lay dead at my feet!” The Captain demanded, but the other did not comply. Again, the man and ponies stunned and weakened the Captain’s enemies with the same tactic, allowing him to proceed. “He fights well for us.” Midnight commented. “Through my will, he steers those Uruks of Mordor,” Talion replied as soon another ruin with a third group was in sight and the Captain demanded, “Kill for me in service of the Lord of Mordor!” But this group didn’t comply either. Yet, with the help of the Ranger and ponies, he quickly defeated them, cheering in victory. “I conquered the weak! Now join me in victory! Any who oppose me will pay with their blood! To red swords!” He raised his weapon with the new recruits. “Hail our Captain! May we die last! We fight for true Uruks!” His followers cheered. “Now, let’s take care of the Warchief.” The Ranger suggested and led the way to the stronghold. It took them quite some time, it started to rain and it was getting dark, the children struggled to stay awake, having to yawn. “I hope the long journey will be worth it.” Midnight said as he noticed that Apple Bloom’s eyes became heavy. “Trust me, it will. Take a high vantage point, I take care of the archers.” Talion said and the Knights moved out, seeing how he climbed up the towers, branding the Archers in it as they took position at the highest tower in the middle of the stronghold, with him joining shortly after all Archers obeyed him. Then, a chore yelled “Târz!” And they saw the Warchief, together with the branded Captain walking in and Talion raised his hand into the air, it glowed blue and they saw how Grûblik stabbed the Warchief into the back and the Archers opened fire. Talion, Midnight and Wolf joined the fight, the Ranger swung his sword at Târz but he blocked it. “Hey!” He exclaimed and the man got a good look at him. The Orc looked very similar, if not identical to Mogg, expect he had hair, tied into a knot. “You've made a grave error and we will make you regret it!” He yelled as Talion shoved him back and the Orc got hot by a strike to the chest by Midnight, followed by a kick of Apple Bloom, knocking him back. In the moment he recovered, an arrow in the knee by Fletcher hit him and Wolf made several quick strikes on his chest, with a punch by Scootaloo, dazing him. Târz vision became clear again, only to feel the sword of his new bodyguard in his back, dropping on his knees as the Ranger walked towards him. “At least make it quick.” The man seemed to grant his wish as he sliced his throat with his sword, quick and painless. “I fight for the Dark Lord, and you shall fight for me!” The new Warchief yelled before he climbed on atop a podium. His followers cheered his name, the Ranger and Knights looked at him with neutral expressions. “This is my dominion! I am the strongest Warchief in all of Mordor! I shall lead my army over a field of broken bones! Come stand behind me or let my blade meet your neck!” Grûblik cheered in victory. “Okay, that’s over and successful. Now, let’s get the children to rest, they need it.” Midnight suggested as Apple Bloom started to close her eyes, starting to snore on his back, the other foals did the same on Wolf and Midnight. “Of course, they've earned it. Use the stronghold for your rest. Warchief, keep them safe.” Talion turned to Grûblik who saluted. “I will protect them with my life! No one gets past me!” The Eternal Knights brought the foals to some blankets inside a tower, gently tucking them in. “Goodnight, girls, may Luna watch over you,” Fletcher said as he and his friends went to sleep too, wondering what would come next.