The Battle at Osgiliath

Vraal stood on the ramparts of the city and watched as the Gondorian battle formations began to take shape. He saw instantly that his uneasiness was not unwarranted. The humans out numbered them at least two to one. No matter, he thought to himself. We prepared the city well. We are ready.

The Gondorians began to move around the city at a safe distance, out of range of their archers and catapults. This was obviously expected and so we had prepared for it. The good thing about the layout of Osgiliath is that it straddles a river with a great bridge connecting the two sides. Vraal knew they could not cross the river to attack from the rear so the defenses at the front of the city were adequate. He looked to either side of him and watched as thousands of Orc archers readied themselves for the battle ahead. He looked down off the walls and saw the might of what Mordor could produce. The sounds of Mountain Trolls roaring off in the distance. The crows and ravens circling over the city cawing in delight of the feast that was imminent. This was war. Anticipation overtook Vraal, he tried to contain it but couldn't help not letting out a quiet chuckle.

The Gondorian army stood off in the distance, preparing for the order to charge. It was given. There was a sound like thunder as thousands upon thousands of Gondorian troops bore down on the city. The archers readied their bows, knocked their arrows, and waited for the order to fire. From below Vraal heard the whip crack of the catapults loosing their deadly armament. The giant boulders crashed down on the enemy forces, leaving giant gaps in their formations. When they were within range the arches let loose their arrows. It was a magnificent sight to behold. Hundreds of men dying at the might of the Mordor army. But it wasn't enough, for every man that died two more were able to take his place, and the army kept coming...

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Elendil was at the rear of the advancing force. He saw the fight had begun. There were arrows and huge boulders everywhere. Elendil advanced inside the fray, knowing all too well of the situation. He saw his men falling to the arrows one-by-one, but he knew he had outnumbered the Mordor army greatly. He saw a sizable force of Uruk-hai charging at him. Elendil took out his great bow, Basil, and let loose arrow after arrow. The entire horde fell from his great arrows. Elendil had finally gotten a taste of battle he had not experienced in a long time. He quickly overlooked the current situation. His force of archers were firing at the Mountain Trolls, as they knew the trolls were a great threat. It seemed as though 10 trolls had already fallen from the volleys of arrows. Elendil heard a shout and quickly looked about.

He saw what had looked like an Uruk-Hai leader. He was slaughtering soldier by soldier with ease, laughing as he did. Elendil then knew he had to be dealt with. The Gondor Warriors were killing Uruk-Hai left and right, but the catapults were tearing his army apart. He ordered his knights to charge at a horde of Orcs trying to flank his archers. His knights crashed into the fray of Orcs and slaughtered them one-by-one. Elendil then ran toward a lone Uruk-Hai Beserker. Unsheathing his sword, Nasil, he charged at the crazed beast. The beast swung his cleaver at him, but Elendil ducked at the incoming blow, and stabbed the berserker through the chest, killing the beast. Elendil then knew he had to destroy the catapults, as his knights were basically stuck because of the large boulders, and his knights were essential to his victory. He ordered a battalion of his men to follow him to flank around the infantry and charge at the catapults. Elendil charged toward the catapults killing about 50 Orcs along his way...

Vraal was up to his neck in humans trying to get a swipe at him. He couldn't help but laugh maniacally at their folly. He slaughtered man after man in joyous bliss, as their blood ran down his blade and onto his hand. He grabbed one man by the throat and ripped out his esophagus, he left him lying on the ground gurgling. There is no sight quite like it, watching Vraal in battle. He is unmatched by any human he has yet met. He could see however that the battle was not in their favor. While the army of Mordor was putting up a good fight, and killing many worthless humans, there were just too many. He looked to his left and saw humans breaking away from the main battle. He knew this meant one thing, flanking maneuver. He ordered his men to retreat into the heart of the city, back by the catapults. It would be much easier to defend and the humans would have a tougher time fighting them in the streets of the inner city. As he turned he saw a man, the likes of which he had not seen before. He was a force to be reckoned with on the field of battle, killing upwards of 50 Uruk-Hai in a flurry of swift movements that showed true battle prowess. This was the adversary Vraal had been waiting for. He would find this man once his army was secured inside the inner city.

The Mordor army broke away from their human enemies and made for the sanctity of the city streets. He ordered the army to splinter into smaller groups of 50-200 and lose themselves within the maze that is Osgiliath. "Let's see how their commander deals with this tactic." Vraal sneered. He knew how painful it could be to try and track down all of these parties. Vraal himself took 150 of his best Uruk-Hai warriors and headed into the streets in search of the human. Orc Slayer.

Elendil surveyed the battlefield. He saw the Mordor Army retreating, but he knew better. He saw the army dividing into small, individual groups. They were using the cover of the shadows to their advantage. Elendil knew if his army foolishly charged straight into the everlasting darkness, they would be slaughtered. So he ordered his troops to break into small battalions, each sent off in each direction. Elendil, along with the finest of his warriors, were approaching the catapults. The enemy were frantically running about, protecting their war machines. He then saw an individual stand out among the Orcs and Uruk-Hai. He was shouting at his men with resounding force. "Men... we will assault this force protecting the catapults while the rest of our army are split up roaming the streets with caution. Stay on me at all times." Elendil and his men then sneakily approaches the force protecting the war machines...

Vraal bounded down an ally with his armada, the sounds of battle growing fainter the more distance he put between himself and the center of the city. He needed to find this man, Orc Slayer, he was a worthy opponent and deserved to die at his blade not at the blade of some common soldier. Vraal and his men trounced through the city streets with no sign of Orc Slayer. They exited the ally way into a large street. Clearly it had once been one of the main thoroughfares through the city. To the left it took a sharp 90 degree turn towards where the catapults were set. To the right it took a sharp 90 degree turn towards the edge of the city. Vraal led his soldiers to the right, as they approached the corner he could heard the clinking of metal boots on paving stones. He ordered his party to halt with a quick hand movement. He whispered back to them "On my signal we will charge straight for them, there are about 50 men and their backs are toward us. Silent as a wolf." The warriors nodded back in agreement. On Vraal's command the warriors rounded the corner and charged straight for them they had little time to react. One of the humans heard the Uruk-Hai approaching and turned just in time to get Vraal's scimitar right through his stomach. The man fell to the ground without a sound, he was a rather large man and he bounced when he hit the ground. The other soldiers quickly turned around and cried out as they encountered the Uruk-Hai force head on.

Vraal was in his element. He spun around and delivered his sword up through a mans jaw and out the top of his head, brain matter slowly oozing out of the hole that now resided there. He pulled the blade back and the man fell silently to the ground. An archer from the front of the column shot an arrow straight for Vraal's chest, as the arrow hit the magic armor it bounced off and flew uselessly into the wall at Vraal's side. When Vraal looked at the archer a look of astonishment was on his face, but it was hard to tell if it was from the sight of the arrow bouncing off of Vraal's armor or from the one that was currently protruding from his own. Vraal scanned the human party but found no sight of Orc Slayer. He approached the next closest man, he had knocked one of the Uruk-Hai warriors on his back and was about to deliver the finishing blow. Vraal remedied this situation by severing the mans arms at the elbow right as he raised them over his head to bring the sword into the Uruk-Hai's chest. He decided to leave the man on the ground screaming in pain as blood flowed openly from the stumps that were once connected to his hands. Quick and beautiful. That was how battles were supposed to be fought, and this was no different. When the fight was over all 50 humans had been slain while the Uruk-Hai had only lost 20 of their own. Vraal took the time to neatly display all the heads he could on their own pikes.

He rallied his men and continued back toward the catapult area. When he arrived the scene was grim. The humans had closed in around the catapults, the Orc warriors were making their final stand in the defense of the machines. It was a lost cause, but not something Vraal was going to run away from. He gave a ferocious yell and charged headlong into the fray. As he reached the human mass he made quick work of the men he was closest to, killing three in three swift strikes. One through the heart, one through the chest, and for a little flair, one by severing his legs at the calf and then stabbing him in the chest as he hit the ground. He looked up, a smile gripping his face, and on the edge of laughter. It was then that he saw the man he had been searching for.

Orc Slayer.

Elendil was felling Orc after Orc with swift grace and movement. He quickly turned around to see what was transpiring. He saw the Uruk-Hai leader killing his men brutally. Ripping their throats and cutting their legs, he couldn't let it go unnoticed. He stood out among the rest like a blemish in a painting. Elendil quickly ran toward the area where the leader resided. He could hear him laughing like a crazed creature. He was yelling out "Where are you Orc Slayer?" Elendil couldn't quite make out the why he was being called Orc Slayer, no one ever called him that by name. Just then, about 15 Uruk-Hai charged at him. They were carrying these elite weapons, something Elendil hadn't seen fighting regular grunts. Elendil quickly rolled to the left, then he rolled to the right as to confuse the Orcs. The Orcs followed him with unrelenting strength, killing about 8 of his men. Elendil then realized that he had Basil with him. "Damn... Why didn't I think of this before..." Elendil took out his magnificent bow and shot arrow after arrow, killing all the the Orcs. Just then, he saw the leader in front of him, laughing about. "There you are Orc Slayer!" Elendil knew this would be the toughest battle yet. "I will not let you kill any more of my men" Just then, Elendil unsheathed his mighty sword, Nasil, and took his stance...

Vraal wasted no time. He was not one to drag out a kill...Except for the occasions when he took the pleasure to torture his victims before he killed them, but he could see this man would not be intimidated by something so simple as a growl. He lunged at Orc Slayer with the force of a stallion, shield in front of him he sent the man sprawling. Orc Slayer was light on his feet, and quickly recovered from the blow and sent a quick jab straight for Vraal's chest. Vraal parried the blow with a quick swipe and and attempted to cut the man's stomach open. Orc Slayer easily fended off the attack and quickly countered it with one of his own. 'Finally' Vraal thought to himself. 'A battle worth fighting.' The intense fight went on for what seemed like years, but could only have been minutes. No one fighter ever gaining any ground on the other. No one dared interfere with the two, they knew only too well the possible consequences of such an action.

Elendil fought with all his might. He countered, parried, lunged, but the foe was too great. The Uruk-Hai fought with all his might as well. It would seem as though they would tire quickly, but the two great warriors were still fighting with unrelenting stamina. They could only see or hear each other, they could hear each other breathing, they could see each other hair to the finest detail. The Uruk-Hai lunged at him, aiming for his legs, but Elendil jumped up to evade the blow. Elendil then countered with a blow of his own, Elendil used the hilt of his blade to hit the Uruk-Hai in the jaw with immense force. The Uruk-Hai stumbled very briefly, giving enough time for Elendil to slash the Uruk-Hai upon the arm. Blood protruded from it...

The wound was minor, but it had been a long time since the fierce Uruk-Hai warrior had felt pain, he was momentarily taken aback by it. Though he savored the moment, relished the feel of the blood slowly flowing down his arm, he felt real, he felt alive. He looked up at Orc Slayer "You indeed be worthy" he sneered. Laughing, he continued his assault with unrelenting force. Vraal knew he would not tire, he could fight for days and still be at his best. The odd thing was, it seemed Orc Slayer matched him in all aspects, not only was he just as good with the sword as Vraal himself, if not better, but he too looked as if he had the stamina for days upon days of fighting.

Vraal knew he could not best his adversary. But maybe he could win with dirty tricks. He spun and hit Orc Slayer in the side of the head with the back of his hand. Orc Slayer staggered forward, bent at the waste just momentarily. It was then that Vraal made his move, he kicked at the ground and a great plume of dust hit Orc Slayer directly in the face. Vraal slashed down right at the moment Orc Slayer stepped back. The scimitar's tip cut Orc Slayer across his face, from just above his left eyebrow to the bottom right of his chin. Vraal let loose a laugh that shook the city to its foundation.

Elendil let out a single moan as he was slashed in the face. He was sure to get a lifelong scar from that blow. "Playing dirty you bastard! I see you were getting overwhelmed, so you decide to use tricks on me... I have never met a foe like you before... you need to be rid of this land... for Gondor will prevail!" The Uruk-Hai laughed, it seemed to Elendil as though the Uruk-Hai knew what he was saying. Elendil then thought about his son, Eldarion. He was an honorable warrior and man in his own right. He fought for the helpless, the weak. Then, Elendil had a sudden vision. He saw his son felled by an Uruk-Hai and his armor taken. He saw a familiar face in the vision. He snapped back into reality. He looked the Uruk-Hai in his face and saw the connection. "You...you... It was you that killed my son wasn't it?" Elendil then snapped with anger and swiftly ran towards the Uruk-Hai. The Uruk-Hai tried meeting his blow head-on, but Elendil, with the anger and passion he possessed, did a 360 degree turn and slashed the Uruk-Hai in the back. The Uruk-Hai was on his knees, reeling in pain. "Did you know my son? Answer me!"

Vraal dropped to one knee, oh sweet joyous pain. He heard Orc Slayer speak "Did you know my son? Answer me!" Vraal stood, grinning. "I kill many, how I remember one?"

Elendil could understand what he was saying to his astonishment. "You heartless bastard... It was you... I know it... feel it... sense it. You know no mercy or empathy... typical Uruk-Hai. That is why we Humans will always be better." Elendil raises Nasil and gets into his defensive stance...

Vraal chuckled. "You say it. Must be so. I have hope he die with dignity, not cower in fear." Vraal prepared himself for another engagement and he felt the ground begin to shake. He began to hear the sounds of battle around him, the shaking brought him back to reality. He had been so focused on his opponent he had almost lost his sense of awareness. He looked around just in time to see a giant mountain troll come trouncing in his direction. Vraal dove out of the way of the monster just as it's foot crashed down where he had been standing. The circle that had once encompassed the two heroes closed and Orc Slayer was lost in the fray.

Elendil quickly snapped back into reality. He had rolled out of the way of the troll. He got up and looked around for the Uruk-Hai, but he couldn't see a sight of him. "Damn..." Elendil then looked about, he saw the Mordor Army retreating. His army chasing the routers and killing the Orcs along the way. "Mi'lord! I have finally found you!" Elendil quickly turned around to see Beregond approaching with his blood-stained armor. "Mi'lord! We have won! We were fighting the Orcs the best we could and eventually..." Beregond paused with uncertainty. "Mi'lord... is that a scar on your face? Are you all right?" Elendil touches his face with his weary yet youthful hands. "It is nothing... I fought the leader. He is a great foe. Not one of us could best the other..." "Mi'lord? What should we do now?" Elendil turns around to scan the battlefield. "Gather the men..."

The Army of Mordor retreated back across the river. Vraal limping and wincing in pain with each step, both from the cut on his back and the one on his leg. The cut on his back was deep, he knew it wouldn't heal quickly. The cut on his leg was minor in comparison but still a worthy battle wound.

The army continued to retreat out of the city, they gathered in a clearing a few miles away. Vraal stood in front of the men. "Our losses were great." He bellowed. "We clearly underestimated our foe." With that Vraal turned and began to walk away. "Let's return to Mordor." The battle was over, they had lost. Through the pain and the overwhelming feeling of defeat, both of which he has not experience for a long time. Vraal was content, he had finally met a human worth fighting. He knew he would meet this man again. Call it fate, or destiny, or chance, but one thing was clear. These heroes were destined for greatness.

Elendil turns to his Grand Army. Gondor has won back Osgiliath. Elendil takes a deep breath of relief. "Men of Gondor! We have won against the Army of Mordor today! Look at them running... look at them retreating... you men have caused this great victory today! I have never fought alongside such worthy allies as you! Many men have died today. They died for this victory... to protect their families from those crazed beasts! The Kingdom of Gondor has won today! Won for the good of Middle-Earth! We won today my brothers... we won for the White Tree!" And with that, along with the thousands of cheers, Elendil turns and walks away, the victor...