When Hope is Gone

Disclaimer: All characters and settings belong to Tolkien, I'm just playing around. No profit was made or will be made by this story (not that anyone would give money for that, but anyway ;)) I own nothing.

Time Frame: RotK; The book and the movie are used as a basis, but some events are altered, I hope I haven't gone too far.

Warnings: Major events in the book are changed. Rated T for violence and character torture.

Part 1

All hearts were heavy as they approached the Black Gate. Aragorn looked back at the warriors of Gondor and Rohan, who had come to this last battle, who have sworn to follow him to the end. He could see fear in their eyes, and he could very well understand it.

"I know why they are afraid," Legolas said softly. "We hope that the Dark Lord will open the Gate and sent his troops. But we know that if he does, there is a little chance that any of us will return alive."

"Well, if we are going to die, let's get to it! I'm tired of waiting." The elf heard a voice coming from the back of his horse and smiled. Patience has never been one of the strong qualities of a dwarf.

Gandalf approached the Black Gate and his friends followed him.

"Let the Dark Lord come out!" the Istar demanded.

All hearts stopped for a moment. The Black Gate slowly opened. Pippin secretly hoped that it won't. He wanted to help Frodo and Sam, but was so afraid. And he was feeling alone even though he was surrounded by friends. The hobbit regretted that Merry couldn't come. His best friend would be able to lift his spirits.

The Mouth of Sauron and his guards approached and looked at Gandalf.

"Have you come to negotiate, old graybeard?" he laughed. "Is there anything you could offer us?"

Legolas felt Gimli moving impatiently behind his back. The dwarf didn't realize why they should bother talking to these foul creatures instead of killing them right away.

"I don't think there is anything you could offer us." Gandalf's voice sounded confident.

"Is this so?" The Messenger sounded amused. "Well, maybe that will change your mind."

One of the guards came to the front and showed what he was carrying.

The skies above Mordor seemed to turn a shade darker if this was possible at all as they were watching the items unwrapped from the bundle - Sam's sword, a grey cloak with an elven-brooch, and Frodo's coat of mithril-mail.

"Where is he?" Gandalf forced his voice to sound strong although it was breaking with sorrow. "Is he alive?"

"Oh, I see the Halfling was dear to you. Don't worry; he's not dead … yet. But he'll soon be if you don't grant my Lord what he demands."

Gandalf turned back to his companions. They gathered in a small circle, their heads close together, to discuss the options.

"We can't negotiate with this creature! Let's kill them all, get into Mordor and rescue Frodo!" Gimli offered his advice although he didn't sound as confident as he wanted to.

"Stay calm, Master Dwarf," Elrohir put his arm on the small being's shoulder.

"If Frodo is captured, all our hopes are lost. We cannot fight anymore. We must accept whatever terms." Gandalf's voice was soft and the anguish in it was apparent.

Pippin's heart leapt with new hope.

"Whatever terms?" Aragorn disagreed. "Can you not imagine what he is going to ask? He will want us to surrender our land, betray our people into slavery!"

"They are going to fall into slavery if Sauron finds the ring," Gandalf's voice was firmer this time. "But if Frodo is saved the ring can still be destroyed."

"How do you know that Frodo still has the ring?" asked Elladan.

"If Sauron has taken the ring we would have known. We would have already witnessed its power. I don't think he has it and is just playing games with us," Gandalf said quietly, trying to persuade himself more than anyone else. Then he faced the Mouth of Sauron. "Name the terms." This time everyone heard the anguish in his voice and felt sure he was going to accept anything.

"These are the terms," the black creature smiled. "You will get back the little one. In return, you are going to surrender to us Isildur's heir. Otherwise, the Halfling spy will die. Very slowly. What say you, old greybeard?"

For a moment Gandalf felt unable to speak, unable to think. Never in his long life has he felt more helpless. He turned around seeking support from his companions. But their shock was not less than his.

"It is not a decision you can make, Mithrandir," Legolas turned his pale face towards the wizard. "You don't have the right to make such a choice."

"Maybe he doesn't. But I do." Aragorn paused for a moment, looking at his elven brothers and then back to Legolas. The elf winced as he already knew what his friend was going to say. "We decided we are going to accept whatever terms. Nothing has changed."

The Mouth of Sauron looked delighted. Maybe his Master would be pleased with him and would make him guardian of Isengard instead of that fool Saruman.

Pippin didn't know what to think. He wanted Frodo to be saved, but not in this way. He has grown attached to the Ranger.

Elladan shook his head, "Estel, there is absolutely no way I would let you do this." Elrohir just nodded in support. For once he didn't fight his twin brother's opinion. That stubborn human had to be taught some good sense after all. For their dismay, their adopted brother didn't seem influenced by their concern.

"It is not time to think about what we like or what we don't. It is time to decide what is best for Middle-earth."

"Exactly!" Gandalf almost shouted. "And I'm afraid your sacrifice might do more harm than good. It's not a decision that should be made hastily. We must discuss it." The Istar's heart was tearing apart for he loved dearly both the hobbit and the man, but he knew he must forget his feelings and think clearly. "Can't you see why Sauron wants you? He fears you, Aragorn! He knows that you are a threat to him. And you are!"

"Frodo is a greater threat, he just doesn't know it."

"They will kill you, Estel." Elrohir whispered brokenly.

"I know. I am not afraid of death." Aragorn lied. There was still too much to live for. But what else could he do?

Legolas slowly placed his hands on the man's shoulders and looked into his deep grey eyes. "Do you really think you are helping anybody? Don't you know why Lord Elrond gave you that name, Estel?" the elf paused to swallow his tears. He was doing his best to keep them, but it was not enough. Soon a small droplet slipped from the corner of his eye. "You are our hope, mellon-nîn. You are the hope of all free people of Middle-earth. If we surrender you, we surrender hope." And I surrender my best friend, he was going to add, but stopped. After all, his friend was right. They had to push all feelings aside. They were deciding the fate of Middle-earth, and this was not a decision to be made by the heart. They had to decide with a clear mind. But how could he?

"I've made my choice, mellon-nîn. Please, don't make it harder," Aragorn whispered, unable to bear the pain in the blue eyes fixed on his. "It is something I must do. It is the best for everybody."

"Don't do this to Elladan and me, Estel," Elrohir pleaded. "You know that our sister would kill us both if anything happens to you." The elf tried to joke to lighten the mood, but the smile froze on his lips. The man's eyes darkened as the though of Arwen came to him. Elrohir noticed this change and decided that no matter how cruel this might be, he had to use it as the last chance to change his human brother's mind.

"If you don't think about yourself, Estel, and if you don't think about us, and you obviously don't, then think about her! How is she going to bear your death?"

"Don't you see I think about her right now? Arwen is dying, Elrohir. If the ring is not destroyed, she will surely die."

She will surely die of grief if you don't come back, stupid human. Elrohir didn't say his thoughts aloud. His younger brother has made his choice. There was no need to add to his grief. He turned to Gandalf, desperately hoping the wizard to do something. But the Maia didn't have the strength to offer solace to anyone else, now that he himself felt so weak. "So be it," his works were barely audible. "I hope you are making the right decision, Aragorn."

Elladan glared at the wizard. Gimli could no longer suppress a sob. Tears were already running freely on Legolas' cheeks. Pippin jumped from Gandalf's horse and hugged the ranger. "Thank you, Strider!" he said, crying. "Thank you for what you are doing for Frodo! And I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"Are you going to finish with this anytime soon?" The Mouth of Sauron sounded impatient although he was visibly enjoying the heartbrokenness of the company.

"Leave him alone, dirty beast!" The Prince of Mirkwood glared at him. "Let him at least say goodbye to his friends." The elf startled as he felt a gentle touch on his elbow.

"He is right, Legolas. I must go. The sooner I leave, the sooner Frodo will come back and all this will end."

The elf was shaking his head violently, refusing to believe that he is seeing his friend for the last time. Scenes were flashing through his mind, pictures from the first time they met through now, all their adventures. They had had so much bad moments, but there was always hope. Now there was none.

"I swore I…I would walk with you to… to the end." He finally managed to say between sobs.

"You did, Legolas. You did." The man took the elf's head in his hand to steady it and leaned forward until his forehead barely touched his friend's.

"Namárië, mellon-nîn."

At this point the Mouth of Sauron had no way of knowing that with Sam's help the Ring-bearer has already escaped. He was leading the guards and his new prisoner, his hands tightly bound, to the dungeons. He stopped at the entrance and turned to one of the orcs.

"Go to the tower and fetch the Halfling spy! Bring him back to the wizard and the other scum." Then he faced the group of orcs and Haradrim men that accompanied him. "Take the prisoner to the dungeons. Master ordered to kill him. Do it any way you like."

At the last words a smile appeared on the face of the orcs. A smile that would make every heart turn…

"What do you mean he has escaped!" Gandalf was incredulous and was shouting at the orc who brought him the news. "Your leader gave us the word that you are going to bring him back to us!" How could he be so stupid! How had he agreed to make the exchange without seeing Frodo first? How had he believed that creature of darkness?

"We didn't know this while we were negotiating," the orc stated calmly, but obviously enjoying the turn of events.

"Well now you do!" the wizard could no longer suppress his anger. His friends had never seen him like this. The Maia was always so composed. "You didn't give us what you have promised. Isildur's heir must be returned to us!" Gandalf knew how weak his arguments sounded. He was in no position to argue.

"What do you mean you didn't get what you wanted?" the orc was obviously having fun. "The little rat is free now. Isn't that what you demanded?"

Pippin trembled involuntarily. He has waited so much to see Frodo again and now his dream melted in front of his eyes. The though that his friend was free somewhere in Mordor didn't seem to comfort him. Actually, the fact that Frodo was still in Mordor increased their chances. It made it easier for the hobbit to reach Mount Doom and destroy the Ring. But nobody seemed to view it that was. They all felt cheated.

Elrohir was unable to control himself anymore. He rode to the orc and cut off his head. Nobody accused the elf of this seemingly foolish reaction. Gandalf collapsed on his knees. "It's all my fault," the wizard muttered.

"Yes, it is," Elladan shouted at the kneeled form. Elrohir sighted quietly and looked sadly at his twin brother. He knew that Elladan was angry mostly with himself. He has sworn to protect Estel when the human child was brought to Rivendell more than eighty years ago.

All hope seemed to fate. Yes, Frodo was free, but there were still ten thousand orcs between him and Orodruin, and the Eye was looking for him. Sauron wouldn't bother attacking them now, they were not important. The one he was afraid of was gone. Forever.

The army camped in front of the Black Gate. They couldn't just leave. When night came several guards were placed and the rest were either asleep or engulfed in their grief. The camp was completely silent.

Everything was still, except for a slender blond form moving close to the gates. They were tall and impossible to climb unnoticed, even for the agile being. But Legolas couldn't give up. There must be a way. This was one thing he had learned during his long friendship with Aragorn – there was always hope. And the elf had not forgotten the lesson.

There had to be another path going into Mordor. There simply had to be. Or else … He just didn't want to think about the other option. Not yet. The prince's gaze shifted on one of the guards. The man was from Gondor, he probably had a better knowledge of the area. He needed to get information without arousing suspicion. He didn't want anyone to know his intentions. Mithrandir would probably try to discourage him, persuade him that this is impossible. Gimli would surely want to come with him. But he had to go alone. He had to be unnoticed, and the dwarf wasn't really good at that.

The elf slowly approached the guard. He stopped by the man for some time and after a short pause said softly, "It seems our trip here has been in vain. The Dark Lord is not going to come out." The man just sighed heavily and turned his gaze to the ground. Receiving no response, the prince continued, "I wonder if there is another way to drive him out. If there is another way to get into Mordor besides the Black Gate."

"No, my lord," the guard finally said. "The only path that leads to Mordor besides the Black Gate is the path of Cirith Ungol, but it is an evil road."

"There is another path?" The elf seemed interested. "Maybe Mithrandir should know about that. We could lounge an attack from there."

"This path is not meant for an army. It is long and narrow. And there is something evil that guards it. No one knows what it is, but nobody can pass that path unharmed." The soldier's voice was full of awe.

But this was all the elf needed. He didn't need an army…

Legolas didn't wish to linger any more. He didn't wish to imagine what was happening to his friend at the moment. If Strider was still alive… The elf quickly pushed the thought aside. Of course he was alive. The orcs wouldn't kill him right away; they would surely want to have some fun first. Surprisingly enough, this thought was more painful than comforting. The prince smiled briefly as he imagined how angry the dwarf would be to wake up in the morning and find out that he has been left behind. For a moment he considered calling Elladan and Elrohir, but then he decided that he would have better chances of being unnoticed if he went alone.

The elf moved quietly but swiftly toward Cirith Ungol. When he was leaving the army, his eyes were fixed for a moment on one of the Rohirrim. What attracted Legolas' attention was the look in the man's eyes. There was so much to read in them. The man knew that they were doomed. He was going to die soon, but also everything he had known and loved would be engulfed by darkness. His family would perish. There was one single emotion in these eyes.

Total despair.

"Don't worry," Legolas whispered quietly. "I will bring back Hope."

TBC

Please review, this is my first fanfiction, and English is not my native language, so it's important to me to know if what I'm doing is any worth. Thanks!!

The next chapters are coming soon…