Chapter Eleven: The Tower of Cirith UngolThe host slowly walked through the gates of Cirith Ungol. There were many Orc corpses strewn about the main courtyard and sounds of battle elsewhere in the tower. “It seems that the Orcs have begun to fight amongst themselves,” said Daetirion. “Yes. It appears that much of our work has been done for us,” said Gravis. “I see no reason to linger here,” said Woodpecker, “the Ring-bearer is clearly gone from this place.” “I think not,” said Althamus,” the bearer would only be able to leave once all the beasts were dead and I still hear sounds of conflict.” “Then let us split up and search. Daetirion and Althamus, come with me. Gravis and Tuor, stay here with the men,” commanded Woodpecker.
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The three generals crept up the stairs of the tower. The lighting was poor, and they mainly had to rely on their hands to guide them. Eventually, a clattering was heard, coming down the stairs. The generals drew their swords as a very startled Orc came running down. There was no time for him to react. Daetirion clasped a hand around his mouth, while Althamus and Woodpecker stabbed him in the stomach. “That’s not the last of them. We should rejoin the others, in case they’ve been discovered by other Orcs,” said Althamus. |
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And indeed, the army’s presence had been detected. As Orcs rushed into the courtyard, Elven archers shot them down. Gravis quickly ran to meet the survivors of the volley. He slashed one’s leg off, while Tuor gutted one behind him. The Dwarves were making short work of the lightly armoured Orcs, and soon, the battle was over. As the last survivors were being finished off, the three other generals returned. “It seems we were not the only ones that encountered Orcs,” remarked Daetirion. “Yes, we must have been assailed by the Orcs that were fleeing,” commented Tuor. “Now, the Orcs have truly been defeated. We should search for evidence of where they were headed before the fighting started before we depart,” said Woodpecker. Althamus stalked around the courtyard until he found an Orc that was still alive. After a mumbled exchange in the Black Speech, Althamus kicked the recently deceased beast and turned to Woodpecker and said “I couldn’t get the full information out of him, but it seems they were headed for South Gondor before the conflict began. Apparently they were joining a larger force that would assail some of the Southern Fiefdoms.” “So that is where we must march to!” cried Tuor, who was alarmed at the thought of the Swan City being attacked. “Make ready. We have long march head,” said Woodpecker. |
