Isildur

Isildur pounded his mailed fist on the wall. "I erred in my tactics today. We should have struck for the Citadel at once, not the Úlairi. With their retreat cut off, we could have pursued the Ringwraiths to their destruction, wheresoever they fled. "We might have sent a party through the side streets to attack the Citadel, but when the Fear came…" He drew his hand over his face, as if to wipe away the horror still before his eyes.

"I know," said Elrond. "Their evil flowed from them as blood gushes from a wound. They are an affront to all that is good in the world. When I felt them coming toward us, I knew that I had to destroy them or die in the attempt."

"I had the same feeling," said Cirdan. "They are unnatural abominations. They do not belong in this world, and it is stained and tainted while they walk in it. They are the antithesis to us Firstborn."

"Do not fault yourself, Isildur," said Galadriel. "No one could have withstood their Shadow. Even the Three together were only just enough to drive them back."

"But if…" began Isildur, but he was interrupted by the sound of shouting from the direction of the gate. Turning, he saw Elendur striding toward him, his face shining. The warriors in the plaza cheered him as they caught sight of him. He ascended the stairs and fell to his knee at Isildur's feet.

"Welcome home, father," he said.

Isildur drew him up and looked upon him, fatherly pride and gratitude struggling to express themselves, but in vain.

"Elendur!" shouted many of the men nearby, and the cry was taken up across the entire plaza: "Elendur! Elendur and Isildur!"

"Minas Ithil is ours once more," said Elendur. "Long have we waited for this victory!"

Isildur shook his head. "It is less than half a victory as yet, my son, for the Úlairi still hold the Citadel."

Elendur's face fell. "But we saw them falling back before you. We thought them defeated at last."

"Alas, it was not to be." He gestured at the many bodies all around them. "As you see, many a brave warrior died in the attempt to stop them, but in vain. They are safe within."

"Then they are our prisoners."

"Perhaps. But it could take months to force them out. Our duty was to destroy them, to take away Sauron's most powerful allies. In this we have failed." And he hung his head in despair.

"Perhaps all is not lost," said Galadriel. "Our task was to prevent the Ringwraiths from joining with Sauron. We have retaken the city, destroyed their legions, and driven them back to their last refuge. We know now that they cannot stand against the Three. We can keep them penned up here in the Citadel. They will give no aid to Sauron now."

"Yes, but our work is not done. Now we are to cross the mountains and join forces with Gil-galad and Elendil in Gorgoroth. They will need us there when Sauron at last issues forth. We cannot leave the Ringwraiths unguarded at our backs. It is the situation in Mordor all over again: we cannot get in, the enemy will not come out, and we dare not leave or relax our guard. We are now trapped here as much as they."

The Lords paused to watch in silence as a group of dusty, blood-stained knights bore past them the body of Barathor on his shield. Just behind, four more knights bore the small body of Barathor's herald, wrapped in the blood-stained banner. Of all the host there assembled, these two alone had actually landed blows on the Úlairi. All who saw this sad cortege hung their heads.

"So passes Barathor, the Eagle of the Blue Tower," said Isildur. "May his strength and wisdom flow in the veins of the Pelargrim forever."

"Aye," said Celeborn. "Many a brave Elf and Man died today, but there passes the bravest among them. We will want his courage and wisdom in the days to come, for I fear our cause nows goes ill."

"It may be so," agreed Elrond sadly. "I fear Isildur is right. We dare not leave the Ringwraiths behind us, especially now we know more fully the power they wield. Even the bravest and most trusted guardians could not stand against their Shadow."

Galadriel stood gazing thoughtfully at the bier of Barathor as it was born from the plaza. At length she turned to her companions.

"Ringbearers, think you that one Ring alone could stand against the Nine?"

Elrond looked at her in surprise. "My lady," he said, "I know not how it was with you, but for my part I was drained and weakened by the conflict. Even now I am trembling and my limbs feel as water."

Cirdan nodded. "Their power nearly overmatched us all. I doubt that two Rings would have been enough. For one Ringbearer to stand alone against all Nine — no, it is unthinkable."

"But if the Three remain here," Galadriel persisted, "there is little hope for the war in Mordor. The Rings must go over the mountains to serve as the lure for Sauron's greed, and to help the Kings in the final conflict. I will remain here with Nenya and some of the Galadrim and attempt to keep the Ringwraiths within. The rest of you should proceed with the plan and ride to Gorgoroth."

"My Lady, no," said Isildur and Elrond together, but Celeborn raised his hand to silence their protests.

"Galadriel is correct," he said. "The risk is indeed great, but it must be borne. Any other path leads to stalemate, which will only mean defeat in the end."

"But one Ring against all Nine?" protested Cirdan. "It is impossible."

"Perhaps the Úlairi will bide their time," said Galadriel, "thinking all Three are still here. Perhaps I will not be tested. But whatever happens to me, it is clear that the other Rings and the host must hurry at once to Mordor."

"You would remain here while we go on?" exclaimed Elrond. "But the Three are most powerful when they are wielded in concert. Isn't that why even Gil-galad's Vilya was brought here? The Three must remain together."

"That was the plan, but that can no longer be," said Galadriel. "Our task was twofold: to prevent the Ringwraiths from joining with Sauron; and to aid the Kings in Gorgoroth. Since we have been unable to complete the first, we must divide our forces to accomplish both goals. Both forces have need of Rings, and therefore the Rings too must be divided. Sauron is the greater foe, so two Rings should go east. But the one that remains should be the strongest, for the other two can help each other. Vilya is supreme only if worn by its master, Gil-galad. Of the other two, Nenya is the stronger and I have been its mistress since it was given to me by Celebrimbor that dark day in Eregion. Therefore Nenya and I must remain here to guard this door, while the rest of you fly at once to Mordor."

The lords looked on her in silence, but there was no more argument.

"The Lady is right," said Celeborn. "We shall remain here."

Galadriel put a white hand on his shoulder. "No, my husband. You must lead the Galadrim against their ancient enemy. I will remain with but a small company."

"That I will not permit, my Lady," said Celeborn. "It is not just the Ringwraiths. The city is not yet secured and Ithilien is still crawling with enemies. You will need a strong force to protect you. And besides," he added with a warm smile. "Neither I nor the rest of our people would leave you alone at such a time, my beloved Altariel." Galadriel looked on him in silence, then bowed her head.

"Let it be so then," she said. "The Galadrim will remain to guard Minas Ithil."

Isildur looked on them sadly. "Sorely will we miss the strength and the courage of you and your fair people, my Lord and Lady. And thus again does Sauron thwart our plans and weaken us for the final conflict."

"But now," said Cirdan, "if we are to be present for that conflict, we must ride with all speed. We must not delay another moment."

"Yes, father," said Elendur. "We have done all we can accomplish here. Now my grandsire has urgent need of us."

"It is so," said Isildur. He turned to Celeborn. "Lord, the infantry of Gondor will be here in but a few hours. They will secure the city and scour the countryside round about. Perhaps the Ringwraiths will not dare to attack against so many."