[CaptainofDespair]

The wind was still, almost perfectly calm, as the Men stood their ground upon the small crest of a hill. Before them, lay the vast hordes of orc and goblin. It was a turn of misfortune for the host. In the night, a large contingent of goblins from the Misty Mountains had descended upon Gundabad, reinforcing its garrison by what seemed to be a truly insurmountable number. Fear drove the spike of despair into the hearts of the soldiers, leaving them hopeless, to be soon lost in a crimson sea of death. Many looked upon the orcs, as they snarled and hissed at the men, from the safe distance of their crudely formed battle line.

Then, a sound that brought a respite to the men, came from the rear. The twang of freshly fired missiles filled the air around the host, affording new hope that the battle might go well. All through the vast ranks of orc, arrows brought down the living, replacing them with the dead. Volley after volley came from the host, spreading death like a wildfire, consuming the hated enemy of Men. But it was not enough.

Black feathered arrows came from the orcs, their response. But the Gondorians, with their shields held aloft, were protected by the White Tree. However, skirmishing is not something orcs do well, for they relish the taste of blood, and the smell of carnage. Small, impetuous detachments broke off from the main body of the defenders, hoping to take lives, and gather fresh meat before their comrades. They came, swarming and weaving about, trying to overwhelm the host. Those that survived the projectiles launched at them, were cut down by the cavalry, as they protected the weak flank from being overrun.

After a few small skirmishes with bands of renegade orcs, the Men had gathered their courage, and were ready for the final confrontation. Slowly at first they went, withstanding the hail of stones and arrows that came from the battlements. When at last they had come within charging distance of the orc line, Uther let out his battle cry, “For glory! For honor! For Victory!”. The Gondorian infantry surged ahead, clashing with the orc front line.

The Orcs had to fight, or die. Mostly, they died. The Gondorian host, though outnumbered significantly, fought with all the courage and prowess afforded to them. Shields were broken, and spears splintered, as the host pushed forward, unceasing in its mission. While the infantry held the orc center, and right flank at bay, Uther and his cavalry punched through the left. Swinging his sword as he rode through the droves of orcs, he could be heard laughing, relishing in the bloodshed.

Yet, battle is unpredictable. The goblin reinforcements, after having some rest, had now come down from the mountain, to do what they do best, kill. They now turned the tide of the battle, aiding their brothers in turning back the Men. What was worse, was that as the infantry was pushed back, the cavalry was pulled in, cutting it off from its supporting units. Uther had to act fast, just to get his men out alive. Leading his horsemen into a wedge, they cut a swath of death through the horde of orcs, riding hard out into the open field, to rejoin with the rest of the host. Behind, the orcs swarmed about, firing sporadically at the Gondorians as they reformed.

Many had been injured, but with the increased chance of their lives being cast off into the wind, they composed themselves. They would only have one more chance at an assault, before the enemy would overwhelm them. But, a new twist in the event occurred. As Uther was rallying his men for one last attempt, the orcs broke out into an internal struggle. With so few Men left, the orcs and goblins were bickering over who would get the kills. As is with the nature of orcs, it is not a conflict of words, but one of swords. The once desperate, lopsided battle, in favor of the orcs, was now turned into a free-for-all melee. The Gondorians watched, with a reserved amusement, as the orcs battled each other to the death. Without a singular entity to control them, they had become more volatile in the Dark Lord’s absence. This now, was the bane of the Orcs. And yet again, the host was given renewed vigor, and it pressed forward once more, to break the orcs, wholly and utterly.