E Pluribus Unum
Written for Teitho Contest Numbers. I don't own LOTR.The title comes from the motto written on all USA currency and means "Out of Many, One"
Legolas stood quietly in the gathering darkness. This close to the Black gate, the air was fraught with evil. He could feel the taint that would soon consume the whole of Middle Earth if it were not checked. “So many and yet so few.” He thought to himself. “And they all follow one man, Aragorn.”
“You are distracted, mellon.” Elrohir’s voice came from behind him as the younger son of Elrond soundlessly appeared.
The prince’s lips twitched in a small smile. “Nay, I am merely contemplating. Does it not mystify you how so many can come together under one banner for one common purpose? Even in the face of overwhelming odds, these men have united at the behest of Aragorn. They draw strength from him and his lineage.”
“Elves, dwarves, men, even hobbits stand united as the free peoples of Middle Earth.” Elladan appeared at his brother’s side. “It is the power of hope. Estel was aptly named for he is the embodiment of that hope.”
“We are vastly outnumbered and yet seven distinct banners have become one.” Legolas murmured quietly. “All joined together under the standard of the White Tree and the seven stars of Elendil.”
“One star for each group, perchance?” Elrohir remarked.
The other two elves nodded. “ ’Tis one way of looking at it.” His twin answered softly. “And on the morrow, we three shall join with those we would call brother to fight for the freedom of Middle Earth.”
“Out of many nations, one army.” Legolas stated as his gaze remained focused on the men around him.
The next morning, the trio of Elves arranged themselves among their comrades. Legolas found himself standing next to Gimli and he smiled at the thought. The dwarf, once cold and distant, had become a beloved friend. Their two hearts had been knit together through hardship and toil. He watched Aragorn, feeling a thrill of pride race through his veins, as the hardened ranger fell away to reveal the king beneath.
“Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!” [1]
The breeze picked up at that moment sending the standards of Elendil, Rohan, and Dol Amroth rippling in the air. Stars, horses and swans blended together in a tangible reminder that many races and peoples stood as one voice of resistance against the darkness and terror being unleashed before them. And as the army surged forward to meet their doom, thousands of voices cried aloud as one. One voice for one army defending one final hope led by one man who had become the king and leader he was born to be.
[1] Return of the King, movie verse, Peter Jackson.