Chapter 21: The March of Darkness
The first light of dawn cast a sinister glow over the dark fortress, where preparations for the final assault on Rivendell were reaching their zenith. The Shadow Lord's forces were mobilizing, a tide of darkness ready to engulf the last bastion of resistance. Malgor stood atop the ramparts, overseeing the assembly of their army. Below, rows of dark warriors and creatures of shadow stirred, their eyes gleaming with anticipation and malice.
Malgor's thoughts were sharp, focused on the task at hand. The enemy at Rivendell had proven to be a resilient foe, but their defenses were compromised. The strategic disruption at Amon Sûl had not been enough to change the overall plan, but it provided useful intelligence on the enemy's movements and weaknesses.
He surveyed the vast army gathered before him. The numbers were formidable, stretching beyond the horizon. Creatures of darkness, twisted elves, and corrupted humans, all under the Shadow Lord's command. Each unit was prepared for the siege, their weapons sharpened, their ranks tightly ordered.
As he turned from the ramparts, Malgor approached the Shadow Lord, who stood brooding in the center of the command tent. The air around him seemed to pulse with dark energy, and his eyes glowed with a sinister light.
"My lord, the preparations are complete," Malgor reported. "The army is ready to march. The scouts have confirmed that Rivendell's outer defenses are vulnerable. We strike at dawn."
The Shadow Lord nodded, his voice resonating with power. "Good. The time has come to end this resistance. Rivendell will fall, and its people will bow before me."
Malgor understood the gravity of the task ahead. "We will breach their defenses and crush them under the might of our forces. This battle will demonstrate our dominance over Middle Earth."
The Shadow Lord's gaze turned to Elaria, who stood by with a determined expression. "Elaria, lead the vanguard. You know the path to exploit the weaknesses in their defenses. Ensure that the assault is relentless."
Elaria bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord. The enemy will not know what hit them."
With the orders given, the forces began their march toward Rivendell. The ground shook beneath the advancing legions as they moved with grim purpose. Malgor led his units forward, coordinating the movements of the dark army. The march was a display of strength, each step forward a declaration of the Shadow Lord's power.
The day grew brighter as they moved closer to their objective. Rivendell's defenders must have sensed the impending doom, for there was a flurry of activity on their battlements. Malgor smiled, sensing victory. The Shadow Lord's forces were well-prepared for this encounter, and the enemy's attempts to resist seemed feeble in comparison.
As they approached the outer defenses of Rivendell, the first signs of the enemy's defenses became visible. Arrows flew overhead, and defensive units formed up to repel the assault. But Malgor was confident in the overwhelming power of his forces. The corruption and dark magic that fueled his troops were forces to be reckoned with.
He sent orders for the siege engines to advance, unleashing their deadly payloads on the defenses. Catapults and ballistae fired, launching volleys of fire and stone into the battlements. The air was filled with the noise of battle, the clash of weapons, and the cries of combatants.
Malgor's units pressed forward, breaking through the initial defenses. The Shadow Lord's strategy was to use the captured forces to bolster their assault, sowing confusion and fear among the defenders. The inner sanctum of Rivendell was their ultimate objective, and they would not rest until it was in their hands.
As the battle progressed, Malgor could see the defenders of Rivendell beginning to falter. The assault was relentless, and the defenders were stretched thin. Morale was faltering, and the dark forces pressed their advantage.
Malgor communicated with Elaria, who reported that the breach in the outer defenses was widening. "Prepare to advance deeper into Rivendell," he ordered. "The time has come to strike at the heart of their defenses."
The Shadow Lord's forces surged forward, breaking through the final lines of defense. The inner sanctum of Rivendell was within their grasp, and the battle had reached a critical phase. Malgor's mind raced with the possibilities of what would come next.
Victory was within their reach, and the Shadow Lord's vision of dominance seemed on the verge of fulfillment. But as the dark forces pressed into the heart of Rivendell, Malgor knew that the final act of this siege was yet to be written. The defenders of Rivendell, though battered and worn, had not yet been defeated. The conflict for Middle Earth was far from over, and the struggle against the darkness was likely to continue, no matter the outcome of this battle.