*** This fiction was written sometime in 2004 ***
“There is no lie in a wizard’s eyes. We are a little fortunate. I saw in the palantír a glimpse of the Enemy’s plan. Gorthaur moves to attack Masjid Towers of the other World. He will raze the Masjid Towers to the ground.”
“They must be warned!”
“It would be done, but not by the usual way. Send an envoy to Masjid Towers of the other World; warn Iskandar the Elf-friend to prepare. He will light the beacons to call Kuantan for aid and lead the war.”
Gandalf’s concern on Gorthaur’s movement was mounting. He consulted King Elessar (Aragorn) and the rest of the Fellowship at Minas Tirith. Elurín of Rivendell was sent to the other World to warn Iskandar on the news that would destroy mankind of the other World.
**********
The magnificent city of Masjid Towers was a true marvel of great architecture and prosperity. There stood a big mosque (the Citadel) at the city centre with two great towers, hence the name. As a bastion of the Gombak province, Masjid Towers was a fearful name for Gombak enemies.
Elurín passed through the dimension barrier that separates Middle-Earth and the Other World to Masjid Towers, bearing tidings and counsel.
“Hail Iskandar Elf-friend, the Captain of scholars and the city,” greeted Elurín.
“Mae-govannen [welcome], Elurín of Imladris,” he replied, “What tidings you take to me, my friend; and what are news from the other World?”
“Captain Iskandar, I come with a warning from King Elessar and Gandalf. For the fate of Masjid Towers, this city and Gombak is under threat of Gorthaur’s attack.”
“Sauron is alive? I thought he was destroyed in the War of the Ring that I, indeed were there.”
“This is not Sauron, my friend; but his lesser descendent. Gorthaur has discovered a portal to your World and is marching towards the city. The Enemy is indeed nearing your doorstep.”
“This is an ill-news indeed. I shall raise the alarm and make haste. I’ll ask my lord to prepare for battle and other necessities. Minlû pedich nin, i aur hen telitha [You told me once, this day would come].”
“Ú i vethed, nâ i onnad [This is not the end, it’s the beginning]. The Elves would come to help. The King will send his army as well, Iskandar, to your aid. For the people of Middle-Earth owe you plenty.”
**********
Gorthaur’s army had discovered another path to the other World, as he was blocked from the known access to the Other World. He commanded all troops to attack and burn the city to conquer Gombak, thus will mark the start of world dominion. There were 500,000 soldiers marching to the city. The city was in a verge of one of the biggest battle ever.
**********
Iskandar went to see Lord Kamal Hassan, the Lord of Masjid Towers. He told him about the latest news and pressed for tight security measure and military intervention.
“The city is under peril anytime now, sire. The Enemy is coming. We must muster our armies.”
But Lord Kamal Hassan replied, “But we have not enough men. Even if we muster all men it does not help. Our city is defenceless.”
“We can, my Lord. We have weapons. The enemy is on our doorstep. As a lord you're charged with the defence of the city! Where are our armies? We still have friends. We are not alone in this fight. Send word to Kuantan. Light the Beacons.”
“You think you are wise, Iskandar; yet for all your subtleties, you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the Blue Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. You worry not about that. I’ll ask from my viziers. The war is upon us. Prepare for battle!”
**********
The news of the coming battle was quickly spread. The city was chaotic. City borders were closely guarded. The armoury was busy at work. Iron-smiths are at work forging weapons. Merchants were busy storing their goods to vaults and ensuring stocks well-supplied during the emergency. The medical centre was well prepared for the war.
**********
Iskandar went into the wild, looking for the dimensional gate that separates both Worlds. He found an Elf, and received new information. He hurriedly went back to the city, bearing ill-news from the Middle Earth.
“My Lord. Gorthaur is progressing. They are nearing our borders about seven leagues away. An elf told me, they are 100,000 armies marching toward us.”
“This is indeed an ill-news. Láthspell I name it. Hurry to the people, form a large battalion. This is time.”
**********
Two days passed without any development on the Enemy. Iskandar received none news from the gatekeeper. The people were wary, but still seek pleasure to light up the city. The soldiers of Masjid Towers were around, guarding and patrolling day and night. The borders were heavily guarded, as visitors or outsiders to the city are questioned and checked thoroughly.
Suddenly, the city became noisy. People from the café district were running eastward. Loud noises were heard, while some were pointing at the beacon tower. At the foot of the tower, Iskandar smiled as he saw the flame kindling upon the tower, and ran to the East, as he saw the second beacon light up in the distance.
“Genting Sempah.”
A soldier shouted: “The Beacon! The Beacon of Genting Sempah is lit!
“Hope is kindled,” Iskandar whispered alone with gleaming eyes of glory.
High on the mountains, the fire went across ragged mountain ranges as life springs into the Beacons of Gombak. Following the line of Beacons, went from one triumphant peak to another, the sun rose and set as it went eastward, until at last, it arrived at Kuantan at the break of day. The Beacons were the most effective way to alarm either sides of Titiwangsa with swift, as from the Beacon Top at Masjid Towers would go to Genting Sempah, then to Lentang, Bentong, Temerloh, Jerantut, Mentakab, Maran, Gambang and at last, the City of Kuantan.
**********
As the final beacon lit, hope came into one of Kuantan’s soldier. Casting a last, glorious look at the burning beacon in the mountains, the soldier sprinted down the hillside in exhilaration, slowing down only to push open the doors of the palace. Inside stand many men and they turned their heads in surprise as a panting soldier stands before them.
“The Beacons of Masjid Towers! The Beacons are lit! Gombak calls for aid.”
The Lord of Kuantan stood firm, he looked at his men. All in the palace were looking at him. Proudly, he spoke:
“And Kuantan will answer! Muster the Kuantanese!
The palace went to carry the order. The Kuantan captain was mustering the army.
“Assemble the army at Mentakab: as many men as can be found. You have two days. On the third, we ride for Gombak. And war. Commander Ali, make haste across Bera. Summon every able-bodied man to Mentakab.”
As his army took post and scrambled, The Lord of Kuantan felt the coming terror in this battle.
“So it is before the walls of Masjid Towers, that the doom of our time will be decided.”
“Now is the hour, March of Kuantan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfil them all! To Lord and Land!” roared the Captain of Kuantan to the Ride of the Kuantanese.
**********
Gorthaur passed the dimensional gate and ferociously attacked nearby settlements. Border armies fought valiantly, but many fell. People ran and seek refuge at the City.
“We can't hold them! The area is lost.”
“Tell the men to break cover. We ride to Masjid Towers.”
“Pull back! Pull back to Masjid Towers!”
“Retreat! Retreat!”
In a few hours, people of Masjid Towers were receiving refugees from frontier, who were attacked by Gorthaur. The soldiers were ready at their post. Border watchers blew the emergency horn. The Citadel was alarmed.
Iskandar dressed in a blue and silver army coat. He wielded his sword and took an Elven spear named Aiglos. He knew that the Enemy had entered the World and marched to the City. At the Citadel, the Lord of the City was ready to battle with his armoured gear.
**********
The thundering sound of Gorthaur’s army from distance were heard at nightfall.
At night, a surprise came to the City. A strange horn was blown. Border armies informed the Citadel of the coming of an unknown army. As the gate opened, the strange-looking army entered the City, marched to the Citadel and was greeted by the Lord himself. Iskandar was also present.
“This cannot be. Who are you?”
The leader of the corps, an Elf, explained, “I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell from the other World. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men is now rekindled. Together we fought and die together. We come to honour that allegiance.”
Iskandar went straight to the Elf, greeted him, “Mae-govannen, Glorfindel. You are most welcome!” in which Glorfindel replied, “We are proud to fight alongside Men once more.”
The Elven army rested and mingled with the people of the City, albeit for a while. Fair-folk and sundering people they were known, the Elves were ivory-skinned, with pointy ears and their armoury was of great craftsmanship.
Glorfindel and Iskandar went to the Seeing Tower, watching the west. They were looking for Gorthaur’s signs.
“I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae a han noston ned 'wilith. [The world is changed; I can feel it in the water, I can feel it in the earth, I can smell it in the air].”
“I know, my Elf-friend; I feel it too. The hour is darkening.”
“Iskandar, since you returned from the war, many have you learn. You know our language, our custom. You were honoured by the lords. Mithrandir wanted you to take care of your city. Help your aging lord. That’s why we come here. Elven army is proven as you know great, this time it is you who commanded us.”
“Gandalf didn’t mean this would happen to my World. It is ready and I am willing to take charge. The board is set, the pieces are moving. Si peliannen i vâd na dail lîn. Si boe ú-dhannathach [It is already laid before my feet, I cannot falter now].”
“Ae ú-esteliach nad... estelio han. Estelio ammen. Ónen i-estel Edain, ú-chebin estel anim [If you trust nothing else, trust this. Trust us. I gave Hope to the men, I kept none for myself],” as Glorfindel replied, he handed Iskandar his command to charge the Elven army.
Gorthaur’s armies were at the battlefield. The trolls placed huge boulders into the catapults. The catapults were fired as a warning. The people run onto the streets.
The armies of Masjid Towers and the Elves were at their position. Iskandar took charge of the Elven army, while Lord Kamal Hassan charged the City army.
Iskandar gave command, and waited the approaching enemy to see. At last, when everything was ready, Lord Kamal asked Iskandar to prepare both armies. He drew his sword. His sword was given to him from Elrond himself, forged by Elven-smiths long ago in Beleriand. Glaurung was its name, fiery as a dragon’s breath. He went to the front wall and spoke:
“A new power is rising. It's victory is at hand. This day the land will be stained with the blood of our enemies! March to war, leave none alive. To war!”
Then he continued:
“Hold your weapon! Sons of Gombak, and my elven 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 friendship, 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, The Great Alliance!”
**********
Gorthaur’s army were approaching the outer wall of the City, and Grond, its Captain, gave orders to lay still until the right moment to strike.
“A Eruchin, ú-dano i faelas a hyn, an uben tanatha le faelas! [Show them no mercy for you shall receive none],” Iskandar fueled the elven and Men’s armies.
As the armies were highly spirited, the battle commenced. Fire boulders exchanged, arrows were flying to its targets. More stones were fired at the enemies. Both sides were on the receiving end. A boulder hit one of the siege towers, and many men fell out of it as it collapsed.
“Tangado a chadad! [Prepare to fire].” Iskandar shouted, and Elven armies were ready to fire. He commanded the fire to the trolls and orcs below, and whenever ready, he charged, “Leithio i philinn! [Fire the arrows].”
The trolls receive a shower of arrows, but one of the siege towers has been pushed close enough and the armies start to enter the city through the walls.
Iskandar hoisted his sword high and shouted, “Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima! [Hail Eärendil brightest of the Stars].” He fought valiantly; he crushed the enemies and killed many. He even contested Glorfindel on his victims’ number.
The Gate of the City was breached, and the Enemy’s armies swarmed in. Soldiers were nearly overrun. Gorthaur’s forces stormed into the City.
“Retreat! The city is breached! Pull back! Get the women and children into the sanctuary! Get them out! Retreat!”
**********
Iskandar heard a horn sounded from the Fields, and he ran to see what happen. Even the enemies on the Fields paused as they watched. On the Fields, just beyond the city of Masjid Towers stand the Kuantanese.
“Ali, take your company down the left flag! Syed, follow the Lord's banner down the centre! Ghapur, take your company right, after you pass the wall! Forth! Down fear of darkness! Arise! Arise, Riders of Kuantan!”
“Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day, a red day, and the sun rises!
“Ride now... Ride now... Ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending!”
“Death! Death! Death! March, Kuantanese!”
With the coming of the Kuantanese, Gombak armies were breathing again. Together they fought, both inside and outside the City. Lord Kamal and Lord of Kuantan met, and mustered their armies to sweep the enemies. Iskandar and his elven armies were doing fine inside the city. The fight continued and got exciting.
**********
Well, the story finished with the victory to Masjid Towers. Many Men and Elves fell, but many also survived. Both lords were able to reform their armies and The City was restored. The enemies were killed with no one survived.
Iskandar and his elven armies were victorious. Dead Elves were honoured as their death paved their way to the West. He thanked the Elves and followed them back to Middle Earth, where he met other prominent heroes of the other World.
As for Gorthaur, it was King Elessar and Gandalf who destroyed him. Evil was no longer lingered in Mordor, and it would never rise again.
Masjid Towers remained the strongest bastion of Gombak province till this day. The great war of Gombak ended here.
(My greatest imagination ever. Hope the battle isn’t real)
