1) Fire
Elrond felt the oppressive heat as he stepped into Mount Doom, it pressed down on him with an almost physical strength. Making his golden armor hot to the touch and almost unbearable to wear.
He got as close to the edge of the cliff as he dared and looked out upon the lake of fire.
This was Hell. Plain and simple, this was where all their trouble had been started and this was where it would end.
"Cast it into the fire!" He screamed over the roar of the mountain as he turned to face Isildur who stood stone-faced at the other end of the cliff.
"No." Came the reply, nearly drowned out by the fire that was rumbling in anger beneath them.
Elrond froze and he felt his hope began to die as he looked upon the face of Isildur. There was a fire in his eyes, the fire of greed and corruption and triumph burned within him. The power of the Ring had already begun to claim him.
Everything was going so wrong, and here Elrond was, a few strides and the swing of his already bloodied sword could end this human's life and he could simply cast the corpse and the Ring into the burning pit below and be done with this suffering. End it for everything and everyone in Middle-Earth. What was one life compared to the thousands that had already died in this battle alone.
And yet his sword was left useless at his side as Isildur turned and strode out of the cavern of fire.
Be it cowardice or fate or pity that had stayed his hand and prevented him from killing Isildur that day. The Ring had escaped its own destruction but Elrond would see it end, be it the Ring or the World that went up in flames.
He would see it end one way or another.
Reviews and construive critisim for this chapter and any of the following chapters is greatly appreciated, I want to grow as a writer. Even if you don't like something tell me what you don't like and why. Everyone hates negativity but I'm honestly curious about your opinion. I make an effort to respond to each review through a PM if you're a guest I will respond to you in the next chapter unless you don't want me to.