Author: Anemone the Forsaken
Category: Angst
Rating: R
Characters: Mainly Frodo and Sam.
Warnings: Violence, torture, rape (In later chapters)
Disclaimer: Characters used are the property of Tolkien.
Feedback: Yes, please. :)
"I have come," he said. "But I do not choose now to do what I have come to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!" He set the Ring upon his finger and vanished from sight.
Sam gasped but he never had time to cry out for his legs were knocked from under him. Then, he was flung aside, striking his head on a rock. A dark shape sprang over him, madly dashing to where Frodo had once stood. All became dark to him then.
And far away, as Frodo put on the Ring and claimed it for his own, even in Sammat Naur the very heart of his realm, the Power in Barad-dur was shaken, and the Tower trembled from its foundations to its proud and bitter crown. The Dark Lord was suddenly aware of him. Then his wrath blazed in consuming flame, but his fear rose like a vast black smoke to choke him. For he knew his deadly peril and the thread upon which his doom now hung.
Wheeling with a rending cry, in a last desperate race there flew, faster than the winds, the Nazgul, the Ringwraiths, and with a storm of wings they hurtled southwards to Mount Doom.
Although dazed, with blood streaming down into his eyes, Sam got up. He found himself groping forward until his gaze fell upon a terrible sight. Gollum was before him wrestling like a mad thing with an invisible foe. Back and forth he swayed, drawing ever closer to the abyss. The creature hissed at the unseen foe but spoke no words. Closer and closer he was pushed to the edge of the crack. The fires below rose in anger, shooting lava near the feet of Gollum and Frodo. He was at the edge now, nearly being bent over toward the crackling flames. Fear finally settled in the creature's mind at the realization of the situation. His white teeth gleamed in the firelight. Gollum relentlessly snapped at his foe but the attack went unheeded. The creature's head snapped back as a blow grazed the side of his face, spraying blood everywhere. However, Gollum was filled with fury and he recovered quickly. His mouth closed around something and for a moment Sam cringed. But there came no cry. When Sam opened his eyes he found Gollum gnawing helplessly at Frodo's finger. The previous blow had knocked all his teeth out. Froth now developed on Gollum's blood stained lips. If he was mad before he had gone completely insane now. He flayed violently, trying to find any possible chance to escape but it was useless. There was no way he could compete with Frodo's newfound strength.
"You have tormented me for the last time you foul creature," Frodo boomed. "You shall never posses the Ring! It belongs to me and me alone!"
Gollum gave a strangled cry as he was launched forward. Into the depths of flame he went, shrieking for his Precious. Sam gazed in horror. The air in front of him rippled, slowly revealing Frodo's form. Fear strode into Sam's heart at the sight of his master. Still wearing the Ring Frodo stepped forward, his seemingly stretched out in welcome. Sam found no tenderness in it. Frodo was not himself. Blackness came over him; his beloved master was gone. Frodo's stature had changed; erect he stood and his shadow loomed over the cave walls. His eyes blazed at Sam's rejection and he strode closer to him. Sam cowered on the stone floor in utter fear. This was not his master.
"Why do you fear me so Sam?" Frodo asked, hurt in his voice. "I am your friend. I want you at my side when Sauron is dethroned and Middle-earth goes through the ultimate.....change."
"Mr. Frodo, please, take off the Ring," Sam begged. "It frightens me to see you this way. The power of the Ring cannot be used for good. You said that yourself once. Please, I beg of you master, take it off and throw it into the crack of doom."
Silence for what seemed forever. Frodo's smile twisted to one of untamed rage. With every step he took Sam crawled further back.
"I offer you unlimited power at my side, friend," growled Frodo, "and all you can do is try to thwart it?! I will not throw away such power! The Ring is mine and with it I shall rule all of Middle-earth!" His eyes lowered, forcing Sam to cower further into the ground. That look burned holes through him. "With or without you, Sam."
Tears sprung to Sam's cheeks. He sobbed when he felt a once familiar hand running through his curls. He didn't dare to gaze up.
"I would prefer you by my side, Sam," Frodo said, more softly. "You are a true friend and very dear to me. I would hate if anything were to happen to you, friend. No, I have decided. You will be by my side, whether willing or forced. You will be by my side for all eternity. I hope, for your sake though, that you come willingly. It would be just dreadful if I had to put any suffering over your shoulders. But first, there is someone that needs to be dealt with. Look up, dear Sam! Gaze upon my power! Gaze upon my servants!"
Reluctantly, Sam complied. What he saw sent chills down his spine. All was lost now, he truly knew it. There was no hope. Everything he had believed in failed. All around him were the eight Nazgul. They looked solely on Frodo with their piercing, red eyes. One of the wraiths walked toward him and once the creature stood before Frodo, he bowed. The others soon followed. Sam closed his eyes and wailed.
More to follow.
