Author's Note: Sorry that the last chapter was really long. There was a lot of stuff to explain. Thanks to Isis the Sphinx, keevers, and cheeky-eyesfor your comments. Also, I am sorry if there was any confusion in my end note last chapter. Dartz is Saruman, so that's why I said King of Atlantis. Here's Chapter 10. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 10: The Head Of The Order: Dartz
Mahado rode his horse swiftly. Unlike the last journey to Gondor, he did not rest this time, knowing what Yugi possessed. He had to see the Head of his Order immediately. Mahado rode past many mountains and fields, but made it to his destination in a day. As he galloped over a field surrounded by mountains, a very tall, black tower became visible. It raised about seventeen floors above the ground. Mahado sighed in relief at the sight.
He traveled through the forest that surrounded the tower quickly. When he arrived at the stairs that led to the front doors, he saw a figure in white standing on them. It was a man about 5' 11". His hair was a light green color that went all the way down to his knees. His bangs looked a little like Yugi's. He wore a white robe outlined in purple that had a strange symbol on it. His boots where purple, as well. He held a white staff with a diamond on top in his hand. He looked very wise, yet very young.
As Mahado slowed his horse down in front of the stairs, the man walked down to him. Mahado jumped off of his horse and bowed down to the man respectfully. When the man stopped in front of Mahado, he spoke in a clear, distinguished voice. "Smoke rises from the mountain of doom, the hour grows late, and Mahado, the Egyptian High Priest, rides to Isengard, seeking my council," He gave a soft chuckle, "For that is why you have come, is it not, my old friend?" Mahado bowed even lower.
"Master Dartz . . ." Dartz put his hand on Mahado's shoulder. Mahado stood up, and they both looked into each other's eyes. Mahado gasped. Dartz's eyes were different. While one was canary yellow, the other was aquamarine blue. "You have changed, my friend."
"Certain things must be done in order to keep the peace," Dartz replied. "Hmm . . . come walk with me in my garden. We shall talk about what ever is troubling your mind." They then proceeded to the garden, letting Mahado's horse wander around wherever.
When Mahado had explained everything, Dartz asked, "You are sure of this?"
Mahado nodded. "Beyond any doubt."
". . . So the Ring of Power has been found," Dartz looked at the sky thoughtfully. Mahado could not tell his emotions.
"All these long years, it has been in the Shire. Under my very nose, as a matter of fact."
"But you did not have the wits to see it, Mahado," Mahado chuckled at this. Dartz's expression changed to seriousness, "Your love of the half-links has clearly slowed your mind."
Mahado gave a look of sorry to Dartz, but stood his ground, "But there may still be time . . . Time enough to counter Bakura if we act quickly." Dartz stopped walking and looked at Mahado.
"Time? . . . What time do you think we have?"
Later in the evening, Dartz and Mahado sat in Dartz's study in the tower. They were discussing tactics for a counter measure, while also studying the Ring's past. The walls, like everything else in the tower, were black. Windows that were cloudy, not clear, let in little light, so fire torches were lit. Books lay everywhere. In two chairs, Mahado and Dartz sat arguing and debating.
"Bakura is regaining much of his former strength. He can not yet take physical form, but his spirit has lost none of its strength. Concealed within his fortress, the Lord of Helmosore sees all," Dartz explained, "His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth, and flesh." Mahado looked down at the floor, thinking. Then he looked back up at Dartz as he continued, "You know of what I speak, Mahado," Mahado's eyes flashed in fear, ". . . A great eye, lidless, wreathed in flame."
Mahado nodded gravely. "The Eye of Sorrow."
Dartz continued on, "He is gathering all evil to him. Soon, he will summon an army great enough to launch an assault on Middle Earth."
Mahado narrowed his eyes. "How do you know this?"
Dartz hesitated for a moment, and then smirked; "I have seen it . . ." Mahado widened his eyes. Dartz got up and proceeded out of the study. Mahado followed him down the black hall into the main circular room. On the other side, a throne-like black chair was in place. In the middle of the room, a table stood with a sheet of cloth covering something. Mahado immediately knew what it was.
"An Orichalcum is a dangerous tool, Dartz. You should not use it." Dartz looked over his shoulder as they both went to the table.
"Why? Why should we fear to use it?" Dartz then removed the cloth and revealed what was underneath. It was almost like a necklace with a pendant, but it wasn't. The "pendant" was a circular stone that was the color of aquamarine. It hand a star-shaped engraving on it.
"They are no all accounted for, the lost Orichalcos stones," Mahado looked at Dartz in shock. This was why Dartz's eye was the same color as the Orichalcum. "We do not know who else may be watching." He then covered the necklace again with the cloth. As soon as he covered it, he saw a glimpse of the eye covered in flame, just like when he had tried to touch the Ring. He took his hand back quickly. Dartz walked over to the black chair.
"The hour is later than you think. Bakura's forces are already moving," He sat down; "The Nine have left Minasmorith." Mahado widened his eyes.
"The Nine . . . ?" Mahado gasped.
"They crossed the river, Isin, on mid-summer's eve. They are disguised as riders in black."
"They've reached the Shire?" Mahado whispered. His heart was racing.
"They will find the Ring, and kill the one who carries it," Dartz gave a smirk.
"Yugi . . ." Mahado turned around swiftly, heading for the door across from him. As he walked, the doors closed on their own, blocking his escape. Mahado turned back around to face Dartz. He was still smirking. Mahado walked to the doors next to Dartz. Dartz moved his eyes toward the doors, and they closed, too. Mahado turned to his left to head out those doors, but Dartz looked at them and they closed. Mahado turned to his left again, but those doors closed. There was no escaping now. Behind him, Mahado heard Dartz speak.
"You do not seriously think that a hobbit could contend with the will of Bakura?" Mahado's eyes widened in dreaded realization. Dartz had turned evil. "There are none who can." Mahado slowly turned to Dartz, only to see him smirking as wide as ever. "Against the power of Helmosore, there can be no victory. . . . We must join with him, Mahado. We must join with Bakura," Mahado took a step toward Dartz, not believing what he was hearing. "It would be wise, my friend."
Mahado nodded. "Tell me, friend, when did Dartz the Wise abandon reason for madness?" Mahado was burning with anger by now. He had gone too far, though. Dartz suddenly stood up and threw out his staff at Mahado. An invisible force pushed Mahado back, and he hit the wall behind him with his back. He cried out in pain. Dartz was keeping pushed against the wall. His feet were not touching the ground. Dartz proceeded closer, his staff aimed at Mahado. Then Dartz pulled his staff back, letting Mahado fall to the ground hard. Mahado struck back by thrusting his staff in Dartz's direction. Dartz was then hit by an invisible force. He hit the floor on his back. Dartz regained his strength in a second and threw Mahado on his back as he was trying to stand up. They continued to hit each other with their spells. Each was getting weaker with every bit of magic they used, but neither would give up the fight. Mahado then summoned all of his strength to push Dartz back. The blow hit him hard, throwing Dartz against a door, opening it. Dartz landed on his back in the hall outside of the room. That had taken most of Mahado's strength up, making Mahado kneel down on the floor in exhaustion. As he let his guard down, Dartz took the opportunity to force Mahado's staff out of his hands. Dartz caught it, giving him two staffs. All Mahado could do was stare helplessly at Dartz. Without his staff, there was little he could do. Dartz used both of the staff's magic to push Mahado back. Mahado landed flat on his back on the floor. Dartz walked toward him, both staffs pointed outward. He used both of their magic again and spun Mahado around by the heal in circles. Mahado's head was on the ground while his legs were tilted in the air.
"I gave you the chance of it. Hating me willingly? But you had to take the way of PAIN!" While spinning, Dartz threw Mahado up towards the top of the tower. He would hit the roof soon. Mahado screamed as he braced himself for the blow.
End. Yay! Fighting scene! I enjoyed doing that! Though I couldn't explain every single move they made, I hope I made it clear enough. Wasn't this a much nicer, shorter chapter? I hope it was. R&R, but please no flames?
