The attack began at sunset, and the city gate was breached shortly after midnight.
Fires erupted, turning the night sky an ominous red. Orcs poured into the streets of Ost-in-Edhil like a dark tide. The defending Elves had to retreat all the way to the city square, to the Guildhouse of Mírdain, for one last stand.
Before the enemy troops closed in, Celebrimbor ordered the gate to be opened and strolled out alone, his sheathed sword casually in hand.
"Tell your master to come here." He raised his voice and demanded. "Annatar, Gorthaur, Sauron - whatever you want to call him."
The hordes clamored, and a few bold ones charged forward, intent on capturing him alive. Before they could get close to him, bowstrings sang and darts rained down from above in torrents, from crossbows far more powerful than ordinary bows.
"This is undeniably abusing our art, but we are in desperate need." He sighed to himself when the hail of arrows stopped, not even looking at the new fallen piled on the ground.
The Orcs quickly changed their strategy. Countless crude bows and arrows were drawn from all directions, all aiming at him, a conspicuous target.
"I would think twice if I were you." He didn't look at them until then, his tone sarcastic, "for I am Celebrimbor son of Curufin, the heir of the House of Fëanor. Tell your master to come here; I will not wait long."
And he didn't have to wait long either.
A figure darker than the night emerged from the shadows as the sea of enemies parted. The once-fair appearance was now hidden behind black armor, a spiked helmet, and a hideous mask. Fear spread like wildfire as the Dark Lord walked through the crowd.
"You wished to see me, Celebrimbor," it spoke in the same voice as before.
"I believe you wish to see me more badly." Celebrimbor corrected him with a straight face, "After all, you have come to Eregion for the Rings of Power, haven't you? I am the only one who knows where they are."
He couldn't tell if it was just his imagination, but those eyes hidden behind the mask narrowed, as if weighing options. The familiar voice rang out again, earnest and sincere, with the power to easily sway hearts and minds. "If you change your mind, we can still be partners; you and I can accomplish more than anyone else in this world." So I said, and so I say again.
As if in agreement, Celebrimbor curled his lips.
Seeing this, those eyes lit up and that voice softened: "So, where are they? Where are those Rings of Power?"
Silence descended. Even the flickering of the torches seemed to pause for a moment, as if the entire world was holding its breath, waiting for his response.
"In the deep waters," he innocently said, "in the airs of heaven, in the fires of the heart of the world."
After a brief moment of dead silence, the Dark Lord erupted in rage, and even the stars above seemed to dim. "You are a fool to enrage me, Celebrimbor. I have a thousand ways to break you; death you may yet crave from me as a boon."
"So, what are you waiting for?"
He laughed and unsheathed his long sword. In the midst of fire and darkness, it glittered willful and proud.
-The End-