The fate of us all, lies deep in the dark, when time stands still at the iron hill! The fate of us all, lies deep in the dark, when time stands still at the iron hill!
Blind Guardian: Time stands still(at the iron hill)
Chapter Seven. Kings of the Lost
Sulfur lingered in the air, and the heat was fierce, even as the magma cooled. Still the wraiths passed unbothered, the ground around their feet frosting as they passed. At the foot of the great well of lava the cries of the fellbeasts filled the land that was Mordor. Long the sun had been gone by the time the mouth of the mountain came into sight, and in silence the dark company stepped inside.
"I never thought we would be here again, I really didn't..." A silence had descended on the fellowship as they traveled threw the black land, a feeling of fear gripped their hearts. Even Gandalf light, seemed but a mockery in this pit of shadows... "Nor did I Sam, truth be told, nor did I." Legolas shuddered, "Sauron has fallen! Should that not relieve some of the dread from this place?!" Gandalf sighed, his eyes dim in the poor light. "Alas Legolas, the fire that seems out, often sleeps bellow the cinders." The group continued in silence for a time, passing like shadows themselves among the ruins of a great army camp. Suddenly Gandalf tensed, his eyes went wide for a moment. "Oh no... they've reached the summit! We must make haste!!" Frodo looked up stunned, "The summit? Of Mt. Doom? Why were they going there?! Wasn't the prophesy suppose to end at the gates?!"
The wizard was already running back to where the eagles had spent the night. "It will Frodo! I promise you that much! It will all end at the gates of Mordor! But remember what I said! The fire that seems out..." for a moment the fellowship pondered this, then dread gripped them, and in horror they ran after the wizard. Perhaps the eagles had not yet left!
Aragorn opened his eyes, still all the world was darkness... had the wraith lord forgotten him? His eyes closed again... no escape... no escape... this weakness was drowning him, tearing at what he had held onto for so long. Surrender, it whispered, surrender and worry no more... feel pain no more... I will protect us... I will keep us safe... "you would destroy me..." Surrender, it hissed, surrender and be whole again, be free again, all you have to do is surrender, all you have to do... the kings eyes shut, closing out the darkness, if only I could close out the whisper...
...surrender...
A growl drew his attention, once more weary eyes opened, and gazed uncaringly at the creature that had tormented him thus far. The golden eyes flashed, even as the beast lay at Aragorn's feet. Now the eyes narrowed in suspicion, and the lion drew back snarling and hissing. Stunned, Aragorn's mind drew a blank, and the lion lay at his feet once more. "Discover the identity... of the lion?" gently, he reached out, placing his hand along the side of the great beast's muzzle. The cat did not stir, but stared calmly ahead, "You are not... the representation of the witch king, are you? He would never lie at any feet save Sauron's..." the golden eyes met his again, and from around the white main a sparkle grabbed his eye. He reached out, and almost dropped the pendant the moment he touched it. For hung around the lions neck, lay the Evenstar.
"This cannot be... if you were ... representing myself... than I have been fighting myself this entire nightmare..." this lion had sprung at Gandalf, had pushed me into memories, and tried to wound me on several occasions! Would I attack myself?! Or has that been this monsters strategy... to pit me against myself so that I cannot fight him?! And if that is true than this lion... a shudder shook the king's form, this lion represents what I am becoming... A new light shone in Aragorn's eyes, and he returned the Evenstar to the beast's breast. What had to be done was now very clear. The lion rose, sensing his resolve, and did not draw back when Aragorn approached the great beast and mounted him as one would mount a charger. For the beast was as tall as any horse that Aragorn had seen. The lion did not wince as fingers dug into its mane.
"If you are me, personified in this darkness, than you know the way! Take me to the center! Take me to the center of his dark twisted mind!" the lion stood for only a moment before a memory took form before them, and then leapt into its swirling nothingness. Aragorn held tightly, a light that had faded once more shone in his eyes. Now Witch king, now it is me, or you, and this time... I attack your mind!