Shirebound: I'm glad you liked the Smeagol/Gollum conversation. It was really hard to write, so I hoped I'd pull it off all right. Enjoy the fourth installment!

x-LadyoftheRing-x: Glad you like it. If there's anything you think I'm missing-and this is for anyone who wants to review, please tell me. I'm trying to follow the movies because following the book would just be difficult with summer schedules, and honestly, a heckuva long story.

Nymredil72: Smileys. Have fun drowning in Frodo happiness...

One last note: I am leaving for Mexico on Sunday the 4th, so I will be unable to reach a computer for the entire week. I'm sorry, but it's mission work, so don't get too mad. I'll try to post a fifth and sixth installment so you'll have more to read. Also, I'm not sure when, precisely, but I'll also be leaving for DisneyWorld with my family sometime in July. So, there's my busy life, and I hope I can keep updating throughout the summer. Once the school year starts tho, I'm going to be a junior and heavily involved in drama and choir-so just warning you now.

It had been long since either hobbit had spoken, both filled with thoughts of their path ahead. What frail strength had come to Frodo from his brief rest had faded quickly, leaving him more weak and fragile than ever before. Each step was more difficult than the last, and his entire being could hardly bear up under the crushing weight of the Ring. The chain had begun to leave its mark upon his neck, the faintest hint of a red line encircling the pale skin. He stumbled once, his hand going immediately to his chest. This way he continued, one hand flung out for balance, the other jealously protecting what had become a single word in his mind, a twisted proof of the possession of his mind. Precious.

Sam's thoughts had turned quickly to concern for Frodo, his gaze watchful as he saw his strength wane. At first, he had merely slowed his pace, walking side by side with his gardener in silent companionship. But then, his head began to bow under some invisible weight, and his breathing shallow, as though some great burden were pressing down on him. It was then that the old look shadowed his eyes, the distant gaze that bore a haunted appearance. The calm peace they had held in the Shire had long ago disappeared replaced by a darker, more sinister light. It was as though dim clouds had covered the brightness of the sky, an ominous storm that would never completely fade. Now he had fallen far behind, his steps heavy and slow. His shoulders bent under the strain of it, and yet he struggled onward, resolute in his quest. A low hiss from Gollum drew back his attention.

"The Dead City." He murmured, crouching behind the edge of the long road beside them. He looked at Sam, who dropped low beside him and Frodo, who knelt beside them, his haunted gaze locked on the eerie glow of the city.

"Very nasty place..." Gollum hissed softly, and turned his gaze to Sam. "Full of...enemies!" with this, he jumped up onto the road, his entire form tense and anxious. "Quick! Quick!" he motioned for them to follow. "They will see! They will see!"

With this, he turned to the nearby rocks, beginning to ascend without difficulty. Frodo turned to look again towards the city, his gaze irresistibly drawn to stone beasts that guarded its entrance. Their blank eyes seemed to pierce his soul, and a cry, deaf to all but him, fell upon his ears.

Gollum seemed to sense his hesitation, and called out to them. "Come away! Come away!"

Frodo moved slowly, towards Sam, who watched him with shadowed eyes.

"Look, look, we've found it: the way into Mordor!" Gollum looked at them like a dog, eager for praise from its master. "The secret stairs." It was then that they saw the impossible task set before them in its enormity. The stairs, the secret way, were indeed as Gollum had told them, but now, as they saw them, it as clear to them the reason for its concealment. The stairs were crudely cut into a sheer cliff face, rising far beyond what they could see, seemingly touching the clouds as they cut into the sky.

"Climb...!"

Sam turned back to look at Frodo, whose eyes had become a reflection of defeat. After all he had suffered, all he had borne, it had come to this, and endless task he could not hope to consider. He turned his face away, back to the Dead City as though drawn by some invisible force, staggering towards the forbidding gate. Whispers deafened him a he clutched the Ring, lost to the cries of his companions.

"No! Mr. Frodo!" Sam cried out, his face covered in blank astonishment. He had known Mr. Frodo was suffering, but to completely forsake their task was unthinkable. He dropped from the rocks as Gollum's voice resounded in his ears.

"Not that way!!!" he too let go, and they rushed towards him, Gollum shrieked utter shock. "What's it doing?!"

Sam caught hold of Frodo's cloak and jerked him back, his eyes fearful of the City. Frodo tried to pull away, his eyes lit with the eerie gleam that arose from it. "No!...They're calling me..." Even Gollum tugged at his hand, pulling him away from Minas Morgul, dark terror in his pale eyes. It was then that a deep rumble issued from the heart of the City, shaking the earth with a menacing sound. Suddenly, all was silent, and as they held their breath, a jet of light shot up from the depths of the earth, up into the black clouds that covered the sky.

The three had fallen back behind the road, safe for the moment. Frodo stared in horror at the light, his hand clutching the Ring. Between them, Sam and Gollum pulled him back behind an outcropping of rocks, where Frodo fell back, away from the City. Sam was unable to resist a glance, and peered nervously over the edge of the rocks. A black shape rose up from the darkness, and Sam fell back as he beheld the foul servant of Sauron, the Witch King, Lord of the Nazgûl. Gollum cowered against the rocks in terror, and Sam could not tear his gaze away from that Master of Evil, so close to where they lay.

Frodo slumped down, unable to move as he clenched his teeth in pain, his head turned aside as his hand pressed tightly against his shoulder. A piercing, terrible scream rent the air, and he cried out, clutching his ear as he writhed in agony. Sam, too had fallen, his face twisted in a mask of suffering. Frodo could no longer bear the strain, and his hands fell, but the scream continued, and he cried out in anguish. His breath grew ragged as he was driven back in pain, his eyes splintered with agony.

"I can feel his blade!" his gasped, unable to breathe. The Nazgûl's cry sounded again in his ears, and he cried out through clenched teeth. The sound of heavy footfalls reached their ears, and on the road, the Witch- King beheld his great army, an evil race red to serve only the purposes of the Dark Lord. Merciless and cruel, their very existence was to destroy the race of men. The Witch King, turned, and the great beast wheeled past them, so close them pressed themselves closer to earth in fear.

Gollum hissed frantically into the darkness. "Hurry, hobbits! We climb! We must climb!" He turned, and in nervous haste, began to scramble up the rocks. Trembling violently, Frodo pulled himself up, and numbly moved to follow, already the dark haze of evil clouding his mind.

Sam looked back only once, his gaze lost in the sea of creatures, moving swiftly towards to realm of Gondor. In his heart, he felt the pang of sorrow for his companions, for the remainder of the Fellowship, if they even lived. But the moment was fleeting, and he turned again to follow his master.

Hope you liked it. I've done two installments in one day now, and it's almost midnight, so be happy. :)

REVIEW!!!!