AN: An update! Sorry if it was a bit late. I have been busy. This is a somewhat short chapter, but I promise the next chapter will be up soon! Now enjoy. Don't forget to review! I certainly need more reviews.
The next morning everyone was ready for departure. Food and clothing were packed, the boats stowed, and the company ready to leave. Yugi stared rather dumbly, for he had no idea what was going to happen, and no one seemed to find it in heart's interest to explain it to him.
At last Strider came over to him. The tall man seemed troubled. He said in a low voice, "The Lady Galadriel said you wish to travel south with us, is that so?"
Yugi lowered his head and said uncomfortably, "Yes, sort of. I am just trying to figure out a good place to go, and if it isn't too much trouble for you guys..."
Strider sighed, and said wearily, "I would not have you come with us, but Lady Galadriel seems to think it is fit, and perhaps you may even be some aid to us." He paused a while, and finally said, "You shall travel with us then, but these lands are wild and dangerous, and I can not promise your safety." In a softer voice he added, "You must look after yourself, Yugi."
The boy nodded, his huge eyes open wide. Strider said no more, and turned to some other business that needs tending. Things went on with as much peace as one can hope. Soon the company was divided between the three boats. Yugi was on the same boat with the Elf and dwarf, squeezed between too many packs to count, to his utter frustration. The two were not friendly towards him. The Elf was polite, though his eyes hid indifference and disdain. The dwarf would not stop muttering things like "letting him join the quest, he could easily be a spy of the Enemy" under his breath.
There was only a short row, before their boats met the swan boats of the Elves as their songs floated wayward. Together they gathered on the bank of the river, with the Lord and Lady of this realm, to drink the cup of parting. Yugi took a seat under a small tree, trying to say inconspicuous. Somehow the golden-haired lady made him feel very uncomfortable.
"Let me take over, aibou." The spirit suddenly spoke out.
The little boy was startled. "Are you sure about this, Yami?" He asked uncertainly. Then sensing the grave nod on the spirit's part, he relinquished the control of their shared body.
Presently everyone had drunk from the cup, and the Elf-lady was presenting each of the company with gifts. The ancient spirit watched restlessly as the exchange continued. Finally the Elf-lady turned to him, and said in a clear voice, "And you, child, what gift would have from me?"
The spirit was startled, and he did not take long to reply, "Some answers, lady, if you can reveal them."
The lady seemed grave, though all those about her had a look of bemusement. "And what is your question, child?" She asked.
"I wish to know which way leads home." Said the spirit quietly.
The Elf-lady slowly shook her head and replied, "That I do not know. But this I can tell you: your fate is now bound with the fate of Arda, for good or ill, and there is no road homeward bound for you until the uncertainty of this land comes to a conclusion."
Such was the gravity of her words that all those about her looked on with confusion and awe. The spirit bowed his head and said nothing. The Elf-lady turned away from him. The spirit retreated to his seat, where he would remain unseen and unnoticed. And the day wore on.
The journey down the river was hardly invigorating. At first, Yugi was enjoying the sceneries, but soon enough, he was bored of it. "Yami?" He called his darker half, hoping to strike up a conversation.
"Yes, aibou?" The spirit replied, though he seemed distracted.
"You are always thinking lately, thinking so much it made my head hurt." The little boy said, deciding this is a good place to start. "And you still haven't told me why this place seem so familiar to you."
The spirit sighed, "Much have happened."
"You can say that alright," The boy said with a pout, "But nothing is making any sense to me so far."
Receiving no reply the little boy asked again, "What did the vision in that mirror mean, Yami? You were so upset about that. Please tell me."
There was a long silence; finally the spirit said quietly, "Those visions were my own buried memories."
"Do you remember everything then? Your name even?" The little boy asked hopefully.
"No, but I remember enough." The spirit's words came thick with effort, "Three thousand years ago I came to this world, using the Shadow Realm as a passage way. I did not come here with friendly intentions. I brought war here. I invaded this country. That part should be plain enough to you."
The little boy said comfortingly, "But you must have had your reason for this."
"In the beginning, perhaps I did." Said the spirit. "But as it went on it was no more than another game to satisfy my conceit and expand my empire. Just cause that was." The spirit's tone was dark. A pause, and then he added, "I have delved too deep into the hidden secrets of Shadow Realm. The subtle balance was disrupted, and the shadows grew without end. I wrecked havoc on two worlds through my greed."
"But you eventually sealed the Shadow Realm and turned everything back to normal, didn't you?" The little boy pointed out, still trying the cheer up his other half.
"At what cost?" The spirit sounded bitter, "The country was torn, my allies struck down and dead, innocent slaughtered. The fault was mine." There was silence. Suddenly the spirit murmured again, "No, not fault, but stupidity. An idiotic miscalculation on my part. But I shall not make the same mistake twice." Darkness was flowing between his words, and little Yugi could barely keep down the shudder surging up his spine.
The little boy leaned against the side of the boat and looked out. Dark and interminable was the Great River, like the haunting thoughts that flowed in his mind.
"I think you misunderstood me." Frodo said squarely to Boromir, who was standing beside him with an impatient air about him. The hobbit was suspicious and fearful. He was already having enough trouble making a decision, and Boromir's presence was hardly helpful. No, perhaps it was. The action of this man of Gondor was a warning enough, was it not? I must choose the eastward road, Frodo though grimly with determination.
"Why are you so unfriendly?" Said Boromir, coming closer to him, "I am a true man, neither thief nor tracker. I need your Ring: that you know now; but I give my word that I do not desire to keep it. Will you not at least let me make trial of my plan? Lend me the Ring!"
"No." Cried Frodo, leaping away, "No!"
"You can not keep the ring from me," Boromir said in a softer voice, "I am too strong for you." With that he leaped, lunging at the small hobbit.
Frodo dodged, but still the tall man caught the end of his cloak. For a few short seconds they struggled, until the chain hanging around Frodo's neck suddenly broke with a snap. Both of them froze and watched as the ring dropped to the ground, rolled, and finally stopped beside a small rock.
They stared, their very beings frozen, but finally Boromir made a lunging movement, but was stopped short when a small hand picked the ring up. It was no other than the small child who was unknowingly thrown into their quest. He stood there watching them with a smile on his face. Not an innocent, childlike smile by all account, instead it was a devious smirk that barely veiled his disdain and mockery. His ruby eyes were glinting under mass of wild gold bangs. The cold scorn in those eyes was frightening.
Boromir stood up and said in a forceful voice, "Hand me the Ring, now!"
The child laughed, and said in a chilling voice, "So you want this ring, no? You may have it." A pause, then, "That is, if you can recognize it."
He opened his palm and let the object fall. There was a shower of gold, and a dozen of rings landed on the ground with many a soft "cling".
Boromir stared, confusion and fear slowly stealing his eyes. "What sorcery is this?" Finally he barked.
The child laughed again, and said, "Choose, great warrior, and if you choose correctly, you shall have it." The wood was growing dark. Shadows crept out from beneath the rocks and under roots, thick and dark like black water. The child stood there, still smiling, his form almost intangible in the mass of shadows. He raised his arms and gestured about him. "This, is now a Shadow Game."