AN: Oy! So many lovely reviews! I feel very happy indeed. Here is another chapter. I really hope you will enjoy it. And don't forget to review!
Of course, I don't own. Read on!
The night was waning, and the sky was now a fine shade of silken grey. The assailing host showed no sign of tiring. The sign of dawn troubled them not; instead they grew more bold and fierce. They cried with shrill and loud noises even as they came pounding on the high gate.
But suddenly a great shadow was over them. Noiselessly from behind the Deepening wall, a great dragon had risen into the sky. It was a creature of pure black, but gilded with white bones. Two great horns adorned its scaly head, and its eyes were glowing ruby. Its great purple wings were out spread, blotting the grey sky, vast like sails of mist. The black creatures raised their heads and looked, suddenly quiet with fear. The dragon opened its massive jaw and sent down streams of fire coated with black lightening that swam like snakes.
The black creatures screamed and wailed as they hurried back from the gate, trying in vain to escape the dragon's fire. Just then the sound of a single horn rang from behind the wall. The deep call went flying between the cliffs and hills and echoed between wood and stone. The great gate fell open, and riders came galloping, sweeping down like a swift storm. The hooves of horses thundered by, raising a cloud of dust.
Dawn came with a great vigour, spilling gold across the now crimson red sky. On the far ridge a rider suddenly appeared, clad in shinning white. Behind him came thousands of soldiers on foot, the swords in their hands flashing in the sun. The horns were calling over the hills and dales. The last of the enemy force was crushed. The battle of Helm's Deep was over.
In the afternoon the King's company prepared to depart. They were heading to Isengard, for that was Gandalf's counsel. The child was by their side again, upon a tall horse that he reined with ease despite his small frame.
"You are riding with us, child?" Eomer asked with amazement.
"I am afraid so. You see, the wizard and I have a little pact." The child said. He seemed warmer, and there was a humour in him. "I must tag along, it seems, to your inconvenience." The young lord of Rohan furrowed his brow in displeasure but said nothing. The company rode on as the sun traveled ever westward.
The day wore on in boredom for Yugi. It included endless riding and talking. Even the walking talking trees called ents that had everyone awed had little effect on the boy. They were strange, of course, but the Shadow Monsters the little boy had to deal with on daily basis are far stranger. Finally when the sky was completely darkened, the company halted for the night.
The little boy found a quiet spot to lie down. He was about to go to sleep when his darker half interrupted him. "Yugi." The spirit called.
"What?" The little boy asked tiredly, yawning.
"Take a look, up front." The spirit said.
The boy lifted his head and looked, and saw to his surprise a small form sneaking up to where the wizard lay asleep. "Isn't that the hobbit Pippin?" Yugi asked with puzzlement. "What is he doing?"
He stood up to get a clear look. The small hobbit took something from the sleeping form of the wizard, then huddling the object he tiptoed away noiselessly.
"This doesn't look good." The boy muttered. He quickly walked towards the hobbit, as quietly as he can.
The hobbit came beside a large boulder and sat down on the ground, vanishing from his view. Worried, Yugi picked up his pace. When he reached the hobbit, he saw the short being was bent over the rock, frozen with wide but unseeing eyes.
"Hey!" Yugi shouted, but the hobbit didn't reply.
Even more worried, the boy shook the hobbit's shoulder violently. Still no reaction.
"The glass globe in his hand!" The spirit suddenly called. "Take it away from him."
Without thinking twice Yugi snatched the glass ball in the hobbit's hands. The hobbit fell back with a thump, and blinked repeatedly. The camp was stirring, and people leaped up, feeling suddenly apprehensive. But Yugi did not notice any of this, for as soon as he touched the glass globe, he found himself in utter darkness. And he was aware of a presence, hovering about him.
"What have you done? Where is the hobbit?" He heard a hissing voice ask.
In a heartbeat the spirit had taken over, ruby eyes glinting in the darkness. "And who are you to demand me of such answers?" The spirit asked.
There was silence. Then a sweep of darkness came, angry and impatient, pressing down on him like numberless blades. The spirit did not move the least. He stood there silently, as shadows thick as water swirled with violet mist rose about him, black upon black. The silent struggle raged like a storm, but only for a few moments, soon the presence withdrew, leaving again the heavy silence.
Suddenly the voice spoke again. It was still that unpleasant hissing, but it was less commanding and slyer. "And we meet again, Shadow King." The voice crooned. "After so many fleeing years, and finally you have returned."
"We have never met before." The spirit stated simply, his voice perfectly flat and balanced.
"No, not in person, perhaps," The voice said softly, "But we have met in spirit. I was aware of your presence the last time you came. I would have shared your conquest, had you not left so abruptly. We are kindred soul, are we not? You are of the shadows, young one. You live and breathe the shadows. Darkness is your lot, as it is mine. We should be allied, not broken on the opposite fronts of the battlefield. Will you not come to me?"
The voice hid such persuasive power, so alluring like poison mixed with honey. The spirit found himself slowly walking towards the voice, drawn to the presence. The darkness about him was slowly fading into a blank greyness. Suddenly a muffled voice called to him. The spirit hesitated, and his steps slowed.
"Come to me, and join me, Shadow King. Do not hesitate. You have only one chance to share my dark glory." The voice prompted, soft and enthralling.
The spirited took two small steps forward, then halted again. There was something amiss, and that persistent voice at the back of his mind would not leave him in peace. He gathered his wandering mind and concentrated. This time he heard it. He heard the voice of Yugi, his light, calling frantically. For a while he did not respond, lost and confused.
"Yami! Answer me. Why aren't you saying anything?" He heard little Yugi call again, and there was tear in his tone.
The spirit started, now fully awake from the nightmare. "Yugi." He murmured softly the name of his light.
"Oh, Yami! Thank almighty Kami!" Yugi exclaimed. "You really had me scared there for a second. You weren't yourself."
"It is well now, aibou. I am sorry." The spirit said gravely and warily. He could sense the dark presence still about him, probing and tempting even now.
The presence had taken his sudden silence as a sign of submission, now speaking in a honeyed voice, "Come now, Shadow King, you agree with me, do you not?"
"No, I do not." The spirit replied, his voice ringing steel. Shadows were gathering about him once more. "I am not like you, nor will I ever be. I may be of the Shadows, but I am not darkness. I have found light, and I will not forsake it. Never."
There was more silence. Then the voice cried out in rage, "You fool! You dare defy me!" The darkness tumbled like a mad sea.
And the swirling shadows rose like tide in reply. "Why not?" The spirit said with a cold smile. "I do it without hesitation. I have endured enough speech with you, now be gone!" He brought up his arm and swept it downward. And at that darkness and shadows alike vanished back into the shady night sky strewn with silver stars.
The child sighed wearily. That was a mighty close one. He turned, only to find himself staring into the benevolent yet stern face of the wizard Gandalf. The wizard was studying him with silent scrutiny, those dark eyes deep and thoughtful.
"I see you have endured long speech with Him." The wizard said in a matter- of-fact tone.
"Yes, and it would do me some good to know who he is." The child said irately.
The wizard was silent for a few moments, before he answered gravely, "He is Sauron, the Master of Mordor, and enemy to the free people of Middle- earth."
"So he is the enemy in this war that I involuntarily volunteered to take part in?" The child questioned cynically.
The wizard seemed to ignore the acid in his voice, and went on smoothly, "And what did you say to him, child?"
"Nothing that concerns you or those about you." The child replied squarely. "Remember, I know so little that even if I would betray you, I could not."
"Then what did you speak of?" The wizard was persistent.
"He invited me to join force with him." The child answered simply.
"And did you agree?" The wizard asked, his voice still pleasant.
The child couldn't help but roll his eyes skyward. He said exasperatedly, "If I agreed, O Wise One, do you think I would still be here, suffering this civil but utterly pointless conversation with you?"
The wizard was still unperturbed. He said in his aged voice, "The deceit of the Enemy runs deep. One can never be careless."
The child's ruby eyes narrowed and he said fiercely, "I see it is too much to ask you to trust me. Speak no more." With that he turned, fuming, and about to walk away.
A soft laugh escaped the wizard as he said in a somewhat amused voice, "I have been told that you are wild, young one, and you walk on the border of light and darkness. I see now the true meaning of those words. Stay, child!"
"What more do you want?" The child halted and asked, though his back was still turned.
"We had an agreement, child." The wizard said gently.
Finally the child turned back, facing the wizard squarely with his steely ruby glance. "You are right, we had a deal. I will go through with it, if you permit."
"Yes, that is what I came to speak to you of." The wizard said. "I must depart and leave the company soon. I need to take the hobbit to a safer place, for the Enemy's eye has fallen on him."
After a moment of silence, the child asked in a soft voice, "How is he?"
"He is recovering," Said the wizard, "For hobbits are very resilient. And we shall depart to a safer place soon enough."
"Then what would you have from me?" The child asked.
The wizard shot him a keen glance, before saying, "I want you to ride with Aragorn. Or Strider, as you call him. Do not leave his side, for he shall require your aid shortly, and it's your duty to serve his need."
"Of course, even though you put it so condescendingly." Again the scathing tone in the child's voice was missed deliberately.
"Farewell, child." The wizard said, and left.
The child watched silently as the wizard's white cloak faded in the distance. The spirit suddenly heard Little Yugi speaking down their mind link, saying, "Why do I have the feeling that he knows something we don't?"
The spirit said nothing, only nodded with vexation.